A framework inspired by podcaster and serial entrepreneur Tim Ferriss can help leaders determine their next moves, write Harvard Business School researchers in the case study of Ferriss' career. "I try to be in a category of one," says Ferriss, whose ability to pause and recalibrate, rather than compete in a saturated market, focuses on maintaining a unique position.

Employers are prioritizing cost containment over talent attraction and retention as rising medical and pharmacy costs reshape the benefit landscape, according to Brown & Brown's Employer Health and Benefits Strategy Survey 2026. Employers are implementing tactics such as reviewing stop-loss plan structures and working with digital health companies to manage performance and costs. Despite budget-related pressures, employers are maintaining investments in employee well-being programs and parental leave.

Taco Bell, J.Crew, Duolingo, Google and Manscaped faced challenges with AI in 2025, highlighting the technology's risks. Taco Bell's AI-driven drive-thru service struggled with basic orders, Google Gemini's local Super Bowl ads contained factual inaccuracies and Duolingo's "AI-first" approach led to a backlash and a loss of followers. Marketers should ensure that AI enhances rather than detracts from the customer experience, rigorously vet AI-generated content, and be transparent about AI use, writes Ad Age's Asa Hiken.

As workplace conflict continues to evolve, three key trends are emerging for 2026: increased use of artificial intelligence to manage conflict, more management time spent on conflict resolution and expanding employee rights and expectations. According to PwC, 54% of workers have used AI in the past year, leading to more complex grievances. Managers are spending more than four hours a week on conflict, and HR teams are feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, employee rights are expanding, with the UK Employment Rights Bill proposing 'day-one' rights to claim unfair dismissal.

Surprise ecommerce taxes can lead to unnecessary filings or unexpected bills, writes Reuben Mattinson, founder of RJM Tax Exemption. Mattinson details five mistakes to avoid, from failing to reassess business structure to treating tax planning as an annual task.