In the snack world, ice cream and popcorn might not sound like a winning combination. But according to Steve Rothenstein, senior director of franchise development for Dippin’ Dots, which also owns Doc Popcorn, the disparity between the two foods is what makes them a perfect match in the franchise world. Since 2015, Rothenstein has led a push to open kiosks featuring both brands, primarily in shopping malls, in an effort to appeal to more customers from a single space. So far, it’s working: More than 20 co-branded operations are currently open, seeing higher sales volumes than single-brand locations. By the end of 2018, that number of locations will double.
Sonic Soak cleans clothes on the go with sound waves | New Atlas
Finding time to wash your clothes is difficult enough at home, but it’s even more of a hassle when you’re traveling. The Sonic Soak is designed to act like a tiny, portable washing machine, using sound waves to clean clothes – including your delicates – as well as jewelry, toothbrushes, cutlery, baby items, fruit, veggies and basically whatever else can be thrown into a tub of water with it.
Next-gen Xbox coming in 2020, Surface Pro 6 in the works | Mashable
If you’re thinking about selling your Xbox One because a new release is imminent, you may not want to unplug it from your TV just yet.
A new report from Thurrott, a tech blog that’s previously leaked accurate information about unannounced Microsoft products, claims the next Xbox won’t arrive until 2020. The site also obtained details on next-gen Microsoft Surface devices, including when a new Surface Pro will be launched.
Microsoft Office is getting a new, simpler look | CNN
Microsoft is rolling out subtle changes to Office 365 to make work a little easier for its millions of customers.
The cluttered control bar (Microsoft calls it a ribbon) on the top of web-version of Word has been slimmed down to just one line. The same new bar will appear in Outlook next month.
Microsoft is holding off on slimming down PowerPoint, Excel and other Office 365 apps until it can do more research. It’s walking a fine line between offering simplicity to casual customers and angering power users.
Smartwatches Are Saving Lives, But Don’t Call Them Doctor (Yet) | Live Science
James T. Green thought he was having a panic attack.
He took a break from work to walk around the block during a stressful day, and noticed he felt out of breath strolling up a slight incline. This isn’t normal, Green thought. He had become an avid cycler in recent months and wasn’t exactly out of shape. He sat down at his desk, and looked at the Apple Watch on his wrist.
His heart rate was through the roof, and the HeartWatch app he was using to check his pulse was flashing warnings. Maybe it was something more serious, he thought.
Why Companies Are Taking It Upon Themselves to Help Workers Learn New Skills | Entrepreneur
In May, Walmart announced that it would begin offering to cover U.S. workers’ college expenses — tuition, fees and books — leaving the recipient of the program responsible for only $1 per day toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain management from one of three universities.
“Walmart is just the beginning of the education and upscaling that’s going to be happening in the workplace, sponsored by employers who are realizing they’re not going to be able to hire and fire their way out of this problem,” Maggioncalda says. “It has now become mission-critical, existential.”
3 Simple Strategies to Get New Clients Over the Next 30 Days | Getentrepreneurial.com
If you’re struggling to get more clients, there are three simple strategies that you can implement that will help.
But, more importantly, taking consistent, daily action is the real answer to getting more clients..
I’ve had many conversations with business owners these past few months who are, quite frankly, really struggling with their businesses:
Beer For Beauty? How Two Lawyers Traded In High-Paying Jobs To Create Broo, A Natural Beer-Based Shampoo | Forbes
When Sarah Pearsall moved to Asheville, North Carolina, from Florida in 2009, she viewed it as a fresh start for her family to lead a healthier lifestyle. Moving to one of the healthiest and greenest U.S. cities meant incorporating more organic foods and toxin-free products into their household. Her husband, Brad, found it easy to forgo fast food, but changing his grooming routine was tough, especially when it came to using all-natural shampoos. “There was no lather—my hair felt like straw,” he said. “It was like I was using dog shampoo.” Brad’s mother had a unique solution on tap: an old-fashioned beer-rinse.
18 Gmail settings that will change how you think about your inbox | Fast Company
When it comes to managing email, you need every advantage you can get.
Google recognizes this. The company has packed Gmail with dozens of advanced options that can save you time and add powerful possibilities into your inbox. The only problem is that there are so many of them—scattered across so many places—that it’s all too easy to overlook something useful.
How to Prevent a Cash Flow Crisis in Your Business | AllBusiness.com
Cash flow from operations is still the number-one way that U.S. small and midsize businesses finance growth. But just about every small business runs into situations where the cash just isn’t flowing. When that happens, where do you turn?
Some 37% of U.S. small and midsize businesses in the C2FO Working Capital Outlook Survey 2017 say their need for liquidity increased significantly last year compared to the previous year, while 34% say it increased slightly. All told, nearly three-fourths of small and midsize businesses in the survey have greater need of liquidity than they did in 2016.
Dispatches From The Front 