Daily Archives: November 29, 2024

Small business update: How small business Saturday fuels community growth and holiday sales

Small Business Saturday has become a cherished tradition, showcasing the vital role of small businesses in local economies. On this U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Update, Tom Sullivan, Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, joins us to discuss the origins, economic impact, and opportunities tied to this annual…

Unlocking business potential through digital transformation

Imagine a company juggling countless operational tasks every day — managing business processes, handling customer enquiries, tracking inventory and analysing performance metrics. In the midst of all this hectic activity, inefficiencies creep in: data tends to get misplaced, communication between teams breaks down and opportunities for improvement go unnoticed.
Now imagine the same organisation after it has implemented digital transformation. Processes that once used to take hours to carry out now completed in minutes. Teams collaborate seamlessly across departments and locations. Decisions are made accurately based on real-time insights. This transformation is not a distant dream — it is already a reality for countless organisations that have made the leap into the digital age.
The transformation begins
At its core, digital transformation means restructuring the way a company works. It integrates technology into all areas of the organisation, enabling smoother workflows, better decisions and a better customer experience. The journey may seem complex, but the benefits are undeniable.
Take the case of an organisation that was struggling with manual processes. Every invoice had to be entered manually, every customer enquiry tracked on paper, and managers relied on gut instinct rather than data to make decisions. Inefficiencies were piling up, costing time, money and sometimes customer loyalty.
When the decision was made to digitally transform, the change was immediate. Robot-assisted process automation (RPA) replaced repetitive manual tasks and reduced processing times by 80 %. Employees were no longer held up by routine tasks, but were able to focus on strategic initiatives that moved the company forward.
Data as strategic capital
One of the most transformative aspects of digital transformation is unlocking the power of data. Companies generate immense amounts of information every day — customer preferences, sales trends and operational metrics — but this often goes untapped. Digital tools can turn this raw data into actionable insights.
One retail company, for example, has integrated a business intelligence (BI) platform to analyse sales patterns. With a clear overview of customer buying behaviour, the company adjusted stock levels, ensuring popular items were always in stock while reducing waste from over-ordering. Predictive analyses based on artificial intelligence (AI) went one step further, helping to forecast demand and anticipate trends.
This data-driven approach not only optimised operations, but also opened up new revenue streams. By better understanding its customers, the company introduced personalised marketing campaigns that resonated with specific target groups and increased engagement and sales.
Streamlined collaboration
Digital transformation is also bridging the inevitable gap between teams. In traditional organisations, departments often work in silos, leading to unaligned goals and slower decision-making. Technology is changing this dynamic by fostering seamless communication and collaboration.
Cloud-based platforms and unified communication tools allow teams to work together in real time, no matter where they are. Marketing, sales and customer service teams share the same information, ensuring consistent communication and faster problem resolution.
For example, if a customer service representative picks up a complaint, the sales team can see it immediately and take appropriate action to avoid further friction. The result? Greater efficiency, happier customers and a stronger sense of teamwork throughout the organisation.
Better customer experience
Customer expectations have never been higher. People demand fast, personalised and frictionless experiences — and companies that fail to meet these expectations risk losing their customers to the competition. Digital transformation is helping organisations to fulfil these demands.
Take the example of a company that introduced an advanced customer relationship management (CRM) system. The CRM system consolidated customer data from various touchpoints and provided employees with a complete overview of each customer’s journey. Using this information, sales teams could make tailored recommendations, marketing teams could develop personalised campaigns and customer service could resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
This cohesive approach not only improved customer satisfaction, but also increased loyalty and retention. Customers felt valued and appreciated, leading to long-term relationships and higher lifetime value.
Empowering employees
Even though technology is the backbone of digital transformation, its success ultimately depends on people. One of the biggest benefits of digital transformation is the ability to empower employees.
By automating routine tasks and providing intuitive tools, employees can focus on the tasks that really matter — solving problems, building relationships and driving innovation. With access to real-time data and insights, they can also make better decisions and feel more confident in their role.
Training is another important element. Companies that invest in training employees to use new technologies not only increase productivity, but also enhance morale. Employees feel more engaged and valued because they know they are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in a digital world.
A culture of agility
In addition to the tangible benefits of optimised workflows and increased efficiency, digital transformation promotes a culture of agility. Companies become more adaptable and are able to respond quickly to market changes or customer demands.
This agility became clear when a logistics company was faced with a sudden increase in demand. Thank you to its digital systems, it was able to quickly scale operations, reroute deliveries and keep customers up to date — all without missing a beat. Their adaptability ensured that they not only survived the challenge, but successfully overcame it.
Conclusion
Digital transformation is more than a trend; it is a necessity for companies that want to optimise their operations and achieve sustainable growth. It’s a journey that requires investment, vision and commitment, but the rewards — greater efficiency, stronger customer relationships and empowered employees — are well worth the effort.
For organisations still hesitating, now is the time to act. The tools are ready, the possibilities are vast and the potential for success is limitless. With digital transformation, companies can leave the status quo behind and prepare for a future of innovation, resilience and growth.
If you would like to learn more about digital transformation services, you can contact iMovo Limited at [email protected].
Coresse Tabone Camilleri is Marketing Communications Executive with the local firm iMovo Limited.

BBC Gardeners’ World Monty Don’s off-screen life from former business to family tragedy

Monty Don, the beloved presenter of Gardeners’ World, has been a staple on our television screens for many years. The 69-year-old has been at the helm of Gardeners’ World since 2003, delighting millions with his expert gardening advice from his stunning garden. Before becoming a household name in horticulture, Monty had a different career path…

This Mother Turned Her Quest for Pure Milk Into a Dairy Business With Rs 1 Crore Annual Turnover

When Jyoti Padma’s infant daughter was diagnosed with lactose intolerance, it set her on an unexpected path that would revolutionise urban access to pure milk through a unique model — ‘Cow Currency’. 

“I was astonished when my infant daughter was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. None of our family members have it, which piqued my curiosity on how this could have happened,” Jyoti tells The Better India.

Jyoti Padma’s journey into dairy farming started because of her daughter.

Determined to provide her daughter with essential nutrients, Jyoti explored various milk brands and locally sourced options. However, her child’s body rejected every attempt. A breakthrough came in 2018 when her sister from Lucknow sent milk from her farm. To Jyoti’s surprise, her daughter digested it without any issue.
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This was a pivotal revelation for Jyoti. She had been searching for the cause of her daughter’s struggles, only to realise that the problem had been the milk all along! “Packaged and processed milk is a bad option for her,” she says.

However, even local dairy farms fell short due to hygiene issues or subpar feed given to cows. Resolving to find a solution, Jyoti, a textile engineering graduate, embarked on a self-learning journey. “I don’t have a farming background. All that I have implemented is through trial-and-error and self-learning,” she recalls.

Jyoti set up her first farm in Lucknow with 15 mixed-breed cows, including Jerseys and Sahiwals. However, her limited knowledge of cow nutrition affected the quality of the milk. After relocating to Thane, Jyoti identified a pressing need for pure A2 cow milk in urban areas. “I grew up in Uttar Pradesh, where getting fresh milk was never a worry. When my daughter needed pure milk here, I realised it’s a necessity, not a luxury,” she explains.
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Beltline to mark Small Business Saturday with pop-up shopping

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The Atlanta Beltline will celebrate Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30 with its Marketplace shops.

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Mon.-Fri. at 7 a.m. | Sat. at 8 a.m.

The celebration will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring local entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers at Allene Avenue, Freedom Parkway, and the Container Courtyard at Pittsburgh Yards.  Guests will receive free giveaways to kickstart their shopping experience while supplies last. See all the participating shops here.@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 90px;}}
The Beltline Marketplace program, designed to support local, minority-owned businesses, provides affordable commercial space and business development resources to entrepreneurs. @media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.sidebar_article-2{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.sidebar_article-2{min-height: 90px;}}