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Tag: Data Management

  • Set Your Team up for Success with an Excel Bundle for $70 | Entrepreneur

    Set Your Team up for Success with an Excel Bundle for $70 | Entrepreneur

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    Organizing data can keep a business well informed about its progress, operations, and any other meaningful area of concern. Analyzing that data can go a long way in helping a business learn how to adjust its approach and optimize its progress. Microsoft Excel has emerged over the last couple of decades as the best tool for both managing and analyzing data.

    The Excel Mastery Bundle: Basics, Macros, and Data Analysis is a comprehensive learning package designed to equip ambitious business leaders with the skills to harness the full potential of Excel. With six courses and a total of 28 hours of material, you’ll learn everything from the basics to advanced data analysis techniques.

    In MS-Excel/Excel 2023: The Complete Introduction to Excel, instructor Yassin Marco takes users through 19 lessons on starting out with Excel, basic functions, pivot tables, charts, and data, and there’s even a course project to help you get your feet wet.

    Marco has a 4.2/5-star average instructor rating and works on a foundation of a BS in international management, as well as several certifications in IT and management.

    Microsoft Excel: Learn Excel by Creating Diverse Projects is another popular course in the bundle, with 27 lessons in total. This course is designed to help students master data entry techniques that optimize management and analysis for teams around the world. It explains how to navigate worksheets, use different cell formats, and perform common functions like SUM and AVERAGE.

    If you’re interested in learning more, just remember that The Excel Mastery Bundle: Basics, Macros, and Data Analysis is on sale for only $69.99 (reg. $499).

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  • 3 ways a modern data solution can improve student outcomes

    3 ways a modern data solution can improve student outcomes

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    Key points:

    We continue to read headlines about how artificial intelligence (AI) can substantially increase labor productivity across the global economy, creating both time and informational efficiencies. Yet there seems to be an argument about where and how this can revolutionize the world of education. As districts become increasingly more data driven, we need to accept that AI is here to stay and leverage information management solutions to drive student outcomes. 

    Tracking and managing data plays a critical role in the success of our students, so now more than ever, there is a fundamental need for districts to implement a modern solution partner to do that heavy lifting. Manually building spreadsheets, pulling out pivot tables, and building formulas and dashboards from scratch can waste our valuable time and resources. What might take days, or even weeks, for an administrator to input can be done in seconds by the right software. Intelligent educational software instantly recognizes patterns in data, even when they are not immediately apparent. This can be crucial for identifying trends, correlations, or factors influencing student performance that might be overlooked by manual analysis. 

    Ultimately, data management software allows us to shift our focus to having the right conversations, providing personalized learning experiences, delivering targeted support, and making impactful decisions to promote student success. 

    Here are three ways a modern data solution can improve student outcomes in your district:    

    Create collaboration among stakeholders

    A solution that centralizes, consolidates, and synthesizes data can drive conversation among school counselors, psychologists, administrators, intervention specialists, classroom teachers, and anyone else invested in students’ success. It allows the team to support the whole child by seeing students’ data through a variety of different lenses, ultimately enabling classroom teachers to make informed decisions and improve the overall learning experience for their students—and this can be initially accomplished through the use of just a few key dashboards. 

    As our district sees the effects of these initial dashboards come to life, we know that our students are more likely to succeed if families are engaged in their learning. A dashboard that tells the story of the whole child allows teachers to share data-driven insights with students and families, providing a clear picture of academic progress. Seeing a report card once a semester isn’t enough for families to understand how their kids are doing, and a modern data solution allows families to see trends over time in academics, mental health, attendance, and more. This provides families with clear, easy-to-understand visualizations of their child’s performance and challenges, enabling collaborative efforts to support student learning both inside and outside the classroom.

    Identify patterns for at-risk students to provide real-time support

    No student can be evaluated for at-risk behavior by test scores alone. By tracking attendance, behavioral patterns, mental health, grades, and other key markers, educators can pinpoint students who may be struggling and intervene before issues escalate.

    The software provides data in real-time—which is crucial for identifying students at risk of academic challenges or dropping out. Data analysis software also creates algorithms and allows for the identification of patterns and trends in student performance. This proactive approach of using consistent dashboards each week allows us to quickly see which students are in the at-risk category, and drive immediate conversations about those specific students.

    Create individualized support and pathways 

    A modern data solution can create personalized student experiences by tailoring educational content, support, and interactions to meet individual needs and preferences. The software can do a deep dive into each student’s history and instantaneously outline what’s needed to reach personal goals in academics, career readiness, and social-emotional skill building. We can clearly see enabling students to define and track their progress toward goals and plans in our roadmap, as we continue to empower students to take an active role in managing their own future. 

    We can also explore using a modern data solution to help students easily connect with community partners, courses, or other resources. This includes students accessing opportunities like: job shadowing, career mentorship, informational interviews, internships, and practicums. As schools are finding value by weaving in a variety of student-centered experiences with real-life and relevant learning activities into their curriculum, students can use the software to log hours and keep them on track. 

    Data management platforms have the potential to revolutionize education in many ways, transforming the traditional model of teaching and learning. By leveraging algorithms and analytics, a modern data solution can analyze data in real-time, providing educators with immediate insights to make informed, timely decisions that positively impact student success. Ultimately, it frees educators to get back to doing what they do best—challenging and supporting every student, every step of the way.

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    Keith Pomeroy, Upper Arlington Schools

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  • This Cloud Storage Deal Can be an Easy Win for Your Business: $25 for 100GB | Entrepreneur

    This Cloud Storage Deal Can be an Easy Win for Your Business: $25 for 100GB | Entrepreneur

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    Keeping data backed up is essential for businesses that want to be efficient with their time and resources. It can also make it easy for a colleague on the road to quickly pull up a deck or a contract when they need it the most.

    For entrepreneurs and business leaders who understand the true value of a great deal on cloud storage, this limited-time price drop is a can’t-miss. From April 15 through 11:59 p.m. PT on the 21 only, you can get 100GB of Amaryllo Cloud Storage for a discounted rate of $24.97 (reg. $59).

    Seen at CES and rated 4.6/5 stars by verified purchasers, Amaryllo offers this generous bit of cloud storage with a feature-rich platform that keeps your company’s information safe with a zero-knowledge privacy policy. This means that only you and the users you approve can access the data you hold on the platform. It has tools to easily share files, which can be huge for teams collaborating with other companies and people in remote locations around the country and world.

    For saving time, Amaryllo conveniently has tools for smart searching your files. Powered by AI, this feature saves a lot of time. With this storage deal, you and your team members can back up from any device, including iOS, Android, PC, and macOS. You can also share this storage deal with up to nine people—great for small companies.

    From April 15 through 11:59 p.m. PT on the 21 only, you can get 100GB of Amaryllo Cloud Storage for a discounted rate of $24.97 (reg. $59).

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  • Learn How to Change Your Business with Excel — Just $35 for 48 Hours Only | Entrepreneur

    Learn How to Change Your Business with Excel — Just $35 for 48 Hours Only | Entrepreneur

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    Being competent or even advanced with Microsoft Excel has proven to be something that can save your business time and money while also improving productivity. From running formulas to automating data calculations to better-keeping track of budgets and spending, this program can serve in so many ways.

    For those who want to learn Excel on a budget, during this 48-hour flash sale for St. Patrick’s Day that ends on March 17, you can get The 2024 Ultimate Microsoft Excel Training Bundle on sale for just $34.97 (reg. $399). This bundle features 16 courses and nearly 100 hours of content on Microsoft Excel with a range of courses for all experience levels.

    In Microsoft Excel 2021/365 Beginners Course, you can explore 100 lectures to learn how to navigate the Excel 2021 interface. This course features helpful keyboard shortcuts, formatting lessons, and even lessons on how to analyze data with charts. It has an average rating of 4.5/5 stars. The course is followed up in the bundle with an intermediate course and an advanced course. The bundle also includes courses on Excel 2019, Excel for business analysts, pivot tables, and more.

    Every course in this bundle is taught by an instructor from StreamSkill, which has a background in teaching over one million students online with an average 4.4/5 star instructor rating.

    During a 48-hour flash sale for St. Patrick’s Day that ends on March 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get The 2024 Ultimate Microsoft Excel Training Bundle on sale for just $34.97 (reg. $399).

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  • Get 2TB of Cloud Storage with PhotoSphere for Just $280 for a Limited Time | Entrepreneur

    Get 2TB of Cloud Storage with PhotoSphere for Just $280 for a Limited Time | Entrepreneur

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    Every business needs solutions for backing up photos, videos, and other file types. While having an onsite hard drive can go a long way, you also want to have a cloud backup as an extra layer of security. Taking the time to copy large chunks of files to these different places can be incredibly time-consuming, which is why this device automates the entire process, saving you and your team time and money.

    This PhotoSphere Photo & Video Backup Storage Solution with 2TB HDD is on sale for just $279.99 (reg. $299) for a limited time only. The sizable 2TB included in this deal is enough to store a wide range of photos, videos, and other files spread across your work devices. The widely compatible PhotoSphere works with Android phones and tablets, as well as iOS devices such as iPads, iPhones, and MacBooks.

    The PhotoSphere is a physical device that plugs into your Wi-Fi router, and then it sends your data to remote cloud backup platforms. It offers data encryption for as much as an entire backup, and it makes accessing files via an accompanying smart app easy. Finding files with PhotoSphere is also made easier with intuitive features.

    For example, with its AI-driven facial recognition, it can sort photos based on the person in them, and it can let you search them by name. It can also group photos based on the location where they were shot or whether or not they’re from an event like a team outing or birthday.

    This PhotoSphere Photo & Video Backup Storage Solution with 2TB HDD is on sale for just $279.99 (reg. $299) for a limited time only.

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  • iCEV Recognizes Putnam County Schools as the District’s Student Becomes the 100,000th Certification Earner on the iCEV Testing Platform

    iCEV Recognizes Putnam County Schools as the District’s Student Becomes the 100,000th Certification Earner on the iCEV Testing Platform

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    Lubbock, TX – Putnam County Schools in Tennessee is recognized by iCEV, a leading producer of Career & Technical Education (CTE) curriculum, industry certification testing, and data management, for having the 100,000th certification earner on the iCEV Testing Platform.

    Serving more than 12,000 students across 22 schools, Putnam County Schools has long been recognized as a leader in promoting equitable access to CTE programs and career opportunities. In Putnam County Schools, CTE courses are aligned to relevant industry certifications that will help earners begin successful careers.

    “It’s important that we provide equal access to all of our students,” said Jaclyn Vester, CTE Program Director for Putnam County Schools. “We want to make sure all of our students are leaving with the tools they need to be college and career ready.”

    Having the 100,000th earner demonstrates the significant role certifications play in ensuring students in Putnam County Schools are prepared for their careers.

    “We want them to really explore and think about what their next steps are, and we want to make sure as a school system that we are providing them with the skills they are going to need for those next steps,” said Vester.

    By partnering with organizations such as iCEV, Putnam County Schools will continue to fulfill its mission to provide CTE students with employable skills that will help them lead successful careers in the fields of their choosing. In the previous school year alone, Putnam County Schools certified more than 1,500 students, including 374 through the iCEV Testing Platform.

    “This milestone celebrates the success of Putnam County Schools and countless other CTE programs across the country,” said Dusty Moore, iCEV CEO. “The certification earners are now better prepared for their careers and are serving in communities across the country. iCEV is proud to partner with schools nationwide to provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their knowledge and validate their skills.”

    With 18 industry certifications created by industry-leading businesses and organizations, the iCEV Testing Platform offers opportunities for learners to demonstrate they have the knowledge and skills necessary for work in a wide range of industries. The milestone of 100,000 certification earners represents that there are now 100,000 individuals more prepared to pursue their academic and career goals.

    About iCEV  
    Since 1984, iCEV has specialized in providing quality CTE curriculum and educational resources. iCEV is the most comprehensive online resource for CTE educators and students, offering curriculum for several major subject areas, including agricultural science, trade & industrial education, business & marketing, career exploration, family & consumer science, trade & health science, law enforcement and STEM education. iCEV also acts as a certification testing platform for industry certifications. Recognized companies and organizations utilize iCEV as the testing platform for their certifications. Additionally, iCEV offers Eduthings, a CTE data management platform that simplifies reporting for industry certifications, work-based learning, CTSO participation, and more. For more information, visit www.icevonline.com.

    eSchool News Staff
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  • How to Streamline Your Digital Ecosystem | Entrepreneur

    How to Streamline Your Digital Ecosystem | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I vividly remember when Microsoft rolled out Windows 95. Designed to actually look like a desktop, with icons for the Recycle Bin, Briefcase, Inbox and other functions, it felt revolutionary, a boon for productivity as well as operations and logistics, and above all, user-friendly. And that innovation was market-proven: Microsoft product designer at the time, Juliette Weiss, noted in a 2017 article for Medium, “It was the most heavily user-tested product in [the company’s] history.”

    In those days, it made sense to treat a computer workspace more or less like your home or office desktop — to regularly clean and organize it just as you would its physical facsimile. But today, with cloud computing and an endless number of automated tools and apps, the digital/physical workspace analogy doesn’t quite hold up. Organizing your 21st-century ecosystem isn’t just a matter of implementing a smart filing system, but about choosing the right tools and building intuitive systems, then continually refining and updating them. Harvard Business Review summed it up well in an article published more than a decade ago: “Our job today and tomorrow,” it read in part, “isn’t to organize ourselves better; it’s to get the right technologies that respond to our personal productivity needs.”

    At Jotform, my team and I rely on a multitude of tools and platforms for personal work and collaboration and streamlining them has helped us to reduce friction, increase output and both grow and scale without a dime of outside funding.

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    Aytekin Tank

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  • Why You Should Stop Obsessing Over Your Goals to Achieve Them | Entrepreneur

    Why You Should Stop Obsessing Over Your Goals to Achieve Them | Entrepreneur

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    America harbors a uniquely goal-oriented culture. From our homes to our offices, from our bodies to our minds — a large majority of us are in a never-ending pursuit of measurable results in every aspect of our lives.

    Our wristwatches count daily steps, water bottles grade water intake by volume, and weight scales connect to our iPhones to input calories eaten. Dating is a “numbers game.” Even babies have sleep monitors that output slumber scores. Simply put: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) occupy an outsized portion of our headspace.

    Nowhere is this phenomenon more present than in a business setting. Corporate offices are filled with executives rushing to read the latest dashboard; social media managers eagerly tally every video view; performance marketers monitor every click. I feel this daily as both a new mom and the owner of a market research company. The last seven months with my daughter have had me losing sleep — and not for the reason that you think. She’s sleeping great! But I’m staying up obsessively tracking her milestones; did she roll over adequately? Has she “cooed” the right number of times today? We use data to help us feel “in control,” but ultimately, the data controls us.

    My industry is guilty of the same crime. Data dashboards offer an illusion of control. Executives stare at statistics inside the boardroom while the real world runs rampant outside the door. I’ve seen it many times: a brand tracker reports a seemingly healthy brand, and suddenly, the business falls off a cliff. Culture shifts, consumer preferences change, and despite volumes of data, business leaders are blindsided.

    We lose out on the grand vista of value by obsessing over a goal, the golden data point at the end of the rainbow. It’s never about one number or one data point. The greatest value and the most interesting lessons come from what we’ll call data wandering: exploring multiple data points, connecting dots and inviting in the necessary complexity vital to revelatory truths. Here are some perspectives that guide how you wander the data landscape – and relinquish single-digit-chasing.

    Related: Why Focusing on KPIs Too Much Can Backfire

    Data is the compass, not the captain

    There’s a reason that KPIs are “Key Performance Indicators” instead of “Key Performance Answers.” This is your reminder that data very rarely has the solution to your question. Data is a barometer, a clue — a critical piece that completes the puzzle. When you shift your perspective and allow data to guide rather than lead, you will become freer to think critically and creatively. As a market researcher, I’m asking you to consider your data an ellipsis versus a full-stop period. In your day to day, practice this mantra by inserting the statement, “That’s interesting, I wonder if…” after every data point you encounter – in work and life.

    Data is a slice, not the pie

    In industry and society, we’ve gotten really good at housing, analyzing and gleaning insight from big data. Still, it can feel like we are drowning in information — information that can be reliable and contradictory at the same time. This is because there will always be more data and a different way to ask the same questions or analyze the same data. And no matter how much data you’ve succeeded at aggregating, you’re often looking at a sliver of reality. If there is a world of truth outside of a metaphorical house, you are looking through a tiny crack in the wall and what you see will always be a partial view. And that’s ok, for now. As our industry stands, there is no pie (cue the Matrix: there is no spoon!). When you realize that all data is a glimpse, it makes wandering that much more fun.

    Related: How to Determine Your KPIs and Achieve Profitability

    Data is strong in its flexibility, not its rigidity.

    In life and in business, novelty and change are the norm, not the exception. When we become too rigid in “how we do things” and the data sets we monitor and track, we lose sight of the world around us. Tunnel vision is the antithesis of exploration, and it’s often the leading cause of a business’s failure to innovate. Kodak was hyper-focused on the success of film photography and didn’t see the digital revolution. Xerox was celebrating healthy sales data around copy machines and chose to stifle innovation in favor of their hero product. Blockbuster overvalued the strength of its brand equity measures, failing to see the rise of the little-known company named Netflix.

    Goal orientation gives us purpose and meaning – but goal obsession makes us psychologically immobile and incapable of seeing the full picture. Consider how 2024 can be your year to embrace feeling out of control – welcoming the idea that despite all the data in the world, you may still not know “for sure.” This will open you to more innovation, evolution, and changes, big and small.

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    Maria Vorovich

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  • Make File Storing Simple and Affordable with This Cloud Service, Now $89.97 | Entrepreneur

    Make File Storing Simple and Affordable with This Cloud Service, Now $89.97 | Entrepreneur

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    Cloud storage can be a convenient and secure way to store your data, which is why the market is estimated to grow to $427.47 billion by 2030 (Statista). The only problem? Most of the popular options don’t provide that much storage. As an entrepreneur, you likely have a lot of files to secure.

    If you’re looking for a more generous option, Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage is an excellent choice. Right now, you can snag 20TB of lifetime storage for only $89.97 (reg. $1,494) right here at the best price on the web, with no coupon needed. But you’ll have to act fast — this deal only lasts through January 21.

    You face enough challenges as an entrepreneur; don’t make dealing with cloud storage services one of them. With Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage, you have a convenient, straightforward, and, most importantly, affordable way to safeguard your important files. It can be used for both personal and business use on any device, and you can save files and then access them from anywhere at any time as needed.

    With this lifetime subscription, you’ll secure an ample 20TB of storage for a one low-time price, no expensive monthly fees required. And once your files are saved securely in the cloud, there are quick preview options when you need them and convenient features like drag-and-drop and easy mobile upload to make organizing and uploading a breeze. Accidentally hit delete? That’s no problem, thanks to trash recovery, which keeps everything recoverable for 30 days.

    Pay once and secure 20TB of cloud storage for life with Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage, now at the best price on the web, just $89.97 (reg. $1,494), through January 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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  • Why Vertical Integration Allows Leaders to Actually Control Their Data | Entrepreneur

    Why Vertical Integration Allows Leaders to Actually Control Their Data | Entrepreneur

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    The parable of “The Blind Men and The Elephant” tells the story of six blind men who come across an elephant for the first time. They each examine a different part of the elephant. The trunk. The ears. The tusks… You get the gist.

    Consequently, each person comes to a very different conclusion about what an elephant is.

    They are all partly right — but also entirely wrong.

    The moral of this story is simple. Different perspectives and incomplete information can lead to varying — and often inaccurate — interpretations. It’s an old story. But it’s a fable we should pay close attention to in our modern world. Especially when working with data.

    Related: Using Data Analytics Will Transform Your Business. Here’s How.

    Less will (almost) always be more

    Business leaders worldwide want to use their data to make better decisions and get more accurate insights into their business.

    But often, businesses will have multiple layers in their tech stacks. Some are new. Some are old. Some are integrated. Some are totally siloed. Each of these layers captures different data. And you get inaccurate insights when these pieces aren’t talking to each other.

    Businesses have access to more data than ever before. But quantity doesn’t equal quality.

    For many organizations, the actual quality of their data is being diluted. You create misaligned incentives by having so many different elements in your tech stack. One aspect of your stack may tell you one thing, but then the next part can contradict it. We see this a lot in advertising technology. A myriad of different buying platforms, data partners, publishers, analytics tools, CRM, segmentation tools and more. Often, it becomes so messy over time that it’s hard to get the actionable data you need to create insights, actions, and business impact.

    Access to lots of data sets does not equal good data. Looking at data sets in silos is an easy way to paint the wrong picture, which increases the likelihood of poor decision-making.

    Data is exciting, but you need to be able to view it in a single place, which is why I think the principles of vertical integration should be implemented here.

    Vertical thinking

    Vertical integration is a strategy that allows a company to streamline its operations by taking direct ownership of processes. In other words, it allows you to control your own destiny. In theory, it gives businesses greater efficiencies, reduced costs, and more control of the manufacturing and distribution process. Tesla is a famous example of this model practice.

    Tesla implemented vertical integration across its business structure — but with a major focus on two key aspects: battery production and energy storage. Tesla knew that batteries were critical to EVs – and that success hinged on owning a highly contested battery supply chain. This enterprise allowed Tesla to leverage its expertise in battery technology and apply it to the energy storage market, creating synergies and shared resources across different product lines.

    It does everything from designing the cars, building the tech, and making its own chips to selling the cars. Everything is in-house, meaning supply chain issues or manufacturing partners don’t slow it down. This integration has helped the company scale its operations, drive technological advancements, and position itself as a sustainable transportation and energy solutions leader.

    Owning your data can work in the same way. But without the need to build a multi-billion dollar gigafactory in Nevada.

    By taking control of your tech stack and ownership of your information, you gain a more holistic view of what is happening with your business. And you also insulate yourself from issues in the outside world.

    This is invaluable on its own. But this singular view becomes even more powerful when you factor in the exponential growth of AI and ML technologies. Applying these tools to a vertically integrated data set can transform a business and unlock previously unknowable insights.

    Essentially if your data is disparate and not well integrated, you can never get to the “Unknown Unknowns”—the things you didn’t even know to ask about. There are patterns invisible to human eyes. You can only see these with good data.

    More insights. More efficiency. More control. Vertical integration offers businesses control of their supply chains. But there are challenges, too. Even if you aren’t building huge factories, you need investment and support to make the necessary changes. And most importantly, you need to ensure that becoming self-reliant doesn’t mean you get tunnel vision and lose sight of developments outside your business.

    Related: 8 Ways Data Analytics Can Revolutionize Your Business

    Data and elephants

    If you look at different data sets in isolation, you will likely emerge with an incorrect idea of what an elephant — aka your business — really is.

    You might be partly right in places, but you will also be entirely wrong.

    Vertical integration allows leaders to see the full picture of their business — from customer to creative, hoof to tusk.

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    Kristopher Tait

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  • Give the Gift of Excel and Data Wizardry this Holiday Season | Entrepreneur

    Give the Gift of Excel and Data Wizardry this Holiday Season | Entrepreneur

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    As the holiday season approaches, many of us ponder the perfect gift. While gadgets and trinkets are always appreciated, there’s a unique, invaluable present that often goes unconsidered — the gift of learning. The Complete Excel, VBA, and Data Science Certification Training Bundle is worth exploring.

    Mastering data analysis and automation is valuable in today’s world. The ability to harness data’s power for informed decision-making sets successful entrepreneurs and professionals apart. This comprehensive training bundle consists of 13 multi-lesson courses. So whether it’s a gift or training you are interested in pursuing, it’s a cost-effective way to invest in professional development and acquire skills that can significantly impact a career.

    Excel, often considered the Swiss Army knife of data analysis, is the foundational tool within this bundle. From essential functions to advanced features, these courses cover all aspects, making you proficient in managing and analyzing data quickly. This mastery of Excel alone can save you hours and enhance your productivity.

    Furthermore, the bundle delves into the world of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). This programming language empowers you to automate repetitive tasks, creating custom functions and streamlining reporting processes. It’s a critical skill that enables you to work smarter, not harder.

    In an era where data is king, understanding how to turn information into actionable insights is invaluable. With data science, machine learning, and data visualization training, you can unearth trends, make data-driven decisions, and gain a competitive edge in your field.

    Additionally, learning Python, one of the most versatile and widely used programming languages, can be a game-changer. Its applications span web development to data analysis, making it a must-have skill for any professional.

    During this holiday season of giving, consider the Complete Excel, VBA, and Data Science Certification Training Bundle, available until 11:59 p.m. PT on November 9th for only $19.97 (reg. $429), with no coupon required.

    Prices subject to change.

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  • Relying Solely on Your Gut to Make Big Business Decisions Could Cost Your Career | Entrepreneur

    Relying Solely on Your Gut to Make Big Business Decisions Could Cost Your Career | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    No matter your industry, Big Data and analytics are fundamentally changing how businesses operate and make decisions. Throw in a culture of rapid digital transformation, and the expectations for leadership roles are shifting at an unprecedented rate.

    It’s no longer sufficient for C-suite executives and senior leaders to simply excel in traditional management skills such as strategic vision and people management. Now, the currency of effective leadership also includes an intimate understanding of data analytics.

    Consider just a few of the ways that Big Data and analytics are driving decisions in the modern workplace:

    • Customer analysis to better understand customer needs, preferences and behaviors.
    • Predictive models to forecast future trends or performance.
    • Risk analysis to identify potential threats and opportunities.

    A recent survey proves the power of data analytics: 44% of executives consider data crucial for strategic decision-making, while 37% believe it offers deeper insights into their business.

    As a C-suite executive, an ability to interpret data-driven insights from these types of analyses can create a competitive advantage for climbing the corporate ladder. But how should you get started with data analytics?

    Related: Five Ways Big Data Can Help Your Business Succeed

    The evolving landscape of modern leadership

    There was a time when the primary expectations for senior leaders were aspects like visionary thinking, strategic planning and people management. While these skills remain vital, the technological revolution has introduced a new dimension to leadership: data literacy.

    The arrival of “Big Data” and the learning models that drive it have made data literacy increasingly crucial for executives. Data literacy involves reading, analyzing and communicating insights from vast volumes of data. It requires understanding statistics and techniques like machine learning and natural language processing (NLP).

    As a senior leader, your ability to understand and use this data boosts team effectiveness and positions you as a forward-thinking executive. Consider KPIs — the backbone of performance management. By interpreting the data, gain insights into team performance and areas for improvement.

    This enables you to make better decisions and have more informed conversations with your team members. Plus, understanding the basics of machine learning helps you identify opportunities for automation or optimization that may have been missed.

    Strategies for integrating data analytics into leadership

    If data literacy is a new skill that can boost your career, the question becomes: How can you cultivate this skill to help your resume rise up the ranks? For senior leaders interested in harnessing the power of data analytics for career growth, here are some strategies to consider:

    Develop a data-driven mindset

    Before diving into tools and techniques, developing a data-driven mindset is crucial. Start by asking data-based questions in meetings, challenging assumptions with empirical evidence, and encouraging your team to do the same. This helps to foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and sets the tone for deeper exploration later on.

    Proactively seek out opportunities to learn

    Data analytics is a broad field — from basic spreadsheet software to sophisticated machine learning algorithms. Identify which skills you need to learn to use data effectively, then look for sources such as online courses or internal training to build those competencies.

    Collaborate with data experts

    Don’t isolate yourself; instead, make it a point to collaborate with your organization’s data scientists (if you have any), analysts or other data professionals. They can provide insights that are not immediately apparent and guide you through the complexities of data interpretation.

    Plus, by adding a roster of skilled data advisors to your network, you can benefit from their expertise and experience.

    Implement data-driven projects in your current role

    Once you’re comfortable with the basics, initiate a data-driven project within your team or department.

    It could be anything from improving customer experience based on feedback data to optimizing supply chain logistics. Such projects provide practical experience and showcase your leadership in adapting to the new data-centric business environment.

    Track and showcase your success

    Nothing speaks louder than results. As you implement data-driven initiatives, track the outcomes meticulously. Be prepared to showcase these successes in performance reviews or when seeking a promotion, as they make a compelling case for your leadership capabilities in a data-driven era.

    Related: The Pivotal Role Of Big Data In E-Commerce

    Gain a competitive edge through data analytics

    If you’re going to compete, data analytics is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity for senior leaders aspiring for career advancement. Mastering this skill set enhances your decision-making and differentiates you in the eyes of stakeholders and hiring committees.

    To stay ahead of the pack, you need to understand and interpret data trends proficiently. The more comfortable and confident you are with data-driven insights, the more likely you can capitalize on opportunities before others do.

    • Lead with data, not just instincts: Enrich your leadership instincts with empirical data for a more balanced and credible decision-making approach.
    • Collaborate with data experts: Build a network of data professionals within your organization to enhance your data literacy and garner insights.
    • Implement data-driven projects: Showcase your newfound skills by leading a data-centric project within your team or department.
    • Track and showcase success: Measure the outcomes of your data-driven initiatives and be prepared to present them in performance reviews or job interviews.
    • Make data analytics a leadership trait: Adopt data literacy as a core leadership trait, on par with qualities like strategic thinking and empathy.

    Start today by learning the basics of data analytics and how to use it in your decision-making process. And while you grow in your understanding and skill level, never forget to show the value of data-driven initiatives in your organization. Doing so will help you become a more influential leader that the world needs today.

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    Tim Madden

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  • How to Use Data-Driven Marketing Strategies to Maximize Your Investments | Entrepreneur

    How to Use Data-Driven Marketing Strategies to Maximize Your Investments | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Explore the dynamic landscape of data-driven marketing and its transformative impact on businesses of all sizes and industries. From harnessing consumer insights to optimizing ad spend and driving engagement, this article delves into the strategies and technologies that empower modern marketers to thrive in the digital era. Discover how data-driven campaigns, including programmatic advertising, are revolutionizing the way brands connect with their audiences and achieve remarkable results.

    What is data-driven marketing?

    Data-driven marketing puts data at the heart of all marketing decisions with the goal of making every marketing effort relevant to a brand’s audiences, interests and behaviors. Consumer data determines which creatives will be used, which marketing channels the brand will select, and how those creatives will be presented.

    As opposed to listening to input from in-house teams such as finance or product development, data-driven marketers prioritize insights gained from actual customers. Their goal is to optimize each aspect of their strategy for consumer connection.

    Related: 10 Elements of a Successful Data-Driven Marketing Strategy

    The impact of data-driven marketing

    Leading brands have been using data-driven marketing for a few years to great effect. Just five years ago, those brands were in the minority. A 2018 study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found only 2% of businesses qualified as ‘best-in-class’ at data-driven marketing. However, these few were rewarded with up to 20% more revenue and 30% more cost savings compared to their competitors.

    Since then, the pandemic disrupted virtually every industry. As customer behaviors changed rapidly, older data-driven models were no longer working. As a result, some brands reverted to mass marketing while others doubled down on targeting and tried an even more precise approach, according to marketing specialists at McKinsey & Co.

    Over the past two years, consumer behavior has shifted, retaining some of the pandemic-induced changes but also starting to become more predictable once again. Consequently, brands are adapting their marketing strategies.

    A 2023 survey by Hubspot showed that far more brands are now using a data-driven approach. 36% of marketers confirmed that data was essential for understanding customers. 32% believed that investing in data gathering boosted ROI.

    Related: Your Data-Driven Marketing Is Harmful. I Should Know: I Ran Marketing at Google and Instagram

    Harnessing consumer insights

    So, how can brands use data to maximize ROI?

    Harnessing consumer insights to inform campaign planning and implementation is one of the most effective ways to increase ROI. Brands can gain those insights by analyzing consumers’ behaviors, opinions and thoughts and encouraging consumers to share real experiences with a brand.

    Encouraging customers to share online reviews, distributing surveys or analyzing social media comments can all be part of a brand’s approach to data collection. While not all feedback may be positive, each piece of information gives the brand team a concrete insight into the consumer’s mind.

    These insights remove any guesswork from decisions relating to marketing campaigns, prioritizing one product over another and targeting the most promising audiences with campaigns.

    Driving consumer engagement

    Before digital marketing channels revolutionized how brands connect to their audiences, marketing could be seen as a one-way street of brands talking to audiences. Today, consumer engagement has become one of the essential ingredients of successful marketing.

    Social media platforms are ideal for real-time consumer engagement. They give brands unparalleled access to consumers in a natural environment instead of a focus group, for example. The most successful brands in this area understand what type of content drives engagement the most and deliver this type of content to their audience.

    Related: 9 Cool Ways You Can Use Data-Driven Marketing to Gain Customers

    Optimizing ad spend with programmatic advertising

    Maximizing ROI from digital ads is another item high on the priority list of marketing teams. Effective media buying is one of the keys to this, but it is also a strategy that has traditionally been time-consuming, involving requests for proposals, tenders, negotiations and quotations.

    Programmatic advertising is starting to change this. In simple terms, programmatic advertising uses automation and algorithms to streamline media buying. Software takes over instead of a human buyer choosing or bidding on digital advertising space. Website and social media traffic data, information about consumer behavior, demographics and other contextual data support the software’s purchase decisions.

    Using this procedure, brands can target their audiences more precisely and cost-efficiently. The success of this approach is reflected in the growing programmatic advertising spending across the United States. Experts believe that spending is set to increase from $127 billion in 2023 to $168 billion in 2024.

    Brands can use this approach to optimize their campaigns in real-time based on the feedback received by the software. It is an excellent opportunity to enhance a campaign’s ROI.

    Applying programmatic advertising in practice

    If that sounds a little too technical, here are two examples to bring programmatic advertising to life.

    1. Dynamic Creative Optimization. Even if you have not heard of dynamic creative optimization, it has almost certainly targeted you. Assuming you searched for flights to a tropical island. A resort chain on that island then uses DCO to present personalized accommodation adverts in that destination. As you continue browsing, you see more of their adverts. The content changes dynamically, displaying updated prices and limited offers to convince you to book a vacation.
    2. Retargeting Abandoned Shopping Carts. Potential customers abandoning orders can be a significant problem for eCommerce businesses. Programmatic advertising allows those businesses to place adverts in front of you, reminding you to complete your purchase. Sometimes, brands may even offer incentives to persuade consumers to pick up where they left off.

    Conclusion

    Data-driven marketing allows brands to target consumers more precisely than ever before. As digital marketing and advertising platforms continue to evolve, data collection and analysis must adapt to new environments and circumstances. One thing is clear: few brands, if any, will thrive without solid data-driven marketing practices. Start putting yours in place now!

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    Jessica Wong

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  • Save $250 on a Lifetime Subscription to This Innovative AI Service That Works With Google Sheets | Entrepreneur

    Save $250 on a Lifetime Subscription to This Innovative AI Service That Works With Google Sheets | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    As an entrepreneur, you’ve likely heard all about the buzz around artificial intelligence (AI). According to Forbes, ChatGPT had more than a million users in just the first five days of its release, so there’s clearly significant demand for AI-powered products.

    If you’ve been trying to figure out how you can best implement this new technology into your own business, look no further than SheetGPT.

    Harness AI power for life at one low price.

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    Streamline your Google Sheets tasks with AI.

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    Act fast to secure a lifetime subscription to the SheetGPT Single User Plan and create AI content in bulk for just $48.99 (reg. $299).

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  • Degoo Premium Offers an Ample 10TB of Lifetime Cloud Storage for Less Than $100 | Entrepreneur

    Degoo Premium Offers an Ample 10TB of Lifetime Cloud Storage for Less Than $100 | Entrepreneur

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    We’re all just one coffee spill or computer crash away from losing a wealth of important files…if we don’t have a storage solution in place. And if you’ve diligently subscribed to a cloud storage option, like millions of Americans who are paying around $225 billion a year annually on cloud infrastructure services according to Statista, then we don’t need to remind you how costly that gets.

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  • 3 Ways Leaders Can Use Data to Grow in Shrinking Economies | Entrepreneur

    3 Ways Leaders Can Use Data to Grow in Shrinking Economies | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    According to the International Monetary Fund, advanced economies will see an especially pronounced growth slowdown, from 2.7% in 2022 to 1.3% in 2023. Tech leaders are facing economic headwinds, yet encounter continuous pressure to maintain aggressive revenue growth in an increasingly competitive global landscape, which begs the question: How do I shift from a strategy of growth at all costs to efficient, sustainable growth?

    Leaders need to find a way to make sense of this dynamic environment and use it to their advantage. But the growth tactics that worked yesterday will not get us through these unprecedented times.

    Related: How (and Why) You Need to Put Sustainability and Community Ahead of Fast Growth

    Against the odds

    As a CEO, you’re under a lot more scrutiny, so you need to have a way to make the best decisions while being able to provide logic.

    Changing economies are an opportunity to reevaluate decisions across the entire organization and find ways to increase throughput while doing more with less. Data-driven insights are how leaders navigate the rapidly changing market. They are how leaders lay down a foundation for long-term success, even in a down economy.

    I’ve worked as an executive through the dotcom bust, the tumultuous financial crisis of 2008, Covid-19 and whatever’s happening right now. Throughout these adverse economic conditions, here’s how objective data fuels growth strategies in even the most difficult of times.

    1. Find inefficiencies in your go-to-market engine

    Changing economies are an opportunity to reevaluate decisions across your entire organization and find ways to increase throughput. To hit the same revenue targets with fewer resources, you have to cut the waste out of your GTM engine, for example:

    • Misallocating resources to unproductive markets
    • Inequitable or incorrectly prioritized sales territories
    • Inefficient account scoring and targeting
    • Spray and pray sales and marketing campaigns

    Many companies are finding success by simplifying their strategy to survive the downturn. This means leveraging available technology to increase the amount of first-party data you have and using this information to make strategic, data-driven decisions. Data should be driving choices around the types of target customer accounts, industries and segments that teams focus on:

    • Where have you had the most success so far?
    • How can you use that information to predict future successes?
    • When are customers/prospects dropping off?
    • Are customers successful in using my product/service?
    • What are the factors contributing to churn?

    Related: 3 Tried-and-True Strategies to Help Marketers Navigate Turbulent Economic Conditions

    2. Use data to size your market and sell more effectively

    After looking inward, leaders must use data to look outward — to size markets, identify prospects, segment and score accounts and personalize the customer experience.

    Down economies are an opportunity to ask yourself:

    • Can you uncover more opportunities? Can you decrease customer acquisition cost (CAC)?
    • How are your territories aligned with our total addressable market(TAM), serviceable addressable market (SAM) and servicable obtainable market (SOM)?
    • How can I improve my territory planning and allocation to increase productivity and sales rep success/retention?
    • Have I identified all competitive displacement or complementary offering opportunities?
    • What can you do differently that hasn’t been tried yet?

    Using data to size your markets helps you produce more predictable, efficient outcomes and increase ROI from your campaigns and individual contributors. These choices will have an impact on your bottom line for years to come and are especially important in down economies.

    3. Aligning teams around data and goals

    Data isn’t one size fits all — leaders need to understand what types of data and how to use it depending on which department, product or strategy. At the same time, your teams need to be working together toward the same goals using the same data and terminology to drive decision-making, especially when facing difficult economic conditions.

    For leaders, shrinking economies are also an opportunity to reprioritize accounts, rethink marketing campaign targeting and align your sales and marketing efforts to drive alignment and efficiency — all powered by data-driven insights. Typically, leaders look immediately toward cost-cutting measures in a bear market, but it is also time to reassess this short-term strategy. A shrinking economy is a time to be proactive, to use capital to take advantage of a shifting ecosystem — particularly in the B2B tech sector, which has historically done well or rebuilt stronger from the rubble. But knowing where to deploy your capital is an important part of this equation. Leaders must leverage the below data-driven insights to capitalize on down economies and turn headwinds in their favor:

    • IT spend, tech installs, hardware and tech stack, buyer intent
    • Vendor market penetration to find threats, trends and well as competitive displacement and complementary offering opportunities
    • Untapped market potential by uncovering gaps and whitespace in your markets
    • Contract insights (who are an account’s providers, for how long, what are the account’s renewal timelines, and more)
    • Intent-to-buy signals
    • Spend analysis (how much an account spends broken down by technology category and providers)

    With market intelligence and technology intelligence, leaders can develop insight-driven strategies to optimize resource allocation based on revenue potential, accounts with adequate budgets and compatible technology stacks, find threats, trends and opportunities.

    Related: 3 Tips to Achieve Growth in 2023 Through Data-Driven Marketing Strategies

    Growing while others shrink

    “Past performance is not indicative of future results.” We’ve all seen this disclaimer before, and it’s true — what worked yesterday will not get us through these unprecedented times. But what if, as a leader, you could deliver predictability — even in the least predictable times, insights into IT spend, technology install, tech stack and other customizable criteria to identify opportunities for growth benefit everyone in an entire company, from department to department, use case to use case.

    It works, I’ve seen it. Even in this unpredictable economy, objective data has empowered not only my customers, but the entire industry.

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    Elizabeth Cholawsky

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  • Want to Build Trust? Focus on Data Privacy | Entrepreneur

    Want to Build Trust? Focus on Data Privacy | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Did you know that 422.14 million people were impacted by data compromises in 2022 in the US alone? With increasing instances of data breaches and unauthorized data use, it’s no wonder that data privacy has become the top priority for customers. A Cisco report states that 76% of people say they would not buy from a company they do not trust with their data.

    As a result, you must apply comprehensive data safety measures to retain your customers’ trust in your company. This is especially crucial in marketing because customer data collection, storage and analysis drive modern marketing.

    If you are wondering how you can take measures to safeguard customer data while marketing and bolster their trust in your company, you’re at the right place! I’ve put together this guide to help you understand data privacy in marketing in simple terms. It will also help you devise cost-effective strategies to adhere to customer data regulations.

    Related: 8 Ways a Data Breach Could Take Out Your Company Tomorrow

    Understanding data privacy in marketing

    Data privacy in marketing refers to protecting and responsibly handling consumer information collected throughout your marketing endeavors. Why is this crucial?

    Marketers engage in a plethora of data collection and handling activities. This includes personal and behavioral data that help them gain insights into their target audience and provide personalized experiences. However, the threat of data privacy breaches is growing daily, and a breach can have severe consequences.

    These include reputational damage, legal repercussions, financial loss and loss of customer trust. So, every marketer must prioritize customer data security and comply with privacy regulations. Let’s understand how this works.

    Related: Schools Are Getting Slammed By Cyberattacks and Student Data Is No Longer Safe. Here’s How to Navigate Cybersecurity in the New, Digital Classroom

    Ensuring customer data protection

    First, you must ensure your website is secure, and consumer data is used for legitimate purposes. After all, the Harvard Business Review found that 84% of consumers avoid shopping from brands with suspicious websites. But there’s more! Here are the critical methods you must apply carefully to safeguard your consumer’s privacy and trust.

    1. Compliance with data protection regulations

    The most important step is to ensure compliance with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States. These two acts are the primary customer data regulation frameworks, and if not followed, they lead to substantial fines and reputational damage.

    CCPA, which was enacted in 2020, grants consumers the right to know about collected personal data and request the deletion of their information. It mandates the organizations to provide a list of third-party organizations that will have access to the data upon request from the customer. Enterprises failing to comply with the regulation can face statutory damages that range from $100 to $750 per consumer per incident.

    GDPR was enacted in 2018. It grants individuals control over their data. Businesses that comply must obtain informed consent for data collection, provide privacy policies and notices and implement measures to protect the data. Noncompliance can result in a fine of €20 million or 4% of total revenue, whichever is higher.

    By incorporating stringent measures as per these laws, you will fulfill the legal requirements and instill confidence in consumers regarding their information and strengthen the brand reputation.

    2. Implementing Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

    Multi-factor authentication is an added layer of security for enhancing data security in marketing, and it is growing in use due to its effectiveness and ease of use. Under MFA, users must provide multiple forms of verification, such as a password or code sent to their phone number or email.

    As a marketer, you can implement MFA across customer portals, employee access, and administrative dashboard. You can also go a step ahead and implement advanced methods such as biometric systems to strengthen security further.

    With MFA, you can significantly decrease the risk of a data breach by allowing only authorized individuals access to sensitive customer data. This will naturally bolster consumer trust regarding your data handling practices.

    Related: Safeguarding Your Corporate Environment from Social Engineering

    3. Implementing Decentralized Finance

    DeFi is an innovative technology that uses blockchain to create a decentralized ecosystem for secure financial data management. As per a recent survey report by Antier Solutions, about 15-20% of small businesses are already utilizing DeFi services for financing successfully. This indicates that Defi is living up to its promise of safety and reliability. But what makes it so effective, you may ask?

    DeFi platforms use ledger technology and cryptography to decentralize data storage and eliminate potential risks. Moreover, DeFi uses smart contracts to ensure transparency between both entities. Smart contracts are self-executing contracts that automatically execute predefined conditions and are stored in blockchain. You can utilize smart contracts to obtain consent from consumers regarding data collection and usage.

    In contrast to Defi, traditional centralized financing has data storage systems that pose inherent vulnerabilities to data breaches. So, vulnerability at even a single point can allow hackers to extract data.

    4. Prioritize Supplier and Vendor Security

    Marketers who collaborate with third-party suppliers and vendors may provide access to consumer data. If you are amongst them, it is necessary to conduct due diligence when selecting partners. Furthermore, your contracts with them should include provisions that require third parties to comply with the same data protection and privacy standards as you.

    5. Establish Incident Response Plans

    Despite all measures, there’s always a risk of things going south as technologies develop rapidly! So, developing a comprehensive incident response plan is vital as it helps you effectively address and mitigate the impact of any data breaches or privacy issues. Here’s what you must do to establish an effective incident response plan-

    • Start by establishing a cross-functional incident response team. This must comprise individuals from different departments, such as IT, communication, legal, etc., to bring together a range of expertise.
    • You must have an escalation plan ready to ensure incidents are promptly forwarded to the appropriate management level.
    • Develop clear communication protocols for both the internal stakeholders and external parties, such as the affected customers and regulatory authorities.
    • Designate official spokespersons for prompt and transparent communication because it helps maintain trust and demonstrates a commitment to addressing the incident responsibly.

    Lastly, don’t wait for emergencies! Conduct regular tabletop exercises and simulations to test the effectiveness of your plans and identify areas for improvement.

    Summing up

    Data privacy has become the most fundamental aspect of maintaining customer trust and building strong relationships in the era of data-driven digital marketing. Its importance cannot be overstated in a world where data breaches are rising in frequency and customers are increasingly sensitive about their data safety.

    So, remember to analyze and implement the points in this guide carefully and always stay up-to-date with the latest privacy regulations, data security threats, and customer expectations. The area of data safety is constantly evolving, and only the most agile and vigilant marketers will find lasting success.

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    Vikas Agrawal

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  • Enjoy 10TB of Cloud Storage With This Secure, Convenient Service for Only $69.97 | Entrepreneur

    Enjoy 10TB of Cloud Storage With This Secure, Convenient Service for Only $69.97 | Entrepreneur

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    According to TechRadar, around 73% of smartphone owners use their device for work purposes. But what about when you then check in on your laptop and desktop? Technology has certainly made things seamless, but when it comes to keeping track of which device holds certain important files, things can get complicated. If you’ve been looking for a cloud storage solution that simplifies things, Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage can help.

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    Get a 10TB lifetime subscription to Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage for the best price online, just $69.97, now through June 20.

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  • Get 13 Advanced Excel Courses for Just $50 | Entrepreneur

    Get 13 Advanced Excel Courses for Just $50 | Entrepreneur

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    Every entrepreneur should know Microsoft Excel, and most probably think they have a pretty good handle on the world’s premier spreadsheet software. But there’s a good chance you’re not even scratching the surface of what Excel can do. If you’re not automating repetitive tasks and using Excel for immersive data analytics and business intelligence, you could be doing more. Get an advanced Excel education in The Complete Excel, VBA, and Data Science Certification Training Bundle.

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  • How to Harness Data for the Underserved Market | Entrepreneur

    How to Harness Data for the Underserved Market | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Simply knowing who’s included in our most underserved populations can be a challenge that makes public sector outreach nearly impossible. To overcome these obstacles and better serve consumers, we must first identify the underserved and their needs. Public agencies can use two powerful tools to help reach the most vulnerable: credit and alternative data.

    Defining underserved populations

    The first thing agencies must do is understand what an underserved population is. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a good definition specific to healthcare: individuals who have experienced healthcare disparities. Healthcare disparities can manifest due to a lack of available services, difficulty accessing care and limited knowledge about navigating the healthcare system or finding providers. Agencies looking to define underserved populations can adapt this definition to their specific fields.

    The Federal Reserve also has a good working definition: people who don’t have access to a bank. This lens is handy because a lack of access to essential banking functions is a significant barrier to receiving other public services. Without a bank account, options to cash checks are limited and often come with additional hurdles like stricter controls, timing requirements, increased fees and more. Those without a bank account also can’t receive direct-deposit benefits or savings interest rates that could help them get ahead. Identifying the unbanked or underbanked first is an excellent way to use data to find and reach more individuals likely underserved by public benefits.

    Research shows underserved populations regularly fit into specific demographic groups. These groups include the unemployed and elderly, veterans, disabled persons, those living below the poverty line and those residing in rural areas. Through a combination of factors, these groups are at the highest risk of needing government benefits while often participating in assistance programs at lower rates.

    Related: Leverage the Power of Data to Boost Your Sales — and Your Customer Connections

    Out-of-reach insights

    As it stands, government agencies could better understand who uses their services. A lack of comprehensive understanding is partly due to outdated privacy laws and red tape; until recently, government websites weren’t allowed to collect cookies on their visitors. Of course, there’s a fine line between privacy protection practices and using data to reach underserved populations better. Still, many government agencies can be more effective in using the data they have at their disposal. Crucial insights may remain out of reach for agencies that struggle to analyze the reams of data that can exist across systems.

    Public sector executives must meet this pervading problem with a viable solution. Veterans are one significantly underserved group — often because states don’t have access to a robust database covering their veteran populations. However, they’re only one of the groups often overlooked by public agencies. And while many agencies are getting better at using digital tools and data analytics, there’s still work to be done. Improving outreach is one way to close this gap, and we can do so through the judicious use of good data.

    Related: Using Data Analytics Will Transform Your Business. Here’s How.

    Data unlocks doors

    The private sector is good at leveraging data to identify and reach its customers. Most brands and companies know the demographic data of their typical consumers — and they’re experts at turning that knowledge into profits. Data can reveal where a company’s target market lives, how it responds to advertising and other key behaviors that better enable retailer outreach. Public sector agencies can operate in the same way.

    For example, take the bus system in Montgomery County, Maryland. The county’s Department of Transportation redesigned its bus system to introduce the Flash. That redesign happened because the agency looked at its proprietary data behind its typical user. Before the redesign, bus riders often had to make multiple transfers, adding inconvenience to their lives.

    The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) reviewed whom this problem impacted, the peak times it affected them, and how the city utilized the busing system. Then, it created new routes, resulting in significantly improved and efficient customer experiences. Innovations like these are precisely what other public sector agencies need to embrace to serve constituents more effectively.

    Related: Redefining Customer Engagement in a World Where Data Privacy Reigns

    Taking action

    Good data is essential to determine the best way to connect with consumers. But how exactly do busy public sector leaders begin implementing a more robust data analytics strategy? External data is readily available through many public sources. Companies like credit reporting agencies have access to a plethora of information on underserved populations. They can help pinpoint the most vulnerable audiences — who they are and what they need — to maximize the good a new outreach program can do.

    Internal usage data may also be key to determining the highest area of need. Public transit is an excellent example: Adding a bus route in an affluent suburb may not be as important as expanding or optimizing routes in a high-density metropolitan area because most suburban people have cars. Agencies will only discover information like this by leveraging data.

    Analytics are particularly valuable when they inform the best strategy to reach those in need. Not all methods work for all audiences; one group may be best reached via email, another may be more open to television ads, and yet another may be most receptive to telephonic outreach. Analytics can provide valuable insights that keep agencies from wasting resources on dead-ends or unnecessary services.

    Quality service begins with informed outreach

    Public services are intended to help the people who need them most. But to meet the mark, we must first know their needs. Improving the customer experience begins with a solid outreach strategy guided by both external and internal data and analytics.

    Modern tools can help us close the gap in need, enhancing the quality of life for the most vulnerable and elevating our society. Data is the engine powering the train toward that goal.

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    Scott Straub

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