6 tips for ecommerce content marketing success
Content without strategy is just words, images, and videos thrown into the ether, becoming part of the general background noise and doing nothing particular for the business in question, except making some content developers happier and richer.
Digital Darwinism: 5 reasons why Caribbean businesses are in trouble
Digital Darwinism: Why Caribbean businesses are in trouble. The world is changing at a rapid pace, and it seems that many Caribbean businesses are struggling to keep up. With the emergence of new technology and evolving consumer behavior, some companies find themselves in a digital Darwinian environment where only the fittest survive. In this blog post, we will discuss how Caribbean businesses can avoid extinction by adapting or becoming extinct.
What is digital Darwinism?
Digital Darwinism is the evolution of consumer behavior when society and technology evolve faster than some companies’ ability to adapt.
How does the region survive Digital Darwinism?
To survive Digital Darwinism, Caribbean businesses need to adapt or become extinct. Adaptation is a must in the face of new technologies and evolving consumer behavior that occur at an ever-increasing pace. There are three steps companies should follow to evolve with digital technology: identify, initiate and innovate – which we will discuss below.
*Identify what changes need to be made
*Initiate change by implementing a plan for adapting products and services based on these findings
*Innovate by creating innovative solutions through technological innovation as new technologies develop over time (e.g., when computers were invented people soon realized they should have been using networks instead)
THE KEYS TO ADAPTING TO THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION!!!
The digital revolution has imposed new business models, new payment methods, new ways of buying, finding information, communicating and relating in which there is no place for the Shakespearean dilemma “to be or not to be” — on a digital level — if we want to survive in the caribbean. A look back over recent years should suffice to show how big companies that did not keep up with the times are no longer with us. To avoid following in their footsteps many others have accepted the importance of evolving in digital terms.
This aside, no digital conversion will be a success without adopting a user-centric business strategy and, to achieve this, you must know about it. How? By analysing the information generated. If adequately processed, the thousands of gigabytes of data generated every day will be worth their weight in gold. And although many companies may believe that big data is only available to big companies, any enterprise, large or small, can access data mining if they invest in suitable profiles and tools.
How to go about transforming your business in a competitive market?
The digital era has given rise to the new form of Darwinism, where technology is constantly changing and impacting society. This change can be seen in many ways such as changes in people (customers etc) or how markets are advancing with this evolution taking place. To thrive during this time period many companies invested heavily into their own transformation so that they may evolve from traditional practices to modern ones which will allow them a more competitive edge over other businesses who have not yet made these investments themselves.
The words “digital transformation” are thrown around by people without specifically understanding their meaning. After researching the topic and speaking with those leaders in charge of change, I was able to come up with a definition based on what I heard time and time again- digital transformation is when businesses realign technology, business models, processes for better customer service through new value creation. This means that companies must stay at pace with trends such as social media or AI exploitation for example; if not they will quickly become obsolete because switching costs are minimal these days compared to decades ago where there would be significant investments into hardware/software before finally having any type of return from it whatsoever. It’s important to note though how many other factors go into this process like human capital, strategy & customer experience.
One of the key insights I learned in my research and experience is that mature companies establish purpose to create alignment. In a world where customers are demanding more, organizations have evolved through five progressive stages driven by customer experience (CX). Through the lens of CX, digital transformation has become an enterprise-wide change initiative with collaboration between marketing teams and IT departments at each stage for successful changes.
In order to stay relevant, organizations must take a more active approach in the digital era. They will have no choice but to experiment with new ways of doing things-from how they do business and serve customers all the way down through their technology and process for getting work done.
- Present and Active: Pockets of experimentation are driving digital literacy and creativity, albeit disparately, throughout the organization while aiming to improve and amplify specific touchpoints and processes.
- Strategic: Individual groups recognize the strength in collaboration as their research, work, and shared insights contribute to new strategic roadmaps that plan for digital transformation ownership, efforts, and investments.
- Innovative and Adaptive: Digital transformation becomes a way of business as executives and strategists recognize that change is constant. A new ecosystem is established to identify and act upon technology and market trends in pilot and, eventually, at scale.
- Formalized: Experimentation becomes intentional while executing at more promising and capable levels. Initiatives become bolder, and, as a result, change agents seek executive support for new resources and technology.
- Converged: A dedicated digital transformation team forms to guide strategy and operations based on business and customer- centric goals. The new infrastructure of the organization takes shape as roles, expertise, models, processes, and systems to support transformation are solidified.
Digital Darwinism is a term that has been coined to describe the rapid pace at which technology changes are transforming business. It’s not just businesses in developed countries who have to worry about this phenomenon, Caribbean companies must also contend with it too. There are many ways for your company to survive digital Darwinism; some of them include embracing change, investing time in R&D, finding new niche markets or products, using automation where possible and last but not least – consulting with an expert on how best to proceed! If you’re interested in learning more about what Digital Darwinism means for your business specifically please contact me directly as I would be happy to consult with you on any aspect of your digital transformation projects.
Ecommerce Merchandising| 10 Steps to success
Why is eCommerce merchandising so important?
In unprecedented times like these, it is more important than ever to invest in a well-functioning eCommerce site. Today’s competitive eCommerce landscape demands marketers to provide a unique shopping experience for their customers. Creating effective and differentiated customer experiences may not only increase conversion rates, but also create a long-lasting brand image that will keep customers coming back on a reoccurring basis.
Ecommerce merchandising can also help businesses achieve their strategic business goals. Marketing campaigns can be implemented directly into the site through ads, banners, and targeted content.
The Importance of Ecommerce Merchandising
This way of displaying products isn’t just about making the website look neat and accessible, it’s also important for converting site visitors into paying customers. With a CTA (call to action) strategically placed, reminders for abandoned shopping carts, and “order again” buttons, ecommerce merchandising can influence buying habits of consumers.
What is digital Marketing? In 5 easy steps
What is digital marketing?
At a high level, digital marketing refers to advertising delivered through digital channels such as search engines, websites, social media, email, and mobile apps. Using these online media channels, digital marketing is the method by which companies endorse goods, services, and brands. Consumers heavily rely on digital means to research products. For example, Think with Google marketing insights found that 48% of consumers start their inquiries on search engines, while 33% look to brand websites and 26% search within mobile applications.
While modern day digital marketing is an enormous system of channels to which marketers simply must onboard their brands, advertising online is much more complex than the channels alone. In order to achieve the true potential of digital marketing, marketers have to dig deep into today’s vast and intricate cross-channel world to discover strategies that make an impact through engagement marketing. Engagement marketing is the method of forming meaningful interactions with potential and returning customers based on the data you collect over time. By engaging customers in a digital landscape, you build brand awareness, set yourself as an industry thought leader, and place your business at the forefront when the customer is ready to buy.
What is Digital Transformation?
Digital transformation is the process of rethinking one’s business model or business process in light of the availability and affordability of digital technology. It requires coordination across the entire organization, since it applies new technologies to fundamentally change the way business is done. For many enterprises today, the driving motivation of digital transformation is the chance to gain competitive advantages by improving customer experience.
Online Banking in Trinidad & Tobago
What is online banking in Trinidad & Tobago?
Online banking, also known as internet banking, describes online systems that provide users access to their personal bank account information and functions, including but not limited to account transactions and balances.
With the rise of digital-only companies and fintechs launching their own mobile payment platforms, banks soon have found themselves competing within a rather crowded marketplace. As mobile banking apps become more prevalent, banks and financial institutions can take advantage of the mobile platform as their marketing opportunity. While service approach may be enough for providing the essential functionality, only the marketing mindset will help a bank to lead the market keep reading to see how Online Banking in Trinidad & Tobago works.
Today’s online banking customers enjoy instant access from their computer or mobile device to a full range of services, allowing you to:
Check balances on accounts and view records of your transactions
Pay bills automatically each month with easy-to-set-up auto payment
Transfer funds between accounts
Download or print statements for your tax or personal records
Access your account 24/7
Basic apps like online banking with First Citizens
Basic apps allow following the “we-too” strategy to keep up with mobile banking adopters or to experiment on the market with low risks. For this, we can deliver the following basic mobile banking features:
Account management
Account management to check account balances and transaction history
Money transfer
Money transfer to another person and between the owner’s accounts at different banks, with the option of an instant transfer
GPS-navigation
GPS-navigation to find the nearest service point or ATM
Mobile RDC
Mobile RDC to check deposits using a mobile device camera
Payments scheduling
Payments scheduling to make regular payments and pay bills in a snap
Customizable alerts
Customizable alerts to receive text, email and push notifications (account alerts, bill pay reminders, security alerts), and more
The top five main online banking offerings in Trinidad & Tobago are;
1) Online banking with first Citizens
2) Online banking with RBC
3) Online banking with scotia
4) Online banking with Republic
5) Online banking with JMMB
Stay tuned for the next article on how can banking apps be improved.
What Is SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?
What is SEO?
SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” In simple terms, it means the process of improving your site to increase its visibility for relevant searches. The better visibility your pages have in search results, the more likely you are to garner attention and attract prospective and existing customers to your business.
DIGITAL RESOLUTIONS FOR A DISRUPTIVE NEW YEAR
DIGITAL RESOLUTIONS FOR A DISRUPTIVE NEW YEAR. Many of us use the New Year as a time to set resolutions and become better versions of ourselves. Traditionally, we start with a list of things that will impact our personal lives: get in shape, stop procrastinating, spend more time with family.
This year, Ocey challenges you to start your digital resolutions for a disruptive new year with resolutions for your business – and more specifically resolutions that will leave your organization better prepared for the ongoing digital revolution. Why? According to Harvard Business School, leading digital companies generate better gross margins, earnings, and net income than organizations in the bottom quarter of digital adopters.
LEADING DIGITAL COMPANIES GENERATE BETTER GROSS MARGINS, EARNINGS, AND NET INCOME THAN ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BOTTOM QUARTER OF DIGITAL ADOPTERS.
Consider adding the four following suggestions to your resolutions list and make sure to continue following through on them throughout the year:
Secure Your Organization
Every year the number of security attacks grows, with enterprise organizations finding it increasingly difficult to mitigate the consequences of data breaches. Resolve to be proactive about security in 2021.
Tom Puthiyamadam, global digital services leader, PwC, says: “Businesses that integrate cybersecurity with digital strategies will be better poised to build trust into everything they do and transform faster. Leading companies are integrating cybersecurity, privacy, and digital ethics from the outset. And that enables them to better engage with existing customers and attract new ones. Many also see efficiencies in operations, business processes, and IT investments.”
Digital resolutions for a disruptive new year – INVEST IN A SECURE DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROTECT YOUR ORGANIZATION’S SENSITIVE DATA.
In 2020, we witnessed how hackers become more ingenious in their attacks:
A California hospital had faced a ransom demand to regain control of its computer system
Multiple reports about hacked baby monitors and strangers talking to children
Millions of users had trouble accessing Twitter, Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, and other popular websites due to unprecedented massive DDoS caused by home devices – from home routers to internet-connected toasters
MarketsandMarkets estimates the security market will grow from $122 billion today to $202 billion by 2021. According to IDC, the key domains for growth are security analytics, threat intelligence, mobile security, and Cloud security.
Prioritize the Customer Experience
Companies must learn from their customers to develop the tools, processes, and platforms necessary to build an exceptional customer experience (СX). According to leading design experts, CX will become the main differentiator among brands, overtaking price, and products.
digital-resolutions-customer-experience-enterprise
When we discuss creating innovative experiences or transforming operations, IoT often plays a key role in developing solutions that address those strategies. Though consumer applications are most well-known, IoT also stands to revolutionize environmental monitoring, infrastructure management, manufacturing, energy management, healthcare monitoring, transportation, construction, and more. Tomorrow’s market leaders are investing in IoT solutions today.
With the right technology strategies in place, leading enterprise organizations can take a broader, deeper, and more thorough approach to digital transformation that will result in competitive advantages in the marketplace.
For help with your digital resolutions contact Ocey Phillips
What is a digital business in the Caribbean!
Where to Start
Many characteristics of digital business overlap with the concept of digital transformation, which uses a customer-centric focus to guide the implementation of digital technologies in operational systems and business models. Digital business is the end goal, and digital transformation is the process that companies undergo in order to get there.
