Cultured has selected 10 standout interiors from 2024, showcasing spaces by designers and artists such as Olivia Song, Oliver Furth and Peter Marino. The featured interiors range from a bohemian townhouse in Brooklyn, N.Y., to a Richard Neutra-designed home in Los Angeles.

Sales expert Colleen Francis emphasizes the importance of genuine conversations over scripted interactions during sales calls and identifies a common mistake where salespeople focus too much on their next question instead of truly listening to clients. To improve listening skills, Francis suggests asking follow-up questions and preparing for discovery by focusing on conversation topics rather than a list of questions.

Several brands and technologies faced significant backlash in 2024 over various issues, including AI misuse, tone-deaf comments and diversity reversals. Notable incidents included deepfake images of Taylor Swift, Kellogg's CEO suggesting cereal as a cost-saving meal, brands like Ford Motor and Target abandoning diversity initiatives and Jaguar's rebranding without featuring cars drawing criticism.

Data shows that at least 20% of workers feel isolated on a daily basis, but, as a leader, you can help them feel more connected by creating a culture that emphasizes respect and engagement, says S. Chris Edmonds. "When your vibrant work culture becomes a reality, instead of isolation and loneliness, your employees experience respect, validation, mentorship, camaraderie, proactive problem-solving and (God forbid) fun in daily interactions," says Edmonds.

A Manhattan townhouse that Bob Dylan lived in for decades is on sale for $7.25 million. Located in the landmarked Turtle Bay Gardens, the five-story home was bought by Dylan in 1990 and sold in 2005 for $4.45 million.

Smart homes are becoming mainstream, featuring devices that communicate with each other, such as refrigerators that track inventory and thermostats that learn preferences. Although the industry is fragmented, with compatibility issues a concern, the range of smart devices continues to expand rapidly.

David Brock reflects on the pervasive issue of digital distractions in modern life and shares personal strategies to combat this, such as limiting device use and fostering human interactions, emphasizing the importance of being present. "Attend a meeting with me, you will see a basket at the center of the conference table -- all devices go in there," Brock writes.

The Minnesota Housing Board has allocated over $190 million to 76 affordable housing projects, creating or preserving 2,276 homes. The projects, which include multifamily rentals, single-family homes and manufactured homes, are expected to generate more than $480 million in development and support 4,400 jobs.

A measure of consumer confidence in the US unexpectedly decreased to 104.7 in December, marking the first decline in three months, according to The Conference Board. The gauge indicated that consumers became less optimistic about their income and the outlook for business conditions.

Trade groups representing major banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Reserve, claiming that its lack of transparency in annual stress tests leads to unpredictable capital requirements. The banks assert that while they support stress testing, it should be conducted transparently to avoid significant and unexpected capital burdens that could negatively impact the economy.