Artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming big business—it’s becoming a key advantage for small and midsize companies too. The 2025 Wharton AI Adoption Report reveals that while large enterprises are investing heavily in AI-driven efficiency, smaller organizations that embrace AI are seeing measurable gains in productivity, customer engagement, and profitability. Key Takeaways: AI adoption is accelerating across every industry, but implementation gaps remain. Companies with clear AI strategies report up to 2x higher productivity. Employee training and leadership buy-in are now top drivers of successful AI projects. Small businesses that “start small and scale smart” outperform those that wait.

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray unpacks why memorable business cards still matter, how to convert self-doubt into leadership, what YouTube’s AI-driven reorg could mean for creators, and the biggest updates from Canva’s annual keynote. He also shares a personal lesson about lifelong learning as he recommits to formal piano study. Entrepreneurs will find practical, immediate moves to strengthen relationships, protect their brand, and leverage new creative tools without losing the human touch. Subscribe to our YouTube channel Key Takeaways Distinctive, easy-to-read business cards are still a powerful, tactile follow-up tool—use them strategically after real conversation, not as handout confetti.

At its global “World Tour” finale keynote, Canva declared a bold shift: design tools aren’t just support functions anymore—they’re now the heart of an “Imagination Era.” The company laid out a vision of becoming a full-blown Creative Operating System, built for small businesses, brand teams and solo entrepreneurs alike. If you rely on Canva (or are considering it) this update merits attention: design is being re-imagined to power marketing, branding, web presence and even data-driven experiences. Subscribe to our YouTube channel Key takeaways Canva is positioning itself as a Creative OS: Visual Suite + Platform + AI.

Eventbrite continues to evolve from a pure ticketing platform into a more sophisticated event-ecosystem for organizers. The company’s recent innovations—from mobile app redesign to tools tailored for music venues—reflect its push to meet both attendee and organizer needs. This evolution matters especially for small-business event producers looking to maximize reach, streamline workflows, and deliver better experiences Key Takeaways: Eventbrite’s overhauled mobile app makes event discovery and sharing simpler for attendees. New promoter-friendly features offer organizers greater control over listings, marketing and audience reach. Specialized tools for sectors (like music venues) show Eventbrite’s shift toward deeper vertical support.

Today’s episode of The Rundown with Ramon is a candid riff on taking imperfect action, staying secure in a risky digital world, and reading the tea leaves from Big Tech to sharpen your small-business strategy. Ramon shares a vulnerable moment about self-doubt, then turns headlines about Alphabet, OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and GM into practical moves entrepreneurs can use right now. At its core: do the work before it’s “perfect,” double down on your few highest-leverage strengths, keep learning fast from AI’s rapid shift, and protect your business like it matters—because it does.

Recently, Amazon’s devices division sent an internal memo in the wake of significant layoffs. According to reporting by Business Insider, the memo came from Tapas Roy, Vice President of Device Software & Services. It noted that roles in the OS & Services team were being eliminated and urged remaining employees to “lean in on AI” — specifically: focus on the work that most directly impacts customers, simplify or eliminate internal processes, and use AI to enhance effectiveness. Earlier in mid-2025, Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy warned that the adoption of generative AI and autonomous agents would likely reduce the size of the company’s corporate workforce in the coming years.

The Rundown with Ramon is built for entrepreneurs who actually want to win. In this episode, Ramon Ray talks about why you have to stop “playing checkers” in a world that’s playing chess, how to turn bad situations into brand visibility, what real companies are doing with AI right now, and why you have to challenge your own thinking if you want to grow. He also opens up about his own 2026 business game plan. Don't miss out. Sign up to our podcast. Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs Stop playing checkers while everyone else is playing chess.

Today’s announcement that PayPal is becoming the first major digital wallet integrated directly into ChatGPT marks a new chapter in how businesses, consumers and AI platforms interact. The move shifts ChatGPT from being primarily a conversational/ productivity tool to functioning as a commerce platform — and it gives small business owners a front-row view of how fast the AI wave is moving. Below are several key take-aways, followed by a deeper dive. Key take-aways: The pace of AI adoption across business functions is accelerating. ChatGPT is evolving beyond prompts to become a platform for transactions and commerce.

In the fast-moving world of online tools, another wave of change is arriving at our browser tabs. Traditionally, you open Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Safari, type a URL or search, and browse websites. Zoho's Ulaa browser came out some time ago and offers enhanced privacy and data security. But now, companies such as OpenAI and Perplexity AI are introducing browsers with built-in artificial-intelligence features—essentially giving your browser a “brain.” For small business owners and creators, this shift — from legacy browsers to AI-powered ones — raises important questions. What are the real advantages and pitfalls of an AI browser?

The Rundown with Ramon is here to help entrepreneurs build stronger businesses, become more visible, and live more intentionally. In this episode, Ramon Ray talks about the mental health crisis that’s showing up in AI chats, why “average” is officially over in business, how AI video is changing marketing, and what real wealth looks like at $1M, $10M, $100M and beyond. He also reminds us that none of this matters if we’re not taking care of ourselves and each other. Subscribe to you YouTube Channel Key takeaways for entrepreneurs:

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray dives into the next wave of AI-powered browsers, how creators are making real money on Substack, the easiest way to launch a merch line without inventory, and what Travis Kelce’s Six Flags investment teaches entrepreneurs about personal branding. Ramon also reminds every small business owner: your business isn’t truly strong until it’s secure. Key Takeaways AI browsers like Comet and Atlas are transforming how we work online — they don’t just browse, they do. Substack is helping creators and experts monetize newsletters while owning their audience relationships.

Artificial intelligence is supposed to make work easier. But for many businesses, AI adoption has been anything but simple — from complex integrations to high costs and unclear results. Zoho wants to change that. The global tech company has introduced new agentic AI features across three major areas — Collaboration, Customer Experience, and Human Resources — designed to help businesses save time, improve accuracy, and focus on high-value work. And here’s the headline: these tools are free for Zoho users. Key Takeaways Zoho is embedding powerful AI agents directly into its apps — no third-party tools or extra fees required.

For years, Airbnb has helped travelers find places to stay. Then it expanded to help people find experiences — cooking classes, walking tours, surf lessons, and more. Now, Airbnb’s latest app update takes things a step further: it’s helping travelers connect with each other. This new social feature transforms Airbnb from a booking platform into a community builder. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, that’s more than a tech upgrade — it’s a reminder that success in today’s experience economy is about connection, not just service. Key Takeaways…

In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, small business expert Ramon Ray breaks down three insights every entrepreneur should hear: why video content on LinkedIn is both a hit and miss, how to protect your phone and business from hackers, and why Hobby Lobby’s old-school email signup box should make every marketer rethink their list-building strategy. He also opens the show with a reminder about staying positive and inspiring others, even in tough seasons. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and don't miss out Key Takeaways: About half of LinkedIn users say video is working; 30% say it’s not; 20% are unsure.

If you’ve ever typed “has my iPhone been hacked?” into Google, you’re not alone. Apple’s security ecosystem is one of the best, but no system is 100% safe. Cybercriminals have evolved. They don’t always need to “break in” — they just need to trick you. Credit to Bitdefender for the inspiration for this article. From phishing pages that look like Apple’s own login screen to malicious configuration profiles that quietly reroute your traffic, today’s iPhone attacks are more subtle and sophisticated than ever. So how do you know if your iPhone’s been compromised—and what can you do about it?

Today’s episode of The Rundown with Ramon dives into three entrepreneur must-knows: why your employer brand can quietly drain profits, how Amazon’s latest AI moves signal where operations are headed, and the real-world ROI of hiring a video editor instead of doing it all yourself. Plus, a reminder that securing your small business is now a leadership priority, not an IT afterthought. Key Takeaways Your employer brand (think Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and alumni chatter) directly affects hiring costs, team performance, and innovation. Amazon’s AI and robotics updates are a masterclass in blending people with tech to streamline operations—less fantasy drones, more practical, measurable gains.

Ever looked at your career and wondered, Is this it?  That feeling hits many mid-career professionals. What once felt like a good fit starts to feel tight or uninspiring. Maybe the work is the same, but you’ve changed. That itch for something different doesn’t have to mean starting over; it could be a signal that it’s time to grow in a new direction. This article explores why that feeling of career stagnation is so common, and how returning to study - whether to shift careers or refresh your current one - can be a decisive step toward a more satisfying, purpose-driven life.

AWS, Amazon Web Servies, went down earlier this week. It's one of the biggest cloud services platforms hosting so many of the online services we all use daily. There's no need to panic, that's first. It's a wakeup call for us to be prepared for brief or longer outages. Below is a road map for how you can be ready for the next outage. Key Takeaways Redundancy isn’t optional — it’s essential to business continuity. Always own and back up your critical data and contacts. Cloud failures can impact your business even if you don’t host with that provider.

In today’s episode, Ramon challenges entrepreneurs to consider a deeper human obligation: showing up for others even when we don’t feel like it. He also shares his simple two-minute morning strength routine plus a 30-minute power walk, breaks down Airbnb’s new “Experiences” group-messaging feature, and spotlights AI updates that signal where work is headed next. Bottom line: Build real community, keep your body moving, secure your business, and get ready for AI to strip out more of the mind-numbing busywork—so you can do the human stuff machines can’t. Subscribe to our…

If I’ve learned one thing after decades of building relationships, it’s this: proximity changes everything. You can read all the books, watch every webinar, and scroll through countless social feeds — but being in the same room with people changes the game. That’s the power of proximity. Key Takeaways Proximity builds opportunity. Who you’re near shapes who you become. Big events expand your reach. They connect you to new people and new energy. Small gatherings build depth. They create real relationships that last. Hosting your own events multiplies your influence.

Today’s episode of The Rundown with Ramon Show is a practical wake-up call for entrepreneurs: use AI for everyday productivity wins, build redundancy before the next outage hits, and pause to ask the “questions before the questions” so you choose the right path—not just the obvious one. Ramon also shares a quick reality check on “rich-people problems” and a reminder to trade complaints for gratitude. Hosted by Ramon Ray, small business expert and motivational speaker. Key Takeaways Don’t sleep on AI. Use tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Zoho AI for small, daily tasks that save time.

High-achievers and multi-passionate entrepreneurs face a recurring challenge: saying no. It seems simple, but for many, it’s one of the hardest skills to master. From an early age, we’re encouraged to say yes — yes to opportunity, yes to helping others, yes to proving ourselves. And when you’re good at many things, the pull to say yes to everything is strong. But that default yes comes at a cost: your time, your peace, and your purpose. Related - The Key to Success is Protecting Your Energy: Setting Boundaries Key Takeaways…

Ramon Ray opens today’s show from Orlando, where he’s hosting Black Enterprise’s Excel Summit for Men, with a powerful reminder for entrepreneurs: get off the timeline and get in the room. He dives into why small in-person gatherings still drive real business results, why your social media reach is bigger than you think, and what Walmart’s latest AI-powered checkout means for the future of small business. Key Takeaways In-person micro-meetups deepen trust, spark referrals, and cost almost nothing to host. Your audience is larger than your comments — many people are watching silently and still being influenced.

In this episode of the Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray makes the case for why entrepreneurs should invest in a business coach or consultant—sharing the exact steps to choose the right one and how to get ROI from the relationship. He also highlights his personal experiences (including a $30K year-long program) and emphasizes that growth comes faster when you stop building in a bubble and get guided accountability. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and don't miss out | Sign up for our Spotify and Apple podcast Key Takeaways Coaching isn’t a luxury—it’s an investment in speed, clarity, and accountability.