Entries Tagged 'Strategy' ↓

Unstoppable social media juggernaut Facebook is wagering – and winning – on the idea you can’t get enough of their content on your mobile device. The platform is making more money on its mobile ads than ever before. After Facebook released its earnings report to Wall Street, the impressed stock market sent shares up more than 8 percent after the final bell.
Continue reading →

In a world dominated by smartphones, cloud computing, biometrics, and chip cards, big data is the driving factor keeping the economy rolling along. Thanks to big data flowing wild and free, GDP increases up to $450 billion annually, and countries that push data sharing across borders enjoy 40 percent more economic benefits than their less-connected counterparts.

So said Big Data industry expert Ajay Banga in a recent article reviewing the economic benefits of Big Data. Banga then outlined multiple different ways Big Data is changing how we interact with our world and each other. Big data helped healthcare workers beat back the Ebola virus in West Africa because the right data was being shared by the right people.
While data sharing in the healthcare industry tends to bring up concerns about privacy and protecting personal information, healthcare professionals across the globe are finding ways to implement big data while also protecting their patients’ rights to privacy.

It’s a tightrope walk, but big data’s rapid development is happening with these safeguards being built in place, giving people the benefits of evolving data science while honoring legitimate privacy concerns.

Some are calling for greater security measures, demanding that data be held in the nation by which it is collected. Banga said that’s a bad idea.

“These restrictions often confuse concerns about access to data for national security and law enforcement purposes with commercial use of data. The outcome is the fragmentation of data that creates a ‘splinternet,’ one that risks not only stifling economic growth but reversing it as well,” Banga wrote.

From a public perception perspective, that collision of safe-seeming restrictions and the loss of benefits caused by these decisions creates a constant cost-benefit tug of war between those feel the technology is moving too far too fast and those who are focused on the intense benefits being revealed – and enjoyed – by those who have begun to enthusiastically adopt big data science.

The bottom line in this back and forth is very simple: nations and businesses need the data, not just access to data but the ability to move it safely, for the world to fully realize the benefits of big data. This doesn’t mean anyone – I mean ANYONE – can get sloppy with data security. In fact, all efforts should be made to protect the sanctity of information in all its forms.

However, creating artificial walls that, when it’s all said and done, randomly restrict without offering any additional protection, hurts everyone.

Marketing is a process that thrives every day of the year. However, you cannot dive into each day the same way that you did the year before. Instead, craft a calendar that considers the importance of holidays and events in the grand scheme of your marketing and advertising plans.

Space Events Properly

Chances are, you want to host events where customers can receive a discount on certain items or where you promote new products that your company has to offer. Still though, hosting them randomly does not leave as much of an effect on customers, nor does it offer you the best chance for profits. Without a schedule, you may end up planning them practically right on top of each other, which drains funds from your budget. Also, you want to use these events as branding opportunities. Dubbing an event the “Semi-Annual Sale” or the “Yearly Summer Sale” will help to leave an impression in the minds of your consumers.

Target Holiday Shopping Seasons

As the owner of a company that sells products directly to customers, you probably have already determined the importance of Black Friday and the rest of the Christmas season. Keep in mind, however, that you do not have to confine these extra sales to that shopping season only. Consider the nature of your products. If you sell goods that people can use outdoors, market sales and promotions right before Memorial Day. On the other hand, you might produce cooking and baking gear. Start to get your big events into order toward the end of the summer and beginning of the fall when people are turning on their ovens again after a season of outdoor activities.

Turn an Eye Toward the School Calendar

Chances are, you see an influx of customers coming to your shop during the weekends. Parents are off from working, and they aren’t racing around to bring their kids from activity to activity. While you don’t want to have a big sale every weekend, you are interested in getting more people into the shop during the week. Find out when the local schools are off, and you may have the chance to bring more families into your place of business. Not only are you attracting families to the store, but you are also calling in teachers and others who are off from work that day.

The holidays and the seasons should be used to your advantage to create a dynamic marketing plan.

When it comes to communication, there is little more powerful than being there and refusing to leave. Just ask newly signed JETS wide receiver, Joe Anderson.

After not making it with any other NFL teams, the wide receiver was picked up by the New York practice squad. Why? Because of his attitude, creative thinking, grit and refusal to take “no” for an answer. Continue reading →

Sprint announced plans some time ago to shut down their WiMAX connection completely on November 6. That didn’t happen, at least not completely.

Mobile Beacon and Mobile Citizen supply nonprofits, libraries, and schools with a wireless connection using the WiMAX network. The groups, along with several nonprofit organizations filed for an emergency injunction to stop the shutdown – at least regarding their access to the network. The injunction said “emergency relief orders Sprint to maintain the WiMAX network in certain areas for 90 days to allow Mobile Beacon and Mobile Citizen time to migrate their users to Sprint’s LTE network.” Continue reading →

Adidas is developing a new product and process to take advantage of existing sports shoes and other products to become part of future sports shoes, especially soccer cleats. The process is not complete, they estimate another three years before it will be on the market, but the excitement is already building around this concept. Continue reading →

Office parties, picnics and team-building events are a great way to interact with co-workers in a more casual and festive atmosphere. Regardless of the venue or activity, casual should not be confused with careless when it comes to hanging out with the boss. The following list outlines ways to keep a career intact.

Do Not Become Intoxicated
Drinking too much at an office party is a common employee misstep. Aside from the obnoxious, non-stop talking alcohol tends to bring on, there are lowered inhibitions that may require a humble apology later. No one attends a work event to inhale beer fumes and be inappropriately touched. Leave the booze alone or switch to soda after a couple of drinks.

Do Not Flirt
Even a casual office outing is still work related and is not the same as being in a bar on Saturday night. Flirting with co-workers is annoying and awkward and almost universally not welcome. This behavior is especially dangerous when the boss is on the receiving end of it. Do not flirt.

Do Not Bring Uninvited Guests
Many office events are planned months in advance and only will support a given number of people. Showing up with siblings, cousins and friends who just happen to be in town to eat, drink and tell off-color jokes on the company dime will not bode well for a career. In addition, the extra bodies may cause invited attendees to not get the refreshments, gifts or swag they are entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified, it is best to leave the freeloaders at home.

Do Not Forget It is a Company Function
Company activities are intended as a way to get to know co-workers better without the demands and pressures of being in the office. It is also an opportunity to get introduced to people from other departments and to have informal discussions with bosses. These casual conversations should not include griping about the job, engaging in gossip and innuendo or asking for a raise. In fact, doing any of these things will likely have the effect of stalling or even ending a career.

Do Not Be the Last Person Standing
Staying too long at a company outing is like moving back home at age 40. It gets on everyone’s nerves very fast. The longer a person stays, the more likely it is that there will be drunkenness and other damaging behaviors. A good rule of thumb is to show up, stay for a couple of hours, talk pleasantly with everyone and then leave.

Do Network
While there are many do nots for a company event, a big do is networking. Since there are people mingling from different departments or even different divisions, an event is often the only chance to talk and brainstorm together. According to NY Real Estate Developer Roman Temkin, “Whether it is about various projects or the work culture in general, networking can open doors and bring opportunities for career advancement.” Those interested in transferring can get a clear picture of what goes on elsewhere in the company, which can help them decide if moving on is a step ahead or a step off a cliff.

Do Ask Questions
New employees should always attend office events. There is no better way to learn about company culture, expectations and what to avoid to get ahead. Parties are a low-pressure way to have a chat with the boss and ask pointed questions about a career path as well as being introduced to department heads and other important people.

Show Up
This point may seem obvious, but it is surprising how many excuses employees will use to duck out of a company event. Some feel the outing is not worth the time, or there are certain personalities to be avoided or the thought of hanging out with the boss gives them hives. Aside from someone dying, there is no reason to skip an office party or outing. “Being a no-show sends the message of not caring about the company or career advancement. Do not be a no-show. Suck it up and attend.”, says Mobile Entrepreneur Jonah Engler.

Following the tips above will help avoid career suicide. Heed the wisdom.

The ongoing emissions scandal at Volkswagen has left plenty of ill will and crisis PR to go around. A lot of blame too. Recently, Michael Horn, head of Volkswagen Americas, testified before the US House of Representatives oversight and investigations panel. Horn was there, ostensibly to chat about the emissions scandal. In practical terms, he was there to take his medicine, a congressional beating … and, by all accounts, one well deserved. Continue reading →

Nissan Motor Co Ltd recalls nearly 220,000 Versa vehicles in the United States and over 100,000 in Canada to fix a front suspension problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), salt may corrode the front coil springs, which in turn may puncture tires increasing the risk of accidents. The recall of model years 2007-2012 begins mid-November. The NHTSA began their investigation into the problem in May after receiving complaints about fractures in the suspension coil spring. Continue reading →

Happiness and a feeling of well-being in the workplace has become a more and more popular topic. In today’s high pressure world of global markets, cutthroat competition, and mass production, many people no longer look forward to going to work and the reality is, this is bad for business. Stress in the workplace takes a toll on a person’s health and this leads to a loss of productivity. The bottom-line is: making the workplace happier and healthier will not only benefit employees, it will benefit employers as well. Continue reading →