SBA Encourages Shoppers to Support Local Businesses on Small Business Saturday with “Gift Big, Shop Local” Campaign | Small Business Trends

November 20, 2024November 19, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the kickoff of its Season of Small Business holiday campaign, beginning with the 15th annual Small Business Saturday on November 30, 2024. The event, founded by American Express, encourages consumers to support local small businesses during the holiday season. This year’s theme, “Gift Big, Shop Local,” emphasizes the importance of shopping small and supporting entrepreneurs nationwide.

“Small Business Saturday has become America’s call to action to support the backbone of our economy and heart of our communities – our small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “America’s incredible entrepreneurs create jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen our communities, shaping the unique character of neighborhoods across America. This year, as we continue to enjoy an unprecedented Small Business Boom, I encourage everyone to Gift Big and Shop Local by supporting local businesses and the millions of hardworking Americans behind them.”

Watch this stunning aurora captured from space | Digital Trends

November 19, 2024November 18, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Stunning footage from the International Space Station (ISS) shows a glorious-looking aurora shimmering above our planet.

Captured last month and shared by the ISS on X over the weekend, the footage (below) begins with a faint green tinge on Earth’s horizon as seen from the space station some 257 miles up. But as the video continues, the green tinge develops into something far more spectacular, all against a gorgeous star-filled backdrop.

“The International Space Station soars above an aurora blanketing the Earth underneath a starry sky before orbiting into a sunrise 257 miles above Quebec, Canada, on October 30, 2024,” NASA said in a message accompanying the 60-second video.

Michael Polk Shares How Smaller Companies Can Offer Big Leadership Development Opportunities | The Startup Magazine

November 18, 2024November 17, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

For experienced large company executive Michael Polk, the decision to serve as an executive of a smaller private company was a significant choice. Polk has decades of experience driving change and transformation at large public companies, with an illustrious career working at Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods, Unilever, and Newell Brands, where he was CEO from 2011 to 2019.

While Polk believes he grew tremendously as a leader and executive in his over 35 years in large public companies, he believes the growth one can get in smaller, private companies can be equally rewarding and the challenges test leaders in different ways earlier in one’s career.

Polk came out of retirement in 2020 to lead the transformation of Private Equity firm Berkshire Partners’ portfolio company, Implus LLC. Implus is a leading Fitness Accessories Portfolio company with 16 brands in the portfolio and a multi-national footprint.

Deloitte Announces its 50 Fastest Growing Technology Companies | The Startup Magazine

November 18, 2024November 17, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Deloitte announced this month its 50 Fastest Growing Technology Companies, placing a spotlight on a number of innovators.

Now in its 27th year, the organization’s Technology Fast 50™ program recognizes the world-class achievements of leading technology companies—highlighting their commitment to innovation, strong leadership, and rapid revenue growth.

Said a representative from Deloitte, “These remarkable companies have positioned themselves as growth leaders in their respective sectors, paving the way as catalysts and setting new benchmarks for success. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and recognize them as the driving force behind the country’s technological advancement and economic prosperity.”

Europe’s flying taxi dreams falter as cash runs short | BBC News

November 15, 2024November 14, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

One of the innovations at this year’s Paris Olympics was supposed to be an electric flying taxi service.

Germany’s Volocopter promised its electric-powered, two-seater aircraft, the VoloCity, would be ferrying passengers around the city.

It never happened. Instead the company ran demonstration flights.

While missing that deadline was embarrassing, behind the scenes a more serious issue was playing out – Volocopter was urgently trying to raise fresh investment to keep the firm going.

Why Canada could become the next nuclear energy ‘superpower’ | BBC News

November 15, 2024November 14, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Uranium is making a comeback thanks to a renewed focus on nuclear energy as a climate crisis solution. Canada, rich with high-grade deposits, could become a nuclear “superpower”. But can its potential be realised?

Leigh Curyer had been working in uranium mining for nearly two decades when he noticed a striking shift.

In 2011, the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in Japan badly damaged the world’s view of nuclear power, and the price for the heavy metal – a critical component for nuclear fuel – cratered.

Amazon’s telehealth platform adds low-cost plans for hair loss, skin care, and more | TechCrunch

November 14, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Amazon One Medical is expanding its telehealth services with the launch of upfront and low-cost treatment plans and medication delivery for several beauty and lifestyle concerns. Customers can get treatment plans and medication for men’s hair loss for as low as $16 per month, anti-aging skincare for $10 per month, and erectile dysfunction care for $19 per month.

Other treatment plans include medication for motion sickness and eyelash growth.

The move puts Amazon in direct competition with Hims & Hers, a direct-to-consumer telehealth company that offers treatment plans for a variety of health and wellness concerns like hair loss, erectile dysfunction, weight loss, and more for a monthly fee.

New Apple security feature reboots iPhones after 3 days, researchers confirm | TechCrunch

November 14, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Apple’s new iPhone software comes with a novel security feature that reboots the phone if it’s not unlocked for 72 hours, according to security researchers.

Last week, 404 Media reported that law enforcement officers and forensic experts were concerned that some iPhones were rebooting themselves under mysterious circumstances, which made it harder for them to get access to the devices and extract data. Citing security researchers, 404 Media later reported that iOS 18 had a new “inactivity reboot” feature that forced the devices to restart.

Now we know exactly how long it takes for this feature to kick in.

The Landlord’s Guide to Raising Rent | Entrepreneur

November 13, 2024November 12, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

It may seem obvious, but raising rent and determining rent pricing strategically is an easy way to increase your rental revenue each month. However, setting the rent price isn’t that easy. Raising rent without doing the proper preparation and market research will chase away potential tenants, and you’ll be worse off than you started.

Here are a few tips to raise your rent prices and some alternatives that will increase your revenue as well.