#what is customer experience management software

[fuck-customers]

Last year I worked at a small student led handicraft store run by my university and it was originally supposed to be a temporary pop-up run by the lecturers who led the events management course. It was the best job I’d ever had - which isn’t saying much because every other job I’ve had has been horrendous and traumatising in ways I can’t even describe - so of course I was overjoyed when they told us they were extending our temporary contracts by a year and keeping the shop open indefinitely.

At that point things started going downhill. The uni stopped promoting the shop at all so our customer numbers dropped dramatically, and the uni’s PR department refused to let us utilise the shop’s social media page despite asking one of the employees to manage the social media and making her take on extra hours. They refused to make the necessary changes in order to make it the permanent storefront they envisioned - All our bookkeeping for every single purchase had to be written in a paper ledger and then copied and reformatted into a dozen different stock and accounting spreadsheets on a laptop, for every single individual item in each sale, before we could take payment, because they refused to pay for software that would automate it, so a single transaction could take anywhere between 5-20 minutes depending on what the person was buying. Many customers ended up getting frustrated and just walked off.

We started haemorrhaging stockists as the uni didn’t pay them fairly or on time, despite pestering from both stockists and floor staff. Even now, nearly 6 months after the whole thing shut down, some stockists still haven’t been paid. The uni took such a huge amount of commission from each sale (nearly 3 times the industry standard!) that the stockists making products couldn’t afford to pay themselves fairly without doubling or tripling the prices of their work, which fucked up their sales. Most people didn’t even earn enough to cover production costs for their work.

I was maybe the only person on the entire staff who actually had any significant retail and customer facing experience, having worked in the fast food and retail industries for ~4 years before I started at the shop, and it was abysmal. The events management faculty who were supposed to be running it had no customer facing experience and did nothing to help when problems came up - they treated it like a temporary event rather than a permanent shopfront and we had so little support and oversight it was awful. We had to take on full management responsibility despite it being well above our pay grade because they refused to hire an experienced manager or supervisor - while trying to man the store we would also have to do admin, liaise with clients and stockists, accounting, stock input, paying for essential supplies with our own money because the Uni refused to approve them, organising our own shifts and pay, making social media content, and arranging cover for if someone was ill or had an emergency. Instead of any reasonable support they sent us a horribly overworked postgrad intern who was working between 5-6 different departments and could only actually be in the store maybe one hour a month, had no idea what she was doing, and was so overworked that she eventually had a breakdown and quit.

This issue was compounded because they’d only ever let us put two employees on each shift - they refused to pay enough for staff numbers above that despite being so busy in the first few months that we couldn’t keep up, and told us that for safety reasons both employees had to be there to open the shop- so if somebody was late or didn’t show up the other person wouldn’t be able to work either. If one person was on a double shift and the second person’s replacement for second shift wasn’t on time, the person on the double wouldn’t be able to leave for a lunch break, and the person on the single would have to stay extra time. There were several employees that would spend the entire shift doing fuck all - one guy was at least two hours late every single shift, and bought his XBOX with him every time, and spent the entire time he was working with his feet propped up on the counter playing GTA. The university genuinely didn’t care about the shop or its success enough to even give him a disciplinary.

It was awful, especially because there were a small group of us who were both stockists and floor staff, and were genuinely invested in the shop’s success. But our contracts ran till the end of the academic year, and the pay was really decent compared to a lot of jobs in the area, and it was stable and above minimum wage, so we (the staff) really did try to make it work, but we were set up to fail. Eventually we were barely making a sale a day, and then it dropped to a sale a week.

When they closed the shop, right before the end of the semester when people’s rent would be due, they gave us 10 days’ notice - which went against our contract - and no redundancy pay. Most people had had shifts for the next 8-9 weeks already scheduled, which we never got to work. We never got our holiday pay or the Christmas bonus they’d promised us 9 months prior. It was such short notice that several people couldn’t find new jobs in time, couldn’t scrape enough together to pay their bills and rent on time, and they didn’t even have the decency to tell us we were losing our jobs in person - they sent out a single email to one of the girls who helped organise shifts, and she had to post it in the staff group chat.

And the sad thing? It was still the best, least stressful job I’ve ever had. It was the only job I’ve had that didnt actually make me want to die. I miss it like hell. It was the only job I’ve had that paid me above the legal minimum wage. I’m physically disabled, and it was the only job I’ve ever had that actually followed through on the reasonable adjustments and disability accommodations they’d promised me.

But the way it was run it wasn’t fair or sustainable , and it shouldn’t have ended the way it did.

Posted by admin Rodney

[misfitwashere]

April 11, 2025

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

APR 12

READ IN APP

On April 4, Trump fired head of U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) and director of the National Security Agency (NSA) General Timothy Haugh, apparently on the recommendation of right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who is pitching her new opposition research firm to “vet” candidates for jobs in Trump’s administration.

Former secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall wrote in Newsweek yesterday that the position Haugh held is “one of the most sensitive and powerful jobs in America.” Kendall writes that NSA and CYBERCOM oversee the world’s most sophisticated tools and techniques to penetrate computer systems, monitor communications around the globe, and, if national security requires it, attack those systems. U.S. law drastically curtails how those tools can be used in the U.S. and against American citizens and businesses. Will a Trump loyalist follow those laws? Kendall writes: “Every American should view this development with alarm.”

Just after 2:00 a.m. eastern time this morning, the Senate confirmed Retired Air Force Lieutenant General John Dan Caine, who goes by the nickname “Razin,” for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by a vote of 60–25. U.S. law requires the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have served as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of staff of the Army, the chief of naval operations, the chief of staff of the Air Force, the commandant of the Marine Corps, or the commander of a unified or specified combatant command.

Although Caine has 34 years of military experience, he did not serve in any of the required positions. The law provides that the president can waive the requirement if “the President determines such action is necessary in the national interest,” and he has apparently done so for Caine. The politicization of the U.S. military by filling it with Trump loyalists is now, as Kendall writes, “indisputable.”

The politicization of data is also indisputable. Billionaire Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) claims to be saving Americans money, but the Wall Street Journal reported today that effort has been largely a failure (despite today’s announcement of devastating cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that monitors our weather). But what DOGE is really doing is burrowing into Americans’ data.

The first people to be targeted by that data collection appear to be undocumented immigrants. Jason Koebler of 404 Media reported on Wednesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been using a database that enables officials to search for people by filtering for “hundreds of different, highly specific categories,” including scars or tattoos, bankruptcy filings, Social Security number, hair color, and race. The system, called Investigative Case Management (ICM), was created by billionaire Peter Thiel’s software company Palantir, which in 2022 signed a $95.9 million contract with the government to develop ICM.

Three Trump officials told Sophia Cai of Politico that DOGE staffers embedded in agencies across the government are expanding government cooperation with immigration officials, using the information they’re gleaning from government databases to facilitate deportation. On Tuesday, DOGE software engineer Aram Moghaddassi sent the first 6,300 names of individuals whose temporary legal status had just been canceled. On the list, which Moghaddassi said covered those on “the terror watch list” or with “F.B.I. criminal records,” were eight minors, including one 13-year-old.

The Social Security Administration worked with the administration to get those people to “self-deport” by adding them to the agency's “death master file.” That file is supposed to track people whose death means they should no longer receive benefits. Adding to it people the administration wants to erase is “financial murder,” former SSA commissioner Martin O’Malley told Alexandra Berzon, Hamed Aleaziz, Nicholas Nehamas, Ryan Mac, and Tara Siegel Bernard of the New York Times. Those people will not be able to use credit cards or banks.

On Tuesday, Acting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Melanie Krause resigned after the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security agreed to share sensitive taxpayer data with immigration authorities. Undocumented immigrants pay billions in taxes, in part to demonstrate their commitment to citizenship, and the government has promised immigrants that it would not use that information for immigration enforcement. Until now, the IRS has protected sensitive taxpayer information.

Rene Marsh and Marshall Cohen of CNN note that “[m]ultiple senior career IRS officials refused to sign the data-sharing agreement with DHS,” which will enable HHS officials to ask the IRS for names and addresses of people they suspect are undocumented, “because of grave concerns about its legality.” Ultimately, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signed the agreement with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

Krause was only one of several senior career officials leaving the IRS, raising concerns among those staying that there is no longer a “defense against the potential unlawful use of taxpayer data by the Trump administration.”

Makena Kelly of Wired reported today that for the past three days, DOGE staffers have been working with representatives from Palantir and career engineers from the IRS in a giant “hackathon.” Their goal is to build a system that will be able to access all IRS records, including names, addresses, job data, and Social Security numbers, that can then be compared with data from other agencies.

But the administration’s attempt to automate deportation is riddled with errors. Last night the government sent threatening emails to U.S. citizens, green card holders, and even a Canadian (in Canada) terminating “your parole” and giving them seven days to leave the U.S. One Massachusetts-born immigration lawyer asked on social media: “Does anyone know if you can get Italian citizenship through great-grandparents?”

The government is not keen to correct its errors. On March 15 the government rendered to prison in El Salvador a legal U.S. resident, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, whom the courts had ordered the U.S. not to send to El Salvador, where his life was in danger. The government has admitted that its arrest and rendition of Abrego Garcia happened because of “administrative error” but now claims—without evidence—that he is a member of the MS-13 gang and that his return to the U.S. would threaten the public. Abrego Garcia says he is not a gang member and notes that he has never been charged with a crime.

On April 4, U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. no later than 11:59 pm on April 7. The administration appealed to the Supreme Court, which handed down a 9–0 decision yesterday, saying the government must “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s release, but asked the district court to clarify what it meant by “effectuate,” noting that it must give “due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs.”

The Supreme Court also ordered that “the Government should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps.”

Legal analyst Joyce White Vance explained what happened next. Judge Xinis ordered the government to file an update by 9:30 a.m. today explaining where Abrego Garcia is, what the government is doing to get him back, and what more it will do. She planned an in-person hearing at 1:00 p.m.

The administration made clear it did not intend to comply. It answered that the judge had not given them enough time to answer and suggested that it would delay over the Supreme Court’s instruction that Xinis must show deference to the president’s ability to conduct foreign affairs. Xinis gave the government until 11:30 and said she would still hold the hearing. The government submitted its filing at about 12:15, saying that Abrego Garcia is “in the custody of a foreign sovereign,” but at the 1:00 hearing, as Anna Bower of Lawfare reported, the lawyer representing the government, Drew Ensign, said he did not have information about where Abrego Garcia is and that the government had done nothing to get him back. Ensign said he might have answers by next Tuesday. Xinis says they will have to give an update tomorrow.

As Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor recently warned, if the administration can take noncitizens off the streets, render them to prison in another country, and then claim it is helpless to correct the error because the person is out of reach of U.S. jurisdiction, it could do the same thing to citizens. Indeed, both President Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt have proposed that very thing.

Tonight, Trump signed a memorandum to the secretaries of defense, interior, agriculture, and homeland security calling for a “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions.” The memorandum creates a military buffer zone along the border so that any migrant crossing would be trespassing on a U.S. military base. This would allow active-duty soldiers to hold migrants until ICE agents take them.

By April 20, the secretaries of defense and homeland security are supposed to report to the president whether they think he should invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act to enable him to use the military to aid in mass deportations.

—

[farfallasims]

Hi Farfalla! I've always been curious but I can TELLL your mods folder is FILLED TO THE BRIM with custom content! which has me wondering what setup you use to play the sims as I have around 130gb of cc but cannot play the sims for even 30 SECONDS without lag :( so it would be really helpful to know your setup to hopefully help me with my problem.

Also! I would love to hear if you use any tips/softwares to help your gameplay run smoothly, like using the Sims Mod Manager/Sims 4 Studio or even using a hard drive for your cc!

Thank you! Hope you've have a good day!!! :)

Hi, you would 100% be correct that my mods folder is bursting out the seams. It is definitely due for a clean out.

I have my PC specs listed in my FAQ, and even with that my game still experiences lag, sometimes a lil bit of a longer load up time, etc. If you have as many mods as I do (nearing 300gb.........) it's expected and I'm not complaining. I'm more in CAS and Build/Buy than I ever am in gameplay so it doesn't bother me as much as it could others.

I do use Sims Mod Manager and Sims 4 Studio, but mostly it all comes down to keeping my actual mods folder organized and staying on top of updating mods when I do decide to update my game.

Hope this helps & I hope you have a lovely day as well!

[gabessquishytum]

Dream's a software developer (I could see either as an architect for that large-scale view mentality or as the Senior level dev that keeps getting asked to move into management type positions and just straight up refuses because he's been doing code happily for the past fifteen years and doesn't plan on changing that now).

He enjoys his job enough. He likes computers and code. It functions exactly as told (for better or worse) and appreciates the straightforwardness of it all. He's a bit insufferable to work with, but if you have an issue, he'll readily help (just be prepares for critiques on your code in the process).

Hob works at the same company as Dream, but as a front-end dev. The work he does for his day job is kinda boring. All standard corporate style web design. No fancy scripts or fun colors. But in his spare time, he weaves Javascript and CSS like a wizard and creates magical, animated scenes across the page. Would it be easier to just make a video and play it on the page instead? Sure, but where's the fun in that?

Dream and Hob get paired together on a small side project for work. Hob does the front-end work, Dream does the back-end. They get on each other's nerves at first, until Dream spots Hob tinkering with his personal code on their lunch break and is honestly a bit in awe. He's found code beautiful in its own right (the way one appreciates a well-oiled machine) but he's never seen it wielded in such a fashion before. This is the moment he falls just a little bit (read: a lotta bit) in love with Hob. He was already starting to fall for that endless charm and wit of his anyways.

The company hits the first quarter of the New Year and with it come layoffs. Hob gets fired along with some other devs from Dream's same team (a younger pair of devs: Matthew and Jessamy). A fellow named Will comes along to help Dream finish the project in Hob's stead and Dream hates every moment of it. He misses Hob, more than he ever thought he would.

So, in an impulsive rush of anger and longing, he quits the company because how dare it toss someone as good as Hob Gadling out the door without a thought? He's halfway to the café he and Hob had started frequenting together when he realizes that he's just thrown away a career fifteen years in the making. But when he finally gets to the café and sees Hob tapping away on his laptop, he knows he's made the right choice.

Dream slides into the seat across from him and proposes that they build something wonderful together. So they create a small business of their own. They become a freelance web dev team (and steal Jessamy and Matthew as well) and with their skills combined, they take off. It's not huge, but for their size, they're incredibly popular. And Dream's certain he's never enjoyed his work more than when he's working beside Hob.

Later on, Hob proposes to Dream via a custom website with the most beautiful web animations he's ever seen before. And of course, he says yes.

(If you're curious about what inspired this, here's the website: http://www.species-in-pieces.com)

This is such a good concept for a story!!! I really really love aus where Dream and Hob are coworkers. Dream being the grumpy, awkward guy who hides behind his coffee mug while Hob is the popular, chatty one who tries to get Dream involved in fun office activities or socialising after work - it makes so much sense to me.

And Dream quitting his long-term dream job because he's mad that genuinely talented people have been laid off? I love it. Dream just has this inate appreciation for hard work and good art, and that's exactly what Hob (and Jessamy and Matthew) do. How dare the stupid company not understand that they're firing people who deserve to thrive and grow in an environment which actually appreciates them? Everyone is shocked that Dream has quit (not only that, he sends around an email to everyone in the company from the ceo all the way down to the work experience guy, outlining exactly why he quit) because he seemed to be the type to play by the rules and never leave his comfort zone. Apparently, Hob has really helped him bloom into a much more confident person, able to express his principles and strive for better.

And Hob isn't surprised, because he always knew that Dream had the courage, talent and ambition to strike out on his own. Maybe he just needed a bit of love and understanding. Which Hob is only too happy to provide.

Their work together sometimes involves long hours and stress, but Dream wouldn't ever want to go back to the slightly soulless corporation where he used to be. Even if he's tired and a little frustrated by Hob’s disorganised workspace, Dream is perfectly content. There's nothing better than curling up in Hob’s lap while he taps away on a line of code. Plus, he has a great time building their wedding website. Hob got to propose, so Dream gets to celebrate their upcoming marriage with his own expression of love through code. The theme colours are, of course, black and red <3

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Matt Davies

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

April 11, 2025

Heather Cox Richardson

Apr 12, 2025

On April 4, Trump fired head of U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) and director of the National Security Agency (NSA) General Timothy Haugh, apparently on the recommendation of right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who is pitching her new opposition research firm to “vet” candidates for jobs in Trump’s administration.

Former secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall wrote in Newsweek yesterday that the position Haugh held is “one of the most sensitive and powerful jobs in America.” Kendall writes that NSA and CYBERCOM oversee the world’s most sophisticated tools and techniques to penetrate computer systems, monitor communications around the globe, and, if national security requires it, attack those systems. U.S. law drastically curtails how those tools can be used in the U.S. and against American citizens and businesses. Will a Trump loyalist follow those laws? Kendall writes: “Every American should view this development with alarm.”

Just after 2:00 a.m. eastern time this morning, the Senate confirmed Retired Air Force Lieutenant General John Dan Caine, who goes by the nickname “Razin,” for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by a vote of 60–25. U.S. law requires the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have served as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of staff of the Army, the chief of naval operations, the chief of staff of the Air Force, the commandant of the Marine Corps, or the commander of a unified or specified combatant command.

Although Caine has 34 years of military experience, he did not serve in any of the required positions. The law provides that the president can waive the requirement if “the President determines such action is necessary in the national interest,” and he has apparently done so for Caine. The politicization of the U.S. military by filling it with Trump loyalists is now, as Kendall writes, “indisputable.”

The politicization of data is also indisputable. Billionaire Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) claims to be saving Americans money, but the Wall Street Journal reported today that effort has been largely a failure (despite today’s announcement of devastating cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that monitors our weather). But what DOGE is really doing is burrowing into Americans’ data.

The first people to be targeted by that data collection appear to be undocumented immigrants. Jason Koebler of 404 Media reported on Wednesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been using a database that enables officials to search for people by filtering for “hundreds of different, highly specific categories,” including scars or tattoos, bankruptcy filings, Social Security number, hair color, and race. The system, called Investigative Case Management (ICM), was created by billionaire Peter Thiel’s software company Palantir, which in 2022 signed a $95.9 million contract with the government to develop ICM.

Three Trump officials told Sophia Cai of Politico that DOGE staffers embedded in agencies across the government are expanding government cooperation with immigration officials, using the information they’re gleaning from government databases to facilitate deportation. On Tuesday, DOGE software engineer Aram Moghaddassi sent the first 6,300 names of individuals whose temporary legal status had just been canceled. On the list, which Moghaddassi said covered those on “the terror watch list” or with “F.B.I. criminal records,” were eight minors, including one 13-year-old.

The Social Security Administration worked with the administration to get those people to “self-deport” by adding them to the agency's “death master file.” That file is supposed to track people whose death means they should no longer receive benefits. Adding to it people the administration wants to erase is “financial murder,” former SSA commissioner Martin O’Malley told Alexandra Berzon, Hamed Aleaziz, Nicholas Nehamas, Ryan Mac, and Tara Siegel Bernard of the New York Times. Those people will not be able to use credit cards or banks.

On Tuesday, Acting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Melanie Krause resigned after the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security agreed to share sensitive taxpayer data with immigration authorities. Undocumented immigrants pay billions in taxes, in part to demonstrate their commitment to citizenship, and the government has promised immigrants that it would not use that information for immigration enforcement. Until now, the IRS has protected sensitive taxpayer information.

Rene Marsh and Marshall Cohen of CNN note that “[m]ultiple senior career IRS officials refused to sign the data-sharing agreement with DHS,” which will enable HHS officials to ask the IRS for names and addresses of people they suspect are undocumented, “because of grave concerns about its legality.” Ultimately, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signed the agreement with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

Krause was only one of several senior career officials leaving the IRS, raising concerns among those staying that there is no longer a “defense against the potential unlawful use of taxpayer data by the Trump administration.”

Makena Kelly of Wired reported today that for the past three days, DOGE staffers have been working with representatives from Palantir and career engineers from the IRS in a giant “hackathon.” Their goal is to build a system that will be able to access all IRS records, including names, addresses, job data, and Social Security numbers, that can then be compared with data from other agencies.

But the administration’s attempt to automate deportation is riddled with errors. Last night the government sent threatening emails to U.S. citizens, green card holders, and even a Canadian (in Canada) terminating “your parole” and giving them seven days to leave the U.S. One Massachusetts-born immigration lawyer asked on social media: “Does anyone know if you can get Italian citizenship through great-grandparents?”

The government is not keen to correct its errors. On March 15 the government rendered to prison in El Salvador a legal U.S. resident, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, whom the courts had ordered the U.S. not to send to El Salvador, where his life was in danger. The government has admitted that its arrest and rendition of Abrego Garcia happened because of “administrative error” but now claims—without evidence—that he is a member of the MS-13 gang and that his return to the U.S. would threaten the public. Abrego Garcia says he is not a gang member and notes that he has never been charged with a crime.

On April 4, U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. no later than 11:59 pm on April 7. The administration appealed to the Supreme Court, which handed down a 9–0 decision yesterday, saying the government must “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s release, but asked the district court to clarify what it meant by “effectuate,” noting that it must give “due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs.”

The Supreme Court also ordered that “the Government should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps.”

Legal analyst Joyce White Vance explained what happened next. Judge Xinis ordered the government to file an update by 9:30 a.m. today explaining where Abrego Garcia is, what the government is doing to get him back, and what more it will do. She planned an in-person hearing at 1:00 p.m.

The administration made clear it did not intend to comply. It answered that the judge had not given them enough time to answer and suggested that it would delay over the Supreme Court’s instruction that Xinis must show deference to the president’s ability to conduct foreign affairs. Xinis gave the government until 11:30 and said she would still hold the hearing. The government submitted its filing at about 12:15, saying that Abrego Garcia is “in the custody of a foreign sovereign,” but at the 1:00 hearing, as Anna Bower of Lawfare reported, the lawyer representing the government, Drew Ensign, said he did not have information about where Abrego Garcia is and that the government had done nothing to get him back. Ensign said he might have answers by next Tuesday. Xinis says they will have to give an update tomorrow.

As Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor recently warned, if the administration can take noncitizens off the streets, render them to prison in another country, and then claim it is helpless to correct the error because the person is out of reach of U.S. jurisdiction, it could do the same thing to citizens. Indeed, both President Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt have proposed that very thing.

Tonight, Trump signed a memorandum to the secretaries of defense, interior, agriculture, and homeland security calling for a “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions.” The memorandum creates a military buffer zone along the border so that any migrant crossing would be trespassing on a U.S. military base. This would allow active-duty soldiers to hold migrants until ICE agents take them.

By April 20, the secretaries of defense and homeland security are supposed to report to the president whether they think he should invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act to enable him to use the military to aid in mass deportations.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[oxxytocinoverdose]

can I request (platonic) kai + morro + reader in a workplace au? kai and morro are gossip buddies/friends and think reader is an arrogant asshole before actually speaking to them. in reality reader just has trouble adjusting to people in casual conversations because they have social anxiety... when kai and/or morro end up speaking to them reader is like a mouse & has a quiet voice and a slight stutter audibly caused by nerves... they all become friends hehe ^^

I wrote it and it didn’t save, so now I’m rewriting from memory and I’m a little antsy while writing this but I should be okay!! 😊 I wholeheartedly agree that Morro and Kai are gossips that won’t stfu. Didn’t Kai admit in Monstosity one of his flaws is that he can’t mind his own business?? Morro and Kai are really similar , both being impulsive , emotionally reactive , and prone to jealousy and all. I tried my best to make their personality differences blatant. I’m going to assume you’re referring to a corporate workplace, so that’s where the story will take place. I’m excited to write a protag with social anxiety cuz of my own experiences with it . I think I can make it really accurate. This took a while to research (corporate scares the shit out of me 💔) so sorry about the wait!

Typing from a distance

Corporate!Workplace AU, reader can be of any gender, every relationship is platonic

───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───

You’ve been working in the marketing department of Borg Industries for almost two weeks, and you still haven’t made any friends. You took the job of marketing automation because it required very little social interaction. You just had to develop working code in your little cubicle, and only really had to speak to your boss and the occasional fellow software developer for debugging and running tests and such. If the other employees had an issue running the websites you developed, the manager would go to you with their complaints. You thought you’d like it that way, but you’re so lonely. Every second you’re at work and you aren’t working, you’re wishing you were part of the conversation the people behind you were partaking in. They only ever ask for a pen or your stapler. You want to talk to people during lunch break, but you freeze at the entrance. You know just one more step forward and they’ll be looking at you, and multiple of them will start talking to you all at once. Or even worse, they don’t approach you at all— and you’re left wondering why they didn’t for the rest of your life. You just scurry back to your cubicle and eat there. It feels like highschool all over again.

Two of your exceptionally bored and talkative coworkers have noticed this. Morro, risk analyst of the department , and Kai, who’s behind Borg Industries’ social media. You’re refilling coffee while watching them talk. Kai doesn’t really realize how loud he is.

“Pay up.” Kai leans over Morro’s cubicle, hand outstretched.

“Can’t I just buy you a drink?” Morro leans back in his chair, arms crossed like there’s no way Kai’s gonna get any money out of him.

“If I agree now, you’ll get me some cheap shit.”

“Obviously. Are you expecting some expensive wine? It doesn’t even matter. They both get you drunk.”

“A bet’s a bet! You were wrong.”

“..We should wait longer..”

“You-…”

You realize what this is about. Kai had posted something snarky about a competing tech company. Morro said he shouldn’t, predicting it’d affect our sales by making the company look immature to the older demographic. Morro was surprisingly, wrong. Sales boosted, follower count went up.

“I swear to God, Kai. Sales are gonna plummet ‘cause of your bullshit. The increase in sales is just because of younger people who thrive off of drama and conflict making impulse purchases. Our consistent customers are old! They think stuff like what you tweeted is immature.”

“I’m still gonna think stuff like that is funny when I’m 40.”

“Well not everybody’s as immature as you.”

“Riiiight, Riight. You’re wearing black nail polish to work.”

“That’s tame as hell!”

Kai slides his chair out of his cubicle and up next to Morro., before speaking again. “Stop talking about work at work, that’s not what work’s for.” He grabs a piece of gum from Morro’s desk.

“That’s exactly what work’s for.”

“When’d you get so boring?”

“Alright, alright. What’d you overhear, huh?”

“Chase is making like, triple what we are.”

“That’s it? That’s your drama? And I’m the boring one?”

“What?!”

“Nothing fun about salary talk.”

“Ohhh, so you wanna hear about what’s going on in peoples’ personal lives, don’t you?”

“.. You know me.”

“I’m pretty sure the boss of the sales department’s getting chewed up for trying to fuck his secretary. Mr. Thompson?”

“No way.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“‘Course I do. The more money someone makes in this place, the more of a scumbag they end up.”

“Is that why you want a raise so bad? Wanna let your true colors show through?”

“Oh whatever, you whore… You’re one promotion away from being just like Thompson.”

“Excuse me?!”

“You flirt with eeeeverybody.”

“I do not.”

“I’ll ask around, then! Everyone’s got a story regarding you.. you look at ‘em a little long, touch their hand trying to show them how to work a machine.”

“You sound jealous.”

“I would’ve beat the shit out of you if you tried that with me.”

“Not that. Gross. I’m saying you wish you had the confidence to be like me.”

“To try to sleep with everyone? Yeah, right.”

“Woah. Hey. I’m not trying to go home with them or anything… I’m just, trying to create some tension.. it’s fun, sometimes they stutter.”

“… Why do I even talk to you?”

You laugh, smiling down at your cup. When you look up, you realize you didn’t watch your volume properly— because they’re both looking up at you like, “What’s funny?”. Now you’re convinced they think you’re a stalker.

You go back to your cubicle, far away from them, mood now dimmed. You don’t hear what they say.

“You talk too loud.” Morro mutters to Kai being taking a sip of his drink.

“Maybe I should be able to talk without people staring at us.”

“Alright, they’re a little nosy, yeah, but you—“

“A little?”

“..I mean, they’re always staring at somebody. But whenever someone tries to talk to them they just leave.”

“They got one of the higher ups to come stalk us.. make sure we’re doing our work.”

“You ‘n your conspiracy theories… well, you might be onto something, though..”

“I’m gonna ask.”

“You— you’re gonna ask the potential spy if they’re a spy?”

“You seriously believe my conspiracy?”

“…Well..”

About an hour later, you’re doing your daily look into the break room, contemplating if you should enter and start a conversation. You never end up doing it. This time, though, Kai comes to you and walks with you to your cubicle, leaving you unable to just fuck off like you want to.

“How’re you liking the place?”

“..It’s okay..”

“How do you feel about our boss?”

“He’s alright..”

“How long you think you’re gonna stay here?”

“Not sure..”

“Why’re you always running away from everybody here?”

“…uhhhhhh…”

You didn’t even notice Morro there as well. They seem to hang out with eachother often. “I mean, no offense, just seems like you think you’re better than us or something.”

Morro lightly kicks Kai in the ankle, “Hey..”

“I’m just curious! I’m not trying to be mean..!”

“I.. j-j..” This is mortifying. The people you wanna be friends with think you’re rude. You wish your resting face wasn’t so bitchy. You wish you could just approach people, like others do. “Kai” Morro looks irritated. “It’s just— why’re you always deathstarin’ us?? What did we do to you? Why do you never talk bad about our boss? Were you— like, sent here or something?”

“Kai!” Morro puts his hand on Kai’s shoulder, making him face him. “Come on. They’re just shy. Can’t you tell?”

“I’m not-“

“Not everyone wants to make their presence known the way you do , alright? Relax, you’re starting to sound like an asshole.”

Kai turns back to you. Your eyes are still wide, and you’re picking at the skin on your fingers without even realizing. Guilt creeps onto both their faces. Kai feels like he was acting like a highschool bully.

“..Sorry, sorry..”

“It- it’s okay! I’m not actually really good at like, talking. I’m sorry. But I’m … working in marketing, like you guys .. and I’m um, like 3 cubicles behind you..”

This is awful. You’re rambling about things they already know. You even mention your name, as if this is your first day here. Somehow, this actually.. works? They insist you sit with them. And this happens the next day. And the next, and the next. And then it happens outside of lunch. And you start to find yourself walking up to their cubicles while working. They find themselves telling you what they’ve heard around the workplace. You find yourself hanging out with them after work. You notice that you stutter less. You join Morro in making fun of Kai with giving everybody flirty looks, and you join Kai in making fun of Morro for the scowl that never seems to leave his face. In turn, they make fun of your stutter occasionally. You’ve learned to live with it.

“Chase isn’t here ‘cause he’s hungover! I’m telling you!” Kai insists. Morro doesn’t look away form his computer . “That’s such bullshit.. I came to work hungover like, twenty times…”

“That doesn’t sound like.. a good thing..” You reply.

“You aren’t impressed by my high alcohol tolerance?”

“It’s definitely not high if you got hungover twenty times , you dipshit.” Kai’s playing catch with himself using a pen.

“Don’t talk to me like that if you’re gonna keep stealing my gum.”

You laugh, and this time, no weird stares. You finally have friends.

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔ 　　　.   　　˚　　 　　*　　 　　✦　　　.　　.　　　✦　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　 　　 　　　

[lillythepyromancer]

I thought i'd introduce myself, shant I?

Welcome to my blog kind stranger!

My name's Lilly, Lilliana and any other alternate spellings. You may also call me Pyro. I'm a 19 year old Software Engineering University student. I also happen to be transgender and aroace*! Im also in a commited relationship with @hxy0k! Go check out their stuff!

So uh. Whats your deal?

Im glad you ask! Im a huge nerd! (Of everything there is to gain knowledge of, I will try to know and remember It! (and fail at It but try!))...

...but I mostly like greek mythology, videogames and medieval history and architecture.

oh yeah. im also a Dungeon Master! i play Pathfinder 2e, D&D, TWDRPG, Unnoficial Hollow Knight TTRPG, Hitos (A Spanish System with no known translations that I know of) and currently I'm making my own! (based on d100s and percentiles, with so much customization its taking YEARS to make (currently its been 4 years in the making)). Other TTRPGs I want to play but I haven't yet (because getting groups together to play is management hell) include Vampire The Masquerade, Cyberpunk and LANCER!

What about talking to you?

Do it!!!!! I have heavy social anxiety and talking to people is incredibly hard. I am 100% approachable and as friendly as I can. I am just anxious constantly and making the first move is hard on my psyche.

Asks are open, DM's too.

I love talking. a lot. about anything and everything. i also listen a lot (even if im not good at conversation).

What videogames you play?

All I can get my hands on. But since you are asking so nicely...

My favorite genres of games to play are; RPGs (with amongst my favorites being the Owlcat Pathfinder games, Fallout: New Vegas, Baldur's Gate 3, Disco Elysium, Dragon's Dogma 1/DA, Cyberpunk 2077 and KOTOR 2 (I didn't play 1 when i played the second I should replay both on Steam now)), Shooters (WILDLY varied taste tho, but I really like Halo (Reach, my beloved), the whole Metro Franchise (SO ATMOSPHERIC SO COOL), Ultrakill, Helldivers 2), Stealth games (with a love for the Dishonored franchise and Metal Gear, but one of my recent likes is Mark of the Ninja!), VR games (this isn't even a genre, but I LOVE Blade and Sorcery and the The Walking Dead VR games. My favorite VR Game is Blade and Sorcery, hands down), any Game made by Valve (seriously Portal and Left 4 Dead are two of my favorite games) and arcade games! (This including ANYTHING really. I love Beat Em Ups, side-scrollers, platformers... I've spent hours playing weird obscure games using emulation tools that would be lost to time otherwise. But my favorites? Both Dungeons & Dragons SOM//TOD and Cadillacs & Dinosaurs. Honorary mention to Knights of the Round (Did you notice I like beat em ups?))

...i also have others I couldnt fit here. Im not a fighting game girlie (because im really bad at them) but I really like Soulcalibur, Street Fighter III and Guilty Gear!

Im also not a horror game aficionada but SIGNALIS has been A WORLD SHATTERING EVENT in my gaming career. BRAIN TWEAKING EXPERIENCE. Chemistry completely changed forever. Please play It. Right now. Its imperative you do, for your sake.

I also really like the first Dark Souls! I would love to say more but- I can't. Its been years and I've only played the first one. Bloodborne fucks severely tho and I will defend It forever GOSH how i love em both even if the second half of the first DS, SUCKS, SEVERELY. (Im the only person i know that hates having to run through the Duke's Archives so much i put off New Game + cycles forever to NOT go kill scaleless' ass)

I really like Indie games but since every single one I like is basically a different genre here you got a speedrun (and recomendation list!);

Celeste (my favorite Game ever, helped so much with anxiety at the time, played It when i didn't know I was transgender... That fact gets funnier with replay), Deadlight (play It once and thats it. Zombie parkour puzzle Game.), Slay the Princess (the multiple voices thing is oddly relatable), Project Zomboid (100% the BEST BEST zombie survival Game ever, love It), Webfishing, Darkest Dungeon (MY BELOVED the sequel), Noita (i like torture), Hollow Knight (even tho im not really into metroidvanias, Hollow Knight IS really fun), Terraria (player since 1.1!), Charlie Murder (not that well known and they deserve It!!), Broforce (It is. So fun), every Game made by The Behemot, Lethal Company, Phasmophobia, Rain World, Undertale and Deltarune (of course) and lastly, Inscryption (another Game that is so so good, please play It)

And well, not an Indie but... I play Minecraft. So much

WOW. Thats was a LOT of text. Anything you do on the side outside of playing games?

I write! Both for my TTRPG campaigns I DM but also stuff on the side!

Nothing's public tho, my cringy fanfiction Will stay with me to my grave. However, I am writing original material right now! A Magical Girls story which any kind of synopsis would blow up the initial mystery. I **may** share snippets of It some day. If my anxiety allows me.

I also do YouTube videos. They aren't very good but I like em. Please check It out. And leave comments! They do make my day.

And... Im also a musician! I play the piano, I'm a drummer and I sing in a choir. I'm composing some stuff on the side as well but I dont have time nor resources to record and compose as comfortably as I'd like. Maybe if I end Up being able to get something I'll post It!

And i draw. Im not good at It, but I draw! This blog should have SOME examples of OC's i draw. Some of em are NPCs in my campaigns, others are player characters, other are just characters. I love em all the same.

Anything else?

I know the Standard Galactic Alphabet. I think its neat. My favorite movie is The Princess Bride. My favorite song is... im not sure I have too many. I have two Blåhaj.

I think you are good to go! Venture into my blog as you wish!

Oh, well. I am also probably autistic. There are no doubts in my all autistic friend group about it.

*im on the aroace spectrum, demisexual and demiromantic to be precise.

[girlboss-enthusiast]

Please tell us how to get into IT without a degree! I have an interview for a small tech company this week and I’m going in as admin but as things expand I can bootstrap into a better role and I’d really appreciate knowing what skills are likely to be crucial for making that pivot.

Absolutely!! You'd be in a great position to switch to IT, since as an admin, you'd already have some familiarity with the systems and with the workplace in general. Moving between roles is easier in a smaller workplace, too.

So, this is a semi-brief guide to getting an entry-level position, for someone with zero IT experience. That position is almost always going to be help desk. You've probably heard a lot of shit about help desk, but I've always enjoyed it.

So, here we go! How to get into IT for beginners!

The most important thing on your resume will be

✨~🌟Certifications!!🌟~✨

Studying for certs can teach you a lot, especially if you're entirely new to the field. But they're also really important for getting interviews. Lots of jobs will require a cert or degree, and even if you have 5 years of experience doing exactly what the job description is, without one of those the ATS will shunt your resume into a black hole and neither HR or the IT manager will see it.

First, I recommend getting the CompTIA A+. This will teach you the basics of how the parts of a computer work together - hardware, software, how networking works, how operating systems work, troubleshooting skills, etc. If you don't have a specific area of IT you're interested in, this is REQUIRED. Even if you do, I suggest you get this cert just to get your foot in the door.

I recommend the CompTIA certs in general. They'll give you a good baseline and look good on your resume. I only got the A+ and the Network+, so can't speak for the other exams, but they weren't too tough.

If you're more into development or cybersecurity, check out these roadmaps. You'll still benefit from working help desk while pursuing one of those career paths.

The next most important thing is

🔥🔥Customer service & soft skills🔥🔥

Sorry about that.

I was hired for my first ever IT role on the strength of my interview. I definitely wasn't the only candidate with an A+, but I was the only one who knew how to handle customers (aka end-users). Which is, basically, be polite, make the end-user feel listened to, and don't make them feel stupid. It is ASTOUNDING how many IT people can't do that. I've worked with so many IT people who couldn't hide their scorn or impatience when dealing with non-tech-savvy coworkers.

Please note that you don't need to be a social butterfly or even that socially adept. I'm autistic and learned all my social skills by rote (I literally have flowcharts for social interactions), and I was still exceptional by IT standards.

Third thing, which is more for you than for your resume (although it helps):

🎇Do your own projects🎇

This is both the most and least important thing you can do for your IT career. Least important because this will have the smallest impact on your resume. Most important because this will help you learn (and figure out if IT is actually what you want to do).

The certs and interview might get you a job, but when it comes to doing your job well, hands-on experience is absolutely essential. Here are a few ideas for the complete beginner. Resources linked at the bottom.

Start using the command line. This is called Terminal on Mac and Linux. Use it for things as simple as navigating through file directories, opening apps, testing your connection, that kind of thing. The goal is to get used to using the command line, because you will use it professionally.

Build your own PC. This may sound really intimidating, but I swear it's easy! This is going to be cheaper than buying a prebuilt tower or gaming PC, and you'll learn a ton in the bargain.

Repair old PCs. If you don't want to or can't afford to build your own PC, look for cheap computers on Craiglist, secondhand stores, or elsewhere. I know a lot of universities will sell old technology for cheap. Try to buy a few and make a functioning computer out of parts, or just get one so you can feel comfortable working in the guts of a PC.

Learn Powershell or shell scripting. If you're comfortable with the command line already or just want to jump in the deep end, use scripts to automate tasks on your PC. I found this harder to do for myself than for work, because I mostly use my computer for web browsing. However, there are tons of projects out there for you to try!

Play around with a Raspberry Pi. These are mini-computers ranging from $15-$150+ and are great to experiment with. I've made a media server and a Pi hole (network-wide ad blocking) which were both fun and not too tough. If you're into torrenting, try making a seedbox!

Install Linux on your primary computer. I know, I know - I'm one of those people. But seriously, nothing will teach you more quickly than having to compile drivers through the command line so your Bluetooth headphones will work. Warning: this gets really annoying if you just want your computer to work. Dual-booting is advised.

If this sounds intimidating, that's totally normal. It is intimidating! You're going to have to do a ton of troubleshooting and things will almost never work properly on your first few projects. That is part of the fun!

Resources

Resources I've tried and liked are marked with an asterisk*

Professor Messor's Free A+ Training Course*

PC Building Simulator 2 (video game)

How to build a PC (video)

PC Part Picker (website)*

CompTIA A+ courses on Udemy

50 Basic Windows Commands with Examples*

Mac Terminal Commands Cheat Sheet

Powershell in a Month of Lunches (video series)

Getting Started with Linux (tutorial)* Note: this site is my favorite Linux resource, I highly recommend it.

Getting Started with Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi Projects for Beginners

/r/ITCareerQuestions*

Ask A Manager (advice blog on workplace etiquette and more)*

Reddit is helpful for tech questions in general. I have some other resources that involve sailing the seas; feel free to DM me or send an ask I can answer privately.

Tips

DO NOT work at an MSP. That stands for Managed Service Provider, and it's basically an IT department which companies contract to provide tech services. I recommend staying away from them. It's way better to work in an IT department where the end users are your coworkers, not your customers.

DO NOT trust remote entry-level IT jobs. At entry level, part of your job is schlepping around hardware and fixing PCs. A fully-remote position will almost definitely be a call center.

DO write a cover letter. YMMV on this, but every employer I've had has mentioned my cover letter as a reason to hire me.

DO ask your employer to pay for your certs. This applies only to people who either plan to move into IT in the same company, or are already in IT but want more certs.

DO NOT work anywhere without at least one woman in the department. My litmus test is two women, actually, but YMMV. If there is no woman in the department in 2024, and the department is more than 5 people, there is a reason why no women work there.

DO have patience with yourself and keep an open mind! Maybe this is just me, but if I can't do something right the first time, or if I don't love it right away, I get very discouraged. Remember that making mistakes is part of the process, and that IT is a huge field which ranges from UX design to hardware repair. There are tons of directions to go once you've got a little experience!

Disclaimer: this is based on my experience in my area of the US. Things may be different elsewhere, esp. outside of the US.

I hope this is helpful! Let me know if you have more questions!

[jcmarchi]

Ganesh Shankar, CEO & Co-Founder of Responsive – Interview Series

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/ganesh-shankar-ceo-co-founder-of-responsive-interview-series/

Ganesh Shankar, CEO & Co-Founder of Responsive – Interview Series

Ganesh Shankar, CEO and Co-Founder of Responsive, is an experienced product manager with a background in leading product development and software implementations for Fortune 500 enterprises. During his time in product management, he observed inefficiencies in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process—formal documents organizations use to solicit bids from vendors, often requiring extensive, detailed responses. Managing RFPs traditionally involves multiple stakeholders and repetitive tasks, making the process time-consuming and complex.

Founded in 2015 as RFPIO, Responsive was created to streamline RFP management through more efficient software solutions. The company introduced an automated approach to enhance collaboration, reduce manual effort, and improve efficiency. Over time, its technology expanded to support other complex information requests, including Requests for Information (RFIs), Due Diligence Questionnaires (DDQs), and security questionnaires.

Today, as Responsive, the company provides solutions for strategic response management, helping organizations accelerate growth, mitigate risk, and optimize their proposal and information request processes.

What inspired you to start Responsive, and how did you identify the gap in the market for response management software?

My co-founders and I founded Responsive in 2015 after facing our own struggles with the RFP response process at the software company we were working for at the time. Although not central to our job functions, we dedicated considerable time assisting the sales team with requests for proposals (RFPs), often feeling underappreciated despite our vital role in securing deals. Frustrated with the lack of technology to make the RFP process more efficient, we decided to build a better solution.  Fast forward nine years, and we’ve grown to nearly 500 employees, serve over 2,000 customers—including 25 Fortune 100 companies—and support nearly 400,000 users worldwide.

How did your background in product management and your previous roles influence the creation of Responsive?

As a product manager, I was constantly pulled by the Sales team into the RFP response process, spending almost a third of my time supporting sales instead of focusing on my core product management responsibilities. My two co-founders experienced a similar issue in their technology and implementation roles. We recognized this was a widespread problem with no existing technology solution, so we leveraged our almost 50 years of combined experience to create Responsive. We saw an opportunity to fundamentally transform how organizations share information, starting with managing and responding to complex proposal requests.

Responsive has evolved significantly since its founding in 2015. How do you maintain the balance between staying true to your original vision and adapting to market changes?

First, we’re meticulous about finding and nurturing talent that embodies our passion – essentially cloning our founding spirit across the organization. As we’ve scaled, it’s become critical to hire managers and team members who can authentically represent our core cultural values and commitment.

At the same time, we remain laser-focused on customer feedback. We document every piece of input, regardless of its size, recognizing that these insights create patterns that help us navigate product development, market positioning, and any uncertainty in the industry. Our approach isn’t about acting on every suggestion, but creating a comprehensive understanding of emerging trends across a variety of sources.

We also push ourselves to think beyond our immediate industry and to stay curious about adjacent spaces. Whether in healthcare, technology, or other sectors, we continually find inspiration for innovation. This outside-in perspective allows us to continually raise the bar, inspiring ideas from unexpected places and keeping our product dynamic and forward-thinking.

What metrics or success indicators are most important to you when evaluating the platform’s impact on customers?

When evaluating Responsive’s impact, our primary metric is how we drive customer revenue. We focus on two key success indicators: top-line revenue generation and operational efficiency. On the efficiency front, we aim to significantly reduce RFP response time – for many, we reduce it by 40%. This efficiency enables our customers to pursue more opportunities, ultimately accelerating their revenue generation potential.

How does Responsive leverage AI and machine learning to provide a competitive edge in the response management software market?

We leverage AI and machine learning to streamline response management in three key ways. First, our generative AI creates comprehensive proposal drafts in minutes, saving time and effort. Second, our Ask solution provides instant access to vetted organizational knowledge, enabling faster, more accurate responses. Third, our Profile Center helps InfoSec teams quickly find and manage security content.

With over $600 billion in proposals managed through the Responsive platform and four million Q&A pairs processed, our AI delivers intelligent recommendations and deep insights into response patterns. By automating complex tasks while keeping humans in control, we help organizations grow revenue, reduce risk, and respond more efficiently.

What differentiates Responsive’s platform from other solutions in the industry, particularly in terms of AI capabilities and integrations?

Since 2015, AI has been at the core of Responsive, powering a platform trusted by over 2,000 global customers. Our solution supports a wide range of RFx use cases, enabling seamless collaboration, workflow automation, content management, and project management across teams and stakeholders.

With key AI capabilities—like smart recommendations, an AI assistant, grammar checks, language translation, and built-in prompts—teams can deliver high-quality RFPs quickly and accurately.

Responsive also offers unmatched native integrations with leading apps, including CRM, cloud storage, productivity tools, and sales enablement. Our customer value programs include APMP-certified consultants, Responsive Academy courses, and a vibrant community of 1,500+ customers sharing insights and best practices.

Can you share insights into the development process behind Responsive’s core features, such as the AI recommendation engine and automated RFP responses?

Responsive AI is built on the foundation of accurate, up-to-date content, which is critical to the effectiveness of our AI recommendation engine and automated RFP responses. AI alone cannot resolve conflicting or incomplete data, so we’ve prioritized tools like hierarchical tags and robust content management to help users organize and maintain their information. By combining generative AI with this reliable data, our platform empowers teams to generate fast, high-quality responses while preserving credibility. AI serves as an assistive tool, with human oversight ensuring accuracy and authenticity, while features like the Ask product enable seamless access to trusted knowledge for tackling complex projects.

How have advancements in cloud computing and digitization influenced the way organizations approach RFPs and strategic response management?

Advancements in cloud computing have enabled greater efficiency, collaboration, and scalability. Cloud-based platforms allow teams to centralize content, streamline workflows, and collaborate in real time, regardless of location. This ensures faster turnaround times and more accurate, consistent responses.

Digitization has also enhanced how organizations manage and access their data, making it easier to leverage AI-powered tools like recommendation engines and automated responses. With these advancements, companies can focus more on strategy and personalization, responding to RFPs with greater speed and precision while driving better outcomes.

Responsive has been instrumental in helping companies like Microsoft and GEODIS streamline their RFP processes. Can you share a specific success story that highlights the impact of your platform?

Responsive has played a key role in supporting Microsoft’s sales staff by managing and curating 20,000 pieces of proposal content through its Proposal Resource Library, powered by Responsive AI. This technology enabled Microsoft’s proposal team to contribute $10.4 billion in revenue last fiscal year. Additionally, by implementing Responsive, Microsoft saved its sellers 93,000 hours—equivalent to over $17 million—that could be redirected toward fostering stronger customer relationships.

As another example of  Responsive providing measurable impact, our customer Netsmart significantly improved their response time and efficiency by implementing Responsive’s AI capabilities. They achieved a 10X faster response time, increased proposal submissions by 67%, and saw a 540% growth in user adoption. Key features such as AI Assistant, Requirements Analysis, and Auto Respond played crucial roles in these improvements. The integration with Salesforce and the establishment of a centralized Content Library further streamlined their processes, resulting in a 93% go-forward rate for RFPs and a 43% reduction in outdated content. Overall, Netsmart’s use of Responsive’s AI-driven platform led to substantial time savings, enhanced content accuracy, and increased productivity across their proposal management operations.

JAGGAER, another Responsive customer, achieved a double-digit win-rate increase and 15X ROI by using Responsive’s AI for content moderation, response creation, and Requirements Analysis, which improved decision-making and efficiency. User adoption tripled, and the platform streamlined collaboration and content management across multiple teams.

Where do you see the response management industry heading in the next five years, and how is Responsive positioned to lead in this space?

In the next five years, I see the response management industry being transformed by AI agents, with a focus on keeping humans in the loop. While we anticipate around 80 million jobs being replaced, we’ll simultaneously see 180 million new jobs created—a net positive for our industry.

Responsive is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. We’ve processed over $600 billion in proposals and built a database of almost 4 million Q&A pairs. Our massive dataset allows us to understand complex patterns and develop AI solutions that go beyond simple automation.

Our approach is to embrace AI’s potential, finding opportunities for positive outcomes rather than fearing disruption. Companies with robust market intelligence, comprehensive data, and proven usage will emerge as leaders, and Responsive is at the forefront of that wave. The key is not just implementing AI, but doing so strategically with rich, contextual data that enables meaningful insights and efficiency.

Thank you for the great interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit Responsive,

[femboyteacheslinux]

downloading packages

learning to use the computer

no post yesterday was feeling sick. on another note I enjoy this much more than I thought I would, the funny little numbers that I get showing that people are enjoying my autistic yapping made me feel much happier than I thought so thanks guys :) also this is probably gonna be biased heavily as packages are things that linux users are very argumentative on so be aware of that.

how that we have a system with a UI and is functioning we need to figure out how to download things so that we can have a custom experience. unlike windows linux has most packages you would want easily downloadable from the terminal, or through a store environment, so no silly browser stuff that looks like malware. the easy way to download packages is through the store environment, on KDE this is called discover, on gnome its called software and on mint its called mint store or something like that. and these are very convenient to download what you want. although a slight issue comes from this method. it looks nerdy, and feels slow. the main draw of linux is that you get to have full control over your system. you are a 1337 hacker who knows everything about computers and your google searching skills to find a random reddit post from 10 years ago from a guy with the same issue as you are top notch, you cant be caught browsing a store environment. theres also the part where if you know what you want to get its faster to open a terminal and type in a quick command and poof you have it. its also just good to know how these stores work as oftentimes they are just a visual version of what you will type into to the terminal anyway. debian based systems this covers things like ubuntu, mint, debian and if you dont know what your is its probably debian. (debian is kinda like big dad to all linux distros) if you dont want to search if your system is debian based just type 'apt' into your terminal and if it says something along the lines of not found then your arent debian and you should search it but if it says pretty much anything else your on debian. (just read the message, your smart you can figure it out) debian based linux uses a package manager called 'apt' which is short for aptitude im pretty sure and it has a big back end of aptitude but we wont touch that as I dont know it and its way out of scope for just downloading stuff. so we are gonna start with a simple package as an example to download. we will start with the most well known app on linux neofetch. ill tell you the command and break it down. 'sudo apt install neofetch' so first we start off with sudo, this is universal on all linux versions unless you try to not let it be, what it does is sets your user to be ran as root. that sounds complex so let me simplify it. root is the big mama of the system and everything bends to its will, sometimes you will have an app that needs to leave your user directory and giving it sudo will allow it to be ran as the big momma root and do that (this does not mean run something that doesnt work as root, that is very stupid and will cause you to loose your system) so after the sudo we have apt, this is the package manager your basically going up to it and saying hey I need to make a change to an app, then it asks what do you need then you say your next part of the command which is install and the package manager goes 'yep what do you need to install' and then you tell it neofetch and then the package manager calls you a nerd trying to farm karma on unixporn and then shows you download bars until its done. very basic and works great. now if you noticed you need to tell the package manager what you want it to do, as a rule of thumb all package managers dont just install packages, they handle every tiny detail of packages, they manage them entirely. so if you feed that you want to update your system instead it does that, you want to remove stuff? it does that.

updating debian system to update your system is actually 2 commands sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade if you think this is dumb you would be right and I 100% agree with you. but heres the breakdown, sudo we already talked about sets your system to big mama, apt goes over to the pacakge manager and says I need something done. and update does not do what it is called what update does is syncs the packages. basically it tells your system what packages can be updated. then doing the sudo apt upgrade actually upgrades the packages to the newer version. if I annoyed someone for saying its dumb they will 100% tell me why its like this so hopefully I did that so you can find out why because I frankly do not know nor care to take the time to know.

removing packages debian edition following the same logic as before I hope you can guess what the remove command will be but its 'sudo apt remove *package*' so if you dont want neofetch anymore type sudo apt remove neofetch and then its gone, afterwords best practice is to hit your system with a big update to make sure all the files are gone and its up to date but its your system the joys of linux is that you can wait literal years between updates.

searching packages with debian quick note, if you dont know what package you want but you have a general idea of its name you can type sudo apt search followed by what you remember of its name and hopefully it will find it for you, otherwise you just use the good ol duck duck go to find what you want. fedora distrobutions ok to be frank I have used 2 total fedora distrobutions, one of them being nobara and the other one being bazzite and I hardly touch packages on bazzite so this is rough memory that im using to install a package you use the command dnf (yum my beloved is gone, ::sad face:: liked typing it because it was fun) if you read that giant section on debian distributions then this will look quite familiar and if you didnt im not typing that much again, read it if you want or deal with the spark notes. sudo dnf install neofetch thats the command heres the quick breakdown

sudo, this puts your system into top dog mode called root, basically running an app as administrator. here its good because we are installing stuff to the entire system but dont run random apps with sudo or else you can mess up more than just your system. dnf is the package manager, it handles anything to do with packages on your system. install does the suprising thing of installing. and neofetch is a place holder for whatever app you actually want if you want neofetch have fun and install otherwise switch it to whatever other app you want.

deleting things with fedora to delete things its quite simple 'sudo dnf remove *Package name*' its quite simple and very similar to the apt syntax if you bothered to read it. works great, yet again will remind its recommended to update after to make sure stuff is all gone and your system is updated to update your fedora system

updating your system is properly set up as 1 command this time instead of the 2 that apt likes to use and its just a 'sudo dnf upgrade' and you can update individual packages with sudo dnf update package name

searching things with fedora sudo dnf search package name this will bring up all packages with a name of that which you searched, its cool. I ran out of text space so if you are on arch (which you should not be following this guide while on arch) i hate to be that guy but read the documentation, if you do have questions about it though a simple DM to me and when I finally check tumblr again I will try to resolve your issue. Docs https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman in all theres a ton of behind the scenes differences that I might get into in a couple weeks when im getting into more than just the basics but as of now just knowing what to type is good enough holy this was much larger than I thought it would be, so enjoy the read or don't. its your time to spend not mine. also I kinda dont know what i will cover tomorrow so if you have an idea or topic that is good for new users to learn about I would love to have reccomendations (I want to slowly get more and more complex and deeper into the system but I have to explain the basics first) also if this didnt tell you enough full documentations can be found at their respective wikis debian: https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/apt-guide/index.en.html fedora: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/quick-docs/dnf/

[storybookprincess]

Do you have any tips for an aspiring librarian who’s going to college in a few months?

my first instinct upon reading this ask was to give you some good but fairly generic advice about getting library experience via your school's work study program, exploring different career paths within the library umbrella, interning at your local public library if possible, and so on & so forth

but then i realized that that is the sort of information you can find pretty much anywhere & i will instead give you my personal insight into what has helped me be successful in my current library role.

do whatever weird shit you are passionate about with your whole heart & soul, because you will learn invaluable skills without even intending to

what i mean by all that is that my current position as the assistant manager of a small, rural library branch is really just twenty-nine different jobs in a trench coat. i'm alternately an it specialist, a graphic designer, a career counselor, a preschool teacher, a customer service agent, or whatever else a particular situation demands.

and so much of my current skillset is a result of spending my high school & college years doing random nerd bullshit on the internet.

i'm dead serious. my ability to troubleshoot basically any possible tech issue, my knowledge of graphic design software, my extensive research capabilities, my written communication skills, and my absolute certainty that if i don't know how to do something, i can figure it out if you give me fifteen minutes to poke around on google are all products not of my formal education or work experience, but of the countless hours i have devoted to online nerd bullshit

enjoy college. explore your passions. get super into modding minecraft, or archiving lost media, or formatting fanzines, or literally whatever niche nonsense speaks to you. librarianship is a career of quick thinking & problem solving skills, and you'll best develop those doing something you truly care about

in the words of the mountain goats, the things you do for love are gonna come back to you one by one

[abnormalpublishing]

Revolutionize Your Business with HighLevel: The All-in-One CRM Powerhouse

This post contains affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure for more details.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses need innovative and scalable solutions to stay competitive. With countless platforms to choose from, finding the right CRM can feel overwhelming. That’s where HighLevel comes in—a powerful, all-in-one platform changing the game for marketers, agencies, and entrepreneurs alike.

HighLevel offers everything you need to streamline your workflow, automate your marketing, and drive measurable results, whether you’re just starting or scaling up.

Let’s explain why HighLevel is the ultimate CRM solution you’ve been waiting for.

What Makes HighLevel a Game-Changer?

HighLevel isn’t just a CRM—it’s a complete sales and marketing ecosystem. Built for speed, efficiency, and scale, HighLevel combines the core tools businesses rely on into a single, intuitive platform. From lead gen to client retention, it’s got you covered without needing 10 different subscriptions.

Standout Features That Elevate Your Business

1. Unified Communication Hub

Forget switching between email, text, and phone apps. HighLevel centralizes your client communication, giving you:

One inbox for SMS, email, and voice—all synced and searchable.

Automated replies for FAQs to save time and keep clients engaged.

Complete conversation history at your fingertips.

2. Automated Marketing Campaigns

Run more brilliant campaigns with less effort:

Use the drag-and-drop builder to design funnels and automations fast—no coding required.

Segment audiences for targeted messaging that converts.

Track your performance in real-time to optimize your ROI.

3. Advanced Analytics & Reporting

Knowledge is power—and HighLevel gives you both:

Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as conversion rates, traffic sources, and client journeys.

Create detailed, actionable reports for better decision-making.

Customize dashboards to highlight what matters most to your business.

4. Customizable Sales Pipelines

No two sales processes are the same. HighLevel lets you:

Visualize every stage of your sales pipeline.

Customize fields, stages, and follow-ups to fit your business.

Automate reminders and tasks to keep leads moving—and closing.

5. Powerful Integrations

Already using other tools? No problem.

You can sync with Google Calendar, Stripe, PayPal, and more.

Use Zapier to integrate with thousands of apps.

Build seamless workflows that reduce manual work and save time.

How Writers & Creatives Can Thrive with HighLevel

Freelance writers, content creators, and creative professionals can use HighLevel to take back their time and scale their business with confidence:

Plan and schedule content with reminders, tasks, and editorial calendars to stay organized.

Manage client relationships with built-in CRM tools and communication tracking.

Track project milestones with pipelines tailored to each writing project.

Automate feedback requests and follow-ups to maintain professionalism and streamline the client experience.

Are You Ready to Elevate Your Business?

HighLevel is more than software—it’s your business’s growth engine. Whether you’re managing a team, working solo, or scaling your agency, HighLevel helps you automate the busy work and focus on what matters: results.

Start your HighLevel journey today: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=abn0rm41

HighLevel delivers the tools, flexibility, and automation modern businesses need—all in one place. Stop piecing together separate systems. Instead, build smarter, scale faster, and stay ahead—with HighLevel.

[woundliqour]

dreading talking on the phone tomorrow severely. People hate spelling their information for me. I'm trying a new approach to calming myself down which is to try not to catastrophize what happens if I can't adapt and don't make it, but I rlly rlly do want to keep a wfh job at least for now if I can help it. It'd be nice if I could do something less phone-oriented though, or just like. idk it's never as bad doing like zoom or a teams meeting with a coworkers/supervisors where you can resolve audio issues or miscommunication at least mostly efficiently with no hangups. I also just particularly dread our system bc it's Quirky Old Reliable Software, but it's a live system so like none of us had hands on experience until handling annoyed people who've already been transferred xyz many times and I gotta act composed n try to sell that I'm an experienced agent when I'm like.

Staring at parts of the script or navigating a part of the website that I've never made it to before bc there's no dummy version of [redacted] information to put in for training/practice. there's like floor managers to answer questions, but the ratio is like? Idk anywhere between 1 and maybe 4 floor managers to maybe 20-30+ ppl also scared, confused, stuck at various parts of the system, difficult customers, phoning in a lifeline question, tech issues, etcetera, so it's like. Wait times for help or clarification for anybody or anything is a hot minute for anyone. A lot of customers disconnect. I just find the transition to be rlly stressful already and I know it's only going to become extremely more busy for like the next month starting Tuesday. And also bc it's related to healthcare and not like idk food or merchandise customer service, it's like I really do give a shit about not wanting to make anything a hassle for callers so I genuinely do feel awful they have to manage with my learning curve for the system itself.. But also aside from being like apologetic I have to be authoritative and direct the call in some capacity. And they want me to build rapport, be friendly and chatty with some callers, but i can just barely put together what people are saying over the phone half the time and struggle to multitask since I'm still doing so many things for the first time. but I've just spent most of today dreading tomorrow.. if I'm going to have a comfort zone for this I hope it comes together quickly 😮‍💨

[stevenketterman2]

What Equipment Do DJs Use? Your Guide to Essential DJ Gear

Have you ever stood in front of the DJ booth at a club or event, feeling the bass shake the floor, and wondered: “What equipment do DJs use to create this magic?” The truth is, there’s a fascinating world of gear behind every great DJ set, from classic turntables to cutting-edge DJ controllers, headphones and powerful DJ software. Whether you’re thinking of becoming a DJ yourself or just curious about how it all works, here’s a closer look at the essential DJ equipment every DJ needs—and why buying from a professional shop can make your journey smoother and more rewarding. 

DJ Turntables and CDJs

Let’s start with one of the most iconic pieces of DJ gear: the DJ turntable. Traditional vinyl turntables like the legendary Technics SL-1200 have been a staple of DJ setups for decades. They’re loved for their tactile feel and the creative freedom they offer, especially for scratching and beat juggling.

But technology has come a long way. Many modern DJs now use CDJs, which are digital players capable of reading music from CDs, USB drives, or even directly from DJ software. CDJs offer features like looping, pitch control, and hot cues that make mixing smoother and more flexible. If you’re putting together your first DJ setup, deciding between turntables and digital players is one of your biggest choices.

DJ Controllers

Another hugely popular option today is the DJ controller. These all-in-one devices combine decks and a mixer into a single piece of gear and connect to your laptop via USB. For many beginner DJs, controllers are an affordable and powerful way to get started.

DJ controllers often come bundled with DJ software, which lets you organize tracks, set cue points, and even sync beats automatically. Many reputed brands offer excellent choices for both beginner DJ equipment and pro-level performance. 

DJ Mixers

Whether you’re using turntables, CDJs, or a controller, you’ll need a DJ mixer. The mixer is the heart of the DJ booth setup, letting you blend tracks seamlessly, add effects, and control EQ levels. Key features include:

Crossfaders for transitioning between tracks

EQ controls for adjusting bass, mids, and highs

Effects like filters, echoes, and reverbs

For a professional DJ setup, investing in a quality mixer is crucial, as it’s the tool that shapes the sound of your performance.

DJ Headphones

No DJ is complete without a good pair of DJ headphones. DJs rely on headphones to cue up the next track and beat-match in real-time. A great pair will offer clear sound, strong bass response, and good isolation from external noise—essential in loud environments like clubs or festivals.

DJ Speakers and Monitors

Your audience needs to hear the music just as clearly as you do. That’s where DJ speakers or monitors come in. High-quality speakers deliver clean sound at high volumes without distortion, helping you keep the crowd moving. For practice at home, smaller studio monitors can provide accurate sound without shaking the walls.

DJ Software

Modern DJs often rely on powerful DJ software like Serato, Rekordbox, Traktor, or Virtual DJ. Software lets you manage your music library, set cue points, sync beats, and add creative effects. Many DJ controllers integrate directly with these programs for a seamless experience.

Cables, Cases, and Accessories

Beyond the main pieces of gear, DJs also need reliable cables, sturdy cases for transporting equipment, and accessories like slipmats, USB drives, and laptop stands. It’s all part of creating a professional, reliable DJ setup.

DJ Lights and Visuals

While sound is the core of any DJ performance, the visual experience can elevate your set to a whole new level. DJ lights—like moving heads, LED panels, strobes, and laser effects—help create an immersive atmosphere that matches the energy of your music. Many DJs today also incorporate LED walls or video walls to display dynamic visuals, logos, or custom video content synced to the beat.

Whether you’re playing a club, wedding, or large festival stage, investing in quality lighting and visuals can make your performance stand out and keep your audience captivated. Shops specializing in DJ gears, often carry an impressive range of lighting and video solutions, helping you find the perfect setup to match your style and budget.

Getting the Right Gear Makes All the Difference

There’s a huge world of DJ equipment out there, and it can be tempting to simply order everything online and hope it all fits together. But the reality is, putting together a great DJ setup often depends on how well different pieces of gear work as a team—and knowing which choices will help you avoid headaches down the road.

That’s why many DJs, from beginners to seasoned pros, prefer to check out equipment in person and talk to people who understand the craft. Staff at specialized shops usually have hands-on experience with the gear they sell, and they’re able to offer practical advice you won’t always find in product descriptions. They can help you choose equipment that suits your music style, budget, and performance needs, and even steer you away from gear that might not pair well together.

On top of that, it’s reassuring to know there’s someone you can reach out to if you run into a problem or just have questions once you’re back home. It’s this kind of support and shared knowledge that often makes building a DJ setup not just about buying equipment—but about feeling confident in how it all comes together.

So if you’re thinking about putting together your first DJ rig, or upgrading to more professional gear, visiting such professional shops can be a great way to see your options, get real-life insights, and make sure your setup sounds as good as you imagine.

[delostylestudio-blog]

Why You Need The Top Innovative Solution Today

Relying on antiquated methods can make the difference between thriving and just surviving in a world that is changing quickly due to changes in technology and client expectations. Innovative solutions are now essential, regardless of whether you're a startup founder, a company executive, or an individual looking to simplify daily chores. This essay examines the importance of adopting cutting-edge solutions now and how they can significantly improve your life and career.

Understanding Innovative Solutions: More Than Just Buzzwords  

Before diving in, let’s define what an innovative solution really means. Innovation isn't about flashy technology or being trendy for its own sake. It’s about solving real problems in smarter, more efficient, and sustainable ways. An innovative solution might be a new software tool that automates mundane tasks, a creative business model that disrupts a traditional market, or even a unique approach to customer engagement that drives loyalty and growth.

These solutions are rooted in three key values:

Efficiency: Doing more with less, faster.

Adaptability: Responding to change with agility.

Value Creation: Offering better outcomes for users, customers, and teams.

Let’s explore why these matter — now more than ever.

1. Stay Ahead of Rapid Market Changes  

Markets today are dynamic. Consumer preferences shift overnight, technology updates roll out every few months, and global events can disrupt entire industries in days. Traditional business models often can’t keep up with this speed.

Top innovative solutions help you stay one step ahead. For instance:

AI-powered analytics give businesses real-time insights into customer behavior.

Cloud-based platforms enable remote teams to collaborate instantly, no matter where they are.

Low-code and no-code tools allow non-developers to build solutions fast — without a technical background.

By implementing these innovations, businesses can pivot quickly, test new ideas, and stay aligned with current trends.

2. Solve Pain Points More Intelligently  

Innovative solutions' unwavering focus on problem-solving is one of their main advantages. These techniques and tactics, which may include removing manual data entry, improving communication, or customizing consumer experiences, frequently result from practical annoyances.

Consider the increasing automation of customer service. AI chatbots can now manage thousands of requests at once, providing human-like responses and round-the-clock availability in place of endless phone calls and lengthy wait times. Enhancing the user experience and freeing up human personnel for high-impact jobs are more important than merely reducing costs.

If a solution doesn’t feel like it’s directly improving your workflow or life, it probably isn’t the right kind of innovation.

3. Drive Competitive Advantage  

Let’s face it: innovation is the new battleground for success. Companies that leverage innovative solutions — whether it’s personalized marketing using data-driven insights or adopting sustainable production practices — often leapfrog competitors still stuck in traditional ways.

Here’s how:

Speed to market: Innovative tools help you launch products faster.

Customer engagement: Creative platforms let you deliver immersive brand experiences.

Sustainability: Eco-friendly solutions can reduce costs and appeal to conscious consumers.

In today’s hyperconnected economy, being “good” isn’t enough. You need to be better, smarter, and faster — and that requires innovation.

4. Make Your Team Smarter and More Capable  

People want to work more efficiently, not just harder. Teams can accomplish this with the help of innovative tools. Today's solutions streamline daily work and encourage creativity, from AI-powered writing helpers to project management dashboards that monitor real-time productivity.

When teams are equipped with the right tools:

Productivity increases.

Collaboration improves.

Morale gets a boost.

The result? A high-performance culture where innovation is not a one-time initiative but a daily habit.

5. Future-Proof Your Business (and Yourself)  

Being outdated is one of the largest hazards facing businesses today. Ask Kodak, Blackberry, or Blockbuster. You won't fall behind when the industry changes thanks to creative solutions.

Whether you're a freelancer, a retail business, or an enterprise company, adopting cutting-edge tools like:

Predictive analytics

Blockchain for secure transactions

AR/VR for product experiences

IoT for smarter logistics

…can set you up for long-term success.

Even on a personal level, people who embrace innovation are setting themselves up for greater resilience and better possibilities in an uncertain environment by learning new platforms, adjusting to remote work, or upgrading their skills using digital tools.

6. Improve Customer Trust and Satisfaction  

Customers of today are astute, knowledgeable, and demanding. They desire seamless digital experiences, quick reaction times, and individualized service. Businesses may meet these demands head-on by using innovative solutions.

For example:

AI-driven recommendation engines increase sales and satisfaction.

Omnichannel platforms ensure consistent messaging across touchpoints.

Digital wallets and one-click checkouts reduce cart abandonment.

When you prioritize user-centric innovation, you don’t just meet customer needs — you exceed them. And that builds loyalty.

Final Thoughts: Innovation Is a Mindset, Not Just a Tool  

Innovation can easily be viewed as something exterior, such as a smart device, a slick dashboard, or a flashy new app. However, innovation is really a way of thinking. It involves being inquisitive, adaptable, and prepared to question the existing quo.

The top innovative solution you need today isn’t just about technology — it’s about transformation. They enable you to service clients more successfully, solve challenges more imaginatively, and confidently plan for the future.

[realinspirations]

"The Real-World Leader: Practical Skills Every Business Professional Needs"

 In nowadays’s rapid-paced and ever-evolving commercial enterprise environment, practical management abilties aren't only a luxury—they may be a necessity. Leaders who integrate imaginative and prescient with actionable skills are better placed to power innovation, enhance group performance, and navigate demanding situations efficiently. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a supervisor, or an aspiring executive, growing sensible management talents is vital for long-time period success in business.

5 essential leadership skills

Understanding Practical Leadership

Practical management is the capacity to guide with clear reason, grounded movements, and effective choice-making. It’s not approximately titles or authority; it’s approximately influencing others, fixing issues, and accomplishing effects. Unlike theoretical management, which specializes in ideas and fashions, practical management deals with actual-global software—what works in everyday enterprise operations.

Core Practical Leadership Skills

Let’s discover key leadership abilties which might be critical for sensible success in business:

1. Communication Skills

Clarity: Leaders should articulate desires, expectancies, and feedback absolutely.

Adaptability: Communicating in another way with special groups, stakeholders, or customers is a have to.

Regular group meetings, open-door guidelines, and transparent emails all replicate robust communique practices.

2. Decision-Making

Practical leaders make timely and effective selections. This approach:

Gathering records: Analyzing relevant records before appearing.

Evaluating dangers: Considering effects and alternatives.

Acting decisively: Avoiding selection paralysis by using trusting your judgment when sufficient facts are regarded.

Decisive leaders hold momentum going, that is important in competitive commercial enterprise environments.

Three. Delegation

No chief can do the whole thing on my own. 

Identify strengths: Assign obligations based on team individuals' abilties.

Set expectancies: Clearly outline the effects and time limits.

Trust the team: Avoid micromanaging; allow room for autonomy.

Effective delegation increases productiveness and fosters crew boom.

Four. Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

EQ refers to the capacity to recognize and control your emotions and those of others. It involves:

Self-consciousness: Knowing your triggers and emotional responses.

Empathy: Understanding and worrying about your team’s perspectives.

Conflict management: Resolving disputes frivolously and constructively.

EQ leads to healthier work environments, better collaboration, and more potent leadership presence.

5. Time Management

A practical leader prioritizes time successfully. Good time management ensures:

Productivity: Focused time on excessive-effect duties.

Balance: Managing workload to avoid burnout.

Efficiency: Reducing wasted time and streamlining operations.

Tools like calendars, mission managers, and the Eisenhower Matrix assist leaders stay prepared and focused.

6. Adaptability

In nowadays’s commercial enterprise world, change is constant. Leaders ought to:

Embrace alternate: View disruptions as opportunities for boom.

Learn continuously: Stay up to date with enterprise developments and innovations.

Pivot strategies: Adjust goals or processes while circumstances exchange.

Adaptable leaders continue to be relevant and effective irrespective of demanding situations.

How to Develop Practical Leadership Skills

1. Learn by using Doing

Experience is one of the great instructors. Volunteer for management roles, take possession of projects, or lead meetings to gain fingers-on experience. Start small and scale up as your confidence and capabilities grow.

2. Seek Feedback

Constructive comments from friends, mentors, and team participants can reveal blind spots and regions for boom. Ask questions like:

“How can I improve as a frontrunner?”

“What do you want extra of from me?”

“How did I cope with that scenario?”

Use this input to regulate and improve your management method.

3. Develop a Growth Mindset

Leadership isn't always static—it evolves. Adopt a mind-set that perspectives challenges as getting to know opportunities. Read leadership books, take business courses, and attend workshops to decorate your know-how.

4. Practice Empathy and Relationship Building

Get to realize your group beyond their paintings roles. Ask about their pursuits, concentrate to their issues, and display appreciation. Building strong relationships fosters trust and appreciate—key substances in sensible management.

Five. Set Clear Goals and Track Progress

Effective leaders function with clear objectives.  Regularly track progress and have fun small wins to keep morale excessive.

Common Challenges Leaders Face—and How to Overcome Them

1. Resistance to Change

Team contributors may resist new approaches or strategies. To overcome this:

Communicate the “why” at the back of the change.

Involve crew contributors in planning and selection-making.

Provide schooling and help.

2. Poor Team Performance

Instead of blaming the group, examine the root causes. Are expectancies clean? Is morale low? Is there a skills hole? Offer steering, set measurable dreams, and put money into crew improvement.

Three. Decision Fatigue

Making too many selections can lead to burnout. Delegate choices in which feasible, simplify alternatives, and establish routines to reduce mental load.

Case Study: Practical Leadership in Action

 When he took over in 2014, the company was dealing with stagnation. Nadella focused on realistic management by using:

Fostering a boom mindset throughout the enterprise.

Emphasizing collaboration over competition.

Leading by example—being humble, paying attention to personnel, and aligning way of life with dreams.

Under his management, Microsoft’s market price and innovation dramatically improved, showcasing the impact of sensible leadership abilities.

The Long-Term Impact of Practical Leadership

Developing realistic management skills doesn’t just gain you—it transforms groups. Leaders who speak well, make clever decisions, and empower others create places of work where human beings thrive.

Some long-time period advantages include:

Higher worker retention

Improved organizational performance

Increased innovation and agility

Stronger business enterprise tradition

Moreover, realistic leadership builds your non-public brand and career resilience, positioning you as a depended on and powerful leader in any enterprise.

 Importance Of Resilience