ResidentialBusiness

Lufthansa announced on Monday it plans to cut thousands of workers as it aims to increase profitability and efficiency, in part by relying more heavily on artificial intelligence. The airline group said it will eliminate a total of 4,000 jobs worldwide by 2030, the majority of which will be in Germany—with a focus on administration roles, not operational ones. “The Lufthansa Group is reviewing which activities will no longer be necessary in the future, for example due to duplication of work,” the company said in a statement. “In particular, the profound changes brought about by digitalization and the increased use of AI will lead to greater efficiency in many areas and processes.” (The Lufthansa Group includes Germany’s Lufthansa, in addition to Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways, the successor to Alitalia.) That restructuring will include the largest fleet modernization in the company’s history. To that end, the Lufthansa Group expects to add more than 230 new aircraft by 2030, including 100 long-haul aircraft. The Cologne-based German carrier said it plans to invest in the growth of its core business, expanding locations and its international presence, including in Canada and Portugal. It also plans to extend its digital business models, as part of its “Ambition 2030” program. The changes are expected to significantly increase revenue and profit by 2030. The airline also set new financial targets for 2028 to 2030, saying it expects its adjusted operating margin to reach 8-10% and over 2.5 billion euros in adjusted free cash flow per year. Lufthansa, like a number of companies including Klarna, Duolingo, and Salesforce, has recently turned to AI. Some of those companies even instituted “AI-first” workplaces as a way of slashing workforces toward greater profitability—but not without some missteps. According to a recent Nexford University survey, in the past year, around 65% of companies conducted layoffs, with 68% of companies identifying cost-cutting as the culprit, and 27% citing AI adoption. Lufthansa financials Lufthansa reported strong Q2 2025 results with considerable year-on-year growth, including a 27% increase in its operating profit compared to 2024, and a 3% increase in revenue (from €10 billion to €10.3 billion). Last year, Lufthansa increased its revenue by six percent year-on-year to EUR 37.6 billion as it offered more flights, making it the highest revenue in its history. However, the operating profit (adjusted EBIT) was EUR 1.6 billion, compared with EUR 2.7 billion the previous year, as the airline faced strikes and higher global costs. Lufthansa (Deutsche Lufthansa AG), which is traded under the stock ticker LHA on the Xetra and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges, closed up slightly on Monday. View the full article

Electronic Arts has announced plans to go private in what will be the largest leveraged buyout in history. The $55 billion purchase of the entertainment giant behind franchises that include Madden NFL and Battlefield is set to close in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will be, by far, the majority investor in EA, one of the largest third-party publishers of video games. Silver Lake and Affinity Partners (whose CEO is Donald The President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner) will own minority interests. CEO Andrew Wilson will continue to head EA. The all-cash deal calls for a buyout of EA stock at a price of $210 per share. The company was trading at $202 per share Monday afternoon. On Thursday, before The Wall Street Journal reported a buyout was imminent, shares were trading at roughly $171. EA is a long-time stalwart in the video game industry, but like many publishers of late, has been somewhat stalled financially as the gaming boom of the pandemic has slowed considerably. In 2022, EA reported $7.2 billion in revenues. The following year saw an increase to just $7.6 billion and 2024 saw the figure at $7.4 billion. The stock has also lagged far behind the S&P 500’s gains. Was EA sold for too little? While the industry has been in the midst of a consolidation trend, both in terms of buyouts and revenues, some analysts think EA might have been undervalued in this deal. “While the $210 per share take-out price represents a substantial premium to EA’s unaffected trading levels, we continue to believe the transaction undervalues EA’s long-term earnings power,” wrote Benchmark’s Mike Hickey in a note to investors. “We value EA at $250 per share, with a best-case path to $300 if Battlefield evolves into the market share leader.” The leveraged buyout, Hickey argues, transfers what he expects will be a “franchise-defining growth cycle” to new owners before current shareholders can realize those gains. “In our view, this transaction is a self-serving, opportunistic move by management and the investor group,” he wrote. Wedbush’s Alicia Reese didn’t go quite so far as Hickey, but did point out that the purchase price (about 20X EBITDA) was a lower multiplier than the Activision deal (which worked out to 21.5X) and roughly on par with the industry average over the last five years of 19.8X. EA, with its rich catalog of IP would presumably be able to command a higher multiple. Boon for Riyadh Assuming the deal closes, the buyout will be a victory for the PIF, which has been expanding its interests in the video game world in recent years. The group holds stakes in several well-known publishers. Prior to Monday’s deal, the PIF owned roughly 10% of EA’s shares. It also holds 6.2% of Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two Interactive Software and 4.2% of Nintendo. This spring, it purchased Niantic, maker of Pokemon Go, for $3.5 billion and also paid $4.9 billion for Scopely, the maker of mobile gaming hit Monopoly Go. The deal comes as criticism continues about the Saudi Royal family’s record of human rights abuses. While the $55 deal is expected to set a record as far as leveraged buyouts (CNBC reports EA has 45 days to solicit a better offer, though the deal was unanimously approved by the company’s board), it still falls short of an overall industry record. Microsoft’s $69 billion buyout of Activision-Blizzard remains the industry’s most expensive acquisition to date. Microsoft faced several hurdles from regulators in the U.S. and U.K. as it attempted to close that purchase. The Microsoft/Activision deal closed in 2023. In July of this year, Microsoft announced plans to lay off 9,100 workers, with many of those cuts coming in the gaming division. (That followed an additional 6,000 jobs lost in May of this year.) View the full article

Here he is, depicted at six months in office, chiseled and brawny, as mighty as the very nation. Here he is as a Star Wars Jedi wielding a patriot-red lightsaber, rescuing our galaxy from the forces of evil. Here he is taking over Gaza, transforming the strip into a luxury resort complete with a golden effigy of himself. You can be anything, perhaps you were told growing up. Doctor. Astronaut. Maybe, one day, the president. But even the chief executive of the United States, the free world’s leader, frames himself as something more epic — as someone not entirely himself. On the social media accounts of Donald The President and his second-term administration, a new, less official image of the president is emerging bit by bit: one generated artificially. A sign of the times, certainly — when the appeal of reimagining yourself with artificial intelligence has trickled up from us everyday citizens. Bored with your selfies? Join a viral trend: There’s an image generator or a chatbot that can turn you into a Renaissance-style painting, a Studio Ghibli character, or an action figure with box art and accessories. Artificial imagery isn’t new for The President, an early target of AI-generated simulacra who later exploited the technology during his 2024 campaign for the presidency. “It works both ways,” the Republican president said of AI-generated content at a news conference earlier this month. “If something happens that’s really bad, maybe I’ll have to just blame AI.” The AI images of The President posted by him and his team opt for the alternative — not deceptive but self-evident in their fictitiousness. Pope Francis dies, and The President jokes to reporters that he’d like to be pope. A week later, he is, but in an AI-generated image that he posts, reposted by the White House. The President likens himself to a king in a Truth Social post in February, and AI makes him one in an X post by the White House less than an hour later. The artifice arrives in The President’s usual style — brassy, unabashed, attention-grabbing — and squares with his social media team’s heavy meme posting, which it has promised to continue. The administration’s official social media accounts have grown by more than 16 million new followers across platforms since Inauguration Day, a White House official told NBC News. The White House recognizes the appeal. In July, it posted to its X account: “Nowhere in the Constitution does it say we can’t post banger memes.” Attached to the post, a photo of a sign on the White House lawn parodying the naysayers: “oMg, diD tHe wHiTE hOuSE reALLy PosT tHis?” Behind the commander in chief’s desire to craft an AI self — not itself uncommon — an infantry of official communications channels stands at his ready. And we, the people, can’t help but tune in. Feelings don’t care about your facts Like so much on the internet these days, The President’s AI portraits are primed for people to react, says Evan Cornog, a political historian and author of “The Power and the Story: How the Crafted Presidential Narrative Has Determined Political Success from George Washington to George W. Bush.” “By the time you’ve seen it, you’ve understood it. And that’s, of course, the efficacy,” Cornog said. “It requires no effort, either for the person generating it, but particularly for the person consuming it.” The expressive power of political imagery, regardless of the truth of its message, has long been understood by politicians and their detractors. President William Henry Harrison’s log cabin and hard cider campaign symbols, representing him as a “man of the people,” helped him win the election of 1840. Thirty years later, political cartoonist Thomas Nast would turn public opinion against William Marcy “Boss” Tweed with his scathing portrayals of the politician, whom he depicted satirically overweight from greed. “Let’s stop those damned pictures!” Tweed once said, or so the story goes. The decades since witnessed the birth of photo, film, TV, the internet, computer printers, image-editing software and digital screens that shrank until they could fit in our pockets, making it increasingly easy to create and disseminate — and manipulate — imagery. By contrast, today’s generative AI technology offers greater realism, functionality and accessibility to content creation than ever before, says AI expert Henry Ajder. Not to mention, of course, a capacity for endless automated possibility. Past presidents “had to actually have fought in a war to run as a war hero,” Cornog says. Now, they can just generate an image of themselves as one. On a horse — or no, a battlefield. With an American flag waving behind him and an eagle soaring. The AI images of The President shared by him and his administration chase a similarly heroic vision of the president. Potency — his and the country’s — is a consistent theme, Cornog added. Indeed, generative AI allows for an exposure of perhaps uncomfortably intimate inner worlds as people use such technology to illustrate and communicate their “fantasy lives” or cartoonish versions of themselves, says Mitchell Stephens, author of “The Rise of the Image, the Fall of the Word.” But it can just as easily fulfill an inverse desire: to depict or reinforce a subjective concept of reality. “Quite a lot of people are sharing AI-generated content, which is clearly fake but is almost seen as a revelatory kind of representation of someone,” Ajder said. This content feeds a mentality that mutters, “We all know they’re really like this.” “And so, even if people know it’s fake,” Ajder said, “they still see it as kind of reflecting and satisfying a kind of truth — their truth about what the world is like.” Commenters take up the mantle The lack of subtlety in The President’s AI images of himself helps explain their consistent virality. Commenters can be found lamenting the demise of presidential decorum (“I never thought I’d see the day when the White House is just a joke. This is so embarrassing.”) or relishing those very reactions (“Watching the left explode over this has been a treat.”). Other responses, even from the president’s base, remain unconvinced (as one X user griped under the White House post of The President as pope: “I voted for you, but this is weird and creepy. More mass deportations and less of whatever this is.”). But that is tradition for The President, who finds no trouble cashing the currency of our attention economy: Whether you cracked a smile or clutched your pearls, he still made you look. “In his first administration, he used Twitter in a way no president had,” said Martha Joynt Kumar, director of the White House Transition Project, an organization that facilitates the transition between presidents. “What they do in this administration is taking it further, as you’ve had an increase in what can be done online.” Or, as one Reddit user referred to the president: “Troll in Chief.” Does The President really think he should be pope? Does the White House really think him a king? Accuracy isn’t the point, not for a man who frequently arbitrates what counts as truth. The President’s use of AI sticks to a familiar recipe for bait: crude comedy sprinkled with wishful thinking. “It’s fine,” The President said in May, when asked whether the AI-generated post of him as pope diminished the substance of the official White House account. “Have to have a little fun, don’t you?” —Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Associated Press View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news. The whole point of studying is to retain information you’ll need later in life, even if it’s just for an impending test on a subject you may never think about again in the future. That’s not easy when you’re taking in a bunch of unfamiliar phrases and concepts—which is why you need a quality method to structure your study sessions. Try the SQ3R technique next time you’re studying, and see the difference it can make. What is the SQ3R study method?I touched on a similar method briefly before when advising on best note-taking practices, but SQ3R has applications well beyond the moments when you’re taking notes in (and after) class. It’s actually a reading comprehension technique that was first introduced in 1946 by Francis P. Robinson in his book Effective Study. (Fun side note: The “P” stands for Pleasant!) SQ3R has withstood the test of time and is now widely recommended by academic counselors on campuses across the country. It’s named for the five steps involved in the method: Survey Question Read Recite Review How does SQ3R work?It’s important, first of all, to chunk up your work here. The goal is not to do this with an entire textbook or a bunch of materials, but to go chapter by chapter or section by section. You'll see why as you move through the steps, but just bear in mind you want to be hyper-focused on smaller sections. In general, chunking up your review work is a recommended practice and it works well with SQ3R and all kinds of other study approaches, so be sure to brush up on it while you're restructuring your study approach. SurveyYou survey your materials first, skimming them just enough to grasp what the overall idea is. Look at the chapter title, intros and conclusions, headings, sub-headings, graphics, tables, and summaries, but don’t read the whole thing. You can also call on contextual details here. If you got assigned to read this chapter in a lecture, think back on that class, especially on anything the teacher mentioned as being important. Go through any slideshows they uploaded as supplemental material, as well as any existing notes you have. Again, just skim, but get an idea of what, broadly, this section is about. QuestionThen, you come up with questions, like, “What is this section about?” or, “How will I use this information in real life?” The questions can be more specific than that and depend a lot on what the content of your chapter is. An easy trick is to turn subheadings into questions. If your subheading just says, “The assassination of Franz Ferdinand,” your question can be, “What were the immediate impacts of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand?” Something I like to do is ask myself, "How might this appear on a test?" If I'm reading about the founder of a movement, for instance, and they were born in a certain country in a particular year and those details were relevant to their rise to power, I'd assume there would be a question on that on the test, so I might be able to focus my studying better if I can anticipate that. ReadJot the questions down before moving on to the third step, which is finally reading the whole chapter or section, paying attention to anything that might answer your questions. Take notes. What helps here is writing the answers you find in the material directly under the questions you wrote down. Typically, I advocate for taking handwritten notes and studying with a pen and paper whenever possible, but here, you may find that you don't have enough room to answer the questions you write down or take notes on new information you find while reading. To be on the safe side (and stop yourself from making a disorganized, scribbled-out and erased-up mess) go ahead and use a word processing document for your questions and answers. RecitationThe next step is recitation. Use your own words to explain the contents of what you studied and answer your own questions. Pretend you’re explaining it to someone else or even write it all down in a small essay format. If you write it all down as a small essay, you'll be using the "blurting" method, or at least a variation of it. Blurting asks you to remember everything you can about a topic, then say or write it somewhere before checking your notes and materials for anything you missed. It forces active recall, or the act of digging something out of your memory. Here, don't feel too much pressure to remember everything; treat this more like an open-book test, especially if it's your first time through your review. You can use other techniques, like the Leitner flashcard method, to entrench the answers you find in your memory once you've got a grasp of the overall theme of the section. You can also go a step further and actually explain the material to someone. That's the Feynman method, which has you act like a teacher describing the content to someone who knows nothing about it. You can do this with a parent, a friend, or even ChatGPT. It helps you break the material down into easy-to-understand parts. If you don't understand something well enough to teach it to someone else, you don't understand it well at all. But again, incorporate this over time. You don't need to be ready for this step on your first run-through with SQ3R. It's just an easy way to gauge how well you're mastering a concept. ReviewFinally, review what you read, wrote, and/or said before starting the process again on another chapter. Feel free to move to another chapter or section before you have a firm grasp of the current one, too. Called interleaving, this practice of studying multiple concepts or ideas at once can force you to make connections between material and better understand both topics than if you were tackling them individually. The purpose of all of this is to get you thinking critically and help you stay engaged as you read, hunting for the answers to your questions. From there, you can branch off into the other techniques I mentioned, like Leitner and Feynman, because you created a solid base of chunks of information—questions and answers from the text, essentially—to study. Best practices with SQ3RI mentioned earlier that you might want to use a word processor or notes app for this, so you don't run out of space or get frustrated. You do have other options if handwriting and its benefits appeal to you. In that case, I recommend picking up a SQ3R notebook. It's only $6, and it provides designated spaces for the different steps; plus, since the sections are pre-defined, it forces you to take on your work in smaller chunks because you don't have room on the page to try to do too much at once. Play around with different methods, from digital to notebook, to see what works for you and the material you study. Finally, don't assume you've reached the end of studying when you hit the review portion of SQ3R. Studying is a long-term endeavor, so that "review" part is actually ongoing from the time you first get acquainted with the material. After you finish your first round of SQ3R, study the materials periodically, every few days. If, after a few reviews, you feel like you're not grasping the material as well as you want to, try the SQ3R method again on the same chunk of text you already did, formulating different questions and looking for other angles. Once you're more familiar with the topics, you'll come up with more in-depth questions, so repeating SQ3R a few times over a semester is a smart strategy. View the full article

On September 25, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol informed his employees in a public memo that the company would be cutting 900 corporate roles and closing down stores. However, the memo didn’t share exactly how many stores would close and where they’re located—leaving employees scrambling to compile that information on their own. Starbucks is framing the restructuring as a part of Niccol’s broader “Back to Starbucks” plan, a sweeping initiative designed to return Starbucks to its heyday in the mid-2010s. That includes redesigning store interiors, rethinking menus, and making the ordering experience feel less “transactional.” As of right now, Starbucks is still on shaky financial ground, facing a six-quarter streak of same-store sales declines. It appears that the new job and store cuts are intended to set Starbucks up for the next phase of Niccol’s turnaround plan. “During the review, we identified coffeehouses where we’re unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we don’t see a path to financial performance, and these locations will be closed,” Niccol wrote in his recent memo. While Niccol’s letter shared a broad sense of the reasoning behind the move, it skirted around giving exact figures on store closures, only noting that employees would be informed within the week if their location is shutting down. For employees, that’s meant gathering on Reddit forums, shared spreadsheets, and Google Maps to figure out just how many coffeehouses are closing down. How many Starbucks locations are closing? In his note, Niccol wrote that, “our overall company-operated count in North America will decline by about 1% in fiscal year 2025 after accounting for both openings and closures,” adding that the company will end the fiscal year with nearly 18,300 locations in the U.S. and Canada. However, given that the 1% number accounts for both openings and closures, it’s unclear exactly how many stores are actually closing. Reached for comment by Fast Company, Starbucks declined to share details about the fate of specific locations. It said customers were informed via emails and signage and that the Starbucks app has already been updated to reflect the closures. Given this uncertainty, employees are taking the tabulation into their own hands. In the subreddit r/Starbucks, several threads discussing the closures have amassed hundreds of comments from employees and customers. Moderators of the subreddit have begun directing users to update a shared Google Sheet with confirmed closures. As of this writing, the document contains over 520 locations across the U.S. Redditors are also actively compiling the spreadsheet’s results into a map format that designates each store by its status in Starbucks’ union. Starbucks did not provide a comment on the accuracy of the list, and it’s important to note that this is an active, crowdsourced document. However, many of the stores indicated on the spreadsheet have disappeared from Starbucks’ store locator tool or are marked “permanently closed” on Google. Starbucks Workers United, a union that represents baristas at some locations, referred Fast Company to a statement it released last week in the wake of Niccol’s announcement. The statement opens by claiming that things are only going “Backwards at Starbucks” under Niccol’s leadership. “Yet again, we’re experiencing new policies and major decisions being made with zero barista input,” the union wrote. “Workers United is sending a formal request for information to Starbucks about the planned closures. We expect to engage in effects bargaining for every impacted union store, as we have done elsewhere, so workers can be placed in another Starbucks store according to their preferences.” View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. CMF, the budget-friendly sub-brand from Nothing, has launched its first pair of over-ear headphones. At $99, the CMF Headphone Pro are Nothing's answer to fans looking for an affordable alternative to the popular Headphone 1 (which will cost you $299). Though Nothing has a reputation for odd-looking tech, the CMF Headphone Pros look a little more traditional, but also appear to be highly customizable, potentially making them a better value overall. Here's what we know now about how the CMF Headphone Pros compare. What the CMF Headphone Pros offerToday's launch marks the release of CMF's first over-ear headphone, designed to integrate seamlessly with the broader Nothing/CMF ecosystem that includes smartphones, watches, and other audio products. The design includes a round power and Bluetooth button on one side, paired with a customizable action button on the other that can be programmed through the Nothing X app. There's more room for customization via $25 replacement ear cushions, available in vibrant orange or light green, allowing you to dramatically alter the headphones' appearance to match your mood or style. The standout control feature is the multi-function roller on one side, with an "Energy Slider" on the other. The multi-function roller handles volume adjustment, playback control, and ambient sound, while the Energy Slider allows you to tune your sound in real-time, instantly adjusting the treble and bass balance. Normally you'd have to dive into your headphone app's EQ settings to get that sort of control. As someone who always prefers tactile controls over sensitive touch-screens, I'm particularly excited by this design. And as you'd hope to find in a quality pair of over-ear headphones, the Headphone Pro has Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to block ambient noise. Perhaps most impressive is the battery life: allegedly, these headphones will offer a staggering 100 hours of playback on a single charge (reduced to up to 50 hours with ANC turned on). That's 15 more hours than you’ll get from the Headphone 1 with ANC active, and much better performance than the highly rated Sony WH-1000XM6, which top out at 40 hours. The bottom line This is a promising product launch from Nothing. The CMF sub-brand appeals to budget-conscious segment of the market while still delivering on the aesthetic and technical appeal that drew fans to Nothing in the first place. The CMF Headphone Pro launches today in the EU and UK, but eager US customers do have to face a brief wait until Oct. 7 to get their hands on a pair. Whether these headphones will satisfy fans who have been requesting a more affordable option remains to be seen, but on paper, they appear to deliver exactly what was asked for: Nothing's design philosophy and build quality at a price that won't break the bank. View the full article

A Marketing Strategy Consultant helps businesses develop effective marketing plans customized to their goals. They conduct market research to analyze consumer behavior and competitor strategies, identifying target markets. By creating thorough marketing campaigns that integrate digital and traditional methods, they guarantee peak performance through data analysis. They likewise provide strategic guidance to improve marketing efforts. Comprehending their key responsibilities can clarify how they drive business success and improve marketing outcomes. What specific aspects of their role are most vital? Key Takeaways Conducts market research to identify trends and target audiences, using surveys and competitor analysis. Develops tailored marketing strategies aligned with clients’ business goals and customer preferences. Creates comprehensive marketing plans that outline initiatives, timelines, and budgets for effective execution. Monitors and analyzes campaign performance using analytics tools to provide actionable insights. Collaborates with clients’ marketing teams to ensure cohesive and effective strategy implementation. Key Responsibilities of a Marketing Strategy Consultant As a marketing strategy consultant, you’ll plunge into market research and analysis to pinpoint trends and target markets. You’ll create thorough marketing plans that detail key initiatives, tactics, timelines, and budgets to meet specific client goals. Utilizing marketing consulting services, you’ll monitor the performance of campaigns, employing analytics tools to evaluate effectiveness and make data-driven recommendations. Your role includes providing strategic guidance on best practices, helping clients set SMART goals as you optimize their marketing mix based on consumer preferences. Collaborating with clients’ marketing teams is essential to guarantee cohesive execution of strategies. Fundamentally, grasping the marketing consultant definition is significant as you contribute to implementing effective digital marketing strategy services and overall marketing management consulting services for the consulting business. Conduct Market Research and Analysis Conducting market research and analysis is crucial for developing effective marketing strategies that resonate with your target audience. A marketing strategy consultant gathers data on consumer demographics, preferences, and buying patterns to inform strategic decisions. They analyze competitor activities using SWOT analysis, identifying market opportunities and threats. Utilizing surveys and focus groups, they assess consumer behavior, gaining insights into customer preferences. This data allows consultants to pinpoint patterns that guide marketing efforts. Key Activities Purpose Gather Consumer Data Understand target audiences Analyze Competitor Strategies Identify market opportunities Conduct Surveys and Focus Groups Assess consumer behavior Develop Tailored Marketing Strategies To develop customized marketing strategies, you need to align your efforts with your business goals and clearly identify your target audiences. Start by analyzing market research to understand who your customers are and what they want. This focused approach allows you to create effective messaging that resonates with your specific audience segments. Align With Business Goals Aligning your marketing strategies with your business goals is vital for achieving long-term success. As you work with marketing consulting firms, it’s important to guarantee your strategies contribute directly to your overall objectives. A business marketing consultant typically conducts thorough market research and analyzes consumer behavior, helping you craft unique selling propositions that set you apart. By leveraging the expertise of a growth strategy consulting firm, you can define key performance indicators to measure your marketing effectiveness. Engaging with a digital marketing strategy company can additionally help tailor your messaging based on audience segmentation. Utilizing the best marketing consulting firms guarantees your marketing efforts align seamlessly with your business goals, fundamentally driving growth and enhancing customer engagement. Identify Target Audiences Identifying target audiences is essential for developing effective marketing strategies that resonate with potential customers. A digital marketing consultant uses market research to analyze consumer demographics, preferences, and behaviors. By segmenting target audiences based on criteria like age, income, and interests, you can craft customized marketing strategies that speak directly to each group. Criteria Example Insights Age 18-24 Trendy products preferred Income $40,000 – $60,000 Value-driven purchases Interests Outdoor activities Eco-friendly offerings Location Urban areas Convenience-focused options Establishing unique selling propositions (USPs) differentiates your brand, allowing you to reach target audiences more effectively through your marketing consulting agency or growth consulting services. Create Comprehensive Marketing Plans and Campaigns Creating thorough marketing plans and campaigns requires a structured approach that aligns with your business objectives and market demands. As a marketing strategy consultant, you’ll create all-encompassing marketing plans that outline key initiatives, tactics, timelines, and budgets. These plans include specific campaigns targeting identified demographics, using buyer personas for compelling messaging. You’ll set measurable goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track campaign performance, ensuring your strategies remain actionable and results-driven. Incorporating both digital and traditional marketing elements allows for a holistic approach to audience engagement. Continuous monitoring and adjustment of campaigns are crucial, enabling you to optimize strategies based on real-time performance data and market conditions. This method supports consulting for business growth and market expansion effectively. Provide Data Analysis and Insights Understanding your marketing performance is crucial for success, and data analysis plays a key role in that process. As a marketing strategy consultant, you’ll analyze marketing performance data using analytics tools to track customer engagement and behavior. Collect data from various sources, including market research, surveys, and website analytics, to gain a thorough view. By employing data visualization techniques, you can uncover patterns and provide actionable recommendations. Measure key metrics like conversion rates and return on investment (ROI) to guarantee your digital marketing strategy for consulting firms aligns with industry trends. Reporting your findings will facilitate informed decision-making, helping stakeholders adjust their strategies based on data-driven insights, ultimately enhancing future marketing efforts. Offer Strategic Guidance and Recommendations With a solid comprehension of data analysis, you’re now ready to focus on offering strategic guidance and recommendations. As a marketing strategy consultant, you’ll align marketing efforts with business objectives, ensuring strategies meet your clients’ specific goals. Utilize your role as a digital marketing advisor to help set SMART marketing goals, enabling effective tracking of progress. Consider these key areas: Evaluate and optimize the marketing mix (product, price, place, promotion). Collaborate with clients to refine brand identity and positioning. Provide insights on budget allocation to maximize ROI. Monitor Campaign Performance and Optimize Tactics To effectively monitor campaign performance and optimize tactics, you’ll need to focus on key metrics that reveal how well your marketing efforts are resonating with your audience. Engage with an online marketing advisor or hire a marketing consultant to analyze engagement rates, conversion rates, and ROI. These professionals utilize analytics tools to track customer interactions, identifying trends that inform your strategy. Conduct A/B testing on campaign elements to discover which tactics work best. Regularly review data to make data-driven recommendations for improving performance. Furthermore, assess industry trends with a search marketing consultant to guarantee your strategies remain effective. Partnering with digital marketing consulting companies or a digital marketing advisor can further improve your ability to optimize tactics and achieve your goals. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Role of a Marketing Consultant? A marketing consultant guides you in crafting and implementing effective marketing strategies. They analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor tactics to develop customized plans for your business. You’ll benefit from their insights as they monitor and optimize your marketing campaigns, ensuring they align with your goals. Moreover, they collaborate with your team, offering training and support to improve the execution of marketing initiatives, eventually driving better results for your business. What Are the 4 Things of Marketing Strategy? To develop an effective marketing strategy, you should focus on four key components. First, conduct thorough market research to understand consumer preferences and trends. Next, identify your target audience by segmenting based on demographics and behaviors. Third, establish unique selling propositions (USPs) that differentiate your brand from competitors. Finally, create a marketing mix by balancing the 4Ps: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion to effectively reach your audience and achieve your objectives. What Is the Role of a Strategy Consultant? A strategy consultant’s role involves helping organizations identify their goals and areas for improvement. You’ll conduct research on market trends and competitor strategies, developing actionable frameworks to tackle challenges. Do Marketing Consultants Make a Lot of Money? Yes, marketing consultants can make a lot of money, but it varies widely. Entry-level consultants might start lower, whereas experienced professionals can earn over $100,000 annually. Freelancers often experience fluctuating income, depending on their projects and clients. Specializing in high-demand areas like digital marketing, SEO, or social media strategy usually leads to better pay. Moreover, compensation packages may include bonuses and profit-sharing, further enhancing overall earnings. Conclusion In conclusion, a marketing strategy consultant plays an essential role in helping businesses succeed. By conducting thorough market research, developing customized strategies, and creating all-encompassing campaigns, they address specific client needs. Their use of data analysis guarantees informed decisions, whereas ongoing performance monitoring allows for continuous optimization. Engaging a consultant can improve your marketing efforts, provide valuable insights, and align your strategies with your overall business goals. This collaborative approach can greatly enhance your market positioning and effectiveness. Image Via Envato This article, "What Does a Marketing Strategy Consultant Do?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A Marketing Strategy Consultant helps businesses develop effective marketing plans customized to their goals. They conduct market research to analyze consumer behavior and competitor strategies, identifying target markets. By creating thorough marketing campaigns that integrate digital and traditional methods, they guarantee peak performance through data analysis. They likewise provide strategic guidance to improve marketing efforts. Comprehending their key responsibilities can clarify how they drive business success and improve marketing outcomes. What specific aspects of their role are most vital? Key Takeaways Conducts market research to identify trends and target audiences, using surveys and competitor analysis. Develops tailored marketing strategies aligned with clients’ business goals and customer preferences. Creates comprehensive marketing plans that outline initiatives, timelines, and budgets for effective execution. Monitors and analyzes campaign performance using analytics tools to provide actionable insights. Collaborates with clients’ marketing teams to ensure cohesive and effective strategy implementation. Key Responsibilities of a Marketing Strategy Consultant As a marketing strategy consultant, you’ll plunge into market research and analysis to pinpoint trends and target markets. You’ll create thorough marketing plans that detail key initiatives, tactics, timelines, and budgets to meet specific client goals. Utilizing marketing consulting services, you’ll monitor the performance of campaigns, employing analytics tools to evaluate effectiveness and make data-driven recommendations. Your role includes providing strategic guidance on best practices, helping clients set SMART goals as you optimize their marketing mix based on consumer preferences. Collaborating with clients’ marketing teams is essential to guarantee cohesive execution of strategies. Fundamentally, grasping the marketing consultant definition is significant as you contribute to implementing effective digital marketing strategy services and overall marketing management consulting services for the consulting business. Conduct Market Research and Analysis Conducting market research and analysis is crucial for developing effective marketing strategies that resonate with your target audience. A marketing strategy consultant gathers data on consumer demographics, preferences, and buying patterns to inform strategic decisions. They analyze competitor activities using SWOT analysis, identifying market opportunities and threats. Utilizing surveys and focus groups, they assess consumer behavior, gaining insights into customer preferences. This data allows consultants to pinpoint patterns that guide marketing efforts. Key Activities Purpose Gather Consumer Data Understand target audiences Analyze Competitor Strategies Identify market opportunities Conduct Surveys and Focus Groups Assess consumer behavior Develop Tailored Marketing Strategies To develop customized marketing strategies, you need to align your efforts with your business goals and clearly identify your target audiences. Start by analyzing market research to understand who your customers are and what they want. This focused approach allows you to create effective messaging that resonates with your specific audience segments. Align With Business Goals Aligning your marketing strategies with your business goals is vital for achieving long-term success. As you work with marketing consulting firms, it’s important to guarantee your strategies contribute directly to your overall objectives. A business marketing consultant typically conducts thorough market research and analyzes consumer behavior, helping you craft unique selling propositions that set you apart. By leveraging the expertise of a growth strategy consulting firm, you can define key performance indicators to measure your marketing effectiveness. Engaging with a digital marketing strategy company can additionally help tailor your messaging based on audience segmentation. Utilizing the best marketing consulting firms guarantees your marketing efforts align seamlessly with your business goals, fundamentally driving growth and enhancing customer engagement. Identify Target Audiences Identifying target audiences is essential for developing effective marketing strategies that resonate with potential customers. A digital marketing consultant uses market research to analyze consumer demographics, preferences, and behaviors. By segmenting target audiences based on criteria like age, income, and interests, you can craft customized marketing strategies that speak directly to each group. Criteria Example Insights Age 18-24 Trendy products preferred Income $40,000 – $60,000 Value-driven purchases Interests Outdoor activities Eco-friendly offerings Location Urban areas Convenience-focused options Establishing unique selling propositions (USPs) differentiates your brand, allowing you to reach target audiences more effectively through your marketing consulting agency or growth consulting services. Create Comprehensive Marketing Plans and Campaigns Creating thorough marketing plans and campaigns requires a structured approach that aligns with your business objectives and market demands. As a marketing strategy consultant, you’ll create all-encompassing marketing plans that outline key initiatives, tactics, timelines, and budgets. These plans include specific campaigns targeting identified demographics, using buyer personas for compelling messaging. You’ll set measurable goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track campaign performance, ensuring your strategies remain actionable and results-driven. Incorporating both digital and traditional marketing elements allows for a holistic approach to audience engagement. Continuous monitoring and adjustment of campaigns are crucial, enabling you to optimize strategies based on real-time performance data and market conditions. This method supports consulting for business growth and market expansion effectively. Provide Data Analysis and Insights Understanding your marketing performance is crucial for success, and data analysis plays a key role in that process. As a marketing strategy consultant, you’ll analyze marketing performance data using analytics tools to track customer engagement and behavior. Collect data from various sources, including market research, surveys, and website analytics, to gain a thorough view. By employing data visualization techniques, you can uncover patterns and provide actionable recommendations. Measure key metrics like conversion rates and return on investment (ROI) to guarantee your digital marketing strategy for consulting firms aligns with industry trends. Reporting your findings will facilitate informed decision-making, helping stakeholders adjust their strategies based on data-driven insights, ultimately enhancing future marketing efforts. Offer Strategic Guidance and Recommendations With a solid comprehension of data analysis, you’re now ready to focus on offering strategic guidance and recommendations. As a marketing strategy consultant, you’ll align marketing efforts with business objectives, ensuring strategies meet your clients’ specific goals. Utilize your role as a digital marketing advisor to help set SMART marketing goals, enabling effective tracking of progress. Consider these key areas: Evaluate and optimize the marketing mix (product, price, place, promotion). Collaborate with clients to refine brand identity and positioning. Provide insights on budget allocation to maximize ROI. Monitor Campaign Performance and Optimize Tactics To effectively monitor campaign performance and optimize tactics, you’ll need to focus on key metrics that reveal how well your marketing efforts are resonating with your audience. Engage with an online marketing advisor or hire a marketing consultant to analyze engagement rates, conversion rates, and ROI. These professionals utilize analytics tools to track customer interactions, identifying trends that inform your strategy. Conduct A/B testing on campaign elements to discover which tactics work best. Regularly review data to make data-driven recommendations for improving performance. Furthermore, assess industry trends with a search marketing consultant to guarantee your strategies remain effective. Partnering with digital marketing consulting companies or a digital marketing advisor can further improve your ability to optimize tactics and achieve your goals. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Role of a Marketing Consultant? A marketing consultant guides you in crafting and implementing effective marketing strategies. They analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor tactics to develop customized plans for your business. You’ll benefit from their insights as they monitor and optimize your marketing campaigns, ensuring they align with your goals. Moreover, they collaborate with your team, offering training and support to improve the execution of marketing initiatives, eventually driving better results for your business. What Are the 4 Things of Marketing Strategy? To develop an effective marketing strategy, you should focus on four key components. First, conduct thorough market research to understand consumer preferences and trends. Next, identify your target audience by segmenting based on demographics and behaviors. Third, establish unique selling propositions (USPs) that differentiate your brand from competitors. Finally, create a marketing mix by balancing the 4Ps: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion to effectively reach your audience and achieve your objectives. What Is the Role of a Strategy Consultant? A strategy consultant’s role involves helping organizations identify their goals and areas for improvement. You’ll conduct research on market trends and competitor strategies, developing actionable frameworks to tackle challenges. Do Marketing Consultants Make a Lot of Money? Yes, marketing consultants can make a lot of money, but it varies widely. Entry-level consultants might start lower, whereas experienced professionals can earn over $100,000 annually. Freelancers often experience fluctuating income, depending on their projects and clients. Specializing in high-demand areas like digital marketing, SEO, or social media strategy usually leads to better pay. Moreover, compensation packages may include bonuses and profit-sharing, further enhancing overall earnings. Conclusion In conclusion, a marketing strategy consultant plays an essential role in helping businesses succeed. By conducting thorough market research, developing customized strategies, and creating all-encompassing campaigns, they address specific client needs. Their use of data analysis guarantees informed decisions, whereas ongoing performance monitoring allows for continuous optimization. Engaging a consultant can improve your marketing efforts, provide valuable insights, and align your strategies with your overall business goals. This collaborative approach can greatly enhance your market positioning and effectiveness. Image Via Envato This article, "What Does a Marketing Strategy Consultant Do?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google launches a small-business resource hub that centralizes setup, ads, analytics, learning, and partner website options in one place. The post Google Launches New Small-Business Resource Hub appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Task batching helps you organize similar tasks into focused time blocks—so you’re not spending mental energy switching gears. Learn how to structure your day for high-impact work with less burnout. The post How To Use Task Batching To Save Time and Maximize Focus appeared first on The Digital Project Manager. View the full article

Burger King is getting into the Halloween spirit. The fast food chain just introduced its first-ever Monster Menu to kick off spooky season. According to a news release, the vamped up menu will drop on Sept. 30. “BK fans have come to expect something spirited from us during the Halloween season, and each year we try to bring even more fun to families,” said Joel Yashinsky, chief marketing officer, Burger King US&C in the release. Yashinsky continued, “This year, we’ve dialed up the fun and flavor, not only with our ‘Monster Menu’ line-up complete with themed menu innovation, packaging and a special crown, but also with collectible buckets and Scooby-Doo toys—creating even more experiences for everyone.” The menu will feature Halloween-themed twists on fan-favorites, such as the Jack-o-Lantern Whopper, which comes on a bright orange bun topped with black sesame seeds, Vampire Nuggets which come in the shape of fangs, Mummy Mozzarella Fries, and a Franken-Candy Sundae. Of course, there’s a special-edition meal just for kids coming too. The King Jr. Meal, featuring Vampire Nuggets is coming, too, along with a line-up of spooky collectible toys. To make the Monster Menu drop even more exciting, guests can also leave BK with a limited-edition Monster Menu-inspired Halloween Bucket, but not until starting October 13. BK is not the first fast food brand to get in on spooky season. McDonald’s announced it will bring back its Boo Buckets and its Halloween-themed menu this year, too. Wendy’s also introduced Wednesday-inspired Meal of Misfortune, as well as a Frosty Frights Kids’ meal. Last year proved to be a big one for brands sinking their teeth into Halloween. Even businesses like Chipotle and Bush’s Baked Beans had a case of the seasonal scaries, as they sold costumes of their own beloved food items—many of which even turned out to be popular selections for the scariest day of the year. View the full article

TikTok is introducing a new ad solution, Travel Ads powered by Smart+, designed to help brands connect with travelers during the discovery and booking phases. Why now. Travel is one of TikTok’s fastest-growing verticals. According to internal TikTok data: 66% of users say the app is their most helpful source of travel inspiration. Users are 2.6x more likely to book after searching on TikTok. How it works. Travel Ads leverage TikTok’s travel intent model and catalog integration to automatically serve personalized creatives at scale. Smart+ AI powers campaign setup, creative generation, and delivery optimization, aiming to convert discovery into bookings seamlessly. Why we care. TikTok Travel Ads put hotels, flights, and destinations in front of a massive audience already using the app for trip planning, with two-thirds calling it their top source of travel inspiration. Smart+ AI tools then streamline setup and optimization, helping brands scale personalized ads that influence bookings at the earliest, most impactful stage. The details: Ads can showcase hotels, flights, and destinations using dynamic, visually rich formats. Advertisers can choose among: Single video ads: A hero video paired with personalized travel cards (hotel name, flight route, price). Catalog video ads: Auto-built from product catalogs with tailored calls to action. Catalog carousel ads: Scrollable, interactive ads pulling directly from catalog images. What they’re saying. David Hoctor, TikTok’s head of US verticals for travel and gaming, said: “Travel on TikTok goes beyond the For You feed, unlocking real-life travel experiences. Every swipe can be a step toward conversion.” Between the lines. By integrating catalog feeds with intent signals, TikTok is pitching Travel Ads as a direct competitor to Google and Meta in the lucrative travel advertising market, where inspiration and conversion increasingly overlap. View the full article

In episode 325 of PPC Live The Podcast, I sat down with Inderpaul “Indi” Rai, Group Account Director at WeDiscover, to explore the lessons learned from mistakes, team dynamics, and the evolving role of automation and AI in paid search. Indi, a veteran with over a decade of experience in AdTech, MarTech, SEO, analytics, and multilingual paid search, shared candid insights on how errors can shape careers and client relationships. Embracing Mistakes to Grow Indi opened up about one of the most significant mistakes in his career: an automated budget feature in Search Ads 360 went unchecked during his holiday, resulting in the US account overspending by a substantial amount. Despite the magnitude of the error, the client’s response was surprisingly supportive—they recognized it as an honest mistake and collaborated to mitigate the impact. Key takeaway. Mistakes are inevitable, but transparency, a calm response, and collaborative problem-solving can turn potential disasters into learning opportunities. Indi emphasizes that experiencing and managing errors is essential for growth—both personally and professionally. The Importance of Team Communication and Handover Indi reflected on how the overspend could have been avoided with better team preparation: Ensuring critical information isn’t solely in the manager’s head. Documenting handovers thoroughly and leaving room for junior team members to step in effectively. Establishing multiple layers of oversight to prevent single points of failure. He stressed that team members should feel empowered to act and communicate when issues arise, even if the manager is unavailable. In his experience, the junior team caught the overspend themselves and waited for Indi’s return rather than panicking—a testament to clear communication and a supportive team culture. Lesson for managers. maintain composure during crises, focus on solutions over blame, and ensure your team knows their role in resolving issues. Automation and AI: Tools, Not Crutches The discussion turned to automation and AI, where Indi shared practical advice: Treat AI as an assistant, not a replacement. Blind reliance on AI can lead to errors, especially if users don’t understand the subject matter. Always validate outputs and run rigorous testing before implementing AI-driven changes. He cited an example from his past work rewriting product descriptions: AI produced repetitive, generic content that wasn’t an improvement over the original, highlighting the need for careful oversight. Automation can enhance efficiency but requires clear rules, regular checks, and accountability to prevent mistakes like unmonitored budget overspend. Insight. Automation amplifies efficiency but cannot replace thoughtful human oversight and strategic decision-making. Client Relationships Matter A recurring theme in Indi’s story was the importance of cultivating strong client relationships. The supportive response of a previously “difficult” client revealed that mutual respect, trust, and proven value can turn challenging situations into opportunities for stronger partnerships. Lessons in Leadership and Mindset Indi also shared broader reflections applicable beyond PPC: Resilience matters: he likened his career journey to Rocky, emphasizing that success isn’t about avoiding hits but about how you respond and keep moving forward. Learning through experience: setbacks are essential; they teach you to handle pressure, improve processes, and grow professionally. Balanced guidance: leaders should manage crises calmly, focus on facts, and support their teams without panicking. Final Thought The conversation underscores that mistakes are not the end—they are a catalyst for learning, collaboration, and improvement. From automation missteps to client communication, the insights shared by Indi provide a roadmap for PPC professionals aiming to thrive in a fast-evolving industry. Whether it’s refining handovers, managing automation, or leveraging AI responsibly, the core lesson remains the same: anticipate errors, respond calmly, communicate clearly, and use each experience to build stronger teams and smarter processes. View the full article

Multi-manager firm says performance has not kept pace with expectations and cites cost of attracting tradersView the full article

AstraZeneca laid out plans on Monday to switch to a direct listing of its shares in the United States, as the drugmaker seeks to maximise gains from a booming U.S. stock market, even as it said it was not exiting London. The decision to remain UK-based and listed there will be of some relief to British investors after media reports suggested the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker—London’s most valuable company—was considering ditching its UK listing in favour of the U.S. London’s stock market has been shrinking due to companies moving away for higher valuations and access to deeper capital markets elsewhere, particularly the U.S., prompting listing reforms from regulators to score some wins. AstraZeneca said it would list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange and move away from the current depositary receipts structure, with trading expected on February 2, 2026. Trading in fully listed stocks is generally more liquid than in ADRs, attracting more investors. The company will remain headquartered in the UK and listed in London and Stockholm, with the plan subject to a shareholders’ vote on November 3. Its London-listed shares rose roughly 1% on Monday, taking the company’s gains for the year to about 6%. They have underperformed domestic rival GSK, which is up 13.6%, and the UK’s broader, blue-chip FTSE 100 index which has gained 14.2%. Commitment to UK Nearly 22% of AstraZeneca’s shareholder base is from North America, its biggest, according to LSEG data, in line with other top UK-based blue-chip companies. Iain Pyle at Aberdeen Group, a shareholder, said the main takeaway from the announcement was AstraZeneca’s “re-commitment” to the primary listing in the UK. “From our point of view, (AstraZeneca) remains an attractive investment on a fundamental basis, with a broad pipeline still undervalued by the market – the listing location doesn’t alter that view.” AstraZeneca Chair Michel Demare said the proposed “harmonised listing structure” would support the company’s long-term growth strategy. “Enabling a global listing structure will allow us to reach a broader mix of global investors,” he said. A spokesperson for Britain’s Treasury welcomed AstraZeneca retaining its London listing, while the London Stock Exchange said that there would be no change to the drugmaker’s place on the FTSE 100 following the switch. Peel Hunt analysts viewed AstraZeneca’s plans to stay in the UK as positive in the short term, but cautioned that U.S. success might prompt others to follow suit. U.S. investment and visibility Over the past decade, the FTSE 100 has severely underperformed U.S. markets, gaining only 53% while the S&P 500 more than tripled in value. Wall Street indices, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite, hit multiple record highs this month, broadening the market’s appeal. Companies are also ramping up U.S. investments to avoid hefty tariffs threatened by President Donald The President’s administration. AstraZeneca has pledged to invest $50 billion by 2030 in manufacturing in the U.S., its biggest market by sales. It has also said it will cut some direct-to-patient U.S. drug prices as drugmakers face pressure from the The President administration to reduce prices. The U.S. market remains pivotal for AstraZeneca, accounting for more than 40% of revenue in 2024. The company is betting on its U.S. expansion and expected launches to reach $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030 and offset generic competition. Earlier this month, AstraZeneca paused a planned 200 million pound ($268.80 million) investment in its research site in Cambridge, England, the latest drugmaker to pull back from the UK, citing a tough business environment. ($1 = 0.7440 pounds) —Pushkala Aripaka; Additional reporting by Maggie Fick, Josephine Mason, Sarah Young, Charlie Conchie, and Danilo Masoni, Reuters View the full article

A reader writes: Could we do an open thread for federal employees and federal contractors about the possible government shutdown? I wasn’t working in government for the last one and don’t really know what to expect. Yes indeed. People impacted by the last shutdown, what advice do you have for people affected by this one? And people affected by this one, ask and share away. The posts from the shutdowns in 2018 and 2019 might also be helpful, and here’s a piece from 2013 by a commenter about what not to say to friends who had been furloughed by the government shut-down then. The post the government shutdown: an open thread for federal employees and contractors appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

UK carmaker plans to resume manufacturing this week following month-long shutdownView the full article

Rare joint statement with US Treasury seen as ‘green light’ for further currency intervention by Swiss central bankView the full article

In the absence of stronger federal regulation, some states have begun regulating apps that offer AI “therapy” as more people turn to artificial intelligence for mental health advice. But the laws, all passed this year, don’t fully address the fast-changing landscape of AI software development. And app developers, policymakers and mental health advocates say the resulting patchwork of state laws isn’t enough to protect users or hold the creators of harmful technology accountable. “The reality is millions of people are using these tools and they’re not going back,” said Karin Andrea Stephan, CEO and co-founder of the mental health chatbot app Earkick. ___ EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. ___ The state laws take different approaches. Illinois and Nevada have banned the use of AI to treat mental health. Utah placed certain limits on therapy chatbots, including requiring them to protect users’ health information and to clearly disclose that the chatbot isn’t human. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California are also considering ways to regulate AI therapy. The impact on users varies. Some apps have blocked access in states with bans. Others say they’re making no changes as they wait for more legal clarity. And many of the laws don’t cover generic chatbots like ChatGPT, which are not explicitly marketed for therapy but are used by an untold number of people for it. Those bots have attracted lawsuits in horrific instances where users lost their grip on reality or took their own lives after interacting with them. Vaile Wright, who oversees health care innovation at the American Psychological Association, agreed that the apps could fill a need, noting a nationwide shortage of mental health providers, high costs for care, and uneven access for insured patients. Mental health chatbots that are rooted in science, created with expert input, and monitored by humans could change the landscape, Wright said. “This could be something that helps people before they get to crisis,” she said. “That’s not what’s on the commercial market currently.” That’s why federal regulation and oversight are needed, she said. Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission announced it was opening inquiries into seven AI chatbot companies — including the parent companies of Instagram and Facebook, Google, ChatGPT, Grok (the chatbot on X), Character.AI and Snapchat — on how they “measure, test and monitor potentially negative impacts of this technology on children and teens.” And the Food and Drug Administration is convening an advisory committee Nov. 6 to review generative AI-enabled mental health devices. Federal agencies could consider restrictions on how chatbots are marketed, limit addictive practices, require disclosures to users that they are not medical providers, require companies to track and report suicidal thoughts, and offer legal protections for people who report bad practices by companies, Wright said. Not all apps have blocked access From “companion apps” to “AI therapists” to “mental wellness” apps, AI’s use in mental health care is varied and hard to define, let alone write laws around. That has led to different regulatory approaches. Some states, for example, take aim at companion apps that are designed just for friendship, but don’t wade into mental health care. The laws in Illinois and Nevada ban products that claim to provide mental health treatment outright, threatening fines up to $10,000 in Illinois and $15,000 in Nevada. But even a single app can be tough to categorize. Earkick’s Stephan said there is still a lot that is “very muddy” about Illinois’ law, for example, and the company has not limited access there. Stephan and her team initially held off calling their chatbot, which looks like a cartoon panda, a therapist. But when users began using the word in reviews, they embraced the terminology so the app would show up in searches. Last week, they backed off using therapy and medical terms again. Earkick’s website described its chatbot as “Your empathetic AI counselor, equipped to support your mental health journey,” but now it’s a “chatbot for self care.” Still, “we’re not diagnosing,” Stephan maintained. Users can set up a “panic button” to call a trusted loved one if they are in crisis and the chatbot will “nudge” users to seek out a therapist if their mental health worsens. But it was never designed to be a suicide prevention app, Stephan said, and police would not be called if someone told the bot about thoughts of self-harm. Stephan said she’s happy that people are looking at AI with a critical eye, but worried about states’ ability to keep up with innovation. “The speed at which everything is evolving is massive,” she said. Other apps blocked access immediately. When Illinois users download the AI therapy app Ash, a message urges them to email their legislators, arguing “misguided legislation” has banned apps like Ash “while leaving unregulated chatbots it intended to regulate free to cause harm.” A spokesperson for Ash did not respond to multiple requests for an interview. Mario Treto Jr., secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said the goal was ultimately to make sure licensed therapists were the only ones doing therapy. “Therapy is more than just word exchanges,” Treto said. “It requires empathy, it requires clinical judgment, it requires ethical responsibility, none of which AI can truly replicate right now.” One chatbot company is trying to fully replicate therapy In March, a Dartmouth University-based team published the first known randomized clinical trial of a generative AI chatbot for mental health treatment. The goal was to have the chatbot, called Therabot, treat people diagnosed with anxiety, depression or eating disorders. It was trained on vignettes and transcripts written by the team to illustrate an evidence-based response. The study found users rated Therabot similar to a therapist and had meaningfully lower symptoms after eight weeks compared with people who didn’t use it. Every interaction was monitored by a human who intervened if the chatbot’s response was harmful or not evidence-based. Nicholas Jacobson, a clinical psychologist whose lab is leading the research, said the results showed early promise but that larger studies are needed to demonstrate whether Therabot works for large numbers of people. “The space is so dramatically new that I think the field needs to proceed with much greater caution that is happening right now,” he said. Many AI apps are optimized for engagement and are built to support everything users say, rather than challenging peoples’ thoughts the way therapists do. Many walk the line of companionship and therapy, blurring intimacy boundaries therapists ethically would not. Therabot’s team sought to avoid those issues. The app is still in testing and not widely available. But Jacobson worries about what strict bans will mean for developers taking a careful approach. He noted Illinois had no clear pathway to provide evidence that an app is safe and effective. “They want to protect folks, but the traditional system right now is really failing folks,” he said. “So, trying to stick with the status quo is really not the thing to do.” Regulators and advocates of the laws say they are open to changes. But today’s chatbots are not a solution to the mental health provider shortage, said Kyle Hillman, who lobbied for the bills in Illinois and Nevada through his affiliation with the National Association of Social Workers. “Not everybody who’s feeling sad needs a therapist,” he said. But for people with real mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, “telling them, ‘I know that there’s a workforce shortage but here’s a bot’ — that is such a privileged position.” ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. —Devi Shastri, Associated Press health writer View the full article

Six areas for evaluation. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

Six areas for evaluation. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

Program implementation is the process of putting a planned initiative into action to achieve desired results. Successful program implementation requires careful planning, coordination of resources and clear communication across teams. Without a structured approach, even well-designed programs can face delays, cost overruns or misalignment with organizational goals. Creating a program implementation plan helps teams stay organized and ensures each step is executed as intended. By following a clear guide, organizations can streamline workflows, assign responsibilities effectively and monitor progress against objectives. Using program implementation tools and templates makes it easier to track tasks, measure success, and adapt as challenges arise, keeping projects on course from start to finish. What Is Program Implementation? Program implementation is the process of taking a program from planning to execution to achieve specific goals. It involves coordinating tasks, assigning resources, monitoring progress and ensuring that all components work together as intended. A successful program implementation turns strategy into actionable steps that produce measurable results and align with organizational objectives. It also requires oversight to manage risks, track milestones and adapt to changing conditions. Program implementation is more than completing tasks on time; it ensures that each element of a program contributes to the overall purpose and delivers the intended value to stakeholders. Without structured execution, even well-designed programs may fail to meet expectations. Project management software streamlines program implementation by providing tools to plan, assign and track work in real time. Teams can monitor progress, manage dependencies, allocate resources efficiently and communicate updates instantly. By centralizing information, project management software reduces the risk of miscommunication and allows managers to respond to issues quickly, keeping programs on schedule and within budget. ProjectManager combines multiple project views, resource management, task tracking and dashboards in one platform, making it ideal for program implementation. Teams can use Gantt charts and roadmaps to link dependencies, filter for the critical path and set a baseline to track variance in real time. Kanban boards and task lists organize complex workflows, balance workloads across resources and monitor progress at a glance. Its real-time updates, reporting features and AI project insights help managers identify risks, optimize schedules and make informed decisions, ensuring successful program implementation from start to finish. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/light-mode-CTA.jpgLearn more Who Participates In Program Implementation? Program implementation is a team effort that involves multiple roles working together to ensure the program achieves its objectives. Clear responsibilities and accountability are critical to success. Understanding who participates in program implementation helps organizations assign tasks effectively, monitor progress and maintain alignment with strategic goals. Program Sponsor The program sponsor is typically an executive or senior leader who champions the program at the organizational level. They provide strategic guidance, secure funding, and ensure the program aligns with broader business objectives. During program implementation, the sponsor supports decision-making, removes obstacles and ensures the team has the resources it needs to succeed. They act as the bridge between the program team and key stakeholders, advocating for the program and reporting progress to executives. A strong sponsor helps maintain focus and momentum, keeping the program on track even when challenges arise. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Program-roadmap-featured-image.jpg Get your free Program Roadmap Template Use this free Program Roadmap Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File Program Manager The program manager oversees the day-to-day execution of the program and coordinates multiple projects within it. They develop the program implementation plan, assign tasks, monitor progress and manage risks. The program manager ensures that project teams work together effectively, resources are used efficiently and milestones are achieved on schedule. They also communicate updates to the program sponsor and governance board, keeping all parties informed. By managing dependencies and aligning objectives, the program manager is essential for turning strategic plans into tangible outcomes. Program Governance Board The program governance board provides oversight, guidance and approval for key decisions during program implementation. Composed of senior stakeholders or subject matter experts, the board reviews progress reports, approves major changes and ensures compliance with organizational policies. They monitor risks, confirm alignment with strategic goals and help resolve conflicts between projects or teams. The governance board acts as a quality and accountability checkpoint, supporting the program manager and sponsor while ensuring that program implementation stays on course and delivers the expected value to the organization. Program Roadmap Template Download this free program roadmap template to manage multiple projects within a program. This template allows program managers to list all projects and their tasks and set durations and identify dependencies. The visual timeline helps in tracking progress, aligning stakeholders and ensuring that strategic goals are met. /wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Program-roadmap-template-2.png It’s particularly useful during the planning phase to align project schedules, allocate resources and identify dependencies before execution begins. Additionally, it aids in auditing performance by tracking progress against planned milestones during ongoing programs. Why Is Program Implementation Important? Program implementation is important because it turns strategic plans into actionable results. Without proper execution, even well-designed programs can fail to meet objectives, waste resources or miss deadlines. Effective program implementation ensures that tasks are coordinated, milestones are achieved and risks are managed throughout the process. It provides a structured approach that allows teams to track progress, measure success and adjust actions when issues arise. Beyond achieving immediate goals, program implementation helps maintain alignment with organizational strategy. It provides visibility to stakeholders, ensures accountability across teams and supports consistent communication. By implementing programs effectively, organizations can maximize return on investment, improve operational efficiency and increase the likelihood of long-term success. Related: 10 Free Program Management Templates for Excel and Word What Is a Program Implementation Plan? A program implementation plan is a detailed roadmap that outlines how a program will be executed. It includes objectives, timelines, resources, responsibilities and key milestones. The plan provides a framework for coordinating multiple projects, assigning tasks, managing dependencies and monitoring progress. Having a clear program implementation plan ensures that all participants understand their roles, expectations and deadlines. The plan also serves as a communication tool for stakeholders and decision makers. It allows managers to anticipate risks, allocate resources efficiently and track performance against the program’s goals. By following a structured program implementation plan, teams can maintain focus, adapt to changes and achieve consistent results across all aspects of the program. What Should Be Included in a Program Implementation Plan? A program implementation plan is most effective when it clearly outlines all aspects of executing the program. Including comprehensive elements ensures that teams understand expectations, resources are allocated efficiently and progress is tracked consistently. A well-documented plan helps minimize risks, maintain alignment with strategic goals and provides a roadmap for achieving program success. Program Purpose The program purpose explains why the program exists and what it aims to achieve. It provides a high-level view of the intended outcomes and the value the program delivers to the organization or stakeholders. Clearly defining the program purpose sets a foundation for decision-making and helps align all activities with the overarching objectives during program implementation. Program Goals and Objectives Goals and objectives translate the program purpose into specific, measurable outcomes. Goals define the desired results while objectives break them down into actionable steps. Including clear goals and objectives in a program implementation plan ensures that each team member understands their role and what success looks like, creating accountability and a shared vision for program execution. /wp-content/uploads/2023/08/smart-goals-template-image-600x603.jpg Program Strategic Alignment Strategic alignment ensures that the program supports the organization’s long-term priorities and initiatives. It demonstrates how the program contributes to business goals, resource planning and stakeholder expectations. By documenting strategic alignment in the program implementation plan, leaders can justify the program, prioritize resources effectively and maintain focus on delivering high-value outcomes. Program Scope The program scope defines what is included and excluded from the program. It sets boundaries, identifies deliverables and clarifies expectations for stakeholders and teams. A well-defined scope reduces confusion, prevents scope creep and ensures that program implementation stays focused on achieving intended results within agreed timelines and resources. Program Governance Roles and Responsibilities This section identifies who is responsible for decision-making, oversight and execution. It includes the program sponsor, program manager and governance board, as well as project leads and key stakeholders. Clearly outlining roles and responsibilities in the program implementation plan ensures accountability and enables efficient communication and collaboration throughout the program. Program Implementation Strategy The program implementation strategy outlines how the program will be executed from start to finish. It defines the approach, methods and processes that teams will follow to achieve program objectives efficiently. A clear strategy helps coordinate tasks, manage risks, allocate resources effectively and guide stakeholders through each phase of the program. By documenting the strategy, organizations create a roadmap that supports consistent execution and maximizes the likelihood of program success. Phased Rollout Approach The phased rollout approach divides the program into manageable stages. Each phase includes specific deliverables, milestones and evaluation criteria. This method allows teams to implement changes incrementally, test processes, and make adjustments before moving to the next phase. A phased approach reduces risk and ensures smoother program execution. Change Management Guidelines Change management guidelines describe how organizational changes will be introduced, communicated and adopted. They outline steps to engage stakeholders, address resistance and support team members during transitions. Including change management in the program implementation plan helps maintain buy-in and ensures that program changes are successfully embedded into existing workflows. Related: 14 Free Change Management Templates for Excel and Word Communication Plan The communication plan defines how information will be shared among stakeholders, teams and leadership. It specifies channels, frequency, content types and responsible parties. Clear communication ensures that everyone remains informed about progress, risks and key decisions, supporting transparency and alignment throughout program implementation. Program Roadmap & Timeline The program roadmap and timeline illustrate when major deliverables and milestones will occur. It provides a visual overview of dependencies, deadlines and critical paths. Including a roadmap in the program implementation plan allows teams to track progress, manage resources effectively and adjust schedules when necessary, ensuring the program stays on course. /wp-content/uploads/2024/08/portfolio-roadmap-light-mode-webp-e1723229198497.webpLearn more Program Resource Requirements Resource requirements detail the personnel, equipment, budget and other assets needed to execute the program. It identifies resource allocation, availability and potential constraints. Documenting resource needs in the program implementation plan ensures that teams have what they need to meet objectives and minimizes delays caused by resource shortages. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/assign-people-resource-allocation-light-mode-gantt-chart-workload-assignments.pngLearn more Risk Management Plan The risk management plan identifies potential threats to program success, assesses their likelihood and impact, and defines mitigation strategies. Including a risk plan in the program implementation plan helps teams anticipate issues, respond proactively and maintain program continuity under changing conditions. /wp-content/uploads/2024/01/risk-image-lightmode.pngLearn more Program Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring and evaluation define how program progress and performance will be measured. Metrics, KPIs, reporting schedules and feedback mechanisms are included to track success against objectives. A structured monitoring plan ensures that program implementation is transparent, progress is measurable, and lessons learned are captured for continuous improvement. Program Sustainability Program sustainability addresses how outcomes will be maintained after implementation is complete. It includes strategies for ongoing support, resource management, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement. Including sustainability in the program implementation plan ensures that the program delivers lasting value and remains aligned with organizational goals over time. How ProjectManager Helps With Program Implementation ProjectManager is designed to streamline program implementation by giving managers complete visibility across multiple projects. With multiple project views—including Gantt charts, task lists, boards and calendars—teams can easily see how individual tasks fit into the overall program. This flexibility addresses the common pain point of scattered information and helps managers prioritize work, track dependencies and keep complex programs aligned with organizational goals. By centralizing all projects in one platform, our software reduces confusion, prevents missed deadlines and ensures everyone stays on the same page. Use Resources Efficiently Effective program implementation relies on using resources efficiently. Our software provides robust resource management tools that show team availability, workload distribution and potential conflicts. Managers can quickly reassign tasks, balance workloads and forecast resource needs across multiple projects. This resolves the common challenge of overloading staff or misallocating resources, ensuring programs run smoothly without overburdening team members or exceeding budgets. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Meet Deadlines With Tracking and Reporting Keeping track of progress and measuring program success can be time-consuming, but our software simplifies it with real-time tracking and reporting features. Automated dashboards for projects, programs and portfolios, progress charts and customizable reports let managers monitor milestones, identify delays and adjust schedules proactively. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Portfolio-Summary-Dashboard-Home-Screen-Light-Mode.png Related Program Management Content Program implementation is part of the larger program management process. For readers curious to read more about this topic, check out the links below. There are articles on best practices, free templates and much more. 10 Program Management Best Practices 10 Free Program Management Templates for Excel and Word What Is a Program Roadmap? (Example & Template Included) Program Life Cycle Management: Mastering Program Phases Program Manager vs. Project Manager: Key Differences ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Program Implementation: A How-to Guide (With Free Template) appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Do you suffer from time anxiety? Before you answer, consider if any of the following scenarios sound familiar: You get a late start, and the whole day you’re running behind. You always feel rushed, to the point that you start to get panicky. You look at your task list at the end of the day, and you’ve only finished half of what you planned. You constantly feel that time is slipping away. In other words, you’re constantly battling the feeling that there’s simply not enough time. But what if you could reframe the way you think about time? Well, you can. It involves learning a little ancient Greek, and getting to know that society’s approach to time. As you do, you’ll have an emotionally intelligent tool that allows you to see time through a different lens. I like to call this tool the “Kairos Rule.” What is the Kairos Rule? And how can it help you manage your emotions, reduce anxiety, and make the most of your time? To answer those questions, let’s take a lesson in ancient Greek. (Sign up here for my free email emotional intelligence course.) Chronos, Kairos, and the ancient Greek view of time In her book Tiny Experiments, neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff explains how the ancient Greeks had not one, but two words to speak of time: Chronos refers to quantity. This is the time of clocks and calendars, productivity tools, and linear goals. Then, there’s kairos. Kairos expresses the quality of time, as opposed to the quantity. It recognizes each moment as unique, rather than a fixed, mechanical unit. Le Cunff describes moments of kairos as those instances “suspended in time,” where you are caught up in a moment with loved ones, or when you’re deeply engaged in self-reflection. “Kairos,” she says, “is when you feel like this moment, right now, is perfect.” (Interestingly, the Japanese have a similar expression: Ichi-go ichi-e, or “once in a lifetime.”) The Kairos Rule, then, basically says this: Not all moments are created equal, and the value of time depends on the situation. The Kairos Rule is helpful because of the world we live in—a world that idolizes productivity, but the wrong kind of productivity. Toxic productivity “Nobody really wants to live a productive life,” writes Le Cunff in Tiny Experiments. “We want to express ourselves, connect with others, and explore the world. Productivity is just a means to those ends; it should certainly not come at the expense of actually living life.” Le Cunff argues somewhere along the way society’s ideas of productivity went bad, to the point where we downplay the meaning of rest, reflection, and meaningful engagement. “Each project needs a clear outcome,” writes Anne-Laure. “Conversations become transactional. So-called unproductive moments of playful curiosity and quiet contemplation where our most profound insights can arise are eliminated.” It’s this broken view that causes many today to measure productivity in the short term, versus looking at the big picture—which is why we see so much stress-related sickness and burnout, and so many mental health issues. In contrast, the Rule of Kairos encourages you to make the most of those “moments of playful curiosity” and “quiet contemplation.” It empowers you to prioritize and maximize the minutes, hours, and days with friends and loved ones. So, how can you use the Rule of Kairos to reframe the way you think about time? I recommend using the following questions: How much time am I taking for the things that really matter—like spending time with loved ones? Or taking time to reflect, recover, and recharge? Do I really need to get everything on my task list done? If I do, will it come at the expense of more important things? What changes can I make to use my time more wisely, with the big picture in mind? Remember: Not everything you do will feel productive. And that’s OK. Instead of focusing on productivity, strive to see the unseen. See the kairos moments. If you do, you’ll start to realize something important: You’re not running behind at all. In fact, you’re right on time. — By Justin Bariso This article originally appeared on Fast Company‘s sister publication, Inc. Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy. View the full article

I vividly remember the first time that I buckled my 8-year-old son into a 4,000 pound, AI powered robot, pressed a button, and sent us careening through the streets of San Francisco with no one behind the steering wheel. We were riding a Waymo, one of the first self-driving cars to offer public rides in selected U.S. cities, our own city of San Francisco included. After a few minutes of riding, I asked my son what he thought. “I feel . . .” he said, taking a long pause before responding, “. . . uncomfortable. But, it’s really cool!” I suspect he’s not alone in feeling that way. According to data from AAA, 61% of Americans consider themselves “afraid” to ride in a self-driving car, with only 13% saying that they fully trust the technology. Yet people are immensely fascinated by these AI-powered machines–and surprisingly inclined to use them. A study in the journal Science and Public Policy explored early public dialogue around self-driving vehicles, finding that “The investment and excitement surrounding self-driving vehicles are huge.” That’s borne out by real-world data. In cities like San Francisco that adopted self-driving tech, autonomous rides now account for over 25% of all rideshare trips, surpassing the market share of companies like Lyft. Waymo has nearly 1,000 self-driving cars cruising the city’s streets on any given day. I ride self-driving Waymo vehicles 2–3 times per week, and here’s what I can tell you: They’re surprisingly boring. And that’s their superpower. Summon the robots When I tell friends and colleagues from other cities about my Waymo habit, they usually assume that summoning a self-driving car requires some kind of high-tech, sci-fi-like process. Perhaps there’s a glowing pendant you hold up in the sky, or some kind of supercomputing device that the company secretly issues to its cabal of riders. Maybe there are incantations. In reality, the process of calling up a Waymo is almost exactly like booking an Uber or Lyft. Waymo has an app with a user interface that looks entirely cribbed from the apps of its human-driven competition. You specify your destination, enter a credit card, and watch as a little animated car slowly approaches you on a map. Except instead of meeting John in a Kia Optima with a 4.93 rating, your vehicle is an anonymous robot with a rapidly spinning laser scanner on top. When your Waymo arrives, it pulls to the side of the road, trying its best not to block traffic. As annoyed human drivers curse under their breath and assertively careen around you (just like with a real Uber!), you climb inside, buckle your seatbelt, and press a button on the dashboard. Its steering wheel spinning as if controlled by some benign, rideshare-giving poltergeist, your Waymo turns into traffic, and you’re off. During my first Waymo trip, I felt much like my son—nervous, excited, in awe of the tech. By my second Waymo ride, it was already starting to feel old-hat. Today, after more than a year of riding the cars all over San Francisco, it feels entirely normal. The fact that I’m being chauffeured around town by an AI-powered, laser-studded robot barely registers. What does register is the surprisingly delightful sensory experience of riding in one of these super high-tech cars—and the immense, almost subversive pleasure of being totally alone. No person, please Sartre famously said “Hell is other people.” He was talking about the existential angst of the human condition. But he could just as easily have been describing a bad Uber ride. As a professional news and travel photographer, I’ve taken a lot of Ubers. And while most drivers are great, I’ve had some truly bad experiences. I’ve had drivers who appear to be on substances, who ask me probing questions about my life (one demanded to know, point-blank, “How much do you make per year?” and was unwilling to accept a noncommittal answer without a dollar figure attached), and drivers who seem to believe my airport ride across the Bay Bridge is secretly a time trial on the Nuremberg ring. And I’m lucky—many experiences are far worse. Data from the Government Accountability Office shows that over 4,600 people were sexually assaulted in rideshare vehicles in 2019. At least 19 people were killed in rideshare-related assaults. Both drivers and riders are at risk. To be clear, the vast majority of traditional rideshare trips end well, and rideshare companies are doing more and more to keep people safe. Still, even if a trip isn’t outright dangerous, there are times where you simply don’t feel like sharing space with another person–smelling their cologne, breathing their air, and answering their questions about your life. Without a human driver, Waymos offer something that no rideshare vehicle can provide—solitude. As you cruise through your city in one of the company’s cars, you’re present in the world around you. Yet simultaneously, you’re totally alone. Relaxing spa music plays over the car’s speakers. The leather-wrapped seats are clean and cool to the touch (Waymo uses Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, a luxury electric SUV that retails for over $75,000). A map shows your surroundings and ride time, complete with cheerful icons representing cyclists, pedestrians and fellow drivers. It’s pleasant, almost meditative. And people appear to love it. Again, when given the choice between Waymo and traditional rideshare vehicles, San Franciscans are increasingly choosing Waymo–even though a study by the rideshare data company Obi shows Waymo rides cost up to $11 more. Why? As Obi’s Chief Revenue Officer told TechCrunch, they like being alone. Back to the future Self-driving car skeptics usually criticize the tech on safety grounds, or claim that it’s an overhyped, faddish technology that riders will try once and abandon. Most critics compare the tech to traditional rideshares. What they’re missing is the fact that riding in a self-driving car isn’t like a traditional rideshare at all. Indeed, the whiz-bang sci-fi coolness of the tech quickly becomes boring. It’s the unique solitude and independence of the experience—not the fancy AI tech—that makes it an entirely new way of traveling. As with public transit, you’re moving through your city without needing to directly move yourself. Yet on public transit, you’re always surrounded by other people. Here, you’re not. In a private car, you’re alone. But you can never direct your attention away from the road for long enough to truly notice and experience your surroundings. During a recent Waymo ride, I realized that the technology reminded me most of a far older piece of transportation tech—the horse. If you’ve ever ridden on horseback, you know that you can never truly control your horse—you can merely suggest to it where you’d like it to go, and trust that the horse—an autonomous entity capable of acting on its own–will decide to act on your suggestions. You also can’t crash a horse. If you direct your attention away from the task of riding—or even drop the reins entirely—your horse will keep right on following its path. It can sense the space around it, and wants to walk into a tree even less than you do. As a kid, I even remember riding on old rental horses that knew their trails and routines so well, they’d turn around and head back to the stable of their own accord when your 60 minutes of riding time was up. Riding a Waymo feels similar. You’re in charge to a degree, but ultimately you’re ceding the task of moving your body to an independent, non-human intelligence. You give up control, yes. But you gain something else—the ability to move through the world while fully experiencing it. Alone and freed from the task of directing your own movement, you can open the window and watch city life unfold around you in an almost cinematic way—or just close your eyes and truly tune out for a moment. The AI is the boring part If the AI powering your Waymo constantly made its presence known, it would distract from this experience. Instead, the fact that the AI tech quickly becomes mundane—unnoticable, even–facilitates this entirely new way of moving. Last month, I took another first-time rider on a Waymo trip; my Boomer-age mom. Seated behind the non-existent driver, my mom told me she quickly forgot we were riding in an AI robot. We could chat and catch up without another person eavesdropping on—or perhaps joining in—our conversation. It was a pleasant ride. Waymo’s AI facilitated the experience, but nothing about it felt especially high-tech or futuristic. Ultimately—beyond the economics, or the novelty, or the safety—that’s why self-driving cars will succeed. They’re a uniquely pleasant way to get around. Their technology is boring, fading into the background. And that’s what makes them great. View the full article

How decisions in construction and property oversight can reshape multifamily loan performance. View the full article