Bose SoundLink Flex Is The Perfect Travel Speaker To Take Anywhere

Travel

Bose is one of those consumer brands that can divide a room full of nerds. Plenty of people swear by the audio brand and love its products. Some others say Bose products are pricey and the company doesn’t always show technical specifications. I tend to fall into the first camp because I’ve tested quite a few Bose products and I’ve always found them high quality even though they tend to be a bit more expensive than some other brands.

Following on from my recent review of the Bose SoundLink Max, this week I am looking at the Bose SoundLink Flex, a smaller Bluetooth speaker that was recently launched in its second iteration. The Second Generation SoundLink Flex is the same price as its predecessor but now incorporates some important changes that make it an even more compelling proposition.

The new Bose SoundLink Flex is now able to take advantage of the excellent Bose smartphone app which offers access to various customization options and other features. For example, there’s a graphic equalizer for tweaking the speaker’s tone or SimpleSync, an easy way for linking the Soundlink Flex with another compatible Bose product for a multi-speaker stereo setup that’s ideal for parties.

The Bose SoundLink Flex is shown here in Arctic Sage. BOSE
Another new feature is the Shortcut button which can be programmed using the Bose app as a SimpleSync button, for accessing a voice assistant or to trigger Spotify Connect. Along with the support for the Bose app, the new version of the speaker now supports AAC and aptX Bluetooth audio codecs and will even work with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound Technology when used with a compatible Android device.

The Bose SoundLink Flex is about the size of a small clutch bag and sports a crisp and nuanced sound with a surprisingly big bass. It’s the perfect travel speaker that’s small enough to pack into your luggage but with a big enough sound to fill a hotel room.

The speaker can play standing up, on its back or even hanging upside down because PositionIQ Technology senses the speaker’s orientation and optimizes the audio to ensure there’s plenty of sound projected. There’s also a textile loop on the end of the speaker that can be fitted with a carabineer for hanging the speaker on a tent spar or something similar. I’d love to have seen a color-coordinated carabineer in the box.

On the top of the SoundLink Flex is a strip of waterproof touch controls for doing everything from … [+] turning the speaker on or off, to adjusting the volume levels.Bose
There is a strip of waterproof controls running along the top of the SoundLink Flex. The Buttons include a power switch, Bluetooth pairing, Shortcut button, plus a rtrio of transport controls and volume adjusters. One thing I like about the power button is it only needs a short press to turn on or off, unlike some Bluetooth speakers.
With an IP67 rating, the Bose SoundLink Flex is both waterproof and dust-resistant, ensuring it can be used anywhere. It will even float if it drops in the bath or is thrown in a swimming pool. And thanks to the silicone-wrapped body, the speaker is also resistant to scuffs and scratches so should stay looking good for years.
A full charge of the Bose SoundLink Flex’s rechargeable battery can provide up to 12 hours of playtime, plus it can double as a full-duplex speakerphone because there is a microphone built-in. So, if you do need to take an important business call while chilling at the pool, that won’t be a problem.Pack the Bose SoundLink Flex in the back of the bar or hitch it to your backpack. The speaker is … [+] rugged and has a long-lasting battery plus great sound.Bose
Verdict: As we’ve come to expect with Bose, there are few technical specifications listed for the Bose SoundLink Flex, so you’ll have to use your ears to judge the sound. What we do know is the speaker uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC, AAC, apt X and Snapdragon Sound. That’s about it. I can’t quote you the power output in Watts and neither can I tell you how big the drivers are. All I can say is this is a gorgeous speaker with high-quality construction, great sound, good looks and a speakerphone function. What more do you want? Highly Recommended.
Pricing & Availability: The Bose SoundLink Flex is available in Black, Blue Dusk, Sandstone and a very fetching Alpine Sage, which is a minty green shade. The price is $149 / £149.95 / €179.95.

Imperial College Business School Hosts 2024 Ideas to Impact Challenge

Business News

On 22nd May 2024, Imperial College Business School held its annual “Ideas to Impact Challenge”, uniting academics, entrepreneurs, and students to explore how enterprise and technology can create tangible social impact. Eight student teams pitched innovative business ideas aimed at solving global challenges and positively impacting a million lives.
The top three teams were awarded start-up funds, along with ongoing coaching, mentoring, and business support from College experts. Discussions throughout the event emphasized the power of technology in addressing issues like poverty and climate change.
In a keynote speech, social innovator Myriam Taylor encouraged the finalists to embrace their role as catalysts for change, emphasizing the importance of turning ideas into action for global good.
The event showcased the creativity and drive of the next generation of leaders, reaffirming Imperial’s commitment to fostering impactful, socially conscious entrepreneurship.
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Many Republicans take a tough line on China despite their own business ties to Beijing

Business News

In testimony to Congress last year, David McCormick, now the Republican candidate for US Senate in Pennsylvania, said that as CEO of Bridgewater Associates, the largest hedge fund in the world, he “held deep reservations” about “the moral and patriotic hazards of doing business in China”.As CNN reported, between 2017 and 2021, such qualms did not stop McCormick overseeing an increase in Bridgewater’s Chinese holdings from $1.6m to $1.77bn. Nor, according to Bloomberg, did Bridgewater flinch from significant investments in companies that supply the Chinese military. It has also been reported that McCormick oversaw investment in a Chinese fentanyl producer and, as HuffPost put it, “profited from China trade policies he helped shape” as a deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs under George W Bush.Denying wrongdoing, McCormick throws claims of hypocrisy back at his opponent, the incumbent Democrat Bob Casey, over his own investment links to companies from China and other countries.As election day nears, with Senate control up for grabs in such battleground state races, both parties are seeking to emphasize China’s threat to the US economy and national security. But a review of reporting and documentation reveals many other Republicans taking a tough line on China despite their own business and investment links to Beijing.In Wisconsin, Eric Hovde, a banker, has said that if he was in the Senate, “I’d be very focused on what China is doing and why we are allowing them to come to our communities and buy up our land, especially around military bases.” He has also accused his opponent, Tammy Baldwin, of failing to address a fentanyl addiction crisis fueled by Chinese imports.According to the Daily Beast, before entering politics, Hovde’s family tried to launch an investment vehicle in China. A spokesperson for Hovde insisted he was not involved.In Michigan, the former US House intelligence committee chair Mike Rogers says he was “among the first to sound the alarm on the economic and national security danger posed by China” – while the Detroit News reports that Rogers and his wife “have gained hundreds of thousands of dollars in wealth through companies that have partnered with Chinese firms”. Heartland Signal has highlighted Rogers’ ties with Nokia, a Finnish telecoms firm that “has conducted extensive business deals with Chinese tech companies like Huawei”, which is subject to US sanctions.Rogers denies wrongdoing – and attacks his opponent for a Senate seat, congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, alleging she signed an NDA concerning a planned electric vehicle battery plant in Big Rapids to be built by a company connected to the Chinese Communist party. Slotkin denies that, and says she “worked to bring manufacturing back to the United States” while Rogers “supported trade deal after trade deal – including Nafta – that helped ship jobs to places like China”.Meanwhile, Montana is no Rust-belt battleground but it is a rare Republican-dominated state represented by a Democrat in a Senate split 51-49. The Republican candidate, the US Navy Seal turned businessperson Tim Sheehy, has called for the US to “get tough” on China while attacking the incumbent, Jon Tester, as “weak” on the issue.Last December, HuffPost reported that Sheehy “sold off shares in the Chinese tech giant Tencent, earning between $200 and $1,000 in dividends, according to his Senate campaign financial disclosure”. The same report said Sheehy maintained significant investments with financial institutions with “deep ties to China”.Sheehy responded by attacking Tester for getting “six times richer as a career politician hobnobbing with lobbyists in Washington for nearly two decades”. Sheehy’s own wealth comes from Bridger Aerospace, a company dedicated to fighting forest fires. Heartland Signal reported that Sheehy “endorsed and attempted to utilize Chinese drones built by a company which was sanctioned by two administrations for leaking American data to the Chinese Communist Party”. Sheehy did not comment.In Ohio, where the Democrat Sherrod Brown is seeking to keep his seat, China is an issue too, if over thousands rather than millions of dollars. The Republican candidate, auto salesperson Bernie Moreno, has claimed to have refused to sell a Chinese-made SUV. Spectrum News showed that Moreno did sell such vehicles. A spokesperson said Moreno stopped selling them after a local plant closed down.And in Florida, Democrats dream of defeating Rick Scott, the former healthcare executive and governor who won his seat narrowly in 2018. Earlier this year, Mother Jones reported that though Scott has urged voters to “stop buying [Chinese] stuff[,] stop helping them[,] stop investing in China”, because “you don’t do business with your enemies,” he “has a long record of supporting Chinese investment in the United States and personally making money off Chinese commerce”.The magazine laid out such links. A Scott spokesperson attacked the outlet and said the senator would be “happy to put his record up against” Democrats “pushing [Joe] Biden’s pro-China agenda”.The Guardian asked the National Republican Senatorial Committee for comment about Republican candidates voicing bellicose campaign rhetoric about China despite reported ties to Beijing. It did not reply.

Crowd pleasers: Top tourist destinations have delivered big

Travel

Tracking Central Massachusetts tourist locations’ decisions and challenges – and how they handled them over the last three decades – is an exercise in business strategy. How do you get people to keep coming to your attraction?

More than 3.5 million guests visited New England Sports Center in Marlborough; Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton; indoor water park Great Wolf Lodge New England in Fitchburg; and Worcester’s Polar Park and DCU Center in 2023, according to the Worcester Business Journal 2024 Book of Lists.

So, what has made these destinations draw crowds over the past 35 years?

And what’s ahead?

Unique operations

Standout superstars Wachusett Mountain, DCU Center, and New England Sports Center have survived the pandemic, industry challenges, and destination trends through a common focus, according to Monique Joseph, president of Discover Central Massachusetts.

“These three have shown exceptional ability to innovate while staying true to their core strengths,” Joseph said. “Their forward-thinking approach has not only helped them navigate challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic but has also allowed them to thrive in a competitive market. By remaining deeply connected to their communities and continuously enhancing their offerings, these destinations have managed to retain and even grow their appeal.”

This is true even when you have a formidable enemy in Mother Nature.

Mountain mama

Jeff Crowley’s late father Ralph Crowley Sr. began leasing the ski mountain in the 1960s. Each year, Crowley said, the destination initiates a $2-million capital expenditure program.

Photo I Courtesy of Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
Jeff Crowley, president of Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

Run by Jeff and his siblings, Carolyn (Crowley) Stimpson and David Crowley, Wachusett Mountain has 27 trails, eight ski lifts, and 100 percent snowmaking ability – it also has climate change as a constantly evolving problem.

“Climate change is why we are having so many rain events – 23 last year,” said Jeff Crowley, president of Wachusett Mountain. “It makes it hard to get psyched up to go ski. But it’s a good experience in some respects. People can have a great experience, as they have the mountain to themselves.”

So, it’s not so much the need to have snow to operate the ski mountain anymore that’s the problem, says Crowley, it’s a perception among some that natural snow is needed to ski.

In fact, he says, man-made snow is better for skiing and lasts longer.

“We’re spending (a) half-million dollars this year on fan-type snowmaking units to enable us to get the place open on a timely basis,” said Crowley, with the technology becoming more energy efficient and better for the environment.

“It’s more dense and less apt to melt,” Crowley said of man-made snow. “Natural snow is beautiful, but doesn’t last as long.”

Snowmaking operations, along with the mountain’s webcams, were added by the Crowley family over the years. “We were webcam early adopters,” Crowley said. “It allowed people to go online and see ski conditions before heading out.”

Photo I Courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Wachusett Moutnain has shined through ups and downs over the years.

Mount Wachusett – which had its trails cut in 1937 as part of a government program – will have its oldest lift replaced by a high-speed, six-pack lift next year, offering nine-second spacing in between each carrier, with auto-closure and auto-locking mechanisms. “It has the same capacity as a high-speed quad that would be loaded every six seconds,” Crowley said.

Another investment Mount Wachusett is making this year is replacing its circa-1960s skier services building, a project in the final planning stages.

Investment and improvement decisions – such as new lifts and building renovations – can come from customer feedback; anonymous surveys with management; and social media comments. Some upgrades aren’t as apparent to visitors, such as new software systems and well-pump replacements, Crowley said.

COVID constraints

During the pandemic, Wachusett Mountain did its best to accommodate the state’s mandate that it cut its capacity in half. It worked to find ways to enable more people to visit the mountain and get out of the house. It sold 4-hour blocks and 8-hour blocks.

“Our high-speed lifts got them a lot of vertical time,” Crowley said.

The DCU Center, meanwhile, was highly impacted by COVID, said general manager Sandy Dunn of ASM Global, the venue management company that oversees the 14,000-seat arena and 50,000-square-foot convention center.

Photo I Courtesy of DCU Center
Sandy Dunn, DCU Center general manager

The venue – owned by the city of Worcester since it opened in 1982 – was far from empty during the pandemic, serving as a UMass Memorial Health Care field hospital in the spring of 2021 for patients with minor coronavirus cases, to free up hospital space.

Over the years, the DCU Center has significantly expanded its ability to consistently book acts, Dunn said. With more competition in the marketplace, a company with ASM Global’s reach is a distinct advantage. “Without a consortium, a venue would be adrift now, finding it difficult to compete. Our team has 300 facilities and is the largest in the world. You need that kind of power in the industry,” Dunn said. “Artists are drawn to a global industry.”

The sheer number of venues now is a challenge, Dunn said. “There are only so many artists coming into a venue of our size. Back in the 1980s? It was just the [Boston] Garden and us.” Now, MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Great Woods (now the Xfinity Center) and other venues are in the running as well.

But along with tougher competition came an opportunity, and the DCU Center jumped into the ring – or rather rink – with professional hockey.

IceCat magic

The DCU Center – known until 1997 (and still to many) as the Worcester Centrum – hosted the Worcester IceCats for more than a decade when the Springfield Indians American Hockey League franchise moved to the city in 1994 and stayed until the end of the 2004-2005 season. The advent of higher-level professional sports brought a new revenue opportunity, Dunn said.

The AHL Worcester Sharks took the baton from the IceCats and played there from 2006 to 2015, while the ECHL Worcester Railers have made the DCU Center home since 2017.

“Minor league hockey showed it could exist and thrive. Now over 20 years in Worcester, it’s made a difference on our calendar,” she said.

More space made a difference, as well.

Photo I Courtesy of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
DCU Center in Worcester

Construction was completed in 1997 on a convention center with 50,000 square feet of exhibit space. This meant that lawn-and-garden-type shows could now move from the arena and into the convention center, which freed up the arena for other shows, said Dunn.

“We used to have to say no to certain consumer and trade shows as we could not accommodate. When the convention center was built, it created new business for the city and economic spinoff where folks could eat, stay, come in early and go to the attraction,” Dunn said.

The city will be putting out a bid to replace the arena sound system. The last upgrade was about 30 years ago, Dunn said. All the arena seats were replaced in 2023 for $7 million, the third seat replacement project since the arena was constructed.

Not keeping opportunities on ice

Hockey has been advantageous to the DCU Center, and it’s a game New England Sports Center founder Larue Renfroe calls “addictive,” having coached it for more than 40 years.

Renfroe also served as general contractor for NESC’s construction in 1994.

Photo | Courtesy of NESC
H. Larue Renfroe, founder of the New England Sports Center

The center began with four rinks for program teams, Renfroe said. “The facility helped to promote the game of hockey. It was just a 501(c) then, but we wanted to make money. To make money, you have to have ice.”

Tournaments continued, but it became harder and harder to get ice time, Renfroe said. “The business grew, and we had to add rink after rink, including smaller rinks for goalie training – all in response to demand.”

With a total of 10 rinks, including those added in 2004, 2010 and 2017, the center is the largest venue for hockey, figure skating, and public skating in North America. It has eight full-size rinks, one small, and one studio rink. A pro shop, two restaurants, and video arcade round out the offerings.

NESC hosts more than 50 hockey events annually, from all over North America. It is home to learn-to-play programs; development programs; and the Minuteman Flames and Lady Flames Minor Hockey Associations.

Demand drove the addition of each rink, Renfroe said, and the kind of programming, such as girls playing hockey.

But skaters and hockey players have to eat, too.

“We realized our original restaurant, which served breakfast and lunch, had a dinner menu that was the same as lunch and we needed more. We are a family destination. It constrained us, from a restaurant standpoint,” Renfroe said. New England Seafood opened at NESC in 2019.

Photo I Courtesy of NESC
NESC opened in 1994 with four ice rinks.

Reinventing itself

Now, said Jason Silbor, NESC general manager, with a great chef onboard, diners come in from outside – especially for New England Seafood’s chowder.

But with underutilized space, the facility wants to expand catering and events as another source of revenue. It’s a realm where there is definite potential.

NESC hosted a Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce dinner for 150 people in April. “We offer a nice venue, with about 40,000 to 50,000 square feet,” Renfroe said, with only about an eighth of that space used.

It’s now successfully bringing in another profit stream and another segment of the community that otherwise might not visit NESC.

Joseph, of Discover Central Massachusetts, called moves like DCU Center’s addition of the convention center; NESC’s branching into event hosting; and Wachusett Mountain’s strategic improvements wise and far-reaching.

“Each [organization] made significant strides in enhancing visitor experiences, adapting to changing consumer preferences, and investing in infrastructure to remain competitive,” she said.

All make the region socially vibrant and economically resilient.

Nicholas Sparks reveals which film adaptation is his favourite: ‘It just works’

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Your support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreNicholas Sparks has revealed his favourite film from the adaptations several of his novels have gone through.The author, 58, who has had 11 of his novels turned into films, told People magazine A Walk to Remember is the one that he has seen the most. “When I had my kids growing up, they hadn’t yet read a novel [of mine], and they’d say, ‘Oh, can we see what you do?’ I’d say, ‘I’ve got the movie for you.’”“And I had five kids so I had to sit through multiple viewings of that because I would show that to them again. That movie was great. It just works.”Mandy Moore and Shane West in ‘A Walk To Remember’

Book bans and censorship make America feel like ‘1984’

Arts & Culture, Books

It’s 2024, but the cultural climate feels like 1984, given book-banning, the reclassification of books and other methods of thought control nationwide.The British author George Orwell in his novel “1984” depicted the denial of objective fact, through censorship and other methods, as key indicators of a totalitarian state.His protagonist, the bureaucrat Winston Smith, spends his days manipulating archives, announcements and photographs to rid them of “unpersons” — people who have been erased from history by Big Brother, a dictatorial leader supported by an intense cult of personality manufactured by the party’s thought police.It appears the thought police are active in Montgomery County, Texas, and other places.Montgomery County, a suburban area near Houston, recently reclassified the book “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story” as fiction (and later reversed itself amid public pressure). The book about the Wampanoag nation that encountered the Mayflower, the 17th century ship that brought English colonists to the New World, is not fiction.
Montgomery County appears to want to shunt aside the troubled history of Indigenous Americans and European colonists.The erasure of historical fact, the repression of truth and the manipulation of thought portend a dark future for the U.S. if censorship impoverishes Americans, rendering them unable to wrestle with the unpleasant elements of American history.Craig Barner, Lincoln Square

SEND LETTERS TO: [email protected]. To be considered for publication, letters must include your full name, your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be a maximum of approximately 375 words.

Trump’s disturbing behaviorsLetter writer Bill Hartman of Barrington wrote about people questioning Donald Trump’s cognitive impairment, but funny, he doesn’t remember any letters being written about Joe Biden’s cognitive impairment, he said. All we heard and read for months were articles questioning Job Biden’s competency, but the difference here is that when Joe Biden himself realized — a sign of competency — that he might not be up to the task of being president again, he stepped back for the good of the country. It’s a concept Trump is completely unfamiliar with. As usual, it’s Trump putting himself, the narcissistic and arrogant megalomaniac, first. He has spoken of people eating pets in Ohio; he danced for 40 minutes at one of his rallies instead of taking questions; he has said children go to school, have surgery and return home that day as the opposite sex. Those are among a myriad of very strange and questionable behaviors. At least Biden was cognizant enough to know not to run. Trump is unable to see his inadequacies. If my father or grandfather uttered even one of the ideas Trump has spouted, I’d be terribly disturbed. The only difference is, my father or grandfather isn’t running to be the leader of the most powerful country in the world.Louise Bajorek, BurbankNo love for red-light camerasA reader said that Chicago needs more red-light cameras, and I wholeheartedly disagree. In my opinion, fewer cameras are needed for some simple reasons. One, a lot of people cannot afford the fines. And rear-end collisions have greatly increased at intersections where they are at. Lastly, contesting a ticket is nearly impossible.David Gordon, NorthbrookDolton mayor pulls a TrumpI read with great interest that Dolton mayor Tiffany Henyard has decided to pull a Donald Trump by announcing that she wants to have her “enemies” arrested.Steven Herr, West RidgeTackle West Side food insecurityThere is a serious problem with food insecurity on the West Side. This area needs grocery stores and fresh food options. There is an abundance of unhealthy fast-food restaurants everywhere you look. I spend most of my time working there. As a Chicago police officer, I witness how the correlation between resources and crime intersects. Neighborhoods without resources, jobs, stores and reliable transportation deal with upticks of crime.I remember reading an article last year, “Food Deserts Plague Chicago Neighborhoods. Could the City Run its Own Grocery Stores to Fill in the Gaps?” written by Mariah Rush and Michael Loria, that reported on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to open a city-owned grocery store at the same location as a previous Aldi that closed down.
I think this is a great idea. In fact, this location would be perfect for any grocery store because there is a building nearby with residents who do not have a local place to shop for fresh food or groceries. While the community waits for the results of this idea to come to fruition, we can take an idea from the gentleman who was interviewed in that article. Maurice Richmond is a manager of a locally owned nonprofit fresh market. Richmond uses his knowledge from working at Whole Foods to manage the store. He believes in providing food access, but says it is not easy. He believes in “providing low-cost, high-quality options for residents,” the reporters wrote.Although a city-run grocery store is a great idea, there are still several questions that need to be answered before a project like this can move forward. For example, who will operate the store? The article outlines that there must be a commitment of at least 10 years for it to be successful, so who will continue to fund the store? Finally, we must ensure that there is alignment in the community. We must take into consideration what the community needs. That is why some stores fail or close after two or three years. Look what happened to Whole Foods in Englewood. Whatever happens with the idea, the West Side of Chicago needs grocery stores!Jacqueline Trabanino, Garfield Park

Building Business: Surviving Tough Times with Resilience

Business News

An economic downturn often causes panic among businesses. They try to cut costs and save money as quickly as they can while acting like they’re about to go bankrupt.Giving into fear can be one of the biggest mistakes made by entrepreneurs.
Are You Planning for Recession and Energy Price Increases? Things don’t look promising anytime soon – have you thought through how to navigate through difficult financial times that lay ahead? In such an unpredictable and unstable climate, how will we Manage and Grow Our Business?
Key steps to deal with tough times
Times of difficulty can bring immense opportunities. Some of the world’s most successful businesses were born during recessions; Disney, Netflix and Airbnb being some of them. Though conditions may be tough, these situations should force us to be resourceful; success won’t come easily but is still achievable.
Focus on changing customer needs
Rebrand yourself and your business during a downturn by understanding changing customer needs and adapting accordingly.
Client needs encompass both tangible and intangible desires of clients for their project to be a success. These needs should be clearly articulated from the outset of any endeavor to ensure its success and to build positive relationships.
During a recession, many entrepreneurs turn their focus away from customers to focus on surviving themselves. Listening to your customers can help ensure you understand their changing needs and can ensure continued loyalty from customers.
Improve your ability to recognize clients’ unspoken needs and challenges and don’t miss out on opportunities!
Grab the opportunities
Under pressure, it can be easy to become tunnel-visioned and miss what is happening around you. Focusing solely on one task or goal could cost you the chance of the best opportunities arising during difficult times – you should keep an open mind and remain alert in order to take full advantage of any that arise. Adversity comes with challenges; but so too do opportunities for growth, innovation and problem-solving; you must keep your eyes and ears open in order not to miss any!
Be prepared
Plan A may fail, but having an excellent backup plan is the surest way of being prepared in any circumstance. An effective back up plan allows you to respond swiftly and recover quickly when unexpected events arise.
An optimistic view may create unrealistic hopes, leading to feelings of being let down during difficult times and leading to decreased motivation for taking action.
Positive attitudes can be helpful, but they must remain grounded in reality and preparedness for challenges. Consider these elements when making business decisions:
Have you completed an up-to-date risk analysis and risk mitigation plan for your business? Have you purchased sufficient coverage to safeguard your business? What would your strategy be in case of cyber attacks against it?
Adapt new digital technologies
Many businesses are struggling to remain competitive and adapt in the face of rapid technological change, especially digital advertising and technology investments where unpredictability may prove fatal for a company’s viability. Partnering with experienced consultants is crucial during such uncertain times to make smart decisions and stay ahead of events.
Ask whether automation or technology could help lower costs. Ask if processes could be automated to increase productivity or if technology can assist in cutting expenses.
For example, Cyber threats have increased significantly as digital advertising spend has grown, so investing in cybersecurity measures to safeguard both your valuable data and reputation are essential to protecting them both. It is vital to identify vulnerabilities, implement best practices and reduce risks related to a cyberattack.
Review your Pricing Structure
Pricing strategy refers to how your business determines its product and service prices, and can include using various models and methodologies for doing so.
As client demand and services change, your budget should also adapt accordingly.
Reviewing costs and contracts and negotiating more favorably with providers may lead to investment opportunities down the line. For instance, an organization needs to sell off assets.
Check Your Resources
As the demands and customer expectations change, your HR requirements may also evolve accordingly.
Your workforce might no longer require as many employees, or their duties have altered significantly – for instance, customer service reps who previously visited clients in person may now work from home instead.
If your budget prohibits keeping all your employees, it will be necessary to determine if they can help move your business forward effectively. Without money to spend on salaries, creativity will need to come from elsewhere; how to foster an environment for innovation may also need consideration.
Foster Innovation
Today’s ever-evolving business environment requires businesses to embrace change and foster an innovative environment. Push your company towards adopting new technologies, ideas and processes so it remains flexible enough to adapt quickly to evolving market dynamics.
As part of long-term success, digital adaptability must be prioritized. You can safely navigate uncertain times using data analysis, agile marketing techniques, automation technologies, artificial intelligence systems and cybersecurity measures.

Black Men In Business Say This Is The Key To Success

Business News

Being a Black entrepreneur is far from easy. If you are a Black business owner who is struggling, know that there are so many Black entrepreneurs who are exhausted from running a business with little to no assistance. And in 2021, Black and African-American owned businesses only accounted for about 3% of businesses in the United States.

It’s important to note that there are over 33 million small business owners in The United States alone. More than 80% of small businesses operate without any staff. But despite the odds, many Black men are overcoming adversity and thriving in entrepreneurship.

For example, Eszylfie Taylor, who is the president of Taylor Insurance and Financial Services, works with high profile families, executives, actors, athletes, and more. Taylor has extensive experience in both financial services and entrepreneurship. He even has a reality series and app called Mind.Body.Money, where he helps celebrity clients achieve financial freedom. He believes that it can be incredibly challenging to be an entrepreneur, especially a Black entrepreneur, in this economy.

“The most difficult part of being an entrepreneur in this economy is access to capital and people who can afford your services. The gap between the haves, and the have nots continues to widen, and it is becoming increasingly more difficult,” he told me. “Find those with not only the need but the discretionary income to utilize your products and services,” he said.

Plus, accessing capital can be even more difficult for Black entrepreneurs because (on average) African-American people have less exposure to financial literacy and have less intergenerational wealth than white Americans.

Things may be tough for Black business owners, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for Black entrepreneurs to overcome adversity and thrive. From building relationships to tapping into underserved markets, there are plenty of ways for Black business owners to increase revenue while making an impact. I spoke with a few Black male entrepreneurs who have extensive experience in the business world. Here’s what they believe African-American business owners can do to be even more successful.

Build Strong and Authentic Relationships
Developing strong relationships is one of the most important parts of being an entrepreneur. And Taylor couldn’t agree more. He believes that building relationships is the foundation of being a successful entrepreneur.

“Building relationships is of utmost importance. It is the life blood of business. If people do not know, like, or trust you, they are not doing business with you. Most products and services or commodities— you can get them from any number of people anywhere. It’s the relationships in my business,” he told me.
“I take measures to strengthen relationships. Price is generally no issue, of no consequence, whenever a relationship is present and you’re supporting your friend, colleagues, and confidants,” Taylor said. He is one of many entrepreneurs who I’ve spoken to who has found success due to building strong and authentic relationships.
And Taylor doesn’t just have relationships with other Black entrepreneurs. He has worked with people from a variety of backgrounds. Regardless of what someone looks like or where they are from, the financial guru is on a mission— to help all of his clients achieve financial freedom. It’s important to note that he is one of many Black entrepreneurs who has absolutely crushed it in their career.
Leverage Data and Tap into Underserved Markets
Greg Maurice is also a major player in the business world. Like Taylor, he has become a big name in both business and entertainment. He is first-generation Haitian-American and is a globally respected executive and entrepreneur. He has acquired and licensed over three hundred films and $100 million in revenue for entertainment platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, HBO, Hulu, Netflix, and Showtime.
Maurice is currently the head of acquisition and Black cinema for Filmhub. He was previously the director of global acquisitions & co-productions for Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s Black content division. He also founded Zaka Connect, a B2B and B2C career coaching and development platform for first and second generation immigrant professionals. He has great advice about how to become an even more successful entrepreneur.
“By leveraging data, entrepreneurs can identify gaps in the market where certain groups or needs are underserved. This data-driven approach allows for targeted efforts that not only open new revenue streams but also contribute to social impact by bringing services and products to those who need them most,” he told me.
“Entrepreneurs who understand their market at this level can differentiate themselves by offering solutions that matter to overlooked communities. I heavily relied on data to identify services and tools for immigrant professionals and international students, a large group that is often misunderstood or forgotten,” he said.
Invest in Compelling Brand Storytelling
Maurice stressed the importance of investing in compelling brand storytelling. Unlike some people in the corporate sector, Maurice believes that connecting emotionally with your audience is a vital part of becoming successful.
“As an entrepreneur, your brand is very important, you have to connect emotionally with your audience. That’s one of the only reasons that we invite immigrant professional leaders to share their career journey on our podcast. You get to relate to them. You learn the ups and downs and how they overcome challenges. For entrepreneurs, investing in a compelling brand story is crucial,” he told me.
“A well-crafted narrative not only sets a business apart but also creates a lasting emotional connection with customers. It communicates the brand’s values, mission, and the impact it aims to make in the world. This ongoing investment in storytelling ensures that the brand remains relevant, resonates with its audience, and fosters a deeper level of engagement,” he said.
Remember that these two men are just a few examples of Black men who are thriving in the business sector. Black people, especially Black men, have historically faced disadvantages across professions because of social issues like racism, lack of financial literacy, mass incarceration, and so much more. Despite all of this, Black male entrepreneurs are changing the face of business— and they’re just getting started.

Big Tech antitrust lawyers ramp up Harris fundraisers: ‘Trying to storm the castle’

Technology

High-powered lawyers representing Big Tech clients have co-hosted a series of blue-chip fundraisers for Kamala Harris’s campaign as the 2024 presidential election draws near – and antitrust watchdogs are crying foul.

Last Thursday, a group of “antitrust lawyers and economists for Harris” held a virtual fundraiser featuring an appearance by former US Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta. Ticket prices ranged as high as $6,600, according to a copy of an invitation obtained by The Post.

Notable co-hosts included Daniel Bitton, a partner at San Francisco-based law firm Axinn who is defending Google in the Biden-Harris DOJ’s lawsuit targeting its alleged monopoly over digital advertising

Other co-chairs included Renata Hesse, who once downplayed concerns about Google’s monopoly over online search; Edith Ramirez, a former Democratic FTC chair who once defended Google-owned YouTube in a class-action suit over kids’ privacy; and Ethan Glass, who has repped clients like JetBlue against US antitrust complaints.

Kamala Harris’s campaign surrogates has signaled she will take a friendlier stance toward businesses. ZUMAPRESS.com

“This is a confab of ‘Big Law’ lawyers who have been representing monopolists against the FTC and DOJ, and they are shamelessly trying to storm the castle after being locked out during the Biden years,” one Democrat who pays attention to antitrust issues told The Post.

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The Post reached out to the Harris campaign, Bitton, Hesse, Ramirez and Glass for comment but did not hear back.

Earlier this month, The Post reported on conflict-of-interest concerns that arose after several key members of Google’s legal team co-hosted an Oct. 18 fundraiser for Harris in Washington, DC – with tickets costing as much as $50,000.

Karen Dunn, a top litigator at white-shoe law firm Paul Weiss who infamously led Harris’s final debate prep against Trump on the same day that she delivered Google’s opening defense in the digital advertising trial, was listed as a co-chair.

Daniel Bitton is part of the team defending Google in the DOJ’s antitrust case targeting its digital advertising business. Axinn

Dunn’s colleagues Jeannie Rhee and Bill Isaacson also attended the event, which featured appearances by former US Attorney General Eric Holder, Uber general counsel and Harris’s brother-in-law Tony West and ex-acting Attorney General Sally Yates.

Just one day later, longtime Amazon general counsel David Zapolsky co-hosted a fundraiser alongside key Harris campaign surrogate and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to a copy of the invitation obtained by The Post.

In California, Newsom recently vetoed an AI safety bill that had been vigorously lobbied against by tech venture firm Andreessen Horowitz and trade groups representing Google and Meta. After initially opposing the bill, Amazon-backed AI firm Anthropic expressed tepid support for the bill after securing changes.

Edith Ramirez is listed as a co-chair of a fundraiser for the Harris campaign last Thursday. Getty Images

The offensive is playing out as Big Tech firms weather an unprecedented wave of antitrust litigation.

Apple and Google are in the midst of historic Justice Department antitrust cases, while Amazon and Facebook are currently being sued by the Federal Trade Commission. AI leaders like chip supplier Nvidia and OpenAI also have the attention of regulators.

“It should be deeply concerning to anyone, Republican or Democrat, that cares about reining in Big Tech monopolies, that (Harris’s campaign) continues to do fundraisers with lawyers for Google and other Big Tech companies,” public affairs executive Garrett Ventry said.

Top regulators appointed by the Biden-Harris administration, including FTC Chair Lina Khan and SEC chair Gary Gensler, have faced sharp pushback from Silicon Valley bigwigs for leading a crackdown on prominent firms active in the artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency sectors.

Renata Hesse once downplayed concerns about Google’s monopoly over online search. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

In July, billionaire Reid Hoffman sparked outrage among progressives when he accused Khan of “waging war on American business” and openly calling on Harris to fire her if she is elected. Other Democratic advocates, including Mark Cuban, have called for Gensler to be forced out.

The backlash has contributed to a surprising shift in Silicon Valley support toward Trump – most notably in the form of Elon Musk, who recently declared himself “dark MAGA” and contributed millions to his campaign.

The Harris campaign has made clear efforts to reassure Silicon Valley, a longtime source of support and major donations for Democrats.

Key Harris surrogates like Cuban and West have made the case in public and behind closed doors that she would take a friendlier stance toward corporate interests if she is elected.

Karen Dunn (center) and other Google attorneys hosted a fundraiser for Kamala Harris earlier this month. REUTERS

Cuban, when asked by The Post if he had a sense of how a Harris administration would handle Big Tech antitrust matters, replied, “I don’t.”

Last week, the Washington Post reported that West and ex-Treasury official Brian Nelson have been telling groups of tech executives that they are in “listening mode” during private outreach meetings on Harris’s behalf.

Andreesen Horowitz co-founder Ben Horowitz, who previously expressed support for Trump, reversed course last month by pledging a “significant” donation to Harris. Horowitz said he “had several conversations with Vice President Harris and her team on their likely tech policies and am encouraged by my belief in her.”

Kamala Harris has yet to take a firm stance on how she’ll approach Big Tech antitrust matters. Getty Images

In September, Harris released an economic policy outline that provided arguably the most substantive look at the policies she would pursue in the office.

The 82-page document said a Harris administration would “encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors” – but referenced the word “antitrust just one time.”     

Some anti-monopoly watchdogs previously warned that corporate-friendly advisers in Harris’s orbit could lobby behind the scenes for leniency toward Google – potentially in the form of a “slap on the wrist settlement” rather than the full-fledged breakup sought by the feds.

In August, the DOJ won a historic victory after Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google was a “monopolist” with an illegal stranglehold over the online search market. He is expected to decide on remedies by next summer – and the feds have floated a forced selloff of Google’s Android software or Chrome browser as potential fixes.

Meanwhile, closing arguments in the DOJ’s digital advertising antitrust case are expected to wrap up in November. Google boss Sundar Pichai has admitted that he expects the company to be entangled in antitrust litigation and appeals for “many years.”