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Every office has that coworker that turns up to a meeting coughing and sniffling while proudly proclaiming they have never once taken a sick day in their career. (If there isn’t one, maybe it’s you.) But as one viral TikTok makes clear, those attitudes towards taking sick days may be changing—just as sick days themselves are changing, as some think being sick isn’t a real excuse to not work in the WFH era. The skit—which has more than 2.3 million views—sees popular TikTok creator Delaney Rowe adopting the role of that coworker, turning up to a meeting with a hospital tag still on wrist, oh-so bravely battling through the workday while simultaneously making it everyone else’s business. “Person you work with who thinks they’re a hero for ‘powering through’ while sick,” she wrote. The days of “powering through” are now gone, as nearly a third of Americans say they’d rather you didn’t show up to work if you’re feeling sick, according to a new Talker Research survey of 2,000 people in the US. Many in the TikTok post’s comments agreed. “I get so mad when people risk ME getting sick,” one wrote. “Get away from me.” Another joked: “This is me but I’m just soft-launching calling out the next few days.” Others have even offered scripts for how to successfully call in sick without guilt or fear. “Take your sick days. Those days are for you and they’re not just for when you’re sick,” one TikTok creator advised. “They’re for when you just want a day to lay down all day and watch movies and eat food. You can do that. They’re for when you’re feeling a little bit off and you just don’t want to deal with it today.” The workplace is a minefield of unwritten rules which workers have long abided by. Not taking sick days, even when allotted by an employer, is one. However, 31% of those surveyed by Talker Research say there’s no longer a badge of honor or admirable quality to employees turning up to work ill. Just a quarter of Americans strongly believe it would impress bosses or superiors. As one Reddit thread put it: “Never taking sick days is not a flex some people think it is.” One commenter went on to describe a coworker who point blank refuses to take sick days, writing: “All of this goes unnoticed by management. No one gives a damn. No one is asking him to do it, no one is patting him on the back.” They added: “Then he proceeds to get frustrated with the rest of us that we don’t do the same.” The COVID-19 pandemic permanently changed workers’ attitudes to sick leave, making clear the importance of staying home to avoid infecting coworkers. At the same time, Gen Zers entered the workforce in droves, championing mental health days, worklife balance, and the importance of boundaries at work. But some workers may still feel compelled to show up and put in face time with the boss. That translates to remote work, as well; a green “active” light on Slack or Teams communicates availability. But whether it’s in person or online, working while sick sets a bad example for the rest of the staff, chipping away at work-life boundaries that are already blurrier than ever. Working while sick can also lead to presenteeism: working while sick, but since you’re sick, you’re less productive. Presenteeism is bad for business, especially when it risks infecting an entire office with a cold or flu picked up over the weekend. And after witnessing layoff after layoff, today’s employees may be more inclined to take that R&R that’s available to them—rather than give their all to a job that deems them disposable. View the full article

Figure comes ahead of tough November Budget for Rachel ReevesView the full article

Reductions account for nearly 6% of consumer goods group’s total workforceView the full article

Office work is officially back from the dead—if New York is any indication, that is. In Manhattan, businesses are leasing more office space than they have in close to a decade, in a sign that the return-to-office movement is likely to stick around. According to real estate investor CBRE, during the first nine months of 2025, Manhattan businesses leased 23.2 million square feet of office space, the most since 2006. Leasing has already surpassed last year’s total, with 143 leases at more than $100 per square foot. However, as the epicenter of business, New York City is an outlier: Nationally, leasing is still around 11% below the pre-COVID average. Unsurprisingly, financial firms, as well as tech, media, and advertising companies, are driving the surge with major deals. In April, Deloitte signed a lease with Hudson Yards for 800,000 square feet of a 717-foot tower still under construction. Amazon is expanding its NYC office presence, too. In 2020, the tech giant bought the historic Lord & Taylor building. This year, the company bought a building at 522 Fifth Ave. A month earlier, the company leased 330,000 square feet of office space from Israel-based Property & Building Corp. at Bryant Park. The leasing boom is so pronounced that developers have announced more than six new projects to meet the growing demand. This includes a new office building in Grand Central with Ikea as a ground-floor tenant, and JPMorgan Chase’s $3 billion tower at 270 Park Ave. With all the extra office space, New Yorkers are going to be expected to occupy it—particularly given the rise in return-to-office initiatives. Case in point: Last year, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy mandated that nearly all Amazon employees work in the office five days a week, pressing that on-site presence fuels productivity and creativity. “When we look back over the last five years, we continue to believe that the advantages of being together in the office are significant,” Jassy wrote in a memo. “It’s easier for our teammates to learn, model, practice, and strengthen our culture; collaborating, brainstorming, and inventing are simpler and more effective; teaching and learning from one another are more seamless; and, teams tend to be better connected to one another.” In July 2025, New York office visits were 1.3% higher than they were six years ago. But nationally, return-to-office policies have been trending upward, too. A recent Kastle Systems report found that in Class A+ buildings (new, high-quality buildings usually occupied by major companies), office attendance was around 76.3% in the 10 largest U.S. metro areas. The overall average for the same cities was 54.1%. View the full article

When Steve Jobs wanted to motivate his Mac team at Apple, he didn’t give them corporate pep talks or send them to management retreats. Instead, he told them they were “pirates” fighting against the “navy.” The message was clear: stay scrappy, stay rebellious, and don’t let the corporate machine slow you down. That pirate mentality worked. The Mac team moved fast, took risks, and delivered something revolutionary. But here’s the irony: Apple was itself the navy they were once fighting against. Today, with over 160,000 employees and a market cap exceeding $3 trillion, Apple faces the same challenge that confronts every successful company—how do you stay pirates when you’ve become the fleet? The challenge as you grow, is not just survival but scaling the pirate playbook itself. Having built products at Pixar, YouTube, and Google, I’ve learned that startup DNA is not a luxury; it is an essential mechanism to continue to thrive as you grow. I’ve identified five ways to do this, but first, you have to realize this is about more than “thinking like a startup.” The Glacier vs. Snowball Dilemma: The Stakes Have Risen The difference between a small and a large company is not just size, but physics. Small companies are snowballs—fast, gaining unstoppable momentum down the mountain. Big companies are like glaciers—massive, powerful, but moving at a glacial pace. This is the innovation paradox: the big guys have the resources, but the small guys have the speed. Today, with the rise of AI, the stakes have been dramatically raised. A single, AI-empowered nano-startup (a tiny “snowball”) can now deliver an impact that previously required hundreds of engineers. The trick is to stay as nimble as a snowball while deploying the resources of a glacier. So how do you solve this dilemma? You don’t just mimic a startup; you design an internal ecosystem for relentless piracy. Here are five learnings for moving at breakneck speed, even at scale. 1. Headline with a Deadline: The North Star That Cuts Through Noise At Pixar, when we were creating Toy Story, everyone from the animators to the accountants understood our mission. We were making the world’s first full-length computer-animated film, and we were going to prove that this technology could tell stories that would move audiences to tears and laughter. That clarity kept us focused. Trust me, there is nothing like a press release and booked theaters to keep you focussed on delivery. But mission clarity becomes harder as you scale. With thousands of employees working on hundreds of projects, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. This is where the “headline with a deadline” mentality becomes crucial. Every team, no matter how large the company, should be able to articulate their work as a newspaper headline with a specific deadline. Not “improve user engagement metrics” but “Launch AI-powered personalization that increases daily active users by 30% by Q2.” Not “enhance platform capabilities” but “Enable creators to monetize live streams within 90 days.” Google’s mission to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful” has guided everything from search algorithms to YouTube’s creator ecosystem. When we were building Google TV, that mission clarity helped us see that television wasn’t dying—it was just another way to organize and deliver information to users. That north star kept our small team focused, even as we launched the first GoogleTV streamer during Covid! 2. Flatten the Pyramid: Management That Enables (No Dilbert Syndrome) The biggest enemy of startup speed isn’t bureaucracy—it’s the Dilbert manager. You know the type: they think their job is to manage people rather than enable great work. They attend meetings about meetings, create processes that solve yesterday’s problems, and somehow always seem to be the bottleneck in getting things done. At Google, I learned that the best managers don’t just understand what their team is building—they understand why it matters and how it connects to other teams’ work. They can see the 1+1=3 opportunities where collaboration creates exponential value rather than additive effort. They are close to the work and heck, many times roll up their sleeves and do the work themselves. The key is keeping management layers lean and purposeful. Every additional layer doesn’t just slow communication—it slows decision-making exponentially. When I worked on YouTube’s creator tools with just three people, we could make product decisions in a hallway conversation. As the team grew, we had to work deliberately to preserve those short communication paths. The solution isn’t to eliminate management, but to ensure every manager is deeply involved in the product and technology decisions. They need to be translators and connectors, not just people-processors. 3. The Reverse Hierarchy: Bottom-Up Innovation in the AI Era Plot twist: Your best AI innovations aren’t coming from the C-suite. They’re coming from individual contributors who understand their workflows intimately and can see exactly how AI can improve them. These innovations bubble up organically because the people closest to the work have the clearest vision of how to improve it. This is the bottom-up innovation that Google’s famous 20% time was designed to capture. While that specific program has evolved, the principle remains vital: the best ideas often come from unexpected places, and big companies need formal mechanisms to surface and scale them. The challenge is creating systems that can recognize these grassroots innovations and turn them into company-wide capabilities without crushing the entrepreneurial spirit that created them. 4. Permission to Fail: The Failure Budget is Your Growth Capital Startups take risks because they have to—survival depends on finding something that works. Big companies often become risk-averse because they have a fleet to protect. But without intelligent risk-taking, you lose the very innovation that made you successful. When I joined the Google TV team, television was considered antiquated technology. But we believed that TV wasn’t dying; it was transforming. We created a vision for how television could embrace the future of streaming and on-demand content. Today, Google TV is recognized as a leading streaming platform. That success required maintaining a startup-like tolerance for risk even within a company where failure could affect thousands of jobs, and we continue to take risk by bringing TVs (and the company) into the AI era. The solution is the “failure budget”—an explicit acknowledgment that a certain percentage of initiatives must fail. It’s not just acceptable; it’s a necessary investment in your next breakthrough. When your teams know they have the permission to fail intelligently, they are free to take the bold, calculated risks that lead to platform-defining success. 5. The Pirate Code: Direct Lines, Bold Moves Speed is irrelevant if you can’t integrate the results into the main fleet. This is the final paradox: How do you move fast on innovation while maintaining stability in your core products? The challenge is that a scrappy pirate crew can move fast, but if their efforts are not designed to integrate with the enterprise architecture, the snowball melts before it can cause an avalanche. Users become accustomed to process and resist change, requiring a delicate balance. The modern pirate must be an intrapreneur—someone who looks for opportunities where their disruptor mindset can expand existing structures rather than competing with them. This requires building deliberate bridges between the startup-mode teams and the enterprise operations. Maintaining startup DNA at scale requires deliberate choices about structure, culture, and leadership. Pirates need direct communication channels—at Google, we continue to maintain “TGIF”—a forum where everyone in the company is invited to hear what is on executives’ minds and to directly ask questions. Leaders need to think like founders, taking personal ownership of outcomes and making decisions quickly. And successful intrapreneurs learn to pick their fights carefully, looking for opportunities where their disruptor mindset can expand existing structures rather than competing with them. Choosing to Stay Pirates The choice to maintain Startup DNA is not about company size; it is a deliberate design choice about mindset, systems, culture, and leadership practices. The companies that will dominate the next decade won’t be the ones that perfected the corporate playbook. They’ll be the ones that figured out how to scale the pirate playbook. They will be the ones that cracked the code on how to be pirates at navy scale. In a world where change is moving at startup speed, corporate thinking gets left in the wake. Only the modern pirates will keep up. View the full article

Have you ever felt like your brain was one of those viral egg experiments, cracked open and sizzling on a bare sidewalk that was truly, much too hot? You may have been experiencing signs of burnout (and dehydration). As an introverted professional, I’ve been there as well, many times in my career. Over the years, I’ve developed healthy reflective coping methods to recharge my batteries and prevent (or at least combat) that intense feeling of overwhelm. As a LinkedIn Top Voice and a very public keynote speaker who’s learned to grow in the spotlight on my own terms, I’m not the best at pretending to be an extrovert for any extended period of time—it’s too tiring! Instead, I’ve found success by setting clear boundaries both online and offline, especially with growing my personal brand. It’s how I stay true to my brand and avoid the dreaded burnout. And guess what? You can do the same. You’ve probably tried a few personal branding tips that didn’t work as well for you as an introvert, because they possibly felt too “extroverted” for your style. Here are my real-life strategies grounded in my own experience and ones that I feature in my new book “Personal Branding for Introverts.” These are the ideas that let me recharge properly while building a real, lasting brand. Overcoming Overwhelm With Boundaries As an introvert, you’re likely to think more deeply and be more overwhelmed during events, big meetings or conferences, and that takes a lot of energy. Performing personal branding steps like making content, networking, or being active online can be really tiring for you (and me). Setting boundaries is the ultimate learned superpower for an introvert to combat the drowning feeling of being overwhelmed both in your daily life and at big events like conferences. It allows you to decide when and how you interact with others, which helps keep your mental health in check and allows you to show up as the best version of yourself at work. When you allow the people and activities that give you energy into your sphere and avoid the ones that take it away, you can create a brand that is easier to maintain in the long run. Let’s go over four ways to think about boundaries as an introvert. 1. Establish Clear Boundaries Between Work and Personal Life While organizing my own work week, I think of this quote by Stephen Covey: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” Focus on what is the most important work task for your week and use an energy-first approach to encourage your own balance and focus. Consider the following strategies: Match Work Hours with Your Energy: Prioritize the times of day when your energy and focus are highest. For example, if you are wide awake and alert in the morning, try scheduling meetings between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. rather than later in the day. These morning (or afternoon) hours are your core focus times and should be protected. Designate Time for Focused Work: Save specific blocks of time for your best uninterrupted, quiet work. Lessen the general distractions around you by limiting your email inbox and message time. Create A Habit For Your Work Day End: Start an ongoing ritual or task that marks the end of your work hours. This might include taking a comforting walk, writing in your journal or blog, or simply turning off your social or Slack notifications for a bit. These cues help reinforce the boundary between work and personal time, allowing your mind to transition and recharge. 2. Rethink your Endless Meetings Ever hear of the office saying “This could have been an email?” Not every meeting needs an in-person chat. If you’re able (and allowed to) express your thoughts in an email or message, do that. Fewer live meetings means more energy for focused work. Group similar meetings together on the same day or days if possible so there’s less distractions. That way, the rest of your schedule stays more open and quiet. Also, leave time between meetings. At least 15 minutes and a quick walk outside or inside the office will help you reset. Back-to-back calls can wear you down quickly and harm your focus. 3. Strategically Manage Your Digital Energy I’ve watched many introverted professionals experience burnout from attempting to maintain a constant presence across multiple platforms. Focusing your energy on one or two channels leads to being able to deep-dive more into those spaces, and introverts excel in being thorough thinkers. Try these energy-saving tactics: Pick One Platform: Focus your energy on one or two social media platforms where your target audience is active. This platform should also be where you feel comfortable and capable of maintaining a presence that won’t fizzle out in a month. Batch Content Creation: Create a “bank” of posts by setting aside dedicated time once a week or month to write, record, or design your content.This method lowers the pressure to be constantly working on new ideas and allows you breathing room for more thoughtful, consistent content creation. Determine Your Response Times: Find and segment out specific time blocks for responding to all of your messages or comments across social media platforms, such as 30 minutes every Tuesday at 11am. It’s helpful to do this so you’re less distracted by a ton of notifications at work. As your audience grows over time, this method will help you maintain balance and sustainability. 4. Prioritize Rest and Recharging Throughout the day, I intentionally give myself short breaks. A walk to feel the sunlight and get some vitamin D. A few deep breaths away from sitting in front of my screens. These pauses allow me to reset mentally and clear my head.. I treat alone time as part of my daily rhythm. Reading. Writing. Walking. Or just sitting quietly. These deliberate time pauses replenishes my energy while keeping me grounded. Persistent fatigue, lessened focus or the need to hide from everyone (social anxiety, anyone?) can be a clear and early indicator of burnout at work. Instead of ignoring these signals, consider them thoughtful invitations from your body to begin to slow down and rest before you fully burn out. Establishing and maintaining boundaries is crucial to growing a personal brand as an introvert and will stop overwhelm and burnout before they spiral out of control. Boundaries are wonderful tools that enable your brand to grow consistently and in a healthy way. You do not need to be everywhere online or offline or constantly available. Instead, focus your energy and attention on being present during specific blocks of time that you choose. Your audience will recognize the intentionality—and so will you. Adapted from Personal Branding for Introverts. Copyright © 2025 by Goldie Chan. Available from Basic Venture, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc. View the full article

World’s biggest chip manufacturer has benefited as a result of soaring demand View the full article

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Two of my employees don’t get along I am a manager of a few different groups, including a group of customer service representatives. This team seems to always have tension between two people. They both feel that the other isn’t doing enough or doing things incorrectly/not up to standard. They get in passive-aggressive arguments on Teams about very minor things like who will do the mail and who highlighted something on a sheet. I had to create a mail schedule and remove their access to items. Now they are both refusing to speak with each other and continue to complain about each other. I have told them both that I can see what both parties are doing and will address high-priority items. I have asked them what they want the outcome to be when they come to complain to me about these petty minor complaints, and they don’t have an answer. I have explained that even though they don’t like each other, they still have to work together. Now the entire team’s production has gone down and this tension is taking over. Any advice on how to handle it as a manager? Neither are doing anything outright that I could escalate to HR but this underlying tension is destroying morale, including mine. You don’t need to escalate things like this to HR, even if it were worse. It’s squarely in your purview to handle as a manager, rather than being something HR should need to intervene on (although you could certainly ask HR for coaching to help you handle it yourself). But it’s definitely at the level where you need to act. Aside from the morale impact, it sounds disruptive and like a huge distraction. Meet with each of them individually and tell them that they can feel however they want about each other privately, but effective immediately they need to treat each other with respect and professionalism. A good litmus test is that no one else on the team should be able to sense negativity from one of them toward the other. They don’t have the option of not speaking to each other; it’s a requirement of remaining in their jobs that they do not freeze out colleagues and will treat everyone with kindness and respect, period. The complaints about X and Y need to stop (be specific there rather than saying complaints need to stop in general, because at some point something might happen that you need to know about, but you can give examples of the types of petty complaints you don’t want to receive anymore). And then you need to hold them to that, which means that treating this like a performance issue like any other where they’re held accountable to conduct expectations and there are consequences if they don’t meet them. More here: how to solve a conflict on your team two of my employees won’t speak to each other how do I manage petty behavior between two employees who dislike each other? two of my employees don’t get along — is it just a personality conflict? 2. Are gift cards taxable income? Your recent question about corporate gifts got me thinking … I’m a manager, and my current employer has forbidden me from giving gift cards as corporate gifts because apparently they are taxable income! I was so surprised, every other place I have worked has given out gift cards freely. Is this a new thing? Does it apply to some places and not others? Do some companies just not care about tax law? My employees are so disappointed, they love gift cards. :( It’s not a new thing! Gift cards from employers to employees are indeed taxable income. The IRS considers them cash equivalents, regardless of the amount, and employers are supposed to include them on the tax forms they issue employees. As far as I understand, this is at least partly because if it weren’t the case, employers could try to restructure how they compensate employees, with a larger piece coming through (untaxed) gift cards. It’s also because it’s your employer essentially giving you cash, gift or not. 3. People using “rape” metaphorically Twice in the last six months — and in entirely different and unrelated professional contexts — I’ve had men use “rape” metaphorically. Things like, “XYZ Company is raping me” or “This is exactly how we get raped by ABC client.” Like many women, I have been sexually assaulted. The man who raped me later spent months stalking me, vandalizing my car, and threatening to kill me. He is the reason I now live in another time zone, far from friends and family. Although it has been many years, the impact of this event is understandably lifelong and significant. I deeply resent being reminded of it in such a casual, thoughtless way, and especially while at work. Both times, unsure of what to say or how to react, I just pretended it didn’t happen. I was stunned the first time it (in person, talking with someone senior to me), and I honestly cannot believe it has now occurred twice (the second time was over Zoom with a large peer group; I’ve never met the man who said it). How should we handle this if and when it happens? It can be really hard to know how to respond to something like that on the spot — not only figuring out what to say, but also juggling all the power dynamics and politics that can be in play in a work situation. But if it happens again, it’s perfectly reasonable to say, “I don’t think that’s the right language to use” or “That’s not the right word to use” or “I’m sure you didn’t mean anything by it, but that’s not the right language to use.” 4. How do you learn to manage people? How do you learn to manage people? My boss and I recently talked about my taking on managing duties as our team expands, but he didn’t have any suggestions when I asked how best to prepare for that. It would be my first time in that role — is it a learn-by-doing kind of thing or can you actually learn in advance? (Or is my anxious perfectionist brain making it out be a bigger adjustment than it really is?) Mostly by messing it up and then learning from your mistakes. The people who go on to become good managers are the ones who know they’re going to mess up but commit to reflecting on the lessons they learn from doing that and incorporate those lessons going forward. It also helps to have a really good mentor who you can bounce things off of. You can learn the basic “what does managing look like day-to-day” and “how should I navigate situation X or situation Y” ahead of time through classes and reading, but nothing comes close to what you learn when you’re actually doing it. (A lot of books and classes on management are more theoretical, so to the extent I could, I tried to make my book for managers focused on the nitty-gritty “here’s what this conversation sounds like” as much as I could, so that could be one place to start. If you happen to be at a nonprofit, the Management Center also runs classes based on the book.) 5. Contacting references if I’m not actively job-searching I have a question about contacting references and when the appropriate time to do so is. You’ve advised that people should do it before they start a job hunt. However, do you have advice for someone who isn’t actively job hunting? Occasionally I’ll apply for a one-off job or two because it looks like something I would enjoy, but I am not regularly searching or desperate to leave my current job. In this case, is it okay to contact potential references after I’ve received a request for a first interview? Or should I do it on a regular basis (i.e., at the start of each year) just in case I end up needing a reference later? It would be weird to do it at the start of every year whether you were job hunting or not, but it’s fine to wait until you’ve been invited to interview. The vast majority of the time, employers aren’t going to be contacting references before that. The post 2 of my employees don’t get along, are gift cards taxable, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

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When it pertains to effective onboarding, utilizing the right employee training materials is vital for success. You’ll find that thorough company policy guides provide fundamental information on workplace conduct and benefits. Meanwhile, interactive role-specific training modules engage new hires with customized content. Furthermore, access to online resources supports varied learning styles. Structured checklists and feedback forms likewise play a significant role. Comprehending how these components work together can improve your onboarding process. What comes next? Key Takeaways Comprehensive Company Policy Guides ensure new hires understand workplace expectations and benefits, enhancing their integration into the company culture. Interactive Role-Specific Training Modules offer tailored content and gamified experiences to engage employees and improve knowledge retention. Access to Online Resources and FAQs provides essential support and caters to diverse learning styles, facilitating a smoother onboarding experience. Checklists and Timelines for Progress Tracking help new hires systematically complete tasks and milestones, ensuring a structured onboarding process. Feedback Forms for Continuous Improvement allow for the collection of insights on new hire experiences, fostering ongoing enhancements in the onboarding process. Comprehensive Company Policy Guides Extensive company policy guides act as vital resources for new hires, providing a clear framework for grasping the expectations and regulations that shape your workplace environment. These guides often include critical sections on code of conduct, anti-discrimination policies, workplace safety protocols, and employee benefits. When designing your training manual, consider using training documentation examples that incorporate visuals and real-life scenarios, as this boosts engagement and retention. Creating training materials that are clear and accessible can greatly reduce misunderstandings, promoting adherence to company standards. Regularly updating these guides guarantees they reflect current laws and organizational procedures, keeping all employees informed and compliant. Utilize training guidelines samples to streamline the development of your employee training manual and improve overall onboarding effectiveness. Interactive Role-Specific Training Modules As extensive company policy guides lay a solid foundation for new hires, interactive role-specific training modules take onboarding a step further by honing in on the specific responsibilities and skills required for each position. These modules improve engagement by providing customized content, ensuring employees receive focused training. Utilizing gamification techniques, like points and rewards, can greatly boost participation rates and knowledge retention. Studies indicate that new hires in interactive training are 70% more likely to retain information. Incorporating real-world scenarios and practical exercises allows you to apply your learning immediately, bridging theory and practice. Regular updates and feedback mechanisms keep these training materials relevant, adapting to the evolving needs of both employees and the organization, serving as excellent training manual examples. Access to Online Resources and FAQs To improve the onboarding experience, providing new hires with access to online resources, such as an employee portal or Learning Management System (LMS), is essential. These platforms offer training materials, including training packets and sample training documents, allowing you to learn at your own pace. You can explore training guide examples and video tutorials that cater to various learning styles, making the process more engaging. Furthermore, incorporating an all-encompassing FAQ section helps address common concerns, enabling you to find answers quickly and reducing reliance on supervisors. Regular updates based on employee feedback guarantee that the information remains relevant and accurate, enhancing your confidence as you shift into the organization. This streamlined access ultimately contributes to a smoother onboarding process. Checklists and Timelines for Progress Tracking A structured onboarding checklist is vital for new hires to navigate their initial days effectively. Utilizing checklists and timelines helps guarantee all necessary tasks are systematically completed. Here’s a simple framework you can follow: Complete all paperwork by Day 1. Attend orientation and training sessions within the first week. Review the training manual layout and training notes in your training binder. Set milestones to finish training modules within the first 30 days. Regular check-ins at 30, 60, and 90 days are important for tracking progress. They allow you to assess integration and tackle any challenges. Feedback Forms for Continuous Improvement Gathering feedback from new hires is a key step in refining the onboarding process. Utilizing feedback forms allows you to collect both qualitative and quantitative insights about their experiences. By regularly implementing structured forms, you can make data-driven adjustments to your staff training manual, enhancing overall effectiveness. These surveys measure crucial metrics like new hire confidence and satisfaction, which can lead to improved retention rates. When you create a feedback loop, new hires feel valued, promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Analyzing trends in the feedback can help HR address onboarding challenges proactively. Therefore, making a training manual that incorporates feedback forms will eventually increase employee engagement and productivity in the long term, ensuring a smoother onboarding experience. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 5 C’s of Effective Onboarding? The 5 C’s of effective onboarding are Compliance, Clarification, Culture, Connection, and Check-back. Compliance guarantees you understand company policies and legal requirements. Clarification defines your job role and performance expectations. Culture immerses you in the organization’s values and mission, promoting belonging. Connection helps you build relationships with peers and managers, enhancing collaboration. Finally, Check-back involves regular follow-ups to assess your progress and address any concerns, guaranteeing a smooth changeover into your new role. What Should Be Included in Onboarding Training? In onboarding training, you should include an overview of company policies and procedures, along with insights into the organizational culture. Tailoring role-specific materials is vital, as it improves job performance. Guarantee access to necessary tools and software from day one to facilitate a smooth changeover. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions help monitor progress, whereas interactive methods, such as e-learning and hands-on activities, engage you and improve retention of fundamental knowledge. What Are the 4 C’s of Effective Onboarding? The 4 C’s of effective onboarding are Compliance, Clarification, Culture, and Connection. Compliance guarantees you understand company policies and legal regulations, minimizing risks. Clarification defines your roles and responsibilities, enhancing job performance. Culture instills the organization’s values and mission, nurturing a sense of belonging. Finally, Connection promotes relationship-building with team members and stakeholders, which is key for collaboration and support, ultimately affecting retention rates and job satisfaction positively. What Are the 6 C’s of Employee Onboarding? The 6 C’s of employee onboarding are Compliance, Clarification, Confidence, Connection, Culture, and Checkback. Compliance guarantees you understand policies and legal requirements. Clarification defines your job role and expectations, so you know how to contribute. Confidence comes from effective training, helping you navigate your role with assurance. Connection builds relationships with colleagues, enhancing teamwork. Culture integrates you into the organization’s values, and Checkback guarantees ongoing support and feedback for your development. Conclusion In conclusion, effective onboarding requires a blend of vital training materials that cater to various learning needs. By utilizing extensive company policy guides, interactive role-specific modules, and accessible online resources, you can improve new hires’ integration. Checklists and timelines help track their progress, whereas feedback forms guarantee continuous improvement in the onboarding process. Implementing these five materials not just encourages a smoother change for employees but additionally contributes to higher retention rates and overall workplace satisfaction. Image Via Envato This article, "5 Essential Employee Training Materials for Effective Onboarding" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When it pertains to effective onboarding, utilizing the right employee training materials is vital for success. You’ll find that thorough company policy guides provide fundamental information on workplace conduct and benefits. Meanwhile, interactive role-specific training modules engage new hires with customized content. Furthermore, access to online resources supports varied learning styles. Structured checklists and feedback forms likewise play a significant role. Comprehending how these components work together can improve your onboarding process. What comes next? Key Takeaways Comprehensive Company Policy Guides ensure new hires understand workplace expectations and benefits, enhancing their integration into the company culture. Interactive Role-Specific Training Modules offer tailored content and gamified experiences to engage employees and improve knowledge retention. Access to Online Resources and FAQs provides essential support and caters to diverse learning styles, facilitating a smoother onboarding experience. Checklists and Timelines for Progress Tracking help new hires systematically complete tasks and milestones, ensuring a structured onboarding process. Feedback Forms for Continuous Improvement allow for the collection of insights on new hire experiences, fostering ongoing enhancements in the onboarding process. Comprehensive Company Policy Guides Extensive company policy guides act as vital resources for new hires, providing a clear framework for grasping the expectations and regulations that shape your workplace environment. These guides often include critical sections on code of conduct, anti-discrimination policies, workplace safety protocols, and employee benefits. When designing your training manual, consider using training documentation examples that incorporate visuals and real-life scenarios, as this boosts engagement and retention. Creating training materials that are clear and accessible can greatly reduce misunderstandings, promoting adherence to company standards. Regularly updating these guides guarantees they reflect current laws and organizational procedures, keeping all employees informed and compliant. Utilize training guidelines samples to streamline the development of your employee training manual and improve overall onboarding effectiveness. Interactive Role-Specific Training Modules As extensive company policy guides lay a solid foundation for new hires, interactive role-specific training modules take onboarding a step further by honing in on the specific responsibilities and skills required for each position. These modules improve engagement by providing customized content, ensuring employees receive focused training. Utilizing gamification techniques, like points and rewards, can greatly boost participation rates and knowledge retention. Studies indicate that new hires in interactive training are 70% more likely to retain information. Incorporating real-world scenarios and practical exercises allows you to apply your learning immediately, bridging theory and practice. Regular updates and feedback mechanisms keep these training materials relevant, adapting to the evolving needs of both employees and the organization, serving as excellent training manual examples. Access to Online Resources and FAQs To improve the onboarding experience, providing new hires with access to online resources, such as an employee portal or Learning Management System (LMS), is essential. These platforms offer training materials, including training packets and sample training documents, allowing you to learn at your own pace. You can explore training guide examples and video tutorials that cater to various learning styles, making the process more engaging. Furthermore, incorporating an all-encompassing FAQ section helps address common concerns, enabling you to find answers quickly and reducing reliance on supervisors. Regular updates based on employee feedback guarantee that the information remains relevant and accurate, enhancing your confidence as you shift into the organization. This streamlined access ultimately contributes to a smoother onboarding process. Checklists and Timelines for Progress Tracking A structured onboarding checklist is vital for new hires to navigate their initial days effectively. Utilizing checklists and timelines helps guarantee all necessary tasks are systematically completed. Here’s a simple framework you can follow: Complete all paperwork by Day 1. Attend orientation and training sessions within the first week. Review the training manual layout and training notes in your training binder. Set milestones to finish training modules within the first 30 days. Regular check-ins at 30, 60, and 90 days are important for tracking progress. They allow you to assess integration and tackle any challenges. Feedback Forms for Continuous Improvement Gathering feedback from new hires is a key step in refining the onboarding process. Utilizing feedback forms allows you to collect both qualitative and quantitative insights about their experiences. By regularly implementing structured forms, you can make data-driven adjustments to your staff training manual, enhancing overall effectiveness. These surveys measure crucial metrics like new hire confidence and satisfaction, which can lead to improved retention rates. When you create a feedback loop, new hires feel valued, promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Analyzing trends in the feedback can help HR address onboarding challenges proactively. Therefore, making a training manual that incorporates feedback forms will eventually increase employee engagement and productivity in the long term, ensuring a smoother onboarding experience. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 5 C’s of Effective Onboarding? The 5 C’s of effective onboarding are Compliance, Clarification, Culture, Connection, and Check-back. Compliance guarantees you understand company policies and legal requirements. Clarification defines your job role and performance expectations. Culture immerses you in the organization’s values and mission, promoting belonging. Connection helps you build relationships with peers and managers, enhancing collaboration. Finally, Check-back involves regular follow-ups to assess your progress and address any concerns, guaranteeing a smooth changeover into your new role. What Should Be Included in Onboarding Training? In onboarding training, you should include an overview of company policies and procedures, along with insights into the organizational culture. Tailoring role-specific materials is vital, as it improves job performance. Guarantee access to necessary tools and software from day one to facilitate a smooth changeover. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions help monitor progress, whereas interactive methods, such as e-learning and hands-on activities, engage you and improve retention of fundamental knowledge. What Are the 4 C’s of Effective Onboarding? The 4 C’s of effective onboarding are Compliance, Clarification, Culture, and Connection. Compliance guarantees you understand company policies and legal regulations, minimizing risks. Clarification defines your roles and responsibilities, enhancing job performance. Culture instills the organization’s values and mission, nurturing a sense of belonging. Finally, Connection promotes relationship-building with team members and stakeholders, which is key for collaboration and support, ultimately affecting retention rates and job satisfaction positively. What Are the 6 C’s of Employee Onboarding? The 6 C’s of employee onboarding are Compliance, Clarification, Confidence, Connection, Culture, and Checkback. Compliance guarantees you understand policies and legal requirements. Clarification defines your job role and expectations, so you know how to contribute. Confidence comes from effective training, helping you navigate your role with assurance. Connection builds relationships with colleagues, enhancing teamwork. Culture integrates you into the organization’s values, and Checkback guarantees ongoing support and feedback for your development. Conclusion In conclusion, effective onboarding requires a blend of vital training materials that cater to various learning needs. By utilizing extensive company policy guides, interactive role-specific modules, and accessible online resources, you can improve new hires’ integration. Checklists and timelines help track their progress, whereas feedback forms guarantee continuous improvement in the onboarding process. Implementing these five materials not just encourages a smoother change for employees but additionally contributes to higher retention rates and overall workplace satisfaction. Image Via Envato This article, "5 Essential Employee Training Materials for Effective Onboarding" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The next chair is likely to be named to a 14-year Fed governor term which opens up in early 2026. View the full article

The head of the government-sponsored enterprises' oversight agency also asked existing investors to review risk factors as officials eye a new public offering. View the full article

This guide on where to stay in Langkawi lists the best beach areas on the island. This includes all accommodation types, from hostels and guesthouse to luxury five-star hotels and resorts. Langkawi is an island group comprised of 99 islands, with the main island forming the bulk of the landmass. Langkawi is the third-largest island in Malaysia (not counting Borneo), and it has been designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The main attractions of Langkawi are the beaches, boat excursions to the islands, and the natural interior. Hotels in Langkawi are on the main island, though the island is too big to explore without transport. Choosing where to stay will depend on what you are looking for. This guide lists the best areas to stay depending on your budget and travel style. Where to stay in Langkawi guide Map of Langkawi hotels Where to stay in Langkawi Cenang Beach (The best beach area in Langkawi) Tengah Beach (Luxury resorts close to the Cenang action) Kuah (The district capital of Langkawi) Langkawi resorts (List of luxury beach resorts) Future hotels in Langkawi Map of Langkawi hotels Hotels mentioned in this article are pinned on this map. [View map of Langkawi hotels.] Where to stay in Langkawi These are the main areas in Langkawi. Cenang Beach Cenang Beach (Pantai Cenang) is the most popular place to stay in Langkawi. There is a long stretch of beach here with cafes and beach bars. The main beach road has the most amount of shops and restaurants in a walkable area. Using Cenang as a base you can arrange tours or rent a motorbike to explore the rest of the island. [Cenang Mall.] Cenang has a wide range of accommodation options, though the most luxurious hotels are elsewhere on the island. Find hotels in Pantai Cenang in Langkawi, Malaysia. Hostels and guesthouses in Cenang At the northern end of the beach there are some side streets that are filled with hostels and guesthouses. If you you are travelling old-school and have not booked anything, then you could try your luck in these streets. There are a few different streets that run off the main road. One of the streets has signs at the entrance listing places to stay. This is the closest the island has to a backpacker street, though don’t come here expecting a party scene like Ko Lipe, which is where most backpackers are coming from. I’ve marked out some other guesthouses in this area to show where these streets are on the map. Gecko Guesthouse offers dorm and private rooms and has a common area to meet fellow travellers. Dar Yasmine Motel has dorm and private room options. I stayed at The Village Langkawi, which was a typical budget guesthouse experience in Malaysia. This was at the end of the street, yet it is only a 5-minute walk to the beach. In the same street is the House of Lion Hostel. This place looked more lively than where I stayed as there were always backpackers socialising in the front common area. Arch Dormitorio Cenang is a hostel on the main road at the southern end of Cenang Beach. Cenang Rest House is a holdout of Langkawi from another era. While most of the beach locations are taken over by luxury hotels, this budget guesthouse/hotel is on the beachside of the main road. [Read more about Cenang Rest House.] Budget hotels in Cenang AB MOTEL is another beachside budget hotel with bungalows on the beach. Cenang Plaza Beach Hotel has an unbeatable location on the main road if you want to be near the main shops and restaurants area. Langkapuri Resort Langkawi is a budget beach resort with a mix of hotel rooms chalet rooms (bungalow rows near the beach). Mid-range hotels on Cenang Beach Best Star Resort (3-star) is a budget beach resort in the middle of the Cenang action. Casa Del Mar Langkawi (4-star) is ideally located on the beach. [Read more about Casa Del Mar Langkawi.] Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang (4-star) is near main shopping area. Luxury hotels on Cenang Beach Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi is tucked away at the northern end of Cenang Beach, offering a feeling of seclusion while having access to the amenities of Cenang. Tengah Beach Tengah Beach (Pantai Tengah) is directly south of Cenang, and it is practically the same beach except it’s separated by Tanjung Mali. This rocky hill on the beach is what is known as a dropstone. Tanjung Mali is a clear delineation of beach vibes, with Tengah being a quieter beach with more luxury resorts. Tengah is where the international chain hotels can be found. There are some budget options on the beach road, but they are further inland than the beach road along Cenang. For budget beach accommodation on Tengah there is Charlie Langkawi Motel. For budget beach hotels you are better off limiting your search in Cenang. Mid-range hotels on Tengah Beach Frangipani Langkawi Resort (4-star) Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi (4-star) is a favourite for families with its sprawling garden area and pool by the beach. [The pool at Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi.] The Aloft design brand by Marriott International opened in Langkawi in 2018 with the Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah. [Check rates for Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah.] Luxury hotels on Tengah Beach The RIYAZ Lavanya offers hotel rooms and villa accommodation in a luxury garden resort setting. PARKROYAL Langkawi Resort opened in March 2023, becoming the biggest hotel name in the Cenang/Tengah beach area. [Check rates for PARKROYAL Langkawi Resort.] Kuah Kuah is the district capital of Langkawi. I don’t recommend staying in Kuah, but I list it here in case you were considering it. Kuah is a port city with no beach, thus it’s not of interest if you come to Langkawi for a beach holiday. Kuah is a typical small provincial Malaysian city. There isn’t an interesting old town area like Penang or Phuket Old Town. The most popular site of the city is Dataran Lang (Eagle Square). This statue of an eagle taking flight has become the icon of the island. Langkawi is well known for its status as a duty-free island, and there are duty-free shopping centres in Kuah. The main ferry port of the island is at Kuah Jetty, which receives ferries from the mainland and Koh Lipe in Thailand. There is a bus service and fixed-price taxi service from the port to Cenang, so there is no need to stay here. Kuah has been renovating its waterfront, and the Eiffel Tower-inspired Maha Tower is now the defining landmark of the waterfront. Maybe Kuah will become a destination in its own right in the future. We Hotel Langkawi (3-star) is in the Langkawi City redevelopment area near the Maha Tower. De Baron Resort Langkawi is a budget resort by the seafront. Malaysian hotel group Bayview International Hotels & Resorts is represented in Kuah at Bayview Hotel Langkawi (4-star). Adya Hotel is a 4-star hotel with seaviews near the city centre. [Check rates for Adya Hotel.] Langkawi Resorts Beyond the main beach area of Cenang and Tengah, most of the beaches are the preserve of luxury 5-star resorts. Usually for these Where To Stay Guides I would make a list broken down into geographical order. Langkawi is famous for being a luxury resort getaway, where the hotel is the destination rather than the specific beach. This is a list of luxury beach resorts of Langkawi, going clockwise from Cenang. The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi is a secluded resort with a private beach cove. Berjaya Langkawi Resort is on Pantai Kok near the Langkawi Skybridge Cable Car station. This resort includes rainforest and overwater accommodation. [Pantai Kok Langkawi.] The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi is one of the few hotels on the beach at Datai Bay. Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia is on Rhu Beach and is next to some other hotels and restaurants. Tanjung Rhu Resort is near the top of the island on Tanjung Rhu Beach. The St. Regis Langkawi is to the south of Kuah Town and it has exclusive access to Beringin Beach. Next to the St. Regis is The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa (both of which are Marriott brands). The Westin has exclusive access to its beach cove as well. Future hotels in Langkawi If you are planning a trip to Langkawi in the future, then here are some projects to look out for. Nautilus Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton was scheduled to open on Cenang Beach in 2023, but it has run into development issues. Hilton Burau Bay Resort Langkawi is expected in March 2026. View the full article

In the context of optimizing your supply chain, selecting the right software is essential. Tools like SAP Integrated Business Planning and Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM offer advanced analytics and real-time forecasting capabilities. Kinaxis RapidResponse enables concurrent planning, whereas Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning stands out in scenario planning. Each tool presents unique features that can improve efficiency and decision-making. Comprehending these options is key to enhancing your supply chain performance. So, which tool fits your needs best? Key Takeaways SAP Integrated Business Planning offers real-time data access and scenario planning, enhancing decision-making for supply chain optimization. Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM harnesses AI-driven analytics for predictive planning and real-time visibility across the supply chain. Kinaxis RapidResponse features a centralized command center with live data, enabling real-time decision-making and collaboration among stakeholders. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning utilizes advanced network optimization and scenario planning to create efficient supply networks. Anaplan for Supply Chain provides connected planning with advanced scenario modeling and interactive dashboards for enhanced visibility across departments. SAP Integrated Business Planning (SAP IBP) SAP Integrated Business Planning (SAP IBP) is a robust cloud-based tool that facilitates demand forecasting, supply planning, and scenario simulation, offering extensive visibility across the supply chain. It functions as an AI supply chain platform, enabling real-time data access for prompt decision-making, which helps you respond quickly to shifting market conditions and customer demands. With SAP IBP, you can engage in scenario planning to identify and mitigate potential risks, enhancing resilience and stability. Trusted by both Fortune 500 companies and midsize firms, this supply chain optimization software integrates seamlessly with other SAP solutions, such as SAP S/4HANA. Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM stands out as an extensive cloud-based suite that greatly boosts supply chain management through the use of AI-driven analytics and real-time visibility. This potent supply chain management software online integrates seamlessly with other Oracle applications, enabling you to streamline operations from product design to delivery. You’ll benefit from predictive planning capabilities supported by machine learning, allowing you to anticipate demand fluctuations and optimize inventory levels effectively. The platform features a real-time visibility dashboard that improves collaboration among supply chain participants, facilitating quicker decision-making. Nonetheless, keep in mind that organizations may encounter a steep learning curve and high implementation costs, so evaluating compatibility with existing systems is essential before adoption of this artificial intelligence supply chain software. Kinaxis RapidResponse Kinaxis RapidResponse stands out as a robust cloud-based supply chain management platform that empowers organizations to make real-time decisions and engage in concurrent planning across various supply chain functions. This cloud-based supply chain software provides a centralized command center with custom dashboards featuring live data, allowing you to swiftly respond to disruptions and fluctuations in demand. Its advanced scenario simulation capabilities enable you to test different supply chain strategies, evaluating potential impacts before implementation. Particularly beneficial for industries like electronics, automotive, and health products, RapidResponse improves collaboration among stakeholders, promoting transparency and alignment. With its integration of supply chain AI solutions, you can optimize decision-making, ensuring you stay ahead in today’s fast-paced market environment. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning empowers you to create efficient supply networks through advanced integrated scenario planning. By utilizing real-time data, you can make data-driven decisions that improve supply chain responsiveness and efficiency, helping you identify potential savings before making significant investments. This platform additionally promotes collaboration among purchasing, operations, and finance teams, allowing you to navigate trade-offs effectively and streamline your supply chain management. Integrated Scenario Planning Integrated scenario planning tools are essential for businesses looking to optimize their supply chain configurations before committing to significant investments. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning offers advanced network optimization software that allows you to model and simulate various supply chain designs. This feature helps forecast costs and identify potential savings. With Coupa’s user-friendly interface, you can easily conduct scenario analyses, ensuring that your team makes informed decisions based on real-time data. Collaboration across departments is seamless, aligning all stakeholders during the planning process. By leveraging Coupa’s optimization toolkit, you can improve efficiency and responsiveness, eventually reducing operational costs. Scenario Type Cost Forecasting Potential Savings Current Design $100,000 $10,000 Alternative A $90,000 $20,000 Alternative B $85,000 $30,000 Data-Driven Decision Making Effective supply chain management relies heavily on data-driven decision-making to optimize operations and improve efficiency. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning leverages advanced modeling and simulation tools, allowing you to forecast costs and identify potential savings before making significant investments. This ai supply chain software enables scenario testing, helping you evaluate various routing and supplier mix options. By integrating seamlessly with existing enterprise systems, Coupa guarantees data flows smoothly across departments, promoting unified decision-making. Companies using this supply chain intelligence software have reported improved agility and responsiveness, leading to reduced operational costs and enhanced customer satisfaction. In the end, Coupa empowers you to make informed decisions that drive overall operational effectiveness in your supply chain. Collaboration and Trade-offs When organizations prioritize collaboration in their supply chain design, they can greatly improve decision-making processes and streamline operations. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning emphasizes the importance of collaboration and trade-offs, enabling businesses to: Model and forecast costs effectively, identifying potential savings before major investments. Use advanced network modeling and simulation tools to visualize trade-offs in different design scenarios. Balance cost, service levels, and inventory management. Manhattan Active Supply Chain Manhattan Active Supply Chain offers a complete suite that integrates warehouse operations, transportation, and order fulfillment to streamline your entire supply chain process. Its cloud-based platform provides real-time order orchestration, advanced analytics, and automation, making it easier for you to adapt to changing market conditions. Key Features Overview Offering a thorough suite for warehouse operations, the Active Supply Chain platform allows businesses to manage transportation and order fulfillment processes seamlessly. This robust supply chain software is designed for scalability, making it suitable for companies of all sizes. Key features include: Real-time order orchestration: Track and manage orders from initiation to delivery with improved visibility. Advanced analytics integration: Optimize inventory levels, improving overall supply chain responsiveness. Collaboration facilitation: Guarantee all stakeholders have access to real-time data and insights for informed decision-making. With Manhattan Active Supply Chain’s supply chain logistics software, you can streamline operations, boost efficiency, and adapt to changing demands, guaranteeing your business remains competitive in today’s fast-paced market. Integration Capabilities Integration capabilities are crucial for the effectiveness of any supply chain management solution, and this is where Manhattan Active Supply Chain shines. The platform offers robust integration with various enterprise systems like ERP, TMS, and WMS, ensuring seamless data flow across all functions. You’ll benefit from real-time data synchronization, allowing you to make informed decisions based on the latest operational insights. Furthermore, Manhattan Active supports easy connectivity to third-party applications via APIs, enhancing flexibility and customization for your unique business needs. Its modular architecture facilitates customized integrations, enabling you to adopt specific functionalities without overhauling existing systems. This unified interface reduces the complexity of managing multiple integrations, finally enhancing operational efficiency for businesses, including those among ai supply chain companies and supply chain artificial intelligence companies. Performance Metrics Analysis Effective performance metrics analysis is essential for organizations looking to optimize their supply chain operations. With Manhattan Active Supply Chain, you can leverage real-time insights to improve decision-making. Here are key features that benefit your organization: Custom Dashboards: Track specific performance metrics like inventory levels and order fulfillment rates designed to your needs. Advanced Analytics: Identify inefficiencies using machine learning supply chain software, enabling continuous improvement in operations. Scenario Modeling: Assess potential changes in supply chain strategies, ensuring you’re prepared for market fluctuations. Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software) Blue Yonder, previously known as JDA Software, stands at the forefront of AI-driven supply chain planning and execution solutions, streamlining operations and enhancing responsiveness across various industries. This intelligent supply chain platform shines in predictive capabilities, utilizing machine learning to boost forecasting accuracy and synchronize inventory with real-time sales data. With modules like Intelligent Fulfillment and Demand Planning, you gain end-to-end visibility and unified decision-making. Furthermore, Blue Yonder offers advanced supply chain simulation software, allowing you to test various scenarios and optimize your strategies effectively. Recognized for reducing inventory costs and improving service levels, it’s particularly favored in the retail and consumer goods sectors, helping businesses adapt to complex supply chain challenges efficiently. Anaplan for Supply Chain Anaplan for Supply Chain serves as a strong connected planning platform that boosts collaboration across various departments, including supply chain, finance, HR, and sales, ensuring alignment during periods of rapid change. This supply chain modeling software offers advanced scenario modeling capabilities, allowing you to simulate different supply chain scenarios and make informed decisions based on real-time data. Key features include: Interactive dashboards for improved visibility. Cloud-based architecture for quick deployment and scalability. Customization flexibility to tailor the platform to specific needs. With Anaplan, you can effectively manage complex supply chains and utilize its advanced reporting tools, making it a robust option for organizations seeking an all-encompassing solution or even free supply chain management software alternatives. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Common Tool Used for Supply Chain Network Optimization? A common tool for supply chain network optimization is Llamasoft. This software uses AI-driven optimization engines to improve supply networks by testing various routing and supplier mix options. It allows you to analyze different scenarios, helping you identify the most efficient paths and partnerships. Furthermore, Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning is another effective tool, focusing on modeling supply networks and forecasting costs, which can lead to significant savings before making major investments. What Are the 7 C’s of SCM? The 7 C’s of Supply Chain Management are vital for optimizing performance. Customer emphasizes comprehension and meeting needs to boost satisfaction. Cost involves managing expenses to improve profitability. Communication guarantees clear information exchange among stakeholders, promoting transparency. Collaboration focuses on partnerships to increase efficiency. Capability highlights developing necessary skills and technology. Compliance guarantees adherence to regulations, whereas Continuity addresses planning for disruptions, maintaining smooth operations, and securing supply chain resilience. Each element is significant for success. Which Software Is Best for Supply Chain Management? When choosing software for supply chain management, consider platforms like SAP Integrated Business Planning for real-time data and scenario planning, or Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM for its efficiency in logistics. Kinaxis RapidResponse offers real-time insights and concurrent planning, whereas Coupa focuses on optimizing supply network designs. Each option has unique features, so assess your specific needs, such as demand forecasting or logistics management, to find the best fit for your organization. What Are the 7 Major Elements of Supply Chain Management? The seven major elements of supply chain management include planning, sourcing, manufacturing, delivery, returns, and facilitating processes. Planning involves forecasting demand and managing inventory. Sourcing focuses on selecting suppliers and negotiating contracts to secure quality materials. Manufacturing converts raw materials into finished products. Delivery guarantees timely transportation to customers. Returns manage product returns effectively. Facilitating processes streamline operations and promote communication across these elements, enhancing overall efficiency and performance in the supply chain. Conclusion Ultimately, selecting the right supply chain optimization software is essential for enhancing efficiency and decision-making in your organization. Tools like SAP Integrated Business Planning and Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM offer strong analytics and forecasting capabilities, whereas Kinaxis RapidResponse supports real-time planning. Coupa and Anaplan focus on collaboration, and Manhattan Active Supply Chain stands out in integration. By leveraging these advanced solutions, you can streamline operations and adapt to market changes effectively, ensuring better overall performance in your supply chain. Image Via Envato This article, "Top 7 Supply Chain Optimization Software Tools" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In the context of optimizing your supply chain, selecting the right software is essential. Tools like SAP Integrated Business Planning and Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM offer advanced analytics and real-time forecasting capabilities. Kinaxis RapidResponse enables concurrent planning, whereas Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning stands out in scenario planning. Each tool presents unique features that can improve efficiency and decision-making. Comprehending these options is key to enhancing your supply chain performance. So, which tool fits your needs best? Key Takeaways SAP Integrated Business Planning offers real-time data access and scenario planning, enhancing decision-making for supply chain optimization. Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM harnesses AI-driven analytics for predictive planning and real-time visibility across the supply chain. Kinaxis RapidResponse features a centralized command center with live data, enabling real-time decision-making and collaboration among stakeholders. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning utilizes advanced network optimization and scenario planning to create efficient supply networks. Anaplan for Supply Chain provides connected planning with advanced scenario modeling and interactive dashboards for enhanced visibility across departments. SAP Integrated Business Planning (SAP IBP) SAP Integrated Business Planning (SAP IBP) is a robust cloud-based tool that facilitates demand forecasting, supply planning, and scenario simulation, offering extensive visibility across the supply chain. It functions as an AI supply chain platform, enabling real-time data access for prompt decision-making, which helps you respond quickly to shifting market conditions and customer demands. With SAP IBP, you can engage in scenario planning to identify and mitigate potential risks, enhancing resilience and stability. Trusted by both Fortune 500 companies and midsize firms, this supply chain optimization software integrates seamlessly with other SAP solutions, such as SAP S/4HANA. Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM stands out as an extensive cloud-based suite that greatly boosts supply chain management through the use of AI-driven analytics and real-time visibility. This potent supply chain management software online integrates seamlessly with other Oracle applications, enabling you to streamline operations from product design to delivery. You’ll benefit from predictive planning capabilities supported by machine learning, allowing you to anticipate demand fluctuations and optimize inventory levels effectively. The platform features a real-time visibility dashboard that improves collaboration among supply chain participants, facilitating quicker decision-making. Nonetheless, keep in mind that organizations may encounter a steep learning curve and high implementation costs, so evaluating compatibility with existing systems is essential before adoption of this artificial intelligence supply chain software. Kinaxis RapidResponse Kinaxis RapidResponse stands out as a robust cloud-based supply chain management platform that empowers organizations to make real-time decisions and engage in concurrent planning across various supply chain functions. This cloud-based supply chain software provides a centralized command center with custom dashboards featuring live data, allowing you to swiftly respond to disruptions and fluctuations in demand. Its advanced scenario simulation capabilities enable you to test different supply chain strategies, evaluating potential impacts before implementation. Particularly beneficial for industries like electronics, automotive, and health products, RapidResponse improves collaboration among stakeholders, promoting transparency and alignment. With its integration of supply chain AI solutions, you can optimize decision-making, ensuring you stay ahead in today’s fast-paced market environment. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning empowers you to create efficient supply networks through advanced integrated scenario planning. By utilizing real-time data, you can make data-driven decisions that improve supply chain responsiveness and efficiency, helping you identify potential savings before making significant investments. This platform additionally promotes collaboration among purchasing, operations, and finance teams, allowing you to navigate trade-offs effectively and streamline your supply chain management. Integrated Scenario Planning Integrated scenario planning tools are essential for businesses looking to optimize their supply chain configurations before committing to significant investments. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning offers advanced network optimization software that allows you to model and simulate various supply chain designs. This feature helps forecast costs and identify potential savings. With Coupa’s user-friendly interface, you can easily conduct scenario analyses, ensuring that your team makes informed decisions based on real-time data. Collaboration across departments is seamless, aligning all stakeholders during the planning process. By leveraging Coupa’s optimization toolkit, you can improve efficiency and responsiveness, eventually reducing operational costs. Scenario Type Cost Forecasting Potential Savings Current Design $100,000 $10,000 Alternative A $90,000 $20,000 Alternative B $85,000 $30,000 Data-Driven Decision Making Effective supply chain management relies heavily on data-driven decision-making to optimize operations and improve efficiency. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning leverages advanced modeling and simulation tools, allowing you to forecast costs and identify potential savings before making significant investments. This ai supply chain software enables scenario testing, helping you evaluate various routing and supplier mix options. By integrating seamlessly with existing enterprise systems, Coupa guarantees data flows smoothly across departments, promoting unified decision-making. Companies using this supply chain intelligence software have reported improved agility and responsiveness, leading to reduced operational costs and enhanced customer satisfaction. In the end, Coupa empowers you to make informed decisions that drive overall operational effectiveness in your supply chain. Collaboration and Trade-offs When organizations prioritize collaboration in their supply chain design, they can greatly improve decision-making processes and streamline operations. Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning emphasizes the importance of collaboration and trade-offs, enabling businesses to: Model and forecast costs effectively, identifying potential savings before major investments. Use advanced network modeling and simulation tools to visualize trade-offs in different design scenarios. Balance cost, service levels, and inventory management. Manhattan Active Supply Chain Manhattan Active Supply Chain offers a complete suite that integrates warehouse operations, transportation, and order fulfillment to streamline your entire supply chain process. Its cloud-based platform provides real-time order orchestration, advanced analytics, and automation, making it easier for you to adapt to changing market conditions. Key Features Overview Offering a thorough suite for warehouse operations, the Active Supply Chain platform allows businesses to manage transportation and order fulfillment processes seamlessly. This robust supply chain software is designed for scalability, making it suitable for companies of all sizes. Key features include: Real-time order orchestration: Track and manage orders from initiation to delivery with improved visibility. Advanced analytics integration: Optimize inventory levels, improving overall supply chain responsiveness. Collaboration facilitation: Guarantee all stakeholders have access to real-time data and insights for informed decision-making. With Manhattan Active Supply Chain’s supply chain logistics software, you can streamline operations, boost efficiency, and adapt to changing demands, guaranteeing your business remains competitive in today’s fast-paced market. Integration Capabilities Integration capabilities are crucial for the effectiveness of any supply chain management solution, and this is where Manhattan Active Supply Chain shines. The platform offers robust integration with various enterprise systems like ERP, TMS, and WMS, ensuring seamless data flow across all functions. You’ll benefit from real-time data synchronization, allowing you to make informed decisions based on the latest operational insights. Furthermore, Manhattan Active supports easy connectivity to third-party applications via APIs, enhancing flexibility and customization for your unique business needs. Its modular architecture facilitates customized integrations, enabling you to adopt specific functionalities without overhauling existing systems. This unified interface reduces the complexity of managing multiple integrations, finally enhancing operational efficiency for businesses, including those among ai supply chain companies and supply chain artificial intelligence companies. Performance Metrics Analysis Effective performance metrics analysis is essential for organizations looking to optimize their supply chain operations. With Manhattan Active Supply Chain, you can leverage real-time insights to improve decision-making. Here are key features that benefit your organization: Custom Dashboards: Track specific performance metrics like inventory levels and order fulfillment rates designed to your needs. Advanced Analytics: Identify inefficiencies using machine learning supply chain software, enabling continuous improvement in operations. Scenario Modeling: Assess potential changes in supply chain strategies, ensuring you’re prepared for market fluctuations. Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software) Blue Yonder, previously known as JDA Software, stands at the forefront of AI-driven supply chain planning and execution solutions, streamlining operations and enhancing responsiveness across various industries. This intelligent supply chain platform shines in predictive capabilities, utilizing machine learning to boost forecasting accuracy and synchronize inventory with real-time sales data. With modules like Intelligent Fulfillment and Demand Planning, you gain end-to-end visibility and unified decision-making. Furthermore, Blue Yonder offers advanced supply chain simulation software, allowing you to test various scenarios and optimize your strategies effectively. Recognized for reducing inventory costs and improving service levels, it’s particularly favored in the retail and consumer goods sectors, helping businesses adapt to complex supply chain challenges efficiently. Anaplan for Supply Chain Anaplan for Supply Chain serves as a strong connected planning platform that boosts collaboration across various departments, including supply chain, finance, HR, and sales, ensuring alignment during periods of rapid change. This supply chain modeling software offers advanced scenario modeling capabilities, allowing you to simulate different supply chain scenarios and make informed decisions based on real-time data. Key features include: Interactive dashboards for improved visibility. Cloud-based architecture for quick deployment and scalability. Customization flexibility to tailor the platform to specific needs. With Anaplan, you can effectively manage complex supply chains and utilize its advanced reporting tools, making it a robust option for organizations seeking an all-encompassing solution or even free supply chain management software alternatives. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Common Tool Used for Supply Chain Network Optimization? A common tool for supply chain network optimization is Llamasoft. This software uses AI-driven optimization engines to improve supply networks by testing various routing and supplier mix options. It allows you to analyze different scenarios, helping you identify the most efficient paths and partnerships. Furthermore, Coupa Supply Chain Design & Planning is another effective tool, focusing on modeling supply networks and forecasting costs, which can lead to significant savings before making major investments. What Are the 7 C’s of SCM? The 7 C’s of Supply Chain Management are vital for optimizing performance. Customer emphasizes comprehension and meeting needs to boost satisfaction. Cost involves managing expenses to improve profitability. Communication guarantees clear information exchange among stakeholders, promoting transparency. Collaboration focuses on partnerships to increase efficiency. Capability highlights developing necessary skills and technology. Compliance guarantees adherence to regulations, whereas Continuity addresses planning for disruptions, maintaining smooth operations, and securing supply chain resilience. Each element is significant for success. Which Software Is Best for Supply Chain Management? When choosing software for supply chain management, consider platforms like SAP Integrated Business Planning for real-time data and scenario planning, or Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM for its efficiency in logistics. Kinaxis RapidResponse offers real-time insights and concurrent planning, whereas Coupa focuses on optimizing supply network designs. Each option has unique features, so assess your specific needs, such as demand forecasting or logistics management, to find the best fit for your organization. What Are the 7 Major Elements of Supply Chain Management? The seven major elements of supply chain management include planning, sourcing, manufacturing, delivery, returns, and facilitating processes. Planning involves forecasting demand and managing inventory. Sourcing focuses on selecting suppliers and negotiating contracts to secure quality materials. Manufacturing converts raw materials into finished products. Delivery guarantees timely transportation to customers. Returns manage product returns effectively. Facilitating processes streamline operations and promote communication across these elements, enhancing overall efficiency and performance in the supply chain. Conclusion Ultimately, selecting the right supply chain optimization software is essential for enhancing efficiency and decision-making in your organization. Tools like SAP Integrated Business Planning and Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM offer strong analytics and forecasting capabilities, whereas Kinaxis RapidResponse supports real-time planning. Coupa and Anaplan focus on collaboration, and Manhattan Active Supply Chain stands out in integration. By leveraging these advanced solutions, you can streamline operations and adapt to market changes effectively, ensuring better overall performance in your supply chain. Image Via Envato This article, "Top 7 Supply Chain Optimization Software Tools" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Wade Foster is a cofounder of the tool that many of us already use to automate workflows and connect software: Zapier. He is currently heading the charge to integrate AI deeply into both the organization and the tool. The post Zapier’s cofounder shares how he’s implementing light-weight project management systems and agentic workflows appeared first on The Digital Project Manager. View the full article

In January 2025, Los Angeles suffered an unspeakable wildfire tragedy, destroying at least 17,000 structures, and with tens of thousands of people forced out of their homes. Almost immediately, government officials declared a state of emergency and laid out a path to rebuild “like for like.” However, in the aftermath of such disasters when rebuilding from the ground up, is “like for like” the best way to proceed? These disasters provide an opportunity to future-proof our neighborhoods for the next generation of environmental challenges. In face of seemingly endless, floods, fires, rising temperatures, and energy crises, we must take the time to rethink our way forward. PLAYING WITH FIRE In L.A. alone, just over quarter of a million homes are located in hillside high-fire hazard zones. The allure of views and exclusivity often comes with increased risk as most flames, especially wind-driven ones, spread much faster uphill. Any upslope overhanging structures, such as wooden decks, provide perfect fuel for upslope fires and once ignited, the flames easily transfer to any connected structure. So, how does one capitalize on the hillside views but simultaneously manage the danger? Having a fuel modification zone—a clear area of land around structures that essentially removes fuel for wildfires—is a definite first step. The use of noncombustible materials should be encouraged including wood composites, standing seam metal roofs, and noncombustible cladding—like plaster, or Hardie panels—made from a combination of cement, sand, cellulose fibers, and other additives. These remain intact for several hours before beginning to break down, even when exposed to high heat. For a recent project in a risk-prone canyon, we also designed a perforated metal “fire shield,” separated from the house by a couple of feet. It provides a layer of protection against the sun but also repels flying embers. A fire shield is also a straightforward modification for existing homes, and a consideration for new construction. We can build additional safety nets through landscaping by using water-retaining plants like cacti and other succulents strategically around the property. Drought-tolerant planting is both environmentally sound and practical, as these plants retain water to provide another barrier of protection between the outside and the home. A FLOOD OF QUESTIONS With increasingly frequent hurricanes and flooding, home design needs to finally begin to respond to these recurring events. Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth house in Plano, Illinois is located in a flood zone but designed so that the living quarters were raised above flood levels at that time. This resulted in one of the most iconic home designs of the 20th century, essentially proving that great design can be achieved while solving for extreme environments. In addition, all essential infrastructure should be raised above flood levels. Construct permanent barriers around the home, especially if adapting existing buildings to respond to environmental pressure. Sites should be graded to slope away from the structure. Use concrete piers for foundations or, better still, permeable foundations to relieve hydrostatic pressure. Install sewer backflow valves to prevent sewage flow into the home in the event of flooding. People looking to insulate existing homes against environmental stressors, like frequent flooding, who can’t fully modify an older property can introduce an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designed to be entirely flood proof, providing a safe place to land if the original property’s defenses are breached by water. These ADUs can be constructed to be entirely off grid and raised above flood level, using nontraditional materials like concrete to insulate against fire and wind events. RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES During the Palisades and Eaton fires in L.A., due to power shut offs plus damages from wind and fire, nearly half a million residents lost power. In a time when many jurisdictions are aggressively moving toward exclusively electric power, hardships are compounded by loss of power as people are left unable to heat their homes or cook their meals even if they have not been directly impacted. It is imperative that homes can weather a crisis by having enough independent energy to power their essential services. Electric power, especially when obtained from renewable sources like solar panels, is a more economical and environmentally responsible option. If this is coupled with adequate battery storage to power the home’s essential services, it is easier to weather a crisis. Rolling power shut offs are also becoming increasingly common in response to scorching temperatures around the country, so energy independence should become a priority for homeowners to insure themselves against an outage that is a direct result of environmental stress. BETTER, STRONGER, SMARTER After the January wildfires, the City of Los Angeles released an emergency declaration to “clear the way to rebuild homes as they were” and “allow rebuilding like for like.” While well intentioned and sweeping in its reach, this declaration should be strongly resisted. We must oppose the temptation to recreate exactly what was lost and instead focus on creating a model for development that minimizes the chance of destruction occurring again. With climate change and extreme weather events happening with increased frequency, we need to adjust to this new reality by hardening our homes, both existing and new, and embracing the opportunity to rebuild better, stronger, and smarter for future generations. Nerin Kadribegovic is founder and principal at Kadre Architects. View the full article