WJR Business Beat

If you're a small business in particular, you need to be aware of the increasingly challenging playing field when it comes to managing your cash. You need to be prepared to be paid late in a meaningful number of cases, and to do that, you need to make sure you have a sufficient cash-on-hand position to hedge against these increasingly late payments due in from customers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

According to a 2026 Patient Choice report from healthcare reputation management firm Rater Eight, and as reported by MediaPost, reliance on AI to choose a healthcare provider has more than doubled in the past year from 17% a year ago to 36% this year, completely upending traditional methods like search engine marketing and referrals from other doctors. The report found that 47% of respondents have used AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google's AI Overviews to research providers, up from 31% in Rater Eight's prior research done nine months earlier. And one surprising finding, more 45 to 60 year-olds, reported actively using AI to find their providers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you're looking to add an effective marketing tactic to your campaigns, try influencer or creator campaigns, and set aside budget to add in order to boost these campaigns once they're proving effective. It's a tactic that's seeing more and more of the marketing departments' budgets these days, and again, that's for good reason. They're working. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kaylin Lohmaster, Director Analyst in Gartner's HR practice, said in a statement with the release of the study's results, "AI is ultimately going to reverse the course and result in more jobs gained than those lost by twenty twenty-eight." This does depend, however, on the need for organizations to rethink how employees gain expertise and grow within the organization, or companies will find themselves without ready talent for the jobs AI will help to create in the future. As companies continue to harness the capabilities of AI in the workplace, it will become increasingly important for HR leaders to take a more skill-centric approach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New data shows that there is a growing number of older adults that are actually staying in the workforce or reentering it, or even opting to start a business of their own in retirement in order to simply make ends meet. Roughly one in five Americans age 65 plus are employed or looking for work. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In an era when trust seems to be more in doubt than ever before with the proliferation of AI and media sources which take positions rather than adhering to basic editorial standards and practices, who can we trust? Well, a new survey from TD Bank sheds some light on what sources Americans find to be most trustworthy for information we can count on, and here are some highlights from that survey. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paul Krucke, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, had this to say about their big day. "The event is an opportunity to reflect on the partnerships, innovation, and leadership that continue to move our region forward," he said. "This year's honorees represent the very best of what makes the Ann Arbor region unique: visionary leadership, entrepreneurial success, industry innovation, and a deep commitment to building opportunity for others." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Athletic apparel is a near-universal category in which Nike leads by a wide margin. They own a 22% mental market share, the broadest occasion footprint, in a new study conducted by Morning Consult. For reference, mental market share means a brand's mental availability, how often it comes to mind compared to competitors when consumers think of buying in a given category. The athletic apparel category is showing strong retail results for brands and retailers alike. One that aspiring entrepreneurs should take a close look at if they're thinking of starting or growing a business of their own. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Google has edged Apple out as the number one spot on this list now. Apple had occupied the number one spot for the last four years. This year, it's Google. The tech giant's brand value grew 57% over last year according to the data and analytics giant, which now values it at $1.48 trillion. The most powerful brands in the world according to Kantar Brands Report. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mother's Day shoppers spent an average of $284.25 per person for a total spend of around $38 billion. Who did all that spending? While both men and women spent more this year, it's men who continue to be most likely to splurge. This year, men budgeted an average of $346 per person, compared to women's $225 per person. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What are you worth? Well, that can be answered of course, in a lot of different ways, but in the context of business specifically, when it comes to your value, the average value of a US citizen in the advertising world. You're worth this, according to a recent report that analyzes and estimates the annual advertising value that people generate for Google's ad platform, the average US consumer generates about $1,605 per year in advertising value. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As consumers, we need to have our guards up more than ever to protect against fraudulent activity. And now new data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that social media has become the leading channel for consumer fraud, with reported losses reaching 2.1 billion in 2025. The figure marks an eightfold increase since 2020, highlighting the growing role of digital platforms in large-scale scam operations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Cohen, CEO at the International Advertising Bureau says this, the revenue growth reflects a market that has reoriented around performance channel. As expectations for measurable outcomes rise, investment is concentrating in areas that can directly correlate to spend when it comes to advertising and marketing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New data from a survey just released by True Caller, entitled The 2026 Phone Fraud and AI Threat Survey puts into perspective just how bothersome these calls are. First of the individuals polled, 75% say they've been targeted by a spam call or a text in the past 12 months. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trying to find an angle in your marketing strategy, one that reaches your audience at an attractive cost per acquisition? One that will help you break out from the noise and get noticed. One that will stand out from the same old, same old approach to creating awareness and driving sales. While a creator marketing campaign is designed to do just that. E-marketer newsletter just featured a great story on how creator marketing is helping a brand break into public awareness. By using creators to make it happen last month, formula E, the Motor Sports Championship for electric vehicles, invited creators to test its cars and compete in a live knockout style race. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LegalZoom Inc. America's number one online legal services company, has just released data from a new survey of business owners, which reveals that 33% of small business owners say compliance requirements have prevented them from pursuing new business opportunities. The most often missed opportunities according to business owners, include expanding into new areas, securing new partnerships or investment hiring, and launching new products or services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The comprehensive program blends practical education, experiential learning, and personalized mentorship, providing a powerful foundation for veterans to launch and scale their own ventures. The program runs from June 10th through June 12th in Salt Lake City. You can go to patriotbootcamp.org to learn more and to register. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Roughly 65% of Americans have used an artificial intelligence search in the past six months. But only 15% trust it, according to a recent study conducted by Yelp. What's the issue? It's trust. Americans simply aren't trusting of AI yet to conduct the study. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Women owned businesses, those of which are owned, operated in control by one or more women with at least 51% ownership now represent 40.6% of all US businesses. In 2025, there were 15.7 million women owned businesses. Women owned businesses employed 12.6 million employees in 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Data shows that moms rely far more on recommendations from other moms. Reviews and real life experiences than traditional advertising key friction points to address in order to win them. 69% of moms struggle with home organization these days. 56% struggle to find time for themselves, and 52% struggle with meal planning. Word of mouth is the single most powerful driver of purchase behavior among moms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This year's ranking shows six Michigan companies that made it on this list of recognition. The ranking evaluates companies largely on confidential employee surveys, measuring trust, job satisfaction, and workplace culture, and it is the feedback provided by these participating employees that determines the ultimate ranked order. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New data from the rental car company, Hertz, shows that Americans are traveling differently this spring break. With more flexible timing and longer getaway windows as top priorities in 2026. The data shows that more travelers are taking to the roads this year to avoid congestion in America's busiest airports. Following the partial government shutdown, according to Hertz, travelers are skipping the single peak traveled period and instead taking vacations across both March and April, opening more opportunities for families and groups to travel and save. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One of the most powerful assets an e-commerce platform can have these days is positive customer reviews to offer those who are considering a purchase on your site. The confidence it takes to close 'em is so powerful, in fact, that you simply can't compete as an e-commerce platform favorably today without offering third-party reviews as a guidepost and as a driver that moves potential purchases to sales. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most Easter chocolates were produced when cocoa was extremely expensive. He goes on to say, so shoppers should expect prices similar to or slightly above Valentine's Day levels. Despite this, the National Retail Federation says, expect consumers to spend $3.5 billion on Easter candy alone this year. With shoppers dropping an expected total of $25 billion on the holiday overall surpassing previous spending records. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Where are all these boomers going, and what are they spending on? 50% of boomers head to beach vacations as their top destination. They also love the mountains, lakes, or countryside more than traveling to city destinations. They're slightly more inclined toward cruises, 24% compared to 17% of non boomers, and 12% of boomers prefer escorted or group tours compared to 8% of non boomers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For small businesses, being able to generate organic traffic to one's business website is simply gold. The primary way this is achieved, of course, is through search traffic, but like everything else in business today. AI is changing the playing field significantly, and now 26% of companies received more than half their traffic from AI search in 2025, and 49% expect to reach that mark by late 2026, according to findings from a just-released study from Branch Metrics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Business owners are simply forced to optimize for both traditional SEO and AI search, and this presents significant challenges to many of the businesses having to face this reality today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AI is helping us in business and in life these days in so many different ways. This is clearly only just the beginning, but at the same time, there is now data showing clearly how AI is displacing more and more skilled jobs. And now data shows that more than half of US residents believe advances in artificial intelligence will result in even further job loss, according to a survey released by Redfin. And of course, this reality will no doubt create seismic economic consequences. Including an impact on the housing market, given that fewer and fewer Americans are going to be able to afford a home, especially if they're out of work. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The power of podcasts just keeps rolling and growing. And now this medium is accessible online everywhere. It seems that many big tech platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Apple, even Netflix and Hulu are now spending to assemble original podcast content and to develop technology that can optimize and monetize their shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NRF provided the following statement in association with their outlook for 2026. They say, while we continue to expect consumer strength at the macro level, we also anticipate that this will not be uniform across all income groups. As was the case in 2025, the consumer is likely to remain bifurcated. Higher income households, accounting for more of the growth and lower and middle income households. Nonetheless, it averages out to be better than expected news. So just when you think we're headed for another rough year economically, maybe not so fast, at least not according to the National Retail Federation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reddit is the most undervalued channel in the social media marketing mix these days. While there are a variety of emerging platforms like Reddit that you need to pay attention to, Meta remains the leader in new customer conversions. Phospho said that Meta's unmatched scale underpinned by consistent proven performance, sees Meta to maintain the top spot in most social media plans, a full funnel engine for acquiring new customers. Meta's reach across Facebook and Instagram enables brands to generate and capture demand within one platform. The report noted, so the bottom line, to stay contemporary with your social media marketing, give Reddit a shot. In the meantime, a must is to have effective presence on Facebook and Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Go to Michigan sbc.org to learn more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The way consumers want to be messaged by brands and retailers is changing. It used to be that email ruled all methods of communication, but now as technology changes the playing field and more consumers are on their mobile platforms primarily methods of engagement, our changing as well, that according to new data from the ninth Mobile Consumer Insights report from vibes. Which vibe surveyed over 1,144 US consumers with smartphones in November of 2025. Now, while it used to be that a vast majority of consumers wanted communication to be primarily by email, 41% say they're more likely to redeem digital wallet offers, for example, sent to them via text message rather than sent to them via email. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Harris Poll shows that 79% of Gen Z TikTok users miss the early days of the 6-year-old app prior to the influx of brand partnerships and the launch of the TikTok shop, the company's e-commerce initiative. 41% of these users feel nostalgic for a time when TikTok had fewer ads and brands, while 34% miss seeing relatable content and raw, unfiltered content in their feeds. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As consumers plan to increase spending in 2026, that according to December 2025, data from Civic Science. Retailers are putting a lot of focus into attending to all that increased consumer spending outlook. They're making investments in wellness driven products, brands, services, and in-store experiences. As reported by E-marketer, mass retailers are already the top destination for personal care and beauty purchases with 82% of US buyers having purchased these items there in the past 12 months. 47% of US adults say they prefer to shop in store for beauty and personal care products that according to research data. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Technology has long shaped how people order meals, but in 2026, loyalty programs are becoming a primary factor driving engagement. As customer discretionary spending tightens, competition is tense and loyalty is increasingly fragile in this industry. Findings from the Payments Intelligence report January 2026: How Restaurants Are Adapting to Digital Expectations. The Report documents an industry recalibration driven by leaner household budgets. Less frequent dining out and a customer base that now expects speed, personalization, and consistency as baseline requirements. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Digital overload is plaguing us all these days. Way too much is coming at us, and that is driving more people into a mode of simply wanting to unsubscribe. And when it comes to unsubscribing these days, it's email that is the type of subscription people want most to escape from jam packed email inboxes and a growing number of unread emails is plaguing us all. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There's no questioning the value of AI when it comes to increasing efficiency and productivity in a variety of ways for your business. But there are also cautionary notes. One needs to take notice of, in particular, that some of that increased efficiency could cost you in consumer loyalty.That according to a new report just released from Deloitte. 44% of retail executives worldwide expect Gen AI to weaken brand loyalty by shifting consumer choice toward value and fit over brand recognition. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For brands, culture is the strategy, language is the tactic. Those who lead with cultural intelligence, not just translation, earn more than attention they earn long-term loyalty and trust. iHeart Media Insights President Laney Vertex said, there is a significant opportunity for brands to deepen their connection with this audience, but only if they move beyond assumed shortcuts and transactional messages. For marketers, audio and collaboration with Latino influencers across broadcast radio and podcasts can serve as a key entry point of connection. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What can you do if you're preparing to bring a new product to market and want your sales and marketing teams to perform optimally? Here are a couple of tips offered by small businesses participating in this study that say that their teams are aligned. 54% said make sure you improve communication and collaboration frequency. 46% say standardizing tools and platforms across teams so that there's consistency and continuity. 39% say unifying data analytics and reporting systems is critical, and 32% say defining, ensuring goals and KPIs are simply critical so that your teams are aiming for the same targets. Startups simply can't afford to stumble outta the gate with a new product offering, so make sure you get that critically important alignment between sales and marketing when bringing a new product to market. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Goodman, director of Entertainment Research at Parks Associates said this in association with a release of the survey, consumers are no longer choosing between services, they're choosing between price points. Platforms that treat affordability as a retention strategy, not a discount tactic, are far better positioned to manage churn in this mature market. As competition increases, the market matures and consumers are now making choices primarily on best pricing options. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What leads to happiness with employment experiences? Well, the number one factor, according to the Howdy survey, 95% say that having work that matches the original job description makes them happy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As entrepreneurs, we all want success, of course, but success can be defined in a variety of ways that go beyond just financial success. Recognition and validation are always welcome along the way, and so being honored as a high-achieving startup is something we welcome to be sure. And when it comes to recognition, the Inc 5,000 list is one of those honors that not only feels good, more importantly, it's a point of validation that you are indeed on the right track with your startup. Ready to take your shot? Go to inc.com today. Applications close April 24th. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New data cited in the Wall Street Journal shows the importance of being discovered specifically by AI search engines these days. That's right. Consumers are considered more valuable in the long term when they search and discover a brand through an AI engine. Why? Because the results are more personalized and, as a result, have been shown to boost the average order value by guiding shoppers toward higher value items that better match their requirements. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This year's Valentine's Day spending will reach a record breaking $29.1 billion according to a January survey from the National Retail Federation. Shoppers are budgeting an average of $199.78 cents for gifts this year. That's up from $188.81 cents in 2025. Why? One reason is the expanded perspective on love in today's culture and how the holiday now celebrates a broader set of loved ones as compared to in the past when the focus was more limited. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The list highlights, purpose-driven startups and tech companies that create consistently positive employee experiences through strong leadership, thoughtful policies, and genuine care for people. The companies on the list provide workplaces where values show up in day-to-day decisions. Employees feel supported and included. And flexibility, wellbeing and growth are treated as essentials, not extras. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new study from Tabula makes it clear AI generated ads during the Super Bowl broadcast performed at the same level as those created by humans. AI generated ads in some cases were deemed even more effective than ads created by actual human designers according to the study which was done by researchers from Columbia and Harvard universities. How did AI compete so effectively? One key factor was that they did it by appearing more human, by including certain trust signals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brands are a lot like people nowadays, they all have personalities. We talk about them, and there's a variety of different factors that make brands appealing to different generations of consumers, and that level of appeal can change quickly. When it comes to brand momentum the more established your brand is and the more trusted that is, the more brand equity your brand has the less difficult it is to achieve positive brand momentum while the less likely it is to experience random negative momentum. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Threads is part of the Meta family of platforms, the app benefits from being constantly promoted across Facebook and Instagram, along with a strong focus on creators and a steady rollout of new features such as communities, direct messages, long form posts, and experimental tools like games. It's time to add threads to the list of social media platforms you simply must establish a presence on. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The biggest challenge in video production isn't in the production process itself it's in the creative process, the ideation. 63% site coming up with ideas as their top obstacle, and that's an area where AI tools are proving especially useful. AI is also helping marketers save time in editing and in finding relevant content. It's also being used heavily when it comes to writing scripts. Now, despite widespread adoption, marketers overwhelmingly agree on one thing. AI should assist, not replace, human creativity and nearly all emphasize the importance of maintaining creative control and brand integrity 90% say it's essential. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As tracking and retargeting become more complex, the opt-in stands out as one of the few moments when a brand can earn a direct relationship with permission. Signups are the first signal that someone is willing to engage, and what a brand does in that moment sets expectations for everything that comes next. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.