As the nights draw in for the Northern hemisphere, what better way to brighten your day than by soaking up some design inspiration?

As an occasionally competent software developer, I love good documentation. It explains not only how things work but why they work the way they do. At its best, documentation is much more than a guide. It is a statement of principles and best practices, giving people the information they need to not just understand but believe.

As soft skills go in tech land, maintaining documentation is right up there. Smashing has previously explored design documents in a proposal context, but what happens once you’ve arrived at the answer and need to implement? How do you present the information in ways that are useful to those who need to crack on and build stuff?

Documentation often has a technical bent to it, but this article is about how it can be applied to digital design — web design in particular. The idea is to get the best of both worlds to make design documentation that is both beautiful and useful — a guide and manifesto all at once.

An Ode To Documentation

Before getting into the minutia of living, breathing digital design documentation, it’s worth taking a moment to revisit what documentation is, what it’s for, and why it’s so valuable.

The documentation describes how a product, system, or service works, what it’s for, why it’s been built the way it has, and how you can work on it without losing your already threadbare connection with your own sanity.

We won’t get into the nitty-gritty of code documentation. There are plenty of Smashing articles to scratch that itch:

• “Designing A Better Design Handoff File In Figma,” Ben Shih
• “Code Documentation, Streamlined,” Atila Fassina
• “How To Automate Documentation Workflow For Developers,” Portia Burton
• “Better Documentation And Team Communication With Product Design Docs,” Ismael González

However, in brief, here are a few of the key benefits of documentation.

Less Tech Debt

Our decisions tend to be much more solid when we have to write them down and justify them as something more formal than self-effacing code comments. Having clear, easy-to-read code is always something worth striving for, but supporting documentation can give essential context and guidance.

Continuity

We work in an industry with an exceptionally high turnover rate. The wealth of knowledge that lives inside someone’s head disappears with them when they leave. If you don’t want to reinvent the wheel every time someone moves on, you better learn to love documentation. That is where continuity lies.

Prevents Needless Repetition

Sometimes things are the way they are for very, very good reasons, and someone, somewhere, had to go through a lot of pain to understand what they were.

That’s not to say the rationale behind a given decision is above scrutiny. Documentation puts it front and center. If it’s convincing, great, people can press on with confidence. If it no longer holds up, then options can be reassessed, and courses can be altered quickly.

Documentation establishes a set of norms, prevents needless repetition, allows for faster problem-solving, and, ideally, inspires.

Two Worlds

In 1959, English author C. P. Snow delivered a seminal lecture called “The Two Cultures” (PDF). It is well worth reading in full, but the gist was that the sciences and the humanities weren’t working together and that they really ought to do so for humanity to flourish. To cordon ourselves off with specialisations deprives each group of swathes of knowledge.

“Polarisation is sheer loss to us all. To us as people and to our society. It is at the same time practical and intellectual and creative loss […] It is false to imagine that those three considerations are clearly separable.”

— Charles Percy Snow

Although Snow himself conceded that “attempts to divide anything into two ought to be regarded with much suspicion,” the framing was and remains useful. Web development is its own meeting of worlds — between designers and engineers, art and data — and the places where they meet are where the good stuff really happens.

“The clashing point of two subjects, two disciplines, two cultures — two galaxies, so far as that goes — ought to produce creative chances.”

— Charles Percy Snow

Snow knew it, Leonardo da Vinci knew it, Steve Jobs knew it. Magic happens when we head straight for that collision.

A Common Language

Web development is a world of many different yet connected specialisations (and sub-specialisations for that matter). One of the key relationships is the one between engineers and designers. When the two are in harmony, the results can be breathtaking. When they’re not, everything and everyone involved suffers.

Digital design needs its own language: a hybrid of art, technology, interactivity, and responsiveness. Its documentation needs to reflect that, to be alive, something you can play with. It should start telling a story before anyone reads a word. Doing so makes everyone involved better: writers, developers, designers, and communicators.

Design documentation creates a bridge between worlds, a common language composed of elements of both. Design and engineering are increasingly intertwined; it’s only right that documentation reflects that.

Design Documentation

So here we are. The nitty-gritty of design documentation. We’re going to cover some key considerations as well as useful resources and tools at your disposal.

The difference between design documentation, technical documentation, and a design system isn’t always clear, and that’s fine. If things start to get a little blurry, just remember the goal is this: establish a visual identity, explain the principles behind it, and provide the resources needed to implement it as seamlessly as possible.

What should be covered isn’t the point of this piece so much as how it should be covered, but what’s listed below ought to get you started:

• Design principles
• Typography
• Component libraries
• Illustration
• Photography
• Iconography
• Color
• Branding
• Accessibility
• Sounds

The job of design documentation is to weave all these things (and more) together. Here’s how.

Share The Why

When thinking of design systems and documentation, it’s understandable to jump to the whats — the fonts, the colors, the components — but it’s vital also to share the ethos that helped you to arrive at those assets at all.

Where did this all come from? What’s the vision? The guiding principles? The BBC does a good job of answering these questions for Global Experience Language (GEL), its shared design framework.

On top of being public-facing (more on that later), the guidelines and design patterns are accompanied by articles and playbooks explaining the guiding principles of the whole system.

Include proposal documents, if they exist, as well as work practices. Be clear about who the designs are built for. Just about every system has a target audience in mind, and that should be front and center.

Cutting the guiding principles is like leaving the Constitution out of a US history syllabus.

Make Its Creation Is A Collaborative Process

Design systems are big tents. They incorporate design, engineering, copywriting, accessibility, and even legal considerations — at their best anyway.

All of those worlds ought to have input in the documentation. The bigger the company/project, the more likely multiple teams should have input.

If the documentation isn’t created in a collaborative way, then what reason do you have to expect its implementation to be any different?

Use Dynamic Platforms

The days are long gone when brand guidelines printed in a book are sufficient. Much of modern life has moved online, so too should guidance for its documentation. Happily (or dauntingly), there are plenty of platforms out there, many with excellent integrations with each other.

Potential resources/platforms include:

• Storybook
• Figma
• Component libraries
• GitHub wikis
• Zeplin
• Sketch
• Invision

There can be a chain of platforms to facilitate the connections between worlds. Figma can lead into Storybook, and Storybook can be integrated directly into a project. Embrace design documentation as an ecosystem of skills.

Accommodate agile, constant development by integrating your design documentation with the code base itself.

Write With Use Cases In Mind

Although the abstract, philosophical aspects of design documentation are important, the system it described is ultimately there to be used.

Consider your users’ goals. In the case of design, it’s to build things consistent with best practices. Show readers how to use the design guidelines. Make the output clear and practical. For example,

• How to make a React component with design system fonts;
• How to choose appropriate colors from our palette.

As we’ve covered, the design breaks down into clear, recognizable sections (typography, color, and so on). These sections can themselves be broken down into steps, the latter ones being clearly actionable:

• What the feature is;
• Knowledge needed for documentation to be most useful;
• Use cases for the feature;
• Implementation;
• Suggested tooling.

The Mailchimp Pattern Library is a good example of this in practice. Use cases are woven right into the documentation, complete with contextual notes and example code snippets, making the implementation of best practices clear and easy.

Humanising Your Documentation, a talk by Carolyn Stranksy, provides a smashing overview of making documentation work for its users.

Documentation should help people to achieve their goals rather than describe how things work.

As StackOverflow founder Jeff Atwood once put it, “A well-designed system makes it easy to do the right things and annoying (but not impossible) to do the wrong things.”

“Use Case Driven Documentation” by Tyner Blain is a great breakdown of this ethos, as is “On Design Systems: Sell The Output, Not The Workflow” by our own Vitaly Friedman.

Language

The way things are said is important. Documentation ought to be clear, accessible, and accepting.

As with just about any documentation, give words like ‘just’, ‘merely’, and ‘simply’ a wide berth. What’s simple to one person is not always to another. Documentation should inform, not belittle. “Reducing bias in your writing” by Write the Docs gives excellent guidance here.

Another thing to keep in mind is the language you use. Instead of using “he” or “she,” use “one,” “they,” “the developer,” or some such. It may not seem like a big deal to one (see what I did there), but language like that helps reinforce that your resources are for everyone.

More generally, keep the copy clear and to the point. That’s easier said than done, but there are plenty of tools out there that can help tidy up your writing:

• Alex, a tool for catching insensitive, inconsiderate writing;
• Write Good, an English prose linter.

In a previous Smashing article, “Readability Algorithms Should Be Tools, Not Targets,” I’ve shared a wariness about tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor dictating how one writes, but they’re useful tools.

Also, I can never resist a good excuse to share George Orwell’s rules for language:

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech that you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

Books like The Elements of Style (PDF) by William Strunk Jr are good to be familiar with, too. Keep things informative but snappy.

Make It Beautiful

Design documentation has a lot more credibility if it’s walking the walk. If it looks like a hot mess, what are the chances of it being taken seriously?

Ideally, you should be showcasing a design ethos, not just explaining it. NASA showed way back in 1976 (PDF) that manuals can themselves be beautiful. The Graphics Standards Manual by Richard Danne and Bruce Blackburn feels like a creative work in its own right.

Show the same care and attention to detail in your design documentation that you expect users to show in applying it. Documentation should be the first and best example of it in action.

Make your documentation easy to navigate and search. The most wonderful resources in the world aren’t doing anyone much good if they can’t be found. It’s also a splendid opportunity to show information architecture best practice in action too.

Publish it

Once you’ve gone through the trouble of creating a design system and explaining how it works, why keep that to yourself? Publishing documentation and making it freely available for anyone to browse is a fantastic final polish.

Here at the Guardian, for example, our Source design system Storybook can be viewed by anyone, and its code is publicly available on GitHub. As well as being a proving ground for the system itself, it creates a space for knowledge sharing.

Here are just a few fantastic examples of publicly available design documentation:

• Material Design by Google
• GOV.UK Design System
• Thumbprint
• Global Experience Language (GEL) by the BBC
• Origami by The Financial Times
• The Sunlight Foundation
• Human Interface Guidelines by Apple
• Backpack by Skyscanner
• Mailchimp Pattern Library

There are plenty more where these came from in the Design Systems Gallery — a fantastic place to browse for inspiration and guidance.

What’s more, if there are stories from the formation of your system, writing articles or blog posts are also totally legit ways of documenting it. What did the New York Times do when they developed a design system? They wrote an article about it, of course.

Publishing design documentation — in all its forms — is a commitment, but it’s also a statement of purpose. Why not share something beautiful, right?

And Maintain It

This is all well and good, I hear you say, arms crossed and brow furrowed, but who’s going to keep all this stuff up to date? That’s all the time that could be spent making things.

I hear you. There are reasons that Tweets (Xs?) like this make the rounds from time to time:

Yes, it requires hard work and vigilance. The time, effort, and heartache you’ll save by having design documentation will be well worth the investment of those same things.

The better integrated the documentation is with the projects it guides, the more maintenance will take care of itself. As components and best practices change, as common issues arise and are ironed out, the system and its documentation can evolve in kind.

To spare you the suspense, your design documentation isn’t going to be perfect off the bat. There will be mistakes and situations that aren’t accounted for, and that’s fine. Own them. Acknowledge blindspots. Include ways for users to give feedback.

As with most things digital, you’re never really “done.”

Start Small

Such thorough, polished design documentation can almost be deterrents, something only those with deep pockets can make. It may also seem like an unjustifiable investment of time. Neither has to be true.

Documentation of all forms saves time in the long run, and it makes your decisions better. Whether it’s a bash script or a newsletter signup component, you scrutinize it that little bit more when you commit to it as a standard rather than a one-off choice. Let a readme-driven ethos into your heart.

Start small. Choose fonts and colors and show them sitting together nicely on your repo wiki. That’s it! You’re underway. You will grow to care for your design documentation as you care for the project itself because they are part of each other.

Go forth and document!

Imagine that your company is an electric train rushing toward the technological future. A knowledgeable conductor intimately familiar with all the tracks will ensure a smooth trip. In cloud computing, this conductor would be known as a Google Cloud consultant. Join us as we discover all that Google Cloud offers businesses like yours – and why it could be necessary for their success.

Cloud computing has proven to be a strategic advantage to businesses that rely heavily on information for success. Google Cloud is a powerful cloud computing service that can propel businesses forward. The tools and services it offers open up new possibilities for businesses.

It can be challenging to navigate a vast journey like Google Cloud without guidance. Hiring an independent consultant, such as one from Cloud Consulting Solutions, could be helpful to find their way forward.

Introduction to Google Cloud Consultants

Cloud platforms, like Google Cloud, are becoming increasingly vital for all types of businesses. Businesses can gain an edge in the digital marketplace by adopting managed cloud platforms.

There is much excitement ahead, yet some challenges may lie ahead of you, just like early explorers did when exploring unknown terrain. You could have a trusted guide from Google Cloud Consulting Services.

They are experienced Google Cloud navigators. Google Cloud Consultants who possess in-depth knowledge of currents, tides, and stars, as well as decision-making, can guide your company toward making effective choices and decisions for success. Google Cloud Consultants have experience managing cloud service offerings for businesses like yours to make the right choices when working on cloud service plans for them.

It’s essential to understand their multiple roles to appreciate the value of Google Cloud consultants. They provide a wide range of services to ensure your business gets the most out of Google Cloud.

Examine some of the critical roles that they play:

Assessment

The consultants begin their work by examining your existing infrastructure, applications, and business processes to formulate their project strategy. The consultant’s proposal is built around this step.

Strategy Development

Google Cloud Consultants, who have a thorough understanding of the business they represent, create bespoke strategies that are custom-tailored to each client’s unique needs. Their approach includes everything from migration and optimization plans to long-term strategy.

Implementation

They help you set up Google Cloud Services efficiently, safely, and following your goals. Consultants ensure that all services meet these criteria and are configured correctly.

Cost Management

Google Cloud is a flexible service, but costs can spiral quickly out of control if not managed properly. Consultants track cloud usage to find areas of optimization and cost reduction.

Monitoring

The technology world is unpredictable. Problems can arise at any time. The consultants offer continuous monitoring and support to ensure your business runs smoothly.

Security and Compliance

Data security with regulatory standards is something other than what can be taken as a given in today’s digital age. Google consulting services ensure your cloud infrastructure complies with industry regulations and standards while implementing stringent security.

Training

Consultants strive to empower your team to manage and optimize Google Cloud Services independently. Your employees will gain expertise in the cloud by attending training and transferring knowledge.

Why Does Your Business Need a Google Cloud Specialist?

Examine some advantages a Google Cloud Consultant can bring to your business.

Expertise Matters

Google Cloud provides a wide range of features, services, and tools. It can be challenging to navigate this ecosystem without guidance. Google Cloud Consultants are your guide, leading you to your desired destination efficiently and confidently. Use their vast knowledge to make informed decisions that will optimize your operation.

Cost Optimization

The scalability, flexibility, and adaptability of cloud computing are its most significant advantages. However, if not managed correctly, these characteristics can result in cost overruns. Google Cloud Consultants can help optimize expenses by analyzing usage data and identifying areas where cost-cutting measures could be implemented. They also reduce wasteful spending.

Customized Solutions

Google Cloud Consultants understand that no two businesses have the exact requirements or objectives. Because they know your organization is unique, they tailor services to meet its goals and constraints before creating customized solutions that support these objectives.

Security and Compliance

Businesses can suffer from data breaches and violations of compliance. These can result in significant financial losses and legal liability, as well as customer mistrust. They may also lead them to financial ruin or damage their relationships with customers.

Google Cloud Consultants are familiar with industry standards for security and compliance. The consultants will help you implement robust measures and conduct audits if necessary. They can also ensure that your cloud infrastructure adheres to applicable regulatory requirements.

Google Cloud Consultants are experts in ensuring data safety while working within the legal framework. They can give you peace of mind that your data is secure and safe.

Improve Performance

In today’s digital world, performance is a critical factor for both consumers and businesses. Slow website load times, application crashes, and system failures can turn customers off.

Google Cloud Consultants provide businesses and users with expert technical services for optimizing and fine-tuning infrastructure components to ensure seamless operations, effectively decreasing bottlenecks that negatively affect user experiences and increasing operational efficiencies for businesses and users.

Scalability

Your company’s technology needs to change as its success develops. Google Cloud is designed to scale. To maximize its capabilities, you may need professional expertise and advice from outside experts to help scale your business or meet sudden surges in demand. Your infrastructure and apps can expand as needed with professional Google Cloud Consulting on board – ideal if you experience sudden spikes in demand!

24*7 Services Support  

Technology does not run like clockwork; issues may surface anytime during the day or night. Downtime costs add up quickly. Google Cloud Consultants offers 24/7/365 assistance to ensure your critical services and applications remain available 24/7/365.

AI and Data Analysis

The information you have is a valuable asset. It contains insights that may not be available to you. Google Cloud provides powerful artificial intelligence and data analytics tools to transform raw data and turn it into valuable intelligence.

A Google Cloud Consultant can help you use these features and provide valuable insights for making data-based decisions, such as machine learning, predictive analytics, or real-time processing.

Integration and Migration

It may not be very safe to move data into the cloud or connect other systems at first. But working smoothly afterward is essential. A Google Cloud expert consultant will know how to ensure everything runs smoothly during the transition by creating an action plan. This helps to reduce risks and disruptions during this period. The consultants manage technical complexity while minimizing risks for a smooth transition.

Training & Knowledge Transfer

Google Cloud Consultants are not just interested in providing ongoing support but also want to empower your staff to optimize Google Cloud Services on their own. Through training and knowledge transfer, the team can acquire the skills needed to expand and maintain cloud infrastructure. It reduces the need for external help while giving businesses more control within cloud environments.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

All businesses must prepare for the unexpected. Google Cloud provides robust solutions for disaster recovery and business continuity. Their implementation, however, requires expert knowledge.

A Google Cloud consultant can help you develop a plan for disaster recovery to minimize downtime in the event of unforeseen circumstances. These strategies may include automatic backups, failover settings, and multi-regional redundancy to maintain business operations uninterrupted if disasters strike.

DevOps & Automation

DevOps and automation are essential to modern infrastructure and software management. Google Cloud supports DevOps through continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD).

Google Cloud consultants can help your business adopt DevOps best practices to automate repetitive tasks and reduce errors. They will also speed up deployments more quickly, lower error costs, and accelerate development cycles.

Containerization with Kubernetes

Containerization is revolutionizing application deployment and development. Google Cloud offers Kubernetes, a powerful platform for container orchestration. However, managing and creating clusters can be complicated and intimidating to newcomers. Google Cloud Consultants can help you switch from existing applications to containers to building microservices using Kubernetes Clusters. They will also show you how to maximize its advantages to manage workloads more effectively.

Big Data and Analytics

Businesses can gain an advantage in today’s world of data. A Google Cloud Consultant with experience can help you set up data lakes, data warehouse infrastructures, and data pipelines so that massive amounts of data can be processed efficiently.

Conclusion

Making timely and wise decisions is a critical factor in the success of successful businesses. Google Cloud Consulting Services is an excellent example of a crucial decision in today’s digital world. They offer expertise to guide companies through the complex cloud computing landscape.

Google Cloud consultants will create solutions for your business that are customized and tailored to you. They offer security solutions that keep data secure while improving performance scaling and 24/7 support. The consultants provide your company with an essential partnership, allowing it to harness the power of Google Cloud.

They are trusted advisors who ensure your cloud environment is aligned with your business goals, empower team members, and safeguard the system for future technology advances. As you navigate the cloud computing complexity and work to thrive digitally, partnering with Google Cloud Consultant is a cornerstone for business success.

Featured image by Freepik

The post Why Your Business Needs a Google Cloud Consultant appeared first on noupe.

Managing a small business is no small feat. 

As a seasoned entrepreneur, you understand the intricacies involved in navigating the financial aspects of your business. Payroll management holds a significant place in this intricate puzzle. That’s because a cornerstone of your business’s success lies in ensuring that your valued employees are compensated accurately and on time. 

In this guide, we’ll explore some key strategies and best practices with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and efficiency tailored to simplify the payroll process for your workforce. After reading this, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to streamline your payroll operations, allowing you to focus on the continued growth and prosperity of your business. 

So let’s delve into the realm of payroll management, where precision meets professionalism, and ensure that your payroll processes are as seamless as your business operations.

Essential Considerations for Effective Payroll Administration

Effective payroll administration demands meticulous record-keeping, accurate employee classification, and a comprehensive understanding of benefits management. This section will delve into these essential components of efficient payroll management, providing insights and practical tips to help you navigate these critical considerations with confidence and ease.

Record-Keeping and Documentation

Effective record-keeping and documentation serve as the backbone of a well-organized payroll management system. Maintaining meticulous records of employee contracts, timesheets, and tax forms is crucial for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing. A systematic approach to documentation not only facilitates the seamless calculation of wages but also plays a critical role in preparing for potential audits and legal requirements.

Consistent and organized documentation enables businesses to track employee work hours, leaves, and other relevant information, ensuring transparency and accountability in payroll management. What’s more, it aids in the verification of wage calculations, allowing for the identification and rectification of any discrepancies or errors that may arise during the payroll process.

One way for small businesses to implement record-keeping and documentation is by leveraging digital payroll management systems or time and billing software. These systems offer user-friendly interfaces that allow businesses to store and manage payroll-related documents, employee records, and financial data in a secure and organized manner. 

With features such as digital file storage, automated record updates, and easy data retrieval, digital payroll management systems streamline the process of maintaining accurate and accessible records.

Did you know?

49% of American workers start a new job search after experiencing just as little as two problems with their paycheck, according to a survey by The Workforce Institute at Kronos.

So maintaining a proper payroll system also helps with reduced employee attrition.

Employee Classification and Labor Laws

Properly categorizing employees is critical, as it not only ensures compliance with labor laws but also significantly impacts various aspects of payroll management. Distinguishing between full-time, part-time, and independent contractor classifications involves careful consideration of factors such as work hours, contractual agreements, and the degree of control exercised over the work performed.

Misclassification can lead to serious legal implications, including penalties and back payments, which can significantly affect a small business’s financial stability and reputation. Moreover, understanding the nuances of these classifications is vital for determining eligibility for employee benefits, overtime pay, and tax withholdings. It’s essential to regularly review and update employee classifications to align with any changes in labor laws and regulations.

Compliance with federal and state labor laws is a cornerstone of ethical business practices and is essential for maintaining a fair and just work environment. That’s why staying informed about the dynamic landscape of labor regulations is crucial for small business owners. For this, you’ll need to keep track of federal laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which outlines regulations for minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor. 

Also, state-specific labor laws may further impact areas, such as paid leave, meal and rest breaks, and anti-discrimination policies. Regular audits of payroll practices, along with consultations with legal advisors, can help small businesses navigate the complexities of these regulations and ensure adherence to both federal and state labor laws.

There are labor compliance software systems available in the market today that automate labor law compliance for businesses. These platforms usually have real-time data updates to ensure that payroll processes align with the latest federal and state labor regulations.

Businesses have to mention which state or county they’re in, and the system automatically implements the relevant labor rules for each of their employees who are part of the system. This intelligent automation not only saves time and effort but also significantly reduces the likelihood of errors or oversights in payroll processing.

Benefits and Deductions

Offering comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off can significantly contribute to employee satisfaction and retention. While some benefits can be organization-specific, many are statutory and businesses have to stay informed about the legal requirements and tax implications associated with these benefits. 

For example, compliance with regulations such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is essential to avoid penalties and maintain the well-being of both the business and its employees.

For that, accurate management of payroll deductions is crucial so that the appropriate taxes, contributions, and withholdings are processed in compliance with federal and state regulations.

These deductions can include: 

• Federal and state income taxes, 
• Social Security contributions, and 
• Any additional voluntary deductions initiated by employees, such as
  • retirement plan contributions 
  • healthcare premiums

10-Step Guide to Establishing a Solid Payroll Management System

Establishing a reliable payroll management system is the bedrock of smooth financial operations within your company. Here are ten pointers you can follow to make sure you’re covering all the bases for your small business.

Design a tailored structure

Create a payroll system that suits your business size and specific requirements, integrating both manual and automated processes where necessary.

Clear policies and procedures

Formulate transparent guidelines for calculating wages, managing benefits, and handling tax withholdings to minimize errors and discrepancies.

Consistent payroll schedule

Ensure timely and predictable payments for your employees while maintaining open communication about any schedule changes.

Data security

Implement secure methods for storing and managing payroll data, restricting access to authorized personnel to ensure data confidentiality and protection.

Effective software

Choose user-friendly payroll software that aligns with your business needs and simplifies payroll operations.

Trained staff

Invest in training competent personnel to ensure proficient handling of all payroll-related tasks and software operations.

Regular audits and reviews

Conduct routine assessments to identify and rectify any discrepancies, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and maintaining accuracy.

Adherence to legal regulations

Stay updated with the latest legal regulations and industry standards to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties.

Contingency planning

Develop a contingency plan to address potential disruptions or emergencies, ensuring uninterrupted payroll processing during unforeseen circumstances.

Feedback and improvement

Encourage feedback from employees to continuously enhance the payroll system, addressing concerns and optimizing overall efficiency and transparency.

By following these pointers, you can establish a robust payroll management system that ensures the financial stability and contentment of your small business and its employees.

Conclusion

To sum it up, effective payroll management means planning your budget wisely and keeping an eye on future costs. Don’t forget to keep your team in the loop through proper training, ensuring everyone understands the process. Embracing automation can make your life a lot easier, preventing any costly mistakes and ensuring everyone gets paid on time. 

Lastly, stay on top of those taxes! Meeting your obligations not only keeps you out of trouble but also builds trust and credibility. With these strategies, you’ll build a solid payroll system that keeps both your business and your employees happy and thriving.

Featured Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik

The post How to Effectively Manage Payroll for Your Small Business appeared first on noupe.

Searching for a tool to make cross-platform design a breeze? Desperate for an extension that helps you figure out the HTML code of that fantastic color palette? Looking for a trick that will supercharge your productivity this year? We’ve got you covered.

If there’s one thing about time, it’s that it keeps moving along. Whether you’re in flow with its onward movement is up to you. Staying productive means knowing how to manage your time and sticking to a plan.

It’s where people often struggle, especially in an age where distractions are so prevalent. Think social media, the clothes in the dryer, and the co-worker who wants to chat. No matter where you work, distractions can easily throw you off your game. But so can perfectionism, which takes you out of the flow instead of keeping you in it. Because you’re so worried about being on target, your mind immobilizes you, preventing you from taking action.

Are you looking to improve your time management approach before 2024 begins? Read on. This article discusses four techniques to help you stay focused. You’ll boost your productivity without feeling the classic time crunch.

1. Use Automated Scheduling Tools

Scheduling is a huge part of time management. It might be why humans invented calendars. As a handy tool, calendars help keep track of appointments, to-do list reminders, and important deadlines. On paper, calendars can be an efficient way to centralize everything you’ve got going on. But those paper-based versions can also get a tad messy and become inconvenient to carry around.

Digital versions are undoubtedly better. You can set up notifications, sync your personal and work obligations, and make changes on the fly. Yet, how do you get everyone’s calendars on the same page in a team environment? You can play the email game, sending invite messages back and forth. Or you can try an automated meeting scheduling app like Calendar, which lets teams choose meeting times according to everyone’s availability.

Automated scheduling tools and workflow automation in general can streamline the process, making it more efficient. The software also integrates with popular meeting and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams. With the ability to share custom links to your calendar, you don’t even have to initiate the process. Those inside and outside your organization can request meeting times based on your preferences.

2. Establish Time Blocks

Time blocking is a technique used to maintain focus on specific tasks throughout your workday. Some people also refer to this method as time boxing because you establish time limits for each set of tasks. The technique can work if you know how to categorize and prioritize your responsibilities.

It’s also ideal for roles where your responsibilities tend to be task-driven and somewhat repetitive. A role as an insurance claims handler is an example. Say you work for Progressive as an auto injury claims adjuster. A typical day involves reviewing new claims, attorney demands, and incoming correspondence. You also handle phone calls, liability investigations, and status letters.

Getting to new claims and attorney demands are your top priorities. Incoming correspondence and phone calls come second. The remainder of your tasks fall into less urgent categories. With the time-blocking technique, you could devote two hours in the morning to the highest priorities. After the two hours are up, you move on to your medium priorities for another two hours. Toward the end of the day, you tackle your least urgent tasks.

The key to time blocking is to stick to your established routine. Don’t let distractions steer you off track. And adhere to the hard stops you’ve put in place so you can move on to your next block. Time blocking helps you juggle multiple competing priorities, but you have to stay within its boundaries to see results.

3. Embrace the Art of Single-Tasking

In fast-paced environments, multitasking appears to be the norm. It seems like a way to keep your head above water as you swim against the tide. Switching between tasks to accomplish more in less time can be effective. But only if you’re good at it. And research shows a mere 2.5% of the population is.

For the majority, multitasking increases stress levels, compromises executive brain functions, and lowers motivation. Experts also link multitasking to depression and memory loss. It’s kind of scary if you think about it. Something you believe is helping you excel professionally may be compromising your health and work performance.

Breaking the habit can be challenging. You might find yourself multitasking in your personal life as well. Perhaps you scroll through your inbox on your phone while you’re watching TV. Or worse, you text as you’re driving. Taking small steps to switch to single-tasking will help you get into a healthier, more productive groove.

When you focus on one task at a time, it gets your full attention. Plus, you’ll finish it faster than you would if you were working on another assignment simultaneously. The quality of your work will increase, so you won’t have to go back to correct mistakes. You also won’t have to constantly recalibrate your brain to what’s in front of you. Moving sequentially from start to finish makes it easier to remember all the steps.

4. Define Success

Productivity success will look different among roles, companies, and individuals. Comparing yourself to others is natural, but the tendency can derail your goals. Say you’re in your first year as a community outreach manager for T-Mobile. Your peers have been in the same role for at least 10 years. As the new kid on the block, you’ve reached out to them for pointers.

In the process, you’ve noticed they seem to be much more productive than you. As a result, you feel as though your time management skills and performance aren’t up to par. What you need to remember is to give yourself grace as you go. Since you’re learning the ins and outs of a new role, you’ll develop your own efficiencies with practice.

When adopting time management techniques, one you may overlook is defining what productivity means to you. It may mean letting go of unrealistic expectations, such as being “always on” and never taking breaks. Expecting perfection from the get-go is another unrealistic target. You may need to experiment with a few hacks before you find what’s right. Be willing to adjust your definition of effective time management so it doesn’t become a source of stress.

Conclusion   

Mastering time management is an ongoing process. Sometimes, you learn what works by finding out what doesn’t. And what doesn’t work well usually involves flying by the seat of your pants. Hoping everything will come out OK in the wash isn’t a solid plan.

While juggling competing priorities at a breathtaking pace is challenging, effectively managing them is possible. Productivity hacks like automated scheduling apps and time-blocking methods are there to help. By planning to embrace them as the new year begins, you can move with time instead of against it.

Featured Image by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash                

The post 4 Time Management Techniques To Adopt in 2024 appeared first on noupe.

It’s the beginning of a new month, which means only one thing around here: it’s time for tools.

QR code marketing is leading the charge in 2023. These digital wonders, crafted using QR code generators, offer direct gateways from tangible products to the vast online world. 

Ever spotted a product and wanted to know more? Most likely, a QR code was there, waiting to dish out all the juicy details. This speed and simplicity make QR codes a marketer’s dream tool.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to use this tool effectively. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your approach, let’s explore how these codes can elevate your marketing strategies this year.

What Are QR Codes?

QR codes, or “Quick Response” codes, are those small square graphics you’ve likely seen on ads, products, or event tickets. At their core, they’re two-dimensional barcodes. They can be scanned using a smartphone user’s camera, and they often link to a website, product page, video, or other digital content.

For businesses, it’s a smart way to contactless share, track, and engage. In fact, by 2025, it’s expected that QR code scanning will expand to 99.5 million in 2025. Their integration into print ads and other marketing collateral has changed the face of the marketing industry. 

But how exactly are these being leveraged in the intricate retail marketing world? It goes beyond just email marketing campaigns.

8 Ways You Can Use QR Codes In Marketing 

Let’s explore the most effective and creative ways you can leverage these in your marketing goals:

1. Direct To Your Online Presence

Today, consumers crave information at their fingertips. QR codes are your secret weapon to deliver just that. 

Imagine a shopper intrigued by a new skincare product in your store. While the label tells them the basics, they’re eager to know more: 

• How effective is it? 
• Are there any video tutorials? 
• What do other users have to say? 

In the same way, consider more complex home equipment like solar panel kits or inverters. Someone might be interested in a compact solar kit and want to delve deeper into its specifications, installation guide, or customer testimonials. 

Strategically place a QR code to lead them straight to these details, saving them the manual search hassle. When you add a QR code to your product or its shelf, it’s like opening a direct portal to your online universe. 

A study by MobileIron found that QR code usage surged by 58% during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 67% agree that QR codes make life easier in a touchless world. This showcases how consumers are readily embracing this technology.

Consider the success of a brand like L’Oreal. They incorporated QR codes, leading shoppers to video tutorials on how to apply their makeup products. This provides value and enhances the shopping experience, which, in turn, boosts sales.

Your website is filled with valuable insights: deep product details, candid customer online reviews, and engaging demo videos. When you leverage QR codes, you offer your in-store shoppers a more enriched, multi-dimensional experience. If you’re running any online-exclusive promotions, a simple scan makes sure your in-store customers remain in the loop. 

2. Collect Valuable Customer Insights

Code campaigns are not just about providing information but also about collecting first-party data. When customers scan a QR code, they don’t just get information. You do, too.

Each scan can reveal where they found the code when they scanned it, what device they used, and even how long they interacted with the content it linked to.

Consider a cafe that introduces a new seasonal drink. They quickly gather feedback by using a QR code linked to a short survey on their table tents. Questions like, “How did you like our new Pumpkin Spice Latte?” or “What other flavors would you recommend?” can offer direct insights. 

As more people scan and give feedback, the cafe can adjust its menu to what customers really want. Plus, using Jotform’s data collection methods with QR codes makes collecting this feedback easy and improves the whole experience for customers.

With QR codes, you can also track long-term trends. Notice a spike in scans during a particular month? Maybe it’s tied to a seasonal trend or a marketing campaign. Or perhaps a drop in scans? It might be time to rethink where and how you’re displaying those codes.

3. Promote Exclusive Savings

Everyone loves a good deal, and QR codes are a brilliant way to hand out exclusive savings directly to your customers. It’s like giving them a secret key to unlock special offers.

In fact, according to a study by Juniper Research, QR coupon redemptions are projected to hit $5.3 billion by 2024. This proves that people are not just scanning QR codes; they’re using them to save money.

For instance, imagine you’re walking into your favorite clothing store and spot a QR code next to the latest summer collection. You scan it, and you’ve got an exclusive 20% off just for you. This makes customers feel valued and also encourages immediate purchases.

QR codes also let you track which deals are most popular. For instance, by using a QR code linked to a sport nutritious site, customers can compare two different pre-workout supplements. If you see everyone scanning the QR code for a particular discount, you’ll know which supplement is a hit, and you can use that info for future promotions.

For businesses, this isn’t just about giving away discounts. It’s a strategic move to get insights into what your customers love while driving sales and fostering brand loyalty.

4. Engage Passerby With Dynamic-Window Interactions

Imagine walking by a store window, and instead of just a static display, there’s a QR code inviting you to interact. That’s the power of dynamic-window interactions. It turns regular windows into gateways of engagement, tempting passersby to dive deeper into what you offer, even when the store’s closed.

A study by Grand View Research revealed that the global market for interactive display screens is expected to reach $70.06 billion by 2030. This growth hints at the average user’s increasing desire for interactive experiences while shopping.

Take, for instance, a shoe store. It’s after hours, but a QR code on the window showcases a teaser like “Scan to see our latest collection in action.” A passerby scans it and gets redirected to a video showcasing the shoes on different terrains. This keeps the customer engaged while also creating a memorable brand experience.

Or think of a cafe that’s about to introduce a new menu item. Their window QR code links to a sneak peek with mouth-watering images or even a special discount for those who scan and come back during operating hours.

The beauty of dynamic-window interactions is that they make use of spaces often overlooked in traditional marketing. They create an interactive, 24/7 marketing opportunity, making sure that even after hours, you can connect, engage, and excite potential customers. 

5. Capture & Nurture Potential Buyers 

QR codes transform how you connect with potential customers. They aren’t just about giving quick information. Instead, they provide a strategic way to build and maintain a relationship with people who show interest in a product or service. 

For instance, at a tech exhibition, a gadget may come with a QR code for an in-depth video review. After the review, viewers could be prompted to sign up for a newsletter, giving the business a direct line to share more related content, updates, or exclusive offers.

This strategy is about understanding a potential buyer’s interest and catering to it so they receive relevant information that nudges them closer to a purchase.

Now, let’s think about products where customers often seek assurance. Say you offer medical safety equipment tailored for the elderly. A well-placed QR code next to these products can be a bridge to trusted review platforms. 

When customers scan, they get directed to credible sites with in-depth reviews and comparisons. This added layer of validation empowers them, bolstering their confidence in making a purchase decision. 

6. Boost Event Participation With Easy Registration

With a simple scan, they remove barriers, making it easier for attendees to get involved and for organizers to communicate effectively. According to Juniper Research, global spending through QR code payments is projected to reach $3.3 trillion by 2025, from $2.5 in 2022. That’s over half, signaling a clear shift towards digital integration in the event space.

For example, let’s say you’re hosting a music festival. Instead of just listing band schedules on large boards, you could place QR codes at entry points. Attendees can scan these to get real-time updates on performances and food stall locations or even access interactive festival maps. 

This not only keeps everyone informed but also adds a layer of interactivity to the experience. Similarly, for a business conference, QR codes on name badges can instantly link to a person’s LinkedIn profile or company website, simplifying networking.

7. Expand Your Email Community

QR codes simplify the process of joining an email community. With just a scan, customers can bypass tedious forms and instantly become part of your brand’s network.

Take a scenario at a digital trade show. A booth showcases tools for online trading.  Instead of distributing pamphlets, there’s a prominent QR code. 

With a quick scan, you’re taken to Whop where you can discover, buy, and sell a myriad of digital products and memberships. A moment later, you’ve joined their email list, getting direct access to specialized tools and exclusive offers. 

Placing QR codes at events, in stores, or on packaging can be a game-changer to enlarge your email outreach. It’s convenient for customers and a growth avenue for brands.

8. Educate Your Audience With Valuable Information

Customers want information, and QR codes are the instant solution. Instead of handing out pamphlets or only relying on staff, use QR codes to direct customers to the details they need.

Place QR codes next to products. One scan can connect them to how-to videos, comprehensive product specifications, or firsthand user experiences.

For example, a customer interested in digestive supplements can scan a QR code and immediately access articles on insights about digestive health. The same goes for other products: from electronics to skincare, a QR code can instantly provide customers with relevant and in-depth information. It’s like having an on-demand digital guide right at their fingertips.

5 Best Practices For QR Code Marketing

To get the most out of QR codes in your digital marketing strategy, follow these best practices: 

A. Clear Instructions

Not everyone is familiar with how QR codes work. Add QR codes to your business cards or promotional materials with straightforward instructions. If you’re thinking of including contact details in your QR codes, here’s a helpful guide on how to put contact details into a QR code

B. Visibility Is Key

Make sure your QR codes are placed where they’re easily noticeable. This could be product tags, promotional posters, or even storefronts. Remember, if a customer doesn’t see it, they won’t scan it.

C. Keep It Fresh 

Update the content behind your QR codes periodically. This keeps the user experience dynamic and encourages repeat scans. For instance, a QR code in a monthly magazine should lead to different content each month.

D. Optimize For Mobile

Once scanned, QR codes usually direct users to a website or a specific landing page. Make sure your third-party apps or landing pages are mobile-friendly. For a deeper understanding of improving customer experience, especially in eCommerce, check out this article on how to improve user experience. 

E. Monitor & Analyze

Like any other marketing tool, monitor your QR code’s performance. Analyze the scan numbers, the time spent on linked pages, and other relevant metrics to continually refine your strategy. You can leverage different resources for more comprehensive insights into digital marketing trends, including influencer dynamics. 

8 Interesting Ways Brands Are Using QR Codes In Retail

Brands worldwide are now using QR codes not just to store data but to interact creatively with their customers. Here are some standout examples:

I. Nike’s Augmented Reality Experiences

Nike used QR codes to enhance the shopping experience for their customers. In their stores, they placed specific codes on products. When shoppers scanned these codes, they were treated to an augmented reality experience. 

This allowed them to see a virtual sneaker design within their real surroundings, giving a fresh and unique view of the product.

II. Uniqlo’s Virtual Fitting Rooms

Uniqlo rolled out “Magic Mirror” technology in some of their stores. Shoppers could scan a QR code to use this feature. It allowed them to virtually see themselves in different colors of a specific clothing item. This meant they didn’t need to physically change outfits, making it easier to decide on a purchase.

III. Kate Spade’s Digital Pop-Up Shops

Kate Spade created digital pop-up shops in New York City. These shops displayed products with accompanying QR codes. Passersby could scan these codes, buy products on the spot, and have them delivered directly to their homes.

IV. Burberry’s Product Storytelling Journey

Burberry added QR codes to some of their products. When customers scanned these codes, they watched videos that shared the brand’s history and the craftsmanship behind the product they had in their hands. 

V. Starbucks & McDonald’s Digital Menus

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Starbucks and McDonald’s adopted QR-code menus. Customers could scan a code on their table, view the menu on their phone, and place an order without touching a physical menu.

VI. Spotify’s Interactive Billboards

Spotify used QR codes on billboards to highlight different artists. People walking by could scan the code and immediately access the artist’s playlist on the app, combining traditional advertising with a quick digital music journey. 

VII. Zara’s Feedback Mechanism

Zara added QR codes to their purchase receipts to improve the shopping experience. By scanning the code, customers could quickly give feedback, giving Zara instant feedback on their service quality.

VIII. Patagonia’s Sustainability Transparency

Patagonia, a strong advocate for sustainability, included QR codes on their product tags. By scanning the codes, customers could learn about where materials came from and Patagonia’s dedication to environmental responsibility.

Conclusion

In the fast-paced realm of 2023, QR code marketing has rapidly evolved as a cornerstone for modern businesses. It’s more than just a fad; it’s a compelling bridge between our tangible stores and the expansive digital universe we’re all a part of. 

When you introduce a QR code, accessing it should be straightforward and user-friendly. Remember to position the code where it’s easily noticeable and accessible to potential scanners. 

Beyond just setting them up, regularly monitor their performance. Track their usage and effectiveness to make sure that they continue to meet your business goals and remain a relevant tool for your audience. 

Now, if you’re looking to dive even deeper into the vibrant design world and web development or just seeking ways to make your digital voice heard, swing by Noupe. It’s the perfect pit stop for all things stylish, fresh, and engaging in the digital landscape.

Featured image by Pixabay

The post How To Use QR Codes To Up Your Marketing Game In 2023 appeared first on noupe.

Outdoor marketing remains a potent force even in our digital-centric world. Despite the rise of online ads, 85% of consumers remember seeing an outdoor advertisement in the past month, as highlighted by a study from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. 

This fact emphasizes the lasting impact of billboards, banners, and other outdoor promotional tools. This article dives into the intricacies of this traditional marketing method, presenting the most effective strategies and tools of today. 

Whether you’re an experienced marketer or a newcomer, this guide provides the insights needed to make your brand shine in the open air.

What Is Outdoor Marketing?

Outdoor marketing is a broad category of advertising that encompasses any type of campaign executed outside the home. This form of marketing is designed to reach consumers as they go about their daily activities, capturing their attention in public spaces.

The most recognizable form of outdoor marketing is the billboard. Still, the category includes mediums such as transit posters (found on buses, trains, and subways), kiosks, bus shelters, and even guerrilla marketing tactics like sidewalk chalk or unique installations. 

Digital billboards and interactive displays have also modernized the OOH landscape, creating more dynamic and engaging content.

The primary advantage of outdoor marketing is its ability to offer high visibility in strategic locations, ensuring that brands can reach many potential customers. 

Unlike digital ads that can be skipped or print ads that might go unnoticed, outdoor advertisements are prominently placed in the environment, making them hard to ignore. They’re especially effective in high-traffic areas where they can garner numerous impressions.

The History of Outdoor Marketing

Outdoor marketing, often called out-of-home (OOH) advertising, has been a cornerstone of the advertising world for centuries. Its evolution offers a fascinating glimpse into the changing dynamics of commerce, technology, and societal values.

The Birth of Modern Billboards

Billboards emerged in the 19th century in the U.S. with the railway system expansion. Companies advertised to train passengers using surfaces alongside tracks. By the late 1800s, billboard structures were standardized, leading to large-scale advertising companies.

The 20th Century: A Boom in OOH Advertising

In the 20th century, the rise of automobiles transformed outdoor marketing, making roadside billboards common on highways. As cars became widespread, advertisers targeted on-the-move consumers. 

In cities, transit advertising on buses, trams, and subways flourished, with exteriors and interiors used. The mid-century introduced neon signs, with cities like Las Vegas and Tokyo becoming renowned for their neon-lit nightscapes.

Innovation and Regulation

With the growth of outdoor marketing came concerns about aesthetics and safety. The 1960s U.S. Highway Beautification Act regulated billboard size, spacing, and lighting to prevent distractions and protect landscapes. 

Concurrently, advances in materials, like vinyl in the 1980s, enabled more vibrant, durable ads, offering advertisers greater flexibility and creativity.

The Digital Revolution

The late 20th and early 21st centuries introduced digital outdoor marketing. Digital billboards, offering real-time updates and interactivity, became pivotal. Some even used cameras and sensors to tailor content based on audience reactions. 

Augmented reality (AR) and QR codes further enhanced traditional OOH formats, allowing users to scan codes for extra content or merge digital data with the real world.

The Modern Landscape and Beyond

Today’s outdoor marketing combines traditional and digital techniques. Classic billboards and transit ads now feature QR codes or social media hashtags, connecting the physical and digital worlds. 

Additionally, environmental considerations have influenced the industry by adopting eco-friendly materials, solar-powered billboards, and sustainable practices.

The Benefits of Outdoor Marketing

In an age dominated by digital screens and online platforms, one might wonder about the relevance of traditional advertising methods. 

However, outdoor marketing, often called out-of-home (OOH) advertising, has not only withstood the test of time but continues to offer unique advantages that digital mediums often can’t replicate. Here are seven compelling benefits of outdoor marketing:

1. Uninterrupted Visibility

Unlike digital ads, which can be skipped, blocked, or closed, outdoor advertisements are prominently displayed in the environment, making them hard to ignore. Billboards, banners, and transit ads command attention by size and placement. 

They are there 24/7, ensuring that your message is always visible to passersby, whether they’re pedestrians in a city center or drivers on a highway. This constant exposure increases the likelihood of your message being noticed and remembered.

2. Broad Audience Reach

Outdoor marketing doesn’t discriminate. It reaches out to everyone who passes by, irrespective of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. This broad reach is especially beneficial for brands or campaigns that target a wide demographic. 

For instance, a billboard placed in a strategic location can be seen by tens of thousands of people daily. Over time, this accumulates to a massive number of impressions, ensuring that your message reaches a diverse and extensive audience.

3. Enhances Local Presence

For businesses that operate in a specific locality or region, outdoor marketing can significantly boost local presence and recognition. 

A well-placed billboard or poster in a community can make a brand synonymous with a particular area, creating a sense of familiarity and trust among local residents. 

This is especially beneficial for small businesses looking to establish themselves in a community or larger businesses aiming to create a localized connection.

4. High Recall Rate

Studies have shown that the human brain is more likely to remember something it has seen in the physical world compared to the digital realm. The tangible nature of outdoor advertisements, combined with their size and repetitive visibility, ensures a higher recall rate. 

Many people can remember a specific billboard they’ve seen during their commute, even if they’ve only seen it a few times. This high recall translates to better brand recognition and, ultimately, a higher likelihood of conversion.

5. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

While the initial investment for outdoor advertising might seem high, especially for prime locations, its longevity, and broad reach often result in a lower cost per impression than many digital advertising methods. 

A billboard, for instance, might be up for several weeks or months, continuously advertising to new sets of eyes. When you break down the cost over the duration and the number of impressions, outdoor marketing often presents a cost-effective solution for brands looking for long-term exposure.

6. Complements Digital Campaigns

Outdoor marketing’s ability to complement digital campaigns extends beyond just QR codes or social media hashtags. Consider the potential of geotargeting: when consumers see a billboard for a product or service, they might immediately search for it on their smartphone. 

Brands can capitalize on this behavior by using geotargeted digital ads that appear to users within the vicinity of their outdoor advertisements. This creates a seamless transition from the physical ad they just saw to the digital realm, enhancing the user’s journey with the brand.

Moreover, outdoor advertising can be a visual anchor, reinforcing digital messages. For instance, users might scroll past a digital ad on their social media feed without much thought. 

However, if they later encounter a similar outdoor advertisement, the previous digital interaction is recalled, amplifying the message’s impact.

7. Flexibility and Creativity

The vast canvas that outdoor marketing provides is not just limited to billboards. Brands have utilized buses, trams, and even entire buildings to showcase their creativity. 

This expansive space allows for larger-than-life representations of products, services, or brand messages, creating a visual spectacle that’s hard to forget.

Moreover, the rise of digital billboards has added a dynamic element to outdoor advertising. These billboards can change messages based on the time of day, weather, or even current events, allowing brands to stay relevant and timely in their communication.

Interactive outdoor campaigns, where audiences can engage directly with the advertisement, have also gained traction. 

From billboards that change content based on audience reactions to installations that users can interact with, the merging of technology with outdoor spaces has opened up many creative possibilities.

Top Channels for Outdoor Marketing

As technology advances, so do the methods and channels available for outdoor marketing. Here are the top five channels for outdoor marketing:

1. Digital Outdoor Signage

Digital outdoor signage has revolutionized the way brands communicate with their audience outdoors. Unlike traditional billboards, digital signs can display dynamic content, change advertisements in real-time, and interact with passersby. 

One of the leading names in this space is AIScreen, which offers cutting-edge digital signage solutions that enhance brand visibility and engagement. The ability to update content on the fly, coupled with high-resolution displays, makes digital outdoor signage a preferred choice for many advertisers. 

It’s not just about displaying an ad; it’s about creating an experience. With features like touch interactivity, motion detection, and even augmented reality integrations, digital signage offers a level of engagement that traditional billboards can’t match.

2. Transit Advertising

Transit advertising refers to advertisements placed on or within public transportation vehicles, such as buses, trains, and taxis, and at stations or terminals. This form of advertising is especially effective in urban areas with a high concentration of commuters. 

Whether it’s a bus wrap showcasing a new product or a poster inside a subway car, transit advertising ensures that your message travels with your audience. 

Given the captive nature of the audience—people waiting for or riding on public transport—transit ads can have a significant impact. Moreover, with the rise of smart cities, even transit advertising is going digital, with screens displaying ads based on the time of day, location, or weather.

3. Street Furniture Advertising

Street furniture advertising encompasses ads placed on city fixtures like bus shelters, benches, kiosks, and phone booths. These ads are strategically located in high-footfall areas, ensuring maximum visibility. 

One of the advantages of street furniture advertising is its ability to cater to pedestrians and vehicular traffic. For instance, a well-designed ad on a bus shelter can catch the eye of someone waiting for the bus and a person driving by. 

Given their proximity to the ground level, these ads can be more detailed, allowing for more information or even QR codes that pedestrians can scan.

4. Guerrilla Marketing

Guerrilla marketing is an unconventional form of outdoor advertising that aims to catch people off guard and create a memorable brand experience. It involves creative, sometimes spontaneous activities in public spaces, designed to create buzz and virality. 

From flash mobs to interactive installations, guerrilla marketing campaigns are often bold and innovative. The key to a successful guerrilla marketing campaign is originality. It’s about doing something unexpected that resonates with the audience and gets them talking. 

While it can be a riskier approach compared to traditional methods, when executed correctly, guerrilla marketing can generate significant media coverage and social media buzz.

5. Building Wraps and Large Format Banners

Size does matter in outdoor advertising. Building wraps and large format banners are hard to miss. These massive advertisements cover the sides of buildings or hang in prominent locations. Given their sheer size, they command attention. 

Whether it’s in a bustling city center or along a busy highway, these ads make a statement. They’re especially effective for product launches or major events where you want to make a big splash. 

The key is to have a compelling visual and a clear message, as these ads are often viewed from a distance.

Innovative Outdoor Marketing Ideas For Your Business

While traditional billboards and posters still have their place, innovation in outdoor marketing can set your brand apart, creating memorable experiences that resonate with consumers. 

Here are five innovative outdoor marketing ideas to elevate your brand’s presence and engage your target audience:

Interactive Digital Billboards

Gone are the days when billboards were static displays. Today’s digital billboards can be interactive, engaging passersby in real-time. Imagine a billboard that responds to the weather, changing its message or design based on rain, sunshine, or snow. 

Or consider a billboard that allows users to interact with it through their smartphones, perhaps by playing a game, participating in a poll, or accessing a special promotion. 

For instance, a fashion brand could showcase its latest collection and let pedestrians vote on their favorite outfits using their phones. This not only grabs attention but also encourages active participation, making the advertisement more memorable.

Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences

AR technology has opened up a world of possibilities for outdoor marketing. By overlaying digital information in the real world, AR can create immersive brand experiences. For example, a movie studio promoting an upcoming film could set up AR stations in popular city squares. 

When people point their smartphones or AR glasses at a specific marker, they can see a trailer or even interact with characters from the movie. 

Another idea is for retail stores to use AR to showcase how furniture or clothing might look in a customer’s home or on them, respectively. The key is to create an experience that’s not just novel but also adds value or entertainment for the user.

Pop-Up Events and Experiences

Pop-up events are temporary, often unexpected, events or stores that “pop up” for a short period. They can be incredibly effective for generating buzz and creating a sense of urgency. 

A cosmetic brand, for instance, could create a pop-up spa in a city park, offering quick facials or makeup sessions. A tech company might set up a temporary lounge in a busy train station, showcasing its latest products. 

The transient nature of pop-ups means that people are more likely to engage, knowing it’s a limited-time opportunity. Plus, the surprise element can generate significant word-of-mouth publicity.

Eco-Friendly Installations

As consumers become more environmentally conscious, brands can make a statement with eco-friendly outdoor marketing initiatives. Consider creating installations using recycled materials or setting up displays that double as urban gardens. 

Another idea is to use solar-powered digital displays or create advertisements that can later be repurposed or recycled. 

For instance, a brand promoting sustainability could set up a billboard made entirely of recyclable materials and then invite the community to a recycling event once the campaign is over. 

Such initiatives not only promote the brand but also resonate with eco-conscious consumers, showcasing the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

Personalized Outdoor Advertising

Personalization is a significant trend in digital marketing, but it can also be applied to outdoor marketing. With the rise of data analytics and smart technology, outdoor advertisements can be tailored to the audience in real-time. 

For example, digital displays in shopping malls could showcase ads based on the demographics of the people nearby, detected through mobile data or facial recognition (with proper privacy measures in place). 

A billboard in a busy business district might showcase ads for professional services during the day and switch to entertainment or dining ads in the evening. The more relevant the advertisement, the more likely it is to engage the viewer.

I apologize for the inconvenience. It seems I’m currently unable to access external resources directly. However, I can still provide a detailed overview based on my existing knowledge. Let’s dive into some examples of successful outdoor marketing campaigns:

Top Tools To Leverage Outdoor Marketing For Your Business

Here are five top tools that businesses can leverage to make the most of their outdoor marketing efforts:

1. Digital Billboards and Display Screens

Digital billboards are a significant upgrade from their static counterparts. These electronic displays can showcase multiple advertisements in a rotation, allowing businesses to feature various products or messages throughout the day. 

The flexibility of digital billboards means that ads can be updated in real time, making them ideal for promotions, flash sales, or timely announcements. 

Additionally, some advanced screens come with sensors that adjust brightness based on ambient light, ensuring optimal visibility at all times.

2. QR Code Generators

Quick Response (QR) codes have seen a resurgence in recent years, especially in outdoor marketing. These scannable codes can bridge the gap between physical advertisements and the digital world. 

By using a QR code generator, businesses can create unique codes that, when scanned by a smartphone, lead to a specific webpage, video, or promotional offer. This tool not only drives engagement but also allows for easy tracking of campaign effectiveness.

3. Sales automation software

Sales automation software plays a pivotal role in outdoor marketing by streamlining lead management, automating follow-ups, and delivering personalised email campaigns. For example, a retail business can use sales automation to efficiently collect customer leads during outdoor events, send targeted follow-up emails, and manage appointments, ultimately boosting customer engagement and sales conversions.

4. Augmented Reality (AR) Platforms

AR has the power to transform static advertisements into interactive experiences. With AR platforms, businesses can overlay digital information onto physical ads. For instance, a poster for a new movie could come to life with a trailer when viewed through an AR app. 

This immersive experience can captivate audiences and create memorable interactions with the brand. Companies like Snapchat and Instagram offer AR ad solutions that can be integrated into outdoor campaigns.

5. Eco-friendly Printing Solutions

As environmental concerns become more pressing, businesses seek sustainable methods in all operations, including marketing. Eco-friendly printing solutions use materials that are biodegradable, recycled, or sourced sustainably. 

These printers also utilize inks that are less harmful to the environment. By opting for green printing solutions, businesses not only reduce their ecological footprint but also appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers.

6. Analytics and Tracking Software

To gauge the success of an outdoor marketing campaign, businesses need robust analytics and tracking tools. Modern software can track the times a QR code is scanned or measure engagement with digital billboards. 

Some advanced digital displays even incorporate cameras to analyze audience demographics and gauge reactions to advertisements. By harnessing this data, businesses can refine their strategies and optimize future campaigns.

Examples of Successful Outdoor Marketing Campaigns

1. Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” Campaign

One of the most iconic outdoor marketing campaigns in recent years is Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” initiative. The company replaced its traditional logo on bottles with popular names, inviting consumers to find a bottle with their name or the name of a loved one. 

This simple yet effective personalization turned every bottle into a mini billboard. The campaign was amplified with large outdoor billboards showcasing various names, making it a personal experience on a grand scale. 

The result? Increased sales and a massive social media buzz as consumers shared pictures of their personalized bottles.

2. Spotify’s “Thanks 2016, It’s Been Weird” Campaign

Spotify humorously leveraged its vast user data with its end-of-year campaign. Billboards showcased quirky, real user habits, such as “To the person who played ‘Sorry’ 42 times on Valentine’s Day, what did you do?” 

This campaign was a hit because it combined humor, accurate user data, and a touch of mystery, making it relatable and intriguing. It was a testament to the power of data-driven outdoor advertising.

3. Ikea’s “Climbable Billboard”

To promote the opening of a new store in France, Ikea set up a giant vertical billboard that doubled as a climbing wall. 

This interactive billboard was adorned with actual Ikea furniture, showcasing the brand’s products in a fun and engaging way. Not only did it draw attention, but it also allowed consumers to interact with the brand, creating a memorable experience physically.

4. McDonald’s “Sundial Billboard”

In a creative twist, McDonald’s used a billboard as a functional sundial. The shadow cast by the billboard’s structure moved across the board, aligning with images of different McDonald’s breakfast items at the appropriate times of the morning. 

It was a clever way to promote their breakfast menu, reminding passersby of the time and, more importantly, that it was time for a McDonald’s breakfast.

5. BIC’s “Shave the Billboard” Campaign

To promote its line of razors, BIC showcased a massive billboard featuring a man’s bearded face. Over time, the beard was “shaved” off, revealing a clean-shaven face, demonstrating the effectiveness of BIC razors. 

This dynamic billboard changed over time, encouraging viewers to revisit and see the progress, thereby repeatedly exposing them to the brand and its message.

What Challenges Can One Face in Outdoor Marketing Today?

As brands compete for attention in an increasingly digital world, outdoor marketing must evolve to stay relevant. Here are ten challenges faced in outdoor marketing today:

1. Digital Distractions: With smartphones and digital devices dominating, capturing the attention of a tech-savvy audience is challenging.

2. High Costs: Prime outdoor advertising spaces, especially in urban areas, can be expensive.

3. Vandalism: Billboards and posters can be susceptible to graffiti and other vandalism.

4. Weather Dependency: Outdoor ads can be affected by weather conditions, reducing their lifespan and visibility.

5. Regulatory Restrictions: Many cities have strict regulations regarding the size, location, and content of outdoor advertisements.

6. Short Attention Span: With people on the move, outdoor ads have only a few seconds to make an impact.

7. Measurement Difficulties: Unlike digital marketing, tracking the direct impact and ROI of outdoor ads can be challenging.

8. Environmental Concerns: Large billboards and print materials can be considered environmentally unfriendly.

9. Space Limitations: Conveying a message with limited space requires creativity and precision.

10. Rapid Technological Changes: Keeping up with the latest technologies, like digital billboards and AR integrations, requires constant adaptation.

In conclusion, while outdoor marketing offers vast potential, navigating its challenges requires strategic planning, creativity, and adaptability.

What Is the Difference Between Outdoor and Digital Marketing?

In the vast realm of advertising, two dominant forms have emerged over the years: outdoor marketing and digital marketing. 

While both aim to engage audiences and promote brands or products, they employ distinct strategies, mediums, and technologies. Here, we’ll delve into five key differences between these two marketing forms.

1. Medium and Platform

Outdoor Marketing: This form of marketing, often called out-of-home (OOH) advertising, utilizes physical spaces to communicate its messages. Classic examples include billboards along highways, posters in transit systems, banners at events, and even guerrilla marketing tactics in public spaces. 

These advertisements are tangible, static (except digital billboards), and are placed in strategic locations to garner maximum visibility.

Digital Marketing: Digital marketing operates in the online realm. It encompasses various platforms and strategies, including search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC), social media marketing, email campaigns, and content marketing.

 These advertisements are virtual and dynamic and can be tailored to appear to specific demographics based on online behavior, preferences, and search history.

2. Targeting and Personalization

Outdoor Marketing: OOH advertising is broad in its targeting. While a billboard or transit ad can be placed in a location to reach a particular demographic (e.g., a university campus for targeting students), it doesn’t offer personalized content for each viewer. Everyone who passes by sees the same message.

Digital Marketing: One of the most powerful features of digital marketing is its ability to target specific audiences with precision. Advertisers can tailor content based on a user’s online behavior, location, device, age, gender, interests, etc. For instance, retargeting ads can show products that a user has previously viewed on an e-commerce site, making the advertisement highly relevant to the individual.

3. Duration and Flexibility

Outdoor Marketing: Once an outdoor advertisement is set up, it remains constant for its duration, which could be weeks or even months. Changing the content requires a physical change, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Digital Marketing: Digital ads offer unparalleled flexibility. Advertisers can change their content in real-time based on performance metrics, current events, or inventory levels. For instance, if an ad isn’t performing well, marketers can quickly adjust the design, messaging, or targeting parameters to optimize results.

4. Measurement and Analytics

Outdoor Marketing: Measuring the direct impact of OOH advertising can be challenging. While companies can estimate the number of impressions based on location traffic, it’s harder to determine the exact number of conversions (e.g., purchases) directly attributed to the ad. Some modern methods, like using QR codes on billboards, can provide more direct tracking, but overall, OOH analytics tend to be more generalized.

Digital Marketing: The digital realm offers robust analytics. Marketers can track many metrics, including click-through rates, conversion rates, bounce rates, and more. They can see which ads are most effective, which demographics are most engaged, and which times of day yield the best results. This data-driven approach allows for continuous optimization and a clear return on investment (ROI) measurement.

Conclusion

Outdoor marketing, with its rich history and diverse strategies, remains a pivotal component in the advertising landscape. 

From the inception of billboards alongside train tracks to the digital innovations of today, it has continuously evolved to capture the attention of audiences on the move. The blend of traditional and modern methods, coupled with the integration of digital elements. 

As brands navigate the challenges and opportunities of this dynamic medium, the fusion of creativity, strategy, and technology will be paramount. 

Whether through a captivating billboard, an interactive digital display, or a guerrilla marketing stunt, the essence of outdoor marketing lies in its ability to engage, surprise, and leave a lasting impression on the vast open canvas of the real world.

FAQs

What is the difference Between Outdoor Marketing And Outdoor Advertising?

Outdoor marketing encompasses all external promotional strategies, while outdoor advertising specifically refers to visible ads like billboards and posters.

What insights does this guide provide?

The guide offers insights into effective outdoor promotional methods, the latest tools, and evolving industry trends for successful campaigns.

How does outdoor marketing differ from digital marketing?

Outdoor marketing uses physical spaces for promotions, like billboards, while digital marketing focuses on online platforms and strategies.

Are digital elements incorporated in modern outdoor marketing?

Yes, modern outdoor marketing integrates digital elements like digital billboards, QR codes, and augmented reality for enhanced engagement.

Featured image by Andrae Ricketts on Unsplash

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In a world where everything is intertwined with technology, a data security breach is like an unexpected rain on your parade—definitely not a fun surprise. 

But here’s the thing: you can’t just brush it off like nothing happened. 

Cyberattacks are ramping up, no doubt about it. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the cost of cybercrime is likely to hit a whopping $10.5 trillion?? by 2025.

So, let’s get into it. In this complete guide, we’re diving deep into data breaches, breaking down what they mean, the domino effect they set off, and, most importantly, how to pick yourself up when things get messy.

So settle in—we’re making data breaches as easy to understand and handle as a walk in the park.

What is a Data Breach?

Think of a data breach as a digital break-in. It’s when hackers manage to sneak into a company’s databases and nab sensitive info. 

Now, these cyberattacks happen because there are holes in data security. Companies don’t always have the right locks and alarms, leaving their data and customers’ info vulnerable.

Types of Breaches

There’s a whole range of data breach flavors out there, like:

• Phishing: Tricking someone into revealing info via fake emails or websites.
• Ransomware: Holding data hostage until a ransom is paid.
• Social Engineering Scams: Manipulating people into sharing sensitive details.
• Software Misconfigurations: Getting in through poorly set up software.
• Weak Passwords: Guessing easy-to-crack passwords.
• Physical Device Theft: Yep, sometimes they steal the actual devices.
• Third-Party Breaches: When a company’s partner gets hacked, cybercriminals sneak through the backdoor.

Suppose you work at a cloud communications platform company. One day, the headlines scream—hackers just broke into your system. They’re now holding customer data, like contact numbers and communication history, hostage. These hackers could start sending messages that look legit, but they’re loaded with malware. So when customers click, boom—their devices are infected with a computer virus or malware.

You see, data breaches aren’t just faraway stories. They’re real and messy, affecting real people and real businesses. This is why understanding breaches and how to react is super important.

What Happens When a Company Suffers a Data Breach?

Now that you have a better idea of what data breaches are, let’s discuss the aftermath of a data breach and look at some of the problems that they can cause:

Customer Trust Takes a Hit

Source

Think of your customer’s trust being like a vase. A data security breach would smash it to pieces. Customers start worrying about their personal information—and they’re not alone. KPMG revealed that 86% of people have growing concerns about their data privacy.

Government Fines

The law gets involved. Data breaches often come with regulatory fines in the U.S. For instance, HIPAA violations can lead to fines ranging from $100 to $50,000 per violation. 

A Dip in Stock Price

Money talks. News of a data breach can spook investors. Share prices of breached companies hit a low point of approximately 110 market days following a breach. Share prices fall -3.5% on average and underperform the NASDAQ by -3.5%, as reported by Comparitech.

How Can Companies Prevent Data Breaches?

Preventing data breaches is essential for keeping your valuable stuff safe. Here are some ways to increase data security in your business:

• Implement Cybersecurity Measures: Invest in robust cybersecurity measures like firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems. Multi-factor authentication is a great way to fortify access to sensitive info.
• Stay Up-to-Date with Software and Patch Management: Keep your software up-to-date, and don’t snooze on those patches. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software.
• Train Your Troops: Make sure your team knows the drill. Regularly train employees about cybersecurity best practices. A well-informed workforce can be your first line of defense. You can even hold personalized training sessions on topics like how to create strong passwords and the importance of archiving for data privacy.
• Limit Access: Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP): Not everyone needs access to everything. Follow the principle of least privilege—grant employees the minimum access required to perform their roles.
• Partner Wisely with Third-Party Vendors: Your partners’ security matters too. Before collaborating, assess their data security practices.
• Regular Checkups: Just like a health checkup, your digital health needs one too. Regularly conduct security audits and assessments to spot vulnerabilities before they become gateways for hackers.

Stay tuned—we’re delving deeper into the battle plan against data breaches. From recovery tactics to ensuring legal compliance, we’ve got you covered.

What Should You Do About a Data Breach?

Alright, the inevitable has happened—a data security breach slipped through the cracks, even after all your best efforts to increase data security. Here’s your playbook on what to do when facing a data breach:

Act Fast to Contain the Breach

Imagine you’re in charge of a tech company that relies on secure remote access solutions, like VPNs. The moment you get wind of a breach, rally your response team into action. 

Together, you can identify how the breach happened and take immediate steps to contain it. This can include disconnecting compromised systems, changing passwords, isolating affected areas, and temporarily shutting down remote access. Acting fast means you can slam the brakes on the breach’s impact and put up roadblocks to stop it from spreading. 

According to IBM, spotting a breach takes about 204 days on average. Containing the chaos? That’s another story—roughly 73 days. Add it all up, and you’re staring at a whopping 277 days. Yup, that’s nearly a year. But with quick thinking and speedy action, you’re on track to slam the brakes on that breach’s rampage.

Notify Authorities

In many scenarios, data security breach incidents require reporting to regulatory authorities. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the laws and requirements governing breach notifications in your country. Just like you wouldn’t miss a red light on the road, don’t overlook your responsibility to notify the appropriate channels.

Alert Affected Parties

When a breach occurs, swift and transparent communication is paramount. Data breaches can damage your reputation with your customers or clients. Imagine being in a position where you’re responsible for a company’s response to a breach. You promptly reach out to the individuals whose data has been compromised. You don’t delay or sugarcoat—you provide clear information about the breach, the type of data exposed, and the potential risks they might face.  By doing so, you’re not only meeting a legal obligation but demonstrating respect for their privacy and fostering trust.

Seek Legal and PR Guidance

Navigating legal waters can be complex. When a breach hits, it’s time to consult legal experts to grasp your obligations and potential liabilities. Additionally, engaging your PR team is akin to switching on your headlights in a fog—it ensures clarity and honesty in your communication. The result? A clear path forward amidst the confusion.

Enhance Security

This is your wake-up call. Bolster your security measures. Implement stronger access controls, regular security audits, and ongoing employee training. 

Suppose you work at a law firm, and a recent breach shakes things up. In response, you tighten the reins and introduce solutions like Assembly Software that protect your data for improved security. You enhance access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data. You schedule regular security audits to catch vulnerabilities before they become gateways. Taking these measures becomes your shield against future breaches and a testament to your commitment to safeguarding client information.

By leveraging digital signage solutions, you can consistently remind and educate your employees about best practices and the importance of data security.

Provide Support

Think of the aftermath of a breach as a storm that leaves individuals shaken. Now, envision being the helping hand that offers assistance. If you work at a company that’s just experienced a breach, provide resources to those affected, like credit monitoring or identity theft protection services. By doing this, you’re not just addressing the immediate fallout. You’re showing empathy and commitment to helping them navigate the breach. In a time of vulnerability, your support becomes a lifeline that helps individuals regain control and security.

Plan for the Future

The age-old wisdom of “hope for the best, prepare for the worst” couldn’t be more fitting here. Data breaches serve as a stark reminder that being proactive is key. So, you roll up your sleeves and create an incident response plan. This plan should include a clear chain of command, communication protocols, technical procedures, legal requirements, and contact details of relevant stakeholders, including legal counsel, PR experts, and cybersecurity specialists.

Facing a data breach is no walk in the park, but with a clear plan and swift action, you can navigate the storm and come out stronger on the other side. 

Data Breaches: Prevent, Prepare, and Be Proactive

So there you have it—the full scoop on data breaches and how to bounce back from them. 

We’ve covered the scary stuff, the fallout, and the steps to take when a breach comes knocking. 

From acting quickly to getting legal and PR help, boosting security, and lending a hand to those affected—each move is like a piece of a puzzle that helps you sail through a breach. And don’t forget, the secret sauce for the future is a solid plan. 

By knowing the risks, getting ready for the worst, and reacting with precision, you can actually turn the tables on a data security breach. So, as you move ahead in the digital world, remember while data breaches are tough cookies, your power to tackle them is even tougher.

Featured image by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

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