As we enter into 2019, now is the time to figure out how to increase your efficiency so that you can spend less time at work, yet still be productive. (HBR)

Because negotiations to end the second-longest government shutdown have failed to provide a resolution, some businesses are offering furloughed federal workers a little relief ranging from free meals, restaurant discounts to deferring payments and zero-interest loans. (USA TODAY)

Minority entrepreneurs run one-third of startups and profitability rate for women entrepreneurs increases dramatically since 2015 according to a new study released today by Babson College. (PR Newswire)

Instead of making grand plans for your New Year's Resolutions this year,  try keeping your goals simple and realistic. Here are 15 habits to try and avoid this year. (The Muse)

Whether 2018 brought great success to you in your career, or caused you to stop and ponder whether you need a major change, it's never a bad idea to stop and think about ways you can improve. Here are some critical mistakes you should take care to avoid in the upcoming year. (Fast Company)

Forbes contributing writer and consultant Dr. Niru Kuram believes that diversity is the key to wealth, and that an inclusive environment that values diversity will ultimately create stronger organizations that are more likely to succeed. (Entrepreneur) 

You'd be hard-pressed to find a woman who hasn't run across "mansplaining": the act of having a man talk to you in a condescending manner under the assumption that you don't know as much as he does, although he isn't an expert in the subject. Here are a few ways mansplaining may be negatively affecting your workplace, and how you can help turn it into a more cohesive workplace. (Forbes)

After Apple sent a warning last week about the slowing economic activity in China, other companies are now echoing that sentiment. Prominent companies around the world have been keeping watchful eyes on China's economy, which has been growing at its weakest pace in a decade. (Business Insider)

British Prime Minister Theresa May suffered another setback to her Brexit withdrawal deal this week after members of her own Conservative Party joined opposition Labour Party MPs favoring a vote to curb the government's spending powers if Britain fails to secure an agreement deal on its departure from the European Union. (CNN)

In a decision that could signal a major change in online education, Harvard University's business school has changed the name of its online-learning platform. HBX has been rebranded as Harvard Business School Online. (Business Insider)

According to experts, how MBA degree holders are perceived by tech companies depends on whether the company is established or is in its early stages. (U.S. News & World Report)

Thanks to a small startup in California, high schools across the country are launching e-sports clubs. PlayVS, a company founded in July 2017 which employs just 15 people, has built the platform on which high school e-sports operates. It hosts and streams the matches, creates the schedules, and compiles the statistics. (Inc.)

How a 1970's funk song inspired Shari Neal to turn her passion into an online apparel brand designed to inspire other women of color. (Business.com)

U.S.-China trade talks ended on Wednesday with negotiators focused on Beijing’s pledge to buy “a substantial amount” of agricultural, energy and manufactured goods and services from the United States, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said. (Reuters)

The nation's uncertain economic outlook led a record number of CEOs to leave their jobs in the last quarter, and the number who left in 2018 is the highest annual total since 2008. (CNN)

Got big plans for your tax refund? You might need to consider alternative funding. The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) filed a lawsuit this week alleging the administration is violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by requiring federal employees to work without pay during the partial government shutdown. (Forbes)