#growth box marketing company

[thegrowthboxchd]

Creative Digital Marketing Ideas for Local Businesses

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[newsblog12]

Winning the Buy Box: Tips for E-commerce Marketplace Success.

The “Buy Box” — is a term that has become the Holy Grail for e-commerce sellers on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and others. Winning this coveted position can be the difference between soaring sales and mediocrity. But what does it mean to win the Buy Box, and how can you optimize your chances? Let’s dive in.

Understanding the Buy Box

The Buy Box is not just a mere feature on e-commerce platforms; it’s the nucleus of many purchasing decisions. When customers browse products, particularly on sites like Amazon, the Buy Box is the default option they see for purchasing. It’s a rectangular box on the right side of the product listing, and it contains the “Add to Cart” or “Buy Now” buttons. Multiple sellers can offer the same product, but only one gets the prime position in the Buy Box. This distinction means that the seller who “wins” this position often secures the majority of sales for that product.

Why is Winning the Buy Box Essential?

Increased Visibility:

The Buy Box guarantees prime digital real estate. It’s the first option buyers see, making it the most clicked choice. In essence, it acts as a spotlight, highlighting a particular seller’s offering amidst a sea of competitors.

Higher Sales:

Data suggests that over 80% of Amazon sales occur through the Buy Box. This percentage skyrockets when considering mobile users, where the Buy Box is even more prominent due to screen constraints.

Trust Factor:

The Buy Box isn’t just about visibility; it’s a mark of endorsement. Customers tend to associate the Buy Box with trustworthiness, assuming that the platform has vetted and approved the highlighted seller.

Strategies for Winning the Buy Box

Price Competitively:

The allure of the lowest price is undeniable. But the Buy Box doesn’t merely favor the cheapest option. It considers the value. This nuance means sellers should strive for competitive pricing that still maintains a perceived value. Dynamic pricing tools can help track competitors and adjust prices automatically.

Maintain Strong Seller Metrics:

Reputation matters. Platforms like Amazon use a seller’s historical performance to determine their suitability for the Buy Box. This evaluation considers factors like order defect rate, cancellation rate, and late shipment rate.

Offer Prime or Fast Shipping:

Modern consumers are impatient. They prize quick shipping, and so do e-commerce algorithms. Offering prime shipping or ensuring rapid delivery can significantly elevate a seller’s Buy Box potential.

Stay Stocked:

Availability is paramount. If a seller runs out of stock, their chances plummet. Regular inventory checks and employing inventory management tools can keep this in check.

Optimize Product Listings:

Beyond the backend logistics, the front-end presentation is pivotal. Clear, high-resolution images, compelling descriptions, and a thorough list of features can engage potential buyers and the platform’s algorithms.

Consider Using Landed Price:

Consumers don’t just look at the product’s price. They calculate the total cost, including shipping. A competitive landed price, which combines both elements, can be more appealing than a low product price with high shipping costs.

Respond Quickly to Customer Queries:

Engagement can distinguish a seller. Quick, informative responses signal reliability and dedication, attributes e-commerce platforms value.

Challenges in Securing the Buy Box

Platform Algorithms:

The precise algorithms platforms use for the Buy Box remain proprietary secrets. This obscurity means sellers must continually adapt and adjust their strategies based on observed outcomes and best practices.

Fierce Competition:

As e-commerce burgeons, more sellers flood the market. Each one vies for the Buy Box, making the competition incredibly stiff. Continuous refinement and innovation are essential to stand out.

Case Study: ABC Electronics

ABC Electronics’ journey from obscurity to Buy Box dominance illustrates the importance of adaptability. Despite competitive pricing, they initially failed to clinch the Buy Box. Their introspection revealed that prolonged shipping times were the culprits. Switching to Amazon’s FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) not only expedited deliveries but also imbued their offerings with prime shipping, an attractive prospect for buyers. The results were immediate and staggering. Their Buy Box appearances surged, bringing a 60% uptick in sales, validating the importance of understanding and adapting to platform nuances.

Conclusion

The Buy Box is more than a feature; it’s a potent e-commerce tool. Its impact on sales and visibility is unparalleled. However, winning requires a blend of strategy, responsiveness, and adaptability. In an evolving digital marketplace, sellers must prioritize customer experience, stay attuned to platform changes, and continuously refine their approach. Only then can they consistently win the Buy Box and ensure sustained e-commerce success.

This in-depth breakdown offers a comprehensive understanding of the Buy Box and its significance in e-commerce success. Integrating these insights can empower sellers to strategize effectively and maximize their online potential.

https://www.arcotgroup.com/

[thegrowthbox]

If you are looking for an influencer marketing agency in Chandigarh for your business growth then the Growth Box might be the perfect collaborator for your brand if you aim to expand your reach and enhance your influencer marketing efforts. Leveraging their proficiency and proficiency in this field, they can support you in achieving tangible business outcomes and attaining success.

[zvaigzdelasas]

[BBC is UK State Media]

Truong My Lan is charged with taking out $44bn (£35bn) in loans from the Saigon Commercial Bank. Prosecutors say $27bn may never be recovered.[...]

The evidence is in 104 boxes weighing a total of six tonnes [!!!]. Eighty-five defendants are on trial with Truong My Lan, who denies the charges. She and 13 others face a possible death sentence.

"There has never been a show trial [sic] like this, I think, in the communist era," says David Brown, a retired US state department official with long experience in Vietnam. "There has certainly been nothing on this scale."

The trial is the most dramatic chapter so far in the "Blazing Furnaces" anti-corruption campaign led by the Communist Party Secretary-General, Nguyen Phu Trong.

A conservative [sic] ideologue [sic] steeped in Marxist theory, Nguyen Phu Trong believes that popular anger over untamed corruption poses an existential threat to the Communist Party's monopoly on power. He began the campaign in earnest in 2016 after out-manoeuvring the then pro-business prime minister to retain the top job in the party.

The campaign has seen two presidents and two deputy prime ministers forced to resign, and hundreds of officials disciplined or jailed. Now one of the country's richest women could join their ranks.[...]

Although Vietnam is best known outside the country for its fast-growing manufacturing sector, as an alternative supply chain to China, most wealthy Vietnamese made their money developing and speculating in property.

All land is officially state-owned. Getting access to it often relies on personal relationships with state officials. Corruption escalated as the economy grew, and became endemic.

By 2011, Truong My Lan was a well-known business figure in Ho Chi Minh City, and she was allowed to arrange the merger of three smaller, cash-strapped banks into a larger entity: Saigon Commercial Bank.

Vietnamese law prohibits any individual from holding more than 5% of the shares in any bank. But prosecutors say that through hundreds of shell companies and people acting as her proxies, Truong My Lan actually owned more than 90% [!!!] of Saigon Commercial.

They accuse her of using that power to appoint her own people as managers, and then ordering them to approve hundreds of loans to the network of shell companies she controlled.

The amounts taken out are staggering. Her loans made up 93% [!!!] of all the bank's lending.

According to prosecutors, over a period of three years from February 2019, she ordered her driver to withdraw 108 trillion Vietnamese dong, more than $4bn (£2.3bn) in cash from the bank, and store it in her basement.

That much cash, even if all of it was in Vietnam's largest denomination banknotes, would weigh two tonnes.[!!!!!][...]

David Brown believes she was protected by powerful figures who have dominated business and politics in Ho Chi Minh City for decades. And he sees a bigger factor in play in the way this trial is being run: a bid to reassert the authority of the Communist Party over the free-wheeling business culture of the south.

"What Nguyen Phu Trong and his allies in the party are trying to do is to regain control of Saigon, or at least stop it from slipping away.[...]

faster growth in Vietnam almost inevitably means more corruption [sic]. Fight corruption too much [sic], and you risk extinguishing a lot of economic activity.

10 Apr 24

[whereserpentswalk]

You're a content creator. Or perhaps video maker is a better word. Filmaker doesn't sound right, you mostly just film yourself. But either way because you read stuff to a camera for a living everyone is telling you to get a digital voice box. You never thought of yourself as the type to become a cyborg, but it's not something you can see, and it really does get down that narration voice down more than any fleshy voice box does.

You finally cave in and get it. Your new voice is way more steady, a bit more feminine and high, strangely calmly enthusiastic. It's really weird hearing yourself talk with so little imperfections, it's not how you sound in your head at all, and all your freinds are kind of weirded out. But on the bright side your channel grows a lot, you've gained more subscribers in the month since you replaced your voice than you have in all the years when you had your biological voice. Everyone is so very proud of you, for the first time your parents actually support your job, and you have so much more to spend now.

After a few months a big network wants to sign a contract with you, it'll let you get the good sponsors, the ones that people trust, and let you crossover with content creators you only ever thought of yourself as a fan of. It seems so nice, though they do say that they can request any body part they want be replaced, or else you'll break contract, and become nothing once more.

After things go well for awhile, but your growth steadied a bit, your network request you take another mechanical body part. They say your expressions aren't very "on brand" and your face shape is a bit too 2050s for their liking, so they're going to replace some of your facial muscles with much more plyable machines. After the surgery your expressions are entirely manual, or set by an app, it skyrockets your channel, but none of your freinds or family even recognize your face, and it doesn't emote when you aren't actively telling it too, so most of your offline social interactions leave you stuck with an expressionless wide eyed stare. You realize they also added some online upgrades to your mechanical voice box, it sounds even less like you now, and you're not able to say words like 'fuck' or 'sex' or 'unionize'. You didn't realize before how horrifying it would be to try to say a specific words and not be able to, nomatter how hard you try.

Your career keeps going well, you get some upgrades that stop you from sleeping or eating that much but you don't really mind those. You also start having fewer and fewer freinds outside the industry and more and more freinds from within it. But after a minor scandal with an ex, your manager tells you you're going to get a new type of surgery: they say that it's not good for someone as famous as you to have body parts that aren't advertiser freindly, they tell you you need to have your genitals and nipples removed, with such a young audience it would be irresponsible not to. A marketing expert feigns comfort as you try to cry, telling you you'll be just like a cute little doll.

You know you can't resist. The company technically owns your face and your voice, if you tried to resist they could have them ripped out of your skull, leaving you a bloody mess. You enjoy your sex organs for the last few days you have them, trying to make the most out of what you'll probably never have again. When the operation is done you wish your eyes could still cry, your body feels so alien, your anatomy so weird and empty and like your body isn't your own. There's an awful voice in the back of your head (and in every comment section now) telling you're not a real woman anymore. You start to understand what people mean by dysphoria, your body is less and less your own every day.

Eventually they take almost all of your body, it's theirs to control. As the years go by you don't have bones you have metal and plastic, you don't have skin you have rubber that looks a lot like skin. Even your eyes are gone, you have new color changing eyes, with the same restrictive settings that Christian parents put on their children's artificial eyes, that block out things like nudity and gore, they censor away a lot of books and news articles too. You don't feel like yourself at all, you're someone else's now, someone's pretty little doll. Your body doesn't even look human now, more like a hyper feminine anime figurine, with no hair on its legs, and a face that never cries or gets angry.

You can barely look at human bodies now, they don't even read as real to you. You admire other cyborgs if anything, cyborgs who replaced their body parts because they wanted to, and look how they want, people with jailbroken limbs and organs that run on Linux, many limbed insectoids who don't try to look humanoid, and furries whose artificial skin makes them look like wolves or cats, or asymmetrical punks who have art sprawling across their metal chassises. You admire them more because at least you could in theory some day become that, become someone who owns their own body, even if most people consider them the lowest of the low, the most cringe the most unmarketable. You want so badly to become unmarketable.

Mabye you want everything to be torn away. You fantasize about your expensive body being destroyed, and ending up with boxy uncomfortable hospital model parts. Mabye if you're broken nobody will want to play with you. You don't know if anything can save you, anything short of a r*volution, and that's not even a word your eyes can see or your mouth should say, so it's so scary to think of it.

[sseomtada]

being [ruben dias]

your move to Manchester signifies a triumph - the result of nearly a decade of relentless, hard work. However, your sweet victory is quickly turned sour when you reencounter the person you once deeply loved.

a/n: remade secretly only to be back on my bs...here's to praying for me to finish this fic? | 1/??? | 4191 words

This weather was nothing short of an utter atrocity.

It was the kind of bone-chilling freeze that overpowered even your skin's ability to raise its own flesh. Every ounce of energy repurposed instead to turn that evolutionary feature inwards. A futile effort, at least in your case. Even back home in Amadora, you suffered from genetic lack of internal warmth.

Miserable environment aside, the move would be worth it. Everything that you’ve done for the past few years - nearly a decade of sleep deprivation, being the brunt bearer of power trips and clinging to the slimmest sliver of rarely presented opportunities - had led to this.

Not the brutalist view spanning the length of your new floor to ceiling living room windows, but what it signified. Growth. The expansion of your firm here, in Manchester.

“Estou exausta…”

You pulled your eyes from the endless clouds to see your right hand, Aki, draped limply over the last of your boxes.

“Careful.” You bent to rip open the tape sealing the one near your feet.

“Oh, sorry.” She blew her overgrown bangs up to no avail. “Am I crushing your precious CB2 ceramics?”

“Actually, you’re slowly sinking onto my very sharp surgical steel kitchen knives.” The box cutter in your hand gestured vaguely to the label beneath her hips.

Aki’s yelp echoed off through the empty loft as she sprang from the impending mockup of a medieval torture method. Your laughter joined in when she grimaced and muttered something threatening to the thick cardboard that remained dent free.

“Thanks for helping me with all this.” You exhaled. “I owe you.”

“We’re even when you think about it.” She fetched a box opener of her own.

Your eyes widened. There was never a moment in your lifelong friendship when she didn’t take up on an IOU card. Not even when she purposefully served a suspension for knocking the lights out of a girl who blew gum into your hair in the fifth grade.

“I mean, you brought me along with you to open Bana. Full executive package, no less.” Aki beamed and then sneered upon unboxing her newfound arch nemeses.

That was true. Since she was the company’s Head of Finance, her immigration to Manchester was completed covered. Housing located right across the hallway, a brand new car of choice and an increase in salary to accommodate for the higher price of living wasn't the worst package to receive.

It didn’t feel like much of a repayment for her efforts when all things were considered. Bana wouldn’t be close to what it was today if it wasn’t for her. Any business was only as successful as how well they manage their finances, an aspect that she can solely and proudly take credit for.

Not to mention that you both would be extremely busy while trying to fully establish this new branch. If anything, she at least deserved the building’s penthouse suite for the headaches bound to come throughout this journey.

“So…is that a pass on the 1982 Bruno Giacosa?” You dangled the proverbial carrot.

Aki didn’t miss a beat, “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Getting ready for your first day at the office never felt this good.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that your first ever job was, understandably, anxiety inducing. Being an intern for a well-known marketing firm wasn’t known to be a glamorous position - the multitude of reasons for that not stopping at being a coffee gopher.

After climbing the ladder to a mid-level position within your previous company, it became painfully obvious that the older leaders had no intention of making room for you soon. To eradicate any dreams of that from your mind, they even outright said it.

That led to your next go at a first day, the start of your own consultancy which would then go on to become Bana. Even though you had established your presence in the marketing world and had a few loyal clients, no amount of seminars you’d attended or books you’d read could’ve prepared you for the monster of a task you’d taken on.

This time felt different. There was always going to be an element of nervousness when stepping into a new venture. Even though this was a new branch on a tree you knew well, there was a lot to learn about operating in a new country and little time to do so.

What you had now, however, allowed you to convert that nervous energy into excitement. Experience, establishment and esteem. Those things among the equally as important trustworthy team behind you left you more confident than anything else that this could potentially only be the beginning.

“There better be a good reason why you’ve got me out early on a morning like this.” Aki’s poor facial muscles have yet to relax since the move it seemed. This time their scrunch was due to storm clouds looming in the distance.

“I think our very lovely AD has something exciting to share.” You nodded to give her the go ahead.

“Ladies, as you know I’ve been working on getting us an in with a certain business through my various sources and I’m happy to report that Bana was among the firms selected to pitch.” Cindy could barely contain her excitement.

Her optimism was infectious and part of the reason you recruited her. Another reason for bringing her into the fold to establish the new office was the insane network she had.

The blonde Londoner was in a similar predicament to you when you were starting out not long aog. Even hungrier, if you admitted it. Her former employer didn’t see the potential she clearly possessed, so you had no problem poaching her from them.

“And do we finally get to know the name of this state secret level business?” Aki leaned forward.

“Nike!” Cindy couldn't hold back any longer.

Even your face dropped at that. Not in the way that one’s expression would if they just found out that they’d been rejected from their dream school. It was something akin to finding out you’d won a fucking Oscar.

Among the celebratory cheers and shimmies, you thanked Cindy greatly for her hard work. And although it was a moment of uncontainable joy, the wheels had already began to turn in your mind.

There was absolutely no room for error if you wanted this pitch to be chosen. Being a newer firm undoubtably going up against major competition, Bana’s proposal had to be more than just that.

It had to be a statement. One that said you were not only a major player in this field, but that you also were to be seen as a direct rival.

You got to delegating tasks quickly. The sooner you got the bare bones of the pitch down, the quicker you could work on perfecting it. Aki was on budgeting as always - pricing presentation materials, researching and pricing the estimated budget for the product rollout for Nike.

Cindy was mostly on recon regarding the target audience. The product being launched was a new pair of their iconic AirMax, so you anticipated her using historical data as a guideline.

You’d have to do a fair bit of research yourself - getting into market research, the brand’s positioning and messaging - all while putting your firm’s spin on where you think Nike is hoping to go with this launch.

It was needless to say that the midnight oil would be burning. You set up a co-working space in the conference room to make communication seamless in brainstorming and building. This was the energy you missed so much, and a more sentimental reason behind your expansion.

Back home in Amadora, Bana was a well oiled machine. With a strong staff beside you, the hands on aspects of marketing were placed on the back burner by your own doing. In order for your employees to grow, you had to let them lead projects of their own and you trusted them to do so.

Now, you were back to inhaling concerning amounts of dry erase marker fumes and getting carpal tunnel from extensive mood boarding. That along with a side of meal deliveries and an equally as hard-working coffee machine made the long hours seemingly fly by.

“I’m so tapped, I need to power down for the day.” Aki stretched her back dramatically.

“Feel free to head out too, Cindy. Get some well deserved rest.” You took a moment of your own to release tension in your neck. “I’m good here for the next few hours.”

She was visibly grateful to be given the go ahead to clock out. From past experiences, you were able to sympathize all too well. You also made a mental note to have a conversation with her regarding working hours. There was never going to be an obligation of staying behind under your watch.

Cindy and Aki neatly organized materials for their return in the morning while you made your way to your office to continue outlining. With all of the research required collected, all you had to do at this point was place the information into their allocated areas.

There were three short raps at your door before you called her in.

“Still being here wasn’t exactly what I meant by rest, Cindy.” You chuckled, not looking away from your monitors.

“I’m on my way out now! Just wanted to bring you over the client mailing list I got from my source a minute ago.” She slid a USB drive onto your desk.

Your brows raised appreciatively, “Thank you, really. I mean it when I say that your presence here is essential and invaluable.”

Cindy waved a hand, her head shaking in time.

“I’m just happy to be helpful. See you tomorrow!”

You bid her goodbye and immediately got to taking a look at the information she left behind. It would be very useful in filling in some gaps you needed to flush out ideas that would attract the goal audience for the new product.

Influencers, Performing Artists, YouTubers…Athletes.

The last of those categories was obviously a given considering the brand. It also wasn’t the first time you’d come across that group in your line of work. This time though, seeing the label suddenly formed a knot in your stomach.

You were brought back to all of the avoidance in the aftermath - everyone in your life completely air-gapping the football world from your path. They did that to protect you, a gesture you still couldn’t bring yourself to thank them for verbally.

The mouse beneath your hot palm slowly shifted as you moved the cursor to click and expand the list. That knot grew to the size of a boulder. It squeezed your insides painfully within and forced a broken little noise past your lips.

One look at the name Ruben Dias was all it took to rattle you to your core.

o passado

At the age of seven, you moved to Portugal.

There wasn’t much you missed about your hometown, or even remembered for that matter. All you knew was that you were eerily calm for a child whose entire life up until that point had been uprooted. It was possible that your serene state of mind came from your mom.

She was all you had in the world. There was virtually no relationship had with her family - the only photograph you ever had with your grandparents was at your christening.

When it came to your dad, she put it as kindly as she could for a kid. You were smart enough to read the inference in her tone and the look on her face in the handful of moments he was brought up. He wasn’t in your life because he didn’t want to be.

Yet still, none of that made you sad or shaped you into a person defined by traumas. You intended to live the life that your mother encouraged you to. Be a kid, climb trees and get dirty, make friends along the way.

And that was just what you did. The first of them being the girl in your class that waved you over to the empty seat beside hers when you transferred. My name’s Akenna, but I hate it so I make everyone call me Aki instead.

She was the only person other than your mom who made you feel safe enough to confide in, just as easy to talk to as it was to listen to her wild recounts of her own life story.

Aki quickly became a regular in your home and you in hers. The giggles and secrets held in the various forts sprawling from your living room to bedroom would stay under lock and key until long after you both passed.

The next person you met would be the one who arguably shaped you the most. Loud shouts and tussling with a ball in the neighborhood park with his siblings was where you met Ruben. His tattered football rolled to your feet that touched the ground after you’d leapt from the swings.

With a weak kick, you returned it. Ruben shook his head in disapproval before he shot it right back at you. Try that again, with the left this time. You didn’t know if it was anger at being challenged by some random kid or genuine hidden talent, but when you hit the ball with your instep, it flew powerfully and directly into his own.

She’s on my team!

Inseparable wasn’t a strong enough word to describe you two. After finding out that you lived only one house down, he would come to your school to walk with you back home. On many of those occasions, Aki was there too. Your mom would be waiting with snacks and a warning, don’t play too long out in the sun, patifes.

Somewhere and somehow along the years, you and Ruben had become so close that it seemed you two were dating. Ivan jokingly asked one day as you were sharing a vanilla ice cream cone, ew, are you boyfriend and girlfriend? Ruben grabbed your hand, laced your fingers with his, and simply said, yes.

And that was that.

As for when you began to realize you loved him, that was harder to pinpoint. Maybe it came once you began to notice how helpful he was to you and your mom.

Ruben was always willing to lend a hand with repairs around your house, even if it meant searching up how-to videos when he thought you weren’t paying attention. Or how he’d go out of his way to walk your mom home when she worked night shifts.

Aki often griped and rolled her eyes at how you two were making her feel like a third wheel. Those complaints were always quickly followed with rebuttals that she’d spent a grand total of fifteen days as a single girl since she was thirteen.

Just make sure my maid of honor dress isn’t fugly at your wedding.

It was all but a given that marriage was pending in the future for you two. Ruben never had eyes for any other girl and you…God, you were terribly devoted to him. Even your posters of Justin Bieber found themselves catching dust in the closet, replaced by a collage of photos you and Ruben had taken together over time.

Five years saw graduations, proms, college acceptances and many, many firsts experienced together. His arms were the only man’s you’d ever laughed in, cried in, slept in. His eyes were the only one’s you saw when you closed your own. His lips were the only thing you wanted to taste on the good and bad days, and everything in between.

So, what happened on September 15th 2017?

To this day, you still had no answers to the why behind that question. Nor could you allow yourself to wrack your brain for them any longer should you want to hold onto your sanity.

As for what. Simply put, it was the worst day of your entire life to date.

On the eve of his debut for Benfica’s first team, an event he’d dreamt of and worked so hard for, one that become just as significant to you by extension, Ruben broke up with you. Over the phone, no less - which added humiliation onto a violent erupting volcano of destructive emotions.

Cold turkey, brutal, cruel. It’s over, don’t contact me, I don’t love you anymore.

There were no warning signs, no moments in retrospect left unturned during your spiral, that could’ve possibly made what you read true. You initially thought it was some sick joke. Maybe one of his teammates had taken his phone. Or perhaps there was some girl that wanted him and was jealous that he was yours, so she decided to play dirty.

It was none of that or the million other scenarios you came up with on you walk over to his home. You came to learn that it was, in fact, not a joke. Ruben meant it when he said he was done with you.

He made that painfully clear as he looked at you standing under the faint glow of the lantern on his front porch through the window. Those eyes you once dreamt of fondly seemingly someone else’s as he drew the curtain and shut off the light.

You don’t recall much of time that passed in the months following that night. Every now and then you’d get flashes - Aki crawling in and out of the bed you temporarily became one with, your mom scooping you up to help you bathe and wash your hair.

It was better that way, you think. A blessing in disguise to not be able to clearly recall the most devastating period of your existence.

When your memory resumed, it always picked up at the same place. You siting with Aki on the steps of an abandoned subway station in total silence.

In your mind, you were there with him years ago when the line was still functioning. The rush of the train brought wind along that rose your hair like lightning was about to strike. Ruben grinned toothily as he smoothed it back, tilting your face upwards.

He said I’d always be home when I was with him. Where am I supposed to go now?

The silence returned even louder following the question that neither of you had the answer to.

Instead, you sat there in it with your best friend and shed the last tears you ever would over Ruben Dias.

o presente

Seven years was a long time.

It came with two college degrees, laser focus and an ability to compartmentalize so strongly that it would terrify artificial intelligence.

Whatever threatened to upend you at the sight of his name was snatched up and contained to be dealt with sometime in the future. You didn’t put literal blood, sweat and tears into your career to let one old wound derail it at such a pivotal moment.

With the same vigor you scrapped up to move on with your life, you poured every ounce of energy you had into absolutely nailing your pitch. Five all nighters, thirty six edits and ten complete run throughs later resulted in Bana being chosen as the firm to brand the newest AirMax.

“I always knew you were a genius, but this project was just,” Aki kissed the air as she took the next left to drive back to your shared building.

“Team effort, Aks.” You mumbled.

The thing about throwing yourself entirely into one project was that when the hard work was done, all the was left was the shit you were avoiding. You could feel it there, gnawing at the back of your head like a mice on a fresh piece of cheese.

“What if we watched an old coming of age movie like we used to on nights like this? Pop out some wine, get in our pj’s…real wild stuff.” She nudged your elbow with hers.

You casted a fond glance at her. Aki would never come outright and say it, but it was her way of checking in with you. The client mailing list was no secret to her since she needed it for the budgeting, so there was no way she missed him being on there.

The mice grew hungrier. Throughout all of your breakdowns and pain, she held all of hers in unselfishly and arguably stupidly. You weren’t the only one who lost someone important to you on that night.

“We do that after product launches. The deal has only just been sealed.” A smile was managed to form on your end.

“Ah…best not jinx it then, huh?” Aki blew a raspberry.

In order to keep her worries at bay this time, something you silently promised to do ever since your senses had returned, you squeezed her arm and doubled down.

“Besides, I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in nearly three weeks. I think I’ll just go for a short run, take a shower and hibernate.”

She nodded, liking the sound of that plan. You would’ve felt proud of your disarming skills had you not known the real reason for her shoulders relaxing. She was looking forward to having the next two days off more than anyone else.

“Don’t forget to text me when you get back.” Aki stuck out her pinky.

“Always.” You locked yours in tight.

The repetitive beat of your feet meeting the ground had the ability to still your mind nearly as much as pouring yourself into your work did. Left, right, left, right, left. When you added in the accompanying swing of your arms, the constant reminder to keep your breath in control and music that made you feel like you could punch a hole through a wall - you were nothing short of a machine.

It was one of the healthier coping mechanism you’d clung to back home. Every day, you’d take to the streets of the new neighborhood you moved to and then to the track at you university.

You’d gotten so good at it that you were scouted to run for the school’s team. Going pro was never a part of your plan, though. You only accepted the offer because it came with a free ride.

A drop of water hit your face, but it was cold.

Your treads slowed a bit as your eyes turned skyward. The clouds illuminated against a murky purplish background with the warning of distant lightning approaching. You refocused and pumped your legs faster. Fucking Manchester.

In between your songs transitioning, you heard a faint rumble. It made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, the sound distorted by the headphones muffling your ears playing tricks that twisted the noise to sound partially human.

Whether it was or not, you weren’t trying to stick around to find out. It was late at night and the weather was going to get hellish soon.

From the corner of your eye, you spotted a shadow ripping behind the streetlights - closing in on yours with each meter. Lactic acid built painfully in your muscles as you pushed even harder, breath control thrown to the wind.

It was gaining on you while rain began to fully fall.

Within a matter of seconds, which is all you had, you came to a decision. You were too exhausted from sleep deprivation and being nearly an hour into your run to beat whoever was chasing after you. The only option you had now was to steel your nerves and use the keys in your pocket as a last line of defense.

Your right hand blindly reached down and was met with lint. Terror hadn’t been felt until that very moment. A thousand and one scenarios raced through your mind with you reaching for the ones that would allow you to leave this situation at least narrowly unscathed.

The one you got a firm grip on using the element of surprise to hopefully distract them from whatever intentions they had for an instant. You took one last deep breath before spinning around swiftly and throwing out a fist.

A man in a baseball cap dodged the punch to his credit, albeit not very ideal for you. His balance, however, was in your favor. He slipped on the slick sidewalk and landed flat on his back with a pained groan.

You were the last thing you should’ve been given that you’d been granted an escape - frozen. On your behalf, you would’ve been halfway down the street and barreling towards your building had it not been for the wide eyes staring up at you.

Those eyes…Ruben’s.

[freewifi-png-exe]

all these posts of the shitty google word soup machine will likely be met by the marketing team with a "thanks for reporting bugs, theyre fixed now!"

but the problem is, all they can do is hardcode the generator to never respond to "how many cigarettes should I smoke per day during pregnancy". they can never get it to say zero.

It's the same thing with how unchained text generators are horrifically immoral, bigoted, and at best, biased on any response they create. These issues are bad for the company image, and so the company then adds a second algorithm to the mix that detects "sensitive topics" and deflects blame to the user by telling them they behaved inappropriately.

It is never and will never be an option to just fix these issues, because they are tied to the concept of a generalized text generator. To limit its access to the dark side of the internet would require even more immense resources than these companies are already oddly willing to pour into the money pit, and would immediately reveal the futility of trying to investors.

Why even open this pandora's box in the first place? Capitalism as an economic system demands continuous and exponential growth at all times. This means that, even if a company has produced something perfect, they will ultimately fail if they do not find a way to improve upon it more. As google's wealthy investors get antsy for exponential profits, the company scrambles and turns every which way trying to create the illusion of forward progress.

It does not matter whether or not the idea of replacing the search engine with statistical generalization is the best thing to do, only that it can be sold to the wealthy as a buzzword-packed illusion of the future, worthy of them cashing in a few billion dollars or so in the hopes of acquiring even greater return.

[gowns]

Among so many heinous problems trickling down on our heads from the top of the film industry is that of intellectual property. It’s not that adaptations are new, but that the ability to make a living by creating anything else has only recently been destroyed. IP obsession has killed the mid-budget movie, it’s killed the movie star, and it’s coming for the rest of the industry. This is as much a problem for audiences as for filmmakers (at any level), and it all comes from the same place: Unchecked greed, and the familiarity with which we accept it.

Tidy, consistent, sustainable profits—the kind of thing generated by movie studios that once offered a diverse slate of reasonably budgeted adult dramas, teen-date rom-coms, family films, and fence-swinging art movies—are a thing of the past for those in charge of the industry. Other forces from the entertainment world are certainly at play, specifically the rise of prestige TV as a destination for what the movies have abandoned. But the pivot to the IP Era feels simple, because it feels familiar. It’s because tidy, consistent, sustainable profits aren’t enough. There must be growth. There must be domination. There must be Shared Universes.

This attitude goes beyond being risk-averse. Risk aversion isn’t new. Single-minded speculation, trying to alchemize IP into gold, is.

The management decisions keeping workers from their fair pay—as described by Writers Guild of America board member John Rogers in a thread about the current strike—are the same ones milking old IP for all it’s worth: “The new robber barons of Hollywood are on a suicide run.” This shift is tech-bro economics, Wall Street-fellating “vulture capitalism” here to feast on the industry, not further it.

...Sure, an executive could gamble on a few million dollars on an “idea” from a “writer.” They could also flip the big Binder O’ Properties to a random page, do a rail of coke off of it and spend $100 million to reboot whatever’s underneath. A new Ghostbusters? Another go at the Dark Universe? Let’s do it! Monopolies, even monopolies built on unsustainable properties—on the slums of Baltic and Mediterranean Avenues, in board game terms—have the potential to be more than profitable. They can define decades of strategy. Investors like that. It feels stable yet exciting, predictable yet potentially limitless.

“We’re going to focus on franchises,” Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav assured investors. “We haven’t had a Superman movie in 13 years. We haven’t done a Harry Potter in 15 years.”

It doesn’t matter if viewers are burned out or if the franchise is inextricably linked to a raging asshole. There’s recognizable media out there just asking to be exploited into an empire, one that could grow and grow and grow. If it eventually burns like Rome—say, if you’re former Disney CEO Bob Chapek and your streaming business continues to bleed money despite releasing bad franchise movies directly onto it—then you can simply fiddle your little heart out, floating away on your golden parachute. Naturally, studio leadership favors this approach, which in turn sets the precedent for the only kinds of movies their companies finance, market and stuff into theaters.

We, the country’s moviegoing public, have already been trained to understand this. 

Pretty consistently, folks go to the movies when they recognize something and stay home when they don’t. Looking at the past 10 years of box office Top 10s, it’s far faster to note which movies aren’t based on a pre-existing property: Frozen, Gravity, Inside Out, Zootopia, The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, Onward and Tenet.

That’s it. Eight movies out of 100. 

Two of them even let you see a person.

But in the IP Era, people are merely a liability. Movies seeking this modern kind of success—as many sequels, spin-offs and merchandise tie-ins as possible—only need humans in front of the camera when they function as an extension of IP. Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum were brought back for the latest Jurassic World cash-grab to excite us as embodied reminders of a better movie. They’re not actors anymore. They’re mascots. 

When you realize that that’s all AAA actors are being cast as, it becomes obvious why the biggest blockbusters have recently boiled down to ensembles standing around reskinned warehouses and parking lots. As Jake Ures writes, “when acting has been reduced to stewarding IP,” you don’t want people getting invested in the stars. Rather, “it’s better for investors if they function as empty vessels for stories much bigger than them, ones that can be endlessly iterated long after they’re out of the picture.”

...Performers have long feared being themselves turned into IP. Jet Li famously skipped out on The Matrix sequels so his moves wouldn’t be digitized in some Warner Bros. library, to be used to whatever future end by a company that no longer needed his martial artistry. This, by the way, is the plot of Space Jam: A New Legacy, as LeBron James attempts to avoid the same fate…threatened by the in-universe Warner Bros. Really, this idea is so normalized as to be the bad guy’s plan in a kid’s movie. Netflix is trying to own the rights to its actors’ simulated voices “by all technologies and processes now known or hereafter developed, throughout the universe and in perpetuity.” It’s not about creating something, it’s about owning something, forever.

And that’s the success model. Increasingly, it’s the only model. Because now we crave it, beaten into submission by the sheer onslaught of “Remember that?” requels, legacy sequels and reboots released since Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Star Trek and Star Wars: The Force Awakens helped establish the monoculture model of filmmaking. Audiences didn’t do this to pop culture. It was the corporate powers that invested in and encouraged their most ravenous demographic, turning “audiences” into “fandoms.” We’ve had slop shoveled onto our pop culture prison cafeteria trays for decades, and the prison-industrial multiplex expects us to give our compliments to the chef for another meal of empty-calorie Easter eggs.

[read more - jacob oller for paste magazine]

[marketmagnatize]

Top 10 Business Ideas That Will Make You Rich

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving world, entrepreneurship offers countless opportunities to build wealth. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a budding innovator, exploring the right business idea can lead to significant financial success. Here are ten business ideas that have the potential to make you rich.

1. E-commerce Store

E-commerce continues to thrive, with online shopping becoming the norm for consumers. Launching an e-commerce store that caters to a niche market can be incredibly profitable. By offering unique, high-quality products, and leveraging digital marketing strategies, you can reach a global audience. Subscription boxes, eco-friendly products, or personalized items are examples of niches with high demand.

2. Digital Marketing Agency

As businesses shift towards online operations, the demand for digital marketing services has skyrocketed. Starting a digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO, social media management, content marketing, or pay-per-click advertising can be highly lucrative. Success in this field requires staying updated with the latest trends and delivering measurable results to clients.

3. App Development

The mobile app industry is booming, with millions of apps available on various platforms. If you have a background in coding or can collaborate with skilled developers, creating innovative apps can lead to substantial profits. Whether it's a gaming app, a productivity tool, or a social networking platform, a successful app can generate revenue through in-app purchases, ads, or subscriptions.

4. Real Estate Investment

Real estate has long been a proven way to build wealth. Investing in rental properties, flipping houses, or even starting a real estate development company can yield high returns. The key is to research markets thoroughly, understand property values, and manage your investments wisely. In addition to traditional real estate, consider emerging trends like vacation rentals and co-living spaces.

5. Health and Wellness Products

The health and wellness industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by an increased focus on healthy living. Starting a business that offers health supplements, organic foods, fitness equipment, or wellness coaching can be very profitable. Consumers are willing to invest in products and services that promote a healthier lifestyle, making this sector a promising area for entrepreneurs.

6. Online Education and E-learning

The rise of remote work and online learning has created a massive demand for e-learning platforms and online courses. If you have expertise in a particular field, you can create and sell online courses, or develop a platform that connects educators with learners. This business model offers scalability and the potential for passive income, as courses can be sold repeatedly without additional production costs.

7. Renewable Energy Solutions

With the global push towards sustainability, businesses in the renewable energy sector are thriving. Starting a company that offers solar panel installation, energy-efficient appliances, or green building materials can be highly profitable. Governments and consumers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly solutions, making this an ideal time to enter the market.

8. Freelance Services Platform

The gig economy is expanding rapidly, with more people seeking freelance opportunities. Creating a platform that connects freelancers with clients in fields like graphic design, writing, programming, or virtual assistance can be a successful business venture. By charging a commission on transactions, you can build a profitable business while providing a valuable service.

9. Artificial Intelligence and Automation

AI and automation are transforming industries across the board. Starting a business that offers AI-driven solutions, such as chatbots, predictive analytics, or robotic process automation (RPA), can lead to significant wealth. Companies are eager to adopt AI technologies to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve customer experiences, making this a high-demand area.

10. Subscription Box Service

Subscription box services have gained immense popularity, offering consumers curated products delivered to their doorsteps regularly. From beauty products to gourmet foods, subscription boxes cater to a wide range of interests. Starting a subscription box business allows for recurring revenue and customer loyalty, provided you offer unique and valuable products.

For more such content visit on Tanishq website .

Conclusion

These ten business ideas represent some of the most promising opportunities for building wealth in today's economy. While each requires a different level of expertise, investment, and commitment, the potential rewards are substantial. Success in any of these ventures will depend on thorough market research, innovative thinking, and relentless execution. By choosing the right idea and dedicating yourself to its growth, you can achieve significant financial success and long-term wealth. Click here to open other post.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Erik Ortiz and Daniel Arkin at NBC News:

In recent years, The Epoch Times has amassed a large audience as a publisher of right-wing news articles and peddler of baseless election conspiracies. This summer, the conservative media company is hoping to conquer new territory: Hollywood.

Epoch Studios, a branch of the wider Epoch Times Association, plans to release “The Firing Squad,” a drama starring Kevin Sorbo and Cuba Gooding Jr. as drug smugglers who find God behind bars. “The Firing Squad” marks Epoch’s entry into the growing market of faith-based cinema, a genre that includes recent box-office successes such as “Sound of Freedom,” “Unsung Hero” and “Jesus Revolution.” The film’s Aug. 2 theatrical debut comes as other right-wing media companies are pushing into entertainment, releasing content that counters what conservatives view as Hollywood’s progressive and secular agenda. The creation of Epoch Studios has caught the attention of those who have closely watched the New York-based media company’s ascent from a fringe print newspaper startup formed in 2000 by followers of Falun Gong, a religious group persecuted in China, into a prominent conservative outlet with content amplifying Donald Trump’s conspiracies and right-wing messaging.

[...] In a news release announcing “The Firing Squad,” Epoch Studios described itself as a “platform for storytelling that fosters hope, healing, and growth.” The studio is overseen by executive director Sally Sun, who has supervised Epoch documentaries and streaming specials, some with religious themes, such as “Divine Messengers” and “Church & State.”  The Epoch Times Association did not respond to a request for comment on this article.

Tim Chey, who wrote and directed “The Firing Squad,” told NBC News he is grateful that Epoch Studios came aboard his passion project as a co-producer and distributor. “I’m a huge fan of Epoch Times. I absolutely love these guys,” Chey said in a recent interview. Chey’s film follows three Christians — played by actors Sorbo (TV’s “Hercules”), Gooding Jr. and James Barrington — who are set to be executed by firing squad in Indonesia. (Right-wing audiences may seek out the film in part because of Sorbo, a pro-Trump conservative activist who previously appeared in the Christian film “God’s Not Dead” and produces faith-based movies through his own production company.) “The Firing Squad” is inspired by actual events in the country in 2015, when eight people convicted of drug smuggling were put to death. One of them, an Australian national, became a Christian pastor while on death row and led the singing of Christian songs while the smugglers were being executed. (The Southeast Asian nation is known for its strict drug laws.)

[...] But whether Epoch Studios can attain the cultural prominence and commercial reach of other conservative and Christian-focused media companies remains to be seen. (“The Firing Squad” debuts in theaters the same weekend as the kid-friendly “Harold and the Purple Crayon” and a new psychological thriller from M. Night Shyamalan.) The Daily Wire, which was founded by conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro and film director Jeremy Boreing, launched its own movie and TV studio in 2021. Fox Nation, the entertainment unit of Fox News, runs a streaming service that hosts various reality shows and historical documentaries. Great American Pure Flix, a production company with a streaming service, features Christian-themed movies that have found mainstream success, including the “God’s Not Dead” series. Big corporate players have clearly seen a business opportunity, too. Sony Pictures owns the independent Christian studio Affirm Films, which has produced and distributed titles such as the Jennifer Garner vehicle “Miracles From Heaven” and last year’s “Big George Foreman.”

Right-wing propaganda outlet The Epoch Times has added a new market: faith-based films. The launch of Epoch Studios and their plan to release The Firing Squad in a similar manner to Sound Of Freedom.

[buyproductboxesau]

Revolutionizing Packaging: The Importance of Hemp Oil Boxes in the Market

As the wellness industry continues to expand, hemp oil has emerged as a popular product due to its numerous health benefits. This growth in demand has created a significant opportunity for brands to differentiate themselves through innovative packaging solutions. Hemp oil boxes play a crucial role in this endeavor, offering both practical and aesthetic benefits. Companies like Buy Product Boxes are leading the charge in providing high-quality, customized hemp oil packaging that meets the needs of both businesses and consumers. This article explores the importance of hemp oil boxes, current trends, and the innovative solutions offered by Buy Product Boxes.

The Significance of Hemp Oil Packaging

Hemp oil packaging is more than just a container; it serves several critical functions that contribute to the overall success of the product in the market. Here are some key reasons why hemp oil boxes are essential:

Protection and Preservation: Hemp oil boxes is sensitive to light, air, and temperature changes, which can affect its potency and shelf life. Proper packaging provides a barrier against these environmental factors, ensuring that the product remains effective and fresh for longer periods.

Brand Identity and Recognition: Customized packaging allows brands to showcase their unique identity. By incorporating brand colors, logos, and designs, hemp oil boxes can make products instantly recognizable and memorable to consumers.

Consumer Trust and Compliance: High-quality packaging conveys professionalism and reliability, which are crucial in the health and wellness industry. Moreover, compliant packaging that includes necessary information such as dosage instructions, ingredients, and certifications helps build consumer trust and ensures adherence to regulations.

Sustainability: As consumers become more eco-conscious, sustainable packaging options are increasingly important. Hemp oil boxes made from recyclable or biodegradable materials appeal to environmentally aware customers and reflect a brand’s commitment to sustainability.

Functionality and Convenience: Packaging that is easy to open, reseal, and store enhances the user experience. Functional features such as dropper inserts, child-resistant closures, and tamper-evident seals are particularly important for hemp oil products.

Trends in Hemp Oil Packaging

Several trends are shaping the landscape of hemp oil packaging. These trends reflect both consumer preferences and advancements in packaging technology.

1. Eco-Friendly Materials

Sustainability is a major trend in the packaging industry. Consumers are increasingly seeking products that minimize environmental impact. Hemp oil boxes made from eco-friendly materials, such as recycled paper, biodegradable plastics, and sustainable inks, are gaining popularity. Buy Product Boxes offers a range of sustainable packaging options that help brands reduce their carbon footprint and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

2. Minimalist Design

The trend towards minimalist design is prominent in the hemp oil market. Clean, simple, and elegant packaging designs convey a sense of purity and quality. This approach often involves the use of natural colors, straightforward typography, and minimal graphics, which align well with the health-focused nature of hemp oil products.

3. Customization and Personalization

Customization allows brands to create unique packaging that stands out on the shelves. Personalized packaging, which can include custom shapes, sizes, and designs, helps brands differentiate themselves from competitors. Advances in digital printing technology have made it easier and more cost-effective to produce customized packaging, even for smaller batches.

4. Smart Packaging

The integration of smart technology into packaging is an emerging trend. Features such as QR codes, NFC tags, and augmented reality can provide consumers with additional information about the product, enhance the user experience, and offer interactive elements. Smart packaging not only adds value to the product but also helps brands engage with their customers in innovative ways.

5. Functional Features

Functionality is key to consumer satisfaction. Hemp oil packaging with practical features such as child-resistant caps, tamper-evident seals, and easy-to-use dropper inserts enhances the user experience. These features are particularly important for ensuring the safety and convenience of the product.

Buy Product Boxes: Leading the Way in Hemp Oil Packaging

Buy Product Boxes has established itself as a leader in the customized packaging industry, offering a wide array of solutions tailored to the needs of hemp oil brands. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability makes them a preferred partner for businesses looking to elevate their packaging.

Innovative Design Solutions

Buy Product Boxes provides a comprehensive range of design options, allowing brands to create packaging that perfectly aligns with their identity. Whether it’s through vibrant colors, unique shapes, or interactive elements, their design team collaborates closely with clients to bring their vision to life. This collaborative approach ensures that the final product not only looks great but also resonates with the target audience.

Advanced Printing Technology

Leveraging the latest in printing technology, Buy Product Boxes offers high-quality, precise, and vibrant printing options. This capability is crucial for creating detailed and eye-catching designs that stand out on the shelves. Their digital printing technology supports short runs and rapid prototyping, allowing brands to test new designs quickly and cost-effectively.

Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Sustainability is a core focus for Buy Product Boxes. They offer a variety of eco-friendly materials, including recycled paper, biodegradable plastics, and compostable films. Additionally, they are committed to minimizing waste in their production processes and ensuring that their packaging solutions are as environmentally friendly as possible.

Customization at Scale

One of the standout features of Buy Product Boxes is their ability to deliver customized packaging at scale. Whether a brand needs a few hundred units or several million, Buy Product Boxes can accommodate their needs without compromising on quality or turnaround time. This scalability is particularly beneficial for growing brands that need to quickly adapt to changing market demands.

Exceptional Customer Service

Buy Product Boxes prides itself on providing exceptional customer service. From the initial consultation to the final delivery, their team is dedicated to ensuring a seamless and satisfactory experience for their clients. This commitment to service is reflected in their high customer retention rates and positive testimonials.

The Future of Hemp Oil Packaging

As the hemp oil market continues to grow, the role of packaging will become increasingly important. Here are some predictions for the future of hemp oil packaging:

Increased Personalization

The demand for personalized experiences will drive further advancements in customization technology. We can expect to see more sophisticated and affordable options for creating individualized packaging, including mass personalization capabilities that allow for unique designs on a large scale.

Greater Emphasis on Sustainability

Sustainability will remain a critical focus, with continued innovation in eco-friendly materials and processes. Brands will seek out packaging solutions that not only meet but exceed environmental standards, and companies like Buy Product Boxes will play a crucial role in developing these solutions.

Enhanced Consumer Interaction

Interactive packaging will become more prevalent, with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) features providing immersive and engaging experiences. These technologies will offer new ways for brands to connect with consumers, providing added value beyond the product itself.

Integration of Smart Technologies

Smart packaging will become more integrated, offering features such as freshness indicators, temperature controls, and real-time tracking. These advancements will improve product safety and quality, while also providing valuable data for both consumers and brands.

Evolution of Design Aesthetics

Design trends will continue to evolve, with a focus on simplicity, functionality, and authenticity. Brands will seek to create packaging that not only looks good but also tells a story and reflects their values. Minimalist designs, coupled with high-quality materials and finishes, will remain popular.

Conclusion

Hemp oil box packaging is a vital component of product success, offering protection, branding, compliance, and sustainability. Companies like Buy Product Boxes are leading the way in providing innovative, high-quality, and customized packaging solutions that meet the diverse needs of the market. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, the importance of hemp oil boxes will only grow, offering exciting opportunities for brands to connect with their audience in meaningful and memorable ways.

By investing in high-quality, customized hemp oil packaging, brands can enhance their identity, improve consumer satisfaction, and ultimately drive business success. The future of hemp oil packaging is bright, and with the right partner, the possibilities are endless.

[thegrowthboxchd]

Unveiling the Best Social Media Marketing Company in Chandigarh: The Growth Box

In the digital age, where businesses thrive or wither based on their online presence, the role of social media marketing cannot be overstated. For businesses in Chandigarh seeking to make their mark in the digital realm, choosing the right partner to navigate the intricacies of social media marketing is paramount. Enter The Growth Box – the beacon of excellence in the realm of the best social media marketing company in Chandigarh.

Why The Growth Box?

At the heart of every successful social media campaign lies a strategic approach, creative execution, and relentless dedication to achieving results. The Growth Box embodies these qualities, setting itself apart as the premier choice for businesses seeking to harness the power of social media to propel their growth.

Strategic Excellence

The Growth Box doesn't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, they meticulously craft tailor-made strategies designed to resonate with each client's unique audience and objectives. Whether it's increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or generating leads, their team of experts devises strategies that deliver measurable results.

Creative Ingenuity

In a crowded digital landscape, creativity is the currency that captures attention and fosters engagement. The Growth Box boasts a team of creative minds adept at crafting compelling content that captivates audiences across various social media platforms. From eye-catching visuals to thought-provoking copy, every piece of content is meticulously curated to leave a lasting impression.

Result-Driven Approach

For The Growth Box, success is not merely about vanity metrics but tangible outcomes that impact the bottom line. Through meticulous tracking, analysis, and optimization, they ensure that every campaign delivers maximum ROI. Whether it's increasing conversion rates, boosting sales, or enhancing brand loyalty, The Growth Box leaves no stone unturned in driving meaningful results for their clients.

Comprehensive Services

As a full-fledged digital marketing agency, The Growth Box offers a comprehensive suite of services beyond the best social media marketing company in Chandigarh. From search engine optimization (SEO) to pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, they provide end-to-end solutions to meet every digital marketing need under one roof. This holistic approach ensures seamless integration and synergy across all facets of a client's digital presence.

Client-Centric Approach

What truly sets The Growth Box apart is its unwavering commitment to client satisfaction. They don't just see themselves as service providers but as strategic partners invested in the success of their clients. From initial consultation to ongoing support, they prioritize communication, transparency, and collaboration every step of the way, ensuring that clients feel empowered and informed throughout the journey.

Conclusion

In the bustling city of Chandigarh, where businesses vie for attention in the digital arena, The Growth Box stands out as a beacon of excellence. With its strategic acumen, creative prowess, result-driven approach, and client-centric ethos, it has earned its reputation as the best social media marketing company and digital marketing agency in Chandigarh. For businesses aspiring to elevate their digital presence and achieve unparalleled growth, partnering with The Growth Box is not just a choice but a strategic imperative.

Visit The Growth Box today and unlock the full potential of your brand in the digital realm.

[georgiosvar]

Good Friction

The ideas around responsible AI development and using "good friction" points really hit home for me based on my journey founding and leading a startup that built AI tools for content creators and marketers.

When I first conceived of the company, the driving vision was to reduce as much friction as possible in the creative process through automation and AI assistance. The implicit bias was that minimizing any human involvement would supercharge productivity and efficiency for our users. However, as we developed more advanced AI capabilities like automated content generation, semantic language models, and predictive personalization, we continually had to grapple with deeper ethical ramifications.

Early on, some investors pushed us to pursue automated content generation unencumbered, viewing it as a way to massively scale with minimal human effort. But I recognized that unchecked, this raised serious issues around plagiarism, amplification of societal biases, and potentially deceptive practices that could erode trust with audiences. So we made the deliberate choice to insert "good friction" human oversight and review checkpoints into the process, even if it made us less capital efficient.

On the personalization front, while the prospect of seamlessly tailoring content experiences through AI seemed powerful, I was wary of the filter bubble and user disempowerment risks of inscrutable "black box" algorithms. We invested heavily in developing explainable AI interfaces to provide transparency into why certain content was being recommended or prioritized. This good friction helped preserve user agency while still realizing personalization benefits.

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges I faced was the tension between short-term growth incentives that favored frictionless, addictive AI-powered user experiences versus upholding ethical guardrails that acknowledged human autonomy limitations. Ultimately, I had to walk away from investors that were unwilling to accept good friction safeguards as a non-negotiable for long-term responsible innovation.

My personal journey founding the startup only reinforced how critical it is to be judicious about inserting the "right" friction into AI-driven systems through practices like human oversight, transparency, and user control. While sometimes costing efficiency in the short run, these good friction principles are essential for building trustworthy, human-centric AI products and experiences that stand the test of time.

#MITSloanBranding2024B

[thedsgnblog]

Call for Entries to A’ Design Award & Competition

A’ Design Award & Competition is the world’s leading international annual juried competition for design. The A’ Design Accolades are organized in a wide range of creative fields to highlight the very best designers from all countries in all disciplines. The ultimate aim of the A’ Design Awards is to push designers, companies and brands worldwide to create superior products and projects that benefit the society. The A’ Design Competition aims to create incentives that ignite and reward creativity, original ideas and concept generation in all industrial sectors.

Every year, projects that focus on innovation, technology, design and creativity are awarded with the A’ Design Award. Deadline for submission is February 28 and results will be announced on May 1st. Designers worldwide are called to take part in the accolades by entering their best works, projects and products designed in the last 10 years.

A'Design Award is a great opportunity for designers to have a jump in their careers as the A' Design Award offers winners extensive marketing services to make use of the success of winning the award. The winning designs are also exhibited in Italy through the temporary MOOD: Museum of Design. Winners of the Award will have extensive press appearances, press release preparation and distribution.

There are over hundred design award participation categories such as Good Industrial Design Award,  Good Architecture Design Award, Good Product Design Award, Good Communication Design Award, Good Service Design Award, and Good Fashion Design Award.

Entries will be judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals and media members. Further design award categories are available on this link.

Enter Your Designs today to The A’ Design Competition: Enroll Your Best Design Project.

Memory Growth Lounge Chair by Yunyun Chen

Popsitable Table by Daniel Huang, Eric Chang and Johnny Hu

Revolving Especie Armchair by Zanini de ZanineHome 

The Treasure of Zbojniks Label by Sasha Sharavarau

Shengming Shijia Tea Gift Box by Hangzhou Xianlin Tea Co., Ltd.

Tokaj Gin Label Packaging Design by Dora Haller

Lamay Island's Souvenir Series Brand Packaging Design by Chia-Hui Lien and Jen-Wei Huang

Treasure Box Chocolate Snack Combo Packaging by Mutian Yu

Fly Modular System by Linda Martins

Yin Flower Tea Packaging by Zhen Yang, Chunwang Yang and Jialu Yang

Learn more about the competition and apply today!

[richardsphere]

Leverage Log:The Toy Job

And now for the series original run's second-to-last episode. Title-based prediction: Corporate Mandated Christmas special and/or beanie baby speculative market based episode. --- Amateur thief tries to steal from a research department. (company name seems to be poggio, which, im fairly certain based on the shows original runyears is a reference to the OG POG's. Not the later return of POG as a slang term.)

Christmas tree in the brewpub cause it is the christmas episode. Toy is a choking hazard, cant be allowed to get on the market.

mark is a former armsdealer (also his name is "hazlit" which I think is meant to be a sound-alike to HAS-bro). This means he knows how to set up competent security. The raports are on a drive thast in a safe in a double-walled room, and its a safe good enough that Parker says drill it rather then going for a finger-feel. (we need a distraction, and we need it loud enough to overcrowd the sound of a drill)

--- they're arguing christmas gift protocols. (must be hard deciding a reasonable limit when you're all billionaires). Sophie suggests limiting the spending budget, and Nate negotiates her down to $50 per person. (which probably means, per person per gift, everyone gifting everyone 1 gift. So $200 total) which would be more likely to work if you werent all thieves. Like we all understand the punchline here... None of you are gonna spend a cent on each others gifts.(and im shocked as hell that Hardison spent money on that motorcycle for Parker.) --- He forged the paperwork, but its nice to see an episode where we acknowledge that most of the times (off screen) their jobs end up with a simple "Parker gets in, gets out and the billionare cries in prison". Its kind of like the Anthropic principle. "the only realities humans can observe are those whose fundamental principles allow for observation by humans" also known in media as "Johny bravo gets laid all the time, those stories just dont make good episodes". But its always nice to have a show allude to the "boring" adventures that are its shows day-to-day. --- "we're gonna steal christmass" boo Chaos already pulled that line in season 3! --- Nate does not like the "whirly-glee-glee" as a name. And we're about to steal toys from children in underdeveloped countries.

Parker sees the whirly box, and a box labeled "Baby Joy Rage" and makes an executive decision. (i think she's right, kids need a toy with at least some edge or personality to get truly hyped about)

--- Sophie's on the radar, Hardison did some stats on neighbourhoods that have historic trend-setter influencer potential. Elliot is giving the dolls away for free (ultimate move in loss-leader strategies) Sophie puts it in the bag of a child-star, Hardison does a paparazzi photo, and I absolutely hate how simple yet plausible this entire endeavour is. --- Sophie's actors are being brought in to call-center mode. (I like Zachary) Cant con a 6 year old, but you can con the parents. (love the little joke about "get on the mommies")

Nate hates "baby feels a lot" more then he ever hated Whirly-glee-glee. He's also the episodes obligatory "christmas sceptic".

Hardison sees a picture of a bloggermom and is suddenly a lot more interested in operation "get on the moms". Like Elliot suddenly has a Sophie level of depth for his con-character prepared.

Dead mom, single father, slighlty outdated sense of childrens gender identity but clearly demonstrated potential for growth. Man Elliots Dad-sona is just putting on the schmaltz. --- Elliot trying to keep Hardisons stories realistic, Nate stuck between the two. Back to Sophie and this Gil is signing this deal memo without looking at it. He's too busy socialising to actually watch what he's signing. Around Sophie you might as welll be signing your own death-warrant. --- Oh most of the data is in online pre-sales nowadays? Reservations on the internet, that a hacker with a botnet could rig? Like taking candy from a baby. --- Sophie makes VP at Poggio Parker gloating about her executive decision. Fake a gas-warning to clear out the factory for Nate --- Nate putting a final stretch on the sale of the trojan horse make the mark feel FOMO. Sophie is absolutely repulsed by this man (unfortunately he does not feel mutual) --- Oh the mark has counterplayed them by making a knock-off product. Well this guy just went full on Narcissus --- Oh, thats funny. Not only does this Gil guy who owns the shelves not watch what he's signing, Look who also doesnt pay attention to that stuff. --- Client gets a new job, Nate owns a boat? (i mean its not a shock that he owns a boat, its not out of character just dont think it was ever properly established, i've never seen him on a boat and the only time he was near a boat was saying goodbye to his father in the Three Card Monte job).

Introducing the character who's spent the last season ominously leering at retirement as a boat-owner in the second to last episode feels like maybe he wont die, in that it introduces a prospect of retirement as a thing he's thought about. But also it introduces "one day to retirement" as well so i dont actually know if his survival chances went up or down just now. But the reminder of Sam's sickness itself (a sickness that is still ominously vague, nameless and nebulous) in the second-to-last episode... I know i was wrong when i said it seasons ago, but is Nate dying? Also peaking at the name of the next episode... (long goodbye), yeah thats ominous. Im gonna say, next episode features a health scare, Him and Sophie retire for his health and he passes the torch. (to the 3 collectively in general, Parker in specific) and I think he will die between series and sequel but not in the finale itself. His death between the series and sequel puts Sophie back in the game, which then opens up space for the "lawyer" to slot into the sequel series without bloating the cast to a rather unwieldy 6. --- Good episode and unintrusive as holiday specials are concerned.

[yellobb]

Okay, genuinely irritated by companies marketing a product that’s the same size and cost as the old product, but you get so much less.

My mom’s gotten my siblings and I a Russell Stovers chocolate box for Valentine’s Day every year since I can remember. Now, the past three years I didn’t get one since it was too hard to get to me at school, so I don’t know when the change occurred, but this is what I opened:

(Sorry for the photo quality, I didn’t get a picture before I ate one lol)

Now, I thought I was going insane. I don’t know if y’all have ever gotten these things pre-2020, but I could have sworn that the boxes this size had way more chocolate in them. Plus, I know for a fact that this doesn’t have all the old flavors.

So I looked up pictures of Russell Stovers chocolate boxes and found this:

I know it might not look it, but that box is the same size and cost as the one they sell now, but look how much different the amount of chocolate is!

Now, this isn’t me complaining about the gift, this is very much a complaint against companies that do this shit. It’s becoming more and more common for companies to just reduce the amount of product and sell it at the same price (known as shrinkflation), and it’s so frustrating because they fully get away with it. I looked this specific case up and found one article about it, nothing else.

This is relatively minor in isolation, but it is something endemic of capitalism that I think a lot of people are just complacent in. What’s keeping companies like this one (who might I add, is a well-known company, not just some bargain brand) from filling their packaging with empty space? It’s more profitable that way, after all, and you can’t tell how much is in there until you actually buy the thing since it’s wrapped.

Our current system motivates companies to quite literally rip people off, and it’s not stopping at little things like this. They’ll continue to price gouge and shrink the actual product because those are the only ways to continue growing, and capitalism demands growth.

Anyway, I know this specific instance is just a minor convenience and definitely not the end of the world, but it is a good opportunity for a PSA: fuck capitalism