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Almost half of UAE CEOs in the retail industry intend to start using artificial intelligence (AI) in the next two years, as they are increasingly influenced by technology to enhance the retail store experience for customers. This is according to the 2018 Global Consumer Executive Top of Mind survey, ‘No Normal is the New Normal’ jointly conducted by KPMG International and The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF).
Global CEOs however were less optimistic about the adoption of AI, with only 24 per cent expressing intent to start using AI over the next few years. They were also less confident about the prospects of technology in retail, with 48 per cent saying that brands would use technology to enhance the retail store experience. This is in stark contrast with UAE CEOs, who were confident of harnessing technology to transform the customer experience in-store.

Even when it comes to the overarching theme of business transformation, 80 percent of UAE CEOs said they planned to prioritize it over the next two years versus 57.5 per cent of CEOs globally.

As changing customer behaviors and shifting demographics contribute to sustained margin pressures, shorter strategy cycles and increased expectations from customers, companies are ramping up to embrace digital and AI technologies underpinned by data and analytics.

This shift is helping boost margins, customer centricity, agility and efficiency by replacing or augmenting some human activities with technology, and by shifting technology to the cloud.

Anurag Bajpai, Head of Retail, KPMG Lower Gulf, said: “We are envisaging a major push towards embracing technology to enhance the retail experience. The next few years in the UAE may see more brands adopt AI, VR and connected technology to transform the in-store experience and integrate online and offline experiences. The 2018 Top of Mind Survey finds an industry aggressively navigating a sea of change, where retailers and manufacturers appear to be radically rethinking their strategy, culture and processes and becoming more agile as they focus on growth.”

Globally, the Top of Mind survey found that some of the most significant variables that manufacturers and retailers may have to consider include how they reach the consumer, what technology they need, whether they want to do everything themselves and how they react to disruptive new competitors. The decline in brand loyalty was also identified by 29 percent of companies and was deemed to be driven by psychological, sociological and technological factors.

The survey also found that there is a direct correlation between how customer centric a company is and how fast it grows profits and revenues. In fact, 46 percent of customer-centric companies ranked connecting with consumers round-the-clock as a top priority.

“Today’s consumer and retail market is beyond disruption – we are disrupted – and CEOs need to listen to the market, look outward and focus on changing their business,” said Willy Kruh, KPMG Global Chair, Consumer & Retail. “It’s an increasingly difficult tightrope to walk between dealing with both internal and external continuous disruption, but both are key to creating customer centric organizations. Those companies that cannot authentically connect to customers will get left behind.”

Once you have launched your e-commerce web site, the challenge is to drive traffic from your intended audience. Other than running campaigns on Google Adwords and Facebook, you have the following options for targeted online campaigns.

Targeted Email and SMS Campaign
You can target Middle East subscribers through www.middleeastpostbox.com. You can select your specific audience based on age group, nationality, areas of interest and income group

Banner Advertising and Social Media Marketing You can reach local and regional audience by advertising in DubaiCityGuide.com, AbuDhabiCityGuide.com, SharjahCityGuide.com and UAEToday.com.

Guest Posts 

You can write product/e-commerce related articles and imbed links to your destination site. These articles will be posted on regional sites through www.guestposts.biz

Press Release Distribution and Media Monitoring Service

We recommend PR distribution to ME media and Global Media through www.pressreleasenetwork.com

For more information, contact Cyber Gear at info@cyber-gear.com

Historically, remote tracking software such as RTUs and surveillance technology have been viewed with scepticism by the masses.

This is embodied by the controversy that surrounds extensive CCTV networks in the UK, while the revelations that governments have used software to access private emails has also raised concerns over the scope of ‘Big Brother’ in the digital age.

Like all types of technology, however, tracking software and sensors are vulnerable to the machinations of each individual user, meaning that they can be used for the good of society in many instances. We’ve listed some examples below, and asked why they have such a positive benefit for businesses and households.

1. Remote Telemetry Units (RTUs) and Site Management

We start with RTUs, which are specialist tech products that collate and communicate real-time data from corporal objects.

Powered by the so-called Internet of Things (IoT), RTU units can be operated and accessed and operated remotely, enabling owners of multi-site corporations to optimise time and cost efficiencies across all of their locations.

Often used to reduce energy consumption and identify potential faults ahead of time, these products can also monitor remote sites and the harshest imaginable locations, while using any garnered data to optimise safety.

2. Remote Patient Monitoring

Exciting technological advancements have been made in the field of medicine in recent times, including the creation of electronic patient records and the sharing of accurate data between healthcare professionals in real-time.

The NHS is also trialling technology aimed at empowering dementia patients and similarly afflicted individuals to live independently for longer. This will also see physical, household objects such as fridges fitted with smart sensors, which monitor patients remotely and collate data to ensure they’re eating, drinking and washing regularly.

This could save the UK’s public health services considerable sums of money, while also ensuring that patients can continue to enjoy their home comforts safely and securely. Wearable technology will also be deployed as part of this drive, to monitor health metrics remotely and identify potential issues.

3. Fitness Tracker Apps

On a similar note, it’s impossible to escape the way in which fitness tracking apps have revolutionised our lives and empowered us in our efforts to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

From apps that track food calorie content to others that measure our heart-rate and physical performance during exercise, it has never been easier to cultivate effective dietary and fitness regimes.

This technology is certainly one of the more simplistic applications of remote tracking technology, but it has incredibly positive connotations and can certainly motivate us in our pursuit of higher living standards.

Guest Posting is an extremely popular method of expanding your digital footprint.

By posting your story on another person’s website/blog, not only will a company’s followers see its content, but anyone who follows the host website will see your content as well, thus reaching an audience that might be unaware of your brand.

A business can reach new audiences by increasing the amount of people reading the content. Accumulating guest posts can help a company build online authority by having their content published on other sites. The more sites that allow a company to guest post, the higher authority the company has. Search engines will recognize that other sites consider the posting company knowledgeable, and will adjust that company’s search result rankings accordingly.

Another advantage for companies that guest post is that they create relationships with other influential people.

By creating great content to feature on someone else’s blog or website, a company is establishing a positive relationship with other companies that could be important in the industry. A company that has influential personalities advocating for it will be much more efficient with building a brand online.

For more information, visit www.guestposts.biz

Thanks to the rapid developments in tech and the internet that we’ve seen in the last decade, people all over the world have access to different forms of online banking. This can be via visiting a bank’s webpage from a home laptop or device, or through various different apps and software.

If you’ve ever used online banking, you’ll probably agree that it beats having to head to your local branch to sort out any financial matters, but the benefits also stretch far beyond this.

Below you can find a number of examples of the advantages of online banking which might just convince you to make the switch if you’ve yet to do so.

Speed and Convenience

Firstly, by using online banking you can make the most of faster and more convenient services. These can include:

• Moving money between accounts
• Setting up standing orders and direct debits
• Paying contacts the money they are owed
• Receiving payments
• Speaking directly to account managers at your bank
• Ordering new cards
• Reporting any issues and resolving them

A Range of Payment Options

Different banks and lenders can also offer different payment options. For example, Ocean Finance have an app that can link to your credit card and allow you to make payments, however other providers can also allow you to pay for items contactless via the app on your smartphone.

Easy Financial Management

Another benefit that many online banking providers offer is to send out text alerts to make managing your accounts easier. These can be for aspects such as:

• Reminders to make payments
• Details about the status of your balance
• If you have missed any payments or you don’t have enough funds
• Warnings about security issues
• Confirmation of any actions you might have taken using online banking

Added Security

On the subject of security, you might think that online banking isn’t as safe as heading a branch in person, but the reality is that all of your accounts or apps will often have plenty of safety measures in place.

This can be in the form of multiple passwords, the abovementioned text confirmations, call back confirmations, secret questions and of course the passwords and measures you may already have on your smartphone or computer.

So as aforementioned, if you’ve yet to make the switch or you’ve just started online banking then why not give some of the above a try? You’ll quickly begin to realise the above benefits and will wonder how you ever lived without such convenient online options and services.

When engaging in a social media campaign a critical element is determining how much you are willing to pay for a given post. Attempting to determine the value of each post before it goes live is an exercise in futility. Even if you exert full creative control you cannot guess accurately whether or not the post you’re making will be a hit or a dud. Due to the nature of influencer marketing, the value of a given post will fluctuate greatly due to factors beyond your control.

However, that doesn’t mean that you cannot determine an average. While not every post is going to carry the same value, an influencer marketing campaign is a long-term strategy. By figuring out the averages, you can roughly determine the value of a post, and from there determine what you should be paying per post. Over time, some posts will excel, and others will flop, but everything will average out to a positive return. The question is, how do you go about calculating this average? The following tips will help you determine the average value of an influencer’s social media post.

Look for Longer Running Accounts

In order to establish a good average, focus your attention on accounts that have been around for a while. Several months to a year at least depending on how often the account has existed is a good way to get a reasonable sample size. Long running accounts also have the advantage of having enough data to spot trends, allowing you to make a reasonable guess about what the future of the account is going to hold.

While it might be tempting to score a deal with an influencer who has had runaway and unprecedented success, it is best to hedge your bets until they’ve had a chance to grow. The influencer might not actually understand how they managed to gain so many views so quickly, giving them a chance to settle into your niche will help keep you from making a bad investment.

Pull Data from Older Posts

Do not look at the last three posts from an influencer, and instead look at what they’ve managed with older posts. Fresh content is still circulating and could go viral, while older content has had a chance to circulate through news feeds and social media alerts and has gathered all the views it is likely to gather. These older posts can provide the best data on how much engagement that post will get over its lifetime.

Filter Out Flukes

Note that since we’re dealing with averages, it is important to filter out fluke posts – the kind of posts that go viral but whose success is never again replicated by the influencer. If somebody posts a YouTube video that scores a million hits but they only have 25k subscribers and just about all of their other videos average about 30 – 40k views then that highly viewed video should be treated as a fluke and not the norm. If you’re not sure if a post is a fluke, compare the averages you get including it in the data and without it in the data. If the difference is enough to completely change your decision to deal with that influencer, then go with the lower numbers.

Run the Averages

Once you’ve done all the necessary filtering, it’s just a matter of running what’s left. Basic math to find out the average views per post, the average engagement per post, and more information that will tell you everything you need to know about what that influencer can do and what they’re worth to you. Third party platforms such as Neoreach are excellent for helping you find some of the best influencers in your niche, allowing you to compare them and determine who is the best fit for your brand and who is most likely to net a positive return on investment.

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Google announced today the launch of “Get Dubai Businesses Online”, a program dedicated to help local businesses get more easily discovered on the web, by listing and verifying their business information (company’s opening hours, contact number and location) on Google Search and Maps through a unique solution called Google My Business. New and existing members of the Dubai Chamber can receive assistance in getting their business listing by visiting the website or a dedicated booth at the Chamber’s HQ in Deira. Businesses will also be able to instantly convert their business listing into a free mobile-friendly website in English and in Arabic.

Online search has become an essential part of people’s daily lives in the UAE. According to a new research by Ipsos[1], 1 in 3 searches in the UAE are about locations of local businesses; 95% of mobile users first turn to Google search (and 88% on Google Maps) for information regarding their purchase. Additionally, purchasers who see complete listings for businesses on Google Search and Maps are 20% more likely to say the business is reliable, well-established and offers quality products and services. According to another research by Alpha Beta, people who visit digital maps looking for business information have an 82% purchase conversion rate[2].

H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber, said: “We are excited to launch this game-changing program with Google which will help our members realize the value and benefits of building and managing their digital presence. It has become apparent that consumers are increasingly turning to online channels to access information, products and services, which is why it is absolutely crucial that businesses of all sizes invest in this area and leverage the right tools to boost their online reach.”

H.E. Buamim noted that he is optimistic about the program’s outcome after the results of the pilot conducted in 2017 exceeded the Chamber’s expectations, adding that the project will promote smarter practices among businesses in Dubai and open the door to new growth opportunities in the UAE and beyond.

Lino Cattaruzzi, Managing Director for Google in MENA, said: “We’re very pleased to partner with the Dubai Chamber to help put businesses in Dubai on the map. As more people in the UAE are looking for information online, businesses need to move fast to meet their customers and show up in the moments that matter. Now is the time to experiment and to use the digital tools out there to help make businesses smarter, and to measure results. This is just the beginning. We plan to roll out the same program with local partners across the region.”

The event was held at the Dubai Chamber’s headquarters, and brought together business owners in Dubai, media, and representatives from Google and Dubai Chamberi. During the event, owners and founders of businesses like 800flower, Re-Urban Studio, Gravity Gym and The Healthy Home discussed the value of online presence. Google executives demonstrated the features of Google my Business, a free tool that allows business owners to publish their business listings on Google Search and Maps, receive customer insights, and create free and instant mobile-friendly websites. Across the UAE, tens of thousands of Arabic and English websites have been created over the past six months using Google my Business.

‘Get Dubai Businesses Online’ is the result of an extensive pilot program that ran in 2017 and that took into consideration the challenges of business owners such as limited advertising budgets and basic understanding of how to reach their customers online.

Mate Communicate is an Australian telecommunication company that is committed to offering the best service to the consumers. The company has the motto of becoming the ‘best mate’ through exceptional quality service at an affordable price.

The branding of the company paints it as a truly 21-century broadband service provider. The company was formerly a part of Barefoot Telecom but was later spun off. Today the company provides different packages across different speed tiers.

Here are four prime reasons you won’t regret selecting Mate Broadband services.

1. No Lock-in Contract

The best thing about Mate broadband services is that there is no lock-in contract. As a result, you can change the plans whenever you like. This flexibility gives greater freedom to the customers to choose a broadband provider. However, since most of the customers are satisfied with the services they remain committed to the company.

2. High-Speed Internet

Another good reason for selecting Mate broadband services is that they provide high-speed internet connection. The speed of the basic plan is up to 12 Mbps while the premium plan has speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

3. Great Value for Money

Most would think that since the company offers high-speed connection the Mate broadband services’ charges would be high. However, the fact is that Mate communicates broadband packages are affordably priced.

The basic Mate broadband services NBN plan costs just $59 per month, while the premium plan costs $99 per month. There is no activation fee, no plan change fee, and no installation fee in case of a compatible BYO modem. In short, Mate Communicate package offersexceptional value for service.

4. Excellent Customer Service

Lastly, and most importantly, Mate Communicate provides exceptional customer support. The company proactively address issues of the clients. What’s more, it has an active social media presence where the company address issues of the customers. Apart from that, the customer service personnel respond to customer’s issues in multiple review sites. The excellent customer support makes Mate Communicate one of the preferred service providers.

The above are the four main reasons you should consider making Mate Communicate your best mate. The broadband service provider offers different packages that can suit the data requirements of different users.

You can select from four NBN plans and two ASDL plans. All the plans offer unlimited data. The NBN plans as mentioned previously range from $59 to $99 per month. On the other hand, the ASDL packages range from $49 per month and $59 per month. The NBN packages have higher speed as compared to the ASDL package.

Mass Communicate offers one of the best services across Australia. The company provides affordable packages that can meet the need of different customers. Also, the company has responsive customer service staff who make sure that the customers are happy with the services. If you are thinking about switching broadband service provider, you won’t regret selecting Mate Communicate. Once you become a customer of the company, you won’t find any reasons to switch again.

Let’s face facts: cryptocurrencies have come a long way in a relatively short period of time. Even Bitcoin, which remains the poster boy for digital currency and has endured numerous peaks and troughs since its inception in 2009, is now a fully-regulated asset class that achieved a market capitalisation of $96.7 billion during the final quarter of 2017.

This was higher than both Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley during this period, while it highlights precisely how far cryptocurrency has come in a little over eight years.

Despite this, it can be argued that the image of Bitcoin and digital currency as a whole has not evolved at the same pace. This suggests that the time has come for cryptocurrency to be rebranded, so that users and potential adopters focus on its benefits and incredible possibilities rather than what has come before.

Then and Now – How has Cryptocurrency Evolved

Let’s start by recognising the chequered past of cryptocurrency. In the beginning there was only Bitcoin, and this unregulated currency was quickly adopted by criminal on the black market. As it became the unofficial currency of choice on the notorious Silk Road, investors sought flight while regulators from across the globe pledged to crackdown on the distribution of Bitcoin and its usage.

You don’t need to be a student of modern history to know that Bitcoin survived this, however, thanks to the implementation of stringent (but fair) regulatory measures and caps on the value of single transactions. The currency has also relied on its immense potential during dark and difficult times, enabling it to blaze a trail for others to follow in recent times.

Cryptocurrency continues to court controversy, of course, even as it has evolved and benefited from brand new applications. Most recently, the process of mining Bitcoin was presented as a potential risk to the environment, with experts suggesting that this consumed up to 32 terawatts of energy each year and will account for more as demand rises.

While this claim is factually true, it should not cast cryptocurrency in a negative light or detract from its immense potential in the future. Sure, there’s need for the mining process to be managed and adapted so that it does not consume as much energy in the future, but this is part of an evolutionary process that will bear fruit as the demand for Bitcoin rises.

Why, and how, Should Cryptocurrency be Rebranded

As we can see, there remains a resistance to the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency in the modern age. This may simply be the result of the human mind’s in-built struggle with change, which prevents many from considering the benefits and potential applications of assets such as Bitcoin. Instead, they fall back on familiar and often outdated observations, such as the complex nature of cryptocurrency and its historic connection with crime syndicates.

This is where a sustained and consistent rebranding process would come into play, as the only way to sell the virtues of cryptocurrency is to change how it’s perceived by the general public. This would move away from the past issues experienced by digital currency and its perceived flaws, and instead encourage citizens to focus on its promising future and the practical benefits that it can deliver.

More specifically, innovators and adopters need to sell the most compelling benefit of cryptocurrency, which is its ability to wrestle control from central banks and create a more level playing field for households, consumers and investors alike. Cryptocurrencies are decentralised by nature, for example meaning that there’s no central body of control. As a result, digital currency transactions are unequivocally transparent, while they also negate the need for users to pay inflated interest rates or commission fees on their purchases.

This has a huge number of positive connotations, particularly for investors. As anyone who trades the forex market knows, individual transactions often require you to pay a brokerage fee or commission. Cryptocurrency would eliminate this fee, making this sector more lucrative and accessible to a wider range of people.

Beyond this, there’s even talk of the cryptocurrency Ethereum being used to power the world’s first, zero-house edge casino, which would allow gamblers to enjoy totally transparent gameplay on a level playing field with operators. This type of ground-breaking application offers a true insight into the widespread benefits of digital currency, while it also provides tangible evidence of its ability to restructure the financial landscape for the better (at least from a consumer perspective).

Dubai has become a sensational tourist destination to many people over the years. However, most don’t know the true extent of how varied the outdoor activities available here are, and just how much Dubai has to offer to those who prefer to be out of the AC and out in the sun. While the many natural landscapes may not attract as many tourists as the glossy skyscrapers and gargantuan shopping malls, they are definitely worth a viewing for any tourist visiting the city and, to many people’s surprise, are often found to be highlights of their visit. Here are 8 outdoor activities in Dubai you probably haven’t heard about:

#1: Desert Safari Dubai
The desert is a definitive component in UAE and the Gulf region and, just like the sea, is a mesmerizing sight and is an important element of the cultural heritage of locals. Despite its inhospitability and hot temperatures, the desert safari is actually a common activity for most visitors and is an essential visit even for those who prefer to stay indoors.

You just need to select the right operator to explain and drive you through the desert. Normally, a standard desert safari trip in Dubai takes about 45 minutes to get to a desert camp where the guests are fed on a buffet dinner accompanied by belly and ‘tanura’ live dances performances against a picturesque backdrop of a setting sun. This experience is unforgettable and is a must visit for anyone considering taking a trip to Dubai.

#2: Horse Riding
Horse riding is another common activity in Dubai. If you already know how to ride a horse, you can again experience the desert first hand by taking a horse ride through the sands. If you don’t know how to ride a horse however, you will have to learn first. Beginners will be eased into the experience on flat parts of the desert where they will be taught the basics of the activity. Great for kids and animal lovers alike, the horse riding is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors.

#3: Scuba Diving
The UAE, while not that well known, is a stellar scuba diving destination, especially on the West coast that is rife healthy coral reefs and underwater ecosystems. There are numerous pleasant dive sites where divers who enjoy everything from shallow dives over pretty coral to wreck and cave dives . There are even occasional whale sharks which periodically visit the waters of region and are an incredible sight for even the most experienced and jaded divers. In addition, sting rays, murray eels, nudibranchs and barracuda are common staples of the local diving experience, and the experienced operators in the area know the best locations to take tourists to guarantee the best underwater sights.

#4: Deep Sea Fishing

Although a lot of fishing in the UAE happens close to the surface, some tourists prefer deep sea fishing opens up a fairly wide variety of fish to catch. To engage in deep sea fishing in Dubai, you will have to be about 20 km offshore and engage in either bottom fishing or trawling. It is a great way to explore the ocean while still getting an opportunity to catch some fish. For the hardcore fisherman looking to make a big catch, it is important to know that the best fishing season in Dubai is between December and March when weather conditions are friendly and the number of fish is high. The most common catch is king fish, cobia, barracuda and blue fin tuna.

#5: Palm Island Sea Cruise
You can take a Cruise around the Palm Island and Dubai Marina canal. For those who fear the sea, the trip is less scary because: the shoreline is always insight, the trip takes less time and there is constant movement which reduces chances of seasickness. It is a common activity and most operators take the same route which covers:
• Jumeirah Coastline
• World Islands
• Dubai Marina Canal
• Burj Al Arab from the Sea
• Circumvent the Palm Island
In addition to sightseeing, you will benefit from the cool breeze in the sea, making friends and learning the history of the different places you are touring.

#6: Yacht Rental
If you are prefer to stray off the beaten path and hence not interested in set routes or even sharing trips with anyone yet still want a boating experience, Dubai is an ideal destination for yacht rental. The entire city of Dubai is located along the coastline and renting a yacht with your friends or family can be a great experience. There are a great many things you can do in a yacht besides cruising in your preferred route. If you’ve chartered a yacht, you can:
• Have BBQ lunch or dinner on-board with your friends or family
• Drop an anchor in the sea to swim. This feels entirely different that swimming in a crowded beach or in a swimming pool, and even further out at the sea, the water in the area is typically warm and welcoming.

#7: Dhow Cruise Dinner
A dhow is a traditional wooden vessel that has historically been used for a variety of commercial activities in the region. If your love of being out at sea has not been satiated yet, then taking a Dhow dinner cruise is the perfect choice to further explore Dubai water canals while having a full course buffet dinner. The most common destination is dhow cruise in Dubai Marina, the most premium water canal in Dubai.

In addition to full course buffet dinner and scenic sights, the cruises also include live entertainment: usually a live singer or a belly dancer. The experience is far more engaging than having dinner in a regular restaurant, and is perfect for anyone looking to relax while enjoying the fresh air.

#8: Musandam Day Trip
Musandam belongs to the Sultanate of Oman, but is geographically separate and is relatively easily accessible to anyone in the UAE. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the region but is more commonly a destination for residents.

These mountains are found on the East coast of the peninsula and the region has different climatic conditions as it faces the open ocean and is more exposed to the incoming winds. Here, the climate is cooler with slightly more green plants and scenic mountains. The Musandam Day Trip Tour is great for those looking to escape the hotter climatic conditions in western part of the peninsula, or for anyone looking to have an unforgettable experience.

Since the tour usually lasts a full day, it includes transfer from Dubai or Sharjah, snorkelling and lunch. You will also be able to see fjords dipping into the ocean, mountains and ocean all while enjoying a cool ocean breeze. You just need to make necessary arrangements to either visit as a group, family or as an individual. It all depends with your budget and preferences.

It is evident that Dubai has numerous tourist attraction sites that most people don’t know. Whether you live in Dubai or you are planning to visit the city, you should be adventurous and visit these sites. Dedicate some time to spend away from the usual modern spots such shopping malls, sky scrapers and expensive boutiques. Get involved in one of the many outdoor activities such as any of the ones listed above to really gain a well-rounded perspective on Dubai and the region.