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Reform UK leader in favour of policy to make it ‘easier’ for lower paid workers to have childrenView the full article

No place is more vulnerable to hurricanes in the 50 U.S. states than the Florida Keys. The chain of islands celebrated by singer Jimmy Buffett in his odes to tropical escapism is surrounded by water, jutting out 120 miles southwesterly from Florida’s mainland to Key West with the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean on either side. The archipelago historically has been known for its quirky and libertarian inhabitants who revel in the islands’ hedonistic, artistic and outdoorsy lifestyle. In recent years, it also has become a haven for the wealthy. Overseeing safety for the more than 80,000 inhabitants of the Conch Republic — the nickname for the islands after denizens declared a tongue-in-cheek secession from the United States in the early 1980s — is Shannon Weiner, director of emergency management for Monroe County, Florida. The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, and the county has some new weapons this season, including a brand-new emergency operations center and a new seawater desalination water treatment plant. The county also relies on surveillance flights from hurricane-hunting aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for information about how to prepare. But, the potential for a catastrophic storm like Hurricane Irma in 2017 is always at the back of residents’ minds. The Category 4 storm made landfall in the Florida Keys with winds up to 132 mph (209.2 kph), destroying around 1,180 homes and seriously damaging another 3,000. Weiner recently talked to the Associated Press about the upcoming hurricane season. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. AP: Why is Monroe County perhaps the most vulnerable place in the 50 U.S. states for hurricanes? Weiner: Our entire island chain is surrounded by water. We have more water than we do land mass. Being uniquely situated between the two large bodies of water makes us very vulnerable. We see storms early, sometimes in their formation — storms that come across the Atlantic and then storms that develop in the south, in the Caribbean Sea. We tend to be in their path, and so we get a lot of storm practice here in Monroe County. AP: Given your dependence on the National Weather Service and NOAA for hurricane predictions, how concerned are you about recent job cuts and budget cuts to the federal government? Weiner: The weather service is a good partner, and the field offices, from what they were telling us and what they’re hearing here, everyone is secure. They are not expecting or anticipating any cuts to the (Florida Keys) field offices. So, of course, going into hurricane season, we’re really happy to hear that. AP: Can we talk about Hurricane Irma? The Keys have always been vulnerable, but Irma was a shock to the system, right? Weiner: The Keys had not had a storm of that magnitude or size since the early 20th century. People tend to get complacent. It’s human nature, right? They’re not as worried. They’re not as prepared. We were very fortunate with Irma in that we had plenty of days’ notice to evacuate. But when we came home and saw the devastation, it was an eye-opener. Being an island chain, we had unique challenges bringing logistics in to help us recover. AP: Do residents typically evacuate when they are asked to? Weiner: Usually, they tend to heed that advice. We are constantly reminding people to be prepared and how important it is in our county to evacuate because the Florida Keys, the entirety of the island chain, is a storm surge zone. People here tend to be pretty savvy when it comes to storms, and throughout the entire Keys, the bigger concern is storm surge rather than wind. We say, “Hide from the wind and run from the water.” AP: We are close to the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. What is keeping you up at night? Weiner: The city of Key West is an incredibly resilient community. There’s a lot of history there. But there is also a lot of older architecture there. There’s a lot of wooden homes, and for them to receive a storm, a direct impact of a major magnitude, that would be devastating for them. That is what keeps me up at night — a Category 4 or 5 storm hitting Key West. AP: Given the Keys’ vulnerability, why do you think people choose to stay and live there? Weiner: Because it’s beautiful here. It really is an island paradise. Being surrounded by a national marine sanctuary is amazing. I think everyone that lives here, we all live here for that reason. Because we appreciate the environment and the marine life and love the water. And so it’s worth it. You make sure that you’re prepared, and you have a plan if you need to go. And you go somewhere safe, and you come back, and you just put it back together. Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social. —Mike Schneider, Associated Press View the full article

Proposals would end residents’ discount for non-EVs, says transport bodyView the full article

Key Takeaways Definition and Purpose: Business incubators are supportive environments designed to help startups thrive by providing essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Benefits of Participation: Engaging with a business incubator can significantly reduce failure rates by offering tailored support, expert mentorship, legal guidance, and funding options. Networking Opportunities: Incubators foster connections with other entrepreneurs, mentors, and potential investors, which can lead to valuable collaborations and enhance business visibility. Types of Incubators: There are various forms of business incubators, including non-profit, university-based, and for-profit, each serving different needs and offering unique resources to entrepreneurs. Key Features: Successful incubators focus on mentorship, access to funding, and personalized guidance to help entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of starting and scaling a business. If you’re looking to launch a startup or grow your existing business, you might have heard the term “business incubator.” But what exactly does it mean? A business incubator is a supportive environment designed to help new ventures thrive. It provides resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can turn your innovative ideas into successful enterprises. In today’s fast-paced market, navigating the challenges of starting a business can be daunting. Business incubators offer tailored programs that guide you through the early stages of development, helping you refine your business model and connect with potential investors. Understanding how these incubators work can be the key to unlocking your entrepreneurial potential. What Is a Business Incubator A business incubator is a supportive environment tailored to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their startups. These programs provide essential resources and services that facilitate the development of business ideas. You gain access to mentorship, funding options, and networking opportunities crucial for success. Business incubators often focus on specific aspects like market research or product development. You can refine your business plan through guided support, ensuring it resonates with your target audience. Many incubators also assist in legal structure matters, whether you’re forming an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation. In addition to mentoring, incubators help with financing needs. You’ll explore various funding avenues, including venture capital, angel investors, and crowdfunding. The right incubator can connect you with investors interested in your business model and growth strategy. Throughout your journey, incubators emphasize the importance of innovation and scalability. They encourage you to develop a solid sales funnel and strong marketing strategies, including digital marketing and social media. As you build your small business, incubators provide the tools and contacts that enhance your customer acquisition efforts and overall success. Benefits of Business Incubators Business incubators offer a range of advantages for small businesses and entrepreneurs. They provide essential support through tailored programs, mentorship, and valuable resources, enabling startups to navigate challenges effectively. Support for Startups Business incubators deliver comprehensive support for startups, addressing various aspects of business development. You gain access to expert mentorship, which helps refine your business idea and sharpen your business plan. Incubators also assist with identifying appropriate funding options, whether through venture capital, angel investors, or crowdfunding. This support significantly reduces failure rates and increases the chance of achieving sustainable growth. Startups often find legal structure guidance beneficial, providing clarity on the differences between LLCs, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. This insight ensures your business complies with regulations while focusing on growth strategies and customer acquisition. Networking Opportunities Networking opportunities in business incubators prove invaluable. You connect with other entrepreneurs, potential investors, and experienced mentors who can offer advice and resources. These connections often lead to collaborations, partnerships, and additional funding options, enhancing your small business’s visibility and reputation. Engaging in networking events hosted by incubators helps you develop relationships that can be pivotal in your business journey. Building a robust network provides access to vital market research and insights, informing your marketing and branding strategies. Ultimately, leveraging these connections can amplify your startup’s sales funnel, positioning you for success in a competitive market. Types of Business Incubators Business incubators come in various forms, each tailored to meet specific needs and goals of startups. Understanding these types can help you choose the right incubator to support your entrepreneurial journey. Non-Profit Incubators Non-profit incubators primarily focus on aiding entrepreneurs by providing low-cost resources and support. These incubators offer services such as mentorship and networking opportunities, often without the pressure of profits. They commonly partner with local government or organizations to provide funding and training. Valuable for startups aiming for social impact, non-profit incubators can guide you through business registration and legal structure options, ensuring your business idea aligns with community goals. University-Based Incubators University-based incubators leverage academic resources to support startups. These incubators often provide access to research facilities, expert faculty mentors, and a pool of interns or graduates. Engaging with a university incubator can enhance your business plan by incorporating cutting-edge market research and innovative strategies. Additionally, you can benefit from networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs and investors at university events, bolstering your growth strategy and enhancing the scalability of your business. For-Profit Incubators For-profit incubators operate with a business model focused on generating revenue from their services. They typically charge fees for resources, mentoring, and networking access. While they seek a return on investment, they offer robust support systems that may include access to venture capital or angel investors. Engaging with a for-profit incubator can fast-track your growth by refining your sales funnel and honing your pitch for potential funding. They often provide vital legal advice, helping you navigate the complexities of trademarks, patents, and partnerships essential for scaling your business. Key Features of Business Incubators Business incubators offer essential resources and support tailored for your startup journey, enhancing your chances of success. You’ll find several key features that contribute significantly to the growth of early-stage businesses. Mentorship and Guidance Incubators provide access to experienced mentors who can help refine your business idea and business plan. Mentorship includes personalized advice on various aspects, such as marketing strategies, legal structures, and financial management. Business coaches within these programs guide you through challenges, share insights on leadership, and assist in developing your growth strategy. Leveraging this expertise can accelerate your startup’s development while minimizing common pitfalls that new entrepreneurs face. Access to Funding Business incubators facilitate access to multiple funding options necessary for your startup’s success. They connect you with angel investors, venture capitalists, and crowdfunding opportunities, making it easier to secure financial backing. Understanding various financial avenues is crucial for effective cash flow management and budget planning. Incubators also provide valuable resources to help craft compelling pitches that resonate with potential investors, increasing your likelihood of obtaining critical funds to scale your small business. Conclusion Business incubators play a crucial role in transforming your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. By providing tailored support resources and networking opportunities, they empower you to navigate the complexities of launching and scaling a startup. Whether you’re seeking mentorship funding or valuable connections incubators offer a structured environment that fosters innovation and growth. Choosing the right incubator can significantly impact your journey as an entrepreneur. With the right support you can refine your business model and enhance your chances of success in a competitive market. Embrace the opportunities that business incubators present and take the next step towards achieving your business goals. Frequently Asked Questions What is a business incubator? A business incubator is a program that helps new ventures by providing essential resources such as mentorship, funding options, and networking opportunities. These supportive environments focus on refining business models, assisting entrepreneurs in successfully launching and growing their businesses. How do business incubators support startups? Business incubators support startups by offering expert mentorship, guidance on funding options, and help with legal structures. They also provide networking opportunities, connecting entrepreneurs with peers and investors, which can enhance visibility and collaboration within the business community. What types of business incubators exist? There are several types of business incubators, including non-profit incubators that provide low-cost resources, university-based incubators that leverage academic resources, and for-profit incubators that charge fees while offering comprehensive support. Each type is tailored to meet specific needs of startups. Why are mentorship and networking important in incubators? Mentorship provides personalized guidance on critical business aspects, while networking helps entrepreneurs build relationships with peers and potential investors. Both are vital for accessing market insights, refining marketing strategies, and increasing the chances of success in a competitive environment. How can business incubators help with funding? Business incubators connect startups to various funding sources, including angel investors, venture capitalists, and crowdfunding options. They assist in crafting compelling business pitches and understanding financial avenues, crucial for securing funding and managing cash flow effectively. Image Via Envato This article, "Understanding What a Business Incubator Can Do for Your Startup Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Definition and Purpose: Business incubators are supportive environments designed to help startups thrive by providing essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Benefits of Participation: Engaging with a business incubator can significantly reduce failure rates by offering tailored support, expert mentorship, legal guidance, and funding options. Networking Opportunities: Incubators foster connections with other entrepreneurs, mentors, and potential investors, which can lead to valuable collaborations and enhance business visibility. Types of Incubators: There are various forms of business incubators, including non-profit, university-based, and for-profit, each serving different needs and offering unique resources to entrepreneurs. Key Features: Successful incubators focus on mentorship, access to funding, and personalized guidance to help entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of starting and scaling a business. If you’re looking to launch a startup or grow your existing business, you might have heard the term “business incubator.” But what exactly does it mean? A business incubator is a supportive environment designed to help new ventures thrive. It provides resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can turn your innovative ideas into successful enterprises. In today’s fast-paced market, navigating the challenges of starting a business can be daunting. Business incubators offer tailored programs that guide you through the early stages of development, helping you refine your business model and connect with potential investors. Understanding how these incubators work can be the key to unlocking your entrepreneurial potential. What Is a Business Incubator A business incubator is a supportive environment tailored to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their startups. These programs provide essential resources and services that facilitate the development of business ideas. You gain access to mentorship, funding options, and networking opportunities crucial for success. Business incubators often focus on specific aspects like market research or product development. You can refine your business plan through guided support, ensuring it resonates with your target audience. Many incubators also assist in legal structure matters, whether you’re forming an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation. In addition to mentoring, incubators help with financing needs. You’ll explore various funding avenues, including venture capital, angel investors, and crowdfunding. The right incubator can connect you with investors interested in your business model and growth strategy. Throughout your journey, incubators emphasize the importance of innovation and scalability. They encourage you to develop a solid sales funnel and strong marketing strategies, including digital marketing and social media. As you build your small business, incubators provide the tools and contacts that enhance your customer acquisition efforts and overall success. Benefits of Business Incubators Business incubators offer a range of advantages for small businesses and entrepreneurs. They provide essential support through tailored programs, mentorship, and valuable resources, enabling startups to navigate challenges effectively. Support for Startups Business incubators deliver comprehensive support for startups, addressing various aspects of business development. You gain access to expert mentorship, which helps refine your business idea and sharpen your business plan. Incubators also assist with identifying appropriate funding options, whether through venture capital, angel investors, or crowdfunding. This support significantly reduces failure rates and increases the chance of achieving sustainable growth. Startups often find legal structure guidance beneficial, providing clarity on the differences between LLCs, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. This insight ensures your business complies with regulations while focusing on growth strategies and customer acquisition. Networking Opportunities Networking opportunities in business incubators prove invaluable. You connect with other entrepreneurs, potential investors, and experienced mentors who can offer advice and resources. These connections often lead to collaborations, partnerships, and additional funding options, enhancing your small business’s visibility and reputation. Engaging in networking events hosted by incubators helps you develop relationships that can be pivotal in your business journey. Building a robust network provides access to vital market research and insights, informing your marketing and branding strategies. Ultimately, leveraging these connections can amplify your startup’s sales funnel, positioning you for success in a competitive market. Types of Business Incubators Business incubators come in various forms, each tailored to meet specific needs and goals of startups. Understanding these types can help you choose the right incubator to support your entrepreneurial journey. Non-Profit Incubators Non-profit incubators primarily focus on aiding entrepreneurs by providing low-cost resources and support. These incubators offer services such as mentorship and networking opportunities, often without the pressure of profits. They commonly partner with local government or organizations to provide funding and training. Valuable for startups aiming for social impact, non-profit incubators can guide you through business registration and legal structure options, ensuring your business idea aligns with community goals. University-Based Incubators University-based incubators leverage academic resources to support startups. These incubators often provide access to research facilities, expert faculty mentors, and a pool of interns or graduates. Engaging with a university incubator can enhance your business plan by incorporating cutting-edge market research and innovative strategies. Additionally, you can benefit from networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs and investors at university events, bolstering your growth strategy and enhancing the scalability of your business. For-Profit Incubators For-profit incubators operate with a business model focused on generating revenue from their services. They typically charge fees for resources, mentoring, and networking access. While they seek a return on investment, they offer robust support systems that may include access to venture capital or angel investors. Engaging with a for-profit incubator can fast-track your growth by refining your sales funnel and honing your pitch for potential funding. They often provide vital legal advice, helping you navigate the complexities of trademarks, patents, and partnerships essential for scaling your business. Key Features of Business Incubators Business incubators offer essential resources and support tailored for your startup journey, enhancing your chances of success. You’ll find several key features that contribute significantly to the growth of early-stage businesses. Mentorship and Guidance Incubators provide access to experienced mentors who can help refine your business idea and business plan. Mentorship includes personalized advice on various aspects, such as marketing strategies, legal structures, and financial management. Business coaches within these programs guide you through challenges, share insights on leadership, and assist in developing your growth strategy. Leveraging this expertise can accelerate your startup’s development while minimizing common pitfalls that new entrepreneurs face. Access to Funding Business incubators facilitate access to multiple funding options necessary for your startup’s success. They connect you with angel investors, venture capitalists, and crowdfunding opportunities, making it easier to secure financial backing. Understanding various financial avenues is crucial for effective cash flow management and budget planning. Incubators also provide valuable resources to help craft compelling pitches that resonate with potential investors, increasing your likelihood of obtaining critical funds to scale your small business. Conclusion Business incubators play a crucial role in transforming your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. By providing tailored support resources and networking opportunities, they empower you to navigate the complexities of launching and scaling a startup. Whether you’re seeking mentorship funding or valuable connections incubators offer a structured environment that fosters innovation and growth. Choosing the right incubator can significantly impact your journey as an entrepreneur. With the right support you can refine your business model and enhance your chances of success in a competitive market. Embrace the opportunities that business incubators present and take the next step towards achieving your business goals. Frequently Asked Questions What is a business incubator? A business incubator is a program that helps new ventures by providing essential resources such as mentorship, funding options, and networking opportunities. These supportive environments focus on refining business models, assisting entrepreneurs in successfully launching and growing their businesses. How do business incubators support startups? Business incubators support startups by offering expert mentorship, guidance on funding options, and help with legal structures. They also provide networking opportunities, connecting entrepreneurs with peers and investors, which can enhance visibility and collaboration within the business community. What types of business incubators exist? There are several types of business incubators, including non-profit incubators that provide low-cost resources, university-based incubators that leverage academic resources, and for-profit incubators that charge fees while offering comprehensive support. Each type is tailored to meet specific needs of startups. Why are mentorship and networking important in incubators? Mentorship provides personalized guidance on critical business aspects, while networking helps entrepreneurs build relationships with peers and potential investors. Both are vital for accessing market insights, refining marketing strategies, and increasing the chances of success in a competitive environment. How can business incubators help with funding? Business incubators connect startups to various funding sources, including angel investors, venture capitalists, and crowdfunding options. They assist in crafting compelling business pitches and understanding financial avenues, crucial for securing funding and managing cash flow effectively. Image Via Envato This article, "Understanding What a Business Incubator Can Do for Your Startup Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

What actually moves the needle in international SEO? A closer look at common pitfalls, smart workflows, and overlooked opportunities. The post Deep Dive: International SEO In The Times Of AI appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

If you've got a Samsung phone, you've got an alternative, lightweight option for computing on the go: Galaxy handsets come with a desktop interface called DeX built right in, and depending on what you need to do, you might be able to use this mode in place of a laptop while on your travels. Essentially, you plug your Samsung phone into a TV or monitor, and Android shifts to look more like Windows or macOS. You're still using the same software and the same apps, but you get floating windows and easier multitasking. While a lot of the apps will stick to their mobile views, you can make use of apps such as Google Docs or Google Chrome to get work done while you're away from home (or just in a different room). And of course you've got access to all your movie and music streaming apps too, on a bigger screen. How to set up Samsung DeXYou've got a few different connection options when it comes to Samsung DeX. It actually works wirelessly if you have a TV or monitor with Miracast technology built into it—or a streaming box or dongle with Miracast support. That includes most Samsung TVs made in the last few years, for example, so if you're heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem then you're already a step ahead. To launch Samsung DeX wirelessly, open Settings on your Galaxy phone, then choose Connected devices > Samsung DeX. Alternatively open the Quick Settings panel (swipe down from the top right of the screen), then tap the DeX button—if you can't see it, swipe down on the panel of tiles to see the full selection. Your phone will scan your wifi network for compatible hardware, and you can tap on a device to connect. DeX in Quick Settings. Credit: Lifehacker If you can configure Samsung DeX with a wired connection, it's usually easier and more reliable. The cable you're going to need will depend on the external monitor or television you're connecting to: You might need a USB-C to USB-C cable, for example, or a USB-C to HDMI cable. Most cables should work with the right connectors, but I'd advise searching for ones that specifically mention DeX in the listing. You can use USB-C hubs and docking stations too, which is handy if you want to plug a mouse and keyboard in as well. Again, most models should work, but they won't necessarily all work—a bit of internet research should guide you towards products people are already using with DeX. This $12 Ugreen hub is the one I've been using for Samsung DeX, so you can see you don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money here. DeX can be set to launch automatically. Credit: Lifehacker You don't have to use a keyboard and mouse with DeX, because you can use your phone's keyboard, and turn it into a makeshift trackpad (you can even use an S Pen to control DeX). However, if you need to get some serious work done, from essay writing to emailing, then you'll probably want to hook up a mouse and keyboard. That's what I've done: The Galaxy phone, HDMI cable, and keyboard and mouse all plug into the hub. Launching DeX in a wired configuration is the same as launching it in a wireless configuration, though if you're using cables and hubs then as soon as you connect an external monitor to your Galaxy device, you should see a prompt to connect. Future connections can be launched automatically (to manage this open Settings on your phone, then choose Connected devices > Samsung DeX). How to use Samsung DeXWith DeX launched, you should see the desktop interface up on the external screen. It's a bit like having a second monitor for your phone, because you can carry on using apps on your Galaxy device the same as you normally would. You'll find a few app shortcuts already on the DeX desktop, which you can double-click to launch, and a taskbar showing open apps along the bottom. In the lower left corner, you've got the standard Android buttons: the recent apps button, the home button, and the back button. To the left of those is a search button and an all apps button, which brings up shortcuts to every app installed on your phone. Over on the right of the taskbar, you've got an array of buttons, including ones for checking notifications, taking screenshots, and checking battery and signal level. The app drawer view in DeX. Credit: Lifehacker To customize DeX further, double-click the Settings shortcut on the desktop, then pick Samsung DeX. You've got a host of options here, covering font size, wallpaper, the shortcuts available on the taskbar, how the keyboard and mouse work, and whether to play audio through your phone or through the speakers attached to the bigger screen. Operating DeX is fairly straightforward. Apps appear in Windows, with shortcut buttons in the top right corner. They will (from left to right) pin an app window (keep it on top of other apps), minimize an app window, put an app window full screen, or close the app. You're able to resize windows using their edges and move them about using their title bars much as you would on Windows or macOS. DeX means you can get work done on the go. Credit: Lifehacker There are a bunch of keyboard shortcuts you can make use of too, which make it a little easier to get around the interface: Ctrl+Enter (Windows keyboard) or Cmd+Enter (Mac keyboard) will take you to the home screen desktop. To see all of the shortcuts you can use, press Ctrl+/ (Windows) or Cmd+/ (Mac). It all works slickly and quickly, and while Samsung DeX isn't something I use a lot, it occasionally comes in handy—especially in moving between home and the office when I only need to carry a Galaxy phone in my pocket. It's actually such a good idea that Google is expected to include its own version of DeX in Android 16. View the full article

Agency ships supplies as military continues offensive in shattered Palestinian enclaveView the full article

As we are approaching the halfway point in the year, you want to ensure your PPC campaigns are in the best shape possible going into peak season for many advertisers Whether you’re getting great results, struggling to perform, or somewhere in between, below is a checklist of 12 features to help set your campaigns up for success. 1. Align and reassess client objectives Campaign performance is only as good as its ultimate objective. Just because you see year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth or improved return on ad spend (ROAS) doesn’t mean you can get the party poppers out. What is the client’s priority objective? Has this changed? Is it still revenue growth? Or has it shifted more toward lifetime value (LTV) or profitability? This is the first point because it’s the most important point. Get this right, and everything else will follow. 2. Enable Google Ads conversion tracking Accurate data tracking is more important than ever in the age of AI and automation. Without the correct data, what are we doing here? Google Ads conversion tracking is preferred over Google Analytics imported conversions because the former provides better integration (more conversions), cross-device or view-through conversion capabilities, and advanced features. If you or your client can, prioritise a server-to-server method rather than adding tags to the website. This will enhance data collection and privacy and make the management of the next two features more straightforward. 3. Layer on Enhanced Conversions Once you’re happy with the Google Ads tracking foundations, go to the next step and layer on Enhanced Conversions. This feature helps improve the accuracy of Google Ads tracking by sending hashed first-party conversion data from your website to Google in a privacy-safe way. Google boasts it can increase your conversion coverage by 15% (I’ve seen a few numbers here, so I’m going for average). 4. Implement Consent Mode Consent mode is similar to Enhanced Conversions, as it’s another feature to improve your conversion coverage. With user consent and data compliance becoming an even greater priority for websites in the past couple of years, conventional Google Ads tracking, even with enhanced conversions, will have lower conversion coverage than it did a few years ago. With consent mode enabled, Google will use its consent signals to data modelling to recover any conversion gaps. 5. Use offline conversion tracking Offline conversion tracking (OCT) solves the most common problem with my lead gen clients. Looking at our PPC reports, lead numbers are good, but the client’s feedback is that the quality is low. What else am I supposed to do? This feature enables you to give a specific value to a lead. This can be done by manually importing data directly into Google from your CMS or through integration options for automatic imports. Successful implementation will then give you the ability to leverage value-based bidding strategies to take full advantage of the advanced data. 6. Configure basket data For ecommerce clients, it can be frustrating that item ID-level conversion attribution is limited to the ad click rather than the product. If someone clicks on an ad for Item A and buys Item B, Item A will get all the credit and attribution, making product analysis tricky. However, if you can implement basket-level data, then you will get additional reporting on items sold, AOV, basket size, and cross-selling products. You also gain profit-level data per item, offering deeper insight into individual product performance and the role Google Ads plays – whether the product drives sales directly as the featured item in the ad or contributes indirectly as an alternative or cross-sell purchase. These insights can feed into the overall product strategy of the website. I know many of the tracking implementation best practices are outside the comfort zones of most PPC marketers. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. 7. Optimize ad creative While we’re now in a responsive search ads (RSAs) era, don’t overlook your ad creative. Try to keep things refreshed. Use the ad strength feature as a basic guide, which will focus on a combination of relevancy and uniqueness in the ad copy, more from a mechanical viewpoint. Layer on some creative messaging to stand out from your competitors, too. Keep an eye on individual title and description performance within the Asset detail report (linked just below each Search ad), where Google highlights the best and worst performers. Swap out the bad performers for new variations of the best. Google has just announced that they will be expanding their asset-level report so you can see more data against each Performance Max asset, so you don’t just have to rely on the legacy Low, Good, and Best reporting. At a broader level, test out two or three variations in each ad group; one with no pins and the others using a mixture. Google will optimize its RSA copy to get the best CTR, but sometimes, that CTR doesn’t mean a higher conversion rate or ROAS. Even if you generally trust Google to show the best copy and ads, keep that in mind and continue to test. 8. Embrace Broad Match Two or three years ago, the thought of including broad match in this checklist would be laughable, but here we are. Combined with Smart Bidding, using broad match is a very effective way to scale your campaigns for success. Personally, I would still start off any new campaign with a mixture of phrase and exact match, but when a campaign has enough conversion data to utilize (30 in 30 days is a good place to start), start testing broad match variations. Even for brand campaigns, where you historically would have stuck with phrase or exact match, you can safely use broad in combination with Google’s brand inclusion feature to ensure the algorithm focuses on Brand traffic. Remember to keep an eye on those search terms and try to bulk them out as much as possible before using broad. 9. Run campaign experiments Experiments are a personal favorite of mine, and clients love them. Using this feature, I regularly A/B test different landing pages, bidding strategies, broad match variations, and ad creatives. They are quick and easy to set up within the Google platform and will keep your campaigns on their toes. Remember to give them time. Google recommends a six-week period plus a conversion cycle, so the time lag is considered. When analyzing performance, bypass the first two weeks (learning period) and focus on the next four weeks. When setting up the custom experiment, you will be asked your two primary objectives. Once the experiment has started, you can keep track of how things are going with the experiment summary report. This breaks the A/B test into a base and trial arm, so you can monitor the statistical significance of the main KPI (Again, clients love this!). Google has even expanded its experiment section further in the last year with Performance Max options to test against Shopping campaigns, other Performance Max features, and even testing feed-only asset groups vs asset groups with additional creative. If you are a data nerd, this is the place to be. 10. Consolidate campaigns Single-keyword ad groups (SKAGs) are no longer your friend. Simplifying your campaign structure is another secret key that will unlock the power of success. Smart bidding isn’t as efficient with multiple campaigns or ad groups with limited keywords in each. It likes its consolidated structures with centralized conversion data to sink its teeth into. This is because our Search ads now have so many more copy variations than they used to (15 titles compared to only three pre-RSA). At the same time, increased broad match coverage and phrase/exact match targeting expansion make it nearly impossible to contain specific search terms with an expansive structure. So, if you can’t beat them, consolidate them! 11. Expand asset groups (for Performance Max campaigns) When I audit an account, this is one I rarely see. Most Performance Max campaigns tend to only have one live asset group. If your campaign generates a higher percentage of Search traffic (something Mike Rhodes’s Performance Max script can help with), then you are missing an opportunity to tailor your ad assets. If you go down the route of PMax campaign consolidation as mentioned in the previous point, this is even more important. Segmenting asset groups enables you to control and leverage specific brands or product type messaging, which campaign consolidation might take away. It just ensures that the Search, Display, and YouTube creatives with PMax are bespoke to the brand or product, rather than being too broad and generic with your assets and negatively impacting engagement rates and ad relevance. 12. Consider running Microsoft Advertising campaigns Although some of the above can (and should) be implemented in Microsoft Ads, I feel the need to give them a special mention as Google’s little brother. Microsoft Advertising is often overlooked because of its smaller scale than Google’s. I often see better results on this platform because less competition means smaller-than-average CPCs in many verticals. Now, this isn’t as pronounced as it was a few years ago, but it’s still there to be taken advantage of. It is far from perfect (its smart bidding and Performance Max offerings are less superior to Google’s). Still, because of its first-to-market AI offering, the platform is increasing in popularity. The little brother is growing up fast, so don’t miss out on the opportunity it brings. Small tweaks, big wins ahead Whether you’re refining what already works or overhauling underperforming campaigns, these 12 steps will help you head into peak season with confidence. Prioritize tracking, lean into automation, and don’t shy away from testing – small improvements now can lead to big wins later. View the full article

Amazon hasn't yet released a full list of what's coming to Prime Video in June, but we do know what original titles are slated to premiere throughout the month. Prime original action comedy Deep Cover (June 12) has a stacked cast that includes Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed, and Sean Bean. In the film, Howard plays an improv comedy teacher who recruits two of her students (played by Bloom and Mohammed) to infiltrate London's gangs by pretending to be criminals. Countdown (June 25) is a new crime thriller series from Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas. An LAPD detective is recruited to a secret task force to investigate the murder of a Department of Homeland Security officer. And We Were Liars (June 18) is a psychological thriller series based on the titular novel by E. Lockhart, the plot of which follows the wealthy Sinclair family and the events of summer on their private island. Finally, there's sports doc American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans (June 12), which chronicles the journey to bring the American stock car Chevrolet Camaro to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Here are the originals coming to Prime Video in June. What’s coming to Prime Video in June 2025 Available June 12American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans Deep Cover Available June 15The Chosen: Last Supper Available June 18We Were Liars Available June 23Head Over Heels Available June 25Countdown Available June 27Marry My Husband View the full article

A clear look at what makes a brand: purpose, perception, trust, value, and the role each plays in building long-term business equity and loyalty. The post B2B Brand: Why It Matters More Than You Think appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

After the celebration ends, college graduates typically face numerous transitions, from moving to a new city and/or starting a new job to taking on student loan payments and other financial responsibilities. College students are often targeted for job scams, but the Better Business Bureau is alerting recent grads about schemes being employed specifically to steal their personal information and money during this transition period. Unpaid tuition scamImagine getting a call after graduation that you have an outstanding tuition payment, and unless you pay the bill immediately, your diploma will be rescinded. Scammers are using this threat to con recent grads—who have, in fact, paid their full tuition—into sending money via wire transfer or prepaid debit card, which cannot be tracked or recovered. Another version of this scam attempts to convince college students (and/or their parents) that they owe tuition and need to pay immediately to ensure they remain enrolled. If you receive an email, text, or call about an unpaid bill, do not engage—instead, contact your school's bursar or financial services office directly. You will typically receive communication from higher education institutions by mail or via a secure student portal—not as an urgent message demanding money. Student loan scamsStudent loans have been targets for scammers for years—made easier by the starting and stopping of loan forgiveness programs—and recent college grads who are getting ready to make their first payments are common victims. You may get an unsolicited call, text, or email from a company offering debt relief or debt forgiveness services for a fee. In some cases, the company is legit but making false claims, and in others, the whole thing is a scam. They may ask for upfront payment, usually via gift card or wire transfer, and never deliver, or gather a bunch of personal information that can be used to steal your identity. While the status of loan forgiveness can be difficult to follow, you should know the details of your loan, including when payments are due to begin, and look for official sources regarding loan forgiveness options. Job scamsEmployment scams range from fake job listings to unsolicited texts from "recruiters" offering a position while demanding personal information and payment for "training." Recent grads may be promised an entry-level remote role at a completely unrealistic salary, and scammers collect everything from your Social Security number to your bank account information in exchange for the offer. Other schemes have you pay upfront for training or equipment you never receive (because the job isn't real) or pay you too much with a fake check and ask for reimbursement via app or wire transfer. No one is getting too-good-to-be-true jobs in this market. Always do your due diligence on companies before applying for a position or accepting an offer: Review the official website for contact information and job postings, and consider reaching out to HR or employees you locate independently to confirm that a position is legit. Don't ever pay for anything up front. Moving scamsThe moving industry seems to be rife with scams, and recent grads who need to move across town or out of state are not immune. Moving companies may charge more money than was quoted and, in the worst cases, hold your stuff hostage unless you pay. Or they may simply not show after you've paid a deposit for the move. Red flags for moving companies include estimates delivered quickly and with little information collected about your move, full payments demanded before the move, and non-refundable deposits paid via peer-to-peer apps and bank transfers (negating the protection of credit cards). Thoroughly research the company to understand how moving brokers operate, and make sure you get everything in writing. Rental scamsIf you make it through the actual move unscathed, you could still encounter a rental scam. As with job scams, these involve listings that sound too good to be true, with lots of amenities in a desired location at an affordable price. (Like job scams, most renters aren't getting these deals in this market.) Fraudsters may even use real properties in their listings to lure you in. Once they have you, they collect a deposit, first month's rent, and a bunch of personal information while leaving you with nowhere to live. While you may pay your actual rent via Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo, you shouldn't use these services to send a deposit for a rental you haven't seen to a landlord you haven't met. Search the listing on Zillow, Redfin, and other rental sites to look for inconsistencies that could indicate a scam. Verify the address, look at Google street view, and visit (or send someone you trust in your place) before paying any money if you can. View the full article

The Mortgage Bankers Association deleted web pages including a diversity, equity and inclusion playbook, citing compliance with President The President's orders. View the full article

Microsoft is testing a sticky footer in the Bing Search results that show related searches. So the related searches section sticks to the footer, making these related searches way more in your face.View the full article

Google's John Mueller does not want you to lump programmatic SEO with technical SEO. He said they are different things and that while technical SEO "will definitely continue to be a thing," programmatic SEO is another story.View the full article

Google is testing replacing the "Dive deeper in AI Mode" button with "Follow up in AI Mode." This is the button you can sometimes see at the bottom of the AI Overview, after you expand the AI Overview within Google Search.View the full article

Bing added a new section to its search results named "travel stories." You can see them when you enter in a popular travel country or city, and then look on the right side of the page. The travel stories pull from Bing Travel.View the full article

Google AI Overviews can now show an image carousel that you can swipe through to go to images. I am not able to replicate this myself but it seems like when you click on the images, it takes you into Google Image Search.View the full article

But fund warns that slim government headroom makes tax or spending measures necessary ‘if shocks arise’ View the full article

Most social media networks want to draw users onto the platform and keep them there. But, once again, Bluesky is taking the path less travelled. The decentralized social platform loves subverting the norm, and their latest announcement is the perfect example. Bluesky is testing a new livestreaming feature, starting with a small group of accounts and a few high-profile partners. While livestreams won’t be hosted on Bluesky, users will be able to discover when someone is live — and jump directly to YouTube, Twitch, or another platform to watch. As Blueskky COO Rose Wang explains: “We aren’t trapping you in Bluesky. We want you to use Bluesky to discover what’s happening.” Sounds pretty neat, right? Here’s what we know so far. A new ‘Live Now’ badge is rolling outWhen a creator or brand in the test group adds a livestream link to their profile, Bluesky will display a red border around their profile picture and a 'Live' callout just below. Click the profile pic, and you’ll be taken straight to their live content — whether that’s a game, a news stream, or a Q&A on Twitch. “Bluesky is the place for breaking news and real-time updates,” the company shared on its official account. “This tool supports streamers, journalists, and anyone sharing live moments as they happen.” This focus on discovery, rather than keeping users within the app, is a notable departure from platforms like X, which historically preferred to host content natively. How Bluesky’s Live Now badges work (so far)Here’s a quick summary of how the test feature functions: Creators add a livestream link (YouTube, Twitch, etc.) to their post or profileA Live Now badge appears in the feed and around their profile pictureUsers who click through are taken directly to the livestream, off-platformThis feature is not yet available to everyone, but Bluesky has confirmed plans to expand itIt’s a limited test — for nowBluesky says only a “handful of accounts” can currently access this feature, but the company is being transparent about the early-stage nature of the rollout: “This is an early test,” the company said. “We’re announcing this publicly so you know what we’re working on, even though the feature is not widely available yet. We’ll refine this feature based on feedback before a full launch to all users.” So far, US basketball leagues, NBA and WNBA, are confirmed testing partners — both accounts now feature the new live indicators when promoting games. What does this mean for creators?The new livestream functionality lines up with the new platform’s push to support creators’ routes to monetization, even if that requires their users to leave Bluesky. The creator economy is “beautiful,” Rose Wang shared in an episode of Buffer Chat: The Podcast, in late 2024 — and Bluesky has big plans for them. Rose gave the example of a stand-up comedian who would want to share a link to their live show with their social media audience. “As soon as you post the link for your stand-up show, what we’re seeing is that people are getting de-promoted,” she said. “So their posts that are funny and get 1,000 likes — because it helps people stay on the platform — then when they try to ask folks to leave to go to see a show, they get 60 likes. They’re like, something’s wrong, right?” “And so that’s the promise of Bluesky,” Rose said. “You get to own that relationship with your audience. There’s no de-promoting links on Bluesky.” With the new live badge feature, the hypothetical comedian will not only get to share a post that’s not downranked — their live show will be spotlighted in theirhis follower’s' feeds. On Buffer Chat, Rose also shared how Bluesky is thinking about native routes to monetization for creators. The plan is to build a system where creators can get paid right on Bluesky and any other platforms built on their open AT Protocol ecosystem. “And then we'll increase the volume of those transactions, and the creators and folks take home most of it, and we just take a percentage of the transaction fee,” Rose says. “As they make more money, we should make money — but if they aren’t, we shouldn’t either.” That said, Rose shared that due to the complicated nature of payment systems, monetization probably won’t be coming to Bluesky for a while. “It takes time — payments just take a while. But absolutely, it’s one of the things that we are prioritizing.” What’s next for livestream badges?While there’s no firm timeline for a full rollout, Bluesky’s team says they’ll be gathering feedback from this first test phase and refining the feature as they go. If you spot a red-ringed profile on your feed with a ‘Live Now’ badge, now you know what it means — and where it’ll take you. Watch this space for more. More Bluesky resources📚 Bluesky Isn’t Like Other Social Networks: Here’s How to Get Set Up📚 All of Bluesky’s Features (So Far) and How to Use Them📚 I've Used Bluesky for 6 Months – Here's What You Should Know📚 We Analyzed 1.7M Posts from X, Threads, and Bluesky: Here’s What We Learned📚 From Platforms to Protocols: Making Sense of Decentralized Social Media (and What it Means for the Future)View the full article

Hours before a federal law was set to take effect in January mandating that Chinese tech giant ByteDance sell TikTok’s U.S. operations, the social media app shut down. Though service was restored the next day, thousands of TikTok content creators were faced with the prospect of their source of income disappearing in an instant. The incident laid bare a common problem creators face: As social media algorithms change and platforms fold and emerge, creators need to find a way to grow their following and take it with them to different sites. That’s where LTK comes in. The 14-year-old company allows influencers to connect with brands, get commissions from products they plug, and hedge their bets by making money off any platform. The company also helps creators build a community that’s not subject to the vicissitudes of social media platforms: When a creator links to a product via LTK on any social platform, consumers have the option of following that person on LTK as well. And the company helps creators carry their sponsored content deals from platform to platform as well. LTK, which raised $550 million in 2021 at a $2 billion valuation, works with more than 350,000 creators, 8,000 retailers, and a million brands. Today, LTK facilitates more than $5 billion in annual sales through its platform. The company was cofounded by Amber Venz Box, a content creator herself, who also serves as its president. Venz Box came on the Most Innovative Companies podcast to discuss how LTK is navigating ever-changing social media algorithms, the increasing amount of AI-generated social content, and consumer fatigue from sponsored content. Every creator I talk with says they’re seeing less and less return on investment from their social posts. How do you handle that trend as a company? Social media has changed a lot in the last year specifically. Until 2024, social media was a place to follow creators and be part of communities. You had control over your feed. [Instagram head] Adam Mosseri came out in January and said this year the majority of what you see is going to be recommended content [that an algorithm selects]. We saw and felt that. If you had 100,000 impressions in January, you ended the year with about 25,000 impressions per post. How do you deal with those changes? We saw, as early as 2015, 2016, that their business is built on advertising. Our business is not built on that. So there are incentives that are misaligned. You have to displace a piece of creator content in order to insert an ad. That was the beginning of us thinking that we need to start planning. Snap also scaled quickly [around that time]. We were seeing the rise of a major scaled platform almost every two years, which presents fragmentation risk for our creators. We also saw consumers shift from desktop content consumption to mobile. At the end of 2016, we realized we had to create a home base for our creators because when you play this tape forward, it’s not great for our industry. So by 2017, we launched the LTK app. That is where everything lives for [our creators], where they house their community, and [where] they could start using social media as a marketing platform. Is video a big part of your business? We introduced video to our platform 2017. Over the last two years our creators have produced 300% more video. It’s quickly becoming the largest content type on LTK and it’s the most important. We know that consumers really resonate with video. There’s a higher trust with that, and as a creator, I’m actually selling trust. Ultimately, I need to be in a relationship with my followers and video is the best way to do that. We totally rebuilt the app and relaunched it this year to be video-first. When it comes to [the shutdown of] TikTok, we were the first generation to be fully disenfranchised for a minute. Our users were able to feel firsthand what it meant to have their community pulled. They need a home base to own their audience. We saw a huge uptick and people setting up their LTKs and driving their community over to the platform. These days, consumers can spot sponsored content and advertising from a mile away. What are some of the ways a creator can stay authentic and also sell things? Creators definitely don’t win by tricking people. For example, if I tell you this mascara is a tubing mascara and it’s not going to smudge on your face, and then when you try it and it smudges and it’s total crap and it’s flaky, you’re never going to trust me ever again. Creators need to be truly helpful. The environment we’re in this year is so wild when it comes to trust because there’s just a lack of it across the internet. Consumers are looking at AI creators across TikTok. Mark Zuckerberg says the vast majority of content you’re going to see on his platform is going to be machine created. Those are super low-trust things. Being a human creator is a differentiator. How does LTK make money? When you look at the monetization structure, our incentives are aligned with the whole ecosystem. The creator wants to create content that resonates with consumers. When that content resonates, the consumer makes a purchase. In that case, the brand pays a commission or transaction fee to that creator. If you go to Sephora, maybe somebody’s getting a commission. If you go to me online and buy the lip gloss from me, I’m going to get a commission. That’s one piece of the business. The other half is when brands come into our brand platform and say, “Hey, I actually am launching that new lip gloss and I want to make sure everyone talks about it.” They can find creators and have them do paid collaborations. The creator can accept offers through the platform or not. They’re being paid a flat fee to talk about the product. LTK has tons of other [revenue-generating] products, but if you want to think of it in two core ways, it’s really the transaction revenue and then the campaigns or the collaborations. Some of your competitors make money from affiliate links. What differentiates your business? We’ve created a whole platform where creators set up and run their business. [We help with] everything from content creation and distribution to partnerships. There’s a really rich technology stack that doesn’t meet the consumer eye. And when it comes to consumer distribution, we have 40 million consumers. That’s about 38% of millennial and Gen Z women who are using LTK right now. LTK is in a category of its own pursuing a vision to be the creator app in the same way that LinkedIn is the professional app or Strava is the running app. As a marketer, you want to leverage a creator who’s able to reach their audience. In January of this year, Adam Mosseri came out and said that stories are not a distribution point. They’re for friends who are friends in real life and know each other well. Everything he says comes true, so we should expect for the degradation of story reach even further than it already is. If you’re a brand marketer, it’s not great news. If you are working with a platform that is just providing affiliate links, then you may not have a place to use those links [when the algorithm changes]. We’re providing a home base to creators that’s separate from the influencer marketing platforms and storefront affiliate type of platform. LTK raised $300 million from SoftBank in 2021. Is the company profitable? Yes. We’re really unique for a SoftBank investment. My husband and I started the business and self-funded it. It has remained within our family and we still both operate it. I’m the president and he’s the CEO of the company. Ten years in, we decided to give some relief to some of our shareholders. We were already a profitable business. What SoftBank allowed us to do is give some reward to people who had been with us for about 10 years and run our road map forward. Since that time, we’ve more than doubled the business. And we remain EBITDA positive. Are you incorporating AI and machine learning into LTK? Our team uses a suite of 20 different AI companies and products to be more efficient, whether it’s from legal to design to everything else. At LTK we think that our creators being human is their superpower, but we can make them more efficient. AI is being used across all of our services. We’ll be releasing AI music, which is music that’s custom-created for the videos and content that our creators have made. We also use AI to pre-tag their content. The CRM for our creators is also totally automated. We’re also using it to send the right message to the right customer at the right time [to get them to buy something]. We sent over a billion notifications last year on behalf of our creators to their customers. On the brand side, we’re building campaigns for them in partnership with the right creators. The vast majority of creators we are recommending to brands are based on AI insights. Will you ever let AI influencers on the platform? We will not. The human promise is so important. There’s been a lot of articles that have come out actually about AI creators. They can gain a following and they look so real, but ultimately we think there’s a lack of trust. They’re not going to know that something ships faster, how it fits you. Again, it becomes like an ad, right? Because anything they’re going to be doing in that context is going to be because they were paid or told to by someone. So we will remain a human app, but it’ll be powered by AI. And the music might be created by AI, but the person that you’re chatting with and all that is real. View the full article

Last month in Los Angeles electric vehicle startup Slate Auto revealed its low-cost, American-made electric truck, with hopes to become the holy grail the auto industry needs to make EVs more affordable and accessible.The company expects its trucks’ sales price to be less than $20,000 with $7,500 U.S. federal tax incentives taken into consideration. While markets like Europe and China are seeing moderate to accelerated sales growth in their electric vehicle markets, the transition to EVs is slower in the United States. According to McKinsey’s latest annual survey, 12% of respondents in the U.S. said they intend their next car purchase to be a battery electric vehicle. However, the rate of EV adoption depends on where consumers are located in the country with urban areas seeing rates twice as much as rural areas. That data may indicate that adoption rates in the U.S. will remain slow, but Slate Auto chief commercial officer Jeremy Snyder is hoping the company can build demand by focusing on accessibility. “Slate is approaching the automobile differently,” Snyder says. “We are not competing with the existing market so I think it is creating a new one. People are going to want this one for the price, for the personalization.” According to the company, Slate Auto has raised its Series A and Series B, amounting to almost $700 million in funding. The company plans to produce up to 150,000 vehicles annually by the end of 2027—which would be less than 10% of Tesla’s 2024 deliveries, but roughly three times what luxe EV brand Rivian expects to deliver this year. Less Money, more problems? Currently, the average transaction price of an electric car in the U.S. is $59,205. Much of the market is dominated by high-dollar makers like Tesla, Rivian, and Polestar, which are likely out of reach for hourly wage workers—Slate Auto’s target audience. “When you talk about target demographics for current automotive, everybody is going towards the top 20%, 30% of the market,” Snyder says. “We don’t need to focus there. We need to focus [on] the folks that don’t have a lot of product choice. Those are the folks that we are really wanting to provide a safe, reliable, and affordable vehicle to.” Since its reveal event, a recent report indicates that the company has garnered over 100,000 refundable reservations ahead of the truck’s availability, which is expected by the last quarter of 2026. Infrastructure issues Though Slate’s early numbers suggest an appetite for low-cost EVs, that hints at a need for more robust charging infrastructure, according to Philipp Kampshoff, McKinsey senior partner and leader of the consultancy’s automotive practice. “ The moment you tap into the volume segment, you will also tap into a part of the consumer population that is going to be more reliant on public charging,” Kampshoff says. “Right now, most of the battery electric vehicle buyers are more affluent. They tend to have their own houses and they can charge at home. The moment you go more and more in the volume segment, [you] will have people that don’t own their houses and may be renting.” McKinsey’s summer 2024 report on EV buying trends, found only 9% of respondents felt existing charging infrastructure was sufficient. Kampshoff explains that particularly in the U.S., there is a “chicken and egg” problem when it comes to public charging infrastructure. Some consumers are hesitant to purchase an EV because public charging stations are either not visible or do not exist. On the other hand, charging infrastructure players may not want to invest in establishing charging stations because of low EV ownership. Based on lessons from other regions, potential solutions to this problem could center on government incentives beyond subsidies. For instance, in China, some nonmonetary incentives include preferential parking for EV drivers. Additionally, increasing awareness of existing public charging stations could also help resolve the issue. “When people are worried because there’s not enough charging infrastructure, you don’t take that worry away unless you know they see it,” Kampshoff says. “ If you’re driving down a highway, it’s very easy to see a gas station. But, there’s no signage for EV stations in most states.” View the full article

You’ve just graduated, and it’s time to get ready for your first adult job. This feels different from your summer jobs and internships—yet it’s not. Take a pause, two deep breaths, and realize: you are not flying solo. Remember: in the workplace and throughout your career, a “we, not ‘me” mentality makes all the difference. None of us gets anywhere alone. Not even fiercely independent believers in rugged individualism. Many graduates think they don’t have a personal board of directors and that they’re starting their careers with an empty table. But I’m here to tell you that nobody starts from zero. It can be hard to recognize at first, but you already have a group of people invested in you and your professional journey. These are your go-to people: those you trust, respect, and who have demonstrated their commitment to your professional growth and success. Think of the “board” as a figurative way to describe the individuals you turn to for guidance, support, input, radical honesty, and feedback. How to establish your board of directors First, start by setting some ground rules for your board: there are always open seats, and there are no term limits. Some people may only be on your board briefly; others may stay for a lifetime. These relationships shouldn’t be transactional or one-way. They are respectful, thoughtful connections that you must nurture. Here are three actions you can take to strengthen your relationship with your current board members. 1. Start with an audit Ask yourself, who’s already sitting at your table? Think about the people you call when you’re in a personal or professional crisis, the ones who make you feel better just by talking. Think about the friends you trust to discuss school, career decisions, fashion dilemmas, or family stresses. Don’t forget about teammates, club members, or organization peers whose advice you value. Reflect on those who have once sat you down to walk you through a critical decision. Even family members who offer solicited (and sometimes unsolicited) advice can be part of your board if you trust their input. These are the people who are already serving. 2. Be open to changing your board members Second, roll people off when necessary. Not everyone is meant to stay forever. As you grow and evolve, it’s natural for board membership to change. Sometimes it’s them, they might have life commitments that shift, which decreases availability. Sometimes it’s you. You develop new priorities or outgrow the relationship. Sometimes, a person might break your trust, and a once-valued board member no longer feels like a safe person. Whatever the reason, honor the evolution. The right board changes over time to meet the needs of the person you are becoming. 3. Show gratitude Third, show gratitude. Ask yourself if you’ve truly done the work to nurture these relationships. Once you finish reading this, reach out to a few board members to say thank you. Whether you send a handwritten note, a text, an email, or make a phone call, be intentional. Share an update—let them know you’ve graduated and are starting your next chapter. Express your gratitude with a specific example of how their support helped you reach this milestone. And tell them that you’d like to stay in touch, if they’re open to continued communication. This isn’t a transaction—it’s the ongoing work of maintaining and valuing real relationships. As you begin your new job, remember that there are always open seats at your boardroom table. Think about who you’d like to join next. What areas of growth could benefit from more support? For example, when I graduated from medical school, I wished I had someone to help me with financial literacy—someone who could have guided me through paying off debt and making smart financial decisions. Books, podcasts, and newsletters are helpful, but nothing replaces having a real person to call or email when questions arise. The most successful professionals don’t achieve everything at once. They build careers by learning and applying micro skills—small, intentional behaviors that compound over time and can be implemented in real time. Congratulations, graduate. You already have a board. People are serving on it. Now it’s time to reinforce, grow, and celebrate the support. View the full article

On February 17, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek released a video assuring Oregonians that Donald The President would not derail the progressive state’s efforts to combat climate change. As promised during his presidential campaign, The President had issued executive orders during his first week in office aimed at halting new sources of wind power and freezing Biden-era funding for renewable energy. Oregon, Kotek said, had been “leading the way for years on courageous state policies to fight climate change.” Along with neighboring Washington state, Oregon has set an ambitious mandate for electric utilities to be carbon neutral within the next two decades. “It’s going to take all of us working together finding innovative solutions, no matter the obstacles, to confront the climate crisis,” the governor said, “and we are not turning back.” But the reality is not nearly as inspiring as Kotek made it sound. For all their progressive claims, Oregon and Washington trail nearly all other states in adding new sources of renewable energy. Iowa, a Republican-led state with roughly the same population and usable volume of wind as Oregon, has built enough wind farms to generate three times as much wind power. What’s held the Northwest back is a bottleneck Oregon and Washington leaders paid little attention to when they set out to go 100% green, an investigation by ProPublica and Oregon Public Broadcasting found: The region lacks the wiring to deliver new sources of renewable energy to people’s homes, and little has been done to change that. Northwest leaders left it to a federal agency known as the Bonneville Power Administration to arrange badly needed upgrades to an electrical grid that’s nearly a century old in places. Bonneville, under a setup that is unique to the Northwest, owns most of the power lines needed to carry green power from the region’s sunny and windy high desert to its major population centers. Bonneville has no state or local representation within its federally appointed bureaucracy and, by statute, operates as a self-funded business. The agency decides which energy projects can hook up based on whether its infrastructure can handle the extra load, and it decides how quickly that infrastructure gets expanded. Its glacial pace has delayed wind and solar projects under Democratic and Republican presidents alike. Of the 469 large renewable projects that applied to connect to Bonneville’s grid since 2015, only one has reached approval. Those are longer odds than in any other region of the country, the news organizations found. No major grid operator is as stingy as Bonneville in its approach to financing new transmission lines and substations needed to grow the power supply, according to industry groups that represent power producers. Efforts to bypass Bonneville didn’t start until this year, when Oregon and Washington legislators considered bills to create their own state bonding authorities for upgrading the region’s high-voltage network. Both bills died. The grid’s severe constraints are hindering the Northwest at a time when it desperately needs more electricity. Oregon and Washington lawmakers lured power-guzzling data centers with tax breaks in recent years, and the industry has helped drive electricity demand sky high. Having failed to add enough green-energy sources or any new gas-fired power, the Northwest buys electricity from elsewhere, at high prices, during extreme weather. Rates paid by customers of major Oregon utilities are now 50% higher than five years ago. The worsening energy shortage threatens millions of residents with continual rate hikes and sporadic power outages—not to mention dashing the Northwest’s hopes of drastically reducing its contribution to climate change. “The people who, technically speaking, are in charge of our transmission system are dropping the ball,” said Oregon state Rep. Mark Gamba, a Democrat who sponsored this year’s failed legislation aimed at creating a state grid improvement authority. “We are absolutely looking at rolling blackouts, and we are absolutely looking at not hitting any of our climate targets when it comes to energy production.” Kotek declined an interview request. Kotek spokesperson Anca Matica said in a statement that the governor is “open to innovative ideas to increase transmission capacity” and labeled it key to achieving the state’s energy goals. She offered no direct response to questions about Oregon’s lack of progress in boosting renewables. Reuven Carlyle, the former state senator who crafted Washington’s 2019 decarbonization bill, said he was “deeply cognizant” of the region’s transmission challenges at the time but that plans to address the problem “simply slipped.” “It’s certainly nothing to be proud of that it didn’t get resolved,” said Carlyle, who founded a consulting firm for climate-focused investments after leaving the Legislature. “And it’s embarrassing that Oregon and Washington, which are such good-looking states, simply can’t practically build anything in terms of energy.” In the final months of the Biden administration, Bonneville announced a plan to do some grid upgrades, and agency Administrator John Hairston has said the self-funded federal agency is investing in transmission as much as it can without taking on too much debt. Bonneville responded to written questions from OPB and ProPublica by citing recent improvements to its process for connecting energy projects and noting that it’s not the only player responsible for growing the grid. The agency added that it “remains committed to its critical mission of supporting the region with affordable, reliable and secure power.” But Bonneville’s latest plans for the grid are in jeopardy. In addition to suspending all new federal wind permits, the The President White House has added Bonneville to the long list of agencies cutting federal jobs. Three Bonneville employees, requesting anonymity for fear of retribution, said the cuts will make building out the transmission system even harder. With four years of Joe Biden’s climate activism in the rearview mirror, the Pacific Northwest appears to have blown its best chance to realize its ambitions for renewable power. Projects in Limbo David Brown is a case study in the long and agonizing path to breaking ground on a Northwest solar farm. The Portland energy developer has been in the renewables business since 2003, and his firm, Obsidian Renewables, has a plan to put a vast array of solar panels on a piece of southern Oregon high desert that’s the size of 3,000 football fields. Brown said it’s expected to produce enough energy for about 110,000 homes. Obsidian will handle everything from acquiring the land to getting permits approved, then look to sell the solar farm to an investor or utility once it’s ready for construction. But any power plant, whether fueled by coal, wind or sunshine, has to be wired into the electrical grid: a system of transmission lines and transformers that pools electricity and channels it to customers. While power lines crisscross the nation, power mainly gets used within the region that generates it. As in most parts of the Northwest, the nearest transmission lines Brown could plug into belong to Bonneville. He asked the agency for permission to connect his solar farm to its system in 2020. He doesn’t expect approval until at least 2028. “I don’t know a single place in Oregon or Washington where I can connect a new solar project and get transmission. Not one,” he said. One part of the holdup is that Bonneville needs to finish studying what kind of substation it will need to safely let a big new power source into the grid. Brown’s 400-megawatt solar farm has been through three such “interconnection” studies so far. The first time, Bonneville estimated Brown’s business would need to pay $23 million to build a substation, which Bonneville would own. The second study bumped the price to $70 million. By the third, Brown said, it was $212 million. He said the agency blamed supply chain and labor issues, in part, for the near-tripling in cost over four years. There are hundreds of projects like Brown’s: more than 200,000 megawatts worth of renewable energy awaiting Bonneville’s signoff, or enough to power the Northwest nearly 10 times over. One proposed wind farm has been in Bonneville’s queue for more than 16 years. Among projects 20 megawatts or bigger that were proposed in the past decade, the only one that made it through Bonneville’s waitlist was an add-on to an existing Portland General Electric wind farm that didn’t require any major transmission upgrades. It won approval in 2022. The Northwest is not the only region with a backlog of projects waiting to plug in. Grid operators across the country have navigated a deluge of new wind, solar and mass-storage battery requests in recent years. Many applicants proved to be merely testing the waters, with nearly 3 in 4 ultimately pulling their plans, according to Joseph Rand, an energy researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. But other regions managed to sort out problems better than the Northwest, OPB and ProPublica found. The news organizations used data from Bonneville and from a national database compiled by researchers at the Berkeley Lab to analyze how many large renewable energy projects waiting for grid connections made it to the finish line. The data showed that for large projects proposed since 2015, Bonneville’s one approval translates to a success rate of 0.2%, the lowest rate of any region. By contrast, about 10% of new applications for major projects in the Midwest and 28% in Texas made it through. Bonneville has said one reason for the slow progress is that its waitlist is jammed up with too many “speculative” projects—more dream than financial reality. (There’s no evidence that Bonneville has it worse, though; data shows that the share of developers who back out after seeking Bonneville’s approval, 76%, is close to the national average.) Renewable advocates and energy developers say Bonneville struggles to hire and retain people to process connection requests because the agency pays less than the private sector. In January, Washington U.S. Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat, and Dan Newhouse, a Republican, introduced a bill to make Bonneville’s compensation more competitive, but it hasn’t moved since. To speed things up, Bonneville has halted new requests for grid connections and changed its approach to reviewing applications. Where specialists used to review proposals one at a time, in the order received, they now plan to prioritize projects that are closest to ready. The agency said the new approach will increase the number of projects that get connected while cutting processing time in half, from an expected 15 years. Bonneville said in a statement that it is “confident the interconnection reforms we adopted” will prove “sufficient to meet our customers’ needs.” The changes have not yet helped Brown, who has been awaiting Bonneville’s approval to start work in southern Oregon since 2020. For now, the planned solar project remains in limbo. “It’s gonna take me years and a couple million dollars to get land use approval,” Brown said, “and why do I want to get land use approval if I don’t know whether or not I have transmission?” “There’s No Room for Your Project” The predicament Brown and dozens of other wind and solar developers face is a product of the Northwest’s unusual history with electric power. Oregon and Washington were blessed with powerful rivers fed by abundant snow and rainfall. Beginning in the New Deal era, the federal government built dozens of hydroelectric dams and a sprawling transmission system to electrify the rural West. The region’s energy supply was cheaper and emitted less carbon than the rest of the nation’s. Bonneville was at the helm. Even today, hydropower supplies almost 35% of Oregon’s electricity and more than 50% of Washington’s, according to the most recent data available. But hydroelectric dams are a finite and increasingly shaky power source. Output from existing dams dips whenever droughts sap water from the Columbia River basin. New dams are a nonstarter because dams have decimated the region’s salmon populations. That leaves wind, solar and battery storage as the most promising places for the Northwest to turn as it approaches self-imposed deadlines to fully wean utilities off electricity that comes from oil, coal or gas. Bonneville has now become a barrier to accommodating the new power sources, six green energy developers told OPB and ProPublica. An agency that erected more than 4,800 miles of high-voltage transmission lines from 1960 to 1990 built fewer than 500 miles from 1990 to 2020. In the past five years, it built 1. Bonneville has the ability to borrow money, at low interest rates, for projects that would enable the grid to carry more power. Congress pushed the agency to do so in 2021, more than doubling Bonneville’s debt limit specifically to finance transmission upgrades. The chairs of the Oregon and Washington public utility commissions, in a joint 2022 letter, urged Bonneville to spend the money: “The region needs BPA to be a leader in delivering a transmission system that serves the entire region.” Bonneville, however, has been reluctant to take on debt. It is still paying off billions of dollars in bonds from failed nuclear plants in the 1970s. As recently as 2019, the agency’s finances were so poor that some economists expected it to become insolvent. Bonneville’s transmission planners, for their part, have told OPB and ProPublica in previous interviews that they want to avoid building expensive transmission lines that no one ends up using. “We can’t speculate and build a transmission line to nowhere,” Jeff Cook, the agency’s vice president for transmission planning, said in May 2024. When Bonneville announced in the fall it would tap some of its expanded debt limit to help pay for $5 billion in transmission upgrades over a decade, renewable energy advocates characterized the work as long overdue maintenance that wouldn’t provide the expansion the grid needs. Most of the work Bonneville announced was “the equivalent of fixing potholes, installing some new round-abouts, doing some repaving,” Spencer Gray, executive director of the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition, said in an email. A further frustration for wind and solar developers that is unique to Bonneville: The grid operator makes them absorb an outsize share of the cost for projects that help the transmission network accommodate their electricity—and it requires a big deposit up front. That’s true even if the new power lines benefit a wide network and will be around for many generations of customers. “Lately, the answer to these individual developers has been, ‘There’s no room for your project. If you want to put this project on our system, it’s going to cost you this many millions of dollars to help us upgrade the system,’” said Sarah Edmonds, president of a coalition of utilities known as the Western Power Pool. The approach, Edmonds said, has had “a chilling effect on the ability of developers to get their projects online.” Michelle Manary, Bonneville’s vice president of transmission marketing and sales, said requiring up-front deposits keeps existing ratepayers from getting stuck with the tab if a developer backs out and that Bonneville has begun work on a transmission upgrade. She said other regions have more control over who pays these costs because their entire distribution networks are under one operator. Bonneville’s transmission lines are more like highways, from which electric utilities serve as exit ramps that deliver power the last mile to Northwest neighborhoods. Manary denied that Bonneville’s current way of allocating costs has stifled green energy projects. But she acknowledged the agency needs to reevaluate its policy amid the flood of applications for new projects, and she said that process is underway. “Texas Is Kicking Our Ass” The rest of the nation has taken a different approach to bringing green power online—with better outcomes. In most parts of the country, each grid has a central, independent operator, known as a regional transmission organization, typically run by a board that represents customers, electric utilities and other groups. Bonneville recently rejected joining a California-based energy market that advocates described as the Northwest’s best bet at accelerating the adoption of renewables. In Texas, which runs its own grid, large renewable projects applying to connect in the past decade took a median of 19 months to get the green light, or nearly two years less than the one project Bonneville approved in that time frame. California and the Midwest were also faster than Bonneville. Texas doesn’t require project-by-project grid upgrades the way other grid operators do. It essentially tells developers it will connect their project, and then it figures out how to balance the added electricity after the fact. Texas and other regional grid operators spend billions more than Bonneville on transmission upgrades annually, and they spread the costs across a wider swath of customers than Bonneville does. (Bonneville says the federal agency differs so much from regional operators that they’re not a fair comparison group.) Texas brought more energy online in the past two years than any other power region. That’s helped the oil and gas powerhouse become the country’s biggest producer of wind and solar energy. Last year alone it added more than enough renewable energy to power the entire Northwest. “Texas is kicking our ass,” said Gamba, the Oregon state representative. Northwest lawmakers were told that they’d need to find effective ways of confronting their region’s aging transmission system if they wished to phase out coal and natural gas. As Washington lawmakers debated a mandate for renewable power in 2019, Nicholas Garcia of the Washington Public Utility Districts Association testified that replacing coal plants with wind and solar would require “more transmission, significantly more transmission.” In 2021, when Oregon lawmakers debated their own mandate for carbon-free energy, Republicans also raised concerns that the state’s transmission lines were maxed out. It became one more GOP argument against the bill, in addition to saying more should be done to ensure green energy projects were built in Oregon. Numerous reports—from the Oregon and U.S. departments of energy, for example—supported the assertion that heftier transmission lines were needed. Bonneville would be key to meeting that need, with one utilities lobbyist calling Bonneville’s grid “the backbone for decarbonization” in testimony to Oregon lawmakers. But Oregon state Rep. Pam Marsh, who led the 2021 effort, said in a recent interview she was focused on getting utilities to cut their carbon emissions and that green energy advocates weren’t demanding transmission improvements at the time. “I was not thinking personally about the role that Bonneville might play in this,” said Marsh, a Democrat representing southern Oregon. Washington’s Legislature took some action on the need for better transmission: It required the state to study the issue. The resulting 2022 report concluded that the grid was indeed inadequate but led to little in the way of solutions. Instead, lawmakers decided to require utilities to plan out transmission needs 20 years ahead rather than 10, and they created a statewide environmental review in hopes of streamlining the state’s approval process for transmission. It did nothing about impediments posed by Bonneville. The Legislature was “a little complacent” about relying on Bonneville to upgrade the grid, said Sen. Sharon Shewmake, a freshman lawmaker in 2019 when Washington enacted its energy mandate. Shewmake and Gamba both introduced legislation this year following states like Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming in creating independent authorities to finance transmission infrastructure. Gamba said he led an 80-person group of interested parties through 18 months of drafting. Democratic Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson labeled Shewmake’s bill a priority. The legislation didn’t make it through either state’s Democrat-controlled legislatures, however. Brown, the energy developer who’s been awaiting Bonneville’s solar approval since 2020, said the future of the Northwest’s energy dreams looks dim. “We don’t have a prayer of meeting our heralded, flag-waving renewable energy goals,” he said. “The dialogue will be to blame The President; it won’t be to blame ourselves for poor planning and extremely low expectations.” — Tony Schick and Monica Samayoa, Oregon Public Broadcasting — Ellis Simani assisted with data analysis. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Oregon Public Broadcasting. View the full article

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