March 2025

How to Fire Bad Clients the Right Way

How to Fire Bad Clients the Right Way


Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Building and running a successful business requires a steady flow of revenue and new customers. This is especially true in the beginning stages of building a business. Without a solid client base, you run the risk of financial trouble or drying up your capital reserves. For this reason, entrepreneurs will often bend over backwards for their clients to make sure they are happy.

Most people assume that having more clients is always better. The reality is that some clients may actually be bad for the well-being of your business. In some cases, you might not even realize that some clients are actually costing you money. Having a roster of bad clients can be a financial drain on your business, cause stress to your team and take time away from other valuable tasks like sales.

While it may seem counterintuitive, it may benefit your business to fire certain clients from time to time. You don’t want to develop a reputation for casting clients aside, so it’s important to take the right, professional approach when firing a client.

Related: 6 Signs It’s Time to Fire a Client

1. Identify bad clients

Sometimes, it’s easy to spot a bad client. Signs of an obvious bad client include those that are abusive to your team, constantly dispute invoices, or create legal issues. However, there are other factors to consider when deciding whether to continue working with certain clients.

  • Revenue per client hour: A great place to start is by understanding how much effort you are exhausting with each client compared to the revenue they generate. This can be a good guide to identify where you might be exhausting your resources for little return. Keep in mind that even high-value clients can be bad clients, but this metric should help you quantify if trouble clients are worth the headache. In some cases, the money might be worth the hassle.

  • Unclear scope of work: We’ve all worked with a client who always wants to add “one more thing” to a project without adjusting the timeline or budget. This is fine on occasion, but frequent, last-minute changes can be a sign of a bad client.

  • Payment issues: Identify which clients tend to make late payments, dispute invoices or attempt to negotiate lower fees after the work is completed.

  • Boundary issues and unrealistic demands: Some clients expect high-quality work in an unreasonably short timeframe. Most clients are demanding. Bad clients will get upset when you try to explain that their request isn’t feasible, require 24/7 responses from your tea, or make requests late on a Friday afternoon and expect you to work over the weekend.

  • Too much or too little communication: Some clients don’t respond timely, causing major delays in important feedback or approvals. Others want to be too involved and micromanage the entire process. The extreme ends of this spectrum are a red flag when it comes to spotting bad clients.

2. Complete your obligations and decline future work

The best option when firing a client is to finish the task you have promised to complete. This shows that you are willing to honor your commitments and also provides a clear exit for your team. When the client requests additional work, you can simply let them know that you are not able to take additional work from them at this time.

Related: Don’t Let Your Biggest Client Become Your Biggest Nightmare — You Should Fire Them Instead. Here’s Why.

3. Renegotiate your contract

In some cases, you can remedy the situation by updating your contract and renewing expectations. For example, if the client always wants expedited work, you can outline the fees associated with faster delivery so there is no confusion. This approach can help minimize bad behavior like scope creep and payment terms from an otherwise good client.

4. Adjust your fees

Sometimes, simply raising your rates is a great way to deter a bad client, especially if they are sticklers for the budget. However, be cautious with this approach. By raising the rates, the client might expect even more in return. Be clear on what’s included and excluded in the new rate. It’s important to note that some clients may not be bothered by the higher fees, but at least you’ll be compensated for your additional suffering.

Related: 3 Red Flags You Have a Nightmare Client — and How to Cut Ties

5. Simply fire them

This may be a tough message to deliver, but sometimes it’s best to be direct. This option is especially important if they are causing harm to your business, such as being abusive toward your team. To soften the blow, it’s best to offer a referral to another company and provide some sort of notice to give them time to transition their work.

Firing a client is no fun for any business owner, but keeping bad clients around can create a number of financial, legal and operational problems. Most importantly, remain professional throughout the process and try not to burn any bridges. You never know if you might cross paths with this client again, especially if you work in a niche industry.



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What to Do When Your Environment Is Stifling Your Growth

What to Do When Your Environment Is Stifling Your Growth


Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

What happens when you realize that where you are is stifling your growth? This question comes up often in two areas: job environments and places where people live — cities, towns and communities. I’ve experienced both personally, and making a major change requires incredible courage and determination. It’s not for the faint of heart.

It’s easy to fall into complacency, mistaking familiarity for comfort. But if we are aware that a job or place isn’t right for us, can we ever truly feel at ease knowing that truth? And more importantly, what is the cost of staying somewhere that stifles our growth?

Over Christmas, a family friend gifted me an air plant. They told me it needed no water, just a little sunlight, to bloom. Skeptical, I placed it on my windowsill. Over two weeks, that little plant fought like hell and produced two beautiful flowers. But within 48 hours, the petals wilted, and the plant died.

That air plant reminded me of times in my life when I stayed in places that weren’t right for me. I survived against the odds, managing to bloom in small ways, only to quickly wither. The lesson is clear: Like that plant, people can’t thrive in the wrong environment. We might survive for a while, but eventually, being in the wrong space drains the life out of us.

Related: Seek Out a Different Environment, Increase Your Experience — and Change Your Life

The role of environment in creativity and innovation

While pursuing my Ph.D., I focused my research on creative personalities and innovation in the workforce. I wanted to understand the dreamers and the doers. My research led me to recognize that innovation is not a singular event but a multi-stage process: spotting an opportunity, developing an idea, championing it, securing support and ultimately implementing it so others can benefit.

I suspected that environment played a key role in this process. Specifically, I hypothesized that workplaces that discouraged risk-taking and punished mistakes would stifle innovation. I was right — but in a deeper way than I expected.

When an environment doesn’t openly encourage problem-solving, tackling tough issues and asking for help, innovation suffers. Anyone who has worked in a toxic environment knows this instinctively. But why does this happen? What about our self-concept gets shaken when we’re in the wrong place?

My research pointed to self-efficacy — the belief in our ability to perform and create. Self-efficacy is deeply tied to innovation. If we don’t believe we can generate new ideas, we won’t. And our environment significantly shapes this belief system.

We may enter a new job or community feeling confident and capable, but if the energy around us doesn’t support creative efforts, we internalize that resistance. Over time, we begin to doubt our own abilities. Once we stop believing in ourselves — and when those around us reinforce our limitations — we stop creating. This isn’t just a personal loss; it’s a loss to society. We need creators to keep creating, especially when their work contributes positively to the world.

Related: 8 Signs That You Need a Change … and Fast!

Why self-efficacy matters — and how environment shapes It

Self-efficacy influences how we feel, think, motivate ourselves and behave. People with high self-efficacy are more likely to take on challenges, persist through setbacks and bring new ideas to life. Research supports this: Individuals with higher self-efficacy are more likely to improve work processes, tackle complex tasks and engage in innovative behavior. Since innovation often involves overcoming obstacles, the role of self-efficacy in pushing through challenges makes sense.

While it’s clear that self-efficacy fuels innovation, the role of a supportive environment in sustaining self-efficacy is less widely understood. This was a key finding in my doctoral research: Psychologically supportive environments create the conditions necessary for innovation. When people believe they are capable creators, they continue to operate with that mindset. This belief system is essential to having the courage to pursue big ideas. Without it, just like the air plant, even the most creative individuals will eventually stop fighting — and become a shadow of who they once were.

Related: The Almost Unbelievable Power of Your Belief Systems

What to do when you realize you’re in the wrong environment

What do we do when we recognize that we’ve become the air plant — fighting for survival in the wrong space? Whether it’s our workplace or our community, realizing that our environment is limiting us can be both eye-opening and daunting. I have close friends who are professional artists and have slowly come to understand that their current town lacks the supportive, creative energy they need. They’re trying to figure out their next move — but that’s no simple task. Here’s what I’ve learned from my own experience:

1. Awareness is the first step: Highly driven people often stay too long in the wrong place. Over time, they begin to internalize negativity, blaming themselves rather than recognizing that the environment is a poor fit. The first step is acknowledging that you are in the wrong space.

2. Get clear on your values: Understanding where you thrive versus where you feel drained is a critical part of self-discovery. This is highly individualized — some people need collaborative, fast-paced environments, while others flourish in solitude and stillness. Identifying where and with whom you create your best work is essential.

3. Take action: Transitioning to a more supportive environment takes time, courage and determination. It’s easy to slip back into old patterns, so create a plan with clear next steps. Sharing your intentions with trusted friends or mentors can help keep you accountable and provide much-needed support as you navigate the change.

Moving forward isn’t always easy, but recognizing the need for change and taking deliberate steps toward a better environment is how we ensure we don’t just survive — we thrive.



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Get a ChatGPT + Automation E-Degree for Just

Get a ChatGPT + Automation E-Degree for Just $20


Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

Artificial intelligence is no longer up and coming—it’s already here. Whether you’re a business owner juggling a dozen responsibilities, a marketer trying to stay relevant, or a team lead looking for an edge, mastering tools like ChatGPT and skills related to automation are essential.

The ChatGPT & Automation E-Degree Bundle can seriously help you amp up that skillset, and at just $19.97 (through April 27), it’s one of the best values you’ll find in AI education right now.

This online learning bundle includes 12 courses and 25+ hours of content that break down everything from the basics of ChatGPT to real-world applications of over 20 top AI tools. You’ll learn how to customize and use AI to streamline business tasks, automate repetitive processes, improve team communication, and boost your productivity—without needing to be a developer.

Courses cover a range of in-demand topics like data visualization, AI-enhanced creativity, automated marketing, chatbot design, and business process optimization. Instead of general concepts, the content focuses on how to apply AI in everyday work scenarios. Think: writing better proposals, creating engaging content faster, or building smart workflows that free up your time.

And if you’ve ever been overwhelmed by the number of new tools out there, this bundle is a curated introduction to what’s actually useful—and how to use it without drowning in tutorials or tech jargon. It’s beginner-friendly, available 24/7, and optimized for desktop or mobile.

You’ll also walk away with a Certificate of Completion, which is great for your resume, portfolio, or just letting clients know you’re not winging it.

Why this deal is worth it

At just $19.97, you’re getting lifetime access to a course bundle originally priced at $790. That’s a serious return on investment for professionals who want to future-proof their skills and stay ahead of the curve. With practical lessons, expert instruction, and no subscriptions or surprise fees, this deal delivers real value for anyone ready to embrace the AI-powered workplace. It’s not just about learning AI—it’s about using it to work smarter.

Don’t miss the opportunity to get this ChatGPT and Automation learning bundle while it’s just $19.97 (reg. $790) through April 27.

ChatGPT & Automation E-Degree – $19.97

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This Is the Military Secret You Need to Build High-Impact Teams

This Is the Military Secret You Need to Build High-Impact Teams


Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In business, just like in battle, uncertainty is a given. Markets change, technology advances and competition is relentless. The best companies don’t just react to change — they anticipate, adapt and execute with precision. But speed isn’t enough. Without a clear strategy, even the fastest teams will spin their wheels. That’s where commander’s intent comes in.

Originally developed in the military, commander’s intent is a principle that allows teams to make fast decisions without waiting for instructions from leadership. It’s about giving people the freedom to act while ensuring they never lose sight of the bigger objective. In an uncertain, high-stakes world, it’s the difference between teams that stall and teams that move forward with confidence.

As an entrepreneur, you’re leading your team into uncharted territory every day. If your employees need approval befo re taking action, bottlenecks form, momentum slows and opportunities slip away. But when your team knows the mission — the deeper “why” behind their work — they can solve problems, make smart decisions and drive results without waiting for permission. That level of clarity and trust is what separates companies that thrive from those that get stuck.

Related: 7 Steps to Building a Smart, High-Performing Team

How I learned the power of commander’s intent

When I was a U.S. Army Captain, I thought a tight command structure was the key to order and efficiency. But I quickly learned that in fast-moving situations, where the best-laid plans fell apart in seconds, something else was far more valuable: giving people the ability to make their own decisions within a clear mission framework.

In high-pressure situations, my unit couldn’t afford to sit around waiting for orders. We operated under commander’s intent, a leadership approach that defined the objective, the purpose and the guiding principles — but left the execution to us. Every soldier knew the overall mission. Instead of waiting for instructions, they moved forward, knowing their decisions would contribute to the success of the operation. That approach turned every team member into a problem solver.

Fast-forward to today. As the CEO of BuildOps, a fast-scaling tech company, I see the exact same principle apply in business. With teams across time zones, markets changing overnight and innovation cycles moving faster than ever, waiting for top-down approvals is a death sentence. The only way to move at the speed of the market is to ensure every person in the company knows the mission, the objective and the non-negotiables — then trust them to execute.

Related: 7 Proven Tips for Building Trust and Strengthening Workplace Relationships

How entrepreneurs can apply commander’s intent

The first step is to define the mission with absolute clarity. People can’t execute effectively if they don’t understand what success looks like. If your team needs a 50-page deck or a leadership meeting to remind them of the company’s core objectives, you have a communication problem. Everyone in the company should be able to articulate the mission in one or two sentences. What are we trying to achieve? Why does it matter? What principles guide our decisions? When the answers to these questions are crystal clear, execution becomes second nature.

Empowering teams to make independent decisions is the next step. Too many founders say they want autonomous employees but create environments where every decision requires approval. That mindset kills speed, creativity and accountability. The reality is that talented people want to own their work. They want to be trusted to figure things out. When leadership constantly intervenes, employees stop thinking for themselves and start playing it safe. A team that hesitates is a team that loses.

This isn’t about removing structure. It’s about building a culture where people move forward without fear. A company that encourages risk-taking and innovation will always outperform one that operates with a rigid playbook. The key is to establish clear parameters while giving people the flexibility to make judgment calls. That’s the difference between teams that just execute tasks and teams that drive outcomes.

Decentralized decision-making doesn’t mean teams operate in silos. It means they move fast, reflect often and continuously improve. The best companies build feedback loops into their culture. They don’t wait for an annual review to evaluate performance — they analyze, iterate and refine in real time. A company that celebrates learning moves faster than one that avoids mistakes.

At my company, we live by this approach. Last year, we launched a new product that missed key targets at an important milestone. Instead of calling it a failure, we dissected what went wrong, made adjustments and improved the offering based on real user feedback. That ability to course-correct without hesitation is what keeps a business agile. Every challenge is an opportunity to get stronger. The moment a company stops learning, it starts to fall behind.

Related: 3 Leadership Secrets That Lead to Team Empowerment

Why this matters more than ever

The business world is moving faster than ever. The companies that survive aren’t necessarily the biggest or the most well-funded — they’re the ones that can adapt the quickest. Leaders who insist on being the sole decision-makers will always lose to those who build teams that can execute independently. Speed is everything, but speed without clarity is chaos. Commander’s intent provides the structure that allows companies to move fast without losing direction.

The best teams aren’t the ones that wait to be told what to do. They’re the ones that ask, “What’s the mission, and how do we get there?” When leaders give their teams that level of clarity, everything changes. Decisions happen faster. Execution improves. Innovation accelerates. Leadership stops being a bottleneck and becomes a true enabler of growth.

The old model of leadership — where every decision funnels through the CEO — is outdated and unsustainable. In today’s world, a company that relies on bureaucracy will be outpaced by a company that prioritizes autonomy, trust and rapid execution.

The companies that embrace commander’s intent will build resilient, high-impact teams that thrive in uncertainty. The ones that don’t will be left behind.



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This Learning Platform Is a Lifetime Growth Hack and It’s on Sale for .97

This Learning Platform Is a Lifetime Growth Hack and It’s on Sale for $19.97


Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

For business owners, entrepreneurs, and busy professionals, time is your most precious resource. So when a deal comes along that lets you upskill on your own schedule — without breaking your budget — it’s worth a closer look.

Feast your eyes on EDU Unlimited by StackSkills, which is now available for just $19.97 (regularly $600). That’s not a subscription. That’s lifetime access to a robust and ever-expanding library of more than 1,000 courses covering high-impact business and tech topics (and more).

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill online learning bundle. EDU Unlimited was built with professionals in mind — people who want real skills, taught by real experts, that can be applied immediately. From mastering Microsoft Excel and digital marketing tools to building leadership habits and understanding AI, the platform is packed with content designed to help you move your career or business forward. And because new courses are added regularly, it grows with you.

Courses are structured for flexibility and clarity. Lessons are broken into manageable segments, allowing you to knock out a few modules between client calls or dive deep into a subject over the weekend. No pressure, no pacing — just pure, self-guided learning when you’re ready.

And let’s talk ROI. Investing in your own skills (or those of your team) is one of the most effective ways to boost productivity and profitability. For less than the price of a couple of coffees and a sandwich in Midtown, you can gain years’ worth of valuable knowledge with no recurring fees.

This deal is especially attractive for small teams and solo operators who don’t have a big budget for ongoing training but still want access to top-tier resources. It’s scalable, practical, and affordable.

Whether you want to grow your business, explore new technologies, or just feel more confident with the tools of your trade, EDU Unlimited helps you get there faster — and smarter.

Pick up lifetime access to EDU Unlimited by StackSkills for just $19.97 (regularly $600) through April 27.

EDU Unlimited by StackSkills: Lifetime Access – $19.97

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MrBeast Crashes Mark Zuckerberg Interview, Suggests Change

MrBeast Crashes Mark Zuckerberg Interview, Suggests Change


MrBeast, YouTube’s top creator with 378 million subscribers, recently crashed an interview with Mark Zuckerberg to tell the Meta CEO what he’d change if he were CEO of the company instead — and Zuckerberg promised to make it happen in less than a year.

In an episode of the podcast “Colin and Samir” that aired earlier this week, Zuckerberg, 40, sat down with hosts Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry to discuss topics like Facebook’s decision to bring the Friends tab to the platform, which will only show content from Facebook friends, not recommended posts, for users in North America.

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, joined the conversation in the middle of the episode. In response to a question asking what he would change if he were CEO of Meta, Donaldson said his highest priority would be allowing Facebook Video to play audio tracks in different languages to accompany his videos.

“If I was CEO, that’s one of the first things I’d fast-track,” the 26-year-old said.

Related: MrBeast’s Holding Company Could Be Worth $5 Billion After Its Latest Fundraising Round

On YouTube, Donaldson can upload different audio tracks in various languages that automatically play with the video according to the region of the world the user is in. For example, if a viewer clicks on a MrBeast YouTube video from Mexico, the audio is automatically dubbed in Spanish. The same feature isn’t available on Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Zuckerberg accepted the feedback, calling the idea of bringing dubbing to Facebook “a good one.” He stated that “within a year,” Facebook would have the feature.

Zuckerberg also told Donaldson that AI could one day help with auto-dubbing videos in every language.

Donaldson said that he was already experimenting with using AI to dub his voice in other languages and that his retention rate was 1% higher with AI dubs instead of a voice actor because the AI-generated voice sounded more like his.

“Ideally, in a year, I just post a video on Facebook, check a box, then AI dubs it into 20 languages,” Donaldson said.

Jimmy Donaldson. Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Donaldson noted that the dubbing feature extends his reach and ability to connect with his audience, especially since the YouTube star estimates that 70% of his audience doesn’t speak English. Donaldson says that he brings in tens of millions of views on YouTube from people watching his videos in Spanish and Portuguese.

Related: YouTuber MrBeast Makes More Money From This ‘Sweet’ Side Hustle Than From His Videos

“What’s brutal is that when I post those same videos on Facebook or any of your platforms, I can’t import the dubs over, so my viewership is just always infinitely lower,” Donaldson told Zuckerberg on the podcast, stating that “if you’re not dubbed, you can’t reach the majority of the world.”

The top three countries with the highest number of people on Facebook are India (378 million), the U.S. (193 million), and Indonesia (119 million).

Because Meta doesn’t allow dubbing, Donaldson’s top-viewed videos with the highest reach on Facebook and Instagram do not show him speaking. His most-watched video on Instagram, he said, with over 250 million views, is him running with progressively more bundles of cash strapped on his body — and he doesn’t say a word.

Still, in the interview, Donaldson also applauded Facebook Video, stating that it had the most users out of any platform and presented the biggest opportunity to connect to a wide audience.

According to Sprout Social, Facebook has more than 3 billion monthly active users, the most of any platform. Instagram and TikTok are next with two billion monthly active users each.

Related: MrBeast Says He Lost ‘Tens of Millions of Dollars’ on His Hit Amazon Reality TV Show ‘Beast Games’



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Would You Try a ‘Severance’ Procedure for a 0K Salary?

Would You Try a ‘Severance’ Procedure for a $500K Salary?


On Apple TV+’s show, Severence, which just aired the Season 2 finale, workers are “severed” from their non-work lives. The employees of the fictional company, Lumon Industries, undergo a procedure that allows them to maintain a true work-life balance — the “innie” worker and the “outie” person have no recollection or memories of each other once they clock in and out.

Now, a new survey by People Managing People, a publication and community space for HR leaders, revealed that work-life balance is still so tough to achieve that nearly 70% of respondents would consider trying the memory-splitting procedure — for a salary of at least $100,000 a year.

The poll, which surveyed 200 workers around the world, found almost a quarter (21%) of respondents said they “definitely would” or “probably would” be willing to accept the procedure with a lower salary.

Related: The Eerie Lumon Industries Office Building Is Real. See Inside Bell Works, Where ‘Severance’ Is Filmed.

“One in five people being curious about it tells us there are a lot of people out there dealing with a desire to disassociate from what they do for a living,” said David Rice, HR expert at People Managing People, in a statement.

Which Generations Would Want to ‘Sever’

Millennials and Gen X were more likely to consider the procedure, with more than a third (37%) of respondents aged 35 to 44 saying they “definitely would” or “probably would” try it.

David says this could be due to the age group enduring multiple recessions and “one crisis related to the economy and politics after another” that “shows a sort of numbness and willingness to disassociate over time.”

Related: Gen Z’s Main Career Aspiration Is to Be an Influencer, According to a New Report

In typical Gen Z fashion, this age group reported being most willing to undergo the procedure — but only if they can get more money. Only 13% of people aged 18-24 said they wouldn’t consider it, while almost half (44%) of Gen Z respondents said they would for a salary of more than $500,000.

“Being willing to traumatically alter the function of your brain and human experience for money is disturbingly dystopian,” David said.

For the full report, click here.



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Babbel Could Be Your New Secret Weapon in Global Business

Babbel Could Be Your New Secret Weapon in Global Business


Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

In today’s hyper-connected world, learning a new language isn’t just a personal goal—it’s also a professional power move. Whether you’re sealing international business deals, planning an overseas retreat, or just want to confidently navigate a vacation in Rome or Tokyo, Babbel gives you the tools to get there.

And for a limited time, StackSocial is offering a lifetime subscription to all 14 languages for just $124.99 (reg. $599) when you use code LEARN at checkout—no renewals, no subscriptions, just unlimited access for life.

What makes Babbel stand out? First, it’s built for real-life use. The platform offers short, digestible lessons—each just 10 to 15 minutes long—designed around conversations you’d actually have: how to ask for directions, order at a restaurant, or negotiate at a meeting.

And thanks to its AI-powered features, like personalized learning paths and smart review tools, the app adapts to your pace and style. You’re not just memorizing vocab lists—you’re building practical language skills that stick.

From speech recognition technology that helps you sound more authentic to offline lesson downloads for learning on the go, Babbel fits into your life wherever and whenever you’re ready to learn. Professionals can take advantage of global networking opportunities, families can prep for international travel, and lifelong learners can finally tackle that bucket-list language—without being tied to yet another monthly subscription.

This lifetime offer is valid for three days only, and it’s the lowest price StackSocial has ever offered. Use code LEARN at checkout to claim your discount and start speaking the languages you’ve always wanted to know.

Why this deal is worth it

For just $125, you’re unlocking lifetime access to all 14 languages Babbel offers. That means no renewal reminders, no creeping monthly fees, and no limitations. Whether you’re brushing up for business trips, dreaming of dual citizenship, or just want to crush trivia night with your multilingual flex, this deal pays off again and again. It’s practical, flexible, and rooted in real-world scenarios—all backed by expert linguists and AI-driven personalization. And the best part? This is the lowest price StackSocial has ever offered.

Get lifetime access to all of Babbel’s languages for just $124.99 through March 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT with code LEARN.

Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) – $169.99

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Traveling Professionals: Add This MacBook Air to Your Carry-on for Less Than 0

Traveling Professionals: Add This MacBook Air to Your Carry-on for Less Than $200


Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

Small businesses can easily spend more than $10,000 per year on technology, a CompTIA study found. Setting up your workstation configuration is pricey but essential to success as an entrepreneur or small-business owner.

But what happens when you have to leave the office to work in the field or even travel abroad for a project? You need a powerful, lightweight laptop that doesn’t double your technology spending to take with you, like this refurbished MacBook Air 13.3″ (2017) for just $199.97 (reg. $999).

Lightweight but not light on power

Even in an older model, MacBook Air’s robust construction outweighs newer laptops of other brands. Just 2.96 lbs heavy and 0.68″ inches at the thickest, this laptop is designed to slip in purses, briefcases, or backpacks.

It packs in a Core i5 1.8GHz Intel processor that is now unavailable in later Apple models. Between that and the 8GB of RAM, you’ll find yourself crunching through projects and navigating seamlessly between programs. Stash whatever files you need on the 128GB SSD storage.

The 13.3″ inch display combines with an Intel HD Graphics 6000 card to render the highest quality images and streamed videos.

Whether in the field all day or staying connected while flying, you’ll have the energy to do it with a battery that supports up to 12 hours of use.

Bottom-line-friendly cost with refurbished equipment

Running your own business means considering the bottom line with every purchase. The less you spend on a laptop, the more you have to reinvest in the business. Grade “A/B” refurbished Apple products are very bottom-line-friendly while still offering a high-quality product. To make this top grade, this MacBook Air must have:

  • Only light to standard visible wear with no dents, cracks, or missing parts
  • Unscratched screen; potential faint screen burn
  • Clean and operational keyboards
  • Minimum 70% battery health

Things happen while you’re traveling, including accidentally spilling an entire venti soy latte on your laptop while running for your plane. The perfect thing about this MacBook Air is that it’s affordable enough to replace. Tech troubles are always a hassle, but when you’ve purchased a laptop at 79% off, it doesn’t hurt as bad if you damage or lose it while traveling.

Excellent doesn’t have to mean expensive when you take advantage of this unheard-of price drop on a MacBook Air 13.3″ for just $199.97.

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How to Create Compelling Brand Narratives That Resonate With Skeptical Consumers

How to Create Compelling Brand Narratives That Resonate With Skeptical Consumers


Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Your marketing team has spent a great deal of time honing your business’s brand image, from picking just the right color scheme for the logo to crafting the perfect language for your website. While marketing tactics like these are important, they aren’t sufficient to convince today’s increasingly skeptical consumers to purchase your goods or services. A public relations approach that gives your brand a compelling narrative can make all the difference.

Here, I’ll explain what a brand narrative is in the context of PR, why having one is advantageous, and how to shape one effectively to build awareness of your brand.

What is the PR approach to brand narratives?

The PR approach is a form of strategic communications that aims to influence consumers toward purchasing what clients have to offer, but it’s different from marketing or advertising. Since healthy relationships are two-way streets, the best public relations firms understand that their main job is to protect and nurture the relationship between their clients and the public.

When taking a PR approach, business leaders provide more value to the target audience than a relentless focus on sales would suggest. They may even serve the public in ways that don’t appear connected to the bottom line, such as giving expert advice, helping people understand current events, or presenting a living example that comforts or inspires.

This last example is where brand narratives come in. Leading PR firms tell your enterprise’s story in such a way that people feel an emotional connection to it, start associating your brand with positive things, and even identify with it.

PR is an indirect method of encouraging sales. Instead of directly promoting your product or service, you work to demonstrate your business’s good character, which makes people more likely to support you and your venture. That’s why providing opportunities to build credibility, reputation management and crisis communications have long been integral services that the best PR firms offer.

Public relations campaigns are essential to reach today’s skeptical consumers.

Related: How to Create a Brand Narrative That Inspires and Engages Your Audience

How do effective PR strategies reach skeptical consumers?

A Nielsen study has found that 64% of customers skip ads on streaming platforms. This trend is especially true for the younger generations. According to research, 99% of Gen Z say they frequently skip ads.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Nielsen study discovered that 63% of participants would likely purchase something if the brand shared “relevant, valuable content beyond selling their product.”

In other words, today’s customers look for authentic connections and would be more likely to buy if the brand did PR. As more consumers turn away from traditional ads and marketing strategies, public relations will become increasingly important.

One of the main ways America’s best public relations agencies level up a brand’s image and help achieve their business goals is by crafting and deploying an advantageous brand narrative.

How to form a compelling brand narrative for public relations

In brand narratives for PR purposes, the product doesn’t take center stage. The people behind the product do. This storytelling holds the audience’s attention through suspense and conflict. The protagonist must overcome adversity.

For example, consider a professional skydiver who is tragically injured in a car accident. He can never skydive again. During his recovery, he discovers the benefits of CBD and eventually even starts his own CBD company.

Or consider a young mother who loses her husband in a tragic accident. Now a single parent, she struggles to get an adequate life insurance policy to protect her children. Since no one should ever have to go through such a difficult and complicated process, especially during such a devastating time, she uses her technological acumen to create her own online life insurance portal that can process applications and offer accurate quotes in only five minutes.

These are a couple of dramatic but real brand narratives from businesses we’ve helped in the past.

How to choose a PR firm that can deliver the right brand narrative

Plenty of entrepreneurs and business leaders craft their brand narratives themselves. In my experience, however, it can be difficult for people inside an organization to perceive the extra value the business could offer the public or the story that would resonate best with the ideal customer. This is only natural since leadership and employees tend to be focused on being productive and achieving high performance on their KPIs. For instance, it would be normal if you read the examples above and thought to yourself, “I wish we had a dramatic story like that to share, but I don’t think we do.”

That’s why it can often make sense to enlist the help of a PR agency. The experts will first ask you or your team a series of questions to identify potential stories that would spotlight your organization’s best angles.

To ensure you select the most high-impact firm for you, look for agencies that can supply case studies that demonstrate their success with businesses similar to yours. Also, spend time reading their reviews. Since many leading strategic communications firms, digital communications agencies, and full-service PR agencies, as well as boutique agencies and independent PR firms of all kinds, offer free consultations, there’s no reason not to hop on a call.

Related: These 4 Storytelling Elements Will Empower Your Brand in 2025

PR agencies harness the power of brand narratives for the best PR

No matter which kind of PR firm you choose, don’t underestimate the power of PR. Brands across industries can harness brand narratives to reach today’s skeptical consumers and drive results.



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