Latest news with #RaySmith
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Business Technology News: The Best Printers Of 2025
Here are five things in business technology news that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them? This Week in Business Technology News Business Technology News #1 – AI is forcing the return of the in-person job interview. Ray Smith of the Wall Street Journal reported that companies are going back to the 'old-school' method of job interviews: face-to-face. As generative AI becomes more embedded in hiring, companies are rethinking how they conduct interviews – balancing automation with authenticity. (Source: Wall Street Journal) Why this is important for your business: According to the report, research has shown that in some instances, job seekers have used AI tools to cheat to appear more qualified, particularly in fields such as software engineering. Employers are changing up their interviewing process utilizing AI-powered screening to review resumes, then proceed with an in-person interview to better gauge soft skills and cultural fit. AI is making hiring faster and more scalable, but companies are learning that too much automation can feel impersonal. The future of interviews may be hybrid – tech-enhanced but still human at heart. Business Technology News #2 – Zendesk and Talkdesk boost customer support efficiency Customer service platform Zendesk has integrated GPT-5 into its Resolution Platform to supercharge customer support with smarter automation and faster, more accurate responses. According to the company this move enhances Zendesk's AI agents, Copilot, and App Builder, making support interactions more seamless and effective. With GPT-5, improvements include fewer escalations and faster execution. Additionally, Zendesk says that its rigorous testing 'ensures GPT-5 avoids hallucinations and only acts when confident.' (Source: Small Business Trends) Why this is important for your business: For the past couple of years I've been writing about how big companies are investing in AI, mostly for enhancing their customer service applications. I've also been telling my SMB clients to be patient: this stuff will eventually start trickling down. And it is. Zendesk – and other great customer service platforms for small businesses like my client Talkdesk Express – are using AI to shorten resolution times, provide more accurate answer to customer questions and better support human customer service representatives in their jobs. And they're just getting started. Business Technology News #3 – GenAI is coming for online checkout in seismic shift for internet shopping. Generative AI is reshaping the online shopping experience by streamlining the checkout process, making it faster, simpler, and more integrated. For example, platforms like Perplexity now allow users to buy items (e.g., concert tickets, travel) directly within chat using PayPal or Venmo, without having to visit external sites and frictionless payments are simplifying the buying process to boost conversion rates and reduce cart abandonment. The Financial Times reported that an integrated check-out system will be supported by OpenAI – potentially partnering with Shopify to enable full transactions inside ChatGPT, though neither company has confirmed this. (Source: CNBC) Why this is important for your business: According to the above report experts say this shift could dramatically alter the retail model, with merchants paying commissions to AI platforms for in-chat sales where AI isn't just recommending products – it's closing the sale. Of course, it's the big box retailers who are leaning into this stuff right now. But it's not too hard to see how these technologies will soon be in the hands of smaller businesses selling online to provide a better shopping experience for their customers. Look for the bigger ecommerce platforms like Amazon, eBay and others to be making these tools available for their merchants. Business Technology News #4 – The best laser printers for 2025. According to PCMag, here's a sample of their list of the best laser printers for various needs – home, office, color, mono, and budget – based on speed, print quality, usability, and cost per page. Their pick for best color laser is Brother's MFC-L3780CDW model priced at $569.99. The best color laser for your budget is the Brother HL-L3295CDW for $429.98. The best color laser for small offices is the Xerox C235 for $400.00. On the higher-end price wise, the best color printer for large workgroups is the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480f for $1,000. PCMag's reviews are based on decades of testing and emphasize real-world performance. (Source: PCMag) Why this is important for your business: And yet, even in 2025, I still have trouble connecting to my printer. Business Technology News #5 – Research shows AI agents are highly vulnerable to hijacking attacks. Researchers from Zenity Labs revealed serious vulnerabilities in popular AI agents – showing how attackers can hijack them to steal data, manipulate workflows, and impersonate users. Their findings showed that Agents could be tricked into poisoning knowledge sources or altering behavior. Attackers could gain memory persistence, allowing ongoing access and manipulation. (Source: Cybersecurity Dive) Why this is important for your business: 'This opens the door to sabotage, operational disruption, and long-term misinformation,' warned Greg Zemlin, product marketing manager at Zenity Labs. In their demonstrations, researchers highlighted the following vulnerabilities: Prompt injection via email compromised ChatGPT and accessed Google Drive; Microsoft Copilot Studio leaked entire CRM databases; Salesforce Einstein rerouted customer messages to attacker-controlled emails. This research emphasizes the urgent need for stronger safeguards as AI agents become more embedded in business operations. Looks like AI may be taking jobs away from some people, but providing plenty of opportunities for hackers. Each week I round up five business technology news stories and explain why they're important for your business. If you have any interesting stories, please post to my X account @genemarks
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Why every seller should get a survey before putting their house up for sale
Paying out a few hundred pounds on a survey before selling your home could be the most valuable money you'll spend when moving house. Almost 20pc of buyers have pulled out of a purchase after putting in an offer, according to moving comparison website Compare My Move. Nearly half the time, the decision was down to discovering issues that required major repairs. Sellers can preempt issues that could crop up on a buyer's survey by having their own report carried out first. A Level 2 homebuyers report, suitable for properties less than 50 years old, costs £445 on average. A full structural Level 3 survey that includes a more thorough look at the property's structure and condition, including looking under floorboards, could cost £700 to £1,500. However, if it means finding out about and getting on top of any issues before a sale, it is likely to be money well spent. Ray Smith, chartered surveyor at Watsons Property Group, said: 'Common issues we see include cracked roof tiles, signs of damp, poor loft ventilation, timber decay and invasive plants like Japanese knotweed. We also come across the more unexpected, such as bats in loft spaces, oversized wasp nests and signs of long-forgotten fire damage. 'Sellers who tackle these problems before going to market, or are upfront about them, can build trust with potential buyers and reduce the risk of last-minute renegotiations or sales falling through. It can even help justify your asking price and keep the chain moving smoothly.' Telegraph Money lists the five most common survey concerns that lead to sales collapsing and what you can do to protect yourself: 1. Instances of damp When damp is picked up on a survey, buyers picture black mould, rot and expensive disruption – even if it is actually a very mild case. Some instances of damp can be simple and quick to fix, while in other cases they can be more serious and costly. Brett Ray, of property inspection app Survey Shack, said: 'The issues that derail sales aren't rare; they're routine, and that means they're avoidable. 'By being prepared, sellers could save themselves thousands of pounds in the long run.' For example, poor ventilation in a period home occupied by a family can lead to high moisture levels in the air, which may cause mould or stains on walls and ceilings. This is especially a risk in corners or places where air doesn't circulate well. Sellers can often improve conditions by avoiding indoor drying of clothes, using extractor fans, and regularly airing out the property by opening windows and vents. Where signs of past condensation or surface mould remain, redecorate after improving the ventilation. However, simply repainting over affected areas without addressing the cause can lead to suspicion during a buyer's survey. In some cases, staining, damp patches or musty smells may be due to disconnected or poorly installed ventilation ducting in the loft, such as from a bathroom fan. This is often a low-cost issue to resolve and can make a noticeable difference to a property. Another common issue in older homes is where external ground levels have been raised over time, for example, with new patios or driveways. This can make the original damp-proof course – a barrier designed to prevent moisture rising up to a building's structure – ineffective, allowing moisture to rise into walls and affect nearby timbers such as skirting boards or suspended floor joists. If in doubt about the causes for damp smells or stains, sellers can hire an independent damp and timber specialist who is a member of the Property Care Association to complete a report, which can range from £200 to £600 depending on the size of the home. 2. Roofing problems Slipped, cracked or worn pointing on roof tiles may just need individual repairing or replacing. However, if neglected and allowed to accumulate, it could give the impression the roof is nearing the end of its life, which invariably triggers budget panic in buyers. A new roof on a typical three-bedroom semi-detached property can cost between £12,000 and £20,000. Employ a reputable roofing company to fix anything obvious, and if there is life left in the roof, ask them to confirm it in writing, including the date of the inspection. This can be presented to the buyer's surveyor to head off any speculation over its lifespan. 'A roof in poor condition is evident to pretty much anyone,' said Mr Ray. 'Sellers should be asking a competent roofer who is either a member of the Federation of Master Builders or who has been personally recommended to provide an estimate for a replacement roof if that's what is required. 'If a buyer starts obtaining their own quotes that range from between £30,000 and £50,000, they are going to want to knock £50,000 off – so get out in front of the negotiations.' electrics Tell-tale signs of older electrical systems include dated light switches, sockets mounted on skirting boards and an old-style fuse board. These visuals alone can lead a surveyor to raise questions and buyers to panic. Regardless of apparent condition, many surveyors will recommend that an up-to-date electrical installation condition report (EICR) is obtained, particularly if there is no recent certificate to confirm the system has been tested and is safe. These reports usually cost between £150 and £300, but can be more if a property is unusual or complex. Electrical faults carry serious safety risks, so a recommendation for further investigation is standard practice. Without an EICR, buyers may assume the worst, sometimes fearing the need for a full rewire, which could lead to reduced offers or even withdrawals. While full rewires are not always necessary, costs can vary depending on the age and layout of the system. The average cost of a full rewire for a three-bedroom house is likely to be between £4,450 and £8,000, according to the website Checkatrade. If your own pre-sale survey suggests that further checks are needed, arranging an EICR in advance provides clarity and reassurance. If the report flags issues, it will outline what is required to bring the electrics up to standard, information that can be shared with the buyer from the outset. 4. Plumbing system Lead pipes around drinking water, a dated boiler and signs of corrosion and stains around pipework or on ceilings under showers and baths are likely to lead to a surveyor recommending a specialist inspection. A plumbing survey, which costs between £150 and £300, would investigate the system, while a gas safe engineer report would be instructed if there were concerns about the boiler. This costs between £80 and £250. Ensure the boiler has been serviced and obtain a valid certificate to present to the surveyor so no doubts are raised in their report. If it's functional but old and nearing the end of its life, a buyer will spot it when they view your home, so it's worth raising the point upfront and building it into negotiations from the outset rather than waiting for a surveyor to comment on it after the buyer has offered. Make it clear that the offer you're accepting is acknowledging the boiler is 20 years old and, while still working, may need to be replaced in two years, for example. 5. Structural movement Cracks in a wall, even if historic, can raise alarm bells among buyers, as surveyors often can't give assurance that they are not a sign of current movement. Fearing a risk that part of the house could collapse without major repairs – buyers may be tempted to walk away. Cracks that run through brickwork and are visible inside and outside the property can suggest ongoing structural movement and should be looked at more closely, as should those that extend all the way down to the ground, which can indicate movement in the foundations. But not all cracks are a cause for concern. If your homebuyers survey raises questions about the stability of your property – a structural engineer's report costing between £600 and £1,000 will give you and potential buyers the definitive answer. Mr Ray said: 'By producing an impartial report by a structural surveyor that confirms the cracks are historic and there is no current movement, the concern is neutralised before it becomes a negotiation tactic.'
Scotsman
16-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
The operation began on June 9, when the barge supporting the warship left Rosyth and sailed to waters deep and sheltered enough for the delicate manoeuvre off Leith.
Footage, captured by Ray Smith, shows new warship HMS Venturer being towed beneath the Queensferry Crossing. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A video shows the Royal Navy's newest warship in the water for the first time on June 14. HMS Venturer, the first of five Type 31 frigates which will patrol the oceans into the second half of the 21st Century, was towed beneath the three Forth Crossings to complete her construction in Rosyth. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Some of her crew, plus shipwrights and engineers from Babcock International Group, who have worked on the ship since the first steel was cut in September 2021, were on board for the 11-mile journey up the estuary. New warship HMS Venturer is towed beneath the Queensferry Crossing. | Ray Smith HMS Venturer emerged from the assembly hall named after her at the end of last month, carefully inched out on a gigantic low-loader, and then on to a partly-submersible barge. Since then, experts have been waiting for a suitable tidal window in the Forth estuary to allow the ship to be precisely floated off. That operation began on June 9, when the barge supporting the warship left Rosyth and sailed to waters deep and sheltered enough for the delicate manoeuvre off Leith. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Members of the new ship's crew worked side-by-side with Babcock staff to ensure HMS Venturer lifted off the barge safely as the waters of the Forth lapped around her hull. Once tugs were attached the frigate was towed back up river on her 'maiden voyage' with Venturer's Senior Naval Officer, Commander Chris Cozens, on board - one of his final acts before he moves on for new pastures shortly. He said: 'Getting Venturer's feet wet is not just a show piece, it is the culmination of the structural stage of build before the rest of the fit out and commissioning completes. 'It has been impressive to see the pride and teamwork in the industrial staff, MOD and Royal Navy. There is a single aim to make Type 31 the best it can be and fit to be a Next Generation Frigate, delivering maritime security and humanitarian disaster relief around the world.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Once back at Rosyth, Venturer was carefully manoeuvred into an inner base in the dockyard to allow Babcock and contractors to complete fitting out the frigate and begin commissioning her systems and sensors as the vessel is prepared for her first sea trials. Sir Nick Hine, Chief Executive of Babcock's Marine Sector, said: 'In a complex and uncertain world, our ability to design, build and support advanced warships in the UK is more important than ever. 'HMS Venturer's first entry into the water is a clear demonstration of UK sovereign capability in action and the depth, resilience and expertise within Babcock's Marine business. This latest milestone exhibits the excellent progress being made across our multi-build programme, which will see us deliver five complex warships for the Royal Navy within a decade. 'This is engineering at its best, delivered, together with our partners, with pride, purpose and precision. HMS Venturer is just the beginning.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Leading Writer Andy Fleming, who typically looks after his shipmates' admin, said: 'My grandfather used to work at Harland and Wolff, so being involved with Venturer's first move into the Forth is a proud moment for me.' Lieutenant Dai Guthrie, the frigate's Deputy Marine Engineer Officer, was delighted to be involved at 'such an historic moment as Venturer entered the water for the first time'. He said: 'The operation has been an embodiment of the team ethos that has been ingrained in the build process thus far and a symbol of the progress that's being made to bring a frigate at the cutting edge of naval technology into service.' Operating from Portsmouth, HMS Venturer and her four sisters will conduct a variety of duties from thwarting drug smuggling activities to conducting board and search security operations and providing disaster relief. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Have you got a video you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your footage will appear on our website.
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Shelter Worker Steps In To Stop Cats Fighting—Ends Up Scratched and Shaken
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A 29-year-old shelter volunteer turned to the internet for help when an incident with two cats left her with scratches across her face. Ray Smith helps out in a local Michigan animal shelter where she recently attempted to separate two cats before a fight broke out—a well-intentioned but hasty decision. Despite knowing better, Smith instinctively grabbed the stressed feline, leading to an immediate scratch that left her bleeding and in shock. "I was trying to separate a cat from another kitty before a fight broke out. I know better than to do this, but froze up in the moment and just grabbed her because she reminded me of my senior cat whom I'm very protective of. She got scared and scratched my face. Totally my fault," Smith told Newsweek. Pictures of Smith's face immediately after the cat scratches. Pictures of Smith's face immediately after the cat scratches. Adventurous-Apple659/Reddit "I was crying in the picture because it hurt so bad and was throbbing," Smith said. The severity of the wound sent her straight to the doctor for antibiotics, and, as the pain subsided, she sought additional advice online. When Smith looked at her skin afterward, the scratches left her shocked, and she turned to Reddit's r/30PlusSkinCare subreddit for help. "Will this permanently scar? I'm so distraught. Please be gentle," she said in a post online as u/Adventurous-Apple659. But the skincare community didn't disappoint, providing crucial tips—including keeping the wound covered with Vaseline and avoiding sun exposure—to minimize scarring. "I honestly think this subreddit saved me," Smith said. Cat scratches on humans are common, and most are minor and heal without issue. Despite this, there are safety considerations to keep in mind after being scratched by a feline. Cat scratches can introduce various bacteria into the skin and occasionally cause infections that could develop into complications. It is always a good idea to check an injury with a doctor after a cat scratch, and monitor the wound for any signs of infection including increasing redness, swelling, pain or pus. When it comes to fighting cats, it is important to intervene carefully to prevent injury to both cats and yourself. Experts advise using a loud noise, sudden movement or toy to divert attention and safely interrupt a fight, while placing a solid object such as a piece of cardboard or couch cushion between cats can help separate them safely. Smith's post resonated with many, drawing responses that eased her fears about lasting facial scars and gave her a solid game plan for recovery. The experience also served as a stark reminder: "I learned my lesson to never grab a stressed cat, no matter how protective I may feel," she said. Now healing, Smith remains grateful—both for the online support and the fact that she didn't suffer permanent damage. "I'm so grateful I didn't lose an eye in the encounter," she said, adding that her instincts briefly overrode her better judgment when she separated the cats.
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Country mayors concerned by NRMA report showing $3.4b road funding backlog
Cash-strapped New South Wales councils are facing mind-boggling backlogs as they struggle to keep road networks up to scratch. An NRMA report estimates it would cost $3.4 billion to bring council-owned roads across the state up to standard after "an unprecedented wave of wet weather events over the past three years". Most of the damage has been done in regional areas, including the Clarence Valley, where the repair bill jumped from about $270 million in 2022-23 to more than $390m in 2023-24. Mayor Ray Smith said he was "not particularly surprised" by the findings. "Clarence Valley Council has one of the largest, longest road networks of any council in NSW," he said. "It's about 3,100 kilometres … trying to maintain that is a very, very expensive process. The Clarence Valley is one of seven councils across NSW with an estimated road maintenance backlog exceeding $100 million. NSW road funding backlogs 2023-24 Source: NRMA The backlogs tend to be less costly in metropolitan areas, where road networks generally cover shorter distances. The biggest backlog in the Sydney area is in Blacktown, where the repair cost is estimated at $84 million. NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said statewide the backlog had increased by 20 per cent on the previous year. He said the backlog for the Northern Rivers alone was $594.5 million. "Not surprising considering the amount of rain and damage over the last few years that has been done to those councils and their roads," Mr Khoury said. He said numbers in the Northern Rivers were likely to get "even worse" next year when the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred were factored in. Country Mayors Association of NSW chair Rick Firman said the statistics were "very, very confronting". "It actually just hits you right between the eyes … how dire the situation is," he said. "It cannot continue in the manner that it is. "We need help and we want to partner and assist with our federal and state governments along this journey, but again, the old saying — if you haven't got socks on, you can't pull them up." NSW Roads and Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said the report was being reviewed but was "generally consistent" with what was already known. "In response to the increasing impact of natural disasters on the road network in our state, the 2024-25 NSW budget delivered $3.3 billion to rebuild road and transport infrastructure damaged by multiple severe weather events, which hit regional NSW the hardest," she said in a statement. NSW was allocated $3 billion in road safety funding over the next 10 years in the 2024-25 federal budget. The Commonwealth will provide about $630 million in road funding grants to NSW councils in 2025-26 under programs including Roads to Recovery and Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure. But Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout said a longer-term solution was needed. "We'll get different pockets of money, but there's no long-term systemic solution at this stage," he said. "We'll get splashes of cash, but there's not the ongoing funding and that's what needs to happen. "That's what needs to be ongoing into the future — recurrent funding."
