Tech jobs, along with healthcare, are the most in-demand in the U.S. economy. While that might sound great for those in the field or planning to be, the talent pool in tech is far from capable of meeting the need. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be 1.4 million more software development jobs than applicants who can fill them by 2020.
Recent headlines are casting an apocalyptic scene for brick-and-mortar retail. Empty storefronts, vacant big-box lots, and bankrupt brands are on the rise, while unemployment drops and consumer confidence is high—signaling a sea change in consumer preferences. While the dynamics of the industry are shifting dramatically, physical retail is not going away anytime soon as it still accounts for 90% of total retail sales. As retailers head into the busiest time of the year, how can they grapple with the rising tide of challenges?
Amazon’s recent announcement that it will buy Whole Foods for $13.7 billion sent shockwaves throughout the retail world, and the news is being discussed from just about every possible angle. While some pundits are crying doom and gloom, this is a pivotal moment for grocery retail, and there are practical, strategic steps that stores can make to keep up with the digitization of the industry.
If there’s one constant in business today, it’s change. Leading organizations expect it. C-level executives must be open to disrupting the status quo to become more efficient and remain competitive. If your organization is spending too much time putting out fires, it’s probably high time to think about bringing in technology to automate a number of your business processes.
![The Digital Roadmap to a Frictionless Distributed Workforce [Whitepaper]](https://blog.missiondata.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-photo-41153.jpeg)
Since our founding in 1996, we have helped many companies create custom digital solutions to improve their workforce efficiency as well as their bottom line. As we’ve learned a few things over the years, we decided to share our best insights and practices for implementing emerging tech in the workplace.
We’re excited to announce our first whitepaper, “The Digital Roadmap to a Frictionless Distributed Workforce,” which includes a plan of action for companies looking to take the leap toward a digitally-enabled workforce. Download the whitepaper here for free!
![5 Ways Your Business Can Benefit from a Native App [Infographic]](https://blog.missiondata.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-photo-58625.jpeg)
In today’s mobile ecosystem, most companies require both a mobile website and a native app to compete for users’ attention. Your mobile website will always act as your business card, enable visitors to learn more about your company and what you offer, and make your company visible to search optimization results. But for the ultimate customer experience that boosts brand loyalty, not only do native apps have a clear advantage by offering personalized engagement, they also allow companies to leverage user data and adjust content to better serve those users.
In recent years, organizations have focused on the customer experience. A data-driven approach, customer journey mapping, and omnichannel experiences are all considered crucial steps to meeting customers’ needs and exceeding expectations. Meanwhile, less attention has been placed on elevating the experiences of the people behind those customer interactions—the employees. According to Gallup, only 32 percent of employees are engaged at work, yet companies with highly engaged workforces outperform their peers by 147 percent in earnings per share.
Innovation labs have become an increasingly popular feature of corporate culture over the past few years, but you don’t have to be a big global brand to see the benefits of starting one. The following are a few ways a lab strategy can benefit businesses of all sizes.
Author: Selena Ricks-Good