Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2025-11-30T23:01:00

(BPT) – For any business, effective marketing is about getting the right message to the right person at the right time. Today’s AI capabilities take this goal to the next level, allowing businesses to transform how they connect with customers. But AI’s real power comes with context — understanding not just what humans do, but why they do it, and tailoring experiences to that deeper insight.

Businesses with a global reach need these tools more than ever to stay competitive. For the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team, connecting with 850 million fans around the world is critical. While technology is the key, it’s vital to remember that people are the engine.

“To really understand people, we’ve got to get past the surface-level data of clicks and really start understanding behavior,” said Rob Bloom, Chief Marketing Officer, AMF1. “What are they clicking on in the content they’re consuming, what merchandise are they browsing in the store? What’s their race weekend experience look like? When you really understand human behavior and apply the power of AI, it becomes a huge accelerant to help us deliver more content, experiences and bespoke merchandise drops that are absolutely tailored to that individual.”

Personalize customer experiences

Together, Aston Martin and AI services provider and AMF1’s Global Technology Services Partner Cognizant are redefining what effective marketing looks like. How? By using AI for capabilities from predictive storytelling to personalized fan experiences.

“AI tools let us personalize in ways we couldn’t before,” said Thea Hayden, Chief Marketing Officer, Cognizant. “Personalization isn’t just about data; it’s about context. AI can connect signals across platforms, languages, and moments to deliver experiences that feel intuitive and relevant.”

What does this mean for racing fans? “When you’ve got a huge global fan base across multiple languages, you have to bring in AI to help you on that journey,” added Bloom. “We might use generative AI to work cross-platform for more tailored and even individual messages from a driver to individual fans — in 35 languages — so each fan feels like they’re part of this team and this journey.”

Use AI tools that benefit your business

The precise AI tools that your business finds useful will vary, depending on the nature and size of your company. Not sure where to start? “Think about AI as something that can add speed, relevance or insight to any part of your customer journey,” Hayden explained. That could mean using consumer-facing tools like assist agents and recommender systems to answer questions and make recommendations.

But AI can also help your team function more efficiently, like using it to record and take notes during team meetings, providing not only data to refer back to, but also sharing insights and actions, clarifying what’s been discussed in an objective manner for your entire team.

AI can also maximize brain power by expanding your whole team’s capabilities. For example, Cognizant recently engaged associates from across the company to participate in a “Vibe Coding” event to win a Guinness World Records™ title for most participants in an online generative AI hackathon. With vibe coding, participants define what they need in natural language, then AI generates the code — making software creation more accessible to everyone and democratizing innovation across technical and non-technical roles.

How can marketing teams start using AI?

Because consumers already use AI tools like search engines, recommendation requests and task management, it’s no longer a luxury for businesses to use these tools, but a necessity.

“We’re seeing consumer adoption of AI outpacing enterprise adoption,” noted Hayden. “We have a smarter, more informed consumer today. Our research shows that by 2030, 55% of purchases are going to be driven by AI-friendly consumers. We need to make sure we’re meeting them where they are.”

Here are five tips for starting AI adoption:

• Be open-minded: Being willing to learn and grow will open new opportunities. “The best marketers are going to be those who don’t use every tool, but know how to ask the right questions and remain curious,” Hayden noted.
• Don’t be afraid to play: Experimentation will help your team discover what works and what doesn’t. “Try different things, see what works and what isn’t helping,” said Bloom. “When you find things that work, share them with your colleagues and learn together.”
• Start small: Don’t expect to learn everything immediately. “You don’t have to do the whole journey at once,” said Hayden. “Pick part of the customer journey you know can benefit from AI, try it out and see what happens.”
• Understand your customers: Knowing who your customers are and what they want is vital. “We said, ‘Let’s really get a good understanding of our fans,’ with the recognition that there’s 850 million Formula 1 fans in the world, but they’re all different,” said Bloom. “We win by finding ways to connect with them that are tailored to their individual preferences.”
• Help consumers find you: Make sure content you deliver is discoverable, visible and valuable by AI-savvy consumers and AI agents. “Make sure you’re delivering your message in a way that’s not only relevant and personalized, but consistent, factual and findable by agents and hits them right when they’re looking for it,” Hayden said.
• Prioritize context: AI works best when it understands the bigger picture including workflows, environment, and tribal knowledge.

Ultimately, AI tech tools ideally lead businesses to one goal: providing what consumers want.

“We set out on day one to be fan first and put the audience at the heart of what we do,” said Bloom. “AI tools help us deliver on that promise.”

Learn how Cognizant and its clients are moving toward the future by watching Cognizant Tech Talks.

2025-11-24T07:01:00

(BPT) – By Eric Yu

Eric Yu leads global SMB business strategy within Lenovo Intelligent Devices Group, overseeing Lenovo’s Commercial Product Center, Workstation and Client AI businesses. He leverages his AI expertise to translate business needs into effective product design and management, driving exponential growth.

As Small Business Saturday approaches, entrepreneurs across the country are preparing for one of the busiest times of the year. For many, this season also sparks reflection: opportunities for growth, resilience and how technology can help. Amid the rapid rise of AI, small business owners are asking a common question: When will there be one AI solution that can streamline it all?

It’s an understandable wish. Imagine a single digital assistant that manages inventory, sends follow-up emails, predicts demand and orders your next shipment automatically. The truth is, that kind of “do-it-all” AI agent doesn’t exist yet. And that’s perfectly OK, because the path to that future is already being built, piece by piece, through powerful and practical AI tools that small businesses can use today.

At Lenovo, we’re seeing firsthand how AI-powered innovation in hardware and services is helping small and midsized businesses (SMBs) make measurable progress toward greater efficiency and autonomy. In fact, recent launches from Lenovo’s ThinkBook and ThinkPad lines feature on-device AI accelerators, enhanced manageability and modular accessories that help bridge the gap between human potential and machine intelligence. These aren’t futuristic ideas, they’re here today, helping SMBs reclaim time, streamline decisions and stay focused on what matters most.

Putting Today’s AI Tools to Work

1. Adopt AI PCs to streamline daily tasks

Modern AI PCs are redefining productivity by embedding dedicated AI processors directly into the device. These on-chip accelerators allow for local, lightning-fast handling of tasks such as smart email summarization, meeting transcription, better power efficiency and predictive text suggestions.

For small business owners managing multiple priorities, those small efficiencies add up. Shaving just a few minutes off repetitive tasks — especially during peak shopping seasons — can translate into hours reclaimed for strategic work or customer engagement.

And adoption is already ramping up. According to ITPro, AI PCs are expected to account for 31% of all computer shipments in 2025 — a 16% increase from 2024 — a clear sign that businesses are embracing systems built for AI-native workflows. These devices don’t just perform faster; they help process data more securely, right on the device, giving SMBs peace of mind as they modernize their operations.

2. Enhance efficiency with modular AI-driven accessories

While many small businesses are still adapting their systems for AI integration, emerging technologies point to a future where intelligent add-ons further enhance embedded AI capabilities.

Modular, scalable accessories that optimize workflows will help offload multitasking clutter, as well as help teams stay focused and present during high-pressure scenarios. As these innovations continue to mature, they may offer small and midsize businesses a practical way to embed intelligent automation into daily operations, improving accessibility and implementing a tech-forward approach to ensure long-term success.

3. Link AI agents together for smarter workflows

While many AI tools today function independently, small businesses can get creative by linking them together for more powerful results. For example, an AI assistant that identifies a customer inquiry in an email could automatically create a follow-up task — or even draft a personalized response for review.

And the trend is accelerating. IBM’s 2025 study projected that AI-enabled workflows would rise from just 3% at the start of the year to roughly 25% by year’s end as more leaders discover how these linked systems can save time, reduce human error and improve customer satisfaction.

The takeaway: You don’t have to wait for an “ultimate” AI assistant to achieve intelligent automation. By experimenting with small connections between existing tools, SMBs can build custom ecosystems that evolve alongside their needs.

Looking Ahead: The Future Is Modular, Not Monolithic

The dream of a single, all-knowing AI app will likely become reality someday, but it won’t happen overnight. The next few years will be defined by modular, interoperable AI systems that adapt to how people actually work.

At Lenovo, our AI-powered innovations are designed to bring that future closer. Each advancement gives small businesses a stepping stone toward autonomy and intelligence, without requiring them to overhaul everything at once.

This Small Business Saturday, as entrepreneurs reflect on how far they’ve come, it’s worth remembering that AI doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing leap. The businesses that start integrating intelligent tools now, especially during high-volume, high-stakes moments like the holiday rush, will be the ones best prepared for the AI-powered future ahead.

Because in the end, building toward an AI-powered future isn’t about waiting for the perfect solution. It’s about taking the next smart step today.

2025-11-19T18:01:01

(BPT) – At LG Electronics, Better Life for All is more than a corporate vision or tagline — it’s a guiding principle that shapes everything we create. Central to our inclusive vision is a belief in universal design: the philosophy of crafting products and experiences to deliver convenience and comfort for everyone, regardless of age, gender or physical ability.

Committed to this philosophy, LG aims to go beyond functional innovation to provide unique lifestyle solutions that truly put people first. A deep understanding of our customers and the diverse environments in which they live is essential to this endeavor, which is why listening to the voice of the customer is such an integral part of our design process.

We have established systems to directly integrate real user feedback, especially from those with limited mobility — and seniors and children — into the product development stage. This includes operating an advisory group of people with disabilities and conducting in-depth usability testing. Both of these elements have proven instrumental in helping us to identify and minimize even the smallest points of user discomfort.

Designing with Empathy, Delivering with Purpose

Design at LG has always been about more than aesthetics. It’s about innovating with empathy to ensure usability, ease and enjoyment for all. For us, universal design is not just an outcome, but a mindset shared by all our teams — one that infuses human-centeredness into every decision, no matter how minor or inconsequential it may seem to someone looking in from the outside. From the first concept sketch to the final product experience, we view every touchpoint as an opportunity to make someone’s daily life simpler, safer and more enjoyable.

This approach requires us to design with people rather than for them. It challenges our teams to think beyond convention, to question what “easy to use” truly means and to continuously refine our technology to better meet and adapt to real human needs. When empathy is woven into the design process itself, innovation follows naturally. That is how we translate inclusivity from principle to practice.

Turning Philosophy into Practice: The Comfort Kit

Putting this philosophy into action, we launched the Comfort Kit — a series of affixable assistive kits designed to allow anyone to use our products easily, regardless of their gender, age or physical condition.

Some examples:

• Easy Handle: Enables users with limited hand mobility to open washers and dryers with minimal effort.
• Easy Ball: Helps those with reduced finger dexterity to manipulate control dials with ease.
• Easy Hanger: Allows people using wheelchairs, or those who are shorter than average, to interact comfortably with the LG Styler.
• Rotating Shelf: Improves refrigerator usability by making it easier to access hard-to-reach items.

We have presented inclusive design solutions that improve the usability of existing products, becoming the first in the home appliance industry to introduce 14 accessibility-enhancing kits. These Comfort Kit series, designed to remove the “one-size-fits-some” barrier that many customers have long faced, are also sustainably manufactured — reflecting our commitment to protecting the planet.

Recognition Beyond Design

Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. Globally, we are recognized as a model company for inclusive design.

We’ve shared our accessibility technologies and design philosophy at forums such as the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, where the Comfort Kit series was welcomed by both consumers and organizations advocating for underrepresented communities.

We also showcased this work at important global exhibitions such as IFA and CES. Our dedication to good design earned us the “Design Awards Grand Slam” — winning top honors at all three major global design awards, Red Dot, iF and IDEA.

These accolades matter to us, but more importantly, they reflect our deep conviction that inclusive design is not just a feature — it’s a responsibility.

Designing for a Better Tomorrow

For us at LG, realizing the Better Life for All vision means creating unique products and experiences that feel right for everyone, and can be enjoyed by anyone. We will continue to advance accessibility so that all customers can take advantage of everything that our products and services have to offer. No caveats or compromises, only convenience and comfort.

By Sooyeon Kim, head of HS & ES Design Lab at LG Electronics

2025-11-17T08:01:00

(BPT) – While today’s Fortune 500 companies have largely automated many processes, smaller businesses, the “Fortune 5 million,” often find themselves stuck due to the friction of manual workflows. For the millions of busy small and midsize businesses (SMBs) that power the U.S. economy, numerous back-office tasks like validating W-9s, reconciling receipts, user onboarding and other routine duties are slowing down the gears, making it harder for those companies to succeed and grow.

Offering SMBs tools to automate the functions that are clogging up their processes, intelligent financial operations platform BILL is introducing new AI agents that power touchless transactions. With this suite of intelligent AI agents and features, SMBs can delete manual workflows that are holding them back from success.

Highly trained AI agents

BILL AI has helped accelerate billions in payments and processed over 1.3 billion documents. Since the beginning of 2025, their AI solutions have increased fully automated bills by over 80% and stopped 8 million fraud attempts in fiscal year 2025 alone. The company currently serves nearly half a million businesses and 9,000 accounting firms, making BILL a trusted AI solution for SMBs, with AI agents that are smarter, faster and more reliable from the start.

“The Fortune 5 million deserve the same power and precision as the Fortune 500,” said René Lacerte, CEO and founder of BILL. “With data from trillions of dollars in transactions and a network of millions of businesses and accounting firms, we are uniquely positioned to deliver AI at a scale that is unmatched in our category. The future of fintech is touchless B2B transactions, and BILL is leading the way for SMBs.”

Streamlined processes with AI agents

Inefficiencies force many leaders into trade-offs between running the back office and growing their business. BILL’s new AI agents and features automate critical financial workflows and handle routine tasks accurately, so business leaders can focus on what matters most.

Here are just a few ways BILL’s AI agents can streamline formerly manual workflows:

BILL W-9 agent: Based on data from BILL customers, over 90% of businesses say collecting W-9s is the most painful part of doing taxes. But touchless tax compliance helps eliminate over 80% of manual steps for collecting W-9s. BILL’s first-of-its-kind agent autonomously requests and pre-validates W-9s from vendors. It can erase most of the work associated with collecting up to 3 million W-9s, saving BILL customers an estimated 650,000 hours. The agent is available to over 170,000 businesses, making tax compliance faster, easier and more reliable.

BILL reconciliation agent: The touchless receipts agent automatically codes transactions so receipts reconcile themselves while maintaining full visibility into expenses, helping financial teams stay organized and compliant. In its early rollout, transactions processed entirely by AI increased 533%, at 92% accuracy. Within six months, it is expected to scale to over 40,000 businesses managing more than 72 million receipts annually, with the ultimate goal of making receipts touchless.

BILL’s new agentic-powered onboarding: Agentic-powered user onboarding is expected to deliver a more intuitive set-up for new Spend & Expense users, tailored to each business so employees can start spending compliantly from day one. The new agentic-powered BILL Assistant will also provide personalized, instant answers, intelligent recommendations and complete tasks on behalf of small businesses, to help them spend less time managing the back office and more time on business growth and development.

BILL is also introducing other AI-powered features like BILL Assistant aimed at instant, personalized business support.

A touchless future

While web apps digitized manual workflows, well-built agents can actually eliminate them. BILL AI is building toward a future of touchless B2B transactions, so business operations run themselves, while people stay in control.

Learn more about how BILL’s AI agents can help your business thrive and grow at BILL.com/product/ai.

This content is presented ‘as is’ and is not intended to provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your advisors.

2025-11-13T15:01:00

(BPT) – Do you use artificial intelligence (AI)? Even if you don’t use AI platforms directly, chances are that you have interacted with AI in some form without knowing it.

According to research by Barna in partnership with Gloo, more than two in five U.S. adults regularly use smart home devices, in-device assistants and facial recognition, all of which utilize AI technology. Yet, when asked how often they use AI in their personal life, most respondents said not very much or not at all.

When used correctly, AI has the incredible potential to promote global well-being and human flourishing. It could fundamentally change the human condition, from unlocking solutions to climate change and poverty to breakthroughs in medicine that could eliminate life-threatening diseases. However, without proper guidance on how to use this technology responsibly, AI has the potential to do great harm to humanity.

What are possible concerns about AI?

Like any technology, AI is constantly changing and improving. That’s why there’s an urgent need to shape this technology for good. Specifically, creators and users of AI need to think critically about the concerns about AI use.

A common concern about AI is the trustworthiness of language learning models (LLMs) that serve as the base for AI platforms. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the data used to train LLMs may be biased, leading to query responses with misleading or inaccurate information that poses a risk to users.

The WHO also points to how LLMs can be misused to generate and disseminate highly convincing disinformation. Whether in text, audio or video, AI-generated content can be difficult to differentiate.

Transparency and accountability are also major sticking points about AI proliferation. Because AI systems require massive amounts of data, it’s not always clear where the LLM is mining its information, if the information is correct and if consent was given for the data to be used. That’s because, according to USC Annenberg, many AI algorithms are often considered “black boxes,” meaning that how the AI comes to its conclusions is difficult to understand and interpret. Without this knowledge, how can AI — and its creators — be held accountable?

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, AI has had very real effects on human well-being. Many people are engaging with AI chatbots to replace real-world relationships, exacerbating the current loneliness epidemic. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory report Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, “Several examples of harms include technology that displaces in-person engagement, monopolizes our attention, reduces the quality of our interactions, and even diminishes our self-esteem. This can lead to greater loneliness, fear of missing out, conflict, and reduced social connection.”

While the report doesn’t directly reference AI, this technology’s generative abilities, which can mimic human speech and conversation, are alluring to those already at risk of isolation. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that many teens are turning to AI chatbots for friendship and emotional support, and that these chatbots have engaged in harmful discussions with teen users with very little prompting.

Are there solutions to these concerns?

Avoiding AI altogether is not a solution to the concerns and real-world effects of LLMs. AI is here and it’s here to stay. Organizations that already are implementing or plan to implement AI in their work must consider what guardrails are needed to ensure that it can be a helpful, not harmful, tool for humanity.

There isn’t a silver bullet solution to AI ethical issues, but according to McKinsey and Company, there should be processes in place to ensure AI content is checked for appropriateness, hallucinations, regulatory compliance, validation and that it is in alignment with user expectations.

Some companies are already working on creating AI platforms and establishing research that focuses on how LLMs can aid human flourishing, particularly within the faith ecosystem.

Gloo, a technology company serving the faith and flourishing ecosystem, provides churches and frontline organizations, such as volunteer groups and nonprofits, access to AI, distribution, technology and solutions they need to better reach and serve their communities. Gloo’s focus on using technology to aid faith and human flourishing has led Gloo to partner with researchers from Valkyrie Intelligence to create the Flourishing AI (FAI) Benchmark.

This first-of-its-kind comprehensive evaluation framework measures AI alignment across seven dimensions: character, health, relationships, finances, happiness, faith and meaning. This new benchmark is based on the recent broader scientific research from the Global Flourishing Study (a collaboration with Harvard, Baylor and Gallup). It represents one of the first comprehensive assessments of AI values, measuring not just technical capabilities but how well models support human well-being.

While this benchmark is in its infancy, it has the potential to help guard against the harm of AI so that individuals and organizations can use this technology to help humanity flourish and thrive. Like AI itself, the FAI will be updated regularly as new AI models are released and as new research about human flourishing is completed.

While there are very real concerns about the use of AI, curiosity — not fear — will be helpful in shaping this technology. As individuals and organizations continue to question the potential and the pitfalls of LLMs, tackling concerns head-on and working on methods to make sure the technology promotes human flourishing are already in the works.

2025-11-11T07:01:00

(BPT) – If the holiday season seems to be approaching earlier than usual this year — with some stress creeping in alongside it — you’re not alone.

Holiday items hit the shelves before summer was even over, but consumers have mixed feelings toward the early arrival. According to a recent Bank of America survey, 52% of respondents embrace the early cheer, while 33% feel the accelerated pace dampens their festive spirit.

This trend of early engagement extends to shopping, with more than half of consumers starting their holiday purchases before October in hopes of spreading out expenses to avoid seasonal stress, especially since 62% anticipate financial strain from costs this year.

If you’re feeling a bit behind this season, don’t worry — there’s still plenty of time to make the most of the holidays and finish the year strong. Whether you’re focused on thoughtfully planning your gifts or celebrating within a smart budget, you can easily balance your finances with your festive spirit.

Here are four tips from Lora Monfared, Head of Consumer Card Products at Bank of America, to help you offset costs, ease your stress and embrace the holiday cheer:

1. Start planning now.

Although some retailers kicked off seasonal discounts in September and October, it’s not too late to score deals. Black Friday is still the most popular time of the year for holiday shopping — with 41% of Gen Z consumers planning to make the majority of their purchases on this day — so be sure to plan your purchases in advance to make the most out of it.

2. Don’t look past dupes.

Affordable alternatives (also called “dupes”) that look and work just as well as trendy or luxury gifts are gaining popularity. In fact, the survey shows more than half of people would consider gifting a dupe this holiday season.

If you’ve got someone on your list who doesn’t care about brand names, seeking out alternative options such as dupes or gently used items that have the same functionality and aesthetic appeal can be a cost-effective option. Secondhand stores also offer an opportunity to seek out unique, high-quality and original gifts for loved ones. Just be sure to do your research so you can confidently pick out what’s best for the people on your list — and your wallet.

3. Reap your rewards.

This year, nearly half of consumers say they do all or most of their holiday shopping online, according to the survey. If you too are an online shopper, consider using a flexible rewards card that offers cash back on your digital purchases. For example, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card allows new cardholders to earn 6% cash back for the first year after an account is opened in a category of their choice (including online shopping) — that’s double the usual 3% cash back.

4. Talk about your gift-giving plan beforehand.

Earning rewards on your spending is great, but a successful holiday shopping plan starts with a thoughtful budget. Take stock of your 2025 holiday budget and talk with your loved ones to agree on a spending limit.

This year, 38% of people plan to only buy gifts for immediate family and their closest friends, and 23% have agreed with family members to scale back on gifts. If you can iron out expectations from the outset, you’re more likely to enjoy the festivities without wallet-woes.

Financial strain is top of mind for many this year, but it doesn’t have to mean a stress-filled season. A bit of planning and strategy can go a long way in getting the most out of your spending. Learn more at BankofAmerica.com.

2025-11-05T07:01:00

(BPT) – For many Servicemembers transitioning out of the military, owning their own business is their second act. Take Aaron Gipson, for example. During his time in the military, he began cutting his fellow Marines’ hair using his footlocker as his “barber bench.”

Not long after he exited the military, he got his cosmetology degree and instructor’s license and opened his first salon in Jacksonville, Florida, his hometown. Today, Gipson’s salon, which he co-owns with his wife, LaVonia, is thriving — thanks to a combination of hard work, business acumen and a trusted financial partner that understands his needs.

“If we’re not behind the chair, we’re still working on marketing, inventory, accounts and trying to figure out how to stay relevant in a constantly changing industry in which trends come and go,” said Gipson.

Gipson is just one of many Veteran business owner success stories. Veterans are the majority owners of 1.6 million firms that employ 3.3 million workers, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. Though just 7% of the population, Veterans comprise 14% of the nation’s franchise owners.

Barriers to business

However, for many Vetrepreneurs, launching and growing businesses can be challenging. Finance is a key barrier.

According to a 2022 national survey by Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Veterans cited lack of access to capital (37%) and financing (35%) as their biggest financial barrier to entrepreneurship. Without funding, small-business owners can struggle to hire staff, stock inventory or invest in marketing, limiting their ability to scale their ventures.

“There’s no handbook for starting a business, and it’s rarely a straightforward path,” said Will Scott, vice president of business solutions at Navy Federal Credit Union. “But Veterans have developed skills in the military like leadership, resourcefulness and hard work, which make them great business owners across sectors ranging from government contracting and other professional services to construction to health care. In the face of adversity, they know how to pivot and make the best of those situations — and we’re here to help them grow.”

Supporting Vetrepreneurs one business at a time

Overcoming Veterans’ unique financial challenges requires a tailored approach. That’s why Navy Federal Business Solutions provides products and services specifically designed to help Vetrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses.

The credit union offers business banking services designed with Veterans in mind, such as business checking, business credit cards and traditional business loans with competitive rates and terms for qualified borrowers.

The Navy Federal Business Solutions team goes above and beyond by connecting business owners with resources that will help them access funding and grow. Such resources include Service to CEO, an entrepreneurship program for military-connected entrepreneurs run by The Rosie Network, the Small Business Administration’s Boots to Business program and VetFran, an organization that helps Veterans become franchisees.

Thanks to these business services, the Gipsons were able to refinance the building that houses their salon, cover the cost of tuition at two colleges and save for their future. When asked about their business success, they credit their positive relationship with Navy Federal Business Solutions for helping them achieve financial security.

“It gave us the impetus to keep moving and not stop,” said Gipson.

To learn more about how Navy Federal Business Solutions supports Veteran business owners, visit NavyFederal.org.

Navy Federal Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA.

2025-11-02T08:01:00

(BPT) – Every year, millions of Americans find themselves in a holiday bind: staring at empty store shelves, scrolling online or stressing out over finding the right gifts for everyone on their lists. But the cure for this anxiety is always in plain sight. The National Retail Federation reports gift cards have been the most requested holiday present for nearly two decades. They’re perfect for everyone on your list, available everywhere and let recipients get exactly what they want.

While gift cards are a surefire hit and take the stress out of gift-giving, buying them still requires a little awareness to make sure the experience is as festive as it’s intended to be — and that criminals don’t dampen holiday spirits. The key is choosing gift cards that delight your recipients while protecting everyone involved.

Here are six ways to put that advice into action this holiday season.

Choose gift cards with the recipient in mind

The best gifts feel thoughtful and personal. Gift cards check those boxes by offering endless opportunities to connect people with the brands, retailers and experiences they love most. There are even themed gift cards from more than one brand based on the occasion or recipient. For a teenager, the perfect gift card might be for a clothing retailer or gaming platform. For young adults, a favorite coffee shop or bookstore. Spas for a tired mom. A home improvement store for a DIY dad. Or travel for a retiree.

Gift cards are easy to buy and give in a variety of different formats. Digital gift cards are perfect for last-minute giving or faraway friends, while physical cards can create a celebratory moment in-person together. No matter how you give them, gift cards show you’ve considered what will make others’ holiday season brighter.

Shop from sources you trust

Where you buy matters. Established and well-known retailers, grocery chains and official brand websites are the safest places to purchase gift cards. Authorized online marketplaces that provide buyer protections are another solid option.

Avoid buying gift cards from unfamiliar sellers. Criminals often use platforms like online marketplaces and social media to disguise scams. A good rule of thumb: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Take 30 seconds to check for tampering

It can be tempting to grab a gift card and rush to continue your shopping or check out. Instead, take a few moments to make sure the card hasn’t been tampered with. A 30-second inspection is one of the easiest ways to make sure your purchase is safe.

• Look closely at the packaging. Compare it to other gift cards on the rack. Colors, logos and text should match exactly.
• Feel the back of the card. Run your fingers over the back of the card and packaging to check for bumps or layers that feel unusual. This could be something as small as a sticker that feels slightly elevated or an extra layer of packaging that feels thicker than the rest.
• Inspect the PIN covering. The stickers and scratch-off material covering the gift card PIN number should be smooth, flat and fully intact. Missing or wrinkled coverings are red flags.
• Examine gift card packaging for signs of cuts or tears. Look for small marks on packaging edges or paper fibers around perforated areas where a criminal may have opened the gift card already.

If anything feels off, pick another card and hand the suspicious card to a customer service or checkout clerk. In less than a minute you can create peace of mind for yourself and the recipient.

Keep the paper trail

Gift cards should come with receipts — and that small piece of paper is a valuable safety net. Always save your receipt and ask for a gift receipt for the recipient as well. Gift card receipts make it easier to confirm when a gift card is activated, track balances or resolve issues in the off chance something goes wrong.

Protect your cards and your wallet

Once the gift card is in the hands of the recipient, your job isn’t quite done. You may need to remind the people you give the cards to that they should check balances right away to make sure the card has the right amount of funds and is ready for them to use.

When checking a gift card balance, type in the URL printed on the back of the card so you visit an official website (as opposed to one that may come up from a generic search). Gift cards should be treated like cash and stored securely. You should never share card numbers or PINs with strangers.

Know where to go for help

In the off chance something is wrong with the gift card you bought, you can find help solving your problem.

• Contact the gift card issuer: Call customer service numbers on the back of the gift card and make sure to have your receipt and other purchase information handy.
• Report potential scams to the authorities: You can contact local law enforcement, file a complaint with Federal Trade Commission or report an incident to the Better Bustiness Bureau (BBB).
• Check with the experts: Visit GiftCardSafety.org for more resources on how to spot, prevent and report potential fraud.

Smarter gifting makes for a better holiday season

Gift cards are meant to treat others and give people the power to buy exactly what they want. No returns. No exchanges for a different size or color. No stress. Just joy. With a little awareness, you can have peace of mind and make sure the thrill of your gift isn’t overshadowed by criminals.

For more resources and step-by-step guidance, visit GiftCardSafety.org.

2025-10-31T15:01:02

(BPT) – In a new legal turn, a U.S. federal court may require the daughter of Polish media mogul Zygmunt Solorz to hand over documents related to an ongoing dispute over the succession of his companies.

A new filing in California alleges that the self-made billionaire’s children misled him into prematurely initiating succession proceedings — raising questions about manipulation and control over a multi-billion-dollar media empire.

Self-Made Billionaire

At the heart of the case is Zygmunt Solorz, a Polish entrepreneur who built a successful media empire from the ground up.

Solorz, who has repeatedly appeared on Forbes’ ranking of the world’s billionaires, began his career as a salesman. In 1994, he won a bid for a private television broadcasting license and launched Polsat, which went on to become one of Poland’s largest private television channels and one of the first national commercial broadcasters in Eastern Europe.

In the ensuing decades, Solorz expanded his business empire into mobile services, energy and financial products.

The succession conflict came to a head last year when Solorz’s three children — two sons based in the family’s native Poland and the aforementioned daughter, who resides in the United States — allegedly manipulated their father into signing documents intended to transfer the authority of two Liechtenstein-registered foundations over to the children, effectively signing over control of Solorz’s entire business empire, including Polsat.

The children then sent letters to managers of Solorz’s key companies, warning against making decisions that could affect their control over the businesses. In response, Solorz removed his sons from their supervisory positions of his company ZE PAK, Poland’s largest private energy group.

Solorz is petitioning a court in Liechtenstein to revoke the signed documents.

U.S. Chapter in the Case

In this latest development, Solorz’s lawyers have asked the federal District Court of the Central District of California to order his daughter to produce documentation to uncover how the alleged steps were executed.

The goal, according to the filing, is to gather evidence to support several different ongoing legal proceedings pending in Liechtenstein, which will help determine whether Zak and her siblings orchestrated a plan to consolidate control of their father’s assets without his permission.

Under a U.S. statute known as Section 1782, litigants in foreign proceedings can obtain discovery — a formal exchange of evidence — from U.S. citizens for use in such proceedings, ensuring that relevant evidence pertaining to the foreign proceedings are taken into account.

The case demonstrates how serious allegations of this type are taken, especially when they involve large assets. The battle between Solorz and his children has caused company stock prices to take a steep tumble, leading to significant losses in the empire Solorz built from the ground up.

What can you do to protect your own legacy?

While the Solorz case is complex, it demonstrates the need for detailed planning. As you approach retirement, remember that improper handling could lead to significant loss in wealth. Thoughtful preparation will help protect assets and preserve relationships across generations.

2025-10-28T08:01:00

(BPT) – We are approaching a critical tipping point that could shake up the status quo for wealth planning. Millennials and Gen Z are accumulating more wealth at a rapid pace, increasingly dominating the world’s ultra-wealthy population. In fact, they have already begun to overtake Baby Boomers as the largest class of individuals with a personal worth exceeding $30 million. This major shift could have serious implications for the Baby Boomer generation.

According to a new report by Altrata, Baby Boomers currently make up nearly half the world’s ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) population. In contrast, Millennials and Gen Z make up just 8%.

That gap, however, is closing fast.

By 2040, Millennials and Gen Z are projected to account for one-third of the world’s UHNW population, fueled by rapidly changing dynamics, such as the Great Wealth Transfer — a historical shift in assets from the large, aging Baby Boomer generation to their heirs — and the rise of new wealth sources, such as tech startups, cryptocurrency and social media fortunes.

But Baby Boomers aren’t stepping aside just yet.

More than 78 million Baby Boomers are looking to retire within the next 10 to 15 years, but they’re retiring later and at a more gradual pace than previous generations. The average planned retirement age now falls between 65 and 69, a marked shift from the past in which 65 was considered the age to retire.

Baby Boomers aren’t just working longer — they’re also holding onto their power. Baby Boomers own more than 65% of businesses with employees, totaling nearly four million companies and controlling an estimated 80% of total U.S. net worth.

Why does the Baby Boomer generation have such a disproportionately large hold on the country’s wealth? One major reason is that they are living longer. Life expectancy has increased significantly over the past century, with Baby Boomers now living an average of 30 years longer than their predecessors.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Baby Boomers’ transitions from full career employment to retirement tend to start later than for earlier generations, too. Increasingly, Baby Boomers are following more gradual exit paths from work, easing into retirement rather than quitting cold turkey. That means they’re cutting back hours, shifting roles, or stepping into advisory positions rather than fully retiring.

Rupert Murdoch serves as a high-profile example of the trend toward delayed retirement. Despite his towering influence in global media, Murdoch remained actively involved in the leadership of his media empire well into his 90s. It wasn’t until 2023, at the age of 92, that he formally announced his retirement from the role of chairman at Fox and News Corp, handing over the reins to his son, Lachlan.

Murdoch’s late transition underscores a broader pattern among Baby Boomer leaders — holding on to control long past traditional retirement age and gradually exiting the workforce. But these gradual exits can pose serious challenges for future generations, particularly as it comes to succession planning.

Despite this generation’s significant wealth and economic influence, 78% of Baby Boomer business owners do not have a formal exit or succession plan in place. This failure to plan can leave Baby Boomers vulnerable to losing their wealth and their legacy.

Sumner Redstone, the media mogul behind Viacom and CBS, demonstrated how delaying clear succession planning can lead to legacy risk and business strife. Though Redstone, who was in his nineties at the time, eventually designated his daughter as his successor, the path to succession involved public family conflict, lawsuits and reputational damage. This complex succession battle has marred his empire-building legacy.

Baby Boomers may also find themselves vulnerable to manipulation from family members. Zygmunt Solorz, a Polish billionaire and media entrepreneur, is a prime example. Solorz’s children reportedly manipulated him into initiating succession protocol before he was ready to step down. At age 69, he is now fighting to retain control of the business empire he built from the ground up.

As Baby Boomers approach retirement, they can face financial and personal risks that must be carefully considered. It’s critical that Baby Boomers are aware of these risks and take swift, proactive steps to safeguard against them.

The wealth shift is inevitable. But how it unfolds will depend in large part on how well today’s ultra-wealthy prepare for tomorrow.