Category: Blog

Technology innovation enables businesses to stay ahead of competitors, meet customer demand, and enter new markets. Disruptive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and IoT (Internet of Things) can streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and help businesses reduce costs.

The best tech innovations are ones that are a good fit for the company’s overall strategy. They should also be easy to implement, offer measurable results, and have the potential to scale over time.

Aligning technology with business strategy ensures that investments in new tools support overarching goals like reducing operational costs, improving customer experience, and accelerating time to market. It’s also important to set clear use cases for tech innovation to avoid falling victim to hype and to ensure that every initiative ties back to the organization’s core value proposition.

Developing a strategy that includes a mixture of both disruptive and progressive innovation can be an effective approach to finding success with new technology. Progressive innovation is when a new tool changes the way that a company does something without changing its fundamental processes or products.

For example, a CAD software solution is a progressive improvement that has helped simplify engineering processes, reduce errors, and speed up the design process. Conversely, a 3D printer is a disruptive innovation that offers a unique ability to create custom parts on-demand and at a fraction of the cost. These advances can be leveraged in multiple industries such as healthcare for prototyping prosthetics and organs, agriculture for optimizing plant growth, and manufacturing to create lightweight components.

A business merger is a corporate agreement between two or more businesses to combine operations into a single entity. It is a strategic move that can benefit both companies by enhancing expertise, increasing profits, expanding market share and reducing redundancy. There are many reasons for a company to merge: increased competition, the need to operate more efficiently, or to strengthen its position ahead of a potential sale or investment.

Horizontal mergers are common, wherein companies in the same industry or market combine to reduce competition, gain entry into new markets and realize economies of scale. However, the risk of losing customers can be high if cultural integration is not handled well.

Vertical acquisitions are less common but are useful for building a niche in a specific market or acquiring valuable assets or technology. There are several methods of valuing a business for M&A purposes, including liquidation, book value and market capitalization.

When it comes to a business merger, it’s important for the owners of both companies to understand what they want out of the deal. Whether it’s control, brand identity or board seats, knowing what is non-negotiable and where they can flex can make the M&A process much smoother. Having an experienced Milwaukee M&A attorney on hand can help with negotiations and ensuring the deal is in the best interest of both parties. Having a knowledgeable investment banker on board can also ensure that the terms of the deal are legally sound and the tax implications are optimized.

Cyber threats exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems, exposing data or stealing critical assets. Attacks range from phishing to ransomware, hacking, DDoS attacks and more. While innovation and hyperconnectivity have given rise to new risks, the threat landscape remains as challenging as ever.

Cyber attackers target organizations to steal intellectual property, disrupt business and economic operations, engage in espionage, and even threaten democracy. While nations-states and their proxies remain the most serious actors, criminal groups and hackers also pose significant risk to our economy and national security.

Threats come in many forms, from phishing and malware to hacking, data manipulation, and the exploitation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Malvertising embeds malicious code into online advertising, while zero-day exploits are vulnerabilities in software that are discovered and exploited before a patch is released. DNS spoofing redirects a user to a malicious website posing as a legitimate site, while man-in-the-middle attacks relay and possibly alter communications between two parties.

While some cyberattacks, such as DDoS attacks or ransomware, directly bring down systems and networks, others may impact a company’s reputation, business performance, and customer satisfaction while requiring costly recovery efforts. Regardless of the type of breach, the best way to mitigate cyberattacks is to protect your organization with layered security measures. Multi-factor authentication, a firewall, regular system updates, and employee training on how to recognize phishing attempts are all important tools. Implementing the principle of least privilege means only giving users access to what they need and revoke access when no longer required.

A software update is a modification to existing computer programs that corrects security and functionality problems, improves performance or usability, or adds new features. Software updates are often provided by the original software publisher free of charge. The process of updating software is a key component to keeping computers and mobile devices safe from malware, viruses, and other online threats.

In information technology, a software update is also known as a patch, hot fix, or bugfix. Many software applications can be updated automatically, but this is usually only done when the application is not being used (for example, during a sleep cycle). IT departments may use management software to automate the update process for larger systems and data centers.

Most Windows operating systems use an automatic update feature called Microsoft Update, which checks for and downloads the latest patches and hot fixes. It’s important to keep this program updated to ensure your computer is protected against the latest cyber attacks and that all of your applications are working properly.

If you’re using an Apple device, you can update most of your apps and macOS through the App Store or Settings. You’ll be notified when an update is available for any of your apps, including those that don’t require regular updates (such as web browsers and antivirus software). Keeping your devices and applications up to date can help you avoid costly issues down the road. For example, if you don’t update your video game software, it may become vulnerable to exploits that allow other players to gain unfair advantages over you.

The exploration of space has long captured the imagination of people from all walks of life. Yet, until recently the expense and technical challenges of achieving human spaceflight meant that it was only national governments that could afford to send men and machines into the stars. These government programs served many purposes, from increasing knowledge and enhancing economic development to providing national prestige and power.

With the advent of private spaceflight companies like SpaceX and commercially viable space stations, human space exploration has shifted to a new paradigm. However, even with the shift in cost and landscape, the overall purpose of the endeavor remains the same: to reach out into our solar system and beyond.

To do so, we must develop a variety of technologies. These include building spacecraft that can withstand the tremendous forces of launch and space travel, developing vehicles to take humans, animals, and cargo into space, constructing the first satellites and their associated systems for Earth observation and communication, and ultimately sending people into space.

Space is a hostile environment for both man and machine. Its vast reaches are filled with radiation and swept by charged particles that range from large meteoroids to the microscopic dust called cosmic dust. Only with great ingenuity can people and their equipment survive in space.

Exploration of space provides children, young adults, and their parents with an awe-inspiring experience that can bring people together regardless of political or cultural differences. It also inspires future generations to dream big, think smart, and pursue careers in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Startup funding is the money needed to get a new business off the ground. It is typically provided by investors who take a large risk on the startup in exchange for a share of the company. Startup funding may also be available through programs such as startup accelerators and incubators. Founders may also be able to secure startup funding by taking out a small-business loan or using their own personal savings.

Startups seeking investment funding should have a well-articulated business plan, a strong team of leaders, and an opportunity to build a sustainable advantage in the market. Investors often want startups to demonstrate consistent revenue growth, a clear path to liquidity through an acquisition or an IPO, and sound financials.

North America continues to lead the global venture funding market, with $90 billion invested in seed through growth-stage rounds for U.S. companies in H1 — up 43% year over year, according to Crunchbase data. AI once again dominated the quarter, with deals such as Meta’s $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI and a $900 million Series C for GenAI-based software company Anysphere leading the way.

Other significant startup funding activity included a $3 billion Series D round for cloud-based accounting platform ServiceNow, a $2 billion acquisition of accounts payable vendor Melio by Xero, and Modernizing Medicine’s majority stake sale to Clearlake Capital Group at a reported $7.6 billion valuation. Meanwhile, Europe’s late-stage rounds slipped on both a sequential and annual basis, pulling the continent’s share of global venture funding from 19% in Q2 to just 13% in the first six months of 2024.

A rare and coveted type of news article, an exclusive report is the kind that gets shared first with one media outlet or publication. While this tactic can be an effective way to build buzz around impactful announcements, PR pros must carefully consider what kinds of news or stories warrant an exclusive and ensure that they’re pitched to journalists who have a high level of interest in the topic or who have previously covered similar content.

To qualify as an exclusive, a story must contain information that other media outlets do not have access to or knowledge of, which can include data from interviews, public records or a new angle on an existing announcement. Exclusives also typically come with a set deadline, called an embargo, which prevents other outlets from publishing until the story runs at the chosen outlet.

Creating a compelling story that will generate attention for an exclusive takes time, research and planning. It’s important to identify the journalists and media outlets who are most likely to want an exclusive, and to target them in advance of the desired publication date. It’s also helpful to include high-resolution images and any other documentation that can expedite the reporting process.

Ultimately, PR pros must be selective about which exclusives they pursue. Using this strategy too frequently can detract from the value of your news and could tarnish your relationship with the journalist or publication. Ultimately, it’s all about the quality of the content and the value it provides to readers.

The unemployment rate, which measures the number of people jobless as a percentage of the working-age population, is one of the most closely watched indicators of the economy. It is often compared to other economic metrics, such as gross domestic product and inflation, to determine whether the economy is healthy or not.

The official unemployment rate is published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a part of the Department of Commerce. It includes only individuals who are jobless and actively looking for work, and excludes those who have dropped out of the workforce or have retired. There are other measures of labor underutilization that include discouraged workers and those who have given up their search for a job.

These alternative measurements offer a more comprehensive picture of the slack in the labor market. However, they don’t reflect the reality that many people who are unemployed are not really out of work; rather, they have had to accept employment below their skill and experience level – the mechanical engineer who drives a taxi, for example.

The unemployment rate fluctuates with the business cycle. During periods of growth, businesses create jobs, while during recessions they reduce payrolls. As a result, the number of jobless people rises. The rate is also affected by structural factors, such as the loss of a high-paying career or a lack of skills valued in the labor market. This kind of unemployment is sometimes called frictional unemployment.

Investor updates are the primary way that startup founders communicate with their investors to provide key insights into the company. They are typically sent out monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually and have a wide variety of templates available. We recommend using a template that fits your business model, stage of the company, and relationship with your investors.

One of the most important parts of an investor update is sharing performance metrics and results. This will help give your investors a glimpse into how the company is performing and allow them to track progress from month to month. Depending on the stage of the company, these can include things like revenue growth, net new MRR, customer retention, and logo retention.

Aside from sharing key performance metrics, it is also a good time to highlight accomplishments within the company. This could be anything from a record quarter to a big event to a successful product shipment. It is important to give individual kudos where needed and also make sure to mention any new hires so that they can feel recognized and welcomed into the team.

Finally, the most important part of an investor update is laying out any challenges that you or the company is currently facing. This may seem uncomfortable but it is vital that your investors know what is going on in the business so that they can help you. It is likely that the same investors who were involved in your round will have other connections that can help you solve problems, and laying out these challenges allows your investors to leverage their network where possible.

Interest rates are central to borrowing and saving, influencing everything from the affordability of mortgages and auto loans to the return on investments. They’re also crucial to the way you create a budget. Understanding how interest rates work can help you make more informed financial decisions that fit your lifestyle and goals.

A key part of the cost of debt for the borrower and the rate of return on savings for the lender, interest is calculated as a percentage of the principal sum borrowed or deposited. It is generally expressed as a decimal number or as a fraction of a year (sometimes called an annualized rate). Simple interest and compound interest are the two main methods for calculating interest, with most loans using simple interest while savings accounts and money market funds use compounding.

Lender policies and macroeconomic trends affect interest rates. For example, if lenders perceive that an economy is experiencing high levels of inflation, they may increase their credit card interest rates or raise deposit account interest rates to discourage excessive borrowing and slow economic growth. The Federal Reserve, the US central bank, sets interest rates and aims to keep them consistent with overall economic health.

For borrowers, understanding how to choose between fixed and variable rates can help you make savvy financial choices that fit your lifestyle and goals. For example, if you think you’ll be able to pay off your loan before interest rates rise significantly, a variable rate may work for you. But if you expect to take on a longer-term loan or need flexibility, a fixed rate may offer the peace of mind that comes with consistency.