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Although the days of large PPP loans and forgiveness are over, for now, there are small business grants across the country taking place year-round. The latest business grant news reveals offers from Dove Chocolate for women entrepreneurs as well as a Los Angeles Job Creators Quest Grant,South Dakota FAST Launch Grants,Avon Lake Small Business COVID-19, and others.

The benefit of these types of grants is they help businesses and entrepreneurs in a given category or segment. This not only identifies and solves a particular issue but it also highlights the need to help said issue by the government and other sources. Dove Chocolates grant is a great example of this. The brand has a big reach, providing this grant will showcase many women entrepreneurs who otherwise wouldnt get the recognition they deserve. And being on the company site or social media channel could be all the recognition they need to receive funding from investors or lenders.

If you are a small business owner looking for a grant, look for them online, the SBA, as well as your local Chamber of Commerce.

Read:Latest Business Grants News Dove Chocolates Offering Money to Women Entrepreneurs

There are lots of great deals and special promotions at this time of year thanks to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotional trend, and many of them are just what a small business needs.

Small business owners are willing to do almost anything to have a successful holiday season in 2021. In fact, 44% of business owners say theyd listen to Jingle Bells on repeat this year if it meant having a successful holiday season for their business with no disruptions. Thats not all theyd do, either.

If you are redesigning your company website to address the demands of todays consumers and technology, there is a common pitfall you should avoid. And that is overlooking the mobile experience of your audience. According to a study by Best SEO Companies titled, Why Companies Are Prioritizing the Redesign of their Website, website redesign is currently in hyperdrive.

With a little under half the US labor force working from home during 2021, it certainly seems like remote working has become a big a part of our new normal. As the infographic compiled by TrackTime24 below shows, most work-from-home (WFH) employees report being happy with the situation. However, it has caused many employers to have trust issues with their work force.

TikTok, the video focused social networking service, has released a 2021 Holiday Guide for Business. The guide was launched on November 16, just ahead of the holiday season in the US, which runs from late November to early January.

Apple recently launched their new Apple Business Essentials service which incorporates device management, 24/7 support and iCloud storage. The service is currently available in beta and will include multiple flexible subscription plans aimed at small businesses with up to 500 employees.

A new report by Biz2Credit reveals that among small businesses who took Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans those in finance and retail had done well in recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

The twelfth edition of Small Business Saturday will be held this Saturday on November 27, 2021, and is geared to encourage consumers to support local businesses by shopping small.

Image: Depositphotos

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In the News: Grants Between $1k and $10K Available For Small Businesses - Small Business Trends

Social media continues to transform the world of communications and marketing. Platforms within the space currently enjoy some of the greatest popularity they have ever seen.

October 2021 research from Global WebIndex reveals about 57.6% of the globes population uses social media, spending about 2 hours and 27 minutes on platforms each day.

Usage spans across generational lines and demographics and unsurprisingly only spiked as COVID-19 lockdowns began to dominate the world. Additional research reveals the typical social media user participates on an average of 6.6 platforms. Some use even more.

Current market leader Facebook, with about 2.89 billion monthly active users, was the first platform to cross one billion registered accounts. YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger round out the top five most popular social networks as of October 2021 by the number of active users.

While traditional social media platforms remain popular, a growing number are becoming dissatisfied due to concerns about usability, security, and privacy. Centralized servers mean social media companies maintain complete control over data, often selling information to outside entities for marketing and advertising purposes. Centralization also opens up the prospects of hacks exposing critical data and concerns about losing information entirely if there is a system failure.

Unsurprisingly, these critical issues have left many wondering how blockchain technology could revolutionize the social media industry, especially as relationships between creators and audiences shift towards ones that are less reliant on advertising and more about accountability.

As social media becomes more hyper-focused and fragmented, many speculate niche platforms focusing on specific components could prove to be popular for users interested in more tailored content.

Decentralized social networks like BitClout, essentially similar to Twitter, allow users to connect with others across the world and buy Creator Coins for creators and influencers. BitClout users can use coins to bet on the future perceived value of the creator who in return can share special, Creator Coin holder exclusive content.

Many using traditional social media have lamented losing posts and content as centralization means a project team member can edit or delete information on their own accord.

Blockchain-based social media platforms like LoveChain solve this issue by providing users an immutable platform to celebrate and share their love for friends, family, hobbies, and pets.

Founded in Sydney Australia, the LoveChain blockchain-based ecosystem includes the social networking platform, integrated third-party apps, content creators, and an online store. LoveChain social networking users interact on a virtual version of lovelocks found across the world.

LoveChain stands alone in the social media world for being the first platform that allows users to create NFTs from the content they create. Users can then keep, share, or sell their NFTs within the LoveChain marketplace.

Each user profile is assigned a cryptographically generated code number that symbolizes the unique relationship between them and the platform. Love-focused subgroups allow participants to create themes and interact with others in these spaces.

The entire ecosystem is powered by the $LOV token, subject to a quarterly swap for merchant goods and services. LoveChain also features the LOVR rewards token that users can collect through platform interaction like content creation, building a follower base, obtaining likes, and sharing posts and data.

LoveChain is the first social media platform rewarding content creators with tokens built into an integrated wallet. LOVR tokens can be used to collect discounts and other benefits with platform merchant partners.

Social media fans turning to LoveChain will find a feature-rich platform with an attractive user experience. Users can change the sequence of their posts on feeds to achieve the best engagement, all while uploading a wide range of media and content.

Any media can be permanently saved to the blockchain to create a keepsake, but users also maintain full control over how their data is shared and used. Customization and personalization tools allow for unique profile styling as part of the overall user experience.

Blockchain-based social media platforms like LoveChain maintain a range of advantages and benefits over their traditional counterparts.

Decentralization helps mitigate unethical data usage, promotes freedom of expression, and the inclusion of cryptocurrency (especially within platform wallets) enhances the rewards and payment process. Overall, the marriage of social media and blockchain technology only looks set to continue as technological development continues to advance.

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Record, Recreate and Resonate: Welcoming Social Platforms into the Blockchain World - NewsBTC

GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LIZHI INC. ("LIZHI" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: LIZI), a leading online UGC audio community and interactive audio entertainment platform in China, is excited to announce that, for the third year in a row, it has been named one of Chinas Top 100 Internet Companies of 2021 by the Internet Society of China (ISC).

Mr. Jinnan (Marco) Lai, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LIZHI, said, We are very pleased to be listed as one of the Chinas Top 100 Internet Companies of 2021 for the third consecutive year. Looking forward, we will amplify our globalization strategy to more effectively anticipate and satisfy users diversified needs, and continuously bring high-quality audio experiences to a wider range of users through diverse usage scenarios.

Founded in 2013, LIZHI has built an audio ecosystem with a global presence. In January this year, LIZHI launched the LIZHI Podcast App, a new vertical podcast platform, which has been integrated into a variety of in-car scenarios, providing drivers and passengers with more options for their in-car entertainment experience. LIZHI has partnered with leading auto companies and Internet of Vehicles platforms including Tencent WeScenario, Li Auto, XPeng Motors, and WM Motor.

Last month, LIZHI announced that the LIZHI Podcast App has been integrated into Huaweis HarmonyOS Ecosystem. It also marked the debut of LIZHI Podcasts one-click seamless connectivity feature, which supports the cross-screen connection and use of LIZHI Podcast between HarmonyOS-equipped devices for an uninterrupted podcast experience, making LIZHI Podcast the first Chinese podcast platform to achieve two-way seamless connectivity between mobile devices and vehicles.

Prior to receiving this award, LIZHI was recently named among the Top 20 Internet Companies in Guangzhou in 2021 and Most Innovative Internet Companies in 2021 by the Guangzhou Internet Society. As a member of the Pilot Enterprise Cooperation Alliance of Online Audiovisual Industry in Guangdong Province, LIZHIs Audio Engineering Technology Research Center has also been recognized by the Guangdong Science and Technology Department on its 2021 list of Engineering Technology Research Centers of Guangdong Province.

About LIZHI INC.

LIZHI INC. (the "Company" or "LIZHI") has built an audio ecosystem with a global presence consisting of audio-based social networks, podcast content portfolios and audio communities. The Company aims to bring people closer together through voices by its product portfolios. LIZHIs audio-based social networking products offering, including TIYA App, caters to users evolving interest in social interactions in real time online and enables users to connect with friends having similar interests, entertain, chat online, and share their daily lives through voices. LIZHI also offers a vertical podcast platform, LIZHI Podcast, that provides users with curated content drawn from its extensive content library built over the years, as well as new podcasts provided by selected content creators. Since the launch of LIZHI App in 2013, the Companys flagship platform, LIZHI has cultivated a vibrant and growing online UGC audio community and interactive audio entertainment platform where users are encouraged to create, share, discover and enjoy audio, and experience immersive and diversified entertainment features through audio. LIZHI envisions a global audio ecosystem a place where everyone can be connected through voices and across cultures. LIZHI INC. has been listed on Nasdaq since January 2020.

For more information, please visit: https://www.lizhiinc.com/en orhttp://ir.lizhi.fm.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Companys beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as may, will, expect, anticipate, target, aim, estimate, intend, plan, believe, potential, continue, is/are likely to or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Companys filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:LIZHI INC.IR DepartmentTel: +86 (20) 3866-4265E-mail: ir@lizhi.fm

The Piacente Group, Inc.Jenny CaiTel: +86 (10) 6508-0677E-mail: Lizhi@tpg-ir.com

In the United States:The Piacente Group, Inc.Brandi PiacenteTel: +1-212-481-2050E-mail: Lizhi@tpg-ir.com

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LIZHI Named One of China's Top 100 Internet Companies of 2021 - GlobeNewswire

The Council agreed its position (general approach) on the proposal for a Digital Markets Act (DMA). The proposal aims to ensure a competitive and fair digital sector with a view to promoting innovation, high-quality digital products and services, fair prices, and high quality and choice in the digital sector.

Today we reached an important milestone in the creation of a more open and a more competitive digital market. The Slovenian presidency has been working hard with member states and the European Commission to find a good compromise and to further improve the DMAs goals: ensuring a fair and competitive digital market. We are proud that member states unanimously supported the general approach. This shows that the EU is strongly committed to ensure fair competition online. The proposed DMA shows our willingness and ambition to regulate big tech and will hopefully set a trend worldwide.

Online platforms offering core platform services such as search engines, social networking services and intermediation services are playing an increasingly important role in our social and economic life. However, a few large online platforms are seen as gatekeepers between businesses and consumers, creating bottlenecks in the economy through their market power and control over digital ecosystems. This negatively affects fair competition.

With this proposal, ministers aim to create a level playing field in the digital sector, with clear rights and obligations for large online platforms. The regulation of the digital market at EU level will ensure a level playing field and a competitive and fair digital sector, so that companies and consumers can all benefit from digital opportunities.

The DMA proposal is targeted at gatekeepers who control core platform services, which are platforms where the identified problems are most prominent. Core platform services include: online intermediation services (i.e. marketplaces, app stores), online search engines, social networking, cloud services, advertising services, and more.

The main changes to the Commission proposal are the following:

To tackle emerging digital challenges such as the spread of counterfeit goods, hate speech, cyber threats, disinformation, limited competition and the foreclosure of digital markets, the European Commission tabled a digital services package in December 2020. It presented a legislative proposal on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and a Digital Markets Act (DMA).

On 27 May 2021, at the Competitiveness Council, ministers held an exchange of views providing guidance for the continuation of the negotiations.

The general approach reached today completes the negotiating position agreed by the Council and provides the Council Presidency with a mandate for further discussions with the European Parliament, which are scheduled for 2022.

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Regulating 'big tech': Council agrees on enhancing competition in the digital sphere - EU News

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The social networking boom empowered everyone to have a voice via the internet and allowed activists to conduct globally organised smart mobs, petitions, blogs, emails, social media campaigns, virtual sit-ins and, of course, to share information anonymously to authorities, media and social justice groups like investigative journalists.

Some argue that although digital activism achieves awareness building and mobilisation of people, the overall goal may not be the case in many instances, which is perhaps the reason for hacktivism to surface from time to time.

COP26 is at the forefront of global concern. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) documents leaked to the BBC through Greenpeace UKs team of investigative journalists revealed some nations lobbying to change UN recommendations for action.

Open sources report that protests are expected to be heightened on 6 November, the Global Day for Climate Justice, as thousands of protestors are expected to arrive from across the world. Some predict that hacktivists could target government organisations, local businesses and rail networks during the conference.

Alex Dowall, Detective Superintendent for Cyber Investigations at Police Scotland, said: We know criminals will exploit any opportunity for their own gain and COP26 will be no different.

Ideological-based attacks have been too random to be able to predict with great certainty. Some of the worlds most resourced security programs with excellent risk profiles proved that security threats cannot be solved, prevented or removed through technological or engineering approaches. These are testing times for those in security professions.

By the time this insight is published, the world will know if the hacktivists made a comeback motivated by climate change. However, does the occasion always have to be as important? There are intense issues other than environmental ones

It is well known that suppression is counterproductive. This tightly interlinked world requires cooperation and a commitment to peaceful coexistence across species, cultures and generations. Governments and global communities should recast hacktivists as a geo-socially networked community of sensors, who can be creatively engaged with policy makers in solving emerging global threats.

Dr Deepthi Ratnayake FHEA CITP MBCS is an experienced lecturer with proven skills in cybersecurity research. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/deepthiratnayake

Get qualified for a career in cybersecurity with a Digital Apprenticeship.

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Where are all the hacktivists? - BCS