Category: Franchise

5 Ways to Effectively Use Social Media and Improve Your Ecommerce Conversion Rate

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Conversion Rate

Businesses thrive when customers are willing to drop by their stores and purchase their offered services or goods. With the recent challenges that the world has seen, there’s been a recent increase in the use of social media as a platform for generating leads and converting these leads into actual sales. Many businesses have realized that with a social-media-savvy team, they stand a chance of getting a competitive edge, and they’re grabbing the opportunity to establish their niche.

Many businesses have scaled their efforts towards promoting brand recognition and awareness with their pages and social media ads. Some of them have partnered with a credible SEO agency to help them build their pages and create a social media presence that they lacked previously. Targeting their audience, they’re establishing a foothold that rivals that of brick-and-mortar establishments.

A savvy social media agency will work wonders for the bottom line. Not only will they help businesses present themselves positively on the platform, but they will also help them generate leads that can and will boost sales. In addition, they will also open new avenues for businesses as a social media page will reach a wider audience, thus expanding their reach and opportunities.

A social media page will also help traditional businesses with local SEO. This will not only help put the company in the periphery of more people, but it will also mean opportunities to attract and retain customers. With a dedicated social media team and a page that’s responsive to their needs, it’s only a matter of time before they see an increase in their sales margins.

The future of businesses is in their ability to scale themselves to social media platforms. With more people engaged in the internet, it’s a significant investment if they will have a social media page that will provide them with an opportunity to convert casual browsers into paying customers. Read on, and find out five different ways how you can use the power of social media to good use for your establishment. Try to incorporate these strategies and get ready for the inevitable upswell.

1. Create a seamless landing page

First things first, you need to create a landing page that’s pleasant to the eyes of a potential customer. Then, you can team up with an experienced agency well-versed in SEO strategies to ensure that the landing page’s aesthetics, content, and technical aspects will be on point. You need to create a positive experience from the get-go as customers want to feel that they will get something extraordinary with the encounter.

Your landing page must not only look good, but it should also give the customers the information they need to decide to make a purchase or sign up for your service. The page must also load quickly because no client wants to get stuck with a page taking forever to load.

Use a simple design layout. Keep it simple, but there shouldn’t be any compromise on the aesthetics. Keep the elements prominent, and there should always be a call to action if you’re selling a product or a service. Clients need to know what they’ll do for the next step.

2. Provide exceptional content

Once you have the client over, you have to give them a reason to stay. Provide your clients with content that is relevant and interesting for them. For example, present them with informational blogs and images or entertain them with high-resolution videos while they’re on the site. This will give your webpage a cache with them, and in the process, your site will become an authority that clients will begin to depend on whenever they need a service or product.

Keep content fresh, as it will also help increase your fanbase. The more your audience appreciates the site, the more confident they will recommend it to their friends. We cannot underestimate this level of trust as people will create an organic buzz that will help establish your site as one that they can trust.

3. Come up with discounts, coupons, promotions, and other similar gimmicks

People love getting things at a discounted price, so it will pay dividends if your page will run seasonal or regular promotions offering discounts, coupons, or referral fees. Not only will these spur more site traffic, but they will also provide the business with an opportunity to expand its reach and build a good brand identity continuously.

Make sure that you will fulfill the terms of the promotions, though a positive review will work wonders for your site. Good publicity is hard to come by, so it pays if a customer will provide terrific feedback as it will bring more people to the site. But, again, an excellent experience will pay dividends.

4. Encourage reviews and feedback from your clients

As we mentioned previously, a positive review will work wonders for your site. Encourage your clients to leave feedback and reviews. This will create an avenue for other people to gauge your business based on how others see it. As we know, people will flock to a company if they receive positive customer feedback because they will receive the attention they deserve.

Businesses must also encourage social media posts to create a wider reach and give them a pleasant image to capitalize on to attract more customers. The more people who can provide exceptional feedback, the better. This will also help in local SEO and help in ranking your page nearer the top of the recommendations list.

5. Don’t forget to use analytics

Also, never forget the analytics. This is where the expertise of a social media agency can pay off. They’ll help you respond to your client’s needs based on what they find engaging. Analytics and metrics will boost the positive page experience and help establish your site as a leader in the field. This will also help you provide the content and the layout that the clients will feel good about, which is critical if you want your business to thrive.

Takeaways

Social media is a tool that businesses can use to create brand loyalty and an increased bottom line. Companies must realize this and grab the opportunity to expand their reach using strategies to keep their establishments relatable. It pays to hire a team that will help establish a presence in social media as it will pay dividends in the long run.

Quiet Quitting: Signs to Look Out For and How to Re-engage Employees

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Quiet Quitting

‘Quiet quitting’ has quickly become one of the hottest topics in recruitment with 1 in 3 UK workers confessing to doing no more than stipulated in their job description.

Tell-tale signs can include decreased productivity and poor communication with the global workplace report suggesting that disengagement can cost a company up to 34% of an employee’s salary.

This not only represents financial loss but can have further repercussions on an organization’s customer service, performance and company culture.

Recruitment software experts, Occupop, identify when an employee may be ‘quiet quitting’ and share some practical business tips on how to re-engage your workforce.

 

What to look out for?  

1. Decreased productivity

Employees may intentionally reduce their efforts in the workplace, doing the bare minimum. This may include completing tasks half-heartedly, falling short of standards or repeatedly failing to meet deadlines.

 

2. Emotional detachment

Lack of participation in group tasks, disinterest in teamwork and a lack of ideas are clear indications of workplace ennui. Quiet quitters will often become emotionally detached from their work and colleagues or their organisation’s guiding principles.

 

3. Increased absenteeism

‘Presenteeism’ – the act of simply turning up and not being particularly productive is nothing new but quiet quitters will likely take more frequent fraudulent sick leaves, personal days or holidays. This could facilitate more time to be spent searching for new jobs or enjoying extra downtime.

 

4. Poor communication

Quiet quitters will likely limit interactions with their colleagues and managers and steer clear of unnecessary conversations or discussions. They may also show reluctance to take on additional responsibilities or projects.

 

5. Pursuing other opportunities

Some quiet quitters may even use their contact time to hunt for other job opportunities. This may be conducted discreetly on working-from-home days while some may even use time to pursue lucrative ‘side hustles’ or freelance work while on the clock.

 

What can employers do to re-engage workers?

Clearly, this is not just a problem of employee laziness with large, macroeconomic factors affecting the British workforce in recent years.

Rising inflation rates and cost-of-living pressures have caused real growth pay rates to decrease by 3.4% year on year while poor leadership and company culture are also commonly cited reasons for the ‘quiet quit’.

Here are some constructive ideas for re-energising your people:

 

1. Invest in your workforce

According to statistics, the average UK worker works 36.4 hours per week so it’ll be wise to prioritise their wellbeing with dedicated health and wellbeing programmes. This may include opportunities for exercise, healthy breakfasts and mental health support.

 

2. Opportunities for growth

Providing employees with growth and development will demonstrate a commitment to your people as well as your profit margins. Retaining a people-focused culture with training sessions, internal recruitment and transparency can help your workforce remain aligned with your company’s guiding mission.

 

3. Listen to your employees

Literally take the ‘quiet’ out of quiet quitting by conducting open and honest discussions with your employees. Consult them on which aspects of company life they are unhappy with and try to reach a solution beneficial to you both.

Kalos LLP: Financial Due Diligence Advisors for the Mid-Market

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Kalos

Founded in 2019, Kalos LLP is an internationally recognised boutique CPA firm based in Alberta. With a team of experienced accountants, the firm guides mid-market businesses and financial sponsors through the merger and acquisition process. As a result of the excellent services it provides, Kalos has been awarded Mid-Market Transactions Advisory Firm of the Year, Canada, in the Corporate Excellence Awards 2023.

Kalos was established by Co-Founders Mackenzie and Travis Regent, two experienced finance professionals, who were recent alumni from Big 4 accounting firms at the time. Having honed a multitude of important skills whilst working for some of the world’s largest financial institutions, the pair were inspired to embark on a new project together and tap into their entrepreneurial spirits. They had noticed a lack of services for mid-market companies and small businesses, so they decided to start a new firm to fill this gap.

The product of this idea is Kalos: a firm that has all the strength of a Big 4 company combined with the ability to provide a personal, boutique-level service.

Kalos specialises exclusively in the provision of financial due diligence, valuation, and transaction support. This specialisation means that clients are guaranteed to receive high-quality services, delivered by a team who know their field.

Financial due diligence involves going through the details of a transaction with a fine-tooth comb to ensure that the client is getting the best deal possible. If not, the team will work to maximise its value. This enables clients to close deals with confidence, knowing that the transaction has been evaluated by an expert team.

Kalos primarily serves public companies and private enterprises that are looking to grow by acquisition or complete divestitures. By providing Quality of Earnings and valuation reports, it has supported numerous financial sponsors across North America and Europe with over $1 billion in AUM on both the buy and sell side.

As a boutique firm, Kalos is uniquely positioned to offer the agility required to design the right level of diligence procedures for a client’s deal. It designs an individualised scope of work that focuses on areas that add value and avoid excess cost on minor points. The firm believes in crafting a due diligence process that is built to create solutions, not just identify problems.

When they enlist the support of Kalos, clients can trust that they will receive the full attention of its team of experts, who each have over a decade of experience. This will always be the case, whether their deal is worth $1 million or $1 billion.

The excellent team at Kalos have advised on more than $75 billion in transaction value, more than 325 financial due diligence mandates, and more than 225 valuations as Chartered Business Valuators. In addition to their expertise, all members of the team possess a genuine passion for adding value to clients’ deals, which enhances the standard of service they deliver.

To further guarantee its provision of high-quality services, the Kalos team are encouraged to live by seven core values. These are integrity, excellence, care, courage, grit, trust, and ownership.

The firm’s advocacy of these values has had several positive effects on its internal operations. Firstly, its team members always strive to do the right thing, no matter the circumstances. They also demonstrate commitment to delivering work to the highest standard and maintaining continuous improvement. In addition, they are passionate about making a positive difference to businesses, which allows them to provide an unrivalled level of client care.

Furthermore, the Kalos team are driven to persevere in the face of adversity; their work ethic and commitment to excellence is unmatched. Importantly, all employees at Kalos understand that they should be able to rely on each other due to their shared belief in the importance of character and competence. Lastly, each team member is encouraged to demonstrate initiative and accountability as an individual, but also share collective responsibility for results.

As a result of the work of its incredible founders and team, Kalos has been involved in a multitude of successful deals and transactions in the last 12 months. For example, it advised a strategic buyer in the execution of their growth by acquisition strategy. The team managed to save the client approximately 30% of the original price by renegotiating the EBITDA mechanism to be based on actual figures rather than the forecasted growth of the sell-side.

In addition to this, Kalos served as a vendor due diligence advisor to a private company that was approached by a financial sponsor with more than $150 billion in AUM for an unsolicited buyout. The firm was responsible for advising the seller and leading negotiations related to revenue run-rate and contribution margins. It was able to increase the purchase price by approximately 67%.

Furthermore, on another occasion, Kalos advised a financial sponsor who was planning to purchase approximately 80% of a manufacturing business that sources raw materials from around the world. The firm was able to reduce the purchasing price by approximately 25% by identifying inventory accounting adjustments and negotiating networking capital mechanisms.

Considering the value it has added to clients’ companies, it is no surprise that Kalos has received many positive referrals, which appear to frequently acknowledge the efficiency and dedication of its team. For example, one client comments on the firm, “The best of both worlds: commitment and grit of a small shop with the bench strength of a large M&A advisory practice. Clear communication, quick turnaround, comprehensive due diligence, and an impressive network of resources. For any buyer/seller, large or small, I would not for a second hesitate to recommend their services.”

As a result of its continued excellence, Kalos has been awarded Mid-Market Transactions Advisory Firm of the Year, Canada, in the Corporate Excellence Awards 2023. We extend our sincere congratulations to Mackenzie, Travis, and their team for this commendable achievement. In light of its accomplishments in the last 12 months, there is no doubt that the company will continue to help its clients get the most out of their transactions for many years to come.

For further information, please contact Mackenzie Regent or visit www.kalostransactions.ca

Top Talent in Today’s World

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Talent

Founded in 2004, AMP Talent Group is an impeccable talent agency which fills many roles and positions with its diverse set of clients. From Fortune 100 and 500 companies to small-scale businesses, AMP does more than fill spaces for them – it finds the perfect match every time.

AMP Talent Group is a leading talent agency based in Toronto, Ontario. It grows its talent pool, and reputation, year upon year, so that it may help its clients to succeed. By managing and encouraging its assortment of gifted artists, models, and influencers, AMP helps them to partner with their dream employer.

When it comes to large businesses, AMP works with larger corporations such as Amazon, American Express, Microsoft, and more. However, the size of the business doesn’t matter, it’s the heart that matters – the passion and the drive to succeed pushes people to working with AMP, and it truly delivers on every promise. Working with small to large studios, international broadcasters, agencies for digital marketing, and many more, AMP wields a selection of up-and-coming individuals looking to make their mark on the world around them.

Committed to being the driving force behind talent acquisition and making dreams come true, AMP works with two types of clients – gathering rising-stars then delivering them to companies in need of top talent.

AMP’s comprehensive, professional, and respectful representation of its clients guarantees a full-service approach. This is so that all auditions, casting calls, and bookings – from contract negotiation to promotion – can run smoothly. AMP’s consultants are the very cornerstone of the business, and they have years of experience in finding and acquiring the best of the best when it comes to top-quality talent. They have all the tools needed to aid both individuals and businesses in their endeavours, in a way that promises – and delivers – working relationships that stand the test of time.

The company cultivates a nurturing environment for its clients, so that it may find the best partnerships for every outcome. This results in the delivery of high quality talent for its large network of businesses looking to succeed for the years to come.

AMP knows that it’s not a one-size-fits-all world and talent must be perfectly matched with the right environment for development and satisfaction – for both parties. The agency offers decades of experience in matchmaking, connecting prestigious talent with the right role for them. Its pairing ensures that the connection is made to last, thus, elevating workforces, entertainment, and more.

Corporate Vision has a great history in recognising AMP as we presented it with Best Actor & Model Agency Ontario 2020, Leading Talent Agency of the Year 2021 – Ontario, and Celebrity Engagement & Talent Management Agency of the Year 2022 – Eastern Canada. Its work is a shining example of a match made in heaven as it continues to unite talented people with their dream opportunities.

With other awards such as Innovation & Excellence Awards for Leading Talent Agency Ontario 2021 by Corporate LiveWire and the Canada Prestige Award 2022 for Talent Agency of the Year, AMP is a name many won’t forget.

AMP’s extensive experience and valuable team members allows it to continue improving the industries around it. Not limited to one industry, AMP works with a plethora of clients who each have their own goals and aspirations. And, AMP has one goal – to be the trusted partner for both rising stars and established talent. Of course, its efforts have not gone unnoticed.

If you’re looking for your dream role or you’re someone hoping to hire the perfect candidate, AMP Talent Group is the gold-standard agency to consult.

For further information, please contact Isabella Warren or visit https://www.amptalent.com/ 

How to Successfully Run a Franchise Business in a Time of Economic Turmoil

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Franchise business

By Chris Stuckey, Managing Director at Pirtek UK & Ireland

Keeping any business operational and profitable is always a challenging task but when you are faced with periods of global economic turmoil, that task becomes even more daunting. The aftershocks of the pandemic, alongside more recent disruptions such as the war in Ukraine, Brexit, and even the emergence of generative AI are having enormous impact on businesses far and wide. With soaring inflation and subsequent tightening of budgets, the current business landscape is a certainly a challenge.

Turbulent the market may be, but the franchise model offers several advantages that can help unlock the door for growth opportunities. Evidence from the annual British Franchise Association/NatWest franchise surveys suggests high success rates for UK franchise businesses; with 80% of new franchises succeeding in their first five years of business and the overall franchise industry contributing £15 billion to the UK economy. This shows that despite periods of economic stress, the sector is still showing strength and resilience.

It is crucial that current and prospective franchise businesses follow some key principles to ensure they can navigate an unstable economic climate unscathed. In addition, this will help them future-proof their business and make the most of being a franchisee. These principles and guidelines helped guide us at Pirtek, the UK and Europe’s number one provider in fluid transfer solutions and on-site repairs. As a franchise brand with 35 years of experience, following this advice will help set the foundations for success now, and in the future.

 

1. Adopt and implement an agile roadmap to chart your growth

It should go without saying, but it is essential that franchisees create and abide by a roadmap to chart the direction they want their business to go in. This creates a unified framework for the whole business and all its composite functions to follow as it strives for growth whilst successfully meeting the needs and demands of customers. Customer disruption could have catastrophic damage to a business’ ability to grow, as recent years have proven.  Although crises can occur without ample time to prepare, it is essential that a business’ roadmap is agile leaving them able to respond to a host of difficult situations. Although no-one could have prepared fully for the impact of a pandemic and the long-lasting economic consequences, we can certainly say that those who had spent a significant amount of time and resources preparing for the impact of Brexit, ensured the continuity of supply necessary to maintain the support of their customers.

 

2. Build and expand a diverse portfolio of customers

A common pitfall that many franchise businesses face is that they can all too easily be focused on one specific sector. Mitigating risks through the diversification of client portfolios is a proven strategy by many successful businesses.

At Pirtek for instance our services span many sectors. We cover and support a wide range of industries including construction, manufacturing and utilities. It’s therefore imperative that franchisees look to see how they can implement this strategy as diversifying their customer base not only avoids limiting their business to one market, but also helps avoid the repercussions should that sector experience isolated economic difficulties. In addition to their diversification strategies, if franchisees focus on sectors that are considered ‘essential’, this will help contribute to avoiding any damaging risks. Industries such as construction or manufacturing will always continue to operate in times of crisis. What this ensures is that even in the most challenging of times their business will be able to sustain its profitability.

 

3. Take advantage of your support network to maximise opportunities for expansion

Making full use of a franchisor’s support network is crucial for maximising opportunities for growth. Franchisees can create powerful bonds with their franchisor and a supportive franchisor can provide access to many things that can help accelerate their growth and profitability. This can include strategic development or a solid prospect pipeline, which guarantees a larger customer base for the franchisee earlier in their business lifecycle. Following an established business framework from a franchisor as well as taking advantage of their established brand, will enhance the likelihood of being successful. 

 

4. Streamline your operations to maximise efficiency

As we saw at the height of the pandemic, those businesses that relied heavily on complex operations were hit hard and as a result, their productivity and output plummeted. Franchisees must look to streamline their operations as this will have a positive influence on their efficiency and productivity, as well as bringing their overheads down and increasing their profits. To achieve this, franchisees could look at adopting new technology solutions or they could automate processes in the business. Not only will this result in improved efficiency and resilience, but also help eliminate operational bottlenecks that weigh the business down particularly in challenging times.

 

5. Remember to humanise your brand!

Although the focus of many franchisees will primarily be on growing their business, never forget the importance of people in that journey. No matter what sector their business operates in, a franchisee’s ultimate target must always be to engage with their customers and build the kind of loyalty capable of withstanding the harshest climates. Human-to-Human relationships are crucial here so franchise owners must consider the extent to which people are part of their brand, also ensuring they are good brand ambassadors. Remember, that in times of disruption, empathy and understanding can go a long way towards building and maintaining brand loyalty and customer satisfaction.

6 Ways to Optimize Mall Design for More Business

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If you plan on designing a mall, you’d want to ensure the design supports business and helps it flourish.

There are a number of factors that can make or break your mall design’s business quotient, and in this blog, we will discuss some of them. Here are six ways to optimize your mall’s design for more business.

1. Utilize indoor mall mapping

One of the effective strategies to enhance your mall’s experience is to implement indoor mall mapping.

This technology can help utilize interactive maps and navigation systems, guiding visitors seamlessly through the mall. By integrating digital displays and touchscreens at key locations, design managers can enable shoppers to easily locate stores, services, and amenities along with the fastest routes to their desired destinations.

While an experienced manager can also help with the indoor map, for best results, it’s advisable to consult a professional mall mapping company.

Several mapping platforms, such as MappedIn, offer indoor mall mapping software to make the process easier. Mall designers can leverage indoor mapping in shopping malls for optimum results.

2. Use intuitive signages

In addition to indoor mapping, having clear and intuitive signage throughout the mall is also important.

When traveling inside a mall, most people rely on signage boards for wayfinding. Whether one is looking for the restroom, food court, or the main shopping area(s), signage can guide them to their destination.

With consistent and visually appealing signs in place, shoppers can easily navigate their way around the mall without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Smartly plan the layout

In a mall design plan, the stores should be located strategically adjacent to each other.

For example, a footwear brand right next to an apparel store may make more sense than it being located next to Dunkin Donuts. Although the latter may also produce great results in different circumstances while planning the mall layout, stores’ locations should be primarily considered.

By grouping similar stores together, creating themed sections, or arranging stores according to the natural flow of foot traffic, malls can boost business.

4. Have space for engaging common areas

To encourage visitors to spend more time in the mall, designers should provide appealing common areas that help visitors relax and socialize.

Incorporating comfortable seating areas, vibrant indoor gardens, or even interactive installations can create a welcoming environment. Apart from this, offering free Wi-Fi, charging ports, and well-designed food courts can enhance the overall mall experience, making it more likable for leisure and entertainment.

5. Embrace technology and personalization

With the rise of technology, malls should leverage digital advancements to offer personalized experiences to visitors.

For example, beacon technology can allow retailers to send customized offers and notifications to shoppers based on their location in the mall. Similarly, virtual reality and augmented reality experiences can also provide an immersive shopping experience, driving customer engagement.

6. Prioritize security and safety

The safety of visitors in the mall should be any manager’s top priority. For this, malls should implement robust security measures, such as surveillance systems, well-trained security personnel, and emergency response plans.

Additionally, the mall should be designed in such a way that it can accommodate all the security paraphernalia without compromising the security and comfort of visitors.

Clear signage indicating emergency exists, accessible ramps, and designed safe areas should also be displayed throughout the mall. This will diminish rescue-related challenges during emergency situations.

Wrapping up

To thrive in today’s competitive retail landscape, mall owners and operators must continually optimize their mall’s design. This can help attract new customers and retain existing customers. With the help of indoor mall mapping, intuitive signages, and improved store layout, mall managers can pave their way for a successful business.

In this blog, we discussed several ways to optimize mall design to increase business flow.

Hopefully, this was helpful.

E-Commerce branding: 5 Strategies for Building a Successful Brand

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In the competitive world of ecommerce, setting up a strong and distinct brand is paramount to success. Effective ecommerce branding goes beyond just a logo or catchy tagline—it encompasses the entire experience customers have with your online store.

From the visual elements to the messaging and customer interactions, branding sets your business apart, builds trust, and fosters loyalty. In this article, we explore essential strategies for ecommerce branding to build a powerful brand presence in the digital marketplace.

What is the importance of ecommerce branding?

Ecommerce branding is essential for online merchants, as it plays a crucial role in establishing a distinct identity and creating a lasting impression on customers. A strong brand presence sets businesses apart from competitors in the crowded online marketplace. It builds trust, credibility, and loyalty among customers, making them more likely to choose your brand over others.

Effective branding creates an emotional connection with the target audience, evoking positive feelings and associations. It helps convey the brand’s values, mission, and unique selling propositions, establishing a solid foundation for customer relationships. Furthermore, a well-defined ecommerce brand attracts and retains customers, drives customer engagement, and serves as a platform for business growth and long-term success in the digital realm.

Top 5 ecommerce branding strategies

1. Define your brand identity

Defining a brand identity for your ecommerce business entails ascertaining the unique attributes, values, and characteristics that differentiate you from your competitors. This process begins by clarifying your brand’s mission, vision, and target audience. It also involves determining your brand’s personality, tone of voice, and visual elements such as logos, colors, and typography.

Keep in mind that your brand identity should align with the desired customer perception and evoke emotions that resonate with your target audience. Note that a study by Google found that 82% of consumers want the brands from which they purchase goods to have values that match up with their own.

Defining a strong brand identity lays the foundation for consistent messaging and visual representation across all touchpoints, fostering recognition, trust, and loyalty among customers.

2. Use consistent branding across channels

Consistency in branding fosters brand recognition, builds trust with customers, and reinforces the brand’s identity and values, regardless of the channel or touchpoint through which customers interact with the brand.

Be sure to maintain consistency in your branding across all channels, including your website, social media profiles, emails, packaging, and customer interactions. This involves using consistent visual elements, such as logos, colors, and typography, across your website, social media profiles, emails, packaging, and ads. Your brand’s messaging and tone of voice should also remain consistent, conveying a unified brand personality.

Prioritizing consistency in your branding can be challenging when you have a plethora of marketing and selling channels at your fingertips. However, using a top-notch ecommerce platform like WiziShop can help facilitate this strategy by making it easy for you to build your online store and create content.

3. Harness the power of storytelling

Storytelling can be a powerful tool in ecommerce branding. Start by crafting a compelling brand story that connects with your audience’s emotions and values. Share the journey behind your brand, explain your product creation process, highlight your unique selling points, or showcase the positive impact your products make.

Use storytelling techniques to create engaging product descriptions, blog posts, or social media content. Incorporate user-generated content and customer testimonials to further enhance your brand narrative. By weaving stories into your ecommerce branding, you can forge deeper connections with customers, differentiate your brand, and leave a lasting impression in their minds.

4. Personalize the customer experience

Personalizing the customer experience is crucial for ecommerce branding. It enhances engagement, increases customer loyalty, and ultimately helps you earn more conversions and sales by delivering tailored experiences that resonate with each individual customer.

Begin by collecting and analyzing customer data, including purchase history, browsing behavior, and demographics. Utilize this information to deliver personalized product recommendations, customized email marketing campaigns, and targeted offers based on customer preferences.

You can also implement dynamic website content that adapts based on user behavior, such as displaying recently viewed items or showcasing relevant recommendations. Don’t forget to also leverage automation tools to send personalized order confirmations, shipping updates, and post-purchase follow-ups.

5. Foster user-generated content

Fostering user-generated content (UGC) is a valuable strategy to enhance ecommerce branding. Consider that UGC is 35% more likely to be remembered by consumers than traditional content according to Search Logistics.

Use this strategy to your advantage and highlight UGC on your website and social media channels to showcase real-life experiences with your products. This not only provides social proof but also engages your community and builds a sense of authenticity around your brand.

You can encourage customers to share their experiences by providing platforms for reviews, ratings, and testimonials. Actively engage with customers by responding to their UGC, expressing gratitude, and addressing any concerns. Create social media campaigns or contests that encourage users to generate and share content related to your brand.

Secrets to Success: Four Ways to Grow Your Business with People at the Heart

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Team Work Business

Towards the end of 2022, 77% of small businesses in the UK predicted growth in the coming year. But as market demands consistently shift, simply wishing for growth isn’t enough. In fact, planning and structure must go into any business adjustment you predict to see in the future, whether positive or negative for your business.

With the current cost-of-living crisis already having an impact on employers, through raising wage demands and more, it is more important than ever to consider strategic business growth and ways of expanding your business which will benefit you.

Here we will explore a few ways you can start growing your business further in the next year and beyond. 

 

1. Hire well

When it comes to growing your business, it is important to focus on your current staff and where you would like your business to go. If you want to grow your business in a specific area, such as customer services, you might want to hire managers or employees with prior experience in this area.

Filling talent gaps can help build your business from the inside out. These members won’t only have an instant impact on your business by bringing their expertise to the forefront, but they can also be useful in training your current or onboarding staff.

 

2. Focus on retention

You should also focus on staff retention. Making sure your workplace is a productive place for your employees is important for retaining staff. In fact, happy employees are less likely to quit, and with 40% of Gen Z likely to leave their jobs within the first two years, it’s important to focus on social concerns and employee happiness.

Offering staff food and drinks could be a way to incentivise your workforce. Considering shared coffee facilities or even commercial slush machines during the summer months to increase the comfort of your staff during the workday. However, you might also want to consider larger incentives, such as workplace benefits including memberships and extended holidays.

Staff happiness and retention will also extend to client retention. Happy employees not only work harder, with happy employees being 20% more productive than their unhappy colleagues, but they might also interact with your customers in a better way, increasing your customer loyalty growth and helping your business grow stronger.

 

3. Networking

Another way to grow your business is by networking with others, whether these are local businesses or companies within the same sector as you. Attending business events can be a great way to kickstart your conversations with competitors and other retailers, for example.

Networking can also help increase the likelihood of strategic partnerships. These might expand your business beyond your normal customer base and increase your service or product offerings, both of which can help grow your business.

 

4. Corporate responsibility

As your business grows, more media attention might be pointed at your company’s morals. In fact, 71% of customers want to support businesses which match their own values. This can expand from social issues to environmental.

With the current fight against climate change, it might be worth investing in Chief Sustainability Officers who can oversee your company’s actions, messaging, and marketing. They can ensure that you’re not only sharing the correct message but also that your business is adhering to its values. 

 

Whether you are looking to improve the comfort, and happiness, of your employees or are seeking to hire new staff members to fill gaps in your workforce, building your company comes from the people. Understanding what your customers want, including which partnerships might share your core business values, can ensure your business is growing.

How Can HR Play a Key Role in Achieving Net Zero

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HR

Yesterday was the 5th June which marked World Environment Day, a United Nations campaign to increase awareness and encourage action around a range of climate issues.

It is estimated that businesses contributed 17% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the UK in 2019. So, how can HR professionals play a role in helping employers take steps to reduce their carbon footprint?

Now, HR experts from CIPD-accredited flexible study providers, DLC Training share actionable steps to help businesses towards their net zero goals.

 

Performance management

Performance management serves as a valuable tool for motivating employees to actively contribute to energy conservation and emission reduction efforts. By incorporating competency frameworks and aligning individual objectives with the organisation’s environmental strategy, HR professionals can emphasise the important role each person plays in supporting sustainability goals. 

This approach fosters a sense of purpose and empowers employees to make a positive impact on the environment through their daily actions. Together, we can work towards a greener future.

 

Strategy and workforce planning

HR professionals have the power to shape and guide discussions on the workforce implications of investing in environmentally friendly technology. 

Take, for instance, the housing sector, where the introduction of heat pumps can make a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions. However, there is a challenge in training enough engineers to install these systems. To address this, employers in the sector need to engage in strategic workforce planning. This involves identifying future skills gaps and shortages and working with local education providers to develop the necessary skills.

Workforce planning is a valuable tool for HR leaders across all sectors to influence business decisions toward achieving carbon neutrality. By conducting a PESTLE analysis, considering the political, environmental, technological, legal, and social context, HR can assess the current and future workforce skill requirements in light of changes in the business strategy or model. This proactive approach ensures organisations are prepared for the transition to a sustainable future.

 

Emphasise core values

According to a 2021 study, 88% of employees believe that sustainable practices should be a standard business practice. In today’s world, employees, potential hires, customers, and investors are increasingly drawn to companies that prioritise climate action.

People professionals have the opportunity to inspire organisations to incorporate a strong commitment to environmental sustainability within their core values. 

Values serve as a fundamental reference for establishing the principles that shape organisational culture. It is crucial that these values are not only stated but also embodied and exemplified throughout the organisation, starting from the top. When values are integrated into everyday actions, they can influence long-term strategies and drive investment decisions that align with sustainability goals.

 

Net zero recruitment

Citing your organisation’s commitment to climate action in job advertisements or during interviews can have a positive impact on attracting and motivating high level candidates.

As part of the recruitment process, HR professionals can embrace paperless administration and conduct more online interviews to minimise travel.

Furthermore, incorporating information about the organisation’s environmental sustainability goals during the induction process can strengthen awareness among new staff members. By setting these expectations early on, employees can feel empowered to contribute to the organisation’s sustainable initiatives.

What is Energy Utility Security and Why Does it Matter?

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In the modern day, energy utility security is imperative for businesses and organizations of all types and sizes.

Energy utilities, which include power plants, electrical grids, and oil refineries, play a vital role in powering economic activities and providing electricity, gas, and water to the everyday home. They are responsible for generating, transmitting, distributing, and selling energy to consumers.

Despite being essential, energy utilities are not without risks. They are attractive targets for hackers and companies need to take cyberattacks more seriously. In this article, we’re going to discuss what energy utility security is and why it matters.

What is Energy Utility Security?

Energy utility security refers to the safety measures and procedures that a business may implement to protect its energy infrastructure from attacks, including physical attacks, cyberattacks, equipment failures, and downtime.

The overarching goal of implementing energy utility security measures is to ensure the reliable and continuous operation of energy systems by reducing the risks of anything going wrong.

Why Does Energy Utility Security Matter?

Almost every business that uses energy resources can benefit from implementing security strategies for several reasons. Here are some of the key reasons why every business and organization needs to focus on energy utility security.

Protection against cyberattacks

With the increasing digitization of energy systems, the risk of cyberattacks has become a concern for many businesses. Hackers are coming up with more sophisticated and advanced methods of targeting energy infrastructure to disrupt business operations and gain access to valuable data.

In some cases, cyberattacks can cause physical damage to energy infrastructure, which is not only inconvenient to the business but also costly to resolve.

Having stringent cybersecurity measures surrounding energy utility systems makes it harder for hackers to access the infrastructure and cause damage. Similarly, proper encryption, authentication processes, and employee training are essential to defend against cyber threats.

Continuous energy supply

Energy utility security aims to minimize disruption to energy flow and supply. It reduces redundancies and ensures the proper maintenance and repair of all energy systems.

Part of a business’s energy utility security protocols should include regular inspections of energy infrastructure to identify areas for improvement or replacement. Contingency plans also mitigate disruptions caused by natural disasters, equipment failures, or other unforeseen emergencies.

Environmental importance

Nowadays, it’s important for every business to operate with the environment in mind. Energy utility security doesn’t just protect energy infrastructure from threats, but it also addresses concerns over sustainability and the impacts of business operations on the environment.

Renewable energy is at the forefront of people’s minds, and proper security measures can ensure that the business is doing everything it can to reduce carbon emissions and use more sustainable energy sources going forward. Renewable energy sources may include solar panels, wind farms, and smart grid technologies.

Energy utility security may also include measures to protect a business against environmental risks, such as extreme weather events or natural disasters that could impact its energy infrastructure and general operations.

Coping with Change in the Workplace

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Office Workplace

Change can often trigger negative emotions, including anger, stress, fear, and anxiety. Managing change can be a real challenge for some, especially if they associate it with loss of control. However, change is also essential for business. Embracing change allows businesses to innovate and grow, remaining strong and resilient.

A perfect example of this was during the Covid-19 pandemic. Change was rife and often implemented at short notice. Navigating out of the pandemic and through the ensuing cost-of-living crisis has brought yet more changes for businesses, including:

  • Moving from a 5-day week model to a 4-day week model
  • Returning to in-office working
  • Managing redundancies
  • Companies being brought out by other organisations
  • Adjusting to new employees and management

 

Bertrand Stern-Gillet, CEO at Health Assured, says “Managing and implementing change in the workplace isn’t always an easy task. If done wrong, it can lead to resistance from employees and friction between colleagues. If not managed properly, this can spread, leading to a hostile and unhealthy work environment.

“You need to ensure workplace change doesn’t lead to conflicting management, poor attitudes, or dissatisfaction. Here are some tips to help support employees through times of change:

 

1. Introduce change step-by-step 

“When habits and routines are ingrained into everyday life, change can trigger a range of thoughts and emotions. That’s why it’s so important to introduce change step-by-step, all the while making sure they are fair and reasonable. By doing so, you can allow employees to acclimatise to workplace changes. Take it slow and refrain from making big shifts all at once. Stagger changes at a steady pace. By doing so, you reduce the risk of employees feeling out of their depths in unfamiliar surroundings.

 

2. Share decision-making with your employees

“It’s important to keep employees up to date with any changes and give them the chance to give feedback or input. Some of the best ways to share the decision-making process with your employees include:

    • Employee surveys
    • Peer group sessions
    • One-to-one conversations

“When employees, line managers, and decision-makers collectively share opinions and ideas, it leads to stronger decisions. Communication is clear and everyone is engaged in the process.

 

3. Identify and address resistance 

“Resistance to change can come in many different forms. So, it’s important to try to spot the signs that employees may be struggling after changes have been implemented. Look out for:

    • Disengagement
    • Conflict with colleagues and managers
    • Decreased motivation or engagement
    • Criticism of policies or procedures
    • Increased absence rates

“It’s important to address these signs as soon as possible. Be empathetic and make sure employees know they can share their feelings in a safe and confidential space. Build trust, champion open communication, and hear their voices.

 

4. Maintain open communication

“Helping employees cope with change involves a consistent line of communication. You can do this by providing regular updates on ongoing progress. It’s so important to explain why changes are taking place, and how these changes will contribute towards shared organisational goals.

 

5. Be empathetic

“Every employee is different so be personal and empathetic with each response. Understand the impact changes may have on each person, from daily routine to overall life. To you, a workplace change might mean everyone arrives to work on time. But think about how it can affect parents, long-distant commuters, or anyone with health issues. Neurodiverse individuals may find it more challenging to deal with change than neurotypical employees, so bear this in mind and provide additional support where required.”

disguise Helps Brands Extend Their Reality for New Audiences

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Disguise

With younger audiences flocking to platforms like TikTok, YouTube and even using metaverse platforms like Fortnite and Roblox, brands are looking for new ways to launch products and captivate audience attention. One of the most innovative methods is extended reality.

 

What is extended reality?

Extended Reality (xR) is an umbrella term under which Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR) and Virtual Reality (VR) all exist.

In 2021, the global AR, VR, and MR market was valued at around $30.7 billion alone.

In essence, xR relates to all technology that blurs the lines between the physical and virtual world. It is an extension of green screen technology and is changing the way many are delivering experiences.

Real-time, photorealistic graphics are generated by powerful graphics engines, like Unreal Engine, and projected onto LED screens surrounding a ‘stage.’ Camera tracking technology means the virtual scenes change based on camera movements – making the environment fully immersive. Talent and those presenting no longer have to guess where virtual elements are in the scene like they had to do with green screens. They can even present data interactively with 3D visualisations. Those using xR can travel to multiple locations and feature a variety of different content – all from a single xR studio.

 

disguise offers an industry-leading solution for brands

disguise, a company pushing the boundaries in xR, integrates graphics engines, LED technology and camera tracking into a single workflow. Named disguise xR, this workflow has powered over 400 immersive real-time productions across live entertainment for music artists such as Katy Perry and Billie Eilish, film and episodic TV productions for Netflix and Amazon Prime, corporate presentations for Siemens and Verizon, and live broadcast programmes from Eurosport, MTV and ITV, in more than 40 countries.

 

Volvo uses disguise for its first product launch in Brazil

For the new F truck line product launch, Volvo and its advertising agency Avantgarde Brasil wanted to create an immersive experience that presented cinematic scenarios featuring a wide variety of scenes ranging from the brand’s roots in Sweden to a journey across Brazil, from North to South, without leaving the factory.

Typically, a script that called for the new truck line to be seen in various settings would have required extensive driving and location production. Instead, the team tasked Brazil-based technology solutions provider MAXI AV with producing the half-hour show, which integrated xR elements to enrich the audience experience and streamline the production.

Maxi AV relied on disguise xR to produce a completely immersive virtual environment for the new truck to be showcased in. With the help of the disguise vx 4 media playback server and rx real-time rendering node, they recreated their xR studio in the Volvo factory in Curitiba, Brazil, to host the production. Here, the Volvo trucks simply rolled off the factory floor and into the studio, where virtual sets showcased them driving across Brazil. The new vehicles could rack up virtual mileage from location to location without moving an inch!

The launch was a huge success, gaining over 75 000 livestreams on YouTube.

 

The Lenovo Tech World Conference uses disguise xR to showcase their futuristic mindset

The 6th edition of the Lenovo Tech World Conference brought together some of the industry’s top leaders, experts, scholars, influencers and media from all walks of life in a “futuristic city” virtual setting to discuss how technology removes barriers to opportunity, empowers intelligent transformation and innovates faster in the era of new infrastructure.

As it was the first time Lenovo had experienced the opportunities of xR technology, they enlisted the services of the team at Ding Dong Studio who applied mixed reality (MR) elements within the disguise workflow to create vast and dynamic virtual backdrops for each presentation topic.

The disguise xR workflow allowed the producers to seamlessly integrate camera tracking systems and real-time content rendering from Unreal Engine to cover the real environment beyond the LED screen in real-time, and at the same time, turn on a virtual set extension around the speaker.

Augmented Reality (AR) workflows enabled by disguise xR meant that Lenovo could bring to life various key points highlighted within the talks. enabling presenters to deliver more compelling content and immerse viewers into the futuristic setting.

“The disguise xR workflow allowed us to turn the Lenovo Tech World 2020 into an ‘intelligent’ and high-tech live stream. The whole process was smooth and with low latency, which not only made the audience experience the creativity and intelligent elements of Lenovo technology in real-time, but also gave them a unique visual experience,” said Ding Dong Studio Technical Directors, Tan Lei and Yang Jian.

 

The future of xR holds endless opportunities

With xR, brands can start engaging with their audiences on a whole new level. Another virtual platform called the metaverse is currently valued by Goldman Sachs as an $8 trillion opportunity. With xR being a key way to get access to these virtual worlds, brands like Gucci, Ferrari, Balenciaga and many more are seeing the value in the virtual space.

disguise, with its ever-increasing global partner network, is able to bring to life any brand experience possible. The future of this technology is truly anything we can imagine.

For further information, please visit www.disguise.one