Latest news with #digitaltools
Entrepreneur
4 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Want to Beat Bigger Competitors? Start With This Digital Strategy
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Despite having more digital tools available than ever before, many small businesses find themselves drowning in digital chaos. Information scattered across multiple applications, critical details trapped in individual computers and the constant scramble to piece together customer histories — sound familiar? After over 25 years of building software tools and leading teams that serve thousands of small businesses globally, I've learned that proper digital organization creates the competitive advantage that allows small businesses to outmaneuver their larger rivals. Related: This Big Tech CEO Just Became a Billionaire for the First Time The hidden cost of digital disorganization Here's what seems to be happening: even though we have more tools now and more tools available, information is being spread all over the place. Before, we had papers scattered everywhere, and people were frustrated with that. Now we have information in electronic form, but still all over the place. The problem is a little bit better, but not that much better. When you have a project in one app, your schedule in another, customer notes in a third and emails in yet another system, you're not just wasting time — you're hemorrhaging opportunities. Employees waste around 30 minutes a day due to digital distractions and inefficiencies. For a small business, that's 2.5 hours per week per employee lost to digital chaos. This problem compounds as you add team members. You might store your information in spreadsheets or notes, then you hire your next person, and they do the same thing. Now that information is siloed, without you being able to reach it easily. The real cost reveals itself in two critical moments. First, when you need to collate information for an important decision or presentation, you waste valuable time jumping between applications. Second, and perhaps more damaging, is when a customer calls and you're in the dark about their history, preferences or ongoing issues. Nothing erodes trust faster than appearing unprepared. Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success. Learning from the paper era Ironically, some aspects of organization were actually better in the pre-digital age. Before, you had a file cabinet. You pulled up the customer's folder, and all the documents were there. It was all in one place — inefficient perhaps, but centralized. Today's digital sprawl can actually be worse because information lives not just in different applications, but on different people's computers that you have no access to, or not easily. The most successful small businesses I've worked with have recognized this paradox and built digital systems that mirror the simplicity of that old filing cabinet while leveraging the power of modern technology. They understand that having everything interconnected — projects, clients, appointments, tasks and communications — creates a competitive advantage that larger companies often struggle to match. Real-world impact — When an organization saves the day The true value of a digital organization becomes crystal clear during critical moments. One of our customers faced a lawsuit from a client claiming they never provided specific instructions for a project. The dispute involved work done two years prior. Because our customer had maintained organized records in Daylite, they could quickly access the activity view, find the email with the client's explicit instructions, and immediately resolve the dispute. That single moment of organization prevented a costly legal battle. Another customer regularly faces challenges when clients question past decisions or agreements. With their complete interaction history at their fingertips — every email, meeting note and project detail — they can quickly refresh everyone's memory and move forward productively rather than getting bogged down in disputes. These aren't edge cases. When you're in professional services, appearing unprofessional can cost you customers or force you to accept lower prices. Clients might think, "If they can't even keep track of our conversations, how can they handle our important projects?" Related: What to Do When Real-World Events Impact Your Company Why the trust factor is your greatest differentiator For small businesses, digital organization directly impacts the one thing you cannot afford to lose: trust. When you say you're going to do something and forget to do it, when you promise to follow up in two weeks and three weeks pass, when you show up late to meetings repeatedly — these might seem like small things, but they accumulate into lost trust. The challenge is that trust, once lost, is incredibly difficult to rebuild. You can forgive someone for being late once, maybe there was an issue. But if it occurs multiple times, professionalism comes into question. Suddenly, you're not just competing on price or quality — you're fighting to overcome a reputation for unreliability. Digital organization helps prevent these trust-eroding moments. With proper systems, follow-ups happen automatically. Customer preferences are remembered. Project histories are instantly accessible. You appear prepared, professional and worthy of premium prices. Practical steps to digital transformation The good news is that achieving a digital organization doesn't require a massive overhaul. Start by recognizing that information scattered across multiple applications creates two problems: different apps doing different things, and different apps on different people's computers with limited access. Look for solutions that interconnect your critical business functions. When I go to a client record, I should see the entire interaction from the beginning of time, regardless of which team member handled it. If you scheduled a time with them and I scheduled a time with them, both should appear in the same timeline. This kind of unified view transforms how you serve customers. Most importantly, commit to the system as a leader. If you don't use it consistently, neither will your team. They'll find "easier" alternatives, and soon you'll have an even bigger mess than when you started. The small business advantage Here's what large businesses often miss: their complex systems and bureaucracy can actually slow them down. As a small business with the right digital organization, you can access customer history in seconds, make decisions quickly and provide personalized service that larger competitors can't match. With everyone on your team having access to complete customer context, you're not just organized — you're agile. You can respond to opportunities faster, solve problems more creatively and build deeper relationships with your clients. That's how small businesses don't just compete with larger rivals — that's how they win. The most advanced technology won't help if it doesn't create systems that let you focus on serving your customers exceptionally well. When trust and relationships drive business success, proper digital organization becomes your ultimate competitive edge.
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Google's Building The Workforce Higher Ed Promised—But Never Delivered
Google is addressing the growing skills gap in the labor market by developoing its own talent ... More pipeline—training workers directly in AI and digital tools to meet evolving industry demands (Photo by) This isn't education reform. It's a corporate takeover of the nation's talent pipeline. On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh, Google officially launched 'AI Works for America'—a 50-state initiative to train workers and small businesses in AI fundamentals. This wasn't a pilot. It wasn't a charitable sideline. It was a strategic play—a public signal that workforce development, as we know, it is being rewritten. In The College Devaluation Crisis, I explored how companies—including Google—were already bypassing traditional education to build their own talent pipelines. With this expansion, Google has doubled down. It's not just participating in workforce development—it's leading it. The College Devaluation Crisis makes the case that edtech companies are quickly developing ... More alternative solutions to higher education for preparing the global workforce for competitive advantage. From Layoff to Liftoff: How One Worker Could Ride Google's AI Wave Shauna is 42. She managed a retail store in Akron until the pandemic—and automation—took both her job and her confidence. No degree. No backup plan. She's smart, determined, and stuck. Now imagine she finds AI Works for America through her local library. Free training. Job-ready skills. Coaching that doesn't make her feel behind. She may not know it yet, but Google just gave her something most systems haven't: a real shot. From Google's perspective, Shauna isn't just a learner—she's part of a future-proofed, AI-fluent workforce aligned with their ecosystem. She's a strategic asset. It's Not Altruism. It's Market Domination. Let's be clear—Google's not doing this out of goodwill alone. Sure, it's good for society. But it's also very good business. Train millions of workers in how to use your AI tools? That's not a PR campaign—that's platform strategy. By launching this initiative, Google: Google's $25 billion investment in U.S. data centers and clean energy is only half the equation. The ... More other half? Making sure humans are ready to use it. (Photo by) This is competitive advantage, scaled through workforce design. Google's $25 billion investment in U.S. data centers and clean energy is only half the equation. The other half? Making sure humans are ready to use it. The choice to launch in Pittsburgh wasn't random—it's a city with deep industrial roots and untapped talent, perfectly positioned to model how AI readiness can transform legacy economies. This Isn't Google's First Move—It's Just the Biggest One Yet In The College Devaluation Crisis, I profiled Google's Career Certificates as a modular way to bypass traditional degrees: learn a skill, get credentialed, join a hiring consortium. Now operational at scale via AI Works for America, with added layers: One learner told me in the book: 'The certificate gave me the confidence boost I needed. I started getting job offers immediately.' That feedback loop—speed, skill, placement—is now being deployed Talk. Pipelines Deliver. Higher education loves to say, 'We teach you how to think, not just how to do.' I say that--it's noble and true. But the market is voting—with its feet, and increasingly, with its screens. And while universities form curriculum review committees, pilot externships, and experiment with microcredentials, Google is quietly building a national talent pipeline—fast, focused, and at scale. It's not just that Google moves faster—it's that they're building a different system entirely. One optimized for working adults, underrepresented learners, and real outcomes. Google is using AI to not only transform industires, but to develop the very workforce that will ... More power them. Train Them. Hire Them. Own the Market. This isn't an experiment. It's business strategy. When Google trains people to use its AI products, that's customer acquisition. When it builds trust in underserved communities, that's brand lift. When it shapes the national conversation on AI readiness, that's market design. It's one thing to be part of the AI economy. It's another to design the workforce that powers Is the New Credential Economy—and Google's Writing the Rules In my book, I laid out a five-step model for modern workforce design: Enter → Learn → Assess → Credential → Connect. That's exactly what Google is building. And the timing couldn't be more strategic: Google isn't just launching a workforce program—they're staking a claim in a rapidly expanding credential economy. By shaping what gets taught, how it's assessed, and who gets hired, they're building end-to-end control of a new labor pipeline. It's not just a learning program. It's a pipeline. And the fact that a tech company—not a university, not the government—is building it isn't just revolutionary—it's a power grab. It's good for business: Google gets a loyal, AI-literate workforce trained on its tools. But if this model scales, it won't just disrupt higher education—it will render large parts of it irrelevant. The Hand-Off We Didn't See Coming This isn't just about skills. It's about who owns the future of talent. Google didn't wait for higher ed to modernize. It built its own pipeline. And while traditional institutions debate, design, and delay, Google is credentialing workers at national scale—faster, cheaper, and more effectively. The question isn't whether companies should develop talent. The question is: Why did we ever think they wouldn't?
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- The Guardian
How terrorist groups are leveraging AI to recruit and finance their operations
Counter-terrorism authorities have, for years, characterized keeping up with terrorist organizations and their use of digital tools and social media apps as a game of Whac-a-Mole. Jihadist terrorist groups such as Islamic State and its predecessor al-Qaida, or even the neo-Nazi group the Base, have leveraged digital tools to recruit, covertly finance via crypto, download weapons for 3D printing and spread tradecraft to its followers, all while leaving law enforcement and intelligence agencies playing catch up. Over time, thwarting attacks and maintaining the technological advantage over these types of terror groups has evolved, as more and more open source resources become available. Now, with artificial intelligence – both on the horizon as a rapidly developing technology and in the here and now as free, accessible apps – agencies are scrambling. Sources familiar with the US government's counterterrorism efforts told the Guardian that multiple security agencies are very concerned about how AI is making hostile groups more efficient in their planning and operations. The FBI declined to comment on this story. 'Our research predicted exactly what we're observing: terrorists deploying AI to accelerate existing activities rather than revolutionise their operational capabilities,' said Adam Hadley, the founder and executive director of Tech Against Terrorism, an online counterterrorism watchdog, which is supported by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). 'Future risks include terrorists leveraging AI for rapid application and website development, though fundamentally, generative AI amplifies threats posed by existing technologies rather than creating entirely new threat categories.' So far, groups such as IS and other adjacent entities, have begun using AI, namely OpenAI's chatbot, ChatGPT, to amplify recruitment propaganda across multimedia in new and expansive ways. Not unlike the imminent threat it poses to upending modern workforces in dozens of job sectors and is poised to enrich some of the wealthiest people on earth – AI will complicate new public safety issues. 'You take something like a Islamic State news bulletin, you can now turn that into an audio piece,' said Moustafa Ayad, the executive director for Africa, the Middle East and Asia at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. 'Which we've seen supporters do and support groups, too, as well as photo arrays that they produce centrally.' Ayad continued, echoing Hadley: 'A lot of what AI is doing is enabling what's already there. It's also supporting their capacity in terms of propaganda and dissemination – it's a key part of that.' IS isn't hiding its fascination with AI and has now openly recognized the opportunity to capitalize on what it currently offers, even providing a 'Guide to AI Tools and Risks' to its supporters over an encrypted channel. In one of its latest propaganda magazines, IS outlined the future of AI and how the group needs to embrace it as part of its operations. 'For every individual, regardless of their field or expertise, grasping the nuances of Al has become indispensable,' it wrote in an article. '[AI] isn't just a technology, it's becoming a force that shapes war.' In the same magazine, an IS author explains that AI services can be 'digital advisors' and 'research assistants' for any member. Over an always active chat room that IS uses to communicate with its followers and recruits, users have begun discussing the many ways AI can be a resource, but some were wary. One user asked if it was safe to use ChatGPT for 'how to do explosives' but weren't sure if agencies were keeping tabs on it – which has become one of the broader privacy concerns surrounding the chatbot since its inception. 'Are there any other options?' asked an online IS supporter in the same chat room. 'Safe one.' But another user found a less obvious way around setting off any alarms if they were being watched: by dropping the schematics and the instructions on how to create a 'simple blueprint for Remote Vehicle prototype according to chatgpt'. Truck ramming has become a choice method for IS in recent attacks involving followers and operatives, alike. In March, an IS-linked account also released an AI-created bomb making video with an avatar, for a recipe that can be created with household items. Far-right groups have also been curious about AI, with one advising followers on how to create disinformation memes, while others have looked to AI for the creation of Adolf Hitler graphics and propaganda. Ayad said some of these AI-driven tools have also been a 'boon' to terror groups and their operational security – techniques to securely communicate without prying eyes – such as encrypted voice modulators that can mask audio, which altogether, 'can assist with them further cloaking and enhancing their opsec' and day-to-day tradecraft. Terror groups have always been at the forefront of maximizing and embracing digital spaces for their growth, AI is just the latest example. In June 2014, IS, still coming into the global public consciousness, live-tweeted imagery and messages of their mass executions of over 1,000 men as they stormed Mosul, which caused soldiers in the Iraqi army to flee in fear. After the eventual establishment of the so-called Caliphate and its increasing cyber operations, what followed was a concerted and coordinated effort across government and Silicon Valley to crackdown on all IS accounts online. Since, western intelligence agencies have singled out crypto, encrypted texting apps, sites where 3D printed guns can be found, among others, as spaces to police and surveil. But recent cuts to counterterrorism operations across world governments, including some by Doge in the US, have degraded efforts. 'The more pressing vulnerability lies in deteriorating counter-terrorism infrastructure,' said Hadley. 'Standards have significantly declined with platforms and governments less focused on this domain.' Hadley explained how this deterioration is coinciding with 'AI-enabled content sophistication' urging companies like Meta and OpenAI, to 'reinforce existing mechanisms including hash sharing and traditional detection capabilities' and work to develop more 'content moderation' surrounding AI. 'Our vulnerability isn't new AI capabilities but our diminished resilience against existing terrorist activities online,' he added.
Forbes
07-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
20 Steps For Overcoming Digital Growing Pains In Financial Operations
Adopting new digital tools in your financial operations can unlock real efficiency, but it rarely goes as smoothly as the pitch deck promised. From misaligned systems and data silos to staff resistance and unclear ROI, the path to integration is full of friction points that slow momentum. Below are 20 ways Forbes Finance Council members suggest anticipating common adoption challenges and guiding your organization through them with more clarity and less churn. Follow their recommendations to align new tech tools with workflows, people and long-term strategy. 1. Clarify The Why To Build Teamwide Buy-In Tech adoption isn't just about efficiency—it's about clarity and connection. When teams understand the purpose and potential of new tools, they're more likely to embrace them. Start with the 'why.' - Sonya Thadhani Mughal, Bailard, Inc. 2. Customize AI Tools To Match Financial Realities As we continue to navigate the complexities of technology adoption, AI is a game-changer for gaining insights and driving productivity. However, generic tools can fall short in addressing unique nuances in financial operations, leaving us vulnerable to security risks. Finance leaders must prioritize solutions that are not only secure but also tailored to meet their teams' needs. - Darrell Heaps, Q4 3. Standardize Processes To Eliminate Friction One of the main challenges in adopting digital tools is the lack of centralized data, standardized inputs and processes and clear governance structures. Leaders can overcome this by standardizing inputs, integrating systems, aligning processes with strategic goals, establishing cross-functional accountability and promoting a culture of continuous, real-time and collaborative forecasting. - Anna Chekashova, Arc Games Group 4. Map Data Flows Before You Integrate Systems Digital tools are fantastic ways to streamline and automate information for finance operations. A challenge organizations face during the transition process is integrating with downstream and upstream systems. While the output may be exciting, organizations need to invest in understanding what information, APIs or data are needed to connect the dots to function as planned and deliver the intended output. - Tony Jarjoura, CPA, Gigamon 5. Assess Broad Needs To Avoid Underutilized Tech One major challenge organizations face when adopting digital tools is underutilization. Often, businesses implement technology to address a single, immediate need without fully exploring the broader capabilities of the platform. To overcome this, they should conduct a thorough needs assessment to ensure a comprehensive tool is selected that meets multiple needs and avoids wasted investment. - Shannan Herbert, Washington Area Community Investment Fund Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms. Do I qualify? 6. Test Tools Against Real-World User Expectations A new digital tool or platform must be worth the friction of adoption and must solve the end user's problem. Why would I download the Barnes & Noble app when I can keep using Amazon, which has more variety and free two-day shipping? Test new technology to ensure it truly delivers the gains it promises for your company and, most importantly, for the people you are asking to adopt it. - Leo Anzoleaga, Leo Anzoleaga Group at Luminate Bank 7. Design Support Around Familiar Workflows Leaders must recognize where their teams need support, especially with the talent crunch and the demand for departments to do more with limited headcount. To overcome these challenges, leaders should prioritize tools that mirror familiar workflows, involve end-users in decisions, and ensure strong onboarding and support. Empowerment and ease-of-use drive faster adoption and better ROI. - Mike Whitmire, FloQast 8. Balance Flexibility And Cost In Open API Adoption One key challenge we faced when we built our technology stack was balancing the high upfront and ongoing technological costs with the benefits of open APIs. While open APIs offer flexibility, integration ease and future scalability, implementing and securing them requires major investment. This tension can slow adoption or lead to fragmented systems if not managed strategically. - Brian Dunhill, DF-direct 9. Retire Legacy Systems To Maximize New Tools Filter out the noise. New tools promise to streamline and automate, but two things matter most: ensure the platform fits your end-to-end workflow to avoid costly workarounds, and drive full adoption. Without buy-in and a clear plan to retire old systems, even the best tools fall short. - Ryan Kunkel, Third Road Management 10. Reduce Tool Overload To Restore Clarity Finance teams are facing digital overload right now. According to our research, nearly half (49%) of financial decision-makers say that digital tool overload is making them go back to using spreadsheets and even calculators. This warns of the potential damage that can be done by inefficient tools that don't integrate well, complicating financial decision-making when clarity is most needed. - Jeppe Rindom, Pleo 11. Plan Phased Rollouts To Bridge Legacy Gaps A major challenge is integrating new digital tools with legacy systems. Business leaders can overcome this by creating phased implementation plans, training staff early and choosing platforms with strong API compatibility to ensure smooth transitions. - Andre Pennington, Pennington Law 12. Align Adoption With Cultural Readiness One key challenge is aligning digital adoption with cultural readiness. New tools fail when they outpace internal buy-in. Leaders must invest as much in change management and cross-functional training as in tech itself, ensuring adoption is purpose-driven, not compliance-led. - Aurele Gouy, Hackman Capital Partners 13. Combat Digital Fatigue With Thoughtful Rollouts A key challenge in adopting digital tools across financial operations is employee digital fatigue and cognitive overload. Leaders can overcome this by rolling out platforms in phases, scheduling digital downtime and promoting mindfulness. This thoughtful approach protects well-being, increases adoption and ensures a smoother, more sustainable transformation. - Elie Nour, NOUR PRIVATE WEALTH 14. Focus On Real-World Problems, Not Novelty One key challenge is adopting them just because they're new, not because they solve a real problem. We ensure every new platform addresses a specific need, focusing on practical outcomes and choosing tools that genuinely improve efficiency and accuracy. We also regularly review all our tools to ensure they remain fit for purpose, adapting or replacing them as our needs evolve to maintain optimal performance and value. - Andrew Collis, Moneypenny 15. Invite Critical Users To Shape The Rollout When first installed, digital tools and platforms can feel more like a burden than a benefit. Novel appliances' disruption of the status quo can leave employees feeling stressed and uncertain. Investing the time up front to host training sessions and promote employee buy-in will go a long way in speeding up adoption. Success is more likely when critical employees contribute to the end product. - Helen Mason, Riveron 16. Foster A Culture That Supports Learning Curves The real barrier to digital adoption isn't the software—it's the people. Many employees, especially in finance, feel overwhelmed or insecure using new tools but are too embarrassed to admit it. The first step to overcoming this challenge isn't more tech. It's more empathy. Make it okay for team members to say, 'I don't get this yet.' Build a culture where curiosity is valued over perfection. - Karla Dennis, KDA Inc. 17. Address AI Fears With Transparency And Trust A key challenge is the fear of AI. Concerns about job loss, reduced control and lack of human oversight create resistance from staff to executives. Financial teams, often risk-averse, hesitate to replace manual processes. Uncertainty around AI's role and benefits slows adoption, even when digital tools offer greater accuracy, efficiency and strategic insight. - Alan Chaffee, Turning Point Strategic Advisors 18. Rethink Processes Before You Layer On Tools One of the biggest challenges is adoption without alignment—implementing digital tools without rethinking underlying processes and culture. To lead effectively, visionary executives must drive process reengineering, foster a data-first mindset and embed change management at every level, ensuring technology adoption translates into measurable financial impact and enterprise agility. - Swati Deepak Kumar (Nema), Citigroup 19. Protect High-Stakes Clients With Human-Centric Security Digital transformation comes with security challenges. For firms serving high-net-worth clients, it's not enough to rely on two-factor authentication alone—the best safeguard is knowing an individual. There's no substitute for a personal relationship because business isn't just business; it's personal. The value of in-person connections can't be overlooked, in security or business. - Neil Kawashima, McDermott Will & Emery 20. Tailor Training To Each Team's Value Lens A key challenge is helping firm members understand not just how a new tool works, but how it benefits their specific role. Since benefits vary by department, leaders should tailor training to highlight relevant value. Materials must be clear and accessible. Strong communication and department-specific guidance are essential for successful adoption. - Dessy Prasad, RIA Innovations The information provided here is not investment, tax, or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Zawya
How AI chats are changing everything?
Whether it's ChatGPT, digital journalling tools, or voice-activated assistants, conversational AI has quietly become an integral part of our daily routines. What once felt quirky or futuristic is fast becoming as normal as texting a friend or Googling a question. For years, we've been interacting with machines through Siri, Alexa, or voice-guided GPS. But today's language-based AI models have taken things further. They respond contextually, adapt to tone and maintain coherent dialogues. As a result, everyday users are now engaging with AI not only for answers but for brainstorming, problem-solving and even emotional support. People from all walks of life are turning to AI for learning, creativity and convenience. It's a patient tutor, a fast researcher and a nonjudgmental companion rolled into one. For learners hesitant to raise questions in class or at work, AI offers a safe space to ask, explore and repeat — without fear of sounding uninformed. AI tools don't just deliver facts; they adapt explanations to suit different learning levels. This flexibility makes them valuable in both academic and professional settings. Educators are also integrating AI into classrooms — not to replace effort, but to personalise and deepen learning. Used responsibly, these tools can help students test comprehension, organise thoughts and improve writing. In workplaces, AI is streamlining routine tasks across various sectors. By taking over repetitive chores, AI allows humans to focus on strategic, creative and empathetic roles — areas where human judgment still reigns supreme. As job roles evolve, so will the skills required to balance technological fluency with critical thinking. Still, as AI becomes more embedded in our lives, it raises important questions around ethics, data privacy and the nature of human connection. Concerns about misinformation or over-reliance are valid — but with thoughtful design, transparency and awareness, these tools can be used responsibly. AI is not a replacement for real relationships or therapy, but it can extend support in places where resources are scarce or access is limited. Talking to AI may feel novel now, but it mirrors how past innovations — from telephones to emails — were once met with skepticism. Today, they're indispensable. Conversational AI is poised to do the same: reshape how we think, create and connect. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
