Emily Kitazawa, Author at Shortform Books

How the New Mortgage Fees Will Affect Homebuyers

How have mortgage fees changed? How will the new mortgage fees affect you? Why has the new framework come under scrutiny? As of May 1, US homebuyers may pay a little more or a little less in mortgage fees depending on their credit score—and a lot of people are unhappy about the news. New mortgage fee adjustments have stirred up a controversy and put the agency responsible for the changes on the defensive. Read on to learn about the new framework, including who the mortgage fee adjustments apply to.

The Smartphone Market Decline: Causes & Consequences

Why are fewer people buying new smartphones? How has this impacted the smartphone market overall? Sales of new smartphones have been on a downward spiral for over a year and experts don’t expect this to change any time soon. Some say the softening smartphone market is good for price-conscious buyers, but others argue that buying new phones as soon as they’re released isn’t a smart move. Read on to learn what’s behind the declining smartphone market and what the future holds.

Forever Chemicals in Water: The EPA’s Plan for Regulation

How are “forever chemicals” in water hazardous to your health? What’s behind the EPA’s new plan to regulate them? A new Environmental Protection Agency plan to rid US drinking water of “forever chemicals” (PFAS) could cost local utilities millions of dollars and send the financial pain downstream to customers. The agency says the proposal will prevent thousands of deaths related to the chemicals. Read on to learn about the dangers of forever chemicals and the EPA’s plan to reduce them in our water.

How to Get Facebook Settlement Money: Claim Your Share

Wondering how to get Facebook settlement money? If you submit a claim, how big could your payment be? In December 2022, Facebook’s parent company, Meta, settled a $725 million class-action lawsuit after the company shared or made private user data accessible to third parties without users’ permission. If you were a Facebook user, you may be eligible to claim a portion of the settlement. Read on to learn how to apply to get a portion of the Facebook settlement before the deadline.

The FIFA Controversy: Women’s Soccer Battles for Equality

What’s behind the latest FIFA controversy? What are the specific issues with women’s soccer teams? As the FIFA Women’s World Cup approaches, players are embroiled in battles and controversies with officials around equal rights and equal treatment. From clashes over LGBTQ+ rights to the pursuit of equal pay, women’s soccer has been shaken by conflict. Read on to discover some of the recent issues and how they might affect the upcoming World Cup.

The Disadvantages of Data Analytics in Product Development

What are the disadvantages of data analytics in product development? How can hard data fail to support business innovation? In his book Competing Against Luck, Clayton Christensen challenges the conventional thinking around business innovation and highlights the disadvantages of relying solely on data analytics to guide decision-making. Christensen argues that this approach often leads to disappointment. Keep reading to learn the two key disadvantages of data analytics in business, according to Christensen.

Unraveling Consumer Expectations: The Key to Innovation

Why is it important to understand consumer expectations? How can it drive product innovation and success? In today’s competitive business landscape, understanding what motivates consumers is paramount to achieving success. According to Clayton Christensen’s book Competing Against Luck, by aligning products with consumer expectations, companies can accurately predict their success in the market. Keep reading to learn how to truly understand consumer expectations, according to Christensen.

Emotional Body Language: Decoding the 4 Ways It Affects Us

What is emotional body language? How can it affect your inner world? How does it impact your relationships? Authors Allan and Barbara Pease delve into the captivating realm of emotional body language in The Definitive Book of Body Language. They unveil how your body language not only reflects your emotions but also wields the power to shape them and influence others. Read on to learn the four ways emotional body language influences you and those around you.

Why Are Cars So Expensive Right Now? Examining the Issues

Why are cars so expensive right now? Will prices come down any time soon? It’s been a rough ride for Americans looking to buy a car in 2023. The average new vehicle carries a monthly payment of $730, and the average used car rings in at $26,000. Auto insurance rates and repair costs have also been rising. Read on to learn why cars are so expensive right now and if prices will come down any time soon.

Interviewing Customers: A Guide for New Product Development

Want to learn about interviewing customers? How can customer interviews guide new product development? If you want to know how to truly comprehend customer expectations, the answer lies in the art of interviewing customers. According to Clayton Christensen, by delving into their stories, you can uncover the motivating factors behind their purchases and gain invaluable insights for innovation. Read on to learn how interviewing customers can guide product innovation, according to Christensen.

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