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From media strategy to reputation management, we explore the trends shaping public perception and share the approaches that drive measurable results for growing brands.
The idea of a four-day workweek has been gaining popularity. Around the world, companies and governments are experimenting with this alternative to the traditional five-day workweek.
The pandemic shifted workers’ mindsets. Individuals began to value time with families, loved ones and selves over time at the office. People also began to recognize how fragile we are as humans and how we never know what tomorrow may bring.
While the idea may seem too good to be true, evidence suggests that a four-day workweek could benefit employees and employers. In this blog post, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of the four-day workweek and why this new model might be worth considering.
The nonprofit 4 Day Week Global has conducted four-day workweek pilots in several countries. They found that job performance stayed the same during a shortened workweek, staff stress levels fell, and team engagement and work-life balance significantly improved.
Other studies found similar benefits. Eighty-three percent of respondents to an Eagle Hill Consulting study said a four-day workweek would alleviate burnout. Meanwhile, 94% of American job seekers want a four-day workweek, according to a Joblist survey.
In 2022, a six-month trial of a shortened workweek found that businesses reported improved productivity and team morale. Workers reported better health, finances and relationships. The success of trial runs has pushed some companies to implement a permanent four-day schedule.
There are clear benefits to a four-day workweek: improved work-life balance, increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and sick days, enhanced employee retention and recruitment, and even environmental benefits. Let’s look a little more closely at each.
Improved Work-Life Balance
A four-day workweek gives employees more time to focus on their personal lives, hobbies and interests. This can lead to reduced stress levels, better mental health and increased job satisfaction. When employees are more content, they are likely to be more productive and engaged at work.
Increased Productivity
Contrary to popular belief, longer hours do not necessarily lead to more productivity. Studies have shown that overworked employees are more likely to make mistakes and experience burnout, leading to decreased productivity and job satisfaction. Working fewer hours can help employees focus on workplace operations and be more productive. A shortened week can help employees work more efficiently.
Reduced Absenteeism and Sick Days
Employees who have more time to recharge, rest and practice self-care may be less likely to take unplanned time off due to illness and burnout. Companies save money on leave while also improving team morale and productivity.
Enhanced Employee Retention and Recruitment
A four-day workweek can help set a company apart from competitors to attract and retain top talent. It can also lead to increased employee loyalty and commitment to the organization.
Environmental Benefits
Reducing the number of days employees commute to work lessens traffic and air pollution. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, leading to a healthier planet for everyone.
There are quite a few benefits to the four-day workweek. However, there are some potential downsides as well, including a potential loss of productivity, an increased workload on non-workdays and possible impact on pay and benefits. Additionally, a shorter week not being suitable for all industries or jobs.
Potential Loss of Productivity
Reducing the work week by one day does not necessarily reduce the amount of work that needs to be done. Employers must carefully redistribute workloads to ensure business operations are not negatively affected.
Some may argue that a four-day week may hurt workplace productivity. However, several companies actually found no loss of productivity when experimenting with a short work week.
Increased Workload on Non-Workdays
Employees may need to work longer hours on their workdays to compensate for the loss of a day unless your company decides to work a 32-hour 4-day week rather than a 40-hour 4-day week. The latter may mean longer workdays, four 10-hour days, for example, increased fatigue and reduced work-life balance on workdays.
One way to mitigate this is to simply stretch hours over a longer period of time. This may mean pushing back deadlines rather than cramming everything into longer days. The four-day workweek is meant to help folks take their time back, not to squeeze as much as you can out of employees.
Possible Impact on Pay and Benefits
Reduced work hours may result in a reduction in pay or benefits. However, employers can responsibly implement a four-day workweek by maintaining current benefits.
Many employees are overworked and underpaid to begin with, so maintaining the same compensation and benefits for employees helps prioritize their health and needs. This also emphasizes that your company recognizes the hard work employees have done. An extra day off without sacrificing benefits or compensation is a surefire way to relieve employee stress.
Not Suitable for All Industries or Jobs
Jobs that require round-the-clock operations, customer service or other time-sensitive tasks may face challenges in implementing a reduced work week without affecting service levels or productivity. To mitigate this issue, companies may consider hiring more employees to cover fewer hours.
While a four-day workweek may not be feasible for every company or industry, it has clear benefits. By improving work-life balance, increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism, and benefiting the environment, a four-day workweek can be a win-win for employees and employers.
Employers considering a four-day workweek should evaluate its potential benefits and challenges, then consult relevant stakeholders, including employees and management, to make informed decisions.
As more companies experiment with this idea, we may see a shift towards a new reward and sustainable work model. For some, the five-day workweek is already a relic. Some things may feel impossible to change, but it is important to remember that in the 1900s, workers pushed for what they thought was impossible, moving from a six-day work week to a five-day work week.
Carbon Robotics, a leader in AI-powered robotics, continues to reap the agricultural-industry benefits of its innovative state-of-the-art LaserWeeder. Earlier this year, the company announced a new capability for the LaserWeeder – LaserThinning. The company is also seeing tremendous sales growth of the LaserWeeder and plans to deliver implements to growers across 17 states in the U.S. and three provinces in Canada by the end of 2023.
Earlier this month, Carbon Robotics announced more exciting news pertaining to the production of the LaserWeeder and its overall business. On April 11, Carbon Robotics revealed it closed $30 million in Series C financing from new lead investor Sozo Ventures and existing investors Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Liquid2 and Voyager Capital.
The funding will be used to expand sales regions in North America, optimize and scale manufacturing, develop new software and hardware products, and launch into international markets.
Communiqué PR supported Carbon Robotics’ last funding announcement in September of 2021. The company raised $27 million in Series B funding, led by Anthos Capital. Now, this latest round of financing brings Carbon Robotics’ overall funding to $67 million.
To help prepare for this new funding announcement, we worked closely with the Carbon Robotics team to develop messaging for the press release highlighting the investors and benefits the funding will bring to the company. Additionally, it was important to emphasize that this round of funding stemmed from the success of the LaserWeeder and the need to increase the production of the implement to keep up with growing demands.
When it came time to share the news, we executed a pitching campaign that targeted key national, tech and agriculture media. We delivered tailored pitches to pique their interest, offering them the exciting news under embargo.
To ensure reporters had time to ask questions about the funding news, we offered them an opportunity to speak with Paul Mikesell, CEO and founder of Carbon Robotics, before the announcement published.
These efforts led to interviews with GeekWire, Puget Sound Business Journal and AgFunder and editorial coverage from TechCrunch, The Robot Report, Pitchbook and Vegetable Grower News, among others.
Congratulations to the Carbon Robotics team on securing this exciting round of funding!
Carbon Robotics Coverage
- TechCrunch – Carbon’s laser weeding robots score another $30M – 4/11/2023
- MSN – Carbon’s laser weeding robots score another $30M – 4/11/2023
- TechCrunch Survey Says Newsletter – Survey says! TechCrunch – 4/13/2023
- GeekWire – Carbon Robotics lands $30M to sell more weed-destroying machines powered by AI – 4/11/2023
- PSBJ – Ag tech startup Carbon Robotics looks for new Seattle space after raising $30M – 4/11/2023
- AgFunder News – Carbon Robotics bags $30m to fight the war on weeds with robots – 4/11/2023
- The Robot Report – Carbon Robotics raises $30 million in series C funding to scale LaserWeeder platform – 4/12/2023
- The Produce News – Carbon Robotics raises $30 million in funding to scale AI-powered LaserWeeder platform – 4/13/2023
- The Hustle – Why pull weeds when you can zap them with AI-powered lasers? – 4/12/2023
- Axios Pro Rata Newsletter – Axios Pro Rata – 4/12/2023
- Pitchbook – Global VC deals for April 12, 2023 – 4/12/2023
- Term Sheet Newsletters April 12 – 4/12/2023
- And Now U Know – Carbon Robotics Raises $30M to Scale AI-Powered LaserWeeder Platform – 4/11/2023
- Vegetable Growers News – Carbon Robotics adds $30 million in funds, deploys more LaserWeeders – 4/11/2023
- Global AgTech Initiative – Carbon Robotics Raises $30 Million in Funding to Scale AI-Powered LaserWeeder Platform – 4/11/2023
- AgriTech Tomorrow – Carbon Robotics Raises $30 Million in Funding to Scale AI-Powered LaserWeeder™ Platform – 4/11/2023
- The Packer – Carbon Robotics raises $30M to scale its LaserWeeder platform – 4/11/2023
- IoT World Today – Carbon Robotics Raises $30M for Laser Weeding Robots (iotworldtoday.com) – 4/14/2023
- Agri-Marketing – AgriMarketing.com – Carbon Robotics Raises $30 Million To Scale Its AI-Powered LaserWeeder Platform – 4/13/2023
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- iGrow News – Carbon Robotics Secures $30 Million in Series C Funding (igrownews.com) – 4/12/2023
Business Wire’s online analytics report, NewsTrak, can help you quantify the success of your press releases. But with so much data available, how do you determine which metrics matter most?
In this post, I’ll highlight the metrics PR professionals should use to measure the impact of press releases distributed on Business Wire. Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions that optimize engagement and achieve your goals.
These key metrics will help you accurately measure your press release’s impact:
- Press release views and traffic sources
- Earned and social media
- Article syndication and potential reach
- Link clicks
Here’s why you should include these metrics in your next press release recap.
How many people viewed your press release, and where did they come from?
While it’s important to know how many people saw your press release, it’s even more helpful to know how they found it.
NewsTrak provides the total number of views and traffic sources, broken down into two types of traffic: “direct” and “referral.” Direct traffic refers to people who accessed your press release from Business Wire’s sites and feeds, while referral traffic comes from other sites like Google or social media platforms. According to a Business Wire representative, direct traffic from Business Wire’s sites and feeds make up 85% of views for most press releases.
Recently, though, our client’s release received 53% of its views from Business Wire’s sites and 46% from referral traffic. At first, you might think the lower direct traffic number is a bad sign. But that’s not the case. It shows that a large portion of views came from referrals. Looking further into the analytics, we discovered that almost 80% of the release’s referrals came from Twitter, which suggests that this client’s audience is active on this platform.
Understanding which sources drove the most views to your press release gives you an idea of what to repeat for the next release. In this case, we can suggest our client target Twitter by including more shareable content like images or videos in their releases.
Such insights can help you better understand how your press release performs across all traffic sources and help you adjust your strategy accordingly.
Did you receive any earned media coverage? Or social mentions?
Business Wire’s analytics section “Earned and Social Media Analytics” can give you a comprehensive view of earned media and social mentions.
The most sought-after metric is earned media, which refers to media coverage obtained without payment from the client. Knowing how many and which publications referenced your news in an article and when that article went live are all necessary metrics. (We also suggest including a quick recap of what the journalists wrote).
You’ll also see social mentions. Monitoring social mentions provides insights into the level of engagement with the release. We focus on the number of social media mentions, who wrote each post, their follower count and if they created any additional content. As a next step, we may recommend that a client engage further with the poster by commenting or resharing their post.
What was your potential reach?
While earned media is the preferred outcome for most clients, other types of media coverage can still have a significant impact. That’s why we recommend measuring syndicated articles.
Syndicated articles refer to press releases re-published on news outlets, websites and other media channels. You can find this metric under the “Online & Mobile Postings” section. This section also provides the number of unique visitors per month to each publication, which shows you the potential reach of your press releases to a broader audience.
Side note: While the “Earned and Social Media Analytics” section does have syndicated articles as a metric, in my experience, the “Online & Mobile Postings” provides a complete view of re-published content.
Which hyperlinks had the highest click-through rates?
Adding hyperlinks to your press release can direct viewers to your website or resources. In fact, we recommend that clients include a hyperlink to their homepage to drive traffic back to their site. And when applicable, include hyperlinks as calls to action—for example, to download a report.
Knowing how many people clicked on each link can help you understand engagement. If you’re measuring a call-to-action, it’s valuable to see if the content converted effectively.
You can see hyperlink performance under “Link clicks.” Business Wire’s analytics will show each hyperlink and the number of clicks to determine how each link performed. From there, you can make adjustments to your next press release. We recommend modifying your word choices or perhaps including a hyperlink in the lede to encourage more click-throughs.
For your next press release recap, take a look at these four metrics to better understand how your audience received your news. By starting now, you can establish a benchmark for these metrics and make informed, data-driven decisions for future press releases.
The rise of social media has revolutionized how we interact with brands. As a result, influencers are playing an increasingly important role in public relations strategies. Below we will explore their impact on PR, the difference between business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C) influencer marketing, and how brands and customers respond to influencers.
How Influencers Affect PR Strategies
Influencers have become a crucial component of modern PR strategies. With their extensive reach and engaged audiences, influencers can sway consumer behavior. Brands have noticed and are partnering with influencers to promote their products and services.
Influencers can help these brands reach a wider audience, especially among younger demographics. Influencer marketing is also more cost-effective than traditional advertising, making it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, influencers provide a level of authenticity and trust that conventional advertising often lacks.
The Difference Between B2B and B2C Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is effective in both B2B and B2C contexts, but there are critical differences between the two. B2C influencer marketing focuses on building brand awareness and promoting products directly to consumers. In contrast, B2B influencer marketing focuses on building relationships with other businesses and establishing thought leadership within the industry.
B2B influencers are often experts in their field and provide insights to other businesses. Companies can gain credibility and reach a wider industry audience by partnering with these influencers. B2C influencers, on the other hand, tend to focus on lifestyle and entertainment content that resonates with their followers.
How Brands and Customers Respond to Influencers
Brands have responded positively to the rise of influencers and the potential for increased exposure and sales. However, there have been challenges. It is often difficult to measure the ROI of influencer partnerships. And there is always risk involved in partnering with influencers who may engage in controversial behavior or harm the brand’s image.
Customers have also responded positively, particularly those who align with an influencer’s values and interests. Customers tend to trust the opinions of influencers they follow and often see them as more authentic and trustworthy than traditional advertising. However, a growing awareness of influencer marketing and the potential for manipulation can degrade an audience’s trust over time.
Influencers have significantly impacted modern PR strategies in the age of social media. While B2B and B2C influencer marketing differ in focus, both can benefit businesses. Brands and customers alike have responded positively to influencers but must consider the challenges and risks. As influencer marketing evolves, seeing how brands and consumers adapt will be interesting.
Many people have heard or read the data about the importance of nonverbal communication in conveying information. Experts often report that nonverbals are more powerful than the words we actually use.
In fact, studies suggest that nonverbal communication accounts for 70 to 93% of communication – including body language, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, voice (volume, rate, pitch, and timbre) and personal space.
Nonverbal Communication In Virtual Meetings
With the rise in remote work and digital meetings, translating nonverbal cues has hit some rugged terrain. While the world is slowly recovering from the pandemic and yet many workers remain dispersed, business communication is at the mercy of various onscreen technologies that don’t necessarily capture nonverbal skills.
Bridging the gap between physical and virtual communication has thus become a critical challenge. In light of this reality, professionals must adapt their approach to nonverbal cues and reassess the importance of visual engagement in the digital landscape.
Vyopta, a leader in digital collaboration user experience management, and Wakefield Research conducted some interesting research around remote work and camera use.
According to their findings from last year, “93% of executives say employees who turn their camera off are generally less engaged in their work overall.” The data reveals that “the lack of engagement opens the door to executives making assumptions about employee behavior. More than two in five executives (43%) suspect that employees who are on mute or off-camera entirely are browsing the internet or social media, texting or chatting (40%).”
True or not, these nonverbal cues often drive assumptions about performance and engagement. This does not necessarily mean individuals must permanently activate their cameras. However, executives and employees must be aware of the perceptions being off-camera may create – accurate or not. To ensure that your nonverbal cues align with your verbal communication and support your objectives, consider the following tips when on camera:
- On-Camera Background – Does the background present the image you want to express to the meeting participants? The background could be your actual room or a virtual background. Either way, consider what it communicates about you and avoid distracting backgrounds.
- Posture – Similar to an in-person meeting, consider what your posture expresses about your interest and engagement. Sit toward the edge of your seat, shoulders back, and head up.
- Eye Contact and Facial Expressions – Look directly at the camera when speaking and be as facially expressive as possible to convey engagement.
- Gestures: Use hand gestures to emphasize your points, but be mindful of excessive or distracting movements.
- Voice: Aim for variations in tone and pitch to convey your emotions and engagement. Speak clearly and avoid mumbling or speaking too fast.
- Personal Space: Ensure that you are visible in the camera frame and maintain a comfortable distance from the camera.
Nonverbal Communication Across Cultures
Given the power of nonverbal communication, it is essential to consider cultural differences when working internationally. I was recently impressed by Dr. Joseph Kim, professor of business communications and author of Power7, who delivered a powerful address about differences in nonverbal communication between Eastern and Western cultures.
Dr. Kim presented to members of the Public Relations Network at its semi-annual meeting in January 2023 in Seoul, Korea. He offered compelling examples of how East and West differ and how those differences can create misunderstandings and impede business. Dr. Kim shared examples of nonverbal behaviors and the associated meanings – such as the etiquette when exchanging business cards in Asia, bowing to show strength and humility, and different approaches to expressing anger.
It is too easy to focus on translating language and overlook the silent or more subtle aspects of communication when conducting business with individuals from across the world, the oversight of which can be detrimental to your objectives. I urge you to consider investigating Dr. Kim’s work and teachings on nonverbal communication in business.
Another resource in this realm is The Culture Map by Erin Meyer. Meyer explores how these differences impact business communication and provide a framework for understanding and navigating them. The book draws upon the author’s experiences working with executives and managers from across the globe and highlights how disparate business climates approach communication, feedback, leadership and decision-making. It also provides practical advice for overcoming cross-interpretational challenges and improving communication in broader and more diverse environments. The Culture Map is a valuable resource for anyone who works within broader social forms and business behaviors or is interested in improving communication skills.
In the age of remote work and digital meetings, nonverbal communication is ever more crucial in conveying information and building connections. Since nonverbal interactions account for most communication, with only a small fraction being verbal, ensure that your communicative cues align with your objectives in virtual meetings. Work to master the practice and integration of vital factors like on-camera background, posture, eye contact and facial expressions, gestures, voice and personal space, and use them to your advantage.
Be mindful and vigilant that cultural differences play a significant role in nonverbal communication and can impact business outcomes. By exploring resources such as Dr. Kim’s work and Erin Meyer’s The Culture Map, professionals can improve their cross-cultural communication skills and navigate diverse communication styles with confidence and broader success.
Several Communiqué PR team members are Taylor Swift fans. We’ve written about lessons writers can glean from her storytelling, swapped personal experiences of the Ticketmaster debacle and chatted about her latest releases.
Last October, Taylor became the first artist to completely own the Billboard Top 10, and her unique relationship with her fans has driven her success. Her authenticity, vulnerability and relatability allow Taylor to deeply connect with her audience.
Business leaders can learn a lot from Taylor about cultivating long-lasting relationships with fans (or, in the business world, customers). One big lesson: Prioritize customer feedback.
Listen to Customers and Respond to Feedback Promptly
A big part of Taylor’s ability to connect with fans is her willingness to listen to their feedback and respond quickly. Consider 2015’s “Wildest Dreams.” The music video, set in Africa, featured Taylor and a love interest as Hollywood actors on a film set. Fans and critics argued that the video presented a sanitized and glamorized version of colonial Africa and perpetuated harmful stereotypes about the continent and its people.
In her response, Taylor acknowledged the criticism and expressed her commitment to learning and growing from the experience. She also donated the proceeds from the video to the African Parks Foundation of America. This nonprofit organization works to protect and conserve wildlife and wilderness areas in Africa. Taylor’s response showed her willingness to listen to feedback, take responsibility for her actions and learn from her mistakes.
As a business leader, taking customer feedback seriously is essential. Whether it’s through customer surveys, social media or other channels, understanding your customers can help leaders make better decisions and improve products or services. It’s also important to respond to customer feedback promptly, demonstrating that the business values their input and are committed to addressing their concerns.
Use Customer Feedback to Drive Innovation
Taylor continually develops her music and image based on feedback from her fans. Though she began as a country music artist, as Taylor gained more fans she began experimenting with other genres. This led to her most notable album, “Red.” Her fans connected with this new sound, and she continued evolving her music to incorporate pop, synth-pop and indie elements.
These efforts culminated in the release of “1989,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and has sold more than 14 million copies worldwide. It’s Taylor’s best-selling album to date. The success of “1989” cemented Taylor’s status as a pop music icon and allowed her to reach a wider audience. The album attracted new fans who may not have been familiar with her country music work, and it helped her to expand her fanbase globally.
Business leaders can take a page from Taylor’s book by using customer feedback to drive innovation and improve products and/or services. By listening to customers and making changes based on their feedback, organizations can stay ahead of the competition and meet the evolving needs of their target market. An organization might increase market share and establish itself as an industry leader.
Engage with Customers
Taylor has always made a conscious effort to engage with her fans on social media and in person by responding to comments, reposting their content and hosting secret listening parties ahead of an album’s release. Through fan engagement she’s created a sense of community that makes her fans feel valued and appreciated.
In a 2022 interview with Seth Meyers, Taylor talked about re-recording her first six albums. She said, “This time around, I get to do things that I know [the fans] wish I would’ve done the first time. I’m always listening to their opinions and their theories. They will let me know which songs should’ve been singles; they let me know which songs didn’t get videos that should’ve gotten videos.” She continued, “I’m listening, and I’m making the videos.”
Business leaders must engage with customers to build solid relationships. These relationships give organizations established channels to communicate with customers – to hear from them directly. It’s through these efforts that businesses build brand loyalty, increase customer satisfaction and ultimately drive success.
Overall, Taylor Swift’s approach to incorporating fan feedback is an excellent model. Business leaders can build a strong, customer-focused organization that delivers results by listening to customers, responding to feedback in a timely manner and using that feedback to drive innovation for engaged customers.