ResidentialBusiness

Step inside a newly built apartment complex in almost any American city and you’re likely to find people congregating in an unexpected place. They’re not in the pool or the game rooms or the gym. The people are gathering in the mailroom. Through an unusual collision of building codes, postal regulations, shopping habits, and a global pandemic, mailrooms have become a new kind of social space in apartment buildings. And designers are finding new ways of taking what has long been a utilitarian peripheral space and turning it into a central square where residents can dwell and interact. Julia Lauve is an interior designer in Dallas and her firm Workshop Studio designed the mailroom for a recently completed 213-unit apartment building in suburban Lewisville, Texas. Instead of presenting a simple row of metal mailboxes, the mailroom appears to be more of a lounge, with a large U-shaped sofa in the middle, dark paneled walls, soft lighting, and wide carpeted floor. There are tables where residents can sit and open their mail or pull out a laptop, and doors to the street turn it into a waiting room for visitors or rideshare services. “It pulls you in with some soft seating and invites you to stay there for a little while instead of just opening your mailbox, getting your three or four pieces of junk mail, tossing them in the trash, and leaving,” Lauve says. The English Den The mailroom is also front and center in the building, rather than hidden in some back room. “It is an extension of the lobby and the community spaces within this property, instead of it being an afterthought and tucked away,” says Lauve. She’s created several other similar mailroom designs for apartment complexes in Texas, and there are residential projects from Arizona to Virginia where mailrooms are considered just as much of a resident amenity as a pool or a gym. The English Den Why mailrooms are such a desired perk The mailroom’s sudden rebirth may seem random, but it has come about through a perfect storm of outside influences. “A lot of it is driven by code,” says Sheena Brittingham, managing partner of Vida Design, an interior design firm based in Portland that has multiple mailroom design projects in its portfolio. Recent revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require large apartment buildings to have at least some mailboxes within a “reach range” between 15 and 48 inches from the ground, and many local jurisdictions require all mailboxes to fall within that range, adding more linear footage to the overall mailroom size. Building codes that once required turning radii in hallways and common areas to be at least 60 inches have increased the minimum to 67 inches, adding additional space between rows of mailboxes. “[Mailrooms are] just getting larger and larger and taking up more space,” says Brittingham. “On most of our projects we’ve approached it like, let’s make this a beautiful experience and make it a place people actually want to come.” That means putting more design touches into a real estate footprint that has swollen in size. Lauve’s project in Lewisville, Texas, for example, has about 8,700 square feet of amenity space on two floors, including a clubhouse, a gym, and a business center. Almost 1,000 square feet of that is dedicated to the mailroom. “It’s a lot of space,” she says. The English Den The main courier of mail—the United State Postal Service itself—has also influenced this trend. Mail receptacle standards revised in 2020 now require that multifamily residential buildings locate their mailrooms “reasonably close” to the nearest place where a mail carrier can park their delivery vehicle, which many local postmasters have interpreted as a 100-foot rule of thumb. That’s brought mailrooms out of the dark corners and much closer to the front of the building, blurring the edges between mail infrastructure and the lounge-like lobbies and sleekly designed common areas many of these developments include. Brittingham says her firm used this new condition to influence its design concept for a mailroom in a recent project in San Diego, which sets aside some of the mailroom’s counterspace for a typewriter that nudges people to contribute to a public journal of sorts. “It’s trying to engage the residents a little bit more in an analog way,” she says. “Mail is such an analog experience that it’s kind of nostalgic.” Redesigning mailrooms for the work-from-home era With the rise of e-commerce, dedicating more space to mail has become a modern necessity. “Anything that you could possibly need can be delivered to your door,” says Lauve. “People are now receiving all of this stuff from mail services, delivery services. So it’s become this behemoth amount of space that a developer needs to consider to make everybody happy.” Parcel rooms and delivery lockers are now also part of the mailroom landscape, with an increasingly sophisticated array of hardware capable of handling the daily onslaught of deliveries too big to fit in a typical mailbox. Brittingham says some of her firm’s projects have invested in space and technology to make this process as smooth as possible for residents, including secure rooms with key-coded doors, video surveillance, and elegant lighting. “We want to really elevate that experience because everybody is going here almost every day to pick up their packages,” she says. “We don’t want it to feel like you’re going down some creepy corridor to get your stuff.” Increased rates of package delivery is one side effect of the pandemic. Another is the growth of flexible work, which has turned many spaces—intentionally or not—into places where people can do their jobs. “We’re seeing a lot of overlap in any amenity space for cowork,” says Brittingham. “Any space or any surface where you give people an outlet and Wi-Fi, it gets utilized.” Her firm’s mailroom design projects have built this reality into its designs, adding extra seating and tables to allow for people to linger or even decamp from their usual workspace. In post-occupancy studies of projects, Brittingham says the shared spaces within mailrooms are used regularly. “We see a lot of people coming down during the day and just sitting on their laptop or being on their phone in a public space and just wanting to be together in any common area,” she says. Building managers are also claiming these spaces for themselves. Brittingham says the loungelike atmosphere of the mailroom has become an informal area for a building’s leasing manager to meet with prospective tenants, closer to the ebb and flow of residential life, showing a glimpse of the social potential of living in a big apartment building. The reemergence of mailrooms is partly happenstance, but this space is becoming the heart of multifamily residential projects. It may be a more critical third place than the other conventional amenity spaces within these buildings. “We’ve done arcade rooms. We’ve done golf simulators. We’ve done coffee shops that are attached as part of a multifamily property. So there is this chase for what is the most sought after amenity,” says Lauve. “What we have really found through our experience is it’s not the amenity, it’s community.” View the full article

Cultural planning has shape-shifted throughout its history, encompassing beautification initiatives, placemaking (and placekeeping) projects, and preservation work. But in the past decade, the field has accelerated significantly, according to Rana Amirtahmasebi and Jason Schupbach, the editors of The Routledge Handbook of Urban Cultural Planning, a new manual that compiles the most innovative programs, policies, and approaches to the discipline that have recently emerged. A throughline? That creative wellness is essential to cities, and that everything from the climate crisis to displacement, tourism, public space, and infrastructure can benefit by centering culture and the people responsible for it. It’s a provocative angle, considering how efficiency and technocracy—the opposite of the difficult to quantify nature of culture—still dominate urban planning. As Amirtahmasebi and Schupbach write in the book’s introduction, cultural planning “should be seen as a critical tool in the toolbox of building equitable communities” and no longer as a siloed topic on the fringes of city policy. The new manual, which clocks in at over 500 pages, features case studies from around the world on how arts and culture are entering urban planning in new ways. While the usual suspects of public art, museums, and cultural districts appear in the book, they’re joined by less expected approaches. For example, an essay describes how the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s first resident artist helped pedestrian safety come across more urgently by centering real people and their stories instead of statistics in Vision Zero presentations. Meanwhile, a chapter on land trusts explores how new ownership models are combatting real estate speculation in Oakland, California. We spoke with Amirtahmasebi, an urban planner and cultural strategist, and Schupbach, Dean of the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University, about their new book and what it means for the future of cities. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Congratulations on the book! What sparked it? Rana Amirtahmasebi: The field of cultural planning and policy has come a long way, but there was really no book about its intersection with other sectors and challenges like housing, gentrification, environment, economic development, public health, and disaster risk management. Jason Schupbach: We’re way beyond the just put a mural on a wall type of beautification project—although there’s an excellent article on murals in the book. Ideas are much more advanced today, but there hadn’t been a survey in almost 10 years, and there has been a massive explosion of thinking and networks and people in urban cultural planning. We thought, let’s get together all the people who are sophisticated about bringing cultural planning in conversation with other fields so that the handbook can be of actual use to people. Tell us about some of those new ways of thinking. I was drawn to a quote in the book from Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, the former head of the National Endowment for the Arts, who argued that creative wellness is part of how we understand a good quality of life and that planners should take note. Amirtahmasebi: What we missed as urban planners and policymakers is that we looked at the city as a bunch of sectors, like housing and transportation and we really didn’t really think about how to bring all of them together. But the city is also a cultural construct. How do you make this into a place where people can live, thrive, and be happy? In one essay, Dr. David O. Fakunle and his coauthors write about the creative process of storytelling and how it’s a powerful tool to address disinvested communities, loneliness, and public mental health. So arts and culture can cultivate opportunities for human-centered approaches to individual and collective healing, growth, and empowerment. What are some of the new policies that represent a more integrated approach to cultural planning and cities? Schupbach: Cultural land trusts are a big one. We’re so challenged by land prices in many places, and culture is one of the things that will get priced out first. How do you hold on? There’s an interesting article by Dr. Angie Kim about community ownership in Oakland, California. There, the East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative is exploring new financing models to buy land that might otherwise go to real estate speculators. And Erika Hennebury, a cultural affairs officer in the City of Toronto, offers a survey of cultural land trusts in Toronto, Vancouver, London, and San Francisco. Night mayors are another growing trend. Laia Gasch Caslas writes about how London implemented this policy, and there’s so much practical stuff in there. When the area around the Ministry of Sound, the legendary electronic music club, began to gentrify, the city required new development to have triple-pane windows and soundproof walls. A housing development person might not have been concerned about something like that, but a person in the city government paying attention to culture at night was. Guaranteed income for artists through programs that fund them to do work in communities is a new trend, too—like the Mellon Foundation’s $125 million Creatives Rebuild New York COVID-19 relief initiative. There have been some real interesting innovations, and it’s always in a place you might least expect where culture might intersect with city making. Equity and justice are strong currents throughout the book. To rewind a bit, the conversation in the aughts around urban cultural planning revolved around orienting cities toward “Creative Class” in service of economic growth, which contributed to gentrification and displacement. You argue that just framing cultural planning from an economic perspective is limiting. Why is that an important distinction? Schupbach: Cities are very complex things and you need every tool in your tool kit to try to make it better for all of the citizens. There are cultural tools, so why wouldn’t you use them? In the aughts, there was a strong economic argument that kind of rode a wave across cities around the world because of Richard Florida’s The Rise of the Creative Class book. It opened a lot of doors for mayors and cities to start a conversation about urban cultural planning. So I’m grateful for that. What Florida was talking about still matters, but we have a deeper level of sophistication about all the places that culture can help, and also how to build equity and justice. This work has come way beyond the creative economy. It intersects with transportation, as Katherine Dirga’s chapter on artists and transit planning explains. One chapter describes how a law lab at Northeastern University is working with community groups fighting housing instability. Amirtahmasebi: In a lot of contexts, when we talk about culture, we have to assign value. There’s no other way. In some places, there are grants available to develop theater or music or create a mural. But in a lot of parts of the world, when that money is not available, you have to make a case. So I think that’s why the creative class argument was very appealing to a lot of my colleagues and myself at the time. When you go talk to a mayor of a secondary city in Asia or Africa, how can you say let’s build a theater when you don’t have sanitation or housing? It’s extremely difficult to quantify qualities like social cohesion and social capital. Dr. Jackson says in the book that if you want to destroy a society, you kill the culture. It’s also true that if you want to build a society, you build their culture. It should be obvious, right? We shouldn’t have to make an economic case for it. Recognizing where value lies is another theme. You argue that “culture bearers” are important to center in planning and that expanding the field’s understanding of who these figures are is critical. Can you share a bit more about this? Schupbach: This concept of “culture bearers” is so important. It’s an inside urban cultural planning term, but it really is about who holds the culture in a place, and who passes it down. Everybody kind of knows who that is in their neighborhood probably, right? It’s not just about the formally trained artist. For example, altar makers in Los Angeles may not call themselves artists, but they are truly holders of the culture. There’s an article in the book on cultural asset mapping. It’s not just the number of artists and theaters; it’s really about digging deeper into what makes a place a place. Where would you like to see urban cultural planning go next? Amirtahmasebi: The next step is not thinking of culture as something that is completely separate from other sectors in the city. I would like cultural plans to be one chapter of the city’s overall plan. A lot of times, cultural plans don’t speak to what is happening with planning departments in other parts of the city. Schupbach: There’s huge potential in the under-explored public health space. Dr. Fakunle saw the power of storytelling in the loneliness crisis, as we talked about. Well, there are a lot of health crises. There’s a lot of stuff about art therapy, but how does it intersect with place in a smart way? And how does that connect to disaster? We’re in a moment of creative destruction right now in the United States. A lot of stuff is being torn down. I’m not so interested in the daily panic about the tear down; I’m really interested in what do we build on the other side? What are the new policy ideas? What are the new structures we can build? Things are changing. A lot of things for a lot of people weren’t working before. Let’s actually try to build something better. What do you see as the ultimate outcome of cultural planning applied to the fullest degree? Amirtahmasebi: The well-being of humans and being able to thrive, especially with intangible cultural heritage. To be the source of social and psychological resilience, especially in these times of hardship, everywhere in the world Schupbach: Hard same. The Routledge Handbook to Urban Cultural Planning is available from routledge.com. View the full article

In a new bag from Freitag, every part—from the fabric to the zipper, straps, buckles, and the thread that holds everything together—is made from a single material. The product is the latest example of a “monomaterial” design approach that some brands are beginning to use for a simple reason: It means that the products can actually be recycled when they eventually wear out. Right now, a typical backpack or bag has components made from multiple different materials. Dismantling everything at the end of its life is too time-consuming and expensive to be feasible. But using one material makes it essentially as simple as recycling a plastic water bottle. “You can basically put that entire product into a shredder instead of taking things apart first,” says Elisabeth Isenegger, who leads international communications at the Switzerland-based, 32-year-old company. Then the material can be melted down and made into pellets to make something new. The company chose a material called polyamide 6, which is commonly used in everything from textiles to toothbrush handles. Because it’s ubiquitous, there’s a market for recycling it. But it was a challenge to find sources for every component that they needed. Freitag also had to find a way to avoid a water-repellent coating that would normally be used on the fabric, but would have made the fabric unrecyclable. To do this, the company worked with one of its suppliers to develop a version of the fabric with three layers, laminated together, that was water repellent on its own. A backpack using the approach came out last year, followed by the smaller new bag, the Musette, that just launched. If something breaks on the bag, consumers can bring it to a Freitag store and then the bag will go to one of the brand’s 10 global repair centers. (The team set up a new repair kit for the backpack and bag, since repairs can also only be made with the same material.) When the bag eventually wears out, consumers can bring it back, and Freitag will work with partners to recycle it; it’s not handled in typical municipal recycling centers. Before launching the first backpack, the company worked with the Switzerland-based Institute for Materials Technology and Plastics Processing to validate the process. Ultimately, Freitag aims to become fully circular in everything that it makes. The brand’s best-known product, messenger bags made from old truck tarps, are already a form of recycling. But the company is now also working with trucking companies to test a new type of tarp material that can also be fully recycled after it’s made into a bag. View the full article

Key Takeaways Effective Management Practices: Focus on tenant management, inventory maintenance, security measures, and customer service to optimize storage unit property management and enhance tenant satisfaction. Technology Utilization: Implement property management software to automate tasks, streamline operations, and improve tenant interactions for greater efficiency. Financial Considerations: Conduct market research for competitive pricing strategies and maintain comprehensive budgets to manage operating expenses and ensure positive cash flow. Challenges and Solutions: Identify common challenges such as rising costs and customer retention difficulties, and adopt strategies like dynamic pricing, robust marketing, and improved customer service to address them. Regular Maintenance: Develop a maintenance schedule and perform consistent cleaning and equipment checks to uphold facility standards and tenant satisfaction. In today’s fast-paced world, managing a storage unit property effectively can make all the difference in maximizing profits and ensuring tenant satisfaction. Whether you’re a seasoned property manager or just starting out, understanding the nuances of storage unit management is crucial. You’ll find that a well-organized approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also attracts and retains customers. From maintaining inventory to implementing security measures, every aspect of storage unit property management plays a vital role in your success. By focusing on best practices and leveraging technology, you can streamline operations and create a seamless experience for your tenants. Dive into the essentials of storage unit property management and discover how you can elevate your facility to new heights. Overview Of Storage Unit Property Management Effective storage unit property management plays a vital role in maximizing profits and enhancing tenant satisfaction for your small business. Understanding this management’s core concepts equips you with the tools needed for success. Definition And Importance Storage unit property management involves overseeing and maintaining storage facilities, including managing tenants, handling reservations, and ensuring security. It’s essential for small businesses to focus on this aspect to drive increased occupancy rates, improve customer service, and reduce operational costs. Proper management fosters tenant loyalty, leading to higher retention rates and steady revenue streams. Key Components Several key components contribute to effective storage unit property management: Tenant Management: Establish clear communication with tenants. Use digital tools for leasing agreements and timely notifications. Inventory Maintenance: Regularly assess and manage inventory levels. Keep track of available units to avoid overbooking and ensure efficient space utilization. Security Measures: Implement robust security protocols. Install surveillance cameras, secure access gates, and adequate lighting to protect both the facility and tenant belongings. Marketing Strategies: Develop targeted marketing campaigns. Use online platforms and local advertisements to reach potential customers effectively. Technology Utilization: Adopt property management software. Streamline operations with tools that automate billing, manage reservations, and handle maintenance requests. Customer Service: Prioritize excellent service. Respond quickly to inquiries and concerns to create a positive experience for tenants. By managing these components efficiently, your small business can create a well-run storage facility that attracts and retains tenants while maximizing profitability. Best Practices For Effective Management Effective management in storage unit properties is vital for small businesses aiming to increase profitability and enhance tenant satisfaction. Implementing best practices can streamline operations and create a welcoming environment for tenants. Regular Maintenance Scheduling: Create a detailed maintenance schedule that incorporates essential tasks like cleaning, pest control, equipment checks, and property inspections. Consistent maintenance prevents issues and ensures a well-kept facility. Cleaning: Clean storage units promptly after move-outs to eliminate dust and grime buildup, creating a safe and appealing environment for new tenants. Regular cleaning contributes to tenant retention and satisfaction. Equipment Checks: Inspect and maintain equipment regularly to avoid breakdowns and ensure operational efficiency. Regular checks keep your operations smooth and minimize disruptions that could affect tenant experiences. Customer Service Strategies Personalized Service: Prioritize personalized customer service to build trust and satisfaction. A hands-on management approach fosters positive interactions, encouraging tenants to return and recommend your facility to others. Feedback: Pay attention to customer feedback. Regularly solicit and evaluate tenant opinions to identify areas for improvement. Addressing concerns promptly enhances operational effectiveness and tenant loyalty. Zeroing in on Customer Needs: Focus on understanding and addressing tenant needs efficiently. By responding quickly and effectively, you improve overall satisfaction and encourage long-term relationships, which are crucial for small business success. Technology In Storage Unit Management In storage unit property management, technology significantly enhances operations and improves tenant interactions. Small businesses can leverage various tools to streamline processes and ensure efficient management. Software Solutions Tenant and Unit Management: Using software like Storable Edge and Sitelink by Storable, you can effectively manage tenant records and unit inventory. These tools simplify tracking rent status and managing gate codes, allowing you to focus on enhancing tenant satisfaction. Automated Processes: Platforms like Self Storage Manager and Easy Storage Solutions automate tasks such as online rentals and payment collection. By reducing manual errors, these systems increase efficiency, enabling you to allocate resources better and improve service delivery. Reporting and Insights: Software solutions provide detailed reporting and analytics. With insights into business performance and market demand, you can make informed decisions that align with your small business goals. Automated Systems Online Rental Platforms: Automated systems allow tenants to rent units and make payments online. This convenience not only enhances customer experience but also reduces staffing needs, allowing you to focus on other critical areas of your small business. Access Control Systems: Automated gate control systems help secure access to facilities. With gate codes and security measures in place, you can protect your inventory and enhance trust with your tenants. Notification Systems: Automated notifications for rent reminders, lease renewals, and other vital events maintain smooth operations. Implementing these systems reduces the chance of missed communications, reinforcing tenant relationships and supporting retention efforts in your business. Financial Considerations Managing a storage unit property involves several financial factors that significantly influence your small business’s success. Attention to initial costs, operating expenses, and effective pricing strategies ensures your facility remains profitable. Pricing Strategies Setting competitive prices for your storage units impacts occupancy rates and revenue. Market Research: Analyze local demand and competitors to set optimal pricing without undermining your profitability. Dynamic Pricing: Adjust prices based on demand fluctuations, seasonality, and unit size to enhance revenue. Discounts and Promotions: Offer introductory rates, long-term rental discounts, or first-month specials to attract new tenants and minimize vacancy. Budgeting and Expense Management Budgeting is vital to maintain operational efficiency and profitability within your small business. Comprehensive Budgeting: Create detailed budgets encompassing development, pre-opening, and ongoing operational costs, including staffing, maintenance, and marketing. Expense Monitoring: Regularly review expenses such as utilities, maintenance, and management fees to uncover cost-saving opportunities. Cash Flow Management: Track rental income and expenses to ensure a positive cash flow that meets your financial commitments. Financial Analysis and Forecasting: Conduct feasibility studies and financial stress tests to prepare for market changes and potential investment risks. Focusing on these financial considerations enhances your small business’s resilience and positions you for long-term success in the storage unit management industry. Challenges In Storage Unit Property Management Storage unit property management presents various challenges that small business owners must navigate to optimize operations. Understanding these challenges helps in developing effective strategies. Common Issues Faced Rising Property and Maintenance Costs: Property owners experience increasing expenses related to rent, utilities, and upkeep. In particular, maintenance costs can significantly impact profitability. Difficulty in Attracting and Retaining Customers: Small businesses often struggle with marketing and delivering superior customer service, essential for tenant retention. A focused approach in these areas can improve tenant satisfaction and loyalty. Compliance with Environmental Regulations: You face challenges in adhering to regulations regarding waste disposal and hazardous material storage, which can strain resources and require ongoing staff training. Strategies To Overcome Challenges Adopt Technology: Leverage real-time data analytics to inform pricing strategies and streamline processes. Utilizing online rental platforms can enhance tenant interactions and ease operations. Dynamic Pricing: Implement dynamic pricing techniques based on demand and competitor analysis. Adjusting rental rates can attract more tenants while maintaining profitability. Strong Marketing and Customer Service: Focus on robust marketing strategies, such as targeted advertising and promotions. Foster excellent customer service to build strong relationships with tenants, enhancing retention. Cost Management: Identify cost-saving measures to improve operational efficiency. Regularly review expenses to find opportunities for reducing overhead without sacrificing service quality. Security Upgrades: Invest in advanced security systems to protect your assets and mitigate liability risks. Enhanced security measures can improve tenant confidence and contribute to higher occupancy rates. Conclusion Effective storage unit property management is key to achieving long-term success. By prioritizing tenant satisfaction and operational efficiency you can create a thriving business that attracts and retains customers. Implementing best practices in maintenance technology and customer service will not only enhance tenant experiences but also boost your profitability. Navigating challenges like rising costs and market competition requires a proactive approach. By leveraging data analytics and adopting dynamic pricing strategies you can stay ahead of the curve. Ultimately your commitment to excellence in management will pave the way for a sustainable and successful storage facility. Frequently Asked Questions What is storage unit property management? Storage unit property management refers to the oversight and maintenance of storage facilities, including managing tenants, reservations, and ensuring security. Effective management is essential to maximize occupancy rates, enhance customer service, and reduce operational costs. Why is effective management important for storage facilities? Effective management is crucial for maximizing profits and tenant satisfaction. It helps streamline operations, improve customer service, and reduce costs. A well-managed facility attracts and retains tenants, ensuring steady revenue streams. What are the key components of effective storage management? Key components include tenant management, inventory maintenance, security measures, marketing strategies, technology utilization, and customer service. Addressing these areas helps create a well-run facility that meets tenant needs and maximizes profitability. How can technology aid in storage unit management? Technology enhances operations through software solutions for tenant records, online rentals, and payment automation. Automated systems improve efficiency, security, and tenant interactions, making management processes smoother and more effective. What best practices should be adopted in storage management? Best practices include regular maintenance of units, prompt cleaning after move-outs, and customer service strategies like personalized service and feedback solicitation. These practices improve tenant satisfaction and foster long-term relationships. What financial aspects are crucial in storage unit management? Key financial aspects include initial costs, operating expenses, and effective pricing strategies. Conducting market research and implementing dynamic pricing can help attract tenants while budgeting and expense management enhance operational efficiency. What challenges do storage unit property managers face? Challenges include rising costs, attracting and retaining tenants, and compliance with regulations. To overcome these issues, adopting technology, implementing dynamic pricing, and focusing on strong marketing and customer service are recommended strategies. How can property managers increase tenant retention? Enhancing tenant retention can be achieved through excellent customer service, maintaining a clean and secure environment, and implementing effective communication strategies like rent reminders and lease renewals to reinforce relationships. Image Via Envato This article, "Effective Strategies for Storage Unit Property Management Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Effective Management Practices: Focus on tenant management, inventory maintenance, security measures, and customer service to optimize storage unit property management and enhance tenant satisfaction. Technology Utilization: Implement property management software to automate tasks, streamline operations, and improve tenant interactions for greater efficiency. Financial Considerations: Conduct market research for competitive pricing strategies and maintain comprehensive budgets to manage operating expenses and ensure positive cash flow. Challenges and Solutions: Identify common challenges such as rising costs and customer retention difficulties, and adopt strategies like dynamic pricing, robust marketing, and improved customer service to address them. Regular Maintenance: Develop a maintenance schedule and perform consistent cleaning and equipment checks to uphold facility standards and tenant satisfaction. In today’s fast-paced world, managing a storage unit property effectively can make all the difference in maximizing profits and ensuring tenant satisfaction. Whether you’re a seasoned property manager or just starting out, understanding the nuances of storage unit management is crucial. You’ll find that a well-organized approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also attracts and retains customers. From maintaining inventory to implementing security measures, every aspect of storage unit property management plays a vital role in your success. By focusing on best practices and leveraging technology, you can streamline operations and create a seamless experience for your tenants. Dive into the essentials of storage unit property management and discover how you can elevate your facility to new heights. Overview Of Storage Unit Property Management Effective storage unit property management plays a vital role in maximizing profits and enhancing tenant satisfaction for your small business. Understanding this management’s core concepts equips you with the tools needed for success. Definition And Importance Storage unit property management involves overseeing and maintaining storage facilities, including managing tenants, handling reservations, and ensuring security. It’s essential for small businesses to focus on this aspect to drive increased occupancy rates, improve customer service, and reduce operational costs. Proper management fosters tenant loyalty, leading to higher retention rates and steady revenue streams. Key Components Several key components contribute to effective storage unit property management: Tenant Management: Establish clear communication with tenants. Use digital tools for leasing agreements and timely notifications. Inventory Maintenance: Regularly assess and manage inventory levels. Keep track of available units to avoid overbooking and ensure efficient space utilization. Security Measures: Implement robust security protocols. Install surveillance cameras, secure access gates, and adequate lighting to protect both the facility and tenant belongings. Marketing Strategies: Develop targeted marketing campaigns. Use online platforms and local advertisements to reach potential customers effectively. Technology Utilization: Adopt property management software. Streamline operations with tools that automate billing, manage reservations, and handle maintenance requests. Customer Service: Prioritize excellent service. Respond quickly to inquiries and concerns to create a positive experience for tenants. By managing these components efficiently, your small business can create a well-run storage facility that attracts and retains tenants while maximizing profitability. Best Practices For Effective Management Effective management in storage unit properties is vital for small businesses aiming to increase profitability and enhance tenant satisfaction. Implementing best practices can streamline operations and create a welcoming environment for tenants. Regular Maintenance Scheduling: Create a detailed maintenance schedule that incorporates essential tasks like cleaning, pest control, equipment checks, and property inspections. Consistent maintenance prevents issues and ensures a well-kept facility. Cleaning: Clean storage units promptly after move-outs to eliminate dust and grime buildup, creating a safe and appealing environment for new tenants. Regular cleaning contributes to tenant retention and satisfaction. Equipment Checks: Inspect and maintain equipment regularly to avoid breakdowns and ensure operational efficiency. Regular checks keep your operations smooth and minimize disruptions that could affect tenant experiences. Customer Service Strategies Personalized Service: Prioritize personalized customer service to build trust and satisfaction. A hands-on management approach fosters positive interactions, encouraging tenants to return and recommend your facility to others. Feedback: Pay attention to customer feedback. Regularly solicit and evaluate tenant opinions to identify areas for improvement. Addressing concerns promptly enhances operational effectiveness and tenant loyalty. Zeroing in on Customer Needs: Focus on understanding and addressing tenant needs efficiently. By responding quickly and effectively, you improve overall satisfaction and encourage long-term relationships, which are crucial for small business success. Technology In Storage Unit Management In storage unit property management, technology significantly enhances operations and improves tenant interactions. Small businesses can leverage various tools to streamline processes and ensure efficient management. Software Solutions Tenant and Unit Management: Using software like Storable Edge and Sitelink by Storable, you can effectively manage tenant records and unit inventory. These tools simplify tracking rent status and managing gate codes, allowing you to focus on enhancing tenant satisfaction. Automated Processes: Platforms like Self Storage Manager and Easy Storage Solutions automate tasks such as online rentals and payment collection. By reducing manual errors, these systems increase efficiency, enabling you to allocate resources better and improve service delivery. Reporting and Insights: Software solutions provide detailed reporting and analytics. With insights into business performance and market demand, you can make informed decisions that align with your small business goals. Automated Systems Online Rental Platforms: Automated systems allow tenants to rent units and make payments online. This convenience not only enhances customer experience but also reduces staffing needs, allowing you to focus on other critical areas of your small business. Access Control Systems: Automated gate control systems help secure access to facilities. With gate codes and security measures in place, you can protect your inventory and enhance trust with your tenants. Notification Systems: Automated notifications for rent reminders, lease renewals, and other vital events maintain smooth operations. Implementing these systems reduces the chance of missed communications, reinforcing tenant relationships and supporting retention efforts in your business. Financial Considerations Managing a storage unit property involves several financial factors that significantly influence your small business’s success. Attention to initial costs, operating expenses, and effective pricing strategies ensures your facility remains profitable. Pricing Strategies Setting competitive prices for your storage units impacts occupancy rates and revenue. Market Research: Analyze local demand and competitors to set optimal pricing without undermining your profitability. Dynamic Pricing: Adjust prices based on demand fluctuations, seasonality, and unit size to enhance revenue. Discounts and Promotions: Offer introductory rates, long-term rental discounts, or first-month specials to attract new tenants and minimize vacancy. Budgeting and Expense Management Budgeting is vital to maintain operational efficiency and profitability within your small business. Comprehensive Budgeting: Create detailed budgets encompassing development, pre-opening, and ongoing operational costs, including staffing, maintenance, and marketing. Expense Monitoring: Regularly review expenses such as utilities, maintenance, and management fees to uncover cost-saving opportunities. Cash Flow Management: Track rental income and expenses to ensure a positive cash flow that meets your financial commitments. Financial Analysis and Forecasting: Conduct feasibility studies and financial stress tests to prepare for market changes and potential investment risks. Focusing on these financial considerations enhances your small business’s resilience and positions you for long-term success in the storage unit management industry. Challenges In Storage Unit Property Management Storage unit property management presents various challenges that small business owners must navigate to optimize operations. Understanding these challenges helps in developing effective strategies. Common Issues Faced Rising Property and Maintenance Costs: Property owners experience increasing expenses related to rent, utilities, and upkeep. In particular, maintenance costs can significantly impact profitability. Difficulty in Attracting and Retaining Customers: Small businesses often struggle with marketing and delivering superior customer service, essential for tenant retention. A focused approach in these areas can improve tenant satisfaction and loyalty. Compliance with Environmental Regulations: You face challenges in adhering to regulations regarding waste disposal and hazardous material storage, which can strain resources and require ongoing staff training. Strategies To Overcome Challenges Adopt Technology: Leverage real-time data analytics to inform pricing strategies and streamline processes. Utilizing online rental platforms can enhance tenant interactions and ease operations. Dynamic Pricing: Implement dynamic pricing techniques based on demand and competitor analysis. Adjusting rental rates can attract more tenants while maintaining profitability. Strong Marketing and Customer Service: Focus on robust marketing strategies, such as targeted advertising and promotions. Foster excellent customer service to build strong relationships with tenants, enhancing retention. Cost Management: Identify cost-saving measures to improve operational efficiency. Regularly review expenses to find opportunities for reducing overhead without sacrificing service quality. Security Upgrades: Invest in advanced security systems to protect your assets and mitigate liability risks. Enhanced security measures can improve tenant confidence and contribute to higher occupancy rates. Conclusion Effective storage unit property management is key to achieving long-term success. By prioritizing tenant satisfaction and operational efficiency you can create a thriving business that attracts and retains customers. Implementing best practices in maintenance technology and customer service will not only enhance tenant experiences but also boost your profitability. Navigating challenges like rising costs and market competition requires a proactive approach. By leveraging data analytics and adopting dynamic pricing strategies you can stay ahead of the curve. Ultimately your commitment to excellence in management will pave the way for a sustainable and successful storage facility. Frequently Asked Questions What is storage unit property management? Storage unit property management refers to the oversight and maintenance of storage facilities, including managing tenants, reservations, and ensuring security. Effective management is essential to maximize occupancy rates, enhance customer service, and reduce operational costs. Why is effective management important for storage facilities? Effective management is crucial for maximizing profits and tenant satisfaction. It helps streamline operations, improve customer service, and reduce costs. A well-managed facility attracts and retains tenants, ensuring steady revenue streams. What are the key components of effective storage management? Key components include tenant management, inventory maintenance, security measures, marketing strategies, technology utilization, and customer service. Addressing these areas helps create a well-run facility that meets tenant needs and maximizes profitability. How can technology aid in storage unit management? Technology enhances operations through software solutions for tenant records, online rentals, and payment automation. Automated systems improve efficiency, security, and tenant interactions, making management processes smoother and more effective. What best practices should be adopted in storage management? Best practices include regular maintenance of units, prompt cleaning after move-outs, and customer service strategies like personalized service and feedback solicitation. These practices improve tenant satisfaction and foster long-term relationships. What financial aspects are crucial in storage unit management? Key financial aspects include initial costs, operating expenses, and effective pricing strategies. Conducting market research and implementing dynamic pricing can help attract tenants while budgeting and expense management enhance operational efficiency. What challenges do storage unit property managers face? Challenges include rising costs, attracting and retaining tenants, and compliance with regulations. To overcome these issues, adopting technology, implementing dynamic pricing, and focusing on strong marketing and customer service are recommended strategies. How can property managers increase tenant retention? Enhancing tenant retention can be achieved through excellent customer service, maintaining a clean and secure environment, and implementing effective communication strategies like rent reminders and lease renewals to reinforce relationships. Image Via Envato This article, "Effective Strategies for Storage Unit Property Management Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps. Subscribe here. The AI search landscape is transforming at breakneck speed. New “Deep Research” tools from ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity autonomously search and gather information from dozens—even hundreds—of sites, then analyze and synthesize it to produce comprehensive reports. While a human might take days or weeks to produce these 30-page citation-backed reports, AI Deep Research reports are ready in minutes. Traditional AI queries deliver isolated answers to specific questions, while Deep Research tools conduct sophisticated investigations with dozens of interconnected searches. It’s like the difference between a quick reference check and a thorough research expedition. Nine Practical Ways to Use AI for Deep Research AI research tools shine when you need comprehensive information on complex topics. Here are specific use cases where they excel: 1. Craft Custom Itineraries Create detailed, personalized travel plans by specifying your destination, dates, activity preferences, budget, cultural interests, and whatever else is important to you. These AI-generated itineraries often surface unexpected gems. When planning a family trip recently, my wife and I discovered a fantastic farm stay in Pennsylvania through a Perplexity query. We wouldn’t have found it otherwise. Use the results as a starting point to identify interesting possibilities, then follow up with targeted research. Specify dietary preferences, accessibility needs, and your taste in accommodations, restaurants, and entertainment, for more tailored recommendations. I’ve saved a block of text about this to reuse. Use follow-up queries to get more specifics on attractions or activities that appeal to you, or to compare and contrast potential itineraries. Example: Deep Research itinerary for a family vacation in Brookline, MA. Compare results from ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Copilot. 2. Compile Organization Reports Get comprehensive backgrounders on companies, non-profits, or any organization in minutes rather than clicking through dozens of search results. Compare similar organizations or competitors Specify format. Maybe you’d like a case study format, a topical report, a chronological history, or an industry context analysis. Specify metrics of interest like funding history, revenue growth patterns, leadership changes, media coverage trends, law suits, or anything else you care about. For closely-held private organizations data may be scarce, so read results skeptically. Advanced tip: Copy excerpts from Deep Research reports into Claude to transform them into visual dashboards—including charts and interactive elements—using Claude Artifacts. You can share those with colleagues. Watch: Grace Leung’s helpful video illustrates how and why to try this. Example: Deep Research report on Trader Joe’s. 3. Research Notable People Explore backgrounds of news figures, historical personalities, or even fictional characters. Request specific information like podcast appearances, YouTube videos, or published works to build a well-rounded understanding of the individual. Ask about connections between the person and influential contemporaries Ask for lesser-known background details or contributions often overlooked Specify time periods to focus on particular life phases or epochs Example: Deep Research on Michel de Montaigne. 4. Explore Complex Concepts Learn about complex topics in any field—from botany to venture capital—with AI-structured explanations tailored to your knowledge level. Ask for real-world examples, analogies, anecdotes, quotes, common misconceptions, and step-by-step explanations. Ask for quiz or discussion questions to test your understanding. After reading the report, generate an AI tutor with a Custom GPT, Gemini Gem, or Poe bot to further strengthen your understanding. Example: Applications for AI in medical diagnosis via Gemini & Perplexity. 5. Discover Places in Depth Investigate a place’s historical significance, cultural development, architecture, art, music, literature, or economic, social, or political history. I find this richer, personalized context can feel more resonant than a more generic travel guide. Ask about little-known local events, hidden gems, or notable personalities Specify your interest in fashion, architecture, history, sports, or whatever else Products too: Get a backgrounder on a new type of oven you’re considering, or pianos that might suit your home. Example: Help me learn about Coolidge Corner in Brookline, Massachusetts. 6. Analyze Debates and Controversies Explore complex controversies from multiple perspectives. Examine international conflicts, ethical debates, or local issues. Deep Research reports can present multiple viewpoints with examples and evidence to deepen your understanding of nuances. You can also ask for notable quotes and an annotated reading list. Ask how the debate has evolved over time and who has been involved Specify that you want evidence-based arguments from multiple disciplines Ask for areas of common ground between opposing viewpoints Example: Is generative art revolutionizing creativity—or devaluing it? 7. Decode Cultural Works Gain insights into books, paintings, music, or other creative works by exploring critical analyses, historical context, and expert interpretations. This works particularly well when you’re in the middle of reading a book or have just encountered an intriguing piece of art. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art last week, I saw Tang Dynasty zodiac figurines and asked AI to help me learn about them. (More info & a generated image). Caveat: as a non-expert learning about something new, I’m not always in a strong position to assess the merits of AI analysis. When in doubt, it’s helpful to have cited sources for gauging the quality of the information. Request info about a work’s influence on subsequent artists or movements Ask for analysis of technical innovations or stylistic elements Compare interpretations of the book, play, poem, art, or piece of music from different time periods or cultural contexts Example: Help me deepen my appreciation of Mozart’s 5th Violin Concerto. 8. Explore Evolving Trends Investigate linguistic, political, fashion, sports, arts, business, or cultural trends in a particular place or time period, or compare trends across cultures. Ask for predictive insights about how the trend might evolve Include in your prompt questions about counter-trends or critics Request data visualizations if the trend has quantitative aspects, e.g. the Beanie Baby craze Example: What are top AI training programs for journalists around the world? 9. Examine Historical Context Explore historical events through multiple lenses – political, economic, social, and cultural. Direct your AI research assistant to focus on specific date ranges, if relevant. Ask it draw from diverse sources across countries and perspectives. Request primary source recommendations Ask for comparisons across countries, regions or time periods Specify your prior knowledge so the report is tailored for your context Example: Help me learn more about the history of the Dozier School for Boys. When Deep Research isn’t your best option Use other tools when you’re not looking for a comprehensive research report, but instead want something quick, or for: Simple factual questions like award winners or sports results are better addressed with basic Google or Perplexity searches. Breaking news where online info is limited. Multimedia searches may work better with specialized search engines, like Listen Notes for finding someone’s podcast appearances. Paywalls If the open Web lacks relevant info, don’t expect miracles. Further Caveats The bottom line: Check the source list before diving into a report. When you know of high quality sources, reference them in your prompt. This Claude thread helped me include high-quality sources for my Trader Joe’s inquiry. Keep an eye out for errors. Verify info in these reports. The presence of citations doesn’t guarantee accuracy. For example, some sources may publish estimates that get treated by an AI search agent as definitive data. Research is only as good as its sources. Some subjects lack extensive source material. AI research reports may, in such cases, rely heavily on publishers with flimsy fact-checking or an axe to grind. How to strengthen Deep Research queries The quality of your prompt significantly impacts your results: Be detailed about your topic, reasons for interest, and how you’ll use the information Unlike standard Google searches where you only provide keywords, deep research queries benefit from detailed direction. Guide your AI research assistant on specific areas of focus, recommended sourcing, prior context, and formatting: how best to present its findings. Specify your preferred tone & format —tables, lists, pros/cons, bullets Request tables for comparing options, pro/con lists for debates, or categorized lists for resources like podcasts, videos, and books. You can even customize language complexity—graduate-level analysis vs beginner-friendly simplicity. Provide context about your existing knowledge and audience Mention what you already know. If you’ll be sharing a report with colleagues, clarify that specific audience’s context. If you want something brief, say so. Be patient. Quality research isn’t instant. While Gemini and Perplexity typically deliver results within a few minutes, ChatGPT’s deeper analysis can take a half hour. The thoroughness of these results justifies the wait vs. instant but shallower search results. This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps. Subscribe here. View the full article

In my decades of working in cybersecurity, I have never seen a threat quite like the one we face today. Anyone’s image, likeness, and voice can be replicated on a photorealistic level cheaply and quickly. Malicious actors are using this novel technology to weaponize our personhood in attacks against our own organizations, livelihoods, and loved ones. As generative AI technology advances and the line between real and synthetic content blurs even further, so does the potential risk for companies, governments, and everyday people. Businesses are especially vulnerable to the rise of applicant fraud—interviewing or hiring a phony candidate with the intent of breaching an organization for financial gain or even nation-state espionage. Gartner predicts that by 2028, 25% of job candidates globally will be fake, driven largely by AI-generated profiles. Recruiters already encounter this mounting threat by noticing unnatural movements when speaking with candidates via videoconferencing. For many companies, the proverbial front door is wide open to these attacks without adequate protection from deepfake candidates or “look-alike” candidate swaps in the HR interview process. It’s no longer enough to just protect against the vulnerabilities in our tech stacks and internal infrastructures. We must take security a step further to address today’s uncharted AI-driven threat landscape, protecting our people and organizations from fraud and extortion before trust erodes and can no longer be restored. Fraud isn’t new, but it is taking a new form Here’s the thing: Synthetic identity fraud happens in the real world every day, and has for years. Think of the financial industry, where stolen Social Security numbers and other government identifiers allow fraudsters to open and close accounts in other people’s names and ransack savings and retirement funds. The difference now is that hackers no longer have to lurk in the shadows. Instead, a synthetically generated person shows up to a videoconferencing meeting and speaks to you live, and 80% of the time, people will perceive the AI-generated voice as its real counterpart. How do you protect against that? Interview impersonations are not new within HR. There have been cases where an employee’s family member interviews with a company, and a different person shows up on that first day of work. But as it becomes increasingly easier to create deepfakes (taking only about 10 minutes and a web browser), it becomes increasingly more difficult to differentiate between what’s real and what’s fake across applicants’ LinkedIn profiles, résumés, and the actual candidates themselves. Preparing our HR departments for a new attack landscape Unfortunately, HR teams—often understaffed and using outdated tech—are frequently perceived as the weakest part of the organization by hackers and fraudsters given their lack of security focus (other than perhaps background checks). That makes the HR department the ideal entry point for an adversary. Coming through the front door via the hiring process is often far easier and more fruitful for malicious actors than the back door (i.e., taking advantage of infrastructure vulnerabilities). Further, adversaries could even capture recordings of executives during the interview process for future impersonation attacks or gain access to product road maps or other strategic information that could compromise the company down the road. HR leaders must be aware that fraud at the hiring level can take many different forms, but they can’t be the only ones. The C-suite must also recognize these potential dangers to better equip HR teams to combat deepfake and impersonation fraud on the frontlines. For example, real-time deepfake video technology can be used to impersonate someone during virtual interviews, matching facial expressions and lip-syncing. Fraudsters will also use sophisticated voice cloning to simulate accents, intonations, or entire voices. Tools that most people use every day, like ChatGPT and Claude, are being used to fabricate résumés and cover letters, and even code samples or portfolio materials tailored to specific job postings. Information gleaned at any part of the interview process can be weaponized, including an organization’s competitive strengths and weaknesses. The individuals who commit applicant fraud can repurpose information to solicit personal or confidential company information that can be used later for more severe extortion. We have already seen nation-states like North Korea leverage these techniques to infiltrate enterprises through their human resources departments. It’s time we reassess security at every level and within every process to protect against these threats that show no signs of slowing down. Proper policies and procedures must be in place to navigate and respond to these attacks in real time. From an HR perspective, this involves awareness training on deepfakes, policy development, and implementing solution deployment services throughout to prevent an attack. With sophisticated tools, such as advanced audio and video content authentication and verification platforms that provide alerts if a threat of a deepfake is detected, we can also better detect and mitigate deepfakes, helping our teams understand exactly which aspects of a file are synthetic or manipulated. It’s no longer enough to authenticate who is accessing a system from the outside. As we increasingly rely on images, audio, and video for critical decision-making, we now have a vested interest in verifying that every piece of digital content we consume is deemed trustworthy and accurate. If we don’t, we’re putting everyone—colleagues, executives, and ourselves—at risk. View the full article

Member countries can borrow from Brussels and spend on weapons systems and platforms through joint procurementView the full article

Ever wondered what it's really like to transition from full-time employment to remote freelancing in a competitive digital field? Nienke Nina talks with Jake Madoff, a full stack growth marketer who made the leap to freelance during COVID and never looked back. They cut through the romanticized narratives of entrepreneurship to reveal the real challenges, surprising joys, and economic realities of building a sustainable remote career in digital marketing. If you've ever considered freelancing or been tempted by those "I made $10K in my first day" social media posts, this episode strips away the filters to show what sustainable success actually requires. Support the show 💛 💛 💛 RECOURSES & LINKS 💛 💛 💛 🥰 REVIEW THE PODCAST 🥰 and get instant access to Nienke Nina's Aligned Freedom Business: GROWTH BOOSTER FRAMEWORK for free! (VALUE €1347) 🔗 visit www.digitalnomadsdaily.com/review Loving our Freedom Lifestyle content? 🥹 Get the Freedom Lifestyle Booster Unfiltered Newsletter (100% free)! Enjoy support, freedom strategies & tactics, special tips to build your aligned freedom business & real talk ✅ 🔗 Get our newsletter via www.digitalnomadsdaily.com/newsletter

Ever wondered what it's really like to transition from full-time employment to remote freelancing in a competitive digital field? Nienke Nina talks with Jake Madoff, a full stack growth marketer who made the leap to freelance during COVID and never looked back. They cut through the romanticized narratives of entrepreneurship to reveal the real challenges, surprising joys, and economic realities of building a sustainable remote career in digital marketing. If you've ever considered freelancing or been tempted by those "I made $10K in my first day" social media posts, this episode strips away the filters to show what sustainable success actually requires. Support the show 💛 💛 💛 RECOURSES & LINKS 💛 💛 💛 🥰 REVIEW THE PODCAST 🥰 and get instant access to Nienke Nina's Aligned Freedom Business: GROWTH BOOSTER FRAMEWORK for free! (VALUE €1347) 🔗 visit www.digitalnomadsdaily.com/review Loving our Freedom Lifestyle content? 🥹 Get the Freedom Lifestyle Booster Unfiltered Newsletter (100% free)! Enjoy support, freedom strategies & tactics, special tips to build your aligned freedom business & real talk ✅ 🔗 Get our newsletter via www.digitalnomadsdaily.com/newsletter

Ever wondered what it's really like to transition from full-time employment to remote freelancing in a competitive digital field? Nienke Nina talks with Jake Madoff, a full stack growth marketer who made the leap to freelance during COVID and never looked back. They cut through the romanticized narratives of entrepreneurship to reveal the real challenges, surprising joys, and economic realities of building a sustainable remote career in digital marketing. If you've ever considered freelancing or been tempted by those "I made $10K in my first day" social media posts, this episode strips away the filters to show what sustainable success actually requires. Support the show 💛 💛 💛 RECOURSES & LINKS 💛 💛 💛 🥰 REVIEW THE PODCAST 🥰 and get instant access to Nienke Nina's Aligned Freedom Business: GROWTH BOOSTER FRAMEWORK for free! (VALUE €1347) 🔗 visit www.digitalnomadsdaily.com/review Loving our Freedom Lifestyle content? 🥹 Get the Freedom Lifestyle Booster Unfiltered Newsletter (100% free)! Enjoy support, freedom strategies & tactics, special tips to build your aligned freedom business & real talk ✅ 🔗 Get our newsletter via www.digitalnomadsdaily.com/newsletter

Chief Michael O’Leary closes in on €100mn share options award View the full article

Deals reached on fisheries and agriculture after late-night haggling ahead of summit in LondonView the full article

Debt sell-off follows passage of budget bill late on Sunday and Moody’s downgrade last weekView the full article

Artificial intelligence: it’s not just for tech experts anymore. Instead, a heaping helping of free online resources has emerged. These classes are specifically designed to welcome beginners into the world of AI, even if they possess little or no prior technical background. I selected these Coursera courses for their beginner-friendly approach, high ratings, and comprehensive coverage of foundational concepts and key AI domains. AI For Everyone If you’re taking your very first steps into AI, “AI For Everyone” on Coursera is a great starting point. The course requires no prior experience in AI or programming, making it truly accessible to everyone, and it’s got a reasonable completion time of around six hours. The curriculum is structured into four modules: What is AI?, Building AI Projects, Building AI in Your Company, and AI and Society. Google AI Essentials Another good starting point for your AI journey is the “Google AI Essentials” course. It offers a unique perspective on Google’s AI philosophy and features hands-on activities and real-world scenarios. Similar to “AI For Everyone” mentioned above, “Google AI Essentials” is designed to be accessible to individuals of all skill levels. The six-hour course is structured into five modules: Introduction to AI, Maximize Productivity With AI Tools, Discover the Art of Prompting, Use AI Responsibly, and Stay Ahead of the AI Curve. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence For a slightly more structured and in-depth introduction to the foundational concepts of AI, the “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” course offered by IBM on Coursera is an excellent option. This 12-hour course aims to equip beginners with a solid understanding of core AI concepts, and incorporates videos, readings, assignments, and even hands-on labs. The curriculum is divided into four modules that cover a range of essential topics: Introduction and Applications of AI; AI Concepts, Terminology, and Application Domains; Business and Career Transformation Through AI; and Issues, Concerns, and Ethical Considerations. Introduction to Generative AI Don’t have 6–12 hours to get up to speed with the aforementioned courses? Skip right to the good stuff with the “Introduction to Generative AI” course, which offers an overview of . . . well, what most people are referring to when they mention AI nowadays (whether they realize it or not). The course defines generative AI, explains its underlying mechanisms, describes the different types of generative AI models, and discusses how the technology is used in the real world. It’s worth noting that this course is part of a larger “Introduction to Generative AI Learning Path Specialization,” so if you find the topic particularly engaging, you’ll be able to keep the good times rolling with additional courses. View the full article

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Employee is afraid to fly I work on a small marketing team and have one direct report. A couple of times a year, our team is required to attend industry conferences to staff a booth. These events typically require air travel and are part of the job expectations, outlined in the job description. We rotate travel assignments so the same people aren’t always on the road. Earlier this year, after some high-profile plane incidents, my employee disclosed that she has a fear of flying and said she wouldn’t be able to attend an upcoming conference. In that case, it was fine — we had plenty of coverage. My question is: if this becomes an ongoing issue, do I need to accommodate her fear of flying long-term, even though travel is an established part of the role? I’m trying to balance compassion with fairness to the rest of the team, who would have to take on more travel if she opts out. The answer is actually very similar to last week’s question about an employee with social anxiety who kept calling out on the days they were expected to assist at conferences: your obligations under the Americans with Disabilities will depend on whether the law would consider these trips a marginal function of her position or an essential one. (It would also depend on whether the fear of flying rises to the level that it’s covered under the ADA, but generally it’s wise to proceed from the assumption that it likely is — and regardless, in this case I’d argue that your ethical obligations align pretty well with the law, whether or not the law is in play.) If this only comes up a couple of times a year, and it’s split among team members when it does, the law would probably consider it a reasonable accommodation to excuse her from the trips, but that’s going to be very fact-specific and so you’d need to talk with a lawyer to find out for sure. Another option: can any of these trips be done by a travel method other than flying (like driving or taking a train)? If so, assigning her only to those would be a reasonable accommodation as well. 2. I am Poopfoot Whispers had been going around the office about someone called “Poopfoot.” My coworkers made it sound like someone had stepped in dog or cow poop and was tracking it all over the office. I would only hear about Poopfoot in passing, so I was confused and thought it was just some weird in-joke. That is, until I overheard someone say in a hushed voice, “I’m pretty sure it’s LetterWriter. I recognized her shoes from under the stall when she lifted her foot.” Another woman replied, “Oh, it’s definitely her. She was wearing those glittery cat socks, and I saw them under the stall, too.” I was shocked and confused, and I finally gleaned what was happening from listening to the rest of their conversation: Poopfoot wasn’t someone who was tracking poop. It was someone who was flushing the toilet by lifting their foot to push the lever — which is something I’ve been doing since I was a kid. (And yes, her description of my Friday socks was correct.) My mother taught me ever since I was a little girl that since restrooms are dirty, touching as few surfaces as possible on top of regular hand-washing was most hygienic. She taught me to use my foot when flushing the toilet to not touch the handle. But when I heard my coworkers grimacing with each other, I googled the opinions on using your feet to flush the toilet. The general consensus seems to be that your hands are meant to be washed, but since nobody ever washes the bottoms of their shoes, you’re essentially tracking whatever was on the toilet lever everywhere you walk. I feel so embarrassed and self-conscious since my entire reasoning before learning this was based on optimizing hygiene, but I’ve been doing the opposite. I’m going to use my hands from now on, but now what? Should I tell my coworkers that I know that they know that I am Poopfoot? Should I apologize to anyone? Is there a way I can talk about the issue without making it weird(er)? Your coworkers are the ones making this weird. You are not the only person to flush a public toilet with your foot, and while it may not be the most hygienic choice, it’s hardly worthy of an office nickname, discussion, or scandal. This is not shocking behavior. Part of me likes the idea of you embarrassing them by saying, “Hey, I heard you talking about me flushing the toilet with my foot. In my family it was considered more hygienic, but I’m going to stop doing it since it bothers people” … but you don’t owe them that, and it’s not necessarily in your interests to have to deal with any ensuing awkwardness. You don’t need to apologize to anyone, and you can just let it hopefully die off on its own. 3. Is my former boss too close a friend to be a reference? In my previous role I had the good fortune to work for a boss I really liked. While I worked for her, we were friendly but professional. She left that job 18 months ago and we kept in touch, eventually progressing from an occasional coffee to a real friendship. (We are women of a similar age and interests.) I am now actively job hunting and she is my strongest referee — has an excellent reputation in our industry, oversaw me on challenging projects, etc. A few months ago, she hit a life crisis — think divorce, health crisis, etc. — and I, along with a couple of her other friends, stepped up to help. She has expressed that she is very conscious that she is asking a lot and feels indebted to us — but she really needs the support right now. Last Monday, after I had done some tasks for her on the weekend (for which she thanked me profusely) I had to let her know that a hiring manager would be contacting her. And that felt a bit … icky. She would say good things about me either way, and I of course would help her through this hard time either way but is there a point where a friendship compromises the referee role? I don’t want to give up either thing, so I am hoping you say no but would welcome your thoughts. You’re fine continuing to offer her as a reference, but if you feel weird about it, you can always check to make sure she still feels comfortable doing it. If I were the reference-checker, I might not put as much weight on the reference if I knew it was coming from someone who was now a good friend, but the fact is, she was your boss and she’s presumably giving a reasonably honest assessment. You’re not obligated to disclose the friendship or jettison her as a reference just because the relationship has evolved. (If you became romantically involved with her, that would change things — at that point the bias and other dynamics are too weird — but a boss who became a friend? You’re fine.) 4. Who gets the paid day off? I manage a very small staff and just got a unique situation across my desk. Office policies for context: We close on major holidays and it’s paid if you were scheduled to work that day. Only one employee can take PTO per day. Situation: Two employees, Adam and Beth, work four days during the five-day work week. Adam usually has Friday off, and Beth usually has Monday off. An upcoming week has a holiday on a Friday. Adam wants to switch days off for that week (this is allowed) with Beth. But the switch would make Beth not be “scheduled” for the Friday holiday she would have gotten paid for if they didn’t switch. Who gets the paid holiday? Do we consider the switch a “covered shift” instead, so that Beth doesn’t get screwed out of a paid day off since Adam is the one wanting something? It doesn’t seem right that Adam gets the day off he wants (Monday) plus another day off that is paid (Friday), when Beth would lose the paid day off. Adam cannot use PTO to miss the day he needs off because a different is already off that day. Leave it up to them! If Beth doesn’t mind making the switch — and realizes it means that she will lose a day of holiday pay — that’s her call. Make sure she does know that, though. 5. How to talk about my bereavement in interviews I was laid off 10 months ago. Shortly after I began my job search, my mother’s dementia took a sudden turn for the worse, and after six months of decline, she passed away. My sibling was her main caregiver, but I traveled to help as much as I could. After her death, there were additional duties related to her estate. The problem I’m running into as I reactivate my job search is when screening interviewers ask, “What have you been doing since the end of your last position?” I do need some explanation for why I have nearly a year with no work, volunteering, education, or other skill-building pursuits. But if I tell them what I just told you, things get very awkward. And I fear marking myself in the screener’s mind as “that one with the death.” How would you recommend handling this? “My layoff happened to coincide with a health crisis in my family, so I’ve been spending time attending to that, but I’m ready to return my focus to work full-time.” I’m sorry about your mom! The post employee is afraid to fly, the office poopfoot, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

The asset class is not the simple panacea that policymakers and investors might wantView the full article

The country is generating the kind of wealth that raises the risk of an anti-capitalist revoltView the full article

Zurich-based bank using OpenAI and Synthesia models to create lifelike avatars of its expertsView the full article

BNP Paribas, CaixaBank and Lloyds have all highlighted the potential upsides in recent weeksView the full article

On this latest episode of Small Biz Breakdown, the panel discusses numerous headlines that are affecting small business owners, from tariffs to the economy in general. Some of our panelists are optimistic about the future and others are not feeling that vibe right now. In other news, the panel discusses some of the big news coming out of the recent Zoholics event, specifically Zoho Payments. They also talk about their thoughts on payment processing as small business owners themselves. Check out what else the Small Biz Breakdown crew is talking about in the latest episode right here … Small Business News Roundup Here are the latest headline for small business owners … Wix Launches Wixel, an AI-Powered Visual Design Platform Wix has announced the release of Wixel, a standalone AI-powered visual design platform intended to make high-quality design tools accessible to everyone. The platform, now available in English, integrates advanced artificial intelligence with an intuitive interface to deliver a seamless and user-friendly design experience. Zoho Expands Customer Experience Platform with AI-Powered Workflow and CRM Enhancements Zoho Corporation has expanded its customer experience (CX) platform with deeper AI and workflow orchestration capabilities, powered by its proprietary AI engine, Zia. The enhancements aim to eliminate barriers to CRM adoption across business functions and make customer data more accessible and actionable for all departments. Zoho Launches Ulaa Enterprise Browser with Enhanced Security and Control Zoho Corporation announced the release of Ulaa Enterprise on May 14, 2025, a new enterprise-focused version of its privacy-first web browser. Ulaa Enterprise is designed to meet the security and visibility needs of enterprise organizations by offering protection at the browser level without relying on third-party integrations or complex virtual environments. Zoho Enters U.S. Payments Market with Launch of Zoho Payments Zoho Corporation has launched Zoho Payments, a unified payment solution designed to help businesses manage online payments seamlessly through native card and ACH capabilities. With support for over 135 currencies and integrations across Zoho’s ecosystem, the new product allows companies to centralize and streamline their financial workflows. SCORE Urges Congress to Preserve Federal Funding Amid Budget Proposal Threat SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors, issued an urgent plea to lawmakers on Tuesday following the proposed elimination of its federal funding in the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request. TikTok Commits $1 Million in Ad Credits to Support U.S. Small Businesses TikTok is launching a nationwide initiative in honor of Small Business Month, pledging $1 million in advertising credits to support small businesses across the United States. The platform, home to more than 170 million U.S. users, says over 7.5 million businesses are currently using TikTok to grow their reach and engage new audiences. Upwork Report Finds One in Four U.S. Knowledge Workers Now Freelance, Earning $1.5 Trillion in 2024 A new report from Upwork reveals that more than one in four U.S. knowledge workers—28%—are now working independently, generating $1.5 trillion in earnings in 2024. The findings are part of the company’s inaugural Future Workforce Index, published by the Upwork Research Institute, which analyzes the evolving role of skilled freelancers in the U.S. workforce. Pinterest Launches Global Rollout of Gen AI Labels for Greater Transparency Pinterest has announced a global rollout of new transparency tools aimed at helping users identify and manage generative AI (Gen AI) content across its platform. After months of testing, the company is officially introducing “AI modified” labels on image Pins that may have been generated or altered using AI technologies. Fresh Grant Opportunities for Small Businesses – See What’s New This Week Access to capital remains one of the biggest hurdles for small businesses—but the right grant can make all the difference. From covering startup costs to helping you expand operations, grant funding offers a rare chance to grow without adding debt. Each week, we bring you the newest small business grant programs from trusted sources. Small Business Breakdown: Is AI a Threat to Google? On Small Business Breakdown this week, our panel is back and taking on some of the biggest headlines in business. The crew tackles the possibility that AI could be threatening Google. Here what each of our panelists has to say on that topic. Also, the Small Business Breakdown team talks about the trust factor and what it means to entrepreneurs and business owners. TriNet Unveils New HR Product Enhancements to Support SMBs Amid Economic Uncertainty TriNet, a leading provider of comprehensive human resources solutions for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs), has announced the launch of several new HR products and enhancements aimed at helping entrepreneurs manage the complexities of an evolving business environment. The announcement was made on May 8, 2025. Comerica Bank and Detroit Tigers Launch 2025 Small Business of the Month Program Comerica Bank and the Detroit Tigers are teaming up once again to spotlight small businesses across metro Detroit through the 2025 Small Business of the Month program. Kicking off Sunday, May 11, the initiative highlights the impact of local entrepreneurs while offering promotional opportunities tied to Tigers games at Comerica Park. eBay Launches Sixth Annual Up & Running Grants Program, Pledging $500,000 to Small Businesses eBay has announced the launch of its 2025 Up & Running Grants program, offering $10,000 grants to 50 small businesses across the United States. Now in its sixth year, the initiative will award a total of $500,000, along with additional resources aimed at helping entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. Since the program’s inception in 2020, eBay has distributed over $2. PayPal Launches Offsite Ads to Leverage Transaction Data for Targeted Advertising PayPal announced the launch of Offsite Ads on April 29, 2025, introducing a new advertising solution that allows brands to utilize PayPal’s transaction graph to target consumers across the open web through display and video advertising. Snap Map Surpasses 400 Million Monthly Active Users Snap Inc. announced that Snap Map, its real-time location-sharing feature within Snapchat, has reached over 400 million monthly active users. The platform enables users to connect with friends, explore local hotspots, and discover new experiences in their physical surroundings. This article, "Small Biz Breakdown: The Panel Discusses the Latest Headlines for Entrepreneurs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

On this latest episode of Small Biz Breakdown, the panel discusses numerous headlines that are affecting small business owners, from tariffs to the economy in general. Some of our panelists are optimistic about the future and others are not feeling that vibe right now. In other news, the panel discusses some of the big news coming out of the recent Zoholics event, specifically Zoho Payments. They also talk about their thoughts on payment processing as small business owners themselves. Check out what else the Small Biz Breakdown crew is talking about in the latest episode right here … Small Business News Roundup Here are the latest headline for small business owners … Wix Launches Wixel, an AI-Powered Visual Design Platform Wix has announced the release of Wixel, a standalone AI-powered visual design platform intended to make high-quality design tools accessible to everyone. The platform, now available in English, integrates advanced artificial intelligence with an intuitive interface to deliver a seamless and user-friendly design experience. Zoho Expands Customer Experience Platform with AI-Powered Workflow and CRM Enhancements Zoho Corporation has expanded its customer experience (CX) platform with deeper AI and workflow orchestration capabilities, powered by its proprietary AI engine, Zia. The enhancements aim to eliminate barriers to CRM adoption across business functions and make customer data more accessible and actionable for all departments. Zoho Launches Ulaa Enterprise Browser with Enhanced Security and Control Zoho Corporation announced the release of Ulaa Enterprise on May 14, 2025, a new enterprise-focused version of its privacy-first web browser. Ulaa Enterprise is designed to meet the security and visibility needs of enterprise organizations by offering protection at the browser level without relying on third-party integrations or complex virtual environments. Zoho Enters U.S. Payments Market with Launch of Zoho Payments Zoho Corporation has launched Zoho Payments, a unified payment solution designed to help businesses manage online payments seamlessly through native card and ACH capabilities. With support for over 135 currencies and integrations across Zoho’s ecosystem, the new product allows companies to centralize and streamline their financial workflows. SCORE Urges Congress to Preserve Federal Funding Amid Budget Proposal Threat SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors, issued an urgent plea to lawmakers on Tuesday following the proposed elimination of its federal funding in the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request. TikTok Commits $1 Million in Ad Credits to Support U.S. Small Businesses TikTok is launching a nationwide initiative in honor of Small Business Month, pledging $1 million in advertising credits to support small businesses across the United States. The platform, home to more than 170 million U.S. users, says over 7.5 million businesses are currently using TikTok to grow their reach and engage new audiences. Upwork Report Finds One in Four U.S. Knowledge Workers Now Freelance, Earning $1.5 Trillion in 2024 A new report from Upwork reveals that more than one in four U.S. knowledge workers—28%—are now working independently, generating $1.5 trillion in earnings in 2024. The findings are part of the company’s inaugural Future Workforce Index, published by the Upwork Research Institute, which analyzes the evolving role of skilled freelancers in the U.S. workforce. Pinterest Launches Global Rollout of Gen AI Labels for Greater Transparency Pinterest has announced a global rollout of new transparency tools aimed at helping users identify and manage generative AI (Gen AI) content across its platform. After months of testing, the company is officially introducing “AI modified” labels on image Pins that may have been generated or altered using AI technologies. Fresh Grant Opportunities for Small Businesses – See What’s New This Week Access to capital remains one of the biggest hurdles for small businesses—but the right grant can make all the difference. From covering startup costs to helping you expand operations, grant funding offers a rare chance to grow without adding debt. Each week, we bring you the newest small business grant programs from trusted sources. Small Business Breakdown: Is AI a Threat to Google? On Small Business Breakdown this week, our panel is back and taking on some of the biggest headlines in business. The crew tackles the possibility that AI could be threatening Google. Here what each of our panelists has to say on that topic. Also, the Small Business Breakdown team talks about the trust factor and what it means to entrepreneurs and business owners. TriNet Unveils New HR Product Enhancements to Support SMBs Amid Economic Uncertainty TriNet, a leading provider of comprehensive human resources solutions for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs), has announced the launch of several new HR products and enhancements aimed at helping entrepreneurs manage the complexities of an evolving business environment. The announcement was made on May 8, 2025. Comerica Bank and Detroit Tigers Launch 2025 Small Business of the Month Program Comerica Bank and the Detroit Tigers are teaming up once again to spotlight small businesses across metro Detroit through the 2025 Small Business of the Month program. Kicking off Sunday, May 11, the initiative highlights the impact of local entrepreneurs while offering promotional opportunities tied to Tigers games at Comerica Park. eBay Launches Sixth Annual Up & Running Grants Program, Pledging $500,000 to Small Businesses eBay has announced the launch of its 2025 Up & Running Grants program, offering $10,000 grants to 50 small businesses across the United States. Now in its sixth year, the initiative will award a total of $500,000, along with additional resources aimed at helping entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. Since the program’s inception in 2020, eBay has distributed over $2. PayPal Launches Offsite Ads to Leverage Transaction Data for Targeted Advertising PayPal announced the launch of Offsite Ads on April 29, 2025, introducing a new advertising solution that allows brands to utilize PayPal’s transaction graph to target consumers across the open web through display and video advertising. Snap Map Surpasses 400 Million Monthly Active Users Snap Inc. announced that Snap Map, its real-time location-sharing feature within Snapchat, has reached over 400 million monthly active users. The platform enables users to connect with friends, explore local hotspots, and discover new experiences in their physical surroundings. This article, "Small Biz Breakdown: The Panel Discusses the Latest Headlines for Entrepreneurs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Executives, academics and government officials are preparing for tougher interrogation or changing their plansView the full article

Canva has unveiled a major expansion of its AI capabilities with the launch of Canva AI, a new suite of generative design tools introduced at Canva Create 2025. The company describes the release as its most significant AI rollout to date, bringing together new products, enhanced features, and deeper integrations to help users design, code, and create more efficiently. The new tools are part of Canva’s broader goal to “make powerful, intuitive AI tools available to everyone, so you can design, code, and create at the speed of your imagination.” Canva AI: An All-in-One Creative Partner At the center of the announcement is Canva AI, a conversational interface that combines image, text, and design generation into one streamlined experience. Users can interact with Canva AI via text or voice to brainstorm ideas, generate design drafts, write content, or build visual assets. According to Canva, it integrates its own AI models alongside tools from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Leonardo.Ai’s Phoenix image generation model. With this integration, Canva AI allows users to produce designs, documents, and visual content through a single prompt. The platform adapts to user feedback and enables real-time iterations. Users can also add their own Brand Kit within Visual Suite 2.0. Canva Code: Interactive Design Without Coding Another major launch is Canva Code, a new tool that allows users to create interactive experiences without writing any code. From pricing calculators to quizzes and mini-games, Canva Code generates functional, dynamic elements based on user prompts. Built using Anthropic’s 3.7 Sonnet model, Canva Code is designed to let users build once and deploy across presentations, websites, and documents within the Canva platform. AI-Powered Canva Sheets Canva Sheets is a new AI-enhanced data visualization and automation tool designed to simplify spreadsheet tasks. Users can convert spreadsheet data into bulk content using Magic Studio, and generate branded visuals at scale. Magic Write, Translate, Resize, and Background Remover can all be applied across entire datasets. Other AI-driven features in Canva Sheets include: Magic Insights: Extracts trends and summaries from raw data. Magic Formulas: Suggests and applies formulas using AI. Magic Charts: Recommends and generates visual data presentations. Upgraded Photo Editor with AI Tools Canva’s Photo Editor also received major AI upgrades. The new editor allows users to perform advanced photo manipulation through simple point-and-click commands. Users can: Generate new backgrounds with text prompts. Use object recognition to edit, recolor, or remove elements. Adjust lighting and mood automatically. Images can be accessed directly from a user’s camera roll and shared through social channels from within the platform. Scaling Creativity with Magic Studio Magic Studio at scale enables users to generate entire content campaigns directly from spreadsheets. For example, users can populate a social media calendar or product catalog in bulk, bypassing repetitive design tasks. Image: Canva This article, "Canva Debuts Canva AI and New Creative Tools in Biggest AI Launch Yet" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Canva has unveiled a major expansion of its AI capabilities with the launch of Canva AI, a new suite of generative design tools introduced at Canva Create 2025. The company describes the release as its most significant AI rollout to date, bringing together new products, enhanced features, and deeper integrations to help users design, code, and create more efficiently. The new tools are part of Canva’s broader goal to “make powerful, intuitive AI tools available to everyone, so you can design, code, and create at the speed of your imagination.” Canva AI: An All-in-One Creative Partner At the center of the announcement is Canva AI, a conversational interface that combines image, text, and design generation into one streamlined experience. Users can interact with Canva AI via text or voice to brainstorm ideas, generate design drafts, write content, or build visual assets. According to Canva, it integrates its own AI models alongside tools from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Leonardo.Ai’s Phoenix image generation model. With this integration, Canva AI allows users to produce designs, documents, and visual content through a single prompt. The platform adapts to user feedback and enables real-time iterations. Users can also add their own Brand Kit within Visual Suite 2.0. Canva Code: Interactive Design Without Coding Another major launch is Canva Code, a new tool that allows users to create interactive experiences without writing any code. From pricing calculators to quizzes and mini-games, Canva Code generates functional, dynamic elements based on user prompts. Built using Anthropic’s 3.7 Sonnet model, Canva Code is designed to let users build once and deploy across presentations, websites, and documents within the Canva platform. AI-Powered Canva Sheets Canva Sheets is a new AI-enhanced data visualization and automation tool designed to simplify spreadsheet tasks. Users can convert spreadsheet data into bulk content using Magic Studio, and generate branded visuals at scale. Magic Write, Translate, Resize, and Background Remover can all be applied across entire datasets. Other AI-driven features in Canva Sheets include: Magic Insights: Extracts trends and summaries from raw data. Magic Formulas: Suggests and applies formulas using AI. Magic Charts: Recommends and generates visual data presentations. Upgraded Photo Editor with AI Tools Canva’s Photo Editor also received major AI upgrades. The new editor allows users to perform advanced photo manipulation through simple point-and-click commands. Users can: Generate new backgrounds with text prompts. Use object recognition to edit, recolor, or remove elements. Adjust lighting and mood automatically. Images can be accessed directly from a user’s camera roll and shared through social channels from within the platform. Scaling Creativity with Magic Studio Magic Studio at scale enables users to generate entire content campaigns directly from spreadsheets. For example, users can populate a social media calendar or product catalog in bulk, bypassing repetitive design tasks. Image: Canva This article, "Canva Debuts Canva AI and New Creative Tools in Biggest AI Launch Yet" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article