Franchise Trends That Make 2022 the Year of Opportunity | Entrepreneur

February 25, 2022February 22, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The newly released 2022 Economic Outlook for Franchising shows franchise economic output in proportions unmatched by almost any other sector in the economy.

Last year saw one of the best comebacks the United States has ever seen. Across the country, people had more cash in their pockets, more investments in the stock market and more confidence in a continued recovery for their businesses than we have seen in years, perhaps decades.

With the latest surge of the Covid-19 pandemic waning, the economic recovery will almost certainly continue, and it’s being led by the franchise industry. With continued growth across every franchise sector, 2022 will be a year of new opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to reimagine their careers as owners and operators of highly successful, recognizable franchises.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review: Come for the cameras, stay for the S Pen

February 24, 2022February 22, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

When I first laid eyes (and hands) upon Samsung’s new Galaxy S22 Ultra, I assure you it was not love at first sight.

The 6.8-inch phone, which launches Feb. 25 and sits atop the S22 line as the company’s most premium Android offering, is effectively a cold, smooth slab of sometimes rounded metal punctuated by multiple circular cameras. It’s imposing, austere…anonymous, even, and expensive, with a starting price of $1,199. There’s nary a hint of the whimsy Google infused into the hardware and software design of its rival, the Pixel 6 Pro. The S22 Ultra, by contrast, is all business.

Labor Laws Every Employer Needs to Know | AllBusiness.com

February 22, 2022February 20, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

There will always be horrible bosses. A lot of employees struggle with difficult and sometimes unreasonable employers. Fortunately, there are labor laws and guidelines that protect the rights of employees.

On the other hand, many newbie employers are so focused on getting their businesses off the ground they forget to handle the legal side of things. So, despite being well intentioned, decent employers can still violate labor laws due to ignorance.

That said, here’s a list of the most common labor law claims filed against terrible and ignorant employers alike.

Are Highly Successful Entrepreneurs Born or Made? | Lifehack

February 22, 2022February 20, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Are successful entrepreneurs born or made? The “born vs made” debate is one that has been raging for ages, and there are a few schools of thought when it comes to this question.

The first is that some people are simply born with the skills and personality traits needed to be successful entrepreneurs. They have natural charisma, risk-taking ability, creativity, and more.

These “natural” entrepreneurs are able to dedicate the time and effort needed to be successful because they are driven by internal factors. They are passionate about their work and are motivated to achieve their goals.

How to Turn Your Instagram Account into an Organic Sales Funnel | Small Business Trends

February 21, 2022February 20, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Instagram is a great influencer marketing tool allowing you to increase your reach through (sponsored) updates from micro-celebrities.

But can it be used to drive traffic to your site?

In other words, can Instagram be turned into a brand-owned traffic and sales generation asset which will allow you to diversify your marketing channels without constantly relying on third-party collaboration?

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 may destroy its predecessor | Digital Trends

February 17, 2022February 15, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A new leak suggests that the next version of the Microsoft Surface Laptop may be vastly improved as it may finally feature the latest modern AMD processors.

The addition of Ryzen 6000 CPUs was a much-needed step, and if proven true, it could potentially elevate the Surface to a whole new level of performance.

The information comes from what seems to be the official specification sheet for the Surface Laptop 5, which was leaked by a website called Windows Prime. The document is the only thing to be found on the website, so although it looks to be legit, it’s important to treat it with a hint of skepticism until we hear from Microsoft itself.

What is employer branding and why is it important? | The Startup Magazine

February 17, 2022February 15, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Employer branding is the reputation and image of a company as perceived by employees (past and present), competitors, and customers. All companies have an employer brand, whether this has been intentionally developed or not. An effective employer brand is like a series of promises to staff and customers; it should connect an organization’s values, attitude to staff, and wider policies and ethical standards, and be closely affiliated with the company’s visual brand. A strong employer brand helps organizations compete for the best talent, retain good staff, and establish credibility in their specific field of expertise.

What leads to a poor employer brand?

Factors that can damage an employer’s brand include not treating staff well, a toxic work culture (finger pointing, bullying, ignoring grievances and encouraging long hours), inconsistency in applying rules, and poor communication.

Airbnb: City travel almost at pre-pandemic level | BBC News

February 16, 2022February 15, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Online accommodation booking platform Airbnb says travelers are starting to return to cities, after staying away since the start of the pandemic.

Globally, the number of nights booked in cities in the last three months of last year nearly matched 2019 levels, the lodging website said.

In the US, urban bookings have fully rebounded, it said.

The booking company reported a record $55m (£40.6m) profit for the fourth quarter.

Cities were important destinations for Airbnb’s business, but during the pandemic non-urban areas have proven more popular, as people focus on outdoor activities free of crowds.

The Psychology of Placing EV Chargers Along Roads Less Traveled | WIRED

February 15, 2022February 14, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

GIL TAL LIVES in Davis, California, where winter daytime temperatures are in the mid-50s and annual rainfall is well below the national average. But the Sierra Nevada mountains are two hours away, so Tal made sure his latest car had four-wheel drive. “One day, I will go to the snow,” he says.

It turns out that’s how Americans think about buying vehicles. They purchase trucks because they might have to haul something one day—or SUVs because, what if every kid wants to bring a friend on a trip? The same goes for electric vehicles, says Tal, director of UC Davis’ Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Research Center. Despite leaps in battery technology, which allow some EVs to travel hundreds of miles between charges, surveys suggest that range anxiety still freaks out prospective buyers. Which means, Tal’s survey participants tell him, that people want to know there will be chargers on every possible route, even if “they’re usually not stopping,” he says.