Even in an unstable economy, consumers overwhelmingly say they would fork over a few more dollars for products from brands and retailers that have a proven track record on sustainability support and action. New research from digital supply chain transformation firm...
CX disconnects continue to plague brands: More than 80 percent of consumers had poor experiences with online retailers last year
What will it take to give consumers the experience they want in a transactional exchange? Are they just too picky? Or are most brands and businesses simply unable to put together a seamless process on their purchase pages and customer service interactions? It must be...
Brands for a better world: New study ranks quality-focused US brands that are contributing to a healthier planet—who’s leading?
Product quality and a fair price will always be important to consumers, but those age-old metrics are no longer the only horses in the race. Today’s consumers, especially the fast-rising and deep-pocketed Gen Z sector, want to know what your brand is doing to help...
Most employers’ workplace inclusiveness isn’t working for LGBTQ+ Gen Zers: New barometer study shows middling scores
Diversity and inclusion—and everything that they mean to everyone—is a powerful mandate for businesses worldwide. And unlike more variable-reliant Purpose initiatives like sustainability, DEI is largely a workplace attitude supported by policies and procedures, as...
2024 State of Business Growth: Trends and challenges faced by SMBs—and what defined achievers and underperformers in 2023
Despite a host of challenges, a decisive majority of small and mid-market businesses (SMBs) surveyed for a new report from small business automation software firm Keap met or exceeded their goals in 2023. This new research takes a data-driven look at the status of...
2024 State of Digital Trust: The gap is widening between companies earning trust and those who struggle—and so is the success rate
While digital trust overwhelmingly remains a critical focus for all enterprises, new research from digital security firm DigiCert shines a light on the growing divide between the “leaders”—those who are getting it right, and the “laggards”—those who are struggling....
The New Era of Leadership: New research reveals the biggest challenges for C-suite executives—and skills needed to lead in 2024
Leadership has been a challenge in the post-pandemic era—oft-reported components of today’s workplace dynamic have resulted in a perplexing manager/employee conundrum, generated by the heightened expectations of a brash new generation entering business life, plus the...
2024 consumer behavior trends in focus: New research examines what influences—and what de-influences—today’s purchase decisions
When it comes to driving purchases and creating loyalty, today’s brands and businesses are well aware that the rules of the game are not as straightforward as they once seemed to be. With an ever-growing multitude of channels, marketing strategies and transaction...
Unlocking Gen Z’s secrets: New research seeks to unravel the mystique of this digitally adept, bleakly hopeful, but powerful spending group
It’s long been misunderstood what drives the decisions of Generation Z, the most elusive group of consumers that baffled marketers have seen yet. But now that they hold the position as the second-largest generation and have become a formidable force shaping current...
Brands and businesses remain committed to sustainability, but current strategies are inefficient and wasteful—and budgets are running dry
If there’s any single global initiative that both people and organizations all agree on (except maybe for some political backlashers), it’s that citizens and companies should all be doing everything we can to practice and promote sustainability. But new research from...
Employee engagement trends to watch: New research recaps the state of engagement last year and identifies 4 key drivers for 2024
The manager/employee dynamic has never been so complex. A combination of factors over the last few years has leaders walking on hot coals in their employee relationships—including the unwillingness of staffers to fully give up the flexibility they were given during...
2024 events outlook: The value of events is on the rise for marketers—with nearly 8 in 10 saying it’s their most effective channel
While in some ways, business events, conferences and expos are still feeling the sting of the pandemic, this situation has also increased their value. And for the companies and marketers who have active event programs, the growth generated by events has been...