As the gaming industry becomes more aware of its responsibility towards sustainability, several companies are stepping up with environmental practices. The move by a handful of companies is the start of a positive trend. Below are five sustainable gaming companies that provide great inspiration to startups wanting to do good in the world. 

Microsoft

Microsoft has shown great commitment to sustainability in the gaming industry. As it commits to becoming carbon-negative bbecoming carbon-negative by 2030 2030, which includes decreasing emissions in its gaming division, too. Microsoft has promised to balance out its Xbox console's carbon footprint and get gamers involved in sustainability projects through initiatives like Minecraft's Build a Better World. This initiative not only helps them improve their brand image but also invokes gamers to do their bit for the environment.

Lottoland

Lottoland is an online lottery betting industry leader, combining innovation with an environmentally conscious ethos. The brand has embedded sustainable practices into its core, including reducing their carbon emissions and enabling responsible gaming. Lottoland Casino also supports a number of environmental projects through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, which has made it stand out in the gaming industry. 

Ubisoft

Another major player in the gaming industry that stands out for its commitment to sustainability is Ubisoft. The company has an idea for making serious changes, and that is to limit its environmental implications in everything that they do, which includes buying parts from eco-friendly suppliers and adding environmental themes to their games. The main storyline in "Assassin's Creed: Valhalla" also teaches players issues about climate change and biodiversity, thus using their platform for social good. 

Supercell

Supercell also offsets the carbon footprint of its gaming community, which features popular mobile games like Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars. As such, they regularly host tree-planting campaigns and contribute to action on the ground through other environmental groups that direct sustainable development initiatives. Supercell is helping its audience take responsibility for the environment by encouraging players to engage in such initiatives.

Besides planting trees, Supercell has implemented a Sustainability Code of Conduct that encourages environmentally friendly practices in its operations and supply chain. Its headquarters, based in Wood City, is environmentally sustainable and built with green materials and construction.

Unity Technologies

What sets Unity Technologies apart is its efforts to make game development tools sustainable. The company has formed a Sustainability Oversight Committee devoted to integrating climate action initiatives throughout its operations. Unity encourages developers to adopt energy-efficient practices, offering tools and resources to reduce the energy consumption of their games.

Also, Unity promotes projects that raise awareness of environmental matters via interactivity, encouraging designers to embed eco-friendly narratives into their work.  

Conclusion

These five companies showcase how sustainability can be harmoniously blended into gaming without compromising on entertainment. Not only do they prioritize eco-friendly practices, but their commitment to responsible gaming sets a benchmark for startups making an extraordinary impact in this rapidly evolving sector. With more companies following suit, the gaming industry's potential to positively contribute to global sustainability efforts remains substantial.  

From 31 January, businesses moving goods from the European Union (EU) to Great Britain (GB) will need to comply with new UK safety and security declaration requirements. 

Some businesses are already prepared – around 3 million safety and security declarations for EU imports are made voluntarily each year - but many others need to get ready.

HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Director of Customs Policy & Strategy, Alex Pienaar, explains what it means for your business and how you can prepare.

What’s coming and why?

Since EU Exit, imports from the EU have continued without the need for a GB safety and security declaration but this waiver is coming to an end. From 31 January, safety and security declaration requirements for EU imports will be in place. 

Safety and security declarations provide pre-arrival information for all goods entering GB, and they are submitted into an IT system called Safety and Security Great Britain (S&S GB). 

Mandatory collection of pre-arrival data for EU imports will enable more intelligent risking of goods, so legitimate goods are less likely to be held up at the border which means less disruption to your business whilst preventing illegal and dangerous goods hitting our streets.

The process has been designed with a reduced data requirement than that currently required for Rest of the World import declarations so it’s straightforward for businesses new to making import declarations (also known as an Entry Summary Declaration) and more streamlined for those already doing it.

Data required on EU imports will be aligned to that from imports outside of the EU. Those who are already submitting safety and security declarations, including those voluntarily making declarations on imports from the EU, can continue using their systems without any change, but have the option to use the reduced dataset.

It’s vital that declarations are completed accurately and submitted by the legal deadline (before goods arrive at the GB border) otherwise your business’s goods risk being held up for unnecessary checks or even a penalty so it’s worth preparing now.

Who is affected by the new regulations?

All businesses who import from the EU to GB need to be aware of the new regulations and how they might impact them. Hauliers and carriers are legally responsible for making the declaration, although third parties such as agents and intermediaries can also submit the declaration on behalf of the carrier with their consent.

• By Rail – the rail freight operator is responsible for ensuring the declarations are submitted

• By Air or Sea – it’s the shipping company or the airline

• Roll On, Roll Off – it’s the haulage company for accompanied goods or the ferry operator for unaccompanied goods

Businesses who have only ever imported goods from the EU are most affected by the changes and may be required to provide more information to their carriers than they currently do for the carrier to complete the declaration. Businesses who import from the ‘Rest of the World’ and those who already make voluntary declarations from EU will already be familiar with the process.

More information about who is responsible for making the declaration and the time limits for submitting your declaration can be found on GOV.UK.

How are S&S declarations submitted?

Businesses will need to make S&S declarations via the S&S GB IT platform.

Businesses who are already set up to submit declarations from ‘Rest of the World’ don’t have to make any changes to their systems and can continue to fill in the full dataset if they prefer. 

Visit GOV.UK for details on the dataset. 

How do I get started?

There are steps businesses can take now to get ready to use the S&S GB service. 

• Talk to your supply chain 

Agree who is responsible for submitting S&S declarations from 31 January, what information they will need to complete the declaration, and how to make sure it will be made available to them

• Make sure you have the right software

The S&S GB service doesn’t have a user interface so specialist software is needed to lodge declarations. 

There are a number of ways you can do this:

• You can develop software in-house by using the HMRC developer hub:

• Purchase compatible software. Visit GOV.UK to check the list of software developers: 

• Employ the service of a Community System provider: 

• Register and enrol- for S&S GB

To register you’ll need a Government Gateway Account and password. You’ll also need information about your business, a full list of what you’ll need to register can be found here.

• Test your software 

Once you have the software, we recommend you test it before 31 January to ensure you’re set up correctly. If you already use software to make import declarations, check it’s compatible with the reduced data set requirement.

You can test your software in the  testing environment  in the HMRC hub.

Making declarations 

Before you start making a declaration make sure you have the details you need about your goods to meet the mandatory data requirement to avoid any delay.

If any information changes, your declaration can be amended at any time up until the time the goods reach the GB border.

Once the declaration has been accepted you will be issued with a Movement Reference Number which can also be included if your goods are to be sent to ports using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service. Lastly the declaration will be risk assessed by Border Force and, if no further intervention is needed, your goods can continue on their journey. More information on submitting an Entry Summary Declaration. 

To get ready for Safety and Security declarations for EU Imports, go to GOV.UK.

In the bustling streets of the UK, from the misty avenues of London to the historical lanes of Edinburgh, a quiet revolution has unfolded over the past decade. Amidst this vaping wave, one star shines particularly bright, known for its convenience and user-friendliness: the Vape Pods UK. Its simplicity has made transitioning from traditional tobacco to vaping a breeze for many.

What makes prefilled pods stand out?

Prefilled vape pods are the epitome of plug-and-play in the world of vaping. Imagine getting a sleek, compact device that's ready to deliver your nicotine fix without the fuss of refilling or the mess of leaking e-juice. That's the convenience prefilled pods offer. They come in a variety of flavors, from the tangy zest of citrus fruits to the rich aroma of tobacco blends, catering to a wide range of palates. Moreover, these pods are incredibly discreet, fitting snugly in your pocket, making them perfect companions for those always on the move.

The allure of prefilled vape pods doesn't stop at their no-fuss setup; they're also a testament to the evolution of vaping technology. Tailored to meet the demands of both novices and veterans, these pods ensure a consistent experience with each draw. Advanced heating mechanisms within the devices are fine-tuned to work harmoniously with the pods, producing a smooth and satisfying vapor. This seamless integration is why many regard prefilled pods as a hallmark of innovation in the vaping market.

A peek into the variety and satisfaction

One of the joys of venturing into the realm of vaping, particularly with Vape Pods UK, is the exploration of flavors. Prefilled pods do not disappoint in this arena. They encapsulate a spectrum of taste profiles, allowing users to switch between different flavors according to their moods or cravings. Whether you're a menthol enthusiast or a berry aficionado, there's a pod waiting to whisk your senses away. Additionally, for those mindful about the strength of their nicotine intake, these pods come in various concentrations, giving you the control to dial down or up as needed.

The personalization factor of prefilled vape pods is another compelling aspect of their widespread acclaim. Users are not confined to a one-size-fits-all approach but rather have the liberty to choose pods that resonate with their individual tastes and nicotine preferences. The convenience of switching pods is matched by the reliability and safety they offer, with standardized dosages and leak-proof designs that ensure each session is as enjoyable as it is secure.

Choosing your prefect pod

While the advantages of prefilled pods are aplenty, making the right choice is crucial. With myriad options on the market, focusing on quality and compatibility is key. Opt for reputable brands that are known for their stringent quality controls to ensure you're not only enjoying your vaping experience but doing so safely. Moreover, check the compatibility of the pods with your device, ensuring a seamless fit. Lastly, consider the nicotine strength and flavor profile that best suits your preferences for a truly satisfying vape.

Looking ahead

The landscape of vaping, particularly with prefilled pods, continues to evolve. Technological advancements and a growing emphasis on sustainability are paving the way for more innovative and eco-friendly vaping solutions. As we look ahead, the role of prefilled pods in the vaping culture is undeniably significant, offering a gateway for smokers to transition to a less harmful alternative and providing seasoned vapers with convenience and sophistication. The future of vaping, with prefilled pods at the forefront, seems bright, promising a world where smoking could become a thing of the past.

Bitcoin, the digital currency conceived in 2009 by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, is a financial phenomenon. Despite the volatility of global markets, it has demonstrated remarkable resilience. This post delves into five ways how this pioneering cryptocurrency continues to hold its ground amidst financial turbulence, including:

1.Bitcoin's Inherent Volatility Mitigation

While Bitcoin is known for its volatility, it also has mechanisms that help mitigate this. Bitcoin's decentralised nature and finite supply of 21 million coins mean that its value isn't directly tied to the performance of any single economy. This inherent feature provides a level of insulation against traditional market fluctuations.

During economic uncertainty, many investors turn to Bitcoin as a 'digital gold,' further solidifying its value and contributing to its resilience. To this, the value of BTC to USD has shown a consistent upward trend over time despite short-term volatility. This is a testament to Bitcoin's resilience and growing acceptance as a legitimate asset class.

2. The Stability of the Cryptocurrency Ecosystem

The overall stability of the crypto ecosystem plays a significant role in the resilience of Bitcoin. Even when individual cryptocurrencies experience volatility, the interplay between different coins and the broader market can help stabilise Bitcoin.

Leading crypto exchanges like Bitfinex have developed tools and strategies to help traders navigate market volatility, supporting Bitcoin's stability. These measures, coupled with the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies worldwide, contribute to the stability of the digital financial pyramid and robust Bitcoin market.

3. Bitcoin's Decentralised Nature

Bitcoin's decentralised nature sets it apart from traditional currencies and adds to its resilience. Being a decentralised currency, Bitcoin is less affected by geopolitical events or the financial instability of a specific country.

This decentralisation also means that Bitcoin transactions are not subject to government interference or regulation. This freedom from centralised control makes Bitcoin more stable during political or economic unrest, further enhancing its resilience in the face of financial market volatility.

4. Growing Market Capitalization

The steady increase in Bitcoin's market capitalization indicates its resilience. Despite periods of price volatility, the overall value of Bitcoin has continued to increase, signalling growing trust and confidence among investors. The saving culture and the growing adoption of Bitcoin as a store of value contribute to this trend, further solidifying its position as a resilient asset.This growth reflects the increasing acceptance of Bitcoin as a viable investment option, which further strengthens its position in the financial market.

5. Bitcoin's Role in Financial Inclusion

Another factor contributing to its resilience is Bitcoin's potential to drive financial inclusion. By offering a decentralised and globally accessible form of currency, Bitcoin can play a pivotal role in providing financial services to the world's unbanked populations.

This potential for financial inclusion not only enhances the utility of Bitcoin but also strengthens its value and stability. As more people gain access to financial services through Bitcoin, its demand, usage, and, consequently, its resilience against market volatility are likely to increase.

Bitcoin's resilience is a testament to its unique features and growing acceptance as a legitimate form of currency and investment. Its decentralised nature, growing market capitalization, and potential for financial inclusion all contribute to its ability to withstand market fluctuations.              

From university students and young entrepreneurs to senior executives, imposter syndrome remains a common thread in everyone’s personal career journey. Imposter syndrome has no bias for job, seniority, race or gender and business leaders are not immune to it either. On the contrary, it can heavily affect CEOs who, despite their years of experience, can fall victim to it and allow self doubt to hinder their career progression and skills development. If left unaddressed, it can also prevent young workers from accomplishing their true potential. 

This is especially true for women striving to break barriers and establish successful careers in traditionally male-dominated industries, and often result in skewed statistics that suggest limited interest among women to pursue senior executive roles.

As the topic continues to be a central issue characterising UK workplace dynamics, it is time to have a more open conversation on how business leaders can both learn, and teach others, how to accept imposter syndrome as a tool for fostering personal growth and confidence. 

Ironically, imposter syndrome affects hardworking individuals the most— those who are already likely to possess the necessary skills to excel in their professions as noted by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes when they first identified this phenomenon in 1978. Despite exceptional abilities and achievements, those experiencing imposter syndrome find it easier to fall into a false belief of inadequacy. It is also important to remember that imposter syndrome manifests differently based on individuals' profile and backgrounds, and can often be internalised to the point of denial. 

Luckily, there are a few easy steps for business leaders to ease the feelings of imposter syndrome while facilitating their personal growth and management skills.

Adopt a growth mindset

As they say, the first step to solve an issue is to acknowledge it. One effective strategy to start a more open conversation on the topic is to shift perspective around imposter syndrome; instead of hiding from it, lean towards it. Business leaders should recognise imposter syndrome as a natural rite of passage for any successful and healthy career journey.

More specifically, they should strive to replace their “comfort zone” with a more challenging "growth zone," a place where they are challenged to take on risks and tackle responsibilities that might initially seem intimidating. While it may not appear to be the conventional approach to addressing imposter syndrome, embracing the 'fake it till you make it' mindset and maintaining trust in the process can empower leaders to move forward.

Adopting a growth mindset allows leaders to see obstacles as temporary, and - just like imposter syndrome - as necessary steps to grow and get better. After all, success is not the trademark of natural-born leaders. It's always a result of hard-work and dedicated training. And constant practice is the true and only key to successful business leadership.

Individuals throughout an organisation need to stop telling themselves they’re not qualified, good enough or perhaps even worthy. Growth starts to happen when you start doing things you’re not qualified to do!

Speak with a trusted colleague - you’re not alone!

Another important piece of advice is to remember that no professional journey is an easy one. 

First-time executives can find value from joining a group of peers. Sometimes, when experiencing feelings of self doubt, all people really need to hear is the words ‘Me too’. In the fast-paced and often volatile business world, it is possible for CEOs to mistake a time of uncertainty or transition for a lack of leadership or executive skills on their behalf. Talking it out with a trusted group of peers can help them realise how common and normal their feelings are.

For example, ambitious MDs and CEOs join groups because they want to connect with other like-minded executives through a trusted leadership experience that delivers professional, and personal, results. This is where leaders get fresh perspectives, clarity, and support to make the big decisions.

This can also offer space for healthy comparison practices and for leaders to feel more confident in their strategic choices, or learn from others. One of the hardest things about imposter syndrome is the overarching feeling of loneliness it can produce, and it can be alienating. By finding others who feel like you, the world will feel less lonely and objectives more easily attainable.

Referring to a more senior mentor can also be quite beneficial. A good mentor has myriad experiences of success and has suffered numerous setbacks. Setbacks may be nerve-wracking for a first-time executive, but a good mentor knows that many things, good and bad, will happen in even the best careers. Ultimately, this is what makes a seasoned mentor all the more valuable!

Create a culture of growth   

This issue is not limited to individuals who are well advanced in their career, but rather starts from the very beginning of each professional path. Imposter syndrome can weigh more heavily on young employees as they navigate the challenges of their first job, while striving to acquire new skills and bolster their confidence. 

Every individual eventually goes through this feeling when moving forward in their respective career, and as such, it is something leaders need to embrace as an inherent milestone in their professional journey and, equally importantly, advocate for a culture where their employees are encouraged to do the same. 

Good leaders actively mobilise to identify and dismantle the systems that foster (generally unwarranted) feelings of inadequacy — often seen among top performers. Rewarding people’s curiosity and eagerness to learn can be an effective strategy to reassure young employees to be on the right path to professional growth; similarly, becoming obsessed with fair and accurate informal feedback — including praise, can be an excellent way to boost confidence and engagement within the team. Fostering a culture that allows ‘good failure’ is often the only way to truly have creativity and innovation in an organisation. 

Creating a culture of growth will result in benefits to leaders too and still aligns with the general premise of accepting imposter syndrome. Business leaders can master feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt as motivation to invite fresh perspectives from their team members and bolster trust and collaboration amongst their workforce. This is an excellent way for CEOs to ensure their business leadership is supported and trusted by their staff, which in return, will allow them to fight against any urge to give in to imposter syndrome. In other words, imposter syndrome can become a catalyst for self-improvement, as it can inspire individuals to pursue their goals through motivation rather than fear.

Seeing your ideas materialise, working for yourself, leading others, and becoming a CEO might seem like a dream come true, and indeed, it is for many.

However, it's not the right path for everyone, and it's not something you can easily walk away from once you've realized that the entrepreneurial lifestyle isn't for you. It can entail the loss of money, time, and motivation. Hence, it's crucial to assess whether it's the right fit for you before embarking on this journey.

This article will go over a few factors why the CEO’s path might not be for you.

You lack persistence in the face of setbacks

It's easy to get caught up in the glamorised world of CEOs and their seemingly effortless success stories. But the truth is, not everyone is cut out for that type of journey. In fact, if you lack persistence in the face of setbacks, becoming a CEO may not be the best fit for you.

The road to success is paved with obstacles, and true leaders know how to overcome them with determination and perseverance. So, while it may be tempting to chase after a CEO title, it's important to consider whether or not you have what it takes to weather the storm of setbacks and come out on top.

For instance, Mantas Kondratavicius, Kilo Health’s Co-found Program co-founder, emphasises: “In my journey with Kilo Health, I had the chance to bring various business ideas to life, including supplements and nutrition products. Some of them turned out to be real winners, while others didn’t quite hit the mark.

There was a time when we went all-in, investing heavily and assembling an amazing team. We churned out 5 products full of hope and excitement. However, as time went on, we had to face the reality that some of them weren’t as successful as we had hoped. We had to make the tough call to shut them down because they didn’t meet our goals or gain enough traction.”

In a study, they found that when people failed at first, those with high self-esteem kept going on tough puzzles if they were told that persistence helps. But when they heard that persistence doesn't make a difference, they gave up earlier. Low self-esteem people did the opposite. It shows how the information we get can affect how we perform.

As an entrepreneur, you will inevitably encounter failure in some form, and it's essential to get back up and try again. Persistence, learning from your mistakes, and maintaining a growth mindset are crucial elements for success; without them, your path to success becomes much more challenging.

Pressure overwhelms your performance

Entrepreneurship and pressure are intertwined. You are the one in charge, and everyone looks to you when problems arise. You assemble your team, set goals, choose a strategy, and maintain a clear vision. In many ways, you must thrive under pressure.

“We, the co-founders, are just ordinary individuals with grand ambitions. There are times when we work twice as long and intensely as others, yet we’re equipped with the same amount of daytime, energy, and capacity.

However, as leaders in the startup world, we can’t just call it quits when we’re tired.”, says Vitalijus Majorovas, a co-founder at Kilo Health.

Reflect on how you've reacted under pressure in the past. Did you withdraw? Did you give up? Conversely, did you excel when faced with pressure? In the best-case scenario, you find motivation in both situations—during calm periods and when storms hit.

This is because you don't overthink the storm; you focus on doing what needs to be done and continue growing your business as usual.

Just as there are challenges in every aspect of human life, there are challenges when you are the founder of a product and the leader of a startup. Pressure can serve as a powerful motivator and ally, but it can also be the force that discourages you from pursuing this lifestyle.

Lack of passion for your concept

“I had quite a few ideas on my plate, including apps and supplements. And guess what? Bioma came out on top. It’s important to consider: Which of your ideas has a solid foundation in reality?

I closely examined the market. Probiotics were, and maybe still are, a trend, but they had a strong foothold among users and scientists. To put it simply, it was a strategic market opportunity.”, explains Kasparas Aleknavicius, a medical doctor and co-founder of probiotic supplements at Kilo Health.

Upon hearing this, you might think that finding the perfect market fit and having the most unique idea are the keys to success. However, that's not always the case.

In fact, many successful CEOs are fueled by a deep personal passion for their chosen field. In this article, it's highlighted that CEO candidates with high-reliability scores were twice as likely to be selected for the role and 15 times more likely to succeed in it. While this isn't directly related to passion, reliability can serve as an indicator of a CEO's dedication to their product or business.

If you don't find the theme of the product personally exciting or interesting, it might indicate that you're not yet ready to become its founder. Ultimately, the desire to make a meaningful impact is often more crucial than simply fitting into the right market.

All in all, although the role of a CEO can be demanding and hectic, it by no means has to be your sole career path. In fact, learning the skills necessary to run a successful business and ultimately reach your own definition of success can take many other forms beyond just one title or position. Seek out what speaks to your heart and gives you purpose.

PR is a powerhouse for shaping narratives and perceptions across industries. It is evident by the remarkable growth of the global market, which has surged to $107 billion in 2023, a 6.6% increase from the previous year. With projections showing no letting up, PR professionals continue to face a persistent challenge – convincing sceptical C-suite executives to recognise the tangible value of the impact of PR. As inflation pressures budgets and clients become increasingly demanding, the significance of demonstrating results and return on investment has become more important than ever.

Misconceptions about PR and its impact

While the benefits of a well-executed PR strategy are evident to practitioners, misconceptions among business leaders often cast PR as fluff, lacking business results. These misconceptions become glaringly obvious when examining Dove's Real Beauty campaign, which reshaped its brand reputation and yielded substantial, quantifiable results – heightened customer loyalty and increased sales. The Real Beauty campaign caused sales to jump from $2.5 to $4 billion in the first ten years.

Addressing misconceptions is crucial since PR efforts can directly influence business success and stakeholder engagement. Research shows technology start-up unicorn businesses in the UK with CEOs or founders active in the media were more financially successful in their investment rounds than those not. While sceptics might dismiss online brand mentions as inconsequential, increased online visibility leads tangible business results.

Film advertisers in the 1930s conceptualised the idea that consumers must see a brand message at least seven times before they commit to a purchase decision. Now, the idea is still relevant as the more brand exposure and visibility, the more opportunity to build lasting consumer relationships. This isn’t the only benefit. High-authority site backlinks from PR coverage can significantly improve SEO website rankings, resulting in greater business credibility.

Social media's influence on organisational narratives

Over the last 20 years, social media has fundamentally transformed how organisations communicate and shape their narratives. The unconventional approach employed by Tesla, which utilises Elon Musk's Twitter account for product launches, delays, and milestones, stands as a testament to the impact of alternative approaches. This strategy ensures direct engagement with the audience, amplifies media attention and builds trust. This innovative approach has triggered a ripple effect across industries, with many companies now jumping at the opportunity to profile themselves - and emulate similar engagement-driven models for their businesses.

As digital platforms transition into important means of communication, strategic PR efforts that harness the power of social media have become crucial. The unparalleled reach and instant engagement capabilities of social media platforms highlight the evolving nature of the contemporary PR landscape. To practically implement social media into organisational narratives, PR professionals can start by aligning their content with the way users interact with the platform and audience content preferences. Crafting stories that deliver key brand messages and are the type of content platform users want to see can result in effective cross-channel communications and another bite of the PR cherry.

Measuring the impact of PR efforts on social media involves tracking KPIs such as engagement rates, shares, comments, and website traffic generated through social links. Advanced analytics tools can provide insights into audience sentiment and demographics, helping PR teams refine their strategies based on real-time data.

Using data to shift PR perception

This digital era, characterised by data and analytics, makes going beyond the numbers on a page to showcase the effectiveness of PR paramount. Using specific quantitative and qualitative data points demonstrates how a partnership, integrated campaign or steady drum beat of executive profiling drove real impact over time on business outcomes.

To achieve this, PR professionals can employ a range of critical metrics, including search trends and behaviour analytics. These metrics offer insights into how PR initiatives influence consumer behaviour, brand perception, and the bottom line. For instance, tracking web search trends post-campaigns, correlating media coverage with spikes in online purchases, or strategically generating high-quality backlinks can provide measurable evidence of PR's effectiveness.

Finally, reporting and presenting data brings PR activity full circle. This involves translating raw data into insightful narratives portraying the cause-and-effect relationship between PR actions and measurable outcomes to decision-makers. Visual representations like graphs, charts, and case studies can make complex data simple.

So, what does your CEO want?

Currently, where narratives and perceptions hold immense power, PR's role in shaping the destiny of businesses cannot be overstated. As evidenced by the exponential growth of the PR market and the acknowledgement of its importance by industry bodies like the PRCA in 2022, the impact of PR is undeniable.

The persistent challenge of scepticism remains. The path to overcoming this challenge involves dismantling misconceptions and embracing data-driven reporting. Substantiating PR's contribution leverages innovative tools like sentiment analysis to quantify its impact. 

Now more than ever, PR professionals are urged to adopt strategic approaches that tangibly demonstrate PR's value, fostering a more robust alliance between PR teams and the C-suite. As the journey of the PR industry continues, its power in sculpting organisational narratives remains unparalleled.

In an era marked by the cost-of-living crisis, the landscape of consumer behaviour is undergoing a significant transformation. This shift demands a strategic adaptation from businesses.

Data shows that 52% of consumers are buying less as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, a figure that rises among younger audiences.

Driven by the pursuit of greater value and enhanced customer experience, individuals are displaying a heightened inclination to switch brands with unprecedented frequency. 

Consumers are increasingly looking for the best price, with 53 per cent willing to switch brands if they can save money.

Consequently, the standard of brand loyalty is being reshaped, with loyal customers emerging as invaluable assets for businesses striving to navigate these challenging times.

Research also reveals that in order to compensate for the cost-of-living crisis, 28% are using email to hunt for discounts and promotional codes, relying on customer loyalty programmes to maintain their spending habits on a cheaper budget.

This shifting landscape underscores the pressing need for businesses to recognise the potential of customer loyalty programmes as a powerful tool to retain customers and secure long-term success.

Research shows that 56 per cent of companies view the role of customer loyalty as essential to overcome the inflation crisis and potential recession. This figure underscores the pivotal role that customer loyalty is assuming and that it is continuing to become imperative for survival and prosperity.

In response to this evolving business landscape, the adoption of customer loyalty programmes has emerged as a crucial strategy.

Benefits of customer loyalty programmes

Customer loyalty programmes can bring a wealth of benefits to both SMEs and larger businesses. These programmes not only offer a pathway to customer retention but also provide a range of compelling advantages to both SMEs and larger businesses.

One of the most apparent benefits of such initiatives is the enhancement of customer retention rates. By offering exclusive rewards to returning customers, personalised experiences, and enhanced value propositions, loyalty programmes provide customers with compelling reasons to remain engaged with a brand over the long term.

These initiatives go beyond customer satisfaction and wield an influence on a business’s financial health: maintaining customers costs less than acquiring new ones.

By enticing customers with exclusive discounts, rewards, and access to premium offerings, these programmes promote higher spending levels. Furthermore, this can lead to repeat purchases and increased revenue and profitability through less budget-intensive marketing techniques.

Beyond the immediate financial gains, customer loyalty programmes provide a gateway to invaluable insights into consumer behaviour.

Through the collection and analysis of data generated by these programmes, businesses gain unparalleled understanding of their customers' preferences, spending patterns, and purchasing habits.

For example, research found that consumer trust played a prominent role in email usage, with 70 per cent using their primary email when signing up for promotions and services with organisations, with people subscribing to an average of 10 brands for email marketing.

This data-driven approach enables enterprises to tailor their offerings to meet the precise needs of their customer base. By harnessing the power of this customer intelligence, businesses can make informed decisions that not only bolster customer satisfaction but also optimise their product and service offerings.

Furthermore, loyalty programmes serve as a powerful tool for effective marketing strategies. By establishing a direct line of communication with loyal customers, businesses can engage in personalised and targeted marketing campaigns.

The data obtained from loyalty programmes also enables businesses to segment their customer base and tailor marketing messages to different demographic groups, ensuring a more impactful approach.

The best data sources for customer loyalty programmes

By collecting and analysing relevant data, businesses are able to identify patterns and trends that can inform the design and execution of loyalty programmes.

• Demographic data. Including basic data such as age, gender, income and location, demographic information can help businesses to understand their target audience. With this understanding, they can create loyalty programmes that appeal to specific customer segments.

• Transactional data. This comprises of information on the types of products that are most commonly purchased, and by who. This data will help businesses to identify the rewards and incentives that will be most attractive to their customers, as well as what types of incentives to promote to different customer segments.

• Customer feedback. Gathered through surveys, social media and online reviews, customer feedback can provide insights into customer preferences, pain points and satisfaction levels. This information can go on to inform loyalty programme design.

• Competitive analysis. Understanding the competition alongside industry trends enables businesses to differentiate themselves from the crowd. This data can be used to identify gaps in the market and create loyalty programmes that offer something unique.

Measuring the success of a loyalty programme

Measuring the success of customer loyalty programmes is vital for businesses to evaluate how the programme is performing.

• Programme Participation. Identifying the number of customers engaging with the loyalty programme is a fundamental gauge of its success; through this metric, businesses can determine if the programme is engaging customers and whether the rewards are enticing enough.

• Customer retention rate. This data reflects the programmes’ ability to foster long-term customer relationships. By tracking how many loyal customers continue to make repeat purchases, businesses can assess whether the programme is successfully incentivising engagement.

• Average order value. The average order value is a direct indicator of how the loyalty programme influences customer spending behaviours. An increase in this metric implies that the program is encouraging customers to spend more per transaction, indicating that the rewards are motivating higher-value purchases.

• Net promoter score (NPS). NPS provides insights into customer satisfaction and loyalty by gauging how likely customers are to recommend the business to others. A positive correlation between a higher NPS and the presence of a loyalty program suggests that the program is enhancing overall customer sentiment and advocacy.

Overall, customer loyalty programmes can be a crucial tool for businesses. These initiatives not only foster customer loyalty but also pave the way for increased revenue, better customer insights, and enhanced marketing strategies. In the face of economic uncertainties, embracing loyalty programmes can provide a sturdy foundation for growth.

It’s never been more important for businesses to keep an eye on day-to-day spending. At the moment, month-to-month inflation of goods and services might mean that realistic budgets set at the start of the year begin to strain. Additionally, companies that currently rely on their staff to pay and then claim expenses may discover that employees can no longer afford to be regularly out of pocket during a cost of living crisis. Their goodwill may run out and have an even greater impact on overall business operations. Therefore the automation of company spending is now more necessary than ever.

When it comes to managing spend in a business, the budgeting process can set a high level of accountability. This drives headcount forecasts, subscription-based spend, and key projects throughout the year. But when we start getting into ongoing spend control specifically - which comes after the budget has been set - controls need to happen slightly differently, as businesses need a way to proactively control spend as it occurs.

Setting a spending policy

Normally, when you ask businesses how they want to control spend, their ideal scenario is to implement the pre-approval of any company spend that takes place, or to set specific spending policies. For example, companies will typically have a travel policy that may include rules such as; you must take an economy class flight, it has to be booked X number of days in advance, and a hotel cannot be more than £120 per night. Or if on a business trip, can only spend £50 per day on subsistence.

This is where enforcement and accountability are paramount: you’re trying to control spend at the source. The little things - transaction by transaction - ensure that you don't breach the high-level budget in the future.

Businesses can set policy and encourage compliance, but unless it’s straightforward for their employees to apply at the point of purchase, then they might not stick to it. If a policy is unclear, held in a document difficult to access, or even simply out of mind, at any instance a purchase is made, then it’s not worth setting out in the first place.

Automatic enforcement of spending policy

One straightforward way to enforce spending rules is to set specific company card policies. When you give employees company cards, you can determine what can be done on each individual or team card and set the type of spending it allows. This is where you can set rules such as ‘no ATM withdrawals’, thereby eliminating cash from the business; or conversely ‘no online payments’, which has the immediate effect of reducing the risk of fraud from the business according to its needs. You can also set different policies by their user groups, for example setting up a ‘travelling employees group’ with a higher card limit, and a ‘non-travelling employees group’, who receive a lower limit.

Another approach that can be applied by the finance or procurement teams, when using some spend management solutions, is a zero-limit policy card. This is where you give all team members a card but it has zero funds attached, meaning it can only be used via a process of fund requests. You can of course set pre-approvals for fund requests up to a given limit, which can then be used for specific one-off purchases. There is even the potential functionality to set specific limits by time of day, or day of the week, and different limits by merchant category.

These are all ways and means of setting spend rules, and typically this is used for spending that is low-value but high volume, enabling systemic control, as opposed to a one-off approvals process. Typically, when it comes to high value items, this would go through a purchase order, rather than a card expense or reimbursement. However, the inflexibility of the PO process may mean it is easier to manage certain types of spend through company cards - including travel and expenses and subscriptions.

Identifying spend outside of policy

No matter how strong and well-implemented your policy is, there will inevitably be times when someone breaks it. It's therefore vital to have good spend visibility, so the finance team can see what has happened and take action, whether by updating policies or reaching out to the cardholder directly.

This is when you want to be able to filter by transaction, and combine these filters to create exception reports. It’s typically mandatory for employees to assign the category of an expense e.g. ‘hotels’. Therefore you could filter the category by ‘hotels’, then apply a second filter where the amount is ‘over £120’, and add any additional filters to combine the number of nights, times the max spend per night. This would identify all transactions above the policy threshold, effectively identifying all out of policy items quickly and enable the finance team to go into it for further investigation.

This kind of visibility is typically given to the finance team, or team managers - the direct approvers of expenses - however they tend to do this on an approval by approval basis. The challenge here is to inform and educate them on the policy, rather than building the reports.

Achieving a 360° view

A lot of company spend rules are enforced in policy but this doesn’t ensure compliance. This is where spend management software can proactively ensure compliance, with policies built into the company cards and associated software, using advance card limits, different user groups and different spend types, which all allow for greater control enforcement. This all has the effect of making it super easy for cardholders to stay in policy, reducing the number of errant transactions, and making it easier for the finance team to identify when they occur.

In the fast-evolving landscape of technological advancements, tools like ChatGPT have garnered substantial attention and sparked high hopes for revolutionising business operations. Yet, recent findings from a Morgan Stanley survey conducted in April 2023 have cast a revealing light on the current state of AI adoption for work-related tasks. Surprisingly, only 19% of respondents reported using ChatGPT once a month or more, showing a disparity between the anticipation and the actual implementation.

Real-world usage of ChatGPT highlights a challenge that entrepreneurs and business leaders face today in understanding how to harness ChatGPT's capabilities effectively and seamlessly integrate it into business processes to yield tangible productivity.

By understanding the nuances of implementation and discovering innovative ways to leverage this Open AI tool, founders and business leaders can bridge the gap between anticipation and realisation, steering enterprises towards efficiency and success.

For this reason, we are taking the opportunity to explore the top applications of ChatGPT integration, unlock its true potential, and pave the way for transformative results in the business landscape. 

Empowering Content Creation

The prowess of ChatGPT extends beyond communication to content creation. This AI tool can craft email responses, compose external-facing online content, and accelerate routine writing responsibilities. Although AI-generated content requires thorough editing and fact-checking, it can significantly expedite the content creation process and ignite new ideas.

This capability proves especially beneficial for technical roles, including marketing teams. In an era where creative writing is integral to diverse roles, from internal marketing to client communications and blog writing, ChatGPT emerges as a dependable partner, relieving the burden and sometimes even eliminating it altogether.

Facilitating Code Validation

ChatGPT’s functionality also extends to coding. The tool generates code snippets and validates code based on user prompts and parameters. From initiating workflows to offering suggestions and code improvement, ChatGPT significantly contributes to code-related tasks, even for those without extensive coding knowledge.

This is particularly valuable for DevSecOps teams and citizen developers, individuals with innovative ideas but limited technical training. In that sense, ChatGPT steps in as an aid, giving citizen developers the superpower to conquer coding goals that once seemed like a distant dream. 

As AI tools like ChatGPT make technological innovation accessible to everyone in the business world, they are paving the way for game-changing breakthroughs powered by a wonderfully diverse group of minds.

Enhancing Customer Experience

Providing comprehensive and human-centric customer service is undoubtedly costly, but solely relying on automated responses can lead to unfavourable customer experiences that undermine a business's brand. In a recent survey, a staggering 30% of respondents indicated they would abandon a purchase if their interaction with a chatbot yielded a negative outcome. 

Leveraging AI-powered tools offers a solution for small businesses to enhance customer service without incurring substantial expenses. This can be attributed to ChatGPT's unique learning ability, as it progressively refines its responses with each interaction, becoming increasingly adept at addressing customer enquiries over time. Moreover, ChatGPT can seamlessly connect to internal databases, enabling it to cater to organisation-specific requests without human intervention.

Streamlining Office Communication

The transition to hybrid work models has led to a surge in reliance on digital communication platforms, such as email and messaging, for collaborative efforts. Unfortunately, this has led to a drain on employees' time, with the average worker spending 57% of their time using office software for communication. To tackle this, incorporating AI tools has emerged as a smart way to boost the flow of information and streamline workplace communication.

A promising example is Slack's introduction of a ChatGPT bot to summarise new messages within communication threads. Organisations can also leverage ChatGPT's API to seamlessly integrate it into their proprietary workplace productivity solutions. By integrating with applications like Word or Outlook, ChatGPT can efficiently distil and convey crucial insights from messages, reports, or emails. It can even extract key actions and incorporate them into workflows, freeing users to concentrate on value creation rather than correspondence management.

As an entrepreneur, you're at the forefront of innovation, and ChatGPT presents an exciting opportunity to conquer. By learning how to harness its capabilities and seamlessly weave it into your business processes, you can transform your operations and drive tangible productivity gains. Meaning Your entrepreneurial journey could get a whole lot smarter, thanks to ChatGPT.

The boom

2020 and 2021 were the years of the Amazon aggregation gold rush. More than 100 Amazon aggregators publicly raised over USD 16 billion (and there was even more raised privately).

Their purpose: to acquire and consolidate small third party brands selling on Amazon. Some said they were the Proctor and Gamble or Unilever of the ecommerce world. They raced against each other to do multiple deals at pace (many claiming 45 days as the maximum deal length – in contrast to the more standard 3+ months of an M&A process) and there were with heady valuations (often in excess of 6x SDE or EBITDA). During this time, the US aggregator Thrasio became one of the fastest growing unicorns on record.

The bust

However, 2022 was the year of the Amazon aggregation downfall. Funding dried up and inflation and rising interest rates hit the highly leveraged aggregators’ debt hard. Amazon and shipping costs increased dramatically and compressed their margins. Operating multiple and diverse brands on Amazon proved more challenging for many aggregators than initially expected and the Covid boom of online shopping was over. Many people lost their jobs. The acquisition spree was over and some Amazon aggregators were over too. 

What happens next?

Amazon aggregation is, however, far from being over. Ecommerce is not going away, nor are the small brands and market fragmentation in the ecommerce space. Small brands like to start life on Amazon (as it is a cheaper way to access a high volume of customers) and consumers increasingly like to buy small, niche brands. Many founders of these small brands still want to sell their brands rather than scale them. Suggestions are that the aggregators are moving from the “trough of disillusionment” of the Gartner curve to the “slope of enlightenment”.

The aggregators may have slowed down their acquisitions, but they didn’t all disappear – instead they have taken time to become “enlightened”. They paused acquisitions to focus on operations, but there are glimmers of a comeback.

There has been consolidation between the aggregators, with larger aggregators buying up smaller ones or portfolios of brands. Razor Group has bought Factory 14, Valoreo and Stryze, Suma Brands and D1 Brands have merged, and SellerX bought Elevate Brands. There continues to be a lot of discussion about mergers of aggregators and we expect more consolidation to follow. Stronger, larger aggregators will emerge.

Some aggregators are also raising funding again. Razor Group closed a Series C at USD 88 million in April (at a USD 1.2 billion valuation) and others are raising without the public announcements that accompanied their earlier fundraisings. They are making acquisitions but the atmosphere is different and the valuations are no longer the same. There is more selectivity and less speed and due diligence takes longer and is more detailed. Consideration packages are more carefully structured and thought-out – we are seeing more earn-outs, deferred consideration, offers of equity and founders being retained for longer periods post-completion. The aggregators that have survived have learnt many lessons from the challenges of 2022. 

New aggregators are popping up, they are venturing beyond traditional pure Amazon FBA businesses to DTC channels (UK aggregator Heroes bought Trunki in February), and other players (like private equity funds) are now also showing an interest in the space. The term “Amazon aggregator” is losing popularity – they are ecommerce businesses, or platforms, now. 

There are also signs of a new aggregation model on the ecommerce street. There are thousands of small SaaS (software as a service) companies that have developed software to help businesses to sell online and through Amazon and Shopify. These businesses are essentially apps offering services from invoicing to inventory management, advertising to accounting, product research to reviews, and many more. There are an estimated 10,000 independent Shopify apps and the average Shopify seller uses six apps to manage their Shopify business. Like the Amazon third party sellers, it is another fragmented marketplace with founders keen to sell and the potential for synergies and efficiencies via M&A. Ecommerce SaaS businesses (with EBITDA margins of 60-70%) are even more profitable than Amazon businesses and are based on more reliable subscription models with no/limited working capital issues (unlike Amazon businesses). Tens of ecommerce SaaS aggregators or roll-ups have sprung up in the last year or so – this may be the next ecommerce M&A trend.

For far too long, it has been the norm for business decisions to be made by a select few individuals at the top of the organisational hierarchy. However, as a result of the modern world’s fast-paced and complex business environment, organisations are beginning to open their eyes to the value that democratising decision-making will bring to their business.

Recent studies have revealed that diverse teams make better decisions 87% of the time, proving what we already know to be true - democratising decision-making is key to unlocking success. 

Decision-making is evolving

It goes without saying that moving away from outdated decision-making processes which rely solely on a handful of senior executives can unlock a realm of opportunity for businesses, but it is useful to begin by considering why exactly there is a need for this change.

Senior executives tend to have a narrow view of the organisation’s operations and any challenges that their business may be facing, meaning that they lack the diverse insights that employees at lower levels in the company can provide. This reliance on senior executives for all business decisions stifles innovation as the best ideas often emerge from employees at different levels with specialised expertise. The top-down decision-making approach can also create strong hierarchical barriers preventing open communication and collaboration, which as a result will limit organisational agility.

This is not suitable for today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment. Organisations which rely solely on senior executives will struggle to adapt to, or even identify, new challenges and market trends as this process is extremely inflexible. Senior executives will also struggle to quickly react to the ever-changing business landscape as they lack the first-hand insight that experts throughout the business have, and so, will not be able to facilitate rapid decision-making.

Fostering inclusivity: the benefits of democratising your decision-making processes

Businesses that foster inclusivity by democratising their decision-making processes will benefit from innovation, organisational evolution, agility, and transparency.

By opening up business decisions to the wider organisation, a range of subject matter experts will be able to provide senior executives with the first-hand insight that they need to make informed decisions and thrive. This is because senior executives will be tapping into the collective intelligence of employees, meaning more creative ideas and strategies can be generated. This increased level of innovation will also have a knock-on effect and trigger organisational evolution. As a result, businesses will be able to evolve more dynamically and remain competitive in this crowded market.

As employees throughout the company begin to contribute to the decision-making processes, senior executives will also begin to notice that decisions are being made much faster and more effectively as they have first-hand knowledge of the situation. This increased agility will enable businesses to remain competitive against a backdrop of economic uncertainty.

Democratising the decision-making process also has an effect on the organisation’s productivity levels. Opening this process to the entire team fosters transparency and will increase trust amongst employees, in turn creating an open culture. Studies have shown that not only does an open culture increase productivity by 17%, it also increases profits by 21%. This open culture and increased employee engagement is also very important from a recruitment perspective, with research demonstrating that 32% of employees left their jobs within 90 days as a result of the poor company culture. With these stats in mind, it is even more important that senior executives begin to transform decision-making processes and foster a positive company culture.

A roadmap to augmenting your decision-making process

There are two key ways that businesses can begin their decision-making evolution. 

• Utilising purpose-built strategy execution management (SEM) technology

• Putting processes in place to ensure that decisions include more people throughout the organisation.

Purpose-built SEM systems are software designed to help organisations to manage all their operational and decision-making processes. It is tailored to ensure specific objectives are met, that challenges are addressed, and the business is driven forward strategically.

These systems remove both geographical and hierarchical barriers and offer collaborative, idea management capabilities where employees can submit, discuss, or vote on certain ideas, which also helps to increase the number of perspectives when making decisions. Finally, they provide real-time updates on decisions within the organisation which promotes transparency, efficiency and helps to drive an open culture.

In order to ensure that this change in decision-making is consistently successful, senior executives must advocate for the process and encourage open communication throughout the business as this will add credibility to the new decision-making process.

Democratising the decision-making process and ensuring that open communication is the driving force behind business operations will truly help to transform companies from the top down. By integrating specialised technology and ensuring that open communication is a drumbeat behind your organisation, businesses will be able to utilise the insight of their entire workforce to drive long-term innovation and success.

You’ve launched your website and you’re now a part of the digital highway. Yet, as you may know, launching your website is merely the starting point on your journey to stand out amidst the ever-evolving online marketplace. Beyond the launch, the challenge then becomes the pursuit to be seen. This is where search engine optimisation (SEO) comes in to act as an ally for your online business. With the high street experiencing dwindling foot traffic, the allure of being a hidden gem has lost its appeal.

So, imagine SEO as the cardinal points on a map, leading potential customers directly to your digital door step. And without this navigational aid, no matter how impressive your products or branding might be, they will remain invisible to those who are actively seeking them out.

Before we get into the nitty gritty of optimising your website, you’ll need to check whether your website has been indexed by Google. You can find out this information by typing the following in your Google search bar: site:yourwebsitedomain

If indexed, the search results should pull up pages from your website. However, if this is not the case, you’ll need to register your website with Google Search Console. As well as submitting your website to be indexed by Google, you’ll need to submit a sitemap. If you use a content management system like Squarespace, Wordpress, Wix, or Shopify you should be able to generate one automatically. For instance, if you use Squarespace, simply type /sitemap.xml at the end of your website url to find your sitemap.

Now, let’s get to it.

If you’ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of search engine optimisation, you’ll know that keywords are the superheroes of the digital highway, and you’re gonna need them on your side.

Keywords

At the core of SEO is the pivotal concept of keywords- these are the essential words and phrases that potential customers type into the search engine when hunting for answers. By aligning the contents of your website with these words and phrases you will organically boost your website's visibility in the search engine results page (SERPS).

Therefore, you need to know without a question who your potential customers are, what problems they want to solve and the language they use to communicate their needs. For instance, if you sell natural deodorants, your potential customer may search using phrases like “natural deodorants that work”, “non-toxic deodorants”, or “does natural deodorant stop sweating”. To find relevant phrases for your business you can take advantage of Google’s autocomplete feature. Start by typing in keywords that relate to your product/service, and see what phrases are suggested. To accompany these phrases you can find more at the bottom on the page under ‘related searches’.

Another strategy is to leverage Google Trends. It’s a free tool that allows you to explore the popularity of keywords, covering keyword frequency, regions they are being used in, related topics and related queries. Beyond what Google has to offer, you can use other tools to discover organic and relevant keywords on platforms like TikTok, online forums, Amazon, Instagram or Youtube’s own autocomplete feature. If you would like to gain deeper insights there are SEO tools like Moz, Ahrefs or Semrush.

Once you’ve conducted your keyword research, you can begin working on incorporating them into your website content. You can do this in a number of ways, but here are 6 of the most used:

• Actionable or informative articles

• Product title and descriptions

• URL structures (e.g www.domain.com/non-toxic-deodorants)

• Category page title or their descriptions

• Image description, which can include product images, banners or infographics

• Keywords in your FAQs help page

Beyond keywords, there is also technical SEO. For any business, large or small, technical optimisation ensures that search engines can index, crawl and understand your websites content - allowing better user experience and search visibility.

Mobile Friendly Design

Mobile responsiveness plays an important role because it provides an optimal browsing experience. Google began prioritising mobile responsive websites in 2015. Subsequently, in 2020, a further update confirmed their commitment to a mobile-first approach by adopting mobile-first indexing across the entire web. If you use a content management system (CMS), your website most likely adheres to Google’s mobile first requirements, but if not, you’ll need to speak with your website developer to ensure that your website is optimised for mobile browsing.

Page Speed

Whilst keywords aren’t directly involved, page speed does impact how the search engine ranks your website. To improve your overall website speed you can begin by simply optimising your images, enabling browser caching and if possible streamlining code.

Schema Markup

Schema markup is a form of structured data that can be added to your website HTML code to assist search engines in providing relevant results to potential customers. It’s a useful way to facilitate meaning and communication between various elements on your website to the search engine. You can add schema markup to your HTML code using the Schema vocabulary. After adding the code to your website, you can test its validity using Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool.

Search engine optimisation is the cornerstone for any website's ability to function amidst a competitive online marketplace. Although we have only just touched the surface of what’s possible with SEO, this serves as a valuable springboard to begin improving your online presence. After implementing all of the above steps, remember to monitor and analyse any changes, whilst staying up to speed with industry dynamics. The online landscape and the requirements to remain visible is ever-changing so don’t get left behind.

I've seen a lot of posts/articles etc. recently about the "reality of being a founder".

Often they're worded as a "warning" to people not to "idealise" it - filled with horror stories about late nights, no breaks and endless stress.

I applaud and appreciate people's honesty and I do think their intentions are good. But amongst all the LinkedIn comments commending their bravery, I think there's another side that's often forgotten about.

When the narrative is almost always the same, it can perpetuate a very particular idea of how a business should be run that has for so long excluded so many.

You need to be available 24/7? This disadvantages those who for either their own wellbeing or that of others, can’t be available at all hours, such as those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or mental health issues. As well as women, who sadly often take on more responsibilities at home and therefore have less time to be available to work.

You need to accept little to no money at the beginning? This disadvantages those who simply cannot afford to do so, such as those without savings, those who can't move in with friends or family members or know they have this option to fall back on if things don’t work out and those with financial responsibilities/dependents.

You need to neglect/delay things in your personal life? This disadvantages those for whom the consequence of doing this is too great, such as women who want children - as delaying this isn't always possible.

You need to be able to deal with ongoing stress/anxiety? This disadvantages those for whom the impact of stress and anxiety can be very severe, such as people with chronic illness and mental health issues. And to be honest, anyone that values and wants to protect their wellbeing, in the short and long term.

By suggesting all this is the “reality” of running a business, the pool of people that supposedly can or would even want to run a business gets very narrow very quickly…

I do think this, alongside unconscious/conscious bias and structural inequalities, has a role to play in the startling lack of diversity we see in business.

For example, only 3% of funded British businesses are female founded (Buy Women Built). 75% of UK start-up founders come from “advantaged socio-economic backgrounds”. Black entrepreneurs typically receive less than 2% of overall funding each year in the US, despite making up 14.2% of the population. And 84% of disabled entrepreneurs believe they don’t have equal access to the same opportunities and resources as non-disabled entrepreneurs.

This is despite plenty of evidence that more diversity, besides simply being the right thing, yields better business results. For example, a study by Forbes found that inclusive teams made better decisions up to 87% of the time and decisions made and executed by diverse teams resulted in 60% better business results.

Beyond all that needs to change on a systemic level, I think it’s important to remember that one of the best things about setting up your own business is that it is yours. You have the opportunity to do things your way. You can create your own change.

The most successful founders I've met are those who understand themselves, the value they bring and how they work best. They don’t feel the need to follow arbitrary norms and do what feels right to them and their team. They value diversity of thought and experience. They know what they need and how to communicate that. They can effectively prioritise and be efficient with their time. They value life outside of work, to keep them happy, healthy and inspired. They prioritise keeping calm and grounded in the face of adversity and managing their stress levels.

So, if you are interested in setting up your own business, or you’re already a business owner, don't let someone with a very narrow view of what running a business should look like (that's mostly benefiting people like them) scare you off.

It's your vision and your life. And despite everything, you should never lose sight of that. We really need more people like you.

With the emergence of embedded finance and digital payment solutions, a lot of businesses are experiencing fundamental shifts leading them to become, to some extent, a fintech. This change has impacted businesses across industries, resulting in profound growth opportunities, whilst shaping the way they operate.

The integration of fintech elements has allowed better customer experiences and seamless financial transactions. Businesses are now able to leverage solutions to address their customers' financial needs within the context of their products and services.

But what are the driving forces behind this transformation? How can businesses ensure they adopt the right embedded finance solutions? And in what ways can fintech act as an ally in business expansion, particularly for startups and those eyeing global scalability?

Let’s delve into these questions and gain insights from a seasoned expert, Jovi Overo, Managing Director of BaaS at Unlimit.

Embedded finance and digital payment solutions mean that every business has become a fintech to some extent. How do you think this evolution has impacted businesses across various sectors and facilitated their growth?

The shift towards embedded finance and digital payment solutions has enabled every business to integrate some elements of fintech into their operations.

This has facilitated growth by allowing companies to create more holistic experiences for their customers and making financial transactions more seamless. Businesses across various sectors can now streamline their operations and offer more value to their customers by addressing their financial needs in context. From the hospitality industry offering customers the ability to pay directly through an app, to retail brands like Amazon and Starbucks leveraging membership programs to incentivise customer loyalty, the line between financial services and other sectors is becoming increasingly blurred.

What factors do you think are driving the increase in embedded finance applications, and how can businesses ensure they adopt the right solution?

Customer demand for seamless experiences, technological advancements, and regulatory changes are the primary drivers behind the increase in embedded finance applications. Customers now expect to be able to complete financial transactions easily and quickly, and they appreciate the convenience of having these services integrated into the apps and platforms they already use. To adopt the right solution, businesses should start by thoroughly understanding their customers' needs and pain points, and then work with a fintech partner that can deliver a service that addresses these needs while adhering to all relevant regulations.

From your perspective, how can fintech act as an ally in business expansion, particularly for startups and businesses looking to scale globally?

Fintech can be a valuable ally in business expansion by providing startups and companies looking to scale globally with efficient, cost-effective financial solutions. The convenience, speed, and flexibility of fintech can help businesses navigate complex international financial landscapes, offer attractive customer experiences, and handle foreign exchange risks and regulatory compliance issues more efficiently. Embedded banking services, in particular, can enhance the overall customer experience and drive customer loyalty, which can be key for startups looking to build a strong customer base quickly.

As the Managing Director of BaaS at Unlimit, you have expertise in fintech product development. What are your thoughts on the latest trends in Banking-as-a-Service and how it’s working to transform the financial industry?

As the Managing Director of BaaS at Unlimit, I see the latest trends in Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) as transformative for the financial industry. While it’s not a silver bullet solution and requires a significant amount of strategic planning and investment, BaaS has the potential to revolutionise traditional banking models. It allows businesses to provide payment services without having to become payment institutions themselves. But to reap the full benefits of BaaS, organisations need to maintain a high level of execution quality and have the patience to weather the time it takes to see substantial returns.

Alongside your role as a Managing Director, you’re on a personal mission to drive financial equality. How do you envision fintech playing a role in achieving this mission?

Fintech can play a crucial role in achieving financial equality by democratising access to financial services. It can break down the barriers that have historically prevented certain populations from accessing essential financial services. By embedding financial services into everyday business transactions, we can bring banking to the unbanked and underbanked, creating more opportunities for financial inclusion.

From your perspective, what are some of the key challenges and opportunities that arise when providing embedded finance services in different regions, and how do you think these challenges can be addressed to cater to the international market?

Providing embedded finance services in different regions does come with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The differences in regulatory landscapes, varying cultural attitudes towards finance, and infrastructure disparities across regions can pose significant challenges.

But with a deep understanding of local markets, strong relationships with regulators, and flexible technology solutions that can cater to regional nuances, these challenges can be addressed effectively. Despite these hurdles, the potential for businesses to offer integrated financial services on a global scale presents a significant opportunity. By adopting a customer-centric approach, businesses can identify pain points and offer solutions that resonate with their customer base, regardless of location.

A well-crafted pitch deck can be a game-changer for any startup raising investment. Understandably, it serves as one of the most prolific gateways to potential investors, allowing the opportunity to unlock financial backing and propel growth. As a condensed version of a business plan, it is designed to captivate, persuade, and leave a lasting impression. The difference between securing the investment and losing interest often hinges on how effective startups are at conveying their vision and value proposition, so creating a compelling pitch deck has never been more important.

To assist you in creating a wining pitch deck that not only impresses but also lands in the right hands, we will be looking at the steps you need to take prior to serving up your pitch deck, as well as the fundamentals you need to include.

Whether you’re ready to raise or not, being well-versed in how to prepare to pitch will be valuable for when the time comes.

Understanding Investors

Don’t make the mistake of pitching to every investor you see on a list; they are not a homogenous group. They come with diverse backgrounds, interests, and investment criteria that can span across fintech, retail, or sustainability. Instead, tailor your pitch deck to resonate with investors interested in your industry to capture their attention and generate genuine interest.

So, before you start designing your deck, you need to find your people.

There are quite a few platforms that will allow you to search by industry to find relevant investors, for instance, Crunchbase or even LinkedIn. Through these platforms, you’ll be able to conduct research to understand their focus, previous investments, and track record.

Whenever you discover an investor that you think is the right fit, it’s a good idea to ask yourself a few questions:

• What stage does the investor typically fund?

• Can the investor provide more than just capital?

• What is the investor's reputation in the startup community?

• Can the investor provide follow-on funding and support for future rounds?

Once you’ve created a list of investors that fit your startup, and you've established that your missions align on paper, it's time to closely examine your business to ensure it’s the perfect fit for them. A successful founder/investor relationship goes beyond financial support. It involves a strategic and collaborative relationship where all parties work towards a singular goal. Demonstrating that your startup is the perfect fit indicates that you’ve done your due diligence. This boosts the investor's confidence in your startup's potential and management.

Iron out any concerns

Being a promising startup is great, but investors will want to mitigate potential risks and ensure their investments align with their overall strategy. This is where you take the time to put yourself in their shoes and anticipate what these might be. It may seem unconventional to do this, but it could offer incredible perspective into areas you may not have considered whilst wearing your founder hat. By proactively addressing potential questions ahead of any conversation with an investor, you show that you are well-prepared and serious about your venture.

Building on the insights we shared last week regarding the essential steps before creating your pitch deck and presenting to investors, let us move onto the core elements of crafting a pitch deck that captivates and converts…

Social Proof 

Social proof refers to the phenomenon in which people rely on the opinions and actions of others to make decisions, especially when they are unfamiliar with a product, service, or experience. For instance, in the case of e-commerce, social proof allows consumers to make better purchase decisions based on reviews, which increases buyers confidence and confirms whether a product or service is worth the investment.

In the context of raising investment, social proof provides evidence that your business is endorsed by others in the form of positive reviews or past success.

As well as reviews, you can demonstrate social proof through:

• Industry Awards

• Industry expert endorsements

• User traction

• Partnerships

• Previous investment

By incorporating some or all of the above, you’ll increase interest in your business. Remember to provide evidence to support the social proof you present to increase trust and leverage opportunities for growth.

Tailor your Pitch

As previously stated, knowing who you’d like to invest in your business and why increases your chances of raising investment, so it’s important to tailor your pitch deck to suit. A tailored pitch deck shows that you’ve done your homework whilst differentiating yourself from the competition.

Customisation can also allow adaptability, whether you’re pitching to individual investors, venture capital firms or angel groups. This flexibility allows you to adjust your pitch based on each audience's preferences and requirements.

Now, let’s look at the key elements that make up an impactful pitch deck, starting with problem and solution:

Problem and Solution

The problem and solution portion of your pitch deck allows you the opportunity to share how your product or service will address the pain points and needs of your target audience.

Problem:

Clearly define the problem your business solves or aims to solve if you haven’t already launched. Highlight how it will benefit your target audience - showing that you understand their challenges. Support your argument with data and insights to emphasise the problem's relevance and urgency.

For example, if you are developing a project management tool that offers planning, tracking, and management capabilities - emphasise how the problem of productivity and lack of project visibility affects users. Utilise statistics on project management errors, collaboration issues, and inefficient resource utilisation to bring to light the gravity of the problem you plan to solve.

Solution:

After outlining the problem, detail your innovative solution and how it will address the identified pain points. Focus on the features and functionalities your product or service will deliver to tackle user challenges.

For example, if your project management tool offers industry-based project management templates, explain how it will empower users to simplify complicated processes and focus on efficiently handling their project timelines.

Top tip: Incorporate real-world examples and case studies to better illustrate the problem and solution.

Market Research

Market research is the bedrock of every business plan and pitch you’ll make to potential investors. It is the crucial process of gathering all the data necessary to validate the demand for your product or service. Through comprehensive research you’ll identify the current size and growth potential of your market share, and pinpoint any gaps that your business can capitalise on to gain a competitive edge.

Market research can be categorised into two forms:

Primary market research

• Primary market research involves collecting data directly from the source through surveys, observations or interviews. This form of research is typically carried out by the researchers or organisations seeking data to address very specific objectives.

Secondary market research

• Varying from primary market research, secondary market research involves the collection and/or analysis of existing data from sources that are publicly available. SMR relies on research sources such as industry reports, company reports, government data or academic research.

Both forms of research are important to help businesses make more informed decisions, understand their market, and develop short/long term growth strategies. When it comes to your pitch deck, a combination of both primary and secondary market research should be utilised to provide an expansive view of your market and consumer landscape.

Within the realm of market research here are a few areas to address in your pitch deck:

• Current market share and growth potential. Break-down the market size in terms of revenue and potential growth rates. A great way to show how valuable your market is based on growth is to assess the Compound Aggregate Growth Rate (CAGR). CAGR is a financial metric used to calculate the annual growth rate of an investment, business, or market.

• Target market and customer segments. In this portion of your market research you will need to provide a well defined analysis of your target market and customer segments. You can do this by showcasing a detailed table of your ideal customer, their behaviour, demographic, where they spend time online, buying frequency, etc. The more you know about your customer the stronger your strategy to find and convert them into paying customers.

• Competitor analysis. Your competitor analysis can be included within your market research or under a separate heading of its own, but for the purpose of this guide, we will include it within market research. Take time to do your research and identify who your competitors are and assess their strengths and weaknesses. When assessing competition in your industry, it's essential to consider three types of competitor categories: direct competitors, secondary competitors, and indirect competitors. To illustrate, let's take the example of Tesco and Sainsbury, which are direct competitors as they offer similar products and target the same customer base. On the other hand, secondary competitors like Zoom and Uber serve the same purpose of facilitating meetings, but through different means. Meanwhile, KFC and SkinnyDipped, as indirect competitors, both provide food options, but their goals and offerings are distinct. Once you've identified and analysed your competitors, including their strengths, weaknesses, and market share, you can leverage this information to your advantage. By showcasing your unique value proposition and the advantages that set your business apart from the competition, you can differentiate yourself in the market.

• Pricing Strategy. How you price your product is unique, so it's important to choose a price point that aligns with your market positioning and business model. Pricing will have an impact on client acquisition and revenue, so do take some time to assess what price point is best for your business. Two of the most popular pricing strategies at the moment are tiered pricing and fixed pricing. The tiered pricing strategy is typically used when the cost of a product or service varies depending on the quantity of usage a customer requires. A fixed pricing strategy on the other hand, offers an unchanging rate for all customers regardless of their usage rate or purchase volume.

Remember, each business is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all pricing strategy. Consider your target market, competitive landscape, and business objectives before making pricing decisions.

Remember that your market data should tell a compelling story about the opportunity your business offers and well as potential growth.

Business Model

A business model serves as the fundamental anchor of every successful business. It forms a robust framework that outlines the entire process, from the creation of your product or service to its delivery to customers. At its core, a well-crafted business model ensures not only profitability but also lays the foundation for sustainable long-term growth. It encompasses the intricate interplay of value creation, customer engagement, and financial viability.

A business model should cover:

• The unique value or benefit a product or service offers its customers.

• A specific segment within a market that your business will sell to.

• How your business aims to make money. This includes pricing structure, subscription fees, etc.

• Various forms of distribution channels, which may include partnerships and distributors, online/direct sales or retail stores.

• The strategies you’ll use to engage with your customers from the moment they interact with your business, all the way through to sales and sales after care.

• All assets, intellectual property, employees and technology you’ll need to run your business effectively.

• Any key partnerships that will work to enhance the performance of your business.

• A thorough breakdown of all costs associated with keeping your business operational. Understanding your cost structure will ensure that your business remains profitable and you’re better able to better allocate resources.

Team Strength

Your team is the backbone of your business. Their capabilities play a critical role in the overall success and growth of your company. You’ve probably heard it before, but investors tend to value your idea as much as your team, so take the time to showcase any achievements that will work to demonstrate your team’s ability to carry out the work required for your business to thrive.

An example of how to present your team:

• Introduce founder/s and key leadership roles within your team.

• Share a short background summary of each team member, along with relevant experiences and accomplishments.

• Include any industry awards or internal recognitions your team has received.

• Highlight previous projects they were involved in and delivered successfully.

Traction and Milestones

By detailing traction and milestones you are providing evidence of your businesses viability.

Traction can be summarised as progress and momentum a business can measure. You can include customer adoption, revenues, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) that provide evidence that your business is working and there is market demand.

Milestones relate to company accomplishments that have been achieved or being worked towards. Some examples may include partnerships, awards, product development goals, key hires or funding rounds.

The overall aim is to provide evidence of growth potential.

Financial Projections

Financial projections are a glimpse into the future of financial performance of your business. These projections will showcase expected expenses, revenue and profit over a three to five year period. 

When drawing up your financial projections, it’s important to find the right balance between ambition and conservatism. Although being overly optimistic can raise eyebrows, try not to be too conservative either. This way you project a healthy financial runway, whilst presenting the full potential of your business.

Crafting a winning pitch deck requires a delicate balance between data-driven evidence and engaging storytelling. As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, ensure that each component of your pitch deck is thoughtfully crafted to communicate a cohesive and compelling narrative. Embrace innovation, tenacity, and a forward-thinking approach, for it is with these qualities that your business can navigate the path to success and thrive in the competitive market landscape.

Whilst the upside of technology can offer invaluable educational opportunities, the downside raises concerns around excessive screen time and the impact it could have on a child’s development.

Acknowledging these concerns, Dr. Yousef Alhammadi, the Executive Director of The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), sheds light on a groundbreaking approach that empowers parents to safeguard their children’s digital experiences. Emphasising the importance of striking a balance between technological exposure and real-world experiences for children in their formative years.

As the Executive Director at The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, Dr Yousef, could you discuss the importance of addressing children's screen time and the potential impact it can have on their overall well-being?

Technology is advancing rapidly and evolving at an astonishing pace. Rather than fighting it, we must acknowledge its ubiquitous presence and find ways to leverage it and maximise its benefits, especially in the lives of young children. As parents, practitioners and policymakers, we need to find the balance which  allows our children to use it responsibly and thrive as digital citizens. 

While evidence shows that excessive screen time can cause developmental delays in social-emotional and motor development, we also know that technology can be used to benefit development. Evidence shows that using the right platforms, programs or games, in the right way, can help a child develop cognitively, socially, emotionally and even physically through play-based learning that is well designed, with children and their specific developmental needs and competencies in mind. 

As a government authority working in the early childhood development sector, I often hear parental concerns about screen time. ECA commissioned a study during the pandemic conducted by NYU Abu Dhabi to understand how COVID was impacting the lives of young children and their families. The study specifically showed that  screen time for children eight years and under in Abu Dhabi increased from two to three hours per day between 2020 and 2021, and we know from subsequent international studies that screen time increased globally. Such studies reveal how children’s interactions with technology and their peers and caregivers have significantly changed over the last few years. This could have enduring effects on their social-emotional development. 

I believe technological advancements and changing societal norms - especially in relation to early childhood development and family interactions need to be considered in all decisions made for young children by involving them and the ecosystem which surrounds them.

How can parents strike a balance between utilising technology to protect their child's screen time and ensuring their child's engagement with the world around them?

As I said earlier, technology is and will always remain a key part of the world in which a child grows up today, and therefore, we must encourage them to be responsible digital citizens who are able to thrive in a world which is increasingly digital. With the advancements in artificial intelligence like generative AI that are transforming the world, we need to actively help young children develop necessary digital skills and competencies and ensure that we stay updated and learn about these technologies and what they offer.  Most importantly, we need to look at children’s time holistically and ensure they get all the inputs they need to grow and develop to their full potential. 

Screen time is a part of their lives and it may be necessary to moderate the duration to ensure they spend adequate time on other developmental activities such as  exercise, offline play, school, books, time with friends and family,  quality sleep, etc. 

A practical thing that parents and caregivers can do is to engage in technology use with their young children. This is especially important in early childhood as it gives the opportunity to model appropriate online behaviours such as protecting personal information and show appropriate and fun ways to use technology and when to stop.

What are some practical strategies or tools that parents can use to monitor and manage their child's screen time effectively?

ECA has developed a ‘Child Online Protection Guide’, which provides parents with practical advice on how to encourage effective screen use among children. According to the Guide, aligned with international guidelines, recommends children aged 2-5 years should spend no more than 60 minutes of their time on a screen per day. While for children between 5-8 years, the recommended limit is 120 minutes per day. Parents and caregivers should also schedule frequent screen breaks where children are not interacting with screens for thirty minutes. 

The quality of screen time is also something that parents and caregivers need to consider carefully. Commonsense.org is a resource that help parents understand what is developmentally appropriate for their children. One of the startups that we fund through our Anjal Z Techstars Founders Catalyst Program has created an app that identifies developmental and cognition issues like ADHD and Autism through games and activities. While another startup has developed an app with a personalised model for each child, irrespective of their level, culture, location or special condition to help develop their emotional and cognitive skills through playful activities based on multiple intelligences to develop 21st century skills. 

There are other apps and on-screen games that require participants to undertake physical exercise, which is also highly beneficial. Thus, such active screen time options contribute to a child’s development.

In your expertise, what are some potential negative consequences of excessive screen time on a child's cognitive and social development, and how can parents mitigate these effects?

It all depends on the type of screen time. It is a simplistic view to talk about technology only in terms of screen time or to think of it as either good or bad. As parents, it is crucial to set a good example for our children. By practising positive screen behaviors and acting as role models, we can help shape our children's habits and behaviors.

While there are great opportunities for co-use of technology, families should also ensure that there is family time without screens, including parents. ECA’s Healthy Use of Technology Guidelines provides ample tips to parents and caregivers to ensure healthy usage limit, on the one hand, and use screens as a helpful tool to engage with the child on the other.

Are there any specific recommendations or guidelines you suggest for parents to promote healthy digital habits and responsible technology use among their children?

Young children are highly observant and adopt behaviors of their parents and caregivers. If a child observes that a device distracts their parents, it is likely that the child will mirror that behaviour. 

With this in mind, there are few practical tips I can recommend to any parent or caregiver trying to set a positive example to their child. When conversing with their child, a parent should avoid interruptions or distractions from devices and maintain eye contact. This creates a strong bond and makes the child feel loved and cared for.

Many small rules can be implemented in the homes such as encouraging device-free meal times, which can enhance family bonding and promote social development. By fostering meaningful conversations and shared experiences, strong relationships can be formed and children can develop important social skills. Also, ‘no-device during meal times’ rule effectively communicates to the children that mealtimes are a significant and important part of their day. 

How can parents create a supportive and open dialogue with their children about the impact of technology and set realistic boundaries?

Parents and caregivers must invest quality time to establish a strong connection, demonstrate healthy device usage and encourage their children to share their thoughts on setting boundaries. This fosters a safe environment for discussing age-appropriate hazards and healthy online practices.

It's crucial to approach screen-based games with the same mindset as traditional toys like building blocks, puzzles, etc., as they both are essential to the learning journey. I suggest exploring entertaining games that caregivers/parents and children can enjoy together to foster a stronger relationship.

Considering the diverse range of digital devices and platforms available, what factors should parents consider when choosing age-appropriate content and applications for their children?

Parents should ask themselves, “will this technology help my child learn and grow?” before making a decision. For example, games and apps that promote imaginative or exploratory play, or a game that gives the child the opportunity to set goals or personalise their experience are great ways to engage children. These factors are important to aid positive technology interactions and maximize its advantages.

Children, Technology and Play, report serves as an excellent resource for understanding the various positive impacts that digital technologies have on children's knowledge, creativity and skill development.

Are there any ongoing research initiatives or collaborations in the field of child development and technology that aim to provide further insights into managing screen time effectively?

Child development and technology is a growing research area within the early childhood development sector. For example, Boston Children’s Hospital’s Digital Wellness Lab, a nonprofit research institution, seeks to understand and promote positive and healthy digital media experiences for young people, from birth through young adulthood.

In her paper - Talking With Machines: Can conversational technologies serve as children’s social partners? - Ying Xu asserts that children can have ‘meaningful interactions with conversational agents by ascribing human-like traits and view them as reliable conversational partners.’ However, she acknowledges that there is still much to discover and we need to find approaches to integrate AI into a child's current social context and relationships to promote their growth and development.

I find UNICEF’s recent report, Growing up in a connected world, to be a valuable resource that supports my belief that parents should focus on the content of children’s screen time rather than the duration. Additionally, ECA’s Healthy Use of Technology Guidelines  offers practical tips and guidance for parents and caregivers to manage screen usage and time effectively.

I believe that with proper guidance and support, children can use technology to become creators of knowledge, moving beyond their role as consumers.

It is not accurate to categorize screen time as completely positive or negative. As technology advances and becomes more integrated into our daily lives, we should welcome it while teaching our children to use it constructively and responsibly.

The customer onboarding process is a slow and complex procedure. Even in today’s highly digitalized and connected environment, fast, painless and efficient payment methods are struggling to reach general acceptance. The main reason used to be security. With the advancement in technology, faster payment methods are slowly but surely becoming more popular. 

Every business has taken on the responsibility to speed up the process of collecting customer payments without compromising security. It is another way to stay competitive in a business environment with decreasing margins and substantial competition. Your business lives by the amount of cash being able to come in. It stands to reason that the process needs to be as fast, secure, efficient and painless as possible. Here are some of the ways you can make this happen.

The importance of speed

Today, customers and businesses use the power of the Internet for all interactions with the banks. Certain websites are used to compare features and pricing. That is the very first step as it is painless, convenient and can be done from the comfort of your home. Differences in fees, rates and between the competition is apparent and easily comparable. 

Using these online platforms, there have been many efforts to make the client onboarding process as streamlined as possible. It makes a positive first impression and increases the chances of your customers choosing you over everyone else. 

Payment up front

Customers do not actually mind paying up front for a service or product. This especially holds true for tried and confirmed brands that have a reputation for delivering on their promises. As for the companies, the biggest obstacle is to close the sale.  That is why it stands to reason that once you provision the cost, customers can plan and adjust. 

It is much more likely for them to accept the idea of paying half in advance or maybe even the entire sum. If you can prove that you have upfront financial obligations to meet in order to fulfil their needs, people will be much more understanding.

The onboarding program

A successful onboarding program consists of three basic elements: people, processes, and products. People are where the demand is created. They need to know who they will be interacting and working with. As for your own people, they can be instructed and trained in referencing articles and talking points. 

The process is where you need to establish a commitment. Begin with identifying the customers and gather as much information as possible. Be sure to discover the customers’ preferred payment methods as well as the payment solutions that are on the rise such as tap-and-pay prepaid cards in order to make payments as seamless and stress-free as possible for the customer. This will ensure that the customer will pay for your products or services without hesitation or apprehension.

Finally, the product itself is for the customer to figure out. Maybe it can be utilised in more ways than one. Some parts might work for some people and some might not for others. Helping them figure it out is done with a combination of CSM, training, FAQs and other. Because remember: the onboarding process needs to be tailored to the customer.

Credit cards

Merchant fees often need to be paid out of your own pocket. Customers can be habitually late on their payments, so one solution to that would be to charge their credit cards. Businesses have accounting systems that allow them to keep all the relevant data regarding credit cards so that they can be charged each month. This way, the transaction is always on time. 

There is one obvious downside, though: the service of delayed payment itself has an overhead, a small fee. It is up to you to watch out for exorbitant merchant fees. These financial obligations can go well into single digit percentages that become your fees and responsibilities. It might not sound like a lot but it ads up over time. At the end of the fiscal year, you will be looking at large numbers of unnecessary expenditures that could have been avoided.

Following up

Even with customers that are in good standing, it can happen that they get behind their payments sometimes. It is usually because your invoice did not make it all the way through using the standard payment channels. The first invoice is usually the hardest to complete from start to end. The reason for that is that you are not in their system yet. 

Once the first one passes, it becomes routine, though. Some companies and customers have special requirements usually in the form of paperwork that needs to be filled out before they pay you anything. Make sure to meet them halfway on this as it will make life easier for everyone. When an invoice is past due, try and see what they can do to lead it through their system. Usually, it comes down to a single person holding up the chain of approvals and needs a bit of reminding to keep everything moving.

In closing

Speed is crucial in order to increase the onboarding process, reduce customer uncertainty, and manage expectations. Thanks to the advancements of technology and online platforms you have an automated customer onboarding solution at your disposal. The benefits these solutions bring are easily measurable and comparable. Onboarding is an art and a science. It comes down to a well-balanced ratio between creativity, quality content, and solid data. It is the single most significant contributor to business success and deserves your special attention and dedication.

Edge computing has emerged as one of the most important trends in IT since the advent of ChatGPT and LLMs. By 2029, more than 15 billion IoT devices will be connected to business infrastructure, predicts Gartner, and by mid-2025, 69% of CIOs will have deployed edge technology already.

Within the continuity of cloud-edge applications, distributed architecture is opening up a brand-new world. Resources can be placed anywhere within this distributed fabric depending on latency, cost, or carbon footprint considerations. The edge has many different characteristics: the near edge is often entirely on-premises and nearest to the client; the far edge is closer to centralised data centres.

The near edge, in my opinion, represents where most innovation is happening at the moment. This is due to a number of factors, including the immediate, measurable advantages for businesses. I think there are three main factors that influence why customers choose edge every day and why they will keep doing so, writes Chris Gehlen, founder and CEO of Neutroon.

• Data privacy + cybersecurity

The advantages in terms of data privacy and cybersecurity come first. One of the better instances is the implementation of a cutting-edge mission-critical application, such as AI quality inspection employing real-time UHD video. Enterprises don't want to take the chance of having sensitive image/video data leave their walls, and since low latency is a crucial component of the process, edge computing is the only viable solution. The AI app operating on the edge, however, requires regular updates to be truly effective. Only a cloud-native dev-ops strategy that continuously develops and delivers the app makes this possible.

• Simplicity and effectiveness

The ease and simplicity with which edge computing makes it possible to experiment with novel use cases and foster creativity is its second advantage. An overlay network can be provided via edge computing in conjunction with a personal 5G/LTE network to facilitate experimentation. The deployment of new apps can be greatly accelerated by streamlining networking and reducing connectivity hurdles and bottlenecks without having to worry about network settings for every new use case. In order to streamline application deployment, I believe integrating the 5G and edge/cloud worlds is the key to realising the full potential of edge computing.

• Cost and carbon footprint reduction 

The advantages of lower costs and carbon footprints are the final two of my five picks. Compared to latency in 2021, bandwidth cost will be the primary driver of edge computing by 2025. This is a result of the massive volumes of data that the cloud is receiving from metaverse and AI applications. The globe could save an estimated US$13 billion in energy expenditures annually if only 25% of all data centres worldwide were replaced with edge nodes. Moving data to a central place is comparable to daily commutes into the city. The same is true of the cloud; it causes congestion and pollution.

The widespread adoption of edge as a replacement for the voluminous traffic to and from data centres can and will have a significant influence on emissions as well as operating expenses. I believe the advantages listed here will also be advantageous as the field develops, and further advantages for IT specialists, users, consumers, and clients will also become apparent.