The moon is shrinking, causing landslides and moonquakes exactly where NASA wants to build its 1st lunar colony | Live Science

January 30, 2024January 29, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

When plotting sites for crewed lunar landings — ranging from the forthcoming Artemis missions to eventual lasting moon settlements — mission planners must account for tons of lunar parameters. For instance, the shape of the terrain could make or break a mission and a possible high volume of buried water could make one spot much more tantalizing than its drier counterpart. But now, geologists suggest it’s also important to keep moonquakes and lunar landslides in mind.

As the scientists emphasize, this is no longer an academic question. Researchers examining the moon’s south polar region — which sits near the planned landing side of Artemis 3, set to touch down in 2026 — have identified fault lines whose slips triggered a major moonquake about 50 years ago.

Unhappy at Work? Quiet Quitting Costs US $1.9 Trillion in Productivity | Bloomberg

January 29, 2024January 28, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Disgruntled employees cost US companies an estimated $1.9 trillion in lost productivity last year, according to research from Gallup that puts a price tag on workplace unhappiness.

That eye-popping figure stems from more Americans feeling detached from their employers in the aftermath of the pandemic. A measure of engagement from Gallup’s surveys had been steadily rising for a decade, but peaked in 2020. The disruption of the past few years reduced satisfaction in the workplace, with more employees saying they don’t clearly know what’s expected of them — a symptom that reduces engagement.

IRS Issues Guidance on Emergency Savings Accounts for Employees |Small Biz Trends

January 26, 2024January 25, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released initial guidance to assist employers in implementing pension-linked emergency savings accounts (PLESAs). This development follows the authorization of PLESAs under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, aimed at encouraging employees to save for financial emergencies.

Key Features of PLESAs

Eligibility and Contributions: Employees eligible to participate in an employer’s defined contribution plan can contribute to a PLESA, even if they do not participate in the main plan. Employers may start offering PLESAs in plan years beginning after December 31, 2023.
Contribution Match: Employers can match PLESA contributions at the same rate as those made to the linked defined contribution plan, subject to certain restrictions.
Maximum Balance: The maximum balance in a PLESA is generally capped at $2,500, although employers have the discretion to set a lower limit

Treasury and IRS Delay Reporting Requirements for Digital Asset Transactions | Small Biz Trends

January 26, 2024January 25, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have announced a transitional phase in the implementation of new reporting rules for small businesses dealing with digital assets. This move grants temporary relief to businesses from the stringent reporting requirements for certain transactions involving digital assets.

The Treasury and IRS have issued Announcement 2024-4PDF, which specifies that businesses are not required to report the receipt of digital assets in the same manner as cash transactions exceeding $10,000. This guidance comes as part of the transitional measures while the Treasury and IRS work on implementing new provisions established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act revised existing rules, equating digital assets with cash for reporting purposes. However, this particular provision requires the Treasury and the IRS to issue specific regulations before it becomes effective.

What to Consider Before Starting a Restaurant | Business

January 25, 2024January 24, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The restaurant industry is vast, with plenty of profit to go around. However, if you own a restaurant, you must consider many factors, including its location, menu, and hours of operation. You also have to create a solid business plan that outlines how you plan to be successful and includes research on your potential competitors.

Here’s what to keep in mind before you launch your new restaurant business, along with the software and services that can help you achieve your goals.

How to Create a Strong Company Culture | Business.com

January 25, 2024January 24, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Company culture directly affects employee recruitment, retention, and turnover. Workers thrive in cultures that encourage support, personal growth, and open communication – but this isn’t always easy to achieve. Keeping everyone on the same page can be difficult when you have a diverse company with numerous employees. However, there are ways to address this issue and ensure workers perform with the same goals and values.

What is company culture?

Company culture refers to how an organization and its employees behave. It is defined by the shared values, behaviors, visions and perceptions among the organization. It is perpetuated by the way employees and leadership treat one another. A strong company culture is easy to identify, even from an outsider. However, company culture can slowly change over time, based on how employees interact and how guidelines and principles are enforced.

I want the iPhone 16 to steal these 6 Galaxy S24 features | Digital Trends

January 24, 2024January 23, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Samsung’s January Unpacked event revealed the company’s next-generation phones, the Galaxy S24 lineup. This includes the base model S24, the larger S24 Plus, and the top-of-the-line S24 Ultra.

The S24 lineup is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and has a smattering of new AI features. Samsung also seems to have copied Apple by giving the S24 and S24 Plus a flat frame instead of the rounded one used previously, as well as a matte look. And, of course, the S24 Ultra getting a titanium frame just months after the iPhone 15 Pro isn’t lost on anyone.

Smartphone companies copy each other all the time, and as easy as it is to make fun of, it often works out in our favor. With that in mind, here are some features from the Galaxy S24 that I hope Apple brings to the iPhone 16 lineup.

Why I regret buying the RTX 4080 | Digital Trends

January 24, 2024January 23, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

It’s me. I’m one of the people who bought one of Nvidia’s worst-value graphics cards, the RTX 4080, and now have some regrets. However, it’s got nothing to do with the performance of the GPU and everything to do with the fact that there are now better options available.

That’s not all there is to it, though. Despite meticulous planning, I didn’t account for another aspect of owning a high-end graphics card that only became clear once I used this GPU for a few months. Grab a snack, and let me take you on a journey through my GPU-related regrets.

Revolutionizing Sales: Digital Marketing for Car Sales | The Startup Magazine

January 23, 2024January 22, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In an era where digital technology reigns supreme, car dealerships are increasingly turning to innovative automotive sales digital marketing strategies to boost sales and enhance customer experiences. This article highlights key digital techniques and tools that are transforming the art of selling cars in 2024, making use of advanced automotive digital solutions.

Embracing the Digital Frontier in Automotive Sales

The automotive industry is undergoing a digital revolution, with dealerships leveraging a myriad of digital tools and strategies to attract, engage, and convert potential buyers. In this digital age, a dealership’s online presence is just as crucial as its physical showroom.