Designers and stagers are finding ways to offer people who work from home more versatility than a dedicated workspace often provides.

There are many ways sales teams can increase their volume, including aligning with marketing, watching competitors to spark new ideas and assigning high-value leads to top performers, writes Sean McPheat, who offers 21 tips. "When working with your team to set sales goals, make sure you're setting goals that are realistic but still push team members out of their comfort zones," McPheat suggests.

Brands that want to avoid being declared "cringe" by Gen Z on social media need to understand "the trends, creators and viral moments dominating" their attention, writes Gillian Follett. Five emerging trends of the new year include sharing "in" and "out" lists on TikTok, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, and reactions and memes related to the "Saltburn" movie that's generated more than 3 billion #Saltburn views.

New data reveals why more younger home buyers are prioritizing family and community ties when choosing where to plant roots.

Americans feel increasingly optimistic that rates will drop even further throughout the year, surveys show.

The top AI innovation showcased at CES 2024 is a handheld Rabbit R1 assistant, which links to apps to manage rideshares, table reservations, ticket bookings and food deliveries, per this roundup by Ad Age. Others highlighted include more accessible AI via the Microsoft CoPilot key on Lenovo's ThinkBook and MeetKai's use of generative AI to create metaverse worlds such as "The Brotherhood Deli."

Ohio real estate pro Tammy Koleski and her sister, Pam, bargain shop for learning essentials and clothes and donate them to local schools in poor neighborhoods.

With core skills expected to change dramatically by 2027, organizational leaders face the challenge of guiding their teams through a business landscape that is rapidly evolving, writes Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio of Harvard University. Cecchi-Dimeglio outlines several tactics leaders can apply in their workplaces, including creating a learning culture, boosting employee engagement and embracing technology to improve efficiency.

A real estate investment fund is focused on buying rental properties in Midwest ZIP codes with the best schools, providing a path for renters who want access to these districts. The investment model is seen as a way to tap into middle-class renters who can afford monthly payments but have trouble raising a down payment for home purchases in pricey areas.

A new federal bill introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff would establish a federal catastrophic reinsurance program that would require participating carriers to insure all manner of natural catastrophes while capping insurers' liability from natural disasters. The U.S. Treasury Department would operate the program, which is meant to offer insurers more fairly priced and transparent options.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S., SmartBrief will not publish Monday, Jan. 15.