Tag: covid-19

Categories
Uncategorized

Adaptation: Digitalisation and the new normal

Adaptation: Digitalisation & the new normal

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

This is a statement that has been widely attributed to Charles Darwin, a man best known for his contributions to the science of evolution.

The Digital Revolution began anywhere from the late 1950s to late 1970s[1] and refers to the advancement of technology, from analogue electronic and mechanical devices, to the digital electronics technology available today. During the 1980s technology transformed the Nation with computers making their way into people’s home, schools and businesses.

As we move into to the fourth industrial revolution; which is described as building on the third, the digital revolution that has been occurring since the middle of the last century, characterised by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres[2] , we need to accept that the world is changing.

As consumers and organisations, we need to transform to survive. We have been catapulted forward multiple generations, with already existing trends such as buying online, signing-up to e-learning, online tutorials, webinars and outsourcing functions, all changing the way we operate. All of which can be done without leaving your home.

Digitalisation has changed society and human behaviour dramatically over the past decade in particular. Amongst many other key areas, it has impacted consumer behaviour and habits in science, security, health, business, socialisation and, most relevant for the world today, it has changed how we work.

In March 2020 Covid-19 was declared a pandemic and lead the world to have to lean on digitalisation in a way that it has not done so before. Lockdown prohibited businesses from having staff in the workplace, unless they were unable to work from home, and physically meeting with friends and family became impossible. Daily routines had to be re-thought, parents became teachers overnight, multiple generations were getting the hang of Zoom, Microsoft Teams and many other video conferencing channels and online exhibitions, quizzes and virtual events made a new name for themselves within a myriad of industries, including the world of art and charitable foundations.

Those companies able to use technology well in order to keep momentum, whilst continuing to rethink their business models for the future by fast-tracking a digital transformation, will be the ones ahead of their competition. As stated in our recent blog, Why outsourcing, why us? – En Avant Marketing and Concierge Services (en-avant.co.uk), when it comes to digitialisation a number of businesses and individuals are rethinking and outsourcing some of their essential and non-essential functions to third-party companies, to save on costs, streamline efficiencies and also save what is considered to be one of the most important assets of all, time. This however would not have been possible without the recent digital transformation to allow businesses this opportunity.

When talking to our counterparts across the globe, one unforeseen and regularly mentioned outcome of COVID-19 is that companies realise the benefits of fast-tracking a digital transformation. In conversations with firms across the globe, it has been highlighted had it not been for COVID-19 and being forced to adjust to the transformation, they would not be having such focused conversations with other global organisations regarding their outsourcing requirements and adopting a new way of working.

Opportunities exist now for individuals and organisations to shift their focus to embedding digitalisation, and the possibilities that this possesses, into their day-to-day lives, making it business as usual as opposed to ‘one for the future’, and so Charles Darwin’s words could not be more relevant for the evolving world that we live in today.

So, why not adapt to change and consider outsourcing to En Avant as a way to stay ahead of ever evolving trends?

To contact us for an informal conversation regarding your requirements, please do not hesitate to email us at georgieandnicola@en-avant.co.uk.

[1] Jeremy Rifkin, The Third Industrial Revolution

[2] www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond

Categories
Uncategorized

Rolling with the tide: Marketing trends and importance in 2020

Rolling with the tide: Marketing trends and importance in 2020

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email

We are sure that this is not going to be the first article that you have read so far this year which begins by stating the obvious, 2020 has been the most disruptive year since peacetime and has brought a whirlwind of change for businesses and individuals alike.

In our last article, we discussed how these changes have impacted businesses from a financial perspective, with many having to make redundancies or budget cuts, or even worse, have had to close the doors altogether, not having managed to weather the storm. With the environment around us ever changing, both from political, health and business standpoints, as well as quite literally from an environmental perspective, some may have thought that a business’s reaction to this change would be to ‘go slow and steady the ship’ but, in many cases, this is far from what has resulted in 2020.

Due to the increasingly digital world in which we live, Covid-19 did not offer businesses or individuals the chance to ‘go slow and steady the ship’, but in many cases did quite the opposite and provided a huge amount of pressure and very little time to adapt to the digital space, as this was the only option. As the world moved online in what seemed like a heartbeat, whether to work virtually or to partake in social gatherings, hobbies, purchase assets or continue education at any level, it barely allowed people the opportunity to ‘take a breath’.

From a marketing perspective, there were a few dramatic shifts, the most important being the widened audience that was suddenly available to market through digital channels. Many generations whom were not well versed in technology previously were suddenly figuring out how to ‘Zoom’ their families and friends, shopping online and were forced to take a giant leap forward in terms of integrating these platforms into their daily lives if they were to continue to be connected to the outside world.

In addition, it wasn’t only the demographic that shifted, but the sheer volume of customers that were suddenly online daily for a myriad of reasons. There is little additional explanation required as to how important digital marketing has become.

The only way brands have been able to capture the attention of their prospects this year, with meetings and events cancelled in many cases for almost an entire year, is by creating a strong digital presence so that their target customers are well informed. Through a strong digital presence, aligned to a strategy, purpose and values, businesses can connect, inform and create an affiliation with their customers. Whether announcing a new product, organising a virtual or physical event or launching an online campaign, reaching your target audience through digital means is much easier and, depending on the numbers that you want to reach, is much cheaper than offline means.

A brand is as good as their target audience recognising it. If you are not making enough buzz in the market then you are working in vain away from what is sure to continue to be a vital aspect of business success. Whether your goal in increasing marketing efforts in 2020 is to gain new leads, conversions or downloads, sell a product, smarten up your brand or get support in managing your daily affairs in a virtual manner, this is something that En Avant can help you with.

Let’s roll with the tide and move forward together, no one wants to be left behind as we enter what is sure to be a thriving 2021.

Categories
Uncategorized

Why outsourcing, why us?

Why outsourcing, why us?

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email

The number of businesses and individuals that are outsourcing some of their essential and non-essential functions to third-party companies are rising globally, to save on costs and streamline efficiencies and also save what is considered to be one of the most important assets of all, time.

Even prior to Covid-19, outsourcing marketing and other functions such as project management were considered to be a common approach, with outsourcing areas such as operational elements becoming increasingly prevalent in recent times for many start-ups and larger firms. However, this year’s pandemic has offered times of uncertainty and hardship for many and has pushed people to cut back on costs to ‘steady the ship’. This means that marketing (and other teams) budgets and teams have been either cut back or cut all together, meaning that the only way to continue moving forward with existing efforts is either to add additional workload to existing staff or diversify and outsource business functions to cost-effective third party contractors.

In this ever-changing world, we have witnessed that individuals and businesses are not only busier than ever but are pushing themselves hard to keep up with the likes of increasing digital trends in order to compete during the pandemic. There have been few businesses that have cut back efforts and instead have faced additional workload to continue to drive performance, which is both unsustainable and inefficient. These circumstances, teamed with the inability or unwillingness  to commit to long-term staffing and budget requirements, is where outsourcing comes into its own.

Earlier this year, Capital Counselor, produced the following intriguing top outsourcing statistics:

  • In 2019, the worldwide outsourcing market was worth $92.5 billion.
  • The top reason for outsourcing (59%) is to save money and cut costs.
  • Around 300,000 jobs are outsourced by the US annually.

Around 37% of small businesses use outsourcing to handle at least one of their business processes.

With demands for outsourced marketing services increasing but the above mentioned challenges not seemingly budging any time soon, En Avant’s overall purpose is to act as an extension of you or your existing team(s) or to act independently on your behalf, providing several advantages for your business, which include:

  • Saving time. Our time is Your time.
  • Saving on costs and effectiveness.
  • Costing you less to deliver a better return on investment (ROI).
  • Giving you access to a broader pool of expertise.
  • Enable you to set a scope of work and budget, moving forward in a way that you are comfortable and confident with.

Additionally, there are several reasons outsourced marketing can be beneficial for businesses. Examples include:

  • You don’t have the expertise in-house.
  • You already have too much to do without taking on marketing or concierge activities.
  • You want to reduce spend on larger marketing firms or avoid hiring in-house.
  • You want to better position your business to achieve higher results and returns.

All businesses have different requirements and En Avant offers a private and personal approach, providing bespoke marketing and concierge services, ‘filling in the gaps’ in a way that businesses and individuals can trust and can tailor marketing packages to fit almost any budget.

For us, we owe a lot to the individuals and experiences that have shaped us throughout our lives and careers and believe that strong values and ethics, along with trust and dependability, are the key to success in our line of work. We take pride in everything that we do, from our strong relationships with clients and partners, through to delivering the final product and treating every opportunity as a new experience in which to immerse ourselves.

Let’s push things forward. Together.

Sign up for our latest thinking
Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin

En Avant Limited

e: georgieandnicola@en-avant.co.uk

© Copyright En Avant 2020. En Avant Limited is Registered in England and Wales at 55 Century Court, Woking, GU21 6DR No 12952545.