WebProNews

Author: Brian Wallace

  • Personal Loans For Business: What You Need to Know

    Personal Loans For Business: What You Need to Know

    Although personal loans can be easier to obtain than business ones, they may jeopardize your finances. Here are some things you should know before using a personal loan for your company.

    During the pandemic, many small businesses grappled with worst-case scenarios: lenders tightened borrowing conditions, and revenues were down. In these cases, a personal loan may be used for payroll or vendor payments when a business has used up its business line of credit and cannot obtain a traditional business loan.

    It’s possible for entrepreneurs to be so driven that they would do anything to keep their business going, whether that’s a good idea or not. However, here are some reasons why getting a personal loan for a small business may or may not be a good idea.

    Personal Loan: A Definition

    Based on your credit history and income, you can borrow a predetermined amount of money for nearly any reason through a personal loan. Over time, you repay it with interest.  Therefore, you can get a lump sum of money from a bank, credit union, or internet lender that ranges from $1,000 to $100,000; the money is typically repaid over the course of two to five years in monthly installments.

    Your creditworthiness, a gauge of how dangerous of a borrower you are, plays a significant role in whether or not you are approved for a personal loan. You have a better chance of getting authorized for a loan with the lowest interest rate if your income and credit score are strong.

    Notwithstanding the differences between personal and business loans, both can depend on an owner’s credit history for acceptance.

    Getting A Personal Loan for Your Small Business

    Personal loans are not always a wise business decision. For instance, a person about to retire may not wish to take on extra debt. However, younger businesspeople are considering the long-term impact of the extra money on their businesses. 

    Here are a couple of reasons why you would want to obtain a personal loan for your company:

    Personal loans are quick and flexible. 

    A personal loan might be the best option if you require money urgently to cover the financial requirements of your business, from payroll to vendor expenses. On the other hand, it can take weeks or even months for a Small Business Administration loan, and a personal loan can be approved in a matter of days.

    Obtaining personal loans is much easier than securing business loans. One reason is that, with a personal loan, you won’t have to put up collateral to reduce the lender’s risk. A business loan is often more difficult to obtain than a personal loan. However, the current economy has made it considerably more difficult. 

    Comparatively speaking, personal loans are less expensive.

    Entrepreneurs with tight cash flows could be tempted to take on sales-based loans like invoice loans or merchant cash advances. Because the interest can compound quickly, it is advisable to carefully read the fine print. Hidden clauses can wreak havoc on your finances if you don’t recognize what they really are. 

    Although personal loans typically offer lower interest rates, you can also consider using all available credit on your company and personal credit cards. Yet, compared to personal loans, conventional business loans have lower interest rates and bigger credit ceilings.

    Conclusion

    A personal loan may be the answer for your business if a business loan is not feasible right now. However, make sure that it won’t do more harm than good. After all, your personal credit is something that will follow you throughout your life. Therefore, it’s wise to guard it carefully. 

  • From Awareness to Loyalty: Understanding the Journey of Nonprofit Supporters and How to Engage Them

    From Awareness to Loyalty: Understanding the Journey of Nonprofit Supporters and How to Engage Them

    As a nonprofit grows and gains new members, volunteers, and donors, you’ll start to recognize core differences in how different groups of people act and react to marketing materials. A devoted volunteer might take a much more favorable view of your campaigns than someone that hasn’t heard of your organization before, for example.

    It is essential that nonprofits understand how to communicate with these different stages in order to better market to them. At its most basic, nonprofits need to master the rule of seven before moving on to later-stage customer relationships. In this article, we’ll guide nonprofits through the different stages of the customer journey, demonstrating exactly how they should engage their supporters throughout their ongoing familiarization. 

    What is the Nonprofit Customer Journey?

    As a person becomes more familiar with your nonprofit, the extent to which they support, engage, and help market for your cause will shift. Of course, people that have only just stumbled across your nonprofit aren’t going to have the level of support and loyalty that a long-term donor has.

    In order to create better marketing materials and communications, nonprofits need to know how to relate to donors across all levels of their customer journey. Typically, this journey is split into three core sections:

    • Awareness
    • Consideration and Donation
    • Time Donation

    Awareness

    Marketing for nonprofits always starts with the awareness stage. This is the first point of contact between an organization and the potential donor. At this stage, they don’t have a stake in your nonprofit and are have only come across either a marketing post, a blog, or some other piece of content that you’ve put out into the world.

    When marketing to people within the awareness stage, you should focus on showing the real-world positives that your nonprofit creates. Whether you use finished projects that you’ve terminated in the past or materials which demonstrate the good you’re delivering, these should be your front line of marketing.

    The awareness stage is about increasing recognition and ensuring that people remember the good you’ve done when they see your name. You’re not asking for donations, nor are you trying to get these people to join your nonprofit. This stage, as its title suggests, is all about building awareness.

    Consideration and Donation

    During the consideration stage, people are familiar with your nonprofit and what good you do in the world. At this point, you can move into quantified marketing that shows what their donation would actively result in.

    Using quantified statistics, you could demonstrate that their donation of $10 would have a certain real-world impact. Showing how they can be a part of the good that they encounter in the awareness stage will help urge people to donate to your nonprofit.

    Donations are typically the first stage of involving members of a nonprofit. At this stage, the time and frequency of a recurring donation will dictate how you manage your connections going forward. As a person donates more of their money over a longer period to your cause, their natural relationship with you will build.

    It’s important to show your gratitude over time, ensuring that those that move from consideration to donation feel valued for their contributions.

    Time Donor (Volunteers)

    The final stage, which is often overlooked within the world of nonprofit marketing, is the relationship between your organization and its most valuable assets – those that offer their time. The vast majority of nonprofits are able to continue running due to the hours of free labor that volunteers will offer.

    Those that are willing to donate their own time are incredibly impactful to your organization. While donating money is one thing, these hourly shifts ensure the longevity of your nonprofit and help you scale toward new horizons.

    When dealing with people that are volunteers, your marketing should be extremely personalized. You’re no longer dealing with a potential mass of new donors. Each one of these people has given up hours of their life to help achieve your vision.

    Your marketing communications here should never focus on donations, and should be entirely grateful. Focus on the good that they’ve achieved, and how you are – together – building toward a better future.

    Don’t underestimate the importance of volunteers in your nonprofit. 

    Why Is Shaping Communication so Important?

    Communication does not have the same effect on every single person. On the contrary, each and every person will react differently to messaging they encounter. When it comes to the nonprofit industry, using the wrong communication style can be disastrous – impacting both new and established donors.

    Changing the focus of your marketing campaigns to match the current stage that a customer is in allows for a much greater degree of personalization. Customer segmentation and personalization are the backbones of the marketing industry, with over 70% of all consumers expecting a high degree of personalized content.

    Altering a nonprofit’s marketing materials will ensure that different groups react more positively to your communications:

    • New Contacts – If you ask people in the awareness stage for donations, you’re instantly slamming the door on that person and making them feel uncomfortable. Understanding that your tone will shift over time will allow you to market appropriately to newer audiences.
    • Established Donors – If you patronize established donors with materials aimed at new people, you’ll start to chip away at their loyalty. Personalize your voice to ensure that it’s more thankful, full of gratitude, and highlights how appreciative you are for all their help.

    Understanding how to alter your marketing materials for these different stages will lead to a higher uptake with new clients and increased loyalty with older connections. Ultimately, this is a total win-win for your nonprofit.

    Final Thoughts

    For nonprofits to achieve success across the customer journey, they need to understand the unique perspectives, behaviors, and styles of communication that work for each archetypal supporter. By altering marketing tactics and tones across these three main stages, a nonprofit is able to engage its audience to a greater extent.

    As they do this, nonprofits will rapidly find that their marketing materials stretch further, gain more interactions, and help streamline the development of customer relationships across the entire donor lifecycle. 

  • Sleep Loss Robs Your Health And Wealth

    Sleep Loss Robs Your Health And Wealth

    Enjoy your extra hour of sleep this week, because most Americans switch to Daylight Savings Time Monday and will have to get up one hour earlier. However, sleep loss is a year-round problem that affects everything from your health to your wallet.

    Economic Impact Of Sleep Loss

    A Rand Corporation analysis found that the United States economy loses 2.28 percent of GDP each year due to sleep deprivation. That amounts to about $411 billion based on 1.2 million working days lost each year.

    The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that absenteeism from insomnia costs employers an average of $976 per year per employee.

    Added Healthcare Costs Of Sleep Loss

    Sleep loss disorders add $94.9 billion to healthcare costs in the United States, according to a study by Mass Eye and Ear, a Bingham General Hospital.

    People suffering from sleep loss make twice as many doctor visits and receive twice as many prescriptions as those without sleeping problems, the study reports.

    Study author Neil Bhattacharyya, MD, FACS, who is also a professor at Harvard Medical School, thinks the costs are even higher than his study showed. He notes that many patients suffering chronic sleep loss are probably not yet diagnosed.

    “If we as a country continue this pattern,” said Bhattacharyya when the study was released in 2021, “this huge burden to the healthcare system will grow and affect patient care for everyone.”

    Get Your Seven Hours

    Benjamin Franklin knew the importance of sleep on well-being and finances when he wrote, “early to be and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Accordingly, he lived his mantra keeping to a strict schedule of sleeping from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. 

    Franklin was on to something, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) which recommends at least seven hours of sleep for adults 18 to 60 years of age.

    The health risks from sleep loss include heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, and other mental distress.

    Sleep Loss From Insomnia

    New research revealed last week showed that people who suffer from insomnia are 69 percent more likely to have a heart attack. The report was presented at a joint meeting of the American College of Cardiology and World Congress of Cardiology.

    If you get less than five hours of sleep, your risk of heart attack is greater, according to the study. In addition, women are more likely than men to suffer heart attacks. 

    “Not surprisingly, people with insomnia who also had high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes had an even higher risk of having a heart attack than those who didn’t,”  said Yomna E. Dean, author of the study. “People with diabetes who also have insomnia had a twofold likelihood of having a heart attack.”

    Benefits Of Good Sleep

    On the other side of the ledger, good sleep provides health benefits.

    Last week another study related to sleep demonstrated that people who get sufficient sleep are better able to stay with exercise and diet goals. The study was presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association. 

    According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Resources, the benefits of getting good sleep on a regular basis include:

    • Fewer illnesses
    • Maintaining a healthy weight
    • Reduced risk of chronic diseases
    • Lower stress and better mood
    • Clearer thinking and better decision making
    • Improved relations with other people 

    Preventing sleep loss takes a plan, according to the CDC. It provides some tips.

    • Do what Franklin did. Go to bed and get up at the same time.
    • Make your bedroom dark, quiet, relaxing, and comfortable.
    • Remove electronic devices, such as televisions, computers, and smartphones from your bedroom.
    • Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
    • Exercise.

    If all that is too dry for you, take inspiration from Shakespeare. He wrote a lot about sleep. For example:

    “The deep of night is crept upon our talk,

    And Nature must obey necessity.” – from the play Julius Caesar

    (This post was first featured on savingadvice.com)

  • 5 Reasons to Finance Electronic Devices

    5 Reasons to Finance Electronic Devices

    With the addition of millions of remote workers, new devices for security, and countless electronics designed for our comfort and convenience, it makes sense to finance purchases of electronics. 

    Whether you work from home or not, if you have a good work-from-home setup, you may make yourself more useful to your current employers and more marketable for future jobs by purchasing up-to-date equipment. The current trend in remote work means this could be possible for many people. Therefore, this could require purchasing a good laptop, a headset, and possibly even a webcam. 

    What would you do if you couldn’t afford to pay cash for pricey devices? Fortunately, you can get financing for electronics. 

    Here are 5 reasons for financing your new electronics:

    1. You Do Not Need Excellent Credit

    Many consumers assume they won’t be able to finance electronics because they have poor credit. Perhaps you have a history of irregular car payments or owe a lot of money in college loans or medical debt. Don’t worry. New electronics purchases are still financeable. In fact, many companies that provide financing for electronics, furniture, and appliances also offer financing for people with poor credit. This means that your financing applications may still be approved even if you have a low credit score or none.

    2. Get Your Payments Reported on Your Credit

    Unbelievable as it may seem, choosing to finance electronics can really help you raise your credit score. Your credit score will rise as you make timely and regular payments for your electronics. In fact, some consumers decide to finance their electronics in order to concentrate on building their credit.

    3. No-Interest Financing 

    Did you know that interest is not always a part of financing options? You might be able to simply pay off your purchase over time without incurring interest if you select a lease-to-purchase option. This means you are removing one of the biggest barriers to financing electronics some individuals face. There won’t be any further costs; you’ll pay for the electronics exactly as you would if you paid for it in full.

    4.  Affordable New Electronics

    One of the key benefits of financing electronics is that you won’t have to settle for a used item; instead, you may purchase a brand-new item. Even while you might be tempted to purchase a used electrical gadget online or through services like Craigslist in an effort to save money, the chances of having them break down are high. Even if they are refurbished, there is typically a reason why old things are so cheap. Unfortunately, it’s often due to their short lifespans and unreliability. 

    5. Reliable Dealers

    Generally, while financing electronics, you can be sure that the seller is offering the real deal. There’s no need to be concerned about them taking your money and taking off. You’re going into a long-term contract as a pair. This cannot be asserted if you seek to make a purchase from a person selling goods in person or from an anonymous online merchant. If you finance electronics, you’ll be able to identify and trust the seller, which is worth the effort.

    Conclusion

    There are many factors to take into account before financing an electronic item. Yet, in the long run, this choice can be an excellent way for you to save money and buy the equipment you need or desire.

  • The Travel Industry’s Growing Relationship With Social Commerce

    The Travel Industry’s Growing Relationship With Social Commerce

    The concept of social commerce is nothing new. Retailers, brands, and influencers have for some time been taking advantage of digital native tools to boost consumer engagement online and through social media. Now, the time has come for the travel and leisure industry to foster a newfound relationship with the creator economy. 

    Social commerce in the United States has steadily grown, seeing more than $36.6 billion in sales in 2021. As the trend expands, some suggest that the social commerce market could reach more than $79.6 billion in sales by 2025. 

    While the U.S. consumer market has seen steady market performance over the last few years, in other parts of the world, such as China, social commerce has evolved into a new way of shopping and bringing consumers closer to their favorite brands and creators. Back in 2021, social commerce platform purchases skyrocketed to more than $363 billion in China, far surpassing the U.S. market. 

    It’s no secret, social commerce is popular. 

    Yet, despite the upside, social commerce provides consumers, social media behemoth Meta, announced in the last few weeks that it will be killing off its Instagram live shopping feature by mid-March 2023. Meta said it’s looking to focus more on ads and providing a more interactive experience for both users and brands on the app. 

    Although Instagram may soon be dropping its social commerce and online shopping features, industry experts suggest that brands and retailers, including businesses in the travel industry should be using social shopping as part of their marketing goals and strategies.

    Social media is business

    From a conversational point of view, companies across different industries have taken social media and transformed it into an online digital platform through which they can engage with their customers. It’s helped bring brands closer to consumers, and provides them with a more personalized experience, from the first interaction to check-out. 

    And for the travel industry? This means business. 

    According to a Deloitte report, U.S. social media users spent more than 1.2 trillion minutes online across 100 different internet properties in November 2014. While the figures give us a glimpse of how important various internet properties were almost a decade ago, new advances in tech and software mean that some industries are now able to get even closer than before. 

    In the travel industry, where most travel agents and booking sites still heavily rely on a web-based presence, email marketing tools, and some brick-and-mortar locations, among others – the content economy is yet another foot in the door for them. 

    After a tumultuous few years of seeing the travel industry come to a near standstill due to pandemic-related restrictions, more recent pent-up traveler demand has helped catapult the industry toward a new era of digital experiences. 

    Now with the travel industry seeing a steady recovery, social commerce will need to function as an aggregator for travel agents and booking platforms. 

    Social travel commerce platforms will enable companies to leverage integrated tech and software applications. Social media analytics, customer research marketing (CRM), and content retrieval will become a new form of finding and booking holidays. 

    Some businesses may take a different route, using social commerce platforms as an e-commerce engine to drive travelers specifically towards new products, services, and attractions. 

    We might see several companies looking to leverage the opportunities presented by the rise of business travel, which have also taken a toll since the onset of the pandemic and have since steadily been recovering. 

    As companies again introduce new and more effective travel incentive programs, social media could become a virtual portal for travel agents and aggregators. 

    Content can help promote community 

    Online content is more diverse than ever, with influencers collaborating with brands and retailers to promote products and services to an ever-growing audience. 

    Yet, in the past, users were simply categorized as followers, nowadays they’re more seen as a community among one another. 

    Influencers and brands spent years, if not decades building and fostering a specific relationship with consumers, reshaping the way they think, speak, and feel about certain products or services. 

    As a broad and basic example, we see this with Apple, which leverages marketing tactics, consumer experience, and design to build a community of loyal supporters and followers. 

    We can almost say the same about influencers, who have culminated millions of followers, providing a sense of authority with the brands they represent and market. 

    In the travel industry, this is possible, however, several obstacles can cause turbulence for businesses that aren’t able to properly invest in brand and tone of voice with their customers. 

    Social commerce will become a tool that will help democratize the industry, and provide a more unified experience for travelers. Content creators will be able to provide insight for their followers. In a similar vein, this puts the industry in front of consumers, opening new channels for them through which they can access services and products that were once unattainable or seemed somewhat foreign. 

    It’s a shifting mindset, but more so, it’s a change in marketing goals and strategy for some businesses in the industry. Leveraging travel social commerce will become an ecosystem of partnership between different brands and businesses. 

    For companies, it means a new business model, while for travelers it’s the foundation of high-value interactions and a more streamlined experience. 

    Travel social commerce will see its time in the sun, as the industry continues to expand on the back of ever growing digital marketing tools native to social media. A new way of bringing services and products to consumers requires the industry to adopt social commerce as a goal, rather than a system on its own. 

  • 4 Costs to Cut When Building a New Office

    4 Costs to Cut When Building a New Office

    Remote and hybrid work arrangements may be here to stay, but not all jobs enjoy those luxuries. For some companies, in-person interaction is still the preferred — perhaps even necessary — way of doing business.

    If your business is one of them, you may be facing the prospect of building a new office. Maybe you’re expanding into multiple locations. Or perhaps your existing space is outdated, inconvenient, or the wrong size for your current operations.

    If you’re investing in new construction, you’re no doubt concerned about costs. Keeping a lid on them doesn’t mean you have to compromise quality if you find smart ways to reduce expenses. Here are four costs you can cut and still build a space designed for success.

    1. The Cost of the Proverbial Middleman

    Bypassing the middleman can save you thousands and even tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on your project. To be fair to those middlemen, they often earn their keep fair and square. They can help you avoid the time it takes to do the research and purchasing on your own.

    That said, buying direct is a cost-saving opportunity that is easier than ever these days thanks to the internet. You can easily access a plethora of reports by independent reviewers and customer reviews published online and on social media. Those make it easy to winnow through your options and buy with confidence.

    Don’t just use the direct-buy approach on items such as furniture and appliances to outfit the employee break room. Take advantage of wholesale pricing on major infrastructure like a central air conditioner and heating system. That’s where you can pocket the biggest savings.

    Of course, you will want to discuss your wholesale purchases with your architect or contractor before making them. And you should work with direct wholesalers who can answer your questions and guarantee their products. Use what you would have paid to the middleman to buy something else on your wish list instead.

    2. The Cost of Redundancies

    You know that, in business, you need to avoid redundancies in areas such as human resources and IT systems. But did you know there may be redundancies involved in the construction of a new office? Not only are there, but they can be extremely pricey if you fail to avoid them.

    In the design, take into consideration any new realities of your workforce and how your customers do business with you. Square footage may become redundant with a hybrid workforce. More customers buying online rather than in the flesh may make that showroom floor superfluous compared to warehouse space.

    You can also save redundancy costs by letting your architectural firm also serve as your construction manager. You’re already paying the former to do most of the work the latter would do. So why pay two parties and set up the project for potential conflicts between them as well?

    You will be investing a lot of money in the design of your space as well as the construction. Design for flexibility, which may not look at all like the office you would have designed three years ago. Then let those who put your plan on paper help you bring it to fruition.

    3. The Cost of Change Orders

    Changes are inherent in any construction project. No matter how well planned a project is, the execution will call for some revisions. Unfortunately, virtually every single one of them will come at a price, so keep change orders to a bare minimum.

    Changes in materials, timeline deviations, and additions to the scope of work all require change orders. And on every change order you agree to, your costs will rise. You can’t control the weather affecting the timeline, but there are ways to keep change orders from getting out of hand.

    First, make sure the cost of any change is truly worth it before you demand that it be done. Second, maintain a steady communication stream between you, your architect, and your contractors to head off potential revisions. Third, brainstorm creative money-saving solutions to problems rather than just pony up for the easiest change.

    That said, you’re the client, and you’re entitled to change your mind during the course of your construction project. And if you detect an aspect of the plan that will hinder optimal operation of your future space, you should make alterations. However, try to do everything you can to keep those changes and their accompanying costs low. It’s just one more smart business decision for you to make.

    4. Replacement Costs

    You may be wondering why you need to think about replacement costs before your new office project is even underway. Just remember that forewarned is forearmed, so use this principle to your advantage. You aren’t going to want to purchase everything all over again too soon.

    Since you’re building a commercial space, you need to invest in commercial-grade products, including flooring, furniture, and equipment. Sure, the price on that couch designed for homes is markedly lower than the one manufactured for commercial use. But this is the you-get-what-you-pay-for theory in action.

    Finishings and equipment designed for commercial use will last far longer than those not intended to stand the strain. Start by buying with quality and durability in mind. Then have a plan for maintaining furnishings properly so they last even longer.

    You can find online wholesalers of commercial finishes, furnishings, and equipment to save some money on the front end. With appropriate maintenance, you won’t need to find money to begin replacing items that wear out right away. That will allow you to put replacement costs off for much longer.

    Don’t Cut Corners on Cost-Cutting

    Building a new office is an exciting undertaking for you, your employees, and your clients and customers. But it’s also a major investment that will impact the company’s bottom line for a while. Take your time, conduct your research, and do the job right.

    If you know how to run a successful business, you know how to manage a successful project. This one may be outside the margins of your corporate mission, but the same principles apply. Build the dream and buy quality. Just don’t pay more than necessary to do either.

  • The Rise of Wearable Tech and Its Impact on Health and Fitness

    The Rise of Wearable Tech and Its Impact on Health and Fitness

    Wearable technology has grown in popularity in recent years, revolutionizing the way we track our health and fitness. From smartwatches, fitness trackers, virtual reality headsets, and smart clothing, wearable tech has become an integral part of our daily lives. With the ability to monitor our heart rate, sleep patterns, steps taken, and our mental health, wearable technology has the potential to transform the way we approach our overall well-being. This article details the rise of wearable tech and its impact on health and fitness, examining the latest trends and advancements.

    What Is Wearable Fitness Technology?

    Wearable fitness tech is a type of technology that measures and collects data about our physical activity levels, heart rate, calorie burn, sleep patterns, and more. The data collected is used to create detailed graphs and reports about our current health and fitness status, allowing us to monitor our progress over time.

    The report and data collected about your current health status are then printed and saved in PDF by online printing services for future health adjustments. Some of the most popular types of wearable tech include:

    • Smartwatches
    • Smart clothing
    • Fitness trackers
    • Virtual reality headsets
    • Wearable ECG monitors

    Wearable technology has the potential to revolutionize how we manage our overall health, providing data-driven insights into our activity levels and other health metrics. Wearable tech is not just a trend, it is here to stay and it can offer us a powerful way to track our progress and make changes in our lifestyle choices.

    How Wearable Fitness Tech Is Used

    Wearable fitness tech is used to help users understand their activity levels, set fitness goals, and create action plans to reach those goals. This technology can be used in various ways:

    • To monitor your daily exercise habits
    • To track nutrition
    • Sleep patterns
    • Hydration

    Wearable tech can also be used to provide actual feedback on your progress and offer insights into where you need to make changes to reach your goals.

    How Wearable Tech Can Enhance Your Fitness and Health

    • Tracking your physical activity levels on a daily basis: You can use this information to make small adjustments to your lifestyle and improve your overall health.
    • By setting goals for yourself and using the data from wearable tech to track your progress: You can stay motivated and encouraged to continue working towards better health. 
    • Wearable tech can also help you become more aware of your body’s limitations and give you the tools to adjust accordingly.

    Examples of Wearable Devices in Healthcare

    Wearable devices are becoming more popular in healthcare settings, allowing for more efficient monitoring of patients’ health. Devices such as Apple Watches, Fitbits, and glucose monitors have been used to detect changes in blood pressure or glucose levels, alert patients when they need to take medication or rest, and remind them when to get regular check-ups with their doctor. Wearable devices can be used to give doctors more accurate data on their patients’ signs, which can lead to earlier detection of health issues and improve patients’ health outcomes.

    Endnote

    With the ability to track our activity levels, monitor our signs, and even help us manage our mental health, wearable technology can empower us to take charge of our health like never before. However, it’s important to remember that technology alone is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. We must use these devices as tools to help us achieve our health and fitness goals, while also prioritizing things like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep.

  • Digital Shopping Is Shaping Up To Become The New In-Store Retail Experience

    Digital Shopping Is Shaping Up To Become The New In-Store Retail Experience

    Despite stubbornly high inflation and aggressive interest rates biting into consumers’ disposable income, as prices remain elevated, new data suggests that shoppers are continuously looking for more seamless digital experiences in retail and department stores. 

    At the end of January, online grocery sales declined by 1.2% finishing off at $8.4 billion in the U.S. market. Demand for ship-to-home was also down, which includes the likes of FedEx, UPS, and USPS. 

    Experts suggest that the decline in these services was largely driven by the uptick in big-box retailers now offering direct-to-home delivery for shoppers, taking on logistical responsibilities themselves, instead of using third-party carriers. 

    Mass demand for online shopping during the height of the pandemic helped solidify the future of the online retail industry, and today shoppers can find nearly anything and everything they need online. 

    While this has created a massive opportunity for retailers, from all industries to transition their operations online, and present consumers with a more accessible channel – grocery retailers were slow to adapt, despite seeing steady growth during the pandemic era. 

    With many pandemic-related concerns now in the rearview, grocery chains and mass stores are creating a more digital in-store experience, as it hopes to draw in walking customers to their brick-and-mortar locations. 

    The drive to digital 

    Consumers have become accustomed to the convenience of online shopping, whether it’s for home goods, clothing, or even groceries. Everything they want and need can be found online, price-matched, and shipped straight to their door. 

    On top of this, shoppers can shop from any device they see fit. From computers to tablets, smartphones, and even mobile apps – it’s all accessible through a few clicks and swipes. 

    The rise of smartphone adoption among consumers in recent years has meant that retailers can create a multifaceted shopping experience. Research shows that around 82% of shoppers will consult their phone before making an in-store purchase. 

    With the internet so readily available, shoppers can now quickly compare prices from different retailers and stores, read reviews, or in this case, follow up on nutritional and dietary information relating to their grocery purchases. 

    What’s more, is that nearly every popular and big-box retailer now offers an online option. In the past, a few niche brands and businesses had a website, with a small online store – today, the picture is completely different. 

    A February report showed that around 7.8% of U.S. consumers purchase groceries online. That’s because big names such as Walmart, Amazon, Target, and Krogers, among others, all now offer online shopping and delivery services. 

    Even more, these stores are making use of their delivery teams to get items from stores and warehouses to consumers, in record time. 

    The competition for same-day delivery means that retailers are constantly looking at how they can deliver online purchases to shoppers quicker than their nearest contender. 

    That’s because consumers want convenience. They also want to see which retailer has the best deals or online benefits. The same February report showed that 62% of shoppers cite convenience as the reason for shopping online rather than in-store. A further 52% cited that online benefits and app-only deals led them to use online platforms for their grocery shopping. 

    In a similar vein, some have found that buying groceries online is often more affordable than having to go to a store. 

    A Travel Daily News article found that buying groceries online in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can cost consumers less. The reason why consumers can save more money on their grocery bills is that they have more access to digital channels that allows them to compare prices, look for coupons, bundle deals, and even free at-home delivery. 

    There’s plenty to get excited about when a mass store or a household brand offers online deals – and now grocery chains are noticing that they need to step up their digital game if they want to continue playing with corporate contenders such as Walmart and Amazon. 

    The digital experience coming to a store near you 

    Digital needs are creeping into every known industry, and as the Internet of Things (IoT), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) become more mainstream, we could soon see technological innovations reach our favorite local grocery store.

    In this instance, the case may be true for a small handful of well-known grocery chains that have already started mapping the customer journey through digital and technological innovation. 

    Kroger has more than 2,800 stores nationwide across 35 states and operates other grocery retail stores including Ralphs, Dillion, Smith’s City Market, Jay C, Pay Less, and Bakers, among a list of others. 

    In the last couple of years, Kroger’s introduced digital product displays on shelves in some of its stores. Powered by Microsoft Azure, the digital sensors, or EDGE – Enhanced Display for Grocery Environment – can help process data generated by customer behavior, buying trends, and demand for certain products. 

    EDGE is connected to IoT sensors, which can deliver real-time data to stores, allowing them to monitor which products have low inventory levels, require restocking, and for customers display discounted prices. 

    Idaho-based grocery store, Albertsons, which has more than 2,500 stores, has steadily been experimenting with digital “smart” shopping carts in some of its stores. 

    Albertson’s “smart” shopping carts allow customers to ring up items as they place them in the cart, eliminating the need for them to go use checkout points. 

    This is similar to what we’ve seen Amazon has been trialing the last couple of years with its self-checkout stores, which the company heroically named Amazon Just Walk Out. 

    Research by McKinsey found that if a grocery store can properly implement tech-enabled self-checkout, it can help improve in-store productivity by 6% to 12%. This means that grocery stores will require less in-person labor at checkout counters during operational hours. 

    While it shows how technology can benefit grocery stores, not only in terms of physical in-store sales, customer experiences, and productivity, it’s still not able to compete on the same levels that eCommerce can offer consumers. 

    Final thoughts 

    While it’s hopeful that grocery stores will in the coming years adapt for the more digitally native consumer, it’s perhaps a race against time for some to ensure their longevity and ensure their long-term growth. 

    While eCommerce and online retail remain the triumphant winner, the introduction of digital can only further enhance an already well-known practice that has helped shaped the virtual shopping reality. Yet this time round, it’s up to grocery chains and big-box names to bring digital back to where it was once considered irrelevant. 

  • Why Dedicated Ephemeral Environments are Key to Successful Development

    Why Dedicated Ephemeral Environments are Key to Successful Development

    Especially in the fast-paced digital world that we’re now living in, project managers and team leaders are always looking for opportunities to improve their approach to the software development process. End users can no longer afford to wait years for a critical application to be delivered – in order to remain competitive in their own industries, they need it as quickly as possible.

    This is part of the reason why most teams have eschewed the monolithic development structure that was popular in the past in favor of more flexible and agile methodologies. In recent years, ephemeral environments have become a major part of that for a wide range of different reasons, all of which are more than worth exploring.

    What is an Ephemeral Environment?

    An ephemeral environment is a type of dedicated, temporary development environment that allows team members to test out new features and changes in a controlled place before officially deploying them to a live production environment.

    Instead of deploying a new feature that may not be quite ready, which in turn ends up causing issues for the critical work that other people are doing, developers can work in total isolation without worrying about these types of potential problems. Features can be honed and refined as-needed and, when they’re ready, they can be compiled into the larger project so that others are able to build upon this progress. 

    The Major Benefits of Ephemeral Environments

    By far, the biggest advantage of ephemeral environments comes by way of how they allow developers to both create and destroy these previous environments quickly.

    You don’t have to spend time creating a long-term infrastructure and doing all the (lengthy but temporary) work that comes with it. Ephemeral environments can be employed easily and exist only as long as they absolutely need to. If something needs to be tested immediately, it can be.

    Ephemeral environments also go a long way towards helping to control many of the costs associated with the software development as well. In a more “traditional” approach to development, many organizations end up paying money for cloud-based resources that eventually are no longer being actively used for the purposes of things like testing. Rather than paying for something that you’re not utilizing 100% of the time, you can instead utilize ephemeral environments and deploy them (and eliminate them) as frequently as you need to. That way, you’re generating the highest amount of value from your investment at a lower price than you would otherwise be paying. 

    This also has the added advantage of increasing productivity significantly – both in terms of individual developers and with regard to the work the team is doing as a collective. Developer B doesn’t have to wait around for Developer A to finish their work, at which point they get to start on theirs. Both developers can work simultaneously, albeit in isolation, without impacting each other. That way, you’d get two feature sets completed and properly tested in the same amount of time it would have taken you to arrive at one under previous development techniques. 

    Along the same lines, this has the added benefit of reducing the risk of many issues that commonly arise during software development. When everything is connected and different developers are working on various aspects of the same product at the same time, any issue can potentially impact the collective depending on the scope. This has historically been one of the major reasons why software development tends to take so long – after a certain point as things become more complex, there is no such thing as a “small problem” any longer.

    With ephemeral environments, this is no longer the case. If Developer A encounters an issue, it only impacts the work they’re doing. It happens in isolation, and it can be addressed in much the same way, all before anything is rolled out to the rest of the team and certainly before the product makes its way into the hands of end users. 

    Finally, ephemeral environments are also an invaluable collaboration tool for development teams. Individual members can share their work and collaborate prior to a feature being merged into the collective, allowing them to get actionable feedback more often than they would have in the past. 

    Overall, investing in an ephemeral environment isn’t just a “best practice” for software development any longer. If yours is a development team that is always looking for ways to maintain the highest standards of both quality and efficiency (and it absolutely should be), it’s no longer a recommendation – it’s practically become a requirement.

    Empowering a Better Software Development Process

    In the end, ephemeral environments are more than just another “tool” to be used to assist with the software development process. Once deployed, these temporary environments have an almost immediate boost on a team’s productivity because nobody has to wait around for someone else to finish their work. They have access to all the resources they would have in a live production environment, but in a silo that they can use to refine their own process.

    Not only does this make it easier to deploy features, but it makes it easier to test as early and as often in the process as possible. This leads to better, more reliable software being delivered far faster than ever before, which in and of itself is the most important benefit of all.

  • Business Today: How Small Business Hosting is Reimagining Workflows with Innovative Solutions

    Business Today: How Small Business Hosting is Reimagining Workflows with Innovative Solutions

    In today’s digital age, small businesses need to be able to keep up with the ever-changing environment in order to remain competitive. This is why many of them have turned to new hosting solutions that provide innovative ways for them to streamline their workflows and maximize their productivity. Small business hosting services can be done through a variety of platforms, such as cloud computing and virtual private servers (VPS). 

    Cloud computing allows businesses to access their data from anywhere and at any time, while VPS allows them to scale up or down depending on their needs. Both of these solutions are cost-effective, secure and reliable – perfect for small businesses that may not have the budget or resources for more traditional hosting solutions. Additionally, these modern solutions offer features like automatic backups, enhanced security measures, and flexible storage options that make it easier than ever before for businesses to manage their information. By leveraging these types of services, small business owners are able to increase efficiency and profitability without sacrificing quality or customer service.

    How does small business hosting enable businesses to become more efficient and cost-effective?

    Small business hosting services, given by companies specializing in the service, enable businesses to become more efficient and cost-effective by providing them with a reliable, secure and affordable web hosting solution. With small business hosting, businesses can easily manage their websites without having to worry about the technical aspects of running a website. This allows them to focus on other aspects of their business such as marketing and customer service. 

    Moreover, small business hosting provides businesses with access to advanced features such as email accounts, databases and eCommerce solutions that are not available with traditional web hosting services. Such features enable the businesses to better serve their customers while also reducing costs associated with running a website. Furthermore, small business hosting offers scalability options that enable businesses to quickly adjust their resources according to the changing needs or demands. This helps ensure that businesses remain competitive in the market while also keeping costs as low as possible.

    What specific features do small business hosting solutions offer that make them beneficial to businesses?

    Some of the small business hosting solutions offer features including scalability, reliability and cost-effectiveness. Scalability allows businesses to easily upgrade their hosting plan as their needs change, without having to switch providers or purchase additional hardware. Reliability ensures that websites are always up and running with minimal downtime. Cost-effectiveness is also an important factor for small businesses as they can often get more bang for their buck with shared hosting plans than with dedicated servers. Moreover, many small business hosting solutions offer specialized features such as eCommerce support, website builders and security tools that help protect against cyber threats.

    What types of business process are most commonly hosted by small businesses?

    Small businesses typically host a variety of business processes, including customer relationship management (CRM), accounting and finance, human resources, inventory management, marketing automation and eCommerce. CRM is one of the most popular business processes hosted by small businesses as it helps them to better manage their customer relationships.Human resources processes such as payroll and employee onboarding are also commonly hosted by small businesses. 

    Inventory management is another important process that helps small businesses keep track of their stock levels and ensure they have enough products on hand to meet customer demand. Marketing automation tools can help small businesses automate tasks, such as email campaigns or social media posts, to reach more customers with less effort. Finally, eCommerce solutions allow small businesses to easily set up an online store where customers can purchase products directly from the website. 

  • 2023 Fleet and Safety Business Forecast

    2023 Fleet and Safety Business Forecast

    There are two ways to look at fleet and safety management today. On the one hand, operations are hampered by escalating costs and a dearth of brand-new, easily accessible cars. Leaders also struggle to draw in and retain the upcoming generation of drivers. On the other hand, advances in fleet and safety technologies are drastically changing the industry. Because with tools like AI and analytics, fleets of all sizes are becoming more productive and expanding more quickly. Opportunities and challenges are interacting in novel ways right now.

    What strategic areas should fleet leaders focus on in light of the growing number of high-level issues? Your fleet organization may focus on the trends and opportunities that will have the biggest impact if you take a deliberate, planned approach. Vehicles and parts supply becomes even more crucial in 2023.

    Security and Technology

    In many various industries, such as gardening, construction, and utilities, fleets are crucial to success. Drivers and the vehicle’s components itself go above and beyond to satisfy customers. Nonetheless, they are dangerous by their very nature. Fleets and their goods are dependent on safe driving conditions. Hence, one accident could have an impact on both your business and other motorists who share the road with your employees. Safety concerns have actually gotten so terrible that it looks more and more possible that legislation will compel national fleets to outlaw any non-emergency smartphone use in commercial cars. 

    But, in 2023 there is a good likelihood that safety technologies will significantly increase productivity. Basic elements that might save lives and boost earnings are lacking in many fleets already in use. Many function sensors, for instance, have become commonplace in vehicles and have been shown to reduce accident rates. Today’s  business fleets don’t all have the same standard of safety gear, though. 

    If fleet managers take the technical lead in improving commercial vehicle incident avoidance, they will be able to carry out their jobs more dependably. Companies who delay changing their safety plan will be the first to experience high-impact losses as a result of rising accident rates, insurance prices, and issues with driver retention. The number of vehicles required for fleet insurance should be reviewed by fleet managers to ensure the greatest coverage.

    Strategic Use of AI

    It has been demonstrated that implementing an AI solution in fleet management can have benefits, such as improving the traveling experience or intelligently anticipating customer needs to boost operational flexibility. Nonetheless, every company is unique. Given that AI is at the center of a complex ecosystem that also includes machine learning, predictive analytics, and a number of other technical breakthroughs, it might be challenging to know exactly what’s ideal for your fleet. 

    For instance, modern in-cab video solutions with an AI foundation may intelligently identify unsafe driving behaviors, correct the issue, and offer training for actual conduct. The average performance ratings of the driver community as a whole can be improved by applying to the entire fleet. Drivers are more likely to stay on the job if they are safe and happy. AI can also assist people who aren’t performing as well to improve. Also, this technology has the potential to attract new workers who see the sophisticated in-cab coaching help as an opportunity to better their driving game. 

    Managing Supply Chain Failure

    Business fleets will face significant challenges in 2023 because of the ongoing supply chain disruption that has been a problem in recent years. Customers and fleets have observed how the auto industry is being shaken by microprocessor shortages and how material costs are rising as crucial transit channels are subject to Covid-related lockdowns. The effects are being felt by everyone in all industries. Fleet managers and executives can take action to decrease the effect of these issues, notwithstanding the likelihood that they will continue over the course of the upcoming year. 

    In other words, in the face of unpredictable external circumstances, you will boost operational efficiency by concentrating more on the aspects of the firm you can control. For instance, you might use technology to enhance route planning or perhaps fully replace some human tasks. In the latter case, by automating administrative tasks like time sheets, fleet managers may reduce human error for a healthier, more accurate view into their organization. Hence, when as little as possible is left to chance, leaders can adapt to changing conditions more quickly.

    Motives for Hope

    Despite ongoing challenges for both large and small fleets, the climate of today is rich with potential. The elements are in place for fleets to improve their operations and offer both customers and employees better experiences. This is mostly a result of developing technology and increasing demand. So, by taking use of the opportunity presented by intelligent operations, 2023 may prove to be a fruitful year for future fleets.

  • NDR: The Next Generation of Cyber Security

    NDR: The Next Generation of Cyber Security

    Cyberattack potential is expanding as the digital world expands and changes. The “pandemic era” of 2020–2021 saw a 150% spike in ransomware assaults. A total of 236.1 million ransomware assaults have been recorded in only the first half of 2022. The more frequent cyberattack is ransomware, which captures and holds crucial data from a business and only releases it once the attacker receives a predetermined sum of money. The failure of conventional security methods is a significant contributing element to the increase in these assaults.

    Basic Cyber Security Will No Longer Cut It

    Their inability to adapt to recognize newer and more sophisticated dangers is the only factor contributing to their collapse. Current security methods can discover a breach in 287 days on average. This gives the breach more than enough time to succeed several times. The “dwell time” between “stealth” assaults and intrusions grew by 36% in 2022, providing a slim window for detection and interruption of incursions. Another important thing to keep in mind is that modern cybercriminals are trying to hide their trails by erasing their logs so they can’t be found. A fresh strategy must be implemented for safeguarding the online environment. However, it’s crucial to pinpoint the danger to network security, which has been nicknamed “dark space.”

    Dark space can be described as any network infrastructure that is not listed in the “golden store” of configuration data. Firewalls, routers, proxies, load balancers, endpoints, and hosts are all part of this data. More startling perhaps is the fact that 70% of networks are dark space. Encryption was traditionally used to hide sensitive data and make data theft more difficult. Nowadays, cybercriminals hide their operations by employing technology that is encrypted. In actuality, 91.5% of malware transits across encrypted networks.

    How Confident are IT Experts in Identifying Encrypted Cyberattacks? 

    59% of them admitted that they are unaware of all device-to-device communications on their network. They also stated that they lack the instruments necessary to identify, intercept, and assess threats, which makes them uneasy handling encrypted communications. Unfortunately, they are not alone in feeling this way since 79% of businesses have trouble finding dangers concealed in encrypted data. They don’t feel certain that they fully comprehend how to identify and prevent digital assaults.

    Network detection and response platforms (NDR) are the cybersecurity technology of the future. NDR identifies unusual network activity so that a tech team may respond to hidden hazards more quickly. Without decrypting anything, this software examines encrypted traffic to find malware during protected network connections. Additionally, it keeps an eye on how all network traffic moves and looks for external threats. Additionally, NDR can link any malicious activity to a specific IP address, making it possible to find attackers even if they erase the logs. Finally, NDR offers immediate notifications to speed up event reaction times.

    In Conclusion

    However, this is merely basic NDR. An NDR platform that will be supported by AI will be in the works to navigate dark space with greater intelligence and adaptability. Dubbed “ThreatEye,” makes use of the NDR platform to create a fingerprint of all asset and behavior patterns and keeps an eye out for unusual activity.

    What is Network Detection & Response?
    Source: Live Action
  • Financing Options for Franchise Purchases: How to Secure Funding

    Financing Options for Franchise Purchases: How to Secure Funding

    If you are looking to purchase a franchise, there are a variety of financing options available to you. From traditional bank loans to alternative financing solutions, there is an option that is right for every prospective franchisee. In this comprehensive guide to financing business loans for franchises, we will discuss the various ways to finance a franchise purchase, the benefits of purchasing a franchise, and how to secure the right financing solution for you.

    Introduction to Financing Options for Franchises

    A franchise is a business model that allows a business owner to purchase the rights to open and operate a business that is already established and successful. This type of business model is attractive to many prospective entrepreneurs because of the potential for success and the ability to leverage existing resources and infrastructure to get started. To purchase a franchise, however, you will need to secure financing.

    There are many different ways to finance a franchise purchase. The most common way is through a traditional bank loan. Bank loans are typically the most secure option and can provide a stable source of financing for your franchise purchase. Other financing options include venture capital, private equity, and alternative financing solutions such as online lenders, crowdfunding, and angel investors.

    Benefits of Purchasing a Franchise

    Before diving into the various financing options available, it is important to understand the benefits of purchasing a franchise. Franchises have a variety of advantages, such as access to established customer bases, pre-existing infrastructure, and the ability to leverage the franchisor’s brand recognition and marketing campaigns. Additionally, franchisors often provide training and support to franchisees, which can be invaluable when starting a business.

    Purchasing a franchise can also be a way to minimize risk. As a franchisee, you are not responsible for building a brand from scratch or establishing customer loyalty. You are able to leverage the existing infrastructure and customer base that the franchisor has already established. This can help reduce the risk associated with launching a business and increase the chances of success.

    Different Types of Financing Options

    Now that we have discussed the benefits of purchasing a franchise, let’s explore the different types of financing options available to franchisees.

    The most common way to finance a franchise purchase is through a traditional bank loan. Bank loans are generally the most secure option and provide a stable source of financing for franchisees. Banks typically require collateral, such as real estate or equipment, in order to approve a loan. Additionally, banks may require a personal guarantee from the franchisee.

    Venture capital is another financing option for franchisees. Venture capital firms typically invest in high-growth potential businesses, such as franchises. They provide financing in exchange for a stake in the business and often require a long-term commitment from the franchisee.

    Private equity investments are also an option for franchisees. Private equity firms invest in established businesses and provide financing in exchange for equity in the company. This type of financing is typically reserved for businesses with established track records of success.

    In addition to traditional financing options, there are also alternative financing solutions available to franchisees. Online lenders, crowdfunding platforms, and angel investors are all potential sources of financing for franchisees. These financing solutions have become increasingly popular over the past decade due to their flexibility and accessibility.

    How to Secure Financing for a Franchise

    Now that we have discussed the various financing options available, let’s explore how to secure financing for a franchise purchase. The first step is to create a comprehensive business plan. A business plan should include a detailed description of the business, a market analysis, and financial projections. This will help you to clearly articulate your plans to potential lenders and investors.

    Once you have created a business plan, you should begin researching potential financing options. You should compare the different types of financing options to determine which one is the best fit for you. You should also consider the terms and conditions offered by each lender or investor, such as interest rates, repayment schedules, and collateral requirements.

    When researching financing options, you should also take the time to research the franchisor. You should read reviews, speak to other franchisees, and investigate the franchisor’s track record of success. This will help you to make an informed decision about which financing option and franchisor is the right fit for you.

    Qualifying for Financing

    Once you have researched potential financing options, it is time to apply for financing. In order to qualify for financing, you must meet certain qualifications. Lenders and investors will typically look at your credit score, income, and business plan to determine whether you are a good candidate for financing. You should also have a solid understanding of the franchise industry and be prepared to answer any questions that lenders or investors may have.

    Additionally, you should have a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of the loan or investment. You should be aware of any penalties or fees associated with the loan and be prepared to make any necessary payments on time.

    Alternatives to Traditional Financing Options

    In addition to traditional financing options, there are also alternative financing solutions available to franchisees. Online lenders, crowdfunding platforms, and angel investors are all potential sources of financing for franchisees. These financing solutions can provide access to capital without the need for collateral or credit checks.

    Online lenders typically provide short-term loans with competitive interest rates. This can be a good option for franchisees who need access to capital quickly. Crowdfunding platforms allow investors to pool their resources to fund a project or business. This can be a good option for franchisees who are looking to raise funds without taking on debt. Angel investors are typically wealthy individuals who are looking to invest in high-growth potential businesses. This can be a good option for franchisees who are looking for more flexible financing terms.

    Comparing Financing Options

    When comparing financing options, there are several factors to consider. The first is the cost of the loan or investment. You should take into account the interest rate, fees, and repayment schedule to determine which option is the most cost-effective. You should also consider the terms and conditions of the loan or investment. This includes the length of the loan, any collateral requirements, and any penalties or fees associated with the loan.

    Additionally, you should consider the flexibility of the loan or investment. Some lenders or investors may offer more flexible terms and conditions than others. You should also consider the reputation of the lender or investor. You should research the lender or investor to determine whether they have a good track record of working with franchisees.

    Tips for Negotiating Financing

    Once you have compared financing options, it is time to negotiate the terms of the loan or investment. Here are a few tips to help you negotiate the best financing deal for your franchise purchase:

    • Research the lender or investor: Before negotiating, research the lender or investor to ensure they are reputable and have a good track record with franchisees.

    • Understand the terms: Take the time to fully understand the terms of the loan or investment, including interest rates, repayment schedules, and collateral requirements.

    • Be prepared to negotiate: When negotiating, be prepared to counter any offers or terms that you are not comfortable with.

    • Know your numbers: Have a clear understanding of your financials and be prepared to provide any necessary documents or information.

    • Don’t be afraid to walk away: If the terms of the loan or investment are not favorable, don’t be afraid to walk away and look for other financing options.

    Resources for Researching and Comparing Financing Options

    When researching and comparing financing options, there are several resources available to franchisees. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a great resource for franchisees looking to secure financing. The SBA provides access to grants, loans, and other financing options.

    Additionally, there are several online tools and platforms that can be used to compare financing options. These include comparison sites, such as Credible and LendingTree, which allow you to compare loan and investment terms from multiple lenders or investors.

    Conclusion

    Securing financing for a franchise purchase is an important step for prospective franchisees. There are a variety of financing options available, from traditional bank loans to alternative financing solutions. It is important to take the time to research the different financing options and compare the terms and conditions to find the best fit for you. Additionally, you should be prepared to negotiate the terms of the loan or investment to ensure you get the best deal. With the right financing solution, you can get your franchise off the ground and on its way to success.

  • New Year, New Goals: 3 Goals Your Team Should Work Toward in 2023

    New Year, New Goals: 3 Goals Your Team Should Work Toward in 2023

    The demands placed on teams and organizations are vastly different today than they were just five years ago. Between leaps forward in technology, pandemic-driven upheavals, structural shake-ups, and transformed customer expectations, the learning curve might be mistaken for a mountain.

    However swift various changes arrive, teams need to be just as agile, if not more. And for business leaders, it’s essential to convey clarity, steadfast vision, and awareness of what’s ahead. As you structure your goals for 2023, resist the urge to load up your team with surface-level goals. Instead, drill down to the foundational work needed to help you achieve your most significant milestones this year and beyond. 

    1. Establish a Clear Vision with Storytelling

    Teams come to work, they complete their tasks, but then what? Without an understanding of how their daily deliverables impact the organization’s whole picture, it’s tough for employees to stay engaged. Whether you’re leading a front-line contact center, development team, or marketing department, communicating how their expertise fuels success matters. 

    Take your organization’s broad goals and use them to develop a clear vision for your team. Say your contact center tracks average handling time and first call resolution rate metrics. These quantitative measurements may feel more like grades than a way to serve your customers. If agents do well, life is great, and if they fall short, it can feel like a losing battle.

    Bring your goals to life by using storytelling to achieve strategic alignment between metrics, employee output, and customer experience. Your vision may be “customers feel heard and are supported when they need us most.” This vision is relatable across generations, roles, and styles. 

    Next, outline how your team’s specific work drives this vision forward. Break down your vision into specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and timely tactics that’ll help teams achieve them. This format, also known as S.M.A.R.T. goals, allows for accountability and clear measures of success. Without this time-proven structure, your well-meaning vision is at risk of falling short. 

    2. Improve Efficiency for Today’s Workforce

    Distributed teams, different time zones, and allowance for varying work styles can provide employees with greater flexibility. However, when you shift from a standard 9-to-5 workplace, it also invites complexity. Assess your current work styles, technology solutions, and the known gaps and issues among them. 

    Interview colleagues across the organization to get a clear picture of problems known and uncommunicated. Use surveys, guided discussions, and open feedback to get a pulse on where the issues exist and to source solutions. Without a request for this type of feedback, many employees are hesitant to provide it. Once you’ve sourced feedback, keep your team up-to-date with what’s being done with the information. Even if there’s not an immediate solution, open dialogue and transparency will build trust over time. 

    Partner with relevant departments to make improvements for your team. Some updates will require cross-functional collaboration, like implementing a collaboration tool. Others can be successfully launched within your group, like a method for managing team workload or files. Newly distributed teams that regularly share documents for editing may be feeling the pain of version control. After assessing specific needs and success criteria, you may find that a cloud-based file-sharing platform will solve the problem.

    By developing specificity for your efficiency initiative, you can ensure proposed solutions have higher odds of success. Launch change initiatives only after conducting user testing, providing training, and identifying a support structure. With checks and balances, your team will benefit from thoughtful and strategic efforts designed to boost efficiency without confusion.

    3. Prioritize the Human Needs of Your Team

    The business world’s obsession with work-life balance has been replaced with a more realistic, refreshing outlook: work-life integration. At first glance, this may appear to be a pre-approval to shed the boundaries between home and work. However, it’s really an acknowledgment that humans crave both flexibility and purpose for both work and life. 

    Forget for a moment the constraints of your line of work. Instead, get curious about what your team wants and needs without adding in qualifiers. Schedule exploratory conversations with your direct reports to share your desire to learn more about their lived experiences. Keep these open-ended and casual, focusing on “what-if” statements and listening more than you speak.

    You may be surprised to learn about the challenges your team faces outside of their workload. Long commutes eat up valuable hours of daylight and add stress at the front and back end of their days. Their continuing education goals keep getting set aside because it’s hard to find the time. Take notes and listen to what’s not said as much as what is to get to the heart of the issues. 

    One conversation likely won’t be enough to identify the depth of the issues or the breadth of the opportunities. Integrate this type of conversation into your quarterly reviews to build a culture of communication that improves over time. Then consult with your leadership team to determine how you can improve your employees’ work life. Updates to policies, benefits, and practices can fuel a better employee experience that improves worker satisfaction and business results. 

    Nurture Your Goals Toward Success

    Now that you’ve launched your 2023 goals, it’s time to nurture them toward their fullest potential. Make your qualitative and quantitative goals part of your organization’s vocabulary. Hold a kickoff meeting that lays out the goals, why they matter, and how the team can make a difference. With consistency, clarity, and steady leadership, your team’s results will take your organization to the next level. 

  • The Great Combustion Ban Has Begun, But Are Phase-Out Targets Realistic

    The ban on combustion engine vehicles has begun, as countries around the world are rolling out sweeping new laws that will see the partial to full ban of new diesel and gas-powered vehicles in the coming decade. 

    On February 21, the European Union approved new laws that will halt the sale of combustion engine vehicles by 2035. The bloc is one of the largest regions that have joined the growing list of countries looking to halt the sale of fossil fuel cars in an ongoing effort to reach net-zero carbon emission goals. 

    The new laws would impose financial penalties on all gas and diesel-operated vehicles, within the 27 member countries, which will steadily help phase out all fossil fuel vehicles in the coming 12 years. 

    The bloc now joins countries including Canada, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others who all have set out deadlines to reach net-zero goals. 

    The sale of new electric vehicles (EVs) nearly doubled between 2020 and 2021, seeing more than 6.6 million new EVs being registered worldwide. According to the International Energy Agency, around 10% of new cars sold in 2021 were fully electric. 

    Steady demand from consumers have meant that traditional household automotive names have now also entered the race to become industry leaders. Even with EV prices still elevated, higher than the average combustion engine car, demand has continued growing. 

    In the U.S., EV representation increased by 65% in 2022, recording a two-third increase from the year before. EVs accounted for 5.8% of all new cars sold last year, an improvement from the 3.1% recorded in 2021.

    While many countries embark on their ambitious net-zero goals, some believe target dates may be unrealistic, never mind considering the financial and economic impact it will have. 

    Governments from Italy, the Czech Republic, and Hungary have already questioned the legitimacy of the new laws imposed by the European Parliament. While government officials understand the need for cleaner and more reliable mobility in the bloc, many feel the deadlines set out by the EU Parliament give them little time to properly plan for the transition. 

    Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajan called for the legislation to be reviewed, calling for a reduction of 90% in carbon emissions, rather than 100 percent. 

    The country is home to household automotive brands such as Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Ferrari, with the industry employing close to 270,000 citizens. 

    Slovakia, in Eastern Europe, has been gradually planning its green transition under new European laws since 2013. The country’s automotive industry contributes roughly 13% of its GDP, and vehicle manufacturing makes up 33% of the country’s exports, mainly to European markets. 

    While Slovakia has been working towards similar zero-emission goals, the EV manufacturing industry is still largely powered by fossil fuels. On top of this, the country’s EV industry is still somewhat in its development phases, relying on affordable, if not completely cheap, labor. 

    The worldwide fossil fuel ban has also seen Australia looking to introduce new laws that will soon see Australians having to purchase cleaner, battery-powered vehicles in the coming decades. 

    The recent move by the EU has prompted the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) to have a more aggressive stance to introduce partial bans on gas-operated vehicles. 

    President of the AEVA, Chris Jones said that 2035 is perhaps a conservative position to ban new fossil fuel cars, and it would put pressure on other countries, including Australia to adapt to the fast-growing global demand for EVs. 

    Automakers that manufacture less than 1,000 new combustion engine vehicles could potentially be barred from the ban, but that could potentially lower safety standards in the country, aligning Australian drivers to receive similar EVs currently available in developing nations. 

    While countries across the board are willing to sacrifice economic growth and development across several industries, many are skeptical about whether phase-out dates are realistic enough. There is a lot of potential for the future of electric vehicles, yet this time many hope it will be a sustainable long-term solution that’s realistic enough to achieve. 

  • 6 Powerful Ways Social Media Will Build Your SEO

    6 Powerful Ways Social Media Will Build Your SEO

    Because social media shares are not Google ranking factors, many companies ignore social media in their SEO efforts. That’s a mistake for two reasons.

    First, while social media shares have no direct impact on SEO rankings, shares can indirectly improve SEO in very meaningful ways.

    Second, other aspects of social media marketing aside from shares have a positive effect on SEO.

    Here are the top six ways social media builds SEO:

    1- Backlink Generation

    Backlinks are a tremendously important ranking factor — so much so that an SEO campaign may devote well over 50% of its budget to developing high-quality backlinks.

    Social media shares encourage backlinks — when your social media marketing activities are conducted with SEO in mind. What does that mean?

    First, it means your social network community is designed to attract followers with an enthusiastic interest in reading and sharing content about your company, products, services, and/or industry.

    For the most part, such followers will be customers, prospects, industry peers, suppliers, and people in related industries. These are the people who are interested in linking to your shared content on their blogs and websites. 

    Second, it means that your social media communication strategy includes and perhaps emphasizes scheduled sharing of on-site content strategically important to your SEO campaign. While having backlinks to any page of your website is helpful, links to those pages that you want to rank highly produce the best SEO results.

    Third, it means that the quality of your shared on-site content is high. Google’s algorithm evaluates content qualitatively. If your content is relevant, free of grammatical errors, useful, engaging, and authoritative, it will inspire people to link to it.

    Fourth, it means that you engage followers on social media to encourage or even request a backlink. This is best done personally and selectively–blanket social media messages asking for links are interpreted as overly self-promotional and will backfire.

    2- YouTube Optimization

    YouTube is the world’s largest social media platform and the world’s second largest search engine, exceeded only by its parent company, Google. Optimizing video on YouTube and connecting your YouTube videos to your website have tremendous SEO value.

    An optimized YouTube channel and keyword-optimized YouTube videos generate views on YouTube and then send relevant traffic to your website. If your videos do a great job of selling your products and services, that referred traffic will generate conversions, the overriding goal of any SEO campaign.

    Keep in mind that video is a search category for Google. Videos posted on your YouTube channel may rank very well for general searches on Google when properly optimized. If your business involves products or services that need to be seen to be sold, you cannot afford to overlook YouTube’s SEO potential.

    3- Instagram Optimization

    Everything about YouTube and SEO applies to Instagram and SEO.

    Instagram is an excellent platform for products and services that are visually interesting — which can be just about anything if you approach your marketing creatively.

    For instance, plumbing is not a particularly glamorous industry, but photos that depict the steps to install a shower head will be extremely useful and interesting to the Instagram community when the need arises.

    If you connect your Instagram photos to your SEO strategy, especially in terms of images containing your target keywords, you will improve your brand’s visibility for your most important products and services, as well as generate referred traffic from Instagram to your website when people are in the market for what you sell.

    4- High-ranking Social Profiles in Google SERPs

    Your social media profile pages may rank higher on Google SERPs (search engine results pages) than your website content. This can even hold true for branded searches: for instance, a company’s LinkedIn profile page often outranks its website’s home page.

    Facebook profile pages also tend to rank highly for branded searches, and branded search queries may generate a section for your company’s tweets on the SERP.

    Depending on what the Google user is looking for, links to your social media content on Google SERPs may attract a considerable number of clicks. If your social media content is well optimized, with links pointing to your website — including links to the home page and strategically important SEO pages — those clicks can ultimately result in conversions.

    With respect to Twitter, keep in mind your most recent tweets may appear in their entirety on Google SERPs. Make sure your tweets always reflect well on your brand and inspire clicks from your target prospects. 

    5- Boosting Conversions

    Facebook profile pages have an important feature: customer reviews. If you cultivate positive customer reviews on Facebook, you will not only improve your brand perception, but you will also give your SEO campaign a very large helping hand.

    That customer reviews strongly influence buying decisions is a well-known fact. For this reason, your Facebook page can help close sales after SEO has brought visitors directly from Google to your website. Why? Because these SEO visitors will want to check out your company’s Facebook reviews before they make a buying decision.

    Social media thus becomes a component of your SEO campaign’s conversion strategy. The path is: Google search  ̶  to website  ̶  to Facebook profile  ̶  to website  ̶  to inquiry form submission or online order. Complex … but common!

    While other social media sites don’t feature formal customer reviews, they do reveal what sort of communication you have with customers. Again, search engine traffic to your website will lead interested prospects to explore your social media pages to better understand how you engage with your customers and how being your customer would feel.

    What conclusions will they reach based on your social media customer interactions?

    6- Improving Website Ranking Factors

    As illustrated throughout this article, when visitors come to your website from social media sources, they are likely to be very interested in what you sell.

    This high level of interest is important from an SEO perspective because it encourages website activity that Google loves to see:

    ●  Long visits

    ●  Visits to multiple website pages

    ●  Repeat visits

    ●  Low bounce rates

    By improving the quantity and quality of your website’s traffic, social media thus helps improve your website’s overall authority and thus its rankings.

    Conclusion

    Social media is a powerful tool for building your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. By utilizing these six strategies, you can increase your online visibility and drive traffic to your website.

    Social media and SEO are interconnected, and by incorporating social media into your SEO strategy, you can establish a strong online presence, connect with your target audience, and ultimately improve your bottom line.

    So, whether you’re just starting or have been in the game for a while, make sure to take advantage of social media’s SEO benefits to grow your business and increase your online reach.

  • 7 Ways Realtors Can Use Digital Marketing to Boost Sales

    7 Ways Realtors Can Use Digital Marketing to Boost Sales

    Real estate is a competitive field, and success relies on staying ahead of the game. In today’s digital age, technology is making it easier than ever before for realtors to reach potential buyers and to network with peers in the industry. With so many effective digital marketing strategies available to them, there’s no excuse for not taking full advantage of this convenient platform.

    In this blog post, we’ll detail 7 innovative ways that realtors can use digital marketing to promote listings online, unlocking superior results for buyers and sellers alike.

    1- Mobile Friendly and Fast Loading Website

    A website is a crucial tool for real estate agents as it provides a platform to showcase their listings, provide information about their services, and connect with potential clients. A website is the hub of all digital marketing strategies and it should be fast loading, easy to navigate and mobile friendly as well. Availability of website builders make it easier for real estate business owners to create professional looking websites with zero coding skills and expertise.

    2- Search Engine Optimization

    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a digital marketing strategy that helps improve the visibility of a website in search engine results. By optimizing their website for relevant keywords and phrases, realtors can increase their visibility to potential clients searching for properties online.

    Some of the ways SEO can help realtors increase sales include:

    • Improving Local Rankings
    • Driving Organic Traffic
    • Targeting Home Buyers and Sellers
    • Building Trust and Credibility
    • Generating Quality Leads

    However, one should use the right keywords to appear in relevant search results. For instance, if you are offering services in Jackson MS, you should optimize your website for keywords like best realtors in Jackson, MS and so on to drive more local visitors and generate more leads.

    3- Leverage Landing Pages 

    Landing pages are designed to capture leads and generate conversions. They should be used to offer prospects information about properties, services, and other real estate related topics and drive them toward making a purchase decision. Realtors can create landing pages that feature top listings or highlight the latest market updates. Landing pages can be used to collect contact information from prospects and segment them for future marketing campaigns. Landing pages should be well designed, visually appealing, and user-friendly. They can also be integrated with email marketing platforms and social media channels for greater reach. With the right strategy in place, landing pages can help Realtors generate more leads and close more sales. 

    4- Create Engaging Content 

    Content is king in digital marketing, and Realtors should make sure they are producing engaging content that resonates with their target audience. Their content should be informative and entertaining, while also providing valuable insight into the real estate industry. Realtors can blog about current market trends, share tips on buying or selling a home, offer their expertise in the local market and more. Creating engaging content can help Realtors gain visibility, build trust with prospects, and generate leads that could lead to sales. 

    5- Utilize Email Marketing 

    Email campaigns are an effective way for realtors to reach prospective clients, stay top-of-mind, and offer relevant content to their database of contacts. Emails should be personalized and sent with a frequency that does not overwhelm prospects yet keeps them informed about the latest listings and offers. Realtors can craft emails that feature new property listings, open houses, and other real estate related events. They should also ensure their email content is relevant to their target audience and offers valuable information and resources. By utilizing email marketing, Realtors can stay connected with potential buyers and sellers and increase their chances of closing sales. 

    6- Make Use of Social Media Platforms 

    Social media has become an effective way for realtors to reach out to potential buyers and sellers. They should create profiles on the major social media platforms and share content that is relevant to their target audience. Realtors can post updates about listings and open houses, promote blog posts, share industry news, and interact with prospects to build relationships. Social media can also be used to showcase properties in a visually appealing way and generate more interest from potential buyers.  By leveraging social media, Realtors can increase their reach and boost sales. 

    7- Track & Analyze Results 

    Last but not least, Realtors should track and analyze their digital marketing efforts to ensure they are producing desired results. They should monitor website traffic and conversion rates, review email open and click-through rates, measure social media engagement, and analyze the performance of their campaigns to determine what is working and what needs to be improved. Tracking and analyzing results can help Realtors make informed decisions about their marketing strategies and optimize them for better results.

    Conclusion

    Digital marketing offers realtors and real estate agents a wide range of opportunities to reach potential clients and boost sales. From social media platforms to websites, email campaigns, and search engine optimization, agents can leverage technology to showcase their properties and connect with potential buyers. By staying up-to-date on the latest digital marketing trends and techniques, realtors can differentiate themselves from their competition, establish a strong online presence, and ultimately close more deals.

  • eCommerce Email Marketing: Why Do You Need It?

    eCommerce Email Marketing: Why Do You Need It?

    eCommerce email marketing is one of the earliest forms of internet advertising, and studies show that it’s still just as effective today. Social media advertising may be new, flashy, and appealing to younger audiences, but when choosing between an eCommerce email marketing agency and a social media marketing agency, there are a few other factors to consider. Emails have been a tried and true method of marketing for a long time and are trusted by many generations of consumers. While social media allows for more creative expression in terms of graphics, gifs, and video—as well as the interactive nature of comments—social platforms like Instagram are quickly becoming oversaturated with ads. Not all of these ads are trustworthy or legitimate, and it’s not infrequent for scam ads to appear on social feeds.

    Partially due to the increasing scams and oversaturation of ads on social media, eCommerce email marketing is many consumers’ preferred form of advertising. While you do want to use marketing mediums that fit your team members’ expertise, your consumers are the ones who are ultimately exposed to the finished product. Moreover, if you or your team members are struggling considerably with writing creative email copy, it may be worthwhile to invest in an eCommerce email marketing agency. But why is email marketing such a preferred advertising method by employees and consumers alike? What makes it superior?

    What is the Difference Between eCommerce Email Marketing and E-Marketing?

    Before exploring the ways in which eCommerce email marketing can improve your business, it’s essential to understand what eCommerce email marketing does. Any company can use email marketing—that is, sending product information or ads for new products via email. It’s becoming increasingly rarer for a store to have a physical shop without an online shop, but those stores that do can still make sure of email marketing. If you have a business, you can send out marketing emails. Similarly, if you have an online store, you can send out eCommerce marketing emails. This means that a non-profit can use email marketing but not eCommerce email marketing. E-Marketing, on the other hand, refers to any online marketing medium, including social media platforms and email. eCommerce email marketing can include general emails about upcoming sales in an online shop or emails that are tailored to a shopper and the items in their cart.

    Consumer Control

    Unlike social media marketing, email marketing allows consumers more control over the advertisements, coupons, and deals that they receive. Because consumers are required to subscribe to your company’s mailing list or newsletter in order to receive emails from you, consumers are less likely to receive emails from brands that they don’t know and trust. Any scam emails are directed to spam, and consumers have the freedom to unsubscribe from a mailing list in order to stop receiving product information.

    More Trustworthy

    While it may seem counterintuitive to allow consumers to stop receiving product information from your company, it is imperative to win their trust. In fact, 77% of consumers prefer to receive marketing information via email. It makes sense that emails are the most trustworthy. We’re already using our email addresses for work and networking so it feels professional whereas social media ads are fun, but a little too casual to be legitimate. Email marketing feels trustworthy and professional, but how can it work for your business? How do you ensure that your emails are being opened and your content consumed?

    High Open Rates and ROI

    It’s more likely than you think that consumers will open your marketing emails. According to Forbes, 65% of small businesses report that between 11 and 50% of their marketing emails are opened. It’s easy to track open rates using tools like Cirrus Insight. Even if a customer doesn’t open your email as soon as they receive it, there is a potential that they may do so later. Social media posts, on the other hand, disappear as soon as someone refreshes their feed—meaning they might never even see it. It’s also hard to beat the price and return on investment of marketing emails.

    Forbes tells us that you earn $42 for every dollar you spend, and most email marketing campaigns cost very little. You might find that your open and click-through rates become even higher when you put effort into the design and layout of your emails. As long as you don’t flood your consumers’ inboxes (40% of small businesses send marketing emails weekly while 30% send them at least once a month), your clients are sure to appreciate a thoughtfully made email with memorable colors and graphics. Cleverly worded subject lines that include slang and emojis are especially popular with more “hip” brands like skincare lines and fashion companies.

    Conclusion

    Even with the rise of social media, eCommerce email marketing is still a trustworthy form of marketing—and, in fact, one that is usually preferred by consumers. The return on investment and ease of content creation makes email marketing a no-brainer for your next campaign.

  • 3 Ways Online Courses are Changing eCommerce & Digital Product Sales

    3 Ways Online Courses are Changing eCommerce & Digital Product Sales

    According to a recent study, in 2020 alone, nearly 5.4 million students took at least one class on the Internet. The practice has gotten so popular that about 10% of all postsecondary institutions now offer online courses of some kind, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

    But the key thing to understand is that online courses aren’t solely changing the world of education, but are also having a major impact on business industries, like eCommerce and digital product sales. These Internet-driven educational opportunities are shaping the way digital products are sold thanks to the fact that they bring with them benefits to both businesses and consumers alike. This reigns true in a range of ways, all of which are worth a closer look.

    1.  Online Education is Making New Opportunities Accessible to All

    Thanks to online education, gone are the days when you had to attend one of a handful of specialized schools in order to pick up a particular or niche skill set. Now, it’s possible to get a robust education in practically anything if you know where to look, all from the comfort of your own home.

    Case in point: wholesale real estate investing. As individuals are now pursuing this real estate investing method at a higher rate, they need specialized knowledge and insight on top of their existing real estate education.

    Now, thanks to online courses including educational mentorship programs, leaders like Real Estate Skills are getting more people successfully into the wholesale mix. It has quickly ballooned into a popular investment strategy, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic when record demand met low inventory and the types of low interest rates the market hadn’t seen in decades.

    2.  Preparing the Next Generation of Workers

    By far, one of the biggest ways that online courses are changing eCommerce and digital sales has to do with how they’re adequately preparing the next generation of workers for the shifts that are about to happen in these industries.

    The use of concepts like artificial intelligence and cloud computing were already present in eCommerce, but the COVID-19 pandemic acted as an accelerant that supercharged trends like these. They’re big, structural changes that are going to eliminate some jobs and create entirely new ones, the latter of which it has already started to do.

    This type of disruption always requires people to learn new skills, be it by way of up-skilling, re-skilling, or something else entirely. Online courses are already helping enormously to that end, teaching people how to coexist with things like automation and teaching them what they need to know to function in the more technical roles that have already started to appear.

    Another recent study indicated that in 2021 alone, more than 20 million new users registered for at least one online course from Coursera. That is equal to the growth in online education for the three full years prior to the pandemic. Reasons like this go a long way towards explaining “why”.

    3.  Online Courses are Leveling the Playing Field

    The rise of eCommerce giants left many smaller, often local businesses and suppliers at a disadvantage. Now, thanks to online courses and education, the pendulum is finally swinging back in the opposite direction. For a (relatively) low up-front cost, smaller businesses can pick up the skills they need to adequately compete with their larger counterparts. They don’t have to outspend them, but rather outthink them.

    With the right education it is possible for even individuals to generate 24/7/365 income, all without worrying about opening up a physical store in their area. Anyone can build a brand and sell to customers globally, while still pricing and shipping their products in a competitive way.

    But most importantly, online courses give people the opportunity to embrace one of the most important trends of the modern era: a truly personalized customer experience. No business is too small to offer the personalized level of care and attention-to-detail that the modern consumer demands. You just have to leverage the right technology and have the skills and education necessary to make it happen.

    That is perhaps the single biggest benefit that online courses provide to both consumers and entrepreneurs working in the world of eCommerce and digital product sales today.

    Online Courses are Changing the Way We Think About eCommerce

    In an overwhelming number of sectors and spaces, online courses are changing the way we think about eCommerce and digital product sales The education that you can pick up quickly and efficiently is invaluable, to the point where both businesses and individuals can leverage it to grow their sales and reach the largest possible audience at the exact same time.

  • The Ultimate Guide to Law Firm Marketing: Tips, Strategies, and Technology

    The Ultimate Guide to Law Firm Marketing: Tips, Strategies, and Technology

    Law firm marketing is a crucial aspect of the growth and success of a legal practice. It helps attract and retain clients, which is essential for any law firm to grow and succeed. Some of the various marketing approaches that might be time-consuming are digital marketing, search engine optimization, blogging, print ads, and digital advertisements. However, with the right approach, law firm marketing can be a relatively simple process. This comprehensive guide provides everything you ought to know about marketing your law firm, including the key steps to take, industry insights, and the best tools to use.

    Generate an Advertising Budget

    A law firm’s business strategy isn’t complete without a detailed marketing budget. You need to know what you want to accomplish and how much money you’ll need to get there before you can estimate the sum of money you’ll need to put in. Next, calculate how many annual instances you’ll need to bill for in order to earn that much money. Your specific field of law may dictate this. Law firm marketing technologies, such as content marketing solutions and separate applications for SEO, social media, and email campaigns, may add up quickly, so be sure to account for these when drawing up your marketing budget.

    Build a Well-Designed Law Firm Website

    Websites for legal services are becoming important marketing tools in the modern day. Making a good first impression is critical, so be sure to include professional photos, a memorable logo, and detailed descriptions of the services you offer and the areas of law in which you specialize. Your contact information should be front and center, and you should make note of any relevant honors, recognitions, or significant expertise. High-quality content, a focus on long-tail keywords, and a Google Business listing are just a few of the SEO best practices your site should adhere to.

    Claim Your Free Online Profiles

    In addition to your legal firm’s website, there are other places where customers might find you. Numerous free internet profiles may be claimed nowadays, from those on review platforms such as Yelp to those on local state bar directories.

    Establish a Social Media Presence for Your Law Firm

    In today’s technological age, advertising online means going where people already are, and that’s on social media. You should put some time and effort into figuring out which social media sites are the greatest fit for your legal business and the areas of law in which you specialize.

    Ensure Your Firm Has a Blog

    Blogging is a cost-effective way to market your law firm and increase your visibility online. Blogging can improve your SEO and drive traffic to your website, as well as showcase your expertise and establish you as a thought leader in your field. When writing blog posts, make sure to target long-tail keywords and use meta descriptions and tags.

    Invest in Content Marketing

    Creating and disseminating material that is relevant to your audience and of high quality is the backbone of content marketing, which may help you win new customers and keep the ones you already have. Among the numerous possible content marketing mediums are articles on a website, infographics, videos, and downloadable books. When creating content, make sure it is high-quality and relevant to your target audience.

    Leverage Law Firm Marketing Technology

    When it comes to marketing for a law practice, technology may assist in automating a number of processes and boost productivity. Content marketing solutions, specific applications for search engine optimization, social media, and email campaigns are some examples of technology used in law firms. When using technology, make sure to choose tools that meet your specific needs and fit within your budget.

    Network with Other Lawyers and Legal Professionals

    Networking is a valuable way to market your law firm and connect with other lawyers and legal professionals. You can network through local bar associations, legal conferences, and industry events. When networking, make sure to have a clear and concise elevator pitch about your law firm and what sets you apart from others. Also, be sure to have business cards on hand to give out to potential clients and referral sources.

    Partner with Other Legal Professionals

    Partnering with other legal professionals can provide mutual benefits, such as cross-referral opportunities and increased visibility for both firms. Consider collaborating with other lawyers in your practice area, or even in complementary areas, to create a referral network that can bring in more clients and help your business grow.

    Measure and Evaluate Your Law Firm Marketing Efforts

    Maintaining an effective marketing plan for your law practice requires constant monitoring and analysis of results. Analyze the metrics of your website and social media accounts, as well as any other marketing efforts, to see what is working and what is not. Make adjustments as needed and keep experimenting until you discover the perfect balance of efforts and results. Marketing your law firm can be a time-consuming and challenging process, but with the right approach, and the help of an experienced law firms marketing consultant you can effectively reach your target audience, attract new clients, and grow your business. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional marketing agency, following these steps will help ensure the success of your marketing efforts.

  • Helping Students Meet Their Basic Needs

    Helping Students Meet Their Basic Needs

    More than 50% of all college students across the U.S. struggle to meet their basic everyday needs, which can ultimately affect their ability to succeed in school. In 2020 alone, nearly three in five college students experienced basic needs insecurity that included lacking access to stable sources of food, shelter, and other living essentials. More than half of respondents to a student financial wellness survey showed signs of food insecurity while more than 40% of respondents showed signs of housing insecurity. Also, at least 10% of respondents experienced homelessness. 

    What are the Basic Needs Challenges?

    In fact, students of color are more likely to experience basic needs challenges such as food security, housing security, access to physical and mental healthcare, childcare, transportation, and technology. These challenges have been shown to cause extensive mental and emotional harm to students as well as disruptions to their academic success and retention. Struggles with basic needs jeopardizes student success as about 25% of students consequently drop a class and are 15 times more likely to fail a class. Unfortunately, only 20% of students who do pause their education for financial reasons manage to eventually graduate. 

    Nationally, there has been a simultaneous decrease in public funding for higher education as tuition rates continue to rise and more students enter college with fewer financial resources. Between 2008 and 2019, tuition costs have actually risen more than 30% on average. To help cover the cost of college for low-income students, Pell Grants were developed in 1975, which initially covered 79% of average tuition costs but ended up covering just 29% of the average cost of tuition in 2019 with most students receiving less than the maximum amount. 

    How Students are Covering Costs

    Nowadays, Students must take out loans and increase their hours of work in order to cover education costs beyond their daily living expenses. At least 43% of full-time students work while attending classes. According to one public university specifically in Kentucky, more than 70% of students were worried about finding the money to pay for school and admitted that a lack of finances could cause them to withdraw from college. Nationally about 30% of both 2-year and 4-year college students reported running out of money five times or more throughout a year. 

    Two in five students attending a college or university in Kentucky received a Pell grant, allowing them (especially low-income individuals) to be five times more likely to move out of poverty if they successfully attain a college degree. However, more students with low income are opting out of college. Students with low income enroll in college to increase their chances of economic success but the nonacademic barriers they face can end them going into debt with no degree, resulting in them being in a worse position than where they started. 

    Creating equitable conditions for students to succeed requires understanding the academic and nonacademic barriers they face. One of them is barriers to accessing support as half of students are aware of the support provided to them but have not used them either because they think they’re ineligible, others in greater need, or don’t know how to apply for campus support. Some are just fully unaware of the support available to them on campus. Students who do apply for emergency financial assistance from their college most often use the money to reduce financial stress, continue enrollment. Or pay for food, transportation, and housing. 

    69% of the students who received emergency aid were able to increase their chances of graduating with the funding. As such, removing financial barriers and supporting students’ basic needs can lead to more success and allow them to reach financial self-sufficiency through postsecondary education degrees and credentials. 

    In Conclusion

    Actions such as offering small grants to support nonacademic barriers that arise, connecting students to public benefits and community resources, and creating a financial strategy to help seniors complete degrees are just some ways to help students graduate and gain a better life for themselves.

    Supporting Student Basic Needs
    Source: Kentucky Student Success Collaborative