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A recent report from the Charles Butt Foundation clearly indicates that many experienced and novice educators are leaving the profession due to a myriad of factors. For instance, today’s educators face strict scrutiny about what they teach, how they teach it and what materials they assign, especially in light of record-breaking book bans. Faculty and staff shoulder similar pressures in higher education where work life tends to be student-centered, team-oriented and results-driven, requiring employees to labor long hours, wear multiple hats, juggle competing priorities and go above the call of duty.

As if that’s not enough, reports show that approximately two-thirds of education professionals feel undervalued, unappreciated and underpaid, which compromises their sense of belonging at work (hereafter, workplace belonging) and leads to burnout. Consequently, they silently resign, stay with little motivation or leave the profession altogether.

In this article, we offer a perspective on workplace belonging, explain how it is linked to key outcomes in all business sectors and present several actionable steps or promising practices for recruiting and retaining diverse professionals, while also fostering belonging and success as leaders. This is particularly relevant for those who lead education at the K-12 and higher education levels, but may also prove useful to corporate leaders and entrepreneurs in business, government, medicine and technology, to name a few.

Related: The 3 Pillars Your Company Needs to Cultivate a Culture of Belonging

Workplace belonging — A primer

Workplace belonging refers to the sense of connection and acceptance employees feel within a work environment. It involves feeling valued, respected and included while also being able to fully participate and contribute to the organization, according to sources. Belonging is one of five essential workplace qualities that ensure workers’ psychological health and well-being, according to APA’s 2023 Work in America Survey. Figure 1 presents a visual summary.

Whether at home, school or work, a sense of belonging is a basic need, a human right. It’s a universal motive sufficient to drive behaviors — that is, people do something to satisfy their urgent need to belong. They may join a club (e.g., employee resource groups), go back to school, seek new employment or dye their hair blue. The weight of empirical evidence shows that belonging is context-dependent, meaning that its value and significance rely, in part, on the background or situation in which it is used for proper interpretation. So, though related, school belonging is not the same as general belongingness or workplace belonging.

When employees experience a sense of belonging in the workplace, it creates a positive work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation and productivity. Feeling valued and accepted allows individuals to bring their authentic selves to work, leading to increased engagement, cooperation, help-seeking (and giving) and commitment to their tasks and employing organization. On the flip side, lack of belonging is a top driver contributing to the Great Resignation, according to expert sources.

The Great Places to Work study discovered several positive outcomes consistently associated with workplace belonging. For instance, employees who rate higher on workplace belonging also tend to feel better about their jobs and work cooperatively with others. Four key results from the study that relate to the present topic include: (Employees who experience true belonging are…)

• 3x more likely to look forward to work

• 3x more likely to say their workplace is fun

• 9x as likely to believe people are treated equitably

• 5x more likely to stick around

Research has shown that a strong sense of workplace belonging can have significant positive gains, especially for education personnel. It can lead to increased job satisfaction and work-related happiness, which can result in higher productivity and lower burnout. It can also foster deeper institutional commitment, leading to less turnover, more stability and greater creativity and innovation.

In short, the key to workplace belonging is trust, and trust is defined as a foundational building block for culture. It depends, in part, on staff knowing your intentions, believing your commitments and understanding your behaviors. Boosting employees’ sense of belonging at work takes time, and thus, belonging is built at the speed of trust.

Related: How Leaders Can Foster a Sense of Belonging in the Workplace — and Why It’s Important

Ways to recruit, retain and regain employees

Building a culture of belonging requires a proactive approach from organizational leaders and managers. It involves creating an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, respected and supported. Here are some strategies organizations can implement to foster workplace belonging for staff and broaden professional pipelines:

Cultivate psychological safety using a variety of evidence-based, proven strategies:

Psychological safety refers to feeling able to speak up freely, ask questions, make mistakes and take risks without fear of judgment, negative consequences or retaliation. Promising practices include active listening, open dialogue, “no-judgment” zones and creating “brave spaces” where diverse perspectives are celebrated though they courageously challenge the majority. When employees feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work, they thrive and flourish.

Offer equitable pay and financial incentives to help attract, (re)gain and retain diverse, talented educators and employees:

For example, ZipRecruiter reports the average teacher salary in Texas is $41,544, ranging from as low as $19,565 to well over $64,000, which means some public school teachers are paid less than a living wage. District leaders, administrators and policymakers must advocate for higher, more equitable pay for such teachers — it’s hard to feel like you matter and belong when you’re not compensated fairly for the work you do. Financial incentives like salary raises, relocation assistance, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and signing bonuses can go a long way in improving the perception of prospective staff.

Foster an inclusive culture of acceptance and respect to ensure staff can show up authentically and feel safe and secure at work:

By authentic, we mean freely expressing oneself without fear of judgment or pressure to alter one’s true identity to fit in. Leaders might consider creating ERGs for underrepresented groups, book clubs and/or offer training about positive workplace culture to ensure psychological and physical safety and security across and within teams.

Encourage employees to share their work with broader audiences:

We’ve both had times where excitement about sharing our work with broader audiences was viewed by “them” as far more personal than professional. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Teachers and other educators presenting at conferences, speaking on podcasts, writing op-eds and selling books benefit both the individual and the employing institution. Sure, these activities can help raise the visibility of the educator, and that makes a lot of sense. But they also improve the visibility and reputation of the institution.

For instance, after speaking at conferences, we’ve heard from prospective students expressing strong interest in our campuses. Worried parents have reached out on LinkedIn, excited to know that their student “finally has someone” they can depend upon. And as if that’s not enough, we both regularly get calls from colleagues who see this “good work” and, consequently, want to apply for jobs at our institutions, although neither of us has ever worked in HR. By engaging in public-facing work, employees become pro bono recruiters and ambassadors, representing the brand to their trusted networks.

With all of this in mind, we advise leaders to recognize the value of such activities when recruiting new staff, reviewing job applications and interviewing candidates who might bring much-needed transferable skills from broadcasting, non-profit, social media and other fields to the organization. On the other hand, in terms of retaining effective educators, we recommend encouraging and celebrating these activities by posting their work on social media, sharing it in monthly newsletters and highlighting it in faculty/staff meetings. These highly effective practices do several things.

First, they authorize engagement in such activities. Second, they signal the importance of this work and demonstrate that you see its connection to the mission. Lastly, they communicate publicly that this work is seen, supported and valued by leadership, thereby encouraging transparency and boosting one’s sense of belonging, which is a win-win for everyone.

Related: How to Create a Workplace Culture Where Everyone Feels Like They Belong

As consultants, we work with leaders across the globe. In a recent meeting with one of the largest online programs in the United States, we asked the leadership team to share advice they would offer other leaders to improve workplace conditions. They recommended:

• Creating healthy work conditions to reduce, if not eliminate, work-related anxiety and stress: Healthy employees are happy employees. Promising practices for promoting health and well-being at work include Zoom-Free Fridays, paid time off, mental health days and on-the-job wellness initiatives such as yoga, chair massages and walking meetings, just to mention a few.

• Acknowledging that educators and other staff manage various responsibilities from advising to assessment, planning to pedagogy: These responsibilities take a large amount of time and energy. There may be days when an email might not be answered within 48 hours, a call might not be returned on the same day or staff might take a day off for mental health reasons. While these situations are not ideal, they reflect the real-life challenges people face in balancing their professional and personal duties. Honoring the complexity of people’s lives begs a shift in perspective, one that prioritizes grace over guilt, patience over perfection.

• Taking time to pause and celebrate small wins: Too many leaders fall into the trap of celebrating individual or team success at the end of the project, missing opportunities to celebrate multiple milestones along the journey. Leaders can celebrate the journey through simple gestures such as a handwritten note to an employee citing specific examples of excellence, a letter nominating them for an award or a gift card to one’s favorite restaurant or store. These small gestures act as “fuel stations,” boosting morale, increasing confidence and keeping everyone motivated.

In today’s climate, K-12 and postsecondary educators face many challenges that can compromise their work, health and well-being. They are not alone, as most, if not all, of these issues challenge workers in other fields, too. Let’s be clear: Workplace belonging is an important part of the formula to improve efficiency, morale and productivity. To foster feelings of belonging, leaders must do the hard work, which requires prioritization and planning to satisfy people’s need to feel seen, supported and valued at work.

Remember: Belonging is not magic, but it can produce magical results. Presto!

This article was co-authored with J’Quen Johnson, Ph.D. candidate at the University of the Cumberlands and Director of Research at Do Good Work Consulting.

Did you know that, according to Vox, the average person spends around 45 hours per year just searching for something to watch? With so many streaming platforms and an overwhelming amount of content, it’s easy to fall into the trap of decision fatigue.

With this clever BitMar platform, you can significantly cut that time down. It’s a streaming content finder that brings everything you want to watch into one place—so you can stop scrolling and start streaming. But it’s not a gathering place for the paid apps you already have.

BitMar is an aggregator that helps you find free movies, TV shows, channels, and music from across the web—without any ads or sketchy sites. It brings you the best of what’s already available for free. While many are cutting the cable cord and relying mainly on free content, sifting through countless sites can be frustrating and time-consuming.

This service finds and organizes free content from across the web and delivers it in a user-friendly interface. Unlike regular search engines, BitMar is powered by Bing, but it goes beyond standard algorithms. You even have access to global content, which means you’ll be able to discover international shows and movies, too.

Its internal algorithms are fine-tuned to filter and target already-free streaming content only, whether it’s a movie, TV show, or music video. BitMar even allows you to enjoy YouTube content without ads—a feature you’d usually need to pay for with YouTube Premium.

Rest assured that BitMar operates completely within legal boundaries, adhering to copyright laws and fair use guidelines, the company says. You won’t have to worry about shady business.

Whether you’re a professional who needs background music while working or a movie buff looking for hidden gems, BitMar is the perfect solution to simplify and expand your streaming experience.

Get a lifetime BitMar Streaming Content-Finder subscription for just $19.99 (reg. $150) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

HBO’s new documentary “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery” claims to have unearthed the identity of the elusive creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto.

The film suggests that Canadian Bitcoin Core developer Peter Todd is actually Nakamoto, though Todd called the claims “ludicrous.”

“I am not Satoshi Nakamoto,” he told the BBC.

Related: Jack Dorsey Showed Up to the Super Bowl Rocking a ‘Satoshi’ T-Shirt

Todd argues that the documentary could compromise his safety—Satoshi Nakamoto is potentially the 20th richest global entity, with a Bitcoin wallet worth more than $65 billion.

Crypto sites are also critical of the news. CoinTelegraph said the documentary is flawed with “contradictions and timeline errors,” noting that HBO seems to have taken it too seriously when Todd sarcastically remarks that he is Satoshi in the film.

Bloomberg reports that the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has been a topic of investigation since at least 2011. A physicist named Dorian Nakamoto denied being Satoshi after Newsweek made the claim in 2014. The next year, the New York Times suggested it could be Nick Szabo, a computer scientist.

Related: Mark Cuban Says He’s Received ‘Multiple Questions’ From Kamala Harris About Crypto

Todd, meanwhile, isn’t the only person (jokingly or not) to say that they were the Bitcoin inventor: In March, a U.K. judge ruled that Australian Craig Wright was not Bitcoin’s creator after he proclaimed himself to be Satoshi Nakamoto.

In Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery is available to stream on Max.

In May, Melinda French Gates resigned as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and announced that she was dedicating $1 billion over the next two years to women’s organizations.

On Wednesday, part of that vision unfolded — French Gates launched Action for Women’s Health, a $250 million fund for non-profits supporting women’s mental and physical health across the globe.

“Women’s health continues to be an afterthought, and it’s impacting the health of our families, our communities, our economies,” French Gates said in a promotional video for the fund. “Thankfully there are so many amazing organizations around the world working to change that.”

^{Melinda French Gates. Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic}

Action for Women’s Health will help fund grassroots organizations tackling women’s health issues, French Gates explained. Each awardee will receive between $1 million and $5 million and undergo multiple rounds of review before securing the funding. Winners will be announced by the end of next year.

Related: Melinda French Gates Reveals Her Next Move After Leaving Gates Foundation: ‘Set Your Own Agenda or Someone Else Will Set It For You’

Here’s what the fund is looking for and how to apply.

Who Should Apply

Applicants must focus on women’s mental or physical health and meet four criteria: Be impactful, scalable, equitable, and feasible.

Impact, for example, is measured by the non-profit’s demonstrated contributions. A score of 1 would be no contributions and an ineffective, impractical approach while a score of 5 would be earned through examples of contributions, and an approach with proven effectiveness.

An organizational readiness tool is available to help applicants assess if they meet the requirements. The form goes through criteria like who can apply — individuals, for-profits, LLCs, and B-Corps are not eligible.

It also asks if the non-profit’s central focus is women’s mental or physical health and if they have at least two years of audited financial records, in addition to other questions.

How to Apply

Action for Women’s Health is now accepting applications, due by January 10, 2025. Organizations have to register their intent to apply by December 3, 2024.

Related: Melinda French Gates Says This Mindset Hack Helped Her Overcome Imposter Syndrome

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