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We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’re trying to avoid Microsoft 365’s monthly fees but still want the full suite of tools for work or school, this one-time purchase of Office Professional Plus 2019 might be worth a look. It’s currently on sale for just $19.97 on StackSocial, which is a fraction of what you’d usually pay. The sale ends October 12. And just to be clear—this isn’t a trial or a cloud-based subscription, but a lifetime license for one Windows PC, and you get full offline access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. There are some limitations you should keep in mind. This deal is strictly for the 2019 version and doesn’t include Microsoft Teams. It also won’t tie to your Microsoft account, so it may not be ideal for those who are accustomed to syncing documents between devices. But for a lot of people, that’s not a dealbreaker. It runs on Windows 10 or 11, and you’ll need at least 1GB of RAM and 4GB of disk space. Installation is straightforward and instant. You get your license key and download link right after purchase, and that’s it. In terms of features, you’re getting a robust productivity suite. Excel has improved data analysis tools, PowerPoint introduces new transitions and a zoom feature for dynamic slides, and Outlook enhances email and calendar management. Word is Word—it just works, and it works well. You can’t collaborate in real-time like with Office 365, but if you mostly work solo or on a single device, this version gets the job done. Twenty bucks for a fully licensed, download-now Office suite is an easy move—especially if you just need a stable toolkit that works. View the full article

Are AI tools eliminating marketing jobs? Yale study finds zero displacement after 33 months despite high exposure scores. The post Are AI Tools Eliminating Jobs? Yale Study Says No appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

The Justice Department and Google wrapped a two-week hearing over how to address Google’s illegal monopoly in online advertising technology, setting up a pivotal antitrust showdown that could reshape the digital ad industry. Driving the news. The hearing, held in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, concluded after testimony from more than two dozen witnesses – including Google executives, rival ad tech leaders, publishers, and expert economists. The Justice Department wants Google to sell off its ad exchange and possibly parts of its publisher tools to restore competition. Google argues that a breakup would disrupt publishers and advertisers, especially small businesses that depend on its systems. Both sides will deliver closing arguments in November, with Judge Leonie Brinkema expected to rule in the coming months. Why we care. A court-ordered breakup of Google’s ad tech business, no matter how unlikely, could reshape how digital ads are bought and sold – potentially increasing competition, changing pricing, and altering access to key Google advertising tools. What the government says. DOJ lawyers claim that only a structural divestiture — selling off parts of Google’s ad tech stack — can truly end its dominance. “Nothing short of a structural divestment is sufficient to bring meaningful change,” said lead DOJ litigator Julia Tarver Wood. What Google says. Google maintains that such a split would be technically unworkable and would harm publishers. “Divesting aspects of Google’s ad technology is more complex than anything I’ve done in 10 years,” said Google engineering director Glenn Berntson. What others say. Rival ad tech firms like PubMatic and Equativ back the DOJ’s plan, arguing that behavioral remedies or court orders would not stop Google from maintaining its dominance. Between the lines. Judge Brinkema has signaled openness to a breakup, but also floated the idea of a court-enforced settlement that would restrict Google’s conduct instead of forcing divestitures. What’s next. Closing arguments are set for November, and a ruling is expected in early 2026 — a decision that could have sweeping implications for digital advertising and Big Tech regulation. Catch-up. Court: Google’s illegal ad tech monopoly harmed the open web View the full article

Grasping the fundamental samples of budgets and forecasts is imperative for your business’s financial health. These tools not only offer a structured approach to planning but also promote informed decision-making. From the Master Budget to the Rolling Forecast Template, each sample serves a specific purpose in your financial strategy. By exploring these indispensable templates, you can better navigate market changes and improve your growth potential, making it critical to comprehend the details of each. Key Takeaways Master Budget sample integrates all financial aspects, providing a comprehensive view for strategic planning and decision-making. Operating Budget sample details daily operational revenues and expenses, essential for managing short-term financial performance. Cash Flow Budget sample projects inflows and outflows, ensuring liquidity management and avoiding cash shortfalls. Sales Budget sample estimates expected sales revenue based on historical data, aiding in realistic revenue forecasting. Capital Budget sample evaluates long-term investment proposals, assessing potential returns and aligning with strategic growth objectives. Importance of Budgeting and Forecasting for Business Success Budgeting and forecasting are vital for any business looking to achieve long-term success, as they provide a structured approach to managing finances. By setting clear financial goals, you can control costs effectively, guaranteeing your organization maintains financial health and avoids overspending. Effective budgeting allows you to allocate resources efficiently, maximizing productivity and aligning with your strategic objectives. Meanwhile, forecasting enables you to predict future revenues and expenses, helping you identify opportunities and risks that inform cash flow management. Utilizing a financial projection sample can guide you in creating accurate forecasts. Continuous monitoring of these budgets and forecasts guarantees you can adjust based on actual performance, allowing your business to adapt to market changes and stay on track with financial goals. Types of Business Budgets and Their Applications Comprehending the various types of business budgets is vital for effective financial management. The master budget integrates all financial aspects, guiding your organization’s strategic direction. Conversely, the operating budget focuses on daily operations, detailing expected revenues and expenses for the fiscal year. For liquidity management, a cash flow budget projects inflows and outflows, helping you avoid financial shortfalls. Meanwhile, the sales budget estimates expected sales revenue, influencing financial forecasts and resource allocation based on historical data and market trends. Finally, the capital budget evaluates long-term investments, ensuring you allocate resources effectively for future growth. Each type plays an important role in creating an annual financial projection, ultimately supporting your business’s overall financial health. Annual Budget Template for Comprehensive Financial Planning Creating an annual budget template is a key step in thorough financial planning, enabling businesses to align their financial goals with strategic objectives. This template offers a structured overview of expected revenue, expenses, and cash flow over the fiscal year, ensuring all financial activities are accounted for. By including detailed sections for income streams and expenses, you improve your annual financial projection accuracy. Utilizing historical data and trend analysis allows you to make informed decisions based on past performance. In addition, the template serves as a financial roadmap, helping you assess financial health and pinpoint areas for cost reductions. Customizable options in Excel or other budgeting software make it easier to track and report your financial progress throughout the year. Rolling Forecast Template for Dynamic Financial Adjustments Even though traditional budgets provide a snapshot of financial expectations for the year, a rolling forecast template enables you to maintain an up-to-date view of your organization’s financial scenery. This dynamic approach allows you to continuously update your financial projections, typically on a quarterly or monthly basis, using the latest data and trends. By incorporating historical data and trend analysis, a rolling forecast template improves the accuracy of your revenue and expense predictions. It helps you manage cash flow more effectively, ensuring you have funds available for operational needs as well as mitigating potential shortfalls. Additionally, utilizing a rolling forecast cultivates a culture of ongoing financial planning, supporting your business’s long-term growth and sustainability in an ever-changing market environment. Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Budget Template for Long-term Investments Comprehending the importance of a Capital Expenditure (CapEx) budget is essential for managing long-term investments effectively. This budget not merely outlines the expected costs for acquiring physical assets but additionally helps you plan for future growth by ensuring funds are allocated wisely. Importance of CapEx Budgeting Capital expenditure (CapEx) budgeting plays an essential role in guiding businesses toward sustainable growth and profitability by ensuring that funds are strategically allocated for long-term investments in important assets such as property, equipment, and technology. A well-structured capital expenditure budget template allows you to assess the viability of proposed investments as you analyze expected returns and align expenditures with your strategic objectives. Typically, businesses allocate 5% to 15% of their total revenue to CapEx, depending on their industry. Effective CapEx budgeting additionally involves estimating asset lifespan and depreciation to forecast long-term financial impacts, ensuring investments remain sustainable. Regularly reviewing your CapEx budget is imperative for adapting to market changes and maintaining alignment with your organization’s strategic direction and financial goals. Key Components of CapEx Effective CapEx budgeting is more than just a financial exercise; it requires a thorough template that captures all necessary components for successful long-term investments. Your company projections template should include detailed cost estimates, expected lifespan, depreciation of assets, and potential return on investment (ROI) calculations. Component Description Project Purpose Define the rationale for the investment Strategic Alignment Confirm it aligns with business goals Timeline & Cash Flows Outline implementation schedule and cash flow expectations Additionally, include sections justifying each expense, helping stakeholders understand the long-term benefits and associated risks. Regularly review and update your CapEx budget to adapt to changing business needs and financial health. Operating Expense (OpEx) Budget Template for Ongoing Costs An Operating Expense (OpEx) Budget Template is a crucial tool for any business aiming to manage ongoing costs effectively. This template helps you forecast and categorize expenses, such as salaries, rent, utilities, and maintenance, ensuring you stay within financial limits. By distinguishing between fixed and variable costs, you gain clarity on your regular financial commitments and their impact on cash flow. Utilizing an OpEx budget template allows you to identify areas for cost reduction and efficiency improvements, enhancing your overall financial health. Regularly updating this template supports dynamic budgeting, enabling you to respond quickly to operational changes or market conditions. In the end, effective use of an OpEx budget template guides better decision-making and resource allocation aligned with your strategic objectives. Profit and Loss (P&L) Budget vs. Actuals Template for Performance Evaluation When businesses want to evaluate their financial performance, using a Profit and Loss (P&L) Budget vs. Actuals Template is crucial. This tool allows you to compare your profit and loss projection against actual figures, providing valuable insights into your financial health. Here are three key benefits of utilizing this template: Identify Variances: Regular updates help you spot differences between budgeted and actual figures, enabling timely adjustments. Enhance Accountability: It shows which departments are over or under budget, encouraging a disciplined financial environment. Informed Decision-Making: Analyzing trends through this template aids in resource allocation and future forecasting strategies. Tools for Streamlining Budgeting Processes To streamline your budgeting processes, consider leveraging cloud-based budgeting solutions that improve collaboration and provide real-time data access. Integrating budgeting software with your existing financial systems can reduce manual entry errors and guarantee that your budgets reflect current financial conditions. Furthermore, using collaborative budgeting tools can cultivate teamwork and improve the overall accuracy of your financial planning efforts. Cloud-Based Budgeting Solutions As companies face increasingly complex financial environments, cloud-based budgeting solutions have emerged as essential tools for streamlining budgeting processes. They offer several key advantages that can improve your startup business financial projections: Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the budget simultaneously from different locations, enhancing teamwork and efficiency. Seamless Integration: These tools integrate with existing ERP and financial systems, reducing manual data entry and ensuring accuracy. Advanced Analytics: Cloud-based platforms provide scenario planning tools, enabling you to model different financial outcomes based on varying assumptions. With regular updates and automated data synchronization, these solutions minimize the risk of outdated figures influencing your financial decisions. Whereas their scalability allows customization to fit your specific needs. Budgeting Software Integrations Integrating budgeting software with your existing financial systems can greatly improve your budgeting processes, ensuring that data flows seamlessly and accurately throughout your organization. By utilizing cloud-based budgeting tools, you can streamline data entry, boosting accuracy during the reduction of manual tasks. Real-time access to data enables you to make informed decisions and adjustments to your annual financial projections quickly. Automated updates help maintain budget integrity by minimizing human error, ensuring forecasts reflect current market conditions effectively. Moreover, scenario planning features allow you to model various financial outcomes, enhancing your flexibility and responsiveness to economic changes. Implementing these integrations improves your budgeting process, promoting a more efficient and reliable financial planning environment. Collaborative Budgeting Tools Collaborative budgeting tools play an essential role in streamlining the budgeting process, particularly as organizations increasingly rely on real-time data and teamwork. Here’s how these tools improve your budgeting efforts: Real-time Access: Cloud-based software allows multiple users to update financial data simultaneously, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. Integration: Seamlessly connecting with ERP and financial systems reduces manual entry errors, ensuring you have up-to-date information for decision-making. Analytics and Planning: Tools for scenario planning enable you to adapt quickly to changes, aiding in the creation of a reliable projected profit and loss statement. Techniques for Enhancing Budget Flexibility and Responsiveness In today’s swiftly changing business environment, organizations must prioritize budget flexibility and responsiveness to thrive. Implementing scenario planning allows you to model different financial outcomes, preparing your business for various market conditions. Conducting sensitivity analysis helps you understand how changes in key assumptions impact your annual financial projection, enabling quicker adjustments to unforeseen circumstances. Establishing contingency planning by allocating resources for unexpected events safeguards your financial stability during crises. Regular budget reviews let you compare actual performance against budgeted figures, promoting adaptability and timely adjustments to spending plans. Integrating risk management strategies into your budgeting processes supports proactive identification of potential risks and opportunities, ensuring alignment with your strategic objectives. Embracing these techniques improves your overall financial agility. Best Practices for Monitoring and Maintaining Budget Integrity To maintain budget integrity, organizations must establish a robust monitoring system that consistently tracks actual performance against budgeted figures. Regular oversight improves financial health and decision-making. Here are some best practices: Monitor Performance: Routinely compare actual figures with your annual financial projection to quickly identify discrepancies. Utilize KPIs: Use performance metrics and key performance indicators to track financial goals, ensuring accountability and transparency. Conduct Regular Reviews: Hold weekly or monthly budget reviews to catch overspending early and adjust strategies accordingly. Frequently Asked Questions What Is an Example of a Budget and Forecast? A budget example might project $500,000 in annual revenues, with expenses of $200,000 for salaries, $50,000 for marketing, and $100,000 for operational costs. This leaves a net profit of $150,000. Regarding forecasting, you could estimate a 10% increase in sales, predicting total sales of $120,000 for the upcoming quarter. These figures help you plan efficiently and make informed financial decisions for your business’s growth and sustainability. How to Budget and Forecast for Your Business? To budget and forecast for your business, start by defining clear financial objectives. Analyze historical data to estimate your income realistically, considering market trends and seasonal variations. Identify all fixed and variable expenses, categorizing them for better clarity. Regularly monitor performance against your budget using key performance indicators (KPIs) to make necessary adjustments. Finally, consider advanced techniques like rolling forecasts and zero-based budgeting to improve adaptability to changing conditions. What Are the 5 Most Important Things About Budget? The five most important aspects of budgeting include setting clear financial goals, efficiently allocating resources, controlling costs, tracking performance, and ensuring accountability. By establishing specific targets, you guide your strategic planning. Efficient resource allocation maximizes productivity. Cost control maintains your financial health. Regular performance tracking allows you to identify discrepancies early. Finally, demonstrating accountability to stakeholders boosts trust and promotes positive financial management, ultimately contributing to your organization’s long-term success. How to Write a Budget Forecast? To write a budget forecast, start by gathering historical financial data and market trends. This establishes a baseline for your projections. Define your financial objectives clearly, and allocate resources to maximize productivity. Use forecasting models, like trend analysis, to predict potential outcomes. Regularly review and adjust your forecast based on actual performance and new data. Finally, track key performance indicators to guarantee timely adjustments and improved decision-making throughout the budgeting process. Conclusion In summary, utilizing crucial budgeting and forecasting samples can greatly improve your business’s financial planning and decision-making processes. By implementing tools like the Master Budget and Rolling Forecast Template, you can adapt to market changes and identify growth opportunities. It’s important to monitor and maintain budget integrity to guarantee effective resource allocation and performance evaluation. Adopting best practices in budgeting will eventually contribute to your organization’s long-term financial health and success. Image Via Envato This article, "10 Essential Samples of Budget and Forecast for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Grasping the fundamental samples of budgets and forecasts is imperative for your business’s financial health. These tools not only offer a structured approach to planning but also promote informed decision-making. From the Master Budget to the Rolling Forecast Template, each sample serves a specific purpose in your financial strategy. By exploring these indispensable templates, you can better navigate market changes and improve your growth potential, making it critical to comprehend the details of each. Key Takeaways Master Budget sample integrates all financial aspects, providing a comprehensive view for strategic planning and decision-making. Operating Budget sample details daily operational revenues and expenses, essential for managing short-term financial performance. Cash Flow Budget sample projects inflows and outflows, ensuring liquidity management and avoiding cash shortfalls. Sales Budget sample estimates expected sales revenue based on historical data, aiding in realistic revenue forecasting. Capital Budget sample evaluates long-term investment proposals, assessing potential returns and aligning with strategic growth objectives. Importance of Budgeting and Forecasting for Business Success Budgeting and forecasting are vital for any business looking to achieve long-term success, as they provide a structured approach to managing finances. By setting clear financial goals, you can control costs effectively, guaranteeing your organization maintains financial health and avoids overspending. Effective budgeting allows you to allocate resources efficiently, maximizing productivity and aligning with your strategic objectives. Meanwhile, forecasting enables you to predict future revenues and expenses, helping you identify opportunities and risks that inform cash flow management. Utilizing a financial projection sample can guide you in creating accurate forecasts. Continuous monitoring of these budgets and forecasts guarantees you can adjust based on actual performance, allowing your business to adapt to market changes and stay on track with financial goals. Types of Business Budgets and Their Applications Comprehending the various types of business budgets is vital for effective financial management. The master budget integrates all financial aspects, guiding your organization’s strategic direction. Conversely, the operating budget focuses on daily operations, detailing expected revenues and expenses for the fiscal year. For liquidity management, a cash flow budget projects inflows and outflows, helping you avoid financial shortfalls. Meanwhile, the sales budget estimates expected sales revenue, influencing financial forecasts and resource allocation based on historical data and market trends. Finally, the capital budget evaluates long-term investments, ensuring you allocate resources effectively for future growth. Each type plays an important role in creating an annual financial projection, ultimately supporting your business’s overall financial health. Annual Budget Template for Comprehensive Financial Planning Creating an annual budget template is a key step in thorough financial planning, enabling businesses to align their financial goals with strategic objectives. This template offers a structured overview of expected revenue, expenses, and cash flow over the fiscal year, ensuring all financial activities are accounted for. By including detailed sections for income streams and expenses, you improve your annual financial projection accuracy. Utilizing historical data and trend analysis allows you to make informed decisions based on past performance. In addition, the template serves as a financial roadmap, helping you assess financial health and pinpoint areas for cost reductions. Customizable options in Excel or other budgeting software make it easier to track and report your financial progress throughout the year. Rolling Forecast Template for Dynamic Financial Adjustments Even though traditional budgets provide a snapshot of financial expectations for the year, a rolling forecast template enables you to maintain an up-to-date view of your organization’s financial scenery. This dynamic approach allows you to continuously update your financial projections, typically on a quarterly or monthly basis, using the latest data and trends. By incorporating historical data and trend analysis, a rolling forecast template improves the accuracy of your revenue and expense predictions. It helps you manage cash flow more effectively, ensuring you have funds available for operational needs as well as mitigating potential shortfalls. Additionally, utilizing a rolling forecast cultivates a culture of ongoing financial planning, supporting your business’s long-term growth and sustainability in an ever-changing market environment. Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Budget Template for Long-term Investments Comprehending the importance of a Capital Expenditure (CapEx) budget is essential for managing long-term investments effectively. This budget not merely outlines the expected costs for acquiring physical assets but additionally helps you plan for future growth by ensuring funds are allocated wisely. Importance of CapEx Budgeting Capital expenditure (CapEx) budgeting plays an essential role in guiding businesses toward sustainable growth and profitability by ensuring that funds are strategically allocated for long-term investments in important assets such as property, equipment, and technology. A well-structured capital expenditure budget template allows you to assess the viability of proposed investments as you analyze expected returns and align expenditures with your strategic objectives. Typically, businesses allocate 5% to 15% of their total revenue to CapEx, depending on their industry. Effective CapEx budgeting additionally involves estimating asset lifespan and depreciation to forecast long-term financial impacts, ensuring investments remain sustainable. Regularly reviewing your CapEx budget is imperative for adapting to market changes and maintaining alignment with your organization’s strategic direction and financial goals. Key Components of CapEx Effective CapEx budgeting is more than just a financial exercise; it requires a thorough template that captures all necessary components for successful long-term investments. Your company projections template should include detailed cost estimates, expected lifespan, depreciation of assets, and potential return on investment (ROI) calculations. Component Description Project Purpose Define the rationale for the investment Strategic Alignment Confirm it aligns with business goals Timeline & Cash Flows Outline implementation schedule and cash flow expectations Additionally, include sections justifying each expense, helping stakeholders understand the long-term benefits and associated risks. Regularly review and update your CapEx budget to adapt to changing business needs and financial health. Operating Expense (OpEx) Budget Template for Ongoing Costs An Operating Expense (OpEx) Budget Template is a crucial tool for any business aiming to manage ongoing costs effectively. This template helps you forecast and categorize expenses, such as salaries, rent, utilities, and maintenance, ensuring you stay within financial limits. By distinguishing between fixed and variable costs, you gain clarity on your regular financial commitments and their impact on cash flow. Utilizing an OpEx budget template allows you to identify areas for cost reduction and efficiency improvements, enhancing your overall financial health. Regularly updating this template supports dynamic budgeting, enabling you to respond quickly to operational changes or market conditions. In the end, effective use of an OpEx budget template guides better decision-making and resource allocation aligned with your strategic objectives. Profit and Loss (P&L) Budget vs. Actuals Template for Performance Evaluation When businesses want to evaluate their financial performance, using a Profit and Loss (P&L) Budget vs. Actuals Template is crucial. This tool allows you to compare your profit and loss projection against actual figures, providing valuable insights into your financial health. Here are three key benefits of utilizing this template: Identify Variances: Regular updates help you spot differences between budgeted and actual figures, enabling timely adjustments. Enhance Accountability: It shows which departments are over or under budget, encouraging a disciplined financial environment. Informed Decision-Making: Analyzing trends through this template aids in resource allocation and future forecasting strategies. Tools for Streamlining Budgeting Processes To streamline your budgeting processes, consider leveraging cloud-based budgeting solutions that improve collaboration and provide real-time data access. Integrating budgeting software with your existing financial systems can reduce manual entry errors and guarantee that your budgets reflect current financial conditions. Furthermore, using collaborative budgeting tools can cultivate teamwork and improve the overall accuracy of your financial planning efforts. Cloud-Based Budgeting Solutions As companies face increasingly complex financial environments, cloud-based budgeting solutions have emerged as essential tools for streamlining budgeting processes. They offer several key advantages that can improve your startup business financial projections: Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the budget simultaneously from different locations, enhancing teamwork and efficiency. Seamless Integration: These tools integrate with existing ERP and financial systems, reducing manual data entry and ensuring accuracy. Advanced Analytics: Cloud-based platforms provide scenario planning tools, enabling you to model different financial outcomes based on varying assumptions. With regular updates and automated data synchronization, these solutions minimize the risk of outdated figures influencing your financial decisions. Whereas their scalability allows customization to fit your specific needs. Budgeting Software Integrations Integrating budgeting software with your existing financial systems can greatly improve your budgeting processes, ensuring that data flows seamlessly and accurately throughout your organization. By utilizing cloud-based budgeting tools, you can streamline data entry, boosting accuracy during the reduction of manual tasks. Real-time access to data enables you to make informed decisions and adjustments to your annual financial projections quickly. Automated updates help maintain budget integrity by minimizing human error, ensuring forecasts reflect current market conditions effectively. Moreover, scenario planning features allow you to model various financial outcomes, enhancing your flexibility and responsiveness to economic changes. Implementing these integrations improves your budgeting process, promoting a more efficient and reliable financial planning environment. Collaborative Budgeting Tools Collaborative budgeting tools play an essential role in streamlining the budgeting process, particularly as organizations increasingly rely on real-time data and teamwork. Here’s how these tools improve your budgeting efforts: Real-time Access: Cloud-based software allows multiple users to update financial data simultaneously, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. Integration: Seamlessly connecting with ERP and financial systems reduces manual entry errors, ensuring you have up-to-date information for decision-making. Analytics and Planning: Tools for scenario planning enable you to adapt quickly to changes, aiding in the creation of a reliable projected profit and loss statement. Techniques for Enhancing Budget Flexibility and Responsiveness In today’s swiftly changing business environment, organizations must prioritize budget flexibility and responsiveness to thrive. Implementing scenario planning allows you to model different financial outcomes, preparing your business for various market conditions. Conducting sensitivity analysis helps you understand how changes in key assumptions impact your annual financial projection, enabling quicker adjustments to unforeseen circumstances. Establishing contingency planning by allocating resources for unexpected events safeguards your financial stability during crises. Regular budget reviews let you compare actual performance against budgeted figures, promoting adaptability and timely adjustments to spending plans. Integrating risk management strategies into your budgeting processes supports proactive identification of potential risks and opportunities, ensuring alignment with your strategic objectives. Embracing these techniques improves your overall financial agility. Best Practices for Monitoring and Maintaining Budget Integrity To maintain budget integrity, organizations must establish a robust monitoring system that consistently tracks actual performance against budgeted figures. Regular oversight improves financial health and decision-making. Here are some best practices: Monitor Performance: Routinely compare actual figures with your annual financial projection to quickly identify discrepancies. Utilize KPIs: Use performance metrics and key performance indicators to track financial goals, ensuring accountability and transparency. Conduct Regular Reviews: Hold weekly or monthly budget reviews to catch overspending early and adjust strategies accordingly. Frequently Asked Questions What Is an Example of a Budget and Forecast? A budget example might project $500,000 in annual revenues, with expenses of $200,000 for salaries, $50,000 for marketing, and $100,000 for operational costs. This leaves a net profit of $150,000. Regarding forecasting, you could estimate a 10% increase in sales, predicting total sales of $120,000 for the upcoming quarter. These figures help you plan efficiently and make informed financial decisions for your business’s growth and sustainability. How to Budget and Forecast for Your Business? To budget and forecast for your business, start by defining clear financial objectives. Analyze historical data to estimate your income realistically, considering market trends and seasonal variations. Identify all fixed and variable expenses, categorizing them for better clarity. Regularly monitor performance against your budget using key performance indicators (KPIs) to make necessary adjustments. Finally, consider advanced techniques like rolling forecasts and zero-based budgeting to improve adaptability to changing conditions. What Are the 5 Most Important Things About Budget? The five most important aspects of budgeting include setting clear financial goals, efficiently allocating resources, controlling costs, tracking performance, and ensuring accountability. By establishing specific targets, you guide your strategic planning. Efficient resource allocation maximizes productivity. Cost control maintains your financial health. Regular performance tracking allows you to identify discrepancies early. Finally, demonstrating accountability to stakeholders boosts trust and promotes positive financial management, ultimately contributing to your organization’s long-term success. How to Write a Budget Forecast? To write a budget forecast, start by gathering historical financial data and market trends. This establishes a baseline for your projections. Define your financial objectives clearly, and allocate resources to maximize productivity. Use forecasting models, like trend analysis, to predict potential outcomes. Regularly review and adjust your forecast based on actual performance and new data. Finally, track key performance indicators to guarantee timely adjustments and improved decision-making throughout the budgeting process. Conclusion In summary, utilizing crucial budgeting and forecasting samples can greatly improve your business’s financial planning and decision-making processes. By implementing tools like the Master Budget and Rolling Forecast Template, you can adapt to market changes and identify growth opportunities. It’s important to monitor and maintain budget integrity to guarantee effective resource allocation and performance evaluation. Adopting best practices in budgeting will eventually contribute to your organization’s long-term financial health and success. Image Via Envato This article, "10 Essential Samples of Budget and Forecast for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

President The President said big homebuilders are sitting on a record 2 million empty lots, and asked Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help restore the American Dream. View the full article

Last week, subscribers of Microsoft’s Game Pass were in an uproar over plans to hike the price from $19.99 per month to $29.99. One of the most surprising reactions, however, came not from gamers, but from retail partner GameStop. While you’ll pay $30 per month if you sign up for Game Pass Ultimate directly with Microsoft, you’ll get the same old price — for some indefinite period — if you stick with GameStop. “Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is still $19.99 a month with us. You’re welcome,” the retailer wrote in a social media post. Gamers can subscribe to GamePass directly from their XBox, via their PC, and on the web. Those who plan to take advantage of the lower price GameStop is offering GameStop will redeem the code on their gift card via the Web. Game Pass Ultimate is the preferred subscription plan for core gamers. It offers day-one access to new first-party games like Call of Duty, as well as the entirety of an older game catalog, access to Ubisoft+ classics, and a subscription to Fortnite Crew. While $30-per-month isn’t so bad, the price increase will saddle Microsoft’s biggest fans with the bulk of the cost, essentially penalizing them for supporting the platform. By appealing squarely to those customers, GameStop could regain some of its relevancy with gamers. It could also lose some goodwill with Microsoft. Microsoft’s gaming division is putting all of its eggs in the GamePass basket. By undercutting the subscription price, GameStop could be cutting into the company’s bottom line. Alternatively, GameStop could be cutting into its own profit margin on GamePass gift cards. The pas de deux between retailers and publishers is a complex, constantly evolving one. Microsoft, after all, could stop issuing the cards with the $19.99 price tag on them at any time, but so far has not. While a favorite of the meme stock crowd, GameStop has squandered much of its reputation with players. For years, it was the go-to place for new releases and made millions on the sale of used games, which at one point accounted for roughly half of its gross profits. But as digital distribution became the norm in the video game world, there was less reason for gamers to visit GameStop. Midnight releases of highly anticipated games became rare events. As gamers shifted to digital, there were fewer physical versions of games to trade in, cutting into used-game revenues. Beyond thumbing its nose at Microsoft with the continued $20 gift cards for Game Pass, GameStop took another swing at the concept of virtual ownership, underlining that when you have a physical copy of the game, it’s yours for as long as you have the disc. “Game Pass: $29.99 every month. Own nothing. GameStop: Buy once. Own forever. Math isn’t that hard,” it wrote. GameStop, it’s worth noting, isn’t alone in towing the line on the previous Game Pass Ultimate price. Both Amazon and Target are still selling one- and three-month subscription gift cards at the older rate. Neither of those retailers is quite so publicly poking the bear, however. Then again, neither faces the extinction-level threat that GameStop is. A year ago, Michael Pachter of Wedbush, sent a note to investors saying he expected the company to be gone entirely by 2030. “GameStop has a likely runway of no more than five years,” he wrote. “The demise of GameStop is outside the 12-month window we use for our price target, but we expect the company’s demise at some point later this decade.” GameStop shares were flat Monday, closing at around $25.05. Year to date, the company’s stock is down 18%. It is, however, still considerably higher than the $3-$4 range it traded at before the meme stock traders began to focus on it. View the full article

Affordability has improved and rate drops have exposed millions to incentives, but many more must wait for a break, ICE Mortgage Technology found. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon Big Deal Days is coming October 7-8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. October’s Prime sales have already begun, including deals on fitness trackers and smartwatches. Some of Garmin's newest watches are on sale for the first time ever, including the Vivoactive 6 and the Venu X1. You can also catch deals on Fitbits and on some older models of Apple and Samsung watches. Here’s what I’ve found so far. GarminThe Vivoactive 6 is on sale for what I believe is the first time ever, for $249.99 down from the original $299.99. The Vivoactive line is Garmin’s most underrated: It’s a great casual fitness watch with the accurate GPS and heart rate that you’d expect from a Garmin. It also has coached walking workouts, a smart alarm, and wheelchair fitness settings. Garmin Vivoactive 6 $249.99 at Amazon $299.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $249.99 at Amazon $299.99 Save $50.00 The Venu X1 is also on a rare sale, $699.99 down from the original price of $799.99. This new smartwatch is Garmin’s answer to the Apple Watch Ultra, with a large rectangular display, sapphire glass, and built-in maps for navigation. Unlike its Apple counterpart, it has an LED flashlight and the battery lasts up to eight days. Among older Garmin watches, the Venu Sq 2, released in 2022, is on sale for $149.99, down from a list price of $249.99. (It was originally sold for $299.99.) This is a great budget option for a casual fitness watch, especially if you like the square screen format. AppleThe GPS-only version of the Apple Watch SE is $179.99, down from $249.99. This is the second-generation of the SE, launched in 2022. It’s a great budget pick if you don’t want to splurge on a newer or fancier Apple Watch. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Silver Aluminium Case with Denim Sport Band S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Crash Detection, Heart Rate Monitor, Retina Display $179.99 at Amazon $249.00 Save $69.01 Get Deal Get Deal $179.99 at Amazon $249.00 Save $69.01 The Series 10 Apple Watch is also discounted, starting at $329.99 for the GPS-only version, down from $399.99. This is last year’s mid-range Apple Watch, which our editor Michelle Ehrhardt crowned the best Apple Watch for most people. This year’s release, the Series 11, is only a mild upgrade. If you go for the Series 10 instead, you’re only missing out on tougher glass, a 5G modem, and a somewhat improved battery life. The Series 10 is worth considering if you don’t need those extra features. SamsungThe Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale starting at $199.99 today, normally $249.99. This watch is the slightly older model, since it was replaced with the Galaxy Watch 8 earlier this year. But it’s still a solid pick for an Android smartwatch. The $199.99 price is for the smaller size with Bluetooth-only connectivity, but both sizes and both connectivity styles (Bluetooth or LTE) are all on sale for around $50 off. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $199.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $199.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $50.00 The titanium gray color of the Galaxy Watch Ultra (released this year) is on sale for $599.99, down from $649.99. Other colors still seem to be full price. FitbitFitbit’s best basic fitness tracker, the Charge 6, is on sale today for $119.95, down from $159.95. I like the Charge 6 as a no-nonsense tracker, great for somebody who just wants step and activity tracking without having to think about it too much. (That said, if you want a bigger screen or more features, check out the Garmins I mentioned above.) I have a review of the Charge 6 if you’d like to learn more. Fitbit Charge 6 $119.95 at Amazon $159.95 Save $40.00 Get Deal Get Deal $119.95 at Amazon $159.95 Save $40.00 The Inspire 3 is also on sale for $79.95, down from $99.95. It doesn’t have its own GPS, and the screen is smaller. The smartwatch-styled Sense 2 is $199.95, down from $249.95. The Versa 4 is $149.95, down from $199.95. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime. Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Prime Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $156.78 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Blink Outdoor 4 XR + Mini 2 — Wireless and plug-in security cameras, motion detection, extended range. Sync Module XR included — 2 camera system + Mini 2 (Black) — $74.99 (List Price $219.98) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen, 2-pack, White) — $49.98 (List Price $79.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Kindle Essentials Bundle including Kindle (2024 release) - Black, Fabric Cover - Matcha, and Power Adapter — $117.97 (List Price $161.97) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Some good news on the weight-loss front: Customers can now go to Costco to get Ozempic and Wegovy, brand-name injectable prescription drugs manufactured by drug maker Novo Nordisk, which contain the same active ingredient: semaglutide. The Danish pharmaceutical firm announced Friday that both are available at the big-box retailer’s pharmacies nationwide, for $499 for a month’s supply—the same price as sold in CVS, Walmart, and the company’s direct-to-consumer website. You’ll still need a prescription to buy the drugs. Fast Company has reached out to both Costco and Novo Nordisk for comment. Also—Costco is offering a 2% discount for both Costco executive members and Costco Citibank Visa card holders, according to CBS News. Both drugs are similar, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved them for two different reasons. Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management, while Ozempic is approved for treating type 2 diabetes, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular health issues including heart attack, stroke, and death. Ozempic is prescribed “off-label” for weight loss. The main difference is that they have different side effects and dosages—and because Wegovy is administered at higher doses, a maximum of 2.4 mg a week, it leads to both greater weight loss and more gastrointestinal side effects. Ozempic is typically administered at 2 mg per week. Each are injected once a week. Costco financials Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) stock was down less than one percent on Monday in afternoon trading. The company reported fourth quarter earnings for the period ending August 31, 2025, with net sales for the quarter up 8%, to $84.4 billion from $78.2 billion last year. Net sales for the fiscal year increased 8.1%, to $269.9 billion from $249.6 billion last year. Costco currently has a market capitalization of $402.6 billion. View the full article

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Monday said it will scrap fair housing reporting requirements, fast-track licensing for small banks and simplify regulation for smaller institutions overall. View the full article

The NCUA, as liquidating agent for three failed corporate credit unions, sued in 2018 claiming U.S. Bank failed to perform its role as RMBS trustee. View the full article

According to the company’s annual analysis, this year’s shopping season won’t just break records—it’ll rewrite the playbook. AI assistants are set to steer how people search, shop, and spend, while buy-now-pay-later plans help stretched consumers keep the holiday magic alive. Each year, Adobe uses data from its Adobe Analytics platform to predict what the shopping landscape and consumer behavior will look like between November 1 and December 31. According to Adobe’s description, the data includes inputs from many of the top 100 retailers in the U.S., covering over 1 trillion visits to retail sites, 100 million SKUs, and 18 product categories. In 2025, Adobe says that the holiday shopping season will be bigger than ever—and AI will play a key role in guiding how shoppers fill their carts. Here are three main takeaways from the analysis: Holiday shopping will reach a record high, but it’s growing sluggishly Holiday shopping is expected to reach a record high this year: Adobe predicts that shoppers will spend a total of $253.4 billion, up 5.3% from last year. That’s a head-turning sum, but it’s actually a slower rate of growth compared to 2024, when Adobe Analytics predicted that the total would increase by 8.7%. The slowdown comes as inflation persists and consumer spending remains dampened. In a survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and released in early September, shoppers reported that, for the upcoming holiday season, they expected to spend 5.3% less than in 2024 (about $1,552 per person). It’s the first notable drop since 2020, when average spending fell 7.6% to $1,187. “You have consumers dealing with a lot in the broader economy,” Vivek Pandya, director at Adobe Digital Insights, told Reuters. “We anticipate them taking advantage of these major sales moments, and we still see them leaning on the online sector as an area to get better deals.” Buy your Christmas gifts now; pay for them later Given that consumers’ wallets are tighter this year, Adobe predicts that a good chunk of holiday shoppers will turn to buy-now-pay-later (BPNL) services to help spread out the costs. BPNL spend is expected to drive $20.2 billion in online spend—roughly $2 billion more than the 2024 holiday season. These numbers don’t come as a surprise, as BPNL usage has become increasingly common over the past several months. An April LendingTree survey found that consumers are increasingly relying on BNPL services for quotidian purchases like groceries and food delivery, while Grand View Research predicted earlier this year that the BNPL market will see a 26.1% annual compound growth rate between 2023 and 2030. AI-assisted shopping is in Over the past several months, brands including Ralph Lauren and Pinterest have invested in their own AI tools to drive online shopping. The AI-powered app Daydream is purpose-built to help users find the perfect outfits. AI features are becomingly increasingly intertwined in the overall shopping process, from how users find gift inspiration to the search engines they query and the sites they shop on. Last year was the first time that Adobe noticed a measurable surge in AI traffic to U.S. retail sites pre-holidays, but it won’t be the last. “Generative AI-powered chat services and browsers are changing how consumers act online, becoming a helpful assistant for compiling research before making a purchase,” the brand’s report reads. “Adobe observed the first material surge in AI traffic to U.S. retail sites (measured by shoppers clicking on a link) during the 2024 season, with traffic increasing 1,300% YoY. For the 2025 season, Adobe expects AI traffic to rise by 520% YoY, peaking in the 10 days leading up to Thanksgiving.” In an Adobe survey of 5,000 consumers, more than one third reported having used an AI-powered service for online shopping, with top use cases including research, product recommendations, and gift inspiration. View the full article

OpenAI launches app platform in ChatGPT with developer SDK. Initial partners include Spotify, Zillow, Canva. More apps coming later this year. The post OpenAI Launches Apps In ChatGPT & Releases Apps SDK appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon Big Deal Days is coming October 7-8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. You really don’t know what true panic feels like until you’re watching a toilet slowly, inevitably overflow. It’s like a little mini-horror movie you get to experience while you race around the house looking for that plunger you know you have somewhere. But even when you find that plunger, there’s no guarantee it will work effectively. Old-style plungers require a good seal and some nerves of steel to be effective. A much better choice—that also works effectively on sink, floor, and shower drains—is a high-pressure plunger like this one from HimePro, which is currently 20% off for Prime Day. HimaPro High Pressure Toilet Plunger Air Drain Blaster Kit Blue Handle - Unclog Toilets, Kitchen Sinks, Shower Drains, and Pipes with Ease - Bonus Rubber Gloves Included $23.99 at Amazon $29.99 Save $6.00 Get Deal Get Deal $23.99 at Amazon $29.99 Save $6.00 High-pressure plungers work by building up air pressure inside (accomplished by pumping it up like a bicycle pump), then shooting a targeted blast of air into into the drain to blow the obstruction loose. This model produces 120 psi of pressure, which is plenty to clear most common drain and toilet clogs. It’s really easy to use, too. You just pump it up to your desired pressure (you can start at a lower psi if you’re worried about damaging your pipes), insert it into the drain, and pull the trigger. The kit comes with different plugs for different drains, a storage bag (or a wall clip if you prefer), and, as a nice little extra, a pair of durable rubber gloves, since clearing drains and toilets can be messy work. At 20% off, this is a great deal you should jump on if you’re in one of those rare houses with drains and/or toilets in them. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime. Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Prime Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $156.78 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Blink Outdoor 4 XR + Mini 2 — Wireless and plug-in security cameras, motion detection, extended range. Sync Module XR included — 2 camera system + Mini 2 (Black) — $74.99 (List Price $219.98) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen, 2-pack, White) — $49.98 (List Price $79.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Kindle Essentials Bundle including Kindle (2024 release) - Black, Fabric Cover - Matcha, and Power Adapter — $117.97 (List Price $161.97) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Establishing a strong brand identity is essential for standing out in today’s competitive market. Start by defining your target audience to tailor your message effectively. Next, develop a unique brand voice that resonates with them. Create a strong visual identity that includes logos and color schemes. You’ll likewise need to establish brand guidelines to maintain consistency. Finally, authenticity is key. Comprehending these steps will set a solid foundation for your brand’s success. Key Takeaways Define your target audience by analyzing demographics, psychographics, and behavioral patterns to tailor your marketing efforts effectively. Develop a unique brand voice that reflects your brand’s personality and engages your audience consistently across all communications. Create a strong visual identity with a distinctive logo, color palette, and typography that resonate with your target audience. Establish brand guidelines to ensure uniformity in logo usage, messaging, and visual elements across all platforms. Maintain authenticity by aligning your brand with core values and regularly gathering audience feedback to enhance relevance. Define Your Target Audience Defining your target audience is the cornerstone of building a strong brand identity. To effectively define your target audience, you need to gather key information about demographics, psychographics, and behavioral patterns. Consider questions like age, gender, and location, alongside interests and values. This data helps you identify the ideal customer profile. Comprehending where your audience spends their time, both online and offline, allows you to tailor your marketing efforts. Utilize tools like surveys, social media analytics, and customer interviews to gain insights into their preferences and pain points. By focusing on the right audience, you guarantee your branding efforts are effective, ultimately guiding you on how to establish a brand identity that nurtures engagement and loyalty. Develop a Unique Brand Voice After identifying your target audience, the next step in building a strong brand identity involves developing a unique brand voice. This voice differentiates your brand from competitors and establishes a personality that resonates with your audience. Here are key elements to reflect upon: Tone: Decide if your voice will be playful, professional, or witty, aligning it with audience preferences. Consistency: Guarantee your brand voice is consistent across all communications to reinforce recognition and build trust. Engagement: Actively engage with your audience to gather insights, helping you refine your voice. Understanding how to build a strong brand requires a clear positioning statement that addresses specific needs. Create a Strong Visual Identity Creating a strong visual identity is vital for confirming your brand stands out in a crowded marketplace. Start with a unique logo that’s easily identifiable and scalable for various platforms, like websites or social media. Choose a color palette that resonates with your target audience, as colors can boost brand recognition by up to 80%. Select typography that reflects your brand’s tone; the right font can communicate different emotions and improve how people perceive your brand. Finally, guarantee consistency across all channels. This means applying your logo, colors, and fonts uniformly. A style guide can help you establish rules for maintaining this integrity, supporting long-term brand recognition and loyalty. Establish Brand Guidelines Establishing brand guidelines is a key step in maintaining a consistent and recognizable brand identity. These guidelines act as a thorough reference for all branding decisions, ensuring uniformity across various platforms. Consider including the following elements in your guidelines: Logo Usage: Specify how and where your logo should appear. Typography and Color Palettes: Define the fonts and colors that represent your brand. Messaging: Outline the tone and key messages that should be communicated. Having clear brand guidelines not just helps maintain brand integrity but also aids in onboarding new employees and freelancers by providing them with expectations. Maintain Authenticity and Consistency Maintaining authenticity and consistency in your brand identity is essential for building trust and loyalty with your audience. To achieve this, align your brand with its core values, mission, and personality. This nurtures genuine connections that improve loyalty. Make certain your visual elements, messaging, and customer interactions are consistent across all channels, as this can lead to at least a 10% revenue growth. Create a style guide to guarantee all team members adhere to established standards. Regularly gather audience feedback to keep your brand aligned with customer expectations, improving its relevance. Finally, maintain a consistent brand voice across platforms to strengthen your identity and differentiate it from competitors. This approach guarantees your brand remains memorable and trustworthy. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 5 Steps to Creating Brand Identity Designs? To create effective brand identity designs, start by defining your brand’s purpose, which clarifies what you stand for. Next, research your competitors to differentiate your brand. Then, develop a cohesive visual identity by choosing logos, colors, and typography that resonate with your audience. After that, create a style guide to guarantee consistency in design and messaging. Finally, seek feedback regularly and adapt your identity as necessary to remain relevant and appealing. What Are the 5 Pillars of Brand Identity? The five pillars of brand identity are crucial elements that define your brand. First, brand purpose clarifies your brand’s reason for existing. Second, brand voice shapes how you communicate with your audience. Third, visual identity includes logos, colors, and typography, creating memorable impressions. Fourth, brand messaging conveys your unique personality and resonates with customers. Finally, brand consistency guarantees uniformity across all platforms, reinforcing recognition and nurturing customer loyalty over time. What Are the 5 Stages of Brand Recognition? The five stages of brand recognition begin with Brand Awareness, where you introduce your brand to consumers through marketing efforts. Next is Brand Recall, where consumers can remember your brand when prompted. Then comes Brand Recognition, where they identify your brand’s elements without prompts. Following that’s Brand Preference, where consumers favor your brand over others. Finally, you reach Brand Loyalty, where customers consistently choose your brand, enhancing its market presence and success. What Are the 5 Steps in the Brand Building Process? To build a brand, start by defining your target audience. Next, develop a unique brand voice that resonates with them. Then, create a strong visual identity, including logos and colors, that reflects your brand’s personality. Establish brand guidelines to maintain consistency across all platforms. Finally, make certain your brand is authentic and consistent in its messaging. This approach helps you connect with your audience and stand out in a competitive market. Conclusion By following these five steps, you can effectively establish a strong brand identity that resonates with your target audience. Start by defining who you want to reach, then develop a unique voice and visual identity that align with your brand’s essence. Establish clear guidelines to guarantee consistency across all platforms. Finally, always maintain authenticity in your messaging and interactions. This approach will help build trust and recognition, positioning your brand for long-term success. Image Via Envato This article, "Establish a Strong Brand Identity in 5 Simple Steps" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Establishing a strong brand identity is essential for standing out in today’s competitive market. Start by defining your target audience to tailor your message effectively. Next, develop a unique brand voice that resonates with them. Create a strong visual identity that includes logos and color schemes. You’ll likewise need to establish brand guidelines to maintain consistency. Finally, authenticity is key. Comprehending these steps will set a solid foundation for your brand’s success. Key Takeaways Define your target audience by analyzing demographics, psychographics, and behavioral patterns to tailor your marketing efforts effectively. Develop a unique brand voice that reflects your brand’s personality and engages your audience consistently across all communications. Create a strong visual identity with a distinctive logo, color palette, and typography that resonate with your target audience. Establish brand guidelines to ensure uniformity in logo usage, messaging, and visual elements across all platforms. Maintain authenticity by aligning your brand with core values and regularly gathering audience feedback to enhance relevance. Define Your Target Audience Defining your target audience is the cornerstone of building a strong brand identity. To effectively define your target audience, you need to gather key information about demographics, psychographics, and behavioral patterns. Consider questions like age, gender, and location, alongside interests and values. This data helps you identify the ideal customer profile. Comprehending where your audience spends their time, both online and offline, allows you to tailor your marketing efforts. Utilize tools like surveys, social media analytics, and customer interviews to gain insights into their preferences and pain points. By focusing on the right audience, you guarantee your branding efforts are effective, ultimately guiding you on how to establish a brand identity that nurtures engagement and loyalty. Develop a Unique Brand Voice After identifying your target audience, the next step in building a strong brand identity involves developing a unique brand voice. This voice differentiates your brand from competitors and establishes a personality that resonates with your audience. Here are key elements to reflect upon: Tone: Decide if your voice will be playful, professional, or witty, aligning it with audience preferences. Consistency: Guarantee your brand voice is consistent across all communications to reinforce recognition and build trust. Engagement: Actively engage with your audience to gather insights, helping you refine your voice. Understanding how to build a strong brand requires a clear positioning statement that addresses specific needs. Create a Strong Visual Identity Creating a strong visual identity is vital for confirming your brand stands out in a crowded marketplace. Start with a unique logo that’s easily identifiable and scalable for various platforms, like websites or social media. Choose a color palette that resonates with your target audience, as colors can boost brand recognition by up to 80%. Select typography that reflects your brand’s tone; the right font can communicate different emotions and improve how people perceive your brand. Finally, guarantee consistency across all channels. This means applying your logo, colors, and fonts uniformly. A style guide can help you establish rules for maintaining this integrity, supporting long-term brand recognition and loyalty. Establish Brand Guidelines Establishing brand guidelines is a key step in maintaining a consistent and recognizable brand identity. These guidelines act as a thorough reference for all branding decisions, ensuring uniformity across various platforms. Consider including the following elements in your guidelines: Logo Usage: Specify how and where your logo should appear. Typography and Color Palettes: Define the fonts and colors that represent your brand. Messaging: Outline the tone and key messages that should be communicated. Having clear brand guidelines not just helps maintain brand integrity but also aids in onboarding new employees and freelancers by providing them with expectations. Maintain Authenticity and Consistency Maintaining authenticity and consistency in your brand identity is essential for building trust and loyalty with your audience. To achieve this, align your brand with its core values, mission, and personality. This nurtures genuine connections that improve loyalty. Make certain your visual elements, messaging, and customer interactions are consistent across all channels, as this can lead to at least a 10% revenue growth. Create a style guide to guarantee all team members adhere to established standards. Regularly gather audience feedback to keep your brand aligned with customer expectations, improving its relevance. Finally, maintain a consistent brand voice across platforms to strengthen your identity and differentiate it from competitors. This approach guarantees your brand remains memorable and trustworthy. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 5 Steps to Creating Brand Identity Designs? To create effective brand identity designs, start by defining your brand’s purpose, which clarifies what you stand for. Next, research your competitors to differentiate your brand. Then, develop a cohesive visual identity by choosing logos, colors, and typography that resonate with your audience. After that, create a style guide to guarantee consistency in design and messaging. Finally, seek feedback regularly and adapt your identity as necessary to remain relevant and appealing. What Are the 5 Pillars of Brand Identity? The five pillars of brand identity are crucial elements that define your brand. First, brand purpose clarifies your brand’s reason for existing. Second, brand voice shapes how you communicate with your audience. Third, visual identity includes logos, colors, and typography, creating memorable impressions. Fourth, brand messaging conveys your unique personality and resonates with customers. Finally, brand consistency guarantees uniformity across all platforms, reinforcing recognition and nurturing customer loyalty over time. What Are the 5 Stages of Brand Recognition? The five stages of brand recognition begin with Brand Awareness, where you introduce your brand to consumers through marketing efforts. Next is Brand Recall, where consumers can remember your brand when prompted. Then comes Brand Recognition, where they identify your brand’s elements without prompts. Following that’s Brand Preference, where consumers favor your brand over others. Finally, you reach Brand Loyalty, where customers consistently choose your brand, enhancing its market presence and success. What Are the 5 Steps in the Brand Building Process? To build a brand, start by defining your target audience. Next, develop a unique brand voice that resonates with them. Then, create a strong visual identity, including logos and colors, that reflects your brand’s personality. Establish brand guidelines to maintain consistency across all platforms. Finally, make certain your brand is authentic and consistent in its messaging. This approach helps you connect with your audience and stand out in a competitive market. Conclusion By following these five steps, you can effectively establish a strong brand identity that resonates with your target audience. Start by defining who you want to reach, then develop a unique voice and visual identity that align with your brand’s essence. Establish clear guidelines to guarantee consistency across all platforms. Finally, always maintain authenticity in your messaging and interactions. This approach will help build trust and recognition, positioning your brand for long-term success. Image Via Envato This article, "Establish a Strong Brand Identity in 5 Simple Steps" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A quarter of a century after the Acela began whisking passengers between Washington, New York, and Boston, the Acela’s slightly faster replacement finally began service at the end of August. But the most obvious upgrade NextGen Acela offers over its predecessor is not speed, but shininess. On the train’s second day of revenue service, I boarded a train in Washington, D.C., for a day trip to New York. Standing alongside a previous-gen Acela at Union Station, my train was positively gleaming, and looked just as sharp on the inside. Then came the ride, which took just as long as previous trips and went no faster. NextGen Acela can hit 160 mph on upgraded track, but my train maxed out at 144 mph on a straightaway north of Princeton, N.J., cleared for 160 mph operation. My return trip Friday night on the same tracks, however, topped out at 162 mph—the speed France’s TGV debuted at in 1981. Progress on the Northeast Corridor—”NEC” for short—has been like that since before Amtrak took over the route from the bankrupt Penn Central Transportation Company in 1971. Taking the busiest passenger railroad in North America out of service for a complete rebuild to meet the standards of high-speed lines in other countries has been impossible, but even incremental upgrades have often been left waiting for lack of funding. And yet the NEC remains the only high-speed line in the U.S.—and it may retain that status at the end of the decade. What Amtrak can make happen on these 450-plus miles of track, then, matters. How well it can make these improvements happen, in turn, hinges on how well Amtrak and its regulators can drop a sort of American exceptionalism unjustified by past performance and adopt the best practices of high-speed rail elsewhere in the world. Replacing a weary workhorse The first-gen Acela made a quick impression at its belated debut in 2000. Those 20 trainsets had the sleek look of bullet trains overseas and could hit 150 mph on rebuilt track in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 140 mph elsewhere. The Acela grew to become Amtrak’s second-most-used route after the slower Northeast Regional trains that run from Boston to Washington and then onward to points in Virginia. In fiscal year 2024, the railroad carried 3.2 million passengers. And it has the highest profit margin of any Amtrak route: 36% in FY 2024, yielding $134 million in “adjusted operating earnings.” But the first-gen Acela also provides a lesson in procurement failure: Amtrak had it built to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) crash-resistance standards that essentially demanded that a passenger train bash aside a freight train without crumpling—far stricter than those of other countries with impeccable safety records. That made buying a train already running in Europe or Japan impossible. Instead, Amtrak ordered a custom design from a joint venture between Bombardier and Alstom. The result suffered numerous early breakdowns. The train was so heavy that former Amtrak president Thomas Downs called it a “high-velocity bank vault.” Liberalized crashworthiness rules allowing basic safety engineering like crumple zones allowed Alstom to adapt EU-spec train designs for NextGen, which it’s building at a factory in Hornell, New York. Each of these 28 trains is longer and carries more passengers—386 seats, versus the 304 on first-gen Acela—making for a meaningful increase in capacity. When Amtrak inked that contract with Alstom in 2016—valued at $2.45 billion, including NEC upgrades—it predicted that the new trains would enter service in 2021. They took another four years, during which the old trains grew unreliable enough that Amtrak had to park some to cannibalize for repair parts. In a 2023 report, Amtrak’s inspector general cited Alstom’s struggles to develop a computer model of NextGen’s performance, without which the FRA would not approve the start of testing, and defects in trainsets built so far. At the start of 2025, Amtrak’s site predicted a spring debut, but NextGen Acela needed another few months. Amtrak pointed to the difficulty of meeting FRA testing requirements, which spokeswoman Olivia Irvin says “necessitated continual refinement of Alstom’s analysis, simulations and testing activities.” Sean Jeans-Gail, vice president of government affairs and policy for the Rail Passengers Association, a Washington nonprofit advocating for better passenger-rail service in the U.S., suggested that the FRA hasn’t quite dropped a not-invented-here mindset: “The FRA is moving towards aligning its specifications with international best practices, but there’s still room for improvement.” Progress on board — but with some pain The ride I experienced from D.C. to NYC and back made at least some of that wait seem worth it. Beyond the lack of grime, the ride felt smoother, if not smooth enough to match a high-speed train in Europe or Japan. But while the legroom and absence of middle seats remain terrific, the seat cushions could benefit from some softening. The seats also don’t recline conventionally; instead, the seat pan and the very lowest part of the seat back slide forward. Amtrak did fix one annoyance with the old trains: The power outlets rest between each pair of seats instead of in the wall, ending the need to reach across a stranger. They’re accompanied by USB-A ports that Amtrak plans to upgrade to USB-C. The bathrooms, one of the scruffier areas of the Acela, got a high-touch treatment, with powered doors and touchless dispensers for water and soap above the sink. The cafe car, however, lacks any seats. And its grab-and-go refrigerated shelves did not spare anybody from waiting in line: The check-out terminal wasn’t in operation on my ride to New York. New Acela trains, like the old ones, feature a First Class car, which I used on the ride back by cashing in an upgrade coupon procured with Guest Rewards points. Amtrak’s partnership with Philadelphia-based Starr Restaurants continues to yield surprisingly tasty catering. As on the older train, the seats have no more recline than those in other cars (which Amtrak sells as business class), but one side of this car has only a single row of seats. Amtrak plans to step up its rollout of NextGen but is now shying away from specifics beyond saying that the new trains will continue to enter service from now through 2027. New bridges, tunnels, and wires to go with new trains The view out NextGen’s blissfully grime-free windows included one of the first major projects along the corridor nearing completion—a $2.2 billion bridge in New Jersey’s Meadowlands to replace a 1910-vintage drawbridge that occasionally gets stuck open. Full-scale construction on two other long-overdue NEC projects will soon begin: a $6 billion tunnel through Baltimore to replace a fossil of a tunnel through which trains creep along at 30 mph, and a $14.8 billion project to dig two new tunnels under the Hudson River to augment the pair that the Pennsylvania Railroad opened between New Jersey and New York in 1910. A different set of NEC improvements are easier to miss, because they don’t involve giant structures over or under rivers. Amtrak has been upgrading the tracks and wires along the NEC to international standards—but more slowly and in fewer places than many railroad experts think appropriate. The wires that provide electricity to trains are especially important, and especially old: The “Pennsy” wrapped up its initial electrification of the NEC in 1935. Their simple design, in which wires hang from one pole to the next, limits top speeds to 145 mph and risks breakdowns when hot weather causes the wires to expand and sag. The fastest parts of the NEC feature what’s known as constant-tension catenary, with weights and pulleys to keep wires straight. That’s a standard sight on railroads in other countries, even for slower routes. “Constant tension is the way to go for both speed and reliability reasons,” said Nolan Hicks, a veteran New York City transportation reporter. He’s the author of an extensive report for New York University’s Transit Costs Project on accelerating regional rail lines by adopting international best practices. After years of Amtrak reserving this power upgrade as a sort of infrastructure treat for especially straight segments of the corridor, it’s now expanding those bits of constant-tension catenary—notably, extending it from that small 160 mph stretch in New Jersey south to Trenton. Amtrak also now plans to install this high-speed infrastructure on upcoming bridge replacements, such as one planned over the Susquehanna River in Maryland, and in “other regions where the track alignment can support speeds of 145 mph.” That’s a notable change, but the railroad isn’t ready to predict faster trip times, saying only that they will “be determined based on infrastructure improvements we will also make along the Corridor.” An April 2025 Transit Costs Project report outlined $12.5 billion in additional infrastructure—if built at Western European costs, not American costs to date—that could drop travel times from D.C. to NYC and NYC to Boston to an hour and 56 minutes each. High-speed hopes elsewhere The work of upgrading the NEC, sometimes one pole and wire at a time, can seem boring compared to next-gen possibilities like magnetic-levitation trains or Elon Musk’s vision of hyperloop vehicles running in a partial vacuum. But maglev trains remain scarce and expensive, while the hyperloop turned out to be vaporware. Fantasizing about those sci-fi concepts has not sped NEC travel times by a second, but it has been effective at stalling investments in the proven technology of steel wheels on steel rails. The nation’s most ambitious attempt at building a high-speed rail network from scratch, California High-Speed Rail, has been a victim of that distraction tactic: Musk admitted in 2019 that he hyped hyperloop in part because he hated that project. California, meanwhile, didn’t help “CAHSR” by outsourcing most of its management, a consultant-dense strategy that wasted time and money. After surviving one round of attempted The President-administration funding cancellations (it’s fighting off another), the project has finally been moving management in-house as California has streamlined some environmental permitting regulations. It’s also working to accelerate construction by adopting international standards that could cut tunneling distances in half. But its newest optimum scenario still has service from San Francisco to the Los Angeles high-desert exurb of Palmdale waiting until 2038 and costing $87.12 billion to build; reaching L.A.’s Union Station would follow years and billions of dollars later. The much newer Brightline West project, which plans to build a high-speed line from L.A.’s eastern suburbs to Las Vegas, has a simpler and shorter route. But its parent firm faces financing challenges compounded by rising costs that the Department of Transportation now estimates at $21.5 billion. Jeans-Gail remains optimistic about both projects, but for different reasons. “I’ll note that the The President Administration, via Secretary Duffy, has had nice things to say about that project,” he says of Brightline West. As for CASHR: “California is the only state that’s big enough and wealthy enough to even attempt to keep a project of this magnitude going in the face of this kind of schizophrenic federal partnership.” Putting high-speed rail on a faster track across the U.S. will require change at both the federal level and in states such as Texas, where elected leaders have sometimes treated passenger rail as socialism on steel wheels. But railroads and rail authorities would help their own cause if they could simply steal the best ideas of other countries instead of trying to be American originals. Meanwhile, an Acela of any generation may not travel nearly as fast as the trains in these plans and in those other lands. But it does have the advantage of running on rails today. View the full article

Some flavor crazes flirt with us and fade. Others stay and make themselves at home. It’s too soon to tell for sure, but the Dubai chocolate movement seems to have put down roots and is spreading at a brisk clip. The sweet flavors and thick texture that have made Dubai chocolate bars a hit are morphing into other kinds of confections too. Let’s back up for a minute. The original and now-classic Dubai chocolate bar was created by Fix Chocolatier in the United Arab Emirates in 2021, and by 2023 had exploded on social media. Rich and indulgent, it features a thick, milk chocolate shell usually encasing a creamy pistachio (and often tahini) filling mixed with crispy, shredded, phyllo-like pastry called kadayif. Global brands and small bakers alike are riffing on the concept with different flavors, translating the concept to croissants, milkshakes, and more. Fillings range from peanut butter and jelly to s’mores to matcha. “I don’t call this a ‘trend’ anymore — it’s a whole new thing,” said Din Allall, whose family business, The Nuts Factory, has about 150 U.S. stores featuring nuts, dried fruits, and candies. He carries 12 flavors of Dubai chocolate bar, as well as chocolate- and pistachio-covered Dubai dates, Dubai-coated roasted nuts, a layered Dubai chocolate strawberry parfait, and a Dubai Golden Chocolate bar infused with edible 24-karat gold for $79.99 (their regular 6.5-ounce bars sell for $18.99). It’s not just the flavors that make Dubai chocolate different, Allall says, but the bar’s structure too — “huge, thick, with lots of filling.” Big retailers and restaurants have gotten on board Trader Joe’s carries a Dubai chocolate bar made by Patislove. IHOP introduced a limited-time Dubai pancake stack in some locations in August. Baskin-Robbins has some Dubai-inspired ice cream products on its menu, while Costco sells a range of Dubai chocolate confections, including a Dubai chocolate cake. Walmart and QVC also sell Dubai chocolate. Swiss chocolate giant Lindt has a bar, and drew crowds when it debuted a limited number of them in Europe last fall. “For me, it’s the crunch,” said Erica Lefkowits, who was buying some Dubai chocolate recently in Dublin. “The chocolate is soft and melty, and the filling is creamy, and then the crunch of the kadayif. It’s all about the texture. Plus, it’s sugar.” She was a little annoyed at the price, higher than your average chocolate bar. Part of Dubai chocolate’s appeal, though, is the way it feels simultaneously indulgent and worldly. Pistachios, rose, saffron and cardamom bring luxury, travel and exoticism to the chocolate party. Despite the price, “I’ve never seen a single item sell like this in my 50 years of retailing,” said Stew Leonard, Jr., CEO of Stew Leonard’s grocery stores in the New York metropolitan area. The chain introduced the BeeMax Dubai chocolate bar in March, watched it fly out the doors, he said, and then launched their own house-branded version (made by the company Chocopologie). They’ve introduced a Dubai chocolate gift box for the holidays, which includes teeny Dubai ice cream cones, Dubai pralines and two bars. Some other widely distributed brands in the U.S. are Moda, Magno and Leonessa. Other iterations of Dubai chocolate include Chocolove’s little candies and Matteo’s Coffee Syrups’ sugar-free chocolate coffee syrup. —Katie Workman, Associated Press View the full article

Announcement comes on eve of talks in Washington with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon Big Deal Days is coming October 7-8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. I live in a pretty small house. How small? People routinely ask me where the rest of it is, and when my wife’s relatives from Texas show up, all they can talk about is how they could never live in such a small place. I mean, it’s not that small, but it’s not exactly huge—and it definitely lacks storage. Dewalt DCV580H 18/20V MAX Cordless Wet-Dry Vacuum $155.00 at Amazon $199.00 Save $44.00 Get Deal Get Deal $155.00 at Amazon $199.00 Save $44.00 I feel that lack of storage space most acutely when it comes to tools and home maintenance stuff, which tends to be bulky (and to accumulate over time as you pick up implements for specific needs). For a long time I was borrowing my brothers shop vac, for example, because I just didn’t have space to store one when I wasn’t actively using it. A wet/dry vac comes in mighty handy when you’re working on stuff around the house (or fighting the occasional flooded crawl space), so I was pretty stoked to find this cordless shop vacuum from DeWalt—and it's currently discounted to $163 (originally $200) for October Prime Day What I love about this shop vac is that it’s small, so you can tuck it away almost anywhere and it’s light enough to pop onto any shelf that’s available. And the combination of its low weight (just eight pounds) and cordless operations means it’s really easy to bring it literally anywhere—including my crawl space, which can only be accessed by the tiniest, least convenient hole cut literally into a closet floor. If you don’t have a DeWalt charger and battery for this, you have the option of just plugging it into the wall—slightly less convenient, but still very usable. It’s powerful enough for most basic jobs, and on battery it will run for more than half an hour, which should be plenty of time to clean up the mess you’ve made during your latest adventures in DIY repair. With a two-gallon capacity, it’s perfect for draining a toilet before removal or sucking up wood shavings because you forgot to put down a drop cloth before cutting some planks. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime. Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $156.78 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Blink Outdoor 4 XR + Mini 2 — Wireless and plug-in security cameras, motion detection, extended range. Sync Module XR included — 2 camera system + Mini 2 (Black) — $74.99 (List Price $219.98) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen, 2-pack, White) — $49.98 (List Price $79.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Kindle Essentials Bundle including Kindle (2024 release) - Black, Fabric Cover - Matcha, and Power Adapter — $117.97 (List Price $161.97) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

For its 50th anniversary, Zara has partnered with 50 designers and creators for a collection you might not expect from a fast-fashion mall brand. The Spanish fashion retailer unveiled its 50th anniversary collection at Paris Fashion Week with collaborators that include photographer Annie Leibovitz, supermodel Cindy Crawford, stage designer Es Devlin, and musician Robbie Williams. Available worldwide beginning Oct. 6, the collection does include plenty to wear (Leibovitz contributed a photo for a t-shirt), but what stands out most are the non-apparel items. This is about a whole lot more than clothes. Devlin, whose build stages for artists like Adele, Beyoncé, and U2, contributed a square-shaped concrete lamp, and Williams a mirror that says “You Can, You Must, And You Will.” Sarah Andelman, a Paris store owner, made a fun book holder that can hang in the closet, and there’s a yellow-and-black dinnerware set from artist Sterling Ruby and a pyramid lamp from French designer Alex de Betak. Many of the pieces are meant to be conversation starters, like a Barbie pink surfboard from Balenciaga creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli and a pair of gold-colored ash trays are from Kate Moss. Zara has grown from a single store that opened in A Coruña, Spain, in 1975 to about 1,800 stores today. According to PitchBook data, Zara generates two-thirds of revenue for parent company Inditex. Its anniversary collection, with is high-end home goods, wants to send a message about its staying power half a century in. It’s a flex from a company that might be better known for clothes you wear just once. View the full article

It’s the life of a saleswoman. Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” sold 2.7 million copies in traditional album sales — which include physical and digital formats — in its first day in the U.S. That’s according to Luminate, an industry data and analytics company. The album was released Friday. The sales are impressive for a number of reasons. Swift has broken her record for most first-week sales… in one day. Her last album, 2024’s “The Tortured Poets Department,” amassed 2.61 million equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week. “The Life of a Showgirl” has also become the second-largest sales week for any album in the modern era, since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991. That was also accomplished in just one day. Currently, Adele’s “25,” which sold 3.378 million copies in its first week in 2015 in the U.S., holds the top spot. Also, according to Luminate, “The Life of a Showgirl” has already broken the record for the most copies of a vinyl album sold in a single week in the U.S., with 1.2 million copies. The previous record holder? “The Tortured Poets Department,” which sold 859,000 copies on vinyl in its first week. Swift’s many variants may have something to do with the album’s economic success. One of her major partners, Target, carries three CD variants, titled as “It’s Frightening,” “It’s Rapturous” and “It’s Beautiful” editions. There is also an exclusive vinyl release, “The Crowd Is Your King” edition in “summertime spritz pink shimmer vinyl.” There are a number of other vinyl variants as well: “The Tiny Bubble in Champagne Collection,” “The Baby That’s Show Business Collection,” “The Shiny Bug Collection,” and the standard LP and cassette, in “sweat and vanilla perfume Portofino orange vinyl.” Artwork varies throughout, likely inspiring diehard fans to pick up multiple copies. And most recently, on Saturday, Swift announced four new CD variants featuring acoustic renditions of the album’s tracks. Each edition features two different stripped-down recordings. She also dominated the box office over the weekend with her three-day event, “The Official Release Party of a Show Girl,” which debuted at No. 1 with $33 million in North America, according to Sunday estimates from Comscore. —Maria Sherman, AP music writer View the full article

When managing stock, choosing the right software can greatly improve your efficiency. The top seven solutions—Blaze.tech, NetSuite, Zoho Inventory, Fishbowl, Cin7, QuickBooks Commerce, and Lightspeed—each offer distinct features that cater to various business needs. For instance, Blaze.tech provides no-code customization, whereas NetSuite integrates all-encompassing ERP capabilities. Grasping how these platforms facilitate inventory accuracy and streamline order fulfillment is vital for optimizing your operations. Let’s explore what each solution brings to the table. Key Takeaways Blaze.tech offers a no-code platform for customized inventory management with automation features for reorder points and low-stock alerts. NetSuite provides a comprehensive ERP solution for large enterprises, ensuring advanced inventory control and real-time visibility across multiple locations. Zoho Inventory is a cloud-based solution perfect for SMBs, featuring real-time stock tracking and seamless integration with Zoho CRM for efficient management. QuickBooks Commerce automates order fulfillment with centralized stock control and instant low-stock notifications, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Cin7 integrates omnichannel retail operations with built-in POS functionality and advanced reporting tools, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Blaze.tech Blaze.tech is an innovative no-code platform that empowers businesses to create customized inventory management systems without the need for extensive technical knowledge. It offers user-friendly drag-and-drop tools for designing workflows and reorder rules, making it easy for you to tailor your inventory processes. With automation features for reorder points and low-stock alerts, you can efficiently manage your stock, particularly if you run a small to medium business with specific inventory requirements. Although Blaze.tech isn’t open source, its robust security features guarantee data privacy and compliance, especially for organizations in regulated industries. Pricing starts at $400 per month for the Internal Plan, with custom options for larger enterprises, streamlining your inventory management without requiring technical expertise. NetSuite For businesses managing complex inventory systems, NetSuite stands out as a thorough ERP solution that offers advanced capabilities customized to meet diverse operational needs. This accounting software with inventory control enables you to manage inventory across multiple locations during the provision of real-time visibility. Its data-driven forecasts automate replenishment processes, ensuring ideal stock levels and reducing the risk of stockouts. You’ll appreciate the highly customizable dashboards and reporting features that allow you to tailor your inventory management experience to align with specific business needs. Designed for large enterprises, NetSuite offers robust scalability and seamless integration with other business systems. For pricing information, you’ll need to contact their sales team, as it isn’t publicly listed. Zoho Inventory Zoho Inventory serves as an effective cloud-based inventory management solution customized for small to medium-sized businesses. Priced starting at $59.00 per month, it offers a free trial with limited features. This software improves your accounting and stock management software experience by providing: Real-time tracking of stock levels, alerting you to low inventory to prevent stockouts. Seamless integration with Zoho CRM, boosting order management efficiency. Support for multiple sales channels, allowing precise inventory management across platforms. Robust reporting capabilities to analyze inventory performance and make informed decisions. With these features, Zoho Inventory optimizes your stock management, ensuring you maintain accurate stock levels as well as improving operational efficiency. Fishbowl When managing inventory across multiple locations, Fishbowl stands out as a robust solution designed for businesses with organized inventory needs. This inventory management system open source offers real-time tracking and multi-location management, ensuring you maintain control over your stock. Its seamless integration with QuickBooks considerably reduces data entry errors, streamlining your accounting processes. With automated purchasing capabilities, Fishbowl generates purchase orders to prevent stockouts, making your inventory management more efficient. Furthermore, the platform supports barcode scanning, improving order fulfillment accuracy and simplifying inventory counts. Although Fishbowl‘s pricing isn’t publicly listed, you can contact the company for a personalized quote suited to your specific requirements, ensuring you get the best fit for your business. Cin7 Cin7 offers a robust cloud-based platform that integrates omnichannel retail operations, making it easy for you to manage online and in-store sales from one place. With built-in POS functionality and seamless connections to major e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Amazon, you can streamline transactions and inventory management efficiently. Furthermore, its advanced reporting tools provide valuable insights into sales trends, helping you make informed inventory decisions. Omnichannel Retail Integration In today’s fast-paced retail environment, businesses need robust solutions that integrate their online and offline sales channels seamlessly. Cin7 stands out in this area by combining inventory and accounting software within a cloud-based platform. Here are four key benefits of using Cin7 for omnichannel retail integration: Unified Dashboard: Manage online and in-store sales effortlessly from a single interface. POS Support: Enjoy built-in point-of-sale features that streamline transactions across all channels. E-commerce Connectivity: Connect with major platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and WooCommerce to improve visibility and control. Operational Efficiency: Optimize inventory levels and fulfillment processes, boosting customer satisfaction. With these features, Cin7 provides an all-encompassing solution for retailers aiming to improve their omnichannel operations. Advanced Reporting Tools Advanced reporting tools are essential for businesses looking to gain detailed insights into their inventory performance and overall operations. With Cin7, you can easily analyze sales trends and stock levels. The platform’s customizable dashboards visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inventory management, enhancing your decision-making capabilities. You’ll generate detailed reports on stock movements, sales performance, and supplier efficiency, which can help refine your negotiation and purchasing strategies. Feature Benefit Example Real-Time Data Analysis Quickly identify slow movers Optimize reorder levels Customizable Dashboards Visualize KPIs Customized inventory views Detailed Reporting Facilitate better strategies Analyze supplier efficiency Seamless Integration Align sales and financial data Consistent performance metrics Cin7’s advanced reporting tools effectively support your accounting software with stock control. POS Functionality Whether you’re managing sales in a physical store or online, having integrated Point of Sale (POS) functionality is crucial for maintaining accurate inventory control across all channels. Cin7 offers a robust POS system that streamlines your operations, ensuring you stay on top of your stock. Here are some key features to take into account: Real-time inventory updates during transactions, preventing stock discrepancies. Integration with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and WooCommerce for seamless omnichannel retail. Customer management tools that improve your sales strategies and boost customer retention. Built-in reporting features that provide insights into sales trends and inventory performance. With Cin7, you can experience efficient stock management and enjoy the benefits of free billing and inventory management software, making your business operations smoother. QuickBooks Commerce QuickBooks Commerce offers centralized inventory control, allowing you to manage stock across various sales channels effortlessly. This feature helps prevent stock issues that can disrupt your business. Furthermore, the software automates order fulfillment processes, making your operations both faster and more accurate, which is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction. Centralized Inventory Control Centralized inventory control is essential for businesses looking to streamline their operations and improve order fulfillment. With QuickBooks Commerce, you can manage your inventory across multiple sales channels efficiently. Here are key benefits you’ll experience: Prevent stock issues to maintain customer satisfaction. Automate order-to-fulfillment processes for improved accuracy and speed. Utilize supplier management tools to track purchase orders and relationships effectively. Seamless integration with business accounting inventory software like QuickBooks to reduce data duplication. Starting at just $17.50 per month for the Simple Start Plan, QuickBooks Commerce offers a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized businesses, optimizing inventory management and increasing operational efficiency. Invest in centralized control for better resource management. Automated Order Fulfillment Automated order fulfillment is a revolutionary advancement for eCommerce businesses aiming to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction. With QuickBooks Commerce, you can automate the entire order-to-fulfillment process, enhancing accuracy and speed in managing your inventory. This platform gives you centralized control over stock across multiple sales channels, which helps prevent stock issues and streamlines order processing. You’ll receive instant notifications for low stock levels, ensuring timely reordering and reducing the risk of stockouts. Furthermore, QuickBooks Commerce includes supplier management tools that simplify tracking purchase orders and relationships. At a starting price of $17.50 per month, it’s a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized businesses looking to improve their inventory management using open source inventory tracking software. Lightspeed As your business grows, managing inventory effectively becomes crucial, and Lightspeed offers a robust solution designed for retail and restaurant environments. This cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) and inventory management software shines with features that improve efficiency. Here are four key benefits: Real-time inventory tracking to help you stay updated on stock levels. Omnichannel retailing support through integration with platforms like Shopify, allowing seamless online and in-store management. Automated stock alerts and reorder reminders to prevent stockouts and maintain ideal inventory levels. Customizable reporting tools that provide insights into inventory performance, sales trends, and customer behaviors. Though Lightspeed isn’t open source stock management software, its customized solutions cater to diverse business needs, with plans starting at $69 per month. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Software for Inventory Management? Choosing the best software for inventory management depends on your business size and needs. If you’re a small to medium business, consider Zoho Inventory for its affordability and real-time tracking, starting at $59/month. For more complex needs, Blaze.tech offers a customizable no-code solution for $400/month. If you run a large enterprise, NetSuite provides advanced features, though pricing isn’t publicly available. Always assess your specific requirements before making a decision. How Do You Ensure Effective Stock Management? To guarantee effective stock management, start by implementing a robust inventory system that automates tracking and alerts. Utilize techniques like Just-In-Time (JIT) and ABC analysis for better demand forecasting. Maintain real-time visibility into inventory levels across locations, allowing quick responses to demand changes. Integrate your inventory system with eCommerce platforms for seamless updates. Regularly analyze inventory performance using reporting tools to gain insights into trends, turnover rates, and overall profitability. What Software Does Target Use for Inventory Management? Target uses a proprietary inventory management system designed for efficiency and accuracy. This system incorporates real-time data tracking, allowing you to monitor stock levels across all locations. With advanced analytics and machine learning, it forecasts demand and optimizes replenishment processes. It additionally supports cross-docking, minimizing handling time and storage costs. This integration provides you with real-time visibility, helping to reduce stockouts and guarantee product availability for customers. What Microsoft Program Is Best for Inventory Management? When you’re considering Microsoft programs for inventory management, Microsoft Dynamics 365 stands out as the best option. It offers real-time visibility into stock levels, automated replenishment, and integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft applications. If you prefer a more customizable approach, Excel can help you create customized spreadsheets to track inventory details. For structured data management, Access allows you to build relational databases that improve organization and reporting capabilities effectively. Conclusion In conclusion, selecting the right stock management software is essential for enhancing operational efficiency. Each of the top seven solutions—Blaze.tech, NetSuite, Zoho Inventory, Fishbowl, Cin7, QuickBooks Commerce, and Lightspeed—offers unique features customized to various business needs. By prioritizing automation, real-time tracking, and multi-channel support, these platforms can greatly improve inventory accuracy and streamline order fulfillment. Evaluating your specific requirements will help you choose the best solution to optimize your stock management processes effectively. Image Via Envato This article, "Top 7 Software Solutions for Stock Management Efficiency" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When managing stock, choosing the right software can greatly improve your efficiency. The top seven solutions—Blaze.tech, NetSuite, Zoho Inventory, Fishbowl, Cin7, QuickBooks Commerce, and Lightspeed—each offer distinct features that cater to various business needs. For instance, Blaze.tech provides no-code customization, whereas NetSuite integrates all-encompassing ERP capabilities. Grasping how these platforms facilitate inventory accuracy and streamline order fulfillment is vital for optimizing your operations. Let’s explore what each solution brings to the table. Key Takeaways Blaze.tech offers a no-code platform for customized inventory management with automation features for reorder points and low-stock alerts. NetSuite provides a comprehensive ERP solution for large enterprises, ensuring advanced inventory control and real-time visibility across multiple locations. Zoho Inventory is a cloud-based solution perfect for SMBs, featuring real-time stock tracking and seamless integration with Zoho CRM for efficient management. QuickBooks Commerce automates order fulfillment with centralized stock control and instant low-stock notifications, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Cin7 integrates omnichannel retail operations with built-in POS functionality and advanced reporting tools, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Blaze.tech Blaze.tech is an innovative no-code platform that empowers businesses to create customized inventory management systems without the need for extensive technical knowledge. It offers user-friendly drag-and-drop tools for designing workflows and reorder rules, making it easy for you to tailor your inventory processes. With automation features for reorder points and low-stock alerts, you can efficiently manage your stock, particularly if you run a small to medium business with specific inventory requirements. Although Blaze.tech isn’t open source, its robust security features guarantee data privacy and compliance, especially for organizations in regulated industries. Pricing starts at $400 per month for the Internal Plan, with custom options for larger enterprises, streamlining your inventory management without requiring technical expertise. NetSuite For businesses managing complex inventory systems, NetSuite stands out as a thorough ERP solution that offers advanced capabilities customized to meet diverse operational needs. This accounting software with inventory control enables you to manage inventory across multiple locations during the provision of real-time visibility. Its data-driven forecasts automate replenishment processes, ensuring ideal stock levels and reducing the risk of stockouts. You’ll appreciate the highly customizable dashboards and reporting features that allow you to tailor your inventory management experience to align with specific business needs. Designed for large enterprises, NetSuite offers robust scalability and seamless integration with other business systems. For pricing information, you’ll need to contact their sales team, as it isn’t publicly listed. Zoho Inventory Zoho Inventory serves as an effective cloud-based inventory management solution customized for small to medium-sized businesses. Priced starting at $59.00 per month, it offers a free trial with limited features. This software improves your accounting and stock management software experience by providing: Real-time tracking of stock levels, alerting you to low inventory to prevent stockouts. Seamless integration with Zoho CRM, boosting order management efficiency. Support for multiple sales channels, allowing precise inventory management across platforms. Robust reporting capabilities to analyze inventory performance and make informed decisions. With these features, Zoho Inventory optimizes your stock management, ensuring you maintain accurate stock levels as well as improving operational efficiency. Fishbowl When managing inventory across multiple locations, Fishbowl stands out as a robust solution designed for businesses with organized inventory needs. This inventory management system open source offers real-time tracking and multi-location management, ensuring you maintain control over your stock. Its seamless integration with QuickBooks considerably reduces data entry errors, streamlining your accounting processes. With automated purchasing capabilities, Fishbowl generates purchase orders to prevent stockouts, making your inventory management more efficient. Furthermore, the platform supports barcode scanning, improving order fulfillment accuracy and simplifying inventory counts. Although Fishbowl‘s pricing isn’t publicly listed, you can contact the company for a personalized quote suited to your specific requirements, ensuring you get the best fit for your business. Cin7 Cin7 offers a robust cloud-based platform that integrates omnichannel retail operations, making it easy for you to manage online and in-store sales from one place. With built-in POS functionality and seamless connections to major e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Amazon, you can streamline transactions and inventory management efficiently. Furthermore, its advanced reporting tools provide valuable insights into sales trends, helping you make informed inventory decisions. Omnichannel Retail Integration In today’s fast-paced retail environment, businesses need robust solutions that integrate their online and offline sales channels seamlessly. Cin7 stands out in this area by combining inventory and accounting software within a cloud-based platform. Here are four key benefits of using Cin7 for omnichannel retail integration: Unified Dashboard: Manage online and in-store sales effortlessly from a single interface. POS Support: Enjoy built-in point-of-sale features that streamline transactions across all channels. E-commerce Connectivity: Connect with major platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and WooCommerce to improve visibility and control. Operational Efficiency: Optimize inventory levels and fulfillment processes, boosting customer satisfaction. With these features, Cin7 provides an all-encompassing solution for retailers aiming to improve their omnichannel operations. Advanced Reporting Tools Advanced reporting tools are essential for businesses looking to gain detailed insights into their inventory performance and overall operations. With Cin7, you can easily analyze sales trends and stock levels. The platform’s customizable dashboards visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inventory management, enhancing your decision-making capabilities. You’ll generate detailed reports on stock movements, sales performance, and supplier efficiency, which can help refine your negotiation and purchasing strategies. Feature Benefit Example Real-Time Data Analysis Quickly identify slow movers Optimize reorder levels Customizable Dashboards Visualize KPIs Customized inventory views Detailed Reporting Facilitate better strategies Analyze supplier efficiency Seamless Integration Align sales and financial data Consistent performance metrics Cin7’s advanced reporting tools effectively support your accounting software with stock control. POS Functionality Whether you’re managing sales in a physical store or online, having integrated Point of Sale (POS) functionality is crucial for maintaining accurate inventory control across all channels. Cin7 offers a robust POS system that streamlines your operations, ensuring you stay on top of your stock. Here are some key features to take into account: Real-time inventory updates during transactions, preventing stock discrepancies. Integration with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and WooCommerce for seamless omnichannel retail. Customer management tools that improve your sales strategies and boost customer retention. Built-in reporting features that provide insights into sales trends and inventory performance. With Cin7, you can experience efficient stock management and enjoy the benefits of free billing and inventory management software, making your business operations smoother. QuickBooks Commerce QuickBooks Commerce offers centralized inventory control, allowing you to manage stock across various sales channels effortlessly. This feature helps prevent stock issues that can disrupt your business. Furthermore, the software automates order fulfillment processes, making your operations both faster and more accurate, which is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction. Centralized Inventory Control Centralized inventory control is essential for businesses looking to streamline their operations and improve order fulfillment. With QuickBooks Commerce, you can manage your inventory across multiple sales channels efficiently. Here are key benefits you’ll experience: Prevent stock issues to maintain customer satisfaction. Automate order-to-fulfillment processes for improved accuracy and speed. Utilize supplier management tools to track purchase orders and relationships effectively. Seamless integration with business accounting inventory software like QuickBooks to reduce data duplication. Starting at just $17.50 per month for the Simple Start Plan, QuickBooks Commerce offers a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized businesses, optimizing inventory management and increasing operational efficiency. Invest in centralized control for better resource management. Automated Order Fulfillment Automated order fulfillment is a revolutionary advancement for eCommerce businesses aiming to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction. With QuickBooks Commerce, you can automate the entire order-to-fulfillment process, enhancing accuracy and speed in managing your inventory. This platform gives you centralized control over stock across multiple sales channels, which helps prevent stock issues and streamlines order processing. You’ll receive instant notifications for low stock levels, ensuring timely reordering and reducing the risk of stockouts. Furthermore, QuickBooks Commerce includes supplier management tools that simplify tracking purchase orders and relationships. At a starting price of $17.50 per month, it’s a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized businesses looking to improve their inventory management using open source inventory tracking software. Lightspeed As your business grows, managing inventory effectively becomes crucial, and Lightspeed offers a robust solution designed for retail and restaurant environments. This cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) and inventory management software shines with features that improve efficiency. Here are four key benefits: Real-time inventory tracking to help you stay updated on stock levels. Omnichannel retailing support through integration with platforms like Shopify, allowing seamless online and in-store management. Automated stock alerts and reorder reminders to prevent stockouts and maintain ideal inventory levels. Customizable reporting tools that provide insights into inventory performance, sales trends, and customer behaviors. Though Lightspeed isn’t open source stock management software, its customized solutions cater to diverse business needs, with plans starting at $69 per month. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Software for Inventory Management? Choosing the best software for inventory management depends on your business size and needs. If you’re a small to medium business, consider Zoho Inventory for its affordability and real-time tracking, starting at $59/month. For more complex needs, Blaze.tech offers a customizable no-code solution for $400/month. If you run a large enterprise, NetSuite provides advanced features, though pricing isn’t publicly available. Always assess your specific requirements before making a decision. How Do You Ensure Effective Stock Management? To guarantee effective stock management, start by implementing a robust inventory system that automates tracking and alerts. Utilize techniques like Just-In-Time (JIT) and ABC analysis for better demand forecasting. Maintain real-time visibility into inventory levels across locations, allowing quick responses to demand changes. Integrate your inventory system with eCommerce platforms for seamless updates. Regularly analyze inventory performance using reporting tools to gain insights into trends, turnover rates, and overall profitability. What Software Does Target Use for Inventory Management? Target uses a proprietary inventory management system designed for efficiency and accuracy. This system incorporates real-time data tracking, allowing you to monitor stock levels across all locations. With advanced analytics and machine learning, it forecasts demand and optimizes replenishment processes. It additionally supports cross-docking, minimizing handling time and storage costs. This integration provides you with real-time visibility, helping to reduce stockouts and guarantee product availability for customers. What Microsoft Program Is Best for Inventory Management? When you’re considering Microsoft programs for inventory management, Microsoft Dynamics 365 stands out as the best option. It offers real-time visibility into stock levels, automated replenishment, and integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft applications. If you prefer a more customizable approach, Excel can help you create customized spreadsheets to track inventory details. For structured data management, Access allows you to build relational databases that improve organization and reporting capabilities effectively. Conclusion In conclusion, selecting the right stock management software is essential for enhancing operational efficiency. Each of the top seven solutions—Blaze.tech, NetSuite, Zoho Inventory, Fishbowl, Cin7, QuickBooks Commerce, and Lightspeed—offers unique features customized to various business needs. By prioritizing automation, real-time tracking, and multi-channel support, these platforms can greatly improve inventory accuracy and streamline order fulfillment. Evaluating your specific requirements will help you choose the best solution to optimize your stock management processes effectively. Image Via Envato This article, "Top 7 Software Solutions for Stock Management Efficiency" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article