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Maximize Employee Satisfaction and Effectively Measure Learning and Development ROI

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Learning and Development has significant influence on revenue — by widely sharing their metrics, professionals boost leadership’s confidence and prove that employee skills have improved. Professionals are encouraged to go fully digital to save time and money. According to Forbes, a single one-time, in-person training event can cost $40,000. Moreover, research finds that digital training provides companies with the opportunity to deliver more digestible information. In addition to going digital, professionals are encouraged to demonstrate that the L&D team is spending time on developing training that matters and that employees are learning the way that they are supposed to. 

However, online models are not always cheaper than in-person models. For instance, LinkedIn Learning, a common online learning platform, costs $180K per 1,000 learners. Similarly, Articulate, a course authoring tool, costs $120K per 1,000 learners. Furthermore, most employees are not even satisfied with their outcomes on these online learning platforms. 

To effectively measure L&D ROI, professionals need to acquire a corporate learning program with purpose, accessibility, and science-backed content — all of which the Arist ROI Calculator provides. The Arist ROI Calculator is an effective tool to help L&D professionals build a learning outcomes-focused culture. Arist is a microlearning platform that enables quicker iteration and higher engagement from employees. Unlike traditional processes of measuring ROI, Arist boosts ROI and revenue by helping employees feel more confident in performing their roles, increasing the adoption of learning by 90% and increasing the speed of learning creation by 95%. 

Measuring the ROI of corporate learning
Source: Arist

What is AI and how can it be used to help businesses?

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Intelligent Document Processing, a form of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is growing in popularity and business use. So much so that 63% expect investment in AI to increase over the next three years, emphasizing its fast growth. Before delving into the use of AI in business, it is important to first have a solid foundation of what AI is. 

AI is the ability of a computer or machine to learn, understand, and respond to previous experiences like written prompts, math problems, images, and more. The three different types of AI include machine learning, deep learning, and expert systems. All of these learn from data inputs to create outputs and decisions. Further, there are different categories of AI application. Those categories are generative AI, predictive analytics, natural language processing, and computer vision. 

Because of the different types and categories of AI, businesses are quickly adapting them into their models. AI is used in businesses to do things like customer segmentation, creating new AI-based products, and numerous others. 

Why should businesses adopt AI into their models? There are five given benefits of AI in business. The first is that it increases efficiency and productivity. AI results in greater speed, improved monitoring, and higher quality and increased accuracy. The final benefit of AI is that it results in enhanced talent management, meaning it helps streamline the hiring process.

One example of an Intelligent Document Process is Lazarus AI, which extracts and conceptualizes data. Examples like these have countless benefits for businesses.

Intelligent Document Processing and AI

A COVID Tax Credit Businesses Can Still Qualify For

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COVID-19 and the pandemic brought on struggles for countless industries and businesses across the world. Many nations, in response, passed legislation creating tax credits, halting interest rates, and many other changes aimed at helping businesses. While most have long since passed, some are still active today. The employee retention credit is one credit that many businesses can still take advantage of today. 

The employee retention credit is a refundable tax credit that was meant to encourage employers to keep employees paid across the pandemic. It applies for the 2020 and 2021 tax years and within one year can save $5,000 per employee. In 2021 this program ended, but employers can still file to receive funds today. 

Of course not every business that was active during COVID will qualify, but many do. The three criteria for qualification are as follows. One, the business experienced losses of revenue due to COVID-19. Two, the business is operating within the U.S. Three, the business was shut down in some capacity, be that in hours active or delivery halting. Or four, the business qualified as a Recovery Startup Business in 2021.

If any of these apply to a business, and that business qualifies their wages, they qualify for the credit, including the Arizona STO tax credit. It’s not often that these programs are extended to apply past their end date. So for those businesses that managed to keep employees paid during COVID, take advantage before it is too late.

What Is Employee Retention Credit?

Cloud Monitoring: Empowering Cloud Businesses to be Better

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Cloud operations are quickly becoming a cornerstone of modern business. Half of all business workloads are cloud-integrated, and the number is likely to rise even higher with improvements in cloud technology. But what are some things that keep the cloud from developing an even stronger foothold in the commercial industry?

The vital nature of metrics and data is juxtaposed by the difficulty to assemble the data into an easily perceived format. For many network engineers, the tools provided prove inefficient for gathering data and the numerous platforms utilized prove too difficult to analyze it. As a result, 48% of companies report troubleshooting delays and 31% report performance issues and complete outages. One main cause of this may be ineffective infrastructure leading to the inability to test performance before deploying a network change.However, with every problem inevitably comes a solution. In this case, cloud monitoring has proved the best way to mitigate traditional cloud service problems. When cloud monitoring is implemented, it is almost unanimously decided the business becomes inherently more valuable. This is likely due to the mean time to resolution dropping and significantly reduced service risks. By introducing network monitoring, the poor network visibility clears up and network engineers are empowered to better maintain and operate their networks.

The Importance of Cloud Monitoring & Why It’s So Hard
Source: Live Action

Plastic Surgery: Paving the Way for Women on Payroll

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Almost 2 million women vanished from the workforce in March of 2020, resulting in a shecession that has only just begun to fade.  In fact, in March 2023, more than 77.8 million women were active in the US labor force, topping February 2020’s 77.6 million. 

Despite a large increase in labor participation, many women are struggling to get their feet back in the door.  Ageism is a significant barrier, with 61% of US workers over age 45 reporting instances of ageism.  Lookism is another problem, restricting women who do not embody societal beauty standards.  Both ageism and lookism can have measurable impacts on a woman’s ability to get hired, keep a job, and earn the wage she deserves. 

Other barriers include caregiving responsibilities and a lack of confidence.  Women often bear the brunt of childcare, both in terms of time, energy, and expenditures.  These pressures can make the return to the workforce implausible and exhausting.  To further complicate matters, many women struggle with confidence when they begin the job search; two in four women don’t feel confident about work, even if they have already procured a job. 

Luckily, there are solutions to make the transition into the workforce easier.  One of these solutions is plastic surgery, which can boost self esteem.  Many women are considering cosmetic procedures, whether they be liposuction, breast augmentations, or tummy tucks.  Procedures such as these can elevate a woman’s confidence, allowing her to focus on returning to payroll.

Why women are finally returning to the office
Source: Sieber Plastic Surgery

10 Reasons to Dive into Korynn Newville’s “Indiscernible Elements: Calcium”

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The Intriguing Connections of Nature, Architecture, and Human Experience

Korynn Newville’s fascinating book, “Indiscernible Elements: Calcium,” offers readers a captivating exploration of the hidden connections between architecture, nature, and human experience. With its diligent illustrations, poetic prose, and heartfelt insights, this book is a must-read that provides numerous reasons to explore into its pages. 

Here are ten reasons why you should pick up Korynn Newville’s “Indiscernible Elements: Calcium” today.

1. Discover the Interconnectedness: This book presents the elaborate web of connections that exist between our bodies, the built environment, and the natural world. Through the lens of calcium, Korynn Newville illuminates how all aspects of existence are intertwined.

2. Gain a Fresh Perspective:Indiscernible Elements: Calcium” challenges conventional viewpoints by urging readers to reconsider the way we think about architecture, design, and our relationship with nature. It encourages us to see the world through a new lens.

3. Explore the Power of Calcium: Dive into the fascinating world of calcium and its far-reaching impact on our bodies, architecture, and the planet. Newville’s detailed exploration sheds light on the ubiquity and versatility of this essential element.

4. Reflect on Life and Death: By examining the life and death cycles of calcium molecules, the book gives rise to contemplation on the broader concepts of life and death. It encourages readers to appreciate the beauty and inevitability of these natural processes.

5. Engage with Art and Poetry:Indiscernible Elements: Calcium” combines illustrations, poetic prose, and engaging dialogue, offering a multi-sensory reading experience. Newville’s artistry and poetry bring the subject matter to life.

6. Foster Sustainability: Through the exploration of calcium’s connections to architecture and design, the book inspires readers to reimagine the built environment and consider sustainable practices. It encourages us to create spaces that harmonize with the natural world.

7. Embrace the Resilience of Nature: The book highlights the enduring nature of calcium, even in the face of decay and destruction. It invites readers to find solace in the resilience of nature and appreciate the regenerative cycles that sustain life.

8. Challenge Comfort Zones:Indiscernible Elements: Calcium” encourages readers to question the status quo and challenge notions of comfort and convenience. It encourages us to think beyond immediate needs and consider the broader impact of our choices.

9. Ignite Imagination and Curiosity: Korynn Newville’s exploration of calcium sparks curiosity and imagination, inspiring readers to go deeper into the interconnectedness of the world around them. It invites us to question, reflect, and seek new perspectives.

10. Inspire Action and Change: Indiscernible Elements: Calcium” serves as a call to action, encouraging readers to become active participants in shaping a more sustainable and interconnected future. It motivates us to make conscious choices and advocate for positive change.

Korynn Newville’s book, “Indiscernible Elements: Calcium,” takes readers on an extraordinary exploration of the interconnectedness that exists within our world. With its beautifully crafted story, captivating illustrations, and deep reflections, this book offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to expand our understanding of the relationships between nature, architecture, and human experience. Whether you are inclined towards science, art, sustainability, or simply seeking a new outlook, “Indiscernible Elements: Calcium” is a fascinating read that will leave you feeling inspired and eager to search into the complexity of our interconnected world.

Explore Korynn’s world on her website. 

Unleashing the Power of Transfer:  Unlocking Pathways to College Success

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The journey to achieving a college degree can take various routes, and one avenue that holds immense potential is transferring.  Intending to reach 60% of the population with a postsecondary credential or degree by 2030, Kentucky recognizes the critical role of transfer success in realizing this educational attainment objective.

Why should students consider transfer? Beyond the allure of saving more money, transferring from a community college to a university can lead to increased earnings.  Kentucky’s transfer landscape offers an average net price of $6,000 annually at KCTCS compared to $13,000 at public universities and $18,000 at private universities.  By obtaining an associate degree and continuing on to complete a bachelor’s degree, students can unlock a lifetime earnings premium of $590,000 in Kentucky.

However, the transfer journey comes with its challenges.  Nationally, only 8% of transfer students complete the 2 + 2 formula – two years at a community college and two years in a bachelor’s program.  Overcoming these obstacles requires concerted efforts in fostering transfer pathways, providing transfer advising, and ensuring the smooth acceptance of transfer credits.

Kentucky envisions a future where transfer success is an equity issue that levels the playing field for all students.  Recognizing those early momentum milestones can significantly improve transfer success, especially for Black and Hispanic students, the state is dedicated to removing obstacles, strengthening institutional collaboration, and maximizing the applicability of credits.

To unleash the power of transfer, students must embark on a well-defined transfer pathway, receive guidance from transfer advisors, and ensure the transferability of their credits.  By doing so, the vision for transfer in Kentucky can become a reality, accelerating progress, strengthening partnerships, and ultimately unlocking the potential of every student on their path to college success.

Transfer success
Source: Kentucky Student Success Collaborative

Reevaluating Recruitment and Retention for Gen Z

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As Gen Z comes of age and enters the tech workforce, the ways in which recruitment professionals approach the hiring process will change.  This shift is currently happening, as Gen Z’ers are entering the workforce earlier than Millenials did.  In fact, 33% of Gen Z ages 16 to 19 work, as opposed to 26% of Millenials teens. 

However, 50% of hiring managers struggle to connect with early-career employees, many of whom are Gen Z.  Even more significantly, 74% of hiring managers say that Gen Z is the most difficult generation in the office, making it challenging to integrate new employees.  

Several factors fuel the Gen Z hiring gap.  The first is changing workplaces following the pandemic.  During COVID, Gen Z saw a 79% increase in layoffs compared to other generations.  Another factor is workplace friction that results in aggressive responses for everyone involved.  This has resulted in 70% of Gen Z’ers being at risk of reneging on a current job offer.  Finally, employees and employers tend to have misaligned career expectations, resulting in high turnover rates. 

To keep Gen Z employees in the workforce, companies can implement several goals.  For example, establishing clear expectations is key.  Maintaining transparency and workplace respect are also huge factors, as is nurturing meaningful connections and communication. 

In order to support the new wave of young workers, employers should reevaluate their hiring practices and adapt to changing workers.  Luckily, there are many ways to do so effectively.

What You Need To Recruit And Retain Gen Z
Source: Abode HR

Mobile DevOps Engineers: Driving Growth in the Tech Industry with Bitrise

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In 2021, the job title that was highly sought after in the market was ‘DevOps Engineer’. One of the main factors contributing to this was the projected growth of the industry which is estimated to reach $51 billion by 2030, a significant increase from its valuation of $7 billion in 2021. 

The increasing demand for Mobile DevOps engineers can be attributed to the widespread use, reliance, and competitiveness of smartphones. This growing demand also leads to heightened industry expectations and customer demands for flawless releases. Notably, 57% of developers claim to release code twice as fast as before, compared to 35% in 2020. Presently, even a single issue prompts 60% of users to delete an app, making it crucial for businesses to prioritize flawless performance.

Efficiency plays a vital role for Mobile DevOps engineers, and a reliable Mobile DevOps tool can make a significant difference.
Bitrise serves as an invaluable tool for Mobile DevOps engineers, providing essential functions such as reducing build time, increasing deployment frequency, improving app stability, and optimizing infrastructure and mobile DevOps expenditures. It is widely adopted by over half of the mobile unicorn startups and supports six platforms, including iOS and Android.

The Future of Mobile DevOps Engineering
Source: bitrise

Boost Your Marketing ROI: 5 Tactics to Sync SEO & SEM

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Maximizing your marketing ROI through the effective combination of SEO and SEM demands a thorough and multifaceted strategy. Based on our extensive experience and industry knowledge, we have delineated five critical methods that can significantly boost your business’s digital footprint.

**Allocate Paid Search Spend Using Organic Search Performance Insights**

Before you spend a dollar on paid search, start with organic search performance insights. Keyword research is your guiding light here, as it allows you to understand where your efforts might be underperforming. As this data helps you understand your target audience better, it also aids in cutting down unnecessary ad expenditures, thereby boosting your ROI. As a great mind in the field once said, “Keyword research is the bedrock of digital marketing” – Prof. Steven Roberts, Stanford University.

**Inform Your Content Strategy With SEM Keyword Performance**

Once you’ve identified your most valuable paid terms, integrate these high-value terms into your organic content strategy. Work closely with your content creators to incorporate these high-impact terms into content pieces organically. Remember, “Content is king, but marketing is queen and runs the household” – Gary Vaynerchuk. 

**Perform Competitive Research Using Paid & Organic Insights**

Knowing your competition is as important as knowing your own business. That’s why your next move is to understand your competitors and categorize them. How? By cross-analyzing them with your own paid and organic research, which paints a clearer picture of your business landscape. As Prof. J. Wilson at UCLA Anderson School of Management puts it, “Understanding the competitive landscape is a key aspect of any successful marketing strategy.” 

**Incorporate SEO Best Practices When Creating Paid Campaigns**

When creating paid campaigns, it’s crucial to steer clear of self-cannibalizing your organically targeted keywords. Make sure your paid and organic efforts are working together, not against each other. This alignment not only bolsters the health of your website but also elevates your ROI. As John Lincoln, CEO of Ignite Visibility, states, “SEO and SEM are not separate entities but two aspects of a whole; they need to function together for the overall success.”

**Enable Cross-Team Communication & Collaboration**

To wrap it up, remember that SEO and SEM aren’t isolated disciplines. They’re best when combined and utilized in harmony. Cross-team communication and collaboration are paramount to this end. Regularly monitor and share performance data with both SEO and SEM teams. It’s only when the two work in tandem that you truly start to own your targeted SERPs. As Cindy Krum, CEO of MobileMoxie, so aptly puts it, “The key to success is teamwork. When SEO and SEM join forces, it’s a win-win.”

In conclusion, by implementing these five strategies, you’re not just bringing together SEO and SEM – you’re forming a cohesive digital marketing strategy that can maximize ROI, even in an era of tightened budgets and economic uncertainty. As Link-Assistant reminds us, “The only way to win at SEO is to do things the way Google wants, and to use effective strategies for both paid and organic search.”

This journey may seem challenging, but remember – you’re not alone. We’re all navigating the changing tides of digital marketing together. It’s this shared experience that keeps us pushing for innovation, driving towards success, and never losing sight of the incredible possibilities that the future of SEO and SEM hold.

**Harnessing the Power of SEO Reporting Tools**

A critical facet of our discussion thus far – from allocating resources based on organic search performance to enabling effective cross-team communication – is the use of SEO reporting tools. In the field of digital marketing, these tools are indispensable for driving data-based decisions and achieving desired outcomes. As noted by Search Engine Journal, they are “the backbone of any SEO campaign.”

SEO reporting tools offer invaluable insights into your website’s performance, from keyword rankings and backlinks to organic traffic and conversion rates. The granular data provided by these tools is fundamental for measuring the effectiveness of your SEO and SEM strategies, optimizing them accordingly, and eventually improving your ROI.

For instance, tools like SEO PowerSuite provide comprehensive SEO reports. These not only give you an overview of your website’s current standing but also offer competitor analysis, rank tracking, and more. They generate precise and easily comprehensible data, which forms the basis of your digital marketing decisions.

**The Synergy of SEO and SEM**

Remember our emphasis on incorporating SEO best practices when creating paid campaigns and enabling cross-team collaboration? This is where the alignment of SEO and SEM really comes into play. Your SEO and SEM teams need to work in tandem, using the insights from these tools, to enhance your search engine visibility, increase traffic, and optimize conversion rates.

The interplay between SEO and SEM is a vital aspect of digital marketing. As HubSpot mentions, by combining the strengths of both SEO and SEM, businesses can achieve “better visibility, more leads, and increased revenue.” It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. For instance, the intelligence gathered from your paid campaigns can inform your organic keyword strategy and vice versa. This harmony between SEO and SEM is what drives impactful results.

**Incorporating Reporting Tools into our Five-Point Strategy**

With that understanding, let’s revisit our five-point strategy, this time, with a focus on the role of SEO reporting tools.

1. **Allocate Paid Search Spend Using Organic Search Performance Insights:** Here, SEO reporting tools will help you understand which keywords are performing well organically. This will allow you to allocate your paid search spend more wisely.

2. **Inform Your Content Strategy With SEM Keyword Performance:** SEM reports give insight into the most valuable paid terms. You can use these insights to inform your organic content strategy.

3. **Perform Competitive Research Using Paid & Organic Insights:** SEO reporting tools provide comprehensive data about your competitors. Use this data to enhance both your organic and paid search strategies.

4. **Incorporate SEO Best Practices When Creating Paid Campaigns:** Your SEO report will help you identify which keywords are performing well organically, ensuring that your paid campaigns don’t compete with these keywords.

5. **Enable Cross-Team Communication & Collaboration:** SEO reporting tools not only provide data but also promote transparency and facilitate collaboration. Sharing these reports with your teams will ensure everyone is on the same page, working cohesively towards your marketing goals.

In conclusion, while we’ve outlined a five-point strategy to effectively combine SEO and SEM for maximizing your marketing ROI, none of it can be achieved without leveraging the power of SEO reporting tools. These tools provide the data, the insights, and the foundation on which your SEO and SEM strategies stand. They bring visibility to your efforts, allowing you to measure, optimize, and enhance your digital marketing strategies continuously. As Barry Schwartz once said, “SEO is a never-ending process. It’s about continual learning and adaptation.”