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Transformation must occur at every level. By Anthony Zecca Leading from the Edge Go PRO for members-only access to more Anthony Zecca. View the full article

Transformation must occur at every level. By Anthony Zecca Leading from the Edge Go PRO for members-only access to more Anthony Zecca. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. After crossing six marathon finish lines—and with NYC coming up in just two weeks—I've learned that the right training plan can make or break your 26.2-mile journey. The difference between hitting the wall at mile 20 and finishing strong often comes down to matching your plan to your current fitness level (and all the brutal honesty that entails). I've tried several of the most popular programs out there, and here's what actually works, based on my experience and countless miles logged. For beginners: The foundation builder (16-20 weeks)Who this is for: You can comfortably run 3-4 miles and want to finish your first marathon without injury. My first marathon was a humbling experience, but I'm grateful I didn't rush the process. Beginner plans should prioritize building endurance gradually, with most runs at an easy, conversational pace. My top advice for beginners is to focus on the long run progression. Increase your longest run by just one mile every 1-2 weeks. This slow build prevents injury and teaches your body to process fuel efficiently. I recommend the run-walk method popularized by Jeff Galloway—there's zero shame in walking breaks, and they actually helped me finish my first marathon feeling stronger than friends who pushed through without them. Hal Higdon's Novice 1 & 2 (18 weeks)This is where I started, and I recommend it to every first-timer who asks. Higdon's plans are beautifully simple and forgiving. Novice 1 has you running just 3-4 days per week with optional cross-training, peaking at 40 miles weekly. The progression is gentle, and the instructions are crystal clear—no confusing pace calculations or complicated workouts. What I love: The plan includes walking breaks and doesn't overwhelm you with jargon. It's free online and has a massive community following it, so you'll find plenty of support. Best for: True beginners or anyone returning from a long break who wants a straightforward, proven approach. Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster (16 weeks)This three-runs-per-week plan surprised me with how effective it could be with lower volume. Each run has a specific purpose: track repeats, tempo run, and long run, supplemented with mandatory cross-training. What I love: It's perfect for busy people or those worried about injury from high mileage. The structure is rigid but efficient. Best for: Beginners who can only commit to three running days a week but want to still see progress, or those cross-training heavily in other sports. For intermediate runners: The performance enhancer (16-18 weeks)Who this is for: You've completed at least one marathon or regularly run 25+ miles per week and want to improve your time. This is where training gets interesting. You're no longer just trying to finish, but actually chasing a PR or a specific time goal. Tempo runs changed everything for my third marathon. Running at or slightly above your goal marathon pace for sustained periods teaches your body what that pace feels like and builds the mental toughness to maintain it when you're tired. I do these midweek: Warm up for 10-15 minutes, run 5-8 miles at tempo pace, then cool down. Hal Higdon's Intermediate 1 & 2 (18 weeks)I used Intermediate 1 for my last marathon and knocked 22 minutes off my previous time. The plan bumps you up to 5 days of running per week, peaking around 50 miles, and introduces pace runs and tempo work without being overwhelming. What I love: It maintains Higdon's accessible approach while adding the speed work you need to improve. The balance between hard efforts and recovery is well-calibrated for someone still building their base. Best for: Runners who had success with a beginner plan and want to level up gradually with a familiar structure. Hanson's Marathon Method: Beginner/Just Finish (18 weeks)Don't let the "beginner" label fool you—Hanson's approach is unconventional and challenging. Unlike other plans, your longest run caps at just 16 miles, but you're running higher weekly mileage (peaking around 57 miles) with less recovery between hard efforts. The philosophy is "cumulative fatigue," where you learn to run on tired legs. What I love: The plan forces you to respect your easy pace and teaches you to run marathon pace when you're already fatigued, which is exactly what race day feels like. Best for: Runners ready to commit to six days per week of running who want to break through a plateau. Not ideal for injury-prone runners due to the accumulated fatigue. For advanced runners: The time trialer (16-20 weeks)Who this is for: You've run multiple marathons, consistently train 40+ miles per week, and are chasing ambitious time goals or Boston qualification. At this level, the margins are smaller and the training is more sophisticated. You're fine-tuning an already efficient engine. Marathon pace long runs are your secret weapon. Rather than running all long runs easy, incorporate marathon pace segments into your longest runs. For example, run 18 miles with miles 10-16 at goal marathon pace. This teaches your body to run fast on tired legs—exactly what you'll face on race day. My last two marathons improved dramatically after I started doing this, particularly with Pfitzinger's approach. Pfitzinger's Advanced Marathoning: 18/55 or 18/70 (18 weeks)Pete Pfitzinger's plans are the gold standard for serious marathoners. The plan features medium-long runs, marathon pace segments within long runs, lactate threshold workouts, and VO2 max intervals. Everything is purposeful and periodized. What I love: The variety keeps training interesting. A medium-long run (12-15 miles) on tired legs taught me more about marathon pacing than anything else. Pfitzinger respects recovery while still pushing you hard. Best for: Experienced runners chasing specific time goals who can commit to 6-7 days per week. The 18/70 plan is for those targeting sub-3:00 or are already comfortable with high mileage. Hanson's Marathon Method: Advanced (18 weeks)The advanced version of Hanson's method maintains the 16-mile long run cap but pushes weekly mileage to 63+ miles with more intense tempo work and speed sessions. Three "something of substance" (SOS) workouts per week make this plan demanding. What I love: If cumulative fatigue works for your body, this plan delivers results. You'll run marathon pace so often in training that race day feels familiar rather than daunting. Best for: High-mileage runners who recover quickly and aren't injury-prone. The frequent hard efforts can break down runners who need more recovery between quality sessions. Jack Daniels' Elite Marathon Plan (24 weeks)This plan is out of my league, but it's well-known and highly trusted among runners. It includes four phases: base, quality, speed, and taper. Peak mileage can exceed 80 miles per week with multiple quality sessions. The plan uses precise training zones and includes marathon pace runs within long runs. What I love: If you're chasing an aggressive goal and have the time to commit, this plan leaves no stone unturned. The 24-week timeline allows for gradual, sustainable building. Best for: Runners targeting Boston qualification or personal bests who have successfully completed multiple high-mileage training cycles. This isn't a plan to jump into lightly. Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster: Advanced (16 weeks)Even at the advanced level, this plan keeps you at just three hard running days per week, but the intensity is dramatically higher. Track workouts, tempo runs, and long runs with pace work are all challenging, with mandatory cross-training filling other days. What I love: For anyone balancing high training stress from other areas of life, this proves you don't need massive mileage to run fast. Best for: Advanced runners who can handle high intensity but need lower running volume due to injury history, age, or life constraints. How to choose the right plan for youMileage comfort: Be honest about what your body can handle. If you've never run 50 miles in a week, don't start with a plan that peaks at 70. Time commitment: A six-day-per-week plan requires different life logistics than a three-day plan. Consider your work schedule, family obligations, and other commitments. Coaching style: Higdon is encouraging and simple. Pfitzinger is detailed and scientific. Hanson's is contrarian and tough-love. Pick a voice that motivates you. Track access: Some plans require a track for specific workouts. If you don't have access, choose plans with more flexible tempo runs and hill work. Injury history: Higher mileage and frequent intensity increase injury risk. If you're injury-prone, consider Hanson's approach (lower long run), Runner's World (lower volume), or building slowly with Higdon. Universal advice across all levelsListen to your body over your plan. Every plan I've followed required adjustments. Illness, work stress, unusual fatigue—these happen. Missing one workout won't derail your marathon, but running through injury absolutely will. The taper is sacred. Regardless of your level, reduce mileage by 20-30% three weeks out, then another 40-50% two weeks out, with race week at minimal mileage. You might feel antsy or even sluggish initially—that's normal. Trust every plan's taper—they all agree on this. Race day strategy matters as much as training. Start conservatively—the first half should feel easy. I've watched countless runners blow up after going out too fast. Negative splitting (running the second half faster than the first) is the most satisfying way to finish. Find your community. Whether it's a running club, online forum, or training partners, having support makes the long training cycle infinitely more bearable. Some of my best friendships started on early morning long runs. Most of these plans have dedicated online communities where you can find others following the same schedule. The marathon is a humbling, rewarding distance that teaches you as much about mental strength as physical endurance. Choose the plan that matches where you are now, not where you wish you were. I've had success with Higdon's approachable structure, Pfitzinger's scientific periodization, and learned valuable lessons from Hanson's cumulative fatigue philosophy. Trust your training, respect the distance, and enjoy the journey. Every marathon I've run has been different, but the feeling of crossing that finish line never gets old. View the full article

Client needs evolve with their businesses. By Hitendra Patil Client Accounting Services: The Definitive Success Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Hitendra Patil. View the full article

Client needs evolve with their businesses. By Hitendra Patil Client Accounting Services: The Definitive Success Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Hitendra Patil. View the full article

Save by combining a retreat with CPE. By Jody Grunden Building the Virtual CFO Firm in the Cloud Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Grunden. View the full article

Save by combining a retreat with CPE. By Jody Grunden Building the Virtual CFO Firm in the Cloud Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Grunden. View the full article

Google quietly rolled out a new Sources column in its AI Max Search Term Reports – giving advertisers their first real look at where AI Max traffic is coming from and how Google’s automation is matching queries. What’s new. The new Sources data reveals how AI Max is driving traffic through: Landing pages and URL inclusions — showing which of your pages Google used to match search intent. AI Max expanded matches — indicating when traffic came from Google’s algorithmic expansions beyond your set keywords. Why we care. Until now, advertisers had limited visibility into how AI Max decides which searches trigger ads. This new data helps clarify whether traffic is being driven by relevant pages or overly broad matches – a key step toward understanding AI-driven campaign performance. What to do: Review landing page matches: Make sure search terms align with your page content. If not, your site or feed may need tighter keyword alignment. Analyze expanded matches: Track ROAS and CPA against standard match types to see if AI-driven expansions are actually adding value. Monitor over time: Patterns in these sources can reveal whether AI Max is learning effectively or wasting spend. Bottom line. This Sources column gives advertisers long-missing visibility into AI Max’s matching logic — turning what used to be a black box into something you can finally analyze and optimize. First seen. This update was picked up by Google Ads specialist Thomas Eccel. View the full article

Fear over credit quality in U.S. regional banks rippled through markets on Friday, dragging global financial stocks lower and reviving memories of the crisis of confidence that shook sentiment just over two years ago. The selloff hit Wall Street, with main equities indexes seeing a mixed open, as investors stayed on edge with banking sector worries adding to anxiety already heightened by escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and renewed worries about the global economic outlook. The banking sector’s exposure to two recent U.S. auto bankruptcies has rekindled concerns about lending standards more than two years after Silicon Valley Bank’s failure, when high interest rates drove paper losses on its bonds and sparked a global bank stocks rout. Investors are now trying to assess whether recent issues in U.S. credit markets will have a similar effect, as an overnight selloff on Wall Street rippled across Asia and Europe and shone a spotlight on the recent AI-led surge in broader stock markets that some fear could have created a bubble. Some analysts said, at this stage, the concerns around U.S. regional banks appeared idiosyncratic rather than a sign of something more systemic. “Pockets of the U.S. banking sector including regional banks have given the market cause for concern,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell. “This includes Zions flagging an unexpected loss on two loans and Western Alliance alleging a borrower had committed fraud.” Markets whipsaw Some of the largest U.S. banks fell in Friday trading, closing a week marked by broadly strong earnings on a dour note. The KBW Banks Index, which tracks large-cap banks, fell 0.4%. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Friday that banks have ample reserves and that he was optimistic that credit markets could stay ahead of the curve. He added in an interview with Fox Business Network that The President administration officials led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Reserve’s Michelle Bowman are “cleaning things up right now” without providing further details. “What we see in the banks selling off overnight in the U.S., Asia wakes up to it, Europe wakes up to it, and so it spreads,” said TD Securities head of global macro strategy James Rossiter. European banks fell almost 3%, with Deutsche Bank and Barclays sliding around 6%, and Societe Generale down 4.6%, after financial firms in Asia, especially Japanese banks and insurers sank. In early U.S. trading, the SPDR S&P regional banking ETF was up 0.4%, a day after the benchmark tumbled 6%, its steepest one-day selloff in six months. Strong earnings from Truist Financial, Regions Financial, and Fifth Third bolstered investor sentiment, sending most U.S. regional banks higher in morning trading. Zions Bancorp, at the heart of the investor scrutiny, recovered some lost ground, after closing down 13%. Western Alliance was up 2.6% after losing roughly 11% on Thursday. “Despite growing hopes of further rate cuts this year, attention is turning to the underlying health of the economy, as emerging credit losses amongst America’s regional banks raised further questions about lending practices,” said Derren Nathan, head of equity research, Hargreaves Lansdown. The U.S. KBW Regional Banking Index closed down 6.3% on Thursday. The latest selloff came after Zions said it would take a $50 million loss on two commercial and industrial loans from its California unit, while Western Alliance disclosed it had initiated a lawsuit alleging fraud by Cantor Group V, LLC. Attorneys for Cantor denied the allegations. Credit impairments in private debt have been rising and default rates have hit 5.5%, said Mark Dowding, chief investment officer at RBC BlueBay Asset Management, citing the latest available data for the second quarter. Despite tenuous gains in U.S. bank stocks, the gloom spread across other pockets of the U.S. financial sector, weighing on mortgage lenders, buy-now-pay-later firms, and brokerages. Analysts say that any cracks in credit on Wall Street are likely to spill over into other areas of the financial sector. Robinhood and Interactive Brokers fell 1.5% and 2%, respectively. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said earlier this week about credit markets: “When you see one cockroach, there are probably more, and so everyone should be forewarned.” Broader market impact “The market is clearly priced for perfection,” said Bo Pei, analyst at US Tiger Securities. “This leaves sentiment vulnerable, so even isolated negative headlines can trigger outsized reactions like what we saw yesterday.” European bank shares are up some 40% year-to-date. Gold meanwhile hit a fresh record high. U.S. banks borrowed nearly $15 billion from the Federal Reserve’s Standing Repo Facility (SRF) on Wednesday and Thursday, suggesting tightness in meeting funding obligations with large net Treasuries settlement due this week. That was the largest borrowing over a two-day period since the Covid-19 pandemic. On Friday morning, however, banks did not tap the repo facility, although they get another chance to do so in the afternoon. The SRF acts as a liquidity backstop for potential funding shortfalls. Introduced in July 2021 in response to the pandemic, the Fed’s facility provides twice-daily overnight cash loans in exchange for eligible collateral such as U.S. Treasuries. “The market has been concerned on a bubble brewing on private credit for the past few months,” said Alan Devlin, Global Financials Research Analyst, Impax Asset Management. “The market is basically shooting first, asking questions later.” —Ankur Banerjee, Alun John, and Manya Saini; Additional reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss, Kevin Buckland, Stella Qiu, Dhara Ranasinghe, Jose Joel, Pritam Biswas and Medha Singh, Reuters View the full article

Learn how to create AI-generated content like blog posts that can rank with SEO best practices. View the full article

Xi Jinping’s targets in anti-corruption drive include PLA’s No 2 General He WeidongView the full article

Learn what SERPs are, how search engine results pages work, and how to rank higher in search. View the full article

Thanksgiving is now less than six weeks away, which means many families are making plans for travel and meal prep. But the cost of inflation will also be weighing heavily on their minds, especially for those who have large Turkey Day gatherings to feed. However, the world of grocery shopping is highly competitive, and one chain, Aldi, is aiming to outdo the competition in enticing cost-conscious consumers to shop at its stores. The national grocery store chain has announced that it will put a full Thanksgiving meal, which feeds 10, on your table for just $40. Here’s what you need to know as the turkey dinner wars kick off for 2025. Aldi announces a Thanksgiving meal for 10 for just $40 Every national and regional chain that sells groceries will be vying for Americans’ dollars over the next six weeks as they begin shopping for their Thanksgiving meals. Today, Aldi has announced that it intends to give cash-conscious consumers the ability to get a full turkey spread for 10 people for just $40. As Aldi notes, at an average cost of just $4 per person, the deal, per household guest, costs “less than a pumpkin spice latte.” The deal also happens to be $7 cheaper than the $47 Thanksgiving dinner for 10 that Aldi offered last year. It should be noted that the $40 price isn’t for a package of set food items. Instead, Aldi calculated the price by adding up the cost of 21 individual products and ingredients that are needed for making a Thanksgiving meal of nine dishes. Those dishes include: a 14-pound turkey rolls cranberry sauce mac and cheese stuffing mashed potatoes with gravy sweet potato casserole green bean casserole pumpkin pie In a potential dig at competitors like Costco, Aldi notes that “no coupons or memberships” are needed to buy the individual items that go into making the $40 meal for 10. The grocery store chain is also providing a downloadable list of those items here. The average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner has hovered around $60 for years The cost of Thanksgiving dinner can vary widely based on numerous factors, including the dishes you plan to prepare, the number of guests you’ll be feeding, and where in the country you are located. However, 2024 data from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) found that the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people has hovered around $60 for years. The AFBF found that the average Thanksgiving meal for 10 cost $58.08 in 2024. That was down 5% from the $61.17 average meal cost in 2023. In 2022, the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 hit a record high of $64.05, according to the AFBF. Of course, Aldi won’t be the only one vying for your Thanksgiving dinner dollars. Last year, the chain was in a heated competition with other major U.S. grocery stores, including Walmart and Target. As reported by CBS Mornings last November, while Aldi was offering a 2024 Thanksgiving meal for 10 for $47, Target was offering a Thanksgiving meal for eight for $40, and Walmart was offering a meal for eight for $54. You can expect both of those major chains—and many others—to be similarly competitive this year. This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 27. View the full article

Crown Prosecution Service kicked off political firestorm when it abandoned charges against two British menView the full article

Recently, there’s been discussion – and some frustration – on social media about what’s being said (and who’s saying it) about SEO, GEO, and whatever comes next. Some of that criticism has been directed at Search Engine Land, and that’s fair game. We’ve always encouraged open debate and multiple viewpoints about where search marketing is headed. But I want to take a moment to clarify what we believe, what we don’t, and why our editorial approach may not always align with everyone’s worldview – especially in this unprecedented, transitional moment for our industry. 1. SEO is not dead. Period. Search Engine Land believes SEO is very much still a thing. As Lily Ray put it in her excellent Search Engine Land article, AI search is booming, but SEO is still not dead. But we also believe SEO is evolving. The fundamentals – technical excellence, relevance, authority, content that meets human needs – still matter. They always will. What’s changing are the interfaces and distribution channels through which people access information. When those change, language has to evolve, too. 2. We’re a community – not a monolith Search Engine Land has always been a community publication. That means we publish multiple, sometimes conflicting, perspectives. That’s intentional. SEO has never been a field with one single, universal truth. Disagreement and discussion make the industry stronger. We’d rather foster debate than enforce a single viewpoint. Ideas sharpen and evolve through constructive conflict. 3. Yes, GEO (or whatever we call it) is real You can call it AI SEO, GEO, AEO, LLMO, or something else entirely – the terminology is secondary. What matters is what’s happening: Clicks and traffic have been vanishing since the emergence of AI Overviews, answer engines, and other generative systems. That’s not fear-mongering. It’s observable data. Regardless of Google’s carefully worded talking points. So the natural question becomes: What “SEO” do you do when there is no more “search engine”? That’s why we’re exploring and naming this shift. Our goal is not to hype something new, but to describe an undeniable evolution in how search (and discovery) works. 4. The fundamentals translate – the labels just change The best practices of SEO largely carry over into AI SEO, or whatever new framework emerges: Creating content that answers human questions helpfully and accurately. Building authority and trust. Structuring information so systems – human or machine – can understand it. We’ve never said otherwise. The “new” isn’t replacing SEO fundamentals; it’s extending them. 5. On truth and perception Let’s be real: truth is subjective. Two smart, experienced SEOs can look at the same evidence and draw different conclusions. That’s normal. At Search Engine Land, we’ll continue to publish our interpretations of what’s happening – supported by data and experience – while giving space to others who see it differently. Disagreement isn’t deception. It’s dialogue. 6. On ‘snake oil’ and misinformation There’s plenty of deception and snake oil in our industry – always has been, always will be. That’s not caused by one article or publication. It’s the nature of any evolving, competitive space. We can’t stop bad actors from misusing ideas, but we can keep trying to elevate good ones – by being transparent, evidence-driven, and open to correction when we get something wrong. 7. On conflicting articles Yes, we’ve published conflicting takes on topics like GEO, AEO, and the future of AI SEO. That’s not confusion – that’s conversation. We’re in a time of unprecedented change, and pretending everyone agrees would be dishonest. We’d rather show you and all our readers the range of perspectives than withhold ideas because they don’t conform to one narrative. 8. On content and creation Whether content is written by a human, an AI, or some blend of both, our view is simple: If it helps someone solve a problem, learn something, or make a decision – that’s good content. Humans make mistakes. AI makes mistakes. Ultimately, accuracy and usefulness matter most. And, as we’ve reported: People don’t really care whether content is made by AI or humans. 80% of consumers are neutral or positive toward brands using AI-generated content. 9. The direction of travel As Mike King has said, SEO isn’t dead – it’s deprecated. Google’s long-term vision has always been the “Star Trek” computer – a system that provides answers, not a list of webpages. We are now dealing with information engines – not search engines. Thus why I half-jokingly used the term Information Engine Optimization. We’re not there yet, but the trajectory is clear. Holding onto “SEO” as if it will always mean the same thing doesn’t make sense. “GEO,” or whatever comes next, might simply reflect a more expansive reality of how people find and interact with information. 10. And about those oh-so-funny GEO ‘jokes’ Let’s retire the “GEO is for geology” jokes. Words evolve. Every field goes through terminology debates – science, law, tech, marketing. It’s natural, even healthy, to argue about definitions when new ideas emerge. What matters is not what we call it, but what we do with it. Dig deeper. Yes, GEO is happening 11. We’ve had this debate before It’s worth remembering that the term “SEO” wasn’t a universally accepted term in the beginning. In the mid-1990s, when search engines were emerging, a handful of pioneers – Bruce Clay, Bob Heyman, John Audette, Viktor Grant, and others – were wrestling with the same question we are today: what do we call this new thing? Some called it “search engine positioning.” Others called it “search marketing” or “website promotion.” Some “SEO” detractors, like Mike Grehan, pointed out that SEO is a misleading term because you aren’t optimizing a search engine. In short, names come and go. Not everyone will be happy. But whether we call it “AI optimization,” “generative engine optimization,” or even “information engine optimization,” visibility is crucial, so optimization still matters for your brand or business. “I think if you look back at the history of all of these things, none of us gets to decide what anything is going to be called. Millions of people have tried to coin terms and failed. It’s like going viral, it’s out of our control,” said Mike Pastore, Third Door Media’s head of content and media. We’re watching and listening Search Engine Land exists to inform, challenge, and help search marketers navigate a rapidly changing world. We won’t always get it perfect. But we’ll always be honest about what we believe, transparent about what we don’t know yet, and open to diverse voices that push the industry forward. Critique makes us better. Keep it coming. View the full article

Renters who pay on time deserve credit toward homeownership, and new data tools can make that possible, according to the owner of Burkentine Real Estate Group. View the full article

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any work-related questions that you want to talk about (that includes school). If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to take your questions to other readers. * If you submitted a question to me recently, please do not repost it here, as it may be in my queue to answer. The post open thread – October 17, 2025 appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Join Tom Capper, Sr. Search Scientist at STAT Search Analytics, as he reveals what enterprise SEOs need to know to maintain visibility and measure success. The post How To Win Brand Visibility in AI Search: AIOs, LLMs & The New SEO Landscape appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Rich Handler’s comments came as investors dumped US regional bank stocks over credit quality worriesView the full article

The former American Fidelity Financial Services LO helped others scam homeowners out of their loan proceeds for shoddy or nonexistent home repairs. View the full article

Salesforce has announced a new collaboration with Vonage that could redefine how small businesses approach customer interactions and data management. By integrating Salesforce’s Data Cloud and Agentforce, Vonage aims to create a unified platform that leverages AI, cloud technology, and 5G innovation to enhance customer experience. For small business owners, this partnership offers pivotal benefits, practical applications, and some challenges to consider. The recent press release highlights how Vonage will implement Salesforce’s Data Cloud, a platform designed to unlock the full potential of enterprise data. This initiative creates a single source of truth, which delivers real-time insights to sales and service teams. These capabilities enable companies to personalize customer experiences and significantly enhance efficiency. “With Agentforce, we’re enabling our teams to deliver the next level of excellence in serving our customers,” emphasized Niklas Heuveldop, CEO of Vonage. For small businesses exploring new ways to streamline operations, the adoption of Data Cloud could present a monumental shift. The platform integrates multiple data sources, allowing small business owners to analyze customer interactions more effectively. Imagine being able to review a customer’s full history—from product usage to past support queries—within a single interface. This level of detail supports businesses in providing tailored services, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Another essential feature of the partnership is the introduction of Agentforce, Salesforce’s digital labor platform designed to automate mundane tasks. By deploying AI agents to handle routine activities such as updating customer profiles and managing case records, small business teams can free up time for more complex and high-impact tasks. This smart delegation helps to optimize workforce efficiency, making it easier for small teams to manage growing customer demands. However, while the benefits are clear, small business owners should consider some potential challenges. Implementing sophisticated data integration and AI solutions could require a considerable upfront investment in technology and training. Additionally, transitioning to a more data-driven approach may necessitate a cultural shift within the organization. Employees will need to adapt to new tools and workflows, which can be daunting. Proper change management strategies and training programs will be crucial for success. Moreover, as businesses adopt AI-driven customer service, maintaining a personal touch becomes pivotal. Small businesses often thrive on relationships; losing that human element could backfire in terms of customer engagement. Owner Adam Evans, EVP and General Manager of Salesforce AI, stated, “A leader in AI, Cloud, and 5G-enabled innovation, Vonage is leveraging the power of Salesforce’s deeply unified platform to transform its operations.” This transformation must be approached thoughtfully to ensure that technology augments rather than replaces the human aspect of customer service. As CEO Heuveldop noted, the partnership embodies a broader movement towards what is termed the “Agentic Enterprise.” In this evolving landscape, every decision becomes data-driven, giving businesses a competitive edge. For small business owners, this shift may represent both an opportunity and a challenge. Embracing technology can enhance operational effectiveness but requires a willingness to adapt and invest in the necessary tools and skills. In a market increasingly centered on customer experience, Vonage’s integration of Salesforce technology could pave the way for small businesses to thrive. This collaboration emphasizes the necessity of harnessing data and automation to remain competitive. As the landscape shifts toward digital-first strategies, those who can effectively utilize these tools are likely to reap the benefits. With this partnership, Vonage not only enhances its service offerings but also showcases the potential for small businesses to leverage enterprise-level innovations. To learn more about this intriguing partnership and its implications for your business, you can visit the original press release at Salesforce. Image via Salesforce This article, "Vonage and Salesforce Join Forces to Revolutionize Customer Experience with AI" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Salesforce has announced a new collaboration with Vonage that could redefine how small businesses approach customer interactions and data management. By integrating Salesforce’s Data Cloud and Agentforce, Vonage aims to create a unified platform that leverages AI, cloud technology, and 5G innovation to enhance customer experience. For small business owners, this partnership offers pivotal benefits, practical applications, and some challenges to consider. The recent press release highlights how Vonage will implement Salesforce’s Data Cloud, a platform designed to unlock the full potential of enterprise data. This initiative creates a single source of truth, which delivers real-time insights to sales and service teams. These capabilities enable companies to personalize customer experiences and significantly enhance efficiency. “With Agentforce, we’re enabling our teams to deliver the next level of excellence in serving our customers,” emphasized Niklas Heuveldop, CEO of Vonage. For small businesses exploring new ways to streamline operations, the adoption of Data Cloud could present a monumental shift. The platform integrates multiple data sources, allowing small business owners to analyze customer interactions more effectively. Imagine being able to review a customer’s full history—from product usage to past support queries—within a single interface. This level of detail supports businesses in providing tailored services, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Another essential feature of the partnership is the introduction of Agentforce, Salesforce’s digital labor platform designed to automate mundane tasks. By deploying AI agents to handle routine activities such as updating customer profiles and managing case records, small business teams can free up time for more complex and high-impact tasks. This smart delegation helps to optimize workforce efficiency, making it easier for small teams to manage growing customer demands. However, while the benefits are clear, small business owners should consider some potential challenges. Implementing sophisticated data integration and AI solutions could require a considerable upfront investment in technology and training. Additionally, transitioning to a more data-driven approach may necessitate a cultural shift within the organization. Employees will need to adapt to new tools and workflows, which can be daunting. Proper change management strategies and training programs will be crucial for success. Moreover, as businesses adopt AI-driven customer service, maintaining a personal touch becomes pivotal. Small businesses often thrive on relationships; losing that human element could backfire in terms of customer engagement. Owner Adam Evans, EVP and General Manager of Salesforce AI, stated, “A leader in AI, Cloud, and 5G-enabled innovation, Vonage is leveraging the power of Salesforce’s deeply unified platform to transform its operations.” This transformation must be approached thoughtfully to ensure that technology augments rather than replaces the human aspect of customer service. As CEO Heuveldop noted, the partnership embodies a broader movement towards what is termed the “Agentic Enterprise.” In this evolving landscape, every decision becomes data-driven, giving businesses a competitive edge. For small business owners, this shift may represent both an opportunity and a challenge. Embracing technology can enhance operational effectiveness but requires a willingness to adapt and invest in the necessary tools and skills. In a market increasingly centered on customer experience, Vonage’s integration of Salesforce technology could pave the way for small businesses to thrive. This collaboration emphasizes the necessity of harnessing data and automation to remain competitive. As the landscape shifts toward digital-first strategies, those who can effectively utilize these tools are likely to reap the benefits. With this partnership, Vonage not only enhances its service offerings but also showcases the potential for small businesses to leverage enterprise-level innovations. To learn more about this intriguing partnership and its implications for your business, you can visit the original press release at Salesforce. Image via Salesforce This article, "Vonage and Salesforce Join Forces to Revolutionize Customer Experience with AI" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Five steps turn vision into execution. Gear Up for Growth With Jean Caragher For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jean Marie Caragher. View the full article

Five steps turn vision into execution. Gear Up for Growth With Jean Caragher For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jean Marie Caragher. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google's head of search, Liz Reid, was interviewed about Google Search, AI, ad clicks, publishers...View the full article