Day: August 10, 2025

• This post originally appeared in the BI Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider’s daily newsletter here.

Welcome back to our Sunday edition, where we round up some of our top stories and take you inside our newsroom. Since getting laid off nearly two years ago, a former Accenture manager has struggled to land a job. He told Business Insider that recruiters say he’s “expensive.”

On the agenda today:

• Chipotle’s fortunes soared under a fast-food CEO. Employees say they paid the price.
• A newsletter founder claimed she had over 1 million subscribers. Internal docs are more complicated.
• America is on the verge of adopting the worst part of Europe’s real estate market.
• Microsoft is mulling a stricter RTO policy.

But first: It’s a seismic culture shift.

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This week’s dispatch

We got the memo

Last Saturday morning was a very Business Insider moment for me.

I was reading around on our site when I saw a scoop pop up. AT&T CEO John Stankey wrote a memo — a long memo — about management and culture and his expectations for employees at the telecom company. (Hats off to reporters Dominick Reuter and Katherine Li.)

It was riveting. If you are Musk-esque about working, it would have felt inspiring. If you aren’t, it might have felt depressing. Either way, it was nothing if not provocative, and a must-read about the changing workplace — one of the most important topics we cover at Business Insider.

After we broke the news, we dug deep for you. We quickly wrote a piece summarizing the main takeaways. Then, we gave guidance on succeeding in a workplace more focused on performance than loyalty and tenure — as Stankey described the culture shift underway.

We next talked with Wall Street analysts about how investors were reacting to Stankey’s leadership. (The numbers suggest quite well!) And so far, we received over 1,000 reactions from our readers, most of whom thought the CEO’s memo wasn’t an effective message. (Feel free to share your thoughts in the form at the end of this story.)

Finally, our chief correspondent Aki Ito chimed in. Last year, Ito wrote about the end of loyalty in the workplace — the demise of the unwritten contract that solid work would reliably be rewarded. When she saw Stankey’s memo explicitly discarding that, she thought: He’s saying it out loud. She offered her take in response to Stankey — and she didn’t hold back.

This kind of varied, engaged, in-depth — and exclusive — coverage of workplace shifts and how to navigate them is why we are here for you at Business Insider. Let us know what you think at eic@businessinsider.com.

Burrito bowl blues

Current and former Chipotle employees told BI the fast-food restaurant used to be a special place to work. It offered a stellar working experience where employees were well-trained and valued.

Those qualities, they say, have precipitously declined. In recent years, Chipotle has become a Wall Street darling, with its annual revenue surging to $11.3 billion in 2024. At the same time, it’s also become a “Wall of Shame” employer.

Inside Chipotle’s transformation.

A $200 million email empire’s shaky subscriber math

Daniella Pierson’s newsletter empire, The Newsette Media Group, landed her podcasts, speaking gigs, and a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30. She said she had over 1 million subscribers, but her own records tell a different story.

A spokesperson for Pierson confirmed the newsletter goes to about 500,000 subscribers each day — less than half the 1.3 million subscribers claimed in a 2025 pitch deck. A BI investigation uncovered questions about what Pierson has told the public and advertisers about her business when compared to what internal documents show.

Do her subscription numbers add up?

A nightmare scenario

Owning a home in Italy may sound like a dream, until the process of finding one turns into a nightmare. Europe’s Zillow equivalents only offer partial views of the housing market, and brokers there are known to gatekeep their best listings.

In worst-case scenarios, the same house may be listed separately by several agents, each asking for a different price. Thanks to the current Compass-Zillow feud, the US housing market could be heading down a similar path.

Adieu, house hunting!

Another RTO order looms

Microsoft has had a flexible work policy since 2020, allowing employees to work remotely as much as 50% of the time without approval. That may soon change.

The software giant is considering a three-day return-to-office order, people with knowledge of the plans told BI’s Ashley Stewart. The move would bring Microsoft in line with its Big Tech peers.

It could start as soon as January 2026.

This week’s quote:

“It’s potentially fatal. You absolutely cannot stay mum in situations like this.”

— Kevin Donahue, a 30-year veteran of crisis comms, on how Intel should respond to President Donald Trump calling for its CEO to resign.

More of this week’s top reads:

• I’m 85 and can’t find a job. I receive over $5,000 a month, but it’s not enough — I feel like I’m on a sinking ship.
• Samsung rolls out five‑day RTO tracking tool to curb “coffee badging” for some US semiconductor staff.
• One popular dating app is actually “crushing it” right now.
• Bank of America juniors will be reassigned — but not fired — if they accept PE jobs.
• There’s a spending split between Americans, and it’s popping up from McDonald’s to Uber.
• I spent three days at KPMG’s $450 million training facility to see if it could actually make corporate retreats cool.
• OpenAI offered me a job. Meta reached out just hours after I posted about it.

• HBO Max is setting a trap for password sharers.

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  The BI Today team: Jamie Heller, editor in chief, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Akin Oyedele, deputy editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York.

• A Canadian province is experiencing a tourism boost after being named in Chappell Roan’s new single.
• Searches for Saskatchewan, a prairie province, were up after it was featured in “The Subway.”
• The Tourism Saskatchewan CEO said recognition from the famous pop star was “like a gift from heaven.”

A frequently overlooked Canadian province is seeing a surge in tourism interest thanks to America’s favorite Midwest Princess.

Chappell Roan, the pop star known for her drag queen-inspired aesthetic, referenced Saskatchewan — known for its sunsets and wheat production — in her latest hit single, “The Subway.” On the track, she vows to move to the prairie province in central Canada if she can’t get over her heartbreak in New York City.

After Roan released the song and the subsequent music video on July 31, not only did Saskatchewan see its first spike in the US Google Trends in two years, but the province’s tourism board has since seen around 50,000 interactions with its social media accounts and webpage.

“We don’t normally get this kind of publicity from an artist that’s at the peak of their popularity,” Jonathan Potts, CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, told Business Insider. “This is like a gift from heaven.”

Potts said that in any given year, about 10% of the province’s visitors come from the US, mostly for opportunities to fish, hunt, and stargaze, thanks to the rising demand in astrotourism.

“I can see why we could be a cure for heartbreak,” Potts added. “We only have a population of around 1.2 million people, we have sunshine and plenty of wide open space, and we have the darkest sky preserve just across the Montana border, free from any sound and light pollution.”

It’s certainly not the first time a pop culture reference has put a tourism destination on the map. Montana and Wyoming experienced a surge in tourism thanks to the popularity of the TV show “Yellowstone,” while HBO’s “Game of Thrones” caused a tourism boost in Northern Ireland and Croatia, with fans visiting filming locations.

Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research consultancy specializing in the travel tourism industry, said music references can have the same effect.

“Travel is an emotional thing,” Eylon said, adding that if fans “feel a connection to that song or that piece of art, they’re going to want to explore that place and see if they can feel that same connection within the destination.”

Saskatchewan embraces itself as a cure for heartbreak

The sudden interest in Saskatchewan comes at a time when the relationship between the US and Canada is strained by the Trump administration’s tariffs and the president’s repeated comments about making the US’s northern neighbor the 51st state of the US.

Since March, Canadians have boycotted US-made products and canceled trips to the States in favor of Central American and European destinations. According to Statistics Canada, return flights of Canadian residents from the US saw a 22% decline year-over-year in June, while resident return trips by automobile from the US also fell by 33% in the same month.

The decline doesn’t seem to be caused by a lack of interest in traveling. In June, Statistics Canada, the national statistical office of Canada, reported a 7% increase in international travel compared to the same month in 2024.

If you are an American in need of a cure for heartbreak, or just someone living in Montana and North Dakota seeking a quick escape, Saskatchewan welcomes everyone with open arms, Potts said.

Tourism Saskatchewan’s page now has a list of travel recommendations based on Chappell Roan songs, ranging from the cheerleader-vibe “HOT TO GO!” for the Mosaic Stadium, to “Red Wine Supernova” for Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, where you are guaranteed a sky full of stars.

Eylon said Saskatchewan was smart to capitalize on the moment, calling it a “fun, unique opportunity” to introduce the destination to Americans who may not be familiar with the province.

“Travel is transformational,” he said. “Showing that Saskatchewan can be a transformational destination for those who are seeking change could be a great vein to tap into with their marketing.”

If you are visiting Saskatchewan, whether you are a fan of Roan or not, Potts offers the biggest travel tip: dress appropriately for the season.

“We’re warm, welcoming people, and we are a very diverse place, with very clear seasons,” said Potts. “From the biggest skies to the largest collection of Picasso linocuts, we will help you find something fantastic to do.”

Fans online also drew a connection between Roan’s breakout 2023 album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” to Saskatchewan’s similarities with the American Midwest.

Apparently, “Midwest Princesses know no borders,” as one comment on a Tourism Saskatchewan post read.

Gaza – The Health Ministry in Gaza reported on Sunday that the number of children who have died from malnutrition has risen to 100, contributing to an overall famine death toll of at least 217 in the region. , reports 24brussels.

In the last 24 hours alone, five deaths were attributed to malnutrition, including two children. The Israeli government has denied the existence of famine in Gaza, claiming it has allowed a “gradual and controlled” entry of humanitarian aid into the area.

The international community has condemned Israel’s actions, urging for unrestricted delivery of aid to the Palestinian population amidst this humanitarian crisis.

UN Meeting to Address Gaza City Control

In response to escalating tensions, the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting to discuss Israel’s planned takeover of Gaza City today. The meeting, convened by Denmark, France, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Slovenia, will take place at 3 p.m. New York time. All UNSC members, except the United States, supported the call for this urgent session. UN rapporteurs are anticipated to discuss the implications of the planned military control of Gaza’s principal city.

This emergency session follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet approval of a strategy to establish military dominance over Gaza City while ongoing hostilities persist.

Israeli Military Objectives in Gaza City

Israel’s operation aims to achieve total occupation of Gaza City, which is densely populated with nearly a million residents, forcing many to evacuate from northern enclaves to southern regions of Gaza. This military action unfolds amidst a wider humanitarian emergency characterized by continuous bombings and displacement.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has asserted that the ultimate goal of this campaign is to transition control over Gaza City to “Arab forces,” though details regarding these forces and their timeline for takeover remain unclear.

Israeli officials reject claims of intentionally starving the residents of Gaza, asserting that Hamas, which has been blamed for the October 7, 2023, attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 hostages, could alleviate the crisis by surrendering. Reports indicate that Israel’s military operations have led to over 60,000 Palestinian deaths.

• Years ago, I was working from home over the summer when my 13-year-old son started asking questions.
• He was interested in my work and wanted to try his own hand at designing a logo.
• He was so good at it that he ended up with his own clients and still runs his design business now.

It started with boredom and a curious kid who had nothing better to do.

My son was 13, it was summer break, and like most teenagers, he was wandering around the house complaining about being bored. I was working from my home office, running my digital marketing and branding agency, when he appeared in my doorway for the third time that morning.

“What are you actually doing in here all day?” he asked, genuinely curious.

Instead of shooing him away like I normally would, something made me pause. “Want to see?” I asked, patting the chair next to my desk.

That simple invitation changed everything.

My son showed a real interest in what I was doing

I was in the middle of building a website for a client, and my son watched intently as I explained how I was creating the layout, choosing colors, and writing copy. His questions were surprisingly insightful. “Why did you pick that font?” “What makes people want to click that button?” “How do you know what looks good?”

What started as a way to keep him occupied for an hour turned into daily sessions. Every morning, he’d pull up that chair and watch me work. I’d explain what I was doing and why, and he’d ask more questions. Before I knew it, he was offering suggestions that were actually good.

“What if you made that logo bigger?” he’d say, or “That color doesn’t really match the vibe they’re going for.”

After about two weeks of this, I decided to give him a real project. I had a simple logo design that needed to be done, and I figured it would be good practice for him. I showed him the design software, taught him the basics, and let him experiment.

The logo he created was better than what I would have made. It was clean, creative, and perfectly captured what the client was looking for. When I showed it to them, they were thrilled. They had no idea it was designed by a 13-year-old.

That’s when my son got an idea that honestly hadn’t occurred to me. “Can I try to find my own clients?” he asked.

He started working with his own clients

I was hesitant at first. He was just a kid, after all. But he was persistent, and I figured the worst that could happen was he’d get some good practice and maybe learn that running a business isn’t as easy as it looks.

He started by reaching out to two small local businesses, offering to work on their projects for free to build his portfolio. Both said yes. Within a week, he had created social media graphics for a beauty brand and a simple website for a local author.

The quality of his work was impressive, but what really surprised me was his natural understanding of what clients wanted. He’d ask the right questions, listen carefully to their answers, and somehow translate their vague ideas into exactly what they had envisioned.

Word spread quickly in our small community. One business owner recommended him to another business. The beauty brand posted about her new website on social media. Suddenly, my son’s phone was ringing with people wanting to hire him.

By the end of that summer, he had completed projects for eight different clients and earned $5,000. One of his designs was even featured on a billboard advertising hair care. I remember him taking a picture in front of it and watching his face light up with pride.

But the money wasn’t even the most important part. What I witnessed that summer was my son discovering his passion and natural talent. He wasn’t just learning technical skills; he was developing an eye for design, learning how to communicate with clients, and understanding how businesses work.

Years later, he’s still running his design business

Now, at 20, he’s in college studying film and marketing, but he’s still running his design business on the side. What started as summer boredom has become his career path. He’s already talking about expanding his services and has plans to launch a creative agency after graduation.

Looking back, I realize that the best career guidance I ever gave my son wasn’t a lecture about following his dreams or finding his passion. It was simply letting him into my world and showing him what I actually did for work.

So many parents keep their work lives separate from their family lives, but that summer taught me there’s real value in letting our kids see us in action. They get to witness problem-solving, creativity, and professionalism in real time. They see that work can be fulfilling and that success comes from combining talent with effort.

The rise of remote work has created unprecedented opportunities for this kind of organic learning. Our kids can watch us navigate client calls, see how we handle challenges, and observe the day-to-day reality of running a business or excelling in a career.

My son didn’t find his career path through a guidance counselor or a career aptitude test. He found it by pulling up a chair next to my desk and paying attention. Sometimes the best education happens when we’re not even trying to teach.