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3 easy growth hacks to get ahead in an AI-saturated landscape

Kraig Pakulski / Tuesday, December 16, 2025 0 85 Article rating: No rating

A vector illustration showing content strategy graphics for social media marketing.

Sammby // Shutterstock

Over the last five years, the business world has undergone a more dramatic transformation than it did in the entire decade before. Just as companies were adapting to permanent shifts in workplace dynamics, consumer behavior, and global economics — all sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic — generative AI emerged. This delivered a shock to business comparable to the internet revolution of the 1990s.

Companies that once led the digital transformation now face an unexpected reality: Their hard-won advantages are evaporating as competitors leverage AI to match the capabilities of much larger, better-funded teams.

The playing field hasn‘t just leveled. It’s been completely redrawn.

Through months of market research focused on customer needs, HubSpot uncovered how growth-driving teams are responding to this new environment. They’re abandoning linear playbooks in favor of go-to-market strategies that operate in an infinite marketing loop — a continuously adapting cycle of learning, experimenting, optimizing, and scaling.

A 2025 study of 1,800 brand professionals (including marketers, advertisers, content strategists, brand specialists, and GTM decision-makers) identified key tactics that brands are using to get ahead in the eye of dramatic tech transformation. These insights form what HubSpot calls The Loop Marketing Landscape.

3 Takeaways from HubSpot’s Loop Marketing Landscape Report

1. Brands must document clear brand positioning.

This may sound pretty obvious, but it’s far from a given. While every marketing textbook harps on the importance of documenting a unique value proposition (UVP), HubSpot found that only half (51%) of global marketers actually have one.

The remaining 49% revealed the following:

39% say, “We have a general idea, but it’s not formally documented.”
8% say, “We have multiple competing value propositions depending on who you ask.”
3% say their brand completely lacks brand positioning (documented or undocumented).

Why It Matters

When you compare overall goal attainment (in the past year) across respondents, 52% of marketers on goal-exceeding teams had a clearly defined and documented UVP. Only 36% of teams that just hit their targets (without regularly exceeding) did. And just 24% of respondents who regularly missed their goals did.

A data graphic showing survey results on how clearly defined US marketers' brands' UVP.

HubSpot

The connection is clear: If your own teams can’t articulate what makes you valuable, your customers won’t get it either. Misalignment across marketing, sales, product, and l

Top 10 travel destinations for 2026

Kraig Pakulski / Tuesday, December 16, 2025 0 133 Article rating: No rating

An aerial view of the beautiful beach at Punta Molentis, Villasimius in Sardinia, Italy.

DaLiu // Shutterstock

Travel in 2026 is shaping up to be less about distance and more about smarter choices. Global travel interest is surging in destinations that balance popularity and purpose, places ready to welcome visitors while protecting what makes them special.

The insights come from Expedia Group’s Unpack ’26 Travel Trends report, powered by real-time data including increases in flight and accommodation searches on Expedia for travel between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, versus Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025. From Big Sky in Montana to the alpine region of Savoie, France, the top travel spots for 2026 highlight destinations that blend natural beauty, cultural depth, and a readiness for sustainable growth.

So, where is everyone headed on their trips next year? Here are the 2026 destinations of the year.

Big Sky, Montana, U.S.

A view of the snowy mountains in Big Sky, Montana.

CSNafzger // Shutterstock

Searches for flights and accommodations in Big Sky have increased by 92% over the past year, earning it the top spot of the best places to visit in 2026. Montana’s all-season mountain destination is beloved for its world-class ski resorts, outdoor adventure activities like hiking, river rafting and mountain biking, alongside its natural scenery. Located just a few hours from Yellowstone National Park and Earthquake Lake, Big Sky is the perfect base for exploring the American West’s most spectacular landscapes. Big Sky also caters to luxury travelers with five-star hotels, upscale lodges, and top-rated restaurants. Whether you’re chasing powder, panoramic views, or peaceful mountain air, Big Sky truly lives up to its name.

Okinawa, Japan

A view of the Aharen Beach in Okinawa, Japan.

12 great business networking groups for small business owners

Kraig Pakulski / Tuesday, December 16, 2025 0 116 Article rating: No rating

A group of business women listening to a presentation in a meeting room.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

DIY manufacturing shop owner April Wilkerson credits business networking for everything from finding new work to hiring help. “I hardly ever leave a conversation where I’m not spreading the word on ‘hey, this is what I’m doing,’ or ‘this is what I’m looking for,’” she says.

Networking can be one of the most effective ways to grow your small business. It can help you find new customers and partnerships, and learn from people who face the same challenges.

Here’s why networking matters for your small business:

It can bring opportunity. Meeting other people can lead to partnerships, events, new customers and more. For example, a 2022 survey conducted by Display Wizard found 70% of respondents acquired new leads using trade shows as a business networking strategy.
It supports growth. The insights you get from peers can help you make better decisions that help move your business forward.
It builds confidence. Talking with other entrepreneurs and mentors can help sharpen your communication skills and decision-making.
It makes running a business less lonely. Networking gives you a community of people who understand your challenges, share referrals or encourage you to meet your goals.

Whether online or in person, connecting with other small business owners can open doors you might not find on your own. Joining a small business networking group can help you expand your circle and learn from other entrepreneurs.

NEXT has gathered this list of 12 great networking groups for small business owners. The right connections can help you find customers, spot opportunities and learn from people who’ve already been where you’re headed.

How to find the best small business networking groups for you

The best networking group depends on your goals, budget and interaction level. Here’s how to find one that fits your business.

Start with your goals. Decide what you want from networking: more clients, mentorship, local connections or professional development. Groups like your Chamber of Commerce or Alignable can help build local visibility, while organizations like SCORE or WBENC offer education and mentorship.
Match the group to your business stage. New business owners often benefit from free or low-cost options such as Facebook Groups or Meetup, while established entrepreneurs may get more value from structured networks like Business Network International or Entrepreneurs’ Organization. Choose what fits your time and current needs.
Consider your industry and location. Look for groups that align with your trade or community. Local trade associations, for example, connect you with peers who understand your daily challenges (like regulations and referrals) while online communities let you network beyond your city.
Test the waters before committing
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FIFA World Cup visas: Challenges and opportunities

Kraig Pakulski / Tuesday, December 16, 2025 0 97 Article rating: No rating

Wu Xiaoling // Xinhua via Getty Images

The U.S. expects to welcome more than 5 million international visitors in 2026 for the FIFA World Cup.

The Trump administration has taken steps to accommodate those visitors, but it’s also taken further initiatives on immigration enforcement that may create challenges as the tournament approaches.

In this article, Manifest Law examines the visa challenges and policy changes affecting international visitors to the 2026 World Cup.

Welcoming World Cup visitors

On one hand, the U.S. is making moves to make sure stadiums are full by taking measures to expedite short-term travel.

FIFA Pass
The administration announced the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) in November, saying it would give fans who buy a match ticket the chance to get a faster visa interview for traveling to the U.S. FIFA plans to share more information on the program in early 2026.

Reduced visa wait times
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA task force, said Wednesday that the administration aims to ensure fans in 80% of the world can secure a visa appointment in less than 60 days. The U.S. Department of State is deploying more than 450 extra staffers in consulates to decrease appointment times.

A series of diplomatic cables obtained by the Associated Press revealed the Trump administration is prioritizing visas for people attending the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, also being hosted in the U.S.

Renewed scrutiny of other travelers

While the U.S. seems set to welcome World Cup visitors next year, the administration has also planned to increase scrutiny on other types of travel to the U.S.

In its latest cables, the State Department announced a significant expansion of vetting for individuals seeking H-1B visas. Consular officers are now instructed to review whether an applicant has been involved in activities that could be interpreted as censoring U.S. citizens online, particularly considering new content-moderation regulations coming out of the European Union. If an officer finds evidence suggesting that an applicant participated in or contributed to this type of online censorship, that could become a basis for denying the H-1B visa.

Travel ban

While some countries sending teams to the World Cup are seeing decreased visa appointment times, others are facing full or partial travel bans. An executive order issued in June 2025 placed travel bans on 19 countries, including Haiti and Iran, which both qualified for the World Cup. While there are exceptions for players, coaches, and support staff heading to the tournament, fans from those countries can’t attend.

Twelve countries are subject to a full travel ban, which restricts all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, while a partial travel ban, which restricts all immigrant and some nonimmigrant visas (including travel, student, and exch

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How to become a group fitness instructor

Kraig Pakulski / Tuesday, December 16, 2025 0 81 Article rating: No rating

PeopleImages // Shutterstock

Do you enjoy working out and staying fit? Do you have a passion for helping others achieve their fitness goals? If so, a career as a group fitness instructor is the perfect opportunity to pursue your fitness goals while helping others do the same. This path offers several rewarding benefits, both professionally and personally.

The road to becoming a group fitness instructor can be challenging, yet exciting and extremely rewarding. You get to learn about health and safety, human anatomy and physiology, leadership, and communication, among other vital skills. Ultimately, you can explore your passions with a sense of fulfillment.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to become a fitness instructor, you’ll find answers to most, if not all, of your questions in this detailed guide by Zumba.

What Is a Group Fitness Instructor?

A group fitness instructor is someone who is trained and qualified to lead and motivate a group of people in exercise and high-intensity interval training.

The job of a group fitness instructor goes beyond just teaching pre-choreographed exercises to a class of participants. It encompasses other core responsibilities that keep the classes running and participants motivated. Gaining insights into the role of a group fitness instructor will help you develop a stronger foundation for becoming a successful one.

Some vital roles and responsibilities of a group fitness instructor include:

Motivating participants: Participants in a group fitness setting will rely on you as an instructor to help them maintain the proper energy levels they need to stay motivated. As someone who is expected to motivate others, you’ll require some level of personal motivation yourself.

Planning classes: As a group instructor, you’ll be responsible for organizing and planning class schedules and activities based on details such as class size, experience levels, and fitness goals.

Ensuring safety: It’s your job to ensure that the environment is safe and low-risk for participants.

Adequately managing time: Group fitness classes often run on time slots, and as the instructor, you’ll be responsible for ensuring adequate time management.

Instructing and demonstrating: It’s your responsibility to teach group fitness class participants proper exercise techniques and adequately demonstrate exercises, while ensuring everyone follows along.

Why Teach Group Fitness Classes?

Group fitness is not a new trend. The concept has been around since the early days of television shows, such as those featuring Jack LaLanne and Jacki Sorensen, which encouraged people to exercise together, with presenters virtually leading the way. The power of community, collective transformation, and accountability differentiates group fitness classes from solo training.

As a group fitness instructor, the

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