/ January 12, 2026

What is agentic commerce and what does your business need to know?

One payment trend business owners may encounter in 2026, whether they want to or not, is agentic commerce. As AI evolves and becomes a bigger staple in everyday life, the way consumers want to make payments is consequently affected. In this article, we’re taking a look at agentic commerce and what businesses that accept online payments can expect.

What is agentic commerce?

Simply put, agentic commerce is the process by which an AI agent shops and potentially makes purchases on behalf of a customer. It’s also being called ‘a-commerce.’

Think of it like this; a customer using an AI tool gives a specific prompt for a flight to be purchased. Leaving from a specific airport, arriving at a specific time, within a specific price range, etc. The AI agent scours the internet for the best options, at a quicker speed than the user can, and presents the best options. Once the customer approves, the AI agent completes the purchase. This prevents the customer from having to do their own manual research or even from dealing with the checkout window.

When a user gives an AI agent a search query, it uses different protocols – such as Model Context Protocol (MCP) – to check product data in real time, accounting not just for price but for factors like return policies, shipping estimates, and more.

What does this mean for businesses?

For businesses that rely on online marketing to boost their sales, agentic commerce may throw a wrench in your usual strategy. AI tools aren’t going to be as swayed by typical marketing techniques, favoring “clean and structured data, fast responses and zero guesswork.”

Of course, not everyone is adopting a-commerce. Traditional digital marketing strategies still matter. Businesses who find that this trend is impacting them must be proactive in appealing to both types of shoppers; human and artificial intelligence.

Part of that includes building payment processing flows that can handle agent-initiated payments; something you may need to speak to your merchant services solution provider about. Likewise, while a-commerce agents can search regular websites and product listings, some companies are starting to build sites optimized for this purpose, including product catalogues and checkout flows meant to be agent-readable, rather than best for human use.

Who are the agents in agentic commerce?

The agents in question are “autonomous or semiautonomous software programmes that use artificial intelligence.” But who is operating these platforms? AI developers as well as payment processing companies both have their foot in the door of this new landscape.  Stripe, Open AI, Google, and Amazon are all among the companies working to deliver these platforms.

In conclusion…

As AI becomes a larger presence in our lives, businesses have to adjust strategies to account for new consumer behavior, which businesses should be aware of if they do online sales. If your platform doesn’t account for it, your competitors’ may.

Ian Nairn / January 7, 2026

Start 2026 Strong!

It’s easy to fall victim to setting those New Year’s resolutions only to let our busy lives get in the way of the follow through. This year could be no different if you don’t implement some solid work-related intentions. In this edition of The Pulse, we discuss six helpful ways to start your year off strong.   

Reflection and Redirection 

After spending the month of December preparing for the holidays, spending valuable quality time with family and eating to our hearts’ content, we may also find ourselves reflecting on the past year. The new year can be a perfect time to reassess your professional goals based on the reflection you’ve done. Are the goals you set last year still aligned with what you wish to accomplish in the coming year? Are your intentions still the same; will they still help get you to the result you originally planned for? Do those goals still excite and inspire you? If the answers to questions like these are no longer supporting your vision for the new year, take them time to reassess, you owe it to yourself and your business!  

Once you’ve established a few concrete goals for the new year, it is important to continue to revisit often, maybe monthly, to ensure you’re on track. Without a clear vision for the future ahead, it can be far too easy to fall off track. As you monitor your progress throughout the year, it will become much more apparent when you’ve taken a misstep.  

A Mindset for Growth 

Along the same lines, a plan written down is just that, a plan. Like previously mentioned, it takes constant monitoring and dedication to ensure your goals are being worked toward efficiently, but that is not all. Above all, you have to want to reach that end goal. Set yourself up for success by ensuring that the goals you’ve set are not only achievable but are also something you really want to strive for. Your mindset should match the steps required to achieve your goal. 

Reimagine your Productivity 

A study done by Redbooth outlined when people are the most and least productive. In a typical day, most tasks are completed at around 11:00 a.m. with productivity dropping after lunch with a complete plummet following 4:00. Most tasks are completed at the beginning of the week and (maybe as expected) Fridays are the least impactful. Finally, the highest number of tasks are completed in October, but the least are in January. While these numbers are not universal, because everyone works differently, this information can be helpful in potentially adapting our own schedules in order to achieve the highest levels of productivity. 

Modify your Environment 

Clutter can equal chaos, both mentally and physically. Consider purging your workspace in order to create space. Anyone who has deep cleaned a closet or reorganized a basement knows that there is an instant feeling of relief when the unnecessary clutter has been removed from the space. Once the extra physical room is there, you’ll quickly notice the mental room that has become available. With the extra mental clarity there will be more room for productivity towards your goals. 

Positive Team Engagement 

Whether you’re a leader or a member, engaging with the team you are a part of is necessary for your overall success. A positive workplace environment cultivates productivity, so collaborating and engaging with your team will prove to be a helpful approach to your workday. While putting your head down and getting work done is obviously important, remember to enjoy the social aspects of work too. Get to know your coworkers, we could all use a little comedic relief in our day. 

Prioritize a Work-Life Balance 

It can be difficult to separate ourselves from work after leaving the office. I even sometimes find myself thinking about the workday before I fall asleep. With an increasingly virtual and accessible world, it can be difficult to disconnect at 5:00 p.m. Keep in mind, balance in this case doesn’t always mean 50/50, it should mean a healthy and fulfilling balance that works for you. However, as mentioned before, happy people are productive people and a healthy balance between home life and work life is another facet of that. If you can, try silencing or disabling your work email from your phone in the evenings, schedule yourself breaks if you have a hard time taking them organically and be sure to set and communicate boundaries regarding your availability and be strict about keeping them. These are just a few ways to promote a balance in your life and are definitely easier said than done. Do your best to focus on implementing the tactics that work for you and stay consistent with them.  

In conclusion, 

Implementing these strategies will help you to have a positive and productive start to 2026. Reset those goals where necessary, determine personal strategies that you feel are achievable and ensure you make the time for fun and relaxation alongside your work. The end goal is to feel fulfilled and content in both your work and personal life.  

This article was originally posted in January, 2025.

/ December 15, 2025

How Recycling Missteps Can Cost Your Business Money

From improper sorting to industry-specific contamination, recycling missteps can result in higher disposal fees, wasted resources, and even regulatory fines. Understanding what counts as truly recyclable—and training staff to handle materials correctly—can save your business money while keeping your waste streams cleaner and more efficient.

The Costly Misconception

Many businesses- and people for that matter- assume that the recycling symbol on a piece of plastic means that the item can be tossed into the recycling bin. In reality, this common misconception and other easily fixable habits, can lead to recycling contamination, which occurs when non-recyclable items or improperly sorted plastics are mixed with acceptable items.

Common contamination can include:

  • Plastics not accepted by commercial recycling facilities.
  • Items with food or chemical residues that make the recycling unusable.
  • Mixed materials that cannot be processed together, like plastic laminated with foil or paper.

Simplifying Resin Codes

Understanding resin codes, the numbers 1 through 7 inside the recycling symbol, can help businesses sort plastics effectively. For example, #1 PET plastics and #2 HDPE are widely accepted by commercial recycling programs, while #6 polystyrene and #7 “other” plastics are often rejected. Displaying a simple chart that reflects the regulations in your area can make sorting quick and intuitive. Proper recognition of resin types not only reduces contamination but also helps maximize the value of recyclables and avoid unnecessary disposal costs.

Industry-specific Contamination

While common contaminations, like food residue on a take-out container or mixing non-recyclable plastics, happen frequently, it is important to note that there are a wide variety of contamination types depending on the industry your business is a part of. For example, in the construction industry, contamination might look like mixed building materials, paint residue, drywall dust or insulation fibers. In manufacturing, it may mean packaging materials like cardboard or bubble wrap being in contact with adhesives or other hazardous residues.

Why Does it Matter?

When contamination occurs, entire loads of recyclables can be rejected and sent to landfills instead. For businesses, this leads to higher disposal costs, including:

  • Paying landfill fees for materials that were intended to be recycled.
  • Paying contamination fees for materials that need to be cleaned and sorted.
  • Potential fines if recycling regulations are violated.

Educating staff and properly sorting plastics by type, not just relying on recycling symbols, can dramatically reduce contamination, ensuring your recycling efforts actually save money rather than add hidden costs.

Best Practices

Reducing contamination starts with clear processes and staff education. Businesses should consider implementing strategic processes like designated bins for different materials and labels with specific instructions, including which plastics are accepted. Regular staff training would ensure everyone understands what can or can not be recycled, reducing accidental contamination. Periodic audits of waste streams can also help identify problem areas and reinforce proper habits, so that recyclable materials are kept clean, sorted correctly, and ultimately, less likely to be rejected by recycling facilities.

Unlocking Potential Savings

Properly sorted recyclables can sometimes even generate revenue for businesses, turning waste into a cost-saving asset rather than an expense. Metals, cardboard, and certain plastics have market value and can be sold to specialized recycling vendors. Even materials that aren’t accepted curbside may have alternative recycling streams that reduce landfill use and associated fees. By viewing recycling as a strategic operational step rather than a routine chore, businesses can lower disposal costs, improve sustainability metrics, and even add incremental revenue through effective waste management.

In Conclusion

Recycling isn’t just good for the environment, it’s smart business. Misunderstood symbols and contaminated waste streams can drive up costs; consider working with an agnostic cost consulting firm who can ensure your recycling decisions are informed and cost-effective. Proper sorting, understanding your industry, staff education, and the right guidance can reduce contamination, lower disposal fees, and even uncover savings. Smart recycling saves both money and resources.

/ December 9, 2025

The best way to become good at something might surprise you

There’s a common idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become great at something. From an early age, we are encouraged to choose our path, focus specifically, and start racking up those hours. But, what if these head starts aren’t helping us the way we think they do? What if there’s a better way to excel? David Epstein shares how a different approach could set us up for greater success.

/ December 1, 2025

Why Businesses Are Embracing the Rise of Contactless Payments

Have you ever gone to a store to grab something quickly and realized you forgot your wallet? That’s where contactless payments come in. Contactless payments let customers tap their card or mobile device on the terminal to pay instantly, without inserting a card or entering a PIN. This payment method gained rapid popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its health and hygiene benefits. On top of that, it offers speed, convenience, and strong security, making it easy to see why so many people continue to use it. This trend is only growing, and as a business owner, here’s what you need to know and how it can help your business stay ahead.

Customers now expect contactless payments

Customers now expect contactless payment options more than ever. In fact, a study found that 63% of consumers find it irritating to enter a PIN, and 42% don’t even remember their PIN because they’re so used to contactless payments. If your business isn’t offering this option, you could be losing sales to competitors who do. Providing a fast, frictionless payment experience not only keeps customers happy but also encourages repeat purchases.

Speeding up your checkout process

Contactless payments can help speed up your checkout times. In fact, contactless transactions are up to two times faster than traditional chip card payments. That extra speed means that your team spends less time handling cash or manually entering payment information, creating a smoother experience for everyone. Overall, the faster flow helps your business run more smoothly, serve more people, and make the most of your staff.

Making loyalty programs easier to use

Contactless payments can also boost engagement with loyalty programs. When customers already have their devices out, it only takes one extra click to open your loyalty app. Some loyalty programs can even link directly to contactless payments, automatically applying rewards at checkout. This convenience makes it easy for customers to participate more often, driving repeat business and increased customer loyalty.

No additional fees for accepting contactless payments

A common concern for businesses is whether contactless payments come with higher fees. The good news is that services like Apple Pay treat contactless transactions the same as the traditional card-present (CP) payments you’re already accepting. The only exception is online purchases, which are considered card-not-present (CNP) due to higher fraud risk. However, that is the same standard applied to all online payments.

Strong security built into each transaction

While no payment method is perfect, contactless payments are highly secure. They use Near Field Communication (NFC) to transmit encrypted data between the customer’s device and the terminal, so no actual card information is sent; only a one-time, encrypted code. On top of that, these transactions are protected by the same fraud prevention systems banks use, helping protect your business from fraudulent charges. This means fewer disputes and less time spent resolving payment issues.

In conclusion…

Contactless payments are more than a convenience for customers; they can help your business run more efficiently behind the scenes. From faster checkout times to strong security features, this payment option can make a real difference to your business. Offering contactless payments can help you stay ahead of customer expectations while keeping your business competitive.

/ November 25, 2025

How AI Layoffs Could Backfire On Employers

From CNBC:

“Generative AI is speeding up how people work, but that efficiency can prevent some workers from climbing the corporate ladder. Nearly 40% of workers’ core skills will be disrupted by 2030 due to AI and digitalization, according to the World Economic Forum. It may become more difficult for entry-level workers to advance in their careers as companies cut costs by trimming middle management and, in certain industries, eliminate entry level roles that can be replaced by AI. Watch this video to understand the impending break down between the expert and novice educational relationship and what that means for the future of the economy.”

Cal Wilson / November 17, 2025

How to balance the holiday season with your business’ bottom line.

Depending on your industry – and area of focus – the holiday season can be slow for business. In fact, November to January might bring with it a looming sense of doom, not just related to shorter days and cooler weather, but instead, about your business’ bottom line.

In this article, we take a look at the holiday slowdown that impacts some businesses around this time of year, and some strategies for combatting any potential fiscal consequences it may have.

What is the ‘holiday slowdown’?

As many professionals know, this phenomenon happens when businesses or industries experience a decrease in activity or a slowdown in operations during the holiday season which can make an already tight time of year even more nerve-wracking.

Of course, not all industries are impacted, some sectors thrive during the holiday season. These include:

  • Retail and consumer goods businesses.
  • E-commerce.
  • Hospitality, travel, and tourism.
  • Subscription-based services that bill annually, starting in January.

Some of the industries most affected by the holiday slowdown season are:

  • Service industries that are not directly related to seasonal activities.
  • B2B businesses.
  • Retail businesses that cannot offer online shopping alternatives.

What is the culprit behind this slowdown?

There are a lot of reasons your business might slowdown during the holiday season. Some that might be impacting your business include:

  • Changing consumer priorities.
  • Employee vacations.
  • Business closures.
  • Budget constraints for both your business’ spending and customer spending.

For these reasons, you might find your suppliers take longer to deliver, your clients and contacts don’t return calls or emails, and, altogether, things are just harder to get done. If you’re trying to accomplish work as normal during the holiday season, it might feel like the rest of the world is plotting against you.

There are strategies for combating the slowdown.

Businesses often need to adapt their strategies to navigate the holiday slowdown. Having a plan for this season can often make the difference between starting the new year off strong, or in a deficit. Depending on your industry, there are many tactics worth considering:

  • The launch of holiday-specific promotions, discounts, and other deals to incentivize customer’s purchasing decision.
  • Developing campaigns to encourage the sale of pre-paid gift cards and certificates as holiday presents.
  • Investing in experimental marketing tactics to increase community engagement and local brand awareness.

Of course, depending on what your business specializes in , these might not be viable options.

Cutting costs is more effective than spending money.

There is a lot of advice out there that will tell you to put money and time into marketing campaigns, revamped customer service training, new product or service offerings, and other investments to survive the holiday slowdown season.

In general, spending money to make money makes sense. However sometimes it’s just another added worry during an already stressful season, and it’s not guaranteed to make the slowdown period any more lucrative. Having a plan to ensure your budget isn’t overextended during the holiday slowdown is the best  tool available to guarantee a successful holiday season, and an even better new year.

What does can this “plan” look like?

  • Developing a comprehensive holiday business plan that includes sales forecasts and contingency efforts.
  • Analyzing past holiday seasons to identify trends and areas for improvement.
  • Managing inventory levels effectively to prevent overstocking or stockouts.
  • Ensuring you’re not overspending on any essential business expenses all year long.

We’ve found that it’s not uncommon for businesses to be overspending on expenses like telecom, payment processing fees, and waste disposal by around 25-30%. Maybe that’s not a huge problem during your peak season, but during a holiday slowdown, that could pose some real consequences. The best thing your business can do to survive slow periods , is make sure all your costs are optimized, all the time.

In conclusion…

Depending on your industry, holiday slowdowns may become unavoidable. While there’s lots of advice out there encouraging you to spend money on shiny new initiatives or campaigns, one of the best things you can do is look for ways to ensure you’re not overspending throughout the entire year.

/ November 11, 2025

“I study patience in a lab. Here’s what I’ve found.”

Feeling more impatient lately? It’s not entirely your fault.

Sarah Schnitker, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, explains how a culture of instant gratification — fueled by our use of smartphones and on-demand everything — has made patience feel unnecessary. But her research shows that patience helps people stay regulated, persist through challenges, and feel more satisfied with their progress.