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The positive spiral of operationalizing curiosity
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWhy can’t we? This is a natural first question along the path of becoming a curious company. Once we start asking, we inevitably start answering. When those efforts are positively reinforced by beneficial results, we start incorporating inquiry into our approach. Then, when we get comfortable enough asking questions as part of the routine, we begin to realize we can ask better questions in a better way. Here are a few ways to incorporate curiosity into our approach and the potential impact it can create.
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Exploring the local tourism trend
Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementEvery year, we usually plan a big trip during the holidays. It’s always to somewhere exotic, different and fun. It’s the same with many people. The wanderlust in our population is strong, and travel numbers prove that every year. Yet, trends like staycations and local tourism are on the rise. They caught my eye as I was Googling for things to do in and around town, since we are staying home with our new puppy. But why should a staycation be boring? Many people have had the same thoughts, and there are companies and websites dedicated to making local tourism a great experience.
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Dream big: 4 ways AI, VR, and AR can enhance your marketing
Emma Fitzpatrick MarketingA few years ago, having an Amazon Echo or Google Home was a novelty. In early 2017, only 7 percent of U.S. households had them, according to 2017 Gartner and Inside Radio research. By March 2018, that number skyrocketed, according to Voicebot.ai research, and 20 percent of U.S. adults had a smart speaker in their home. In just two years, Gartner predicts 75 percent of households will have one. That adoption and the embrace of smart speakers’ artificial intelligence (AI) will soon come to marketing and business as well.
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The impact employees have on your business
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe other day, we took a friend for drinks and appetizers at a restaurant called Stephanie’s on Newbury Street in Boston. In the middle of taking our order, our waitress said, "Excuse me," and dashed away to retrieve an empty glass of water from a patron. We sat there in disbelief. I compare this to my recent experience at the Capital Grill in Providence, Rhode Island.
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The future of grocery shopping
Connie Ulman RetailThe future of grocery shopping has arrived. Technology has come a long way, and now many grocery chains and some e-retailers are blazing the path to a futuristic way of grocery shopping. In this article, we take a look at the grocery pickup and delivery services offered by Kroger, Amazon, H-E-B, Walmart, Hello Fresh and Schwan's.
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What you need to know about Instagram’s newest shopping options
Emma Fitzpatrick MarketingInstagram is the ultimate inspiration board. People use it to collect places they want to go, people they wish they could meet and products they hope to buy. In fact, Instagram is the social network that people say influences their purchases the most, according to a 2017 Dana Rebecca Designs survey. The latest research, which was just released by Facebook, details exactly what people are buying and what their shopping journey looks like. Conveniently, this research debuted a day after Instagram rolled out new shopping features. Read on to learn how your business can take hold of this trend.
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Vending machines poised to take retail to a new dimension
Katherine Radin RetailAs long-standing merchants such as Sears and Toys R Us shutter, retailers continue to feel the pressure to perform "in person." When we discussed this topic more than a year ago, commercial landlords were turning to restaurants and food markets to help fill the void. Now, it seems that a more technological approach could be seen in the future — with the use of vending machines. A beloved vendor of chips, chocolate bars, and carbonated beverages, the humble vending machine has dished out a more diverse lineup of products for sale over the years, from makeup, to books, to electronics.
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McDonald’s workers strike against sexual harassment in several major…
Michelle R. Matisons Food & BeverageA lot has changed in labor organizing as the Fight for $15 campaign, which seeks to raise the minimum wage, and the #MeToo movement addressing workplace sexual harassment recently merged to target workplace sexual harassment against McDonald’s workers. On Sept. 19, McDonald’s workers in 10 cities — including Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Orlando, Durham, and Kansas City — hit the streets demanding better sexual harassment training programs, a better employee complaint process, and a sexual harassment complaint committee.
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Why your business should embrace the Christmas creep
Emma Fitzpatrick MarketingNow that summer’s over, it’s time to start dreaming of what the rest of the year holds. For most people, that means thinking about the holidays. After all, Christmas is only about 100 days away! However, some people simply can’t wait that long! More than 10 percent of internet shoppers surveyed by eMarketer said they start their holiday shopping before September. While it’s easy to write them off as enthusiasts, you may be surprised that nearly half of those shopping on the internet (40 percent) start purchasing before November.
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How can AI help market your small business?
Mashaal Ryan MarketingAI is more than just a techy buzzword now, it’s a reality that is helping change lives and businesses for the better. So, is it worth it to start using AI technology at your small business? The answer is a resounding yes! You can improve several components of your small business and brand using artificial intelligence. For example, AI can currently help your campaigns, content generation, search engine optimization and customer analyses.
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