 Adapting to technological innovations is important for any business that strives to stay relevant and profitable. For instance, the early 2000s saw the introduction of the internet, which revolutionized the industry forever. In 2019, the onset of COVID-19 accelerated the push for remote working and software implementation for businesses that may not have considered these changes for the foreseeable future. The use of technology has been a boom for businesses, leading to increased profits, lower expenses, and higher productivity. However, it has created its fair share of problems as well, the prominent one being reduced focus on employee welfare and needs. In this article by Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency based in New York City, we explore how businesses can help employees adapt to the new paradigm shift while reaping the benefits of innovation. Maintain an Open Dialogue Forcing changes onto employees is never a good idea, even if it is in the business's best interests. For instance, while most employees may welcome work-from-home, others may prefer to continue working in an office setting. Additionally, as research has shown, work-from-home has led to employees working longer hours than before, which eventually leads to burnout and lower productivity. Hence, before fully committing to such a change, maintain an open dialogue with employees to gather feedback regarding their expectations, reservations, and concerns. Post discussions create new policies to make a smooth transition. Delegate the responsibility of managing such transitions to a Chief Information Officer (CIO). If the business does not have a CIO, consider handling the role yourself until you hire one. As reported by The Enterprisers Project, an experienced CIO will ensure that new technology implementations are promptly communicated with all stakeholders and completed on time. Re-Train Employees Software is only useful for a business when used correctly. If a major chunk of your employees struggle with the basics of new software enforced upon them, it is bound to reduce productivity and cause frustration. Similar to how new hires are provided training before being thrown into the thick of things, implement a company-wide training program to teach employees how to use new technology the right way. While commonly used software such as a CRM (customer relationship management) tool will require training for all, team-specific training should be conducted as well. For instance, the marketing team can be trained in using the new social media management tool. Training will help employees adapt to changes faster and benefit from higher levels of productivity and job satisfaction. Use Business Process Management Software A common drawback of using multiple software tools for the business is the lack of cohesiveness between them. For example, the marketing team may not have access to tools used by customer service personnel. Hence, they’ll depend on emails or spreadsheets created by those in the customer service team to receive feedback on campaigns, customer demands, and more. Not only is this an ineffective and unreliable way of communication, but it also contradicts the whole point of using software to boost productivity. A business process management (BPM) software connects all individual software used by the business, making it easy for stakeholders to access information as and when needed. Additionally, BPM & prioritization go hand in hand as by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), BPM reviews your workflows and highlights inefficiencies and errors which can be rectified to increase productivity. Gather Consistent Feedback Adapting to a remote working schedule and using new software will be a big change for everyone. While training will make the transition easier, there will always be roadblocks along the way. One of the best ways to prevent new problems is to consistently gather feedback from employees, this can include:
Additionally, consider hosting in-person events periodically. This will allow employees to personally meet their co-workers, develop stronger bonds and receive a much-needed break from remote working. Employees are the backbone of any business and by implementing these steps you’ll create a remote working culture that strikes the right balance between employee welfare and company goals. Our travel and lifestyle public relations professionals are here to help. Give us a call. Guest Post: Chelsea Lamb at Business Pop Image Source: Pexels
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 Facebook, owned by its recently rebranded parent company, Meta Platforms, is one of the most prominent social media platforms. And, it’s no surprise that Facebook is frequently seen in big news headlines – Metaverse and news feeds – with their far reach in the social media world In this blog, Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency based in New York City, will share recent trends about Facebook, including the Metaverse on this social media platform. Metaverse Meta Properties, the parent company of Facebook, derives its name from the term “Metaverse.” According to Oxford Languages, it is “a virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users.” According to Cloudwards, Meta’s version of the Metaverse involves combining social media and virtual reality to “be able to do almost anything you can imagine.” Cloudwards states that the “company hopes to eventually phase out Facebook’s integration with other Meta services in favor of improving the Metaverse.” Eventually, there will be a seamless integration of Facebook into the Metaverse so there would be no more need for accounts to access the platform. In the wellness industry, the Metaverse is presenting a new way for health conscious consumers to stay healthy and maintain their level of physical fitness while staying at home. An Easier Way to Shop Facebook provides its users with easy and fast ways to shop with both Facebook Shops and Marketplace. Facebook Shops allows you to create and customize your own online store on Facebook and Instagram, and customers and vendors can connect through What’sApp, Messenger, and Instagram direct message. According to Hootsuite, one year after Facebook Shops has been introduced in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the site has reported “one million monthly global users and 250 million active stores worldwide.” Some brands have even reported that their sales are 66 percent higher on Facebook Shops than on their own websites, maybe thanks to the ease of Facebook Pay. Facebook Marketplace is another tool for consumers to use to buy and sell things; the main difference between Shops and marketplace according to Hootsuite is that consumers are using Facebook marketplace to look in specific geographic areas and most transactions involve the customer picking the product up in person. So if you’re looking to support more locally, marketplace may be the better choice for you. Staying Connected During the Pandemic Facebook has been at the forefront of staying connected during the Covid-19 pandemic, along with Zoom, with their Facebook Live function. The ability to broadcast live videos, news updates, and even concerts from home has allowed millions to find new and maintain old connections. In a survey conducted by eMarketer, it was found that 42.6 percent of respondents watch live video content most frequently on Facebook, second only to YouTube (52 percent). According to HubSpot, Facebook Live lets users stream directly to the platform from their profile, a page, a group, or even an event. A recording of the video is posted to the page or profile so it can be rewatched, and while it’s live, viewers can share, react, and comment on the stream. Facebook Groups Are on the Rise Speaking of staying connected, Facebook’s recently updated Groups feature allows users to stay connected through communities of similar interests, whether it be for work, research, or just recreation. According to Hootsuite, the newest update in March 2022 allows group admins to keep their Groups safe, reduce misinformation, and make it easier for them to grow their Groups with relevant audiences. The new update even included QR codes that bring you to the Group page when scanned. According to Oberlo, Facebook reported that, as of 2021, there were more than 1.8 billion monthly worldwide users participating in these online communities, which are managed by more than 70 million admins and moderators. Add-ons For Ads In efforts to increase transparency, Facebook’s Meta ad library will include summaries of targeting information for political, social, and electoral ads starting in July 2022, according to AdEspresso. The summaries will include demographic information, how much of their budget advertisers dedicate to each demographic, and whether an advertiser is using custom/lookalike audiences. Messenger Ads allow businesses to create an ad on Facebook that will bring the user straight to that brand’s WhatsApp account when clicked to instantly chat. Soon, according to AdEspresso, businesses will be able to streamline this ad creation process by using the WhatsApp Business app rather than go through Facebook’s ad creation system. Facebook Is a Moneymaker Facebook Reels is another tool on the rise in the social media platform. According to Facebook, says Hootsuite, it’s their “fastest growing content format by far,” and they’re not just fun to watch, they can make you money, too. Creators have the ability to monetize their public Reels with Overlay ads, which show up on the front of the Reel while it plays, like a banner ad. The more people engage, the more the creator makes – which can be up to $35,000 a month. Meta Platforms, parent company of Meta, also owns quite a few other platforms that are very well-known, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, its own Messenger, and the VR company Oculus. The parent company is creating seamless integrations between Facebook and its other platforms Our team of savvy social media and influencer marketing specialists are here to help companies grow on Facebook. We are here to help. Give us a call By Marley Merrihew at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.  A second honeymoon? Yes, please! Babymoons are trending once again thanks to the Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots and expecting couples to take one last relaxing vacation together before the arrival of their newborn, whether it be their first or their fourth child. According to a study conducted by Liberty Travel and Babycenter.com “59 percent of new parents have taken a babymoon vacation that has included an overnight stay from home.” It’s important for soon-to-be parents to be well-informed about the diseases and viruses that are present in any area they vacation to, especially considering the ever-present Covid-19 pandemic. Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency based in New York City, spotlights key trends as it pertains to babymoons. Why Take a Babymoon Having a baby, especially for the first time, is a tiring and time-consuming process, albeit with very happy outcomes. A babymoon is a way for couples to get one last chance to relax and destress with quality time together before their baby arrives. It can be as simple as having a staycation at home – it will be more cost-effective, less strenuous vacation. “It can be as simple as sending the kids to the in-laws for a weekend or booking a suite at a nice hotel in town. The important part is to unplug and be intentional about enjoying spending time together as a couple,” according to Brides. When to Travel Usually, the best time to travel for a babymoon, whether it be domestically or internationally, is during the second trimester (between weeks 14 to 28). This is because, "By this time, the nausea and vomiting that is common in early pregnancy are gone, you have more energy, and you're not so far along that you feel uncomfortable," according to Brides. Expecting mothers should always check with your doctor before traveling to be sure that you’re in a healthy enough condition to travel. It is important to research the safety measures and vaccine regulations of the place you are staying to ensure you and your baby’s safety and wellbeing During the Covid-19 pandemic, outdoor spaces with areas of natural beauty have provided ample space to social distance for the great escape. In planning a babymoon, it is important to avoid traveling at high altitudes as they reduce the amount of oxygen available to the baby Where to Go – and What to Do Babymoons can be taken anywhere, but depending on how far along you are, what your doctor says, and the status of Covid-19 in your bucket list destination. According to Brides, “the average babymoon stay is three to four days” Often, expecting parents are “finishing up work before maternity/paternity leave, and accommodating the increasingly frequent doctor's visits late in pregnancy.” Glamping babymoons are trending at the moment for active, expecting parents seeking beach huts, cabins and cottages in the woods, and luxury safari tents for some quality time in the great outdoors. The Covid-19 pandemic has also seen an increase in RV rentals and expecting parents are also opting to rent a RV and embark on a vacation of a lifetime across the U.S. For couples who prefer a city getaway, hotels offer babymoon packages that often include pregnant-friendly activities such as spas, prenatal yoga, romantic dinners with your partner, and even maternity photo-shoots. For couples who venture abroad, it is no surprise beach destinations are trending with expecting parents. Our travel and lifestyle public relations professionals are here to help savvy marketers tap into the emerging babymoon trend. Give us a call By Marley Merrihew at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.  Destination weddings are quite simply a wedding that takes place outside the engaged couple’s current town or city. Two and half years into the Covid-19 epidemic, destination weddings are coming back to pre-pandemic levels. Did you know . . .
Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency based in New York City, spotlights key post-pandemic destination weddings trends. Micro-Weddings The wedding micro-trend is exactly what it sounds: an intimate gathering of 50 people or less. Smaller guest lists and ceremonies adhere to the CDC guidelines and keep guests safe while traveling abroad. According to Forbes, “The Gwen reports that two years into the pandemic, 65 percent of all wedding inquiries are for micro weddings and smaller affairs.” Micro-weddings also enable newlyweds to have their cake and eat it too. “A micro wedding allows couples to have a more personalized experience that’s unique to them and their story,”according to Hudson Valley News. It also presents an opportunity for newlyweds looking to travel with loved ones and close friends after months of a lockdown. Micro weddings lends itself to destination weddings – it’s more cost effective to have less people attend a destination wedding. "A micro destination wedding also ensures less hassle with big groups while traveling, allows more quality time with each guest, and gives the couple and their guests the chance to focus on what the destination has to offer," according to Town & Country. And, let’s not forget, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought Zoom technology front and center. Couples connect with loved ones and close friends who may not be able to join them on location for their special day simply with high speed internet connection. Outdoor Spaces Are Crucial Although we have Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots, outdoor spaces still remain a priority for many couples planning their destination weddings. “We're seeing clients prioritizing venues with outdoor spaces—whether that means balconies, terraces, gardens, rooftops, or just spaces that have roll-gates or big windows that can swing open for the best possible air circulation,” according to Brides. Not only are outdoor spaces a beautiful addition to a wedding, but now they’ve become a practical way to keep everyone safe while still being able to get married amidst the pandemic. In addition to the wedding ceremony, outdoor spaces also lend itself to creative seating arrangements for the after wedding celebrations featuring dinner and dancing in the open air and under the stars. Sanitary Measures Are a Priority When you travel, hotels and airlines are normally kept very clean, but with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic they are taking even more precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their guests and passengers. “In addition, the importance of food and beverage sanitary precautions is higher now than ever, and will likely stay that way going forward,” according to Brides. You can rest assured knowing that you and your guests will be well taken care of at your dream destination wedding. Travel Allows Flexible Booking Covid-19 pandemic has caused much stress for couples planning a destination wedding – from having to cancel or postpone their wedding to losing their deposits or even not getting refunds from venues. Travel suppliers who are couples flexibility increase their chances of landing a destination wedding. Destination weddings are very lucrative and hoteliers often reap the benefits when family members spend on average $8,000 or more to travel to special locations for the newlyweds. It is important for travel suppliers to clearly state their cancellation, postponement policies to ensure couples have their dream destination in the location special to the couples. Our travel and lifestyle public relations professionals are here to help savvy marketers tap into the profitable destination weddings business. By Marley Merrihew at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. |
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