Do the design changes to Google+ really mean that it can now start to compete with Facebook and Twitter?
Posted by Jacqui Keep in Opinions on 18th April 2012
Last week saw Google+ launch its new redesign, with the aim of creating a ‘simpler, more beautiful Google’, with what we think has many similarities to Facebook Timeline.
Mashable presented some of the reactions to the redesign, which appeared to have been largely positive.
Forbes called it “simply more gorgeous than Facebook.” Wired noted that “Overall, the new Google+ look is cleaner and seems to make better use of the real estate.”
So with all the major players now vying to be the number one social media platform, what does this mean in reality for the people and businesses that use the platforms? Is this simply an annoyance, or are all enhancements making it simpler and easier for us to use as they all start to merge into one style? And if they all start to become increasingly similar, what are the benefits of having a presence on all of them?
Do the design changes to Google+ mean it can compete with the likes of Facebook and Twitter?
Customer loyalty – is it really that important?
Posted by Jacqui Keep in Opinions on 16th April 2012
The term customer loyalty is often thrown around as a buzz word in marketing and business, but how important is customer loyalty and more importantly how do we get it?
Retaining customers can be a difficult challenge in this current day, whether individuals or businesses, consumers are fickle. If something isn’t right with the service or product they are using then they will leave and go and find an alternative somewhere else.
So now more than ever it is extremely important to make sure that businesses have a strong Customer Relationship Management (CRM) programme in place.
Although new customers are essential for growth, retaining those customers is the key to long term success. Retained customers keep business alive and they are the heart of the business, boosting income.
Customer service is at the heart of customer loyalty.
Boris builds brighter future for London businesses
Posted by Jacqui Keep in Opinions on 11th April 2012
It was announced recently that Boris Johnson is pledging to launch a £35m low-cost loan scheme to help small businesses in London, if he is re-elected in May.
The money is set to come from the £70m allocated in last month’s budget to help boost ailing economic growth and boost capital development. The loans could potentially help around 500 small companies in the city and help boost the economy.
This announcement comes just weeks after our co-founders met with the Chancellor, George Osborne to discuss the National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS). The scheme allows businesses to access loans with a small interest rate of only one per cent, compared to those available outside the initiative – making it cheaper and easier for businesses to borrow money.
Boris builds a brighter future for London businesses.
Should businesses care that the government wants to monitor all communication channels?
Posted by Jacqui Keep in Opinions on 10th April 2012
Most people are aware that internet activity is monitored, either by organisations, employers, businesses, marketers and the government – but oddly, a new study by Ofcom shows that as a nation we are less concerned about security on the internet than ever before.
A huge eighty per cent are no longer worried about online security and fraud, with only a mere eight per cent being kept up at night by fears for their online privacy. If those eighty per cent aren’t worried about security and fraud then maybe they’ll be worried about this.
The Government is proposing a new legislation that plans to launch a digital surveillance that would allow for real-time monitoring of all phone calls and emails in Britain. The situation currently, is that although all web and email activity is monitored, the government must obtain a warrant to access any information from businesses or personal accounts. However, with real-time access to personal information and accounts, how will this work in terms of access? Will the government simply be able to access the information they want, whenever they want, without any prior warrant or warning?
Big Brother is watching you!
The Importance of Being Data-Savvy
Posted by Jacqui Keep in Opinions on 3rd April 2012
The popular modern-day maxim regarding ‘content being king’ is something that needs to be brought in to question in our opinion, especially at the mention of that singular word beginning with D; Data.
Data, both quantitative and qualitative, if processed in the right way, has the potential to add infinite value to companies of any size or sector. Customer data in particular should be prized and used more than any other. Basics, such as learning how many people come in to your store or to your website, how long they stay, where they’ve come from, and what they like for example, can be of huge benefit. With this simple data alone, you can target customers who have dropped off and reward those who are using more regularly. You can also serve bespoke offers to those who like one product or service much more than another, and in turn, make them feel appreciated which has been proven to increase brand loyalty and customer retention.
The importance of data is becoming paramount for businesses.
HTML5: The Future is Here!
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 28th March 2012
Think making websites is difficult? Think they can be expensive? You think this leaves you little option but to do without? Well, that’s been true for many small businesses until now; until HTML5, the webs new gift and [arguably] the future of the intent.
HTML5 is the updated version of the online code used to build websites. HTML5 adds many new syntactical features, including the new <video>, <audio> and <canvas> elements, as well as the integration of Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) content that replaces the uses of generic <object> tags. Or in layman’s terms, these new features are designed to make it significantly easier for the average person to include and handle multimedia and graphical content, without the need for complex code, plug-ins or APIs.
UK workers unhappy with their employers and bosses for having ‘More money than sense’
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 27th March 2012
Financial reservations are not resigned to The City as a surprising number of UK employees demand a shakeup concerning the way corporate money is spent.
A recent survey by Powwownow highlights almost a third of UK workers feel dismayed by their companies’ overspending. Furthermore, the same new figures reveal employees are equally critical of their boss’s personal spending habits and would rather see the money spent on directors’ salaries reinvested by their company in to more staff and training.
A cross section of 1,000 UK employees were asked the question, ‘How they perceived the spending habits of the company you work for?’ to which a disagreeable 30% of respondents indicated “too much” or “excessive”.
Fat Cats bring about resentment: Who'd of thought it?!
Small Business Loans Just Got A Lot Simpler
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 20th March 2012
Powwownow: one of the first three companies in the country to benefit from new Government Scheme.
Last night saw the launch of Chancellor George Osborne’s new Government Scheme which aims to make it simpler and cheaper for businesses to borrow money. The National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS) allows businesses to access loans with an interest rate one per cent point lower than those available outside the initiative; and having experienced the process first hand, leading Conference Call provider Powwownow says this can only signal a positive step in the right direction.
George Oborne and Powwownow Co-Founders discuss new scheme
Personalisation: The Starbucks way.
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 19th March 2012
We don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Starbucks, in a very American way of personalising their customer service in the UK, have now started wanting to call you by your name. This ordinarily wouldn’t be a problem; here at Powwownow we’re all for personalisation, but in this instance, it all seems a little insincere.
Apparently some customers have been having a little laugh at Starbucks’ expense by calling out names such as ‘Carol Singers’ or ‘Ben Dover’. And as amusing as that is, it’s probably detrimental to the way the general public change the way they perceive the coffee giant. Furthermore, if that specific problem escalates, we honestly think it could produce negative effects much larger than even they [Starbucks] might imagine.
"Oh Heeeey Bob!" - Starbucks new American style personalisation methods.
Are you ready for UC?
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 14th March 2012
Unified Communications shouldn’t just be another buzz phrase you don’t fully understand; instead, it should be in your business strategy, spoken about in the board room, and appreciated for what it really is – arguably the most revolutionary development in the way we work and converse this side of 2012.
Due to the fact at Powwownow we are currently combining our web and audio conferencing capabilities with a new video conferencing offer, we thought it great timing to take you through some interesting facts and figures regarding all things UC.
Speaking ahead of London’s Unified Communications Expo in March, event organiser Hugh Keeble said that by investing in UC systems, businesses can take advantage of synergised communications systems that boost efficiency. “Unified communications allows organisations to do business wherever they are, by bringing fixed, mobile and desktop communications together,” he said. “This is particularly important in the current economic climate”, he added, “with many companies looking to invest in systems that facilitate new working practices to improve cost-effectiveness”
