Half of Generation Z willing to accept short-term economic limitations for a more sustainable future

Nearly half (47%) of Generation Z is willing to accept short-term economic limitations, such as lower GDP growth, for policymakers to invest in a longer-term strategy that promotes more sustainable growth, according to Dell Technologies research.

The research across 15 international locations captures Gen Z adults’ (18–26 years) voice regarding social and economic recovery strategies. Almost two-thirds (64%) of survey respondents believe technology will play an important role in the fight against climate crisis.

With many of Gen Z willing to bear short-term economic limitations, they ranked sustainable energy (42%), enabling a circular economy (39%) and more sustainable public transport (29%) as the top three investment areas for governments to prioritize. A quarter of respondents (25%) also expressed support for greater sustainability education for citizens.

Aongus Hegarty, President International Markets, Dell Technologies, said: Gen Z will arguably be the most impacted by public and private investment decisions taken today and will facilitate and maintain a long-term, sustainable recovery. There is an opportunity to earn the support of Gen Z for longer-term strategies that put sustainability at the core of economic growth strategies.”

Gen Z’s confidence that public sector recovery investments would deliver a flourishing economy within 10 years is split: a third globally (32%) have low or no confidence while 38% are undecided and 29% have high or total confidence.

Understandably, there are geographic differences, with Singapore (56%) and Korea (41%) having the most respondents with high or total confidence. Japan (47%) and Brazil (49%) had the highest number of respondents who had low or no confidence.

Respondents said that this digital future must have a strong cybersecurity backbone. More than half (56%) feel there is a need for robust legislation and higher investment in cybersecurity to protect national infrastructures and ensure private businesses meet tough standards. To make this happen, and to improve trust in governments, 38% of respondents want private and public sectors to work together and hold each other accountable.

Closing the digital skills gap and digital divide

Gen Z recognizes the value of developing the necessary digital skills for their future careers. Three-quarters (76%) consider learning new digital skills essential to increasing future career options or plan to acquire them.

Respondents feel their education could have better prepared them with digital skills. Over two-fifths (44%) said school only taught them very basic computing skills, and around one-in-ten (12%) did not receive any education in technology or digital skills. Over a third (37%) claim school (under 16) didn’t prepare them with the technology skills needed for their planned career.

To help bridge the digital skill gap, a third (34%) of respondents suggested making technology courses at all levels of education more interesting and more widely available. A quarter (26%) believe mandatory technology courses up to 16 years will encourage young people into technology-driven careers.

Hegarty added: “It’s clear that Gen Z see technology as pivotal for their future prosperity. It is now up to us – leading technology providers, governments, and the public sector – to work together and set them up for success by improving the quality and access to digital learning. 44% of Gen Z feel educators and businesses should work together to bridge the digital skills gap and with the speed at which technology continues to evolve this will require constant collaboration.”

In response to their views on where governments should prioritize investments to help close the digital divide experience across different locations, demographics and socio-economic groups, Gen Z sees access to devices and connectivity for disadvantaged groups (33%) and connectivity in rural areas (24%) as the most important focus areas.

The research also found:

  • To support economic growth, improving healthcare services (21%), investing in education to help close the skills gap (11%) and investing in sustainable/green infrastructure (11%) were the top three priorities globally amongst Gen Z.
  • Over half (57%) of Gen Z have low or neutral confidence in their personal data being stored compliantly by healthcare providers.
  • Over half (55%) of Gen Z consider flexible and remote working as an important consideration when choosing an employer.

For more information, visit XX and read our research report.

Research Methodology:

Fieldwork was conducted by market research company, Savanta ComRes, from July-August 2022 across 15 locations.

Base: 15,105 ‘Gen Z’ adults (those aged 18-26), with nationally representative quotas set for gender and region in each market. Locations include:

  • Australia (1,018 respondents)
  • Brazil (1,021 respondents)
  • Canada (1,011 respondents)
  • France (1,014 respondents)
  • Germany (1,020 respondents)
  • Italy (1,063 respondents)
  • Japan (1,021 respondents)
  • Korea (1,020 respondents)
  • Mexico (1,005 respondents)
  • Netherlands (1,013 respondents)
  • New Zealand (811 respondents)
  • Singapore (1,022 respondents)
  • Spain (1,019 respondents)
  • United Kingdom (1,041 respondents)
  • United States (1,006 respondents)

Additional resources

Jabra Evolve2 Buds first look

Jabra recently announced some new products at CES 2023 but prior that they had another new pair they announced aimed at hybrid workers called the Evolve2 buds which are certified for leading virtual meeting platforms, including Microsoft Teams and Zoom so in effect this makes an ideal product for those who work in the hybrid space and more and an interesting product no doubt. Today we take a quick first look and if you have  any questions feel free to ask as always and stay tuned for a full hands on review soon.

Certified for leading virtual meeting platforms including Microsoft Teams and Zoom, the earbuds come with 5 hours of talk time and a total of 33 hours of battery including the charging case, avoiding the inconvenience of your earbuds running out of charge mid-meeting.  

“The world we live in today has made us crave freedom and flexibility to work from anywhere. At the same time, we also learnt from our Hybrid Ways of Working 2022 research about the role that technology plays in increasing employee inclusion in hybrid work. With all that in mind, we sought to create a product with our new Jabra Evolve2 Buds to empower professionals to look, sound and be professional on the go,” says Holger Reisinger, SVP at Jabra.

Key features of the Evolve2 Buds: 

  • Certified for Microsoft Teams and leading UC platforms – for enhanced collaboration experience 
  • MultiSensor Voice technology – ensures professional call performance by using multiple mics and Jabra algorithms to block out noise 
  • Plug-and-play USB adapter for enhanced connectivity – 20 metre/65 feet range allows users the freedom to move around their work environment 
  • Advanced Multipoint connection – connect to two devices at one time 
  • Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation – filters out background noise allowing for increased focus 
  • HearThrough and single earbud use – allows the user to hear surrounding sounds through the earbuds whilst wearing them 
  • Increased battery life – with 33 hours of battery, including the case and wireless charging 
  • Ultra-discreet design – for ultimate comfort and a professional look  

Full review soon any questions you know the drill

Buy

Unboxing Video

 

Creative launches Zen Air wireless earbuds

Creative Technology today announced the launch of the Creative Zen Air, sporting a new stick-shaped earbud design with a pocket-friendly charging case that is both stylish and lightweight. These true wireless earbuds can also do more than just rack up style points, it comes with nifty noise control features such as Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Mode for a seamless listening experience. Despite its compact form factor, the Creative Zen Air can deliver a total playtime of up to 18 hours and up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge to keep the music pumping all day long. Coupled with 10 mm Neodymium drivers, Bluetooth® 5.0 connectivity and a certified IPX4 sweatproof rating, the Creative Zen Air truly stands out as the ideal true wireless earbuds fit for every pocket.

Creative Zen Air is a treat for the ears, easy on the pockets, and a great way to amp up the true wireless listening experience.

Tune Out the World

Creative Zen Air offers users a better listening experience with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that can help filter out unwanted background noises so users can stay focused – be it at the office during an important conference call or listening to their favorite beats on the go without any interruptions.

With a simple tap of the earbuds, users can easily switch to the Ambient Mode to let just the right amount of surrounding sound in, which works perfectly when running errands or while hiking on a busy trail.

Small but Mighty

The Creative Zen Air weighs next to nothing at merely 46g, but it can deliver a hefty audio punch with 10 mm Neodymium drivers that boast clear high and well-balanced mids to produce high-quality audio performance that greatly exceeds its price point.

It is also fitted with 4 microphones that offer better voice pick-up to ensure clearer communication so users can experience hassle-free and uninterrupted calls anytime, anywhere.

On top of that, the latest true wireless earbuds can offer up to 18 hours of battery life with up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge to meet the user’s every audio need – whether for commuting, exercising or just out for a short errand. For a fuss-free and quick charge, users can simply place the charging case on a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. Together with Bluetooth® 5.0 connectivity and a certified IPX4 sweatproof rating, the Creative Zen Air ticks all the right boxes to make it the perfect everyday audio companion.

SXFI READY Spatial Holographic Audio

Creative Zen Air will support upcoming SXFI READY devices (e.g. smart TVs, PCs and mobile devices) that come built-in with the award-winning Super X-Fi Spatial Holography technology that allows users to enjoy SXFI Spatial Holography that recreates a multi-speaker system soundstage within the headphones. Users can download the SXFI App to preview this technology on local content on their phones.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Zen Air is priced at £39.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit creative.com/ZenAir

Penneys launches new website in Ireland with stock check feature

Penneys has today revealed its new customer website in Ireland, following its successful launch in the UK last year. Created to better connect the journey between searching online and then shopping in store, the new site features thousands of products from across Penneys’ best-selling ranges, as well as a fresh design, enhanced navigation and a brand-new feature that allows customers to check stock availability and size in their local Penneys store.  

A virtual shop window to explore what awaits in store, the new website features a much wider selection of the latest Penneys collections and everyday essentials across fashion, homeware, lifestyle, beauty and more. So, whether that’s checking out new denim fits and ranges, finding out who is behind the latest must-have collaboration or exploring what’s new in your favourite department, the new site will allow people to browse, explore and be inspired.  

As well as being able to check if an item is in stock in their local store, Penneys fans will now be able to view more product images and access more detailed product information – covering fabric and materials, and care instructions which until now would only be found on the label or packaging.  Customers will also be able to create an account, giving them access to a brand-new ‘Wishlist’ function which enables them to select and save their favourite products for later as well as giving them the ability to choose their local store for browsing on the site and sign up to a newsletter to receive all the latest Penneys news and sneak peaks of new collections. 

Damien O’Neill, Head of Penneys Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to launch our new website in Ireland today; we know our Penneys customers love coming into our stores, but we now want to make it easier for them to see what’s in store by showcasing a much wider selection of our products online, enabling them to browse and check stock availability in their local store before visiting. Our ranges showcase our strong commitment to value, something we know matters more than ever to our customers right now and our website will help us to shine a spotlight on the breadth of fashionable and affordable choices available in our stores across Ireland.”  

As consumers continue to grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, Penneys is continuing its commitment to offering the best value and choice in Irish retail to its customers in Ireland. The new website showcases our value offering with great trends for every occasion that can be found in our stores. From lounging at home or working out to office wear or a night on the tiles, Penneys has everyone covered with the best value on the high street. 

Last Autumn, Penneys also announced its commitment to protect prices on more than a thousand of its essential kids’ products, as it seeks to help family finances go further. Shoppers can be confident that as we start 2023, prices will continue to be held across many of its most popular kids’ lines, from underwear to t-shirts, to dresses and jeans.  

Penneys Stock Checker

Looking ahead, Primark’s new website will continue to be rolled out across its remaining 13 markets in the coming months. 

The new website can be found at: https://www.primark.com/en-ie  

  • Latest Fashion and Homewares – The biggest ever range of Penneys products will now be available to browse online.   
  • More and better images – Bringing products to life with better imagery and multiple shots for most products – flat lays and modelled. 
  • More product information – More detailed information about materials and composition, care info and instructions.  
  • Easier to find – New search features will make it even easier to research and browse the Primark ranges online. 
  • Stock Checker – The ability to check availability in store at the product/size level, with the following guide: 
    • Green – The item is in stock 
    • Orange – Stock is running low on this product 
    • Red – This item is now sold out / out of stock 
    • Grey – This item is not available in this store. 
  • Personalised content – customers will be able to create their own accounts to save their shopping preferences, receive personalised updates from Primark via email and create and save a Wishlist of their favourite products.  
  • Newsletter sign up – customers will be able to sign up to receive an email newsletter to keep up to date with all the latest Primark news.  
  • Social integration – Closer integration with its social channels to allow customers in Ireland to link directly through to the website for all product info.  

 

54% of Young People in Ireland Have Been Tempted to Buy Fake Insurance Online

A new survey[i] of insurance customers in the Republic of Ireland has highlighted the risks facing young people in the region who are being targeted by ghost brokers selling fake insurance policies. The study by LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a leading data, advanced analytics and technology provider for insurance, found that:

  • 54% of 17–34-year-olds have been targeted and tempted by an advert for fake insurance on social media
  • More than 1 in 10 (16%) of the youngest people surveyed, aged 17-24, has bought insurance through one of these adverts
  • 71% of 17–34-year-olds are worried their identity could be compromised for insurance fraud such as ghost broking
  • 92% of 17–34-year-olds expect insurance providers to check they are who they say they are when applying for insurance
  • Only 24% of the people surveyed actually know what a ghost broker is

In response to the growing problem of insurance application fraud and ghost broking[ii], LexisNexis Risk Solutions has launched LexisNexis® Emailage® Rapid  for the Irish insurance market.

Emailage Rapid is a powerful fraud risk scoring solution based on the email address and other personal information provided during the personal lines insurance application process.  As insurance fraud continues to cost insurance companies in Ireland an estimated 200 million annually[iii], Emailage Rapid provides immediate verification of the applicant’s digital identity and checks they are not linked to any fraudulent activity prior to policy inception. As well as helping to combat fraud, the solution may also help reduce the cost of cancellations to the insurance sector.

Emailage Rapid is built from over 82 thousand fraud events and transactions shared daily[iv], to provide a real-time risk score[v] at the point of quote. The score indicates a genuine identity, whether the identity has previously been linked to fraud or whether it could be a fraudulent ID, which may have been created to either procure insurance with the intent of making a fraudulent claim or to sell insurance on as a ghost broker[vi]. It provides additional metadata points, such as whether the email address and domain even exist, when the email address was first seen, or whether the email address bears a close resemblance to the proposer’s name for the policy.

An Garda Síochána (Ireland’s National Police and Security Service) lists the ‘Advance Fee Fraud of Ghost Broking and Car Insurance Fraud’ as one of the six most common types of fraud happening in Ireland today[vii]. Yet, research by LexisNexis Risk Solutions highlights that only 24% of people know about ghost brokers. As the number of internet users in Ireland continues to grow with a current 4.43 million internet users, projected to reach 4.73 million individuals by 2027[viii], so does the opportunity for online crime.

Shane McCabe, insurance strategic account manager, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Ireland, said: “Ghost brokers typically advertise their services online, claiming to be able to secure prospective policyholders a cheap insurance policy. They often target the young, who are more likely to use social networking and instant messaging[ix]. As nearly one third (32%) of younger persons between 16 and 29 years of age either bought or renewed existing insurance policies online last year, we can see how vulnerable they might be to fraud[x]. It is critical that insurance providers can offer the seamless online experience that policyholders expect, while protecting themselves and their customers from fraudsters. Building on the success of Emailage Rapid in the UK, we are delighted to have launched LexisNexis Emailage Rapid as our first motor insurance product for insurance providers in the Republic of Ireland.”

 

[i] 1000 insurance purchasers surveyed in the ROI, November 2022 through Maru/Hub.

[v] LexisNexis® Emailage® Rapid is a powerful fraud risk scoring solution based on the email address and other personal information provided during the application process. In February 2020, LexisNexis Risk Solutions acquired Emailage, a fraud prevention and risk management solutions provider. LexisNexis® Emailage® is a proven risk assessment tool that is fuelled by continuously updating global digital insights and uses a patented, proprietary analytic approach to reimagine fraud detection.

[vi] A “Ghost Broker” is a term used to describe a fraudster who pretends to be a genuine Insurance Broker in order to sell fraudulent car insurance.

[vii] Contains Irish Public Sector Data licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence https://www.garda.ie/en/crime/fraud/what-are-the-6-most-common-types-of-fraud-in-ireland-today-and-how-to-avoid-becoming-a-victim-.html

Samsung and Sprinklr Partner to Reinvent the Shopping Experience

Sprinklr, the unified customer experience management (Unified-CXM) platform for modern enterprises, today announced that Sprinklr is now an official Software Partner for Samsung, an industry leader in the global display market. As a Software Partner, the Sprinklr platform is now available as an integrated app for Samsung SMART Signage and Hospitality Displays.

Leveraging Sprinklr’s platform enables Samsung to deliver content and data from more than 30 social and digital channels directly via their commercial display products. Users can update information in real time and manage 100% remotely with Samsung’s service offerings. Moreover,  Samsung is also an official reseller for Sprinklr, now offering Sprinklr capabilities directly to their customer base.

“Shoppers expect to receive a positive first impression when interacting with a brand. These rising customer expectations are prompting retailers to rely on  Samsung to create meaningful experiences for their customer base through the use of display technologies in their stores,” said Parrish Chapman, Director, Enterprise Retail Sales Key Accounts at Samsung Electronics America. “Our partnership with Sprinklr helps our retail customers meet this mission by consolidating social media content, promotions and reviews that are updated in real-time while consumers are shopping.”

Samsung and Sprinklr announced the partnership at NRF and will be showcasing how customers such as The Honest Worm and Duck Donuts are leveraging the integration and capabilities at both the Samsung and Sprinklr Booths during the show.

“Delivering real-time, customizable data and content from digital channels to consumers will help retailers revolutionize the shopping experience,” said Doug Balut, Senior Vice President of Global Alliances, Sprinklr. “By pairing Sprinklr’s Unified-CXM platform with the industry-leading digital signage and displays from Samsung, companies can enhance the seamless experience of customers, differentiate their stores and brand, and drive business results.” 

To see the partnership in action during NRF, visit Samsung at booth #3657 or Sprinklr at booth #4061.

Is Your Product Ready For The Market? Here’s How To Find Out

Are you an entrepreneur or inventor looking to launch a new product? You may have spent months, if not years, developing the perfect product – but is it truly ready for the market? Before you take the leap and introduce your product to the public, it’s important to ensure it is ready. In this article, we’ll take a look at the key steps you should take to ensure your product is ready for launch. Let’s get started.

Consider Product Testing

One of the best ways to know if your product is ready for the market is to test it. You can conduct product testing through experts to ensure it meets the standards and expectations of your target audience. They will assess the product’s design, features, and performance to give you valuable feedback. This could also help you determine if there are any potential problems or issues that need addressing before the launch.

Moreover, you can use volunteers to test your product. This can help you gather valuable data and insights into the user experience. It is also a great way to build hype for your product before launching it in the market. Ensure that your product testers represent your target audience so you can get the most accurate insights and feedback.

Gather Customer Feedback

Another way to know if your product is ready for launch is to gather customer feedback. You can do this through surveys, polls, and interviews with people who have tested the product. This will give you a better understanding of their thoughts about it and how they use it.

Gather customer feedback by offering incentives such as discounts or free samples to encourage people to provide their honest opinions. You can also ask questions such as how the product helped them, what features they liked or disliked, and how it compared to similar products in the market. This data will help you make changes and adjustments before launching it in the market.

Conduct Market Research

One of the most important steps in knowing if your product is ready for launch is to conduct market research. This will give you a better understanding of your target audience, their needs and preferences, and what they are looking for in products. It will also provide insights into the competition and how to differentiate your product from them.

Market research should be comprehensive to cover all aspects of the market and the product. This includes customer demographics, pricing, competitive landscape, industry trends, and more. You can then use the research to make the necessary changes to ensure your product is ready for launch.

Do Pre-Orders and Pre-Launch Events

Pre-orders and pre-launch events can be a great way to know if your product is ready for the market. They indicate how many people are interested in the product and if there is enough demand for it. You can also use this data to make any changes or adjustments before launching it in the market.

Pre-launch events such as webinars and online demos also help you gather feedback from potential customers. This can give you an idea of how people perceive the product and what features they like or dislike. Pre-orders are also a great way to gauge customer interest in the product before launch day.

By following these steps, entrepreneurs and inventors can ensure their product is ready for launch. Product testing, customer feedback, market research, and pre-orders are all great ways to know if your product is market-ready. Doing so will help you make the necessary changes before launching it in the market and increase the chances of success. So don’t forget to do your due diligence before launching your product.

How To Create A Cheap, Yet Effective Marketing Campaign

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create an effective marketing campaign. With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can reach your target audience without breaking the bank. Here are some tips on how to get started.

Set the budget for your marketing campaign

Establishing a budget for a marketing campaign is an important step that can ensure its success and adjust for any potential bumps along the way. To ensure budgeting accuracy, use a budget calculator that allows you to input information such as campaign goals and expense estimates. This will help you determine the most logical, cost-effective way to allocate your funds, while still allowing flexibility should needed adjustments be necessary. Through the use of a budget calculator and detailed consideration of your campaign goals and strategy, you can use your allotted funds to achieve optimal results.

Define your target audience and research what kind of content they consume

When creating your marketing campaign, it’s important to take the time to define your audience and carry out research into what kind of content they consume. Knowing who makes up your target audience is the driving force behind creating campaigns that are tailored to their wants, needs, and interests. Research can include gathering insight into which platforms they prefer, what topics appeal to them, or even which influencers they follow. It’s this kind of research that will help you create an effective marketing strategy and ensure that your campaigns reach the right people.

Create content that is tailored to your target audience and that will capture their attention

Crafting a flawless marketing campaign requires creating content that truly resonates with your target audience. To do so, you’ll want to build a comprehensive understanding of what interests and excites them as well as stay up-to-date on the latest trends. Being aware of their likes and dislikes will help you create tailored content that captures their attention and leads to greater engagement. Adding smart visuals to your pieces is also an effective way to draw in even more attention, further connecting with individuals and creating long-term relationships. Creating content for your target audience can be difficult initially but with the right techniques, it can become much easier and help propel your message forward in meaningful ways.

Monitor the results of your campaign and make necessary adjustments

It is important to carefully monitor the results of any marketing campaign and make necessary adjustments to ensure it meets desired outcomes. This can be done by tracking key metrics such as engagement rates, customer feedback, and overall sales figures. Examining this information closely allows marketing teams to tweak their strategies to create the most effective conduit between their product or service and their audience. Furthermore, regularly scanning the marketing landscape and comparing campaigns with similar ones in your space can provide profitable insight into what strategies have been effective and which should be avoided going forward. Ultimately, having a wide set of data available for review will make sure marketing efforts are running as efficiently as possible.

While it may be tempting to go for the most flashy and expensive marketing campaign possible, sometimes the best option is a more simple and cheap one. By following the tips in this blog post, you can create an effective marketing campaign on a tight budget. With a little creativity and outside-the-box thinking, you can reach your target audience without spending a fortune. So don’t be afraid to get creative with your next marketing campaign – you may be surprised at how well it works!

ZHIYUN CRANE M2S crowned GOOD DESIGN(R) Awards 2022 winner

ZHIYUN, the world’s pioneering gimbal innovator for cameras and smartphones, has been awarded the prestigious GOOD DESIGN® Awards for its CRANE M2S gimbal.

The CRANE M2S won in the electronics category of the 72nd edition of the awards. Approximately 4,000 shortlisted entries from 52 countries were judged by independent and international jurors with the awards given to products with the highest design quality and innovation.

The gimbal joins ZHIYUN’s range of award-winning products and offers a compact design that feels completely natural in the hand during use. With a built-in 0.66-inch display offering real-time status and operating parameters of the camera and gimbal, users benefit from an at-a-glance view while they shoot.

Another award-winning feature is ZHIYUN’s latest quick release technology, the V-shape design provides better working efficiency allowing quick interchange between any cameras used. While dual safety locks ensure the equipment always remains attached.

At just 549g, the CRANE-M2S impressed judges since it is as portable as a phone gimbal, but can  hold cameras up to the Sony A7SIII with small prime lenses. The super lightweight body is combined with stronger motors and extended axes, making it a must-have for high velocity, run-and-gun filmmakers.

GOOD DESIGN is the first, oldest and longest running design prize in the world that honors all design achievements in all its disciplines: from product, packaging, communication and service design, architecture and interior architecture to user interface (UI), user experience (UX), and professional concept.

The highly-prized, highly anticipated, and highly-publicized awards are bestowed annually by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

The competition evaluates product design, communication design, packaging design and concept designs by the world’s leading brands and sheds light on current trends emerging in the international design and manufacturing sectors.

ZHIYUN’s Head of R&D, said:

“At ZHIYUN, design innovation is key to the success of our products, and we are honoured to be awarded this prestigious recognition for our continuous R&D efforts in gimbal technology. It is our intention to continue to deliver even more novel product experiences to video creators, whether amateur or professional from around the world.”

Further information on CRANE M2S at the GOOD DESIGN® Awards can be found here.