The Role of Digital Transformation in Increasing Government Trust During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Digital transformation has been playing a massive role in increasing trust in governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To ensure that the public has faith in their government during this time of upheaval, many governments have turned to digital transformation initiatives, particularly in both the UK and the US

UK and US Government Trust Through Digital Transformation

Digital transformation has helped increase transparency within the government to help people stay updated with the latest information on what is happening within their country.

For example, the UK government has created a Government Digital Service led by Fiona Deans, responsible for making government services more digital and user-friendly. According to a 2021 digital transformation report, Fiona Deans worked on increasing trust in government during the Coronavirus pandemic and Brexit by putting the user first and foremost in everything the Government Digital Service did. The full details of the report can be seen here.

This includes making it easy for people to find the latest information on government websites and creating online tools that are simple and easy to use.

“When you really have to get something done, people make it happen,” said Fiona.

She believed in raising the people up by educating them on how the digital world works and by empowering them to use these tools themselves.

The result of the digital transformation is the creation of Government-as-a-Platform, a set of shared digital components made to avoid duplication and support delivery – was used to text citizens using GOV.UK Notify saw a 700% spike in demand and GOV.UK Verify, which supported the  Universal Credit verification of identities.

In the United States, the pandemic was a watershed moment for the government’s digital transformation. COVID-19 pushed the government headfirst into the next phase of digitization.

Never have we seen so many major government initiatives tried out across such a broad spectrum of areas, from telehealth to telework, virtual courts to virtual education.

According to a survey by Delliotte Insights, 74% of government officials surveyed say that digital helped them cope with the pandemic with 77% of the agencies already seeing the positive impact from the digital initiatives introduced during COVID-19.

In the US, government agencies are moving from doing digital to being digital. The goal is no longer just to put government services online, but to use digital technologies, data, and analytics to deliver those services more efficiently and effectively.

This is a major shift in how the government operates and it’s one that will have a lasting impact on the way we interact with our government.

Conclusion

Digital transformation will continue to play a vital role in increasing trust in governments as we move into the post-pandemic world.

It has helped to increase transparency and communication between governments and their citizens, and it has also helped to make government services more efficient and effective – two key factors in increasing trust.

As we continue to face new challenges in the world, digital transformation will be an essential tool that governments can use to help build trust with their citizens.

 

44% of UK and Ireland Employees Feel Remote Working is Damaging Company Culture

There is a lot of debate surrounding the topic of remote working and its effects on company culture. Some people believe that it harms the culture, while others feel it enhances it.

According to a survey conducted by HR systems provider Cezanne HR, 44% of UK and Ireland employees stated that remote working is detrimental to an organisation’s company culture. Furthermore, 31% felt that hybrid or remote work was harmful to them being able to develop great relationships with their colleagues. 

While there are certainly benefits to remote working, it seems that this way of working is not without its drawbacks.

What are the Benefits of Remote Working?

Increased Flexibility, Productivity and Freedom

One of the main benefits of remote working is the increased flexibility and freedom it affords employees. With no need to commute to an office every day, workers can design their schedules and work from wherever they please.

This can lead to a more productive and positive work-life balance and improved mental health and well-being. As mentioned in an article by patient.info, a Microsoft survey published in February 2021 revealed 56% of homeowners felt much happier working remotely. People stated that they felt their stress levels would be reduced and would be much more motivated to work under less pressure.

Furthermore, remote working can help reduce transport costs as employees would no longer need to commute to the office daily, which can be beneficial to those who suffer from chronic illnesses. 

The Ability to Attract a Global Talent Pool

With no need for employees to be based in one location, companies can hire the best workers anywhere. 

The requirement for in-person interviews is arguably no longer essential, at least during the COVID-19 pandemic era anyway, since, with access to online communication tools such as Zoom, organisations will be able to conduct online interviews at any time with prospective candidates from across the globe.

What are the Drawbacks of Remote Working?

A Decline in Company Structure

Remote working can make it difficult for companies to maintain a clear hierarchical structure. This is because employees cannot interact with each other daily and may feel less connected to the company.

This can lead to confusion and frustration amongst employees and a general feeling of being disconnected from the company. As reiterated in Cezanne’s survey, 63% of employees believe that the physical workspace is essential for positive company culture.

This is especially true for older employees, with 85% of those aged 54 or over feeling that the physical place of work is vital, and you can visit here for details of the report.

Isolation and Lack of Supervision

Working remotely can sometimes make employees feel isolated from their colleagues. This can damage morale and lead to a feeling of disconnection from the company. Another drawback of remote working is that managers can make it difficult to supervise their employees. This is because they cannot see what their employees are doing daily.

This can lead to a decline in productivity for some people and may even result in employees taking advantage of the situation.

Conclusion

Overall, there are both benefits and drawbacks to remote working. While it can be a great way to increase flexibility and freedom, it can also lead to isolation and a decline in company culture.

It is essential to weigh the pros and cons of remote working before deciding if it is suitable for your company and whether it plays a huge part in the company’s long-lasting culture.

The Role of Digital Transformation in Increasing Government Trust During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Digital transformation has been playing a massive role in increasing trust in governments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure that the public has faith in their government during this time of upheaval, many governments have turned to digital transformation initiatives, particularly in both the UK and the US

UK and US Government Trust Through Digital Transformation

Digital transformation has helped increase transparency within the government to help people stay updated with the latest information on what is happening within their country.

For example, the UK government has created a Government Digital Service led by Fiona Deans, responsible for making government services more digital and user-friendly. According to a 2021 digital transformation report, Fiona Deans worked on increasing trust in government during the Coronavirus pandemic and Brexit by putting the user first and foremost in everything the Government Digital Service did. The full details of the report can be seen here.

This includes making it easy for people to find the latest information on government websites and creating online tools that are simple and easy to use.

“When you really have to get something done, people make it happen,” said Fiona.

She believed in raising the people up by educating them on how the digital world works and by empowering them to use these tools themselves.

The result of the digital transformation is the creation of Government-as-a-Platform, a set of shared digital components made to avoid duplication and support delivery – was used to text citizens using GOV.UK Notify saw a 700% spike in demand and GOV.UK Verify, which supported the  Universal Credit verification of identities.

In the United States, the pandemic was a watershed moment for the government’s digital transformation. COVID-19 pushed the government headfirst into the next phase of digitization.

Never have we seen so many major government initiatives tried out across such a broad spectrum of areas, from telehealth to telework, virtual courts to virtual education.

According to a survey by Delliotte Insights, 74% of government officials surveyed say that digital helped them cope with the pandemic with 77% of the agencies already seeing the positive impact from the digital initiatives introduced during COVID-19.

In the US, government agencies are moving from doing digital to being digital. The goal is no longer just to put government services online, but to use digital technologies, data, and analytics to deliver those services more efficiently and effectively.

This is a major shift in how the government operates and it’s one that will have a lasting impact on the way we interact with our government.

Conclusion

Digital transformation will continue to play a vital role in increasing trust in governments as we move into the post-pandemic world.

It has helped to increase transparency and communication between governments and their citizens, and it has also helped to make government services more efficient and effective – two key factors in increasing trust.

As we continue to face new challenges in the world, digital transformation will be an essential tool that governments can use to help build trust with their citizens.

44% of UK and Ireland Employees Feel Remote Working is Damaging Company Culture

There is a lot of debate surrounding the topic of remote working and its effects on company culture. Some people believe that it harms the culture, while others feel it enhances it.

According to a survey conducted by HR systems provider Cezanne HR, 44% of UK and Ireland employees stated that remote working is detrimental to an organisation’s company culture. Furthermore, 31% felt that hybrid or remote work was harmful to them being able to develop great relationships with their colleagues.

While there are certainly benefits to remote working, it seems that this way of working is not without its drawbacks.

What are the Benefits of Remote Working?

Increased Flexibility, Productivity and Freedom

One of the main benefits of remote working is the increased flexibility and freedom it affords employees. With no need to commute to an office every day, workers can design their schedules and work from wherever they please.

This can lead to a more productive and positive work-life balance and improved mental health and well-being. As mentioned in an article by patient.info, a Microsoft survey published in February 2021 revealed 56% of homeowners felt much happier working remotely. People stated that they felt their stress levels would be reduced and would be much more motivated to work under less pressure.

Furthermore, remote working can help reduce transport costs as employees would no longer need to commute to the office daily, which can be beneficial to those who suffer from chronic illnesses.

The Ability to Attract a Global Talent Pool

With no need for employees to be based in one location, companies can hire the best workers anywhere.

The requirement for in-person interviews is arguably no longer essential, at least during the COVID-19 pandemic era anyway, since, with access to online communication tools such as Zoom, organisations will be able to conduct online interviews at any time with prospective candidates from across the globe.

What are the Drawbacks of Remote Working?

A Decline in Company Structure

Remote working can make it difficult for companies to maintain a clear hierarchical structure. This is because employees cannot interact with each other daily and may feel less connected to the company.

This can lead to confusion and frustration amongst employees and a general feeling of being disconnected from the company. As reiterated in Cezanne’s survey, 63% of employees believe that the physical workspace is essential for positive company culture.

This is especially true for older employees, with 85% of those aged 54 or over feeling that the physical place of work is vital, and you can visit here for details of the report.

Isolation and Lack of Supervision

Working remotely can sometimes make employees feel isolated from their colleagues. This can damage morale and lead to a feeling of disconnection from the company. Another drawback of remote working is that managers can make it difficult to supervise their employees. This is because they cannot see what their employees are doing daily.

This can lead to a decline in productivity for some people and may even result in employees taking advantage of the situation.

Conclusion

Overall, there are both benefits and drawbacks to remote working. While it can be a great way to increase flexibility and freedom, it can also lead to isolation and a decline in company culture.

It is essential to weigh the pros and cons of remote working before deciding if it is suitable for your company and whether it plays a huge part in the company’s long-lasting culture.

Which Gaming Genres Are Currently Thriving in the U.S. Market?

The U.S. has many gaming fans, with statistics showing the total number reaching approximately 179.6 million this year 

The gaming world is growing at such rapid rates that it isn’t a stretch to say that you probably know at least a few people who would call themselves avid gamers – or maybe you are one yourself! Whether you use your mobile phone, PC computer or tablet, gaming is a leisurely hobby that is fun, immersive, and entertaining, allowing players to transport themselves to digital universes outside of our own. The future only looks bright for the industry, with new and improved innovations and technologies lighting up the space, especially in the context of the U.S. where games are flying off both physical and virtual shelves. But what are some of the best gaming genres in this market? Below we delve into a few popular options that are proven favorites.

First-Person Shooter Games 

First-person shooter games drop players into action-packed combat-like settings where they play alone or in teams in order to defeat enemies and gain control of land. Their popularity is perhaps due to their first-person perspective which is extremely immersive and realistic. In the U.S., Call of Duty is one of the highest-grossing FPS franchises, amassing billions of dollars in consumer spending since its initial release in 2003. Although this is just one example, American gamers can’t get enough of shooter games across the board, with others like Counterstrike and Overwatch also selling out for years in a row.

Online Casino Games 

Online casino games have been the talk of the town as of late, but most especially in the U.S. market as more and more providers are growing their presence in all 50 states. Thanks to the passage of legislation that is legalizing the activity, more players from different regions can participate in gaming on some of the best online casino sites out there. This means that all the thrills and spills of Blackjack, Roulette, or slot machines can be enjoyed from the comfort of one’s own home, around-the-clock. Additionally, as technology advances, live dealer games are becoming even more innovative, with in-game chat functions and heightened graphic resolution that makes it feel as though the croupier is standing in the same room as the player.

Is your favourite gaming genre listed here?

Sports Games 

Sports games have always been near and dear to the heart of American gamers. After all, arguably the most popular sports video game franchise of all time, Madden, was created by American developers and the top-grossing gaming company, Electronic Arts (EA Games). Since its launch back in 1989, the series has sold over 130 million copies and counting, proving that fans like to play American football on a gaming console as much as they love to watch it live on television. This is one of the highest-ranked sports games in the U.S., next to FIFA, with NBA 2K coming in a close second; others, like the PGA Tour, serve golf fans, and MLB The Show caters to baseball supporters. 

A Comprehensive Guide To Amplifying Your Business Marketing Reach

Whether you own a startup business or a company that has existed and survived for years, discovering the most profitable and efficient marketing strategy is crucial to your continued success. This would benefit small businesses more because they don’t have many resources to sustain their needs. Yet before we go any further, what is a marketing strategy? 

A marketing strategy is a carefully crafted plan to help you reach a specific marketing goal in a realistic and focused manner. It also includes what your company is currently doing and the essential missing pieces following the objectives you set that may help you accomplish them.

Today, most marketing campaigns are run digitally, such as voice mailing, social media marketing, text blasting, emailing, etc. However, the problem with marketing is that it changes so quickly. Therefore, it’s vital to stay on track with the best practices over time. 

In this article, you’ll learn some essential marketing techniques that may help you amplify your reach, leading to more leads, higher conversion rates, and more sales. It also includes the best practices and tips for every strategy. 

Red bearded man is holding a megaphone and announce digital marketing related things. Vector concept illustration.

Marketing Technique No. 1: Ringless Voicemails

A ringless voicemail works by sending prerecorded messages to target recipients. Because it’s ringless, people who receive it will not be disturbed, especially during their busiest working periods. Instead, it will prompt a notification similar to missed calls, which they can listen to any time they want. 

The good thing about this software is its efficiency; you can send hundreds of voicemails in just a few minutes. It’s also a cost-efficient tool that suits small businesses and startups with limited funding resources. 

With less than a cent, you can send a voicemail to one of your target customers. To better understand how ringless voicemails can benefit your business, you may check out the video:

Moreover, it has built-in SMS marketing software you can use together with your voicemails for a more effective marketing strategy. 

Here are some features of ringless voicemail coupled with SMS marketing software:

  • Perfect Compatibility: This software can be utilized through mobile and landline services without experiencing any problems.
  • Response Demanding: Ringless voicemails demand a response from recipients, resulting in a higher engagement rate and positive conversion factor. Because of this feature, potential customers won’t be able to ignore your messages easily.
  • Customized Recordings: This software lets you produce recordings and upload them for marketing campaigns.
  • Personalized Messages: This software allows you to personalize your messages. You can send whatever you want to say, such as the entire story of your business, case studies, and many more. 

You may visit your local voicemail service provider or look at Drop Cowboy Ringless Voicemail for more information on how to start your voicemail campaign. 

Marketing Technique No. 2: Text Blasting

Text blasting allows your team to send out multiple messages to a large group of people in a couple of minutes, boosting your marketing reach efficiently. What makes it so powerful and effective than other marketing strategies, though? 

It’s an excellent tool because 9 out of 10 people read their messages in only a few seconds. This increases your chance of having a customer when they receive your messages. You can subscribe to SMS marketing services and start your text campaigns in minutes at minimal costs.

In addition, text blasting takes advantage of mobile technology as most people check and use their mobile devices. This makes it easy for you to reach multiple people instantly. This modern setup also allows businesses to build their brand authority, boost sales, and spread brand visibility and awareness.

Other benefits of text blasting you might want to consider include:

  • Global Reach: Some text blasting services offer plans that help you reach your customers globally, especially if you’re selling and shipping products globally.
  • Limitless Word Count: Text blasting software doesn’t have a limited character count, which means you can type and send messages no matter how long they are.
  • Simple And Easy: Text blasting is easy to manage; everyone can use it to promote their business anytime and anywhere. 

Are you ready to start your marketing journey with text blasting? Call your local service providers now and discover different plans based on your needs.

Marketing Technique No. 3: Social Media Marketing 

Social media marketing uses social media applications to promote and boost your products and services online. It is one of the most powerful and effective marketing strategies that take advantage of a billion users across the globe. Besides, it’s all about engaging your target viewers and meeting their demands through effective communication and interaction. 

Here are some benefits of social media marketing you wouldn’t want to ignore:

  • Increases Brand Awareness

Because social media apps have many active users, you’re missing out on opportunities to reach potential customers by not using them to your advantage. They’re proven to amplify brand visibility and awareness by boosting customer engagement through likes, comments, and shares. 

If you have a website to promote, you can use social media marketing by placing links to redirect potential and interested clients to your site. You may include a direct link on your profile, bio, or every post as long as its relevance remains. 

  • Generates And Converts Leads

Promoting your products and services through social media platforms is one of the best ways to generate leads, convert them, and make sales. This is because the people you’re marketing your brand to are the same ones most likely to interact with you by following your pages. 

The following are some tips you can use to generate more leads using social media:

  • Have A Contest: This is one of the most excellent ways to keep in touch with your followers and attract other people. Here, you’re allowing everyone to participate and enjoy your event, increasing your chances of making sales. 
  • Include Links: As mentioned, you may include links to your bio, profile, and other content as long as they’re relevant to the post. This may spark an interest in audiences who view your posts.
  • Host Live Shows: Social media platforms allow everyone to conduct livestreams to make public announcements and news to followers and non-followers engaged in your account or page.

You may also post your products and services on sale through the shopping feature of some social media apps to generate positive leads. 

  • Learns From Competitors

Social media allows you to monitor the marketing strategy of your established competitors. You may also refer to their ideas if you don’t know where to start, especially if they’re already an established name in the same field. Likewise, you could check out how they attract clients using their strategy. 

How To Establish A Social Media Marketing Campaign

Here are steps that may help you create an effective social media marketing strategy:

  1. Research Your Target Audience. Determine your target audience so you can fulfill their needs and demands effectively. This boosts customer engagement because you’re sharing the same thoughts and interests.
  2. Know What Platform To Use. You can use Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to help you reach your target audience. Once you’ve decided on the platform to use, start by creating keyword-rich and hashtag-laden content that will lead back to your brand and up your engagement.
  3. Determine The Key Metrics. These will help you measure audience engagement through likes, comments, shares, clicks, hashtag performance, and reactions.
  4. Know Your Competitors. You’ll know your competitors better by how effective their marketing strategies are. Study how the strategies they have been using have proven beneficial in attracting more audiences. See if the same applies to yours.
  5. Post Great Content. An impactful social media marketing heavily relies on great content. If you have no idea what ideal posts are, you may peek at your competitors’ profiles and know the kinds of content they show their viewers
  6. Plan Your Posts. If you want to boost audience participation, it would be best to post as often as possible every day. Around two to three posts should do the trick each day. Research the perfect time to release content for maximum engagement, too. 

With these steps, you can guarantee effective and efficient social media marketing that could take your business to the next level.

Marketing Technique No. 4: Email Marketing 

Contrary to what most businesses believe, emails are not yet dead. Frankly, they remain one of the most effective ways to genuinely reach out to your customers who make your company alive.

Email marketing should foster an existing connection between you and your clients. You can do this by providing essential information that may help them get what they need.

Yes, you read that right. Email marketing is never about you, your team, or your company. Instead, it’s about your subscribers and customers and helping them address their problems. If you always put them first on your priorities, they’ll be glad to hear more from you.

When To Use Email Marketing

Here are some instances when you can use email marketing to boost your marketing reach effectively:

  • Foster Relationships: Establish long-lasting connections with your customers through customized and personal engagement.
  • Improve Brand Visibility: Email marketing always makes sure your business is on top of your customers’ minds, preparing them for purchase.
  • Promote Content: You can utilize email marketing to share relevant and valuable content with your leads by placing links that will redirect them to your site.
  • Generate Potential Leads: This may be hard at first, but once you identify your target audience, you may compose concise emails to keep them interested in your brand and what you have to offer. 
  • Sell Your Products And Services: You may sell your items through emails and let them continue their purchases on your e-commerce platform.
  • Nourish Potential Leads: Captivate your leads with valuable content that may help them reach their objectives.

How to Create An Effective Email Marketing 

You know your email marketing is effective when your emails are not delivered directly to spam folders. Remember that people receive around 130 emails per day, so you want to make sure that your emails stand out among them. 

The following are steps that may help you create a successful email marketing strategy:

  1. Know Your Audience. An effective email addresses the needs of your target customers. It should be crafted based on their interests and understanding. 
  2. Define Your Goals. Research some concepts based on your industry and make them the bases of your goals.
  3. Establish Directions For Leads To Subscribe. Create a simple way where people can sign up for your emails easily. When they do, keep them engaged and ensure to keep them on the mailing list.  
  4. Choose A Type Of Campaign. Emails will be overwhelming at some point, so it’s vital to narrow down your options by using a specific type of email marketing, such as:
    • Announcements regarding new content
    • Updates for new and existing products
    • Newsletters
    • Invitations 
    • Email dedications
    • Emails for co-marketers
    • Confirmation emails
    • Social media emails
  5. Schedule Emails. Release your emails as consistently as possible to establish loyalty and ensure that your subscribers won’t forget your products and services.
  6. Evaluate Outcomes. This should be an obvious step as a marketer. It’s essential to assess every strategy to determine what needs to be adjusted or changed to create effective email marketing and content that will make people want to hear more from you.

Now that you know how to create an effective system for email marketing, you may start implementing any of those mentioned here to reach potential leads, resulting in positive engagement and higher sales.

Final Words

Marketing is an important aspect in any business that may determine and establish its growth. This applies to startups, small businesses, or even corporations. Furthermore, as marketing strategies continue to evolve through digital technology, taking advantage of today’s most popular gadgets, such as smartphones and laptops, should drive businesses to be more competitive than before. 

Meanwhile, you can boost your marketing reach through different marketing techniques, such as voicemails, text blasts, social media, and emails. You may refer to the discussion presented in this article to help you start with business marketing strategies, especially how to make them as effective as possible.