Networking expert Margaux Miller offers a fresh playbook for making meaningful connections online, presenting six tips for building online relationships that emphasize quality over quantity and the importance of genuine, personalized interactions.
Thereâs a fine line when it comes to packaging. You donât want so little packaging that items get damaged, but you also donât want to frustrate customers by overdoing it with tape and other difficult materials to break open.
One way to toe this line is frustration-free packaging; a method of packaging your shipped goods that helps you increase customers satisfaction sustainably. If your company isnât ahead of this trend, you may want to consider switching processes. In this article, we take a look.
Simply put, the objective of frustration-free packaging is to make your products easy to ship, open, and reuse or recycle. The idea is to minimize packaging materials without compromising product safety, making it more accessible for the customer, and less costly and wasteful for you.
The term was coined by Amazon, which has a frustration-free packaging program; a set of guidelines for Amazon merchants to reduce packaging waste, lower shipping and packaging costs, and improve the customer experience.
Ultimately, frustration-free packaging allows you to reduce packaging and shipping supplies costs, as well as the waste generated by this expense. If your brand aligns itself with sustainability or eco-friendliness as a value, this is one initiative that can show consistency with your values, all while saving money.
Other advantages it offers are reduced chances of returns chargebacks, saving you significant money in the long run.
Lowered shipping costs for you also mean lower shipping costs for your customer. Likewise, the benefit is in the name. Simple, scaled down packaging that still protects shipped goods reduce frustration for the customer during the order fulfillment process. This will improve their experience with your business and potentially increase the likelihood of return business.
Although this strategy started with Amazon, it doesnât mean you canât implement it on your own.
Of course, there are challenges to consider. These include:
Some tips to make this easier include:
Frustration-free packaging can save you money, reduce waste, improve your customersâ experience, and show your commitment to sustainable solutions. If your only hesitation is implementing a large scale change, there are plenty of experts and vendors who can help.
In the workplace, the content of your written work, be it email, report, job listing, or social media post is obviously significant, but the importance of its grammar and spelling is commonly undervalued. Avoidable errors can subconsciously portray a lack of professionalism and credibility to those receiving it. In this article, we discuss why the appearance of written work is just as imperative as the content and how staying on top of common spelling and grammatical errors will improve a companyâs reputation overall.
In a blog post, Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit and self-proclaimed âGrammar Stickler,â has stated that he refuses to hire anyone who uses poor grammar, even if they are otherwise qualified, declaring that bad grammar shows a lack of professional credibility, attention to detail and learning ability. While his stance may seem extreme to some, it goes to show that we are constantly being judged based on our ability to communicate on paper.
When it comes to customer-facing components in business, like marketing materials, proposals, social media posts, and emails, written communication directly reflects customer perception overall. Each employee at a company has the power to directly affect the reputation of a business, and when put that way, Wiensâ view doesnât seem so outlandish. Ensuring that team members are keeping a keen attention to detail when it comes to their spelling and grammar in every aspect of their work, will ensure the image of the brand remains positive.
In the technological age we live in now, words are significantly more impactful. Take a look at this social media post from a plumbing company:
Call us today! Our team of expert plumbers is here to help you with all of your plumbing needs! From leaky taps to clogged drains and even broken pipes. We fix them all! Dont wait till itâs to late, call now and we will take care of it!
We works 24/7, no job are too big or small. We will be happy to assist you!
Would you be inclined to choose this plumber over one with a more professional-looking ad? Not likely- and they could be perfectly qualified! If a company wonât take the extra time and attention to detail to ensure their ad is written correctly, customers may be inclined to think thatâs how their home will be treated by them too.
Proper spelling and grammar are not only advantageous in customer-facing situations but can also allow for a more streamlined workplace. In communicating with team members, vendors, or superiors, a simple grammatical error could mean the difference between missed appointments or dollars lost. Ensuring emails and other communications are written correctly will make for effective communication and clear up any potential confusion amongst all parties.
Utilize the spellcheck feature. There are many applications and built-in features that can be used as a backup editor in your everyday writing. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of them.
Read, proofread, and peer review. Before sending or publishing anything, give it a once or twice-over. Get another pair of eyes to take a look. That extra few minutes spent could be all the difference in avoiding a major issue. It has even been said that waiting between proofreads will allow your brain to forget about what youâve read and create a fresh mindset when looking at it again- potentially revealing new errors missed the first time around.
Review the rules. It is never a bad idea to review the rules around grammar and spelling or ask Google if youâre unsure. Automatic grammar and spell-checkers donât always catch contextual errors, so it is important to have a grasp on what makes sense.
There is always an exception to the rule. Despite the previous tip, there are always exceptions in grammar and spelling. Sometimes your relationship with the recipient of your email allows for you to be more casual so an acronym or funny spelling is okay. Readability is a big factor too, if breaking a standard grammar rule allows for the reader to understand your message clearer, sometimes thatâs okay.
Simple spelling and grammar errors make a larger difference in business than are often given credit for. Keeping these ideas and tips in mind will only help to improve the first impression, brand image, credibility, and efficiency of the workplace.
A recent study from fleet management company, Geotab has found that 68% of commercial drivers report that work-related stress negatively impacts their performance. Driver performance has a huge impact on your bottom line; from deadlines being met, to preventing accidents, and more. So, in the era of rising costs and performance being more important than ever, what does this research have to say? In this article, we take a look. Â
According to Geotab, the financial ramifications of driver stress should not be ignored. Its research found that driver stress âleads to increased costs, reduced efficiency, and higher risks for everyone on the road. The financial impact is significant, including higher insurance premiums, potential legal liabilities, and increased fuel and maintenance costs.âÂ
It also found that:Â Â
Poor driving â such as speeding and overloading – might mean a few deadlines are met quicker, but overall, itâs not worth the risk. The financial ramifications include:Â
Overall, this is going to lead to your fleetâs expenses rising, and the frequency of replacing vehicles or their parts increasing. Likewise, the âaverage cost of a large truck crash involving a fatality can reach up to $3.6 million.â Prioritizing safety is both the ethical and economical thing to do. Â
Work-related stress doesnât just lead to adverse driving conditions. It also leads to higher rates of turnover. Turnover can be incredibly costly to organizations, especially when certain commercial drivers require special training or licenses. Some research even indicates that the loss of a single driver can cost companies between $10,000 and $20,000.Â
Clearly, its critical to prioritize your drivers stress levels and job satisfaction. Failing to do so is expensive and dangerous. However, with so many other costs rising, and your budget spreading thinner, how do you manage this?Â
Optimizing your fleetâs other expenses, without compromising quality of service, allows you to focus more on your drivers and your profitability. Expenses like fuel and telematics can be analyzed and monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure youâre spending fair market rates, and never a penny more. Working with a third-party expert in fleet management expenses can help save you time and money on this front. Â
Feedback is an important part of employee motivation in an evolving, always-improving workplace. Employees being responsive and adaptable to feedback is only one half of the equation. Managers, supervisors, and other leaders are the other half. Giving effective, motivating feedback is just as necessary. Â
So how can you deliver feedback and constructive criticism to your team more effectively? In this issue of The Pulse, we take a look.Â
It can be very tempting to delay or avoid difficult conversations. And, often, giving potentially tough feedback is a difficult conversation; especially if the employee may not be entirely receptive. However, the best thing you can do is address the issues promptly. Â
Having the conversation sooner rather than later is important for the following reasons:Â
Itâs also important to remember that an employee with a performance issue may not realize they have said issue without feedback. The kind thing to do is talk to them as soon as you can. Â
Sometimes, if you bring an employee into a meeting to give them constructive feedback, and theyâre not expecting it, the anxiety associated with the experience may prevent them from fully processing what youâve said. Giving them a heads up about the topic of the discussion allows for them to be prepared. Â
Prepare what you want to communicate ahead of time. It should be very clearly explained where they are falling short in terms of their responsibilities and behaviors and how they can improve to meet your expectations going forward. Â
One mistake to avoid, if possible, is attaching any personal judgement to feedback. Often, when we work hard, itâs easy to feel a personal attachment to our work. We can conflate criticism of it, with criticism of us. Avoiding statements like âIâm unhappy with you,â or âyou messed up,â can make the feedback experience easier on the recipient. Â
There might be valid reasons why an employeeâs performance is struggling. There may be another issue on your team that youâre not aware of. Be open to receiving feedback from them, as well, that may help resolve the issue. Ask your employee questions relating to the issue, rather than doing all the talking, actively listen to what they have to say, and keep an open mind. Â
Without feedback and constructive criticism, none of us would ever improve. However, not all feedback is delivered equally. Ensuring that you communicate effectively when having these conversations is tantamount to your teamâs success. Â
Many businesses and organizations rely on compressed helium to operate. In fact, so many, that the global demand for the gas is expected to nearly double over the next decade. Helium is a finite resource; meaning rising demands may cause a significant supply and demand imbalance that could impact the going market rates for this gas. Â
In this article, we take a look at the projections, and what they might mean for organizations reliant on this resource. Â
If youâre not in the business of using helium, you may just think of balloons and squeaky voices. But the truth is, itâs a critical resource for many industries our society relies on to function. Its expansive list of uses includes:Â
According to a report published in IDTechEx, heliumâs âhigh thermal conductivity, chemical inertness, and cryogenic properties uniquely lend itself to its applications with limited or no available alternatives in some cases.âÂ
For such an important resource, it doesnât command a steady market. Production difficulties often lead to shortages and rising prices. With the global demand for helium skyrocketing from 176 million m3Â in 2024 to an estimated 322 million m3 in 2035. In the same time period, the semiconductor market â reliant on helium â is predicted to grow by over 13%. These factors, plus a dwindling supply of the natural resource, means operations reliant on helium can expect costs to soar.Â
Given the lack of alternatives, there might not be a lot your business can do but eat the rising costs of helium. Right? Well, yes and no. True, you cannot control the market value of helium. But you can ensure that youâre not being overcharged by your supplier. Â
Itâs not uncommon for suppliers to hide markups in miscellaneous fees that appear on your invoices. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple call to your vendor to discuss and object to these fees. Likewise, if youâre seeing increases in your helium spending of more than ten percent a year â but no change in volume â it may be worth investigating if youâre paying fair market rates. Especially if youâre signed on to a contract. Â
If youâre pressed for time or donât know where to begin, consider working with a third-party consultant who understands the marketplace, but wonât make recommendations that benefit your vendor more than you. Â
If projections about the demand for helium are correct, compared to production limitations, prices are going to climb. This might represent a significant added expense for your business, with no alternatives to turn to. However, there are steps you can take to protect your budget from markups and unfair rates. Â
One of the compounding challenges to economic uncertainty, as a business owner or manager, can be how your customers respond to it. And, as a consumer yourself, it makes sense, right? When prices may spike, spending less is wise. But that doesnât necessarily bode well for businesses that rely on that clientele.
With economic uncertainty in our midst, what are some spending trends to look out for this year? In this issue of the Pulse, we take a look.
There are some indications that consumers are slowing down their purchasing habits. For example, consumer credit utilization rates dropped towards the end of 2024. Likewise, the Bainâs Consumer Health Index noted a 10.8% drop in intent to spend among even high earners, or those whose incomes are $150,000 or more. The Kearney Consumer Stress Index found that the majority of consumers are stressed about prices and inflation, especially when it comes to groceries.
Itâs not just big data points discussing this, either. In January, a Washington Post article examined a trend called âNo Buy 2025.â Whether or not the majority of consumers are making a conscious effort to spend less, the idea of this shows a pattern towards anxiety over consumption.
Another sign that spending may slow down are credit delinquency rates. In the United States, even amongst high earners, consumer delinquency rates are ânear a five-year high, rising 130% over the last two years from January 2023 to December 2024.â
This could mean that consumers are more likely to be cautious with purchases made on credit.
As with any period of economic uncertainty, some industries are going to feel the consumer hesitancy more than others. For example, restaurants or other food service businesses may want to keep in mind that 81% of Americans say saving money on food is a priority for them in 2025. Essentially, anything that could be considered âdiscretionary spendingâ is potentially at risk.
To weather a potential downtrend, in 2025, businesses should look into sustainable strategies to keep costs low and avoid layoffs or raising prices. The latter, especially, certainly will not make consumers more likely to spend in this climate.
Maybe youâve cooked some ground beef for taco night or tried your hand at making homemade french fries; if so, then you know how much leftover grease is often produced. Now consider your favourite restaurant and the volume of food waste and grease-producing meals they cook every single day. Where does all of that excess grease and food waste go and what impacts can it have on both the environment and the restaurantâs bottom line? In this article, weâll discuss.Â
While some grease can be stored and recycled (yellow grease), not all fats, oils, and grease (FOG) waste can be handled in this way. When a restaurantâs FOG waste goes down the drain, its first stop is the grease trap- a plumbing system that slows the flow of the wastewater and gives the FOG time to separate and rise to the surface, while allowing the water to drain below. The mass that is left is known as âbrown grease.â Over time, the grease trap fills up and a waste removal company will be hired to pump out the waste buildup and bring it to a treatment facility. This is an important process, because if not properly handled, the waste can lead to expensive plumbing blockages, environmental pollution, health hazards, and even fines. Â
Both yellow and brown grease can be recycled. Before ever hitting the drain, yellow grease can be stored and then recycled into biodiesel. Biodiesel can run, without modification, in any diesel engine and it burns more efficiently and emits less pollutants than petroleum diesel. Â
As for brown grease, the leftover material in a food service grease trap, there are a few ways it can be dealt with. The least productive- and most harmful- being a trip to the landfill. Fortunately, recycling leftover brown grease has become a more common practice. Sometimes, the waste is stored in deep pits where the water and grease can separate, allowing the FOG to solidify. It can then be mixed with other organic matter to be utilized in places like farm fields. Another popular method, still involving the separation of the brown grease from the wastewater, chemically treats it in a way that would produce a fuel called biogas, used mainly used for heating, electricity and mechanical power.Â
So, what was once another wasted biproduct destined for the landfill, can now have a second life- one that can benefit your business too.Â
There are multiple clear ways to lower the inherent costs associated with grease traps. Reducing the amount of waste going down the drain overall will then also reduce the frequency of servicing needed and therefore decrease the expenses of service fees. As well, proper regular maintenance of the grease trap will help to avoid costly repairs due to backup and overflow. Â
However, as previously mentioned, another financially beneficial solution is to participate in available recycling programs. Many waste removal companies offer rebates for participating in these programs due to the shared benefits they can provide. Â
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, âA life cycle analysis completed by Argonne National Laboratory found that emissions for 100% biodiesel (B100) are 74% lower than those from petroleum diesel.â Â
While the available rebates can be an excellent profit recovery tool for businesses, the positive environmental impacts like methane emission reduction, waste diversion, resource recovery, and a reduced strain on sewage infrastructure are imperative as well.Â
The benefits reign supreme when it comes to grease waste recycling. Businesses can reduce their environmental impact, attributable to their waste processes, while reaping the financial rewards too. Â
Unnecessary meetings, micromanagement, overly complex procedures â these are a few common examples of the phenomenon that Organizational Psychologist and Professor, Bob Sutton, calls “organizational friction.â And while friction can feel inevitable, regularly slowing us down and causing frustration, he argues that it doesnât have to be that way. By eliminating pointless barriers, we can streamline work, sharpen decision-making, and fuel creativity.
As technology continues shaping the way we shop, pay, and live our lives, credit card processing is evolving to keep pace. With consumers expecting faster, safer, and more convenient payment experiences, businesses must adapt or risk falling behind.
As we step into 2025, the payment processing industry is ready for transformative changes. Here are some key trends businesses and consumers should keep an eye on:
1. Increase in Contactless Payments
Convenience is the key driver of the surge in contactless payments. With Near Field Communication (NFC) technology becoming more widespread, consumers can now make quick and secure transactions by simply tapping their cards or mobile devices. This trend not only speeds up the checkout process but also enhances the overall customer experience.
2. Biometric Authentication
In our fast-paced environment, security is always a concern, and biometric authentication is making a significant impact on all types of transactions. Fingerprint scanning and facial recognition are being integrated into payment systems, providing an extra layer of protection. These methods are expected to replace some traditional ones such as PINs and signatures, making transactions safer and more user-friendly.
3. More AI and Machine Learning, Less Fraud
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are here to stay and are transforming fraud prevention. By analyzing transaction patterns and consumer habits, and detecting anomalies in real-time, these advanced algorithms help minimize losses and maintain consumer trust.
4. More Alternatives on The Market
Following evolving consumer preferences, businesses are incorporating alternative payment methods like digital wallets and cryptocurrencies. These options provide flexibility and cater to different customer needs.
5. Customer Experience Matters
The focus on customer experience is stronger than ever. To build a strong business, the customer’s word matters the most. Businesses are leveraging technology to offer personalized and seamless payment services. From streamlined checkouts to customized offers based on purchase history, the goal is to make every transaction as smooth and satisfying as possible.
Conclusion
Looking ahead to 2025, the credit card processing industry is set for dynamic changes. Advancements in contactless payment, biometric authentication, and the other trends mentioned are revolutionizing how we conduct transactions. Meanwhile, the emphasis on customer experience and stringent security regulations will continue to shape the industry.
By staying informed about these trends and adapting to new technologies, businesses can thrive in the evolving landscape of credit card processing.
