Zone’s Mark Sylvester handpicks and shares the five best news stories on digital trends, experiences and technologies…
1. Putting Gen Z in their workplace
Many changes are affecting the workplace right now, and not least is the surge in Gen Z employees who come with their own collection of challenges. Those born between 1997 and 2012 often appear to like roadmaps, but these days, workers are more empowered to chart their own course.
Enjoyment of the job and gaining skills and experience need to be prioritised over setting hard career milestones. Here are some more tips for getting the most from your Gen Zs.
2. Retail’s reality check
If the Brits are a nation of shopkeepers as Napoleon said, they’re now shopkeepers with some revolutionary tech at their fingertips. And among the most effective is Augmented Reality (AR), which is increasingly bringing the digital and physical worlds together to transform the retail experience.
From virtually trying on clothes to seeing if the sofa fits, AR is giving more power to consumers and allowing brands to connect on a whole new level.
3. A united front to put customers first
It might sometimes seem like digital marketers are running to a standstill in the race for a deep and lasting customer connection. But if you get some of the basics right, the fruits of business growth are there for the taking.
Consistently test, optimise and ask the right questions, and choose the right tech for the job. Then the key is to give consumers a rewarding and consistent experience wherever they meet your brand.
4. The challenges facing the robo-cops
AI really is the most Marmite of technology, with people seeming to either love it or hate it. But if it’s to be policed properly, we need to act together. The European Parliament this week voted on the first ever legal rules around AI, while those tasked with keeping an eye on the bots point to an array of issues.
Among those are that tech doesn’t need a passport to get through borders, its final use is often unknowable, and the conversations about its future must involve experts from every walk of life.
5. Supporting vulnerable users with better UX
According to the Financial Conduct Authority, nearly half of UK adults show signs of vulnerability, and their needs must be met. While enhancing UX and usability across all touchpoints and making digital products as seamless and intuitive as possible are key to supporting vulnerable customers, they’re also a good rule of thumb for any brand’s digital real estate.
Plus, it’s worth remembering that unfamiliarity with digital is a vulnerability in itself. Keep it simple folks.
