#cross functional collaboration

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[heileysoffice]

Promoting Cooperation and Networking in Virtual Office Spaces

Introduction

In today's digitally connected world Virtual office space is changing the way business is done. Although these locations provide flexibility and lower overhead costs, But promoting collaboration and networking among team members can be challenging. Here's how you can create a collaborative environment that drives meaningful connections in a virtual office setting.

1. Benefits of technology for smooth communication

 Modern tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom are essential to enabling real-time communication. Integrating these platforms allows team members to stay connected. discuss ideas and solve problems efficiently Encourage the use of collaborative features such as shared channels. video call and instant messaging To build strong professional relationships

2. Organize virtual networking events

 Hosting a virtual meeting, workshop, or brainstorming session can simulate informal interactions in a physical office. Activities like “coffee talks” or themed breakout sessions can create bonding opportunities beyond just Talk about work Strengthen trust and camaraderie.

3. Create a culture of transparency 

Transparency plays an important role in promoting collaboration. Share updates on team goals participation of each person and important project events on a regular basis This openness creates accountability and ensures that every team member feels included and valued in the decision-making process.

4. Promote cross-functional collaboration. 

Virtual office spaces often bring together diverse talent from different fields. Supporting cross-functional projects helps team members learn from each other, expand their skill sets, and contribute to a sense of shared purpose.

5. Use digital recognition and rewards 

Recognizing individual and team success in virtual settings reinforces positive behavior. Platforms like Bonsly or Kudos can help recognize creative forms of engagement. Boost morale and encourage others to participate in the team effort.

6. Develop a structured onboarding program. 

For new team members Joining a virtual office space can be daunting. Well-structured onboarding program that introduces them to team culture Communication norms And networking opportunities can make the transition smooth. This not only enhances their experience; But it also improves team collaboration.

7. Nourish your mood creating space 

Virtual “water coolers” or interest-based groups can make the environment more inclusive. When employees feel like they belong They also tend to cooperate and participate more actively.

Conclusion

Virtual office spaces require a deliberate strategy and continuous effort to promote collaboration and networking. By investing in tools Creating opportunities for interaction And by fostering an inclusive culture, businesses can unlock the true potential of their remote teams. Virtual office spaces can be a hub for innovation and collaboration when managed effectively.

[maryoma00]

Customer Service Relationship Management

Introduction to Customer Service Relationship Management

What is Customer Service Relationship Management (CSRM)?

Customer Service Relationship Management (CSRM) refers to the systematic approach of managing customer interactions and enhancing service delivery to build long-term, meaningful relationships. It focuses on addressing customer needs, resolving issues efficiently, and ensuring satisfaction through a blend of technology and human effort.

While traditional CRM systems emphasize sales and marketing, CSRM zeroes in on customer support and service processes to create a seamless experience.

Why is CSRM Important for Businesses?

Enhancing Customer Loyalty Effective CSRM fosters trust and loyalty by ensuring customers feel valued and heard. Loyal customers are more likely to advocate for the brand and provide repeat business.

Improving Operational Efficiency Centralized systems and streamlined workflows reduce redundancies, enabling quicker issue resolution and better service quality.

Gaining a Competitive Advantage In today’s customer-centric market, excellent service is a key differentiator. Businesses that prioritize CSRM stand out by delivering superior customer experiences.

Core Elements of Customer Service Relationship Management

Centralized Customer Data

Consolidating Information CSRM systems centralize customer data, making it easily accessible for service teams. This includes purchase history, preferences, and previous interactions.

Leveraging Data for Personalization Using this data, businesses can offer tailored solutions, making customers feel understood and valued.

Proactive Customer Support

Anticipating Customer Needs Proactive support involves identifying potential issues before they arise, like sending reminders about product updates or addressing frequently encountered problems.

Implementing Predictive Analytics Predictive analytics tools can analyze trends and customer behavior, helping teams forecast needs and provide preemptive solutions.

Integration with CRM Systems

Synchronizing Customer Interaction Data Integrating CSRM with existing CRM systems ensures a seamless flow of information across departments, improving customer interactions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration When sales, marketing, and support teams share insights, they can collaborate more effectively to meet customer needs holistically.

Benefits of Customer Service Relationship Management

Strengthened Customer Relationships Tailored interactions and a personalized approach foster trust and encourage long-term loyalty.

Enhanced Customer Satisfaction Quick and effective resolution of queries, along with self-service options, improves overall satisfaction.

Optimized Team Productivity By automating repetitive tasks and centralizing data, service teams can focus on complex issues, boosting efficiency.

Steps to Implement a CSRM Strategy

Assessing Customer Service Needs

Identifying Pain Points Conducting surveys and analyzing feedback helps identify recurring issues and areas for improvement.

Understanding Customer Preferences Determine the preferred channels and communication styles of your customers to tailor the strategy accordingly.

Selecting the Right Tools

Features to Look For Look for tools offering ticketing systems, analytics, AI capabilities, and omnichannel support.

Popular CSRM Platforms Platforms like Zendesk, Salesforce Service Cloud, and Freshdesk cater to businesses of various sizes and industries.

[abhibaj]

Insights from Simone Bervig on Driving GTM Success

In today’s dynamic landscape of B2B technology, successful go-to-market strategies demand more than just cutting-edge products—they require seamless cross-functional collaboration that bridges cultures, markets, and teams. Simone Bervig, a seasoned expert in global GTM strategies, offers invaluable insights into navigating these complexities.

This blog unpacks Simone’s unique perspectives, highlighting actionable tactics for fostering unity across functions and regions. Dive in to explore how your organization can bridge gaps, align goals, and drive growth in an ever-evolving business environment.

The Power of Cross-Functional Collaboration in B2B Technology

In the world of B2B technology, collaboration across departments is not just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Organizations often struggle with siloed teams, leading to disjointed efforts that hinder growth.

Get full insights@ https://itechseries.com/interviews/bridging-markets-and-teams-simone-bervig-on-gtm-success/

Simone Bervig emphasizes that true success lies in breaking down these silos. By creating a culture where marketing, sales, and product teams work in unison, companies can streamline efforts and amplify their impact. Cross-functional collaboration fosters a shared sense of purpose, enabling businesses to deliver cohesive and impactful results.

What Makes a Go-to-Market Strategy Successful?

A successful go-to-market strategy is much more than a checklist; it’s a blueprint for aligning teams, understanding markets, and resonating with customers. According to Simone, the foundation lies in clarity and communication.

When all teams are aligned on goals, timelines, and responsibilities, the chances of achieving market success multiply. Additionally, adaptability is key—embracing feedback and making data-driven adjustments ensures strategies remain relevant in a fast-changing landscape.

Bridging Cultural Differences Across Global Teams

Operating in a global market means navigating diverse cultural perspectives. Simone points out that cultural awareness is a critical component of cross-functional success.

By acknowledging and respecting differences in communication styles, work ethics, and decision-making processes, organizations can build trust and strengthen collaboration. Hosting regular workshops or team-building activities can foster mutual understanding and create a more inclusive work environment.

Aligning Markets and Teams for Unified Goals

Markets and teams often function at different paces, but uniting them under a single vision is vital. Simone suggests adopting a framework that prioritizes shared objectives while allowing flexibility for local adaptations.

Explore the latest marketing and tech insights@ https://itechseries.com/gtm-library/

Leveraging tools like real-time communication platforms and collaborative software can bridge geographical gaps. Regular updates and transparent reporting ensure all teams remain focused on common goals, creating a more synchronized approach to market entry.

How to Build a Customer-Centric Go-to-Market Strategy?

Customer insights are the backbone of any effective GTM strategy. Simone stresses the importance of integrating the voice of the customer at every stage, from ideation to execution.

Collecting feedback through surveys, focus groups, and data analytics provides a comprehensive view of customer needs. Armed with this knowledge, teams can craft messaging and solutions that resonate, leading to higher engagement and better outcomes.

Overcoming Challenges in Cross-Functional Collaboration

Despite its benefits, cross-functional collaboration comes with its challenges. Simone highlights common hurdles, such as conflicting priorities and communication breakdowns.

To address these issues, organizations must establish clear protocols and accountability measures. Regular cross-departmental meetings and open channels for dialogue can help resolve conflicts before they escalate, ensuring smoother collaboration.

The Role of Leadership in Driving GTM Success

Leadership plays a pivotal role in aligning teams and driving success. Simone believes that leaders must act as facilitators, encouraging collaboration while setting clear expectations.

By investing in training programs that enhance leadership skills, organizations can foster a culture of mentorship and guidance. Strong leadership ensures that every team member feels empowered and aligned with the company’s mission.

Future Trends in Go-to-Market Strategies for B2B Technology

The future of B2B technology lies in adaptability and innovation. Simone predicts a growing emphasis on leveraging AI and automation to enhance GTM processes.

By integrating these technologies into cross-functional workflows, organizations can improve efficiency and decision-making. Additionally, focusing on sustainability and ethical practices will play a significant role in shaping market strategies as customers increasingly value socially responsible businesses.

Get your business boost, visit now@ https://itechseries.com/contact-us/

Conclusion

Driving GTM success requires a harmonious blend of cross-functional collaboration, cultural awareness, and customer-centric strategies. Simone Bervig’s insights offer a roadmap for organizations aiming to thrive in the complex world of B2B technology. By fostering unity across teams, embracing diversity, and staying ahead of market trends, businesses can unlock unparalleled growth and establish themselves as leaders in their field.

[interiorergonomics]

Functional Workstation Desk Clusters

In what ways can functional workstation desk clusters be thoughtfully designed? Being that they create ergonomic workstations which enhance productivity, they also promote employee well-being by;

addressing individual comfort

Increasing Workspace Capacity

Boost office aesthetics

reducing physical strain

supporting healthy posture throughout the workday

Read More on different office workstation layouts and shapes trending in modern office furniture industry.

[kasparlavik]

Data silos are growing in today's enterprises. Discover their impact and effective strategies for integrating and leveraging organizational data.

[dieterziegler159]

Data silos are growing in today's enterprises. Discover their impact and effective strategies for integrating and leveraging organizational data.

[public-cloud-computing]

Data silos are growing in today's enterprises. Discover their impact and effective strategies for integrating and leveraging organizational data.

[michellesanches]

A business case for embracing Ubuntu

We are increasingly spending more time “at work”, if not physically, then mentally and even emotionally. For many, workplace culture is riddled with politics and toxicity, leading to higher and higher levels of work related anxiety, stress and burnout. I am no stranger to this phenomenon. Success, in this fast-paced and highly competitive business landscape, is not solely measured by financial…

[technicalfika]

Exciting Mock interview with DevOps/AWS engineer #devops #cloud #aws #devopsengineer #cloudengineer

Interviewer: Welcome to this exciting mock interview for the role of a DevOps/AWS Engineer! Today, we have an enthusiastic candidate eager to showcase their skills. Let’s begin! Candidate: Thank you! I’m thrilled to be here. Interviewer: Great to have you. Let’s start with a classic question: What attracted you to the field of DevOps and working with AWS? Candidate: DevOps combines my passion…

[fxstpace]

the budget

summary: mingyu, president of the photography club, and you, leader of the art club, are forced to collaborate when your organisations are granted a shared—and pitifully small—budget for the semester. every meeting turns into a battle: over ideas, over funding, over who cares more about their craft. until you start noticing the way mingyu’s eyes light up when he captures the perfect picture, and his presence in your life leaves you feeling more inspired than irritated.

⇢ pairing: photography student!kim mingyu x art student!fem!reader ⇢ contains: fluff, mild angst, enemies/rivals to lovers au, college au, debatable attempts at comedy, profanity, inaccurate depictions of both art & photography since i am good at neither, raccoons ⇢ word count: 4.8k ⇢ playlist: stardust by zayn; blue by yung kai ⇢ note: for the person who requested this; i hope you enjoy!

There’s a miserable amount of zeroes next to the number printed on the budget distribution sheet that Mingyu hands you. You stare at it, incredulous, then back at him, the paper crumpling slightly under your grip.

“This can’t be right,” you say, voice tight with disbelief and mounting anger. “This is… This is a joke. It has to be.”

Mingyu shifts, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “Yeah, well, it’s not. This is all we’ve got for the semester.”

“You’re saying that like it’s okay!” Your eyes snap up to his face. “Like this is something we can work with.”

“I’m not saying it’s okay! But I don’t see what yelling at me is going to solve.”

You scoff, holding up the paper between you both like it’s the evidence of a crime. “This amount isn’t even enough for one club to function, let alone two. And yet you expect us to split it? How is that fair?”

Mingyu clenches his jaw and crosses his arms. He looks bigger, now—more intimidating, sort of. You cross your arms as well, eyebrows knit into a frown. “It’s not fair,” he says. “None of this is. But unless you’re ready to, I don’t know, rob a bank or something, this is what we’ve got to work with.”

“And what?” you snap. “Your solution is just to divide it down the middle and call it a day? You can’t honestly believe that’s fair. Your expenses aren’t nearly as high as ours—”

“Excuse me?” Mingyu cuts in, his voice rising, sharp enough to make you pause. “Do you even know what we need? Do you have any idea how much equipment costs? Or printing? Or—”

“You don’t have an entire exhibition to put together,” you interrupt, your frustration boiling over. “We’ve got installations, workshops, materials—”

“And you think we’re just screwing around, taking selfies? You think what we’re doing doesn’t matter?”

“That’s not what I’m saying!”

“It sure as Hell sounds like it is,” he bites out, glaring at you.

The hallway is silent except for the sound of your breathing. You’re standing close to him, you realise belatedly—too close. Mingyu’s face is flushed, dark brown eyes locked on yours, and for the first time, you notice just how tired he looks. There are faint shadows beneath his eyes, and the line of his shoulders is stiff with what you suddenly recognise as exhaustion, not just irritation. It’s easy enough to spot these signs because you mirror them, too.

It’s always been like this between the art club and the photography club. The rivalry was created during the clubs’ inception, long before you joined your university. You remember the former head—and your senior—telling you about how the former photography club head charmed Dean Park, the head of the art department, into giving them a higher budget, resulting in the art club being unable to hold their annual art exhibition. The year before that, the art club managed to win him over by listing out all the pros and cons of “art in the cultivation of a cultural mindset in students” using a PowerPoint presentation complete with sparkly animations. 

It’s always, always about money. 

This semester, however, the budget is infinitely worse—chiefly because you have to share it with the photography club. As the current presidents, you and Mingyu must shoulder the burden together, and that’s a lot easier said than done, really. Maybe it’s because you’ve spent all your college years feuding on opposing sides of the art scene, but you and Kim Mingyu haven’t been able to get along.

The fact that the amount Dean Park allotted for you both is abysmally small doesn’t make this entire situation any easier.

You look away, gaze dropping to the crumpled paper in your hands. “I’m not saying your work doesn’t matter,” you say quietly, the fight dissipating from your tone. “I’m just… This whole thing sucks, okay? I’m frustrated, too.”

Mingyu lets out a slow breath, scratching his cheek tiredly. “Yeah,” he mutters. “I know.”

It catches you off-guard, the way his voice lowers—not softening, exactly, but losing some of its earlier bite. When you glance back at him, his shoulders are still tense, his forehead pinched, though not with resignation. It’s more like simmering irritation, held at bay simply because he can’t get angry in the middle of the administrative building’s hallway.

“Look,” he continues when you don’t say anything, “this is what we’ve got. Yelling at each other about it isn’t going to magically double the budget, no matter how much we want it to.”

“I’m not yelling—I’m trying to get you to see reason. If you’d just acknowledge that the art club actually needs—”

“Maybe if you’d stop acting like your club is the only one that matters—”

You hold up a hand, cutting him off before he can get going again. “We’re going in circles,” you say, sighing. “This isn’t getting us anywhere.”

“Right,” Mingyu mutters, stepping back to lean against the wall. He crosses his arms tightly over his chest again, and for a moment, the two of you stand in tense silence, glaring at each other like it’ll somehow fix the problem.

The corridor feels oppressively small, the fluorescent lights casting shadows over his face. You take a slow breath, trying to tamp down the irritation clawing at your chest and push it down to your stomach instead where you can, at least, work around it. “Fine,” you grit out. “We’ll figure something out, but don’t think for a second that I’m going to let the art club get shortchanged because of your supposed equipment costs.”

Mingyu’s lips twitch into something that’s almost a smile but too bitter to qualify. “Of course. Don’t expect me to give up the gallery showcase just so you can buy more paint.”

You press your lips together and bite back your retort. You’re too tired to keep this up, and it’s clear that he’s just as stubborn as you are.

Instead, you turn on your heel, the budget sheet still clutched tightly in your hand. “Next meeting,” you call over your shoulder, “come with actual numbers. Maybe then we’ll actually get somewhere.”

“Sure,” Mingyu says flatly, though when you glance back, he’s still watching you, expression unreadable.

“Just combine both your events,” Jiyeon—Dean Park’s student representative—says curtly, like she’s trying to wrap up a tedious chore. She taps her manicured nails on the desk impatiently. “That was the reason why we announced the budget earlier this semester compared to last time.”

You blink at her. Combine? As in merge the art club’s carefully curated exhibition with Mingyu’s glossy photography showcase?

“That’s not happening,” you say, sharper than you intended. “These are completely different events. We’d lose the point of both if we mashed them together.”

Mingyu, seated across from you, leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “For once, we agree on something.”

Jiyeon exhales, clearly unimpressed with your united front. “Neither of you have the budget to do these separately. You’re either combining or presenting Dean Park with a shared cancellation notice. Your choice.”

Her words sink into your brain, leaving no room for argument. The table between you and Mingyu feels like a battlefield, and you’re not sure if you want to continue glaring daggers at him or redirect your frustration towards Jiyeon.

“This is ridiculous,” Mingyu says, dragging a hand through his hair. “You can’t just lump two completely different creative visions together. A photography showcase is about cohesion. You don’t just slap a bunch of things together and call it cohesive.”

You bristle. “And what, you think an art exhibition is just some chaotic mess of colour and whimsy? There’s intention behind every piece. We’re not staging this in a dorm hallway; it’s a professional-level gallery. My members have been working on this for months.”

“And so have mine,” he snaps back. “This showcase isn’t just about displaying photos. It’s about showing people what photography is capable of. Combining that with whatever you’re doing? It’s going to dilute both.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t have spent your entire summer hyping up an event you clearly couldn’t afford,” you say, unable to help yourself.

His eyes narrow. “It’s not like I knew—”

“Enough,” Jiyeon cuts in, her voice slicing clean through your argument. She stands, gathering her papers and closing her laptop briskly. It’s clear she’s done with the conversation. “You two have until next week to draft a combined proposal. If I don’t have something workable on my desk by then, I’ll assume you’re forfeiting your budget entirely. Good luck.”

With that, she walks out, the door shutting behind her with a firm click that echoes in the suddenly quiet room.

“This is such bullshit,” Mingyu mutters after a pause.

You glance at him, agreement on the tip of your tongue, but the irritation on his face sparks something petty in you instead. “You seem confident for someone whose entire event hinges on this bullshit.”

He glares at you and for a moment, you think he’s going to bite back. But he sighs and leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Since we’re stuck with this,” he says grudgingly, “we might as well figure something out.”

“You mean like a theme? Something broad enough to tie everything together?”

“Sure,” Mingyu says. “What do you suggest? Rainbows and friendship?”

“Don’t be an asshole,” you snap.

“I’m serious. If you’ve got a brilliant idea, then let’s hear it.”

You take a deep breath, your mind running through various possible ideas. Something broad, something versatile. But every idea either feels too generic, or too forced, and Mingyu’s expectant stare doesn’t help.

“What about… perspectives?” you finally say, hesitant.

He frowns. “Perspectives?”

“Yeah,” you say, gaining a little confidence. “Different ways of seeing the same thing. Photography is about capturing moments from unique angles, and art is about interpreting the world in your own way. It’s broad, but it connects.”

Mingyu leans back in his chair, brows furrowed in thought. He admits, slowly, “It’s… not bad.”

The faint approval in his voice surprises you, but you don’t let it show. “I know,” you say instead, crossing your ankles. “It’s a good starting point.”

“But it’s still vague,” he muses. “If we’re going to pitch this, we need to make it concrete. How are we actually going to combine everything? Are we splitting the space? Alternating pieces? Blending them somehow?”

Your stomach twists at the thought of compromising the layout, but you push the discomfort down. “We could structure it around the theme. Pair photos and artworks that complement each other—contrast them, even. It could be a dialogue between the two mediums.”

Mingyu’s eyes narrow slightly, like he’s contemplating. He nods, once, reluctantly. “It could work.”

“Okay,” you say. “Then we’ll need to draft a detailed proposal—layout, schedule, costs. Dean Park isn’t going to approve of something half-baked.”

“Obviously.”

You glare at him, but there’s no real heat behind it. “We’ll have to inform our members as soon as possible.”

“Done. I’ll text you, ‘kay?”

You hum in response, watching him gather his things. It’s not exactly a truce, and it’s definitely not teamwork—not yet, at least. But for the first time, you feel like both of you are pushing against the same problem, rather than each other.

“See you around, I guess,” you say tentatively, reaching for your bag.

Mingyu slings his camera bag over his shoulder and lets his lips curve upwards by the slightest. “See you.”

When Kim Mingyu said he would text you, you expected him to send you a message some time during the day, like a normal person would. Of course, the mistake you made was assuming that anything Kim Mingyu does is normal, so, really, why are you even surprised?

You don’t know for sure, but you’re certain it has everything to do with the fact that you were startled out of sleep minutes ago because of the incessant ringing of your phone, a week after your proposal was approved by Dean Park. The caller ID says Kim Mingyu (Photography President) and the time on your phone screen reads 1:01 A.M.

Someday, you will find a way to strangle him and get away with it. 

You squint at your phone, half-tempted to let it ring out, but you know he’s stubborn enough to keep calling until your phone dies. You swipe to answer with more force than necessary.

“What?” you snap, voice rough with sleep.

“Get dressed,” he says, sounding way more chipper than anyone in their right mind would at one in the morning. “I’m outside.”

You sit up in bed, your blankets falling into a heap around you. “Outside where?”

“Your building.”

There’s a pause while you blink, trying to process his words. “My what?”

“Look, there’s no time to argue,” he says, as if he’s not the one calling you at an ungodly hour. “I need to show you something. It’s about the exhibition. Plus, I have hot chocolate.”

“Couldn’t this have waited until daylight?” you ask—but curiosity, and the mention of free hot chocolate, gets the better of you. You rub the sleep out of your eyes and slide out of bed. 

“Nope, it’s time-sensitive,” says Mingyu, while you’re busy shoving your head through the nearest hoodie you could find. 

When you step outside, the cool night air pricks at your skin, and you spot him almost instantly. Mingyu is leaning against the lamppost by the entrance to your building, a steaming styrofoam cup in each hand and his camera slung around his neck. His tall frame and disheveled hair, illuminated by the soft glow of the light, would almost make him look charming—were you not keen on murdering him for disrupting your sleep.

“What took you so long?” he says, holding out one of the cups as you approach.

“You’re insane,” you reply, snatching the cup from him. The warmth seeps into your fingers, and despite your irritation, you take a grateful sip. It’s sweet, just the way you like it. “This better be worth it.”

“It will be,” he promises, already turning towards the path the winds through your campus.

The night air is cool and crisp, laced with the faint scent of damp earth and fallen leaves. You clutch the cup of hot chocolate like it’s a lifeline, savouring its warmth, though it does little to thaw your irritation. Mingyu walks ahead of you, long strides confident; you trail behind him, muttering under your breath about insufferable photography club presidents and their questionable priorities.

The campus feels different at night—quieter, softer—as if the world has taken a deep breath and is holding it. Shadows stretch long and wide under the sporadic lampposts, and the buildings loom taller, their windows dark. The only sounds are the soft crunch of gravel underfoot. You don’t want to admit it, but there’s something peaceful about this moment, despite your company.

“Here,” Mingyu says suddenly, veering off the path toward a patch of bushes near the edge of the quad. 

You hesitate, watching as he crouches low. His movements are surprisingly careful for someone normally so clumsy. He motions for you to follow, his fingers pressed to his lips in a gesture for silence.

“What are you—”

“Shh,” he whispers, pointing ahead.

At first, you don’t see anything. But as you squint, you catch a movement—a small shape darting across the grass. And then another.

A family of raccoons. 

There are four of them, their sleek bodies silver in the moonlight. The largest one—presumably the mother—nudges a smaller one forward, while the other two rummage through a pile of leaves nearby. 

You crouch next to Mingyu, your knees pressing into the damp grass, and watch the raccoon family scurry about under the pale silver glow of the moon. The mother raccoon joins her two kits and noses through the leaves, while the smallest one tumbles clumsily after her, clearly still learning the ways of the world.

“They’re cute,” you whisper.

“Hm,” Mingyu hums, lifting his camera to his eye. The soft click of the shutter sounds through the quiet. “I’ve been tracking them for weeks. This seems to be their favourite hideout for the night.”

You glance at him sideways, watching the way his brows furrow in concentration, the way he adjusts the angle ever-so slightly before clicking another picture. He’s good at this, you think—finding something ordinary and turning it into something else.

“You dragged me out of bed for raccoons?” you ask, without any real malice in your voice.

“They’re more interesting than you give them credit for,” he says, not looking up from his viewfinder. “Most people don’t even notice them. And if they do, it’s just to call them pests.”

The soft, almost wistful tone of his voice surprises you. You shift your gaze back to the raccoons, watching as one of the smaller ones climbs onto a low branch, wobbling slightly before regaining its balance.

“They’re just trying to survive,” Mingyu continues, lowering his camera. “Finding food, looking after their family. They’re not pests. They’re— Resourceful. Resilient.”

You blink, caught off guard by the thoughtfulness in his words. “And this connects to the exhibition how?”

He smiles slightly, finally turning to look at you. “Think about it. How many things go unnoticed every day? How many stories don’t get told ‘cause people are too busy looking at what’s shiny and obvious?”

You frown, considering his words. The raccoon mother pulls out a discarded chocolate wrapper from the leaves, sniffing it before passing it to one of her kits. It’s nothing extraordinary, but there is something undeniably tender about the way she moves, the quiet care in her actions.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about our exhibition theme,” says Mingyu, “and—”

“It’s a matter of perspective,” you finish softly, the words slipping out before you can contain them.

Mingyu nods. “Exactly. Everyone’s always so focused on the big picture that they forget the small details. The stuff that seems insignificant but isn’t.” He gestures towards the raccoons. “This is the kind of thing I want to highlight—the unnoticed, the overlooked. The beauty in things people usually ignore.”

He has a point. The raccoons, with their clever little hands and determined movements, have a strange sort of grace to them. You wonder how many times you’ve walked past this very spot without noticing them, without realising there was a whole world quietly unfolding in the shadows.

“You think we can tie this to the exhibition?” you ask, your skepticism only half-hearted now.

“Why not?” he replies, enthusiasm bleeding into his tone. “Your art pieces are all about interpretation, right? How people see the world in their own way. And photography is about showing people something they didn't notice before. It fits.”

You chew on the inside of your cheek, annoyed by how much sense he’s making. Grudgingly, you mutter, “You’re not as stupid as you look.”

Mingyu laughs softly, the sound low and warm in the night air. “Thanks, I think.”

You both fall silent again, watching as the raccoons scurry off to another tree nearby. Mingyu raises his camera one last time, snapping a shot of their retreating forms before lowering his camera with a small, satisfied sigh.

“They’ll be gone by morning,” he says, almost to himself, “and no one will know they were here.”

There’s something oddly poetic about the thought, and you’re struck by the realisation that, for all his infuriating habits, Kim Mingyu has an eye for seeing things differently. Maybe that’s why he’s so good at what he does—and, maybe, that’s why you think he’s not so different from you, after all.

The walk back to your building is quiet. Mingyu keeps his camera slung over his shoulder. You sip the last of your hot chocolate. Lukewarm as it is, it’s sweet and nice and provides a shred of warmth against the cool air nipping at your cheeks. 

“Don’t get used to this,” you say, as the two of you near your building.

Mingyu blinks innocently. “Used to what?”

“Me being nice to you.”

He grins, a boyish, lopsided thing that makes your heart rabbit about, just a little. “Noted. I’ll savour it while it lasts.”

You pull out your sketchbook and your charcoal pencils the next day, after classes, and settle down on a bench that offers a clear view of the quad. The winter sun is a gentle wash of gold, spilling over the campus like honey, pooling in the dips of the cobblestones, and casting long, soft-edged shadows. It’s a contrast to the silvery quiet of last night, but somehow, the same tranquility lingers, a memory etched into the air.

The spot where the raccoons had been feels empty now, but not barren. Students drift through the quad in loose clusters. A girl sprawls on the grass with a textbook splayed open beside her. Two boys toss a frisbee near the far end, their laughter bright and contagious. Someone sits cross-legged under a tree, earbuds in, bobbing their head to music only they can hear.

Your pencil touches the paper, instinctive. Lines emerge, at first hesitant and light, but quickly growing in confidence. You sketch the arch of the bushes, the curve of their leaves. The grass flows beneath your hand, strokes that whisper of its softness, of its endless spread.

The students begin to take form next, their figures caught mid-motion—an outstretched hand here, a tilted head there. You don’t draw their faces; they’re not meant to be individuals, but simply a part of the quad in daylight. 

You don’t think about composition or technique; your hand moves as though it has a will of its own, tracing shapes and shadows. For the first time in what feels like forever, there’s no pressure, no self-imposed critique weighing you down. The sunlight dapples the page, shifting as the leaves above you sway in the breeze. Your strokes grow bolder, the charcoal smudging against your fingertips as you shade in the deeper shadows, the play of the light on the cobblestones. 

You pause, leaning back slightly, your eyes flicking between the quad and your sketch. It’s not perfect—nothing ever is—but it feels right.

Then, out of nowhere, you think of Mingyu.

It’s a small thought at first, barely noticeable—a stray memory of him crouched low in the grass last night, his camera poised. But it grows, and before you realise what’s happening, you’re imagining what he’d think of the sketch. Would he point out the uneven shading, the hasty lines where you’d been too impatient to linger? Or would he see what you see?

You close the sketchbook. The thought of showing it to him surprises you, an idea you’re not sure you understand. You’re not friends—not really—and the very idea of seeking his approval feels strange. 

But you’ll trust your instincts, you suppose. They haven’t led you astray so far. You tuck your sketchbook under your arm and set out to find Kim Mingyu.

You find Kim Mingyu in the photography clubroom, hunched over a cluttered table, sorting through a stack of pictures. The room smells faintly of ink and chemicals, the soft hum of a printer filling the silence. The light streaming through the windows bathes everything in warm, golden hues, catching on the strands of his hair every time he shifts.

For some inexplicable reason, you feel shy.

You linger by the doorway for a moment, fingers tightening around the edges of your sketchbook. It’s ridiculous, really—he’s the same infuriating person who called you at one in the morning and dragged you across campus to look at raccoons. But now, with the sketchbook in your hands and a strange weight in your chest, the thought of stepping into the room feels monumental.

You clear your throat, and he glances up. His hair is slightly messy, like he’s been running his hands through it in frustration, and the sleeves of his hoodie are pushed up to his elbows. For a split second, he looks surprised to see you. Then his expression shifts into something closer to curiosity.

“Hi,” he says, holding out a photograph like it’s a peace offering. “Are you lost? Or are you here to chew me out over something about the exhibition?”

You roll your eyes, stepping further into the room. “Neither. I wanted to—” You hesitate, the words tangling on your tongue. His gaze flickers to the sketchbook under your arm. Thankfully, he doesn’t push.

“Come in,” he says instead. “Since you’re here anyway—” he gestures toward the stack of pictures— “help me decide. I’m narrowing down shots for the exhibition.”

You step closer, drawn despite yourself. The photographs are stunning—a leaf caught mid-fall, a cluster of streetlights glowing through the fog, the silhouette of a child through a bus window.

“They’re good,” you say, and you mean it.

“Just good?” he teases, leaning against the table. But there’s something gentler in his expression now, a quiet kind of pride that softens the edges of his grin. “Coming from you, that’s basically a standing ovation.”

You glance away, suddenly self-conscious. Your fingers tighten around the sketchbook again, and before you can overthink it, you thrust it at him. “Here.”

Mingyu blinks. “What’s this?”

“Just—look at it,” you mumble, heat rising to your cheeks.

He takes the sketchbook carefully and flips it open to the page you’d drawn earlier. His eyes trace the lines etched into the paper with charcoal, widening slightly.

“It’s the quad,” he murmurs, quieter than you expected.

“Obviously.”

“No, I mean—” Mingyu looks up at you, and there’s something thoughtful in his gaze. “It’s the quad, but it—it feels… alive, you know?”

You suck in a breath sharply, eyes darting to him. “Alive?”

“Yeah.” He gestures at the sketch, fingers hovering just above the page. “Like here,” he says, pointing to a student mid-step, laughing at something the person next to them says. “And this.” He moves his finger and circles the pair of boys tossing a frisbee about. “I can actually imagine it happening. In real time. Does that make sense?”

The way Mingyu looks at your hastily-drawn sketch—as though it’s something extraordinary—makes your chest feel tight, like you’re holding your breath without even realising.

“I don’t know how you did this,” he continues, almost to himself, eyes roving over the page like he’s trying to decode a secret. “It’s not just the quad—it’s everything about it. It’s like you froze something no one else would notice.” The corners of his mouth lift in a small, disarming smile. “It’s kind of amazing.”

Your mind scrambles for something to say. “It’s… not that big of a deal,” you say lamely. “Just a sketch.”

“Not to me.”

Your eyes settle on the stack of photographs on the table, anything to distract yourself from the heat crawling up your neck. “So, um, what does this mean for the exhibition?”

“Everything,” he says simply—knowingly, almost. Mingyu flips the sketchbook shut and hands it back to you.

You hug the sketchbook to your chest. “You think so?”

“Yeah,” says Mingyu. “You’re really talented, you know that? Not just technically. You see things—details most people miss. That’s really rare.”

You see them, too, you want to say. Because he does. You’ve witnessed it firsthand, and your sketch feels like a paltry attempt at recreating the same thing. Mingyu’s compliment sends a strange ripple through you—half pride, half unease. It’s not that you haven’t been praised for your work before, but coming from him, it feels… different.

“I just drew what I saw.”

“Yeah, but you saw it,” Mingyu presses. “Not everyone would.”

The sincerity in his tone makes your heart stutter. You glance at him, unsure of what to say, and find him watching you with an expression that’s entirely too open. You’re not sure when the shift happened, but you feel it—a softening, an ease you hadn’t expected to find with him.

The confusion in your chest settles into something quieter, something that almost makes sense.

Maybe you don’t dislike Kim Mingyu. Maybe you never disliked him at all.

There is something to be said about having a crush on the person you thought you would never get along with. 

It creeps in during moments you don’t realise are important until later. You find yourself seeking him out more often, not because the exhibition needs it—it’s practically done—but because you enjoy being in his presence. The barbs you once threw at each other have become something like banter; his toothy grin makes your heart flutter in your chest. You don’t know when it started, but it’s there now, a quiet and persistent little thing that is difficult to ignore.

The day of the exhibition dawns quicker than you expect, and ends just as quickly. 

Kim Mingyu kisses you at the end of it, when the lights are dim and the skies are tinged with twilight. His lips are featherlight at first, and his hands cradle your face. He is soft, warm, and your fingers find their way to the collar of his shirt, gripping tightly.

There is much to be said about having a crush on the person you thought you would never get along with. The most important is this: it’s simply a matter of perspective.

⇢ a/n: thank you thank you thank you to @etherealyoungk for helping me out with all the design/art aspects of this fic & essentially brainstorming this entire thing with me; skye lifesaver fr (the theme behind combining the art and photography club events was all her idea). thanks for reading & i hope you have a wonderful day!

[ms-demeanor]

making my own post because nobody needs my bullshit on their post:

OP:

Reblog 1:

Reblog 2:

My response:

The IRA blogs were here and they were active and they were quite popular; their posting patterns did not match normal tumblr users (i was followed by lagonegirl and followed back only to be put off by the account reblogging the same five or ten posts every hour for a day before selecting another five or ten posts to reblog hourly the next day - it was clear engagement bait).

Tumblr has never been as transparent about these accounts as both Twitter and Facebook were, but several of the accounts had shared names across platforms and you can find a significant amount of data that was released by both facebook (ex: ads purchased by the IRA accounts) and twitter (over three million tweets from IRA accounts). Academic researchers have published papers on the data released from facebook and twitter. Several papers. So many papers. Soooooo many papers. We have a LOT of direct evidence that you can explore for yourself that there were hundreds (possibly thousands) of IRA accounts that were created on Facebook and Twitter. Of those accounts, some shared usernames across platforms, and of those accounts, a few had tumblr accounts that posted the same content on twitter and tumblr.

To quote a buzzfeed news article from the time:

The Russian-run Tumblr accounts used the same, or very similar, usernames as the account names contained on a list of confirmed IRA accounts Twitter submitted to congressional investigators. In some cases, the Tumblr and Twitter account has the same profile image or linked to each other in their bios. Some IRA Tumblrs and Twitter accounts also cross-promoted content between platforms, further linking them together.

Current tumblr user @ alwaysbewoke (who I don't want to tag because I'm sure he's got better things to do) is interviewed in that article and talks about following one of the blogs identified by tumblr as an IRA blog that had a matching account on twitter identified as an IRA account but unfollowing when the left-leaning blog supposedly run by a black creator started rooting for trump in the election.

Dr. Jonathan Albright is heavily quoted in the article; the data review he collaborated on is one of the only reviews of this subject that includes data from Tumblr and Reddit.

One of the claims that I've seen is that tumblr just deleted funny black people, but these were blogs with thousands of followers on tumblr who never recreated, never popped up on another social media site, never started a reddit account after getting banned; nobody ever showed up saying "hey this is 4mysquad, I got banned on tumblr and twitter, follow me to pillowfort". These very popular blogs got deleted and, as far as I know, nobody ever popped up claiming to be a person who was deleted - and it's not like tumblr users haven't figured out how to evade bans.

What you are doing when you make posts saying that the IRA accounts on tumblr never existed is *absolving tumblr of guilt for their utter lack of transparency.*

Tumblr is not the only tech company that has tried to fly under the radar as its larger counterparts face regular scrutiny in Congress and in the press. Earlier this month, Reddit revealed it too had deleted hundreds of accounts with ties to the Internet Research Agency. A WIRED investigation found more than a thousand links to Russian propaganda websites are still live on Reddit, and unearthed two suspicious accounts that Reddit immediately shut down.

So should you believe what Tumblr says? No, because Tumblr has been functionally fucking silent on this issue and the information about this subject aside from the list of blogs has come from the hard work of data scientists, journalists, and researchers.

(For the record; some of those bot accounts that were recorded by Dr. Albright also had Google+ accounts in 2017 - there is every possibility that they had myspace accounts).

Now, the reason that I'm popping onto this post as an annoyed anarchist is that I was tracking a similar group of blogs for a while and was discussing them and I stopped precisely because of the galaxy-brained liberals who are now trying to dunk on communists for criticizing electoralism. One of the people who was following my project was one of the ones who started calling out the "joe biden kills dogs" posts as disinfo and I realized they were using some of the guidelines I'd written up to "identify" misinformation and that is very a rock fucking stupid approach to what was clearly a leftist making jokes and was horrified and realized there was no way that I could continue documenting what I was documenting without someone attempting to call actual leftists russian bots.

I've seen the post that OP is referencing [it's one where someone makes a very obvious joke about the democrat presidential ticket and people jump on to call them a bot and then someone tries to do the "AI tell me a story" thing and OP is just like "I don't want to :(", proving that they are in fact a person and not an AI] and have deeply enjoyed the humor of watching liberals a) not understand a very, VERY obvious joke and b) become the unwitting butt of a joke they were trying to make, but also I am so exhausted by watching normie dems call leftists AI bots after years of watching normie dems call real live actual leftists who hold actual political views that real people actually have, like prison abolition, russian bots.

But I am also so fucking tired of left conspiracism and how stupid it sounds when leftists dismiss a preponderance of evidence that is easily accessible and publicly available for analysis as "lol so you just trust everything tumblr tells you?"

No, dipshit, learn to click a fucking link or twelve.

[abhibaj]

Simone Bervig on Driving GTM Alignment and Effectiveness

Simone Bervig, a seasoned marketing leader, emphasizes the pivotal role of localization, collaboration, and market adaptability. She explores crafting impactful LATAM strategies, aligning global teams, driving effective marketing campaigns, and delivering measurable results across diverse marketplaces.

Simone, welcome to the interview series. Can you tell us about yourself and your journey as a go-to-market leader?

I am a Brazilian professional, based in São Paulo, with 18+ years of experience in B2B Tech companies with Go-To-Market strategies, Marketing, Branding, and Communication in the Brazilian, Latin American, and United States markets, working on European (French/German) and American global companies too, like Schneider Electric, SAS, Citrix, and SAP.

Get full insights@ https://itechseries.com/interviews/bridging-markets-and-teams-simone-bervig-on-gtm-success/

I am responsible for all Go-To-Market strategies for LATAM, working with global and regional teams to ensure our GTM strategies and executions are appropriate for our marketplaces in LATAM. This includes development, planning, localization, execution, and performance analysis of marketing campaigns with cross-functional global teams to ensure we are driving feature parity across marketplaces and advocating for and delivering on needs that are specific to our marketplaces in LATAM. Additionally, working with global teams in the US, EMEA, and APAC to understand how products and features are used and develop plans to support their growth post-launch.

How do you foster collaboration between sales, product, and customer success teams to ensure alignment between marketing goals and business outcomes?

There are many ways to enable this kind of collaboration, but I find that creating a process around it helps streamline the efforts. This can be accomplished by creating a workflow to submit feedback/ideas/requests with various teams in combination with a forum where the feedback can be openly discussed to identify deliverables. As an example, customers will often make feature requests for an enhancement to the product that helps them improve a specific use case. By working with product development teams, CSMs can drive innovation to the product roadmap that directly aligns with how their customers want to use it. Additionally, it’s important to define and share the goals and KPIs with all teams to help achieve the accomplishment.

What are some of the key components of a successful go-to-market and growth strategy for SMB versus enterprise audiences?

First of all, we need to deeply understand our audiences and market to deliver the right messaging and create a tailor-made strategy for each vertical that brings more ROI for each campaign and activity.  SMBs have a sales cycle faster than enterprises, so it requires more activities to create pipelines and expand the installed base to cover the goals and find new customers.

Explore the latest marketing and tech insights@ https://itechseries.com/gtm-library/

On the other hand, enterprise strategies typically on a longer sales cycle and larger deal sizes. Key elements include identifying target industries, leveraging content marketing, building relationships through sales teams, and offering free trials or demos to showcase value. Enterprise clients often need custom solutions and robust support, making the sales process more personalized and consultative.

Can you share some GTM challenges and opportunities for the US and LATAM markets?

The Latin American market represents a compelling opportunity for companies seeking to expand their global footprint. Cultural diversity is a hallmark of Latin America, and it’s essential to adapt your marketing and business strategies accordingly. Localization goes beyond language translation; it involves tailoring your messaging, product packaging, and promotional campaigns to resonate with each country’s cultural norms and values. Embrace the local customs and traditions to establish a deeper connection with your target audience. Latin America is a region of diverse cultures, languages, and customs. What works in one country may not resonate in another. Adapting marketing strategies and understanding local preferences is crucial for successful market penetration. Adapting to the local culture is critical for success.

A local partner can help bridge the cultural gap by providing insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and effective communication strategies. Each Latin American country has its unique regulatory environment and legal requirements. Engage legal experts, if needed, familiar with the region to guide you through the process of setting up a business, obtaining necessary permits, and adhering to local laws. Ignorance of local regulations can lead to costly mistakes and hinder market entry. Navigating the legal and regulatory landscape of a foreign market can be complex and time-consuming. A local partner with in-depth knowledge of the local laws and regulations can help a company comply with the necessary requirements, avoiding potential pitfalls and delays. Some countries in Latin America experience political and economic instability, which can impact business operations. Changes in government policies or economic downturns may affect market conditions and consumer behavior.

“Localization goes beyond language translation; it involves tailoring messaging, product packaging, and promotional campaigns to resonate with each country’s cultural norms and values.”

Get your business boost, visit now@ https://itechseries.com/contact-us/

The US market has these key aspects:  Economic pressures: how inflation and economic uncertainty are affecting consumer behavior and strategies. Consumers are more selective about their spending, leading to a focus on maximizing the value of existing technology and resources. Innovation versus optimization: While new technologies and innovations like AI and headless commerce are popular, it’s important to optimize current systems and understand what your consumers truly need before investing in new solutions.

Consumer behavior: how consumers are adjusting their spending habits, emphasizing the need to adapt their strategies to meet these evolving expectations. Strategic audits: To succeed in the competitive US market, I recommend conducting audits to evaluate site performance, customer experience, and technology use. Incremental improvements and focusing on core customer needs can drive significant results without major investments. By balancing innovation with practical, customer-focused strategies, brands will be better positioned to thrive in the dynamic US market.