CEOs are using LinkedIn to become their own brand ambassadors

Here are five things that happened in the tech industry this week and how they impact your business. Were you lonely?

1 – CEOs are using LinkedIn to become their own brand ambassadors.

Brian Honigman reports on a new trend growing among executives: the use of the networking platform LinkedIn as a tool to strengthen connections. Honigman cited a 9 percent year-over-year increase in posts by the executive group. (Source: Fast Company)

Why this is important for your business:

I think it says something when CEOs of large companies lean towards LinkedIn. As management strives to engage with both customers and employees, the exchange of success stories and perspectives is on the rise. Blavity CEO Morgan DeBaun says she sometimes includes personal experiences in her posts to express relatability with her followers. She also shares lessons learned from her own professional experience. Her CEO at Novartis, Vasu Narasimhan, commented on the employee's post and thanked her for her work. More broadly, he says, it's an “opportunity to engage with employees around the world without the constraints of travel.” Honigman, who teaches his course on Marketing at LinkedIn, believes this type of engagement is a value-added practice for business leaders.

2 – Major changes to Google Chrome threaten to reshape the modern internet.

Big changes are on the horizon with Google's plans to restrict third-party cookies in Chrome, the web browser that generates the most web traffic (compared to Safari and Firefox). (Source: Yahoo Finance)

Why this is important for your business:

One of the basic functions of cookies (small pieces of data generated by your web browser) is to provide information to websites about you. Third-party cookies are placed on her website by someone other than the owner (such as an advertiser) in order to track the browsing habits of potential customers. Eliminating third-party cookies disrupts how digital advertising works. Not only do advertisers lose the ability to find new customers, they also lose revenue.

3 – SlideFill launches an application that creates personalized, data-driven presentations from Google Sheets and CRM systems.

Software company SideFill has officially launched a platform designed to help businesses maximize their customer data. “B2B Solutions for Data-Driven Content” (Source: MarTech Series)

Why this is important for your business:

As stated on the company's website, SideFill allows users to create content in “40% less time.” Teams can create dynamic presentations by automatically implementing customer data in his three steps: Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Presentations. Pitch decks, product marketing materials, and customer success stories are just a few examples of what users can customize.

4 – AI-powered scams are targeting tax refunds.

Technology correspondent Ryan Heath warns that AI-generated fraud is on the rise this tax season. Criminals are taking full advantage of these sophisticated tools to copy taxpayers' images, videos, and other sensitive information and steal refunds. After gathering the necessary information, he submits it to the IRS, pretending to be that individual. (Source: Axios)

Why this is important for your business:

Given the known risks, the IRS recommends filing as soon as possible. Ignore emails containing IRS language. Open an account at the IRS online portal.

5 – Manage your work efficiently with this $40 software.

Task management tool Taskomat is offering $40 lifetime to keep your tasks managed. This tool also helps with invoicing, budget management, customer management, and more. (Source: ZDNet)

Why this is important for your business:

Reviewers say the app is ideal for freelancers and entrepreneurs with fluid schedules or who need extra time to grow their customer base, and it's worth the free trial. … apparently …