Author: knjohn

Navigating Narcissism: The Ultimate Guide to Thriving and Self-Protection | LifeHack

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Life can be challenging enough on its own, but when you find yourself entangled with a narcissist—whether in personal relationships or professional settings—the complexity multiplies exponentially. The constant emotional drain, manipulation, and criticism can leave even the strongest individuals feeling depleted and questioning their self-worth.

But there’s hope. With the right strategies and mindset, you can not only survive but thrive in the face of narcissistic behavior. This guide will help you navigate these challenging dynamics, protect your well-being, and rediscover your strength.

Read More

Understanding Disorganized Attachment: A Journey to Secure Relationships | LifeHack

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Have you ever felt an inexplicable push and pull in your relationships, simultaneously craving closeness while fearing intimacy? This internal conflict might be rooted in something deeper than mere indecision or commitment issues. It could be a sign of disorganized attachment, a complex pattern of relating that stems from early life experiences.

The way we connect with others isn’t random. Our attachment style, formed in childhood, acts as an invisible script guiding our interactions. While some people develop a secure attachment, characterized by comfort with intimacy and independence, others may form anxious, avoidant, or disorganized patterns. Among these, disorganized attachment stands out as particularly challenging, yet understanding it opens the door to profound personal growth and healthier relationships.

Read More

Predictive policing: The risks, and what one city is doing | Fast Company

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The 2002 sci-fi thriller Minority Report depicts a dystopian future where a specialized police unit is tasked with arresting people for crimes they have not yet committed. Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, the drama revolves around “PreCrime”—a system informed by a trio of psychics, or “precogs,” who anticipate future homicides, allowing police officers to intervene and prevent would-be assailants from claiming their targets’ lives.

The film probes at hefty ethical questions: How can someone be guilty of a crime they haven’t yet committed? And what happens when the system gets it wrong?

While there is no such thing as an all-seeing “precog,” key components of the future that Minority Report envisions have become reality even faster than its creators imagined. For more than a decade, police departments across the globe have been using data-driven systems geared toward predicting when and where crimes might occur and who might commit them.

Read More

Nintendo profits tanked 43% in Q1 but pins hopes on Switch 2 | Fast Company

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Japanese video-game maker Nintendo on Thursday reported a 43% decline in profit for the fiscal year through March, but promised a turnaround as its Switch console upgrade goes on sale in June.

Nintendo Co.’s profit for the fiscal year through March totaled 278.8 billion yen ($1.9 billion), down from 490 billion yen the previous fiscal year.

Annual sales slipped 30% to 1.16 trillion yen ($8 billion) from 1.67 trillion yen, according to the Kyoto-based maker of the Super Mario and Donkey Kong games.

Read More

How Do I Prepare for an Acquisition? 9 Ways to Prep | AllBusiness.com

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Advance preparation is key to a successful Merger & Acquisition (M&A) transaction for a seller. M&A transactions can be time consuming and stressful for a company and its management team. The following are some important things a company can do or keep in mind to maximize the likelihood of a successful sale, in connection with the sale of a privately held company.

How to prepare for a merger or acquisition

1. NDA. The selling company should insist that an appropriate Non-Disclosure Agreement (“NDA”) is fully signed early on in any talks with a potential acquirer. The NDA should also attempt to incorporate an employee non-solicitation provision.

2. Investment Bankers. The company should consider hiring an investment banker to assist it in the process. Investment bankers can be useful for finding prospective buyers and acting as an intermediary in negotiations. Follow these four tips:

Read More

Is AI a Small Business Owner’s Best Friend? | AllBusiness.com

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

It’s long been said that being an entrepreneur can be a lonely existence. Small business owners work hard, often leaving little time for a personal life. They crave solutions that save them time so they can carve out some downtime.

According to BILL’s 2025 State of Financial Automation Report, many have turned to automated solutions, especially artificial intelligence (AI). BILL’s report reveals that 73% of those surveyed say they’ve already incorporated AI into how they run their businesses, and 83% expect their dependence on AI will continue to grow over the next two years.

Read More

Gas Prices Hold Steady Amid Declining Oil Costs, AAA Reports | Small Biz Trends

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline edged up slightly this week to $3.18, according to AAA. While this time of year often sees seasonal increases in prices due to rising demand, a drop in crude oil prices is helping to stabilize prices at the pump.

AAA attributed the downward pressure on prices to economic concerns and a decision by OPEC+ to increase oil output despite sluggish global demand. The agency noted that “the lower the price of oil, the less drivers pay at the pump.” Compared to this time last year, the national average is nearly 50 cents lower.

Read More

SBA Reminds Pennsylvania Small Businesses of Upcoming Deadline for Drought Relief Loans | Small Biz Trends

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is urging small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia affected by the September 2024 drought to apply for federal disaster loans before the June 2, 2025 deadline.

The assistance comes under a disaster declaration for Greene, Fayette, and Washington counties in Pennsylvania and Marshall, Monongalia, and Wetzel counties in West Virginia. Eligible applicants include small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture enterprises, and private nonprofits (PNPs) that experienced financial losses due to the drought that began on September 24, 2024.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

Read More

Benefits and Risks of Corporate Wellness Programs | Business.com

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Offering employee benefits packages that go beyond health insurance and retirement plans is a great way for smaller businesses to attract and hold on to top-level employees. However, setting up flexible benefits offerings like corporate wellness programs isn’t as simple as organizing a walking group or offering yoga class discounts. You must recognize the potential legal implications and issues when you start participating actively in your employees’ personal lives.

Here’s what you need to know about corporate wellness programs, including how they can aid companies and their employees, and the rules and legal aspects to consider when you launch these programs.

What are corporate wellness programs?

Corporate wellness programs are initiatives led by a company to boost or sustain the health of employees, with consideration for factors both inside and outside the workplace.

Read More

What Is Employee Job Rotation? | Business.com

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The practice of job rotations in the workplace is a popular way to allocate staffing where it is needed most. It also cycles employees through different roles throughout a team, department or organization with the principal objective of cross-training. If you’re considering job rotations within your business, it is essential to understand what this practice entails and the pros and cons of this type of program.

What is a job rotation?

Job rotation is the practice of exposing employees to multiple roles within the organization. In addition to owning and mastering their own role, employees get to experience (and often train in) other positions within the company. “Job rotation can be a smart strategy when used with a clear purpose,” said Vikrant Bhalodia, head of marketing and people ops at WeblineIndia. “It helps employees achieve new skills, keeps them busy, and prepares them for leadership roles. For employers, it creates a more adaptable task force, reduces skills gaps, and strengthens the succession plan.”

Read More