AudioCityUSA, the Southern California aftermarket wheel powerhouse, has done it again, this time with a roaring Lamborghini Huracán rolling on fresh Ferrada Wheels. This build is not just about style. It is a high-performance upgrade engineered to hug canyon corners and cruise the PCH with undeniable presence.
Reputation You Can Ride On
“It begins and ends with trust,” says Jeremy Coltin, Director of Marketing. “With 35 years behind us, we guide every customer through fitment, style, and service so there are no surprises.” That trust has been earned one project at a time, helping AudioCityUSA evolve from its car audio origins into one of the most respected names in the aftermarket wheels industry.
Their growth has been fueled by strategic vision and a deep understanding of what custom vehicle owners actually want. “Our pivot to wheels wasn’t casual. It was calculated,” Coltin adds. “We knew the market was ready for fitment-smart, customization-first service and we went all in.”
That vision positioned AudioCityUSA to become a national leader in custom wheels, known for combining deep inventory, expert guidance, and a stress-free buying experience.
Tailored Down to the Bolt
The Ferrada FR12s featured on the Huracán are all about performance. Their lightweight, flow-forged construction improves responsiveness and ride feel, while the black finish enhances the Lamborghini’s sharp, angular styling. These are wheels designed for both aesthetics and agility.
AudioCityUSA ensures fitment is never an afterthought. Their process includes expert measurement, mock-ups, and fine-tuning that takes the guesswork out of installation. With in-house drilling, shaving, and painting, every build is carefully dialed in. Customers do not have to worry about rubbing, misalignment, or imperfect angles. It is precision work that delivers both durability and style.
Whether it is Forgiato rims, Rohana Wheels, AC Wheels, or AC Forged Wheels, AudioCityUSA helps drivers select the right fit based on their needs and vision. “We are committed to delivering a stress-free wheel buying experience,” says Coltin. “Our team makes sure every customer feels confident and taken care of.”
Wheels That Speak Volumes
AudioCityUSA is known for offering one of the deepest inventories online. From aggressive builds using Fuel Wheels, Black Rhino Wheels, and American Racing Wheels to rare finds like LA Wire Wheels, their selection caters to both seasoned enthusiasts and first-time customizers.
You will also find niche favorites and curated sets of AudioCityUSA Rims, available for both modern performance cars, trucks, SUVs and classic restorations. Even rare AudioCityUSA Wheels are part of the lineup, and yes, even classic AudioCityUSA Rims are in stock and ready to ship.
Their line of Intro Wheels is especially popular in the Los Angeles scene. Known for their modern styling wheels, clean cuts, and standout quality, they are a top choice for performance cars and custom street builds alike. With demand growing fast, AudioCityUSA ensures they stay well stocked.
With flexible financing and precision-backed advice, more owners are turning to AudioCityUSA Wheels for premium performance without compromise. And with AudioCityUSA Wheels, precision comes standard.
Turning Installs Into Icons
Every standout vehicle deserves its spotlight. Through the WHLWRKS Program, AudioCityUSA invites customers to share their build story. If selected, participants receive a premium wheel package and get their full transformation documented from installation to reveal. It is more than a wheel upgrade. It is a chance to inspire and be seen.
From supercars to lifted trucks, AudioCityUSA showcases the best in wheel culture every day.
Stay in the loop by following their journey across all platforms. You will find behind-the-scenes content, new releases, expert tips, and real-world builds that set the bar for style and performance. Connect with them on Instagram and YouTube. Because when your ride reflects who you are, it deserves to be part of something bigger.
TingoGPT, a groundbreaking artificial intelligence platform, officially launches today in Los Angeles. The platform sets a new standard for AI-driven solutions across a broad range of industries, applications, and languages. Developed by a team led by technology entrepreneur Dozy Mmobuosi, TingoGPT is designed to revolutionize education, finance, business, and beyond with cutting-edge AI capabilities and linguistic integration for the benefit of global users.
What is TingoGPT?
TingoGPT employs advanced Large Language Models and the latest machine learning algorithms, delivering exceptional efficiency, automation, and personalization. It features a comprehensive integration of languages and dialects, covering a wide array of African vernaculars. The platform is designed to support various applications, including AI-driven tutoring, corporate automation, real-time business insights, and enhanced customer engagement.
“TingoGPT represents the next frontier in artificial intelligence, one that is accessible, inclusive, intelligent, and built for real-world impact,” said Dozy Mmobuosi, Founder of Tingo AI.
“Through today’s launch in Los Angeles, we are positioning TingoGPT at the heart of global innovation, ready to empower businesses and individuals with transformative AI solutions. In addition to its global application, I am proud of TingoGPT’s unparalleled deep integration of African languages to better serve the African continent, the African diaspora, and all who wish to do business with Africa.”
AI for Educational Purposes
TingoGPT plays a key role in Mmobuosi’s overarching goal of using AI to connect gaps in education, economic development, and global digital transformation. Thanks to its sophisticated natural language processing and adaptive learning capabilities, the platform aims to enhance efficiency and productivity across a variety of fields, such as academia, fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce.
Adenle Adetunwase, CEO of Tingo AI, emphasized the platform’s broad impact: “TingoGPT is not just an AI assistant; it’s a revolution in how we interact with technology. From education to finance, we’re committed to driving efficiency and creating solutions that empower people worldwide.”
Pamilerun Adegoke, Head of Business at Tingo AI, added, “The business landscape is evolving rapidly, and TingoGPT is at the forefront of that transformation. We’re providing businesses with the tools they need to make data-driven decisions, automate operations, and enhance customer engagement like never before.”
Inclusive AI
One of the standout features of TingoGPT is its profound incorporation of African languages, positioning it as one of the most inclusive AI platforms available. It offers support for languages such as Yoruba, Igbo, Swahili, and Hausa, allowing users from various linguistic backgrounds to interact with AI in their mother tongues. This effort not only honors Africa’s vibrant linguistic heritage but also improves accessibility for millions throughout the continent.
Additionally, TingoGPT is dedicated to advancing AI research by providing its tools to African scholars. Through collaboration with universities and research institutions, the platform will utilize local expertise to enhance its models, ensuring they stay culturally and contextually relevant. This partnership aims to make AI more intelligent, inclusive, and better equipped to tackle Africa’s unique challenges.
AI in LA
The launch event, located at a top venue in downtown Los Angeles, will showcase live demonstrations of TingoGPT’s features, feature panel discussions with industry experts, and provide exclusive insights into the future of AI innovation. Attendees will witness firsthand how TingoGPT is set to transform AI-driven interactions, delivering smarter, more intuitive responses and improved decision-making capabilities.
The launch represents a significant milestone in AI development, reinforcing TingoGPT’s commitment to responsible and ethical AI deployment. As businesses and individuals increasingly depend on AI-driven technologies, TingoGPT emerges as a reliable, adaptive, and forward-thinking solution designed to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Water and air filtration are critical components of home maintenance routines but are often overlooked. Because the filters are typically in designated closets or smaller spaces, they are easy to ignore. Common mistakes include improper installation, not changing them on time, and purchasing the wrong filter sizes.
Not replacing water and air filters can lead to bacteria growth, health issues, and increased strain on appliances, ultimately driving up utility bills. Regarding filtration system maintenance, it is better to be proactive than reactive. Routine maintenance provides many benefits, from financial savings to a healthier living environment, and enables appliances to operate correctly.
The True Cost of Ignoring Filter Replacements
Regular filter replacement should be done every six months for water and every three months for air. This practice is crucial for health and efficiency and is often more important than buying expensive filters while neglecting routine replacement. Ignoring this task can significantly increase utility bills, cause potential system breakdowns due to extra strain on components, and reduce air or water quality.
A common misconception is that expensive filters last longer when, in reality, frequent replacement of basic filters is often more effective. Air filters allow HVAC units to intake more air and stop harmful contaminants from entering the home, offering many benefits, including allergen control. Water filtration systems are even more important in homes with hard or well water, as they provide healthier and softer drinking and shower water. Improper installation of these systems and failure to replace the filters regularly prevent them from working efficiently, forcing filtration systems to work harder, which could lead to costly repairs.
Water Filtration: More Than Just Clean Drinking Water
A whole-house filtration system treats all the water entering a home, applying a broader range of protection for refrigeration, faucets, and showers. Targeted filtration systems focus on specific locations, such as kitchen sinks and showers, and require frequent filter changes to work effectively. These systems safeguard against contaminants and impurities, ensuring safe drinking water.
Targeted filtration maintenance is essential for drinking, showering, and laundry water. Shu Saito, founder of All Filters, says, “These fridge filters last a little longer than six months, but if you go too long, like 11-13 months, bacteria could grow, and nobody wants to take that risk.” Saito’s point highlights the need for proper filtration maintenance for healthier living.
Air Filters: Protecting Your HVAC System and Indoor Air Quality
Air filters are essential for the HVAC system, trapping dust, allergens, and other pollutants before they enter a home. Clean filters help prevent biological contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, and mold, from circulating indoors. They typically come in HEPA and V-bank styles. HEPA filters offer high efficiency and can capture up to 99.97% of particles before they enter the home. The V-bank style has low airflow resistance and high dirt-trapping capabilities, making it beneficial for both the home and the HVAC system.
Proper air filters ensure that contaminants are trapped before they enter the HVAC unit, helping it operate smoothly and lowering utility bills. Clogged filters can strain an air conditioning system’s components, leading to breakdowns and expensive repairs because the unit is not receiving the correct airflow. Regular filtration maintenance is cost-effective and leads to better air quality in the home. A common mistake is assuming that more expensive filters last longer when, in fact, it is more critical to change them frequently.
Cost-Effective Filtration Maintenance Strategies
Air and water filters are not costly, and buying them in bulk saves money while ensuring you always have them on hand. Setting reminders helps ensure that the filters are replaced on schedule and can also prompt you to purchase new ones. Filtration systems should be installed correctly, and water filters should be flushed before installation to guarantee proper function.
Avoiding home maintenance services is a common mistake homeowners make, especially with air and water filtration systems. Not performing regular maintenance on targeted filtration systems leads to poor drinking water and diminished air quality, which may result in costly repairs and higher bills.
LA’s small indie music venues are proud to provide the people of LA with independent artists who are yet to be discovered. They often support underground and niche genres people haven’t heard of before.
These small venues are essential places for up-and-coming bands to play for an audience. Without such locations, these bands often wouldn’t get discovered otherwise. Many of these independently-owned music venues are struggling to stay afloat against competition from corporate-owned venues.
The Mission of Independent Venues
The owner of Zebulon, Jef Soubiran, says his place “gives access to some people who never listen [to] some free jazz or some avant-garde or some experimental, some minimal, some punk rock,” he said. They can experience a kind of music they wouldn’t have heard anywhere else.
These small spaces give a stage to bands that are lesser-known, experimental, or that don’t conform to the norms of music. Non-mainstream musicians need a place to be staged, too, and indie venues are the place for them to get their foot in the industry’s door.
Challenges Faced By Indie Venues
As inflation rises and rent prices go up, independently owned venues are struggling to stay open. They are also in competition with major music conglomerates that own venues in the area. AEG runs El Rey, the Shrine, and The Roxy. Live Nation runs The Echo, the Hollywood Palladium, and The Wiltern.
It’s not easy to stay open when these larger venues have a significant source of income for marketing and constant traffic to even their smaller music hubs.
Financial Strategies Indie Venues Are Adopting
Independently-run music venues are taking up two major financial strategies to stay open. The first is a focus on ticket sales. The Lodge Room in Highland Park heavily relies on entry tickets at the door. “We’re not making that much money at the bar,” says the owner, Dalton Gerlach. “We have to survive on ticket sales, so it’s really just a volume thing for us,” he says. In the case of the Lodge Room, the number of people they can get to attend is more important than anything else.
The other strategy is a focus on bar sales, as seen by Gold Diggers in East Hollywood. “The door is a break-even for us. We’re making money off the bar. We want to sell drinks, and that’s what it comes down to,” says the owner, Dave Neupert. However, even with bar sales, the venues are struggling as younger generations are buying fewer drinks.
Hybrid and Nonprofit Venues
On the other hand, Permanent Records, an independent venue and record store combined, gives all of the ticket sales to the artist. The owner, Lance Barresi, says, “We only take revenue from our shows from the sales we do at the bar and whatever sales we do in the record store. Generally speaking, 60% of our revenue comes from bar sales, 40% from record sales.”
Places like Flow Sanctuary, which operate without a bar or any alcohol, rely solely on donations to stay afloat. “We’re hoping we can do fundraisers and other things that other nonprofits do,” says the owner, “Magick” Mike Milane.
Rewards Beyond Financial Gains
Although money is vital for staying open, the owners of indie venues find it inherently rewarding to run a place where new artists can get discovered. Jef Soubiran of Zebulon is exposing people to music they’ve never heard before and finds that very rewarding. “You need to have the love of what you do,” he adds.
Gerlach from the Lodge Room says, “The financial reward of it is not really quite there,” but instead, “the social and relational reward of it is there. . . Just being at shows and the community, and there’s so many intangible things around what I get to do that [are] really special.”
Losing indie venues in LA would be losing a piece of the heart of music. Without experimenters and avant-garde artists, LA music risks becoming too homogenous and lackluster. “It’s nice to have [a] different flavor,” says Soubiran.
Preserving these diverse scenes is what maintains LA’s vibrant and eclectic music culture.
Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys is thrilled to announce that it has been recognized in the prestigious 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®. This esteemed publication serves as a benchmark for legal excellence across the United States, spotlighting firms that demonstrate exceptional skills and results in their practice areas. In this latest edition, Karns & Karns achieved notable regional rankings in two critical practice areas, reflecting the firm’s unwavering dedication to providing high-quality legal representation. This recognition not only highlights the firm’s expertise in handling personal injury and accident cases but also emphasizes its commitment to serving clients in California, Texas, and Nevada. The firm’s attorneys are dedicated to advocating for their clients’ rights, ensuring they receive the compensation and justice they deserve.
The Best Law Firms rankings are based on a thorough evaluation process that includes peer reviews, client feedback, and an analysis of the firm’s expertise. Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys earned Tier 1 recognition for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in Los Angeles, reflecting their strong advocacy for clients seeking justice. They also received Tier 3 recognition for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, demonstrating their proficiency in handling complex defective product cases. This dual recognition highlights the firm’s commitment to excellence in client representation.
“We are honored to be recognized by Best Law Firms for our dedication to helping injury victims in California, Texas & Nevada. This award reflects our team’s hard work and unwavering commitment to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients,” said Bill and Mike Karns, owners of Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys.
Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys is passionate about advocating for individuals and families injured by others’ negligence. With a team of skilled attorneys who have a successful track record, we are dedicated to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients. Let us fight for your rights and help you on the path to recovery.
About Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys:
Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys stands out as a premier law firm dedicated to personal injury cases. With a strong commitment to representing clients facing car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian incidents, and wrongful death, the firm is your trusted ally in seeking justice. Karns & Karns combines compassion with tenacity, ensuring that you receive not only justice but also the rightful compensation you deserve
Near the close of their speeches at the Democratic National Convention, both Michelle and Barack Obama exhorted their listeners to actively support the Harris campaign, to “work like our lives depend on it.” Former President Obama declared, “If we each do our part over the next 77 days, if we knock on doors, if we make phone calls, if we talk to our friends, if we listen to our neighbors . . . we will elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States.” “Do something,” asked the former First Lady, “you know what you need to do.”
But there was and is a problem with the Obamas’ urgent call to action: the roughly 80 percent of the population who do not live in “swing states” lack a clear notion of what they “need to do” to actively support their candidates. In those “sure states” (as they once were labeled), there is little to be gained, for either Democrats or Republicans, in knocking on doors, conversing with neighbors, calling people in nearby towns and cities, or putting up yard signs. The few steps that non-swing state citizens can take – writing checks or joining a phone bank to cold call swing state voters – offer little of the satisfaction or sense of solidarity that can come from in-person participation in a political cause.
The reason for this, of course, is our deeply flawed electoral system, in particular the practice in 48 states of awarding all of a state’s electoral votes to the candidate who wins that state’s popular vote. That practice sequesters most of us, deterring us from becoming fully active, from learning by engaging our fellow citizens and participating in the processes of democracy. Both political parties insist that this is the most important election of our lifetimes, but most Americans are mere spectators, sitting in front of screens watching the campaign unfold in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, or Arizona.
“Winner take all” (WTA) also makes it more likely that the candidate who loses the popular vote can still win the electoral vote and become President – an outcome that violates basic democratic principles. Moreover, the system depresses voter turnout and leads to the quadrennial emphasis on issues that matter most to swing states – not to mention the extra monies that tend to flow to swing states between elections.
Why do we have this system? It’s not mandated by the Constitution. The framers left it to the states to decide how to allocate electoral votes, although most of them appear to have expected the states to adopt district-based systems. For the first decade or so, many states did allocate electoral votes by district (often congressional districts), while others deployed WTA (then called the “general ticket”) or allowed their legislatures to choose electors without even holding a popular election. WTA then took root in more states for largely partisan reasons: political majorities in individual states wanted to guarantee that their candidate would win all of the state’s electoral votes. Virginia famously took this step in the hotly contested election of 1800 to prevent John Adams from winning even a few electoral votes. The shift was so unprincipled that Virginian John Marshall, on the brink of becoming Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, declared that he would never vote for President again while WTA remained in place.
Indeed, WTA was widely disparaged throughout the early decades of our history. Four times between 1813 and 1826, the Senate approved constitutional amendments to require district elections; on one occasion the House fell only a few votes short of the required two-thirds vote that would have sent the amendment to the states to be ratified. Some of the Constitution’s framers themselves, including James Madison, favored prohibition of WTA. North Carolina Representative James Strudwick Smith argued that a district system would “give the minority as well as the majority of the people of every state a chance of being heard. . . . You will bring the election near to the people and consequently you will make them place more value on the elective franchise.”
Efforts to eliminate WTA have recurred for the last two centuries. Michigan adopted a district system in the 1890s, as Maine and Nebraska have done more recently; Republicans and Democrats in numerous states have seriously considered taking that bold step in both the 20th and 21st centuries. Meanwhile, Congress periodically debated amending the Constitution to require the allocation of electoral votes either by districts or through a proportional system in which a candidate’s electoral vote would match their percentage of the popular vote. In 1950, the Senate approved an amendment calling for a proportional system; in 1969, the House passed an amendment that would have replaced the Electoral College with a national popular vote – which also, of course, would have eliminated WTA.
The historical record thus makes clear that widespread dissatisfaction with WTA is not a modern phenomenon: it is as venerable as the Constitution itself. Reform efforts nonetheless have met with limited success, thanks to the primacy of ever-shifting partisan interests that overrode democratic values or beliefs about how a presidential election should work. It is difficult to conjure up a principled rationale for an electoral system that not only discards the votes of political minorities but effectively adds them to the winner’s total.
Elizabeth Cavanagh is the CEO/Chair of the Making Every Vote Count Foundation (MEVC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the proposition that all votes cast for President in every state should count equally
Can anything be done? Individual states could join Nebraska and Maine in adopting systems that better suit the political diversity of their populations. But history suggests that such a strategy will not get very far. Parties with reliable majorities in each state have had little interest in diminishing the electoral payoff that comes with winning the state; and politicians of both parties have been reluctant to reduce their states’ Electoral College influence by acting as first movers, however principled such a decision might be. California will not abandon WTA while Texas retains it. And ongoing efforts to adopt the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would require participating states to award all of their electoral votes to the national popular vote winner, face difficult hurdles.
The more plausible, and durable, strategy would be a constitutional amendment requiring states to allocate their electoral votes utilizing some type of proportional scheme. Alternatively, a constitutional amendment providing for a national popular vote would achieve the same result. (Despite their success in Maine and Nebraska, district systems will remain problematic as long as partisan gerrymandering is widespread and legal.) Constitutional reform that modifies or replaces the Electoral College would also provide an opportunity to rid ourselves of the deeply undemocratic – and hazardous – “contingent” election system. Currently, if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives selects the President, with each state’s delegation (no matter how large or small) casting one vote. Although not utilized since 1824, the contingent system – which has the rare distinction of having been denounced by both Thomas Jefferson and Mitch McConnell – is a ticking bomb, set to explode during a close election.
The task of Electoral College reform is daunting. Since the 1970s, the mere mention of reform has often elicited responses of weary pessimism even among those who favor the idea. Our Constitution is notoriously difficult to amend, and Republicans reflexively oppose reform because they currently believe that the Electoral College works in their favor. The polarization and inflammatory rhetoric of contemporary politics make cooperation, and even discussion, difficult.
But that does not mean we should continue to accept an undemocratic system that was created more than 200 years ago, itself a product of partisanship and gamesmanship. Since the 1940s (when the first reliable polls were taken), a majority of the American people has favored Electoral College reform or abolition; we have come close to altering the system on multiple occasions; and partisan perceptions of advantage have commonly shifted over time. Change will be hard but not impossible.
Alex Keyssar is the Matthew W. Stirling, Jr. Professor of History and Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is the author of Why Do We Still Have the Electoral College? (2020) and has collaborated with MEVC on its educational mission
No reform will happen between now and November; voters will focus on more immediate issues through Election Day and likely into January. But no matter the outcome of this year’s election, the challenges facing American democracy will persist, and among them is the task of doing something about a presidential election system that dampens engagement and turnout, deforms the conduct of campaigns, and fails to match democratic values. Surely we can do better – and have a national conversation about how to do so. Just imagine how very different the current campaign would look if every vote, in every state, really did count.
Written in partnership with Alex Keyssar and Elizabeth Cavanagh.
The gender divide in STEM fields remains a significant challenge, despite increased awareness and efforts to encourage female participation. Women are underrepresented in many STEM disciplines, often due to a combination of societal stereotypes, lack of role models, and confidence gaps. Despite surpassing men in overall graduation rates, women comprise only 29.2% of those in STEM fields.
Studies have shown that the issue is confidence, not capability. From an early age, girls may feel discouraged from pursuing STEM subjects or feel less competent in classroom settings than their male counterparts, leading to a decrease in interest and engagement over time. In K-12, girls rated their confidence in their math skills 27% lower than identically skilled boys. In higher education, women who initially entered college in a STEM discipline cited lack of confidence in their math abilities as a main reason for changing majors.
This disparity is concerning for two reasons: It not only limits individual potential, but also deprives the STEM fields of diverse perspectives and talents that are crucial for innovation and growth.
Learning platforms with supplemental instructional materials play a crucial role in bridging this gender gap by providing female students with a supportive and pressure-free environment to practice math concepts at their own pace.
Photo of a male and female student holding books in front of a blackboard
One such platform is Sofia, an unlimited math practice platform developed by Link-Systems International (LSI), which uses algorithms to generate new problems of consistent difficulty. This algorithmically generated content ensures continuous and tailored practice that students can access from the comfort of their own device. The platform’s step-by-step hints and just-in-time tools help students when they encounter difficulties, fostering a sense of achievement and building confidence.
By enabling female students to work through challenges independently and gain mastery over math concepts, without the immediate pressure of traditional classroom settings, platforms like Sofia help cultivate their interest and competence in STEM subjects.
“In the edtech industry, we should be doing more to ensure that all types of students have access to the tools they need to succeed,” commented Vincent Forese, President of LSI. “We are making math practice easier and more accessible to students who may otherwise just have given up.”
Photo of Vincent Forese, President of LSI
Addressing the gender gap in STEM is crucial for fostering innovation and growth within these fields. Diverse perspectives are essential for creative solutions, and supporting female students in STEM education is an important step toward achieving this. As educational platforms and institutions continue to recognize and address these disparities, the future of STEM looks more inclusive than ever.
Effective teamwork is more critical than ever due to growing pressures on businesses to perform. However, many companies struggle to align their teams because of differing communication styles, decision-making processes, and work methods. Research shows that nearly two-thirds of managers fail to understand their team’s behaviors fully. This gap can lead to inefficiencies and frustration within teams. Better collaboration might mean simplifying things with a transparent system to understand team behaviors.
The Four Dimensions of Teamwork
Teams can generally be evaluated across four key dimensions that define how members work together. These dimensions are critical in understanding not just individual behavior but how the team as a whole interacts and performs:
Communicating: This dimension categorizes teams as either ordered or informal. Ordered teams follow strict processes for sharing information, relying on well-documented internal systems. On the other hand, informal teams are more casual in their communication, relying on spontaneous interactions rather than structured meetings.
Processing: Teams interpret information logically or relationally. Logical teams rely heavily on data and rigorous analysis, while relational teams value individual relationships and trust key members for insight.
Deciding: Teams are either authoritative or concordant in their decision-making. Authoritative teams look to leaders for final decisions, while concordant teams operate on a consensus-based model, where all members contribute before a course of action is chosen.
Executing: This dimension contrasts deliberate teams, which create detailed plans and follow them closely, with spontaneous teams that prefer flexibility and adaptability in their work style.
Christopher Morrison, CEO of TeamDynamics, states, “Each of these dimensions captures an important aspect of how teams interact and work together. By understanding where your team falls on each of these scales, you can better manage and improve team collaboration.”
A Growing Need for Team Understanding
Understanding these dynamics is becoming increasingly essential with the rise of remote work and cross-functional teams. A significant finding from TeamDynamics’ research reveals that only 9% of individuals naturally align with their team across all four dimensions. This means that the majority of team members must adapt their behaviors to work effectively within their teams.
For many managers, the inability to fully understand their team’s working style can be detrimental. Nearly 70% of individuals prefer deliberate planning, yet only 27% of teams operate this way, creating a disconnect between how people like to work and the reality of team collaboration.
Refining Collaboration in the Workplace
The tool is designed for teams of all sizes, but it’s particularly effective for teams consisting of five to 12 members, the ideal size for meaningful collaboration. Larger companies such as Meta, Splunk, and Hilton have already adopted TeamDynamics as part of their team-building and leadership development processes. By providing a shared language and framework for team interactions, companies can reduce friction and improve the quality of cross-functional work.
A key benefit of a workplace dynamics test is its ability to pinpoint areas of tension within teams. For example, a finance team at a luxury auto manufacturer used the tool to understand better the different working styles of its legal and marketing departments. By identifying friction points, they implemented strategies to improve collaboration across departments.
The Future of Team Collaboration
As organizations continue to navigate hybrid work environments, tools like workplace dynamics tests are becoming invaluable. These will help teams improve communication and efficiency and offer leaders the insights they need to better coach their employees. By aligning team behaviors with individual preferences, companies can create more harmonious and productive teams.
Ultimately, workplace tests’ value lies in their simplicity and applicability across industries. By offering easy-to-use tools that quantify team behavior, companies can better understand and manage the often elusive concept of teamwork.
If decorated properly, a person’s living space can quietly highlight their principles and beliefs. Understandably, one’s sense of style and decorative presentation could change with time and experience. Whether you’re looking to repaint your walls or design your own sofa, it’s common to want to liven up your home with something new.
According to Architectural Digest, more than 70% of Americans took to redecorating and redesigning their homes following the pandemic. If you’ve been feeling the desire to update your furniture, it’s always good to have a step-by-step guide to help you in your journey.
5 Easy Steps to Design the Perfect Custom Sofa
Sofa design can seem cumbersome, but a plan often mitigates any worries during the process. With these five easy-to-follow steps, you can balance style and comfort while designing your perfect sofa.
Choose Your Aesthetic
Furniture stores offer a wide variety of styles and aesthetics, allowing you to make selections based on your unique taste. Whether modern themes pique your interest or classic backdrops suit your fancy, establishing your aesthetic is a great place to start.
Know The Dimensions of Your Space
Size matters in the grand scheme of furniture arrangement. Taking a moment to note the measurements and dimensions of your living space will better prepare you during the sofa selection process. Avoid buying a couch and trying to fit it in the tightest corner of your room.
Consider Custom Features
Custom components, such as fabric selection, color themes, and patterns, all factor into the selection and design process. Your choices will depend most on your living circumstances and preferences. For fabrics, a pet-loving home might consider a couch with fur-resistant, claw-proof material rather than a leather finish. On the contrary, a house with kids might need a waterproof, stain-resistant sofa.
Buy on a Budget
Often, homeowners hire interior designers to customize their spaces. These custom furniture pieces can be costly, making independent sofa designers all the more attractive. DreamSofa understands that the balance between professional design and do-it-yourself planning can offer customers a furniture-buying experience well within their price range.
Finalize Your Custom Design
Once you’ve considered design aspects and other partialities, such as cushion firmness, seat height and depth, and fabric selection, your custom sofa is ready to be manufactured. Upon receiving your piece, DreamSofa lets you spend the next 100 days making sure the couch you designed is what you desire.
Customizing Your Couch
Customization is one of the key components in designing a sofa. As you jot down your selections, you want to pick a couch that matches your preferences. For example, a couch that sits high with a rather firm and compact build wouldn’t suit someone looking to rest and relax. Subsequently, you might choose an extra-soft piece with deeper, cushier seats.
DreamSofa’s customization options can help potential buyers design sofas with their individualistic style and desire for comfort in mind.
Wrapping Up
Many people find furniture design to be overly complicated and complex. As a result, having the guidance and support of a professional consultant can transform the process from distressing to fun. There’s no need to feel like you must settle on pieces that don’t fit your vision. From contemporary to mid-century, open up your customization options to a whole new world of sofa design selections, taking your perfect match from your head to your homestead.
Our City and State’s Most Vulnerable Communities and Small Businesses are Being Hurt by a Lack of Sensible, Balanced Regulations – Our Elected Leaders Need to Do More to Fix the Problem
I know what it means to be saddled with endless and redundant laws and regulations that can only hurt the most vulnerable. Recently, my organization, Creating Justice LA, decided to purchase the Skid Row People’s Market to expand our reach into the food systems in the Skid Row community. The Market serves as a reliable place for healthy, affordable food options and community in an area with no grocery stores where many are food insecure. The Market keeps jobs in the community, creating a holistic approach to health and healing. As the new owners of this LA institution, we are working hard to effectively serve the surrounding community–but may not be able to get it done due to burdensome regulations that are not designed to help those that need it the most. To help our community, we need to take hold of our future. At Creating Justice LA, that has meant cooperating with community leaders and finding sensible solutions to the difficult challenges of our time.
The Market will allow us to better serve Skid Row, but California’s small business regulations have made it a challenge to stay afloat while meeting the needs of our community. When it comes to support, the State Legislature and the Governor seem to be focused on massive companies that do not represent the state’s working population.
I am proud to lead the Creating Justice Peace and Healing Center, a community-led space on Los Angeles’ Skid Row where service, acceptance and inclusion are our core values. The center focuses on ensuring that members of our community have strong advocates for what is sensible and right when it comes to issues of the environment, economic injustice, and social healing.
Our member-led co-ops thrive because we work collaboratively with local agencies and community activists. In our own way, we have created powerful methods to help our community, which has included finding compromises with local leaders to help those in need. We believe that the focus we put on making sensible, thoughtful decisions that benefit our community will help to provide equal opportunity and economic justice to all Californians. Two examples of this are The Hip Hop Smoothie Shop and Skid Row Coffee, which we created to serve as employment and entrepreneurship incubators that also provide residents with affordable, nutritious food and drink options in a community where those options are both hard to find and much needed.
Larger companies with more ample resources are better positioned to either absorb the impact of policies that raise costs or even change the rules on a dime. If they can’t, they simply move operations outside the state. While there is a need for regulations to protect employees, consumers, and the environment, they must be well thought-out, reasonable, and helpful to small businesses rather than hurtful.
For example, the Los Angeles City Council is eyeing a potential ban of plastic water bottles which could exacerbate existing water quality and safety issues in the city. Working on Skid Row, I can tell you that plastic water bottles are a safe, accessible, consistent source of water that is essential for serving the unhoused. A ban like this could make clean water much more expensive and much less accessible for the thousands of folks that we serve.
At the state level, SB 54, or the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act,aims to reduce California’s annual waste by requiring that all single-use packaging must be recyclable or compostable by 2032. Nearly every business in California islikely to be impacted directly or indirectly by SB 54. Whether the impact on small businesses is negative or positive will depend on how it’s implemented—meaning that state and local policymakers have an opportunity and responsibility to work in community with small business owners to be sure they achieve SB 54’s environmental objectives without harming the small business environment or the communities that rely on them.
Business regulations in California are well-intentioned but misguided, and they have drastic consequences for small businesses and their surrounding communities. California’s small businesses need smart, balanced policy solutions to continue as forces of economic and social development.
Pastor Stephen “Cue” Jn-Marie is a prominent community and faith leader in Los Angeles. Cue is the Pastor and founder of The Row LA – “The Church Without Walls” founded in 2006, in Downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row community. Pastor Cue is also a faith-rooted organizer with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), since 2015 and is co-lead organizer of the Black Jewish Justice Alliance (BJJA) as well as Co-convener of the Black and Brown Clergy and Community coalition. He has been featured in several publications, including the Los Angeles Times, PBS SoCal, Downtown Los Angeles Weekly, and ABC7.
Written in partnership with Pastor Stephen “Cue” Jn-Marie.
In an increasingly digital world, privacy and data collection have become a hot-button issue. Companies may collect data from their customers for a multitude of reasons, including data metrics, personal profiling, and creating targeted ads. Consumers, however, often feel that their privacy is being violated. According to Business News Daily, an Ipsos poll found that 70% of Americans feel that it has become harder for them to safeguard their data.
This sentiment might not just be paranoia. With smartphones and devices found in every room, collecting data such as geographical location and health metrics, more personal data than ever is being funneled to data collectors.
While many consumers are aware of the data collected from their phones, there are other devices in their homes they should start to suspect—including their fridge or even their coffee maker. Now that smart home apps are being integrated into many appliances, data collectors have more opportunities than ever before to track consumer information, and they often share what they collect with third parties.
Why Websites Collect Data
Websites and online applications track and collect user data for many reasons, some of them being useful or necessary for their usage. According to the FTC, reasons for collecting user data include saving user preferences and account information, creating personalized content, such as local weather and news stories, saving user search histories, and creating personalized ads based on browsing histories.
While much data collection is performed by the websites or apps that you access, this information can also be shared with other companies, known as third-party tracking. The widespread use of third-party tracking in data collection means that consumers can have their personal data and metrics shared with companies they’re not even aware of.
Consumers have started to become more aware that their data is being collected while browsing, but they may not be as aware that smart home apps have started bringing data collection into the home. According to World Economic Forum, over 130 million households have at least one smart speaker, over 73 million households have at least one smart large appliance, such as a refrigerator, and over 72 million households have at least one smart small appliance, such as a coffee maker. Much like smartphones, these appliances are frequently connected to the local network and perform both first-party and third-party tracking measures.
Smart Devices and Your Data
With smart devices filling every corner of homes, consumers should be aware of which ways these devices can share their data. According to Surfshark, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider, one in ten smart home apps use tracking, including third-party tracking, and kitchen devices are one of the biggest categories for data collection.
“These companies use your personal information for commercial purposes like targeted advertising, credit risk assessment, or market research,” states Vaiva Norkunaite from Surfshark Press, “Thus, you might end up paying twice for using these apps — once for the device and again with your data.”
Using their Surfshark’s Smart Home Privacy Checker, Surfshark performed an analysis of commonly used smart home devices. Of all of these, they found that Amazon’s Alexa collects the most data, with 28 out of 32 possible data points.
This puts the data collection by Alexa at more than three times the average for a smart home device. Some of this data collected is categorized as “sensitive information,” which can include “racial or ethnic data, sexual orientation, pregnancy or childbirth information, disability, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, political opinion, genetic information, or biometric data,” as stated by the Apple Store website.
How to Guard Your Data From Being Shared
With so much data being collected and shared, users may wonder what they can do to guard against their information being shared. While tossing these devices out the window might be tempting, there are measures and precautions users can take when using these devices.
For web browsing, the FTC recommends frequently clearing your data history and deleting cookies, as well as adjusting your privacy settings on your browser. When using smart home devices, Surfshark recommends that consumers find and utilize privacy settings and manage app permissions. Staying informed about the data security policies of smart devices that you purchase and use is also crucial.
Taking Control of Your Data
Smart devices are everywhere, from phones to speakers to refrigerators. While these devices offer everyday conveniences, they can come at the cost of privacy concerns. Every day, these devices collect data on their users, which often get shared with third parties. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t fight back. By staying informed on who collects your data and why, you can take back some control of your data and privacy.
As smart home devices are becoming more and more common, it is important to be aware of the risks that can come to your personal data. It is vital to understand how to guard your data to keep your information safe.
A new policy aimed at outlawing deputy gangs inside the department has been revealed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Agency (LASD). County authorities have been concerned about this long-standing issue for many years.
The “Prohibition – Law Enforcement Gangs and Hate Groups” policy, which was presented on Wednesday, forbids deputies from becoming involved in law enforcement gangs or from pushing others to join them. It is said that this issue has been plaguing the department for more than 50 years.
Deputy Gangs Over the Years
County officials have identified 19 deputy gangs over the years, indicating that these gangs have a long history within the agency, according to investigations into their existence. Since the early 1990s, these gangs have been connected to at least 59 court cases that have resulted in settlement payments totaling more than $54 million for occurrences involving these purported criminal groups inside the LASD.
According to the new policy, the agency will investigate claims that these groups exist and specify how to call for possible prosecution. Targeting a systematic problem that has undermined public trust for decades is a significant step forward for the LASD. The state of California already had laws against law enforcement gangs in 2021 (Penal Code 13670), and in 2023, it approved additional charges outlawing the formation of hate groups inside law enforcement organizations.
The department has been under fire for the acts of these gangs and the alleged culture of secrecy that has surrounded their operations; thus, the regulation comes at a crucial time. Although others, including Inspector General Max Huntsman, think this is a positive move, there are worries that it could fall short of the requirements set by monitoring organizations.
“For the first time in the history of our department, when you go through a process for captain and above, you are asked about tattoos,” LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said, referencing tattoos that have been connected to violent deputy gangs. County investigators have long cited tattoos as one way to identify deputies involved in these groups, with tattoos linked to the Banditos and Executioners gangs gaining particular notoriety.
An On-Going Problem
Deputy gangs were compared to a “cancer” in the department in a damning 70-page study published last year by the Civilian Oversight Commission, which is made up of lawyers, retired federal judges, and leaders of the community. The study chronicled the origins of these gangs to at least 1973, listing the deputy gangs that were active in the department, including the 3000 Boys, Wayside Whities, Banditos, and Reapers.
Investigations have also focused on the Executioners, another group inside the LASD. The executioners were a “violent gang” that attacked other officers, and they were mainly stationed at the Compton Sheriff’s Station. Members of the Executioners allegedly exchanged tattoos of a skull, wore a Nazi helmet, and threw “998 parties” to commemorate deputy-involved shootings.
The new policy does not remove the legal obstacles. An earlier investigation of these gangs by the county’s Office of the Inspector General was halted by a lawsuit filed by the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALDS). ALDS filed a lawsuit against the county and the OIG in 2023, arguing that the probe would infringe on deputies’ constitutional rights to privacy and their ability to work. The court issued A preliminary injunction, stopping the probe in favor of ALDS.
While arguing that deputies should have due process, ALDS president Richard Pippin said the group does not support misbehavior.
“The ACLU’s own website states, ‘Every person in this country should have the same basic rights,’” Pippin said in response to criticism from advocacy groups. “Apparently, disdain for law enforcement has led some in their organization to the conclusion that this does not apply to peace officers.”