July 2024

Google wants to get to net zero emissions by 2030, but its AI investment is making its environmental commitment more challenging.

Google released its 2024 environmental report on Tuesday and reported a nearly 50% increase in greenhouse gas emissions within the span of four years. In 2023, the tech giant’s emissions totaled 14.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a 13% increase from 2022 and a 48% increase since 2019.

Energy consumed by data centers and Google’s supply chain contributed most to the increase.

“As we further integrate AI into our products, reducing emissions may be challenging due to increasing energy demands from the greater intensity of AI compute,” Google wrote.

Related: Google Says Election Ads With Deepfakes Must Be Labeled

The company also expects to produce more emissions as it invests more deeply in the technical infrastructure needed for AI.

^{Sign outside Google’s campus in Mountain View, California. Photographer: Mike Kai Chen/Bloomberg via Getty Images}

AI complicates the net-zero goal Google set three years ago, to balance the emissions it releases with removal until its carbon footprint reaches net zero.

Google acknowledged the challenge more than once in its environmental report, writing that AI’s future environmental impact “is complex and difficult to predict.”

At the same time, Google placed AI’s potential to address climate change front and center in the report, highlighting a 2021 Boston Consulting Group study that claimed that AI can reduce overall emissions by 5% to 10%.

“AI has a critical enabling role to play in accelerating mitigation, supporting adaptation, and building foundational capabilities for the transition to a low-carbon future,” Google wrote.

Google has released multiple AI products to the public, including AI overviews in Search and AI integration with Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Sheets.

Related: Google Adds Gemini AI to Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive

The tech giant isn’t alone in feeling the energy downside of AI: Microsoft too, which has a net-zero by 2030 goal, reported in May that emissions jumped 30% from 2020 to 2023.

Global expansion is a huge move for your business that can complicate matters when you want to increase the size of your team. Hiring qualified employees from abroad can be complicated. Many things have to be considered, including new rules or regulations in different countries that need to be followed and cultural differences that may also arise.

In the ever-changing global business environment, the use of appropriate technologies and strategies can set apart successful firms from average or struggling ones.

In light of this, how do you then put together an amazing global team? Through my own experience, I’ve discovered 5 key strategies that can set you and your team up for success.

1. Support workplace diversity and Inclusivity

If you establish an inclusive and efficient system culture across your globally expanding enterprise, then performance will increase immediately. However, one should also bear in mind that cultural disparities exist among team members from diverse backgrounds. You will need to create a workplace that respects and recognizes each person’s culture while also fostering an understanding of various traditions and opinions.

There’s a need for companies to consider various holidays people celebrate in different countries so as not to be seen as ignorant or insensitive by their own employees who come from other places. Common concerns revolve around non-verbal communication like gestures at work, dress codes in offices and how we relate with one another socially . One way out is by employing experts who specialize in diversity issues across cultures, such as customs or traditions, to ensure a safe and respectful work culture.

Related: Life’s Too Short to Work With Incompatible People — Follow These 3 Secrets To Building High-Performing Teams

2. Leverage EOR Service

If you are expanding your business globally, it may really help to hire an Employment of Record (EOR) service provider. An Employment of Record legally employs your team members in their local country on your behalf. It enables you to access the best skills from anywhere around the world without necessarily having to go through the lengthy procedure of first establishing foreign legal entities yourself.

When you partner with a good EOR, you get a bunch of sweet benefits:

• Faster access to global talent: You can start building your team abroad as soon as possible instead of waiting months for all the legal paperwork to go through.
• Less worry about compliance: EORs take care of handling all those local employment laws and HR requirements that give you headaches.
• Cost savings: EORs have the expertise to help minimize your operational costs when hiring globally.
• Flexibility: You can easily scale your global team up or down as your business needs change.
• Specialized expertise: EORs have tons of experience helping companies expand globally the right way.

Lean on EOR specialists so you can focus less on annoying HR logistics and more on finding superstar talent around the world.

3. Invest in management training

To succeed globally, you need awesome managers across the board. That’s why strategy number three is to invest heavily in management training.

Make sure your managers are pros at leading global teams. A quality manager in a distributed team excels at nurturing career growth, making the most of their unique talents, ensuring smooth conflict resolution, and guiding through change and uncertainty. They build adaptability and psychological safety, encouraging open communication.

Additionally, the ability to encourage and inspire individuals as a manager will create an environment in which every team member feels welcomed and encouraged. Each one’s unique strengths can be recognized and leveraged for the success and cohesion of the team.

In fact, managers account for 70% of the variability in team engagement. Well-trained managers unite your global workforce and amplify your culture anywhere.

4. Focus on building trust

When your team is distributed worldwide, success depends a ton on trusting relationships. That’s why strategy number four is to focus on building trust and connections, even from afar.

Building trust in a global team requires participation in a variety of activities that promote bonding and camaraderie. Icebreaker games during meetings and setting up Slack channels for casual talk all help team members bond. Hosting virtual coffee talks or happy hours provides for socialization outside of work, whereas annual in-person offsite gatherings provide valuable face-to-face interactions.

Furthermore, it is critical to tailor communication techniques to each direct report, publicly acknowledge wins and progress, and listen deeply to understand different perspectives. These actions make team members feel appreciated, heard, and connected, ultimately building trust within the team.

When managers invest in relationships, their teams perform better. Trust accelerates team cohesion, collaboration and results.

Related: 10 Simple Steps to Build an Exceptional and Efficient Team

5. Set up clear communication channels

When organizing a clear communication protocol, time zone differences could become a major, even impactful, issue. Face-to-face meetings between team members may be nearly impossible when they work from different areas of the world. That’s where video conferences can ensure fast and efficient dialogue.

A number of video conferencing tools recently achieved global use as remote work grew in popularity. Tools like Zoom and Google Meet help businesses hold on-the-spot presentations, webinars, and team meetings with accurate, real-time visuals. They also give team managers the ability to arrange one-on-one check-in sessions with employees, allowing them to discuss workload and other relevant concerns.

Expanding your business globally does not always mean success. However, you can achieve this goal through careful planning, effective communication, and an all-inclusive corporate culture. Above all, using local collaborators in the form of an Employer of Record exponentially increases the chances of building a winning team.

In the digital age, SEO is an indispensable part of any business’s online strategy, but navigating the SEO market can be fraught with pitfalls, especially with the prevalence of mediocre or downright scammy SEO agencies. These agencies promise the moon, take your money, and under-deliver, leaving you with little to no improvement in your search engine rankings. Here’s how to spot these scammers and select a reputable SEO agency that delivers real results.

Related: How to Avoid Scams in SEO

Recognize the red flags

The first step in protecting your business from SEO scams is recognizing the warning signs.

Be cautious of any agency that guarantees top rankings quickly; SEO is an intricate, ongoing process influenced by many factors, and such outcomes can never be guaranteed. The complexities of search engine algorithms and the competitive nature of online marketing mean that results take time and effort to achieve. Quick fixes often do more harm than good.

Legitimate agencies will clearly outline their strategies, so steer clear of those providing vague details about how they plan to enhance your rankings. Detailed explanations and transparency in their approach are hallmarks of a reputable agency. They should be able to explain each step they will take and why it is necessary for your specific business needs.

Additionally, be wary of promises for instant results; SEO requires time, and those promising quick fixes may resort to black-hat techniques that risk penalties from search engines like Google. These techniques, such as keyword stuffing, cloaking, and using private link networks, might offer short-term gains but can lead to severe long-term consequences, including being banned from search engines.

A reliable SEO agency will maintain transparency by sharing regular, detailed reports about your site’s performance and the tactics they are employing. These reports should include metrics such as organic traffic growth, keyword rankings, backlink acquisition, and on-site engagement statistics.

Consistent and clear reporting helps you track progress and understand the value of the services being provided.

Understand the SEO services

Understanding SEO services is crucial in distinguishing effective strategies from subpar ones. Effective SEO practices are customized to fit the specific needs and goals of your business rather than applying a generic, one-size-fits-all approach.

They encompass comprehensive on-page and off-page optimization, including keyword research, content creation, link building, and social media strategies. On-page optimization involves tweaking elements on your website, such as meta tags, headers, and content, to make them more search engine-friendly. Off-page optimization involves activities that drive traffic to your site from external sources, primarily through backlinks from reputable websites.

Additionally, given that SEO trends and algorithms are in constant flux, ongoing optimization and regular updates are essential for maintaining and improving search engine rankings. This dynamic approach ensures that your SEO strategy remains robust and adaptive to the ever-changing digital landscape.

Agencies should continuously monitor changes in search engine algorithms and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Related: 7 Link-Building Tactics You Need to Know to Skyrocket Your Website’s Rankings

Vetting potential SEO partners

Before hiring an SEO agency, it’s crucial to vet their credibility and effectiveness thoroughly.

Start by checking references and reviews. Speak with past clients and read online feedback to assess the agency’s reputation and the results it has achieved. Websites like Clutch, Google My Business and Trustpilot can provide valuable insights into customer experiences.

Additionally, reputable agencies will have case studies or portfolios showcasing successful projects that align with your needs. These case studies should highlight the challenges faced, the strategies implemented, and the results achieved. This not only demonstrates their expertise but also gives you a glimpse into their problem-solving capabilities.

Always ask for a detailed proposal that outlines the strategies they intend to use, including expected timelines and measurable goals, to ensure they are serious and professional in their approach. This proposal should include a comprehensive SEO audit of your current website, an analysis of your competitors and a clear roadmap for achieving your goals.

What to do if scammed

If you suspect that an SEO agency has scammed you, it’s essential to take immediate action. Begin by communicating your concerns directly to the agency to give them the opportunity to address the issue.

For scams involving significant amounts of money, seeking legal advice from a professional may be necessary to explore your options for recourse.

Preventative measures

To prevent future SEO scams, take proactive steps to safeguard your interests. Start by setting clear contract terms that detail every aspect of the SEO service, including the scope of work, timelines and payment terms.

Ensure that the contract also includes a clause for termination if the agency fails to deliver as promised.

Always maintain access to your website and third-party data, ensuring you have the ability to monitor the agency’s work firsthand. This includes access to Google Analytics, Google Search Console and any other relevant SEO tools.

Conduct regular reviews of your SEO performance, which should include analyzing your website’s traffic, referral sources, and rankings for key keywords.

This ongoing vigilance helps ensure your SEO investment is being managed effectively. Use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz to independently verify the progress reported by your SEO agency.

Conclusion

SEO is a powerful tool for online success, but navigating the SEO services market requires vigilance.

By understanding what to look for and how to vet potential partners, you can protect your business from SEO scams and establish a fruitful relationship with an agency that genuinely boosts your digital presence.

Investing time in research and due diligence safeguards your financial investment and ensures that your SEO efforts yield sustainable, long-term results.

Remember, effective SEO is a marathon, not a sprint, and partnering with a reputable agency is key to reaching the finish line successfully.

NFL fans just scored another way to stream their favorite NFL games outside of their living rooms.

EverPass Media announced this week that it acquired UPshow, a streaming platform that allows public establishments, including bars and restaurant chains, to show “Sunday Ticket” NFL games, previously only available through a DirecTV satellite subscription.

Related: Jake Paul, Mike Tyson Selling $2 Million Ticket Packages Ahead of Netflix Fight

“More content is moving to streaming. Regardless of the streaming economics, it’s become pretty clear that live sports is an important piece of that,” EverPass CEO Alex Kaplan said, per CNBC. “We’re going to think about how to deliver a product and service to our customers that’s becoming increasingly more challenging for them to sort of aggregate in a meaningful way.”

YouTubeTV bought the residential rights to “Sunday Ticket” for $2 billion a year in a seven-year deal struck at the end of 2022. Before this, DirecTV had been the owner and exclusive distributor of the package since 1994.

The move comes as more streaming platforms look to get into the live sports business, especially the NFL.

In March 2021, Amazon’s Prime Video acquired exclusive streaming nights for the league’s “Thursday Night Football” for $1 billion a year starting with the 2023-2024 NFL season through 2033.

This marked the first time a streaming platform bought exclusive rights to an NFL package.

Related: Netflix Is the New Home for Christmas Day NFL Games

In May, Netflix announced that it would have streaming rights for the first time for the NFL’s Christmas Day 2024 games — the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans.

Financial details of the EverPass and UPShow deal were not disclosed.

Last week, a jury found the NFL guilty of breaking antitrust laws for the “Sunday Ticket” program.

The damages were set at around $4.8 billion. The NFL is appealing.

Costco might owe you money.

As part of a class action lawsuit, Costco has been ordered to pay $2 million to customers who purchased Kirkland Signature Moist Flushable Wipes between July 1, 2011, and May 31, 2017.

The lawsuit says the retailer claimed the wipes were flushable but the product allegedly caused “damage to pipes, septic systems, sewage lines and other plumbing.”

Related: Costco’s New CFO Reveals Fate of $1.50 Hotdog-Soda Combo Amid ‘Media Speculation’ and Soaring Earnings

The settlement states the consumers wouldn’t have bought the wipes in the first place if they knew that they weren’t flushable.

“Costco denies this allegation and maintains that the Product performs as advertised,” the company said in the settlement.

Costco did not immediately comment on the lawsuit.

Those who believe they’re entitled to money can claim up to $1.30 cashback from each purchased product for a minimum of $7.50 and a maximum of $55.90 (by claiming up to 43 products).

The settlement does not require class action members to show proof of purchase, and affected customers have until August 9 to claim their share.

Customers can submit their claims either online or via mail.

Related: Costco May Stop Selling Books Year-Round. Here’s Why.

The warehouse chain reported strong fiscal Q3 2024 earnings with net sales of $57.39 billion, which was a 9.1% increase from the same time last year.

Costco was up over 58% year over year as of Monday afternoon.

Three groundbreaking Apple devices — the iPhone X, HomePod, and original AirPods — are now considered vintage. And the clock is ticking on how long they will be eligible for repairs.

Apple added the three to its vintage product list on Monday, meaning that it stopped selling the products more than five, and less than seven, years ago.

Apple customers who use these devices are now facing a limited window when it comes to repairs. Apple Stores and authorized repair shops will only offer service for the iPhone X, HomePod, and original AirPods for up to two more years max, depending on the parts available.

Related: Will Apple AI Convince You to Upgrade Your Old iPhone?

The three products are all instantly recognizable as a major shift or addition to Apple’s product lineup.

The $999 iPhone X was the first Apple phone to switch from TouchID to FaceID, allowing users to unlock the iPhone X with a glance and swapping out a home button for an entirely touch-activated screen. Apple assured customers that it kept its facial scans out of the cloud to make the feature more secure.

Apple now has the majority of smartphone market share in the U.S., with about 53% of the market.

^{Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during the launch of the iPhone X on September 17, 2017. (Photo by Qi Heng/Visual China Group via Getty Images)}

The $349 HomePod was Apple’s first smart speaker; some users have called it a “significant and risky investment.” Apple sold an estimated three million HomePods in the U.S. by 2018, according to a Consumer Intelligence Research Partners report.

Since the original HomePod’s release, Apple has expanded the product line with the 2020 HomePod mini and the 2023 HomePod 2nd Generation.

Related: What’s Next for Apple After Vision Pro? Home Robots: Report

The $159 original AirPods were Apple’s way of “reinventing” wireless headphones, per the company’s 2016 press release.

Apple introduced an “innovative” charging case and a double-tap feature that allowed users to tap their AirPods to access Siri.

Devices on the vintage list end up in Apple’s “obsolete” category after they pass the seven-year mark. At that point, Apple withdraws hardware service and service stores can no longer order replacement parts.

Related: Apple iPhone 7 Settlement: How to Make a Claim By Deadline

3 Benefits of owning a Wonderly Lights franchise:

1. Home-based opportunity with potential year-round income.
2. High-quality, app-based sales technology support.
3. Access to commercial grade products and corporate marketing.

Wonderly Lights is a franchise offering holiday and exterior lighting services, specializing in premium and professional permanent, landscape, and event lighting solutions. Established in 2022 and franchising since the same year, it is part of the Buzz Franchise Brands with headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Click Here to learn more about Wonderly Lights.

Show Me More Franchise Options

Key Facts:

• Minimum Initial Investment: $81,545 – $114,995
• Initial Franchise Fee: $20,000
• Liquid Capital Required: $75,000
• Net Worth Required: $150,000 – $200,000
• Veteran Incentives: 20% off first-unit franchise fee

Just weeks after winning the 2024 NBA Championship, the Boston Celtics franchise is officially up for sale.

In a statement cross-posted on the Celtics’ official X and Instagram accounts, the team’s ownership group, Boston Basketball Partners LLC, revealed that it would be selling all of its shares.

Related: Mark Cuban Announces Massive Payout to Mavericks’ Employees — Here’s How Much

“The controlling family of the ownership group, after considerable thought and internal discussion, has decided to sell the team for estate and family planning considerations,” the statement read.

A statement from the Boston Celtics pic.twitter.com/DqArzkGnR5

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 1, 2024

The group said that the company’s managing board plans to have a majority of the company sold by the end of this year or early next, with the full balance expected to close in 2028.

Wyc Grousbeck will continue to serve as Governor of the Celtics until the deal is financially completed in 2028, after becoming the majority shareholder of the team in 2002 for $360 million.

The Celtics organization did not elaborate further on the proposed sale or prospective buyers.

Boston’s beloved team, which has won 18 championships, the most in NBA history, isn’t the only team in the league that’s seen major changes in leadership in recent months.

Related: Mark Cuban Selling Dallas Mavericks to Miriam Adelson

Last year, billionaire Mark Cuban sold his majority share in the Dallas Mavericks to Miriam Adelson, the widow of billionaire and casino kingpin Sheldon Adelson and the owner of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

The deal was worth an estimated $4 billion.

The Celtics are currently the fourth most valuable NBA team in the league, with an estimated valuation of $4.7 billion, per Forbes.

Elon Musk thinks Jensen Huang, the 61-year-old CEO of $3 trillion AI chip manufacturer Nvidia, has “absolutely the right attitude.”

Musk replied to a post on X on Sunday, highlighting a resurfaced clip from Huang’s March interview at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

“No task is beneath me,” Huang says in the clip. “Remember, I used to be a dishwasher. I used to clean toilets… that’s life. So you can’t show me a task that’s beneath me.”

Related: How Much Would an Early Investment in Nvidia Be Worth Now?

In the clip, Huang answers a question about why he is so engaged with employees and why he designed Nvidia to be a “flat” organization, or one with as little hierarchy as possible.

Absolutely the right attitude.

During the toilet paper shortages of Covid, I was making sure that our factories and offices had toilet paper!

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 30, 2024

Huang further explains that if an employee reaches out to him and asks for help with something ambiguous or complicated, he will help them reason through it.

Related: Mark Cuban Extends Rare Praise to Elon Musk: ‘Outstanding’

Huang co-founded Nvidia at a Denny’s in San Jose, California, in 1993 at 30 years old. Fifteen years prior, he worked at that same restaurant as a busboy.
^{Nvidia CEO and co-founder Jensen Huang. Photographer: Annabelle Chih/Bloomberg via Getty Images}

In a May CNBC interview, Huang said it was “the most extraordinary thing, that a normal dishwasher busboy could grow up to be this.”

Nvidia is among the Magnificent Seven, a term that describes Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Meta, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Tesla for their influence on the market.

As of Monday, Nvidia leads the pack in performance, with a year-to-date return of about 151%.

Related: Nvidia Long-Term Employees ‘Semi-Retired’ Multimillionaires

With new social platforms emerging every year, many entrepreneurs wonder if they should leave email behind and look ahead to new avenues. Did you know that email is still the second biggest marketing channel for startups, right behind social media? That’s right! It’s all thanks to its low cost and incredible return on investment (ROI). According to the study by Litmus, it remains one of the best ROIs out there; companies can expect to make a whopping $38 in return for every dollar they spend on email marketing.

As the CEO of Builderall, an all-in-one digital marketing platform that has supported over 2,000,000 small businesses, I often get asked if email marketing is still an effective strategy in this new phase of our digital age. Is it dead in 2024?

I’m here to debunk the biggest myths and set the record straight. Today, I’ll share my insider knowledge to help you see the light.

Defining email marketing

Before we debunk these myths, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what email marketing actually is. Many people have misconceptions about this form of digital marketing, which can turn them off — and that leads to missed opportunities.

Email marketing is a direct marketing strategy that sends promotional or informational messages to a targeted audience via email. It goes far beyond blasting promotions or cold outreach. Done right, it builds meaningful relationships between your brand and subscribers. It’s a way to keep them engaged, and ultimately, it’s another way to drive sales.

Some examples include

• Newsletters
• Promotional offers
• Product updates
• Even personalized content based on a subscriber’s interests.

Related: 8 Simple Email Marketing Tips to Improve Your Open and Click-Through Rates

Myth #1: Email marketing is dead

Let’s tackle the elephant in the room first. No — email is not dead! In fact, it’s far from it and still going strong.

According to data provided by Oberlo, 80% of businesses rely on email as their primary customer retention channel. That means they’re using email to keep their existing customers engaged and coming back for more.

But that’s not all. HubSpot found that 60% of consumers made a purchase thanks to a marketing email they received. That’s a huge testament to the power of email marketing in driving revenue for businesses.

Myth #2: People don’t read emails

I can’t tell you how often I hear this myth. Sure, our inboxes have gotten pretty crowded over the years, and many of us receive dozens or even hundreds of emails daily. It’s also true that a good chunk of those emails might get sent straight to the trash or spam folder.

However, according to HubSpot, 46% of smartphone users still prefer to hear from brands via email over other channels.

If you establish trust and send relevant content, subscribers will welcome your emails with open arms.

This stat also highlights the importance of putting care in your campaigns by using compelling subject lines and other email elements to stand out in a crowded inbox.

Myth #3: Younger audiences don’t use email

Gen Z and millennials are the next generation that will have some serious purchasing power. It’s only logical for businesses to look for new and innovative ways to approach them, as they’re often portrayed as being glued to their screens and obsessed with social media platforms.

These stereotypes lead many people to assume Gen Z and millennials are too obsessed with TikTok and Instagram for old-school strategies like email. Let me prove them wrong again. According to the Attest U.S. Consumer Trend Report, 53% of Gen-Z enjoy weekly emails from their favorite brands. For millennials, it’s 66%.

Of course, you’ll want to cater your approach to each audience (throw in some slang or a meme here and there,) but don’t count email out. These generation segments still use and prefer it.

Myth #4: Email has low open rates

The next myth I wanted to touch on is more tangible. Some say email performs poorly compared to social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. For that, we’ll have to look at the open rate.

Open rate is an essential key performance indicator (KPI) in digital marketing because it tells you how many people are actually opening and reading your emails. MailChimp benchmarks tell us the average email open rate across all industries is 34.23%. While that might not sound amazing, it’s definitely not bad either.

With optimization, that number can grow much higher and bring benefits. As reported earlier, that’s why so many businesses still rely on email as their primary customer retention channel.

Related: This One Thing Is the Secret to Higher Email Open Rates

Myth #5: Email marketing equals spam

Finally, allow me to go full circle and return to the definition of email marketing. Too many people confuse general email marketing with a somewhat shady practice: cold outreach.

Cold emails are unsolicited messages sent to people who have not expressed interest in your brand or products. You essentially buy or scrape a list of email addresses (unbeknownst to the recipients) and blast bulk emails, hoping to catch a few leads. They’re often used for prospecting and can come across as intrusive if not done right. That’s because nobody gave you permission to contact them.

On the other hand, email marketing is about building relationships with people who have already shown interest in what you offer. They might have signed up for your newsletter through a lead magnet or opted in to receive your updates. That’s a big difference!

It is this latter form of communication that 81% of businesses use email as their primary customer acquisition channel. It drives results without spam tactics.

Final thoughts

While many entrepreneurs may feel attracted to the latest shiny object or technology, these myths cause many entrepreneurs to overlook email in 2024.

When executed correctly, email marketing remains an indispensable growth lever for startups and established businesses alike. Now that you know the truth, utilize email marketing to boost conversions and retention. With a strategic approach, you may see even higher open rates and ROI than the studies show.