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Can exceptional customer service be delivered through email?
Jessica Taylor CommunicationsCustomer service is not about face-to-face communication anymore — we've gone digital. There's no doubt consumers enjoy communicating through technology. The term "customer service" usually describes individuals who are in a support role in their company, but I'm here to tell you otherwise. Unless you don't communicate with anyone during your day-to-day work life, then you're in a customer service role.
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Prime time to shop? Amazon makes second run at annual deal day
Julie Bernhard RetailBeen waiting all year long for that 55 gallon vat of lube to go on sale again? Nail clippers for a giant dog? Beard growther? Save the date and clear the garage, the anticipation is over — Amazon Prime Day is back for another round July 12 with what they promise to be the Black Friday event of the summer.
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Metals Thoughts: Brexit stage left
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesThe surprise from the Brexit "leave" victory last week is abating a bit, and markets seemed to have settled. However, we — like the Brits — still have plenty to sort out. The most damaging thing about the surprise was how certain everyone was that "Bremain" would carry the day.
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Metals Thoughts: No more bets
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesThe table is basically set for Brexit results (late Thursday night), and we have Janet Yellen's two-day testimony to keep us busy until then. Yesterday's trading had the definite feeling of "wait and see" that we often get before much anticipated events, so it is interesting to see us breaking through the $1,280 support and stops level here.
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Facebook’s organic reach declined 42 percent. How do you fix it?
Emma Fitzpatrick MarketingIf you feel like your Facebook posts haven’t been reaching as many eyes as they used to, well, you’re right. A new study confirmed what many businesses suspected. After analyzing over 3,000 Facebook pages, researchers found the organic reach of posts dropped 42 percent. As such, brands are having an increasingly difficult time connecting with their customers on Facebook. Many are starting to depend on promoted posts or social ads to amplify their message.
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Grocery delivery startups are the new food sector leaders
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageThe Nielsen Global E-Commerce and The New Retail Report April 2015 said that a quarter of the global consumers (survey respondents) are already ordering grocery online and over 55 percent are willing to use it in the future. This is, what the experts are calling, the age of the digital milkman. Just a year ago, experts predicted that the online grocery delivery market would see explosive growth, and it has. Major players, like Google, Amazon and Walmart, along with the new favorite Instacart, have all expanded their same-day delivery services with additional operational infrastructure.
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Beef up benefits to retain employees
Lloyd Princeton Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementUnemployment has dropped, salaries are creeping upward and, despite an uncertain construction forecast, firms are hiring to meet current demand. As competition for talent at all levels increases, employers can expect higher and faster rates of employee turnover. Now is the time to take steps to hold onto the employees you have, and one of the key ways to do that is through the benefits you offer.
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Differentiate yourself from the competition
Kelly Sharp Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementRecently, I had my very first experience with a ride-sharing app. All I had to do was download the app to my phone and register for services. Within minutes, the driver, who was personable and timely, arrived at my location and took me to my destination. Now, when I say ride-sharing app, did you automatically assume Uber? Well, that's why differentiation is important between businesses.
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Finding freedom as a project manager: Aligning your work with your core…
Michelle LaBrosse Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAfter studying systems dynamics modeling for three decades and from first-hand experience, I’ve realized when you establish several key core values, you can create an entire self-replicating system for your organization. Identifying those core values that drive your own leadership style as a project manager will help you thrive through times of change in your organization, and, most importantly, will give you enormous freedom to develop into the unique style of leader you want to be.
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Is the honeymoon over with smart homes?
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsHailed as the technology of the future, smart devices connected through an Internet of Things and controlled via apps on a smartphone or tablet were going to revolutionize the way we live. Or so we have been led to believe. At present, the future looks less rosy. In recent months, consumers have become somewhat disenchanted with smart devices and are shying away from the smart home scenario. The industry has a ways to go to win consumers' confidence.
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