Business

Has your company recently begun using Slack? Don't have the faintest idea how it works? Our beginner's guide to how Slack works will have you slacking like a pro in no time.

By Rhiannon Ball

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in huge increases of Americans filing for unemployment benefits. But why do the amounts given vary so much across states? And can states run out of money?

By Dave Roos

The U.S. food supply chain has been rocked by the coronavirus pandemic, but so far, it's still functioning. How long will that last?

By Patrick J. Kiger

Although it's often said that Americans won't use the metric system, the popularity of the 2-liter soda bottle flies in the face of that logic. So why is soda sold like that, while other products like milk aren't?

By Nathan Chandler

Sure, you can start your own bank. Well, you can as long as you have enough money. And a solid business plan. And the courage to make it through the byzantine startup process.

By Patrick J. Kiger

You know the grunge hits. You know the Nicktoons. But how well do you know the glitzy, creative and downright weird TV commercials that helped define the 1990s? Grab a bag of fruit gushers and let's find out.

By Mark Mancini

The easiest thing is probably not to do it, but it's almost impossible. Can a company forbid those discussions? We talk with an expert on how to have a civil political discussion at work.

By Dave Roos

If you're starting a business of your own you'll need to find out how to get a business license to legally operate it. We'll show you how to get a business license.

By Dave Roos

When choosing a font for business email communication, character clarity is the main objective. So which font rules?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Think you know your scattered from your smothered? Take the Waffle House Quiz and find out your WaHo IQ.

By Alia Hoyt

Independent bookstores aren't dead! The buy local, shop local, eat local movement has kicked in and people are demanding the return of small, independent businesses in a world where the giants are trying to rule.

By Dave Roos

Which drives you crazier when on hold with a company? An endless loop of smooth jazz tunes or hearing "your call is very important" every 10 seconds? Scientists have actually studied what makes waiting on hold worse.

By Dave Roos

Ever had a friend try to get you to sell Mary Kay, Rodan & Fields, Pampered Chef, jewelry, oils or some other product from home? How much can you really expect to earn doing these?

By Dave Roos

From Kendall Jenner attempting to end police brutality with a Pepsi to H&M's "The Coolest Monkey in the Jungle" ad, let's just say some of these brands didn't get it right.

By Khiry Clements

From Muzak to Mood Media, retailers are banking on music for more sales.

By Cherise Threewitt

Why get stuck with a useless jersey when your favorite football star gets traded to another team? A new company lets you switch out shirts as often as you wish.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

The 1993 case of Earring Magic Ken shows how marketing and focus groups can inadvertently create a kitsch classic. Mattel found this out the hard way.

By Bryan Young

People claim to hate pop-ups ads, and their more recent successor, the hover ad. Yet they still click on them. Here's why.

By Dave Roos

One hundred percent of female mannequins in a new U.K. study represented underweight individuals, while only 8 percent of male mannequins did the same.

By Jesslyn Shields

Is your cluttered desk a sign of creative genius or just chaos? Experts weigh in on whether either is really a true reflection of how your brain operates.

By Alia Hoyt

Mike Marts, the AfterShock editor-in-chief and co-founder, looks back at the diverse roster of titles and genres published by the new company.

By Christian Sager

As more toll roads move away from cash, where does that leave drivers who don't have electronic passes? Or even exact change?

By Jesslyn Shields

Pesky vowels. Who needs those, anyway?

By Kate Kershner

If human nutrition is essentially universal, why do yogurt commercials feature women so prominently?

By Laurie L. Dove

In an effort to discourage food waste, some all-you-can-eat buffets are charging diners whose eyes are bigger than their stomachs.

By Chris Opfer