I wore the Oura Ring for 90 days. Here’s why I can’t stand it | Digital Trends

December 14, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Ever since I joined Digital Trends nearly two years ago, I’ve been tremendously jealous listening to my colleague, Andy Boxall, rave and rave about how much he loves the Oura Ring. Somehow or another, conversations in our Microsoft Teams meetings often turn into Andy telling me — once again — just how good the Oura Ring is. That feeling was compounded when Christine Romero-Chan joined our crew and did the same thing. And there I was, Oura Ring-less, having to take their word for how amazing the smart ring was.

So, I decided to do something about it. I got an Oura Ring for myself and have been wearing it (almost) daily since September — hoping to fall in love with it the same way Andy and Christine have.

Unfortunately, that’s not what happened.

Cultivating Prestigious Clients: A Guide | The Startup Magazine

December 13, 2023December 12, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Ultimately, the clients you serve are a representation of the kind of business you are. That’s not to say discrimination is acceptable of course, but certain measures such as your pricing, the technical knowledge required by those who understand what you have to offer, and how you market can all have an influence on this.

A high-street music store is certainly going to appeal to a different market than a guitar luthier who spends seven months handcrafting a custom guitar for a vast array of discerning clients, and the latter doesn’t need to “discriminate” for natural prestigious and understanding clients to form around him.

Perhaps you’re just starting out with such a refined enterprise, and you need to determine your best approach. This requirement can apply to any industry, from event caterers to those looking to improve their HVAC SEO rankings. Either way, understanding the clients and their needs comes first.

In this post, we’ll discuss how this approach might work differently for prestigious clients, and what tips would work best for those you hope to serve:

4 Important Finance and Preparation Tasks to Consider Before Home Renovation | The Startup Magazine

December 13, 2023December 12, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Every year, millions of homeowners consider home renovation projects, and several go through it. While everyone has their own set of obstacles along the way, one of the most important things they regret is not planning beforehand. Home renovation preparation is critical.

You may think that home renovation is a simple project, especially if you leave it in the hands of professionals. However, it is hard to overlook the challenges of home renovation. One way or another, you will face these challenges. However, you can ease their intensity by being prepared.

Here are some of the best things to consider before home renovation.

Boss or Leader? 8 Principles to Truly Effective leadership | Entrepreneur

December 7, 2023December 6, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Throughout my career, I’ve seen the stark differences between mere bosses and true leaders. These experiences have shaped my leadership approach and fueled my drive to help others become outstanding leaders. In today’s ever-changing business world, understanding this distinction is critical. It’s more than semantics; it’s about inspiring belief in your vision and mission. Drawing from over forty years of experience as a business owner and through extensive leadership presentations and writings, I’ve delved into what separates leaders from bosses.

Boss vs. Leader: Understanding the difference

The terms ‘boss’ and ‘leader’ are often used interchangeably, but they represent vastly different approaches to organizational management. A boss typically focuses on processes, compliance and maintaining the status quo.

In contrast, a leader inspires change, fosters a culture of innovation and encourages team growth. This contrast is not just in actions but also in mindset; while a boss thinks about tasks and authority, a leader focuses on people, potential and possibilities.

Tips for Finding a Job in a New City | Cool Business Ideas

December 6, 2023December 5, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Moving to a new city can be exciting and daunting – from searching for a place to live with the help of Black Tie Moving Dallas, learning the local customs, and meeting new people, there’s plenty of adventure ahead. But with all the changes that come with relocating to a different area, one big transition on your agenda is finding a job in your new destination.

Understanding the job market in your chosen city will help set you up for success as you hunt for jobs and hammer out interviews. With these tips in mind, searching for employment in unfamiliar territory doesn’t have to be an intimidating experience. Read on for helpful advice on how to find a job in your new city!

1. Research the job market in your new city – understand the types of jobs and industries available, the average salaries for those positions, and what qualifications you need to land a job

Klarna freezes hiring because AI can do the job instead | Mashable

December 5, 2023December 4, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski is betting so big on AI that he’s instituted a hiring freeze.

“There will be a shrinking of the company,” said Siemiatkowski per The Telegraph. “We’re not currently hiring at all, apart from engineers.” Last May, 10 percent of the fintech company’s staff was laid off during a period of economic downturn for the tech industry.

This time, however, Klarna isn’t planning any layoffs. Instead, it is refraining from active recruitment with the expectation that AI can now handle many tasks that were previously performed by humans

Windows 12 may have a release date window of June 2024 | Mashable

December 5, 2023December 4, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Windows 12 could be coming as early as June 2024 if leaks are to be believed. This is good news for PC and laptop manufacturers looking to bounce back from dwindling hardware sales that boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The leak comes from a report by the Tawainese-based business newspaper The Commerical Times. The publication wrote that Microsoft would drop Windows 12 in June 2024. Additionally, the article stated that the release of Windows 12 would spark a new wave of AI PCs that will, hopefully, reinvigorate the laptop and PC market.

We could end the AIDS epidemic in less than a decade. Here’s how. | Live Science

December 4, 2023December 3, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

An HIV diagnosis hasn’t been a death sentence for years, thanks to powerful medications.

Despite incredible progress, however, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) remains a global public health threat, with 1.3 million new infections and around half that many deaths in 2022 alone.

While new HIV infections have dropped steadily since their peak in 1995, as people live longer with the disease, the pool of people who are HIV-positive has only grown. People with HIV must consistently take medications to prevent the virus from becoming transmissible again or progressing to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). As a result, new infections could actually rebound fast if the world doesn’t dramatically ramp up the number of people being regularly treated, tested and protected from new HIV infections.

What Are Paid Leave Policies? | Business News Daily

December 1, 2023November 28, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Paid leave encapsulates several benefits, allowing employees to take a leave of absence for approved reasons. But what do these policies mean for workers and small businesses? Are they affordable, or do they unbearably balloon entrepreneurs’ budgets? Do they contribute to staff well-being and productivity? Read on to learn how paid leave policies can help your business.

What are paid leave policies?

Paid leave policies are regulations that extend job protection and paid time off (PTO) to workers for specific situations, such as illness and family emergencies. Different kinds of paid leave policies exist, including sick leave, family leave and parental leave. The exact provisions of these laws tend to vary widely locally and by state. Here’s a quick look at two of the most common types of paid leave policies.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Scared to Build Your Own Website | All Business

December 1, 2023November 28, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

There is no question about it: if you have a business, you need a website. Having a website is absolutely necessary in today’s digital world.

There are two main things that hold people back from getting a website. The first is money and the other is coding. For those with the money to spend, it can be costly to hire a programmer. For those without the money to spend, it can seem like coding is more trouble than it’s worth. I’m here to tell you that money and coding are non-issues when it comes to building a website. “Not so long ago, there would have been no question of hiring a pro to get the results you want,” writes Leo Welder. “But thanks to the rise of online tools like website builders, it has become much easier for the non-techies among us to build a more-than-decent website.” Here are the biggest reasons why it’s a good idea to build your own website.

The cost is not that significant

Think about the money you will need to pay to a web development firm to create your website. If you have the money to do it, I would recommend going that route. After all, you don’t want to waste time building your website when you can focus on your business. However, not everyone has venture capital so you are likely on your own with this one.