WebCE’s Weekly Wrap-Up: Jan. 24

Each week, our Weekly Wrap-Up collects 10 of the top stories from around the world of business to help you stay sharp and competitive amid constant change. Plus, a top podcast of the week along with something fun at the end to help you ease into weekend mode.

This week features everything from top trends across insurance to tips on writing job descriptions that actually gets applicants to apply. Plus, get the changes, best practices, and tax refund dates for the 2025 tax filing season to ensure you get your refund fast.

Top 10 Stories of the Week

2025 IRS Tax Refund Schedule: When to Expect a Tax Refund (WebCE)

A comprehensive quick reference guide to the 2025 IRS tax filing season, complete with the latest updates and a tax refund schedule chart.
Tracking Regulatory Changes in the Second Trump Administration (The Brookings Institution)

The Brookings Center on Regulation and Markets Regulatory Tracker is a quick resource to the major regulatory changes implemented under the current Trump administration.
AICPA: Executive Order Shouldn’t Affect IRS Tax Season Hiring (Journal of Accountancy)

The hiring freeze in the executive order merely maintains the freeze that has been in effect since December, but the IRS has already hired and trained the seasonal employees for the 2025 tax filing season.
Insurance Commissioner Orders Advance Payments on Claims for LA Wildfire Survivors (Claims Journal)

The order is designed to help speed the recovery process for wildfire survivors affected by several fires in Southern California, including the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires around Los Angeles.
Here’s How Climate Change is Reshaping Home Insurance Costs in California — and the Rest of the U.S. (CNBC)

A look at how a disaster like the California wildfires can raise premiums in other states, leading to a disconnect between insurance rates and risk.
How to Identify Ideal Prospects for Long-Term-Care Insurance (InsuranceNewsNet)

Ten criteria to look for when prospecting for ideal consumers of long-term-care insurance.
The Key to Unlocking Life Insurance Sales (Insurance Thought Leadership)

Tips for connecting with consumers who may not fully understand life insurance include staying laser-focused on the audience and, most importantly, keeping it simple.
10 Trends Shaping Insurance Underwriting in 2025 (PropertyCasualty360)

“Insurers are telling us that cyber, climate, environmental, and property risks are their top concerns in 2025, but we’re also seeing growing challenges in human capital, worker’s comp, trade credit, and supply chain insurance.”
Celebration Coffee and Business Insights that May Help Funeral Homes (Funeral Director Daily)

Three issues to watch as we move into 2025: keep up with the times to avoid losing revenue, limit debt’s impact on your bottom line, and the importance of understanding the biggest health care issues of the day.
How to Write a Job Description That Actually Gets People to Apply (Harvard Business Review)

To get the attention of potential candidates, follow these steps: 1) Reflect on the qualities, knowledge, experience, and skills that would make a candidate a good fit. 2) Highlight how the job connects to the organization’s strategy. 3) Showcase opportunities for growth. 4) Emphasize skills, not diplomas 5) Highlight autonomy. 6) Choose your words carefully. 7) Be transparent about rewards. 8) Don’t be boring.

This Week's Top Podcast

Communicate to Close: Storytelling, Tactics, & Closers (Tom Ferry Podcast Experience)

Effective communication begins with the audience. Your message should match what your client wants—and be communicated in the way that resonates best for them.

Matching how you communicate your client’s personality is just one of many ways to confidently close sales that Tom Ferry and Jason Pantana discuss with Terri Sjodin, author of Presentation Ready, who shares her proven strategies to help you communicate to close.

The Weekend Wind-down

With tax season beginning next Monday, January 27, what better time to eat more ice cream?