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Apple Pay, NFC services face competitors that could disrupt payment processing
Bill Becken RetailApple reached a milestone recently when it became the world’s first trillion-dollar company. It helped that, during its more than 40-year history, it has introduced some incredible innovations and products, most cannily directed at and designed for the end user. But a somewhat recent one, Apple Pay, also took aim at the retail and commercial markets, this time through mobile phone payments. There is no doubt mobile payments will continue to find more users in a retail context. But despite all the innovation in this area, smartphone payments, it seems, remain in their infancy.
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Workplace design: Where play gets serious
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesBy now, the notion of designing playful workspaces or spaces at work for play is no longer novel. Some of the world’s top companies are renowned for providing playful environments for their workers and have testified to the many ways they benefit the company by enhancing employee satisfaction and encouraging creativity and camaraderie. But, as recent research shows, there is also a serious side to play at work that is embedded in these designs, tying them closely to the bottom line.
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Use positive persuasion to meet your organization’s goals
Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWhen trying to land a new client, close a sale, or win approval for a new project, selling your idea factually is, of course, your first priority. Yet, you also know it's crucial never to lose focus of the human element of connection — finding just the right way to convince the person in front of you that doing business with you will be beneficial, and will be a pleasure as well. This is where mastering the skill of positive persuasion comes in.
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Set your sights on USDA Centers of Excellence bids for Q4 and beyond
Lisa Pafe Civil & GovernmentIn December, the White House announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would serve as the first of GSA’s Center of Excellence (CoE) for IT Modernization. USDA is at the forefront for implementing the Trump administration’s IT Modernization Plan with a series of acquisitions covering multiple skill sets, technology stacks, and application portfolios. USDA plans to make an award by the end of Q4 FY 2018.
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What consumers want from you now more than ever
Emma Fitzpatrick MarketingOpenness, honesty, clarity and authenticity are all traits you’d want in a friend. But if you can even believe it, research shows that those are the terms that people want the most from businesses. Most Americans (86 percent) say transparency from companies is more important to them than ever before, according to 2018 Sprout Social research. After all, consumers talk with companies in a more personal and consistent way on social media — and share a wealth of personal data.
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Associations adapt for relevance
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementOne of the most compelling books for association change is "Race for Relevance: 5 Radical Changes for Associations." Though everyday adaptations are not always "radical," boards might focus less on their past and more on the future. Association vital signs may be membership market share and retention rate. More important indicators are impact and outcomes. In a recent meeting of association executives, they shared how they are adapting.
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Why every leader should apply for a job with their company
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementI’m always telling my clients to apply for a job with their company to see what the candidate experience is really like. I took my own advice recently and applied for a job on behalf of my client. When my client found out how many jobs candidates were getting recommended for after applying on job board sites, he was horrified. But at least he uncovered this and took steps to rectify the situation. Do you even have a clue how effective your recruitment strategy really is?
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How to best support an employee on sick leave
Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIf you have a staff member who's dealing with an unexpected major illness or must take time away from work to deal with treatment for a chronic condition, you can only imagine how difficult their absence must be to deal with. From worrying about falling behind on their work, to dealing with unsympathetic peers who have to pick up their responsibilities, a worker on sick leave will often imagine the worst — but you, as his/her supervisor, can do a lot to relieve this stress.
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What does your email signature say about you?
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementRegardless of the size, recipient or intent of the message, email signature blocks are little snippets of information we send out hundreds of times per week to repeat and new receivers. They are advertisements that reflect our professionalism, personality and focus. More than just a way to get in touch, these few lines of text can be valuable messaging tools when used properly. What does your email signature say about you?
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New ways to meet all of your daily work goals
Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementImagine looking down tonight at your to-do list — and seeing every single item has been checked off. It's not a dream — starting today, you can accomplish each daily work goal you set for yourself with accuracy and ease, all by employing some excellent research-tested tips. Try these simple and surprising tricks.
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