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Business

Using Technology to Engage Event Attendees

Event organisers are always looking for new and interesting ways to engage with and keep their attendees engaged during and after their event. From the increasing variety of vendors, dedicated areas to network, and recognizable speakers, to modern event attendee tracking technology and digital rewards. In this article explore the tools and strategies used to attract and engage event attendees so they return year after year and are motivated to get their peers involved. 

The Importance of Event Engagement

Without engagement, events are doomed to fail. It may not be straight away but over time the audience dwindles, tickets fail to sell, and organisers can no longer fund the event. Many events have gone this way over the years as organisers fail to prioritise their attendees. Attendees expect more from today’s events. They are over the excitement of returning to in-person events after several years of hybrid and virtual events and are experiencing increased costs for travel and accommodation. This is why attendees and their employers need assurance that the event they attend will be providing value for their time. 

How Technology Improves Event Engagement

Technology is woven into events. Organisers use tools and technology to streamline the administration behind the event, from selling tickets to onboarding vendors, to analysing results. Some of this technology is already being utilised to engage event attendees. Ticket platforms provide information, agendas, maps, and more for attendees to familiarise themselves before turning up to the event. Visual technology like screens, projectors, and speakers are used around the venue to show attendees where to go, what’s going on, or what sessions are coming up. Aside from the common technology used in events, organisers also benefit from the use of QR codes, footfall data, digital awards, and live translations. 

QR Codes

QR codes are a fantastic technology that almost slipped by the world without much attention. Fortunately in the last few years they have drastically grown in popularity and many organisations are using QR codes in different ways. Restaurants use them to replace and supplement physical menus, advertisers use them on billboards, and estate agents feature them on ‘For Sale’ signs. Users scan the QR code with their smartphone to access information, register interest, watch videos, and more.

 

Event organisers can utilise QR codes in several ways; featured on the event ticket linking to exclusive attendee offers, at entry points to streamline checkline, and on vendor booths to measure interest. The use of QR codes also helps to reduce physical touch points which is in keeping with the latest health guidelines and reduces the risk of illnesses spreading. QR codes are cheap to create and maintain, easy to use, and can be designed with imagery and brand colours. They are an ideal technology for event organisers to explore as a way of engaging their attendees.

Footfall Data

Foot traffic data or footfall data are the metrics tracked from real-world footfall; the movement and behaviour of individuals and groups. Metrics can be tracked in several ways, by aggregate visits to a location, individual visits to a location, characteristics of visitors at a location, and comparisons of visitors to a location. The data comes from different sources depending on the application. For example, geospatial/location data is gathered from mobile devices that can be set-up in multiple locations. Sensory data is the data commonly collected by retail stores using physical sensors that are installed at the entrance. Purchase data are the metrics gathered from payments and purchases. 

 

Event organisers can use geospatial/location data collected from devices placed around an event venue to understand what their attendees are interested in. Whether certain vendors were more popular, how long attendees spent at different vendors or stands, and how groups moved through the event. This provides actionable insights for attendee engagement. Based on the data, organisers can understand what sort of vendors best resonate with their audiences and whether stands need to be moved to improve attendee flow.

Digital Awards 

Digital awards such as digital credentials, digital certificates, and digital badges are a popular method of rewarding and engaging learners, members, candidates, and attendees. They are extremely versatile and are used in a variety of environments including higher education, associations, professional certification, and events. Organisations issue digital awards to individuals to recognize effort and illustrate growth. Recipients then share their digital awards in celebration to social media platforms, add them to LinkedIn profiles and professional resumes, and embed them online and in email signatures. 

 

Event organisers can use digital awards to recognize attendance, reward volunteers, and credit speakers. Attendees are issued digital badges that are fully portable meaning they can be uploaded to smartphone devices where they are used to streamline check-in. They share their attendance badges to social media increasing visibility for the event and creating discussion. The increased visibility helps to drive referrals, increasing future attendance, and keeping the event at the top of conversation for longer. 

Live Translation

English is the most common language spoken at events, conferences, and tradeshows in the UK and the US, but international attendees also frequent events in these locations. Especially large, industry-leading events where there are plenty of opportunities to learn and network. Live translation are tools that enable real-time language interpreting for live streams and in-person presentations. The tools became readily available during the pandemic following the rise of virtual events and should be a must-have for all future events. Live translation tools reduce barriers created by language, make the event more accessible, and serve as a valuable way to engage with greater audiences. 

In Summary

Embracing technology in events to engage attendees is a must for organisers that want their event to succeed and stand out amongst competitors. This is especially important for organisers that intend to bring their event back year after year. They need to be prepared to understand, research, and explore the demands and expectations of their audience and ensure their needs are met and surpassed to keep them interested and returning. Through research, strategizing, and innovation, organisers can ensure that the technology used delivers a great user experience for themselves, the sponsors, the speakers, and most importantly, the attendees.

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Business

How to Market Your Mobile App: 6 Best Methods

Let’s say that you released an excellent mobile app for iOS and Android and believe that it can be used by many.

The problem is that both Apple Store and Google Play Store are filled with various applications in all the available categories.

Expecting to just get lucky is hardly a winning strategy. No, you need to create a strategy to help your app go viral.

 

Some Key Steps to Take Before the Promotion Campaign

Before you begin, there are a few important things to make sure of. For one, the app should be optimized for different devices.

That includes performance and storage consumption. According to the Backlight blog, it can be a bit tricky to manage a smartphone’s storage, and apps that consume more space than they realistically should are the opposite of user-friendly.

Another thing is to optimize the app for a store search. People who are interested in downloading and installing the app should be able to find it without problems.

Finally, get a monetization model in place that clearly states whether the app is free, freemium, or paid. The pricing model should be clear and not mislead the consumers.

 

Run Ad Campaigns on Social Media

Let’s start with social media. It is often the go-to platform for marketing. Mobile device users browse social media often, so it makes sense to strike where your potential users are.

You can launch a paid ad campaign and set specific demographics that you want to target in relation to what your app offers. 

 

Post on Forums

Traditional forums are not as prominent as they were back in the day, but you can still find plenty of them. 

Creating a thread or replying to a forum user in a way that you can mention your app naturally is a good approach. For instance, if someone creates a thread asking how to save more money and you have an app that helps you manage finances, it makes sense to advertise the app as a potential solution, right?

A similar approach can be made not just on traditional forums. You can find relevant threads on Reddit and Quora, as well as various posts on social media groups.

 

Collaborate With Influencers

Get in touch with influencers and offer them something in exchange for promoting your application.

The influencers should have demographics that are relevant to your application. For instance, if the app is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle, then Instagram influencers who have a brand built around a healthy lifestyle are a good fit.

You do not have to limit yourself just to social media. Twitch TV is excellent for those who want to promote a gaming app. 

Even though most Twitch streamers play on computers and consoles rather than mobile devices, there are some who do. Not to mention that some streamers would be fine switching to a mobile game for a bit if the offer is good enough to persuade them. 

 

Reach Out to Podcasts

Podcasts are worth a shout as well. If you listen to one, you are likely to hear how a service or a product is the sponsor of the episode.

It is common for podcast hosts to monetize their content with various advertisement deals. A short break in the middle of a podcast or an introduction is when you hear the promotional part.

Ideally, you should come on as a guest and talk about it from a developer’s point of view and why people should consider using your app. However, if such an opportunity does not present itself, a simple promotional bit on a podcast is still a good marketing method.

 

Pitch to Tech Writers

Many tech writers are looking for new things to cover on their websites. Some are eager to get exclusives because the tech industry is competitive. 

You could reach out to various bloggers and let them know about your application. Give them early access and inform them that they are part of an exclusive group that gets to try the app before everyone else. 

 

Advertise in Apps

In-app advertisements are quite common, especially when an app is free but has a paid version. It encourages users to eliminate the apps by getting the paid version.

One of the downsides of this method is that you might find it difficult to strike a deal with other app developers to let you promote your app on theirs. Nevertheless, the idea is worth a try.

 

Closing Thoughts

Launching a new app is a stressful feat, especially if you put a lot of effort into it and received positive feedback from your circle. 

The next step is about getting the word out there and letting people know about your application. The methods mentioned in the article should be enough to create a solid marketing campaign but do not be afraid to explore them even further.

 

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Business

6 Tips to Improve Your Local SEO with GMB Profile

Millions of businesses worldwide dedicate a special budget to improving their brand recognition. You may face a lot of disappointments and surprises along the way, but wouldn’t it be a blessing to come across a free service to make your business more discoverable?

It may surprise you, but Google My Business (GMB) can be the best free resource for businesses to become more discoverable by local audiences. You can put information such as photos, videos, contact info, and more regarding your business to improve your local SEO and discoverability.

If you are unsure about using Google My Business to its best potential, here are some tips to help you improve your local SEO with your GMB profile.

 

Provide as Much Information as Possible

Once you have created and verified your Google My Business profile, the next big step is adding relevant information. You do not have to hold back from adding any information, but taking your time and ensuring that this information is error-free is essential.

The most important information regarding a business on any listing includes its category, description, website URL, logo, address, business hours, contact number, and more. It is best to ensure that all this information is up to date.

Research shows that businesses with a complete GMB profile are much more likely to be considered trustworthy by the users. Therefore, it is fair to say that putting effort into creating your GMB profile can become all worth it in time. 

 

Get Reviews from Happy Customers

Customers are the backbone of any business, and the best way to strengthen your business is by making your customers happy. A happy customer can be a primary reason for many other people to trust your business.

Customers who undergo a smooth journey and have a satisfying experience will likely leave a review on your GMB listing. These reviews can convince other potential buyers to buy from your business. In addition to the reviews, they can also share your business with their friends and family.

Businesses that create a GMB profile also have the benefit of getting in touch with their customers through Business Messages. It is a 30-day window that you can utilize to ask them for a review on your product or service. These reviews can lead your business to a strong customer base.

 

  1. Keep Updating and Improving Your Profile

Your GMB profile needs constant attention to provide the best outcomes. Your online presence must always remain up to date to entice and update your potential customers. For example, if you change your business hours or location, you must update it on your GMB profile as soon as possible.

You can also use the local rank tracker software to keep tabs on your local rankings. This software tool will help you analyze your changing rankings in a particular area so you can then work towards improving them. 

You can also take advantage of photos to update your GMB profile regularly. These photos can catch the attention of people searching for a business like yours.

In addition, it is crucial to keep your businesses’ opening and closing hours updated around the year. You do not want to risk customers showing up at your business doorstep when you’re close. Your GMB account can also let you customize your business hours for public holidays effortlessly. 

 

Provide Accurate Contact Information

The information on your GMB profile cannot always be enough for customers to get the necessary answers. In such circumstances, their usual response is to look for your business’s contact information and try to get in touch. It can be very frustrating for them to be unable to contact you.

There is a very thin chance that a frustrated customer will come back to you. You can reduce the chances of losing your customers by taking a few minutes to ensure that all information in your GMB listing is accurate and up to date.

It is recommended to ensure that you update the contact information whenever there is any change. Accurate information will help the customers reach you without any hassle. You can secure more potential customers and reduce the fear of losing them.

 

Use High-Quality Photos and Videos

Your GMB Profile allows you to add videos and photos of your business. It is an opportunity that every business must leverage. You can post photos of products, spaces, teams, and ambiance to show your customers what your business is all about.

Try to use clear and quality images and videos for your GMB Profile. Remember, your customers can form a perception about your business based on the media that you share. This is your opportunity to increase brand awareness, build trust, and boost engagement.

You may also want to keep the “what you see is what you get” rule in your mind. Avoid using many filters on your pictures and videos or altering them. Your customers may not appreciate being led to a business by false hopes.

 

Answer Questions from Audience

Every business knows the importance of staying ahead of competitors and the need to stay ahead of them. Among many other factors that set your business apart, speed is of the essence. Any questions or concerns of your customers must be valued and addressed with diligence. 

Google Business messaging enables customers to get in touch with businesses instead of spending time navigating through your website. Many customers can message you their queries; it is important to address them immediately. Fast and accurate responses can determine the customers’ interest in your business.

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Business

Benefits of Route Optimization: Planning Your Delivery Routes for Success

Efficiently managing delivery routes is a critical aspect of any business that depends on transportation. 

The e-commerce landscape is rapidly evolving, posing new problems for businesses and raising customer expectations.

Businesses are increasingly investing in route optimization software in order to keep up with the rising demand for timely and accurate deliveries. 

This article will explain why route optimization can be a game-changer for your logistics in terms of cost savings, customer satisfaction, delivery speed, and more. 

Route optimization: definition and tools

Route optimization refers to the process of strategically planning and organizing delivery routes to maximize productivity and delivery speed.

It involves leveraging advanced algorithms and technology to determine the most optimal sequence and arrangement of stops for delivery vehicles. 

Businesses can access route optimization technologies via mapping tools like Google Maps or Waze. Those tools are suitable for small delivery operations (1-2 vehicles and a limited number of deliveries per day).

However, fleets with more than 1-2 vehicles and 10 orders a day need advanced last mile software with a route planning algorithm.

To determine the most effective routes, route planning software considers various criteria such as traffic conditions, delivery time slots, road restrictions, and other factors. 

Key benefits of route planning

Now that we’ve discussed how route planning works, let’s look at its primary benefits for business operations.

1. Cost savings

One of the most significant advantages of route optimization is its ability to generate substantial cost savings for businesses. 

Companies can reduce fuel consumption, vehicle wear and tear, and driver hours by properly planning their routes.

Strategic route planning helps cut down on wasted miles, avoid traffic jams, and get rid of unnecessary trips. These factors help save a lot of money on fuel and maintenance costs, ultimately improving the bottom line.

Thanks to route optimization, businesses can better manage their available fleet and resources. The number of trucks can be reduced if deliveries are grouped together by area and scheduled strategically. 

The consolidation of deliveries reduces fuel consumption and lowers labour costs by minimizing courier idle time. 

Route optimization allows businesses to use their resources more efficiently, ensuring that every delivery vehicle operates to its full potential. 

2. Improved customer experience

To succeed in today’s economy, businesses must focus on offering outstanding customer service. 

Effective delivery management is critical to meeting consumer expectations when it comes to last mile delivery. Route optimization is an essential factor that can help reach this goal.

Companies can improve delivery speed and accuracy by optimizing delivery routes. As a result, orders reach customers on time, reducing the chances of delays and failed deliveries. 

Route optimization also lets businesses provide customers with accurate delivery time estimates. Customers value knowing when to anticipate deliveries as it allows them to plan their days accordingly.

Route optimization also facilitates proactive customer communication. Real-time updates about delays or changes in delivery schedules can be communicated promptly, keeping customers in the loop.

Transparency and good communication help manage consumer expectations and reduce frustration in force majeure, like delivery delays.

3. Increased operational efficiency

Route optimization significantly enhances the overall operational efficiency of delivery processes. 

Businesses can reduce the time and effort spent on manual planning by automating and optimizing route planning. It enables dispatchers and delivery managers to focus on higher-value tasks.

Route planning algorithms generate optimized routes for thousands of stops within minutes, saving businesses hours of manual planning. 

As a result, operational efficiency and productivity go up, while administrative costs goes down.

Additionally, route optimization software provides real-time visibility into the delivery process. Dispatchers can keep an eye on vehicles, track deliveries, and find bottlenecks or inefficiencies. 

Delivery managers can improve efficiency and productivity by identifying areas for improvement, addressing potential issues, and making data-driven decisions.

Route optimization also makes it easier for businesses to adapt to new scenarios. Unexpected situations, like traffic jams or last-minute order changes, can be handled easier when route optimization takes just a few minutes. 

Dynamic route planning lets businesses make real-time changes to ensure on-time deliveries.

4. Reduced environmental impact

In today’s world, environmental sustainability is a key concern for businesses and consumers alike. Route optimization benefits businesses not just financially and operationally but also helps to reduce ecological imprint.

By optimizing delivery routes, businesses can minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Route planning reduces wasted miles, traffic, and vehicle use. 

This significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, making delivery more sustainable.

Route optimization also facilitates the use of electric cars and cargo bikes  in locations where they are practical. 

Businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and show environmental responsibility by using eco-friendly vehicles on optimized routes. 

5. Competitive advantage and scalability

Route optimization provides businesses with a competitive edge in the market. 

By streamlining delivery processes, companies can offer faster, more reliable, and cost-effective services compared to their competitors. 

This increased efficiency leads to happier and more loyal customers, which in turn drives business growth.

Route optimization makes it possible to grow and expand. As a business grows, it gets harder to manage multiple delivery routes.

By using route optimization software, companies can handle a more extensive fleet and larger order volumes  without sacrificing efficiency. 

Route optimization software also gives valuable information about delivery patterns, customer preferences, and operational performance through data analytics. 

Businesses can use this information to make smart decisions, improve their supply chain visibility, and find areas for improvement. 

This cycle of continuous optimization helps businesses be flexible, adapt to changes in the market, and stay ahead of industry trends.

Wrapping up

Route optimization is a powerful tool that offers numerous benefits for businesses relying on transportation and delivery. 

Let’s summarize the main benefits of route optimization that we discussed in this post:

  • Efficient route optimization maximizes delivery speed and productivity by using advanced algorithms to strategically plan and organize your routes.
  • Route planning helps you save money by reducing fuel consumption, vehicle wear and tear, and labor costs through optimized routes and better resource management.
  • Route optimization improves customers’ experience by ensuring on-time deliveries, giving accurate delivery time estimates, and keeping customers informed about any changes or delays.
  • With automated route planning and real-time visibility, you can enhance operational efficiency, boost productivity, and make smarter decisions based on valuable data.
  • Route optimization also contributes to a greener environment by reducing fuel usage, lowering carbon emissions, and allowing for eco-friendly vehicles on optimized routes. 

We hope that route optimization will become a valuable asset for your business that will help you improve delivery operations and scale in no time.

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Business

Business Investments in Educational Institutions: Risks and Benefits

Meta description. Risks associated with investing in educational institutions. How to prevent them. Benefits of cooperation between universities and business. Expert opinions. The success of student startups.

 

The modern world, and the business world in particular, requires quick decisions. Also, constantly search for new opportunities. Thus, businesses are constantly looking for them. In particular, opportunities for development and investment. As it turned out, one of the most promising areas is investing. Investing in educational institutions. In turn, this can bring both risks and significant benefits. Let’s take a closer look at this topic. Let’s look at the factors associated with business investment in educational institutions. We will also consider the opinions of experts. In particular, we provide information to support these opinions.

 

Benefits of Cooperation between Universities and Businesses.

Expert opinions

 

 Students studying at business-related institutions may learn advanced approaches to business management. They also learn how to apply them in practical tasks. While studying in business majors, students systematically perform various assignments. These include writing reports and research papers. The ability to express thoughts in writing has always been an indispensable skill in the business environment. Not everyone is able to do it perfectly at once. So, do not forget about college assignment help on specialized educational sources. Qualified specialists always provide the necessary help in education and business topics. The topics can be very diverse. They can use statistical or other data to further argue the validity of a particular theme.

 

For example, let’s look at the following. Forbes Business Development members discuss the important theme[1]. How collaboration with partners in higher education allows executives to grow successful businesses?

 

6 Reasons Why Business-University Collaboration is a Win-Win for Leaders
1.      Focus on the new technologies development and innovations Our company is a research organization. It develops an artificial intelligence, visual, and wireless technologies. These are licensed by most mobile phone manufacturers. We work with industry partners who provide us with a “compass” for what technologies we need to develop for certain markets. We also use strategic partnerships with universities as a “compass”. Compass for new and promising technologies. Donald Butts, InterDigital
2.      Opening new ways to provide support During the pandemic, we provided laptops and supply services. We developed hybrid classrooms and distributed modular furniture to modernize classrooms. The academic world has become not just an untapped market for us. It has become one of our core business areas. Stephen Mohan, Office Depot, Business Solutions Division
3.      Help in attracting new employees from the academic community Our employees’ connections with academia range. From teaching as a professor to   leading discussions on technical trends. We also have a program to recruit and hire new graduates from academia at all levels. George Earle, Thoughtworks Inc
4.      Mentoring for young data storytellers As an organization working at the forefront of technology, we must create the future of technology. Collaborating with scientists and researchers helps us do that. The recent Data Comicgen Awards is a great example. It encouraged young data storytellers to contribute to the data visualization landscape evolution. Sayantan Dasgupta, Gramener
5.      Combining theory with facts The academic perspective and the approach we take are woven into us. This has allowed us to combine theory with empirical data. Through surveys and research projеcts. Every year we research and update. Both theoretical and real-world developments in our industry. We do this to provide up-to-date business advice. Britta Lorenz, PDAgroup GmbH
6.      Creating a stable talent pipeline We currently work with technical colleges and universities in the different countries. This is to provide university graduates with a direct path to employment. During and after graduation. The dialog with these universitiеs is not only beneficial for both parties. It solves the financial problems of graduates. And also provides our company with a steady stream of new employees. Peter Schravemade, BoxBrownie.com

The Success of Student Startups 

Another advantage of business investment in educational institutions is the following. It is an opportunity to foster the development of students startups. Many universities and colleges actively support the entrepreneurial spirit among their students. They also provide resources and financial support for the realization of student ideas. Those can include the next ones.

  •         Providing office space.
  •         Access to business mentors.
  •         Opportunities to receive investment.

Student startups have the potential. The potential to become a source of innovative ideas and new technologies. The latter can be applied in various business sectors. Besides, the development of startups can help improve entrepreneurial skills among students. It can also teach them valuable project management (e.g., using Gantt charts), teamwork, and decision-making competencies.

 

 

 

Risks Associated with Business Investments in Educational Institutions

Ways to Mitigate Them

They may include such aspects as:

  •         uncertainty of results,
  •         financial losses,
  •         failure to achieve expected goals.

However, there are ways to avoid or mitigate these risks. These include,

 

Adequate evaluation

Before investing in an educational institution, investors should assess the potential for the project’s success. This is done by conducting

ü  detailed market research,

ü  competition analysis,

ü  studying the potential audience.

This way, you can get a clearer picture of possible risks and prospects.

 

Clear terms of the investment project

It is important to establish them. Also, to conclude an Agreement that defines the rights and obligations of each party. This will help ensure transparency and mutual understanding. The latter should be mandatory between the investor and the educational institution.

 

Diversification of the investment portfolio

It will reduce the impact of negative factors on the overall investment result.

 

Taking these recommendations into account will help investors reduce the risks. The risks associated with investing in educational institutions. Yet, it is worth remembering that each investment has its own characteristics. So, careful planning is recommended before making an investment decision.

 

 

 

Business investment in educational institutions can be a beneficial step for both parties. This will allow businesses to gain access to educational resources and new ideas. Students will gain skills, resources, and financial support to realize their innovative projects. Cooperation between businesses and universities has the potential to contribute to economic development. It can also help create competitive businesses in the future. Businesses can provide students with internship opportunities and work on real projects. It allows students to gain valuable practical experience. So, students bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches to business. It definitely becomes a source of innovation and improvement for companies.

 

 

 

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2022/01/05/six-reasons-why-business-university-collaboration-is-a-win-for-leaders/?sh=370d53664517

 

 

Categories
Business

How to Keep Your Business Secure While Working Remotely

Working remotely has many advantages for workers and hirers, but it has also increased the chances of having a data or security breach. This is why as a business owner; it is important to keep your business Secure.

Remote working gives business owners the advantage of employing the best talent for jobs no matter the geographical location or boundaries, while also making it easier to save up on office space and other things.

However, information or data can easily be compromised with remote working because it gives access to a third party who the business owner has only met virtually.

This is why both the workers and business owners have a shared responsibility in ensuring that the business is secured, and this can be achievable when the business owner enlightens his or her remote workers on business security and how it can be protected.

So, how can business security be handled while workers work remotely?

 

Educate the workers

Most workers have no idea that making a business Secure involves protecting the data and information of the business from access to outsiders. This means that data security has to be a priority and it is the responsibility for also the workers..

Cybersecurity is highly important in a business and most workers may feel unbothered by it especially when they are remote workers, this is why educating employees is necessary.

Educating them on what and what not to do to ensure cybersecurity is the way to go. Advising them not to open spam folders or click on suspicious links will help curtail the risk or possibility of being hacked.

The easiest method business owners take as a means of educating their employees is by asking them to sign a policy document that will detail everything about cybersecurity, data protection, and how it is to be shared.

This method has been highly efficient in ensuring that workers even when they are remote workers have an interest in making the business secure because they may be in breach of the policy document they signed if they don’t follow the necessary steps to keep data secure.

Training remote workers may seem time-consuming or expensive, but it is necessary for the business in the long run.

 

Two factor authentication

Most social media platforms offer the use of two-factor authentication when a person wants to log into their account using a different browser or device.

With two-factor authentication, a code is usually sent by SMS providers as an SMS to a phone number or to an email to confirm identity before logging in after imputing a name and password. So, if you want to secure your activities better, consider using a phone validator to define whether the number is correct or not.

The same should be applied to a business to keep the business secure. It gives both the owner and worker peace of mind to know that there is additional security in place to prevent logging in and accessing the business data.

Businesses that have the resources use multi-factor authentication which not only asks for the code but biometric, retina, or voice recognition before access. 

 

Beware Before You Response:

Besides, remote workers should be aware of clicking unknown links and opening random site. A user can click on a padlock to check which SSL certificate is there. If a website runs on multiple subdomains then, there should be a wildcard SSL certificate like RapidSSL wildcard, Thawte Wildcard SSL or any other cert is used by most businesses to keep their web presence secured. In case you have an eCommerce business, you can invest in reliable eCommerce hosting that provides security features, including free SSL certificates. They should also use SSL monitoring to check for the validity of their certificates.

 

Security of internet connections

Remote or freelance workers choose remote working because of the flexibility it offers them. Working from anywhere be it at home, a coffee shop, a park, etc. is what most remote workers love.

However, using a Wi-Fi network that is unsecured can expose the businesses’ data to breach by third parties. This is why educating workers is necessary while also advising them to use a virtual private network (VPN) before using a public Wi-Fi network.

Using the best VPN helps keep a business secure while putting a remote worker’s mind at ease because the internet traffic he or she is using will be encrypted which makes it difficult for the company’s data to be tampered with.

Additionally, having guidelines in place on how public WIFI should be used will help make workers follow the rules and prevent them from using an internet connection that may put the business at risk. 

If some documents are too important that even with VPNs it is a high risk to be accessed, then remote workers should be instructed not to open them while using a public Wi-Fi.

 

Use varied passwords

Most people use just one password to log into all the programs or sites they want which should not be encouraged if you want your business secure.

As business owners, remote workers must be enlightened on the benefit of using varied passwords for the company’s data to be protected.

When strong and varied passwords are used, it is difficult for third parties to have access to the company’s data. A strong password usually has an uppercase, a minimum of one special character, and must be up to 8 characters.

Some businesses use a password manager which randomly creates strong and varied Passwords for its users while also keeping those passwords secured and easily remembered.

Alternatively, frequently changing the passwords and ensuring that access is only given to specific information based on what a worker is handling should be done to keep information and business secure.

 

Use helpful software

To ensure that a business is secure, workers should have antivirus software, anti-malware, and firewalls installed on their devices to protect the business data.

Companies use services of UCaas vendors enable the communication between company and remote workers. And, it is the responsibility of business owners to advise and also ensure that this software is used and also provide help where needed to the remote workers to ensure they comply.

Remote workers may want to be uninterested in keeping their devices secured when they are aware that the business already has SSL like single domain, multi domain, wildcard like Thawte Wildcard SSL. But protecting the business is everyone’s duty and responsibility.

 

Final Thoughts

Having remote workers is highly advantageous because it saves money and also gives access to highly talented and skilled people no matter the geographical barrier.

But, ensuring that your business is secure even while working with a remote team is advisable if you want your business to stay for a long time. This is why implementing the steps that have been given will prove helpful.

Remote working shouldn’t feel like it is detrimental to the growth of a business and the protection of the business information or data. So, everyone must play a hand in ensuring that the business is secure.

 

Categories
Business

Remote Employee Onboarding: Simple yet Effective Guide

Every company provides a unique experience for their employees, but since working from home became the norm, more and more people started to experience the same problems. In this easy guide, we’ll explain how to rethink your onboarding process and shape it to better suit remote employees

Firstly, let’s delve into the process of hiring a remote employee to see how you can shape your recruitment process to attract workers who will thrive in a home environment. 

 

How to recruit remote employees

We’ve experienced the biggest shift to remote working ever. In the past, remote work mostly appeared in the gig economy, but it has drastically changed recently due to technology’s rapid development and the global pandemic. While there are companies that got a head start, because they’ve been practising this type of work for years, don’t worry. Our simple guide will explain all the intricacies of remote working and the best ways to onboard new employees. 

Remote work provides a special kind of freedom to employees who want to organize their workday to better suit their schedule, instead of the corporate 9-5. Seeing how employees have to juggle their private lives, families, and other responsibilities alongside a job, it’s easy to see why they would choose to work from home. 

With more and more companies understanding the benefits of working remotely, it’s important to understand the differences in recruiting remote employees. 

Having an in-person meeting with a new hire already gives them a plethora of information on you and your company. They can see the offices, the other employees (the way you interact with them), and your meeting room. 

All of these things provide them with context clues, leading them to make educated guesses on company culture and employee satisfaction. When you recruit remote employees, all of that information is missing from the conversation. 

That’s why you need to be extra clear with all job candidates from the start. Write a job listing specifically oriented towards remote employees and make sure to include a description of your company’s values and goals

Link any blogs you might have that talk about these things in your listing in order to provide people with the full spectrum of information. Once you select candidates for interviews, make sure to bring up the subject of working from home and explain what that means for your company. 

It would be helpful for them to know what time their team members usually start to work and how company-wide communication works. Do they have to respond to all messages or phone calls as soon as they receive them, or do you practice asynchronous communication or using IVR system?

While you’re preparing the questions for your interview, remember that some workers are just now entering the work field, and they don’t have any office experience. That means that you have to educate them on corporate culture, even if they’ll be exclusively working from home. 

Now that we’ve covered your part of the equation, let’s delve into the type of employees that strive in a remote environment. 

Remote workers need to have the same set of skills your other employees have, but they also need to be self-motivated and great at organizing their workload by themselves. They have to be organized enough to meet tight deadlines without affecting their sleep schedules for a productive life at work. They also need to be able to communicate with their team members efficiently, through different tools. 

This may be hard for some people because they can’t read facial cues and tone through text messages, so some things may be lost in translation. That’s why it’s important to bring in potential team members for interviews and ask their opinion on prospective candidates. 

To ensure the security of the remote work provide them with a few tips on how to secure the device and protect their privacy online.

 

Give essential information and access

Once you hire new team members, welcome them to the company with a package. If you’re securing the work equipment, send it to them with a welcoming note in which you express your appreciation for them and hope for a great business relationship. 

In case you’re not sending them any equipment, write them a welcome email. Start with a short introduction to your team, a description of their first week, and a few tips on how to make their home office comfortable and free from any distractions. 

When they set up their equipment, share access to your communication channels, different tools they’ll need and all other information you deem necessary. Once they’ve settled in, invite them for their first onboarding call and introduce all team members and projects they’ll work on. 

 

Start with a 2-week plan

Getting your new employees settled is an important first step, but don’t forget that onboarding is a process and not a one-time thing. 

If you’ve exclusively hired employees that worked in the office before, reevaluate your existing onboarding process. Just because you’re not physically close to your new employees, doesn’t mean that you should scrap the old practices. After all, the end goal is the same – making sure the new hires are familiar with your company’s culture and values and feel comfortable within their team. 

Work out which steps of your onboarding process make no sense in the digital environment and try to replace them with remote-friendly but monitoring activities

Start by giving your new hires a simple task and make sure to check in on their progress. Make complex processes and workflows easier with explainer videos to let them understand how things work. Once they finish their task, don’t review it immediately, but let them listen to a few of your presentations introducing the clients and projects they’ll be working on. 

During this meeting, go over their roles and tasks for each project and make sure to give them clear instructions on how to take over responsibilities from current employees, as well as how to open up communication with clients. You can even make animated videos about the key workflow procedures in the company prior to assigning first tasks to the new hires. 

This is how you’ll avoid a high turnover rate since research shows that 44% of new hires that leave within 6 months do so because of unclear guidelines regarding their role.

After the meeting, give them a chance to rewrite their first task to be more in line with the expectations of your company and clients. 

Make sure to check in on them privately after these steps and give them feedback on their job. 

 

How to choose the first big project

The first big project should be something that involves cross-team collaboration and an agile approach to manage projects overall. A project like that ensures that your new hire will communicate and work with other team members which will help them learn other people’s responsibilities and create comradery in the digital space. 

A project that requires them to work with others doesn’t just show how good of a team player they are but also helps them discover the inner workings of your company. The end goal is for them to work together and bridge the gap between them brought on by geography, culture, and more. 

 

Introduce the team

We already mentioned that you need to introduce the team over a Zoom call (or any other tool of your choosing), but remember to make this a periodical thing. Organize a weekly meeting in which you’ll discuss the progress made on different projects, company news and get a chance to further familiarize yourself with the team. 

Meanwhile, connect your entire team on a remote team chat app, like Slack or its alternatives, to let them discuss things, ask questions from each other, and catch up when they need.

Knowing one’s work responsibilities and knowing them as a person are two different things. Since your remote workers don’t have a chance to catch up at the water cooler, you need to recreate these spontaneous moments for them. 

This is a longer process, but it will be worth it once you see them relying on each other and letting their team members know when they need help or an extension on the deadline. 

 

Check-in regularly 

Performing regular check-ins lets you know how your new hires are progressing as well as how the team feels about their new colleagues. Employee satisfaction is the best review of your onboarding process, so make sure to listen and make changes if necessary. 

Other than checking in with your employees privately, make sure to leave time in your weekly meetings for questions and suggestions. If you’re not getting any constructive criticism, send out anonymous questionnaires and let your employees write their grievances. 

No one likes to spend time with their coworkers outside of work, so don’t force any Zoom happy hours or make them eat lunch in front of the camera. Think smaller when it comes to working on employee gatherings, like celebrating birthdays, weddings, having children and more over Slack and company-wide emails

That leaves people room to reach out to other team members privately and forge real connections. 

 

Conclusion 

Onboarding is a long process that costs you time and energy so you want to make sure it gives you the results you want. Rework your strategy and make checklists for all steps you want to take, but don’t forget about the human factor. You can also look at AI-powered tools such as AI resume screening to ensure you have the best candidates in the first place. 

Your employees need to adjust to the “new normal” and you’ll definitely come across some hiccups and will need to be quick on your feet. You’ll see that there’s a lot of things that transfer nicely to the digital space and with our guide for the things that don’t, you’ll easily create a foolproof strategy for onboarding remote workers

 

Author bio:

Petra Odak is a Chief Marketing Officer at Better Proposals, a simple yet incredibly powerful proposal software tool that helps you send high-converting, web-based business proposals in minutes. She’s a solution-oriented marketing enthusiast with more than 5 years of experience in various fields of marketing and project management.

 

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Business Data Marketing & Advertising

Why Using A Customer Data Platform Will Take Your Customer Experience to the Next Level

Why Using A Customer Data Platform Will Take Your Customer Experience to the Next Level

There’s no shortage of marketing tools that capture and analyze customer data. The problem? When businesses analyze customer data, each data set is usually treated as a standalone. But siphoning through data set after data set can be costly and inefficient. 

So, how do marketers combine different data sets into a single customer view? 

They use customer data platforms (CDPs). 

What are CDPs?

CDPs are data platforms that capture data from various sources and display it in a single unified customer database. In other words, they consolidate and integrate customer data into one central platform. This way, businesses can pull insights on a specific customer or prospect during various points of the customer journey. 

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Like all marketing tools, businesses use CDPs to understand their customers’ unique preferences and behaviors. 

But what sets CDPs apart from other tools is their ability to help businesses create customer-centric experiences.

CDPs give businesses the data they need to create relevant messaging — all in one place, in real-time. This helps them create messages that are custom-tailored to their customers’ preferences. When customers feel like a company knows them, they’re more likely to stick around. 

Let’s take a closer look at how you can use CDPs to take your customer experience to the next level.

Building a sales process 

Using a customer data platform can be invaluable to building a sales process that entices your customers to say “yes” without resorting to slimy tactics. 

Below, we’ve listed a number of ways businesses can use CDPs. 

1. Map out the buyer’s journey

Buyer journeys aren’t simple straight lines that lead to a sale. They zig, zag, turnaround, and zig again. 

Today, a buyer’s journey could start on one channel and toggle between several steps. Knowing how that journey ebbs and flows gives your organization a chance to ensure no customer slips through the cracks.

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That’s why it’s essential to map out your company’s buyer’s journey. 

Every step and interaction a customer goes through during the buyer’s journey produces customer data. 

Businesses that study these interactions and look for patterns can predict future buying habits. Understanding this behavior shows you what customers align with and what turns them away. 

To sum up: Understanding what actions customers complete before or after purchasing helps you nurture leads and create more enjoyable customer experiences.

2. Craft customer-centric sales funnels

Mapping out the buyer’s journey and analyzing customer behavior gives you a competitive advantage. 

When you can predict customer behavior, you’ll be able to:

  • Understand buying habits
  • Share relevant offers
  • Personalize content 
  • Build long-term customer relationships 
  • Speak to customers in their preferred communication style 

You’ll also be able to craft customer-centric funnels. 

Customer-centric funnels use the data you mapped in your buyer’s journey to take customers through a personalized sales experience. 

Each stage of the funnel is personalized for your customers. Some people will need more nurturing before making a purchase, while others won’t need much coaxing at all.

For instance, some customers will need a whole series of offers while others will buy after just two. 

Funnels also take some of the pressure off your sales team and create passive business revenue. 

If done well, they also help you build long-term customer relationships and repeat sales. 

3. Analyze detailed customer profiles

The most valuable part of a CDP is the personalized customer profiles. These in-depth, single customer view profiles are what set CDPs apart from other systems. 

Profiles detail each person based on data pulled from an array of channels. This means wherever your customer is — you are. Whether they’re in person or online, you have a compilation of their behaviors and preferences. 

This helps you craft unique experiences you know a customer will love. 

In the end, customers want to be seen as individuals, not as lead prospects. It can get cloudy when you’re analyzing data. Sooner or later, prospects look like sales targets on a spreadsheet. But CDPs have the distinct ability to create comprehensive profiles that feel human.

Every data point serves a purpose, is cleaned, and deduplicated. Next, the datasets are grouped together by theme. Finally, the data generates a unified customer profile. 

In a CDP customer profile, you’ll see details such as:

  • Their behavior 
  • Their engagement 
  • How they feel about your business
  • If they’re a frequent user
  • If they’re likely to re-engage 
  • Their likes and dislikes

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Personalizing marketing content and promotions 

Understanding customer behavior and preferences is essential to personalizing the content that enhances the customer experience. 

CDPs help businesses such as SaaS content marketing agencies personalize content and marketing promotions in a number of ways. 

1. Relevant messaging 

Customers don’t engage with campaigns that aren’t personally relevant. The data you collect from a CDP helps create relevant messaging your customers will connect with. Relevant messaging through target campaigns increases customer experience and loyalty.

For instance, Millennials prefer different messaging than Baby Boomers. Baby Boomers prefer different messaging than Gen Zers.

2. Content optimization

Understanding your customers also helps you optimize content to match a customer’s search intent. This helps you produce the right content at the right time.

Picture this:

You own a simple skincare brand, and you’re looking to increase your product base. Before you start getting creative in a lab, you analyze customer data in your CDP.

After noticing a series of patterns, you realize that your customers are searching for:

  • Sun protection sets
  • Bath bombs
  • Jade rollers
  • Beard oil

Not only does this show you what products to create, but it also shows you which target phrases to optimize your content around.  

You use those target phrases to plan out content briefs, research secondary keywords, and prepare SEO plans. 

By the end of your preparation, you’ve planned out three months worth of:

  • Topics to target
  • Secondary keywords
  • Frequently asked questions to answer
  • Content scores to target
  • Sales copy
  • Blog article outlines
  • Social media content 

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Along the way, you continue to keep an eye on your customer data. If you see a change in pattern, simply adjust your content as needed. 

This commitment to custom tailoring content to customers’ preferences enhances their experience with your company.

Segmenting customers 

While every customer has their own preferences and behaviors, it’s common for many to exhibit common patterns. 

CDPs give you tools to define your audience by segments based on these shared attributes and behaviors. Segments are based on rules, or they’re built using machine learning and AI. With these tools, you can enrich customer profiles with data you wouldn’t be able to gather on your own.

With the segmenting features, you can:

  • Predict customer churn 
  • Deliver relevant recommendations based on buying history
  • Identify customer advocates and frequent buyers
  • Identify similar patterns
  • Identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities 
  • Segment your customers using common attributes 
  • Tailor messages to those segments

Businesses can use CDP segmentation tools to optimize the entire customer journey from discovery to advocacy. 

To analyze and segment profile data, look for a CDP that has:

  • Prebuilt code
  • Visualizations that feel intuitive 
  • Out of the box features
  • 24/7 customer support 

An example of audience segmentation 

Let’s imagine that your business sells digital courses on personal and career development. You just set up a CDP, and you’re looking forward to trying the audience segmentation features. 

After identifying customer patterns and behaviors, you notice you have three main types of customer patterns:

  1. Frequent buyers that mainly buy career development courses
  2. Infrequent buyers that mainly buy personal development courses 
  3. Moderate buyers that buy a mix of both

 

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This insight helps you segment your customers into the following customer avatars:

  1. Career development customers 
  2. Personal development customers
  3. Career and personal development customers 

Later, you improve your marketing strategy to cater to these three customer avatars. You have three different kinds of social media campaigns, email newsletters, landing pages, websites, and paid ads. 

You can also repurpose content over time by launching a podcast or producing videos, for example. After this: This helps you produce the right content at the right time.

For your career development customers, you:

Focus your content on career advancement, job skills, and networking tips.

For your personal development customers, you:

Focus your content on personal growth, coping skills, and building self-confidence.

For your career and personal development customers, you:

Focus your content on how personal growth contributes to career growth.  

At this point, your planned content strategy is laser-focused and serves your three most common types of customers. 

Over time you keep an eye on behaviors and make adjustments when needed. You also keep an eye out for new customer avatars and buying habits.

Isn’t a CDP just a CRM?

CDPs and CRMs both work with customer data, but the two are pretty different. 

You may have wondered, “Why do I need a CDP? Isn’t a customer relationship management tool (CRM) the same thing?”

It’s actually not. 

While CRMs contain data you already know (i.e., name, email, and zip code), CDPs collect data you wouldn’t know over a specific time. 

But there are more differences between the two tools. 

Here are some major differences between a CDP and a CRM.

1. Data capacity 

CRMs were intended to keep track of customer and prospect interactions to automate the process for sales teams. They’re great for sales and marketing teams that need to pull customer information quickly. 

CDPs are great at handling large amounts of data from various channels. 

2. Known data 

CRMs only contain known data — they won’t be able to pull anything on potential customers you’ve never met before. 

CDPs work with both known and unknown data making them more valuable than most martech tools. 

3. Storage information 

CRM data stores simple information into a few fields — almost like a flashcard. It includes basic customer information such as name and contact information. 

CDPs have detailed information about a customer’s buying patterns, online and offline activity, and behaviors.

4. Data format

CRMs can’t handle data in a free-flowing manner. The system can only recognize data if it’s formatted in a specific way (i.e., a CSV file). 

CDPs take information from several sources and act as a central hub for customer data. They can handle both simple and robust information while also making sense of complex data. This includes online and offline data and behaviors. 

5. Monitoring and engaging 

CRMs are helpful for monitoring and engaging with customers and prospects throughout all phases of the buyer’s journey. They work well at managing contact information and also have automated workflows and reports. Solopreneurs and small teams often use CRMs. 

CDPs are helpful for tracking all aspects of customer behavior on and offline. They pull information from various sources for customers you know and don’t know alike. They help you segment audiences and refine your messaging. Startups, mid-size, and large companies use CDPs.  

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Which tool is better for customer experience — a CRM or a CDP?

While CRMs are helpful for engaging with customers at various parts of the customer journey, they’re still limited on information. 

The more detailed information a company has about their customers, the more insight they have as to what those customers crave.

First, you have to know what their pain points are. Then, you have to craft messages that align with customer needs. But a CRM can’t help you with that. It can help you manually look up customers and engage with them directly, but it doesn’t use machine learning or artificial intelligence to scour customer behaviors.  

That’s why, in the end, CDPs are better tools for enhancing the customer experience. 

Ready to transform your customer experience to the next level? 

Customer experience affects every aspect of success, making CDPs invaluable to a business. 

With a CDP, you’ll understand how your customer thinks, what they’re looking for, and what they like. You won’t need three tools, and multiple data set extraction tools. Instead, your CDP will pull information from various channels for you. 

Not only does this save you time, but it also helps you understand how to reach your customers in a profound way.

From knowing how to craft messages to building long-term relationships, a CDP is every business’s trusted tool for up-leveling the customer experience. 

 

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Business

How to Optimize Productivity in the Workplace

Keeping employees engaged takes reflection on the strategies used to run your business. Business management is connected to workplace culture. Unfortunately, these close ties mean that if one area is lacking, the other will follow. To prevent slips in productivity, here are some ways to ensure that your employees remain satisfied and on-task at work. 

 

Improve Workplace Culture

People are creatures of habit. When we repeat an action, a thought, or a combination of the two, our minds begin to associate with these things to the extent that they become second nature. At work, we showcase our habitual natures by repeating a task or thinking the same things about the workplace. While these habits help produce outcomes, they can be destructive. If one’s thoughts are negative, the actions they take towards work will also be negative, albeit unintentionally. If employees regularly feel that they are not being acknowledged for their efforts at work, soon enough, their work ethic will suffer, and so will the company. Understanding that this is the effect of negative thinking and poor workplace culture, we can piece together ways to improve productivity. Employees are more likely to be motivated and increase their productivity if the workplace culture is improved upon. Consider presenting the culture and the value of your organization during the onboarding of the employees. It is worth showing your employees that you value them; this will increase their motivation and enthusiasm.

 

Set Goals Effectively

Depending on your business’s size and scope, the way you go about goals will vary. For larger organizations, integrating strategy developments such as objectives and key results (OKRS) can be an effective way to engage the company. For smaller businesses, relying on SMART goals is often a more practical approach to achieving business aims. Consider the specifics of your organization and adopt strategies that emulate your setup and dynamic the best. Don’t forget to take the feedback of customers that you collect using online surveys or tools such as Get Weave Communications into consideration – this way you’ll be able to tailor your services to meet the clients’ expectations. Look into HCM management as another way to harness business success for your company, especially with the rise in remote work culture. 

 

Integrate Employee Rewards 

The millennial workforce is exceptionally responsive to task-reward strategies for workplace productivity. With the help of performance management software such as factoHR, managers can now easily create objectives for employees and evaluate their performance. A job well done can be acknowledged in many ways. Business leaders might consider gift cards, employee of the month posts, acknowledgment during a meeting, or paid time off as a few ideas for work rewards or employee rewards. At the very least, incorporating consistent positive feedback will motivate employees to continue producing the ideal results needed. Without considering your employees regularly, they will start to feel like machines, and their work ethic will dwindle. Remember to see the person behind the employee and make efforts to engage positively for increased productivity. To boost productivity, you can consider implementing a time reporting system, so your company will have more organized and well-prepared reporting mechanisms.

Use Team Management Software

If you’re noticing signs that your business needs digital tools to enhance productivity, invest in business management software. Several businesses worldwide are relying on Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to improve their productivity and streamline their remote management. Stay on track of goals using team software that allows everyone in the office to connect at all times. You can check off assignments and tasks using these systems, and everyone can see what is happening that day on the dashboard. Using online software to store data and communicate will also subsequently boost business security. Communicating through instant messaging is a common feature found on these software programs and makes work productivity flow faster and more efficiently. We like Asana for the business management of smaller teams—and don’t worry about learning a new system, you can get Asana consulting to help you adjust quickly. Larger companies may need to use regular video chatting to optimize productivity. Designate a specific amount of time each week where business meetings can take place online. Deliberately mapping out this time will allow employees to plan and get more work done in time for the chats later that week. Even better, you can use time management software to keep things organized.

Organized workflows with responsible behavior towards deadlines help complete tasks prior to the deadlines and keep a stress-free work environment. Organized tasks and team meetings let remote employees adjust their schedule accordingly to set off enough time for their personal care and quality sleep.

Improving workplace productivity requires that business leaders take a look at how well they are treating their employees. Efforts to improve workplace culture and instill a positive attitude in the company will be most effective at increasing the work productivity taking place as a whole.  

Categories
Business

5 Great Ways to Use and Share Geospatial Data on Social Media

5 Great Ways to Use and Share Geospatial Data on Social Media

 

Most of the geospatial data use cases require showing data on a map. Whether you’re in business or not, chances are you’ve used geospatial data. Most of us who are always on our phones use this data on a daily basis. So, what does geospatial data entail?

In its most basic form, geospatial data is information that has a geographic aspect to it. If you’ve ever planned a road trip, searched for the closest hotel or pizza shop online, or even synced your location with your Facebook or Instagram posts, you’ve worked geospatial data.

Geospatial data, also known as geodata or spatial data, describe something with location data on it—address, city, ZIP code, latitude, etc. Whether it’s natural or man-made, if it can be drawn on a map, it’s geospatial.Geospatial data has many use cases. In this post, we’ll look into how you can use and share geospatial data on social media. 

Let’s dive in!

1. Exploring Undisclosed Spaces

Geospatial data helps us explore and understand the world, and it can help us discover uncharted territories. Caves and underground spaces, for example, can be difficult to spot and explore.

With geospatial data, you can create a photographic interpretation or a digital model of a location or space that has never been explored before. You can then use a collage maker to create a collage of breathtaking images based on geospatial data and share them on social media.

Hikers, explorers, mountain climbers, and archeologists use geospatial data to better understand hidden spaces on the earth’s surface.

2. Mapping

Mapping lays the foundation for using geospatial data.

Geospatial data is most commonly used in visualizing the area the data describes. Whether the data is about transportation routes, building footprints, or any other point of interest, a precisely-drawn map based on accurate location data can have a lot of uses in today’s world.

In the business world, geospatial mapping helps businesses achieve accurate location data to facilitate marketing and growth. 

The maps can show segments, such as the following.

  • Demographics of customers or prospects
  • The proximity of the proposed business to public utilities
  • Social economic backgrounds of the prospects (income, occupation, etc.)

Individuals can also use geospatial mapping to better understand a location. For example, travelers can use this data to know their way around a particular area.

3. Consumer Insights

Geospatial data can prove extremely helpful in providing you with consumer insights. These insights can give you an edge over the competition.

For example, you can look up the shops customers visit before or after they visit yours. To illustrate, suppose you run a spa-like business. You may notice that a lot of your customers go to the gym or yoga studios after leaving your business.

This might tell they’re either coming to cool down or fuel up after a workout. You can use this knowledge to cross-sell some of your offerings.

4. Urban Planning

Geospatial data is used in urban planning by allowing modeling and spatial analysis of urban environments. Getting all the required data for land maps, site selection, and planning applications can be challenging, and the data collection and quality are improved by advances in geospatial technology.

Using a moving vehicle, it’s easier to collect massive data sets about city blocks or large areas quickly and efficiently. This data can be used for urban growth, particularly in determining the right direction of expansion. When applied appropriately, geospatial data can help discover new sites for further development.

5. Logistics and Supply Chain

Logistics is a crucial component of supply chain management.

It encompasses many supply chain processes, including purchasing and delivering raw materials, packaging, warehousing, and shipping of products.

Effective transportation of products (finished goods) from one point to another is key to business success. And this is where geospatial data comes in. Organizations use effective geospatial mapping to optimize routes. Through this, businesses can accelerate delivery time, increasing customer satisfaction.

Moreover, geospatial data also provides visuals to be used by businesses to track their progress in defined geographical locations.

6. Analyzing Competition

A viable marketing strategy should provide insights into what the competition is doing.

In other words, you’ll need to conduct a competitor analysis. This may involve knowing who your competitors are, what they offer, how their products are priced, and what they’re planning to do. But how do you acquire this data? Geodata can help!

Geospatial data provides competitive intelligence to your business. It lets you see and know your geographical influence compared to your competitors.

Through this data, you can determine whether consumers are finding your business more accessible than others businesses around you.

Wrapping Up

Geospatial data is any data that has a geographic aspect to it. This data may be complex but has many uses, particularly for business owners. It can be used to explore undisclosed spaces, improve logistics and supply chain processes, provide competitive intelligence, and enhance urban planning.