Four “AI leadership anchors” to help you maintain control while clarifying and deepening your own thinking.
Four “AI leadership anchors” to help you maintain control while clarifying and deepening your own thinking.
Career in Hotel Management and what is Hotel Management Course?
Iss video meh hum aapko ek Career Roadmap dege for Hotel Management jahan pe hum aapko btayege ki hotel industry ki basic requirements, advantages & disadvantages, hotel management courses (educations, fees, degree & diploma), departments, jobs, professional life (India vs Abroad), and iss field ka scope kya hai hindi meh!
source
Direct Link to offer (note: this is a targeted offer)
Nice deal here for renewal. Typically the deals are only for new members who have not been a member for more than 18 months, so it’s nice to see this deal directly from Costco for those whose membership is more recently expired.
Hat tip to SD
Happy Meal toys like Transformer figurines and Hot Wheels cars have sparked joy with little kids for decades—and now, one of the designers behind the miniatures is changing lives for thousands of people. Dallas-based entrepreneur Nancy Hairston founded MedCAD, a surgical solutions company, in 2007—and in the decades since, its 3D-printing innovations have helped patients recognize themselves in the mirror again.
But before Hairston was building skull implants, she spent most of her career in the design world. When she graduated art school with a sculpture MFA from Loyola University in 1991, she had a rude awakening: She couldn’t find any open jobs for what she wanted to pursue. Meanwhile, 3D animation was all the rage at the time, so Hairston pivoted and took on a litany of modeling and animation jobs, from Mary Kay cosmetics to software company Alias. Eventually, she landed in the toy industry. The tactile practice of sculpting in clay was now being done digitally on a computer, which meant designing in 3D—and major corporations were wanting it to manufacture everything from toys to shoes.
“It was as if a lightning bolt hit me,” Hairston tells Fortune, speaking of the first time she entered the 3D-modeling world. “That was [all] the rage. That was the tool to use. So I started doing Happy Meal toys and Bratz toys for Mattel.”
However, the late 2000s changed things: The entrepreneur says her peers’ roles were all heading to Asia, leaving behind medical and aerospace work as the main points of entry in the U.S. Luckily, Hairston was already recognizing the potential for 3D modeling in healthcare—so she quit her “sensible” 9-to-5 job and launched MedCAD.
“It was thrilling and scary, but I saw the opportunity because the technology was so new,” Hairston recalls.
She had already started tinkering with anatomy modeling, adapting the toy-development software she’d used for orthognathic surgery applications like jaw and teeth repairs. By the time 2009 came around, she built a business plan to get FDA clearance. And younger surgeons—who grew up exposed to advanced tech and 3D animation, Hairston says—were starting to take note as word spread of her innovations.
Then, Hairston’s phone rang. The ensuing call would alter the trajectory of her career.
“[I had] one of those pivotal moments in your life, where your whole world changes. I got a phone call from a surgeon that I knew, and he said, ‘Hey, you know, do you think you could make me a cranial implant?’” Hairston says. “And that’s how it started.”
MedCAD went on to fill the unmet needs of patients with small to large deformities stemming from trauma-related injuries or physical abnormalities. Skull implants have continued to be a huge part of the business, but the company has since expanded into other areas of the body such as foot, ankle, and facial reconstruction products, all conceptualized with 3D designs.
“We were some of the earliest people doing it,” Hairston continues. “There’s a fantastic thread to all of this is, that we are able to bring a person back as much as we can to a normalized state with a lot less surgeries. [Patients are] waking up with the ability to have teeth implants after they heal. That’s the power of this technology—we can do a more holistic approach to reconstructing a foot or a face.”
Since founding MedCAD nearly two decades ago, the company has continued to grow in the 3D-implant space. The company tells Fortune it has achieved profitability and boasts an annual revenue estimated to be between $10 million and $20 million this year and in 2026, but did not specify exactly how much it’s making in annual profit. Cranial and neuro products are a key growth driver, experiencing 18% to 25% growth year-over-year since 2022. It’s also ramping up a direct-to-hospital strategy, but a majority of its revenue comes from long-term contracts with global medical leaders needing implants and medical devices.
Despite having a successful run in toy-designing and founding a profitable business, Hairston says she’s most energized by the difference her implants make in peoples’ lives. Sparking joy among little kids with her McDonald’s toys and Bratz dolls was one achievement, but she’s making even more waves for thousands of medical patients hoping to feel whole again.
“Toys are really fun for children, but they’re not played with for long,” Hairston says. “We can really make a difference making these kinds of products for humans that change their lives. That gave me a lot of the power and the passion to do it.”
Each enterprise is as unique as the family that leads it, and thus requires customized structures.
Canada’s real gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.3% in August, well below economists’ expectations for no change. The decline erased most of July’s 0.3% rebound, Statistics Canada noted.
Declines were seen in a dozen industries, StatCan reported, with utilities (-2.3%), transportation and warehousing (-1.7%) and wholesale trade (-1.2%) posting the largest drops.
The weak GDP reading adds to signs the broader economy is losing momentum. Canada’s unemployment rate held at 7.1% in September, while youth unemployment climbed to 14.7%, the highest since 2010 outside of the pandemic years.
“The Canadian economy was no treat in August amid a few special factors and the ongoing drag from trade/tariff uncertainty,” says BMO’s Benjamin Reitzes. “While those one-time factors should reverse—and the Blue Jays playoff run will likely provide a lift to October—the economy is expected to struggle until there’s more certainty on trade.”
Despite the disappointing August figures, there are early signs the economy may have regained a bit of ground heading into the fall. Advance estimates for September show a slight increase of 0.1%, and a 0.1% uptick for the third quarter of 2025.
With the Bank of Canada lowering its policy rate to 2.25% on Wednesday and signalling it’s now “at about the right level” to keep inflation near 2% while supporting the economy’s adjustment, economists don’t expect any further cuts this year.
TD’s Marc Ercolao said trade-related pressures continue to weigh on growth, with third-quarter GDP tracking a modest 0.4% annualized—consistent with TD’s and the Bank of Canada’s forecasts. While the effects of tariffs are becoming clearer, he noted additional easing isn’t in the cards given the current expectations.
“For now, the growth backdrop is expected to remain weak and gradually recover over the medium-term,” he wrote. “As such, we maintain our view that the BoC has reached the end of their interest rate easing cycle after delivering a 25 bps cut this week.”
Most economists share that view, expecting the Bank of Canada to hold rates steady for the rest of the year.
Reitzes added that further cuts are unlikely unless a deeper slowdown “spooks the Bank of Canada after this week’s messaging,” though he noted that “risks remain skewed to the downside” following August’s weak GDP reading.
CIBC’s Andrew Grantham struck a similar tone but cautioned that growth will need to improve if the central bank is to maintain that pause through next year, as his team currently projects.
He added that policymakers may be “slightly scared by the apparent lack of momentum towards the end of the quarter,” as the pickup in fourth-quarter growth they projected now looks less likely.
Following the weaker-than-expected GDP report, the loonie slipped 0.3% to $0.71 US. Bond markets also reacted, with the five-year Government of Canada yield falling 2 bps to 2.64%.
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Last modified: October 31, 2025
Key Points
Settling a student loan means negotiating with your lender or servicer to accept a lump-sum payment that is less than the current balance owed. In other words, you pay part of your debt in exchange for the lender agreeing to forgive the rest.
This can sound appealing, especially if your balance has ballooned from years of interest or collection fees. But settlements are extremely limited (especially for federal loans) and often come with long-term costs.
Here’s what to know about settling your student loans.
While you can technically settle your federal loans — whether they are FFEL or Direct Loans that are in default — it’s highly unlikely that you will be able to. Why? Federal loans are money owed to the U.S. Taxpayer. As such, Congress sets the rules by which you can settle, and there are just too many ways the US government can collect from you once you’re in default.
They can garnish your wages, take your tax refunds, garnish your Social Security, or go after other federal benefits. They don’t need court approval to begin wage garnishment, either, like private loan owners do.
In fact, the Department of Education issues no public guidelines on settling federal loans because they do not want to encourage anyone to do so.
However, the Education Department does issue internal guidelines to their contracted collection agencies and guaranty agencies. (Guaranty agencies are organizations that guarantee FFELP loans against default and often service them as well, like AES.)
This Department of Education guideline memo to guaranty agencies from 1993 states that guaranty agencies are permitted to “compromise” or settle the loan under certain conditions and up to certain amounts.
Those allowable settlement or compromise offers are:
But say you do decide to go this route, you have to be ready with a good offer to negotiate with the collection or guaranty agency. And realize, this is all based on your current loan balance – notice how none of the offers really lower what you actually borrowed.
Private student loans, however, are a different story. These loans operate more like credit card debt – if you stop paying, the lender or a collection agency may be willing to negotiate.
When settlement might be possible:
Example:
A borrower with a $20,000 private loan in collections might offer $10,000 in cash to close the account. The lender agrees, marks the debt as “settled,” and stops further collection.
While this can end the debt, it comes with downsides:
Some people consider defaulting strategically for the purpose of settling their loan. While this may be a strategy towards success if everything goes right, you could easily wreck your credit, open yourself up for litigation from your lender, and not even get want you want out of your settlement deal.
You could accrue fees and interest along the way. And you may still be stuck with the loan in the end. This is definitely more of an option for private loans, but certainly not one we recommend.
We don’t recommend most people try to negotiate this themselves – this is where you want to get a student loan lawyer involved. But if you’re set on it, here’s some basic steps to get started:
For most borrowers, settlement should be a last resort. Other options can provide long-term relief without wrecking your credit.
Federal loans:
Private loans:
These programs often reduce or pause payments without requiring default, helping protect your credit and long-term financial stability.
Borrowers in default are some of the most heavily preyed on for student loan scams. Make sure you are watching out for these key things:
Always verify offers through your loan servicer or directly with the Department of Education.
Can you settle federal student loans without defaulting?
No. Federal settlements are only considered after default, once the loan enters collections.
Is forgiven or settled debt taxable?
Yes. The canceled portion of a private loan is generally taxable as income, though insolvency exceptions may apply. Federal settlements may or may not trigger taxes depending on terms.
Can I negotiate a payment plan instead of a lump sum?
Occasionally, collection agencies may accept short-term installment settlements, but lump-sum offers are preferred.
How does settlement affect my credit?
The loan will be reported as “settled for less than the full balance,” which can lower your credit score for up to seven years.
Settling student loan debt for less than you owe is possible, but it’s rare, risky, and often unnecessary. For most borrowers (especially those with federal loans) income-driven repayment, forgiveness programs, or rehabilitation offer better paths to long-term relief.
If you’re in default or overwhelmed by private loans, speak with your loan servicer or a student loan attorney before negotiating any settlement.
Don’t Miss These Other Stories:
Editor: Clint Proctor
Reviewed by: Chris Muller
The post Can You Settle Student Loan Debt For Less Than You Owe? appeared first on The College Investor.
According to the latest IBM report, organizations experiencing data breaches that involve shadow AI — unauthorized AI tools used by employees — face additional costs averaging $670,000 per incident, compared to standard breaches.
These findings align with a recent Cybernews survey, which shows 59% of employees use unapproved AI tools at work. Additionally, 75% of these employees share sensitive company and customer data with these unauthorized applications, creating a perfect storm of financial risk.
“Shadow AI isn’t just a security problem but a hidden financial liability waiting to materialize,” said Emanuelis Norbutas, chief technology officer at nexos.ai. “As many as 93% of executives use unapproved AI tools, making leadership, not rank-and-file employees, the biggest source of risk. What makes this situation particularly insidious is that the people responsible for preventing security risks are often the ones introducing them.
“Companies keep approaching this problem as a compliance issue when it’s actually a capability gap. When your approved tools create more friction than value, employees will inevitably choose productivity over policy, and your security framework becomes irrelevant. The real question isn’t whether employees will use AI — it’s whether they’ll use yours.”
The financial impact of shadow AI extends far beyond traditional security threats. IBM research reveals that 97% of organizations experiencing AI-related incidents lacked proper access controls. Organizations effectively using AI in their security operations identified and contained breaches 80 days faster than those not using these technologies, demonstrating that strategic AI adoption delivers measurable security benefits while uncontrolled shadow AI creates costly blind spots.
When shadow AI is involved, the damage spreads further and deeper than in typical breaches: 65% of these incidents result in the exposure of personally identifiable information, and 40% compromise intellectual property, often spreading across multiple environments and complicating forensic investigations.
“Shadow AI is not a tool problem, it’s a governance crisis,” Norbutas added. “We are talking about autonomous agents operating inside enterprise walls with no oversight. These systems plan and execute actions independently, but current AI is far from ready for direct deployment in such settings. Even consumer AI chat tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, which are commonplace in workplaces, can lead to leaks of sensitive data when employees paste proprietary information into them. Every action these systems take creates a new, unmonitored attack surface.”
Shadow AI incidents also lead to increased regulatory scrutiny, with fines more frequently targeting organizations lacking proper AI governance. Organizations with high levels of shadow AI faced average breach costs of $4.74 million, while those effectively integrating AI into their security operations saw costs decrease to $3.62 million. Organizations heavily utilizing security AI saved $1.9 million compared to those not using these technologies.
“The contrast couldn’t be clearer,” Norbutas added. “Strategic AI adoption reduces breach costs, while uncontrolled shadow AI drives them up. Companies that succeed don’t just block unsanctioned tools. They provide secure alternatives that employees actually prefer to use. You can’t policy your way out of this problem. You have to out-compete it with better options.”
According to Norbutas, organizations can mitigate this risk and turn a liability into a competitive advantage by adopting a strategic, user-centric approach to AI governance.
Frame the risk in financial terms, not just security policy. Start by building a clear business case that moves beyond abstract security rules. When employees use unapproved AI, they risk exposing sensitive company data and valuable intellectual property. This reframes the conversation from a compliance issue to a direct threat to the bottom line.
Hold managers to account. Shadow AI thrives when managers quietly approve of unapproved tools, directly undermining top-down security policies. Leadership must close this gap by making it clear that productivity goals cannot come at the cost of security.
Offer a secure alternative that beats the rogue tool in effectiveness and applicability. Blocking unapproved tools doesn’t work. The only winning strategy is to offer a secure “sandbox” with powerful AI that employees prefer to use, turning a security risk into a managed asset.
Make governance a living system with clear ROI metrics. Move beyond static policies that quickly become irrelevant. A modern AI governance framework must be a “living” system, one that evolves with employee feedback and is tied directly to business value and return on investment.
On this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, John Jantsch interviews Dr. Julia Garcia, psychologist, speaker, and author of “The Five Habits of Hope.” Julia shares how hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s a set of practical habits that anyone can build to move from survival to thriving. Drawing on research, client stories, and her own journey overcoming adversity, Dr. Garcia explains how reframing adversity, processing emotions, and building real community can turn even the darkest moments into sources of strength and innovation.
Dr. Julia Garcia is a psychologist, speaker, and author dedicated to making hope a practical tool for transformation. Through her Five Habits of Hope framework, she helps organizations, leaders, and individuals build resilience, process adversity, and foster cultures of belonging and growth.
“Hope is a habit, not just a feeling—there’s always a way back to it, no matter how lost you feel.”
“You can’t have hope without honesty. The first step is to face your feelings and own your story.”
“Release isn’t weakness—it’s how we make space for growth, change, and new beginnings.”
“In business, hope drives creativity, collaboration, and real contribution—not just survival.”