If you’re seeking ways to turn your shop into a buzzing hotspot, BrandON might just have the recipe for success.

In today’s fast-paced retail landscape, simply having great products isn’t enough to attract customers. With the constant barrage of choices and digital distractions, consumers are looking for something more. Many retailers, in a bid to increase foot traffic, turn to aggressive promotions, sales and discounts. While these tactics may drive short-term sales boosts, they might also harm the long-term value and perception of a brand.

The challenge for retailers is clear: how can they capture customer interest and boost traffic without compromising their brand’s integrity? To succeed in the modern marketplace, retailers must look beyond the usual discounting strategies and find new ways to captivate and engage customers that resonate with their brand’s core values.

This is where The BrandON App, a mobile-first solution for retailers in Hong Kong, steps in. BrandON helps stores create compelling in-store experiences and run effective promotions that drive foot traffic while preserving and even enhancing overall brand integrity.

The retailer’s dilemma: Balancing promotion and branding

For many retailers, branding and promotion are essential but often conflicting elements of their marketing strategy. Branding is all about building a strong, consistent identity that reflects a company’s values, mission and long-term vision—something that takes time and careful effort to cultivate. This identity is reflected through a brand’s name, logo, colors, aesthetics and slogan, etc. On the other hand, promotions tend to focus on driving immediate sales through discounts or campaigns, which can sometimes undercut the long-term value you’ve worked so hard to build.

This tension can pull the business in opposite directions. Retailers may feel pressured to run aggressive promotions, especially when faced with excess inventory or the need to hit sales targets. Although these promotions can boost revenue in the short term, they often come at the expense of the brand’s long-term image. This is especially true for premium or luxury brands, where frequent discounts can dilute their perceived value, making customers question the exclusivity and quality of the products.

What does BrandON bring to the table?

BrandON has a solution to help retailers navigate the fine line between promotions and branding. More than just a promotional tool, it integrates promotions into the brand’s narrative and thus transforms sales into brand-enhancing experiences. With BrandON, retailers don’t have to rely on deep discounts that might cheapen their brand’s image. Instead, they can design meaningful, engaging promotions that support their long-term branding goals.

At the core of BrandON’s platform is the idea of turning sales promotions into events that align with the brand’s identity. Its unique Promotion Cards allow retailers to craft campaigns that seamlessly integrate into their broader brand narrative. 

On BrandON’s app, customers not only receive detailed information about the event, but they can also check in, earn loyalty points and share the experience with friends. This approach creates a sense of community and excitement around the brand, moving beyond the transactional nature of discounts and fostering deeper customer loyalty.

BrandON also offers comprehensive tools that help retailers manage their entire promotional strategy without losing sight of their brands’ values. Alongside Promotion Cards, BrandON offers features like:

• Brand Campaign Pages, which act as a hub for all promotions, events and branding initiatives.
• Maps can guide customers right to your stores or events, enhancing their shopping journey.
• Rewards Systems encourage repeat visits and increase engagement through loyalty points.
• Campaign Reports provide detailed insights into your campaign’s performance, including metrics like impressions, clicks and store visits. These reports give retailers clear visibility into how their campaigns are performing, allowing them to refine strategies while ensuring alignment with their branding objectives.

With over 10,000 downloads and 1,000 new users each month, BrandON is steadily building a community of engaged shoppers eager to discover promotions and experiences. Its flexible pricing plans cater to businesses of all sizes, making it a scalable solution for retailers looking to boost foot traffic, increase in-store sales and build lasting customer relationships—all while keeping your brand’s integrity intact.

Navigating the future of retail

As retail continues to evolve, the future will likely blur the line between digital and physical shopping spaces. Retailers must strive to meet the heightened expectations of customers by offering more personalized, convenient and immersive shopping experiences. By moving past traditional promotions and embracing the integration of digital and physical realms, they can drive engagement, loyalty and sales.

The future of retail belongs to those who can offer more than just products—it belongs to those who can forge lasting connections with their customers. With tools like BrandON, retailers are well-equipped to adapt and flourish in this dynamic landscape, ensuring they not only meet but exceed customer expectations.

Also read:

• Top 8 E-Commerce Trends of 2024 that Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know
• 6 Reasons Why Newsletters Are Essential to Your Digital Marketing Success in 2024
• How Do Stores Get You to Spend More Money?

Header Image by BrandON

The post Retail Reimagined: How BrandON is Turning Stores Into Destinations appeared first on Jumpstart Magazine.

Price-conscious consumers spent big during the five-day event. Which companies fared best?

The much-awaited Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday (BFCM) event, which spanned from November 23 to November 27, has passed. The result is remarkable, to say the least. In the U.S., the event set a new record, with over 200 million people hitting stores and scouring websites for deals from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. As per Adobe Analytics, American consumers shelled out an impressive US$9.8 billion on Black Friday this year, marking a 7.5% increase from 2022. Cyber Monday outpaced this figure, with U.S. e-commerce spending soaring to US$12.4 billion, a 9.6% surge from the previous year.

A key factor that made this year’s BFCM sales event stand out was people’s savings—or more accurately, the lack thereof. During the pandemic, Black Friday received a lukewarm response because people, buoyed by pent-up savings, spent money throughout the year without waiting for special occasions like Black Friday. However, this year, many consumers saw a dip in their savings. People around the world, battling the consequences of inflation and the need to cut costs wherever possible, heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing discounts.

This Black Friday was great for businesses and entrepreneurs, too, with many making their first sale and others witnessing their record sales, making this Black Friday one for the books. Here, we look at how different e-commerce giants fared and the new trends that emerged during this landmark shopping event.

Amazon’s unprecedented success

This one might be a no-brainer, but e-commerce titan Amazon won big during BFCM 2023, achieving its largest Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales since its inception. Though Amazon didn’t disclose specific financials, it reported that electronics and skincare items were its top sellers. Overall, consumers bought over a billion items on Amazon and allegedly saved 70% more than they did last year. A contributing factor to Amazon’s success during this year’s BFCM sales could be the extension of the sales event to 11 days, beyond the typical five days in other stores.  

Here’s an encouraging statistic for startups and small businesses: Amazon reported more than 500 million items were ordered from independent sellers, most of which are small and medium-sized businesses.

Amazon dubbed Cyber Monday its “Super Bowl”, a testament to the scale and significance of the event for the company. To prepare for and handle the surge in sales, Amazon employed artificial intelligence (AI) to forecast demand and coordinate inventory. It also extends the application of AI to quality control its products with robots. Further, Amazon used generative AI to create “synthetic data”, simulating various scenarios that robots might potentially encounter on high-traffic days such as Cyber Monday. This approach was instrumental in training machine-learning algorithms, ensuring smooth and efficient handling of the sales influx.

Shopify’s global sales record

Shopify also experienced a successful BFCM sales season, achieving a global sales record of US$9.3 billion—a 24% increase compared to the previous year. The platform saw a peak of US$4.1 billion in Black Friday sales from its merchants. The most popular product categories were apparel and accessories, health and beauty and home and garden. On average, every shopper spent about US$108.12 on the site during the sales.

The top-performing countries on Shopify were the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Germany. A particularly inspiring aspect of this year’s sales was the success of new entrepreneurs on Shopify. Over 17,500 entrepreneurs celebrated their inaugural sale, while more than 55,000 merchants achieved their highest-selling day.

Shopify’s performance during this sales event also had a positive impact on its stock value, witnessing a nearly 5% increase in response to these impressive results.

Alibaba/AliExpress and the Singles’ Day phenomenon

This year, China also saw significant success during its nationwide sales event—Singles’Day. A counterpart to the Black Friday sale, the Singles’ Day sales are celebrated on November 11, known as Double 11 (11/11). This event, popularized by Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, amassed US$140 billion in e-commerce sales last year. 

In 2023, according to data provider Syntun, the cumulative gross merchandise volume (GMV) sales across major e-commerce platforms during the Singles’ Day sales week (i.e., from October 31 to November 11) increased by 2.08%, reaching RMB1.14 trillion (US$156.40 billion). Besides the usual sought-after items like beauty products and electronics, Alibaba reported a 300% surge in sales of road bikes during the first hour of the event.

Alibaba-owned online shopping platforms Taobao and Tmall Group also observed an uptick in their GMV, with Tmall claiming its sales more than doubled this year. The success of Single’s Day could be credited to extensive promotional campaigns, both offline and online, across the country’s major e-commerce platforms and in brick-and-mortar stores.

Emergence of new consumer behavior trends during Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023

Buy now, pay later wins big

This year’s BFCM sales witnessed many consumers opting for the buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) options at checkout. Consumers are increasingly shifting towards this flexible payment method, allowing them to pay for purchases in installments. BNPL usage experienced a 72% increase in the week leading up to Thanksgiving (November 23) and a notable 42.5% surge from last year’s BFCM event. In Australia, transactions using the BNPL service Afterpay surged by 25%. As per Adobe Analytics, BNPL contributed a substantial US$940 million to online spending during BFCM 2023. 

In-store purchases slow down

A survey revealed a shift in shopping behavior, with the number of people shopping online climbing to 134.2 million, up from 130.2 million the previous year. Conversely, in-store shoppers slightly dipped from 122.7 million in 2022 to 121.4 million in 2023. This trend suggests that consumers are finding better deals online compared to physical stores.

India becomes an attractive market

Black Friday is a relatively new deal in India, a country that traditionally celebrates Diwali (typically in October/November) with massive annual sales events like Flipkart’s Big Billion Days and Amazon’s Great Indian Festival. Still, the Indian e-commerce ecosystem—comprising popular e-commerce players like Nykaa, Flipkart and Tata Cliq, among others that hosted Black Friday sales—saw a 23% increase in sales over the BFCM weekend compared to the previous year. E-commerce enablement platform Unicommerce notes that fashion and beauty products were particularly dominant in these sales.

Black Friday revelations: When discounts dazzle and daunt

Despite the impressive Black Friday-Cyber Monday haul for both consumers and businesses, not everyone was dazzled by the discounts. Interestingly, not all shoppers concentrated their shopping efforts on Black Friday alone. While about 89% of respondents participated in Black Friday shopping, 45% chose to wait for Cyber Monday to fill their carts. This indicates a strategic approach to shopping, with some consumers waiting for potentially better deals.

The influence of rising inflation has made people rely on big discounts, putting pressure on retailers. Consequently, the sales trends from Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year imply that those unable to offer discounts more frequently might find themselves facing tougher competition and narrower profit margins. This evolving consumer behavior underscores the need for businesses to adapt and strategize effectively in a market where discount-driven shopping is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Also read:

• Jumpstart’s Picks: 5 Black Friday Deals You Don’t Want To Miss
• How Do Stores Get You to Spend More Money?
• Top 5 Tech Trends Defining Luxury Brands

Header Image by Freepik

The post Black Friday-Cyber Monday 2023: New Trends and E-commerce Platforms That Won Big appeared first on Jumpstart Magazine.

Can these eco-friendly digital cameras take over the film photography trend?

A few months ago I came across Paper Shoot—a company that produces environmentally friendly digital cameras, specifically catering to the aesthetic of vintage reel photography, all while minimizing the fuss and waste the hobby can generate.

Paper Shoot is the brainchild of Taiwanese entrepreneur George Lin and a testament to the power of personal experience. During his childhood, his family experienced financial hardship due to an ailing older sibling who passed away young. Lin was moved to create the Paper Shoot camera when he realized he had few childhood memories or pictures of his late brother because their family could not afford a camera at the time. His childhood memories, or lack thereof, inspired him to create a camera that would not only capture memories but also give back to the community. With every purchase of a Paper Shoot camera, the company donates a camera to a child in need for every camera purchased.

Deeply touched by the brand’s story and being a film photography enthusiast, I reached out to the team at  Paper Shoot, who put together a PR kit full of interesting products for our review. 

What’s in the box

Camera specs

The camera has 18 megapixels (4896 × 3672), a 22 mm focus, an F2.2 Aperture and 10-3200 ISO. It can shoot 1440P 10-second video and time-lapse clips. The latest version of the camera board can support SD cards up to 128 GB and requires 2 × AAA batteries (rechargeables recommended) to operate. The camera has four color filters, namely Color, Black and White, Sepia and Blue

All paper shoot cameras come with the same camera board which can be interchanged between their wide variety of cases made out of recycled or biodegradable materials.

The Stone Paper 1925 Vintage case

Paper Shoot’s Stone Paper cases are the company’s flagship products, which are made of strong and biodegradable materials. Among the camera cases Paper Shoot has to offer, we received the Vintage 1925 for review, which looks like a tiny vintage camera. The product included a camera board, the 1925 Vintage Stone Paper case, two sets of fasteners (brass and clear plastic), a USB type C cable, an information manual and a paper strap.

The camera is a lightweight device that is quite easy to assemble and use. Being smaller than the average smartphone, it can easily be taken along on an outing by putting it in a pocket or small purse. Accessories like the function cards are easy to insert and remove from the device.

At first, I was a little scared of accidentally dropping it given how light it weighs, but the case seems sturdier than it looks. I would, however, recommend being careful of moisture getting into the case. The Stone Paper case by itself can take a light spray of water without significant damage, but it is open on three sides and only connected by fasteners, which leaves the camera board vulnerable. 

The Thinkk&Shoot case

Another case we received in the PR kit was the Thinkk&Shoot in the color Spring Morning (leaf green), which is very aesthetically pleasing with a pressed leaves front cover. The case also comes in three other colors, including Summer Evening (reddish brown), Winter Night (denim blue) and Autumn Afternoon (wood brown). It could definitely double as a stylish accessory for an outfit.

The camera comes pre-assembled with this particular case, so it is pretty much ready to go as soon as you pop the batteries and SD card in. The package also includes a USB type C cable and Silk cord strap that attaches securely to the camera via lobster-claw clasps.

The case is made of thick, solid wood, so it is slightly larger than the Stone Paper 1925 Vintage camera,  making it easier to grip and operate. The cover board of the camera snaps in place with strong magnets and provides easy access to the camera board. With the sturdy Silk cord strap attached, it is something I would trust a small child to handle on their own without fear of significant damage from falls or splashes. 

However, there were some things that did bug me about the design. While the all-around coverage of the case provides better protection from SD cards or function cards falling out by accident, it makes the camera board difficult to access in general. 

Unlike the Stone Paper case, the Thinkk&Shoot case has few openings. As seen in the above photo, the opening to access the charging port is quite deep and narrow, making it a slight struggle to plug the camera into a socket or computer. 

Also, the function card slot is placed on the inward-facing side of the camera board, which is not easily accessible since there is no designated opening for it. This makes switching function cards a bit of a hassle, as the case must be opened and the camera board unscrewed every single time you want to switch function cards. This can be quite tedious and cause wear and tear to the camera board. A possible remedy would be to widen the opening for the charging port to expose the function card slot, which is in the same location. As seen in the photo above, the function card slot is partially exposed through the charging slot opening. This would still keep the rest of the camera board protected and make it much easier to switch function cards on the go. 

Moreover, the hooks for the strap clasps are placed in such a manner that the hand crank accessory cannot be turned while the strap is attached to the camera. This compromises the function of the accessory, but removing the strap could also make the camera less secure. I did notice, however, that this issue did not occur while using the metal chain straps.

Another thing I wish was included in the Thinkk&Shoot case are the visual filter/setting indicators that are available on the Stone Paper Vintage 1925 camera. If you start out with a Thinkk&Shoot camera, with no point of reference, the lack of indicators could make things a little difficult to grasp as you wouldn’t know what filter setting it is on.

Reviewing the accessories 

Function cards

To help users make the most out of an otherwise really simple format, Paper Shoot also offers many innovative accessories. With the help of the filter slider and function cards, a simple point-and-shoot can take videos, time-lapses, double-exposure pictures and more.

Left top: 10-second video clip
Left center: Time-lapse
Left bottom: Vari-speed recording with hand crank
Right: 10-second video clip with color pallet

The function cards can also be used to record 10-second clips and time-lapse videos. There are three sets of lenses containing two lenses each, a hex key and a lens adapter that screws onto the camera case. 

Lenses

Personally, I liked how nicely the pictures turned out with the Star, fish-eye and wide-angle lens with very little effort. The radial, prism and Macro lenses took a little more practice to focus and center without being able to see the shot. Yet, they still resulted in some really interesting-looking effects.

The lenses can be screwed on securely to the adapter, reducing the chances of them falling off. However, I did find this whole process to be a little cumbersome. At times, I ended up struggling with the dual protective caps and screwing the lens onto the camera, missing the shot in the process. Sometimes, unscrewing the lens will take the adapter out with it as well, so users will have to be careful.

Ring lights

The ring lights are an innovative accessory that allows you to take clear shots in low light which the camera cannot capture on its own. They have three brightness settings and are rechargeable with the accompanying USB type C cable. 

The ring light can be screwed onto the case and used with or without an accessory lens. The flash is really bright, and the fact that it’s adjustable makes it suitable to use in varying degrees of low light. My only concern was that the ring light blocks the viewfinder in the Stone Paper 1925 Vintage camera, though this is not an issue with the Thinkk&Shoot case.

Chain straps

The metal chain straps are available in elegant gold and metallic finish. While the straps appear dainty, they are quite strong and can take some jolting. The swivel clasps make them easy to use with both the Stone Paper case fasteners and the Thinkk&Shoot case’s attachable loops. They definitely elevate the aesthetic appeal of the product while providing the necessary security when using the camera.

First-time user experience

Like any new piece of tech you come across, there is a learning curve to figuring out how to use the Paper Shoot camera. I am by no means a professional photographer, and like most people, my experience of taking pictures is relatively limited to smartphone cameras.

One of the main things I had to adjust to was not being able to see the shot as I snapped it. The viewfinder is simply a hole in the case, and the angle of the lens is a lot wider than I expected. This meant that what I saw through the viewfinder was not exactly what I ended up with in the final image. It took me a few tries from varying distances to realize that getting a little closer to my subject than I initially thought was needed to get the intended shots.

The camera’s autofocus works well for stationary objects, but it struggles with moving ones. It has a slight delay of a second or two, so it’s best to keep the shutter button pressed till you hear the snap sound and see the blue lights flash. Otherwise, the photo may turn out slightly blurry.

The Paper Shoot camera delivers a retro film look, though it lacks the typical graininess of film photos. I preferred the Sepia filter as it closely resembles the look of film photos. 

The camera has no ON/OFF mode meaning it’s always on standby. This would obviously result in some amount of battery draining between uses, which is why the recommendation to use rechargeable batteries is good to adhere to. The camera batteries can be charged within the device by simply plugging it into a socket or your computer while you look at your photos. There is a green light that lights up when the camera is connected to a power source, which turns off automatically when the batteries are fully charged. While the camera can function on disposable batteries, it can affect the performance of the camera and generate more waste overall. 

With the ability to take more than the average 25–30 shots offered by a disposable camera, I felt like there was less pressure to “waste” a shot. Not having a screen on the camera definitely adds to the excitement of plugging it into my computer to see how my photos turned out. Also, the lack of waste generated by the Paper Shoot was impressive, as there is no need for plastic film, disposable cameras and no paper is used unless the photos are printed. 

Would the Paper Shoot completely replace my smartphone as my primary camera? Perhaps not, but I do see myself taking it along on regular excursions. It’s an appealing notion to separate ourselves from the screens that surround us and still be able to capture memories. Some may even prefer the simplicity and aesthetic of Paper Shoot over the all-in-one convenience of the smartphone entirely. Overall, my experience with the Paper Shoot cameras was positive, and I would definitely recommend it. 

If you are interested in purchasing this product, do take advantage of getting US$10 off of every US$100 order with the code “jumpstart” when checking out through the website.

Disclaimer: This is an honest review where Jumpstart does not receive any compensation or referral fee from any purchases made via the above-mentioned discount code.

Also read:

• Turning Rocks into Notebooks: A Look at Karst’s No-Tree Paper
• Indian Inventions You Probably Never Knew About
• House of the Dragon: Reviewing a Puzzle Box by Escape Welt
• From Immersive Views to Glanceable Directions: A Review of Google Maps’ Newest Features and Competitors

All images courtesy of the author

The post Film but Eco-Friendly: Reviewing Paper Shoot’s Cameras appeared first on Jumpstart Magazine.

This innovative offering takes Amazon’s shopping experiences to new heights.

Amazon, the popular e-commerce platform, continues to enhance the shopping experience for customers worldwide. In a bid to further streamline the process, the online shopping giant has recently introduced an innovative service known as Amazon Anywhere.

Gone are the days of having to pause your game or exit your favorite app to make a purchase. With Amazon Anywhere, you can discover and buy physical products from Amazon’s inventory without ever leaving the game or mobile application you’re engaged in. 

Amazon is initially introducing the Anywhere experience within Peridot, a new real-world augmented reality game created by Niantic, the maker of Pokémon Go. Peridot takes the pet simulation genre to the next level by incorporating real-world elements through artificial intelligence technology. It is available on both iOS and Android devices.

Exploring the integration of Peridot x Amazon Anywhere 

The integration with Amazon Anywhere lets users purchase Peridot-branded merchandise directly from the app. Once you link your Amazon account to Peridot, you can browse through a range of products that feature the artwork of magical creatures from the game. The products include T-shirts, hoodies, phone accessories, and throw pillows, and you can choose the fit type, size, and color of your preference. The app displays the product details, images, availability, Prime eligibility, price, and estimated delivery date just like in the Amazon stores, making it easy to make informed purchasing decisions.

By simply clicking the buy button within the game, you can easily purchase using your connected Amazon account without having to exit the game. Once you’ve completed the transaction, the products will be shipped to you like any other Amazon purchase, and you’ll be able to track and manage your orders through the app.

Amazon’s VP of consumer electronics at Amazon, Steve Downer, shared in a blog post, “We’re creating a new landscape for shoppable entertainment and digital experiences while continuing to meet our customers where they are, with the products they love. Most shopping in virtual worlds is currently limited to purchases of virtual currency and in-game digital items, with no easy path to purchase physical products. We want to change that.”

The company also mentioned that the platform caters not only to customers but also to creators and developers of virtual worlds, video games or mobile apps who wish to expand their digital experiences into the real world. Through Amazon Anywhere, they can select products from Amazon’s selection, including a brand’s own merchandise. This enables them to engage their audiences without the hassle of selection, shipping or fulfillment, focusing solely on creating exceptional experiences.

Also read:

• Amazon Brand Acquirer Thrasio’s Ambitious Expansion Plans
• 6 Lessons All Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos
• What Amazon’s Acquisition of One Medical Means for the Healthcare Industry

Header image courtesy of Pexels

Press Release link: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-anywhere-launches-augmented-reality-shopping

The post Amazon Transforms Gaming and App Experience into Seamless Shopping Spree appeared first on Jumpstart Magazine.

India has a burgeoning gig economy, with startups leading the charge in transforming how work gets done. 

As the world continues to evolve, so does the nature of work. The traditional nine-to-five job is no longer the only option available, and more and more people are choosing to freelance or work in the gig economy. This shift has had a significant impact on many industries, and startups are no exception. A recent report from The National Association of Software and Service Companies revealed that 65% of Indian businesses use gig workers, a rise from 57% in 2020. 

Some of the most innovative and successful startups in India, such as Swiggy, Ola, Zomato Urban Company, BigBasket and other quick-commerce businesses, which employ over half a billion workers, have pioneered this innovative facet of structured employment. In this article, we will explore the role of startups in India’s gig economy and what a robust gig market means for workers.

An overview of the gig economy in India

The gig economy refers to the hiring of temporary or part-time workers, usually through an online platform in project-based, hourly or part-time roles. According to Indeed, this workforce will grow to 9-11 million people by 2025. This growth is being fueled by a number of factors, including the increasing penetration of the internet and mobile phones, rising disposable incomes and the growth of online platforms that connect businesses with freelancers. Presently, the most common jobs in the gig workforce are door delivery (22% for food and 26% for other services), household/vehicle repair (16%), cleaning (10%) and personal care (7%). 

According to Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales at Truly India, the rise of services such as delivery and home services has led to a certain amount of formalization in the gig economy, with the exponential growth expected in the future years.

Indian startups’ role in the gig economy landscape

According to a forecast by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, India’s gig economy would expand at a 17% CAGR by 2024 and may expand 2X its pre-pandemic predictions, reaching a whopping US$455 billion. Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Minister of information technology (IT) for the Karnataka Government, believes that startups will continue to thrive in the country, along with the booming gig market, despite some periods of retrenchment. This new model of work is becoming increasingly appealing to startups, and they are capitalizing on its benefits.

Firstly, startups are often more agile and flexible than traditional businesses, enabling them to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs. This level of flexibility is particularly valuable in a dynamic economy like India’s, where the marking conditions are constantly evolving. Startups can scale up or down as needed without incurring the cost and hassle of hiring and firing full-time employees.

Another reason startups are drawn to the gig economy is that it provides access to a wider pool of talent. They can connect with freelancers and contract workers from all over India and even globally, thereby gaining access to a diverse range of skills and experience that may not be available locally.

Finally, the gig workforce is simply more cost-effective for startups. They don’t have to pay for employee benefits or overhead costs like office space, which can save them a significant amount of money in the long run.

One of the most notable examples of startups benefiting from the gig economy is Swiggy, an online food ordering and delivery startup. The company has used the gig economy to build a network of delivery partners who are able to make quick and efficient deliveries. This has helped Swiggy ‌expand its operations rapidly while also keeping costs down.

Another example is Ola, an Indian ride-hailing service startup. Thanks to the large supply of flexible workers with the rise of the gig economy, Ola has established a large network of on-demand drivers to provide customers with rides. This has made Ola one of the fastest-growing startups in India, and it is now expanding its operations into other countries as well.

Along with these two startups, many other Indian companies are making a mark in the gig economy landscape. These include Housejoy (an on-demand home services platform) Broomes (a platform to hire house help in India) and Urban Company (a home services platform that connects customers with service providers such as plumbers, electricians and cleaners). 

As more and more startups choose to adopt the gig route, it is likely to trigger a shift in India’s labor landscape. The trend is expected to have a ripple effect across other sectors of the economy as well, as traditional businesses also start to adopt these new ways of working.

Benefits and challenges for gig workers

Without a doubt, the burgeoning gig economy has several benefits for workers. The work schedule, for example, is highly flexible. You can choose to take a gig that offers higher pay rates or pick up other projects between jobs. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to diversify your skill set by experimenting with different roles. It can also act as a safety net for workers during economic downturns like COVID-19, as they can easily take on extra jobs to supplement their income when needed.

However, this type of work is often marked by income instability, with workers experiencing an abundance of jobs one week and then very few or none the next, leading to irregular incomes. Furthermore, gig workers are frequently exploited by their employers, as revealed by a report by Fairwork India that Ola, Uber, Dunzo, PharmEasy and Amazon Flex had deprived their workers of fair wages and conditions. They may be paid less than minimum wage, expected to work long hours without overtime pay or subjected to unhealthy and hazardous working conditions.

In addition, they may also not be entitled to any employee benefits, such as sick pay, paid leave, health insurance and retirement savings plans. This can make it difficult for contractual freelancers to make ends meet, especially when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. 

For instance, in May 2021, Kesavan, a delivery boy employed by City Link Portal Private Limited in Bengaluru suffered a fatal accident when returning from work. While his family is demanding indemnification for his death, the nature of Kesavan’s contract with City Link remains in the dark, as it was an arrangement from a third-party vendor. In a separate incident in June 2022, an online grocery delivery platform called Dunzo threatened to ban its delivery partners, who were mainly gig workers, if they took part in strikes calling for better pay and working conditions. 

In conclusion, it is expected that India’s gig economy will continue to expand, with startups playing a significant role in driving such growth. The project-based employment mode offers workers flexibility, diverse opportunities and a chance to earn a living on their own terms. However, it is also clear that gig workers face significant challenges such as income instability and exploitation, which need to be addressed by policymakers. To unlock the full potential of the gig economy in India, it is crucial to establish a regulatory framework that protects the rights and interests of gig workers while enabling businesses to operate efficiently. With the right policies and support, India can foster a sustainable and inclusive gig economy that contributes to overall economic growth and development.

Also read:

• Is the Jig Up for the Gig Economy?
• The Gig Economy: A Near US$500B Opportunity
• Thinking About Quitting Your Job? We Got Some Questions for You
• Top 5 Global Trends that Entrepreneurs Should Know About

Header image courtesy of Freepik

The post Breaking Down India’s Gig Economy: Insights into the Role of Startups and Its Impact on Workers appeared first on Jumpstart Magazine.

Reel in your target audiences with YouTube’s power!

Business owners often struggle with boosting website traffic, lowering their bounce rate and converting followers into paying customers. However, many are unaware of the great potential offered by YouTube. Since its launch in 2005, YouTube has established itself as a world-renowned platform for modern media. As per Alexa’s global ranking, YouTube is the second most trafficked website in the world. It now boasts over 2.6 billion monthly active users, with 30 million daily visitors watching 800 million videos hosted over 694 hours of video frames across 37 million channels. 

Acquired by Google in 2006, YouTube today offers businesses a wealth of opportunities for video content as opposed to static content. Taking advantage of what YouTube has to offer could be just the ticket your business needs to succeed online. If you’re not using YouTube for your business yet, you’re really missing out! Here are some tips on how to use YouTube effectively to boost your business.

Create interesting and informative content

To be successful on YouTube, it is essential to create content that is both interesting and informative for your target audience. This requires a deep understanding of your audience and what they’re looking for. Once you identify this, you can start creating videos that offer value and address their needs.

For example, if your target audience is millennials, you could create videos about current trends in your industry or tips for leading a more sustainable lifestyle. If you’re targeting parents, you could create videos about parenting hacks or baby product reviews. To brainstorm content ideas, you can engage with your audience on other social media platforms by hosting live Q&A sessions, reading their comments on your posts, etc.

Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions

Unlike other social media channels where users passively scroll through content, users typically have a specific goal in mind when watching videos on YouTube. They may be looking for a solution to a problem (e.g. how to assemble a bicycle), trying to improve a skill (e.g. 5 tips to edit an image like a pro) or simply seeking entertainment (e.g. the best comedy shows). 

Hence, it’s important to make sure your videos are easy to find by including keywords that describe your product or service in the title and description. This will make it easier for potential customers to find your videos when they’re searching on YouTube. You can also optimize your videos for discovery by using keyword-rich titles and descriptions, including relevant tags and incorporating annotations. 

Let’s say you’re selling a new type of kitchen sink: Use keywords such as “kitchen sink installation” and “easy kitchen sink installation” in the title and description of your video to make it easier for customers to find it.

Take advantage of YouTube advertising 

You can create ad campaigns on YouTube targeting specific demographics (e.g. age groups, gender) and interests to reach your target customers. YouTube offers a variety of ad placements,  including:

• skippable in-stream ads; 
• non-skippable in-stream ads;
• bumper ads—a short, non-skippable video ad that must be watched before a video can be viewed;
• overlay ads—an image or ‌text that appears on the lower 20% of a video; and
• masthead ads—a native video-based ad format in the YouTube home feed that promotes your brand, product or service. 

If you’re looking to advertise on YouTube, you can expect to pay somewhere between US$0.10-0.30 per view. If viewers skip your ad after the first five seconds, you won’t be charged for those views. So if you’re considering advertising on YouTube, know that you have a lot of options available to you—and that you won’t be breaking the bank in doing so.

Promote your videos across other channels

When you post a video on YouTube, you can also share it on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more, making it easy for your fans and followers to watch and share. To do so effectively, make sure to include a call-to-action in your video description (e.g. “click here to watch more) and use an eye-catching thumbnail for your video. You can also add a consistent hashtag when reposting your videos on other social media platforms so that your viewers can easily find all your videos.

So don’t forget to take advantage of YouTube’s syndication power by promoting your videos across all of your channels. It’s the best way to ensure that your content reaches the widest audience possible.

Analyze your results

As a content creator, tracking your performance using analytics is crucial. To ensure maximum engagement, use YouTube’s built-in tools to monitor your videos’ performance and make the necessary adjustments.

You can access data like view counts, subscriber growth, engagement rates and audience demographics with YouTube’s analytics tools. This information is vital in understanding what content appeals to your audience and how to fine-tune your strategy for maximum impact.

What videos to make for your business’s YouTube channel?

As a small business owner, deciding what type of videos to create for your YouTube channel can be challenging. After all, you want to produce content that engages your target audience and promotes your brand and products. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

1. Introductory videos: Provide an overview of your company and present your new products or services. You can also make videos about the story of your business to impress potential customers.

2. How-to guides: Offer step-by-step instructions on topics related to your industry or product. For example, if you sell cosmetics, you could create a video on how to apply your makeup products.

3. Testimonials and reviews: Showcasing testimonials from satisfied customers or reviews of your products or services can help build trust with potential customers. This type of content can be extremely effective in convincing potential customers to buy what you’re selling since it adds a personal touch to your brand.

4. Behind the scenes (BTS): Create short, light-hearted videos to show off your team’s personality and give viewers a glimpse into what it’s like to work at your company. You can showcase your office space, give a tour of your factory floor and even use BTS footage to create mini-documentaries or product demonstration videos. 

YouTube is an incredibly powerful tool that small business owners should be taking advantage of. It’s a great way to reach new customers, increase brand awareness and build relationships with potential clients. Implementing the tips and strategies outlined in this article will help you tap into YouTube’s limitless potential as a small business owner. With the right approach, you can make sure your videos are seen by thousands of people, helping your business go from strength to strength!

Also read:

• YouTube vs TikTok: Which Platform Pays Its Creators Better?
• Jacklyn Dallas: Success in YouTube and Entrepreneurship
• Is Being a YouTuber Still Lucrative?

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Delight your employees with the following Christmas gifts!

Gifts are essential in our lives. From Christmas to birthday gifts, these little things help build and strengthen our connections with others. When we give someone gifts, our bodies will release chemicals like dopamine and endorphins, which are known to make us happy. These chemicals also play an essential role in promoting positive feelings in social interactions, including those in the workplace.

As an employer or manager, you can bring positive social interactions to your company through gift-giving. Sending simple gifts to your staff can show them your appreciation and make them feel valued, which helps to nurture long-term constructive collaboration relationships. Sending gifts at the end of the year, in particular, is a great way for you to express gratitude to your employees for their hard work throughout the year.

Since Christmas is around the corner, we’ve rounded up five thoughtful gifts you can consider sending your incredible employees to show your gratitude this season.

Noise-canceling earbuds

Office noise can be disturbing sometimes, be it a loud ventilation system or a noisy printer. It can make your company’s productivity fall because such disturbances can take as much as 86 minutes away from your employees per day. Installing partitions is one effective way to fight the noise, but this can be an ambitious undertaking (both physically and economically). A simple alternative to dealing with office noise is buying your employees good-quality noise-canceling earbuds, which can help them concentrate on their work.

Our picks: Apple AirPods Pro 2 (US$249), Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (US$299), Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro (US$230), Sony WF-1000XM4 (US$279.9)

Personalized notebooks

While notebooks appear to be an ancient product in this digital age, they can make for the perfect Christmas gift when personalized. Custom-designed notebooks allow you to customize almost every detail as far as your creativity flows, including paper sizes and sheet styles (e.g., blank, lined, graph). 

If you want to wow your employees, start by customizing the cover design and include something that can remind everyone in the company of the good times spent together. This could be a group photo taken during an annual dinner or off-site trip. In doing so, not only can you create one-of-a-kind notebooks, but you can also spread positivity in the workplace, which adds to team cohesion in the long run.

Our picks: Leuchtturm1917, Moleskine, Rhodia

Essential oil diffusers

Work gets hectic from time to time. Unlike working from home, when you can give yourself a break after completing a task, you can’t take a nap or spend an hour in the pantry having snacks between tasks in the office. Essential oil diffusers are here to the rescue.

In case essential oils are entirely new to you, they are compounds extracted from plants. Popular oil types, such as lavender, sandalwood, peppermint and tea tree, carry distinctive smells and various potential health benefits. In particular, smelling lavender oil can relieve stress and anxiety and improve sleeping quality. On the other hand, using peppermint and tea tree oils can help fight bacterial infections. 

Using essential oils can not only keep your mental and physical health in check, but their diffusers also help decorate the workspace. The best of both worlds, and a great multipurpose gift!

Our picks: Asakuki 500ml essential oil diffuser (US$26 from Amazon), Muji 100ml ultrasonic aroma diffuser (US$69.9), Urpower 2nd Gen 300ml aroma essential oil diffuser (US$30 from Amazon; US$54 from Walmart), Urpower 500ml aromatherapy essential oil diffuser (US$24 from Amazon)

Note: essential oils can cause allergic reactions, such as a runny nose and itchy eyes. Although most of these reactions are mild and can be treated at home, you should check with your staff before gift-wrapping essential oils for them.

Desk organizers

Whether working at an organized or cluttered office desk is more beneficial has been an ongoing debate. Statistics indicate that a clean desk can shoot up productivity and persistence by 84% and allow workers to work 7.5 minutes longer without feeling distracted. On the other hand, those who work at messy desks waste 4.3 hours per week on average looking for paper. Hilarious as this may be, these numbers illustrate the importance of desk organizers in enhancing productivity.

Desk organizers come in all kinds of designs boasting different functions. For simple stationery storage, you may buy acrylic racks, storage drawers or trays with partitions. For document storage, card boxes, letter stands and dividers are what you need. If a well-organized workspace is what you wish for your employees this Christmas, these desk organizers should be on your list.

Our picks: Muji, IKEA (please refer to their desk organizer catalogs)

Desk plants

When it comes to plants, the first thing that might pop up in your mind could be this idea: “looking at green things can relax your eyes”. No one knows where this saying comes from, but this “old wisdom” has certainly influenced and compelled many people to buy plants. If you’re one of them, you might think that desk plants are an excellent gift because your employees can relax their eyes without leaving their seats. 

However, that is not really the case. That’s because the color green, usually present in plants, cannot relax your eyes. It is believed to do the trick because greenery is typically planted at a distance, and our eye muscles relax when we look at distant objects.

Although plants do not help your employee’s eye health, they are essential in any office because the green color has a relaxing effect on an employee’s mind, helping them alleviate stress, depression, nervousness and anxiety. Bonsai trees, a kind of miniaturized tree in plant pots, are great office plants because they don’t take up too much space. If you want to create a relaxing working environment, sending desk plants to your employees is the right way to go.

Our picks: Bonsai tree (US$38.95-179.95 at Bonsai Outlet), Spider plant (US$12 at Amazon), Succulents (a set of six; US$22 at Amazon), ZZ plant (US$20 at Amazon)

Hopefully, this article gives you some ideas on what to surprise your employees with this Christmas. But don’t let this article keep you long, go ahead and thank your staff with incredible gifts! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Also read:

• 10 Ways to Go Green and Celebrate a Sustainable Christmas This Year
• Sparking Productivity through Office Design—Where Do We Start?
• Stop Mindless Eating: What Mindful Snacks Can Do to Uplift Workplace Productivity

Header image courtesy of Freepik

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The five-week FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar is delivering record-high revenues.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar will generate roughly US$6.5 billion in revenue, topping the previous record of US$5.4 billion from the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Thanks to the once-in-four-year tournament, Qatar’s GDP is estimated to grow by 4.1% in 2022, and the tournament alone could add up to US$20 billion to Qatar’s economy. Experts also believe that Qatar’s GDP will rise at an annual rate of 3.2% between 2022 and 2030. 

With revenues expected to outperform all previous records, many business sectors are reaping huge profits from the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. From tourism to hospitality and beyond, here’s a look at how the four main business sectors are cashing in on the football fever. 

Tourism and infrastructure

The tourism and infrastructure industry is no doubt a big winner during the World Cup, with Qatar contributing the most in travel and tourism to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region’s GDP. With the FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar, the tourism sector can expect to bring in up to US$4 billion in earnings to the GCC region, of which Qatar will corner the major share.  

As Qatar’s tourism sector has been steadily bouncing back from Covid’s impact, the country is looking to make it 12% of its GDP by 2030. To accommodate the influx of tourists, Qatar has invested around US$220 billion in its infrastructure since 2010 when Qatar was named as host of the 2022 World Cup. In addition to building state-of-the-art stadiums to host the World Cup matches, Qatar has built a modern metro system, new hotels, resorts and districts within the capital city, Doha, as well as increasing its airport capacity.

Hotel Industry

There is no doubt that the hotel business is one of the main beneficiaries of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. With an estimated 1.5 million tourists expected to descend on Qatar for the tournament, there is a huge demand for accommodation and dining options. Over 150 new hotels have been built for the FIFA World Cup to meet this demand, and the hotel business will continue to grow even after the World Cup this year.

As per global real estate consultant Knight Frank’s report, by 2025, the hotel industry in Qatar could see 89% growth to over 56,000 hotel rooms, which will cost over US$7 billion. “While there is palpable excitement in Doha as the FIFA World Cup draws near, for the country’s hospitality sector, the best is yet to come,” said the Head of Knight Frank, Faisal Durrani.

Hotels in Qatar are already preparing for the influx of guests following this year’s World Cup, with many hotels increasing their capacity or opening new properties. These new hotels will continue to serve as an additional source of revenue for the economy in the years to come.

Retail and e-commerce

Among all the GCC countries, Qatar is expected to have the highest growth in retail sales with a 36% year-on-year increase, reaching US$18.5 billion in 2022. With millions of visitors coming to the country for the World Cup, there will be a significant boost in the revenues of the country’s retail industry. 

To accommodate the growing demand, there will be a need for more retail space, including everything from grocery stores and convenience stores to souvenir shops selling World Cup merchandise. Retailers will see a significant increase in sales during the tournament.

Media and telecommunications

More than three billion football fans across the world will be glued to their television screens during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This provides a golden opportunity for businesses in the media and entertainment industry to capitalize on the football heat. Apart from TV networks paying top dollar for broadcast rights, sponsors were also predicted to pour a record-high amount of money—up to US$1.72 billion—into advertising during the event to vie for attention from viewers. The number might spike even higher in reality. As the tournament kick-started, data has shown that Chinese companies are the biggest sponsors—US$1.4 billion—in the World Cup 2022, with Wanda Group, Hisense Group, Vivi and Mengniu being the four official Chinese sponsors.

As per previous records, television broadcasting rights contributed to about half of FIFA’s earnings, with an additional 26% from marketing rights with sponsors. With the revenue from this year’s World Cup anticipated to set a new record, we can expect the media and entertainment sector will benefit significantly from the tournament.

There is so much potential for growth tied to the 2022 FIFA World Cup that it’s no wonder why businesses are excited. Even though the tournament is going on, it’s best to keep an eye on these four sectors—they’re sure to be big winners after it ends.

Also read:

• Can AI Replace Sports Referees?
• 6 Tech Trends Accelerated by COVID-19
• Optimize Player Experience to Level up Your Gaming Business
• Job Sectors That Will Soon Be Dominated by Robots
• Which Sectors in India Are Good for Investment in 2022?

Header image courtesy of Freepik

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Psst! Here are some of the secrets to making millions across the world!

According to a recent report by investment banking company Credit Suisse, global wealth per adult increased by 8.4% to US$87,489 in 2021. As expected, this growth in wealth isn’t evenly distributed among all of us, with the top 1% of the world holding on to 45.6% of the world’s financial assets. But where do these wealthiest people live, and why did they get so loaded? To make sense of that, here is a list of the top five countries with the highest number of millionaires per capita and why they are a playground for the rich. 

United States 

Topping the list of the world’s most millionaires is the United States, which currently has 24.5 million millionaires—or 39% of the world’s total. It shouldn’t come as a surprise when we consider that some of the services we use every day, like Facebook, Google and Amazon, are all U.S.-based businesses. 

However, besides big companies’ founders, others in the country are becoming millionaires because of their successful investments in the stock market and cryptocurrency. According to Chris Hogan, the author of Everyday Millionaires, the American rich have increased their assets over time through a series of smart financial decisions and aren’t excessively flashy with their wealth. 

China

As a leading tech innovator globally, it naturally makes sense for China to be one of the top countries on this list. The country has 10% of the millionaire share in the world, holding two spots among the top ten Fortune 500 companies with China State Construction Engineering and China National Petroleum. It is also a massive startup ecosystem—home to powerhouses such as ByteDance (the parent company of TikTok) and the smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi. 

What makes China particularly unique is that it contributes to 60-70% of the world’s self-made female billionaires in the world. Some attributed such a large number of female billionaires to the one-child policy the country instated from 1980 to 2016, which led to fewer career gaps and more opportunities for women.

Japan

Japan has 5.4% of the world’s millionaires as of 2021. It has 3.16 million high-net-worth individuals, which is significant when considering its population of 125.85 million. To put this in perspective, China has 5.3 million high-net-worth individuals but a total population of 1.45 billion. Japan has acquired a spot on this list because of the efforts of the Japanese government to impose regulations and tax codes that encourage direct investment. 

While the number of millionaires in both the U.S. and China has grown in 2021, Japan has experienced a fall in this catory in 2021, with the high-net-worth population shrinking by 395,000. Given its aging population, the fall in the number of millionaires could be due to the strict public health restrictions imposed to keep its people healthy during the pandemic and the resulting reduction in international trade. 

United Kingdom

The U.K. has a 4.6% share of millionaires in the world. They account for 2.85 million of the country’s population. The U.K. has emerged as an attractive place to settle for the global wealthy because it taxes foreign residents only on income they have generated in the country. Besides, it also has low corporate taxes, encouraging foreign investment and allowing the global wealthy to generate returns from their investments at low costs. 

France

The final entry on this list is France, home to the world’s fashion capital. The country has 4.5% of the world’s millionaires, but just like Japan, it has seen a slight fall in this number, losing 26,000 millionaires in 2021. 

Its thriving and leading fashion industry is perhaps one of the biggest reasons France has many millionaires. The country has some of the biggest luxury fashion brands in the world, including Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, which make EUR150 billion (US$150.87 billion) in annual sales. 

While this list tells you countries that have made it to the top five, some others candidates are witnessing tremendous financial growth. One such country is India, where billionaires hold onto 99% of their wealth while the high-net-worth individuals in the rest of the world collectively lost US$1 trillion because of high inflation and interest rates. Another country with high financial potential is Brazil. The country is expected to see a 115% increase in the number of millionaires by 2026. 

As per Credit Suisse’s report, there will be 40% more millionaires across the globe by 2026. This rise in the number of millionaires can largely be ascribed to the post-pandemic hike in housing prices and stock market growth. 

Also read:

• Top 5 Startup Cities
• How Is Inflation Affecting Countries in 2022?
• Best Countries for Mining Cryptocurrency In 2022
• What Countries Are Joining the Digital Currency Race?

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The post Top 5 Countries Producing the Most Millionaires (And Why) appeared first on Jumpstart Magazine.

A look at the luxury brands that are setting the trends and leading the way in the high-end fashion game.

The demand for luxury fashion brands worldwide has remained strong, driven by the wealthiest people in the world. Estimated at US$253.11 billion in 2021, the global luxury fashion market is predicted to reach US$332.98 billion in 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0%. To get you started on your designer brands-hunting journey, we’ve compiled a list of four companies worth keeping an eye on in 2023. 

Whether you’re searching for a new outfit for a special event or updating your wardrobe with some new pieces, check out what these four finest luxury fashion brands are up to! 

Chanel

Founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1910, Chanel is known for its high-end products, classic designs and high quality. It sells ready-to-wear, leather goods, fashion accessories, eyewear, perfumes, cosmetics, skincare, jewelry and watches, among other things. The little black dress, Chanel No. 5 perfume, and the Chanel Suit are the company’s most well-known products.

In 2021, Chanel’s revenues rose as clothes, watches, and jewelry sales reached pre-pandemic levels, with a global revenue of around US$15.6 billion. The United States, China and France account for one-third of Chanel’s sales. Further, after the United States, China is Chanel’s second-largest market for its beauty products. 

Currently, Chanel has only 250 stores worldwide. In response to increased traffic on its sites, the fashion brand plans to open specialized boutiques for customers with large budgets. They are expected to be open in major Asian markets in early 2023. It also intends to grow its human capital by employing approximately 3,500 people, many of whom will be sales associates.

Burberry

Founded in 1856, British luxury fashion house Burberry is known for its classic trench coat, previously seen worn by A-list celebrities like Kate Moss and Rihanna. Burberry’s iconic check pattern is also the symbol of the brand. It’s been used on everything, from bags to shirts to suits, making it one of the most recognizable patterns in fashion today.

After seeing a dip in sales due to the pandemic, the luxury fashion brand has shifted its focus to ecommerce and social commerce. Burberry plans to invest more in omnichannel experiences by extending to in-person and virtual appointments and client events to provide its customers with a more seamless shopping experience. It also wants to keep investing in its core luxury outwear and leather categories and will work on increasing revenue with full-price sales.

Last year, the Burberry brand reworked its website to attract and keep digital customers. One way it increased interactivity was by adding videos, animations and movement into interactive product stories. 

Hermès

Founded by Thierry Hermès in 1837, the luxury brand is known for its traditional craftsmanship and quality materials. Hermès started by producing harnesses and saddles for the upper classes in Paris. It later expanded its offerings to include clothing, jewelry and more with its knowledge of craftsmanship as the industrial revolution changed the primary medium of transport from the horse to the automobile. 

Despite the pandemic hitting the world hard, the company’s revenue grew by a whopping 42%. It reported US$10.1 billion in group consolidated revenue for 2021. The company credited its recent growth to robust performance in Asia, North America and Europe. 

Going forward, Hermès is setting the foundation for its entry into web3. In September 2022, the brand submitted a trademark application to include NFTs, cryptocurrencies and the metaverse in their business model. The trademark will consist of downloadable software for viewing, storing and managing virtual goods, digital collectibles and cryptocurrencies.

Not only does Hermès plan on opening an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of virtual goods, but they also aim to offer trade events in virtual and augmented or mixed reality environments. All this comes with the goal of getting brownie points for “retail shop services” and “representing virtual goods”.

Louis Vuitton

Founded in 1854, Louis Vuitton has a wide range of product offerings—from suitcases, leather goods and fashion to accessories. This luxury brand, which celebrated its 200^th anniversary in 2021, is the world’s most valuable luxury company, with a brand value of about US$75.7 billion. Recent studies show it’s also the most counterfeited brand among top-level luxury brands, followed by Gucci and Chanel.

Given its 160 years of experience, the French label is now looking to expand into new markets with its upscale take on hotels. The Louis Vuitton headquarters in Paris will receive a major renovation to include the  and the brand’s largest global storefront. 

Additionally, the brand has announced plans to open a  in its Louis Vuitton Maison store in Seoul, South Korea. The space will be designed after a vegetable garden, partnering with 3-star Michelin chef Alain Passard of Arpège. 

One common thing between these four brands is their plans for tapping into social commerce and the growing tech trends to reach a wider audience—most likely the tech-savvy young consumers who prefer shopping online. We will likely see more luxury brands attempting to capture the growing spending power of millennials and Gen Z, who will represent 45% of the global luxury market by 2025. 

Luxury fashion brands are poised to have a big year ahead. Do some research on these brands to make sure you’re ahead of the curve when it comes to luxury fashion!

Also read:

• Are Luxury Goods Really Worth It?
• How Should Luxury Brands Fight against Counterfeiting?
• Top 5 Tech Trends Defining Luxury Brands
• Top 7 Luxury Watches to Invest in 2022

Header image courtesy of Freepik

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Here’s how the co-founders of YPSN, Su Yin Anand and Tabitha Logan, are changing how we perceive the shipping industry.

As of 2021, the global maritime industry is worth US$1.6 billion and is expected to reach US$2.9 billion by 2027. For our readers who may not be familiar with this space, maritime refers to the movement of people and goods across the world over water. This industry is the backbone of the shipping sector, handling over 80% of international trade. Despite its massive contributions to international trade, there is a lack of awareness about the sector, especially among the global youth. 

Understanding the need for fresh talent in the industry, the General Manager at Hong Kong-based shipping company Asia Maritime Pacific, Tabitha Logan, and the Head of Shipping at Australian mining company South32, Su Yin Anand, came together with a group of like-minded individuals to create Young Professionals In Shipping Network (YPSN) in 2010. 

YPSN is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide a space for young professionals in the shipping and maritime industry to interact with each other. We interviewed Logan and Anand to learn about their experiences in the maritime industry, YPSN and its startup competition, The Captain’s Table. 

Making a career in shipping as a woman

Logan and Anand believe that there are two ways to end up in the shipping industry traditionally—either you stumble into it by accident or have a family member direct you in. As for the cofounders, they both started as maritime lawyers, only to gradually shift to the shipping side of the industry. While Logan was guided into space by an ex-sea captain she met as a lawyer, Anand has a family history with shipping. Her father was a timber trader, and her uncle was a merchant navy officer in India. What makes their journey particularly unique is that they are a part of the very small group of women in the largely male-dominated maritime industry. 

“It has made us somewhat stand out in the crowd. And become sort of a bit more well-known in Hong Kong, which has a smaller shipping industry,” said Logan. She went on to say that Asia has been a great place to enter the shipping industry because it is an emerging market. “They were looking for young people to come in, and they were willing to give people an opportunity, take them into their company.”

When asked why there are so few women in the industry, Logan attributed it to a lack of proper branding. “They very much do want diversity. There’s a big push for that, but I think the problem is the image of the industry. It needs a good sort of PR representative to show the attractiveness of the industry for women and to show them that there are different career opportunities,” she explained. 

Anand added that a lack of societal support for those who wish to have a family and pursue a career at the same time is another reason there are fewer women in not just the maritime industry but also in tech and finance. “I think not enough is being done from a public-private partnership basis to ensure that the ecosystem infrastructure is set up for women to be able to pursue both,” she added. 

Dispelling the misconceptions surrounding the shipping industry

“When people think about an industry in shipping, they think about the seafarers or blue-collar workers working at ports, both of which are really important and, in fact, foundational to the industry. But I think what people don’t see is that there is an entire support system behind it,” Anand said. She detailed that there are various players across the industry to get that ship from point A to point B. 

While some industries have Netflix shows (e.g. Suits, which explain the inner workings of the legal system) where people can learn more about them, the shipping sector’s development and system are absent from the public’s awareness. “In the shipping industry, what have you had so far? We’ve only had Captain Phillips, which is about piracy. So, parents look at it and tell their children, ‘don’t ever go into the industry. It’s dangerous,’” she explained.

In light of that, Logan and Anand know they have to bring the two together—the younger generations and the shipping industry. To teach young people about the industry, Anand and Logan have been giving talks at schools about their experiences and live-streaming YPSN’s startup competition, The Captain’s Table. They want to change how young people perceive the industry by engaging with them through interactive events, such as football tournaments, visits to ships and debate series, as opposed to regular networking events and seminars.  

Addressing industry problems with tech solutions 

Of all the projects YPSN has embarked on over the years, The Captain’s Table deserves special attention. Launched in 2019, The Captain’s Table is a pitching competition focusing on innovation in the maritime and logistics industry. Those participating in this competition not only get exposure to key players in the maritime industry but also receive other benefits, such as free legal advice, social media support, mentorship and a cash prize worth US$30,000. 

“Looking back to the genesis of The Captain’s Table, at the time, we realized that the shipping industry was facing a bit of a digital transformation,” Logan mentioned. “And at the same time, we were starting to get approached by a number of startups that are looking at this space but finding it difficult to connect with the industry.” 

To help these startups, Logan and Anand leveraged the network of industry leaders they had close ties with through YPSN and created The Captain’s Table in 2019. Through the competition, they have been able to shine a spotlight on businesses trying to solve a wide variety of industry challenges—everything from decarbonization and voyage optimization to mental health solutions for seafarers. 

Last year’s winner, 13-Mari, was a unique decarbonization solution that emerged from The Caption’s Table. “The team was using a simple, elegant approach to fuel efficiency by using a composite element designed to reduce drag in the water and hence the fuel consumed,” said Logan.

The duo believes that startups in other industries can also find opportunities in the maritime industry. “This industry is ripe for [growth] right now. We’ve been doing this only for four years, but even in the past two years, we can see a marked difference now of companies approaching us wanting to engage, do POCs (proof of concepts) and have that dialog,” Logan reiterated. If you are interested in learning more about the possibilities in this sector, reach out to The Captain’s Table now!

Also read:

• Why the World Is Facing a Supply Chain Crisis
• Working for Growth Instead of “Wishful” Thinking-E-commerce Giant Wish’s Turnaround Plan
• Personal.ai: Your Personal AI to Pick up the Slack

Header image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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A brand-new collection on Kickstarter.

On September 28, 2022, EscapeWelt launched its Kickstarter campaign for its limited edition Force of Elements Puzzle box collection. Returning readers may remember the review of EscapeWelt’s House of the Dragon puzzle that we posted in May this year. I was glad to find that the company also wanted our opinions on their latest collection of puzzles.

Founded in 2020, EscapeWelt is an escape room company based in Leipzig, Germany. As the Covid-19 pandemic made it unsafe to visit quest rooms, co-Founders Egor Volvitch and Ilya Konotopchenko decided to reach their clients in a new and more dynamic way—producing handmade Birchwood puzzles that “reflect real scenarios from the quest rooms”. So far, EscapeWelt has sold upwards of 200,000 individual puzzles all around the world.

The ExcapeWelt team sent me the Quest Pyramid and Fort Knox pro puzzles in their “Flaming Sand” and “Ice Glass” versions, respectively. The puzzles are half of the four-piece collection of limited edition plexiglass puzzle boxes. 

What’s in the box

• Quest Pyramid puzzle box (Flaming Sand version)
• EscapeWelt player passport
• Fort Knox Pro puzzle box (Ice Glass version)

The puzzle-solving experience

The puzzles are visually stunning! The light reflecting off the plexiglass gives them an almost glowy look, though more prominently in the lighter-colored Flaming Sand version than in the darker Ice Glass shade. 

According to the EscapeWelt team, the focus of this collection of puzzle boxes is more rooted in providing an aesthetic addition to your home, along with the entertainment value they provide. The puzzles certainly make for exciting decoration pieces due to their unique design and colors. They would look quite interesting when placed directly under or above a light source. 

Apart from being a tasteful decor, the puzzles are also functional. I really liked that there’s a coin slot in the Fort Knox puzzle that allows you to use it as a piggy bank. Anyone trying to break into your little treasury would have to solve all the riddles to get to whatever you put inside the secret compartment.

I had assumed that translucent puzzle pieces would make it easier to solve, as you would be able to see pieces move and slot into the right place. However, that was definitely not the case. The average listed playtime for both puzzles is around 60 minutes. Admittedly, I spent most of the playtime being fooled by the illusion that I was seeing the right pieces move when I was, in fact, not making much progress. The translucence can even be considered a sneaky additional layer that subtly adds to the puzzles’ gameplay.

Regarding the material of the puzzles, the plexiglass is a lot stronger than the original birchwood, so I’m less scared to handle delicate pieces for fear of accidentally snapping them. It also solves the wear, tear and splintering issue we saw with the previous wood puzzles. Pieces of these two puzzles move a lot more smoothly, with little to no jamming.

Things I’m not a fan of

Something that I’m not a fan of, however, is that the plexiglass adds a significant amount of weight to the puzzles. As they have to be lifted and turned in all directions to solve the puzzle, the added weight might make them a bit difficult for certain people to handle. This is especially true in the case of the Quest Pyramid, as it is bottom-heavy in structure.

Also, the translucency of the puzzle makes any debris or fingerprints on the glass very visible, and the moving parts can make some spots hard to reach while trying to clean the puzzle. This is not an issue where the wood puzzles are concerned.

While the Player Passport is an adorable addition to the set, they do not directly contribute to solving any of the puzzles. The small booklet comprises descriptions of the puzzle boxes that make up the EscapeWelt collection: the Quest Pyramid, Space Box, Orbital Box, Fort Knox and House of The Dragon. It also includes some mind teasers, games and a habit tracker as well. 

While it is quite cute, the presentation of the passport resembles a children’s activity book, which may not be as appealing to its target audience, where the youngest users (according to the age rating on the puzzles) are about 14 years of age. 

Final thoughts

The overall experience of solving both puzzles was pleasant and mentally challenging. The complexity of each puzzle keeps the player involved and focused. The plexiglass structure definitely meets the goals of being a long-lasting and durable piece of entertainment. The bright colors retain some nostalgia of childhood toys while still appealing to a more grown-up aesthetic taste. The puzzles would make for attractive collectible items both individually and as a set. We are looking forward to seeing what the company has in store next.

Also read:

• House of the Dragon: Reviewing a Puzzle Box by Escape Welt
• 5 Hobbies To Maximize Your Entrepreneurial Drive
• 5 Budget Southeast Asia Getaways for Founders
• To Creamy Mattes and Beyond: Reviewing GoPlay Cosmtics’ Custom Lipstick Maker

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How you package your product can make or break a sale before the customer has even had a chance to use the product.

To stand out in a highly competitive market, even the highest-quality products need appealing and functional packaging—think about Apple’s products. As per a report by international packaging authority Smithers Pira in 2019, the global packaging industry is forecasted to grow to US$1.05 trillion by 2024. This should tell you that companies are spending more and more money on designing the best packaging for their products, and you don’t want to fall too far behind. 

Product packaging does more than keep your product safe and sound during transit—it helps your product to leave an outstanding first impression on your customers. From brand aesthetics and practicality to eco-friendliness, everything down to the smallest detail, like how to provide the simplest unboxing experience, should be on your checklist when brainstorming the best packaging for your products, from brand aesthetics and practicality to eco-friendliness. Here are five smart packaging ideas that will help your product make a great first impression:

1. Use eco-friendly materials

Packaging is one of the biggest sources of environmental pollution. Traditional packaging materials (glass, metals, aluminum, foils, paper, paperboard and plastics) can harm the environment. They often contain toxic chemicals that can leach into soil and groundwater and take centuries to decompose. As a result, many companies are looking for eco-friendly packaging solutions. 

By choosing eco-friendly packaging materials for your products, you can do your part to reduce your company’s impact on the planet. These materials decompose rapidly, making them much less harmful to the environment than traditional plastics. These are a few eco-friendly materials that you can use to package your products: 

• bamboo—a sustainable resource that can be used to create strong and durable packaging; 
• bioplastic made from hemp fiber and jute; and
• recycled paper and cardboard.

Not only is eco-friendly packaging better for the environment, but it can also be a major selling point for customers looking to support green businesses. As more consumers become eco-conscious, packaging your products with eco-friendly materials is a great way to show them you care about the environment and your brand is committed to sustainable practices. 

2. Get creative with shapes

Another great way to make your product packaging more imposing is to get creative with its shape—think outside the box! Instead of using traditional rectangular or square shapes, experiment with something more unusual, like triangular or oval-shaped packaging. Unique and unusual shapes will help your product stand out on store shelves and in people’s homes. 

Some of the most successful packaging designs make use of simple yet clever geometric shapes. The Toblerone chocolate bar, for example, is instantly recognizable due to its distinctive triangular shape packaging. Similarly, the teardrop-shaped Kikkoman soy sauce bottle was created with the simplicity and elegance of classic Japanese design in mind, symbolizing “the real Japan”, as per its designer Kenji Ekuan. By bringing creativity into play, these companies have created compelling and memorable packaging.

3. Use bold colors

Bold colors are always eye-catching, so don’t be afraid to use them in your product packaging. Bright colors will help your product catch customers’ attention and convey particular messages about your brand’s identity. For example, if you want your brand to appear fun and youthful, consider using bright primary colors like red, blue, and yellow. On the other hand, if you want your brand to be seen as sophisticated and luxurious, consider using dark jewel tones, like emerald green, ruby red and sapphire blue.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what colors best represent your brand identity—just make sure they’re bold! However, using colors wisely is essential, as too many bright colors can be overwhelming. Also, make sure you keep your brand color consistent to help leave a recalling image of your brand in your customers’ minds. 

4. Incorporate textured materials

Specialty papers and textured plastics are always noticeable because they add a layer of dimensionality to your product packaging. Textured materials can also emphasize your brand’s essence. For example, metallic papers can give off a luxurious vibe, while matte papers can appear more down-to-earth and approachable. 

No matter what message you want your textured materials to convey, one thing is for sure: they will capture attention thanks to their unique appearance.

5. Utilize technology

Technology is constantly evolving, so there are always new opportunities for brands to incorporate it into their product packaging and make it more appealing. For example, whiskey brand Jack Daniel’s put a QR code on the package where customers can scan and take a virtual tour of the Jack Daniel Distillery powered by augmented reality (AR) technology and learn about the whiskey-making process. Also using AR to engage with customers, hair product brand Herbal Essence created an app to offer customers interactive AR experiences. Upon scanning the packaging of its products in the app, users can enjoy AR experiences where they can learn about the brand’s stories and “clean up” plastic waste in the ocean.

You can also use quick response codes (QR) to display additional information about the product or company or interactive elements, such as inviting your customers to play a game or solve a puzzle to get a reward.

Simply put, when designing packaging for your products, you need to think from the customer’s perspective and ensure they will have a positive experience with your product from start to finish. Fortunately, the sky’s the limit when it comes to innovation and creativity. If you don’t know where to start, just put some of these ideas into action today and give your business the boost it needs! 

Also read:

• Sustainable Packaging
• What Is “Shrinkflation” and Why Opting For It Isn’t Companies’ Only Choice
• Brand Loyalty Helped This Company Survive for Over 50 Years

Header image courtesy of Freepik

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Give your customers the chance to play detective by marketing your products with ARGs.

Have you ever heard of Slenderman? A tall thin figure with no discernible features wearing a black suit lurking somewhere in the forests, ready to kidnap unsuspecting people? At one point in the internet’s history, Slenderman was a horror staple featured in several real-seeming horror series (also called alternate reality games) on YouTube as the main antagonist. 

Alternate reality games, or ARGs, are a form of storytelling that combine digital and real-world elements to create an immersive experience. Because of their immersive nature, ARGs aren’t just great for narrative building but also highly effective marketing tools. With that said, here is a breakdown of ARG elements, why they are effective for marketing and some unique marketing strategies created around them. 

Understanding ARGs

Before we take a closer look at ARGs, it is important to understand the difference between “augmented reality” and “alternate reality” games. An example of an augmented reality game is Pokémon Go, where you would need to go to real-world locations to find and collect Pokémon through your smartphone. However, ARGs don’t augment or add to reality; instead, they give you the opportunity to experience a new and different reality. In an ARG, you would be watching something on YouTube, and through it, you would find clues that would lead you to another part of the internet on a quest for more information. 

Most ARGs use unique ways to interact with their audience, like subtitles of a video or tags, and have elements of horror or mystery. While there are an innumerable amount of ARGs, the one that best explains what I’m talking about is the Twitter ARG “The Sun Vanished”. This ARG documents the life of a man in a world where the sun no longer shines and the alien life that has now occupied Earth. What separates this ARG—and all other ARGs—from typical fictional stories on the internet is the use of multiple media to narrate a story. Not only does the protagonist of The Sun Vanished post tweets but also newsreels from his world, videos and photos of what’s happening outside his house and text messages between survivors. 

Why ARG marketing works

Keeps the audience hooked

While this might seem like a novel concept to those who aren’t particularly interested in horror media, ARGs have been used in marketing fairly frequently. The most crucial reason ARGs work is they build a connection between the consumer and the marketed product or service. It gives people a mystery to uncover by looking for clues in every nook and cranny with their critical thinking skills. 

A great example of ARG marketing is the “I Love Bees ARG” used for marketing the video game Halo 2 in 2004. The trailer for the game had clues that led viewers to I Love Bees’ website, which had been taken over by artificial intelligence (AI). By solving puzzles left by the AI on the website, players could gradually learn more about the story of Halo 2. It was so successful that the website received more than three million unique viewers in its heyday.

If your ARG has a great concept, you might end up with loyal fans who engage with everything you put out. One of the real-life parts of the “I Love Bees” game experience was that players would get the coordinates of payphones in different parts of the U.S. and have to answer them for more information. The fact that a player from Florida went to answer the payphone in the middle of a hurricane should give you a fair idea of how far loyal fans go for the ARGs they are interested in. 

Makes viewers come back for more

In a world where more and more businesses are popping up each and every day, it continues to get harder and occupy space in a customer’s mind and budget. This is precisely why an ARG is such a good tool for marketing. If ARGs match well with the product or service you are trying to sell, they can help create a long-lasting positive image for the brand in the customer’s mind. 

An example that illustrates the power of ARG marketing is the horror film franchise The Blair Witch Project (1999). While the film never used the word “ARG” in its marketing tactics, it had all the essential elements. 

In 1997, they released a promotional reel of the film’s concept on the American TV show Split Screen, where the showrunner ended the segment saying, “So are the Haxan guys [the film studio behind The Blair Witch Project] pulling our leg or is there really a witch out in the woods of Maryland killing film students? Go to SplitScreen.com and let us know.” 

In 1998, a year before the film’s release, the team made a website—blairwitch.com—to share its legend, including interviews with supposed experts, police evidence photographs and a message board for people to participate in solving the mysteries of the film.

All these, coupled with the documentary-style production, made the viewer experience more immersive than other horror films at the time. It had such a significant impact on people that some made their own websites to go through the clues. In addition, after its release, other films replicated The Blair Witch Project’s ARG-style marketing, and one example is Artificial Intelligence (2001).

While ARGs do indeed work for some projects, it is essential to remember that they aren’t for everyone. Make sure your target customer base is actually interested in interactive online treasure hunts before spending your marketing budget on them. Another issue with ARGs in marketing is that they tend to attract a niche audience, whereas a typical advertisement would appeal to the general public more. Make sure you consider these factors before deciding to leverage ARGs for your brand’s next marketing campaign. 

Also read:

• Beyond Pokémon: An Augmented Reality Roundup
• What Are the Different Kinds of “Realities”?
• The First Game Metaverses
• 3 Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Playing Battle Royale Games

Header image courtesy of Freepik

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Upgrade your MS Excel skills with these tricks!

Microsoft Excel (MS Excel) is a must-have for any business. It is a powerful spreadsheet software application that allows users to store, organize and analyze data. While Excel is fairly easy to use, it can be tricky to become an expert. Don’t know where to start? We have compiled a list of easy-to-follow hacks that will help you become a pro at Excel!

1. Use and memorize shortcut keys

MS Excel can be daunting for those unfamiliar with its many features and functions. The key to mastering MS Excel is to learn and use shortcut keys. Shortcuts can help you quickly access the features and functions you need without having to search through menus or toolbar options. In addition, shortcuts can help you automate repetitive tasks, freeing up your time for more important tasks. 

There are many shortcut keys you can use in Excel, and the best way to learn them is to practice regularly. Once you start using them, you’ll work faster and more efficiently. Here are some of the most useful shortcut keys: 

2. Master in Excel formulas

Formulas is the key to unlocking the power of MS Excel. Formulas are equations you can input in the formula bar (the bar next to “fx”) to perform calculations on your data. You can perform complex calculations, manipulate data and automate tasks with the right formula. For example, you can use a formula to calculate the sum of a range of cells or to count the number of cells that contain a certain value. Here are some of the most useful formulas:

 Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Start by familiarizing yourself with the most common MS Excel formulas, especially the ones that you have to use frequently at work. 
• Take time to practice using these formulas on small data sets. This will help you get comfortable using them and understand how they work.
• When working with large data sets, break the data down into smaller chunks so that it’s easier to work with. This will avoid mistakes in your calculations.
• Make use of MS Excel’s built-in error-checking features. These can help you catch mistakes so that you can correct them before they cause problems later on.

3. Enter zero (0) before a number

Though adding zero (0) before any number won’t make any sense, sometimes you might just need to do so. However, our dear Excel will remove any zeroes before a number once you finish editing the cell. 

Here’s a hack to add zeroes before a number: add a single quote (‘) before the number. For example, if you want to input “0009” in a cell, type in “ ‘0009”. 

4. Name a column/row

One of the most useful features of MS Excel is the ability to create named ranges. Named ranges allow you to refer to a specific range of cells by name rather than by cell number. This can be very helpful when working with large sheets, saving you time and hassle when selecting ranges. 

To create a named range, follow the following steps:

Step1: Select the column(s) or row(s) you want to name. 

Step 2: Click “Formulas” on the ribbon menu and then the “Create from Selection” button. A prompt will ask you if you want to name the selected range according to the top row/column or bottom row/column. 

If you want to select the range of cells under a certain name, click the name in the drop-down menu on the left of the formula bar. 

5. Import tables from online resources

What would you do if you came across a table of data that you need from a website? If you are still inputting data cell-by-cell, we have found the perfect tip for you. 

Here’s how you can import a table from a website with just a few clicks:

Step 1: Copy the web address that contains the table you need.

Step 2: Go to Excel and click “Data” on the ribbon menu.

Step 3: Click “From Web” and paste the web address.

Step 4: Select the table you need among the available ones from the website and click “load”.

For MAC, there are a few more extra steps:

Step 1: Copy the web address that contains the table you need.

Step 2: Paste the address in a blank Word document. Choose “Plain Text (.txt)” when saving the file.

Step 3: Locate your file in Finder, right-click the file and click “Get Info”.

Step 4: Click “Name & Extension” and replace “.txt” with “.iqy” after the file name. Click “Use .iqy” on the prompt that pops up.

Step 5: Go to Excel and click “Data” on the ribbon menu.

Step 6: Click “Get External Data” and then “Run Web Query”. Choose the file you saved in .iqy format.

What’s more, when you select the table and click “Refresh” on the menu, the table will be updated automatically.

Becoming an Excel expert is not as hard as it seems. In fact, with the right tools and a little bit of practice, you can be well on your way to becoming an Excel master. We hope these four hacks have given you a good starting point for your journey to Excel mastery. 

Start practicing today!

Also read:

• Best Project Management Tools in the Market
• 7 Test Automation Tools in Demand in 2022
• Elcomsoft Extracts Skype Histories from Microsoft Account
• Ethics of Surveying Your Remote Employees
• Five Easy Hacks to Stay Focused at the Workplace

Header image courtesy of Freepik

The post 5 Essential Tricks to Master Microsoft Excel appeared first on Jumpstart Magazine.

What makes fashionistas “do the most”?

If you Google “maximalist fashion”, you will be swamped with dressing guides dedicated to this “the more, the better” trend published by leading fashion magazines in 2022. Rapidly gaining popularity in the last couple of years, maximalist styles are breaking out of the runway of an Haute Couture fashion show, a red carpet event or a K-pop performance to conquer streets in high fashion neighborhoods. 

In fashion, maximalism refers to a phenomenon of artistic or aesthetic excess. This style utilizes a wide range of colors, textures, silhouettes, patterns and materials in an outfit. Some call it bold, some call it bad taste—but more and more people are seeing it as an art form. Let’s look at what the maximalist fashion trend entails, its origin and future.

Many believe the prototype of the maximalist fashion trend as we know it now comes from the Harajuku district of Japan. Those familiar with the Harajuku style recognize it as colorful, eccentric, childlike and maxed out on all possible accessories. The Harajuku style is a blend of many different subcultures, like Decora, Lolita, Visual Kei, Goth, Gyaru etc. It focuses on mixing and matching various aesthetics, materials and silhouettes to create outfits that may appear rather outlandish to the casual viewer. 

Emerging in the 1980s, Harajuku fashion was adored by youngsters in the region to rebel against mainstream fashion and the collectivist social norms, which they believed to be oppressive and monotonous. They began adopting alternative styles as a means of self-expression and individuality while identifying as members of a like-minded community. 

Maximalism has evolved considerably since. While Harajuku styles have remained relatively popular since the 80s, newer styles of maximalism where people around the world put on their cultural spins have emerged over the last few years. The foundation of maximalism is to blend traditional and modern clothing and layer outfits with various garments and accessories. Also, enthusiasts of maximalist fashion love to scout around for second-hand, vintage and recycled clothing. 

The psychology of maximalism

Maximalism as a phenomenon has a tendency to re-emerge after a prolonged period of hardship, tragedy or economic distress. The latest vein of maximalism turned up after the economic recession in 2008, which conformed the 2010s to minimalism when clean-cut, chic, no-fuss silhouettes dominated the millennial fashion scene. Designer logos were relegated to small embossings and initials, as excessive displays of wealth were viewed as tactless and lacking good taste.   

In the post-recession time, a more opulent sentiment started to surface, and many luxury brands (like Gucci, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and Dior) began to bring their logos back to center stage, be it emblazoned across clothing or made into chunky or blingy accessories—as long as they drew attention to the wearer. The trend continued to trickle down from high fashion to street style.

At the beginning of 2020, the pandemic trapped the world indoors, and many seized this time to experiment with their wardrobes to beat boredom. People took the liberty to be adventurous with their style choices because they felt secure in their bold clothing attempts at home, without the pressure of being seen in public and judged for what they wore. This created an opportunity for teens and young adults to express themselves as vibrant beings amid mundanity, confinement and isolation. They also feel a sense of community with other like-minded individuals by sharing curated looks and attempts at new styles on social media.

Like the 2008 economic recession, three years of a global pandemic has brought forth a “who cares what I wear?” attitude towards fashion. After making many sacrifices, people are unwilling to pass up the luxury of outfits they enjoy.  

TikTok—the center stage of maximalism

Out of all the social media platforms, TikTok has almost become synonymous with the trend due to the steadily growing magnitude of Maximalism-related content on the site. Creators, like Wisdom Kaye, Thalia Castro-Vega and Sara Camposarcone have popularized the maximalist fashion trend with their regular “outfit of the day” (OOTD) and “get ready with me” (GRWM) posts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. 

While Gen Z makes up the center demographic of this trend on TikTok, fashionistas of varied age groups also embrace maximalism. For instance, the 101-year-old Iris Apfel (@iris.apfel on Instagram) is a prominent maximalist who has over 2.4 million followers on Instagram—quite a legend within the community!

Is this too much?

One of the major criticisms of the maximalist style is that it encourages materialism, hedonism, hoarding, lack of taste and a general consumerist mindset of senselessly buying more and more. After all, how can owning so much apparel be sustainable?

Today, maximalists are more socially and environmentally conscious than in any other historical period. Maximalists invest in vintage pieces, recycled items and second-hand clothing to put together their outfits. It is ultimately beneficial for fashionistas to own pieces they can utilize in as many ways as possible. Moreover, thanks to technology, we can now thrift online, like threadUP, Depop, and Thriftsome, which creates easy access to second-hand pieces and gives the average individual more budget-friendly freedom to indulge in their maximalist style choices. 

It is, of course, not all about salvaging old garments; creativity is a massive part of the culture of maximalism. Many maximalists take pride in DIYing their clothes and accessories. Some create pieces from scratch, while others alter and revamp thrifted or second-hand finds. Instagram and Etsy are some of the platforms that are home to many small businesses that cater to this desire for unique, handmade pieces, like beaded jewelry, custom dresses, crochet pieces, knits, tiaras and crowns.

Does the rise of maximalism mean the death of minimalism?

No, not really. While maximalism is exciting and versatile, it’s still not for everyone. Classics remain classics for a reason.

For many, a simple, quick, put-together outfit is the requirement and the best-case scenario. Classic, minimalist outfits are fail-safes that many rely on to look presentable without putting in too much effort. Sometimes, a minimalist, capsule wardrobe works better for the average individual.

However, a middle path is not out of the question. That there is no set rule for putting together a maximalist outfit is one of the major appeals of the widespread trend. Some may prefer the chaotic feel of multiple layers and colors, patterns clashing and heaps of accessories, but those looking for a formula to their outfits are just as valid—think sleek dresses, structured suits in vibrant prints or neutral tones and ruffled silhouettes. 

Thus, many brands, like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Urbanic, Nykaa, Lime Road, ASOS and Shein, are rolling out new product lines for those who wish to dip their toes into maximalism but are not quite ready to take the plunge. To do so, they are integrating pieces into their clothing lines that are bold enough to entice the maximalist niche but also capture the essence of simpler outfits that work for the general public. 

For now, it looks like maximalism is here to stay, and minimalism will not vanish overnight. With the development of technological wonders, like the metaverse, augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, fashion is not just limited to the physical plane. Going digital in virtual spaces brings forth a whole new world of fashion opportunities, where factors like temperature, local norms or even physics hold no sway over your outfit. As more and more brands and individual creators lean into the freedom of the maximalist aesthetic, it is likely to continue making its way into mainstream culture and (virtual) wardrobes around the world. 

Also read:

• What Can We Do for Sustainable Fashion?
• 4 Vintage Fashion Comebacks Taking the World by Storm
• Are Luxury Goods Really Worth It?
• Flaunt the Latest Fit without Any Guilt with Digital Fashion 
• How AI in Fashion is Revamping the Industry 

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