TikTok's base of active users has passed 500 million per month, and downloads on Google Play and the App Store have exceeded 1.5 billion. Authentic content -- particularly featuring children and animals -- combined with user-generated material and judicious use of ads and influencers can make the platform an asset to brands as well, writes Marly Broudie.

Reflecting on the red flags that can indicate trouble, Ryan Robinson explains business mistakes to avoid. Hiring the wrong people, neglecting the need for a clear marketing plan and failing to communicate throughout the organization can all cause problems.

Stellar training gives new employees tools for success with clear objectives, regular updates and supervised practice, writes Jonathan Herrick, a marketing executive. Ongoing training for existing employees in areas they choose can also boost engagement and loyalty, he notes.

Smart decisions made with taxes in mind can save money, and Danielle Higley explains what small-business owners should consider. She discusses several tax breaks, including those related to hiring, vehicle use and insurance.

With an increasing number of companies using professional employer organizations, Joshua Stowers explains everything you need to know about the services, including pros and cons. "Businesses that partner with PEOs are able to outsource payroll and all of their other HR tasks to a company that specializes in these undertakings," Stowers notes.

Scammers are hacking small businesses with "tax" in website names and sending tax-related phishing emails, according to research by security company Proofpoint. Watch out for emails with poor grammar or from unfamiliar email addresses, Proofpoint suggests.

Don Myers tapped into his passion for comic books by opening The Comic Signal in Grand Rapids, Mich., four years ago. "I never thought my hobby would turn into something like this," said Myers, who will be hosting a daylong event for the company's anniversary.

While more Americans than ever plan to put their tax refunds into savings this year, they are also putting some money toward purchases, according to NRF's annual survey. Of the 65% of taxpayers expecting a refund, 10% say they will make a major purchase and 9% say they will make a "splurge purchase." Additionally, 10% plan to use their refunds for home improvement. See the data here.

Fifty years after its founding, the Unclaimed Baggage Center is an international shopping destination that attracts nearly 1 million visitors a year from all 50 states and multiple foreign countries. Take a look inside the Alabama store where the country's lost luggage finds new owners.

70% of shoppers say buy online, pickup in store has improved their experience. Source: NRF's Winter 2020 Consumer View report.