Top US startups are reportedly accumulating substantial private funding, allowing them to postpone initial public offerings. Companies like Databricks, SpaceX and OpenAI have reportedly secured billions, enabling continued growth and employee stock option liquidity without going public. Fueled by venture firms making much larger investments than previously common, the trend gives these large startups the option to delay IPOs beyond 2025, even as smaller startups may pursue public offerings this year.

Social media scorecards can drive key business metrics, writes Sprout Social's Scott Morris, such as brand discoverability and resonance, customer feedback and competitor analysis, which can inform strategies across departments. "A social media scorecard with the right data can change how businesses market themselves and what they make, who they make it for and how they sell it," Morris writes.

It may not always be the best idea to hire to fill gaps in a founder's skill set, says Parker Conrad, co-founder and CEO of Rippling, who advises founders to embrace their weaknesses by tackling the tasks they dislike or are uncomfortable with. Four other founders share their advice, including Ashley Tyrner, founder and CEO of FarmboxRx, who bootstrapped to retain her original vision, highlighting why it's best to be cautious when considering VC advice, especially if it doesn't align with your goals.

When you speak to your team in abstract, big picture terms and principles, they are more likely to perceive you as having more personal power, writes Chris Lipp, a professor of management communication, who recommends that you "delegate the details" to their creativity while you focus on broader goals. "By communicating abstract goals, senior leaders empower subordinates with the agency to test various creative solutions," Lipp writes.

Generation Z workers face challenges in the workplace, such as criticism for poor communication and lack of motivation. However, Tamara Alesi, CEO of Mediaplus North America, argues that managers across generations must provide better training and mentorship to support Gen Z's growth. Alesi emphasizes the need for a collaborative work environment and suggests flexible work arrangements to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

Online fast-fashion player Shein reportedly plans to list on the London Stock Exchange in the first half of the year, contingent on regulatory approvals. The IPO could occur as early as April, aligning with a visit by British finance minister Rachel Reeves to China that may facilitate the necessary approvals. This move follows Shein's withdrawal from a US IPO and needs approvals from Chinese authorities -- due to its significant manufacturing ties in China -- and UK officials.

Beams has raised $9 million in a Series A funding round. The UK startup aims to modernize the home renovation market by using software to predict costs and timelines, and it has sold more than $4.9 million in projects since September 2023, according to CEO Hayden Wood.