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Articles by Callum Sharp
Navman MiVue™ True 4K PRO Surround honest review
Wed Dec 10 Navman MiVue™ True 4K PRO Surround honest review Written by Callum Sharp If you drive a car, you should have a dashcam. Need convincing? All I ask that you do is search for “dashcam compilation” the next time you’re on YouTube. You will see what I’ll politely call “varying standards of competence” when it comes to other drivers on the road. These people share your highways, side streets and shopping centre car parks. They walk (or drive) among us.
Beatbot - The ultimate pool cleaning solution
Pool maintenance is somewhere near the bottom of my priority list…until all of a sudden, spring arrives and the endless peppering from kids that want a non-stop pool-fest becomes part of the every day. It’s great fun when the pool is clean, clear of debris and with crystal-like water. Of course though, that takes effort. So, when the chance to get my hands on a tool that automates most of the work, I was reaching out with two hands.
Every step it takes to build awesome B2B landing pages
Strategic landing pages are used by 68 percent of B2B businesses to acquire leads, according to HubSpot. When it comes to converting website visitors into tangible leads, your landing pages are your gatekeepers. Get them right, and you could win big. Get them wrong, however, and it’ll likely void all your other digital marketing tactics. That’s money down the drain, folks.
Marketing vs. branding: what’s the difference?
Round one… Marketing vs. branding. Ding ding! Actually, this is no fight. Successful marketing and branding operate in harmonious alignment, each boosting the impact of the other, and each with their own part to play. Presenting a consistent brand through marketing is associated with roughly 20 percent revenue growth, according to Marq (formerly Lucidpress). You need a great brand and effective marketing to see those results, however.
What Is Spend Management and How Is It Changing in 2021?
In the past, businesses relied on tools like spreadsheets to manage spending. But these manual methods were unreliable and cost time, effort, and money. So businesses turned to automation, which solved a lot of cash flow problems. In short, companies could track spending better and reduce losses and mistakes. But, introducing technology into spend management didn’t fix all the problems. An IDC study found that 61 percent of respondents used disparate tools and processes to manage business spending.
Significance Of Customer Support Freelancers
There are various ways through which you can cause your business clients to feel significant. Be that as it may, the most basic path through which you can do so is by recruiting client care cheap freelancers. Indeed, you read it right. Client care administrations can end up being the most ideal choice for you on the off chance that you are maintaining an effective business association.
How to kill employee engagement in 7 easy steps
No manager in the entire world would confess to wanting less employee engagement, especially when we know that: Customer engagement increases when employees are engaged. Errors decrease as employee engagement increases. Engaged employees take less sick days and are less likely to leave their job. Despite this, managers are facing startling statistics about the poor overall engagement of the workforce.
Effective training tips that employees will actually care about
Training - whether that's new tools, tech, change management or just a refresher - is crucial. If you don't try to get the best out of your employees, how do you expect them to contribute towards company culture? Richard Branson says it well: ‘Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.' But how do you effectively lead good training in the workplace?
How we keep the personal touch in our remote sales process
Sales is no longer a firm handshake, but a meeting of minds. - Toby Hurst, Lead Consultant at Articulate Marketing. Articulate Marketing hasn’t shaken hands with a prospect to close a new deal in a long time. Don’t get us wrong, we’ve closed plenty of deals across the years, but they were all closed over conference calls. As a remote digital marketing agency, our sales process can’t be about wining and dining.
Schema markup: what is it and why is it useful for SEO?
The user experience is one of today’s biggest digital marketing assets. But, it’s not just your website where user experience is important. You should also optimise how your content looks on Google, too. To do this, it requires schema markup. Schema markup is a rather neat way of standing out from the crowd on Google, and if you can get this structured data right, you could land more visits to your site and, ultimately, more leads in your conversion pipeline.
What to look for in a social media marketing agency
Ninety-two percent of marketers say that social media is important to their business. Here's what to look for when choosing a social media marketing agency. In an attempt to improve results and cut internal costs, many businesses areoutsourcing their social media managementto specialist agencies. If you’re thinking of doing the same, here’s what you need to look for in a potential partner agency.
What are LSI keywords and why do they matter?
Let’s talk about latent semantic indexing for a moment. Google for dummies: A quick catch-up Okay, I want to start at the beginning for those who are new to SEO. Google is a machine that needs to read and interpret massive amounts of text correctly so it can match a searcher’s query with useful, relevant and accessible information. But a machine trying to interpret language isn’t all that simple.
Subdomains vs subfolders: what's better for SEO?
When trying to structure a website, there’s been a long-standing debate over the use of subfolders compared to subdomains, and which one is better for SEO. According to John Mueller, a Google Webmaster Trends Analyst, subfolders and subdomains are treated the same by Google: While Google might use the same ranking factors to index a subdomain as it would to index a subfolder, there is some logic to take into account when deciding for yourself. Let me explain… Sidebar - what is a subdomain?
Why you should run a cashless business
When was the last time you signed a receipt in a shop or wrote a cheque? It hasn’t been that long since chip and pin changed the way we spend our money, but payment technology has evolved at a rapid pace. Less than half of payments in business and finance in 2015 were in cash, according to a report by The Payments Council. Developments in electronic payments, payment technology and online banking means that we're likely to use cash less and less.
Topic clusters: how pub gigs can turn into sold-out stadium shows
I used to be the drummer in a band. We were signed to a label, we had a manager, and we'd just signed to a booking agent. I was in this band for several years, and three months before I decided to leave, we played a sold-out show to 350 people. Two and a half years prior, when I first joined, we were only playing a few songs at the local pub to a crowd of less than 20. I tell you this story because it aptly describes the process of search engine optimisation (SEO). Here’s why.
The ultimate blueprint for an effective vendor evaluation system
You know you need to keep a healthy vendor roster, but how deep can you go in supplier evaluation without interrupting the streamlined purchasing process you have worked so hard to develop? The answer is to create a vendor evaluation system, which: Effectively monitors the ups, downs and relative consistency of vendor performance. Asks the right questions to generate meaningful vendor performance insight. And becomes an integrated part of your purchasing process.
The end-to-end marketing map [Infographic]
Those are the words of Mari Smith, a leading Facebook marketing expert, speaker and author. She’s right, you know, content is king. But, what good is content for a business if it fails to engage a reader? What good are marketing efforts if they fail to generate sales? Exactly. In this infographic, we explore what marketing really is and the end-to-end marketing map. We outline all the possible ways you can generate website visitors and convert them into leads.
The complete guide to choosing and using fonts for your website
It's not just words that make us feel things when we read. Fonts trigger an emotional response, too. Baskerville, for example, is a trustworthy font. Courier makes us reminisce about times gone by. And Helvetica often reminds us of bureaucracy and the government. Choosing the right website fonts can make or break your business website optimisation efforts. We work with a lot of B2B technology companies, and this is one of the first things we look at when recommending website changes.
The history of HR: Here's why your role matters
HR wasn’t always around, but people have been working since the dawn of time. So when did managing people and their information become important? You might be a veteran HR professional or transplanted from another business area to handle people and processes, but on those days when you feel like a babysitter or overloaded by bureaucratic processes, the history of HR can help you see where your role started and why it was, and still is vital for both workers and employers.
9 leadership blogs to build your management skills
As a manager, you are expected to give advice, guidance, motivation and inspiration to your team. It’s helpful to have sources at the ready that guide and inspire you. Here are nine management blogs to help you develop your leadership skills. Alexander Kjerulf’s blog focuses on creating a work environment with happy, motivated employees. He writes quick thoughts and full posts addressing the subject.
What can we learn from millennials in the workplace?
Today, the workplace is about much more than a salary. More than half of millennials in the workplace say they would take a pay cut to find work that matches their values, according to a survey by Net Impact. Who are Millennials? The Millennial generation refers to those born after 1980. This group of people, who now primarily dominate the workplace, showcase a different set of values at work than the preceding generation.
The 5 best SEO reporting tools on the internet [2022]
Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of Sherlock Holmes, once wrote: Conan Doyle wrote these words in the late 1800s. Today, they’re as relevant as they were back then, especially when it comes to SEO reporting tools. It’s easy to think that decisions based on data is a new philosophy, but in truth, making decisions based on data has always been at the centre of how we operate. Data provides logical reasoning, and logical reasoning helps us make smarter choices.
The 4-hour Workweek: What Tim Ferriss teaches us about time management
I saw a bank that said "24-hour banking", but I don't have that much time. – Steven Wright, comedian. How much would you pay for an extra hour in the day? One in four small business owners are willing to pay more than $500, according to j2 Global. We feel your struggle. Fortunately, the world graced us with Tim Ferriss – the man behind the book The 4-Hour Workweek. His productivity hacks put our time management excuses to shame.
What does a strong business plan look like?
The content of your business plan will generally depend on the type of company you intend to set up, but there are some fundamental facts that you should include. For example… Financial Performance Financial planning is, of course, top of the list. And as difficult as it is, you should try and forecast three to five years ahead.
The busy manager's guide to modern HR
Contents: Introduction How and why you should automate HR processes The step-by-step guide to more time 19 must-read blogs for the modern HR manager Introduction HR and the way we manage people is changing. With digital disruptions, cultural shifts, and employees now expecting more from their working lives, managers are asking themselves: Are people really being productive with their time, or are they slacking off? Are employees engaged, or do they think our team building exercises are stupid?
How to take your B2B SEO keyword strategy to the next level
Developing a B2B SEO keyword strategy is no easy feat. Considering the fact that Google receives more than 70,000 searches every second, it can be tough to understand exactly what customers are looking for. What we do know is this: All of your potential customers are entering keywords into the Google search bar. It’s your job, then, to understand what they’re searching for, and how you can become their best solution. Here’s how we develop a B2B SEO keyword strategy for our clients at Articulate.
The ultimate guide to performing an SEO website audit
You’ve all seen 404 pages. As delightful as they can be (like this Pixar 404 page), they’re a real bore on your ability to rank on Google. But it’s not just status codes you need to worry about. Other SEO website audit factors will affect your indexability, too, like: Technical on-page SEO Page speed User experience Broken links HTTPS vs HTTP But, discovering these issues isn’t always easy. In this blog post, we’ll explain how to conduct an SEO website audit.
The top 5 video conferencing apps for remote businesses
But with a variety of video conferencing apps at your disposal, it’s tough to decide on a platform, especially if you’re looking to roll it out company-wide. So without further ado, here are our top five picks, in no particular order. 1. Skype for Business First and foremost, Skype for Business is a Microsoft product, so it already has quite a reputation. Not only is it a secure service (thanks to Microsoft’s security policies), it easily integrates into other Microsoft packages like Office 365.
Your Complete Guide to Successful Newsjacking in 2019
News just in: ROYAL FAMILY UNCOVERED AS SHAPESHIFTING REPTILIAN RACE. In other news: Looking for that regal, princess glow? 20 percent off all heat lamps. Just quote promo code ‘Elizabethisalizard’ for mega discounts today. Did we get your attention? Are you suddenly hankering for a new heat lamp? If you’ve ever found an opportunity to take advantage of breaking news to benefit your business, you’re a newsjacker.
How to increase your website traffic using the skyscraper technique
There’s no denying it, link building is a tough nut to crack. Backlinko’s Brian Dean will be the first to admit it. It requires other bloggers to be kind enough to link to your content when they have no obligation to do so. But if you can master link building, you can master SEO, for link building is arguably the most important aspect of building authority and driving traffic to your site.
How to increase your website traffic using the skyscraper technique
There’s no denying it, link building is a tough nut to crack. Brian Dean will be the first to admit it. It requires other bloggers to be kind enough to link to your content when they have no obligation to do so. But if you can master link building, you can master SEO, for link building is arguably the most important aspect of building authority and driving traffic to your site. With this one simple concept, you can improve your link building strategy and start getting the results you deserve.
Getting in the zone: A guide to finding flow at work
In short, flow is ‘optimal experience’. The question is: With the likes of distracting managers and meetings, can you really experience flow at work? We've put together a few helpful tips on how you can find your flow in the workplace. Compartmentalise Being able to shut out distractions and completely focus on a singular task is tremendously valuable for finding flow. Block your social media when it comes to crunch time by installing Nanny for Google Chrome.
Unlimited time-off: Is it effective?
Recently, we explored the different aspects to examine when creating a time-off policy for your business. There’s a lot to factor in: legalities, business process implications and what sector you operate in are all vital discussion points. When it comes to unlimited time-off, theres a lot to take on board. How will this approach affect your business output? How will it affect your employees? Here are some useful considerations to ponder before making the move.
What can we learn from millennials in the workplace?
Today, the workplace is about much more than a salary. More than half of millennials say they would take a pay cut to find work that matches their values, according to a survey by Net Impact. Money no longer acts as the motivator it once was. As a result, young employees are turning to perks like lifestyle benefits, healthcare and workplace happiness as key drivers for building a long-term relationship with an employer.
The advantages and drawbacks of agile working
Agile working has hit the ground running recently. Businesses have decided to adopt this trend in an effort to motivate employees and instil trust in its staff. Here are some advantages and drawbacks: One goal of agile working is to do away with presenteeism: the act of requiring employees to be present, whether or not they have presence of mind. Flexible working means employees become less restricted and can begin to move beyond the office walls.
5 reasons small business owners are time poor, and what to do about it
Putting petrol into the tank is essential, but unless small business owners turn the ignition and press the accelerator, they'll never get anywhere. If you’re spending more time responding to issues, it’s time to rethink your approach to work. For ultimate productivity, try the Pomodoro technique. This approach is about breaking down larger tasks into smaller time-sensitive tasks. It’s about concentrating your efforts on one activity for short bursts of time.
Small business owners are time poor. Here's what to do
In this post, we’ll outline the top five reasons you’re time poor, and what you can do about it. A quarter of small business owners log more than 60 hours of work per week, according to the New York Enterprise Report. With so much to keep on top of, business owners can find themselves in the passenger seat and not the driver’s seat. Putting petrol into the tank is essential, but unless small business owners turn the ignition and press the accelerator, they’ll never get anywhere.
How to take a calculated business risk
Thirteen percent of businesses lead their business risk-making from the front line, according to a report by PwC. From those surveyed, two-thirds of businesses agreed that shifting risk-management decisions to the front line would make their companies more agile. But moving this to the front line requires those higher up in an organisation to let go of some control, which in itself is a risk. The point is: risk is everywhere. The question, then, is how can it be calculated?
What is the difference between PPC and SEO?
Search engine optimisation (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) are two critical aspects of digital marketing. Both can help to build an online audience, generate website visitors and capture leads. But, what do these terms mean? And better yet, how are they useful to your business? Inbound marketing: a quick recap Inbound marketing is technique for drawing (and converting) potential customers via your website, through the development and promotion of content.
What is the difference between PPC and SEO?
Search engine optimisation (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) are two critical aspects of digital marketing. Both can help to build an online audience, generate website visitors and capture leads. But, what do these terms mean? And better yet, how are they useful to your business? Inbound marketing is technique for drawing (and converting) potential customers via your website, through the development and promotion of content.
Why every small business owner needs to be a mentor
Six hours per week is the optimal time a boss should spend with each employee, according to research by Leadership IQ. They estimate that employees become 29 percent more inspired, 30 percent more engaged, 16 percent more innovative and 15 percent more intrinsically motivated than employees who only spend one hour a week interacting with their leader. The reality is, these statistics are meaningless. Optimal face time with employees should be judged on a case-by-case basis.
Why every small business owner needs to be a mentor
Some small business owners fail to teach their staff the tricks of the trade, and it’s to their detriment. Here’s why every small business owner needs to be a mentor. Six hours per week is the optimal time a boss should spend with each employee, according to research by Leadership IQ.
Why good copywriting for B2B technology companies matters
These days, more than half of high-tech B2B sales come through digital channels. How much noise you make on the web, then, will factor into how many leads your technology company receives and consequently, how many sales you make. As a result, ranking on search engines, developing digital marketing funnels and producing valuable content that puts your company in a position of trusted authority is now, more than ever, directly correlated to your business’s sales.
What can we learn from millennials in the workplace?
By 2025, three quarters of the workplace will be millennial employees. In this blog post, you can learn the top lessons to adopt in the workplace, according to millennials. Today, the workplace is about much more than a salary. More than half of millennials say they would take a pay cut to find work that matches their values, according to a survey by Net Impact. Money no longer acts as the motivator it once was.
What does a strong business plan look like?
The content of your business plan will generally depend on the type of company you intend to set up, but there are some fundamental facts that you should include. For example… Financial planning is, of course, top of the list. And as difficult as it is, you should try and forecast three to five years ahead. Your forecasts should be based on a breakdown of: Include any major capital expenditure and how this is funded, too.
Jason Fried on getting it done: is office culture destroying productivity?
'Businesses are spending all this money on this place called the office and they’re making people go to it all the time, yet people don’t do work in the office. What is that about?' Those are the words of Jason Fried, co-founder of 37signals (creators of Basecamp and other collaborative business tools) and the co-author of ‘Rework’. In his TED talk ‘Why work doesn’t happen at work’ Fried shares his rather radical theory about work: that the office isn’t the best place to do it.
5 money-saving benefits of purchase orders for small businesses
Purchase orders have long been a staple in large finance departments, but they required time and effort to process. Today, there are applications that automatically handle every stage of a purchase transaction. From request to receipt, purchase orders make the whole process a lot less labour intensive. With this in mind, should more small businesses be using purchase orders? Well, according to the administration pages of Loyola University New Orleans, there are several benefits of purchase orders.
How PPC works (and why your business needs it)
As an inbound marketing agency, we’re committed to putting out strong, well-sourced content (as well as conducting SEO, keyword research, websites, social media… seriously, the list goes on). We use this content, then, to generate visitors to websites, convert them into leads and help companies nurture those leads into customers. Our aim is to drive organic traffic to a company’s website. But organic traffic takes time, a lot of time in fact.
9 social media marketing services and tools that you should try today
This year has seen more than 2.46 billion active users on social media from around the world. That’s a large audience at your fingertips. In this single market, getting heard on the web is the biggest battle of them all, and to win, it takes the right social media marketing services and tools to make some noise. As a social media marketing agency, here are 9 of our favourites. 1. Hootsuite Vancouver-based company Hootsuite offer one of the best tools going.
5 hobbies that will make you better at your job - Turbine
Many people are choosing to work over the normal 40-hour work week, but overtime has its pitfalls. Here are 5 hobbies you can take up today to make you a happier, healthier and more productive worker. The American Psychological Association reports that more than 39 percent of the workforce work more than a typical 40-hour week. Believe it or not, there is more to life than just work.
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