Tag: Business

80% of Irish businesses have no back-up system in place in case of connectivity system failure

80% of businesses around Ireland are failing to acknowledge the criticality of connectivity by not having an appropriate back-up system in place according to new research released today by Magnet+, Ireland’s largest independent connectivity network.

With 270,000 SMES in Ireland currently, (269,708 according to the latest figures from Statista) , the research, which was conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes (B&A) on behalf of Magnet+, indicates that approx. 216,000 businesses are leaving their systems vulnerable to significant loss in the case of a connectivity malfunction or system failure. In response to these startling results, Magnet+ has developed a new service, Magnet Duo, the first of its kind in Ireland guaranteeing internet connection at all times.

Magnet Duo provides customers with two individual active links – instead of one, which is the current standard – powered by Fortinet technology to ensure a secure, seamless and optimised user experience. Each link operates independently which means if one link is interrupted for whatever reason, traffic automatically switches to the other until the first is operating again. Each link is also connected to a different data centre meaning again, if one connection is interrupted, traffic is automatically routed via the other centre. The use of this Fortinet technology is a key element of the Magnet Duo service and its ability to fully guarantee your server won’t ever lose broadband connection which is a guarantee no other provider in Ireland currently offers.

To further demonstrate the meaning of these results and the risk Irish businesses are taking by not engaging in the proper connectivity back-up, Magnet+ has calculated that an average business in the IT sector could lose up to €20,000 per working day due to connectivity failure and having no back-up in place. Recent CSO figures show that the IT sector has an average hourly labour cost of €48.39 meaning an IT related business with a team of 50 could lose productivity worth €2,419.50 per hour – working out at almost €20,000 per average working day (€18,146.25). Similarly, businesses outside of the IT sector with a team of 50 could also be impacted financially if they are without the appropriate connectivity back-up according to these CSO figures, for example:

  • Financial, Insurance and Real Estate – potential loss of €17,145 per day
  • Arts, Entertainment and Recreation – potential loss of almost €8,550 per day
  • Accommodation and Food Services – potential loss at almost €5,520 per day

These figures don’t include the revenue loss for a transactional online operation, as well as the knock-on impact of reputational damage.

John Delves, Managing Director of Magnet+, is calling for the immediate implementation of a new industry standard that requires all telecommunications companies to provide two lines of broadband at all times to guarantee 24/7 connectivity:

“If you don’t have connectivity, you can’t operate as a business – it’s as simple as that. That’s why I’m totally shocked by the figure that 80% of businesses don’t have a back-up system in place. Every day we’re seeing the real-life impact that connectivity failure has on businesses and it’s these failures and the alarming results of our research that led us to develop our new service Magnet Duo, Ireland’s first fully guaranteed internet connection. This means whatever happens – burst pipes, freak weather or broken cables – two lines will keep you connected and working. Guaranteed. It’s a direct, dedicated line to the internet – think of it like a private jet, exclusively owned by your business. So, if your power supply stays on, we guarantee your Magnet Duo connection will too – and you’ll keep working and trading smoothly and seamlessly.

At this stage, you would assume that businesses understand the criticality of connectivity to their business but the figures from our research show that they really don’t. I’d urge every business to do a trial – cut off their connectivity for just five minutes and assess the chaos that unfolds. That should be enough to encourage any business to review their connectivity options and ensure they are protected in the event of an outage

Paul Donegan, Country Manager with Fortinet said:

“Fortinet are delighted to work with Magnet+ on delivery of their intelligent networking and connectivity service Magnet Duo to Irish customers. With connectivity and technology being the key focus point of the engagement Magnet+ have designed a solution powered by Fortinet technology that provides two links routed to individual data centres connecting to the internet at all times in the most reliable way to guarantee 24/7 internet connection. By leveraging the FortiGate platform they can offer their customers a guaranteed connection alongside the assurance that customers can avail of world leading firewall features and other capabilities including IPS, application control, anti-virus, antimalware and web filtering all in a single consolidated platform.”

The research from Magnet+ also revealed the most common issues businesses have with their telecommunications provider as well as the key services that businesses are most interested in receiving. The biggest problem for the majority of businesses (35%) is being left on hold when trying to contact them, while one in five (23%) report the biggest issue with their telecommunications provider is not being able to physically get through to them.

Subsequently, the top two services businesses require from their provider include wanting their calls to always be answered by a person in real life (74%) as opposed to a bot and to always be able to get through via the phone (70%) when contacting their provider. The reoccurring theme from these results relays the message that no matter how far technology advances in the telecommunications sector, the human element is still the top priority for customers.

Other common issues evident from the research include:

  • Broadband being unstable or down is the biggest issue for 30% of businesses
  • Having to get the same problem resolved multiple times is the main issue for almost one third of Irish businesses (27%)
  • Not knowing when a problem will be resolved (27%) or who is in charge of the problem (25%) are main issues for a significant number of Irish businesses
  • Almost 20% of Irish businesses say not being updated on the current status of an issue via phone is the biggest problem they have with their provider

Other services businesses are interested in from their connectivity provider include:

  • Over half of businesses (56%) place significant importance on being able to have a live chat (i.e., instant messaging) with their provider
  • Almost 40% of businesses value being able to track the status of current issues live
  • Over one quarter (26%) would like a dedicated portal to review their account

Surprisingly, just 17% of businesses are interested in the ability to have a video chat with provider.

Commenting on these results, John Delves said:

“At Magnet+, we commit to putting a human touch on every aspect of our business and our customers journey, with a key focus on ‘People Powered Connectivity’. This means guaranteeing that when a customer contacts the company, they will be speaking to a real person and not a ‘bot’. The results from our research highlight the importance of the human element when it comes to customer service which is crucial to know as we manoeuvre through an increasingly more digitised world of work.”

The research is unveiled as part of an ambitious growth plan for Magnet+ to expand, transform and improve its offering to customers. With customers at the core of everything Magnet+ does, no other provider in Ireland is more capable, qualified or trusted to operate and protect any business connectivity network in the country.

Methodology:

The research was carried out by Behaviour and Attitudes (B&A). Fieldwork was conducted in Q4 2022 with a sample of 400 participants.

For more information and regular updates, check out www.magnetplus.ie

Ten Irish SMEs announced as winners of You’re the Business Digital’s Acceleration Initiative

Google, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are today announcing the ten businesses that secured a truly unique, money-can’t-buy prize as part of the You’re The Business campaign launched last year. ‘You’re the Business’ is a programme that aims to accelerate Irish SME growth through digitalisation.

The successful businesses from across the country and a variety of sectors will receive a customised suite of digital supports from Google, expert sector and industry-specific mentoring across a range of technical areas that will help the ten SMEs to further develop their business. The selected businesses will also receive a €1,000 Google ads package each.

From family businesses to new businesses, from service to retail, the ten innovative and inspiring SMEs using digital to grow their businesses are:

  • Babogue (Kildare) – Certified Child Sleep Consultant, Erica Hargaden’s Babogue offers a suite of online video based sleep courses to help parents to manage the rollercoaster that is child sleep.
  • Camerino Bakery (Dublin) – Caryna Camerino runs the award-winning cafe and bakery and recently developed an online catering and cake ordering service.
  • Cullen Nurseries (Carlow) – Cullen Nurseries is a family owned business in Carlow, supplying top-quality native trees and hedging. Their award-winning site helps them offer an efficient online service with nationwide delivery.
  • DR Dogcare (Clare) – Animal lover Deirdre Ryan offers group or one-to-one training for dogs and their owners as well as a dog grooming service which can be booked through the website.
  • Prints of Ireland (Dublin) – Entrepreneurs, Heather and Peter’s online shop commemorates Irish landmarks with quality prints, totes and greeting cards.
  • Ryan Thomas Jewelers (Tipperary) – A family business selling luxury and hand-crafted jewellery in Clonmel for the last 43 years which can now also be purchased through the store’s website.
  • The Crafty Fox (Louth) – An award-winning fabric, crafts, and haberdashery supplies in Drogheda, supplying a large collection of top-quality products, as well as industry-leading workshops and classes which are available to book online.
  • The Cookie Co-op (Kilkenny) – A family business founded by Brian Walsh in 2020. Shoppers can order hand-crafted artisan cookies, muffins and bars online for next day delivery.
  • Velvet Cloud (Mayo) – Velvet Cloud is a range of handmade natural sheep’s milk yogurt and cheese, made on Flanagan’s family farm, and can be bought directly from their website.
  • Wonky Woolins (Galway) – Chloe Gardiner sells her wonky knitted toys from her well-designed website.

Speaking at the announcement of the winners, Caryna Camerino of Camerino Bakery said: “We launched our online shop in January 2020 just prior to Covid-19. Overnight, the website which had originally been designed to be our virtual shop window became our only shop window. Digitising our business meant that we were prepared for what came next and now the sales we make online are equal to the sales we make through the tills. We even grew the business through Covid. With Google’s help, we are now looking to reach new customers via online marketing, newsletters, and email campaigns”.

Research conducted by Google, developed in partnership with Amárach for the launch of You’re The Business last year found that almost half of SMEs believe they could more than double their turnover (40%) and profitability (45%) with an investment in digital skills. But, the research also showed that more than one in every ten SMEs based in Ireland (11%) are not yet using digital technology in their business – almost half (45%) of SMEs do not have their own website.

Alice Mansergh, Director for Small Business at Google, said: “Ireland is home to more than 250,000 small businesses, providing employment and services right across the country. Small businesses are at the heart of towns and communities across Ireland. With over 90% of Irish consumers now active online, businesses of all shapes and sizes stand to gain by ensuring they have their ‘online shop window’ – their website, their online profile – working well. At Google, we’ve been proud to partner with Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices to bring help and support nationwide through ‘You’re The Business’. The program offers free training for all available on the You’re The Business website. We had a tough time picking 10 lucky winners to receive an even more customised prize package, such was the high standard of entries. My huge congratulations to our lucky winners: we’re excited to support their business vision and next chapter of growth online.”

Richard Murphy, Enterprise Ireland said: The You’re the Business initiative has been a significant boost to SMEs across the country.  To be able to open up Google’s expertise in digital and online promotion to all businesses is a huge step forward in helping these companies to maximise their online presence.  Both Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices have been working closely with clients supporting their journey’s to get online and grow online and this will only help those companies further.  To the winners we wish continued success and we look forward to supporting them as they grow both here in Ireland and hopefully internationally in the years to come.”

Padraic McElwee, Local Enterprise Offices said: “The impact of digital for small businesses has never been so keenly felt than over the recent years.  Many companies have had to become more agile, more digitally adept to survive and thrive.  Having helped thousands to get online with our Trading Online Vouchers during the pandemic, this was an opportune time to help these businesses upskill utilising the expertise of Google alongside our partners Enterprise Ireland.  The response to the You’re The Business campaign has been phenomenal up and down the country and to be able to open up these online resources to our clients has had a huge impact this year and will do in years to come.  I want to congratulate all the winners and no doubt they will go from strength to strength on the back of this partnership.”

Launched last year, You’re the Business – a partnership between Google, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices – focuses on supporting Irish SMEs to upskill digitally and enhance their online capabilities. It continues to provide Irish SMEs with access to a series of live and on-demand training sessions, geared towards supporting companies at all stages of their digitalisation journey, including those at early stages right through to those more digitally-sophisticated businesses. The training consists of three modules that will help businesses.

For further information on the winners and the You’re The Business initiative, please visit: g.co/yourethebusiness

.IE Domain Profile Report 2022 reveals reputational strength of .ie domains

Launched today, the .IE Domain Profile Report 2022 reveals there were almost 330,000 .ie domain names in the database by the end of last year with 48,168 new .ie domains registered in 2022. Now in its eighth year, the .IE Domain Profile Report is an annual exploration of the .ie database and is published by .IE, the national registry for .ie domain names. The report also outlines key advantages that can be leveraged by Irish enterprise with a .ie domain.

Cyber attacks

.IE  provides an additional layer of security to owners of a .ie domain name, free of charge. This service provides a constant scanning of .ie sites and involves instant notification to an SME’s hosting provider, who can help them take the corrective action once a scam has been detected. The report revealed over 500 cyber-attacks were taken down in 2022. Two in five were phishing scams and one in four were malware attacks.

Despite a significant increase in cyber-attacks, websites featuring a security certificate were down six percentage points resulting in more websites being vulnerable to attack. This level of security is crucial to safeguard customer’s data.

The report indicated that threats to a .ie domain are lower than other top level domain names such as .com. Only individuals and businesses with a provable connection to Ireland can register a .ie domain. Applications from new customers are manually reviewed to ensure that they meet this requirement. This process keeps the .ie domain largely free from scams and other illegal activities. 91% of .ie domain names are registered on the island of Ireland, with the total number of internationally registered .ie domains under 30,000. Top international registrants are from Great Britain (10,983), United States (5,117) and Germany (2,535).

Speaking at the launch of the report David Curtin, Chief Executive of .IE said; “At .IE it is a priority to proactively tackle abuse in the .ie namespace to protect both SMEs and their customers. The findings of our .IE Domain Profile Report highlight some security vulnerabilities of .ie profiles, but also demonstrates where we provide enhanced supports to help Ireland’s digital economy thrive.

Our .IE Tipping Point Report 2022 also revealed that SMEs who invested in their online services since Covid, 30% (1 in 3) were busier than they were before the pandemic and 36% maintained the same level of business. SMEs are facing a new wave of economic challenges post Covid but with over 50% planning a significant digital investment in the next five years, we want to make sure they are investing in that digitalisation smartly and are aware of the necessary security features to implement.”

The trustworthiness of a .ie domain is also internationally recognised by The SpamHaus Project, an international non-profit organisation that tracks spam and related cyber threats. They collate a Badness Index for top level domains in real-time with .ie currently listed with a perfect rating of 0.0% in comparison with .com with a Badness Index of 2.5%.

Regional Growth

  • The report identified the counties experiencing the largest growth in new .ie domain registrations, a positive ‘forward-indicator’ of increased regional economic activity, with Tyrone recording the largest growth for 2022 v 2019 at 73.4%. Tipperary came in second overall, with 26.5% growth
  • Mayo had the largest had the largest growth (+24.1%) for any county in Connaught, followed by Galway at 8.4% adding 2,303 new domains
  • Wexford came out on top in Leinster with an 18.2% increase. Amongst the border counties, Monaghan had the largest percentage growth (+8.4%)

Post Covid Growth

The report also indicates that the Covid surge of digital mobilisation has tapered off, identifying a drop in new .ie registrations year-on-year (-22.6% v 2021). This is much less significant at 4% (2022 v 2019) when compared to more normal pre-pandemic levels and demonstrates that SMEs continue to use websites as a core part of their business with the benefits far outweighing a social media ‘shop front’.

Speaking at the launch, Pat Kane, Founder of Reuzi.ie commented, “When I founded my business in 2018 my objective was to inform and inspire people across Ireland, making sustainability more accessible, affordable, and fun. In the process of selecting a domain name for my website it was crucial that I had access to something that represented my business as truly Irish. I chose a .ie domain name because we are proud of what that means to my customers and community in Ireland and across the rest of the world – that we are an authentic Irish business doing great work.

Along with added security, trust and higher search optimisation, there is also a wider choice of available .ie domain names compared to .com. One of the longest .ie websites is 46 characters long at residentialroofingandlandscapingspecialistcork.ie with one of the shortest just one character at w.ie.

The .IE Domain Profile Report can be viewed here.

How to grow a health insurance business with software?

Without any doubt, digitization has revolutionised every sector of the economy and the insurance sector is no different. While surpassing the difficult time of covid pandemic we have faced several constraints for our overrated health expenses. Therefore encountering such misery, people now are more concerned about their health and monetary expenses. 

People who want to set up and grow their health insurance business has the best time to get a solid kickstart. Using the latest software you can easily grow your health insurance business in a very short period of time. We have compiled all the important points in order to expand your health insurance business with the help of software. Let’s check out them below. 

 

Top ways to grow health insurance with software 

1. Best quotes for larger customer acquisition

Softwares use sophisticated data analysis to cover a large range of customers. Using the huge data customer requirements and demands software provides the best possible quotes for health insurance plans. In other words, quotes are surfaced on the official website to provide attractive benefits for customers as well as business owners. For example software works like a magic wand for entrepreneurs who want to boost their health insurance business. Check the various business benefits and get a glimpse of health insurance quoting software. 

2. Use customization to get an extra edge 

Now people get a number of options while buying a health insurance plan. With more features and customizability you can easily attract and retain customers. There are software that uses precise details of the customers’ offers and accurate plan for them. In this way, customers get more satisfaction from the health insurance provider. As they fulfil their requirements by catering the best benefits in their health insurance policy. 

For example – if a customer wants health insurance but if he gets a customized plan including post-hospitalization expenses, then it will be a profitable deal for him. 

 

3. Health insurance for companies

In the health insurance business, companies have to deal with a huge number of policies and claim settlements. If you have not taken the help of software it would be an arduous task to maintain huge data and claim settlement. Hectic work such as documentation, verification and eligibility can consume a significant amount of time. While using software to do all your documentation, claim settlement, insurance policy verification, customer authentication, etc is possible with few clicks. Modern software uses artificial intelligence to automate most of the work and manages most of the workload very easily. Therefore it is always beneficial to use intelligent software to boost your productivity in the health insurance business. 

4. Use software to take in-depth customer info 

Using advanced data analytics takes the customer information to get an extra edge for your health insurance business rise. In other words, giving attractive such as discounts on medicines, tests, doctor consultation fees, etc compiles deep information from the customers. In other words, customer health history as well as physical details help the health insurance companies to project better plans to them. While adding brokers, medicare professionals, brands, etc help you to generate the maximum revenue in less period of time. 

5. Compliance regulation 

In most nations, health insurance companies and their policies are regulated by government regulatory bodies. Modern software helps insurance companies to meet small to larger requirements by the official regulatory bodies. As we have seen in several cases due to the failure of minor compliances insurance companies had to compensate a huge amount of money. There it is anytime beneficial for the entrepreneurs to buy software for easy compliance with rules set by the regulatory bodies. 

6. Customer support 

To build a long-term health insurance business one has to make a robust customer support system for their customers. In this digital age to keep the customers increasing and retaining a strong customer grievance redressal is required. Software having automated processing with a team of dedicated customer support helps in the rapid disposal of cases. Additionally, using automated chatbots for common queries and dedicated assistants for complicated issues collectively help to grow insurance firms. While digital customer support allows fast redressal of customer grievances in a short period of time. Therefore efficient software magnifies your health insurance business extensively for a longer period of time. 

Top Tips to Level Up Multi-location Marketing for Your Business

Multi-location marketing is a strategic approach that businesses use to promote their brand, products, and services across multiple locations. The goal of marketing for businesses with several locations is to create a consistent brand message and experience for customers, regardless of which location they visit, in order to build trust and credibility. This can be challenging, as each location may have its own unique characteristics and target audience.

One of the most difficult aspects of expanding your business to multiple locations is making sure your marketing efforts are consistent across all locations. These are some tips that will help you increase your ROI and marketing efforts to attract more customers. However, by implementing a multi-location marketing strategy, your business can increase visibility, reach more customers, and drive more sales.

Adplorer horizon software for multi-location marketing:

Adplorer horizon is powerful software that allows you to easily manage your multi-location marketing efforts from one central platform. With Adplorer horizon, you can create and publish location-specific content, track your marketing campaigns, and analyze your results all in one place. This multi-location marketing software is a must-have for any business looking to level up its business. Here are some ways that Adplorer can help your company:

 

  • Centralized management: This platform allows you to manage all of your locations’ marketing efforts from one central platform, making it easy to keep track of your campaigns, analyze your results, and make adjustments as needed.

 

  • Location-specific content creation: Horizon software enables you to create and publish location-specific content, such as social media posts, email campaigns, and promotional materials, making it easy to connect with customers on a more personal level.

 

  • Campaign tracking and analysis: With the help of this software to track your marketing campaigns and analyze your results, you can see which campaigns are performing the best and make adjustments as needed.

 

  • Brand consistency: Adplorer horizon helps you maintain a consistent brand across all of your locations by providing a centralized system for managing your brand assets, such as logos, colors, and messaging.

 

  • Automation: This software has automation capabilities that can automate some of your marketing tasks, such as scheduling social media posts, sending follow-up emails, and creating reports. This can save you time and resources.

 

  • Data-driven insights: Offer analytics and insights features that can give you a better understanding of your customers and help you make data-driven decisions.

Utilize local SEO:

Multi-location businesses can use local SEO to improve their visibility and attract ore customers. These businesses can increase their visibility in local search results by optimizing their websites for local searches. 

 

  • You should create a landing page for each business. These pages should contain detailed information about each location and can be used to attract customers looking for businesses in the area.

 

  • You should create a Google My Business Page for each location: This is another important aspect of local SEO for multi-location companies. Customers will be able to easily find information like hours of operation, reviews, contact details, and other pertinent details such as contact details. 

 

  • Optimize Every Location Page: Local SEO is essential for this kind of businesses. It is crucial to optimize every location page for search engines in order to boost local SEO. You can do this by using location-specific keywords.

 

  • Review Care: A positive review can increase visibility in search results. Multi-location businesses should encourage customers to leave reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google. Businesses can increase their customer base by taking care of their reviews.

 

  • Do not forget to check your SEO report each month: Businesses with more than one location need to track and monitor their local SEO efforts. Businesses can improve their Local SEO by reviewing their SEO reports each month.

Invest in social media:

Social media makes multi-location marketing possible. Social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, allow you to interact with your customers in a more personal way and offer you the opportunity to reach a wider audience. By creating a customized social media strategy for each area, you can personalize the customer experience and increase sales.

It can be challenging to develop a social strategy that includes multiple locations. It is essential to maximize your multi-location marketing efforts. These tips will help you create a social media strategy that works for all locations.

 

  • Create a content calendar. A content calendar will help you plan and organize your social media posts. This will ensure that your location shares timely, relevant content that aligns with your marketing goals.
  • Create content that is specific to your location. Each location has its own unique characteristics and audiences. You should create content that is specific to each location, such as news, promotions, or events. This will enable you to build a deeper relationship with your customers.

 

  • User-generated content can be used: Customers should encourage customers to share their experiences via social media with your locations. These posts can be shared on all social media channels in your area to build trust and credibility with potential customers.

 

  • Social media advertising: You have the option to target specific geographic locations to reach customers in each region.

 

  • Monitor your performance and track it: Social media analytics tools allow you to monitor all of your social media performance from any place. This will help you identify which elements are performing well and which are not. This will allow you to make adjustments and improve the strategy.

Define your target market

Before you start marketing your business, it’s essential to define your target market. Identifying who your ideal customer is will help you create marketing campaigns that will resonate with them. By understanding your target market’s needs, preferences, and pain points, you can create marketing messages that speak directly to them.

Develop a consistent brand identity

Having a consistent brand identity across all of your locations is essential for building trust and credibility with your customers. This includes everything from your logo, color scheme, and messaging to the way you interact with customers on social media. By maintaining a consistent brand identity, you’ll create a strong and recognizable brand that customers will remember.

Final Words

In conclusion, multi-location marketing can be challenging, but with the right tools and strategies, you can level up your efforts and attract more customers to your business. By using marketing automation software, defining your target market, developing a consistent brand identity, utilizing local SEO, and investing in social media, you’ll be well on your way to success.

 

Fast-growing tech business SciLeads aiming for new heights with plans to double workforce

Belfast-based scientific software company SciLeads has unveiled plans to create up to 50 new jobs over the next two years after announcing its workforce has grown to a team of 50 as of this month.

Launched in Belfast in 2016 by friends Daniel McRitchie, Laura Haldane and James Campbell, SciLeads is an innovative lead generation and market intelligence platform that helps scientific companies identify, engage and close their ideal buyers.

SciLeads has created the most comprehensive and accurate database of scientific researchers, helping sales and marketing teams quickly identify who needs their products for their research.

The company placed 14th in the 2022 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list, which ranks the fastest growing technology companies based on revenue growth over a four-year period. The previous year, the business was the top ranked Northern Ireland company on the list placing 11th, making this its second year in the top 20.

SciLeads began 2021 with 20 staff but having recruited across a number of roles it reached the milestone of 50 employees by the end of 2022. Now, with a strong pipeline of work, plans to launch new products, as well as further expansion into Asian markets, the company has projected that it will need to double its workforce to 100 by 2024 to manage the demand for its services.

Daniel McRitchie, CEO at SciLeads said:  “We are at an exciting point in our journey where we are the industry leaders in our space but still have massive potential to grow further. We believe our exciting plans for 2023 will enable us to double our headcount again over the next 2 years. We are open to all options in assisting us with our plans, including taking on investment from the right partner.” 

In the past year, SciLeads has successfully expanded its senior team with the appointment of a Senior Product Manager, Head of People and Culture and Head of New Business, and is currently recruiting for a range of sales and software development roles.

SciLeads is trusted by hundreds of scientific companies globally to accelerate sales and drive growth. 93% of its customer base is outside of the UK with its software currently used globally by Fortune 500 companies right down to the smallest start-ups.

Laura Haldane, co-founder and VP of Sales and Marketing at SciLeads added: “Finding talent in today’s market is definitely a challenge, particularly on the technical side. However, our remote first working has helped us to overcome this by hiring anywhere in the world, as well as being flexible with our current staff. We recently had a member of the team ask if they could move to Australia and work for SciLeads there and of course we said yes.

“When we started out, we knew we wanted to create a company with a truly flexible culture and work life balance. We have been working remotely since 2016, encouraging staff to get outside, walk the dog, go to the gym and see the sunshine. As we scale, we are adamant about maintaining this.”

SciLeads has seen the benefits of flexible working with all roles fully remote, along with flexible hours and holidays to ensure people can make their schedule work for them. The company gives each SciLeader £750 every two years so they can make their home office exactly how they want it.

The majority of the SciLeads team are based in Northern Ireland and Canada.

SciLeads continue to be on the lookout for talented Sales, Data, Product and Software professionals. More information can be found at scileads.com/careers.

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!

Benefits of tokenization in the businesses

When integrated into this ecosystem of business transactions, tokenization can provide a secure way to move funds worldwide at high speed and low cost. Platforms like Bitcoin Thunderbolt develop the best trading algorithm that is highly suitable for beginner bitcoin traders. Tokenization is boosting productivity in businesses by providing a low-cost and fast way to transfer money worldwide; it will also make it easier for companies to comply with complicated regulations because they have less to worry about. 

Blockchain plays a vital role in this system because it increases security by ensuring that only authorized personnel can view or access the information stored on the blockchain.

The token ecosystem:

The token ecosystem provides a platform for interaction, collaboration, and coordination between stakeholders. Tokenization also has enormous benefits for businesses looking to raise capital without adhering to the arbitrary government or industry regulations. One of these regulations is Know Your Customer (KYC). KYC refers to identifying and verifying customers’ identities to ensure they are not dealing with anyone carrying out money laundering or any other illegal activities. Businesses will use the blockchain to verify their customers’ identities by incorporating them into a smart contract.

Taking KYC out of the equation helps companies reduce costs and scrutiny, which can be highly beneficial for start-ups and small businesses. For instance, a business can use the blockchain to send its money internationally without government restrictions or regulations, unlike regular financial transactions. This way, a business doesn’t have to spend time dealing with other financial institutions to get money from one country to another. In this context, a smart contract will verify that the transaction recipient can take it out of that country so criminals do not steal the payment. In addition, blockchain helps businesses improve their efficiency through collaboration in value chain management. Let’s explore the benefits of tokenization in businesses. 

Businesses can monetize any product or service:

There is a wide range of sectors in which businesses can use the blockchain to tokenize different products and services like healthcare, financial services, real estate, etc. This way, they can monetize different products and services they provide, receive or purchase.

Companies can transfer funds from one country to another with more efficiency:

Companies that want to send their money from one country to another will have several options available. First, they can use banks or other financial intermediaries for this purpose. However, it takes time and costs a lot of money for these financial institutions. On the other hand, if companies use blockchain technology, they only need to execute a smart contract to send their money. This way, they can do it with more efficiency.

Businesses can reduce costs and improve the speed of payments:

Traditional banking is relatively slow and expensive when making cross-border payments. In addition, many banks charge high fees for these transactions, so businesses are looking for faster and safer ways to make these payments. Blockchain technology gives them that opportunity because it helps them reduce costs and stay up-to-date with the latest innovations in this field. 

Businesses can get rewarded for their efforts:

Tokenization provides many opportunities for businesses to earn from their products and services. They can earn from the platform by offering their products and services to other companies. In this way, they do not need to sell their products to the general public, although they will have that option. They only need to market their products and services innovatively so that other businesses can use them. 

Businesses can access new markets with less effort:

Blockchain tech allows businesses to open up new markets and make international transactions easier. There are large numbers of people all over the world who do not have access to traditional banking, so blockchain opens up a whole new arena for them. 

How to engage with blockchain in your business?

Blockchain technology presents a new paradigm for making your business more efficient and secure. However, it is not a panacea, as the success of blockchain lies in the ability of a business to use the technology and integrate it into its organizations properly. Successful blockchain implementation is attributed mainly to the right people who understand the technology and have eyes for innovation.

 Putting the right people in place procures that the “right people” can be trained or brought up within the organization, even if they are new or have limited knowledge about modern technologies such as blockchain. So, for instance, a business asking for blockchain development can enlist the services of an agency like Smart Contract Tech to do that job.

What does it take to implement and integrate blockchain into your business? 

The same thing it takes to innovate a new product or service or make better use of an existing one. The right people in the right place with the right attitude contribute most to success. One of the most important things an organization need is people who understand technology.

Make Business Communication Easier With These Professional Tips

With today’s advances in technology, there are more ways than ever for companies to connect with colleagues and customers around the world. That’s why businesses study the difference between decentralized VPNs and regular VPNs, and use videoconferencing software. However, the challenge lies in using the technology correctly and efficiently, and adopting the best communication strategies. In this article, we’ll provide some professional tips to make it easier for your business to communicate.

Consider Outsourcing

Why not outsource your customer service communication with a professional call center or contact center? They specialize in helping companies create an efficient system for responding to customer inquiries and providing support. Outsourcing can reduce costs, shorten response times, and improve customer relationships. It achieves this by giving customers access to knowledgeable professionals who are available 24/7.

These centers can provide comprehensive services such as phone support, online chat assistance, email responses, web ticketing systems, social media management, and more. If you go online to research popular contact center services you can request free quotes and read about the pros and cons. You can discover the best countries for outsourcing, and the difference between contact centers and call centers.

Use Smart Technology

Smart technology such as cloud computing, smartphones, and tablets are making it easier for professionals to manage their day-to-day tasks. Whether you’re running a small business or managing a large enterprise, these tools can help make business communication more efficient.

Cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular with businesses due to its flexibility and affordability. By storing data in the cloud, companies can access information from any device with an internet connection. Additionally, cloud storage makes sharing documents between teams much simpler. Smartphones are also allowing workers to stay connected outside of the office. With mobile apps and instant messaging capabilities, team members can easily keep in touch while on the go.

Monitoring employee behavior is another crucial factor in maintaining efficiency and professionalism in a cloud-based work environment. With proper call screening methods applied, businesses can ensure that employees are effectively handling client interactions and that any inappropriate or unnecessary calls are minimized, allowing staff to focus on their core tasks. This level of oversight can enhance overall productivity and reinforce a secure, organized communication system within a company, making it an ideal pairing with the flexibility offered by cloud computing.

Use Videoconferencing Software

Videoconferencing tools offer many benefits in terms of convenience and cost savings. Some major examples include Skype, Zoom and Google Meet. With such platforms, you can easily create virtual conference rooms where multiple participants can simultaneously interact with each other. In addition, participants don’t need to travel to a physical meeting space – they’re able to join remotely from anywhere. This saves both time and money by eliminating any travel costs associated with traditional meetings or conferences.

Whilst conducting a videoconferencing call, you can add extra attendees if and when required. Applications such as Zoom allow you to create meeting rooms where staff communicate in smaller numbers before returning to the main conversation.

Use Clear, Concise Language

When communicating with colleagues, customers, and clients, it’s important to ensure that the message is easily understood. When writing emails or other forms of correspondence always strive for brevity. This will help you get your point across swiftly and succinctly. It’s also helpful to avoid using jargon or overly technical terms. Instead, use simple words so anyone reading your message will understand exactly what you mean (without having to look up a definition).

Additionally, be sure to proofread all communications before sending them out. Double-check the grammar and spelling as any typos or errors can give an unprofessional impression.

Encourage Feedback

Not only does this help to ensure that everyone’s on the same page, but it allows businesses to develop meaningful relationships with their customers. Feedback should be encouraged at every stage of a project or transaction. This provides an opportunity for both parties to communicate any issues or concerns in an open forum. In turn, this can help avoid misunderstandings down the road.

Providing employees with a platform to offer feedback will allow them to contribute ideas that could enhance operations and increase productivity. This can include evaluating processes, equipment, customer service techniques, and much more. Encouraging honest feedback on a regular basis helps foster healthy communication within an organization, which in turn leads to greater success. When receiving feedback, make sure you don’t respond defensively or interrupt the other person.

Provide Training Courses On Communication Skills

From writing emails to presenting ideas in the boardroom – good written and verbal skills are key for businesses today. Training courses can help equip employees with the knowledge they need to communicate effectively within the workplace, as well as externally with clients and customers.

You may wish to conduct internal training courses or involve an external consultant or specialist agency. Some topics to cover could include listening skills (e.g. active listening) and body language. You could also discuss conflict management, presentations, public speaking and cross-cultural communication. The benefits include empowering your staff to build successful relationships and work together as a team.

Create Templates

Creating templates can be a great way to save time, money and effort when dealing with day-to-day tasks. Templates are reusable documents that contain prewritten text, allowing you to quickly generate the same type of message each time. This can ensure that your communication is consistent and accurate, no matter who is sending the message.

First, determine what types of messages and documents are frequently used in your business communications. This could include emails, letters or forms that need to be sent out on a regular basis. Once you’ve identified the key documents needed in your business communications, create a template for each one. When creating these, keep them simple so they can easily be modified as needed.

Use Telephone Scripts

A telephone script is a prepared written dialogue that helps guide conversations between two people on the phone. It assists both parties in staying on topic and ensures professionalism throughout the conversation. 

Telephone scripts also help keep your conversations consistent when dealing with multiple customers or clients. They can be customized for different scenarios, such as customer service inquiries or sales inquiries. By employing this method of communication you can improve your overall customer satisfaction rating in the long run.

It’s also worth investigating Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and automated email marketing campaigns. With the right tools and practices, you can enhance your business communication as never before. In turn, you’ll have happy employees, satisfied customers and an increase in revenue.