firms Archives - EMC UK https://emcuk.co.uk/tag/firms Where UK News Meets Clarity Thu, 10 Oct 2024 15:35:23 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://emcuk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/favicon.png firms Archives - EMC UK https://emcuk.co.uk/tag/firms 32 32 AI firms: Outperform your competition with these five best tips https://emcuk.co.uk/tech/ai-firms-outperform-your-competition-with-these-five-best-tips?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ai-firms-outperform-your-competition-with-these-five-best-tips Thu, 10 Oct 2024 15:35:23 +0000 https://emcuk.co.uk/?p=979 Whereas 2024 was yet another year full of AI scepticism, 2025 looks much more promising, with regulators and governing bodies slowly relaxing their stance on the technology. Even consumers are becoming more willing for AI to provide product recommendations, handle customer service, and share investment advice. But, even despite this positive outlook, AI firms still [...]

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]]> Whereas 2024 was yet another year full of AI scepticism, 2025 looks much more promising, with regulators and governing bodies slowly relaxing their stance on the technology.
Even consumers are becoming more willing for AI to provide product recommendations, handle customer service, and share investment advice.
But, even despite this positive outlook, AI firms still face many hurdles. VC deal-making has dropped as investors become more selective about the firms they back, while certain AI technologies are yet to take off as cyberattacks and hardware shortages remain challenges too.
In this article, we explore five tips founders and CEOs can leverage to position themselves better for growth and outperform their competition.
Thought leadership
Let’s begin with one of the fundamentals for all AI leaders. Thought leadership.
This involves a founder or CEO becoming more visible in the public eye by sharing expert insights others can learn from. For AI firms, this is essential to settle anxieties, which remain significant barriers to their growth.
Usually, thought leadership will take place across social media, where executives can respond to industry trends and engage in conversation with their audiences daily. But it can also take place within media coverage, which provides an extra stamp of credibility that can snowball with the more — and better-quality — publications that a thought leader appears in.
According to a leading AI thought leadership agency, AI firms can also lessen the reputational damage they face in the event of a crisis, discover industry solutions faster, and increase their investment prospects. For the best results, leaders are advised to simplify their language, focus on AI regulation, and leverage their personality and founding story to set themselves apart.
Content marketing
In terms of marketing channels, AI firms must focus on content marketing more than any other.
Of course, this is ironic since many have claimed that the rise of Generative AI has effectively killed off content marketing. But other than being a good way to show off AI’s time-saving abilities, regularly sharing strategic content on your website can be a great way to spotlight your business.
On one hand, content marketing helps you promote your products, research, industry reports, and company mission to ensure audiences better resonate with your business.
On the other hand, you can use content marketing to target specific keywords people are searching for to boost your SEO ranking, drive traffic, and get ahead of your competitors.
Though it does take a while to embed and see results, content marketing can be a much more budget-friendly marketing approach than paid ads or direct sales.
Branding
Branding is the process of creating and managing a company’s identity in the minds of the public. It involves the company’s values, its USP, the design of its logo, products, and marketing materials.
But while it’s clear that good branding attracts more customers, for AI firms, it can crucially help them secure more talent.
Because, let’s face it, programmers and engineers are spoilt for AI firms to join. Recent data found that there are over 60,000 AI companies that currently exist. Of this number, giants like Anthropic and Chat GPT continue to attract the very best in the field.
It’s up to emerging AI firms to nail their branding to convince talent to join a company that is going places, rather than bust like so many others.
Research
AI firms must also commit more time to research to discover the value of their products and services, what their competitors are up to, and how they can better them.
The amount of risk that goes into an AI business is astronomical. Some of these risks are out of your control. But the more you can manage, such as by fully understanding your market and value propositions, the better.
For this reason, make sure the hires of data scientists and analysts are prioritised.
Focus on your niche
Lastly, conventional wisdom and market research may tell you otherwise, but from the very beginning of your business plan to the design of your products and services, make sure that you always lean into your niche and try something completely different from others.
The future of AI is uncertain. No one knows what purpose the technology will serve best, and there are bound to be various use cases for AI that people haven’t even thought of yet.
But what we do know is that the technologies potential is limitless. Owning a niche as soon as possible will set you in front of the pack.

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]]> Gen Z see business travel as key to career growth, while half of UK firms plan to boost travel spending in the next year https://emcuk.co.uk/business/gen-z-see-business-travel-as-key-to-career-growth-while-half-of-uk-firms-plan-to-boost-travel-spending-in-the-next-year?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gen-z-see-business-travel-as-key-to-career-growth-while-half-of-uk-firms-plan-to-boost-travel-spending-in-the-next-year Tue, 27 Aug 2024 10:33:58 +0000 https://emcuk.co.uk/?p=613 A recent study by American Express has highlighted a significant shift in attitudes towards business travel among Gen Z employees, with many viewings it as a crucial opportunity for career development. The research, which surveyed UK business travellers and company decision-makers, reveals that this youngest generation in the workforce is more inclined than any other [...]

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]]> A recent study by American Express has highlighted a significant shift in attitudes towards business travel among Gen Z employees, with many viewings it as a crucial opportunity for career development. The research, which surveyed UK business travellers and company decision-makers, reveals that this youngest generation in the workforce is more inclined than any other to seek out business travel opportunities.

According to the study, nearly three-fifths (59%) of Gen Z employees plan to increase their work-related travel over the next 12 months. This eagerness is attributed to the belief that business trips enhance their appeal to prospective employers (81%) and improve their chances of promotion within their current organisations (83%).

A New Approach to Business Travel

The research underscores that Gen Z workers are notably committed to integrating business travel into their career strategy. They are more likely than other age groups to combine business with leisure to maximise productivity, with 44% of them doing so. Additionally, they are the most adept at prioritising their workload effectively while travelling, with 54% indicating strong confidence in managing their tasks during trips.

Notably, Gen Z employees work significantly longer hours when on business trips compared to their office routines. The study finds that they typically extend their working hours by an average of 4.6 hours per day while travelling, more than any other generation surveyed.

Sustainability on the Agenda

Another key finding is that younger workers are more conscious of sustainability in their business travel practices. Almost half (48%) of Gen Z is actively collaborating with their employers to incorporate more sustainable practices into their travel routines. This includes opting for public transport (67%), staying in eco-friendly accommodation (43%), and extending their stays to reduce the number of trips (52%).

Businesses to Increase Travel Spend

The research also reveals a positive outlook among UK businesses regarding travel. Over four-fifths (85%) of companies plan to either increase or maintain their business travel expenditure over the next year. This marks a significant rise from 42% in 2022, reflecting a continued recognition of the benefits of business travel.

Companies are leveraging these trips to strengthen client relationships (40%) and gain a deeper understanding of local markets (28%). Additionally, 75% of businesses regard business travel as essential to their growth strategies, and approximately one-third (32%) see it as a key opportunity for employee development.

Future Trends and Corporate Support

Lee Sullivan, Vice President at American Express, commented on the findings: “Our research shows that businesses are committed to investing in travel as a means of driving growth and enhancing employee engagement. We are dedicated to supporting firms through our Business and Corporate Cards, which simplify travel and expense management.”

Sullivan also noted the significant role of Gen Z in redefining business travel dynamics. “It is clear that younger employees view travel as integral to their career progression. Gen Z is setting new standards for how businesses should approach travel, focusing on maximising the entire experience,” he said.

The study highlights a broader trend where business travel is increasingly seen as a strategic tool for both personal and organisational advancement. As companies prepare to expand their travel budgets, the emphasis on career development and sustainability is likely to shape the future of business travel in the UK.

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