According to Google, its latest connectivity project known as Tara, iss intended to bring fast, affordable connectivity to the world using a new approach to wireless optical communications technology. It uses invisible beams of light to deliver high speed connectivity over long distances. Similar to the way traditional fiber uses light to carry data through cables in the ground, but this requires no cabling to transport the signal at all.

Food products that are trending hot in 2025 based on the new study released by the Specialty Food Association. The Group's Trend Spotter Panel has just completed an evaluation of thousands of new food products and novel flavors. Snacks for dinner have become a big thing in recent years, but this year's entries are more diverse, featuring vegan, high protein, functional, luxurious, and crunchy items. Wellness and quick healthy snacks will continue to inspire us all. Listen for full list.

A Harris poll, found consumers ranked shopping as the activity that gave them the most joy when spending time online with streaming content and interacting with social media ranking second and third respectively. When it comes to online shopping, the data makes clear that driving a more personalized and relevant experience for consumers is critical. Online shoppers are twice as likely to engage with relevant products, services, and marketing messages at the transaction moment of their purchase journey.

The digital advertising market in the United States closed 2024 on a big high note with ad spending across mobile, desktop, and over the top platforms reaching $34 billion in sales during the fourth quarter. Digital in every way from e-commerce sales to digital advertising continues to show strong growth

Forbes, America's Best large and mid-size employers is now out. Several notable Michigan companies made the list. Employees surveyed were asked if they recommend their employer to others and rate it based on a range of criteria, including salary, work environment, training programs, and opportunities to advance as well. Forbes said research has shown employees have remained relatively steadfast when asked what they care about most in an employer. www.forbes.com to see the full list.

Today more than 48 million Americans self-identify as black per Pew research. Representing 14.4% of the US population. As reported in TechCrunch, if funding share was in line with population, one would expect companies with a black founder or co-founder to attract more than 14.4% of all funding, given that startups commonly have more than one founder. Darren Dodson, founding partner and managing director at Lumen Capital, a venture fund operating on the basis that bias hinders optimal financial performance, says there's a lot of work to do on addressing issues of bias. The proportionately low funding totals demonstrate that investors appear to be passing on promising entrepreneurs due specifically to racial bias, and demographics support this.

Nearly half of workers in a cohort surveyed by Pew Research of workers who are currently working from home at least some of the time, say that if their employer no longer allowed them to work from home, they would be unlikely to stay at their current job. Now, this includes 26% of those who say they'd be very unlikely to stay a smaller share, 36% say they'd be likely to stick at their job even if they had to come in every day and 20% say they'd be very likely to do so.

Why local marketing and advertising? Local advertising works because of its relevancy. Local campaigns can capitalize on the immediacy of customer intent, leading to a higher conversion rate and more tangible results.

Wallet Hub released its annual ranking of the best states for starting a new business in the US. Wallet Hub's approach is based on comparing the 50 states across 3 key dimensions. One business environment. Two, access to resources critical to starting a business. And three, the costs of starting a new business. The top 5 states to start a new business in, according to Wallet Hub: Idaho, Texas, Utah, Georgia, Florida.

One of the greatest opportunities small businesses have is the opportunity to gain exposure for one's business through the power of the press. Producing and distributing a press release to journalists who cover your field of endeavor, and having them pick up your story and put it in print can be such a huge windfall for small businesses.