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Long Beach Airport had a trailer problem. Long Beach’s quaint municipal airport originally opened in 1924 when airplanes flew using propellers—and the art deco terminal hadn’t undergone a full-scale renovation since. Instead, it adapted to the increased spatial demands of late 20th and early 21st century air travel, like increased security screening and modern baggage handling, in a rather temporary way: trailers. “It was known as the trailer park airport,” says Michael Bohn, a partner at Studio One Eleven, a Long Beach-based architecture and design firm. “It just became a hodgepodge. You went down these crazy aisles, and through different trailers. They had vending machines for snacks. It was probably one of the worst experiences you could have.” In 2012, the city decided to do something about that. It launched a multiphase, $185 million renovation project. Two new concourse buildings were added, making it more feasible for the airport to handle passengers for major airlines like Southwest and JetBlue. Concessions were expanded. A new welcome gateway was added. It was all intended to reset the airport in the public’s mind, moving it away from its jumbled past to becoming a more seamless gateway for traveler opting against the nearby behemoth of Los Angeles International Airport. But the trailers were still making up key parts of the airport’s operations. “Trailer park airport” no more Studio One Eleven stepped in to rethink the space around the main terminal building and to do away with the trailers once and for all. The firm led the historic renovation and seismic upgrading of the terminal building, designed in a streamlined style and adorned with WPA-era artwork. The project also included a large-scale enhancement of the terminal’s public realm, much of which had been taken over by trailers and other ad hoc building annexes and airport infrastructure. “We said, ‘what if you could pull this stuff away and create a negative space instead of all this clutter?'” says Kirk Keller, principal landscape architect at Studio One Eleven. The designers moved IT equipment into the basement, and relocated the baggage handling infrastructure behind the scenes. “It was really trying to carve away space for people.” That opened up new space for a more open terminal experience and, rarely for an airport, outdoor terrace space once passengers make their way through security. “We look at the space between buildings as being just as important as the architecture itself,” says Bohn. Their design interventions have gotten rid of the trailer park problem, and helped turn Long Beach Airport into one of the most beloved airports in the United States. A recent Washington Post ranking of the top 50 airports placed it as the second best in the nation, behind only Portland’s elegant new mass timber terminal. New outdoor space Outdoor space became a key focus for the project. Once holding the overflow services and equipment that created the airport’s trailer problem, space that exists between the historic terminal and the two new concourse buildings became ripe for reinvention. “It was almost just interstitial space between these two concourses. It served no purpose,” says Bohn. Studio One Eleven reframed the space as a central plaza. Set between the cruise ship-esque facade of the historic terminal and the modern facilities leading into the secure section of the airport, the plaza has become a unique public space in the city, where people can greet arriving friends and family, access one of the airport’s local concessionaires, or simply catch views of airplanes taking off and landing. To keep it as open as possible, the designers used the region’s iconic palm trees as both landscaping and lighting infrastructure, while also webbing the space with an overhead catenary wire system to hold additional exterior lights. Keller says they’re meant to evoke the flight paths of airplanes and seabirds from Long Beach’s coastal environment. Long Beach-based Studio One Eleven was tuned into these local influences. The designers also knew that one of the airport’s biggest strengths was its relatively modest size. “We were just respecting that Long Beach doesn’t want to try to compete with LAX or Portland, or San Francisco,” says Bohn. “It’s got its charm, and we just wanted to build on that.” View the full article

Three economists Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt win awardView the full article

When we consider the subway, it’s often for reasons that have to do with decay and deterioration. The switches are outdated. The elevators are broken. The train is late (again). Of course it could be better, but rarely do we pause to take in what the system does right. Its 25 lines, 472 stations, and 665 miles of track traverse the city and offer a tremendous amount of mobility. And now, a new digital installation at the Fulton Street subway station by the information designer Giorgia Lupi and her team at Pentagram pays tribute to the system. “Sometimes adults lose the ability to see magic in mundane things and to treat what we experience every day with a bit of wonder and romance,” Lupi says. She translated those feelings into the installation, a two-minute animation of the New York City Transit lines. Inspired by Craigslist Missed Connections and the city’s open data portal, A Data Love Letter to the Subway, as it’s titled, appears on 50 screens throughout the station, which are normally used for advertising, and plays every hour on the hour through December. “There’s such an incredible world if you think about the subway,” Lupi says. “I wanted to create a story and to almost give a bit of a personality, like a character in a children’s book, to those lines. They thread this beautiful system that sits underneath us and that we use every day.” The graphics show where the trains travel, converge, and go their own ways as well as various facts about the system, from the age and length of lines to the ones that go above ground or never see the sun. Lupi has turned this information into a charming animation that makes visible what most New Yorkers take for granted. “I have this little bit of a curse that I see data everywhere,” Lupi says. Since the screens are of various sizes, Lupi and her team created slightly different animations to fit the frames. At a few moments during the film, they all converge. Lupi compares the experience to dance choreography where individuals have their solos, but then become synchronized. She and her team stuck to a mostly black-and-white palette and minimalist graphics to depart from the cacophonous images that usually show up on the station’s screens. To stop someone when everything is shouting for their attention, simplicity can be remarkably effective. The installation also commemorates the MTA Arts & Design program’s 40th anniversary; three additional four-month digital installations will appear across Fulton Center over the next 12 months. So far, the installation has been received warmly. “A former coworker just wrote to me: ‘Oh my gosh, am I crying thinking about trains, spending time together?!’” Lupi says. “It’s nice—and not because we need more tears or more moments of hard feelings—to remind ourselves that there are different ways of seeing pretty much everything.” View the full article

Innovation hubs were once the darlings of corporate strategy, promising to future-proof businesses and spark breakthrough ideas. But two decades in, the cracks are showing. Too many hubs have struggled to prove their worth, and some have quietly shut down altogether. In reality, these costly spaces never lived up to the hype—and the future lies elsewhere. Rather than investing in shiny new labs, organizations should be cultivating innovation communities: networks of people, inside and outside the company, who collaborate around shared challenges and opportunities. Looking Back: Proliferation Innovation hubs have proliferated through private enterprise over the past two decades. This has largely happened because of broader cultural shifts, like the increasing pace of societal and technological change, and globalized competition, which made it imperative that organizations develop their own muscle to shape a leading edge. Companies proved this out through rather dependable profit cycles, which in turn created bandwidth for broader exploration. In fact, now innovation hubs are relatively commonplace: According to research by Indicative, more than 60% of financial services organizations in the U.S. have their own innovation hubs, whereas it is close to 40% for automotive and retail sectors. These hubs usually exist at varying scales in physical form, with a blend of core team and supporting organizers that lead events programming, project development, and stakeholder engagement. Some of these hubs choose to stay close to the core business, be it adjacent to production facilities or headquarters, like BMW’s Project i-Ventures. Their proximity enables an effortless flow of people and ideas from the core business. Other organizations opt for the periphery, both in terms of location and thematic focus, to develop their portfolio with less oversight, and potentially less distraction from the HQ—such as Google X and Pfizer’s Center for Therapeutic Innovation. For these latter hubs, the emphasis has been on bolder bets that could transform the business in longer time horizons. The way these hubs manifest their mission vary widely. Some stayed close to the core of product-service innovation, either via venture funding or intrapreneurship challenges. Others worked closer to brand differentiation and storytelling, or even positioned themselves as an employee-value-proposition (EVP) vessel. Within all of this, some have been incredibly refined in their form factor, whereas others opt for the messy maker approach. Independent from their form, the momentum around hubs served the purpose of bringing the innovation narrative to the boardroom. But we’re now in a broader reckoning moment in terms of what the path forward will be, with contraction and restructuring in businesses leaving the innovation hubs in question. And the closure of Ikea’s innovation hub, Space10, and the struggles faced by giants like Walmart, underscore innovation hubs’ systemic issues around purpose, experience, positioning, and mandate. On top of that, it’s not easy to recount examples where an innovation hub actually turned a company around. An HBR article sourcing Capgemini shows that 90% of innovation hubs failed to deliver on their promise. This highlights a critical point: merely establishing innovation labs does not guarantee success. A company has to carefully craft the right innovation framework and align necessary resources to truly enable business outcomes through innovation, according to another Capgemini report. The Three Traps Innovation hubs are trapped in three sets of strategic tensions of their own making: positioning with respect to core business, the balance between product development and communications, and the balance between internal versus external partners. When hubs sit too far from the core business, they tend to drift into scattered activities without a clear focus or meaningful links back to the company. But when they sit too close, they get bogged down by corporate rigidity and lose the agility needed to make real progress. In terms of activity, hubs focusing on tangible product-service innovation struggled when early test versions or products did not gain traction—either because there was focusing too much on desirability or viability, but not both. In other contexts, innovation hubs focused more on marketing, comms and storytelling—and those may have had a boost in the early phases, but in absence of “tangible results,” the energy dissipated over time and was simply framed as “innovation theater.” Here, a good litmus test is the professional background of their Chief Innovation Officers (CIO)—some directly come from product development backgrounds, and others from communications, but rarely bridging both. A third tension is whether the innovation system focused more on engaging the internal stakeholders in an organization, or engaged with external partners and ecosystem players. While the framing of “open innovation” is used abundantly, companies also struggled to break down the walls and let the partners in, given the competitive nature of the work. Although these tensions may come natural with any organization, what is clear is that there is a need for a new narrative for the value of Innovation—especially in the hyper-uncertain, post-COVID, recessionary, restructure- around-the-corner environment. A New Configuration The provocation is to shift how we think about innovation, away from building more hubs as physical showcases, and toward reimagining how people, resources, and ideas connect across an organization. What if, instead of drawing hard lines between “the hub” and “the business,” we dissolved those boundaries and allowed innovation to flow more freely across teams and functions? What if the money spent on shiny new buildings went instead to cultivating relationships: creating open, community-powered networks where employees, partners, and even customers can contribute to problem-solving? What if, rather than building yet another lab, organizations took stock of what they already have (unused spaces, overlooked talent, dormant partnerships) and reconfigured them into living platforms for experimentation? And what if innovation became less about a central place, and more about distributed cohorts of changemakers—small, empowered groups connected by digital and physical networks, supported with clear incentives to act? In its highly functioning version, this new path towards community-powered innovation could shift an organization’s DNA across all four key dimensions: product innovation, talent, impact, and brand perception. Such refocusing would enable the discourse to move away from building physical assets to cultivating innovation communities, acknowledging the slow, arduous but ultimately differentiating act of investing in people and their relationships above all else. In practice, these communities are networks of employees, partners, and sometimes even customers who come together around shared challenges and opportunities. Rather than operating as a single close-knit team, they function as distributed groups that exchange ideas, test solutions, and build momentum across the organization. This strategy would not only preserve but potentially enhance previous investments, directing organizations toward a future where innovation is seamlessly integrated across the organization. Innovation & Sustainability as a Shared Agenda Such a narrative of distributed, community-powered innovation may sound compelling, but it isn’t bold enough for structural change. For that, you need a bigger purpose—and that is the convergence of the innovation and the sustainability narratives within organizations. Ultimately, the climate crisis is a key challenge that poses an essential risk, alongside massive opportunities. Climate defines a very compelling “why” and can deeply move people. Sustainability can act like a prism that refocuses dispersed efforts, tapping into the energy for key changemakers in organizations that are collaborative and intrinsically motivated, which is exactly the audience that any organization is keen to activate. Converging innovation and sustainability would also simplify the organizational structures that often create silos or duplicated efforts, making it easier for teams to work toward meaningful results together. In a world where Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and regulation may be taking over the story of sustainability, crafting strong shared narratives can unlock the path for deeper activation. Ultimately, we need to imagine a world in which each organization defines their “why” in relationship to sustainability, and their “how” in relationship to innovation communities. In that world, organizations powered by communities could move with newfound momentum to drive the change—which is direly needed. Contributors: Özlem Tuskan, Leen Sadder, Gülnaz Ör, Mert Çetinkaya, Greg Csikos, Melissa Clissold View the full article

Milestone comes as Donald The President prepares to address KnessetView the full article

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Ever had a song you couldn’t get out of your head? That happened to me the other day. Pink Pony Club. It’s everywhere right now; I can’t escape it. And even though I really don’t like that song, it’s catchy. And as you’ve probably experienced, once you get a song like that stuck in your head, it can feel impossible to get out. What you might not know is there’s a scientific reason for this: It’s called ironic process theory. Or, you may have heard it by its more common name: The white bear problem. But there’s a tried and tested brain hack that helps you to get a song out of your head. What’s more, you can use it to replace negative or harmful thoughts with positive, helpful ones. With enough practice, you can change your entire mindset. I like to call this method the Blue Dolphin Rule. What is the Blue Dolphin Rule, and why is it so helpful? How can you use it to hack your brain and change your thinking from harmful to helpful? To answer those questions, let’s go back to the white bear problem. The White Bear Problem The white bear problem was popularized by Harvard psychologist Daniel Wegner in the late 1980s. Also known as ironic process theory, Wegner’s problem stated that attempts to suppress thoughts can actually increase their frequency. Wegner based the name on a quote in an essay by Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky from over a century ago: “Try to pose for yourself this task: not to think of a polar bear, and you will see that the cursed thing will come to mind every minute.” Over the course of a decade, Wegner discovered that at least part of the reason why this happens. While we try our best to avoid a thought with one part of the mind, another part of us keeps “checking in” to make sure the thought isn’t coming up. Wegner described this as an “ironic process.” That helps explain why I can’t get Pink Pony Club out of my head. Also, why you may struggle to push out anxious thoughts or limiting beliefs. But there’s a way to conquer your white bears, and it involves emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage emotions. Enter the blue dolphin. Using ‘Blue Dolphins’ to Stop Negative Thoughts Over time, Wegner and other researchers found a trick to reduce the rebound of unwanted thoughts. Instead of trying not to think of something, you have to intentionally focus your mind on a completely different thought. For example, instead of a white bear, try to think of a blue dolphin. A blue dolphin is a substitute thought. It’s a replacement, or “go-to,” something you can immediately focus attention on if your white bear comes to mind. In psychology, this emotional regulation technique is known as thought replacement or thought substitution. For example, if Pink Pony Club is ringing around in my head, I’ve got to start singing another catchy song. As I shift my attention and go all in with my new song, Pink Pony Club fades into the background . . . and eventually disappears. You can do the same with your negative thoughts. Before a presentation, do you keep thinking to yourself: “I’m so nervous”? Try telling yourself repeatedly: “This is going to be over in 30 minutes, and by next week I won’t even be thinking about it.” Or maybe you’re down because a product launch did much lower numbers than you expected. Remind yourself: “Products take time to get right. Let’s work on improving this version and try again.” See how it works? Every time you think of a blue dolphin, write it down or record it in a note on your phone. Eventually, you’ll have a collection of replacement thoughts you can use whenever you need them. Use your dolphins Remember, white bears have a tendency to keep coming back. But emotional intelligence means recognizing that, while you don’t have control over a thought entering your mind, you can do something about it. So, the next time a white bear rears its ugly head, you can pull out your list. Focus on one of your blue dolphins. Read it out loud if you like. As you practice, you’ll start to do this more naturally. And eventually, you’ll find you’re keeping those nasty white bears at bay—and singing the tune you want, instead of the one that got stuck in your head. —Justin Bariso This article originally appeared on Fast Company‘s sister publication, Inc. Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy. View the full article

This year, Columbus Day, also known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, lands on Monday, October 13. While it’s a federal holiday and many schools have it off, there are plenty of businesses still open—as well as U.S. stock markets. Here’s what to know about the holiday, and what’s open and closed today. Why is the holiday called Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Columbus Day, named after Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, occurs on the second Monday in October of every year, and celebrates Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492, in the Bahamas. However, due to criticism over the treatment of Native Americans who were here when Columbus “discovered America,” President Joe Biden also officially named it Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021. So technically, there are two holidays happening simultaneously today, with some cities and states celebrating one or both. Adding to the confusion, this year, on Thursday, President Donald The President said: “We’re calling it Columbus Day.” In a separate presidential action on the White House website, The President proclaimed Columbus “a true American hero,” and said, “Outrageously, in recent years, Christopher Columbus has been a prime target of a vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history, slander our heroes, and attack our heritage.” What stores are open on Monday? Walmart, Costco, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and most supermarkets are open and have normal business hours. Some smaller local businesses may be closed, so check with those stores to see if they have modified holiday hours. Are CVS and Walgreens pharmacies open? CVS and Walgreens typically operate during normal business hours, but pharmacy hours could vary among locations. Are banks open on Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Most banks follow the U.S. Federal Reserve System’s holiday schedule, which declares it a day off. However, bank hours vary. Chase Bank branches are open; however, the company says this day “will be treated as a holiday for purposes of online transactions.” Bank of America branches are closed. Check with your financial institution for further clarification. Is the stock market open on Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Yes, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq stock exchange are open for trading. Is the post office open on Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day? United States Postal Service (USPS) branches are closed, but UPS and FedEx are open for pickup and delivery services, according to both companies’ websites. View the full article

In the 1960s, IBM embarked on what Fortune called the $5 billion gamble. It was a bet-the-company investment on a scale nobody had seen before. The payoff was the legendary System/360 mainframes, which revolutionized computing and set the stage for two decades of IBM dominance. That $5 billion would be roughly the equivalent of $50 billion today, but even that princely sum is dwarfed by the $364 billion that tech giants are expected to invest in artificial intelligence this year. And the spending won’t stop there. McKinsey projects that building AI data centers alone could demand $5.2 trillion by 2030. Today, the AI investment boom is probably the single biggest factor propping up the US economy. However, there is cause for concern. Throughout our history, great technological advances have led to overinvestment, the crowding out of traditional industries, and, eventually, a collapse triggering economic upheaval. Indicators suggest that’s where we’re headed now. The booms and busts of railroad barons In terms of economic impact, the closest comparison to the AI boom was the railroads in the 19th century. Then, like now, there was a revolutionary technology with unprecedented potential for impact. The railroads promised to connect production to markets like never before in human history. Another striking parallel was government support and subsidy for investment. The Pacific Railroad Acts of 1862 and 1864 authorized vast land grants and the issue of government bonds to finance the construction of railroad infrastructure. These effectively guaranteed profits for private investors, while the public bore the risks. Railroad barons such as Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jay Gould, and Leland Stanford made enormous fortunes and came to dominate the era. They created huge monopolies that stifled competition and squeezed farmers and small businesses. If the local railroad wouldn’t give you a rate, you couldn’t get your goods to market. Greed, arrogance, and overinvestment fueled massive and repeated boom-and-bust cycles. The panics of 1873 and 1893 led to massive financial crises followed by years-long economic depressions and political instability. As historian Richard White explains in Railroaded, while eventually railroads would be valuable for America, the corruption, monopoly power, public cost, and repeated crashes were unnecessary and avoidable. The Second Industrial Revolution After the panic of 1893, hundreds of railroads went bankrupt, which created an opportunity for financiers like J.P. Morgan. As industries consolidated and competition decreased, stability returned and the Gilded Age roared back to life. The locus of power shifted to Wall Street as Morgan and his colleagues organized the American economy into great trusts like U.S. Steel. It was in this environment that the Second Industrial Revolution took hold. Driven by technological breakthroughs in electricity and internal combustion in the 1880s, it fueled the emergence of entirely new industries, such as automobiles and radio. By the 1920s, the electrification of factories powered a productivity boom. Much like today’s AI boom, the Second Industrial Revolution seemed to change everything. The confluence of electricity and internal combustion, along with the secondary innovations they spawned, led to mass manufacturing and mass marketing. Improved logistics reshaped supply chains and factories moved from cities in the north—close to customers—to small towns in the south, where labor and land were cheaper. These genuine innovations and the resulting improvements in productivity, combined with lax regulation and easy credit, led to overinvestment and an enormous stock market bubble. The stock market crash of 1929, along with the poorly advised Smoot Hawley tariffs led to the Great Depression of the 1930s. The pattern mirrored the railroad busts of the 1800s: Genuine innovation, poor government regulation, overinvestment, boom, and bust. The dot-com boom and bust I was working on Wall Street in 1995 when the Netscape IPO hit like a bombshell. It was the first big internet stock and, just like that, a tiny company with no profits was worth $2.9 billion. Soon, productivity growth—depressed since the early 1970s—began to surge. Economists explained that certain conditions, such as negligible marginal costs and network effects, would lead to “winner take all markets” and increasing returns to investment. Companies such as Webvan and Pets.com, with no viable business plan or path to profitability, attracted hundreds of millions of dollars from investors. In a sign of the times, America Online (AOL), merged with Time Warner, the biggest and most prestigious media company on the planet to create a $350 billion megagiant that would straddle both the old and new worlds. By 2000, the market peaked, the bubble burst, and the AOL–Time Warner merger became a cautionary tale. While some of the fledgling Internet companies, such as Cisco and Amazon, did turn out well, thousands of others went down in flames. Other more conventional businesses, such as Enron, WorldCom, and Arthur Anderson, got caught up in the hoopla, became mired in scandal, and went bankrupt. Like the railroads and the Second Industrial Revolution, a bust followed a boom, but this time, there was no depression. While some prestigious companies failed, investors lost money, and genuine malfeasance was exposed, the Internet economy wasn’t quite big enough to pose a significant systemic risk. The recession that followed was relatively mild by historical standards. Is this the perfect storm? Looking at the AI boom from a historical perspective, the similarities to earlier technological cycles are striking. We see the same excitement, the same calls for government regulators to get out of the way and let the technological and market forces do their work. We also see the same pattern of massive overinvestment. The only part we haven’t seen is the bust . . . yet. There are also signs that this particular cycle has the potential to be worse than anything in the living memory of anyone under the age of 100. As investor Paul Kedrosky points out, the size of investment in data center infrastructure has already surpassed that of the dot-com boom and is beginning to approach levels last seen during the railroad frenzy of the 19th century. And for all the hype and hoopla, we’re not seeing much of a boost in productivity growth. A study by the St. Louis Fed suggests a 1.1% increase in aggregate worker productivity, with much of that concentrated in the tech sector. A paper by Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu, looking at total factor productivity (TFP), a measure which takes use of capital into account, sees a 0.66% increase over 10 years, translating to a 0.064% increase in annual TFP growth. Finally, there are signs of growing systemic risk. Kedrosky notes that, increasingly, tech giants are choosing to finance much of their infrastructure build-outs with Enron-like special purpose vehicles, which cost more but keep the debt off their balance sheets. That risk, in turn, is increasingly being passed to more traditional investors such as real estate investment trusts (REITs). So, whether you like it or not, we’re all deeply invested in this AI boom and there will surely be rough waters ahead. We need capable governance if we’re going to navigate the rapids and not end up crashing on the rocks. Who, if anyone, is at the helm? View the full article

Those who work a 9-to-5 know nabbing one of the few available weekend slots with your hairdresser or nail technician requires a huge amount of forethought. Or how time-consuming it can be to get your oil changed, buy your groceries, or wait in line at the post office. The two-day weekend is simply too short to squeeze in all the errands and life admin that builds up throughout the week. So rather than wasting precious leisure time—or worse, PTO—some workers are going ahead and scheduling their appointments on company time. “A little reminder to everyone who works in corporate that no one at work actually needs to know what your appointments are for,” one viral TikTok post suggests. “I booked a haircut and blowdry, and then felt like getting my nails done. So now I’m on my way to do that, but they didn’t have to know that.” In the caption, she tactfully caveats: “for legal reasons this is bad advice.” Those in the comments backed up the sentiment: “I just put leaving early for an appointment. Doesn’t matter if it’s therapy or my hair. None of their business.” “I said I had an appointment and asked to leave at 3:30 . . . it was for Botox,” another added. “Just block it in the calendar,” another suggested, saying of beauty appointments: “It’s essential work.” As companies’ efforts to force staff back into the office drag on, many employees are finding more and more creative ways to cling to the flexibility they enjoyed during the remote-work era. That might look like scheduling personal appointments during the day or trialing microshifting (breaking up the work shift into shorter bursts based on productivity levels). How transparent you can be about your midweek blowout or personal training session depends on your relationship with your boss, as well as company policy. “If you’re leaving work early, coming in late, or leaving for an appointment in the middle of the day, your employer might have policies around this,” Marta Říhová, HR expert at Kickresume, tells Fast Company. “In some companies, it might be acceptable, especially if you and your colleagues work flexible hours. You might just be asked to make up the time later on.” Those hoping their bosses will enact a relaxed, blind-eye policy, however, should be cautious. “Bear in mind that if you say you have an appointment without specifying what kind—hoping your boss will assume it’s medical—they might ask you for proof of a doctor’s appointment,” Říhová says. “Your employer can’t ask about the nature of your illness. But they can ask for proof that you’ll be at the doctor during this time.” Recent research from video conferencing company Owl Labs found that employees are prepared to give up 9% of their annual salary for flexible working hours (and 8% for a four-day workweek). Flexibility is no longer just a perk; for many, it’s a requirement. Workplaces that expect their employees to use precious PTO for personal appointments (or email proof that they were where they said they were) may find themselves fighting a losing battle. Many workers may just keep scheduling errands on the clock anyway. And companies could also risk losing their employees altogether. As one commenter on the viral TikTok wrote: “‘I have an appointment’ (another interview).” View the full article

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Donald The President strikes more conciliatory tone after threatening Beijing with 100% tariffs View the full article

I’m off today. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. Customers talk about our sizes This question is for my coworker, Jess. We both work at a women’s plus-size clothing retailer (national chain) in the midwest. I do wear some clothes from here, but to most, I probably do not look like the average plus-size person. Jess is a little larger than myself. This is unfortunately relevant because customers try to relate to Jess in such ways like “Oh! You have a big butt you can help me [pick out something that would look good with my own big butt]” or “Oh, you get it with how big your hips are!” or the most common: “I’d rather you help me due to your size!” And recently there are new skinny jeans, which we are supposed to be promoting, and when Jess tells customers about them, they laugh at her for presumably suggesting that plus-size women can wear skinny jeans. They also have complained to her about other people who work here due to their size, such as Andrea, who is very slim and petite, and even our store manager, who wears some things from the brand but is more my size in that she doesn’t necessarily “pass” as a plus-size women. Apparently these comments have happened before to coworkers who have since left and would more fit in to the “plus-size” image. I asked Jess if there was a certain demographic who give her comments like this since she said that she can tell who will say these things. She said it was mainly women in their 40s-50s. I have not had any of these comments made to me. These are obviously putting a mental strain on Jess and making a thankless retail job even harder. I do not think she has spoken with the store manager, so I will today and our district manager is also visiting. It sounds to me like the “I’d rather you help me due to your size!” comments capture what’s going on — that your customers feel particularly comfortable with Jess since she’s closer in size to them. My hunch is that the comments stem from the camaraderie and relief of shopping somewhere that actually caters to them, unlike a lot of other stores that ignore the fact that people come in a range of sizes. I don’t know that there’s anything she or the store could do to stop that without making customers feel unwelcome; it sounds like it may come with the territory, unfortunately. But the store should give you all some guidance about how to handle customers who complain about smaller-sized women working there, even if it’s just to say that you all love fashion, regardless of size. (They should have better messaging than I do, but I’d imagine it would be something along those lines.) – 2017 2. My boss is super excited that a coworker’s sibling is on The Voice I have a coworker whose sibling is on The Voice. Their boss has been sending out emails about voting and supporting the contestant through to the next round. I like this coworker a lot, but the emails are kind of grating. I have a lot of causes I’d love to get our staff’s support on, but don’t think it’s appropriate to make the ask. I also see that it’s a big deal, and they’re excited about (rightly so!). But it’s also a slippery slope to constant asks from folks all over about all kinds of things. In sum, I can see how you could argue this both ways. Which way would you argue this? Their boss may see this as a thing for you all to bond around, create camaraderie, etc. There would be a stronger argument for that if it was your coworker herself who was on the show; it gets more tenuous when it’s her sibling. Still, though, in some offices, this could be a fun thing that people legitimately get into. And it’s unusual enough (in terms of the difficulty in getting on the show, and how high-profile it is) that I think your boss could reasonably feel like this isn’t opening the door to a cascade of more mundane requests. So I don’t think it’s outrageous that your boss is making it into such a thing (assuming, of course, that she’s not sending multiple emails a day about it). That said, it’s potentially setting people up to feel like their own achievements aren’t given the same recognition as the achievements of someone who doesn’t even work there, and that’s something your boss should be sensitive to. – 2018 3. My boss doesn’t seem to want my husband to visit me on a work trip I recently started a new job (I’m in my second week). I relocated, and my husband and dog stayed behind for now. Come to find out I’m being sent on a work trip VERY close to them, about a one-hour drive. The hotel I’m staying at is dog-friendly, so I called and checked if I could separately pay any fees associated with pets, and they said yes. I’m so excited to see them! As soon as I knew it was possible for this to happen, I went to my boss, who will also be on the trip, and asked/told him that in my free time after work is done, my husband would like to come to the hotel with my dog to meet me and I’d pay any associated fees. He reacted … weirdly? He started saying he doesn’t want to feel rushed through the day because someone is waiting for me. I assured him this would not be the case. He then said next time I should ask first, which is what I thought I was doing. I’m feeling rather emotional because I really miss my little family, but I’m not sure if I overstepped some sort of unspoken line here. Please help! Do you know what your schedule is likely to be on this trip? If you’re just working days and won’t have work commitments in the evening, it’s really not your boss’s business. On the other hand, if it’s the kind of trip where you might be expected to do informal networking in the evenings, I can see him feeling like this isn’t ideal — because sometimes there’s an expectation that you’ll make yourself available during business travel if something comes up, like if there’s an unexpected opportunity to take a client to dinner. Your boss may just be worried that you’ll be less open to that kind of thing … but if that’s the case, he should say something like, “Your husband is welcome to stay in your hotel room with you, but this is a trip where we may work odd hours and may end up making last-minute plans with the client for the evenings. So your evenings may not be your own, and I can’t promise you’ll be able to keep any evening plans you make ahead of time.” That may be what he was trying to convey, though. In any case, I think you could go back to him now and say something like, “I wanted to clarify that my husband meeting me at the hotel won’t in any way affect my availability. I’m there to work first and foremost, and I’ll be available whatever hours you need me while we’re there.” – 2018 Read an update to this letter here. 4. How much noise is too much in an open office when you’re on the phone a lot? I have a job that requires a substantial amount of time on the phone (probably averaging 15-20 hours per week on the phone, including short unscheduled calls, long project meetings, and occasional webinars). I work in a space which is primarily open-style – I have my own cube but it’s only semi-enclosed so voices carry pretty effectively throughout the space. There are offices around the perimeter, including a few set aside as swing spaces. So, it would probably be *possible* for me to use a closed office for every pre-scheduled call, preventing any of my nearby colleagues from having to hear my side of the call, but I really don’t want to spend a third (or more) of my day in the small, dark anonymous swing-space cubicles, without my nice desk setup, personal items, etc. Closed office space is hard to come by, and the organizational culture dictates that these spaces are reserved for people in higher-level jobs than mine, which I understand and am fine with overall (although these higher-level folks don’t typically have jobs that require much or any phone work). I know you’ve come out against open-plan offices for this reason (among many), and you’ve recommended that denizens of open-plan offices take long calls in a conference room, but do I really have to spend this much time sitting in a dark, isolated cube? (As you may be able to tell, I’m an extrovert and strongly dislike being confined to such a small, depressing space.) Currently, I use the sad swing-spaces only for long calls where I know I’ll be doing most of the talking/presenting, and I do try to use my “inside voice” on the calls I take in my regular space – but a lot of my job revolves around relationship maintenance, so some of my calls are pretty friendly, informal, and involve laughter, which I also worry might annoy my colleagues (though no one has ever said anything about any of this and it’s been two years). Can I get a blanket ruling on how much phone conversation is too much in an open-plan office? And I wonder if any of your commenters have advice on how they’ve handled this situation? I should add that my role is unique in my office; no one else (in real offices or cubes) spends any appreciable amount of time on the phone or in conversation with each other. So it’s definitely not a case where everyone is doing it and everyone deals with it – it’s just me making the noise! There’s not one blanket rule for how much conversation is too much in an open office. It really depends on office culture, and I was all set to tell you that I’d pay attention to how others handle their phone calls until I saw in your last paragraph that there’s no one in a comparable situation. Because of that, you might have more of a case for getting a more private workspace than you would otherwise. I know your office reserves them for people who are higher level, but you could point out that you have a unique situation no one else is in, where you’re disturbing others all the time. They might say no, but it wouldn’t be outrageous to ask. But if that’s off the table … no, I don’t think you have to spend one third of your time in a small, dark, anonymous space. But given how much time you’re on the phone, is there any chance you could improve one of those small, dark, anonymous spaces? Make it nicer and more comfortable, so it’s easier to spend time there? Otherwise, though, just talk to the people who sit around you, acknowledge the situation, say you hate thinking you’re disturbing them, and ask if there’s anything they want you to do differently. Who knows, maybe you’ll hear that they mostly tune you out, or that it’s fine most of the time but not 3-5 every Tuesday because that’s when they need quiet the most, or something else that you didn’t realize. I don’t know what you’ll hear, but ask them directly and then go from there. – 2019 5. Employee asked for a higher raise than I think she earned I have an employee whose yearly review I am working to wrap up. After the initial review, we usually discuss a raise, based on what was discussed in the review. We typically would expect a 2-5% raise for this person. I got an email from her requesting a 13.15% raise. I don’t understand why it ends in .15% (it won’t make her hourly rate an even number) and she would be paid more than other folks in this role. Her work is good but not great, and she has bounced from a few teams in the last year or so. Her long-time duties at the front desk have not changed, so she really has gained a few more hours of work each week with new teams to gain more experience. I am not sure what to tell her since this feels so out of left field. Ask her how she came up with that number! Maybe there’s something you don’t realize that she’s factoring in. But if you consider the request and decide it’s not one that makes sense to grant, then you’d say something like, “I can offer you a raise to $X, which is based on your work this year and in line with what we pay other people doing this work. To earn a larger raise, I’d be looking to see ____.” Fill in that blank with specifics about what type of performance would warrant a larger raise. If nothing would, be up-front about that too. Basically, you want to explain how you landed at the number you’re offering her and what, if anything, could earn her more in the future. The “I’d be looking to see ___ from you” part is really important, because it helps her understand what good versus great looks like, how performance is rewarded, and what expectations are and aren’t realistic in this job. It’s also better to help someone understand the path to where they want to go (or that that path doesn’t exist in their current role) rather than just giving a flat no. – 2019 The post customers talk about our sizes, boss doesn’t want my husband to visit me on a work trip, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

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Employee training is crucial for enhancing productivity and engagement in the workplace. Innovative methods, such as hands-on workshops, gamification, and multimedia content, can make learning more effective and enjoyable. On-the-job training provides immediate feedback, whereas microlearning offers quick, digestible lessons. These strategies not just improve knowledge retention but likewise encourage collaboration among employees. Comprehending how to implement these ideas can transform your training approach. What are the best ways to incorporate these techniques into your organization? Key Takeaways Implement hands-on workshops that utilize real-world scenarios to enhance learning retention and problem-solving abilities among employees. Incorporate gamification techniques, using points and leaderboards to motivate employees and foster competition in training sessions. Utilize multimedia content, such as videos and interactive presentations, to engage participants and accommodate diverse learning styles. Offer on-the-job training that provides immediate feedback and personalized guidance from experienced mentors, enhancing practical skill development. Develop microlearning modules that deliver training in short segments, allowing for flexible learning and improved knowledge retention. Hands-On Workshops for Practical Learning Hands-on workshops for practical learning can greatly boost employee training by engaging participants in real-world scenarios. These workshops serve as excellent ideas for training new employees by allowing them to apply skills immediately. Through practical exercises, employees improve their learning retention and develop problem-solving abilities. Incorporating role-playing and case studies not just exposes participants to diverse perspectives but also nurtures creativity and teamwork. Furthermore, peer collaboration boosts communication skills, creating a strong sense of community. Research indicates that interactive workshops can increase employee engagement by 21%, leading to higher productivity. Pairing participants with mentors during these sessions offers personalized guidance, which elevates confidence and job satisfaction, making hands-on workshops a crucial component of effective employee training ideas. Gamification Techniques to Enhance Engagement Engaging employees during training can greatly improve their learning experience, and gamification techniques offer a compelling solution. By incorporating game mechanics like points, badges, and leaderboards, you can motivate employees and boost participation in training programs. Research shows that gamification can improve learning retention by up to 60%, making training more enjoyable and interactive. Organizations that adopt these techniques often see a 48% increase in employee engagement, as competition and rewards promote a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, gamification encourages collaboration and teamwork, improving the overall training experience. With instant feedback and personalized learning paths, employees can track their progress, which keeps them motivated to achieve their goals and enhances their overall training outcomes. Incorporating Multimedia Content in Training Incorporating multimedia content in training offers a modern approach to improve employee learning and retention. Using tools like videos and interactive presentations can boost retention by up to 65% compared to traditional methods, keeping you engaged through varied formats. Interactive elements, such as polls and quizzes, increase participation rates and cultivate a collaborative learning environment. Real-life examples and visually appealing content help you connect theoretical knowledge to practical applications in your role. Moreover, multimedia accommodates diverse learning styles, incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements. Engaging multimedia training modules can likewise reduce training time by up to 50%, allowing you to absorb information quickly and apply new skills more efficiently in the workplace, ultimately improving overall productivity. On-the-Job Training for Immediate Feedback On-the-job training (OJT) provides a practical approach to employee development by allowing individuals to learn in real work situations. This method improves learning retention through immediate application of skills and boosts confidence and job satisfaction by offering real-time feedback. Key benefits of OJT include: A 70% increase in knowledge retention compared to traditional training methods. Personalized guidance from experienced mentors, encouraging stronger team connections. A significant reduction in ramp-up time, often shortening it by 30-50%. Improved employee engagement through hands-on learning experiences. Immediate application of skills, leading to better job performance. Microlearning Modules for Accessible Learning Microlearning modules offer a flexible approach to employee training, allowing you to digest information in short, focused segments. These modules typically last 5-10 minutes, making them easy to fit into busy schedules. You can access them anytime and anywhere, enhancing your learning experience. Research shows that microlearning improves knowledge retention by up to 80% compared to traditional methods, as it encourages immediate application of concepts. Various formats are available, including videos, podcasts, quizzes, and infographics, catering to different learning styles. Format Duration Benefits Video 5-10 mins Engaging visual content Podcast 5-10 mins Audio learning on-the-go Quiz 5-10 mins Immediate knowledge check Infographic 5-10 mins Visual summary of key points Frequently Asked Questions What Innovative Changes Would You Make to the Current Engagement Activities? To improve current engagement activities, consider integrating gamification elements, which can make participation feel more like a game, increasing involvement. Implement microlearning modules for efficient content delivery, allowing employees to learn at their own pace. Utilize multimedia tools, such as interactive videos and quizzes, to improve retention. Promote collaboration through workshops that encourage peer interaction, and establish continuous feedback mechanisms to guarantee employees feel heard, eventually boosting overall engagement. What Are the 5 C’s of Employee Engagement? The 5 C’s of employee engagement are Connection, Communication, Coaching, Career Development, and Culture. Connection nurtures relationships among employees, promoting teamwork. Communication guarantees transparency and open dialogue, making employees feel valued. Coaching provides feedback and support from managers, aiding employee growth. Career Development focuses on professional growth opportunities, enhancing motivation and retention. Finally, Culture shapes the work environment, influencing employees’ overall satisfaction and commitment to the organization, ultimately driving engagement levels. What Are the 5 Pillars of Employee Engagement? The five pillars of employee engagement are meaningful work, supportive management, trust and integrity, growth and development opportunities, and a positive workplace culture. Meaningful work guarantees employees feel their contributions matter. Supportive management involves open communication and recognition. Trust and integrity promote strong relationships. Growth opportunities encourage continuous learning and creativity. Finally, a positive workplace culture boosts morale and loyalty, creating an environment where employees thrive and remain committed to their organization’s goals. What Are the 4 Pillars of Employee Engagement? The four pillars of employee engagement are meaningful work, supportive management, strong relationships with colleagues, and opportunities for growth. When you find your work meaningful, you’re more productive. Supportive management builds trust and open communication, improving morale. Strong relationships with coworkers cultivate a positive environment, enhancing creativity. Finally, opportunities for growth and development increase retention, as you’re more likely to stay with organizations that prioritize your professional advancement and career growth. Conclusion Incorporating innovative training methods like hands-on workshops, gamification, multimedia content, on-the-job training, and microlearning can greatly improve employee engagement. These strategies cater to various learning styles, provide immediate feedback, and promote practical application of knowledge. By implementing these approaches, organizations can nurture a more engaged workforce, leading to improved collaboration and productivity. In the end, investing in effective training not only benefits employees but likewise contributes to the overall success of the organization. Image Via Envato This article, "5 Innovative Employee Training Ideas That Boost Engagement" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Employee training is crucial for enhancing productivity and engagement in the workplace. Innovative methods, such as hands-on workshops, gamification, and multimedia content, can make learning more effective and enjoyable. On-the-job training provides immediate feedback, whereas microlearning offers quick, digestible lessons. These strategies not just improve knowledge retention but likewise encourage collaboration among employees. Comprehending how to implement these ideas can transform your training approach. What are the best ways to incorporate these techniques into your organization? Key Takeaways Implement hands-on workshops that utilize real-world scenarios to enhance learning retention and problem-solving abilities among employees. Incorporate gamification techniques, using points and leaderboards to motivate employees and foster competition in training sessions. Utilize multimedia content, such as videos and interactive presentations, to engage participants and accommodate diverse learning styles. Offer on-the-job training that provides immediate feedback and personalized guidance from experienced mentors, enhancing practical skill development. Develop microlearning modules that deliver training in short segments, allowing for flexible learning and improved knowledge retention. Hands-On Workshops for Practical Learning Hands-on workshops for practical learning can greatly boost employee training by engaging participants in real-world scenarios. These workshops serve as excellent ideas for training new employees by allowing them to apply skills immediately. Through practical exercises, employees improve their learning retention and develop problem-solving abilities. Incorporating role-playing and case studies not just exposes participants to diverse perspectives but also nurtures creativity and teamwork. Furthermore, peer collaboration boosts communication skills, creating a strong sense of community. Research indicates that interactive workshops can increase employee engagement by 21%, leading to higher productivity. Pairing participants with mentors during these sessions offers personalized guidance, which elevates confidence and job satisfaction, making hands-on workshops a crucial component of effective employee training ideas. Gamification Techniques to Enhance Engagement Engaging employees during training can greatly improve their learning experience, and gamification techniques offer a compelling solution. By incorporating game mechanics like points, badges, and leaderboards, you can motivate employees and boost participation in training programs. Research shows that gamification can improve learning retention by up to 60%, making training more enjoyable and interactive. Organizations that adopt these techniques often see a 48% increase in employee engagement, as competition and rewards promote a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, gamification encourages collaboration and teamwork, improving the overall training experience. With instant feedback and personalized learning paths, employees can track their progress, which keeps them motivated to achieve their goals and enhances their overall training outcomes. Incorporating Multimedia Content in Training Incorporating multimedia content in training offers a modern approach to improve employee learning and retention. Using tools like videos and interactive presentations can boost retention by up to 65% compared to traditional methods, keeping you engaged through varied formats. Interactive elements, such as polls and quizzes, increase participation rates and cultivate a collaborative learning environment. Real-life examples and visually appealing content help you connect theoretical knowledge to practical applications in your role. Moreover, multimedia accommodates diverse learning styles, incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements. Engaging multimedia training modules can likewise reduce training time by up to 50%, allowing you to absorb information quickly and apply new skills more efficiently in the workplace, ultimately improving overall productivity. On-the-Job Training for Immediate Feedback On-the-job training (OJT) provides a practical approach to employee development by allowing individuals to learn in real work situations. This method improves learning retention through immediate application of skills and boosts confidence and job satisfaction by offering real-time feedback. Key benefits of OJT include: A 70% increase in knowledge retention compared to traditional training methods. Personalized guidance from experienced mentors, encouraging stronger team connections. A significant reduction in ramp-up time, often shortening it by 30-50%. Improved employee engagement through hands-on learning experiences. Immediate application of skills, leading to better job performance. Microlearning Modules for Accessible Learning Microlearning modules offer a flexible approach to employee training, allowing you to digest information in short, focused segments. These modules typically last 5-10 minutes, making them easy to fit into busy schedules. You can access them anytime and anywhere, enhancing your learning experience. Research shows that microlearning improves knowledge retention by up to 80% compared to traditional methods, as it encourages immediate application of concepts. Various formats are available, including videos, podcasts, quizzes, and infographics, catering to different learning styles. Format Duration Benefits Video 5-10 mins Engaging visual content Podcast 5-10 mins Audio learning on-the-go Quiz 5-10 mins Immediate knowledge check Infographic 5-10 mins Visual summary of key points Frequently Asked Questions What Innovative Changes Would You Make to the Current Engagement Activities? To improve current engagement activities, consider integrating gamification elements, which can make participation feel more like a game, increasing involvement. Implement microlearning modules for efficient content delivery, allowing employees to learn at their own pace. Utilize multimedia tools, such as interactive videos and quizzes, to improve retention. Promote collaboration through workshops that encourage peer interaction, and establish continuous feedback mechanisms to guarantee employees feel heard, eventually boosting overall engagement. What Are the 5 C’s of Employee Engagement? The 5 C’s of employee engagement are Connection, Communication, Coaching, Career Development, and Culture. Connection nurtures relationships among employees, promoting teamwork. Communication guarantees transparency and open dialogue, making employees feel valued. Coaching provides feedback and support from managers, aiding employee growth. Career Development focuses on professional growth opportunities, enhancing motivation and retention. Finally, Culture shapes the work environment, influencing employees’ overall satisfaction and commitment to the organization, ultimately driving engagement levels. What Are the 5 Pillars of Employee Engagement? The five pillars of employee engagement are meaningful work, supportive management, trust and integrity, growth and development opportunities, and a positive workplace culture. Meaningful work guarantees employees feel their contributions matter. Supportive management involves open communication and recognition. Trust and integrity promote strong relationships. Growth opportunities encourage continuous learning and creativity. Finally, a positive workplace culture boosts morale and loyalty, creating an environment where employees thrive and remain committed to their organization’s goals. What Are the 4 Pillars of Employee Engagement? The four pillars of employee engagement are meaningful work, supportive management, strong relationships with colleagues, and opportunities for growth. When you find your work meaningful, you’re more productive. Supportive management builds trust and open communication, improving morale. Strong relationships with coworkers cultivate a positive environment, enhancing creativity. Finally, opportunities for growth and development increase retention, as you’re more likely to stay with organizations that prioritize your professional advancement and career growth. Conclusion Incorporating innovative training methods like hands-on workshops, gamification, multimedia content, on-the-job training, and microlearning can greatly improve employee engagement. These strategies cater to various learning styles, provide immediate feedback, and promote practical application of knowledge. By implementing these approaches, organizations can nurture a more engaged workforce, leading to improved collaboration and productivity. In the end, investing in effective training not only benefits employees but likewise contributes to the overall success of the organization. Image Via Envato This article, "5 Innovative Employee Training Ideas That Boost Engagement" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When managing inventory, selecting the right software can greatly influence your business’s efficiency. Various programs cater to different needs, such as Sortly’s user-friendly approach or inFlow Inventory’s advanced B2B features. Comprehending the benefits and unique offerings of each solution helps you make informed decisions. This discussion will explore the top seven inventory programs, their features, pricing, and how they can improve your operations. Let’s examine what sets each program apart. Key Takeaways Sortly offers a free plan and customizable features, ideal for small businesses needing basic inventory management. inFlow Inventory targets B2B and wholesale businesses with plans ranging from $89 to $1,055 monthly, featuring a B2B portal. Cin7 starts at $295/month, focusing on multi-location management and automatic notifications to streamline inventory processes. Katana is tailored for manufacturers, providing automatic stock updates starting at $179/month to optimize production efficiency. Veeqo offers a free option with real-time syncing and automated stock rules, making it a cost-effective choice for small businesses. Overview of Inventory Management Software When you’re managing a small business, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference, especially regarding inventory management. Inventory management software is vital for tracking stock levels, orders, sales, and deliveries, ensuring efficient resource management. These programs automate tasks, providing real-time data that can help you avoid overstocking and stockouts, optimizing your capital usage. Many options, like Sortly, include features such as barcode scanning, customizable fields, and thorough reporting tools. When selecting business accounting and inventory management software, consider factors like scalability, integration capabilities, and user-friendliness. Choosing the right inventory programs for small businesses can facilitate growth by harmonizing inventory across locations and offering insights into sales trends for better decision-making. Benefits of Inventory Management for Small Businesses Effective inventory management is essential for small businesses, as it helps you optimize resource allocation and improve order fulfillment. By utilizing real-time inventory insights, you can avoid overstocking and guarantee timely deliveries, which ultimately increases customer satisfaction. These strategies not just streamline operations but additionally position your business for sustainable growth. Optimize Resource Allocation Optimizing resource allocation is crucial for small businesses aiming to improve their operational efficiency and financial performance. Effective inventory management helps you avoid stockouts, which can lead to lost sales and damage your reputation. By preventing overstocking, you reduce holding costs and free up capital for other operational needs. Automating inventory tracking through software minimizes human errors, saving you time and resources compared to manual methods. Furthermore, having real-time visibility into inventory levels allows for better decision-making, ensuring your stock aligns with current customer demand and sales trends. This proactive approach not only improves financial efficiency but also supports sustainable growth, enabling you to allocate resources more effectively across your business operations. Enhance Order Fulfillment Inventory management plays an essential role in enhancing order fulfillment for small businesses, as it directly impacts how efficiently you can deliver products to your customers. By automating order fulfillment processes, you reduce manual errors and guarantee timely deliveries, which boosts customer satisfaction. Real-time inventory tracking helps you respond quickly to stock levels, preventing stockouts that could lead to lost sales. Features like low stock alerts enable you to maintain ideal stock levels, guaranteeing products are available. Moreover, mobile inventory management apps facilitate tracking and fulfilling orders from anywhere, enhancing operational efficiency. Feature Benefits Impact on Fulfillment Automation Reduces manual errors Timely and accurate orders Real-Time Tracking Quick response to stock levels Prevents stockouts Mobile Management Track orders anywhere Improved operational efficiency Real-Time Inventory Insights Real-time inventory insights play a significant role in the efficiency of small businesses, particularly in how they manage stock levels and respond to customer demands. With automated inventory tracking systems, you can quickly identify stock levels, reducing the risk of stockouts and ensuring your products remain available. This leads to improved order fulfillment, enhancing customer satisfaction through timely deliveries. By utilizing inventory management software, you gain access to thorough reporting features, allowing you to analyze sales trends and inventory turnover for better decision-making. Real-time monitoring also helps you avoid overstocking, minimizing holding costs and freeing up capital. In addition, integration capabilities with existing systems streamline data flow, boosting overall business efficiency and performance through consolidated inventory insights. Factors to Consider When Choosing Inventory Management Software When you’re selecting inventory management software, it’s essential to assess features like reporting and analytics to gain insights into your business performance. You’ll additionally want to evaluate customization and scalability options, ensuring the software can grow alongside your inventory needs. Finally, check how well it integrates with your existing systems, as this can streamline your operations and improve overall efficiency. Reporting and Analytics Features Effective reporting and analytics features are crucial for small businesses looking to optimize their inventory management processes. These tools enable you to understand inventory turnover, sales trends, and stock levels, allowing for informed decision-making based on real-time data. When evaluating inventory management software, consider the following: Customizable Reports: Make certain the software allows you to generate reports in formats like PDF or CSV for easy data export, aiding in audits and budgeting. Real-Time Reporting: Look for features that alert you to low stock levels, preventing stockouts and improving reorder efficiency. In-Depth Analytics: Choose software that provides insights into user histories and activities, enhancing visibility across multiple locations for better performance management. These features will help you maintain a competitive edge. Customization and Scalability Options How can you guarantee that your inventory management software meets your business’s evolving needs? Look for customization options that allow you to tailor fields, reports, and workflows to suit your operations, enhancing efficiency. Scalability is also key; choose software that can grow with your business, accommodating increasing inventory volumes and users without major disruptions. A user-friendly interface will minimize training time, making daily operations smoother, especially for small teams. Furthermore, robust reporting and analytics tools are critical, as they enable you to generate customized reports that support your strategic goals. Integration With Existing Systems As your business grows, integrating your inventory management software with existing systems becomes increasingly important. Effective integration can streamline operations and reduce errors. Here are three key factors to evaluate: Compatibility: Verify the inventory software is compatible with your current accounting and CRM systems. This avoids disruptions and maintains a cohesive workflow. Real-Time Data Synchronization: Look for software that offers real-time data updates. This improves decision-making and operational efficiency, allowing you to respond swiftly to changes. Automation Capabilities: Choose a solution that automates data transfers. This can save significant time and resources, enabling you to focus on your core business activities rather than administrative tasks. Top 7 Inventory Management Software Solutions With regard to choosing the right inventory management software, small businesses have a variety of options to evaluate. For instance, Sortly is praised for its intuitive UI design, making it user-friendly. Cin7 stands out in end-to-end inventory operations, streamlining processes effectively. BlueTally stands out as the best all-around platform, offering features like assignable assets and low stock notifications, with pricing from a free plan to $499 per month. inFlow Inventory caters particularly to B2B and wholesale businesses, featuring real-time tracking and barcode scanning, with plans ranging from $89 to $1,055 monthly. Katana is ideal for manufacturing, providing automatic stock updates, starting at $179 per month. Finally, Veeqo is a top free option, offering real-time syncing and automated stock rules without hidden costs. Features and Pricing Structure of Selected Software When selecting inventory management software, comprehending the features and pricing structure is crucial for small businesses. Here’s a breakdown of selected software options: Sortly: Offers a free plan with basic features, whereas advanced options start at $29/month, including customizable fields and multiple item photos. inFlow Inventory: Plans begin at $89/month for the Entrepreneur plan, featuring a B2B portal and barcode scanning, suitable for small to mid-sized businesses. Cin7: Starts at $295/month for the Standard plan, providing extensive features for multi-location management and automatic notifications throughout the inventory process. Understanding these details helps you choose the right software customized to your business needs. Pros and Cons of Each Software Solution Evaluating the pros and cons of each inventory management software solution can help you make an informed decision customized to your business needs. BlueTally offers strong integrations and responsive support, ideal for thorough asset management, however specific drawbacks aren’t detailed. inFlow Inventory provides real-time tracking and affordability, but users might experience server issues and a steep learning curve. Cin7 stands out for its collaboration features and real-time control, yet its extensive functionality could overwhelm some users. Sortly is efficient with an intuitive interface, but its barcode scanning limitations may hinder certain tasks. Finally, Ordoro shines in multi-channel management, although its hourly syncing feature mightn’t suit businesses needing immediate updates. Consider these factors carefully. Trial and Support Options Choosing the right inventory management software often involves evaluating trial and support options, which can greatly influence your decision-making process. Many solutions provide free trials, allowing you to test features before committing. Here are some key points to evaluate: Free Trials: Platforms like inFlow Inventory and Ordoro typically offer 14-day free trials without requiring credit card information, letting you explore their functionalities risk-free. Free Forever Plans: Sortly provides a basic plan at no cost, which can help small businesses get started without initial expenses. Customer Support: Look for platforms like Sortly and BlueTally, known for responsive assistance, enhancing your overall user experience and satisfaction as you navigate the software. Frequently Asked Questions Which Inventory System Is Best for Small Businesses? When deciding which inventory system is best for small businesses, consider your specific needs. Look for software that offers user-friendly interfaces and crucial features like barcode scanning and real-time reporting. Sortly stands out because of its intuitive design, allowing you to manage inventory easily without extensive training. It likewise provides cross-device syncing and customizable alerts, ensuring you stay updated on stock levels and can reorder in a timely manner to avoid shortages. Which Inventory Method Is Best for Small Business? Choosing the best inventory method for your small business depends on your products and market conditions. FIFO (First In, First Out) is ideal for perishable goods, reducing waste by ensuring older items sell first. LIFO (Last In, First Out) might benefit you during rising prices, as it matches recent costs with sales, lowering taxable income. The weighted average cost method simplifies valuation by averaging costs, making it suitable for businesses with similar products. Assess your needs carefully. How Do You Create an Inventory System for a Small Business? To create an effective inventory system for your small business, start by selecting user-friendly software, like Sortly. Organize your inventory into customized categories based on type and location. Regularly update your records and set alerts for low stock levels to avoid shortages. Include high-resolution photos and detailed descriptions for better tracking. Conduct regular audits and generate reports to analyze trends, optimize stock levels, and support informed decision-making for your business. Does Quickbooks Have an Inventory Program? Yes, QuickBooks does have an inventory program integrated with its accounting software. You can track inventory levels, manage stock, and create purchase orders all in one place. The system provides real-time updates to help you avoid stockouts and overstocking, optimizing your capital. Moreover, you can generate detailed reports on sales trends and inventory performance, which aids in informed decision-making, making it a versatile option for your business needs. Conclusion In conclusion, selecting the right inventory management software is essential for optimizing your small business operations. Each program reviewed offers distinct advantages, whether it’s Sortly’s user-friendly design or inFlow’s advanced features. By considering factors such as scalability, integration, and specific business needs, you can make an informed choice. Take advantage of trial periods and support options to make certain the software aligns with your requirements, finally enhancing your inventory management and operational efficiency. Image Via Envato This article, "7 Best Inventory Programs for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When managing inventory, selecting the right software can greatly influence your business’s efficiency. Various programs cater to different needs, such as Sortly’s user-friendly approach or inFlow Inventory’s advanced B2B features. Comprehending the benefits and unique offerings of each solution helps you make informed decisions. This discussion will explore the top seven inventory programs, their features, pricing, and how they can improve your operations. Let’s examine what sets each program apart. Key Takeaways Sortly offers a free plan and customizable features, ideal for small businesses needing basic inventory management. inFlow Inventory targets B2B and wholesale businesses with plans ranging from $89 to $1,055 monthly, featuring a B2B portal. Cin7 starts at $295/month, focusing on multi-location management and automatic notifications to streamline inventory processes. Katana is tailored for manufacturers, providing automatic stock updates starting at $179/month to optimize production efficiency. Veeqo offers a free option with real-time syncing and automated stock rules, making it a cost-effective choice for small businesses. Overview of Inventory Management Software When you’re managing a small business, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference, especially regarding inventory management. Inventory management software is vital for tracking stock levels, orders, sales, and deliveries, ensuring efficient resource management. These programs automate tasks, providing real-time data that can help you avoid overstocking and stockouts, optimizing your capital usage. Many options, like Sortly, include features such as barcode scanning, customizable fields, and thorough reporting tools. When selecting business accounting and inventory management software, consider factors like scalability, integration capabilities, and user-friendliness. Choosing the right inventory programs for small businesses can facilitate growth by harmonizing inventory across locations and offering insights into sales trends for better decision-making. Benefits of Inventory Management for Small Businesses Effective inventory management is essential for small businesses, as it helps you optimize resource allocation and improve order fulfillment. By utilizing real-time inventory insights, you can avoid overstocking and guarantee timely deliveries, which ultimately increases customer satisfaction. These strategies not just streamline operations but additionally position your business for sustainable growth. Optimize Resource Allocation Optimizing resource allocation is crucial for small businesses aiming to improve their operational efficiency and financial performance. Effective inventory management helps you avoid stockouts, which can lead to lost sales and damage your reputation. By preventing overstocking, you reduce holding costs and free up capital for other operational needs. Automating inventory tracking through software minimizes human errors, saving you time and resources compared to manual methods. Furthermore, having real-time visibility into inventory levels allows for better decision-making, ensuring your stock aligns with current customer demand and sales trends. This proactive approach not only improves financial efficiency but also supports sustainable growth, enabling you to allocate resources more effectively across your business operations. Enhance Order Fulfillment Inventory management plays an essential role in enhancing order fulfillment for small businesses, as it directly impacts how efficiently you can deliver products to your customers. By automating order fulfillment processes, you reduce manual errors and guarantee timely deliveries, which boosts customer satisfaction. Real-time inventory tracking helps you respond quickly to stock levels, preventing stockouts that could lead to lost sales. Features like low stock alerts enable you to maintain ideal stock levels, guaranteeing products are available. Moreover, mobile inventory management apps facilitate tracking and fulfilling orders from anywhere, enhancing operational efficiency. Feature Benefits Impact on Fulfillment Automation Reduces manual errors Timely and accurate orders Real-Time Tracking Quick response to stock levels Prevents stockouts Mobile Management Track orders anywhere Improved operational efficiency Real-Time Inventory Insights Real-time inventory insights play a significant role in the efficiency of small businesses, particularly in how they manage stock levels and respond to customer demands. With automated inventory tracking systems, you can quickly identify stock levels, reducing the risk of stockouts and ensuring your products remain available. This leads to improved order fulfillment, enhancing customer satisfaction through timely deliveries. By utilizing inventory management software, you gain access to thorough reporting features, allowing you to analyze sales trends and inventory turnover for better decision-making. Real-time monitoring also helps you avoid overstocking, minimizing holding costs and freeing up capital. In addition, integration capabilities with existing systems streamline data flow, boosting overall business efficiency and performance through consolidated inventory insights. Factors to Consider When Choosing Inventory Management Software When you’re selecting inventory management software, it’s essential to assess features like reporting and analytics to gain insights into your business performance. You’ll additionally want to evaluate customization and scalability options, ensuring the software can grow alongside your inventory needs. Finally, check how well it integrates with your existing systems, as this can streamline your operations and improve overall efficiency. Reporting and Analytics Features Effective reporting and analytics features are crucial for small businesses looking to optimize their inventory management processes. These tools enable you to understand inventory turnover, sales trends, and stock levels, allowing for informed decision-making based on real-time data. When evaluating inventory management software, consider the following: Customizable Reports: Make certain the software allows you to generate reports in formats like PDF or CSV for easy data export, aiding in audits and budgeting. Real-Time Reporting: Look for features that alert you to low stock levels, preventing stockouts and improving reorder efficiency. In-Depth Analytics: Choose software that provides insights into user histories and activities, enhancing visibility across multiple locations for better performance management. These features will help you maintain a competitive edge. Customization and Scalability Options How can you guarantee that your inventory management software meets your business’s evolving needs? Look for customization options that allow you to tailor fields, reports, and workflows to suit your operations, enhancing efficiency. Scalability is also key; choose software that can grow with your business, accommodating increasing inventory volumes and users without major disruptions. A user-friendly interface will minimize training time, making daily operations smoother, especially for small teams. Furthermore, robust reporting and analytics tools are critical, as they enable you to generate customized reports that support your strategic goals. Integration With Existing Systems As your business grows, integrating your inventory management software with existing systems becomes increasingly important. Effective integration can streamline operations and reduce errors. Here are three key factors to evaluate: Compatibility: Verify the inventory software is compatible with your current accounting and CRM systems. This avoids disruptions and maintains a cohesive workflow. Real-Time Data Synchronization: Look for software that offers real-time data updates. This improves decision-making and operational efficiency, allowing you to respond swiftly to changes. Automation Capabilities: Choose a solution that automates data transfers. This can save significant time and resources, enabling you to focus on your core business activities rather than administrative tasks. Top 7 Inventory Management Software Solutions With regard to choosing the right inventory management software, small businesses have a variety of options to evaluate. For instance, Sortly is praised for its intuitive UI design, making it user-friendly. Cin7 stands out in end-to-end inventory operations, streamlining processes effectively. BlueTally stands out as the best all-around platform, offering features like assignable assets and low stock notifications, with pricing from a free plan to $499 per month. inFlow Inventory caters particularly to B2B and wholesale businesses, featuring real-time tracking and barcode scanning, with plans ranging from $89 to $1,055 monthly. Katana is ideal for manufacturing, providing automatic stock updates, starting at $179 per month. Finally, Veeqo is a top free option, offering real-time syncing and automated stock rules without hidden costs. Features and Pricing Structure of Selected Software When selecting inventory management software, comprehending the features and pricing structure is crucial for small businesses. Here’s a breakdown of selected software options: Sortly: Offers a free plan with basic features, whereas advanced options start at $29/month, including customizable fields and multiple item photos. inFlow Inventory: Plans begin at $89/month for the Entrepreneur plan, featuring a B2B portal and barcode scanning, suitable for small to mid-sized businesses. Cin7: Starts at $295/month for the Standard plan, providing extensive features for multi-location management and automatic notifications throughout the inventory process. Understanding these details helps you choose the right software customized to your business needs. Pros and Cons of Each Software Solution Evaluating the pros and cons of each inventory management software solution can help you make an informed decision customized to your business needs. BlueTally offers strong integrations and responsive support, ideal for thorough asset management, however specific drawbacks aren’t detailed. inFlow Inventory provides real-time tracking and affordability, but users might experience server issues and a steep learning curve. Cin7 stands out for its collaboration features and real-time control, yet its extensive functionality could overwhelm some users. Sortly is efficient with an intuitive interface, but its barcode scanning limitations may hinder certain tasks. Finally, Ordoro shines in multi-channel management, although its hourly syncing feature mightn’t suit businesses needing immediate updates. Consider these factors carefully. Trial and Support Options Choosing the right inventory management software often involves evaluating trial and support options, which can greatly influence your decision-making process. Many solutions provide free trials, allowing you to test features before committing. Here are some key points to evaluate: Free Trials: Platforms like inFlow Inventory and Ordoro typically offer 14-day free trials without requiring credit card information, letting you explore their functionalities risk-free. Free Forever Plans: Sortly provides a basic plan at no cost, which can help small businesses get started without initial expenses. Customer Support: Look for platforms like Sortly and BlueTally, known for responsive assistance, enhancing your overall user experience and satisfaction as you navigate the software. Frequently Asked Questions Which Inventory System Is Best for Small Businesses? When deciding which inventory system is best for small businesses, consider your specific needs. Look for software that offers user-friendly interfaces and crucial features like barcode scanning and real-time reporting. Sortly stands out because of its intuitive design, allowing you to manage inventory easily without extensive training. It likewise provides cross-device syncing and customizable alerts, ensuring you stay updated on stock levels and can reorder in a timely manner to avoid shortages. Which Inventory Method Is Best for Small Business? Choosing the best inventory method for your small business depends on your products and market conditions. FIFO (First In, First Out) is ideal for perishable goods, reducing waste by ensuring older items sell first. LIFO (Last In, First Out) might benefit you during rising prices, as it matches recent costs with sales, lowering taxable income. The weighted average cost method simplifies valuation by averaging costs, making it suitable for businesses with similar products. Assess your needs carefully. How Do You Create an Inventory System for a Small Business? To create an effective inventory system for your small business, start by selecting user-friendly software, like Sortly. Organize your inventory into customized categories based on type and location. Regularly update your records and set alerts for low stock levels to avoid shortages. Include high-resolution photos and detailed descriptions for better tracking. Conduct regular audits and generate reports to analyze trends, optimize stock levels, and support informed decision-making for your business. Does Quickbooks Have an Inventory Program? Yes, QuickBooks does have an inventory program integrated with its accounting software. You can track inventory levels, manage stock, and create purchase orders all in one place. The system provides real-time updates to help you avoid stockouts and overstocking, optimizing your capital. Moreover, you can generate detailed reports on sales trends and inventory performance, which aids in informed decision-making, making it a versatile option for your business needs. Conclusion In conclusion, selecting the right inventory management software is essential for optimizing your small business operations. Each program reviewed offers distinct advantages, whether it’s Sortly’s user-friendly design or inFlow’s advanced features. By considering factors such as scalability, integration, and specific business needs, you can make an informed choice. Take advantage of trial periods and support options to make certain the software aligns with your requirements, finally enhancing your inventory management and operational efficiency. Image Via Envato This article, "7 Best Inventory Programs for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article