September 2024

As a business owner, you’ve probably heard the buzz: Social media is the future. Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram or Facebook, you’re told that’s where your customers are, and that’s where you need to be. And while social platforms certainly play an essential role in any modern business strategy, there’s one channel many entrepreneurs continue to underestimate: email marketing.

Yes, email. The same channel that’s been around for decades is still, hands down, one of the most effective ways to build relationships, generate leads and convert customers. Ignoring email marketing is a mistake — and I’m here to tell you why.

Related: How to Create a Winning Email Marketing Strategy to Increase Brand Loyalty and Boost Sales

The myth that email is dead

First things first, let’s clear something up. You might hear people say that email marketing is outdated or irrelevant in the age of social media. But the data tells a different story.

According to GetResponse, which analyzed over four billion emails sent globally, email marketing delivers incredibly strong results in North America:

Compared to the declining organic reach of most social platforms, it becomes clear: Email marketing isn’t dead — it’s thriving.

When you think about social media, with ever-changing algorithms, your posts may not even reach a fraction of your audience. Email, on the other hand, is direct. You don’t have to fight with algorithms to communicate your message. It’s you and your audience. There are no middlemen involved.

Email gives you ownership over your audience

Here’s a harsh reality: If you’re relying solely on social media to build and communicate with your audience, you don’t own those relationships — the platform does. At any moment, a platform could change its algorithm, or worse, shut down your account, leaving you scrambling to reconnect with your followers.

Email, on the other hand, allows you to own your list. No one can take it away from you, and you’re not at the mercy of someone else’s platform. When someone subscribes to your email list, they’ve granted you direct access to their inbox — a sacred space where personal conversations, important updates and critical decisions happen.

This is your chance to build a relationship, nurture leads and provide value without worrying about whether an algorithm will hide your message.

Seasonal marketing campaigns: Why you need to plan now

As we approach the busy end-of-year period with campaigns such as Black Friday and holiday sales, email marketing becomes even more crucial. Social platforms are inundated with ads during these times, making it even harder for your message to break through the noise. However, email allows you to cut through the clutter and deliver personalized, direct offers to your customers’ inboxes.

If there’s ever been a time to ramp up your email marketing, it’s during high-demand seasons. You’ll be able to send targeted, personalized offers that are much more likely to convert than if you were relying on social media alone.

Related: Why Email Marketing Is Better for Your Business Than Social Media

Building personal relationships at scale

One of the biggest advantages of email marketing is the ability to personalize your communication. While social media is great for mass visibility, email allows you to tailor your message to specific segments of your audience. And thanks to automation tools, you can create custom email sequences that cater to where a customer is in their journey — whether they’re new to your brand or have been a loyal customer for years.

Personalization in email marketing goes beyond just adding a first name to the subject line. It’s about sending the right content at the right time, based on your customer’s behavior. Whether it’s recommending products they’ve shown interest in or offering them a special discount to come back to your store, email allows you to scale personal interactions in a way that feels authentic and relevant.

Why email beats social media at driving conversions

While social media is excellent for building awareness and engagement, email marketing is where the conversions happen. In fact, email was found to be 40 times more effective at acquiring new customers than Facebook or X, according to a McKinsey report.

Why? Because people who subscribe to your email list have already shown a level of interest in your brand. They’ve given you their email, expecting to receive valuable content, offers or updates. With email marketing, you can speak directly to these qualified leads and guide them down the path to purchase with strategic messaging, offers and calls to action.

Social media may get people’s attention, but email closes the deal.

Automate your way to success

Here’s where email marketing gets really powerful — automation. With email automation, you can set up entire sequences that deliver the right message to the right person at the right time, without lifting a finger. Imagine sending a welcome series to new subscribers, a follow-up series to customers who’ve left items in their cart or even a re-engagement campaign to customers who haven’t bought in a while, all while you focus on other parts of your business.

This level of automation frees up time, allowing you to grow your business without having to be hands-on with every customer touchpoint. It’s the ultimate tool for business owners who want to maximize their marketing efforts without sacrificing time or quality.

Related: 5 Automated Email Marketing Messages You Should Be Using

Pro tip: Use email and social media together for maximum impact

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to choose between email marketing and social media. They work best when used together. Use your social media channels to grow your email list. Create compelling lead magnets, like guides, checklists or exclusive discounts, and drive traffic to a landing page where visitors can sign up to receive these valuable offers.

Then, use email to continue building that relationship and convert your leads into paying customers. The two channels complement each other, with social media driving awareness and email providing the personalized, direct communication needed to close sales.

If you’re serious about growing your business, email marketing needs to be a part of your strategy. It’s reliable, scalable and delivers a higher return on investment than any other channel.

The best part? It’s never too late to start. Start building your list today, and watch your business thrive.

According to a recent survey, small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy and the performance of their companies. The MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index for Q2 2024 found that 36% of SMBs believe that the U.S. economy is in good health, and 42% say that their local economy is healthy – both figures are up 12% from this time last year. 73% of SMBs said that their cash flow is currently healthy – up 6% from the end of 2023.

However, 55% of SMBs said that inflation is still the biggest challenge they face. If your company is still struggling to control costs and your customers are becoming more price-sensitive, you could be vulnerable to a cash crunch. Fortunately, the latest economic data seems to indicate that inflation is cooling off fast. The Fed cut interest rates in September with the goal of helping the economy achieve a “soft landing” to overcome inflation without going into recession.

Lower borrowing costs and lower inflation in a “soft landing” economy would be great news for SMBs. But even if your business is currently in a good place with cash flow, it could be a great opportunity for SMB owners to revisit cash flow management practices.

Let’s examine why SMBs need to act now to shore up their cash flow, keep their businesses in the black and support growth in 2024 and beyond.

Related: 4 Cash Flow Trends To Know About in 2024

Why SMBs are at greater risk

SMBs, just by nature of their size, are typically at higher risk for cash flow shortfalls than large companies. Here are three key reasons why:

Harder access to credit: SMBs are underserved by traditional bank lending and can have a harder time getting access to affordable lines of credit. The Federal Reserve 2024 Small Business Credit Survey of Employer Firms found that 29% of small businesses had difficulty accessing credit in the past 12 months. With a lack of access to credit, it’s no surprise that this Fed survey also found that 49% of small businesses experienced uneven cash flow, and 52% had difficulty paying operating expenses.

Slow and late payments: Unfortunately, SMBs are also vulnerable to the vagaries of late payments and slow-paying customers. The Fed Small Business Credit Survey found that 39% of small businesses said they’ve experienced challenges with customers being slow to pay, and 18% reported challenges with delays in settlement or availability of funds.

Seasonal cash flow trends: Smaller companies that rely on seasonal revenues can also be at higher risk of cash flow challenges. For example, clothing distributors and manufacturers could see a surge of demand before the holiday retail season, while garden supply businesses could see slower revenues during the cold-weather months. Seasonal cycles make it especially important for SMBs to build resilience into their cash flow and maintain adequate working capital year-round.

Despite the challenges of managing cash flow, SMBs are not helpless. They have a few powerful advantages and resources at their disposal to tackle cash flow challenges.

How SMBs can overcome cash flow challenges

Here are a few cash flow management strategies that more SMBs should consider as part of improving their business’s financial performance.

Revisit your payment terms: Smaller businesses thrive on customer relationships, but sometimes, their goodwill and generous payment terms are taken advantage of by slow-paying clients. It’s important for SMBs to strike the right balance between an understandable emphasis on retaining customers and the need to implement realistic payment terms and polite (but firm) collection policies.

Lean on customer relationships: Some customers might not realize that their slow payments or generous payment terms are becoming a problem for your business. Communication is critical. SMBs should explain to customers why timely payments are critical to the health of their business and their ability to continue to be good partners. Look for ways to offer discounts or deliver value-adding services in exchange for faster payment terms. Many B2B customers who truly value your products or services as a vendor or supplier will not want to lose you; they want to retain good suppliers. Sometimes, better payment terms for your business can be a win-win for everyone.

Look beyond big banks for working capital and small business loans: SMBs tend to have a harder time getting approved for credit at large banks. Even with easier-to-get SBA loans, the application process could take weeks or months, and even if your business gets approved, the amount of credit may be less than you need. Big banks aren’t always set up to handle the lending needs of smaller businesses, and as a result, many great companies unfortunately go without the capital they need to grow – or stay afloat.

Instead of big banks, more SMBs should consider getting working capital loans and lines of credit from non-bank lenders or specialty lenders. Non-bank lenders can be more flexible in how they assess a business’s creditworthiness, with faster approvals and a different lens of criteria from an underwriting standpoint. Unlike the narrow credit standards of a traditional bank, non-bank lenders take a more holistic look at the SMB’s performance and the business owner’s vision and expectations to help unlock opportunities.

There are many reasons for SMB owners to be hopeful about the economy and their cash flow in 2024. But whether your cash flow is adequate, ample or struggling, now is a good time to revisit your payment terms, encourage your slow-paying customers to pay faster, and consider a different way of getting flexible access to working capital.

Keeping your business safe from cyber threats is a top priority, especially in an era where even small businesses are frequent targets for hackers. Whether you’re securing customer data, protecting financial records, or managing proprietary information, a virtual private network (VPN) offers essential protection.

AdGuard VPN, available for $34.97 by 11:59 p.m. Pacific on September 29 for a five-year subscription, provides a comprehensive solution to keep your data safe and your business running smoothly.

AdGuard VPN stands out with its advanced encryption protocols and a strict no-logging policy, ensuring that your business data is never tracked or stored, the company says. This level of privacy is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive information or need to maintain strict confidentiality. And with AdGuard’s global server network, you can access content and services from virtually anywhere, making it easier to manage international operations without restrictions.

Security isn’t the only benefit. AdGuard VPN offers fast connection speeds, allowing you to browse, download, and stream without performance lags. Plus, its built-in Threat Protection and DNS leak protection add an extra layer of security, so you’re protected from potential vulnerabilities and online threats at all times.

For entrepreneurs and small businesses, having a reliable VPN like AdGuard is a must. With cybersecurity threats on the rise, safeguarding your operations with features like zero-logging and advanced security protocols is critical.

AdGuard VPN offers an affordable, long-term solution to data security — an investment every business should consider.

Act fast and get a five-year subscription to AdGuard VPN on sale for $34.97 through September 29.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Imagine dedicating your entire childhood to one dream, only to watch it crumble just as you’re about to achieve it. That’s exactly what happened to me when my lifelong goal of becoming a professional soccer player fell apart at 19. What felt like a devastating life crisis turned out to be the push I needed toward a career as an entrepreneur.

I was born in Miami, but when my family moved to Hyderabad, India when I was 5, it introduced me to a completely new world. School was never really my thing; soccer was my true calling. At 14, my passion caught the attention of India’s national team manager, and I got a chance to train with one of the top German teams. It was a huge opportunity, but the reality of adapting to a new culture at such a young age was overwhelming.

My soccer journey continued at Ellesmere College in the U.K., where I played for the varsity team. But despite all the hard work, a professional contract eluded me. The alternate path took me to play soccer at Monroe College in the U.S. Though we won the NJCAA Division I national championship, I often found myself on the sidelines, realizing that I wasn’t good enough to go pro. It was a devastating blow.

The day I accepted that my dream of becoming a professional soccer player wouldn’t come true is seared into my memory. It felt like my world was falling apart. Everything I worked for was gone. I felt directionless and unmotivated. I had hit rock bottom. But then I found a new path at Babson College, where I continued to play NCAA Division III soccer and where I joined eTower, an entrepreneurial living community that reignited my passion for building and creating ventures. It not only gave me a renewed sense of purpose but also helped me overcome that feeling of not being good enough.

Surrounded by people who were just as driven as I was, I launched Kickstart Sports, a consulting business helping athletes in India find opportunities in Europe and the United States. The pandemic cut that venture short, but it opened up new opportunities. In 2020, I worked at Compstak, a real estate data company, took on a role at a real estate hedge fund in China, and ran a VR/AR sneaker startup. All of these experiences eventually led me to create DesignAI, a company that leverages technology to redesign how cities are built.

My entrepreneurial journey has been far from straightforward, filled with failures and successes, heartbreaking frustrations and rewarding celebrations. Along the way, I persevered and pivoted. Here are three key lessons that have shaped my journey and how you can apply them to yours, even in the face of feeling like you’re not good enough.

Related: How to Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable, No Matter Your Age — Lessons for Entrepreneurs

1. Rebuild confidence and find a new purpose

When my soccer career ended, it felt like I’d lost a big part of myself. I had to rebuild my confidence from scratch. This wasn’t about finding just another job; it was about rediscovering who I was outside of soccer. I threw myself into new activities — rugby, student organizations, networking with people from different backgrounds. This exploration was crucial in helping me find a new sense of purpose, which eventually led me to entrepreneurship.

My advice: Actively seek out new experiences, even when it’s uncomfortable. You’ll discover what truly excites you, what motivates you and what you excel at.

2. Build and leverage a strong support system

During this tough transition, I learned just how important a solid support system is. I reached out to mentors, leaned on friends who understood my struggles and even found therapy incredibly helpful. This network became my lifeline, offering emotional support and practical advice. One thing I did that worked really well was sending monthly updates to my mentors and key connections. It kept me accountable and made sure I stayed on their radar for opportunities.

My advice: Build a support system with people who can challenge you, support you and help you see things from different angles. And, most importantly, keep those relationships alive, because they will continue to provide the support and feedback you need to push through adversity.

Related: I Couldn’t Sleep. I Obsessed Over My Failures. Then I Found the Weirdest Cure — Flyfishing?

3. Embrace failure as a stepping stone

The failure of my soccer dream was a harsh wake-up call, but it taught me resilience. I had to face the reality that life doesn’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. I started seeing failure as a learning opportunity, a chance to grow and pivot. Books like The Psychology of Money and The Hard Thing About Hard Things helped reinforce this mindset. I learned to reflect on my setbacks, extract the lessons and use them to guide my next steps.

My advice: Don’t fear failure. It’s a vital part of the entrepreneurial process, and it’s what helps you refine your approach and keep moving forward. Every failure or setback is an opportunity to improve — with your venture or your career.

When my soccer dream was dashed and I realized I wasn’t good enough to succeed down that path, I learned that resilience, a solid support system and embracing your failures are critical skills, especially for entrepreneurs. Challenges will come and the path will be messy. But if you surround yourself with the right people and refuse to back down, you can carve out your own version of success.

Did you know that the lighting in your company and home office can affect your productivity as well as your mental health? It’s probably not surprising then that the typically harsh overhead lighting doesn’t do you any favors.

If you want to create a more productive or upbeat work vibe, whether you’re in the office or working from home, this sleek corner floor lamp can help. It arrives with more than 16 million lighting colors, multicolor lighting effects, and a handy remote control for only $59.97 (reg. $149). This offer is only valid until the end of the day.

The easiest upgrade for your office

This floor lamp fits comfortably in the corner of your company office space, living room, and home office, taking up little floor space thanks to its minimalist design. It also arrives in a sleek black metal construction that blends in with the rest of your office or home decor, while its weighted rubber bottom provides a buffer between your floor.

Since it comes with more than 16 million colors to choose from and 300+ multicolor effects, what color will you select for your workday?

It utilizes soft-whtie integrated LEDs for more ambient lighting, but you can choose blue if you’re dealing with numerous administrative tasks and need complete focus. If you’re a solopreneur trying to develop a new business strategy, select yellow to get your creative juices flowing. When you’re ready to change the vibe, the included remote control lets you conveniently shuffle between all options to find the proper lighting for your workday needs.

Improve your daily productivity with a quick change in your lights.

Add this minimalist corner floor lamp with 16+ million light colors to your office for just $59.97. You have until the end of today, September 29 at 11:59 PM Pacific, to scoop up this deal.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Some older audiences may hesitate to recognize the utility of marketing using newer platforms. While other sites like Facebook have been around longer and have proven their ability to reach widespread audiences, TikTok may seem, at first glance, like it’s only used for dancing or cat videos. While there certainly are many instances of that type of content, these apps also present an opportunity for real estate entrepreneurs to showcase their listings and properties.

TikTok and other apps like Instagram offer an opportunity for your business to build a brand identity. Building a brand is important for potential renters to trust the quality of your listings based on interactions with other pieces of content you’ve delivered — bonus points if your posts follow existing trends or get a chuckle from your audience.

Also, comment sections offer people an opportunity to share their experience with your business or communicate directly with you or your property managers. Real estate can be a business that is heavily dependent on reviews and the experience of previous renters or buyers within the neighborhood or complex. Comments can offer a route of easy communication between past, current and future tenants with both you and other renters or buyers.

Related: How to Integrate TikTok Into Your Video Marketing Strategy

TikTok strategies

TikTok, an app that started its exponential rise during the pandemic, is known for its dominant place in Gen Z humor, its proliferation of the renegade dance number and micro-trends that can last anywhere from hours to weeks to years.

However, TikTok can also give increased visibility to your real estate business. TikTok is used predominantly by younger audiences, with 68.8% of users falling below the age of 34 according to Statista. If you are a landlord who is looking for new tenants to rent your properties, TikTok real estate content can be an invaluable tool to gain more eyes on your units since this age group is more likely to rent than any other age demographic.

Don’t fret about your properties reaching beyond your target audience — TikTok uses location services to show users videos that are popular in their area. By this token, renters in your area who have viewed or interacted with other relevant real estate content are more likely to see your post than users who are not in your area or who are not interested in renting a property.

Be sure that your videos are short (less than 10 minutes) and showcase the best parts of your property. Does your unit boast stunning views or a short commute to popular shops and restaurants? Tell viewers any aspects that would be a positive to the audience you want to attract. TikTok marketing will be most viewable to Gen Z and millennial renters, so location and amenities like pools and gyms may be things to highlight in your post.

Related: How Brands Are Capitalizing TikTok to Win New Audiences

Trends

Engagement on TikTok is a great way to get on the For You Page (FYP), the scrollable “home page” where users can see posts from a range of creators, not just those they follow already. The FYP is where much of your new interest will come from.

Users’ FYPs push trending audio, users and posts that have active likes, comments or shares. One way to get users to interact with your post is to follow popular sounds or jokes that are big at the time.

Hashtags can also help users find your business. Caption your videos with relevant hashtags that include your location and property type. For example, if you specialize in Tampa apartments, hashtag your video with “#TampaApartments” and “#TampaRealEstate.” If your apartment is in a particular part of town, be sure to include the neighborhood either in a hashtag or simply by mentioning it in your caption.

Ideas for TikTok content

While this information is helpful, without prior knowledge of TikTok trends, it may be hard to adhere to trending content.

Trends are not the only way to garner interest in your property. Whether you’re looking for renters or buyers, simply showcasing your property with walkthrough videos or a series of photos can be enough for people to see themselves in your unit. What makes your property stand out? What would a potential renter/buyer want to see from their new home? Ask yourself these questions when figuring out what parts of your property to show online.

A video walkthrough showcasing amenities and attractive aspects of your property paired with a quality voiceover can be a great way to get new eyes on your listings. TikTok also offers you the option to upload a carousel of photos if you’re not ready to experiment with videos yet.

Related: Want to Blow Up on TikTok? Follow These 12 Rules for Business Success.

Social media is not confined to TikTok — experiment with Instagram or Facebook as well if you’re looking for new ways to market your listings. Instagram real estate marketing, especially, can offer a fantastic outlet.

TikTok for real estate is unique because of its relative ease in “going viral” compared to other platforms. Other popular social media apps, like Instagram, make it difficult for users who do not already follow you to see your posts. TikTok’s FYP feature makes it much easier for potential renters in your area to see your listings without already following you, making your reach much larger.

Play around with your TikTok account and remember that fun, lighthearted videos with trending, upbeat audio will go further than those that don’t share those aspects. Marketing on TikTok and other social media platforms can be a hugely helpful tool in getting new renters or buyers.

I am someone who has been working remotely myself for years, and also I have managed remote teams. The lessons I’ve learned from my experience have not only improved my own productivity but also strengthened the teams I’ve led, helping us thrive in the remote work environment.

About 22 million working adults in the U.S. are fully remote, representing roughly 14% of the adult workforce. As remote work continues to grow, my own experience offers valuable insights into its challenges and rewards. I’ll share those with you below.

Related: Remote Team Management: 7 Best Practices

1. Productivity suffers

A significant challenge for remote teams is maintaining productivity. According to recent surveys, 35% of agencies have experienced a drop in productivity since shifting to remote work. This decline highlights a critical issue: While remote work offers flexibility, it also introduces distractions and disrupts established workflows. As teams adapt to new ways of working, finding effective strategies to sustain productivity and engagement remains a major hurdle for many organizations.

To address productivity challenges in remote teams, set clear goals and encourage structured daily routines. This helps reduce distractions and keeps team members focused on their tasks. In some cases, I’ve noticed that productivity improves when remote teams work from co-working spaces, which are available worldwide.

2. Maintaining team cohesion

One of the key challenges of remote work is maintaining team cohesion. In industries like Information Technology, where 30.15% of job openings are remote, professionals often struggle to foster a sense of unity and collaboration among dispersed team members. Additionally, 40% of remote workers miss face-to-face interactions with their colleagues, which can lead to feelings of isolation and hinder spontaneous communication that usually strengthens team bonds.

To address this, organizations need to implement robust virtual team-building activities and establish regular, structured check-ins to ensure that remote employees remain engaged and connected, thereby preserving the collaborative spirit essential for effective teamwork.

3. Communication fatigue

While 78% of remote workers are highly engaged, reliance on video conferencing can cause disconnection and communication fatigue. Even though 67% find virtual meetings as productive as in-person ones, maintaining team cohesion remains difficult. Additionally, the flexibility of remote work can blur work-life boundaries, leading to potential burnout. Thus, balancing the advantages and challenges of remote work is crucial for both employees and employers.

To solve communication fatigue in remote work, use fewer video meetings and rely more on written communication. This gives employees more control over their time and reduces the need for constant real-time interaction.

4. Fostering employee engagement

Remote work can present challenges such as isolation and communication gaps, impacting productivity and job satisfaction. Training programs help address these issues by fostering connection and equipping employees with essential skills. Since 69% of unhappy employees don’t feel valued, focusing on training can significantly improve this aspect. By investing in tailored training, organizations can boost engagement, enhance performance and ensure employees feel valued and connected.

Related: Are Remote Workers Doomed to Feel Isolated and Sad? An HR Strategist Shares How to Overcome the Challenges of Working From Home.

5. Pay equity

A significant challenge in remote work is ensuring pay equity across geographic locations and between genders. Additionally, the shift to remote work has highlighted ongoing gender pay gaps. According to research from the Pew Research Center, in 2022, American women typically earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This disparity extends beyond salaries, even affecting business ownership. Female founders often face significant challenges in achieving fair valuation when selling their businesses. For every $1 million a female founder receives in a business sale, a male founder might receive $1.5 million for a similar business, reflecting a significant disparity in exit outcomes.

These inequities can lead to feelings of demotivation and a sense of being undervalued among remote workers and entrepreneurs alike. To foster a fair and inclusive remote workplace, companies need to ensure that compensation and business opportunities are equitable across all employees, regardless of their location or gender, by focusing on the quality and impact of their work.

6. Time zone differences

Managing time zone differences is a significant challenge in remote work, often impacting communication and productivity. With 31% of remote employees reporting a mix of asynchronous and synchronous work, aligning schedules across different time zones can be complex. In fact, 19% of remote workers face time zone challenges, which can lead to delays in responses and hinder collaboration. To mitigate these issues, companies can implement strategies like rotating meeting times and using asynchronous communication tools to ensure that all team members remain engaged and informed, regardless of their location.

7. Ensuring cleanliness in remote workspaces — the hidden challenge

Remote work often extends beyond the home office to shared spaces like coffee shops or co-working environments, where cleanliness can be a significant issue. Many remote workers find themselves working in less-than-ideal conditions, with inadequate hygiene standards in public or shared areas. This lack of cleanliness can lead to increased health issues, such as frequent illnesses, which in turn result in more sick days and reduced productivity.

A study found that employees in clean workplaces took 24% fewer sick days on average compared to those in less clean environments. Addressing these cleanliness concerns is crucial for maintaining a healthy and efficient remote work routine, as the cleanliness of one’s workspace directly impacts overall job performance and well-being.

8. The crucial role of temperature in remote work productivity

As someone who’s been working remotely for several years, I’ve learned that the right environment is crucial for productivity. Despite trying various settings — from home offices to beachside co-working spaces — one factor that consistently impacted my work was temperature. In 2018, I decided to explore a co-working space in Ko Lanta, Thailand. While I worked in a coastal co-working space with enticing ocean views, I found that fluctuating temperatures were a significant distraction. The heat caused my productivity to plummet, as my focus wavered and tasks took longer to complete.

According to research carried out by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the ideal workplace temperature ranges between 70°F and 73°F — that is, between 21°C and 23°C. When the temperature rises above this range, cognitive performance can decline significantly. By addressing the temperature issue with adjustments and scheduling changes, I was able to restore my productivity and enjoy the coastal setting without compromising my work. This experience underscores the importance of maintaining a comfortable temperature to enhance focus and efficiency in any remote work environment.

Related: 7 Hidden Challenges of Remote Work — and What Leaders Can Do to Solve Each One

In conclusion, remote work offers flexibility and new opportunities but also brings challenges that require thoughtful solutions. By addressing issues like productivity, team cohesion, communication fatigue and fair compensation, organizations can create a more effective and supportive remote work environment.

Written by Amanda Eiden

I used to dread booking business trips. I’d spend hours hunched over my laptop, scouring the web for airfare that didn’t send my little art shop into the red. Needless to say, consistently high airfare costs drained the fun of touring brick-and-mortar stores and meeting with investors interested in my brand.

Matt’s Flights changed everything. This flight alert service constantly sends me affordable airfare deals. I haven’t stressed about booking in months. I only paid $79.97, and I’ll get offers emailed to me for life.

You won’t believe how affordable my flight to JFK was

These deals have already saved my business hundreds of dollars. A hobby shop in Brooklyn wanted me to visit in November, and my heart started racing—I figured flight costs would be off the charts with the upcoming holiday season.

I didn’t even want to look at Delta’s website. So, I went to Matt’s Flights and entered a custom search request that included the airports and my travel dates. I was already getting emails with deals for locations like Orlando, Houston, and Charlotte, but I didn’t have time to wait until deals for New York City hit my inbox.

Matt got back to me the next day with a flight from BOS to JFK for only $34. I literally couldn’t believe it, but I booked it anyway. And, yes, that was a roundtrip flight.

The prices I found on my own were closer to $200, so I’m not sure how Matt could find flights for so cheap. I won’t question his methods because me and my little sticker shop are grateful. With prices like these, I’ll get more opportunities to travel and grow my business into something huge. Well, I can hope.

If you want to find discounted flights for business travel, I couldn’t recommend Matt’s Flights more. Get a lifetime subscription for $79.97 (reg. $1,800) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Are you like 62% of Americans who, according to HubSpot, say they check their email outside of working hours? We get it. Whether you’re at the bottom of the corporate ladder trying to climb up or the boss whose job never ends, it can be hard to separate work from your personal life—especially when they both live on your phone.

That’s why some business professionals are getting a second phone for work. Consider this credit-card-size smartphone as a reliable option. It’s way more compact than the new iPhones and far more affordable at only $99.97 (reg. $199.99) for a limited time. And it ships free.

Why get a second phone?

The NanoPhone will help you separate your work and personal lives. Your existing smartphone can be only for your messages, calls, and apps, while the NanoPhone can be a space to download everything you need for work—Gmail, Slack, authenticator apps, and more.

The phone runs on Android 10 OS, so you can download basically any app you need. It also has dual cameras for taking video calls on the go, should you need to do any business correspondence while traveling.

With two separate phones, the odds of refreshing your work email or checking Slack on your day off (or before you go to bed) are far lower. Simply tuck the NanoPhone into your briefcase or purse and try your hardest to forget about it.

Will I need another phone plan?

If you hope to use it independently from your existing phone, yes. You’ll have to purchase a SIM card and a mobile carrier plan.

However, some people use the NanoPhone with their phone’s current SIM card and data plan. This is an excellent option for emergencies, like if you damage your phone and need a backup.

Order your mini smartphone while they’re on sale for $99.97 with free shipping (reg. $199.99). No coupon is needed for this limited-time offer.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Hurricane Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds. So far, 33 fatalities have been reported. And while there has been widespread flooding, including the heavily populated cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, Tampa General Hospital, situated right along Tampa Bay, has managed to stay dry.

That’s due to a 5- to 10-foot high barrier known as an AquaFence, which is going viral on several platforms because of how it seems to have protected the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.

As #HurricaneHelene continues, the AquaFence at TGH stands firm. The water-impermeable barrier is designed to withstand storm surge up to 15 feet. It has worked through multiple rain events to prevent storm waters from impacting hospital operations. #WeAreTGH #StormWatch pic.twitter.com/papsd6oPg2

— Tampa General Hospital (@TGHCares) September 27, 2024

AquaFence was founded in 1999 and has offices in Norway and New Jersey. According to the company’s website, its systems are “protecting more than $30 billion worth of real estate in the United States alone,” including everything from hotels to gas stations to a Shake Shack.

The product is designed to be installed quickly and (fairly) easily. In 2023, AquaFence USA President Thomas Briedis told local outlet, WTSP Tampa 10, that 100 feet of AquaFence can be installed in 30 minutes.

“They come folded together, kind of like a laptop,” he said. “You take them out of the crate, put them down and they fold open.”

Briedis also said that the company is working on a line of residential AquaFences, which would cost around $20,000. The barriers are designed to protect in a Category 5 hurricane.

“We are very confident in the system. It was been thoroughly tested,” Briedis told the outlet.