Sat.Jan 05, 2019 - Fri.Jan 11, 2019

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Cherry Home CEO: The Future Of Smart Homes And Independent Senior Living

PYMNTS

When talking about advances in home automation and artificial intelligence (AI)-guided systems for consumers, the conversation has a natural tendency to drift toward younger consumers, particularly millennials. That focus isn’t unwarranted, as there are 75 million millennials, and the older half of that generation (the group PYMNTS has termed Bridge Millennials ) is much more likely than the average consumer to own a smart device, and more likely to use it to make a purchase.

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Robert J. Shiller on Bubbles, Reflexivity, and Narrative Economics

CFA Institute

Robert J. Shiller has shown remarkable prescience over the years. And with talk of inverted yield curves, overvalued stock markets, and imminent recession, the present struck us as an opportune time to see what was on his mind.

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Trending Sources

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How to use Connected Planning technology to maximize Salesforce data

Anaplan

An operational powerhouse in sales, marketing, quote-to-cash, and client support, Salesforce is widely accepted as a best-of-breed customer relationship management (CRM) platform.

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Amazon Plans Whole Foods Expansions In Closed Sears Stores

PYMNTS

Amazon has its eyes on expansion for its Whole Foods brand in closed Sears and Kmart stores, according to a report by Yahoo! Finance. The recent woes of Sears and other struggling retailers are seen as an opportunity for the online retail giant. Sources told Yahoo! that the company is visiting sites of now defunct retail spaces. For example, Whole Foods managers went to a site in Utah that used to be a Kmart.

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Planning Your Restaurants Path to Profitability

Speaker: James Kahler, COO of Full Course

Ever wondered where to splurge and where to safely conserve when it comes to operating and growing your restaurant? 🤔 Join James Kahler, COO of Full Course and industry visionary, in this new webinar where he'll talk all about best practices to invest in your restaurant's success! Whether you're a new business or an established restaurant, a seasoned pro or a rookie, you'll learn the keys to sustainable success in this competitive industry.

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Credit Card Surcharges OK’ed In New York

PYMNTS

New York has banned the ban. In the wake of court filings this week that effectively ended a challenge to surcharges on credit card transactions in New York, merchants in the Empire State can indeed embrace those fees, contingent upon stating those costs to consumers up front. The merchant plaintiffs and the state of New York filed motions on Jan. 8 to dismiss a challenge to such charges, seemingly capping a battle stretching back years.

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Alipay In X-Border Blockchain Pact

PYMNTS

The new year has dawned with a number of cross-border payment pacts, done across blockchain and other means. In Pakistan, as reported by Coindesk, Telenor Microfinance Bank and remittance firm Valyou Sdn Bhd (a Telenor subsidiary) have launched a payment platform based on Alipay’s blockchain offerings. That blockchain technology, in turn, had been developed by Ant Financial Services Group.

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U.S. Startups Raised A Record $130 Billion In 2018

PYMNTS

U.S. startups had a great 2018 in terms of funding, with new data showing that venture capitalists deployed $130.9 billion, marking a new all-time high. According to new data from the PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor , the $130.9 billion deployed surpassed 2000, which was a record-setting year. “The venture ecosystem continued to slash records in 2018, further illustrating the maturation of the venture capital asset class, but also raising questions about the sustainability and health of these act

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Comcast Launches AI-Powered Cybersecurity Service

PYMNTS

Comcast is releasing an artificial intelligence-powered service that will monitor, block and tell customers about online threats to devices connected to home networks, the company announced on Tuesday (Jan. 8). The new service, called Xfinity xFi Advanced Security, was developed to protect numerous smart devices from potential hackers and malware attacks.

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Alternative Payments Gain Global Traction, But Cash Remains Tough Foe

PYMNTS

The recent announcement that China’s UnionPay and Huawei are teaming up to bring Huawei Pay to Russia stands as the latest example that alternative payments are spreading to different parts of the world. It also provides another sign that that cash is, generally at least, slowly losing its dominance as a payment method in all types of economies. But while alternative payment methods are certainly on the upswing in 2019, there are significant hurdles that promise to impede their progress in the d

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How Automation is Driving Efficiency Through the Last Mile of Reporting

Speaker: Jamie Eagan

As organizations strive for agility and efficiency, it's imperative for finance leaders to embrace innovative technologies and redefine traditional processes. Join us as we explore the pivotal role of digitalization and automation in reshaping what is commonly referred to as the “last mile of reporting”. We’ll deep-dive into why digitalization is no longer a choice, but a necessity for finance departments to stay competitive in a fast-paced environment touching on: 2024 trends for the Office of

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Amazon Turns To VR To Boost Furniture Sales

PYMNTS

Amazon is hoping to increase purchases of furniture online, rolling out a new feature dubbed Amazon Showroom that takes advantage of virtual reality tools. According to a report in Chain Store Age , the new feature lets online shoppers place 3D images of furniture into a virtual room to get a sense of how it would really look. The room’s wall colors can be changed, as well as the carpet and flooring.

Sales 75
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Honda Expands In-Vehicle Payment Partnerships

PYMNTS

Paying on the go — literally, as in on the road and in the car — is gaining traction. As noted yesterday in the PYMNTS Digital Drive Report, 99 million drivers — commuters, to be exact — are connecting to their dashboards and driving $230 billion in commerce, buying everything from groceries to coffee. To that end, Honda has debuted its Honda Dream Drive prototype, billed as the “next generation infotainment, commerce, services and rewards” experience for drivers and passengers.

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Online Sports Gambling Makes Bet On Faster Payments

PYMNTS

Few things feel better than the rush of a winning streak — money bet on a football or baseball team, or a sporting event, that turns into a pile of dough after a victory or beating the spread. But that excitement can quickly deflate if the winning gambler then must wait for his or her winnings. That’s where reloadable cards and instant access to funds come in — especially as the worlds of payments and commerce move further toward the goal of frictionless transactions and sports betting in the U.

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UnionPay Launches Platform For Developers

PYMNTS

UnionPay International announced earlier in January that it rolled out the UPI Developer, which is a platform to create applications for cross-border payments. According to a report in Mobile Payments Today , the new platform is open and enables developers to create apps for cross-border mobile payments as well as other technologies. With the platform, developers can access UnionPay application programming interface so that UnionPay tech can be integrated into their own products. “With the

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Register Now: Sneak Peek Into Close Automation SkyStem Web Demo

Technology is rapidly changing the way accountants perform and manage month-end activities. Spreadsheets, email, and shared drives no longer have to slow us down. Join us as we present a "sneak peek" recorded demo of SkyStem's month-end close solution – ART. In under four weeks, your team can start reaping the benefits of month-end close automation by vastly reducing spreadsheets, cut down on reconciliation work, speed up the month-end close, and better manage your remote team.

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Samsung Teams With Apple

PYMNTS

Samsung has announced that it will offer iTunes Movies and TV Shows and Apple AirPlay 2 support on all 2019 Samsung Smart TV models beginning this spring, while support on 2018 Samsung Smart TVs will launch through a firmware update. In addition, a new iTunes app will launch exclusively on Samsung Smart TVs in more than 100 countries, while AirPlay 2 will be available in 190 countries.

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HERE Releases New Social Transport App, SoMo

PYMNTS

HERE Technologies , a mapping and location data company, has released a new mobile transportation app called SoMo that hinges on a social aspect, according to a report from VentureBeat. Unlike, say, Uber or Lyft, SoMo allows users to plan trips based on events and friends. For example, if everyone is going to see a concert, they can coordinate in the app and carpool.

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UK Tries Another Late Payments Tactic With Stoplight System

PYMNTS

The U.K. is launching a traffic-light warning system to spotlight large companies that fail to pay their suppliers on time. The Sunday Times reported that the plan will be revealed this week by the nation’s Small Business (SMB) Commissioner Paul Uppal. The only details released so far have said that a red light will be shown to identify repeat offenders, as well as for companies that fail to publish their payment terms, which they are obligated to do twice a year.

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Small Businesses At The Center Of Bots Vs Accountants

PYMNTS

Behind many shifting trends in small business (SMB) financial services — the rise of FinTech service providers, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), even regulatory efforts to promote bank switching — is a growing realization for the industry: Business owners don’t just want number crunchers and money holders; they want advisory services and guidance to help grow their firms.

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Accounting Software and ERP Readiness Guide

In this white paper, we explore the factors to consider in deciding whether the time is right for your Company to consider a new ERP or accounting software, the total cost of ownership and plans necessary to make the potential leap to these systems.

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Taco Bell: Kiosks, The Ticket To QSR Order Customization

PYMNTS

To help modernize its restaurants and provide new ordering experiences to its diners, Taco Bell is bringing new technology into its brick-and-mortar restaurants across the country: The quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain is deploying self-service kiosks. The devices enable customers to peruse the Mexican-inspired chain’s menu and customize its selections to their tastes or dietary needs.

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With Appetite For Data And Social, Restaurant App Taste Gets Personal

PYMNTS

Entrepreneurs are constantly solving problems, and those challenges often come out of personal experiences. Kevin Vanderwarker, who co-founded dining recommendation platform Taste , traveled across the country for a number of jobs over the years and found it difficult to discover a good place to eat on the road. “The only way to find a good restaurant in my opinion was to call somebody you knew,” Vanderwarker told PYMNTS in an interview.

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Amazon Becomes World’s Most Valuable Company

PYMNTS

There’s a new king of the mountain in the seemingly endless tussle between the world’s four largest companies – Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet and Apple. On Monday (Jan. 7), Amazon passed Microsoft as the largest company by market value, according to reports. Amazon was worth about $8 billion more than Microsoft on Monday, at $799 billion to Microsoft’s $791 billion.

Retail 71
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Postmates Raises $100M As Online Food Delivery Heats Up

PYMNTS

The food delivery space keeps heating up — the latest news is that Postmates has scored a $100 million investment in advance of its initial public offering (IPO), expected with the first six months of 2019. And the coming months promise to bring more heat to this space as Uber heads toward its own IPO , and new delivery methods are tested. But consolidation looms, according to some observers, and online food delivery services will eventually have to shift more focus away from consumers and towar

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Recruit and Retain New Blue-Collar Talent

Blue-collar jobs have a branding problem. One company, GEON, partnered with Paycor to find the solution. Learn how to attract, engage, and retain blue-collar employees, helping them build meaningful careers – and support your company’s goals.

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Sears To Close After 126 Years

PYMNTS

After 126 years in business as an iconic American retailer, Sears Holdings has reportedly turned down a bid by Chairman Eddie Lampert to help it stay open. But Lampert’s hedge fund, ESL Investments, reportedly wants to challenge the decision per unnamed sources with knowledge of the situation, CNBC reported. The hedge fund will reportedly refer to the advisory fees incurred by Sears over its bankruptcy, which are said to make up a portion of the retailer’s administrative expenses.

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Visa, SiriusXM Pair On In-Car eWallets

PYMNTS

Visa and SiriusXM Connected Vehicles Services, a subsidiary of Sirius XM Holdings, have announced they are teaming up to launch a new in-vehicle payment solution. It has been projected that new services from the connected car space — on-demand mobility services, and data-driven services like applications, software and remote services — could generate as much as $1.5 trillion in additional revenue for the automotive industry by 2030.

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Carmakers Pump The Brakes On Driverless Technology

PYMNTS

Many carmakers have softened their stances on driverless technology because they’re not sure if the tech is quite ready for the mainstream. Financial Times reported that the mood about driverless cars has been noticeably different at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, and that some companies that had previously touted the technology seem less eager to make the transition.

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Mastercard Will No Longer Include Name In Logo

PYMNTS

Mastercard’s logo of two intersecting circles will no longer include the name of the company, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The company is going the way of Nike, Apple, Shell and Target by eschewing the use of type in its logo, instead relying on its iconic image to remind users of the company. The text-free logo decision comes in the wake of the company trying to avoid the word “card,” as cashless technologies continue to spread and become more common.

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PowerPoint Best Practices for Creating Stellar Presentations

Mastering data visualization in PowerPoint will help accelerate your career because it positions you as someone who can present data that drives business decisions forward. think-cell's PowerPoint Best Practices eBook was created specifically for professionals aiming to master the art and science of data-driven storytelling. What’s inside: Practical Insights: Uncover valuable tips for crafting engaging and persuasive presentations.

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Chile Weighs 19 Percent Tax On eCommerce Firms

PYMNTS

Chile is considering a 19 percent tax on multinational eCommerce companies like Amazon, Netflix and Uber. Finance Minister Felipe Larrain made the announcement on Thursday (Jan. 10), and if it comes to fruition, the rate would be almost double what was originally proposed, Reuters reported. The Chilean Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of Production and Commerce and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are all backing the tax rate.

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PSD2: Ready Or Not? Not, Says Whitepages Pro

PYMNTS

Eight months can seem like an eternity – all the time in the world to get things done, to plan, to implement, to do the heavy lifting for preparing for new tech initiatives – but not when it comes to the European Union’s PSD2. Spencer McLain, director, global risk solutions at Whitepages Pro told PYMNTS in an interview that September 2019 – when PSD2’s deadline looms on Friday the 13th – is coming much more quickly than some stakeholders might realize.

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NEW DATA: What’s Driving $230B In Commuter Commerce?

PYMNTS

What makes the daily drive miserable for millions of commuters? Yes, there’s the traffic snarls, obnoxious motorists and boredom. However, for a significant share of commuters who drive their own vehicles to and from work, their greatest frustration lies in the inability to connect to the internet while they focus on driving. A large portion of commuters, though (some 99 million), are finding ways to connect, either by using their smartphones or technology already built into their vehicles’ dash