U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and John Kennedy (R-LA) have introduced the bipartisan Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act. This legislation directs the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate an Assistant Administrator for its Office of Rural Affairs and formalizes ongoing cooperative efforts between the SBA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)…
Adobe has introduced new features in Illustrator and Photoshop to speed up creative workflows and give designers more control. These updates include tools powered by Adobe Firefly, an AI assistant designed to support creative professionals. Illustrator now offers a Generative Shape Fill tool, which allows designers to add detailed vectors to shapes using text prompts.…
Xero’s recent data release indicates small business sales are beginning to recover in 2024. Despite a decline in the March quarter, sales showed year-over-year improvement, with February marking the first sales increase in 13 months. However, average payment times have improved slightly, while late payments have worsened, now averaging nearly 10 days late. The Xero…
In today’s competitive market, businesses must embrace creativity to stand out. Creative ideas inspire teams, engage customers, and drive product innovation, yet not every workplace fosters this mindset. A partnership between Canva and Harvard Business Review Analytic Services surveyed over 500 global business leaders. The findings revealed that while 96% believe creative ideas are key…
Airtable has launched Cobuilder, a tool that quickly creates no-code applications. Users describe their needs in words, and Cobuilder generates a customizable app in seconds. This approach allows anyone to build and customize apps easily, transforming their work. Modern companies need custom applications to meet their unique business needs. Traditional software development is slow and…
Upwork Inc. released a new study from The Upwork Research Institute revealing that AI is increasing the workloads of full-time employees, hindering productivity, and contributing to burnout. Despite significant investments in AI by business leaders, the study shows that most organizations are failing to realize the technology’s full productivity potential. While 96% of C-suite leaders…
Fiverr has launched its 2024 summer product release, marking its transformation from a services marketplace to a hiring platform. This release includes deeper AI integration with Fiverr Neo, a new professions catalog, a satisfaction guarantee, and a rewards program to meet the evolving demands of today’s businesses. Micha Kaufman, founder and CEO of Fiverr, noted…
American Airlines has become the first U.S. airline to launch an automated tag for mobility devices. This innovation is part of the airline’s commitment to improving the handling of wheelchairs and mobility devices across its network. Developed by American’s Technology team, the tags are now used in airports where American and its regional partners operate.…
Monitoring grant opportunities is important for small business owners. Grants provide necessary funding for different business needs like expansion, equipment purchases, and marketing. Staying updated on available grants allows businesses to secure financial support without repayment obligations, helping maintain cash flow and promote growth. Additionally, grants often provide access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities,…
Understanding digital marketing is key for small business owners as it allows them to reach a wider audience, build brand awareness, and drive sales. Digital Summit Immersive Training & Networking for Digital Marketers is a two-day event that brings leading experts to teach the latest trends, tools, and technology in digital marketing. By mastering strategies…