Small Business Saturday, celebrated the Saturday after Thanksgiving, highlights the importance of supporting local shops, restaurants, and services. These businesses are essential to our economy, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and keeping money within the community. For every dollar spent locally, a significant portion stays in the area, benefiting everyone.

Small businesses also preserve the unique character of our neighborhoods, offering personalized services and one-of-a-kind products. By shopping locally, we support entrepreneurs who dedicate time and effort to their ventures, helping them thrive.

This Small Business Saturday, let’s make a conscious effort to shop small, strengthening our communities and ensuring small businesses continue to grow.

In recent years, technological advancements have become increasingly integral to our lives, bringing both empowerment and new threats to personal privacy. Among the most alarming of these developments is the rise of sophisticated phone hacking software. These tools can silently infiltrate mobile devices, recording conversations, tracking movements, and stealing private data without the victim's knowledge. While it may seem like such technology is only a concern for high-profile figures or repressive regimes, the truth is much more troubling. The widespread availability of these invasive technologies has made them a growing concern for individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of their location or status.

Elon Musk’s support for Donald Trump is increasingly difficult to reconcile with his past commitment to environmental sustainability. Musk, once a vocal advocate for tackling climate change, has shifted his stance despite Trump’s policies, which threaten environmental protections. In 2017, Musk resigned from Trump’s business advisory council in protest over the U.S. pulling out of the Paris Agreement, calling climate change "real." Yet today, Musk’s alignment with Trump, whose Project 2025 aims to dismantle key environmental agencies and roll back climate policies, suggests a troubling disconnect. It seems Musk's shift may be driven more by financial interests than by a genuine change in his views on climate change, as he stands to benefit from deregulation and policies favoring big corporations. This cognitive dissonance raises questions about Musk's true commitment to the planet’s future.

Throughout American history, candidates from various backgrounds have consistently led the charge in political engagement and activism, serving as a crucial force behind the progressive movements that have shaped our nation. Their involvement goes beyond participation; it reflects a profound awareness of issues disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and an intricate understanding of the interconnectedness of social, economic, and political challenges. Surveys show that diverse voters possess a remarkable ability to identify and advocate for comprehensive solutions that address systemic inequalities at their roots. This holistic approach to leadership can create pathways that not only benefit specific groups but also uplift society as a whole, reinforcing the transformative notion that empowering marginalized groups enhances the entire fabric of society.

Data-driven product management is an indispensable cornerstone for propelling business growth and fostering innovation in today's competitive landscape. At its core, this approach revolves around the meticulous and strategic selection of metrics that not only align perfectly with overarching business objectives but also yield actionable insights that drive meaningful change. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into a myriad of powerful strategies and key performance indicators (KPIs) that product managers must skillfully implement to optimize their work processes and achieve truly outstanding results that set new industry benchmarks.

In B2B, trust and authenticity are crucial. B2B de-influencing emphasizes selectivity in partnerships and solutions. Thought leaders use it to provide insights on overhyped technologies, recommending better alternatives.

For instance, an expert might critically evaluate new software, highlighting its limitations rather than blindly endorsing it. This honest analysis is transforming the B2B sector.

De-influencing promotes informed decision-making over impulse buying, fostering a more responsible approach to consumption in both B2C and B2B realms.

While product managers might not initially seem like key drivers in a company's innovation journey, the advent of advanced AI has made them indispensable. These managers are crucial in transforming cutting-edge technological advancements into real business value.

In their role, product managers bridge the gap between technology and practical application. At Capital One, for example, we've harnessed new machine learning techniques to combat fraud, utilized big data to personalize customer interactions, and used anomaly detection to monitor unexpected charges. These initiatives have significantly enhanced both our technological prowess and customer engagement.

As the push to develop new AI capabilities intensifies, the strategic role of product management becomes more vital. They are instrumental in using AI to improve customer experiences, managing risks effectively, and integrating human oversight into automated processes. This comprehensive approach ensures that AI innovations contribute meaningfully to the company's objectives and resonate with customer needs.

In today's turbulent political landscape, a deeply concerning document has surfaced, potentially threatening the foundational principles of American democracy. Dubbed Project 2025, this meticulously crafted 920-page blueprint is purportedly orchestrated by conservative factions. Its primary aim appears to be the systematic erosion of democratic norms under the guise of protecting the nation from what its architects view as the harmful influence of left-wing ideologies. The document advocates sweeping changes that, if enacted, would significantly empower the presidency while fundamentally altering the established functions of numerous government agencies.

Register to vote!

In a fiercely competitive Software as a Service (SaaS) landscape, delivering exceptional user experiences isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity for retaining customers and fostering growth. The widespread adoption of SaaS solutions has heightened the pressure on businesses and product teams to continuously engage and satisfy users over the long term. With customers having the flexibility to switch providers easily at subscription renewal, it's imperative to ensure they perceive ongoing value in your offering. This underscores the critical role of product and feature adoption metrics, which serve as key indicators of whether users are truly embracing your product's unique value proposition. Beyond mere usage statistics, adoption metrics are powerful predictors of customer retention and expansion, providing invaluable insights into your software's overall health and the future prospects of your company.

In the ever-changing landscape of professional achievement, it's clear that traditional intellect isn't the sole key to unlocking success. Instead, the spotlight now shines on a different form of intelligence—Emotional Intelligence (EI). Remarkably, research shows that an astounding 90% of top performers possess high levels of EI, underscoring its pivotal role in achieving unparalleled success.

Gone are the days when intellectual prowess was the sole criterion for recruitment. Today, there's a growing demand for individuals who demonstrate exceptional emotional intelligence. But what exactly defines high EI, and how can you determine if you're among those who possess it?

In today's fiercely competitive market, prioritizing customer-centricity has become imperative for businesses of all selling models. This shift is propelled by customer expectations, with both individual consumers and business buyers demanding brands to prioritize their needs. According to Salesforce CRM's 2022 State of the Connected Customer Report, a staggering two-thirds of users expect brands to understand their requirements. Additionally, an impressive 92% agreed that a customer-centric experience would encourage them to make repeat purchases from the same seller.

In my role leading a global product operating model practice, I have worked with leadership teams across various industries and company sizes, assisting them in evolving and modernizing their businesses. Through this experience, I have been fortunate to identify common patterns that either enable or hinder success. One prevalent pattern is the ongoing debate about the definition of a product.

This seemingly simple question often surfaces during workshops, revealing insights that are crucial for aspects such as culture, governance, reward systems, and customer-centricity. It sparks internal discussions among teams regarding the distinctions between products, platforms, and services.

Upon closer examination of these differing opinions, which may seem theoretical to some, I have realized that this fundamental definition can significantly impact an organization's ability to deliver value, foster innovation, and reduce operational costs and waste.

Earth Day, a reminder of our responsibility to the planet.

Since its inception in the 1970s, April 22nd has urged corporations and leaders to reflect on their environmental impact and take steps toward sustainability.

Consider joining initiatives like EARTHDAY.ORG's Planet vs. Plastics, aiming for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2024. The World Wildlife Fund provides resources for sustainability efforts, from 60 Actions for the Planet to dedicating an hour to serving the earth. Earth Day Canada and NYC are focusing on sustainable mobility with events like leg days and Open Streets.

Explore local events on EARTHDAY.ORG's tracker for more opportunities. Corporate sustainability efforts extend beyond Earth Day, with initiatives like the Pledge 1% driving climate action.

For a lasting commitment, learn from companies like Salesforce and Atlassian, pledging 1% of their equity, time, product, or profit.

In the realm of business-to-developer marketing, it's clear that developers constitute a unique demographic. While our initial content marketing strategies relied heavily on SEO tactics like keywords, FAQs, and links, it became evident that developers exhibit distinct online behaviors.

So, why are developers a unique audience for content marketing?

Developers prioritize efficiency and effectiveness in their work, focusing on tasks like solution creation, error management, and enhancing user experiences. They value quick testing, simple documentation, and seamless integration, contrasting with non-technical individuals who prioritize business value and end-results.

Marketing to developers requires a shift in approach, emphasizing aspects like product thinking, security, and technical efficiency over end-business value. Unlike non-tech audiences who prioritize revenue growth and KPIs, developers are more concerned with streamlined workflows and practical solutions.

In essence, understanding the distinct values and priorities of developers is crucial for tailoring content that resonates with this specialized audience.

In the dynamic realm of product management, upselling has transitioned from important to indispensable. It’s no longer solely about selling products; it’s about cultivating enduring customer relationships and sustaining their satisfaction. As we enter 2024, the imperative to enhance the upsell experience has never been more pronounced. This blog post explores strategies to elevate your product management upselling and offers three invaluable resources to guide you on this journey

In today's technology-driven business landscape, companies are increasingly recognizing the crucial role that developers play in their overall success. Developers are not merely coding experts; they are instrumental in building innovative products, designing unique integrations, and significantly enhancing user experiences. Their skills and expertise drive growth and innovation, making them indispensable to any organization striving to stay competitive. However, effectively scaling success within a Business to Developer (B2D) strategy demands meticulous planning, strategic metrics, and a long-term perspective that ensures sustainable growth.

In today's digital era, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) serve as the backbone of numerous businesses, facilitating seamless integration, connectivity, and innovation. Similar to any other product, the success of APIs relies on the capability to effectively measure their performance. In this blog, we'll delve into essential metrics and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that product managers can utilize to guarantee the success of APIs across different domains, encompassing Open Web, B2B, and Product APIs.