Marketing & Selling

Sometimes, it takes an outsider to allow South Africans to recognise that SA retail innovation is positive in their own country.

Brands taking communications entirely in-house may see short-term financial benefits, but long-term drawbacks are significant. The communications agency I have led for almost eight years is unusual in retaining clients for extended periods. Occasionally, we lose an account.

Con artists and scammers are becoming more skilled at manipulating bank details and private information from consumers. It is important to understand the risks and recognise the warning signs. Fraud and scam statistics in South Africa are alarming.

Empathy is a key differentiator in creating exceptional customer experiences. In an increasingly tech-driven business world, it stands out. Labelled a ‘soft skill,’ it is a complex trait to develop. This development requires self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and ongoing effort.

Disruption and increased efficiency, at an almost exponential scale, are changing the very foundations of economies. Technology businesses face as much opportunity as they do competition. As a consequence, technology companies need a strong public relations (PR) strategy. This strategy should boost awareness, differentiate, and amplify their credibility. However, choosing the right PR agency is crucial. In an industry as dynamic as tech, businesses should engage specialists. It’s not easy to choose an agency. 

Every organisation is working to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to improve sales and customer service experiences. However, great AI relies on data. Traditionally, companies have used structured data, such as rows and columns, often from customer relationship management (CRM) applications.

As the festive season approaches, the excitement of Christmas shopping is in the air. However, amidst the holiday rush, it is crucial to stay vigilant to avoid a nasty surprise of unexpectedly purchasing counterfeit products, which invariably flood the on and offline markets during this time.

With Black Friday around the corner – a time when credit and account cards are in heavy use – we are urging consumers to stay alert against the rise in fraudulent activities. The increase is the use of online platforms for shopping and managing bills, opens us up to more advanced types of fraudulent activity, so preventing and minimising the risk of financial fraud is important.

As Black Friday approaches, millions of consumers prepare for one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The excitement of discounts and limited-time deals drives online shopping. However, this also creates an opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit the surge in activity.

Black Friday is almost here, raising stress levels for everyone involved. Shoppers rush to find valuable deals. Retailers need to achieve sales targets to satisfy shareholders. To succeed this year, organisations must maximise their retail technology investments and offer real value and superior customer experiences.