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One of the laws of physics I learned in high school was the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Officially, it says, “The level of disorder in the universe is steadily increasing. Systems tend to move from ordered behavior to more random behavior.“ In simpler terms, it says this: Left on their own, systems tend toward disorder. That’s why a cup of coffee left on the counter cools over time, not the other way around. It’s why sandcastles crumble, buildings decay, and 52 playing cards thrown on the floor don’t become a stacked deck on their own. Everything, in the absence of outside energy, moves from order to chaos. This law is always at work—in nature, in science—and in our homes and lives. I was thinking about this fact recently as I finished writing the manuscript of my next book. The words were typed on my computer, of course. But over the months of researching and writing, I collected a large number of notes and pieces of paper—loose sheets of handwritten outlines, printed pages to edit, notecards, lists, folders of relevant projects, even a stack of books I referenced often. Over time, I placed more and more of them on a shelf near my desk. As the writing continued, the pile slowly grew. One stack turned into two, and two stacks turned into three. Piles of notecards got higher and higher. Papers intermingled. Things got buried. The mess expanded, more and more, until eventually the entire shelf was overtaken with notes for the book. The mess didn’t improve with time—it only worsened. The system tended toward disorder, not order. And it stayed that way, until just last week, when the book was completed and I finally took the time and effort to clean it up fully. Because here’s the thing about messes: They don’t clean themselves. They require attention. When my kids were younger, Kim and I had a mantra that we would use often. Especially after meals or light snacks in the evening, if someone left their plate on the counter near the sink, I’d say, “You know that plate’s not going to clean itself. Somebody in this family is going to have to do it. It might as well be you since you’re the one who dirtied it.” I wish I could say the mantra was 100% effective—but we all know better than that. Regardless, there is an important truth hidden in that reality that we would be wise to remind ourselves of—even beyond our teenage years. Messes don’t clean themselves. The universe moves naturally toward disorder, not order. This is important to see and apply accordingly in our homes. Messes only grow as clutter attracts more and more clutter. The mail you left on the counter will only pile up higher—until you make the effort to sort it. The dishes in your sink will remain dirty—until you make the effort to clean them. The clothes in your closet will take up more and more space—until you make the effort to discard some. The boxes of stuff in your basement will remain there—until you take the time to sort them. The garage will remain too full to park in—until you get out there and declutter the stuff. And maybe, some of us need to stop reading right here, and go make the change to bring about the order in our home that we’ve been wanting. But this principle doesn’t stop at our possessions. Messes don’t clean themselves. The universe only moves toward order when energy is applied: If we’re living paycheck to paycheck, avoiding the numbers won’t change the math. Our attention and energy is required to fix it. If our lifestyle is unhealthy, doing the same thing over and over won’t bring change. Our attention and energy is required to change it. If we don’t like the direction of our life, attention and energy will be required to start moving in a different direction. If there is a strained relationship in our life, ignoring the hard work won’t solve it. Attention, energy—and probably humility—will be required. We can spend a lot of time waiting for the right moment, the perfect motivation, or the ideal set of circumstances. But messes rarely resolve themselves as we wait. They grow. And the longer we delay, the more energy it takes to clean them up. So maybe today is a good day to ask: What mess in my life is waiting for my attention? And what small step can I take before the sun sets to begin cleaning it up? The post Messes Must Be Cleaned Up appeared first on Becoming Minimalist. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My very supportive boss is leaving, and I blame his partner I currently have an incredibly supportive boss but he plans to leave his role soon because his long-term partner lives in a different region of the country and refuses to move nearer to where he lives even though they work remotely. I’m legally disabled and worried that whoever takes over once he lives will be far less accommodating in regards to my disability, especially considering that I’ve had to pivot to a lower caliber field after a devastating job loss that I’ve still not gotten over. As a result, I can’t help but feel that my boss’ partner is selfish and I secretly hope that they break up, even though I know that it will break his heart. I have no attraction towards him and do not desire a romantic relationship with him if that was what you were thinking, I just don’t want a supportive boss to be replaced by a less than adequate one. That’s an understandable way to feel! But it might help to keep in mind that managers leave jobs for all sorts of reasons — he could break up with his partner tomorrow, then get a fantastic job offer the next day and quit to take it. Or he could have a health emergency, or decide to move to live near aging parents, or get a sudden yen to live in Alaska, or want to start his own freelance rice sculpting business. Any of these would be disappointing, but I but they wouldn’t strike you the same way, since you’d see him as having more agency in the decision … whereas now it feels like someone else is “doing this” to him. But managers leaving is a thing that happens. It’s okay and normal to be disappointed and worried, but ultimately your boss has decided this is what’s best for him. He gets to make that decision for himself, just as much as you get to wish he didn’t! However, could you ask for his advice on preserving your current accommodations with the new manager? That might nudge him to think about whether there’s a role he can play in how the accommodations are framed to his replacement that might set you up as well as possible. (In theory, accommodations should come from your company, which is not changing, but in reality different managers can be different degrees of supportive and are positioned to make your life harder or easier. But you could talk to your HR about your concerns too.) 2. What does it mean to have no HR? I interviewed recently with an organization that seems like a very good fit for me. They have a clear mission and solid history, funding, and infrastructure to support it and what seems to be a good culture fit (as far as anyone can tell in an initial interview.) No alarm bells whatsoever with the hiring panel; I’d be excited to advance in the search. Towards the end of the call, as part of the conversation surrounding being a small-staff (about 14 employees), cross-functional operation, they mentioned that they “have no HR.” I have seen this mentioned throughout the years of reading your site, but this is the first time I’ve encountered it. What does this mean, in a practical way? They have the usual full suite of benefits, so presumably someone administrates that, but I’m not sure what sort of questions I should be asking to ensure that the absence of a dedicated person won’t be a present concern. They are small enough that they would be exempt from a lot of employment regulation (USA) already, and I am exceedingly fortunate to have never been involved with HR for any reason other than benefit questions in my career to this point. What should I be considering here if I’m invited to move ahead? It’s very, very normal not to have a dedicated HR function until an organization reaches 50-75 or even 100 people; there’s simply not the work to support it until then. Instead, what you typically see is someone whose job includes things like benefits administration and onboarding paperwork, but whose main duties are something else. Meanwhile, the more complex parts of HR — like policy, investigations, management coaching, legal compliance, etc. — are often handled by someone like a chief of staff or second-in-command, with some of it (like legal compliance) often being outsourced. In other words, it’s not that those things aren’t happening at all; it’s that it’s operationalized differently. That can mean that there’s more room for them to be done poorly, but that tends to be tightly correlated with how effective and well-run the organization is overall (something that is especially important when the org is small). 3. Pitching a company where an ex from an acrimonious relationship is on the board When I was in grad school, I had a serious relationship with a classmate for over three years. It was a stressful time for both of us, and the relationship was always dramatic and often toxic. It ended in an acrimonious but rather unspectacular fashion, with both of us going our separate ways and never speaking again. It’s been 20 years since we’ve had any contact. We have both been married to others for most of that time, kids, successful careers (thanks, social media). I’ve spent a lot of time in therapy, and I work hard to avoid unnecessary drama in my life. This week, a close colleague and I were at a networking event where we reconnected with a contact and learned that he has recently joined my ex’s family company. The contact invited us to pitch for the company’s business. Afterwards, when my friend excitedly started talking about this opportunity, I told her about my connection (pretty sure my ex is on the board of said company). She was delighted and has started assembling a team for a pitch meeting. Here’s the thing: I don’t just have a personal connection to a director; I know a lot about this company. I know all the people involved and because the relationship ended without fireworks, I’d like to think that the family remembers me as a smart and hard working person and that my connections are likely a net positive. I am also a local leader in my specialty and my skills are particularly well-suited to the company. While the ex is on the board and probably a decision-maker, it is unlikely we’d have much day-to-day interaction. I don’t want to show up and ambush my ex, and it would be disingenuous for me to pretend I don’t have a connection to this company. The respectful and professional thing to do is to reach out to the ex directly and … reconnect somehow, right? The problem is the thought of even getting coffee with this person fills me with dread and anxiety. I am quite content to never see them again. At the same time, the idea that we could be on speaking terms if we run into each other again would ultimately be a relief (no more running out the back door of bars!), and the alternative is to pass on the opportunity to be on the client team. I think my friend would be disappointed but understanding, but I would miss out on the financial and professional benefits that would come along from landing a new client. I am consulting my therapist about this as well, but I appreciate feedback from the professional side. I’ve struggled with that goal of avoiding drama and can’t always see where I’m inviting it instead. This doesn’t require coffee! Email is perfectly suited for this, so that your ex can read it and have whatever initial responses they might have privately, and then can think about how to respond. You do not need to get together in person and go through the social ritual of coffee; you can just lay out the situation and ask how they’d like you to handle it. The email could be as simple as, “Hi Artexerxes! I know it’s been many years since we’ve talked and I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing because an employee at CompanyName has invited my team to pitch for (project type). Normally I’d attend the pitch meeting and be part of any proposal for working together, but I thought I should touch base with you first. If you’d prefer I pass this one up and leave it to others here, I’d of course respect that, so I wanted to check in with you before my team moves forward.” The biggest risk here is probably of Artexerxes thinking you’re overreacting — that it’s been 20 years and of course they don’t care if you pitch their family’s company. But it’s better to err on the side of being careful and respectful, which this would be. 4. Customers with ridiculously long payment times I’m a freelancer, and I work with businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to multi-billion dollar corporations. I just ventured out on my own about a year or so ago, and I’ve run into an issue that I’m not sure how to solve. Several of my customers have (what feels to me) absurdly long remit periods: 90 days. I’m a one-woman shop, and these 90-day remit periods leave me without access to a substantial amount of my income for an entire quarter of the year. Moreover, one of them doesn’t do lump-sum payments every quarter. They pay invoices one-off that are 90 days old. So, instead of paying all the invoices I submitted during those 90 days in a lump sum, they’ll pay the invoice I submit for April at the end of July, the one for May at the end of August, etc When I submit an invoice, my “payment due date” is a month after I’ve submitted the invoice, which feels very reasonable. I mean, as a consumer, no one gives me an entire quarter to pay my bills without adding a lovely little chunk of interest, and I suspect that these slow-to-pay companies don’t allow their customers 90 days to pay them either. While I’m not (currently) worried about making rent, I’m not made of gold. These long remit periods leave me incredibly stressed from a financial perspective. Moreover, they actively cost me money because the money I’ve earned from them is not sitting in my savings account accruing interest. How do I tell these customers that they have to pay me within 30 days? Can I ask them to change their policy for me? Can I say that my policy is an X% charge for every month it’s not paid after my payment period has ended? And a lovely little tidbit that I’m sure your readers will “enjoy” is that the businesses with the long remit periods are the not the small businesses. They’re the ones pulling in hundreds of millions, if not billions, every year (eye roll). You can try to insist on 30-day payment terms, but a lot of big companies will refuse to alter their payment systems for you and you’ll have to decide if you’re willing to accept 90 days or not get the business. If you do try to get their agreement on 30 days, you’ll have a better shot if you raise it from the start and try to get their explicit agreement; otherwise they’re just going to shuffle you into whatever their default payment systems are. Even then, though, you might not be able to do anything about it; big companies have enough monetary power to basically force their vendors to accept their terms (or be willing to walk away, which most won’t be). That’s true even if you build late fees into your contracts; a lot of big companies will simply decline to work that way. You can try it! Just go in knowing that very often, the bigger they are the more likely they are to just use their established systems and you’ll have to decide whether you want the business under those terms or not. That’s not how it’s supposed to work, but that’s often how it does work. That said, could you look at moving to a retainer model, where you get at least some portion of the payment up-front, or collect initial deposits? That won’t be realistic for every product/service (and if you’re in the only one in your field who charges that way, big companies may flatly refuse unless they really want you in particular), but it’s worth considering it. 5. Loud coworkers in shared space After five years of being remote since Covid, we have been called back to the office. It’s been an adjustment, but overall going well. We have suites filled with cubicles, so it’s a shared space, and the cube walls provide minimal noise protection. I am wondering how to handle loud coworkers who haven’t fully adjusted back to “shared space” volume, and are practically shouting in their meetings for who knows what reason. (Thinking they are being quiet through their headphones? shouting back at someone who is yelling into their phone in a noisy environment? I can’t decide.) It’s become such a problem that in my own meetings, I am not heard because the coworker’s voice is overtaking mine in the microphone! I have to either just use the chat box, or try to quickly get up and move to a quieter area. On busier days when more people are in, this isn’t always an easy option. I’d prefer to be able to stay at my desk. This is not someone I am close with by any means, and I’m not sure how to politely tell them to lower their voice or be more aware of it. Any thoughts? Is it one or two people or more widespread than that? If it’s one or two people, you can say, “I’m sorry to ask but I’m having trouble hearing my calls — could I ask you to lower your voice a little when you’re in meetings?” Feel free to add “the acoustics in here are tough” if you want. But if it’s more widespread, mention the problem to your manager and ask for help, whether that’s by her reminding people to adjust their volume now that they’re around a bunch of coworkers again, or adding more noise protection (there are ways to do this if a company cares to, like installing soundproofing panels between cubicles), or rearranging things to be more acoustically friendly, or so forth. View the full article

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Wix has announced the launch of Astro, a new AI-powered business assistant designed to streamline site and business management for users of the Wix and Wix Studio platforms. Astro integrates directly into the Wix dashboard, enabling users to perform various tasks and access essential tools through a chat-based interface. According to the company, Astro is the first in a planned series of AI agents aimed at enhancing user productivity and helping businesses grow. The assistant is designed to simplify operations by offering real-time insights, guiding users to relevant tools and features, and facilitating app installations and package upgrades. “Astro seamlessly integrates powerful capabilities into a single interface, making it easier than ever for users to manage their businesses efficiently,” said Guy Sopher, Head of the AI Platform Group at Wix. “With this being the largest collection of skills we’ve ever incorporated into a single assistant at Wix, boasting hundreds of different skills and capabilities, with more added every day, Astro acts as a trusted guide, Astro provides real-time insights and personalized recommendations to help users optimize their sites. By streamlining workflows and simplifying access to essential tools, it empowers users to accomplish more in less time. As they engage more deeply with the platform’s features, they can ultimately unlock greater opportunities for growth, visibility, and business success.” Key Features and Capabilities Astro is integrated throughout the Wix dashboard, allowing users to query and complete tasks such as site optimization, feature discovery, and administrative functions. Its main capabilities include: Data-Driven Insights & Optimization: Astro helps users monitor website traffic, analyze visitor behavior, assess sales trends, and evaluate SEO performance. These insights assist in generating reports and refining growth strategies. Creative Content Creation: The assistant supports content creation and management, including blog posts, media integration, email campaigns, and marketing content for social platforms. It also enables the setup of structured online programs for training or educational use. Drive Business Expansion: Astro allows users to add new products, explore dropshipping options, and customize site services to support business growth. Subscription and Permissions Management: Users can manage premium plans, view billing history, access invoices, and control site permissions. The tool also supports role management and collaborator invitations. Wix expects Astro to boost engagement with its platform by encouraging users to explore premium features and install new apps, ultimately improving customer retention and business outcomes. Astro is currently available in English, with additional language support planned for future releases. The company describes Astro as a key step in its broader strategy to integrate advanced AI solutions across its services. This article, "Wix Introduces Astro, an AI Assistant for Business and Site Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Wix.com Ltd. (NASDAQ: WIX) has announced the launch of Astro, a new AI-powered business assistant designed to streamline site and business management for users of the Wix and Wix Studio platforms. Astro integrates directly into the Wix dashboard, enabling users to perform various tasks and access essential tools through a chat-based interface. According to the company, Astro is the first in a planned series of AI agents aimed at enhancing user productivity and helping businesses grow. The assistant is designed to simplify operations by offering real-time insights, guiding users to relevant tools and features, and facilitating app installations and package upgrades. “Astro seamlessly integrates powerful capabilities into a single interface, making it easier than ever for users to manage their businesses efficiently,” said Guy Sopher, Head of the AI Platform Group at Wix. “With this being the largest collection of skills we’ve ever incorporated into a single assistant at Wix, boasting hundreds of different skills and capabilities, with more added every day, Astro acts as a trusted guide, Astro provides real-time insights and personalized recommendations to help users optimize their sites. By streamlining workflows and simplifying access to essential tools, it empowers users to accomplish more in less time. As they engage more deeply with the platform’s features, they can ultimately unlock greater opportunities for growth, visibility, and business success.” Key Features and Capabilities Astro is integrated throughout the Wix dashboard, allowing users to query and complete tasks such as site optimization, feature discovery, and administrative functions. Its main capabilities include: Data-Driven Insights & Optimization: Astro helps users monitor website traffic, analyze visitor behavior, assess sales trends, and evaluate SEO performance. These insights assist in generating reports and refining growth strategies. Creative Content Creation: The assistant supports content creation and management, including blog posts, media integration, email campaigns, and marketing content for social platforms. It also enables the setup of structured online programs for training or educational use. Drive Business Expansion: Astro allows users to add new products, explore dropshipping options, and customize site services to support business growth. Subscription and Permissions Management: Users can manage premium plans, view billing history, access invoices, and control site permissions. The tool also supports role management and collaborator invitations. Wix expects Astro to boost engagement with its platform by encouraging users to explore premium features and install new apps, ultimately improving customer retention and business outcomes. Astro is currently available in English, with additional language support planned for future releases. The company describes Astro as a key step in its broader strategy to integrate advanced AI solutions across its services. This article, "Wix Introduces Astro, an AI Assistant for Business and Site Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

B2B Stars, an AI-powered business analytics and reputation platform, has officially launched in the United States to help small and midmarket businesses (SMBs) improve corporate visibility, identify trustworthy partners, and attract new clients. Originally launched in Europe in 2024, B2B Stars is now available to U.S. companies and includes data on more than three million firms across the U.S. and Western Europe. Part of the Expandi Group, a global adtech and martech firm, B2B Stars offers what it describes as a level playing field for smaller businesses long overshadowed by larger enterprises in general-purpose search engine rankings. “Traditionally, it has been hard for smaller businesses to get recognized through general purpose search engines, as companies are ranked on soft metrics like website traffic,” said Raffaele Apostoliti, CEO of B2B Stars. “B2B Stars simplifies corporate reputation management, providing SMBs with an all-in-one platform that makes it easy for businesses to find verified information, get discovered by potential clients, and qualify credible partners.” The platform features a free-to-access directory of verified business data, covering over 95% of B2B companies with 10 or more employees in the U.S. and Western Europe. At the core of B2B Stars is its AI-driven search and ranking engine, which aggregates verified B2B reviews, filters out consumer data, and generates satisfaction scores alongside AI-created company summaries highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. “B2B Stars’ holistic approach, with its integrated platform that seamlessly combines a comprehensive business directory, a purpose-built search engine, and a sophisticated reputation management system, ensures businesses can make informed decisions based on transparent and trustworthy criteria,” said Mohamed Alaa Saayed, Senior Program Director & Fellow at Frost & Sullivan. “The platform’s emphasis on verified reviews and comprehensive reputation scores makes it a powerful asset for small and medium-sized businesses to gain access to a wealth of information that goes beyond traditional directories.” Another standout feature of B2B Stars is its corporate reputation scoring. Rather than relying on factors like website traffic, the platform assesses companies based on peer reviews, credit ratings, and recognitions from industry analysts and employee feedback. This approach provides a deeper and more reliable assessment of a company’s market standing. “A strong corporate reputation is essential for business growth and profitability, but it can be difficult for smaller B2B companies to boost their corporate reputation with existing tools,” said Giuliana Berchicci, U.S. Director, B2B Stars. “B2B Stars provides SMBs a platform to cultivate their corporate reputation and leverage data to support their credibility and harness earned trust to drive long-term financial success.” B2B Stars positions itself as a smarter alternative to traditional search tools that often yield outdated or incomplete results. Its combination of AI-powered analytics, comprehensive business directories, and reputation management tools aims to empower SMBs in the competitive U.S. B2B market. The platform is available now for American businesses. More information can be found at www.b2bstars.com. Image: B2B Stars This article, "AI-Powered Platform B2B Stars Launches in U.S. to Boost SMB Visibility and Trust" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

B2B Stars, an AI-powered business analytics and reputation platform, has officially launched in the United States to help small and midmarket businesses (SMBs) improve corporate visibility, identify trustworthy partners, and attract new clients. Originally launched in Europe in 2024, B2B Stars is now available to U.S. companies and includes data on more than three million firms across the U.S. and Western Europe. Part of the Expandi Group, a global adtech and martech firm, B2B Stars offers what it describes as a level playing field for smaller businesses long overshadowed by larger enterprises in general-purpose search engine rankings. “Traditionally, it has been hard for smaller businesses to get recognized through general purpose search engines, as companies are ranked on soft metrics like website traffic,” said Raffaele Apostoliti, CEO of B2B Stars. “B2B Stars simplifies corporate reputation management, providing SMBs with an all-in-one platform that makes it easy for businesses to find verified information, get discovered by potential clients, and qualify credible partners.” The platform features a free-to-access directory of verified business data, covering over 95% of B2B companies with 10 or more employees in the U.S. and Western Europe. At the core of B2B Stars is its AI-driven search and ranking engine, which aggregates verified B2B reviews, filters out consumer data, and generates satisfaction scores alongside AI-created company summaries highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. “B2B Stars’ holistic approach, with its integrated platform that seamlessly combines a comprehensive business directory, a purpose-built search engine, and a sophisticated reputation management system, ensures businesses can make informed decisions based on transparent and trustworthy criteria,” said Mohamed Alaa Saayed, Senior Program Director & Fellow at Frost & Sullivan. “The platform’s emphasis on verified reviews and comprehensive reputation scores makes it a powerful asset for small and medium-sized businesses to gain access to a wealth of information that goes beyond traditional directories.” Another standout feature of B2B Stars is its corporate reputation scoring. Rather than relying on factors like website traffic, the platform assesses companies based on peer reviews, credit ratings, and recognitions from industry analysts and employee feedback. This approach provides a deeper and more reliable assessment of a company’s market standing. “A strong corporate reputation is essential for business growth and profitability, but it can be difficult for smaller B2B companies to boost their corporate reputation with existing tools,” said Giuliana Berchicci, U.S. Director, B2B Stars. “B2B Stars provides SMBs a platform to cultivate their corporate reputation and leverage data to support their credibility and harness earned trust to drive long-term financial success.” B2B Stars positions itself as a smarter alternative to traditional search tools that often yield outdated or incomplete results. Its combination of AI-powered analytics, comprehensive business directories, and reputation management tools aims to empower SMBs in the competitive U.S. B2B market. The platform is available now for American businesses. More information can be found at www.b2bstars.com. Image: B2B Stars This article, "AI-Powered Platform B2B Stars Launches in U.S. to Boost SMB Visibility and Trust" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The move comes three months after Katie Sweeney, former BAC CEO, announced she would be stepping into an executive advocacy role for Rocket's Pro channel. View the full article

Lenders and borrowers have taken advantage of the dips in interest rates, but the industry has long-warned of pain for players like home builders.

Snapchat has introduced Sponsored AI Lenses, a new advertising format powered by the company’s proprietary Generative AI technology. This new feature is designed to offer brands a creative and interactive way to connect with Snapchat’s user base by placing consumers at the center of AI-powered, branded experiences. According to Snapchat, Sponsored AI Lenses allow users to visualize themselves in imaginative scenarios, such as wearing ‘90s hairstyles, exploring the Wild West, or showcasing high-fashion runway styles. These personalized, AI-driven images aim to enhance self-expression while promoting brand visibility among friends. “With advancements in AI transforming the way we create and connect, we’re excited to introduce Sponsored AI Lenses, a new ad format powered by Snap’s proprietary Generative AI technology,” the company stated in its announcement. The new format enables brands to gain high visibility by positioning their lenses at the forefront of the Snapchat Camera. Snapchat reports that this placement can generate 25–45% more impressions in a single day. Several brands and artists have already utilized Sponsored AI Lenses in recent campaigns. Uber launched its “My Thanksgiving Vibe” AI Lens, offering users a festive experience, while Tinder introduced a playful “My 2025 Dating Vibe” AI Lens for New Year’s Eve. Coldplay used the format to immerse fans in a virtual universe during the launch of Moon Music. Snapchat noted that these campaigns achieved higher-than-average engagement, with users spending more time interacting with Sponsored AI Lenses compared to standard formats. Over the past two years, Snapchat has been developing its Generative AI capabilities to streamline ad production. The company states that Sponsored AI Lenses eliminate the need for traditional 3D and VFX design, replacing them with AI-generated templates that reduce production time and cost. “This technology fuels creativity with unique, unexpected visuals that help elevate brand storytelling and deepen engagement,” Snapchat explained. Sponsored AI Lenses appear in the Lens Carousel, where more than 300 million Snapchatters engage with augmented reality experiences daily. Snapchat says it plans to continue enhancing these tools to support advertisers in delivering innovative, AI-driven brand experiences. “We look forward to continuing our work to help advertisers stay at the forefront of AI-powered creativity and bring their brand to life for Snapchatters in entirely new ways,” the company stated. This article, "Snapchat Launches Sponsored AI Lenses for Immersive Brand Advertising" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Snapchat has introduced Sponsored AI Lenses, a new advertising format powered by the company’s proprietary Generative AI technology. This new feature is designed to offer brands a creative and interactive way to connect with Snapchat’s user base by placing consumers at the center of AI-powered, branded experiences. According to Snapchat, Sponsored AI Lenses allow users to visualize themselves in imaginative scenarios, such as wearing ‘90s hairstyles, exploring the Wild West, or showcasing high-fashion runway styles. These personalized, AI-driven images aim to enhance self-expression while promoting brand visibility among friends. “With advancements in AI transforming the way we create and connect, we’re excited to introduce Sponsored AI Lenses, a new ad format powered by Snap’s proprietary Generative AI technology,” the company stated in its announcement. The new format enables brands to gain high visibility by positioning their lenses at the forefront of the Snapchat Camera. Snapchat reports that this placement can generate 25–45% more impressions in a single day. Several brands and artists have already utilized Sponsored AI Lenses in recent campaigns. Uber launched its “My Thanksgiving Vibe” AI Lens, offering users a festive experience, while Tinder introduced a playful “My 2025 Dating Vibe” AI Lens for New Year’s Eve. Coldplay used the format to immerse fans in a virtual universe during the launch of Moon Music. Snapchat noted that these campaigns achieved higher-than-average engagement, with users spending more time interacting with Sponsored AI Lenses compared to standard formats. Over the past two years, Snapchat has been developing its Generative AI capabilities to streamline ad production. The company states that Sponsored AI Lenses eliminate the need for traditional 3D and VFX design, replacing them with AI-generated templates that reduce production time and cost. “This technology fuels creativity with unique, unexpected visuals that help elevate brand storytelling and deepen engagement,” Snapchat explained. Sponsored AI Lenses appear in the Lens Carousel, where more than 300 million Snapchatters engage with augmented reality experiences daily. Snapchat says it plans to continue enhancing these tools to support advertisers in delivering innovative, AI-driven brand experiences. “We look forward to continuing our work to help advertisers stay at the forefront of AI-powered creativity and bring their brand to life for Snapchatters in entirely new ways,” the company stated. This article, "Snapchat Launches Sponsored AI Lenses for Immersive Brand Advertising" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The market turmoil and pressure from Wall Street to Capitol Hill proved too much for the US presidentView the full article

Find out how local business partnerships can boost your authority, making it easier to connect with local customers effectively. The post Using Local Business Partnerships And Collaborations To Build Authority And Visibility appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Basketball great LeBron James has become the first professional male athlete to have his likeness depicted in a Ken doll. Mattel Inc. unveiled the LeBron Ken doll on Wednesday to kick off the toy manufacturer’s “Kenbassador” series. Last year, nine female athlete Barbies, including tennis star Venus Williams, were introduced. “As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication,” James said. “Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. That’s why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll is such an honor. It’s an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams, and show kids that they, too, can achieve greatness.” The LeBron doll wears sunglasses, headphones and a blue-and-white letterman’s jacket with “LJ” on the left breast, his number 23 on the right sleeve and Ohio and crown patches on the other. His first name is on the back with “Just a kid from Akron” underneath. His T-shirt says “We Are Family,” a nod to the LeBron James Family Foundation. His blue shoes, of course, are Nikes. The doll costs $75 and goes on sale Monday. In an Associated Press-produced video of James seeing the doll for the first time, the “King” expressed his approval, repeatedly calling the doll “dope,” another word for “cool.” While looking it over, he put an “I Promise” wristband on the doll’s wrist and adjusted the strap on its fanny pack. “OK, now we ready,” James said. “I mean, he might need to do a little lifting. Legs look a little skinny. Little fraily little fellow. Nah, that’s dope.” Mattel senior vice president Krista Berger noted that Ken is Barbie’s longtime best friend and supporter. “We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken that celebrates LeBron as a role model, his icon status, lasting impact on culture, and dedication to setting a positive example for the next generation to reach their limitless potential,” Berger said. View the full article

U.S. pediatricians and infectious disease experts say the fight against rising measles cases nationwide is being hampered by a lack of forceful advocacy for vaccination from government health officials and statements on unproven treatments that are confusing parents. Since January, 505 people have been infected in Texas and more than 90 total in neighboring New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. Two children have died in Texas, including an 8-year-old girl last week, and an adult death in New Mexico is under investigation. The United States has more than 600 known cases and outbreaks in six states, according to HHS. Dr. Sue Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said leaders need to speak with a consistent science- and fact-based message about measles vaccination, calling that the only way to handle an outbreak like this. “That is the number one message we’re trying to put in front of everyone.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a long history of advocating against vaccines, has backed vaccination as the best way to prevent measles from spreading since becoming the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But unlike previous health secretaries faced with containing outbreaks, his comments are not unequivocal. He has also made misleading claims about nutrition, vitamin A and other treatments, while exaggerating vaccine risks, even as U.S. vaccination rates are falling. “Our work is becoming harder by the minute,” said Dr. Rana Alissa, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Florida chapter, a state where kindergarten vaccination rates last school year were 81%, far below the 95% needed to establish community protection. An HHS spokesman in a statement disputed that there was a lack of strong federal messaging, saying Kennedy has repeatedly reinforced the important role of vaccines. The spokesman said HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been monitoring the situation and are collaborating with state and local health authorities, including by providing resources. “Secretary Kennedy remains committed to ensuring Americans have accurate information on all available treatment options,” the statement said. In an interview on CBS News on Wednesday, Kennedy repeated that it was his and the government’s position that people should get the measles vaccine. On Sunday, however, he followed a post on X championing the vaccine with another praising alternative treatments, drawing fresh criticism from disease experts. The CDC, the nation’s lead agency on infectious disease outbreaks which reports to Kennedy, has made just two official public statements and provided a weekly tally of cases on its website. HHS said the CDC has issued statements and updates as needed. Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said the CDC needs to conduct frequent press conferences and issue multiple press releases urging Americans to vaccinate their children. In 2019, when a New York measles outbreak recorded 1,274 cases, CDC officials did just that and New York City made the vaccine mandatory, issuing summonses to families who failed to comply. That year, Health Secretary Alex Azar forcefully endorsed the measles vaccine, calling it “among the most-studied medical products we have”, and launched a national immunization campaign. Doctors are looking to fill in the communication void. AAP has produced new website content, several press releases, 20 social media posts and launched a misinformation-fighting initiative, aimed at clarifying the safety of vaccines and the role of Vitamin A, which Kennedy has touted. There is no treatment for the highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease beyond those to address symptoms and complications, AAP’s Kressly said. Vitamin A is only recommended when administered by a doctor in specific quantities as too much can cause liver damage. Some pediatricians in Texas have reported cases of liver toxicity among children, Kressly said. In his Sunday X post, Kennedy promoted the inhaled steroid budesonide, which is used to treat asthma, and the antibiotic clarithromycin. Antibiotics cannot treat a viral infection and using an inhaled steroid to treat measles-related inflammation is risky because it suppresses the immune system, which could make the infection “significantly worse,” said Dr. Tina Tan, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Northwestern University and president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. “Massive epidemic” The Texas outbreak likely involves thousands of cases as official case counts only tally laboratory-confirmed cases, Offit said. “This is a massive measles epidemic.” Measles typically causes one-to-three deaths per 1,000 cases. Three deaths linked with the Texas outbreak suggest there could be as many as 1,000 to 3,000 cases, epidemiologist Dr. Katelyn Jetelina wrote in her Substack blog on Monday. Rising vaccine skepticism and misinformation have resulted in only 11 U.S. states with vaccination rates of 95% or above – the level needed to protect residents unable to receive the vaccine. The measles vaccine is 97% effective after two doses and 93% after one. Dr. Michael Donnelly, who crafts messaging for pediatricians across Medstar Health’s 10 hospitals in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas, said Kennedy’s comments set this year apart from the concerns raised by parents in prior years. “On one side, you have people panicking when they don’t need to. And then on the other side, you have people who are pretty blase.” Dr. Alisa Kachikis, who cares for women with high-risk pregnancies at UW Medicine in Seattle, noted that measles can cause miscarriage and birth defects. She recommends pregnant women who are unvaccinated get the shot right after delivery to protect their baby. The vaccine can’t be given to children younger than six months and is usually not given until a child reaches 12 months. Dr. Theresa Horton, a pediatrician in Owasso, Oklahoma, said she used to tell parents if they didn’t vaccinate their children, they were relying on others who were vaccinated to protect them. With vaccination rates among Oklahoma kindergartners hovering around 88%, she now tells them: “We no longer have herd immunity.” —Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters View the full article

You don’t need a site redesign to improve performance. Sometimes, small changes—like a different headline, image, or layout tweak—can have a measurable impact. This free guide offers 26 practical A/B testing ideas that digital marketers can use to boost clicks, signups, sales, and more. You’ll find test examples for: CTA buttons and placement Product detail pages and image choices Homepage layouts and messaging Checkout friction and cart recovery Each idea comes with a brief explanation of why it might work—so you’re not testing blind. Whether you’re in search marketing, ecommerce, or CRO, this is a great resource to help you spot opportunities and experiment with confidence. Visit Digital Marketing Depot to download your copy. View the full article

AI costs have dropped 280x in 18 months, making advanced tools more accessible to businesses of all sizes. The post AI Costs Drop 280x In 18 Months: What This Means For Marketers appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Whether you're filling a prescription, rebooking a flight, or asking a question about your taxes, it seems like the first line of defense between you and any sort of real human helper is a never-ending string of automated prompts. But not all questions can be answered by a computer—especially when it comes to your taxes. The IRS expects more than 140 million individual tax returns for 2024 to be filed this season, which has a deadline of April 15, 2025. That's a lot of taxpayers on hold. Over the past few years, the IRS has certainly made improvements on its phone service, as well as expanding online tools. Still, anyone who has tried calling the IRS knows it can seem impossible to get a real human to take your call. Of course, the IRS recommends checking its online resources before calling. It has a list of common issues that might answer your question about your tax return, payments, or identity theft concerns. But sometimes you need to talk to a real person. To do this, I used what I like to call the "1-2-3" hack to reach an actual agent within 60 seconds. Here’s how you can reach someone that quickly, too. How long will you have to wait to talk to someone at the IRS?Most callers either get frustrated with the long waits or fed up with the complicated phone tree that only leads from one automated message to another, so they simply hang up. If you do stick it out, the IRS claims this year's wait times average 12 minutes. That's a significant improvement from the 27-minute average from the past few years, but still—it's a headache. Plus, some phone lines may have longer wait times. The IRS also says the longest waits typically fall on Mondays and Tuesdays. How to reach an actual person at the IRS: Use the 1-2-3 hackThe IRS telephone number is 1-800-829-1040, and is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. To speak with someone at the IRS, you have to call, navigate through a menu, and eventually get routed to find an agent if one is available. Here's how I reached an agent as soon as possible. The first question the automated system will ask you is to choose your language. Press 1 for English. Once you’ve set your language, press 2 to select “For answers about your personal income taxes...” instead. Next, press 3 once you hear “for all other questions.” I didn't listen to any of the full prompts, enter my SSN or EIN, or waste any time at all, really. Instead, as soon as I heard an automated voice start the next prompt, I hit the next number. I pressed 1-2-3, and I was speaking with a real person within the minute. At this point, this real person you've reached is the operator who will direct your call to the right department. My operator estimated it would take me about five minutes to reach a real human agent in the right department, and they were right. I didn't have to waste any of my precious time listening to all those damn automated options, either. Make sure you’re prepared before you call the IRS with questionsBefore you call, make sure you’ve gathered everything you might need while talking with the agent. The IRS recommends having the following items ready: Social Security numbers (SSN) and birth dates Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for taxpayers without a Social Security number Filing status (single, head of household, married filing joint, or married filing separate) Prior-year tax return The tax return you’re calling about Any correspondence from the IRS What to do if you can’t get in touch with anyone at the IRSIf you live near a local IRS office, you may want to skip the main phone line and call it directly. They probably can’t answer your questions by phone, but your Taxpayer Assistance Center (see the state-by-state directory here) can schedule an appointment. If you’re still having a hard time getting help from a real live person, try contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service. It’s an independent office within the IRS that exists to help people with their ongoing tax issues. View the full article

Three U.S. agencies lack a "comprehensive, government-wide strategy," according to a report that echoes complaints banks have made for years. View the full article

The term stakeholder is familiar to those in project management. These are individuals, groups or organizations that have an interest in or are affected by the outcome of a project. However, not everyone understands that they can be broken down into internal stakeholders and external stakeholders. To understand the difference between internal and external stakeholders, we’ll first define both and offer examples of them in project management. Identifying them is only the first step. After that, we’ll spend some time explaining how to manage internal stakeholders and external stakeholders What Are Internal Stakeholders in Project Management? Internal stakeholders in project management are individuals or groups within the organization who have a direct interest in the project’s progress and outcomes. These stakeholders are typically part of the organization and play roles in decision-making, execution or oversight of the project. Internal stakeholders are crucial for project success because they have direct control or influence over the resources, processes and policies that drive the project forward. Managing their expectations, involvement and communication is vital for ensuring the project aligns with organizational goals, meets internal requirements and maintains smooth execution. Project management tools, such as Gantt charts, are important for internal stakeholders because they provide a clear, visual representation of the project timelines, tasks and milestones. This helps them understand the project’s scope, schedule and progress, enabling them to make informed decisions and track performance. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with superior Gantt charts that provide a clear project overview, offer resource and task management, timeline and milestone tracking and more to improve decision making. On top of that, our Gantt charts link all four types of task dependencies, which identify potential risks, delays and cost overruns. It can also quickly and easily filter for the critical path and set a baseline to track progress in real time to stay on schedule. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gantt-CTA-2025.jpgLearn more 6 Examples of Internal Stakeholders in Project Management Internal stakeholders play a key role in the success of a project, as they are directly involved in the project or affected by its outcomes within the organization. These stakeholders are crucial for providing resources, support and oversight throughout the project lifecycle. Below are six examples of internal stakeholders in project management. Project Sponsor The project sponsor is typically a senior leader or executive who provides financial resources and strategic support for the project. They champion the project, ensure it aligns with organizational goals and have the authority to make key decisions. The project sponsor is responsible for securing funding and ensuring the project stays on track. Project Manager The project manager is responsible for the overall planning, execution and delivery of the project. They manage the project team, resources, timelines and budgets, ensuring the project meets its objectives. The project manager communicates with all stakeholders and is the central point of contact for any issues or risks that arise during the project. Project Team Members These individuals are directly responsible for carrying out the tasks and activities required to complete the project. Team members can include subject matter experts, engineers, developers, designers and other professionals who contribute their skills to ensure the project’s success. Their performance and collaboration are crucial for meeting deadlines and achieving project goals. Company Executives and Board of Directors Executives and board members provide high-level oversight and governance for the organization’s projects. They may not be involved in day-to-day project activities, but they make important decisions related to resource allocation, strategic direction and project prioritization. Their approval and support are often required for major project initiatives. Department Managers Department managers oversee the resources, people and processes within their respective departments. They ensure that their teams are properly allocated to the project and that the project aligns with the department’s broader goals. They also assist with resolving any departmental challenges that may arise during the project. Stockholders Stockholders or shareholders are individuals or entities that hold an ownership interest in the company. While they may not be involved in day-to-day project activities, they are considered key internal stakeholders because the project’s success (or failure) can impact the company’s profitability, stock price and overall performance, which in turn affects their investment. These internal stakeholders are critical in ensuring that a project has the necessary support, resources and strategic alignment to be successful. Each stakeholder group has its unique role and responsibility in the project’s lifecycle What Are External Stakeholders in Project Management? External stakeholders in project management are individuals, groups or organizations that are not part of the internal team or organization but have an interest in the project or are affected by its outcomes. While they don’t have direct control over the project, their influence can impact its success, timelines and results. External stakeholders can include clients, suppliers, regulatory bodies and the broader community. External stakeholders often have a broader and more varied range of interests compared to internal stakeholders, and their expectations need to be carefully managed to avoid potential conflicts or issues during the project’s lifecycle. Ensuring regular communication, addressing concerns and meeting their requirements is essential for achieving project success and maintaining positive relationships. 6 Examples of External Stakeholders in Project Management External stakeholders in project management are individuals, groups or organizations that are not part of the internal project team but still have a significant interest or influence in the project’s outcomes. These stakeholders can affect the project in various ways, whether through providing resources, regulatory oversight or end-user feedback. Below are six common examples of external stakeholders in project management. Project Client The project client is the individual or organization that commissions the project. They are often the primary external stakeholder, as they define the project’s scope, objectives and expectations. The client typically has the authority to approve or reject project deliverables and may provide funding or resources. Customers and End Product or Service Users Customers and end users are the ultimate beneficiaries of the project’s deliverables. Their needs, expectations and feedback are crucial in shaping the project’s success. Understanding customer requirements and ensuring the project meets their needs is essential for achieving a positive outcome and customer satisfaction. Regulatory Agencies Regulatory agencies include government bodies or industry regulators that enforce laws, standards and policies relevant to the project. These agencies ensure the project complies with legal requirements, safety standards, environmental regulations and other codes. Compliance is crucial to avoid penalties, delays or legal issues. Business Partners Business partners are external organizations or individuals that collaborate with the project team to achieve mutual goals. These partnerships can involve shared resources, expertise or co-investment. Business partners have a vested interest in the project’s success, as it may affect their business interests or reputation. Vendors and Suppliers Vendors and suppliers provide the materials, products, services or technology required for the project. Their role is critical in maintaining the project’s timeline and budget. Delays or issues with suppliers can have a significant impact on project execution, making their reliability and performance essential for success. Contractors and Subcontractors Contractors and subcontractors are external parties hired to carry out specific tasks or deliver specialized services in the project. They are responsible for completing portions of the work and adhering to project schedules and quality standards. Their performance directly affects project timelines and overall quality. Managing relationships with these external stakeholders and ensuring their expectations and requirements are met is crucial for project success. Regular communication and transparent engagement are key to preventing misunderstandings and ensuring the project delivers the desired outcomes. How to Manage the Internal and External Stakeholders of a Project Managing internal and external stakeholders is crucial to a project’s success. Stakeholders can influence the project’s direction, execution and outcomes. Effectively managing these stakeholders ensures that their needs, expectations and concerns are addressed throughout the project lifecycle. Here’s how to manage both internal and external stakeholders in a systematic and structured manner. 1. Identify Stakeholders with a Stakeholder Register First, identify all potential stakeholders, both internal and stakeholders, who are involved in or impacted by the project. This is done using a stakeholder register, a document that lists key stakeholders along with their roles, contact information, interests, influence and expectations. This list helps ensure no important stakeholder is overlooked and allows for effective communication planning. 2. Create a Stakeholder Map to Analyze and Prioritize Stakeholders Once internal and external stakeholders are identified, it’s essential to analyze and prioritize them based on their level of interest, influence and impact on the project. A stakeholder map visually categorizes stakeholders into different groups, such as high-power, low-interest or low-power, high-interest. This helps you understand which stakeholders require the most attention and engagement, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively. 3. Make a Project Communications Plan to Engage Stakeholders A project communications plan is essential to ensure that internal stakeholders and external stakeholders are kept informed and engaged throughout the project. This plan defines how, when and what kind of communication will occur with each stakeholder group. It ensures timely and consistent communication, addresses stakeholders’ concerns and keeps everyone aligned with the project’s goals, status and deliverables. 4. Report on Progress and Status Periodically to Project Stakeholders Regular updates and progress reports are essential for maintaining transparency with internal and external stakeholders. Periodic reporting allows stakeholders to stay informed about the project’s achievements, challenges and risks. These reports can be tailored to different stakeholder needs and should include key performance indicators (KPIs), milestones and any actions taken to address issues that arise. 5. Implement Stakeholder Engagement Actions Engagement actions refer to the efforts taken to ensure that stakeholders are actively involved in the project and that their concerns are addressed. This could include meetings, feedback sessions or collaborative decision-making. Stakeholder engagement actions should align with the stakeholder map and communication plan to ensure effective and productive interactions. Proactive steps to address stakeholder needs can enhance project support and reduce the risk of conflicts or delays. Effectively managing stakeholders is a continuous process that requires flexibility, communication and timely responses to feedback. By following these steps, you can foster positive relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring smoother project execution and greater chances of success. Free Stakeholder Management Templates There is more than one way to manage stakeholders. Below are three free stakeholder management templates from over 100 free project management templates available on our site. There are free templates in Excel and Word that cover all aspects of managing a project across multiple industries. Stakeholder Analysis Template Download this free stakeholder analysis template for Excel to identify, assess and manage stakeholders. It helps prioritize stakeholder engagement, address concerns proactively and ensure better communication throughout the project lifecycle. Stakeholder Map Template This free stakeholder map template for Excel is a visual tool to represent and categorize stakeholders based on their level of influence and interest in a project. It provides a clear overview of the stakeholders, how they relate to the project and how their involvement might impact its success. Stakeholder Register Template A stakeholder register is a document used in project management to record detailed information about all the stakeholders involved in a project. This free stakeholder register template for Excel serves as a centralized resource to track stakeholders, their interests, levels of influence and how they might affect or be affected by the project. How to Manage Internal and External Stakeholders With ProjectManager While stakeholder management templates can help project managers and their teams understand the influence and impact of various internal stakeholders and external stakeholders, they’re not a great way to manage them. Instead of using static documents to try and control a dynamic situation, it’s better to add internal and external stakeholders to your project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with multiple project views that allow each stakeholder to use the tool best suited to their needs. Whether that’s kanban boards, task lists or a calendar view for a monthly overview of progress. Plus, guest licenses give external stakeholders access without being able to edit plans. Stay Productive With Resource Management Tools Internal stakeholders, such as project team members, can be onboarded to the software, which then can set their availability, pay rate and skill set. This ensures that the right resource is assigned to the right task at the right time. Project managers can view resource allocation across one or multiple projects by viewing the color-coded workload chart. They can quickly see who is overallocated or underutilized and balance the team’s workload without leaving the chart. View activity on the team page, which can be filtered by progress or priority and tasks are updated without leaving the page. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Keep Stakeholders Updated With Real-Time Dashboards and Reports Whether an internal stakeholder or external stakeholder, project data is critical. Both can get a high-level overview of the project’s key metrics by toggling to the real-time project or portfolio dashboards. There’s no setup required to view time, cost, workload and more on easy-to-read graphs and charts. Project managers can focus on specific data points by using customizable reports on status, workload, timesheets, variance and more. Then, filter the report for a more general summary and share it with external stakeholders to keep them updated on progress. Even our secure timesheets help by tracking labor costs to stay on budget. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dashboard-light-mode.jpg Related Stakeholder Management Content There’s more to stakeholder management than identifying who is an external stakeholder and who is an internal stakeholder. For those who would like to read more about the subject, below are some more recent posts we’ve published on our blog. Stakeholder Salience Model in Project Management What Is Stakeholder Theory? Free Stakeholder Management Templates for Excel & Word How to Manage Stakeholder Expectations Stakeholder Mapping 101: How to Make a Stakeholder Map Stakeholder Engagement in Project Management ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects internal and external stakeholders, whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join companies like Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Internal Stakeholders vs. External Stakeholders in Project Management appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

With prices possibly rising over 4% through next year, respondents to a Fall 2024 survey said they would turn to their investment portfolios to fund the down and monthly payments. View the full article