Richard

Five years from now, 94% of marketers think that links will continue to be a ranking factor in Google algorithms.

However, many companies offering link-building services engage in questionable practices, such as selling links from manipulated or low-quality websites. These links can not only fail to provide value but may also harm the website receiving them. Therefore, it’s essential to exercise caution when hiring an external partner for link building.

So, here are a few key tips to help SaaS businesses get the maximum from their link-building efforts.

Related: 10 Powerful Link-Building Tactics for Boosting Your Website’s SEO

1. Take metrics with a grain of salt

It’s crucial to approach metrics with skepticism. Website owners often inflate numbers like Domain Rating (DR). You might see a DR of 70, but in reality, the website holds little to no authority in Google’s eyes. Of course, that’s not always the case. In reality, Domain Rating correlates with higher rankings

While metrics can be useful, especially when sorting through large lists of websites, don’t rely on them alone. Always look deeper into the site’s real quality.

2. Organic traffic for real keywords is key

Pay attention to the keywords a website ranks for. Ideally, the site you’re getting backlinks from should have organic traffic, which shows Google values it. More importantly, the traffic should come from relevant, industry-specific keywords. Some sites may rank for irrelevant terms like “celebrity news” despite being in a completely different niche — or worse, they may use fake traffic. Always ensure the keywords are a good fit for your business.

3. Get links from real businesses

The best way to determine if a website is worth getting a backlink from is to see if it’s a real business. Many sites exist solely to sell links and are often just link farms. Focus on acquiring links from legitimate businesses, as these are the ones that offer the most value.

4. Use internal links

Let’s face it — quality link building is hard. And if you find it hard to get backlinks to your service or landing pages, start by linking to your blog posts instead. Then, use internal linking across your site to ensure link equity flows throughout your pages. Without proper internal linking, you won’t fully benefit from the backlinks you’re building.

Related: Top 8 Backlink Strategies to Boost Your Traffic

5. Prioritize links to target pages

When building backlinks, your main focus should be on your money-making pages. Links to these pages are critical. If you’re working with an agency, ensure they are targeting specific commercial pages. Even if you’re only getting a couple of links per page per month, if they’re targeted, it’s highly effective.

6. Optimize anchors

Anchor text optimization is essential. From my experience, optimized anchor texts perform very well. If you’re hiring an agency, send them a list of preferred anchor texts along with your target pages, so they can focus on both elements.

7. Focus on do-follow links

There’s ongoing debate about the impact of no-follow links on rankings. While no-follow links have some influence, it’s hard to quantify. Based on my observations, they seem to be about 30-50% as effective as do-follow links. In a LinkedIn poll I conducted, 43% of participants believed no-follow links were 25% or less effective than do-follow. However, keep in mind that many respondents may not have had enough experience, so their opinions are just that — opinions.

8. Get listed on the top of listicle posts

There are countless “comparison” and “alternatives” pages for popular tools, generating significant search volumes. For instance, searches like “Canva alternatives” are common. If your product is in a competitive niche, you want to be featured as the number one option on these pages created by bloggers and websites. Not only will you gain valuable backlinks, but you’ll also get more clicks and recommendations as the top alternative, greatly boosting your link-building efforts.

This also creates a snowball effect. Future writers and bloggers working on alternatives for that specific tool will often reference existing lists. When they see your product featured prominently, they’re more likely to include it in their own lists, further amplifying your exposure and link-building efforts.

9. Outsource to the right company

According to some research, 56% of SaaS marketing departments utilize a combination of in-house and outsourced staff to reach their marketing objectives.

When selecting a company, make sure they specialize in link building for SaaS and deliver high-quality work, as word of mouth and testimonials can be very effective indicators of their reliability.

Related: How to Shake Up a Stale Link Building Strategy

In summary, while links remain vital for SEO, it’s crucial to prioritize quality over quantity. Focus on securing high-quality backlinks that directly target your key pages, using optimized anchor texts to make a meaningful impact. Your link-building strategy should align with your overall branding strategy to maximize effectiveness. By being selective and strategic in your approach, you can build a robust link profile that genuinely enhances your SaaS business’s online presence.

It doesn’t take a deep dive into statistics to figure out that when you’re comfortable at your desk, everything else just flows. Productivity rises, creativity blossoms, and the workday ultimately becomes more manageable.

The CASA HUB 360 is designed to help you maximize comfort and efficiency by turning your desk into a hub of connectivity and productivity. For just $99.99 (reg. $129), this foldable hub offers everything you need in one sleek, aluminum package.

It supports a variety of brands, including MacBook models (M4, M3, M2, M1) and iPads. It’s the ultimate multi-functional stand for those who want seamless integration between their devices. Whether you’re working on projects, streaming 4K content, or multitasking across apps, this stand provides all the ports and power you need.

This 8-in-1 USB-C hub ensures all your devices stay connected and organized. It supports 4K HDMI for crisp, high-resolution streaming on platforms like Netflix and YouTube. The hub also has two USB-A ports, USB-C Power Delivery, 3.5mm AUX, and SD/microSD card slots, making it easy to transfer files, charge devices, and connect to external displays or sound systems.

Made from lightweight aluminum with silicone rubber pads for stability, the CASA HUB 360 isn’t just functional—it’s built to last. The stand is easily adjustable without the need for tools, giving you flexibility to find the perfect viewing angle for your work. Plus, the strengthened connectors and braided cables are designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use.

Whether you’re working from home, cooking, painting, or simply catching up on Netflix, the CASA HUB 360 adapts to your lifestyle. Its versatile design ensures that you can enjoy maximum comfort and connectivity, no matter what the day throws at you.

Get the CASA HUB 360 8-in-1 USB-C Hub stand for the best price online right now while you can—just $99.99 (reg. $129) while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The town of Canton, Connecticut, population 10,124, has been trialing a four-day workweek for its employees for nearly a month — and so far, it’s been a success.

On September 16, the town’s non-unionized employees who work in the town hall, social services, and senior services began getting Fridays off.

“I wanted to find a work-life balance for my employees because I think that if you can take care of your personal items at home and you’re not worried about making appointments and taking care of your kids, etc, then you’ll be more laser-focused at work,” Canton’s First Selectman Kevin Witkos told WTNH News on Monday.

He added that town employees on the four-day schedule “love it” and “the feedback has been great” from residents.

Related: This Country Just Implemented a 6-Day Workweek for Employees

Town hall employees now work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and work an extra hour on Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Senior and social services employees’ new schedule is from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Administrators in the town’s Department of Public Works and Police Department are also taking part in the four-day workweek, per Witkos. The trial period lasts four months, until January.

Canton joins other Connecticut towns, including Plainville, Redding, and Mansfield in implementing a four-day workweek.

Related: Samsung Makes 6-Day Workweeks Mandatory for Executives

Meanwhile, Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor told Kevin O’Leary in July that the company implemented a 4-day workweek and they’re “very productive” within those four days.

“I love the fact that the people at our company have interests,” Taylor said.

Most people are willing to work more hours Monday through Thursday if they get Friday off. According to a November 2023 Gallup poll, 77% of the U.S. workforce are in favor of a 40-hour, 4-day workweek and say it would positively affect their well-being.

The four-day workweek has also had proven outcomes. In June 2021, 70 companies in the UK experimented with it for six months. The majority found that business productivity was about the same or slightly higher than it was with a standard five-day week.

Zoom CEO Eric Yuan told The Verge in June that AI can help cut the workweek to three or four days.

“Why not spend more time with your family?” Yuan said. “Why not focus on some more creative things, giving you back your time, giving back to the community and society to help others, right? Today, the reason why we cannot do that is because every day is busy, five days a week. It’s boring.”

Related: Can’t Afford a 4-day Workweek? Try a 35-hour One Instead

The landscape of ad spending has changed significantly in recent years. We have seen a major shift in marketing campaigns from before the pandemic to now. Everything from graphic styles to personalization has evolved, and so has spending. With more brands in the mix, advertising spending is consistently rising.

The question is, why are some still hesitant to adjust their spending? The simple fact is that budgets must change over time. If your budget doesn’t evolve, you won’t be able to compete with the growing number of brands advertising online.

Let’s break down what you need to know if you plan to keep up in the increasingly competitive advertising landscape.

Related: Is Your Advertising Spend Going to Waste? If You Don’t Fully Understand This Metric, It Might Be

Supply and demand dictate spending

Let’s begin with the current situation. Advertising rates are increasing, which means you’ll need to increase your budget to attract the quality of traffic you want. The cost of effective online advertising is determined by supply and demand. When more companies vie for the same ad placement, the price for that placement goes up.

What are the reasons for this recent rise? Firstly, the pandemic fueled a surge in e-commerce as consumers shifted from brick-and-mortar stores to online retailers. However, this boom has been met with challenges. When the world shut down, brands significantly decreased — or even halted altogether — their marketing costs. Now that the economy has picked back up, competition has returned with a vengeance. The dominance of Google Ads and Facebook Ads has also created a double-edged sword for advertisers. While these platforms offer massive reach and targeting capabilities, their popularity has driven up advertising costs. This is due to a classic case of supply and demand. With more businesses vying for the same ad space on these platforms, bidding wars erupt, inflating the cost per click or impression. This trend is further amplified by limitations on data tracking, making it harder for advertisers to pinpoint their ideal audience. The result? Steeper costs for businesses to reach their prospects online. Additionally, the increased popularity of online shopping has attracted more advertisers, driving up competition for consumer attention and inflating the cost of advertising space. These factors are creating a complex landscape for e-commerce businesses, demanding innovative strategies to navigate the new realities of the online marketplace. That, combined with a growing population of advertisers, as well as many brands having moved their marketing online due to remote culture, means costs are, and will only continue, climbing.

Take advantage of technology and automation

Although many business owners decide to take the DIY approach due to cost, the opportunity cost of not knowing how to properly target an audience, use tools to improve your outcomes, and reduce your per-click and per-impression costs is typically far more expensive than working with an expert. One way to produce highly relevant ads is to take advantage of today’s technology. Artificial intelligence can learn more about each subset of your audience than you likely ever could imagine. Moreover, the best AI marketing tools make it easy to use your data to create highly relevant advertisements. So, if you’re still combing through spreadsheets, hoping to find a trend, it’s time to upgrade your technology.

Smart marketing tools and marketing automation are your biggest allies in navigating this challenge. Automation can take the reins on managing your ad spend, constantly searching for the best inventory based on past performance, as well as ongoing ad rates and top-performing channels. Identifying and prioritizing these top-performing channels ensures your budget is directed toward the most impactful avenues. Marketing tools can further serve as cost-cutting allies by pinpointing the most precise targeting options, taking the guesswork out of online advertising and giving you time and energy to take back to other areas of your business. This laser focus eliminates wasted ad spend and time, ensuring your message reaches the exact audience you desire and ultimately reduces your overall ad spend.

Related: 4 Marketing Budget Hacks That Will Boost Your Business in 2024

Plan in advance for disrupted seasons

The holidays may be far away, but from an ad fund standpoint, it’s something you’ll want to be prepared for long before they’re right around the corner. Brands can adhere to various holiday seasons, some may want to up their ad spend tremendously during this time and others may want to reevaluate it. Beyond the holidays, other seasonal events can significantly impact advertising costs. Events like major sporting competitions (e.g., the Olympics, FIFA World Cup), award shows, and even back-to-school season can see increased competition and higher ad rates. These periods of time play a significant role in driving up the cost of advertisements. It’s no secret that consumers like to spend more money during the holiday season compared to their typical spending behavior. As such, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve for your yearly holidays and to note that those periods are when advertisers are most interested in attracting their target audience. That means demand for advertising typically sees significant increases on an annual basis, but keeping an eye out for this and planning ahead will keep you at the forefront. It’s important to make these periods and planning part of your overall marketing strategy.

Over the years, marketers have watched demand climb during the holiday season and seemingly fall after the holiday season. However, that seasonal drop seems to be shrinking each year. Ultimately, marketers seem to be anticipating the drop in demand following the holiday season, and as such, many are saving meaningful amounts of money for this period. This causes an increase in demand that rivals the holiday increase, which in turn means you should continue to consider adding more to your ad fund during these times. Having a marketing automation partner can help set you up for success by automating the process for you.

The bottom line

The bottom line is that the marketing industry has a history of fast-paced evolution, and that evolution isn’t likely to end anytime soon. As more and more advertisers join the fray, demand will likely continue to grow, leading to inflated advertising prices. Make sure your brand is keeping ahead of the competition by planning for the future and potential shifts in advertising.

In the ever-evolving world of business, entrepreneurs are often admired for their ability to innovate, adapt and create. But what truly sets successful entrepreneurs apart from the rest? While the paths to success may vary, certain key traits consistently emerge among high-achieving business leaders. These traits provide insight into the mindset and behaviors that drive entrepreneurial success.

Here are the top five traits that represent successful entrepreneurs:

Related: 10 Traits of Entrepreneurs Who Built Billion-Dollar Companies

1. Compulsion to be organized

A trait often overlooked but fundamental to many successful entrepreneurs is their inherent need for organization. This isn’t just about having a tidy desk or color-coded files — it’s a way of life. Successful entrepreneurs thrive in environments where everything is in its place, whether it’s their workspace, their home or their daily schedule. This compulsion for order reflects their ability to manage complexities and juggle multiple responsibilities efficiently.

In my personal experience, I’ve found that one of the most telling signs of this trait can be seen in how people unwind after a long day. When interviewing successful entrepreneurs, I often ask them, “What’s the first thing you do when you get home after work?” More often than not, their answers revolve around organizing their personal space — whether it’s tidying up the kitchen, arranging the living room or setting the next day’s schedule. This attention to detail in their personal lives is a mirror of the discipline they bring to their businesses. Being organized allows them to create structure in chaos, giving them the clarity to make effective decisions.

2. Dislike for traditional education structures

Another common trait among successful entrepreneurs is their dissatisfaction with regimented educational systems. It’s not that entrepreneurs dislike learning — on the contrary, many of the most successful businesspeople are lifelong learners. However, they often chafe under the strict, standardized environments of traditional schools. Entrepreneurs tend to reject rote memorization and the conventional paths laid out by academia. Instead, they seek experiential learning, diving deep into subjects that interest them on their own terms.

The rigidity of formal education can feel confining to those who thrive on creativity and unconventional thinking. For entrepreneurs, the drive to solve problems and innovate doesn’t align with the step-by-step progression of academic programs. Instead, they prefer hands-on experience, self-education and mentorship. This trait often explains why many entrepreneurs drop out of college or pursue alternative forms of education that allow them more freedom to explore and build their ideas.

Related: To Be a Successful Entrepreneur, You Need These 4 Characteristics

3. Relentlessness and emotional detachment

Entrepreneurs are often relentless in their pursuit of success, a quality that can sometimes come across as a lack of empathy or emotional drive. While it’s important to note that successful entrepreneurs are not devoid of feelings, they have an extraordinary ability to compartmentalize their emotions and set them aside in the name of progress.

Day-to-day decisions in entrepreneurship often require a focus on logic and outcomes, rather than emotions. This allows entrepreneurs to remain focused, especially when faced with setbacks, disappointments or difficult decisions. Whether it’s letting go of employees or pivoting their business strategy, entrepreneurs are often able to make tough choices without letting emotions cloud their judgment. This relentless drive helps them push through obstacles and maintain momentum, even when the odds seem stacked against them.

4. Resilience to rejection

Rejection and negative feedback are par for the course when it comes to entrepreneurship. The difference between successful entrepreneurs and others lies in how they handle these challenges. Rather than letting a “no” derail their efforts, successful entrepreneurs are impervious to rejection. They see it as part of the journey and not as a personal failure.

In fact, many successful entrepreneurs view rejection as a stepping stone to success. Each “no” is an opportunity to refine their approach, learn from their mistakes and ultimately improve their product or service. This resilience to negative feedback means that entrepreneurs aren’t discouraged by temporary setbacks. Instead, they remain confident in their vision and undeterred by the opinions of those who doubt them.

5. Comfort in discomfort

Perhaps the most defining trait of successful entrepreneurs is their ability to live outside of their comfort zone. The vast majority of people seek stability and routine, preferring to stay within the confines of what they know. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, thrive in the unpredictable, often uncomfortable world of risk-taking and innovation.

Whether it’s launching a new product, entering an untested market or experimenting with a novel business model, successful entrepreneurs are not afraid to venture into the unknown. They understand that real growth happens when they push the boundaries of conventional thinking and embrace uncertainty. It’s this willingness to be uncomfortable — to take risks that others shy away from — that often leads to breakthrough ideas and the discovery of new opportunities.

In contrast to the general population, who may shy away from unpredictable situations, entrepreneurs actively seek out challenges and new frontiers. Their ability to embrace discomfort allows them to stay ahead of the curve, exploring new technologies, markets and industries before others are willing to take the plunge.

Related: 7 Traits Shared by the World’s Top Entrepreneurs

Ultimately, these five traits — organization, a rejection of conventional education, emotional detachment, resilience to rejection and comfort with discomfort — create a foundation for entrepreneurial success. While every entrepreneur’s journey is unique, these characteristics provide a strong framework for those looking to build and grow successful businesses.

The floodwater from Hurricane Helene, the Category 4 hurricane that impacted six states and caused at least 230 deaths in late September, swept a 7,000-pound Rivian electric truck about 100 yards away from where it was parked. When its owner found the truck, opened its mud-encrusted door, and tried to turn it on, he found that the vehicle powered up as usual.

Rivian R1T owner Michael Cusick, an Asheville, North Carolina resident, told car aficionado Joshua Vincent Sauer in a viral social media video that he parked the car on Thursday, September 26, and came to retrieve it on Saturday, September 28.

@usedcarmanwnc Hurrican Helene tried to destroy a brand new Rivian truck! Owner thought it was totaled and went to call his insurance when his friends suggests they “Boot it up”! Well by golly it did just that and Booted up ready for more. Interior was untouched and idk how that’s possible with the truck weighing 7000lbs plus ans being moved 100s of feet or more! #Rivian #RivianR1T #riviantruck #RivianR1Tperformance #Rivianinhurricane #RivianHurricaneHelene #flood #uhaul #asheivlle #tunnelroad #swannanoa #swannanoariver #lucky #whatluck #wnc #wncstrong #asheville #ashevillenc ♬ original sound – USEDCARMAN

At first glance, Cusick thought the over $70,000 EV was totaled. He was still able to open the door handle though, and when he got in, he found there was no water damage inside — it functioned normally.

“It just booted up like nothing had happened,” he said.

Hey it’s Michael Cusick from the viral flooded R1T video. It’s still unreal to me that my Rivian survived. Swept 100 yards from where I parked it and aside from a little vibration at higher speeds she drives like a dream. Truly a testament to the engineering team over @Rivian pic.twitter.com/mhVyMxOXnh

— Michael Cusick (@chessforgiants) October 4, 2024

For everyone that’s been asking, here is a video of the interior, gear tunnel, and frunk! Not a drop of water made it in. If I were to speculate, that’s a direct result of the engineering team @rivian and the mud being so thick it sealed the entire vehicle from water intrusion. pic.twitter.com/7rZlRHRb6m

— Michael Cusick (@chessforgiants) October 5, 2024

While Cusick’s Rivian R1T survived, other electric vehicles weren’t as lucky. At least six houses burned down in Florida because electric vehicles caught fire after being submerged in floodwater. In one viral video, a Tesla EV ignites after being exposed to salt water.

The batteries in electric vehicles, golf carts, and scooters “do not mix well with salt water,” Florida State Fire Marshal and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said last week.

He wrote in a post on X on Sunday that Hurricane Helene caused 48 fires, about a quarter of which were from EVs.

Let’s talk lithium-ion battery fires: from Hurricane Helene alone we had 48 fires, eleven of which were EVs. Once a fire starts, we cannot put it out. The salt water from storm surge compromises these batteries. (2/7)

— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) October 6, 2024

“Once a fire starts, we cannot put it out,” he wrote.

Cusick is still driving his Rivian, per social media updates this week.

Related: Hurricane Helene Devastated a High-Quality Quartz Mining Town — Here’s How It Affects Everything From Smartphones to Semiconductors

Most people (56.8%) around the world identify as introverts, according to a 2020 study from The Myers-Briggs Company. Those with an introverted personality are often reflective and self-aware, prefer to write rather than speak and feel tired after being in a crowd.

Naturally, many introverts aren’t big fans of public speaking. Addressing an audience might be an inevitable part of professional life, but the average introvert probably isn’t clamoring to get in front of a group.

Related: I Work With Warren Buffett. He’s Probably the Smartest Person in the World — Here’s the Best Advice He’s Given Me.

Even the most successful business leaders in the world aren’t immune to stage fright.

Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old billionaire chairman and CEO of conglomerate holding company Berkshire Hathaway, considers himself an introvert. In his biography The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder, he admits that speaking in front of a crowd used to make him physically ill.

^{Image Credit: Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images. Warren Buffett.}

“I was terrified of public speaking,” Buffett says. “You can’t believe what I was like if I had to give a talk. I was so terrified that I just couldn’t do it. I would throw up. In fact, I arranged my life so that I never had to get up in front of anybody.”

Related: In Leadership, Introversion Is Underrated — and Warren Buffett and Bill Gates Share How They Use It to Their Advantage.

After Buffett graduated from Columbia Business School, where he studied under investor Benjamin Graham, he returned to Omaha, Nebraska. There, he saw an advertisement for a public speaking course using the Dale Carnegie method.

Buffett was familiar with Carnegie’s 1936 self-help book How to Win Friends & Influence People, and he’d even signed up for a Carnegie public speaking class in New York — before he backed out and stopped payment on the $100 check.

Buffett decided to give the course another chance in Omaha.

“I took a hundred bucks in cash and gave it to Wally Keenan, the instructor, and said, ‘Take it before I change my mind,'” he recalls in The Snowball.

Related: 5 Mega-Successful Entrepreneurs Who Are Introverts

In Keenan’s class at Omaha’s Rome Hotel, Buffett discovered the key to conquering his public speaking fears.

“The way it works is that you learn to get out of yourself,” Buffett explains. “I mean, why should you be able to talk alone with somebody five minutes before and then freeze in front of a group? So they teach you the psychological tricks to overcome this. Some of it is just practice — just doing it and practicing.”

Practicing under the same conditions in which you’ll speak or otherwise perform can help promote success in high-pressure situations, Sian Beilock, cognitive scientist and current president of Dartmouth College, told Entrepreneur in 2022.

Related: Steve Jobs’ Public Speaking Power Moves Remain Just as Relevant Today, 13 Years After His Final Keynote at the Apple Developers Conference

Additionally, it can help to take a step back as the event draws near, according to Beilock. Then, during the high-stakes moment, she suggests interpreting physiological responses positively; for example, consider sweaty palms or a racing heart signs of excitement rather than anxiety.

“And it worked,” Buffett says of the psychological techniques he learned in his public speaking class many decades ago. “That’s the most important degree that I have.”

Buffett‘s certification of completion for the Carnegie course, dated January 1952, hangs above the sofa in his office, according to Schroeder’s account.

Related: I Spent a Day Living Like Billionaire Warren Buffett. Here’s What Happened.

Now, Buffett stands in front of an audience of 40,000 at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting, where attendees line up hours before the event to listen to the Oracle of Omaha speak.

Several years ago, I was involved in a professional conflict that consumed all my energy, focus and time. I was working with a colleague I had known for years. It was an important project to me, and part of it became a point of contention between us. I passionately believed that my approach was the right one, and I was determined to see it through. My colleague disagreed and felt her approach was more robust than mine.

The more I pushed, the more resistance I encountered. Our meetings became tense, the emails we exchanged seemed filled with increasing sharpness and the project’s progress slowed to a crawl. It wasn’t just about the project anymore; it felt like a personal battle I had to win. I was convinced that if I didn’t fight for this, the entire project would fail, and I would wonder what could have been.

However, as the weeks dragged on, I realized that this battle was taking a toll on the project and me personally. My stress levels were through the roof, my relationship with my colleague was deteriorating and the project that we had been so excited about turned into a source of dread. The breaking point came when I confided (okay, complained) to a trusted friend who asked, “Is this fight worth it? What are you trying to win here?”

That question hit me like a ton of bricks. I had become so focused on winning the battle that I lost sight of the bigger picture. Ultimately, I had to step back, reassess and make the difficult decision to let go of my stance for the greater good of the project and my relationship with my colleague. It wasn’t easy, but it was the right decision.

That experience taught me a crucial lesson about leadership: not every battle is worth fighting. As leaders, we must learn to choose our battles wisely, knowing when to push forward and when to let go.

Here’s how I approached this delicate balancing act.

1. Evaluate the impact on the bigger picture

One of the most important considerations when deciding whether to fight a battle or let it go is understanding the impact on the bigger picture. Will winning this battle benefit the project, the team or the company in the long run or is it more about personal pride?

Leaders who consistently focus on the bigger picture rather than getting bogged down in minor details seem more likely to navigate complex challenges successfully. I’ve watched other leaders gracefully step back even when I knew they believed they were right in that situation. It’s essential to stop and assess whether the battle you’re fighting is aligned with the project’s overall goals and vision.

Related: 3 Signs You’re Letting Pride Get in the Way of Being Successful

2. Assess the possible cost of the battle

Every battle comes with a cost—time, energy, relationships or resources. Before engaging in any conflict or disagreement, it’s essential to weigh these costs against the potential benefits. In my case, the price was the deterioration of a long-standing relationship with my colleague and the stagnation of the project’s progress.

Research from the University of California (their various studies on conflict and leadership) found that leaders who weigh the costs of conflict before engaging in one are more effective in maintaining a cohesive team and driving long-term success. This means you should consider the immediate fallout and the long-term consequences of engaging in a battle.

3. Determine what’s truly at stake

It’s easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and lose sight of what’s really at stake. Is this battle about a critical issue that will significantly impact the success of the project or company, or is it more about your ego and proving your point is correct?

In my experience, many uncomfortable situations that seem important now are driven by personal pride rather than business necessity. By stripping away the emotional layers, you can focus on what truly matters. I have found that when I focus on objective outcomes rather than emotional satisfaction, I’m more successful in conflict resolution and decision-making.

4. Recognize when to let go for the greater good

Sometimes, the best decision a leader can make is to let go. This doesn’t mean giving up; it means recognizing that your energy and resources might be better spent elsewhere. Letting go can be an incredibly difficult decision, especially when you’ve invested a lot of time and effort into a particular project, but it can also be the most strategic move.

In the end, letting go allowed me to refocus on the larger goals of the project and rebuild the strained relationship. Letting go when necessary makes one more adaptable and better equipped to lead, a key trait of successful leadership.

Related: Conflict Is Inevitable But Necessary. Here’s How to Stay Calm During an Argument and Rebuild Afterward.

5. Learn from the battle

Whether you fight a battle or let it go, there’s always a lesson to be learned. It’s crucial to reflect on the experience, understand what worked and what didn’t, and apply those insights to future decisions. Every battle, win or lose, is an opportunity for growth and learning.

An article from the Center for Creative Leadership stated that leaders who regularly reflect on their decisions and learn from their experiences are more resilient and effective in their roles. This practice of reflection helps in making better decisions in the future. It also enables you to look at things differently — ensuring you’re not just fighting battles but choosing the right ones.

Looking back on that challenging time when I was butting heads with my colleague, I realize that learning how to choose my battles was a valuable lesson in my leadership journey. It’s easy to get caught up in the details and fight for every inch while losing sight of the larger goals. However, authentic leadership is about making strategic decisions that benefit the team and the project.

As leaders, we must step back, assess the situation clearly and decide when to push forward and when to let go. This isn’t about avoiding conflict or backing down; it’s about being wise, strategic, and focused on what truly matters. By choosing our battles wisely, we can lead more effectively, build stronger relationships and achieve greater success.

Ultimately, the battles we choose to fight — and those we choose to let go — define us as leaders. It’s in these deciding moments that we demonstrate our true leadership capabilities.

The U.S. job market surpassed forecasts with a staggering addition of 254,000 new jobs in September. Experts were forecasting the number to be around 150,000.

The unemployment rate, meanwhile, fell from 4.2% in August to 4.1% in September.

Related: Barbara Corcoran Says This Is the One Question to Ask Before Selling Your Home

“You really couldn’t ask realistically for a better report for the economy — coupled with finding out that the port strike is not going to be an extended matter, and that at least for months, this is not going to be an issue,” Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee told Bloomberg Television Friday. “Those are two pieces of very good news.”

Experts note that last month’s interest rate cut is still taking effect and could boost sales in sectors that use borrowing rates, like cars and homes. More cuts are expected at the Fed’s next two meetings in November and December.

Inflation has slowed from its peak of around 9% in 2022, though it still remains slightly higher than the Fed’s set 2% goal.

California recently made a significant move in the franchise industry with Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of Senate Bill 919 (S.B. 919). This bipartisan legislation introduces new registration and pre-sale disclosure requirements for third-party franchise sellers, including brokers, broker networks and franchise sales organizations. The bill aims to enhance transparency during the franchise sales process, an area that has long been under scrutiny.

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The International Franchise Association (IFA) was a vocal supporter of this legislation, citing its alignment with the principles outlined in the IFA’s Responsible Franchising initiative. By focusing on transparency and disclosure, S.B. 919 is a step toward strengthening the franchisee-franchisor relationship.

“By improving information available to prospective franchisees during the pre-sale process, the legislation strengthens the foundation on which the franchise relationship begins,” Matt Haller, president and CEO of the IFA, said in a statement. “We hope this law will serve as a model for Responsible Franchising in other states.”

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What this means for franchise brokers

Franchise brokers play an essential role in the industry by connecting franchisors with potential franchisees. Their fees are often tied to their ability to bring qualified candidates to the table. In states like New York and Washington, third-party franchise brokers are already subject to registration requirements and now, with S.B. 919, California joins that list.

The new law amends the California Franchise Investment Law (CFIL), adding specific annual registration and pre-sale disclosure mandates for franchise brokers and networks. These include yearly registration, where brokers must register annually and pay applicable fees, and new disclosure requirements, including requiring third-party franchise sellers to deliver a disclosure document to prospective franchisees. This document will cover essential information, including litigation history, compensation structure, the industries they represent, and the brands they sold franchises for in the previous year.

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A model for other states?

The IFA has expressed optimism that S.B. 919 could become a model for other states seeking to enhance consumer protections in the franchise space. California is a major player in the U.S. economy, and its moves often set the tone for future legislative trends. If other states follow suit, third-party franchise brokers nationwide may soon face a new era of increased accountability and transparency.

For the franchise industry, S.B. 919 represents a critical shift toward more responsible practices. It ensures prospective franchisees can access the information they need to make sound investment decisions. As the law rolls out over the next two years, franchise stakeholders nationwide be watching closely.

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