#after sales tracking software

[essglobe]

Conclusion

ESS India's commitment to customer experience, satisfaction, and loyalty is exemplified through our best-in-class after-sales service app. Its robust features and benefits, including impressive percentages, statistics, and real-world examples, position it as an indispensable tool across industries. By choosing ESS India, businesses can build enduring customer relationships and establish themselves as industry leaders.

[linkyu]

tell me about your defense contract pleage

Oh boy!

To be fair, it's nothing grandiose, like, it wasn't about "a new missile blueprint" or whatever, but, just thinking about what it could have become? yeesh.

So, let's go.

For context, this is taking place in the early 2010s, where I was working as a dev and manager for a company that mostly did space stuff, but they had some defence and security contracts too.

One day we got a new contract though, which was... a weird one. It was state-auctioned, meaning that this was basically a homeland contract, but the main sponsor was Philip Morris. Yeah. The American cigarette company.

Why? Because the contract was essentially a crackdown on "illegal cigarette sales", but it was sold as a more general "war on drugs" contract.

For those unaware (because chances are, like me, you are a non-smoker), cigarette contraband is very much a thing. At the time, ~15% of cigarettes were sold illegally here (read: they were smuggled in and sold on the street).

And Phillip Morris wanted to stop that. After all, they're only a small company worth uhhh... oh JFC. Just a paltry 150 billion dollars. They need those extra dollars, you understand?

Anyway. So they sponsored a contract to the state, promising that "the technology used for this can be used to stop drug deals too". Also that "the state would benefit from the cigarettes part as well because smaller black market means more official sales means a higher tax revenue" (that has actually been proven true during the 2020 quarantine).

Anyway, here was the plan:

Phase 1 was to train a neural network and plug it in directly to the city's video-surveillance system, in order to detect illegal transactions as soon as they occur. Big brother who?

Phase 2 was to then track the people involved in said transaction throughout the city, based on their appearance and gait. You ever seen the Plainsight sheep counting video? Imagine something like this but with people. That data would then be relayed to police officers in the area.

So yeah, an automated CCTV-based tracking system. Because that's not setting a scary precedent.

So what do you do when you're in that position? Let me tell you. If you're thrust unknowingly, or against your will, into a project like this,

Note. The following is not a legal advice. In fact it's not even good advice. Do not attempt any of this unless you know you can't get caught, or that even if you are caught, the consequences are acceptable. Above all else, always have a backup plan if and when it backfires. Also don't do anything that can get you sued. Be reasonable.

Let me introduce you to the world of Corporate Sabotage! It's a funny form of striking, very effective in office environments.

Here's what I did:

First of all was the training data. We had extensive footage, but it needed to be marked manually for the training. Basically, just cropping the clips around the "transaction" and drawing some boxes on top of the "criminals". I was in charge of several batches of those. It helped that I was fast at it since I had video editing experience already. Well, let's just say that a good deal of those markings were... not very accurate.

Also, did you know that some video encodings are very slow to process by OpenCV, to the point of sometimes crashing? I'm sure the software is better at it nowadays though. So I did that to another portion of the data.

Unfortunately the training model itself was handled by a different company, so I couldn't do more about this.

Or could I?

I was the main person communicating with them, after all.

Enter: Miscommunication Master

In short (because this is already way too long), I became the most rigid person in the project. Like insisting on sharing the training data only on our own secure shared drive, which they didn't have access to yet. Or tracking down every single bug in the program and making weekly reports on those, which bogged down progress. Or asking for things to be done but without pointing at anyone in particular, so that no one actually did the thing. You know, classic manager incompetence. Except I couldn't be faulted, because after all, I was just "really serious about the security aspect of this project. And you don't want the state to learn that we've mishandled the data security of the project, do you, Jeff?"

A thousand little jabs like this, to slow down and delay the project.

At the end of it, after a full year on this project, we had.... a neural network full of false positives and a semi-working visualizer.

They said the project needed to be wrapped up in the next three months.

I said "damn, good luck with that! By the way my contract is up next month and I'm not renewing."

Last I heard, that city still doesn't have anything installed on their CCTV.

tl;dr: I used corporate sabotage to prevent automated surveillance to be implemented in a city--

hey hold on

wait

what

HEY ACTUALLY I DID SOME EXTRA RESEARCH TO SEE IF PHILLIP MORRIS TRIED THIS SHIT WITH ANOTHER COMPANY SINCE THEN AND WHAT THE FUCK

HUH??????

well what the fuck was all that even about then if they already own most of the black market???

[nihilnovisubsole]

i think i followed you Back In The Day, seven years and seven blogs ago, for something related to mass effect (zaeed? maybe? who could say) and it's wild to come back to this site years later and find you thriving, surviving, growing-- playing ffxiv! love that game. curious how you'll feel about some side characters in shadowbringers, but i won't spoil which ones.

i do have real questions, though; writing tools. not pens or software, but personal structure tools and/or guidance. what does a beat sheet look like, for you? do you have a favored way of outlining or note-taking on your own thoughts when putting a story together?

and... i'm really curious how you hold a big story together in your head while you work on it in pieces, especially for something like dangerous crowns. there's this larger story i've been chasing around for a while, and I can't quite wrap my head around how to write the political/espionage plot for it without feeling like i've actually written a children's pantomime. the best i've got so far is "research real life events and use those as my outline" but after a point it becomes hard to keep track of all the variables of who knows what about whom, who is planning x when y, etc, etc. the characters don't need to know all that-- and may never know some things-- but i feel like /I/ need to understand what's happening on the macro level so i can move the world around them appropriately.

short version: how do YOU wrap your head around writing complex plots?

hey, anon! i started endwalker this week after a long... uh... glamour detour, so don't worry about spoiling things. i spoil myself for a lot of stories on purpose anyway. let's just say i've been attached to one too many characters who got killed.

anyway. writing. i've always handled plots the same way: clear documentation. if i don't note it down, i'm not going to remember it. i've used the same table outline since around 2014. it varies in detail for different projects, but the core format stays. i know it's kicking around in my blog archive somewhere, but it's worth reposting once in a while because people like to ask about it. here's what it looks like, featuring plot points cribbed from an endeavour episode:

i used this format for an outline at work a while back, and the team found it easy to follow, which was a big day for my ego. keeping track of plot structure is even more chaotic at work because we have multiple writers who all need to stay on the same page. we have very meticulous notes on what the player should know at which point, when we're introducing new information, and what we know, but shouldn't tell. we're also not above leaving notes like "this character has to convey X," "this character has to learn Y here," or "this is a clue that they're planning Z." it can be super on-the-nose. all that matters is that it makes sense to you. because you're right - if you get too lost, you can write yourself into logic holes of tremendous proportions. ask me how i know!

[as a sidenote, researching real-life events as a starting point has really grown on me in the past few years. my lead on coh3 had me do it. he said we were dealing with real people's history, so we couldn't be cheap or play fastball - we had to be accurate to pay it respect. even if you're not writing historical fiction, it just gives you insight into how people behave.]

i would argue that the plot of dangerous crowns is actually not that complicated, maybe to its detriment. there's kind of a genre struggle going on. at voltage, we were taught romance fans came for the relationship beats and valued them above all else. in fact, leadership told us players got irritated - which meant less sales - when the plot was too complex and took time away from the making out. political thriller fans, by contrast, expect relentless twists, high stakes, and harsh consequences, and sometimes see the relationships as superfluous.

but whatever. the point is, when you look at dangerous crowns' structure, it's a pearl necklace: a chain of anchoring events. the "pearl" scenes are where Big Plot happens. they're the reason you want to write the story, and probably the ones you have the most vivid daydreams about. the scenes in between are the string. not flashy, but important because they connect the pearls. they build tension and add logic, cohesion, and context. take the opera and hector's failed assassination. those are pearl scenes. that's a burst of drama i really wanted the story to build up to. i also had other flashbulb visions. livia by the fountain questioning herself, marcus' macbeth moment, the temple riot, things like that. so the question was, how could i believably travel between these pearl scenes? how could i make these big showcase moments connect smoothly?

if you're having trouble holding the story together in your head, i would ask, "what are your pearls?" what are the anchor points? outline those. it might not look like a necklace yet, but you'll sort of see it taking shape. and then, once you can see where your heart's-desire milestones are, you'll have a clearer idea of what can't fire until you set it up first. two other neat things can happen here. you could find the rhythm of your pacing, or realize you have a lot more plot meat than you thought you did. even if you don't, you have some road. and if you can't think of the string, sometimes you just have to start writing the pearls and see what comes to you.

good luck!!

[phoenixyfriend]

Ko-Fi Prompt from 200002:

As an engineering person who has to interact with business/accounting people more often, what are the basics you need to know/understand? Especially for projects. Sometimes I feel like they are talking in a different language.

I found this a little vague, but here we go:

One of the processes a business student is taught is generally how to do large-scale project scheduling. What they see as a necessary deadline often works on different principles entirely than what the production teams (whether engineering, manufacturing, animating, or what have you) are looking at. If you find yourself regularly talking at cross purposes, ask what's in the schedule that's got this set. Accounting or management are much more likely to have knowledge of something you may not have known to take into account, like customs paperwork or legal fees that can only be submitted after a certain point in the project.

Credit and Debit are not what you think they are. They are accounting terms that track the money that comes into the company, money that goes out, and debts incurred. I wouldn't recommend trying to learn more details than that, because it's honestly a headache.

Accounts Receivable tracks money that comes in. Accounts Payable tracks money that goes out.

Accrued Expenses: an expense that has been incurred but not yet paid (basically: invoices you owe)

Depreciation: the loss of value that comes with time and use (think of how your car or laptop loses value when it's not the newest, unused thing in the market)

Revenue: the money that comes in as a direct result of goods sold

Profit: the money left after removing all expenses (supplies, rent, wages, etc.) If a product is sold for five dollars (revenue), and the expense per unit is four dollars, the profit is one dollar.

Margin: the profit in relation to revenue, expressed as a percentage. If the revenue is five dollars, and the profit is one dollar, then the margin is 20%.

Simple interest: increase in debt is based entirely on the original loan amount (the principal of the loan) Compound interest: increase in a loan changes based on the debt quantity at the start of a given period (quarterly, monthly, etc)

Dividends: On a regular basis, investors (people who own stock) are paid a certain amount of money as compensation for owning stock, having paid money to the company to invest at some prior point. This one of the three reasons people buy stock. The others are capital gain, which is the earnings gained when selling stocks after a rise in value, and gaining voting shares to influence the direction of the company (this is what people refer to when talking about controlling interest).

Overhead: Expenses of the business that are not direct, per unit elements of the production. Raw materials and factory worker wages are not overhead. Pretty much everything else is. This includes: company rent, debt repayment, accounting software costs, payroll costs, utilities, equipment maintenance, corporate taxes, certificate fees, advertising costs, and the wages of people who are not directly involved in manufacturing (e.g. R&D, payroll, HR, sales department, and so on).

[govindhtech]

UNC5537: Extortion and Data Theft of Snowflake Customers

Targeting Snowflake Customer Instances for Extortion and Data Theft, UNC5537 Overview. Mandiant has discovered a threat campaign that targets Snowflake client database instances with the goal of extortion and data theft. This campaign has been discovered through Google incident response engagements and threat intelligence collections. The multi-Cloud data warehousing software Snowflake can store and analyze massive amounts of structured and unstructured data.

Mandiant is tracking UNC5537, a financially motivated threat actor that stole several Snowflake customer details. UNC5537 is using stolen customer credentials to methodically compromise Snowflake client instances, post victim data for sale on cybercrime forums, and attempt to blackmail many of the victims.

Snowflake instance According to Mandiant’s analysis, there is no proof that a breach in Snowflake’s enterprise environment led to unauthorized access to consumer accounts. Rather, Mandiant was able to link all of the campaign-related incidents to hacked client credentials.

Threat intelligence about database records that were later found to have come from a victim’s Snowflake instance was obtained by Mandiant in April 2024. After informing the victim, Mandiant was hired by the victim to look into a possible data theft affecting their Snowflake instance. Mandiant discovered during this investigation that a threat actor had gained access to the company’s Snowflake instance by using credentials that had previously been obtained through info stealer malware.

Using these credentials that were taken, the threat actor gained access to the customer’s Snowflake instance and eventually stole important information. The account did not have multi-factor authentication (MFA) activated at the time of the intrusion.

Following further intelligence that revealed a wider campaign aimed at more Snowflake customer instances, Mandiant notified Snowflake and potential victims via their Victim Notification Programme on May 22, 2024.

Snowflakes Mandiant and Snowflake have notified about 165 possibly vulnerable organizations thus far. To guarantee the security of their accounts and data, these customers have been in direct contact with Snowflake’s Customer Support. Together with collaborating with pertinent law enforcement organizations, Mandiant and Snowflake have been undertaking a cooperative investigation into this continuing threat campaign. Snowflake released comprehensive detection and hardening guidelines for Snowflake clients on May 30, 2024.

Campaign Synopsis According to Google Cloud current investigations, UNC5537 used stolen customer credentials to gain access to Snowflake client instances for several different organizations. The main source of these credentials was many info stealer malware campaigns that compromised systems controlled by people other than Snowflake.

As a result, a sizable amount of customer data was exported from the corresponding Snowflake customer instances, giving the threat actor access to the impacted customer accounts. Subsequently, the threat actor started personally extorting several of the victims and is aggressively trying to sell the stolen consumer data on forums frequented by cybercriminals.

Mandiant Mandiant discovered that most of the login credentials utilized by UNC5537 came from infostealer infections that occurred in the past, some of which were from 2020. Three main causes have contributed to the multiple successful compromises that UNC5537’s threat campaign has produced:

Since multi-factor authentication was not enabled on the affected accounts, successful authentication just needed a working login and password. The credentials found in the output of the infostealer virus were not cycled or updated, and in certain cases, they remained valid years after they were stolen. There were no network allow lists set up on the affected Snowflake client instances to restrict access to reliable sources. Infostealer Mandiant found that the first infostealer malware penetration happened on contractor computers that were also used for personal purposes, such as downloading pirated software and playing games. This observation was made during multiple investigations related to Snowflake.

Customers that hire contractors to help them with Snowflake may use unmonitored laptops or personal computers, which worsen this initial entry vector. These devices pose a serious concern because they are frequently used to access the systems of several different organizations. A single contractor’s laptop can enable threat actors to access numerous organizations if it is infected with infostealer malware, frequently with administrator- and IT-level access.

Identifying The native web-based user interface (SnowFlake UI, also known as SnowSight) and/or command-line interface (CLI) tool (SnowSQL) on Windows Server 2022 were frequently used to get initial access to Snowflake customer instances. Using an attacker-named utility called “rapeflake,” which Mandiant records as FROSTBITE, Mandiant discovered more access.

Mandiant believes FROSTBITE is used to conduct reconnaissance against target Snowflake instances, despite the fact that Mandiant has not yet retrieved a complete sample of FROSTBITE. Mandiant saw the use of FROSTBITE in both Java and.NET versions. The Snowflake.NET driver communicates with the.NET version. The Snowflake JDBC driver is interfaced with by the Java version.

SQL recon actions by FROSTBITE have been discovered, including a listing of users, current roles, IP addresses, session IDs, and names of organizations. Mandiant also saw UNC5537 connect to many Snowflake instances and conduct queries using DBeaver Ultimate, a publicly accessible database management tool.

Finish the mission Mandiant saw UNC5537 staging and exfiltrating data by continuously running identical SQL statements on many client Snowflake systems. The following instructions for data staging and exfiltration were noted.

Generate (TEMP|TEMPORARY) STAGE UNC5537 used the CREATE STAGE command to generate temporary stages for data staging. The data files that are loaded and unloaded into database tables are stored in tables called stages. When a stage is created and designated as temporary, it is removed after the conclusion of the creator’s active Snowflake session.

UNC5537 Credit Since May 2024, Mandiant has been monitoring UNC5537, a threat actor with financial motivations, as a separate cluster. UNC5537 often extorts people for financial benefit, having targeted hundreds of organizations globally. Under numerous aliases, UNC5537 participates in cybercrime forums and Telegram channels. Mandiant has recognized individuals who are linked to other monitored groups. Mandiant interacts with one member in Turkey and rates the composition of UNC5537 as having a moderate degree of confidence among its members who are located in North America.

In order to gain access to victim Snowflake instances, Attacker Infrastructure UNC5537 mostly leveraged Mullvad or Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN IP addresses. Mandiant saw that VPS servers from Moldovan supplier ALEXHOST SRL (AS200019) were used for data exfiltration. It was discovered that UNC5537 was storing stolen victim data on other foreign VPS providers in addition to the cloud storage provider MEGA.

Prospects and Significance The campaign launched by UNC5537 against Snowflake client instances is not the product of a highly advanced or unique method, instrument, or process. The extensive reach of this campaign is a result of both the expanding infostealer market and the passing up of chances to further secure credentials:

UNC5537 most likely obtained credentials for Snowflake victim instances by gaining access to several infostealer log sources. There’s also a thriving black market for infostealerry, with huge lists of credentials that have been stolen available for purchase and distribution both inside and outside the dark web.

Infostealers Multi-factor authentication was not necessary for the impacted customer instances, and in many cases, the credentials had not been changed in up to four years. Additionally, access to trusted locations was not restricted using network allow lists.

This ad draws attention to the ramifications of a large number of credentials floating throughout the infostealer market and can be a sign of a targeted attack by threat actors on related SaaS services. Mandiant predicts that UNC5337 will carry on with similar intrusion pattern, soon focusing on more SaaS systems.

This campaign’s wide-ranging effects highlight the pressing necessity for credential monitoring, the ubiquitous application of MFA and secure authentication, traffic restriction to approved sites for royal jewels, and alerts regarding unusual access attempts. See Snowflake’s Hardening Guide for additional suggestions on how to fortify Snowflake environments.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

[softwarecasterofficial]

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[usafphantom2]

Modernized A-50U AWACS aircraft is delivered to the Russian Air Force

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 09/22/2023 - 16:00in Military

The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) delivered to the Russian Air Forces a modernized aircraft of the A-50U Airborne Alert and Control System (AWACS) that will help in the detection of aircraft and missiles launched from Ukraine.

On July 3, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in a conference call with officers of the Russian Armed Forces, highlighted the need for a rapid modernization of the A-50.

According to the government-controlled RIA Novosti, Shoigu said: “These flying radars are used in special military operations. The timely modernization of the fleet of these aviation complexes will significantly increase the effectiveness of troop groupings in solving the tasks they face."

The upgraded A-50U has undergone a comprehensive modernization, significantly improving its capabilities. This advanced version has the ability to detect and identify new types of aircraft, while tracking a greater number of targets, including hostile fighters, compared to its predecessor. The integration of state-of-the-art equipment resulted in the reduction of the aircraft's weight, thus expanding its flight range and mission durability.

The renewed aircraft features all-new electronic components with improved performance and speed, allowing improved functionality in its software. In addition, the use of larger and higher resolution LCD monitors has greatly improved the efficiency of the radar display system, improving the overall ergonomics of the aircraft to reduce crew fatigue. Notably, the A-50U is now equipped with an advanced flight and navigation system.

Rostec emphasized the vital role of the A-50U long-range surveillance and radar guidance complex in modern combat scenarios. Through this modernization effort, the aircraft received new technical equipment that significantly increases its speed and detection range of air, land and sea targets, thus increasing its effectiveness in combating potential threats. This modernization initiative is aligned with the plan of the state defense order to upgrade the AWACS aircraft fleet.

Concern Vega, operating under Ruselectronics, played a key role in the modernization process, while United Aircraft Corporation's TANTK also contributed to the effort.

Vyacheslav Mikheev, general designer of Concern Vega, said there are plans underway to complete the modernization of another A-50 complex in the near future.

Tags: Military AviationAWACSBeriev A-50UROSTECRussia

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Daytona Airshow and FIDAE. He has work published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work throughout the world of aviation.

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[shantitechnology]

Why Manufacturers Grow Faster With ERP Software

Introduction:

In the ever-evolving landscape of manufacturing, staying ahead of the competition requires more than just producing quality products.  It demands efficient processes, streamlined operations, and the ability to adapt to changing market dynamics.  This is where ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software steps in as a game-changer for manufacturers.  In this blog, we'll delve into the reasons why manufacturers experience accelerated growth with ERP software and explore the significance of key ERP modules designed for the manufacturing industry.  Let's unlock the potential of the best manufacturing ERP software and understand how it propels growth.

Understanding ERP Modules for Manufacturing Industry:

1.         Supply Chain Management:

Effective supply chain management is at the core of manufacturing success.  ERP modules for manufacturing industry streamline supply chain processes by providing real-time visibility into inventory levels, order status, and supplier relationships.  Manufacturers can optimize procurement, reduce lead times, and enhance overall supply chain efficiency.

2.         Production Planning and Scheduling:

Efficient production planning and scheduling are essential for meeting customer demands and minimizing downtime.  ERP software enables manufacturers to create realistic production schedules, allocate resources effectively, and adjust plans dynamically in response to changing demand.  This results in improved production efficiency and timely delivery of products.

3.         Quality Control:

Maintaining consistent product quality is a non-negotiable aspect of manufacturing.  ERP modules for quality control allow manufacturers to monitor production processes in real-time, track defects, and enforce adherence to quality standards.  This not only ensures the delivery of high-quality products but also reduces waste and rework costs.

4.         Inventory Management:

Managing inventory effectively is a delicate balancing act.  ERP software provides manufacturers with tools to optimize inventory levels, track stock movements, and minimize carrying costs.  With real-time insights into inventory status, manufacturers can prevent stockouts, reduce excess inventory, and enhance overall supply chain efficiency.

Manufacturing Enterprise Resource Planning Software:  Unleashing Growth Potential

1.         Streamlined Communication:

Effective communication is crucial for seamless operations.  Manufacturing ERP software centralizes communication channels, allowing different departments to share information in real-time.  This not only reduces the risk of miscommunication but also fosters collaboration among teams, leading to improved overall efficiency.

2.         Data-Driven Decision-Making:

In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, decisions need to be swift and well-informed.  ERP software aggregates data from various business processes, providing manufacturers with actionable insights.  Data-driven decision-making becomes a reality, enabling manufacturers to respond proactively to market trends, customer demands, and operational challenges.

3.         Scalability for Growth:

Growth is a constant objective for manufacturers.  The best ERP for the manufacturing industry is designed with scalability in mind.  As businesses expand, ERP systems can easily accommodate increased data volume, users, and additional functionalities.  This scalability ensures that the ERP solution grows with the manufacturing enterprise, supporting its evolving needs.

4.         Enhanced Customer Relationship Management (CRM):

Customer satisfaction is a key driver of growth.  Manufacturing ERP software often includes CRM modules that allow manufacturers to manage customer relationships effectively.  From order processing to after-sales support, ERP systems help manufacturers deliver exceptional customer experiences, fostering customer loyalty and driving growth.

Best ERP for Manufacturing Industry:  Navigating Toward Success

1.         Tailored Solutions for Industry Needs:

The best ERP for the manufacturing industry goes beyond generic solutions.  It offers modules specifically designed to address the unique challenges and requirements of manufacturing operations.  From managing complex bills of materials to handling production workflows, the best ERP software is tailored to the intricacies of the manufacturing sector.

2.         Real-Time Reporting and Analytics:

Timely and accurate reporting is a cornerstone of effective decision-making.  The best manufacturing ERP software provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing manufacturers to generate custom reports, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and gain insights into operational efficiency.  This empowers manufacturers to identify areas for improvement and implement strategic changes.

3.         Compliance and Regulatory Support:

Compliance with industry regulations is non-negotiable for manufacturers.  The best ERP solutions for manufacturing industry include features that help businesses adhere to regulatory requirements.  This not only ensures legal compliance but also mitigates the risk of penalties and reputational damage.

4.         User-Friendly Interfaces:

User adoption is critical for the success of any ERP implementation.  The best ERP modules for manufacturing industry prioritize user-friendly interfaces, making it easier for employees to navigate the system and perform their tasks.  Intuitive interfaces contribute to smoother onboarding processes and overall system usability.

Conclusion:

In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, growth is not just a goal; it's a necessity.  ERP software emerges as a strategic ally for manufacturers, propelling them toward accelerated growth by optimizing processes, fostering efficiency, and enabling informed decision-making.  From the essential ERP modules for the manufacturing industry to the features that make the best ERP solutions stand out, manufacturers can unlock their full growth potential with the right ERP software.  Embrace the power of ERP, and witness your manufacturing enterprise soar to new heights of success.

[essglobe]

Field Service Management Software: Streamline Your After Sales Operations

Streamline your after sales operations with field service management software. Our guide covers the key features to look for and how to choose the right solution for your business.

[femmeanonymelives]

Electric Touch (feat. (feat. Francisco Morales) (Val's Version)

Frankie Morales x Valerie "Songbird" Harlow (Singer Songwriter!OC) (platonic)

Santiago "Pope" Garcia x Valerie "Songbird" Harlow (Singer Songwriter!OC) (mentioned in this chapter)

Series Masterlist Part 1

Ari's Note: Finally, I finished this chapter. I took some liberties with the timeline. (In my head, the movie takes place in 2017 and this story takes place in 2019 or 2020ish.) Frankie in my head is in his late thirties, whereas Val is 31 in this story.

Deep breaths, in and out. 

In and out.

“What the fuck,” I think in my head as I pace inside the home studio inside my house back in Florida, a day after the show where I ran into Santiago. My mind is racing over the kiss that he gave me the night prior. I owned the house before I started dating Santiago. A small house near a beach. When we were dating, we balanced staying with each other at both of our homes. I come from an old-fashioned family who never believed in moving in together with someone before an engagement.

Frankie comes into my home, holding two cups of coffee, one for him and one for me. His hunter-green jacket is slightly stained due to wear. His slightly brownish-gray hair is messily curled. His “Standard Heating Oil” hat always seemed attached to his head. We have known each other since childhood. He is a few years older than me; he used to babysit me when he was 10, and I was 6. We were more like siblings than friends. His child refers to me as “auntie” more than anything else.

“Kid and momma are spending the day doing a mommy playdate. I am all yours. You okay?”

“I am fine… you are late, by the way.” I sip the lukewarm, bitter coffee slowly to fully enjoy it. 

“Being late for a demo session for a song that I am not even singing on.” Frankie takes a look at the home studio setup. A setup that I made when trying to get someone- anyone to recognize what I have is real. A random patterned rug that I found on clearance at West Elm. Faux-leather stools that were found at a yard sale when babysitting Frankie’s kid years prior. The only new thing is the technology given to me by the label. 

“The band recorded the instrumentals back in Seattle. The label wanted to see how I would sound doing an actual love song, which is this song. I told them this song is perfect if the male vocalist is a tenor and as a duet. That is why I sent you that text with the lyrics a few days ago. This session to record the vocals and send it to the producer and the label.”

“When you told me about this, I thought you were crazy for wanting me to sing again.”

“Said the man who loved choir in high school.” He rolls his eyes. He takes off his faded trucker hat and tries to straighten his hair. His darkish gray curls are messy like always.

“That was the choir in high school, Val.” He looks at me with concern, fully knowing what happened the night prior backstage. “What happened with you and Santiago last night?”

“It was nothing,” I look over at him as I start prepping the studio for two people recording there. He grabs my arm and pulls me closer to him.

“Val, he left mid-song. I tried to find him after your set for over an hour. I had to find him nursing a beer outside the venue. I know your guys’ breakup was hard on you, but it hit him the hardest.”

“Frankie, I love you like a brother. Can we not talk about this now? I don’t want to waste your time by talking about this instead of doing the recording.” I start vocal warmups before handing him his headphones, and we go into the booth together. We both are standing in front of a microphone for each of us. I place my laptop on a nearby table with the instrumental track and pull up the recording software. He holds the notebook with the lyrics in his hand. “I will lead you in when your part comes in. Recording in 3…2…1.”

The soft country rock instrumental leads me in as I start singing. Frankie smirks the songs as he recognizes the song beat as a signature of my musical composition style. 

“Just breathe, just relax, it'll be okay

Just an hour 'til your car's in the driveway

Just the first time ever hangin' out with you tonight

I've got my money on things going badly

Got a history of stories ending sadly

Still hoping that the fire won't burn me

Just one time, just one time

All I know is this could either break my heart or bring it back to life

Got a feelin' your electric touch could fill this ghost town up with life

And I want you now, wanna need you forever

In the heat of your electric touch, mmm”

Frankie’s soft tenor voice appears as I gesture him into the song. His voice is soft, yet rough. I could have been a while since he sang aloud, but he still sounded good.

“I've been left in the rain lost and pining

I'm tryin' hard not to look like I'm trying

'Cause every time I tried hard for love, it fell apart (whoa)

I've gotten used to no one callin' my phone

I've grown accustomed to sleeping alone

Still, I know that all it takes is to get it right

Just one time, just one time

All I know is this could either break my heart or bring it back to life

Got a feelin' your electric touch could fill this ghost town up with life

And I want you now, wanna need you forever

In the heat of your electric touch

I was thinking just one time (just one time)

Maybe the stars align (just one time)

And maybe I call you mine

And you won't need space

Or string me along while you decide

And just one time (just one time)

Maybe the moment's right (the moment's right)

It's 8:05 and I see two headlights

All I know is this could either break my heart or bring it back to life

Got a feelin' your electric touch (oh)

All I know is this could either break my heart or bring it back to life

Got a feelin' your electric touch could fill this ghost town up with life

And I want you now, wanna need you forever

In the heat of your electric touch, mmm”

Out of breath, I pushed the end of the recording. “Please tell me it hasn’t been a while since you sang aloud.” I take a long sip of water from my water bottle nearby.

“Three years.”

“Karaoke with Ben was the last time you sang,” I asked as I gave him a questioning look.

“Why didn’t you tell me that Santiago kissed you?” I gave him the look of “are we really talking about this right now again?” 

“How did you know?” Frankie gave me a concerning look since he knows the truth.

“Based on the details in the song, this song was about your first date because you told me how much you cared for him. Plus Santiago told me that he kissed after your set after you two talked after I picked him up from the bar…. Val, what the hell happened?”

“He and I kissed��� He told me about the money… his share of the money.”

“And?”

“And that his share was for me…”

“He finally told you then…”

“Frankie, don’t dabble in his bullshit…” I am getting fed up with the same fucking lie that his share was for me.

“I am not… Val, he wanted that money for you….” He sighs deeply as he takes a long sip of coffee. “I know it was shitty of me for not telling you, but I promised you I would have done the same thing.”

“I understand the guilt around Tom’s death but why did he have to do it like that?”

“He was going to buy you a ring so he could propose to you…”

“What?”

“He wanted to propose and do a big old fancy engagement for you. I am sorry that I didn’t tell you.” Frankie is concerned about what is next for me and Santiago.

I sigh as I step out of the makeshift studio so Frankie can record his audio. “I need to record your vocals, Frankie... I will start the music where your part comes in.” As the music plays, my phone buzzes. I pick it up. It is a text from Santiago.

Santiago: We need to talk. Alone.

[brenthuismans]

What Is Vehicle Remarketing? 

Vehicle remarketing is a type of business that includes selling and buying used vehicles. In other words, it is known as the controlled disposal or circulation of the fleet of rental or company vehicles that have passed their end terms. A lot of people get confused about vehicle remarketing with vehicle reselling and think they are the same thing. But it is not because vehicle remarketing is a business that usually deals with a large fleet of vehicles which requires large fleet operators. Moreover, vehicle remarketing involves refurbishing the fleet of vehicles and selling the used vehicles again in the market.

Now, you might wonder why vehicle remarketing is so important. Well, here you will get the answer to that question.

Why Is Vehicle Remarketing So Important In 2022?

If you own a vehicle and want to sell it, then it is obvious that you want the highest possible price you can get from it. And vehicle remarketing is one of the best way to get the highest possible return.

The value of the vehicle is more if the vehicle’s portfolio is great. And vehicle remarketing helps in moving your inventory quickly and more cost-effectively, which as a result, elevates the value of the vehicle’s portfolio.

Sometimes it is possible that after putting the vehicle up for sale, it might not be picked up for years. But, vehicle remarketing speed up the procedures and shortens the turnaround time.

The management of multiple providers is very important. And development and implementation of an effective marketing strategy is a part of the vehicle remarketing solution, which makes it easy to manage multiple providers.

Now you might wonder how vehicle remarketing works. Well, here is how

How Does Vehicle Remarketing Work?

Step-1

The first step in vehicle remarketing is choosing a channel. Choosing a good channel that will give the highest possible return is very important. In recent days, there have been a lot of sales channels because of the internet. Moreover, the channels have become very easy to reach out to because of the internet.

Here, one of the possible ways to choose a channel is to search for a local channel to sell it. But if you can get a wider number of possible buyers and a wider range of bidding prices on the internet, then why not go for it? Another awesome way to sell is to participate in national auctions; they can give you a higher bid for the vehicle. National auctions have a lot of advantages, such as-

National auctions are conducted at various geographical sites across the country. Having auctions at various locations can help you to get a higher bidding price. This can be done by identifying the location where the vehicle can get a high price by using the data.

National auctions provide support by handling the logistics of the vehicle’s inspection, valuation, and transportation of the vehicle to the auction site.

Step-2

The next step after choosing a channel and putting up the vehicle on sale is to wait. But you can track the status of progress of your vehicle till the date it gets sold. Therefore, there are a lot of technologies provided by the channels to track the activities.

Step-3

Vehicle remarketing strategies play a crucial role in the whole process. A lot of data is generated throughout the remarketing processes, which helps in developing an insight into the whole remarketing strategy. A lot of new technologies, such as vehicle remarketing software, are there to monitor the costs, trends, and performance. These data can be used collectively to maximize the return and improve the efficiency of the process. Let’s have a look at what trends, performance, and costs mean in vehicle remarketing.

Performance:

Performance data shows which auction or channel is providing high prices for the vehicles consistently.

Trends:

It means knowing which vehicle model is currently in demand and comparing various kinds of models. This helps to find the model which commands the highest price and also the price of other models as well.

Different models have different demands according to geographical locations. This data can be used to determine which vehicle will gain a higher price according to the location. This data can be useful for developing a pricing strategy by identifying the models and making where the vehicle model demand is declining or elevating.

Costs:

It is the cost of the vehicle, either on the offline or online channel or auction. Cost data can be helpful in determining the best channel by checking which channel is providing the best or worst cost-benefit ratios.

What Is The Significance Of Remarketing Experts?

You might wonder what the need for a vehicle remarketing expert is. Well, you might assume that you can manage the vehicle remarketing on your own, but when the volume of the vehicles is huge, you might lose your investment in the process. This is where the vehicle remarketing experts comes in handy; they have great significance in the remarketing field. A good remarketing expert can improve the efficiency of your whole vehicle remarketing process. This is how they can bring efficiency-

They have experience in coordinating with various established and reliable resources that can easily handle vehicle transportation, inspections, and refurbishing.

They are very cost-effective. They adopt various ways of incorporating economies of scale that are helpful in reducing costs at every stage of the vehicle remarketing process.

They are great at managing a great volume of vehicles efficiently. They do so by providing systems, experiences, and national networks.

It can also be said that a remarketing expert can introduce you to the seamless process where they can arrange everything from pick up to the sale. Likely, it can be an easy process with the help of an expert.

If you are looking for a vehicle remarketing expert that can help you in selling and buying used vehicles, then you need to consider the above-mentioned points and contact Brent Huisman.

[mariacallous]

For now, Alex Lagetko is holding on to his Tesla stocks. The founder of hedge fund VSO Capital Management in New York, Lagetko says his stake in the company was worth $46 million in November 2021, when shares in the electric carmaker peaked at $415. 

Since then, they have plunged 72 percent, as investors worry about waning demand, falling production and price cuts in China, labor shortages in Europe, and, of course, the long-term impact of CEO Elon Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of Twitter. After announcing his plans to buy the platform in April, Musk financed his acquisition with $13 billion in loans and $33 billion in cash, roughly $23 billion of which was raised by selling shares in Tesla. 

“Many investors, particularly retail, who invested disproportionately large sums of their wealth largely on the basis of trust in Musk over many years were very quickly burned in the months following the acquisition,” Lagetko says, “particularly in December as he sold more stock, presumably to fund losses at Twitter.”

Lagetko is worried that the leveraged buyout of Twitter has left Tesla exposed, as interest payments on the debt Musk took on to fund the takeover come due at the same time as the social media company’s revenues have slumped.

But Tesla stock was already falling in April 2022, when Musk launched his bid for Twitter, and analysts say that the carmaker’s challenges run deeper than its exposure to the struggling social media platform. Tesla and its CEO have alienated its core customers while its limited designs and high prices make it vulnerable to competition from legacy automakers, who have rushed into the EV market with options that Musk’s company will struggle to match.

Prior to 2020, Tesla was essentially “playing against a B team in a soccer match,” says Matthias Schmidt, an independent analyst in Berlin who tracks electric car sales in Europe. But that changed in 2020, as “the opposition started rolling out some of their A squad players.”

In 2023, Tesla is due to release its long-awaited Cybertruck, a blocky, angular SUV first announced in 2019. It is the first new launch of a consumer vehicle by the company since 2020. A promised two-seater sports car is still years away, and the Models S, X, Y, and 3, once seen as space-age dynamos, are now “long in the tooth,” says Mark Barrott, an automotive analyst at consultancy Plante Moran. Most auto companies refresh their looks every three to five years—Tesla’s Model S is now more than 10 years old.

By contrast, this year Ford plans to boost production of both its F-150 Lighting EV pick-up, already sold out for 2023, and its Mustang Mach-E SUV. Offerings from Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 could threaten Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 in the $45,000 to $65,000 range. General Motors plans to speed up production and cut costs for a range of EV models, including the Chevy Blazer EV, the Chevy Equinox, the Cadillac Lyric, and the GMC Sierra EV. 

While Tesla’s designs may be eye-catching, their high prices mean that they’re now often competing with luxury brands. 

“There is this kind of nice Bauhaus simplicity to Tesla’s design, but it’s not luxurious,” says David Welch, author of Charging Ahead: GM, Mary Barra, and the Reinvention of an American Icon. “And for people to pay $70,000 to $100,000 for a car, if you’re competing suddenly with an electric Mercedes or BMW, or a Cadillac that finally actually feels like something that should bear the Cadillac name, you’re going to give people something to think about.”

While few manufacturers can compete with Tesla on performance and software (the Tesla Model S goes to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds, reaches a 200-mph top speed, and boasts automatic lane changing and a 17-inch touchscreen for console-grade gaming), many have reached or are approaching a range of 300 miles (480 km), which is the most important consideration for many EV buyers, says Craig Lawrence, a partner and cofounder at the investment group Energy Transition Ventures.

One of Tesla’s main competitive advantages has been its supercharging network. With more than 40,000 proprietary DC fast chargers located on major thoroughfares near shopping centers, coffee shops, and gas stations, their global infrastructure is the largest in the world. Chargers are integrated with the cars’ Autobidder optimization & dispatch software, and, most importantly, they work quickly and reliably, giving a car up to 322 miles of range in 15 minutes. The network contributes to about 12 percent of Tesla sales globally.

“The single biggest hurdle for most people asking ‘Do I go EV or not,’ is how do I refuel it and where,” says Loren McDonald, CEO and lead analyst for the consultancy EVAdoption. “Tesla figured that out early on and made it half of the value proposition.”

But new requirements for funding under public charging infrastructure programs in the US may erode Tesla’s proprietary charging advantage. The US National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program will allocate $7.5 billion to fund the development of some 500,000 electric vehicle chargers, but to access funds to build new stations, Tesla will have to open up its network to competitors by including four CCC chargers.

“Unless Tesla opens up their network to different charging standards, they will not get any of that volume,” Barrott says. “And Tesla doesn’t like that.”

In a few years, the US public charging infrastructure may start to look more like Europe’s, where in many countries the Tesla Model 3 uses standard plugs, and Tesla has opened their Supercharging stations to non-Tesla vehicles. 

Tesla does maintain a software edge over competitors, which have looked to third-party technology like Apple’s CarPlay to fill the gap, says Alex Pischalnikov, an auto analyst and principal at the consulting firm Arthur D. Little. With over-the-air updates, Tesla can send new lines of code over cellular networks to resolve mechanical problems and safety features, update console entertainment options, and surprise drivers with new features, such as heated rear seats and the recently released full self-driving beta, available for $15,000. These software updates are also a cash machine for Tesla. But full self-driving features aren’t quite as promised, since drivers still have to remain in effective control of the vehicle, limiting the value of the system.

A Plante Moran analysis shared with WIRED shows Tesla’s share of the North American EV market declining from 70 percent in 2022 to just 31 percent by 2025, as total EV production grows from 777,000 to 2.87 million units.

In Europe, Tesla’s decline is already underway. Schmidt says data from the first 11 months of 2022 shows sales by volume of Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) vehicles outpaced Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 by more than 20 percent. His projections show Tesla’s product lines finishing the year with 15 percent of the western European electric vehicle market, down from 33 percent in 2019.

The European Union has proposed legislation to reduce carbon emissions from new cars and vans by 100 percent by 2035, which is likely to bring more competition from European carmakers into the market. 

There is also a growing sense that Musk’s behavior since taking over Twitter has made a challenging situation for Tesla even worse.

Over the past year, Musk has used Twitter to call for the prosecution of former director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci (“My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci”), take swings at US senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders over government spending and inflation, and placed himself at the center of the free speech debate. He’s lashed out at critics, challenging, among other things, the size of their testicles. 

A November analysis of the top 100 global brands by the New York–based consultancy Interbrand estimated Tesla’s brand value in 2022 at $48 billion, up 32 percent from 2021 but well short of its 183 percent growth between 2020 and 2021. The report, based on qualitative data from 1,000 industry consultants and sentiment analysis of published sources, showed brand strength declining, particularly in “trust, distinctiveness and an understanding of the needs of their customers.”

“I think [Musk’s] core is rapidly moving away from him, and people are just starting to say, ‘I don’t like the smell of Tesla; I don’t want to be associated with that,’” says Daniel Binns, global chief growth officer at Interbrand.

Among them are once-loyal customers. Alan Saldich, a semi-retired tech CMO who lives in Idaho, put a deposit down on a Model S in 2011, before the cars were even on the road, after seeing a bodiless chassis in a Menlo Park showroom. His car, delivered in 2012, was number 2799, one of the first 3,000 made.

He benefited from the company’s good, if idiosyncratic, customer service. When, on Christmas morning 2012, the car wouldn’t start, he emailed Musk directly seeking a remedy. Musk responded just 24 minutes later: “...Will see if we can diagnose and fix remotely. Sorry about this. Hope you otherwise have a good Christmas.”

On New Year’s Day, Joost de Vries, then vice president of worldwide service at Tesla, and an assistant showed up at Saldich’s house with a trailer, loaded the car onto a flatbed, and hauled it to Tesla’s plant in Fremont, California, to be repaired. Saldich and his family later even got a tour of the factory. But since then, he’s cooled on the company. In 2019, he sold his Model S, and now drives a Mini Electric. He’s irritated in particular, he says, by Musk’s verbal attacks on government programs and regulation, particularly as Tesla has benefited from states and federal EV tax credits.

“Personally, I probably wouldn’t buy another Tesla,” he says. “A, because there’s so many alternatives and B, I just don’t like [Musk] anymore.”

[yourmercha]

7 Helpful Tricks to Making the Most of Your High Risk Merchant Account merchantaccountproviders.com

High Risk Merchant Account merchantaccountproviders.com are not for the faint of heart. They're often more expensive than standard merchant account providers and have a host of caveats and restrictions that make them difficult to use. However, if you understand how to use this type of provider effectively and take steps to minimize your risks, high risk merchants can enjoy a range of benefits that go beyond just lower rates: they can process transactions at the point-of-sale (POS) or online and increase their sales volumes by reaching new markets. In addition, with careful monitoring and management, these accounts can also help reduce chargebacks, which typically occur when customers dispute charges on their credit card statements after receiving goods or services from a company."

Frequent & Regular Reviews

Frequent & Regular Reviews

A high risk merchant account is an important part of your business, but it's also a bit more complicated than a standard one. As such, it's important that you keep an eye on your account regularly to make sure everything is running smoothly and nothing has gone awry. The first thing you should do when setting up a new high risk merchant account is set up automatic reviews of all transactions so that you can catch any suspicious activity right away. This can help prevent fraud before it happens! If you already have an established account and want to ensure its security even further, consider having someone else check over the statements every now and then--just in case something slips through the cracks while they aren't looking!

Use the Appropriate Codes

Use the appropriate codes.

What are the appropriate codes, you ask? They're called "processing modifiers," and they can be used to change things like:

The amount of money that's debited from your account for each transaction. Some businesses will want this to happen immediately; others prefer it to be spread out over several days or weeks.

The currency in which you receive payment from each customer (e.g., euros vs dollars).

Be Aware of the Expiration Date

The expiration date is the date by which a business must pay its bills. It's important to know when your account expires so that you can avoid losing it and having to get another one. If you don't pay your bills on time, you risk losing your merchant account completely. If this happens and there isn't enough time before the new year begins for companies like ours to process new applications, then we won't be able to help them until after January 1st when we receive updated software from our providers (who also have their own internal deadlines).

So if there's anything we can do for you today about this situation or any other question related specifically toward high risk merchants--whether it's about rates or fees--we'd love nothing more than helping out!

Watch Out for Double-Billing, Cancellations and Refunds

Watch Out for Double-Billing, Cancellations and Refunds

You want to make sure that you're not being double billed or charged for anything you don't need. You also don't want to accidentally cancel your account with the wrong company because it could take months before you get back on track with another one. Make sure that if there's any sort of refund policy or cancellation clause in place, you understand exactly how it works before signing up--and then keep an eye on your account after that point!

Verify All Charges and Billing Statements Carefully

Verify All Charges and Billing Statements Carefully

When you're using a High Risk Merchant Account merchantaccountproviders.com, it's important that you check all charges carefully. This includes looking at every statement that comes in from your processor, as well as any emails or other notifications about pending transactions. This can help prevent fraud or other issues with the processing of your card transactions. If there are any errors or discrepancies on the statements, report them right away so they can be resolved quickly before they become more serious problems down the road!

Pay Attention to Past Due Accounts and Collections Activity

Pay Attention to Past Due Accounts and Collections Activity

It's important for you to stay on top of your accounts, especially if you have high risk merchant accounts. This means that you need to keep an eye on past due accounts, as well as collections activity. If a customer has been late with a payment in the past and then continues to do so with another account, this may be a sign that they are not credit worthy or their financial situation has changed since opening the initial account (which could lead them into financial difficulty).

Monitor Customer Profiles and Account Usage History with Regard to Credit Worthiness, History of Late Payments, etc."

Monitor Customer Profiles and Account Usage History with Regard to Credit Worthiness, History of Late Payments, etc.

While you must be careful not to discriminate against customers based on race or creed, it's important for you to know what kind of history and creditworthiness each customer has before signing them up for a merchant account. This will allow you to better understand how much risk they pose as far as paying their bills on time goes.

Takeaway:

Now that you know what to look out for, here are some helpful tips to avoid high risk merchant accounts:

Pay attention to the expiration date on your card reader. If you don't use it regularly, make sure it's still working before starting up again.

Don't use generic codes when processing transactions; use specific ones from your processor or payment gateway instead. They'll help ensure that the transaction gets processed correctly and quickly so that no one has any problems with their purchase!

Make sure all employees are trained in how these systems work so they can answer questions from customers about their purchases without having any issues themselves (which could lead back down the road toward getting kicked off again).

Conclusion:

We hope that these tips will help you to better manage your High Risk Merchant Account merchantaccountproviders.com. If you have any questions about them or anything else related to your business, please contact us at [email protected] We would love to hear from you!

[vintage-tech]

(In regard to this post)

I do enjoy putting together posts that explain how to do/how I did stuff, and would be glad to further demystify the music ripping process. It is quite doable and doesn't require any terribly special equipment or software; the learning curve is finding out what buttons to push/features to fiddle with to get the desired results... and the best ways to clean a record. 😉

After listening to a little bit of the John Denver record last night I decided I will tackle it tonight instead, using my stereo and some further cleanup tools. The record I have kind of sounds like AM radio or an 8-track in a 1970s pickup, but I'm sure I can make it sound more lifelike.

{later} Okay, I could only do so much for the Denver album and it still sounded meh, so found a CD rip online and not having pops plus being like 10% more dynamic since the master is also meh is good enough for me. [Legally: There is legal prescident with the RIAA allowing you to rip MP3s of music you own and copy it to any playable form, so long as it’s just for yourself. Some people interpret this as the ability to freely download MP3s of things you do own (since you could have ripped it yourself, in theory), or obtain newer forms of media of older forms of media you own (such as a website that sells old music that never came out on CD ripped to CD and you just have to prove you have the record/tape/etcetera already), but not being a lawyer I can’t vouch for these things even if I might follow that logic. Do as you will. As you might know, the recording industry wants you to buy the same stuff every few years in a new format, and once was trying to shut down the sales of used records and tapes because they felt they should get paid a second time... not the artists, them.]

[imarketer4udma-blog]

9 MARKETING CHALLENGES AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM

Marketing can be complicated. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for years, the reality is that marketing strategies come and go and continually change. In a time when businesses are trying to utilize every single channel available to acquire new customers — from social media to paid ads to content marketing — it can be hard to know how to fit it all into your daily work and still maintain a quality level of service for your current customers. Big marketing challenges are what all businesses face at one point or another. But with the right tools and strategies, you can turn a problem into an opportunity. In this article, we’ll cover some of the top marketing challenges business owners face today and how you can successfully overcome them.

LEAD GENERATION

According to a survey by Inbound, the main challenge for modern marketers is generating traffic and leads. The increasing competition exacerbates this situation even more. It’s worth considering the huge variety of platforms for promoting goods and services, which can make it really difficult to choose the right direction and concentrate efforts on it.

What should you do?

Create high-quality and in-demand content for your target audience. Surveys show that more than 40% of consumers crave video content, while only 20% prefer to read blogs. Do all marketers know what kind of content their customers want? Do they create truly engaging content? If you’re able to create content that sparks user interest, it’s important to promote it effectively so that users notice it. Nowadays, due to the abundance of content on the internet, it’s not easy to compete for consumers’ attention, but if you keep up with trends and experiment with formats, you’ll succeed as a marketer.

ACHIEVING ROMI

Marketing ROI or return-on-marketing-investment (ROMI) is a sub-metric of ROI that measures the efficiency of a marketing campaign for the purpose of assisting better decision-making for future investments.

The issue of the cost-effectiveness of marketing and promotional expenses has become increasingly important in recent years, as evidenced by survey data. Tracking and ensuring ROMI can be an even more challenging task if there is a lack of in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of each channel and each marketing activity, as well as a lack of information sharing between different departments within a company.

After all, achieving ROMI largely depends on directing resources towards the most conversion-focused channels, which is impossible without analyzing data and metrics.

What should be done?

Firstly, it is important to improve the interaction between the marketing and sales departments. Implementing software such as CRM systems to increase sales and analyze data can help identify weaknesses and strengths in business processes and find areas for growth. Tracking traffic sources and lead conversions into sales provides a clear understanding of whether your marketing is working or not, and whether budgets are being spent correctly.

According to surveys of marketers, the most effective strategy is inbound marketing in combination with SLA (Service Level Agreement) (the company’s approach to organizing IT processes).

Recall that inbound marketing includes SEO, social media branding, blogging and various internet platforms, podcasts, videos, and other types of content marketing. The inbound marketing strategy is based on the need to generate interest among consumers.

BUDGET SIZE

Another challenge is justifying the expense on marketing promotion, which marketers are forced to defend. This is especially relevant for small companies.

How to solve it?

Measure ROMI. Analyze the effectiveness of advertising channels. The key to ensuring sufficient expenditure on promotion is measuring ROMI. Marketers surveyed cite measuring ROMI as the key to ensuring sufficient expenditure on promotion. On average, specialists who work with measuring the effectiveness of marketing investments have a budget that is 180% higher.

IM4U Marketing Agency was approached by a client who, with a fairly large marketing budget, had almost no results. We began by reviewing the client’s business goals and current marketing budget. Then we identified areas where the client could optimize their budget by reallocating funds or using more cost-effective marketing channels. Finally, IM4U Marketing Agency created a customized plan that maximized the client’s budget to achieve their desired outcomes while minimizing costs. We were continuously monitoring the campaign’s performance and adjusted the plan as needed to ensure the client gets the most out of their marketing budget.

INCREASING WEBSITE EFFECTIVENESS

Another problem is creating a truly effective website that not only attracts visitors, but also converts them into customers and achieves financial goals. The problems that marketers solve in this process can be quite diverse, such as how to create and optimize content or how to develop an emotionally engaging design.

What is the solution?

It is important to optimize the site’s loading speed and ensure its adaptability to mobile platforms. If your problems are due to a lack of necessary specialists and finances, know that there are many marketers like you. This problem is particularly common in small firms. Hire a freelancer or consult a small, responsible agency. Marketing channel integration platforms can also help simplify a range of website improvement tasks.

CHOOSING TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS

Reviews, case studies, and reports can help marketers choose suitable software and platforms to implement their daily tasks. However, these reviews are often conflicting, which can make the choice more difficult.

What can be done?

Seek advice from friends, colleagues, and professionals, and closely examine all video reviews and case studies on working with various tools. The trial period for many services allows for a deeper understanding of the product and how it can solve your specific problems – do not overlook this opportunity.

Marketing automation using online platforms is designed to simplify your work. The survey showed that about 40% of marketers are already using more than 2 services and will continue to do so in the future.

THE PROBLEM OF CONTENT TARGETING

A crucial aspect of marketing is precise targeting. Marketers know that by relying on detailed buyer personas, they can conduct successful advertising campaigns with high conversion rates. Study your target audience as well to achieve success in your marketing campaigns.

More information in our article “How to improve your PPC Ads – 8 advice you didn’t know”.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF AI

Certainly, the development of AI represents a significant challenge for marketers today. On the one hand, AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, Jasper can offer great benefits, such as increased efficiency, more accurate data analysis, and faster decision-making. On the other hand, integrating AI into existing marketing processes and workflows can be a complex task that requires significant planning and preparation.

How to overcome?

To overcome this challenge, marketers need to invest in training and education to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to use AI effectively. Additionally, marketers need to work closely with IT and data teams to develop new systems and processes that can integrate AI tools into existing workflows. Finally, marketers need to be mindful of the ethical implications of using AI in their work and ensure that they are using these tools in ways that are transparent, ethical, and respectful of customer privacy. With the right approach, however, AI can be a powerful tool that helps marketers to achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively.

RECRUITING TALENTED SPECIALISTS

Demand for technically advanced and creative marketers in the job market today exceeds supply like never before. Talented specialists are needed by everyone, and searching for the right fit for your company can take months, while the work needs to be done now.

How to solve?

Create attractive conditions, taking into account that maintaining a balance between professional and personal lives is important for 69% of job seekers, while 41% are focused on career progress.

Also, growing specialists within your own company can help you solve this problem. Training and mentoring by experienced professionals can promote the development of diverse skills in key employees, to apply them in your work. This takes time and resources, so choose and train the most capable and eager ones.

FALSE PROMISES NEGATIVELY AFFECT BRAND ATTRACTIVENESS

Companies like Allstate Insurance and Avis Car Rental have set themselves on the path to inevitable failure by using enticing slogans and appeals. Meanwhile, their services never lived up to their grand promises. While Allstate promises “You’re in good hands with Allstate”, their customers are far from convinced. On the ConsumerAffairs website (which publishes consumer ratings for various companies), this insurance company has a rating of 3.7 out of 5. Avis’ slogan “We try harder” is also far from the truth, with a rating of 3.2 out of 5.

How to solve?

Perhaps a clever slogan can serve as a means of attracting new customers to your store or website, but it’s important to remember that customers need concrete actions, not pretty words. If a visitor can’t find what you promised them, all your efforts will go to waste. So let’s only make promises that we can keep in order to effectively manage consumer expectations and loyalty.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, marketing is a constantly evolving field, and the challenges faced by marketers are diverse and complex. However, with the right strategies and techniques, these challenges can be overcome. Brands need to focus on building a strong online presence, creating meaningful and authentic connections with customers, leveraging data and technology to gain insights and drive decision-making, and nurturing talent within their organization. By keeping up with industry trends and being adaptable, marketers can succeed in navigating the ever-changing marketing landscape and achieving their business goals.

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