For those businesses that want to launch a software solution but do not have enough in-house resources for building the necessary app, the question of how to hire software developers is one of the most crucial ones. Though an answer to onboard the required talents seems to be the most obvious one, we should admit that quite often it is not the best idea. Of course, if you have a software development business, expanding your team with new talents can be a sign of the growth and health of your company. However, even in this case, it is necessary to evaluate the feasibility of this approach.
But when you manage a company that has nothing in common with software creation, you definitely need to consider other options. With the growing interest in custom software solutions from the side of non-tech companies, the demand for outsourcing services is increasing as well. Today, there are a lot of companies that rely on software tools in supporting the growth of their businesses (for example, they can implement AI tools for boosting their sales or start using CRM systems for optimizing and managing interactions with customers) but they do not want to make software development their core activity. Given these factors, it will be rather senseless to sign long-term contracts with programmers. But an option to hire dedicated development team may look quite appealing. In general, the IT outsourcing segment is continuously growing and in 2023, it is expected that its revenue will reach $430.5 billion. And hiring a dedicated development team is one of the most popular outsourcing models.
What is a dedicated development team?
A team of young people is working on software development.
Let’s make sure that you clearly understand what companies can get when they hire dedicated development teams.
The idea behind this model is that companies need to establish cooperation with an outsourcing agency that will create dedicated teams instead of dealing with all onboarding and recruitment questions on their own.
It means that if you have a dedicated development team, all team members officially won’t be your employees. You will need to sign a contract with an outsourcing company and all your dedicated programmers and other specialists (such as designers, project managers, and QA engineers) will be employed by that entity. Nevertheless, the created team will be fully focused on your tasks and will be managed by you.
Why do businesses hire dedicated development teams?
Software is being tested by the development team
As you can understand, the popularity of this model is explained by all the benefits that it offers to the companies. Let’s have a look at the most important of them.
By working with dedicated developers you can find the expertise that is lacking in-house. Though usually those companies that do not have in-house development departments turn to the service of dedicated developers, even software development firms use this option when they do not have enough skills on board.
This cooperation model helps to forget about borders. You are not obliged to look for the necessary talents locally. Your outsourcing partner should have access to a global pool of talent.
Even if a project scope is not clearly defined, you can establish cooperation with a dedicated team. This model allows companies to introduce changes to the team composition even after the start of the development process.
You can enjoy a full scope of software-related services. Dedicated teams can offer not only software development and design services. They can also improve, modernize, change, scale, support, and maintain your software product.
This model is a perfect one for long-term projects. According to Good firms Research, the average time required for building a full-scale software product can take around 4.5 months. And even for such a term, it can be rather challenging to hire freelancers (it is better to work with them when you have just a small task) but at the same time, it is not worth onboarding an in-house programmer if you have just one project to build. However, a dedicated team will be a good solution. The team will be concentrated on your project but as soon as all the tasks are fulfilled you can terminate your cooperation and save your budget.
Final word
As you see, hiring a dedicated development team has a lot of advantages. And if you want to develop a software product for your business needs but there are not enough in-house resources for it, you can consider this cooperation model. But do not forget that one of the main conditions for the project’s success is finding the right outsourcing agency that will support you.
ABM is steadily on the rise in the B2B world, with 80% of all respondents in a survey saying that they’re planning to boost their ABM budget in the next 12 months.
If done correctly, an alternative, such as account-based marketing, is one of the most effective strategies for providing an impressive ROI.
What is Account-Based Marketing?
So, before we start, we’ll first walk you through the basics. Account-based marketing (ABM) is a holistic marketing approach that single one or two high-end accounts.
The sales and marketing team then works hand in hand, looking up the target customers’ pain points and needs and coming up with a personalized ABM strategy specifically tailored to win them over as clients.
Benefits of ABM to B2B Companies
So now we’re going to discuss the top benefits of account-based marketing for B2B companies:
1. Team Alignment
People putting their hands together after a successful business decisions
ABM requires your marketing and sales teams to work together to choose the right target accounts.
This collaboration plays a crucial role in helping you gain a competitive advantage. Using this strategy, teams become the focal point for choosing the most important accounts and who will take care of them.
Your marketing team works to engage with them in a timely, relevant way. That way, teams become more efficient and productive.
2. Efficient Use of Resources
When you adopt a mass-oriented marketing strategy, you’re stretching your resources, trying to cover everything. That’s because your goal is to attract a wider audience, ensuring you have enough leads to get to the bottom of your funnel and convert.
This kind of diversity will only complicate your sales process. Thus, your marketing team invests more time and energy in crafting a one-size-fits-all messaging. ABM, on the other hand, requires a team effort. It would help if you collaborated closely with your sales and marketing teams, uniting them towards a common goal.
This kind of collaboration allows teams to boost their efficiency and work on their strategy based on their co-worker’s output. Your sales team can share their knowledge of the client’s needs and pain points. Meanwhile, your marketing team delivers higher-quality leads and better abm ads.
Also, when you’re only focusing on specific accounts, you’re only feeding your funnel with qualified leads. This makes the nurturing process easy and decreases the resources needed to move your customers further down the funnel.
3. Higher Engagement and Retention
It’s common knowledge in the marketing world that acquiring a new customer costs five times more than your current one. To decrease churn, you should also get high-value customers who you think could be an excellent match for your business. In the same way, you also need to do everything you can to keep them in the long run.
Investing in personalized content is something ABM is particularly good at, increasing trust in your brand and creating relationships that lead to sales and long-term success. It is one of the benefits of ABM.
4. Helps get closer to customers
As we’ve mentioned, conventional marketing strategies utilize mass messaging, using a generalized form of communication.
On the other hand, ABM focuses on crafting personalized messaging in interacting with target customers, letting you approach target customers better.
5. Boosts conversion rates
ABM focuses on high-value accounts and pitching your products and services to them. Your sales and marketing teams collaborate in researching these target accounts, their wants and needs, and the best times you can get in touch with them.
Their research also involves details on the right platforms and how frequently you should extend your communication. Reaching out to prospects with a well-planned strategy leads to better conversions.
6. Deliver consistent customer experiences
For your ABM strategy to truly stand out, you should regularly create a sense of delight in your accounts.
Every account should feel as if they’re special, and you can do this by constantly providing them with consistent customer experiences.
7. Expand business through account relationships
Close-up of business people shaking hands
In ABM, quality over quantity is essential. The process requires you to invest a lot of your time and resources in engaging a group of high-value accounts that are carefully chosen over quickly closing deals with less-qualified leads who are not best for your business in the long term.
8. Clearer Path To ROI
Account-based marketing also gives you the highest ROI among other B2B marketing strategies with less risk.
This also makes it easy to align sales with marketing to grow your accounts consistently.
9. Shorter Customer Lifecycles
When your customers are targeted with the right messaging at every stage of their journey, it significantly decreases the time it takes for them to make a decision.
In the B2B world, those decisions usually come from a board of stakeholders who should be familiar with the information you provide to be on board with the sale.
That way, when decisions have to be made, the entire account already knows your content and is in the loop. This significantly cuts the customer lifecycle and speeds up the sales process.
10. Opportunity to become a marketing expert
ABM allows you to know your target accounts more at a personal level. So, the more you get into the process, the more competent you become in an area where people need more understanding. This helps you stand out when approaching every account.
Over to You
So there you have it. ABM is a great marketing strategy that allows you to deliver fantastic ROI and create a network of highly profitable clients.
Software testing is an essential part of the software development process, as it helps ensure that the developed software is of high quality and meets the requirements of its users. However, manual testing can be time-consuming and error-prone, making it necessary to explore other options to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of software testing. One such option is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in software testing services.
AI has the potential to revolutionize the way software is tested, as it can automate many of the tedious and repetitive tasks involved in testing, freeing up testers to focus on more complex and challenging tasks.
AI can be used to automate the following aspects of software testing:
Test Case Generation: AI can be used to automatically generate test cases based on software requirements and other relevant information. This can help ensure that all the critical scenarios and edge cases are covered during testing, leading to more comprehensive testing.
Test Case Execution: Once the test cases have been generated, AI can be used to execute them automatically, freeing up testers to focus on other tasks. AI can also monitor the execution of the test cases, providing real-time feedback on the progress of the testing.
Test Case Evaluation: AI can automatically evaluate the test cases’ results, identifying any failures or issues that need to be addressed. This can help testers quickly identify and fix any problems, improving the overall quality of the software.
In addition to automating the various tasks involved in software testing, AI can also help improve the accuracy and reliability of the testing process. By using machine learning algorithms, AI can learn from previous testing experiences and adjust its approach accordingly, leading to more accurate and reliable results.
Overall, the use of AI in software testing company has the potential to greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process. By automating tedious and repetitive tasks, AI can free up testers to focus on more challenging and complex tasks, leading to better-quality software and a more efficient testing process.
Using AI with software testing can greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process. By automating tedious and repetitive tasks, AI can free up testers to focus on more challenging and complex tasks, leading to better-quality software and a more efficient testing process.
A schematic representation of the software development process
One way AI can be used in software testing is to automate the generation of test cases. This involves using AI algorithms to automatically generate test cases based on the software requirements and other relevant information. This can help ensure that all the critical scenarios and edge cases are covered during testing, leading to more comprehensive testing.
Another way AI can be used in software testing is to automate the execution of test cases. Once the test cases have been generated, AI can be used to execute them automatically, freeing up testers to focus on other tasks. AI can also monitor the execution of the test cases, providing real-time feedback on the progress of the testing.
AI can also be used to automatically evaluate the results of the test cases. This involves using AI algorithms to analyze the results of the test cases and identify any failures or issues that need to be addressed.
Cars are very special for us and the car keys are very much important. That is why we always take so much care of it. However, losing your car keys is a very common incident and if you have lost your car keys, you will need to replace them. You can do this by going to your local automotive store or by ordering a new set of keys from your car’s manufacturer.
You must have a spare key. If you do, you can use that to get into your car and drive it to a safe location.
If you don’t have a spare key, you will need to call a tow truck to take your car to a safe location. Once you have your car at a safe location, you can then call a locksmith to replace your lost car keys.
There Are A Few Things That You Can Do To Prevent Having To Replace Your Car Keys.
First, be sure to keep a spare key with you at all times. This way if you lose your keys, you will have a spare to use.
Another thing that you can do is to make sure that you do not leave your keys in your car. This can be a very easy way for someone to steal your car. Hide the keys well if you need to leave your keys in your car, be sure to.
The last thing that you can do to help prevent replacing lost car keys is to get a good security system. This will help to deter thieves from stealing your car. A good security system will also help to protect your car from being broken into.
Best Place For Replacing Lost Car Keys:
The dealership is the best place for replacing lost car keys. If you have lost your car keys, the dealership is the best place to replace them. The dealership will have a record of the keys that came with your car, and they will be able to cut you a new set of keys.
If you have lost your car keys and you are not sure where to replace them, you can also check with a locksmith. A locksmith may be able to make you a new set of keys if they have your car’s make and model.
Also, you can visit local hardware store. Many hardware stores sell key blanks that can be cut to match your car’s ignition.
Pros Of Replacing Lost Car Keys:
Some of the pros include having a spare set of replacing lost car keys, not having to worry about losing your keys, and not having to pay for a locksmith to come and make a new set of keys.
If you do it yourself, then you will need to find a place that sells replacement keys and then follow the instructions that they give you.
If you use a locksmith, then they will come to your house and make a new set of keys for you. The process of getting a new set of keys made can be very time-consuming and it can also be very expensive.
If you do not have the time or the funds necessary to have a new set of keys created, then you should probably think about merely replacing your lost car keys instead of getting a new set made. Getting a new set of keys can be accomplished by visiting to a local auto parts store and making the purchase there.
You can also order a new set of keys online. You need to make sure that you order the correct ones.
You will also need to make sure that you order the right size.
You should also make sure that you order the right type of key. If you do not order the right type of key, then you may not be able to use your old set of keys.
Conclusion
It is possible to replace your lost car keys yourself, but it is not recommended. Replacing lost car keys is a delicate process and if done wrong, it could damage your car. Contact a professional.
With the rise of social networks, micro-influencers have become an essential marketing lever for brands. True prescribers, occupy a place of choice in the life of their community. With less than 100,000 followers, these “small” influencers get a higher engagement rate than larger Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok accounts. In this article, we explain to you what makes the success of these 3.0 content creators and why they are a safe bet for your digital strategy.
1. The expertise of “small” influencers: the key to reaching a niche audience
What makes the strength of the micro-influencer is their expertise in a very specific field. Whether he is passionate about fashion, vegan cuisine, gaming, or even entrepreneurship, his content will always be articulated around the same theme, thus meeting the expectations of his subscribers. When macro-influencers promote a shampoo and a robot vacuum cleaner on the same day, the micro-influencer focuses on his universe. The primary objective of its digital presence is therefore to federate a community around its favorite subject.
This specialist gets his hands dirty for his followers: he tests new products, familiarizes himself with products, and shares his experience. In addition to his in-depth knowledge, he brings solutions to the problems encountered by his audience and this can make all the difference! Another asset that hits the mark with his audience: is his ability to hide behind the product he presents, without trying to put himself in the spotlight.
By dint of publications, this content creator masters his subject at his fingertips. His subscribers are then more attentive to his recommendations, they give him credit and trust him. They react willingly to his interventions by leaving a comment, by sharing his snack content (understanding a short content that goes to the essentials), or by buying the products put forward. The expertise and power of persuasion of this “small” influencer then establish him as a major opinion leader.
2. Proximity: a value that wins the hearts of followers
Advantaged by a small community, micro-influencers interact easily and spontaneously, which gives them an accessible and sincere side in the eyes of subscribers. The more human and personalized dimension of their communication allows them to establish a relationship of trust and build a base of loyal and committed followers. These talented prescribers become familiar and endearing figures, who enter into the daily lives of your potential customers. By consuming realistic content, which echoes “real” life, the audience will then cultivate this feeling of belonging and closeness.
The power of the “small” influencer also lies in their original and personal approach to content creation. Its editorial line and style are easily recognizable. He works his publications with care and creates his own DNA. This proximity, coupled with expertise, gives the latter a certain authenticity, and this is exactly what consumers are looking for today.
To confirm this trend, just look at the engagement rate! According to Up fluence, an influencer marketing platform, influencers with less than 100,000 followers have a more loyal and responsive community than big social media stars. Whether on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, nano and micro-influencers are undeniably powerful vectors of communication!
🎯 To retain your online customers, also consider implementing these 9 essential tips!
3. Transparency: a pledge of trust that enhances brand image
If the micro-influencers community is looking for authenticity and a certain closeness, it also expects him to show loyalty. As we mentioned, trust is the key to retaining and engaging an audience. What interest would he have in not being honest with his subscribers? He could then lose all credibility and see his popularity and his collaboration proposals melt like snow in the sun.
By playing the card of transparency, he remains faithful to his convictions and does not seek to deceive his public. If he doesn’t like a product he’s testing, he’ll say so. His goal is not to sell at all costs, but rather to share his experiences, with sincerity.
When the proposed content comes from a paid partnership, the influencer mentions it explicitly so that the objectives behind his communication are clear and not concealed. He thus protects his image and that of the brand with which he collaborates.
4. The accessibility of micro-influencers: holy bread for your digital strategy
A person is schematically writing about strategy on a white paper
The omnipresence of micro-influencers, on any social media by the social media verification agency, is an undeniable advantage! In this ocean of experts, you will inevitably find your rare pearl. And to meet him, you can opt for two approaches:
The “push “ method: you are the one who sets out to conquer the Grail! By browsing social networks strategically, you will be able to identify influencers who match your values, your image, and above all the message you want to convey to your target audience. You are therefore dealing “directly”. However, this technique can be very time-consuming.
The “pull” method: simplifies your task and saves you time. To unearth the future prescribers of your brand, all you have to do is use platforms specializing in influence marketing that can put you in touch with relevant profiles, according to your criteria and your needs. You can submit a campaign on sites like Octuply, Influence4You or Havens, and wait for content creators to apply. All you have to do is make your choice!
The accessibility of these ambassadors with less than 100,000 subscribers is also understood in terms of remuneration. Good news for your marketing budget, they do not ask for colossal sums! Moreover, the majority of them are satisfied with an exchange of services, that is to say, the sending of a product against a publication of content. According to influencer marketing agency Influencer Marketing Hub, 36% of professionals (brands or marketing agencies) “paid” them by simply giving them the product they promoted in their content, compared to 32.4% who transferred money to them. In the table below, the Ko Square digital solution presents the average prices charged by influencers in 2020, according to their profile:
According to figures from Influencer Marketing Hub, ex-reality TV star Kim Kardashian charges an average of 440,000 euros for a simple post on Instagram. You will then agree that collaborating with several “small” influencers will be much cheaper than calling on influencer stars!
Thanks to a communication strategy articulated around strong values, micro-influencers are the best allies to promote a company on social networks. Betting on them is a sure bet to win the hearts of your target. At a lower cost, they know how to retain a community, enhance a brand image and create consumer needs. It would be a shame to deprive yourself of their services, right?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many new trends have been introduced to the workplace, including remote work and gaming. Remote work took a while to implement because we’ve had hundreds and hundreds of years convincing ourselves that our physical presence was required for every kind of work. But gaming in the office is something that many of us already do under the desk, during lunchtime, or inside the office toilet cubicle. It is one of the guilty pleasures of the workplace. So to have it as a growing trend is no small deal, and many employees are jumping on the idea as they have never jumped before.
But apart from the fun, what are the benefits of allowing video games in the workplace? And apart from being a distraction, what are the detriments? Let’s find out.
Pros of Gaming for the Business
1.Relaxation
When carried out repeatedly and over 3 or 4 hours at least, practically every kind of work becomes monotonous. And because the human mind was not designed to horse around with monotony, stress sets in. The mind then begins a quest for anything and everything exciting. And if you keep forcing it back to the monotonous task at hand, it triggers fatigue in the body until you are ready to stop working or find something else in the environment to pacify it.
This is the kind of struggle that most workers deal with every day. But they have found ways to alleviate stress, including a quick snooze or a 5-minute break to play a game on their phones. So why not make it official and allow periods of genuine relaxation with video games installed in the workplace?
When gaming is allowed in the workplace, it becomes a relaxed environment and employers become used to that relaxation. They can refresh themselves more efficiently. So, there’s a subtle message to every employee: Are you tired? Nothing that playing Angry Birds on your phone can’t fix. Come one, come all! Refresh yourself!
Gaming provisions alleviate the stress of long, difficult, or monotonous work. It is a healthy way of decompressing and maintaining a spirit of happiness in the workplace.
2.Improved Muscle Flexibility and Motor Skills
For businesses that revolve around tech, video games have the potential to juice up the employees’ speed of work. The majority of video games require a strong command of the eyes and the hands, and sometimes the ears. Each of these senses is constantly bombarded with effects and changes that facilitate training the sense of coordination. So, video games can be used to improve muscle activity among employees, as well as better train their sense of coordination.
Of course, even non-tech companies and employees can benefit from video games in this fashion. Employees with slow typing skills can improve dramatically after getting accustomed to video games that require a keyboard. With the fun element included, the learning speed will be astronomical when compared to similarly purposed video programs like Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.
A video game like Call of Duty: Cold War is good for training muscle movement and motor skills. Available on PC and Xbox, installing it in the workplace removes the need to procure the assistance of typing experts to help employees.
3.Boosted Memory
Games are engaging in a way that social media is not. Oddly, the mind can be bogged down by the monopoly of obligatory work but not by games. While gaming, our memories are more active because there are usually many elements to work with, each distinctive and captivating. The colorful squares and ellipsoids of Candy Crush, for example, can fix themselves in your mind long after you play the game. So, video games are great for helping employees boost their recollections.
Added to this boosted memory is the fact that video games are usually engineered to help people solve puzzles. What is the point of a game that is only fun but not challenging in any way? So having video games in the workplace improves employees’ ability to process a lot of information with incredible mastery.
Consider the racing game available on Xbox, Burnout Paradise, for example. The racing game quickly gets gamers adjusting their minds to the various curves and edges of the interface. Even after shutting their eyes, memories of their gameplay still flash under the eyelids of employees. So, with video games, employees’ eyes are put to great use—as an open window to memory.
4.Bursts of Inspiration
Video games are great visual places to get bursts of inspiration. Even cartoonish and classic video games have aspects that are designed to promote thinking in the gamer. The more you play such games, the more you are forced to consider visible and unseen variables, especially considering that the game interface does not show you everything at once.
Anybody who has played Super Mario Bros. would be familiar with the simple and exciting narrative. The obstacles are generally easy to overcome but how you do so determines the points you get. As a result, the game’s substructural edge is that it forces players to be innovative in a simple way. This is an area that is overlooked but has significant implications for inspirational value in the workplace.
Video games consequently stimulate creative thinking, assist employees in testing possible implications of introducing new variables into their gameplay or making adjustments to the existent, and inspire them to try new methods. They can then subliminally gather this creativity and apply it to their work whenever they have to deal with difficult tasks.
5.Employee Engagement
A person is showing another person something on the laptop
Having video games installed in the workplace can get employees more committed to the workplace objectives and big picture. In cases where these games require teams to play them, the odds of increased social cohesion among employees are not small. Employees that play video games together are bound to have better communication than others. So in introducing gaming into the workplace, we are making it more convenient for employees to form communities, run tasks with teamwork effectiveness and with few complaints, and easily get behind company policies.
This is especially important for workplaces that are still remote and virtual. For these places, getting together over the weekend for a picnic might be taking it too far. But a meeting in the virtual world of gaming is just appropriate. These employees may decide to play Call of Duty and BurnoutParadise during particular times.
Playing these kinds of games together helps employees learn together. For instance, both of the aforementioned games are available on Microsoft Xbox. This game console is one of the very best because it is a Microsoft production and can easily integrate with all the other Microsoft stuff. Moreover, using it can help employees learn a lot of new things, like fixing login issues on the Xbox app.
6.Easier and Speedier Decision-Making Processes
A visualization is an important tool for presentations for a reason. It is easier to convince people with pictures than without. In the same vein, video games are all about visuals, from the colors and textures of these games to the different modes and characterization that they have. These visuals, as we explained earlier, have a way of sticking out in the brain so that they become impressions. They also loosen the areas of our minds that want to work through every decision-making process.
So, through video games, an employer can help foster a mental culture of faster decision-making among their employees. Because these employees are forced to make casual decisions while gaming, those who are usually very demanding and rigorous with pipeline tasks would be forced to relax. Over time, this will allow them to form a culture of speedier thinking and processing of information in a more natural manner. This results in the culture creating a capacity for efficient decision-making in every employee in the workplace, thereby minimizing the headaches that team managers get from having overdependent employees.
Cuphead is a good example of a game that fosters decision-making among employees.
7.Improves Collaboration and Leadership Skills
Another prominent advantage of having video games installed in the workplace is that it improves collaboration and leadership skills. Team managers can test-drive the leadership skills of workers to determine improvements over the years. Directly, managers can use video games in the workplace to engender trust in leadership and enhance the relationships of supervisors and department heads with their team members.
The direct materialization of oneself in the form of a game character allows a kind of liberation that is rarely obtained any other way. But as employees kick up their heels to have a good time, they are unconsciously leaning on their self-governing sides which makes the game more enjoyable as they make decisions themselves and see the implications of their choices. They consequently get more confident with every passing moment. This is probably why gamers who are otherwise shy any other time of the day are fierce and self-possessed once attached to the console.
Employees can also be taught leadership by letting them lead teams in video games. This helps them reinforce necessary leadership qualities and become used to doing so at any other time. Portal 2 is a fine example of a video game that fosters such qualities.
Cons of Gaming in the Workplace
1.Distractions
The biggest minus to allowing video games in the workplace is that they can easily become distractions. It takes a disciplined mind to stay focused on the task at hand without needing the rush of excitement that video games offer to players. This kind of discipline is difficult to maintain when there are provisions for fun and entertainment just a few feet away.
So, unless gamification is effectively managed, introducing it to a workplace can collapse the structure of task allocation and delivery. Employees might become lazy and cultivate a habit of missing targets and deadlines.
2.Displacement of the Big Picture in the Workplace
Video games tend to take over the human mind. Once again, the mind is not so responsible that it can be left unattended in the face of fun. This means that employees with access to video games in the workplace may unconsciously suppose that the game is an incentive for better work. Even though this is not a false observation, taking the games as rewards for good work rather than taking them as incentives are two different things. One has gamification in the workplace as an objective while the other has it as a tool. The latter case leads to increased productivity while the former breeds unintentional laziness and the misplacement of work values.
3.Possible Splintering of Employees into Factions of Ardent Gamers and Non-Gamers
They may be exciting, relaxing, and absolutely enjoyable, but video games are not for everybody. Some individuals will only indulge because they have nothing else to do, while others will not do so even if they are compelled to with a gun to their heads. So providing gaming in the workplace can trigger schisms that never existed before, with the workforce breaking into factions of ardent gamers and passionate non-gamers. Such situations trigger unrest, disband social cohesion and reduce productivity.
4.Impending Rigidity and Loss of Value and Meaning
Nobody wants to repeat a game continually. Given enough time, games that used to be exciting can become monotonous, forcing managers to think up new ways to make the enterprise perpetually attractive. But this can get expensive, not to mention that it was never the goal in the first place. So, gaming in the workplace is not sustainable in the long run because it can get rigid and lose value and meaning.
In Closing…
Ultimately, gamification in the workplace can be a good idea. It helps employees bond more easily, make decisions more quickly, and cut down stress more naturally. There are also a lot of transferable skills attached to the inclusion of video games in the workplace. However, this inclusion requires the integration of strategies that focus on promoting a healthy workplace culture—rather than negligence and unfavorable gaming habits—among employees.
The eCommerce industry seems to have taken everyone by surprise across the globe. I am sure as soon as you google the word “eCommerce”, you will come across a wide range of information such as what eCommerce is, how it works, how it is beneficial for businesses these days, and so forth. However, there are several nuances of eCommerce which no one talks about. Fret not, the following post covers it all!
It seems pretty uncanny that even though eCommerce being such a renowned trend, businesses often tend to ignore the emerging marketing trends and end up lacking behind like never before. Every time I type “eCommerce Trends” on the search engine, I am most likely to find new ecommerce trends around the corner. This is pretty bizarre, yet we have to keep up with it or else we might have a lot to lose.
The rise of the eCommerce Industry
eCommerce is no longer a buzzing term, it has successfully changed our lives by redefining several activities such as shopping, buying groceries, home decor, electronics, etc. Jumping on the bandwagon of eCommerce business seems a sure-shot way to succeed. Now we all know what eCommerce is right? The process of buying and selling products online. However, what you may not know is that the explosion is spreading like a fire.
Image Source: Euromonitor, National Data Sources Morgan Stanley Research estimates
If we take a look region-wise, then eCommerce seems to have covered almost 70% of the globe successfully and seamlessly. And when you break things down, you will find China with $740 billion while the US accounts for $560 billion, the UK with $93 billion and India to reach US$188 billion in a few years down the line.
You see with more and more penetration and accessibility of the internet, the eCommerce industry will keep on rising like never before. No wonder, the concept of having tons of profound benefits has become mainstream in people’s day-to-day lives. It has already become mainstream in daily life. One fine day, you will find it breaking the net accounting for double-digit growth in those locations where it’s not even there such as Africa and the Middle East. Wondering how?
Here you get a wide range of payment options, e-wallets, net banking, COD, etc.
Seamless exchange and return policies
You get the privilege to order sitting right from your home
Smart shopping is possible by using options such as AR/VR, 360 -degree view, etc.
Saves ample of time and energy
You are most likely to purchase all the items on your checklist in the least amount of time.
Above all, you are privileged enough to get the product delivered within a span of days or hours. Yes, you heard it right, hours! Amazon offers this privilege to deliver products in the least amount of time, i.e. 2-4 hours for its valuable customers. So I say when you get all these benefits and advantages in a one-stop-shop destination then why the heck does not anyone prefer these eCommerce stores over those conventional brick-and-mortar stores?
Now if I may ask who has the most purchasing power or who should be your target audience? It has to be no doubt, millennials, and GenZ. People born from 1984 to 1994 are the ones who have the ability to spend millions, billions, and trillions on an annual basis. Also, changes in consumer behavior are inevitable day in and day out. And COVID-19 plays a very pivotal role in the rise of the eCommerce industry.
Further, I would like to shed some light on some of the most crucial eCommerce trends to take into account for 2022 and a few years down the line.
Top eCommerce Trends To look Forward in 2022
#1 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Now you must be wondering how these disruptive technologies are shaping the eCommerce industry. Technology and eCommerce are like chocolate and peanut butter, they do have a pretty kind of symbiotic relationship with each other. The mass adoption and demand for smartphones and other computing devices, certainly call for the trillion industry to keep growing at a fanatic pace. eCommerce is one of a kind concept that seems to have always embraced and made the most of the different new and emerging technologies right from the start. And artificial intelligence and machine learning are no exceptions.It’s well known that ML and AI companies are transforming the e-commerce and retail industries.
Now you must be wondering how AI and ML can assist your eCommerce stores to grow and expand significantly.
Conversions – Now I am sure you do know the importance of increased conversions. Well, by using these disruptive technologies such as AI and ML, eCommerce stores can easily boost their conversion rates. Have you heard of smart search results? Yeah, they are much faster and better in comparison to the generic ones. For example, let’s say most of your target audiences are looking for the new iPhone 14 instead of One plus 10. So what your store can offer is to recommend the Apple product then and there or on social media feeds instead of other options. By doing so, the consumer will directly reach the product without any hassle and end up purchasing the product immediately.
Personalization – The next advantage of using artificial intelligence or machine learning technology for your eCommerce store is it offers an immense amount of personalization. Now your customers will always remember how you made them feel when they reached your store, so don’t miss this chance of grabbing their attention in the long run. These technologies certainly assist in understanding the needs and demands of your current end users and offer them personalized services easily. Try to enhance your store with relevant recommendations and nothing can stop you from increasing sales.
Predictive Analysis – Lastly, AI and Machine Learning have the potential to understand your customers way more than you think. Whether it’s based on their search history or previous purchases, or window shopping pattern, you are more likely to receive important insights within regular intervals. Also, after going through such data and analysis, you can offer personalized offers or discount coupons again to increase sales.
#2 AR/VR is in Vogue!
Our next emerging eCommerce trend is AR/VR. After Pokemon Go became a massive hit, people including techies and non-techies have started becoming well acquainted with these bizarre yet intimidating technologies. Slowly and steadily, AR and VR technologies are found penetrating our day-to-day lives through eCommerce and several other mainstream industries. Now earlier it was observed that people do visit your store, they even end up liking the product but when the time of checkout comes, they abandon the cart and leave. Almost 70% of shoppers used to abandon their respective carts just because they feared that the product wouldn’t fit. So in that case what should online retailers do, how can they persuade their customers to make the purchase?
Here AR/VR technology comes to play. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality have been trending a lot lately and will be seen reshaping the eCommerce industry. Here’s How!
Try before you Buy – One of the most crucial advantages offered by these technologies is that it offers the option of trying before you buy right then and there. With the help of virtual tools, customers can easily try the product and make informed decisions right then and there. Also, you will get to know which brands manage to meet customer expectations and which don’t! With the virtual try-on option, customers can try the product virtually on themselves. As a result, more and more customers will visit your store just for the sake of enhanced shopping experiences. For example, IKEA launched the AR catalog app enabling customers to see how certain items would look in their real homes. After which, Converse and Lego seem to have started using the technology as well.
Convenience – Another interesting benefit of using AR and VR technology is that though you are visiting a virtual store, it doesn’t mean it won’t be offering any real-store experience. In fact, the space often makes online shopping more convenient, seamless and free of any kind of stress or anxiety. These real-life experiences can definitely save ample time while they can enjoy their leisure time and shop.
Saves Money – As I said, here you do get to try before you buy so you won’t be wasting products that don’t seem right to your place. There was a time when customers discovered that the product wasn’t right once it had been brought home, which can be pretty disappointing, tiresome and daunting. Here all you need to do is stand in your living room and put the headset on, start buying.
#3 Personalized Experience is all that matters!
No matter which technology or trend you follow, personalized experiences or customized experiences have always been and will always remain a trend! As the name implies, here eCommerce store owners must offer products and services that are relevant to the particular customer. According to stats, around 80% of customers are more likely to buy the product, especially from the stores that end up offering a personalized experience instead of those that don’t.
Enhanced brand engagement – Now when you exactly know what your customers want to shop for and what type of products they are more likely to buy. When this happens, eCommerce store owners do get a fair chance to enhance engagement and interact with the brand. With personalization, you can exactly show and offer your end users what they’re looking for before they buy.
Enhanced customer experience – Another advantage of personalized experience is enhanced customer experience. By doing so customers are going to love their shopping time and enjoy the experience. Even on an ordinary day, they can feel special just by your strategies. Try showing all the products they want to see, offer quick access, and keep them updated in regard to relevant discounts and promotional offers. Try to come up with more and more ways of enhancing their buying experience and compelling them to shop from your store again and again.
Final Words
Of course, this is not it. Several other trends are going on such as chats for personal interaction, Buy now pay later options, diversified payment options, video marketing, social commerce, and so more! However, the aforementioned ones are the best ones to take into account and you can never go wrong with them.
I hope you did enjoy reading the post. In case, if you have any doubts or queries, feel free to mention them in the comment section below.
An electrical hazard is a common problem. And all of you are acquainted with the problem, more or less. But honestly, it becomes a headache when you fail to fix the snag yourself. In such cases, calling the local electrician servicecan be the best savior. In the meantime, you need to be very vigilant and check out the other credentials of the company. For how many days they serve the local people and feedback from the other local customers. Therefore, in this context, let’s see what criteria make a localelectrician serviceworthy of calling.
Skilled And Trained
The first thing that makes you hire any local electrician serviceis their elementary skills to tackle any electrical problems. Now that’s because majorly they undergo training, and their skills get honed with that to a great extent. They get specific training related to their job. And they have to pass various levels to get done with the training.
License Is Must
To get the license, local electrician servicesneed to update their skills. They need to stay updated with the latest technology. Now the upgradation helps them to follow the guidelines and take safety measures accordingly. Having a license is not a leisurely cup of tea. Instead, it becomes challenging because local electricians must pass inclusive tests. Also, inspection is done stringently so that the right one is selected. This license is evidence that the commercial electrician is equally competent in their job and can solve the resident’s electrical problems unfailingly. Besides everything, the license is also proof that guarantees the electrician’s work. So you can stay assured that they won’t leave the site once you call them unless the job gets done.
Time And Money Saved
Calling the experienced and professional local electrician serviceto a great extent will save you money as well as time. Because of the training and experience, they use their knowledge and detailed understanding to detect electrical problems. You won’t see them goofing around with the work. They also ensure that the electrical setup is acceptable for the residents. They would also help you in knowing whether the occupants can stay peacefully inside the building or not.
Insurance Of Liability
Electrical work is dangerous, so you can’t guarantee the electrician’s safety. In that case, it becomes burdensome for you. But when you contact a local electrician service with proper liability insurance, you no doubt get released from the stress. In case of any casualty, the occupants are not answerable to the company. Also, they don’t need to pay additional costs or medical bills. If they have got proper licenses along with the insurance, then the insurance company or the electrical service provider’s company would be responsible for paying off the injury bills.
You can also consider a situation like if an electrician fails to complete the work within the said date, you will get the compensation for that. Besides that, local electrician service providers usually have this security bond. So now you don’t need to worry about electricians who do not complete the work on time or provide unexpected results.
When you hire electricians with valid certificates, stay assured that they will complete the work with full accountability. Also, they will never run away from the middle of the project. Besides that, they will submit legal documents in case of legal tasks. So you can also protect yourself from getting scammed or overcharged.
Licensed Electricians Never Follow A Shortcut Route
An electrician is solving the problem with the power socket
Calling a local electrician service gives you peace of mind because you know they won’t follow any shortcut method for their work. Now they are aware that following shortcut methods in case of electrical problems, can lead to various hazards. Electrical snags can lead to dangerous situations and, at times, fire hazards. Now certified electricians make sure that inspection of the cables is done minutely. After identifying the issues, they also make sure that all the problems are recognized in time and you get a permanent solution. After identifying the problem, they will use the right tools and equipment to get rid of it.
Pricing is one of the most important decisions a company has to make. It can impact many aspects like sales, market share, and consistency. Our prices need to be competitive for us to succeed in today’s marketplace. This is why each company should consider pricing strategies to increase sales and help businesses grow.
One of the most popular pricing strategies is competition-based pricing. However, it is an incredibly contentious topic. On the one hand, competitive pricing is a fantastic way to create customer loyalty and maximize earnings. However, there are many arguments against using competition as your pricing strategy. Which side of the fence are you on? There are both pros and cons of competition-based pricing that we will dive into in this article.
What Is Competition-Based Pricing?
Competition-based pricing is about using a strategy of price cutting against your competitors. It’s a popular strategy among low-cost vendors to try and compete with higher-priced competitors. However, many people have doubts about competition-based pricing because they believe it creates loyalty issues.
Today many companies use different pricing strategies. A very good resource can be found on softwarepricing.com, where you will see examples of innovative pricing strategies in software. The Software Pricing Partners company supports businesses to develop unique strategies to increase sales and minimize risks at each stage of the pricing process.
How Can Competition-Based Pricing Help Your Business?
Competition-based pricing can help increase sales but maybe not profit. People can buy your products or services if you have the lowest prices. But more likely to buy your product if they understand the value to the company and are generally willing to pay a premier if that value is high. Moreover, you should keep in mind that you will earn a lower profit margin after the price reduction is implemented.
Pros Of Competition Based Pricing
The biggest pro of competition-based pricing is that you become one of the cheapest solutions available in your market. After all, your competitors are doing this, and by matching their prices, you can reap huge benefits. In some cases, price competition can even help your business grow through increased sales from new customers.
It’s Fairly Simple
Competition-based pricing is a simple strategy to implement. If you are thinking about lowering your price, go ahead and do it. However, you should be aware of the consequences that can follow after this decision. That’s why you should have a goal in mind instead of blindly implementing competition-based pricing.
For example, if you want to attract more customers or gain more market share, then lowering your price will help with these goals. However, if your goal is to increase profit margins, then lowering prices may not be the best idea.
It’s Low Risk
Another important reason why competition-based pricing works is low-risk because the chances of not being profitable are low compared to other strategies. So if your competitors go live with this strategy, you will.
It Can Be Accurate
Competition-based pricing can be accurate, especially in saturated industries like software solutions. This market provides enough data to move pricing toward a methodology based on market price and market share.
Cons Of Competition Based Pricing
The biggest problem with competition-based pricing is typical, there is no actual need for it because each business has different costs and different markets.
It Leads To Missed Opportunities
Sometimes businesses don’t really need to use competition-based pricing. Instead, they can focus on building a better product or service and win customers by innovation. It can also be a cheaper solution than price wars.
Many Companies Copy
Why lower your prices if you know your competitors will do it as well? It makes no sense, especially if you have a strong brand. By reducing your price, you are just contributing to the problem by making price the most important factor for a customer’s buying decision instead of the quality of your product or service.
Short Term Thinking
A lot of companies often have short-term thinking, which makes them use competition-based pricing. But usually, this strategy is effective only in the short term. Longer-term views will allow you to be different from your competitors and grow without being involved in a price war.
Should Competitive-Based Pricing Be An Aspect Of Your Pricing Model?
A graphic model is used for price evaluation
Companies in different industries use many pricing strategies. However, competition-based pricing is often mentioned among products or services in the same business. It’s a strategy that many companies use to gain more customers, increase sales, and still stay competitive.
If you have good margins and a strong brand image, you don’t need to consider lowering your price. In such cases, you can rely on promotions, running competitions, expanding your market, and other pricing strategies that are more appropriate for your particular situation.
The Bottom Line
All businesses have different needs and different opportunities. It is important to look at all the possible pricing strategies you can use for your business and stick with the one suitable for your company. For example, price based on your competitors is a better strategy if you want to increase sales and customer loyalty promptly.
In most cases, it’s not a bad idea to price according to how other companies charge for similar products or services. The problem is that customers often don’t know anyone else who uses identical products or services and may be unable to compare their products with those of other companies.
Travertine stone has to be on your list of possibilities to take into consideration if you value the opulent and distinctive appearance of natural stone. A sedimentary stone found in nature, travertine is related to marble and limestone.
This stone works well for counters, backsplashes, and shower walls but is most frequently used for flooring and paving.Travertine stone has certain maintenance issues while being a great option for achieving a relaxed and soothing look.
Flooring For The Kitchen, Bathroom, And Living Room
The variety of colour schemes and patterns that travertine flooring allows is one of its biggest benefits. Travertine comes in a wide range of hues, from beige and ivory to gold and deep reddish-brown. The stone’s subtle colour blending and natural veining make it simple to design the desired look and create one-of-a-kind designs.
Four Alternative Finishes Are Available:
Matte honed, tumbled, brushed, and polished. The most common option, the honed finish, is slick while maintaining a natural appearance. Textural interest is provided by the harsher brushed and tumbled finishes. Polished travertine has a glossy finish that blends in beautifully with modern décor schemes and resembles marble.
A travertine stone is used for building stairs on home property
Travertine stone is challenging to keep sparkling, but its organic matte nature has a unique appeal. Any décor style benefits from the aged, weathered appearance of travertine that has been tumbled and brushed. These coatings suit rustic designs very well. Even better, with proper upkeep, the stone’s look won’t deteriorate significantly over time.
Because travertine tiles are available in such a wide variety of sizes, you may use massive slabs to create a streamlined and uncluttered look in vast areas, mosaic tiles to create colourful motifs or anything in between. Simple to Replace
Finding a tile with a similar appearance to install as a replacement for a damaged or discoloured travertine tile won’t be too difficult. Finding a tile that blends in is more difficult with porcelain tiles.
Travertine’s inherent troughs, pits, and holes are prone to deterioration, especially in areas with a lot of foot traffic. Even tiny divots have a tendency to grow over time. Fixing these holes on a consistent basis is not part of the routine maintenance that a travertine floor needs to remain in good condition.
Cost Was Relatively High
One disadvantage of choosing travertine for a substantial piece of flooring is the cost. Travertine stones are a more costly alternative to porcelain than many natural stone tiles made of man-made materials. A greater quality of travertine requires less filler material, which is typically concrete, in order to look beautiful. This results in an increase in both its worth and its cost.
Costs are further increased by the need for installation. Your floor may need to be modified before the tile is put in as stone tiles demand a firmer floor than porcelain tiles do. The thin-set, the glue used to fasten the tile, should come next. Travertine often needs a modified thin-set, which is more expensive since it has latex or polymers added to it.
Backgrounds And Counters
Travertine enables you to design stunning countertops and backsplashes that perfectly suit your tastes. However, maintenance will need some work. Due to its great porosity, travertine quickly absorbs any liquids that come into contact with it. A small juice or wine spill can leave a lasting mark. Even while sealant makes the stone more resistant to stains, it needs to be reapplied on a regular basis and, even then, it is not an entirely perfect solution. As soon as spills happen, clean them up for the best chance of keeping the stone stain-free.
When exposed to acids, travertine responds. This makes it susceptible to etching, which manifests as drab white spots. Even simple liquids like vinegar and orange juice can leave etch impressions on surfaces.
Poolside And The Bathroom
Despite being stronger and less likely to break, travertine is softer than many other stones and porcelain. Travertine is quite simple to cut because of this combination, which cuts down on the work and time needed for the installation project.
If you are seeking a natural stone that encourages you to express your creativity, travertine stone is the best choice.
Miley on January 18, 2023 
