According to the U.S. Secret Service, more than 60 real estate agents nationwide have lost a combined $15 million in cryptocurrency scams known as "pig butchering," in which scammers gain trust and gradually convince victims to invest more and more money, showing fake profits and then taking everything. Learn how to trust your gut and protect yourself from being targeted.

Asking "stupid" questions is a technique some people use to offer advice. Instead, be straightforward: Ask constructive, open-ended questions, says leadership expert Dan Rockwell, and keep your tone curious to elicit better answers.

Meme marketing is an effective and cost-efficient way to drive loyalty and growth, often outperforming traditional advertising, Renae Gregoire writes. Saratoga Spring Water and Duolingo have taken advantage of meme marketing, with Saratoga gaining $1.8 million in earned media value from a single meme and Duolingo using user-generated memes to boost engagement. Meme marketing works by creating a sense of community and belonging, making audiences feel like insiders, Gregoire writes.

In the 12 months ending in March, the U.S. saw international buyer demand rise for the first time in eight years. Real estate agents are leaning into global referrals and personal networks to attract international attention.

Real estate experts recommend removing personal items, pet supplies and bulky furniture to create a neutral and inviting space. Additionally, it is advised to hide home security features, controversial decor and valuables to avoid distracting or deterring potential buyers. Keeping the home clean and clutter-free is crucial for making a positive first impression.

Lisa Jaeger and Kathleen DeVine of Douglas Elliman Real Estate are listing this $899,999 ranch-style home in Stony Brook, N.Y., featuring a backyard with a gazebo, saltwater pool and hot tub. The 2,750-square-foot home includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a spacious foyer.

AI and automation are transforming building management by optimizing energy performance and reducing operational costs, writes Riaz Raihan, senior vice president and chief digital officer at Trane Technologies. Raihan highlights the importance of interpreting nonverbal cues from buildings through technologies such as digital twins and autonomous controls, which can lead to significant energy savings and emissions reductions.

As flexible work and remote work arrangements tempt employees to adopt the "infinite workday," which involves checking email or doing other tasks outside a 9-to-5 window, leaders must model appropriate work hours, talk with their teams about their workload and consider adopting a "right to disconnect" policy, say experts. "Cognitive function—focus, decision-making and memory—declines as employees become fatigued. The brain needs recovery time. Without it, even high performers will see diminished returns," says Kim Seals, partner of people and change practice at West Monroe.

Albuquerque, N.M., faces a significant affordable housing crisis, with the median home price nearly double what is affordable for median-income renters. Bernalillo County is prioritizing 11 housing projects to house 1,050 residents by 2026, requesting $98.2 million in funding from the state.