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Forbes
7 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why It's Time For Fintech To Simplify To Help SMBs
Eyal Lifshitz is CEO of Bluevine, a leading provider of small-business banking. There's a persistent myth that small-business owners resist adopting new technology—they're often framed as reluctant adopters clinging to checks and spreadsheets in an increasingly digital world. But that misses the point. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) do adopt tech when it works for them. More than 5 million SMBs have websites on Wix or Squarespace. Mobile card readers are standard practice at farmers' market stalls. Plenty of solo operators use Google Docs and Calendly without a second thought. The tools aren't the problem. The problem is financial fragmentation. SMBs juggle banking, invoicing, bill pay, expense tracking and credit across a patchwork of disconnected tools. They spend more time navigating software than running their businesses. It's tiring just to imagine. Fragmentation isn't just a headache—it's a roadblock to scaling. Among small businesses focused on fast or steady growth, 51% say streamlining systems and operations is one of their biggest challenges. It also increases the risk of errors and poor cash visibility. When tools don't talk to each other, money slips through the cracks. Most software isn't free, so every new system means another monthly charge. Learning curves take time. Switching between tools slows people down. And when financial information is spread across six different platforms, it becomes harder to make informed decisions quickly, like when to invest in equipment, who's late on payments or how much runway is left in the month. The problem isn't a lack of options—it's in developing solutions that seamlessly integrate into the schedules of small-business owners. For large enterprises, that concern is secondary—they often have infrastructure and head count entirely dedicated to managing various operating systems. Small businesses and their owners don't have that luxury. Instead, small-business owners often act as the CFO, head of customer service and collections department, all before lunch. The more systems they juggle, the less time they spend on growth. And it's with those needs—financial simplicity and precision—in mind that I launched my company in 2013 and, more recently, that we launched new invoicing and payment tools. Financial tools work best when they disappear into the background. Ideally, these tools should be as seamless as possible—no business website required, no fancy setup, no coding, no friction. By offering simplified tools like these, fintech can help unlock a level of financial precision for millions of previously underserved small businesses and free up others to get back to focusing their attention on growing their businesses by reducing the endless app fragmentation. The challenge isn't getting small businesses to go digital. They're already there. The challenge is building tools that work on their terms, not tools that assume they have a CFO on staff. I'm excited for what the future holds for small businesses in America and look forward to seeing fintech rise to that challenge. With the right technology, we can free up the small-business owners across America to focus on what's most important—growing their businesses. The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation. Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms. Do I qualify?
Business Upturn
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
6 Best Funnel Builders for Gathering Real Intelligence
Remember when all you needed from a funnel was a name and email? Yeah, those days are over. Today, it's not about how many leads you have. It's about how much you know about them. The best marketers? They're not chasing volume. They're chasing insight. This is what I call the Intelligence Gap. It's the space between capturing a lead and actually understanding them. Most funnel builders? They're like a black box. A visitor goes in, a lead pops out. But what happened inside? Who knows. Here's what you're missing: What does this person actually need? What are they trying to solve? Why did they come to you in the first place? If your funnel builder can't answer those questions, it's not working hard enough. Let's fix that. Top 6 Best Funnel Builders These aren't just lead capture tools. These are platforms built to turn curiosity into context and clicks into conversations. 1. If you're serious about understanding your leads, start here. doesn't just capture info, it converses . It turns a funnel into a back-and-forth interaction. Like a really smart, friendly chatbot that also does math. Here's what makes it stand out: Many, many building blocks : Using the no-code editor, you can create highly interactive funnels that combine form, survey, quiz, and calculator elements : Using the no-code editor, you can create highly interactive funnels that combine form, survey, quiz, and calculator elements For any use cases: That extensive range of building blocks I've just mentioned? They are all highly customizable. This means you can create funnels for literally any use case, from multi-step appointment forms with a Calendly integration, to product finder quizzes that recommend the best product to users. That extensive range of building blocks I've just mentioned? They are all highly customizable. This means you can create funnels for literally any use case, from multi-step appointment forms with a Calendly integration, to product finder quizzes that recommend the best product to users. Win-win: You help users figure out what they need. They help you understand their budget, preferences, and intent. Behind the scenes, the tool keeps learning: Real-time personalization: With features like conditional logic, answer piping, logic jumps, and AI-generated text, your funnel adapts in real-time to answers and lead users to custom outcome pages With features like conditional logic, answer piping, logic jumps, and AI-generated text, your funnel adapts in real-time to answers and lead users to custom outcome pages Lead scoring and profiling: It collects and scores data without making users feel like they're filling out a form. And once someone converts? The intelligence keeps coming. You get real-time analytics, conversion stats, and AI-backed suggestions to improve results. Bonus: You don't need to be a developer. Start from scratch, grab one of 300+ templates, or let the AI build it for you. Oh, and it integrates with 60+ tools, from HubSpot to Salesforce. So all that smart data goes exactly where you need it. 2. HubSpot Marketing Hub Already using HubSpot? Then this one makes sense. Its funnel features are baked right into the CRM, so all that user data flows into a single contact profile. You get a crystal-clear view of the customer journey. But there's a tradeoff. It's powerful, but also pricey and a bit complex. Great if you're all-in on HubSpot. Maybe overkill if you just need a nimble front-end tool for interactive funnels. It's funnel builder is also not as powerful as more specialized tools like 3. This one's all about simplicity and value. gives you everything —funnels, email marketing, course hosting, affiliate tools—in one tidy dashboard. It's a great option for solo creators and small teams. But while it tracks lead movement nicely, it's more of a traditional funnel tool. Less focus on deep profiling, more on standard opt-in and sales flows. Good for efficiency. Not ideal if you want to dig deep into customer motivations. 4. ClickFunnels ClickFunnels is built for one thing: selling. It shines when you need to build a high-converting, transactional funnel. Think order forms, upsells, checkouts,… the whole ecommerce playbook. But it's focused on what happens at the end of the journey. It's less about who your customer is and more about whether they're buying. That's fine if you're selling straight from the funnel. But if you want to learn before you pitch, it falls short. 5. Leadpages Leadpages is clean, quick, and conversion-focused. It's great for top-of-funnel landing pages where the goal is simple: grab that email. And for that, it works well. But it doesn't do much beyond the basics. No logic jumps. No quizzes. No personalization tools. So if you want to collect more than just contact info, you'll need something more advanced. 6. Typeform Typeform is beautiful . People actually enjoy filling out the forms. It's a top-tier tool for collecting qualitative feedback. Great for surveys, research, and feedback loops. But here's the catch: it's not a funnel builder. It's a form tool. There's no full journey, no publishing flexibility, and limited integration with deeper marketing stacks. If you want insights? It delivers. If you want to build an end-to-end funnel? You'll need more than just Typeform. How to Pick a Funnel Builder That Actually Learns From Your Leads Here's what to look for when evaluating intelligence-focused funnels: Interactive elements : Can it go beyond a form? Quizzes, calculators, and assessments should come standard. : Can it go beyond a form? Quizzes, calculators, and assessments should come standard. Personalized paths : Does it adapt based on what users say? You want conditional logic, follow-up questions, and branching flows. : Does it adapt based on what users say? You want conditional logic, follow-up questions, and branching flows. Actionable analytics : Real-time dashboards are a must. Bonus points if it gives you insights , not just raw numbers. : Real-time dashboards are a must. Bonus points if it gives you , not just raw numbers. Solid integrations : If your CRM can't use the data, what's the point? Look for native integrations. : If your CRM can't use the data, what's the point? Look for native integrations. Ease of use: You shouldn't need a developer. Templates, wizards, and AI helpers make setup faster and smoother. Final Thoughts: Stop Chasing Leads, Start Understanding People A lead list is just a bunch of email addresses. A good funnel builds relationships. When you close the Intelligence Gap, you stop shouting into the void. You start listening. You learn what people want. What's holding them back. And what they need to take the next step. Platforms like are leading the charge here. They don't just help you build funnels, they help you understand who's inside them. And that's the whole point, right? Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Public hearing scheduled for proposed solar facility near Woodsboro
A virtual public hearing has been scheduled regarding a proposal to build a five-megawatt solar facility outside Woodsboro. The facility, named the Clyde Young Road Solar Project, would be built on about 21.4 acres of a 36.7-acre property at 12208 Clyde Young Road, northwest of Md. 194. It would include about 12,800 solar panels, The Frederick News-Post previously reported. New Leaf Energy, a Massachusetts-based company, applied for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Maryland Public Service Commission for the solar project on Feb. 12. This certificate allows applicants to construct an energy-generating station or high-voltage transmission line, according to the commission's website. The virtual hearing is scheduled to take place on June 23 at 6:30 p.m. before Public Utility Law Judge Kristin Case Lawrence. Those who would like to speak at the hearing must sign up by June 20 through the Calendly app on the commission's website, which is People who register to speak will receive a Zoom link for the hearing. Others can watch the hearing on the Maryland Public Service Commission Public Utility Law Judge YouTube channel, which can be found at In addition to public comments, the virtual hearing will consist of a presentation by the applicant and brief statements by the parties, including the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Power Plant Research Program and the commission's technical staff. Written comments can be sent through Nov. 7 electronically through the commission's online portal at or by mail. The mailing address is Jamie Bergin, Chief Clerk, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. All written comments should reference case number 9780. People can review a copy of New Leaf Energy's application for the Clyde Young Road Solar Project at the Frederick County Zoning Administration building at 30 N. Market St. in Frederick.
Business Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Can digital collaboration reshape gender equity?
WORKPLACE equity has been a long-running conversation in business circles, yet the numbers tell us progress remains uneven. While women now hold 29 per cent of C-suite positions globally, the so-called 'broken rung' continues to be a major hurdle: for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 81 women make the same leap. In Singapore and across Asia, the push for greater diversity in leadership is often met with structural and cultural challenges. Deeply embedded societal expectations about caregiving and traditional work hours, together with unconscious biases in hiring and promotion, have slowed progress. But technology is changing the equation with new ways to level the playing field. For companies striving to build a more inclusive workplace, the question is no longer 'why' gender diversity matters – that case has been made many times over. The real question now is 'how' to achieve it in a sustainable, meaningful way. Digital tools driving workplace flexibility What we all need to understand is that technology is not just changing how we work, it is fundamentally altering who can work and when. This shift has profound implications for women who have historically shouldered disproportionate caregiving responsibilities. The conversation around flexibility has evolved significantly post-pandemic. In Singapore, companies are leveraging technology to create asynchronous workflows that accommodate different life demands. At Neat, we have embraced this shift by implementing cloud-based collaboration tools designed to support flexible work arrangements. Intelligent scheduling solutions like Microsoft Copilot, Zoom Scheduler, Reclaim AI and Calendly help streamline meeting coordination and optimise time management, while project management platforms such as Asana, Trello, and enable teams to track tasks with flexible deadlines. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Additionally, artificial intelligence-powered assistants like Zoom AI Companion enhance productivity by summarising meetings, automating workflows and providing real-time insights, making flexible work more efficient and effective. These tools implement cloud-based collaboration tools with features specifically designed to support flexible work arrangements. Moreover, they introduce performance metrics that focus on outcomes rather than hours logged, such as OKR (objectives and key results) frameworks that prioritise measurable results over time spent working. Collaboration tools make seamless transitions between work and personal commitments a reality, helping eliminate the 'always-on' culture that has traditionally disadvantaged women. For too long, we have had to make impossible choices between professional ambition and caregiving responsibilities. But when technology is used thoughtfully, it removes barriers, allowing work to fit into life, not the other way around. In fact, research shows that 82 per cent of women feel more productive when given flexible work options, and 84 per cent consider workplace flexibility a major factor when applying for jobs. Companies seeing the most success are those using technology not just as a convenience, but as a strategic asset for inclusion. When work becomes more accessible, everyone benefits, not just those who have traditionally thrived in rigid, one-size-fits-all environments. Gender equity in career progressions and workplace culture But flexibility is just the first step. Without intentional career support, women risk being left behind in leadership pipelines, stuck in roles that offer work-life balance but not advancement. This is why the same digital tools that enable flexibility must also be leveraged to create more equitable career progression opportunities. Closing the gender gap requires a fundamental shift in how organisations approach talent development. Traditional mentorship models must evolve into active sponsorship programmes, where senior leaders deliberately advocate for female talent in leadership pipelines. Technology is emerging as a critical enabler of this transformation. For instance, digital mentorship platforms such as MentorCruise feature match employees with sponsors based on career goals, skills and interests – rather than relying on informal networks (which often favour men). Additionally, virtual reality-based leadership training programmes are a powerful tool to prepare women for executive roles. These programmes simulate high-stakes decision-making scenarios, helping to build confidence and executive presence in a low-risk environment. While technology is a powerful enabler, it cannot replace cultural change. Companies must actively audit their workplace policies to ensure that they are designed for inclusivity – not just gender-neutral on paper, but truly equitable in practice. For example, Singapore's evolving parental leave policies are a step in the right direction, but normalising paternity leave uptake is equally important. When companies actively encourage male employees to take leave, it reduces the stigma around caregiving and creates a more level playing field. Leadership teams must fundamentally reframe diversity from a compliance checkbox to diversity as a business driver. The reality is, companies with more women in leadership consistently outperform their peers in profitability, innovation and employee satisfaction. Rewriting the equity equation in Singapore Singapore is at a crossroads. As the country continues to position itself as a global leader in hybrid work and digital innovation, workplace dynamics are rapidly evolving. With 76 per cent of companies now offering remote work options for two to four days a week – up from 54 per cent in 2023 and surpassing the global average of 72 per cent – Singapore has a unique opportunity to redefine workplace equity and set new benchmarks for the future of work. Companies can move beyond good intentions to real impact by leveraging technology strategically, redesigning career pathways and embedding inclusivity into corporate culture. Because when the path to greater equity is accessible to all, workplaces can become fairer, stronger and better equipped for the future. The writer is chief people officer at Neat
Man of Many
31-05-2025
- Man of Many
Man of Many's Staff Favourites—31 May 2025
By Dean Blake - News Published: 31 May 2025 |Last Updated: 30 May 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Here at Man of Many, we're often given the opportunity to try out products ahead of time for review, but sometimes our favourite things are just the things we already own, or have purchased ourselves. So, each week, we strive to show off a few of our own, personal favourite products or experiences in the hopes that we can help people make better buying decisions. Also, sometimes it's just fun to write about things you like. Here's our Staff Favourites for this week – enjoy! Skullcandy's Method 360 ANC | Image: Skullcandy Skullcandy's Method 360 ANC Dean Blake – Entertainment and Technology Journalist I've been testing a few earphones recently, and I've got something cool to share. Audio brand Skullcandy have delivered a really, really good pair of earphones—the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC—which have some of the best audio quality in an in-ear format I've yet used. That partially comes from the fact these earphones are made in collaboration with Bose, one of the best audio makers in the biz. Now, the Method 360 ANC look very (and sound) similar to Bose' Quiet Comfort earbuds, but they're about $100 cheaper, which is always a nice thing, and they have some fantastic active noise cancelling for when you're moving about the noisy city. Plus, when you sync them up with the Skull-iQ app on your phone you can customise how the earbuds act when you tap them, play with the ANC, and set more specific EQ levels if you're after a particular sound. That's all great, but they also come in a frankly massive charging case that delivers an additional 20+ hours of battery life, charges with USB-C, and can be clipped onto your bag or something if you want to be able to access them at a moments notice. They're great, and if you're in the market for some new earbuds, these ones are only AUD$189.99. Favourite Article of the Week: Best Glamping Spots Near Melbourne for a Relaxing Weekend Getaway Forget Calendly – Enter Google Calendar Appointments Scott Purcell – Co-founder You know that graveyard of unused productivity apps sitting on your phone or in the bookmarks toolbar of your browser? The ones that guzzle up subscription fees before you're none the wiser? Well, one of those for me was the 'Calendly' app. Brilliant product, absolutely, but it probably gathered more dust than bookings on my calendar. It just wasn't something I really used, yet it was costing me lots of money. Enter the Google Calendar Appointment Schedule, which essentially achieves the exact same thing at the amazing price of $0. I love that you can carve out time for the gym each day or mark an entire Friday as 'Do Not Disturb'. Your colleagues or clients only see the slots you want them to book, and the meeting is locked in with no extra email back and forth or a request to send you a calendar invite. To get it set up, go to Google Calendar > hit Create > then Appointment Schedule > add any details you need and voila, your booking calendar is now complete. The link provides live updates and automatically hides times that clash with your other events. You can also add in a handy buffer between meetings if you need and don't wish for back-to-backs. The paid Google Workspace plans come with some added benefits, like being able to charge for your time. Give it a go and let me know what you think! Favourite Article of the Week: Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge Smartphone Defines Innovation for Innovation's Sake Omakase John Guanzon – Head of Creative & Production I'm the kind of guy who'll study dining menus like an HSC Advanced English text before booking a place to eat, but sitting down for an Omakase where you surrender all control and expectations to the chef and the restaurant team was such a surprising breath of fresh air. The 18-seat kappo-style restaurant is the brain-child of Darren Templeman (formerly Restaurant Atelier), but he runs it with head chef Bonnie Yu and sommelier Aurelien Jeffredo. There's no printed menu, only a 10-course omakase shaped by the day's produce and the team's instincts. Just vibes, really. Inside, it's just one long, narrow counter with 18 seats lined up with a full view of the kitchen. While it always feels busy, there's this weird sense of calm. The three-person team moves like they've done this a hundred times. Smooth, in sync, no fuss. The highlight, though, is the food. I couldn't tell you exactly what we ate (there was no menu to snap a photo of), but I remember the flavour sensations having a party in my mouth. A few dishes are still burned into memory, though: the warm hen's egg filled with onion purée and topped with trout roe, and a buttery lobster tail grilled over charcoal. Yum! Favourite Article of the Week: Razer's Vertical Gaming Mouse Feels Like It Was Made Specifically for Me
