As businesses expand their market overseas, the need for a reliable and competent outsourcing partner is essential in the path of their growth. From customer care support to data entry services, BPO companies have become the lifeline of every company irrespective of their size. However, the demand for outsourcing has immensely increased over the decade and that has led to the growth of multiple BPO service providers. With a variety of BPO agencies available, it is crucial to choose the right service provider for the company.

Need for BPO Service Provider:

For any company to thrive in the global market, it should maintain a smooth and manageable workflow for its completion of essential tasks. The main point that needs to be focused on is a better utilization of resources. The solution lies in delegating the back-office functions to a service provider that is a professional in carrying out these tasks. One of the biggest benefits of hiring a BPO service is that a company can streamline various office functions at a time. Outsourcing is oftentimes way better than appointing an in-house team for conducting these tasks. It is not only time-consuming but also a huge capital investment is incurred in the process. Hence, it is very important to research beforehand when choosing a BPO service provider for your company.

Tips to consider while choosing a BPO service provider

1. Experience

It is very essential to choose an experienced firm. An experienced BPO service provider will have domain expertise and the knowledge to deal with challenging situations in the business process like data entry and other business functions. The experience of the firm also helps them to provide a competitive edge in the market over other companies that offer similar services therefore putting your organization or brand in a very good position.

2. Security

Data security is the most vital aspect to consider when selecting a BPO partner. While outsourcing, a company shares much sensitive information with the third-party service provider. Hence, it is very important to check whether the BPO company has top-notch security policies like a non-disclosure agreement, strict service level agreement, etc. The companies must ensure that the outsourcing agency must have the latest cybersecurity devices that measure data security.

3. Strength of the Firm

One important reason for consideration when choosing a

. The outsourcing firm should have qualified professionals for delivering the work on time. Always check the resources before selecting any firm for outsourcing.

4. Technology

The intervention of the latest technology is proven to improve the efficiency and productivity of the BPO service provider. Make sure that if the firm is not using the latest technologies but the technologies must be relevant to the business process they are working on. A BPO company can be more successful when its integrated approach will work holistically in its every office function.

5. Scalability

A scalable BPO service provider is important in terms of facilities and resource strength. In the lean season, scalability is important to cater the desired products to the clients without increasing the different overheads of the business. Every company should choose a scalable outsourcing partner while expecting a better commitment toward outsourced business activities.

6. Infrastructure

A good infrastructure is indeed an essential factor for a BPO service provider in setting up their exclusive teams and the equipment. Infrastructure like high-speed internet, phone connectivity, hardware, software, etc. is required for the smooth operations of their workflow. The importance of infrastructure is directly related to the smooth delivery of BPO services.

7. Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is the most important aspect that needs to be considered while selecting a BPO service provider for a company. The quality of data shared by the companies is essential as companies rely on the data for many critical decision-making processes. Hence, the outsourcing company needs to follow strict quality assurance while strictly adhering to data breach policies.

8. Cost-Effectiveness

Last but not least cost-effectiveness is considered the most vital factor that needs to be checked before selecting an outsourcing partner. It is always recommended to compare the prices quoted by a few outsourcing companies and check the quality of services delivered by them. While a very lesser price also indicates bad service quality. On the other hand, a high quoted price can also be a premium price that every company may not afford. Hence, choose wisely and decide in a way so that it can fit under the decided budget.

9. Referrals

Referrals work in every possible sector of industries. Be it marketing and sales or BPO, a referral is something that always pays off. Referrals of known contacts or any competitors can be considered while choosing a BPO service provider. The selected companies can be cross-checked based on their testimonials and performances so that the best can be chosen.

10. Turnaround Time

Always choose an outsourcing partner that is known for its Turnaround Time (TAT). IT is very important to deliver the work to the clients within the stipulated time. Every milestone of business can be met smoothly if the outsourcing partner regularly meets the TAT.

Businesses irrespective of any industry strive to maintain a competitive advantage in the market while staying ahead of their competitors. The success of a company depends on building robust and responsive support while taking the help of a reliable and trusted outsourcing partner that will streamline your business processes so that the business can thrive to the next level. A business must critically analyze the legal and political conditions of the country that they want to outsource. However, there are other factors too such as language and communication that need to be checked while maintaining a smooth communication flow between the two companies.

Are you looking to hire a new business process outsourcing (BPO) service, but have no idea how to pick the right one? Choosing the right BPO partner ensures you pick the right company for your needs. BPO services have the potential to take a significant load off your business allowing you to grow to new heights.

BPO services have their strengths and weaknesses. You’ll need to evaluate factors such as technological capabilities, experience, and pricing to figure out if they are a good match for you

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Insights to Choose The BPO Partner

BPO Services must offer advanced technology

Competing in the modern business landscape means utilizing up-to-date technology. Implementing technologically advanced systems costs a lot of money and might be beyond what your business can handle. Therefore, it makes sense to hire a business process outsourcing service that uses the technological edge you’re after.

For example, BPO services using advanced artificial intelligence systems might make use of chatbots for live chat support to help deal with a high volume of customer queries. Customer service is an important part of running a business but can become overwhelming when you scale. Offloading the task to a technologically advanced BPO company ensures your customer queries are handled effectively and to high satisfaction levels.

Does the BPO service have experience?

Do background research on the BPO service to determine how long they have been around. It takes something special to stay afloat in the competitive BPO service industry. Services that have stood the test of time typically have the experience to overcome challenges your business is faced with. It’s safer to go with an established BPO service that has a list of reputable brands as clients.

Also, scrutinize if experienced agents are working at the service. You want the best agents in the industry working on behalf of your company. After all, their work impacts your business. It’s more important for front office operations where BPO agents directly interact with your customers.

Ideally, BPO agents should have experience working in your industry. It is advantageous because they will have detailed knowledge about what your business needs to succeed. The teething period is reduced and less training is required to ensure you get the best possible service.

BPO services pricing is a critical consideration

There is no point in hiring a BPO partner you can’t afford. You’ll end up canceling their service shortly and be back at square one. Choose a service that offers a competitive deal and is within your budget. Perhaps they offer a discount if you need more volume as you grow?

Hidden charges are a nasty technique used by services to extract more money. Reputable services like Delonapps, the best BPO service provider will disclose the final price upfront and won’t ask for more money.

Furthermore, you need to know what you’re paying for. Make sure you understand what the BPO service will do for the price. A detailed summary of the service provided leaves no ambiguity. It avoids a lack of misunderstanding that can lead to disagreements down the line.

Does the BPO company provide good communication?

Good communication is a key ingredient of a healthy partnership. It would be frustrating if you struggled to get in touch with the manager responsible for your account.

You may want real-time reporting that details how effectively the call center company can complete tasks. Also, you might want to communicate what changes you’d like to make. In some cases, it’s important that you immediately get an answer so communication is a key ingredient for a successful relationship.

Scalability and limitations

Will the BPO service allow you to scale without limitations? To ensure there is the consistency you’d want to pick a BPO partner and stick with them for many years. Therefore, the service must have the infrastructure and staff to handle requirements as you grow.

Consider your projected growth and look for a BPO service that already handles clients of that size. Make sure they can give you their full attention and prioritize you as one of their important clients.

Furthermore, think about what limitations this BPO service will inflict on your business. For example, if you’re hiring a customer service team, then ask about the channels of communication they offer.

Customer convenience

The BPO company you choose must provide an excellent service for your customers too. After all, your customers are the lifeblood of your business. BPO service agents need to be respectful, considerate and solve problems effectively when customers get in touch.

Also, the BPO service must be large enough so that waiting times are kept at a minimum. Otherwise, customers might get frustrated with your company.

One key player for any successful business lies in its ability to retain existing customers. Most companies especially start-ups that don’t have an existing customer database focus on attracting new customers.

However, Marketing now is more focused on digital than ever before. Modern marketers and sales professionals are in a long race of acquiring new customers and increasing brand awareness across newer geographies and scopes of business. While marketing and sales work as a team in growing the business with acquisition efforts, it is imperative to dedicate the same amount of effort and resources in retaining the existing users.

With the long-lasting drastic impact of Covid-19 affecting many businesses, non-essential businesses shut down entirely while even the so-called essential businesses had to adapt to a new market sphere by employing various relationship marketing communication strategies to keep up the communication lines with existing customers.

In today’s customer-centric era, relationship marketing is perceived altruism that entails mutual trust between a business and its customers. With more businesses putting the customer at the center of their marketing strategies, relationship marketing retains its prominence among various organizations that aim to foster brand loyalty and pursue brand ambassadors.
According to Forbes, a business is only as good as the clients it serves, and no business gets too far after losing the clients it has.

What is Relationship Marketing?

Relationship marketing is a way that leverages customer trust to improve customer retention and drive hyper-growth based on one-time acquisition. Having emerged at the forefront of modern-day marketing, relationship marketing is more focused on customers as opposed to traditional marketing which heavily focuses on prospects and new leads.

“Even when you are marketing to your entire audience or customer base, you are still simply speaking to a single human at any given time.” – Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs.

Why is Relationship Marketing Important?

Imagine if your business stopped getting repeat customers. Or, if your customers stayed but never referred you to their friends and peers?
Well, this indicates that you might have to go on a scavenger hunt to acquire new customers for your business to sustain itself in the long run.

However, according to Forbes, a 5% increase in customer retention can increase your company’s profitability by a staggering 75%. Also, surveys prove, it would cost just 11% of what it would cost to acquire a new customer.

Every business needs to build “trust” with its customers. Modern businesses are based on existing mutual relationships with their customers. Customers want to feel part of a business and if you can’t keep your customers happy by creating a healthy symmetrical communication relationship, that business would most likely fall apart in time. Even with the best products and business practices, you will still need strong customer relationships to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
As stated earlier, it is much easier and more cost-effective to retain customers than to acquire new ones. As returning customers have already established trust with the brand or business, they are likely to spend more as well as refer friends and family.

Why Call Center is important for customer retention.

Successful companies understand that a call center’s primary purpose is to retain customers so that they don’t defect to the competition. This means providing service to callers and resolving their problems as well as selling to them.

Yet even the best-run companies often find it difficult to effectively generate sales from their call centers. This common problem certainly makes sense when you consider that callers are primarily seeking answers to questions and resolutions to problems. However, for companies that optimize their call centers for sales, there are big opportunities for increased profits as well as greater customer loyalty

Optimize Your System and Processes

The average call center conversation across all industries is between four and six minutes. During this time, the IVR system has to function properly, and the call center representative must be able to address the customer’s needs. If one component of the process isn’t successful or if a call is simply not resolved, the chance of a sale going right out the window is high. One sobering statistic for any company to consider is that at least 15 percent of customers who don’t get their calls resolved will move on to another company. And these customers will tell on average five others about their less than satisfactory experience.

Before any company can begin to explore opportunities for increasing sales at the call center level, the first step is to ensure that calls are being managed as efficiently and effectively as possible. From the auto-attendant greeting and prompts to the amount of time the customer waits in an on-hold queue, the customer experience needs to be at a high enough level to keep the customer satisfied and engaged. Once a customer gets frustrated by an overly complicated IVR system or has to wait on hold for 10 minutes, the chance of a potential sale is lost.

However, Choosing the right Business Process outsourcing service for your company is as good as hiring the right talents for your company. DelonApps is a leading BPO service company that provides excellent business services to clients across the world. They also provide agile transformation services in Nigeria and own the top classified ads website in Nigeria, as well as a leading job portal in Nigeria.

At DelonApps, our services are tailored to meet your exact needs. While other companies have standard training programs and curriculums, We tailor our programs and curriculum to meet our client’s exact needs. Also taking our client’s culture and behavior and inculcating that into our well-trained customer service staff. This is one major reason why DelonApps is the best call center outsourcing company.

Here are 6 reasons why Telemarketing relationship marketing is critical to your digital business:

1. Build formidable trust:

Relationship marketing builds upon improving the customer experience and puts customer trust at the center of your marketing efforts to foster higher customer loyalty. To build this trust with your customers you must first start thinking like a customer and study your viewing, browsing, and purchase habits, depending upon what industry you operate in.
Assuring the customer your support whenever they need you and by whatever medium possible helps create a sustainable trust factor.

2. Solve mutual problems:

Relationship marketing helps in solving the mutual problems of both the business and the customer. Your customers are the reason your business can leverage monetization opportunities, hitting top-line growth. To actively listen to their concerns, what they like, and what they want to be changed, any specific pain point that has to be addressed and solved.
If more customers are insisting on one thing, perhaps it’s time to pivot. These insights help in iteratively improving your product.

3. Deliver a seamless customer experience:

Customers don’t just want to buy a good product. They want to experience the joy of purchasing and using a good product.
Relationship marketing helps you focus on the customer, rather than on the product or service you offer. It also helps in creating an in-depth profile of customers based on their needs and understanding what exactly they’re looking for. By adopting a more customer-centric approach and focusing on customer relationships, you can align your core strategies and work across teams to meet customer needs, improve satisfaction, and deliver a seamless experience consistently.

4. Strengthens customer advocacy:

In today’s day and age of unreliable paid reviews, your prospects are more likely to believe what they hear directly from the horse’s mouth; i.e. your existing customers!

Let’s face it – not all customers are likely to become super fans of your business. For a customer-centric business, they become your core pillars of growth. It is not easy to build customer advocacy and relationship marketing makes it easier for you. Once a customer starts advocating for you, they’ll become the most profitable source of customer acquisition. They are not just repeated buyers but gradually demonstrate loyalty towards your business.

5. Build a better product:

Did you know that 70% of companies that are considered best in class for customer experience rely on customer feedback? Repeat customers to your business bestow more than just revenue growth.

As your customers continue to do business with your company, they become more closely acquainted with the products and services you offer. This helps your company to get knowledgeable feedback from a customer’s perspective. Converting this valuable and timely feedback into actionable insights helps in building a better product over some time.

6. Lowers Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC)

One of the highest revenue churners is that of a customer’s acquisition. When you leverage relationship marketing and build some viable trust, and engage effectively via nurturing with a multi-channel approach, you can attempt at lowering your customer acquisition costs, since you only spend once on a particular customer.

The most recent software developers in the technology industry have paved the way for some of the highest-paying jobs in software development. From artificial intelligence to information systems and security, top positions for software developers are fascinating and highly rewarding. With the strong computer science and programming skills required, workers in the modern workforce can expect to earn excellent salaries and have plenty of potential for advancement. As computer technology continues to improve, the job market will evolve, providing new opportunities for highly skilled professionals.

As of June 2020, software development is currently the most sought-after category of jobs in the IT industry in Lagos. This is perhaps because there is a much higher demand for them than any of the other high-paying IT jobs in Nigeria. Lagos employers are paying high salaries because of the scarcity of experienced software developers in the country. Thus, when subsequent positional openings for software developers are put up on job sites these positions do not get filled up quickly unless new employers are willing to pay a decent fee. This industry in the country is therefore currently a seller’s market.

If you visit the current #1 job website in Nigeria – jobs.delon.ng that is focused a lot on IT jobs, you will always find different types of software developer positions remain unoccupied  This clearly shows there is a growing demand which is not sufficiently matched with adequate supply at the moment. There are many types of jobs associated with software development. I will discuss a few of them as follows.

UI UX Designer Jobs in Nigeria

User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) job is one major subject I love to talk about. It is a type of job in the software development industry in Nigeria that’s been gaining a lot of momentum lately. It is however unfortunate that most companies end up spending more time and money fixing poorly created software because they did not devote adequate time to the initial UI/UX design before the development team started coding. No matter how gifted and experienced your software coding team is, they will always run into problems if the UI/UX was not perfectly done at the beginning.

The difference between User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) is that while UI refers to the aesthetic elements by which people interact with a product, UX is all about the experience a user has when interacting with a product or service. So, UI focuses on visual interface elements such as typography, colors, menu bars, and more, while UX focuses on the user and their journey through the product.

UI/UX requires a lot of collaboration with the customer and the challenge is that some customers don’t have a clear idea of what they want and are not ready to exercise the required patience to go through this process. The onus is on the software developers to not only start coding but also show and direct the customer visually into what would represent a perfect idea of what they want. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the software development company to explain to the customer in detail the need for proper UI/UX work before coding. As more understanding of this role is gotten, there will be many new job opportunities for UI/UX designers in Nigeria in the next five years.

Software Developer Jobs in Nigeria

Software development today includes mobile app developers, web app developers, and desktop app, developers. But because of the advent of cloud computing and the massive growth of mobile technologies around the world, subsequently, the need for mobile and web developers has seen a major increase as well. Most companies are more aware of how having a good mobile app and user interactive websites can affect brand positioning in a growing competitive market. So people talk more about mobile and web development. Some Nigerian companies continue to require in-house software developers to help with several customizations on their off-the-shelf software, there will always be the need for traditional core software developers in Nigeria for the next five years.

Project Manager Jobs in Nigeria

Project managers, scrum masters, product managers, product owners, agile coaches, and software development managers are management or business-related roles associated with software development. They perform best when they have a technical background but there are also many efficient managers without a technical background. There have always been project managers in Nigeria, but the growth will come from the new agile frameworks. More companies will hire scrum masters, product owners, and agile coaches over the next five years.

Data Engineer Jobs in Nigeria

Also, we have data engineers (sometimes called data scientists) who venture into several sub-areas including big data specialists, artificial intelligence, etc. It is an emerging field in Nigeria, but I am concerned that the professionals in the sub-industry talk more about the processing side than acquisition. There is still a whole lot to be exploited in this field due to the relatively little available database in Nigeria. There is not even definite data for censoring our population, crime rate and even real unemployment levels, etc.

Quality Assurance Jobs in Nigeria

Quality Assurance (QA) engineers are also not often talked about in Nigeria’s software development industry. Yet it is perhaps one of the major reasons why software products from the West tend to be less devoid of problems than local software products. For local software to become more successful, QA needs to be taken more seriously. So if you are a recent engineering graduate that loves coding but does not have the flair or skills in coding, QA is a good area to consider as there will be more jobs related to QA in the next few years.

Team building refers to the activities undertaken by groups of people to increase their motivation and boost cooperation. Many people use the phrases “team-building” and “teamwork” interchangeably. However, they are two distinct concepts. While team building emphasizes the creation of groups, teamwork emphasizes the functions of these groups.

Although team-building activities are meant to increase cohesiveness and cooperation, many employees don’t understand how spending a day playing games can help them bond. The truth is, how managers use team building in their organizations helps to shape their employees’ attitudes towards the process.

As such, leaders should seek to understand team building better as it will help increase their effectiveness. More specifically, leaders should be interested in learning the characteristics that make great teams and the techniques and relevance of team building.

What Makes an Effective Team

Defining the Primary Goal

The main function of forming the group should be made clear right off the bat. The best way to define this purpose is by setting solid and measurable targets. This way, every team member knows exactly how his or her work contributes to accomplishing the organizational goal.

Frequent Communication

Another aspect that makes up an effective team entails open and free channels of communication. There should be constant communication not just among the team members but also between the team and the whole organization. This way, team members will always have the information they need to undertake their roles.

Responsibility and Dedication

When team members are aware of what expectations need to be met, they are more ready to be held accountable for their decisions and work. Similarly, these team members are willing to undertake proactive measures to finish the assigned tasks within a given timeframe.

Overall, members of a good team are not only aware of the objectives, but they also commit themselves wholeheartedly to achieve the set goals.

Laissez-faire Form of Leadership

Another trait of an effective team is that it practices delegative leadership. What this means is that members are ready to take up leadership positions when situations call for it. This style of communal leadership fosters a shared responsibility, and it helps in boosting the members’ motivation and productivity.

Types of Team Building

Activity-based Team-building Technique

An activity-based type of team-building exercise gives your employees a break from the daily usual work routine. It helps the team to step out of their comfort zone. Here, the team members indulge in various mental or physical activities carried out both indoors and outdoors.

Organizing team lunches and company outings enhance communication amongst team members. It connects them personally and discovers hidden traits. Outdoor activities need the teams to step out of the office, which is not feasible at all times. Indoor team-building games such as a Football tournament or round table games like chess are excellent mood boosters too. This type of activity helps form or foster relationships and subsequently increases productivity/output.

Communication-based Team-building Technique

The key to every social networking is communication.

Perfect for a new team with new members, a communication-based team-building approach can be a great ice breaker. These types of group-building activities for the workplace allow the team to get to know their colleagues a little better and share a personal bond. It can help break communication barriers, improve interpersonal skills and build trust among the employees.

Personality-based Team-building Technique

A workplace can be a mix and match of all sorts of personalities. Hence, managers need to identify and nurture the various personality types.
Team leaders can carry out a personality test, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Then they can coordinate tasks accordingly to bring out the best in all the group members. It helps employees to know their coworkers on an individual level. They can appreciate the uniqueness everyone brings to the table.
Some may perform better working with a large group of people, while the rest may prefer small groups.
Managers can assign tasks according to personality types. It will lead to better understanding and increased effectiveness in the team.

Why you should invest in Team Building

To build face-to-face interactions

Whenever employees are asked to work together on a task, they often communicate through email or online chat forums. While this can be efficient, face-to-face interaction often has valuable benefits. Not only does it help to reduce confusion, but it also makes working together with a more social experience.

To foster competition

Nothing motivates an underperforming team to work harder than healthy competition. Most team-building activities involve different teams competing to achieve a specific goal. Whether a team loses or emerges triumphant, the odds are that members will be driven to give their best. This not only motivates employees, but also encourages them to apply this principle at work. Competition has been proven to improve workers’ productivity.

Furthermore, Team building is the process of increasing a team’s cohesiveness, productivity, and efficiency by coming up with activities that require members to work together. This process relies on a range of aspects to guarantee its success. These include factors such as good communication skills, clarity of goals, shared leadership, and a sense of accountability.

In addition to the abovementioned traits, leaders need to be careful when selecting teams. More specifically, they should pick teams based on diversity and skill levels. Overall, team building helps companies achieve goals and foster healthy competition.

Once every decade or so, something new comes along to transform the marketing industry. If you draw a through-line from radio and television to the advent of the internet and, most recently, digital channels like search, social and mobile, you’d find one common principle: that early adopters’ advantage pays off handsomely for the businesses who master new, paradigm-shaking channels early enough.

Perhaps, then, we shouldn’t be surprised to see so many companies diving headfirst into the metaverse. Although at this early stage it shouldn’t be a surprise to see some of them stumble and fail in their attempts, the potential of the metaverse to define the winners and losers of digital marketing for decades to come is too enormous to ignore. And it seems more likely than not that the eventual winners will be found among brands who are already testing it out.

Even though the concept for the “metaverse” is hard to pin down, as of yet it exists mainly as a loose and amorphous web of 3D gaming platforms, VR worlds, and AR experiences—brands like Nike, Gucci and Disney have signaled their intention to commit to it.

And they’re not alone. Hiring for metaverse-related jobs had already spiked more than 400% this year even before Facebook went all in and changed its name to Meta, with the overall market size of the metaverse projected to grow at nearly 44% over the next seven years.

Why all the fuss? What is it that makes the metaverse so alluring to brands, and why do so many feel that it’s worth taking such large bets on?

One major reason is it merges the best of the physical and digital worlds to impact the way people work, play, learn, socialize, shop, and generally communicate with one another. Beyond that, there are several other important reasons that the metaverse stands to reshape digital marketing.

Consumers crave experiences

Today’s consumers have grown tired of the static display and video ads that permeate the web and social media. They crave rich, interactive, immersive experiences. With most consumers no longer content to just sit back and be marketed to, they prefer to play a role in defining a brand and to have a say in what it means to them.

The metaverse is built on such experiences. By its very nature, you don’t necessarily watch or view the metaverse but you’re also an active contributor. Your very presence in it helps change it in ways both large and small. The metaverse replaces the flat, two-dimensional world of the web with a 3D (or in some cases even 4D) experience that is much more real lifelike, but this time only without any of the pesky rules of quantum physics. Brands are flocking to the metaverse because the types of experiences that can be created there are practically limitless. This is the most creative world brought to life and brands want to be a part of it.

The entire customer journey can happen within the metaverse

Previous paradigm-shifting channels such as search and social generally catered to just one part of the customer journey. The AIDA (awareness, information, decision, and action) model. For example, search is great at identifying mid- to low-funnel prospects who are already in the information and evaluation stage, but very poor at helping raise awareness and shape perceptions at the top of the funnel. On the other hand, social has always been very good at the latter but, at least until “social commerce” became a recent trend, relatively poor at the former.

However, the metaverse contains opportunities that affect the entire customer journey in a streamlined way. The metaverse allows brands to reach new audiences in new and inventive ways while enabling them to dig deeper, learn more and ultimately make purchases, all in a single, cohesive experience.

It takes co-creation to the next level

Marketers have been striving to involve consumers in the co-creation of user-generated content for practically as long as the term has existed. It is a marketer’s dream to have consumers creating, publishing, and sharing content featuring their brand, but one major challenge has always been how to encourage co-creation in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.

The metaverse enables brands and consumers to co-create content in ways that we haven’t even discovered yet. The metaverse enables brands and consumers to co-create content in ways that were never possible before—and in ways that we haven’t even discovered yet. As the metaverse unfolds, the co-creation of virtual environments, avatars, and experiences will define a new era of UGC (user-generated content)

It powers inclusivity, diversity, and representation

Within the last year or two, there has been a movement to bring more inclusivity and diversity to marketing. A survey from Meta found that 71% of consumers expect brands to promote diversity and inclusion in their online advertising, and yet that same report says the majority (54%) of consumers do not feel fully represented in online ads.

In the metaverse, we can create our own experiences and are at the center of our digital worlds. Through the metaverse, marketers will be able to inject their brands into a consumer’s experience in a way that makes each consumer the star of their show.

Instead of seeing famous actors, models, or rap artists hawking the latest styles, in the metaverse a clothing or fashion brand, for example, can allow each of us to try on their latest looks. If we like it, we can send it to our friends, who may be more likely to engage with the content than if it featured a celebrity they don’t know personally.

If people feel underrepresented in advertising, what better way to represent them than to do so directly, by featuring them in the brand experience itself? We see this today through many of the AR experiences found on social media.

What comes to your head when you hear “Tell me about yourself”. Even though it’s one of the most common interview questions, “it almost always stumps a lot of people. It might seem like an easy win—after all, you know all about yourself!—but responding to this invitation to talk about you in the context of a job interview can feel stressful and complicated. It’s challenging because it is a broad, open-ended question. You might be thinking: Um, what do you want to know? How am I supposed to pick what to share out of my entire life story right now? should I answer what they want to hear or should I be honest?

To prevent moments like this, preparation is key. Adequate preparation will have you ready for this opening question and can help you use this opening prompt to your advantage, therefore setting the stage for a successful interview.

As with any interview, one major key to having a good answer for any question is to understand why the question is being asked in the first place and what type of answer the interviewer will like to hear.

interviewers often ask this question as it serves as a great way to break the ice, lighten the atmosphere in the room and set the direction of the interview. Oftentimes, the answer given by the interviewee helps figure out the next question. It could also build up to a set of follow-up questions that lend an easy flow to the conversation.

Other than serving as an ice breaker and transition question, the introductory question helps recruiters and hiring managers to achieve a major goal in the interview process which is getting to know you better.

Providing a good answer to this question moves the interviewer to probe questions as to why you will be the best fit for the job in terms of hard skills, soft skills as well as experience. It’s also a great opportunity for the interviewee to demonstrate good eloquent communication, connect with and react to other humans, also to conduct yourself professionally.

The question “tell me about yourself” is also another way of the interviewer saying I have your resume right in front of me, but I’ll like to hear it from you. walk me through your journey, your background, and most possibly tell me something that’s beyond what is documented in your resume.

Formula to Answering Tell Me About Yourself Question

1. Tailor Your Answer to the Role and Company

Whenever an interviewer asks this question, he/she is simply implying and expecting your answer should be perfectly relevant to the role and position of the company you’re getting interviewed for.

You should always take advantage of this opportunity but to do that, you need to be adequately prepared. Spend some time going through the job description and researching the company. figure out how you can tell your story in a way that makes it crystal clear why you’re interested and what you can bring to the table that aligns with the role and company.

So when you’re in the midst of a job search looking for a particular type of role, you might have a basic template you use for every interview, but make sure to tweak it to fit the company. It’s an opportunity to show them right away that you have done your homework. If they talk a lot about culture and behavior, weave that into your answer as well.

2. Keep It Professional

In keeping with the notion that this question carries an invisible addendum “as it’s relevant to this role and company” you’re best off keeping your answer professional. In other words, this isn’t the time to talk about your family and hobbies, unless you know something very specific about the company that would lead you to believe otherwise.

3. Practice (But Don’t Memorize)

Practice! Practice! Practice! You don’t want to wait until you get this question in a live interview to try out your answer for the first time. Think through what you want to convey about yourself ahead of each interview and practice saying it out loud. Remember there’s no such thing as over practicing.

If you can, go beyond practicing solo. It always helps to practice with other people to hear your answer and get feedback from how other people interpret what you say. Asking a trusted colleague, friend, or family member to listen and react to your answer will help you hone it. If your practice buddy is game, you can even ask them what they would say if they were being asked, and try to put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes to think about what you’d look for on the other side.

Practice will surely make your answer stronger and help you become more confident giving it

4. Know Your Audience

As with any interview question or conversation for that matter, you’ll want to make sure you understand who you’re talking to. You might get some form of “tell me about yourself” at every single stage of the interview process for a job, from both the phone screen through final rounds, but that doesn’t mean you have to give the same answer every time.

If you’re speaking to a recruiter who’s not immersed in the hard skills of the team you’d be joining, you might keep your answer more focused on the bigger picture, whereas when you speak to your prospective boss, you might get a little bit more technical. If you’re talking to a C-level executive as part of your final round, it’s probably smart to touch on why you’re drawn to the overall mission of the company they run.

5. Remember This Is Often Your First Impression, and It Matters

We only have one chance to make a first impression on anyone. I believe that most hiring decisions are made in the first minute, which includes your greeting, handshake, eye contact, and the first thing you say, which may very well be your response to “tell me about yourself.”

Even if the powers that be aren’t making an irreversible determination shortly after the conversation begins, a first impression can color the rest of the interview. If you have to spend the rest of the time making up for a bad opening, you’re in a very different position than if you gave a succinct, confident, and relevant answer right off the bat.

Be prepared for this question and show interviewers you prepared for it.

As technology continues to evolve, getting a job in the industry is a viable one for many people. Tech allows you to grow in almost all aspects of your life including your career, as it’s a field with many sectors that give professionals the chance to grow their knowledge and abilities. However, it’s also a highly skilled field that often requires employees to adapt to changing technologies and meeting set deadlines for important projects on behalf of your organization.

If you visit the #1 job website in Nigeria that is solely focused on IT jobs, you will always find different types of software developer positions remain unoccupied. This clearly shows there is a growing demand in the field that is not sufficiently matched with adequate supply at the moment.

One major misconception about this industry is that while a lot people believe you need a degree in computer science, mathematics and other related subjects to venture into Tech, that is not necessarily the case. Although an adequate background knowledge in the above fields are really appreciated, it is not a prerequisite for having a successful career in the field. Tech is such a broad term and there are various departments associated with it. I would name a few categories that aspirants can vie into with little or no key knowledge in Computer science and mathematics. I will discuss a few of them as follows.

Other Non Engineering Tech Roles

Design:

The concept of design in tech is pretty broad, but when people talk about design, they tend to mean user interface (UI) design and user experience (UX) design. These two aspects of design are quite broad themselves. They involve pretty much everything that has to do with how the product will look, feel, sound and function.

In larger organizations, especially in more developed tech ecosystems, you’ll find more specialized roles under UI and UX. Some designers, who often start as generalists, are solely responsible for illustrating icons, while some only deal with animation.
This kind of specialization is uncommon in Nigeria, as the industry itself isn’t mature enough to support that at any meaningful scale. In Nigeria, you’re more likely to find design generalists who do everything related to UI and UX.

It’s also common to find designers who are also front-end engineers. This is changing though. As more companies become more successful, they’re able to afford specialists and now have entire teams dedicated to designing. Because of this, simply learning how to become a designer, and nothing else is a perfectly reasonable path towards a lucrative career in the Nigerian tech space.
visit our website for available jobs for UI/UX designers in Nigeria

Project Management:

Pretty much every industry needs project managers (PMs), so you can transfer experience and knowledge in other industries to project management in tech. Of course, not everything is transferable and tech PMs will need a good understanding of the technical details of the project being managed. If you think managing people, communication, and designing efficient processes are your strong suit, then you should consider becoming a PM.

Growth and Marketing:

Growth can be broad, too. In a tech organization, these are the people who are laser-focused on making sure there’s growth — be it the growth of subscriptions, orders, ads viewed, or whatever metric that best captures the core value that the product or service delivers. It also involves quite a cross-section of skills; marketing, design, statistics, written and spoken communication, project management, and more.

Customer Support:

This is often the most overlooked role for people considering working in tech. My theory is that this is because, generally, people in non-tech customer support jobs in Nigeria don’t earn much. This is a second-order effect of Nigerian establishments not valuing or investing in customer support because we have a deeply ingrained culture of “Manage It Like That.”
What are the advantages of having a career in Tech?

The tech industry has been immensely progressing and expanding over the years. And no doubt, it’s an industry that is the most in-demand today. Because of this, there is a great need for tech professionals to create and execute technical processes.

Work Flexibility

In many of the IT companies, it’s not all about a 9 to 5 desk job. Most of them offer work flexibility where you can work at your preferred time and place. This has been a crucial step in the tech industry to induce agile working along with productive outcomes.

Work-Life Balance

Not being tied to a desk or in an enclosed office area is the most significant perk of working in tech. By working in tech, you can indulge yourself in something productive while carrying along with your life routine.

Working as a freelancer has been the most preferred option by the tech geeks currently. With this, you can even get to work higher than those who do a 9-5 job

Discovering New Aptitude

With the continually changing technology, you can never acquire enough knowledge for this niche. However, you might get a chance to work on various projects with different roles to play in each. You can get to switch between other areas of interest as well. Furthermore, this will assist you in learning the course of your work along with discovering and attaining new skills.

Career Growth and Development

Pursuing a career in tech offers you a chance to evolve and polish your skills with each task that you get to perform. Using specific tools and working with creative people enhances your work results.

While many jobs make you stuck in a single job description, working in the tech industry will open other opportunities and will introduce you to new career options.
The best part about working in the tech industry is experiencing persistent changes. You don’t get to sit still in front of your device, working on the same project for months. There are always new ventures to take up, and that makes you more efficient in your work.

However, these changes will rather be challenges, requiring thorough assessment and processing. With each research, you’ll evaluate a different finding, and that leads you to discover something new each time. Thus, with earning, will come the learning.

After earning your Bachelor’s degree, you might feel exhausted. Like you need a ‘well-earned’ rest to reflect on your future. Or you might be eager to leave your studies behind, start a career and make a name for yourself. Or you might feel like you need to learn more and specialize by taking a Master’s degree.

We are all different and there’s no one single path to take after finishing your undergrad studies. Some people may not be ready to study again so they may need a leap year, others need to start working. But sooner or later most people tend to go for a Master’s degree at a grad school. This is one very good way to advance both professionally and personally. And when you get to that point in your life – when you know you want to continue or resume your studies with a graduate degree – you will also start considering doing a Master’s abroad and becoming an international student.

Since this is a big decision, balancing the advantages is essential. This does mean going to a foreign country for a couple of years, after all. At first, it may seem that you have a hard puzzle to figure out. But as soon as you state the “pros ” of international study, the pieces will start coming together.

7 Benefits of Studying Abroad

In an increasingly globalized world, studying abroad is now more important than ever. If you’re considering studying abroad in graduate school, here are eight ways it can benefit your education and career.

1. Improve your language skills.

By studying abroad, you’ll have the opportunity to hone your language skills. While studying a language in class is rewarding, applying it to the real world is an entirely different experience. You’ll likely learn the language faster because you’re practicing it regularly. You’ll also be able to pick up the conversational language you wouldn’t study in class, enabling you to speak like a local.

Developing your language skills can have a positive impact on your career, as well. Fluency in a second language is often helpful (if not required) when working at organizations with a multinational or global presence.

If you’re interested in breaking into the world of international business or global health, for instance, having strong foreign language skills and experience that demonstrates those skills can help your resumé stand out to employers.

2. Experience a different style of teaching.

Each country has its unique style of teaching. Studying abroad can help you expand your academic horizon and develop the capacity to adapt to various educational settings.

Adapting to different styles of teaching can also help you adjust to different management styles, making you more versatile in the workplace. Teaching styles you may encounter abroad include:

· Authority Style: A teacher-centered style where a professor is the authority figure and frequently gives long lectures or one-way presentations. There is a focus on set rules and expectations, and students typically take notes to retain information.

· Facilitator Style: Professors promote self-learning by emphasizing the teacher-student relationship. They help students develop critical thinking skills by teaching them how to ask questions and find solutions through exploration.

· Delegator Style: Professors assign lab activities and give students in-class projects to help them stay engaged. This is a guided learning style that places the teacher in an observer role while helping students remain active participants in their learning.

3. Impress employers.

Studying abroad can help launch your career and make you more competitive in the workforce. It allows you to show future and current employers that you have the open mind, resourcefulness, and drive needed to adapt to a different environment.

4. Enhance your network.

Studying abroad helps you build invaluable relationships with people from all over the world. You broaden your international connections while having the opportunity to meet people that could turn into life-long friends. Some connections can even lead to career opportunities, including internships, job offers, and business partners from both home and abroad.

The university where you study will often have a large community of students from local regions and abroad, allowing you to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures. The wider your network, the greater the likelihood you’ll be connected to exciting career and social opportunities.

5. Learn about new cultures and perspectives.

Your experience with a different culture allows you to expand your worldview. By studying abroad, you’ll learn about new perspectives and develop cross-cultural awareness.

For example, you may work with people from other countries in your next job. By studying abroad, you’ll be more comfortable with people from different backgrounds, value their unique experiences, and establish a stronger relationship with them.

Oftentimes, our cultural background has a huge impact on how we react to different situations. Gaining a variety of perspectives can help you look at experiences in an entirely new way. By studying abroad, you’ll meet people with different upbringings, helping you widen your horizons and broaden your mind.

In addition, the best way to experience another culture is to immerse yourself in it, and the ideal way to do that is by living in another country.

6. Develop your confidence.

By immersing yourself in another culture, you develop valuable life skills needed for personal growth, including independence and adaptability. These skills can give you an added boost of confidence in your personal and professional life.

Studying abroad can be overwhelming, but the challenges you overcome can help you become a more mature person. You’ll find out that you can often thrive in new, unexpected circumstances, and you’ll boost your communication skills by speaking a new language—helping you further improve your self-confidence.

7. See the world.

Studying abroad allows you to see the world and travel to new places you would otherwise not have visited. During your time away from your studies, you can go sightseeing in your new city. You’ll also get to know your region more intimately than if you were just visiting for a shorter period.

When studying abroad, you can also visit neighboring regions and countries, as you’re not limited to one place. For example, if you’re studying in Milan, you can visit Florence or explore the Tuscan countryside by train. With international budget airlines and travel deals, exploring the world is becoming increasingly more affordable.

Your newfound connections can also show you areas that a tourist otherwise wouldn’t experience.

Choosing a Graduate Study Abroad Program

The advantages of studying abroad are tremendous at any stage in your education. But, for those students looking to study abroad at the graduate level, finding the right program to fit their needs can be challenging. It’s important to find a program that will help you meet your goals. If you are balancing work and school, for example, a short-term program may be a better fit for you than a one- or two-semester trip.

The term employability has become a common name amongst educators, researchers, and employers. It refers to the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to look for work and continue successfully in a career. Employability has been a challenge for graduates of Nigerian higher education institutions (HEIs) due to their failure to meet the current labor market expectations.

Current Nigerian graduates have consistently not acquired the skills needed for success in the workplace to learn and thrive continuously in a rapidly changing world. HEIs have been blamed for producing graduates who fail to meet employment demands in the labor market. Several distortions in the higher education systems are responsible for youth not being able to obtain and keep employment.

Failures to collaborate are obvious as employers continue to voice concern that the curriculum and standard teaching methods are not generating the graduates and future leaders they desire to hire.

Unemployment has been a problem in Nigeria for many years now, and this has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2015, the unemployment rate has tripled, and the government anticipated nearly 40 million job losses in December last year as a result of the virus.

Young people in Nigeria have been particularly affected by these issues within the job market, and many people are looking for work at the moment. One of the best things you can do to get a job in this difficult time is to upskill, so you can fill a gap in the job market and guarantee your future job security. Today we’re talking about the most in-demand skills for employability in Nigeria, to help you on your way.

What skills are employers in Nigeria looking for?

This isn’t a straightforward question to answer. In reality, the skills you’ll need will depend on the job you’re applying for and the type of company you want to work with. However, there are some reports that highlight where some of the top skills in Nigeria might be.

We’ve taken a look at some of the data out there, including in-demand and well-paying jobs, to pick out some of the top skills in Nigeria at the moment.

Hard skills

First, let’s look at some of the in-demand hard skills employers are looking for. These are the job-specific qualifications that you’ll need to succeed in a particular role. They’re the skills that can be taught in a formal and structured way. Some of the top hard skills in Nigeria include:

Digital marketing

As the world becomes more digital and everything moves online, the need for digital skills such as digital marketing increases. Nigeria is no exception here, and digital marketing skills are highly in demand, as every business needs to use digital marketing to gain customers.

Digital marketing specialists with skills in areas such as SEO, PPC, and Google Analytics will find many opportunities in Nigeria’s job market.

Computer programming and coding

The IT sector is growing and growing in Nigeria. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy in Nigeria suggested that figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the ICT sector would double the contribution made by the oil and gas industry to the country’s GDP in the next two years.

Within the IT sector, computer programming and coding are hugely popular and useful skills to have. As more Nigerian companies move online, they need programmers to design, develop, and test software for them. The most in-demand programming languages are MySQL, Python, and JavaScript, and the wage for junior developers in Nigeria is 62.5% higher than the minimum wage.

Fashion design

Fashion is extremely popular in Nigeria, so there will always be a demand for fashion designers who demonstrate creativity and passion. Fashion demand skills are high in demand, and the industry has provided an escape from unemployment and poverty for some of the Nigerian youth.

If you dream of setting up your tailoring shop or fashion line, there is potential to acquire the right skills in under a year in Nigeria. You’ll need practical experience in fashion design and creating garments, but also some knowledge of the industry.

App development

This ties in well with coding and programming skills, but app development is specifically in demand in Nigeria. Mobile app developers create, develop and manage new programs and applications that help companies stay up to date in the digital sphere. Many businesses want to create apps for use on smartphones, computers, tablets, and more, and that’s where you come in.

Soft skills

When it comes to employability skills in Nigeria, practical knowledge is certainly important. However, many employers feel that interpersonal and transferable skills are just as important as hard skills. Here are some of the soft skills that are sought-after at the moment:

Teamwork

Whatever job you work in, the chances are that you’ll need to work with other people. Teamwork skills are some of the most essential ones out there, yet many people don’t spend the time developing them. If you can demonstrate efficiency in this area, you’re sure to stand out to employers.

Management and leadership

No matter what job role you’re in, being able to show management and leadership qualities can make you stand out from the crowd. Often, these skills mean that you work well with others and bring out the best in them. They tie into many other abilities, such as organization, problem-solving, and productivity.

Adaptability

If the last 12 months have taught us anything, it’s that we have to be flexible and adaptable when reacting to change. In uncertain times, those who can show resilience and dependability, as well as other such leadership skills, can be invaluable to employers.

It’s no news that Nigeria has based her economic mainstay on Petroleum and the country gets most of its revenue from this source, this explains the reason why the young people of the country tend to pursue a degree concerning the oil-based discipline. An average Nigerian believes a man working in the Oil Company earns a fat salary and rightly so.

The young minds of the country tend to however get their minds clouded by this notion, as well as the need to get other “neat jobs” like being a Doctor, a Pharmacist, and so on, this is to say that only a few young Nigerians partake in the Technology field intending to pursue a career relating to it.

Truth be told, the Oil industry is crowded, Doctors are becoming less needed by the day, however, today, Tech Jobs are very open and can employ as much as possible with reasonable experience. This field is one of the most sought after in other highly developed Nations and tends to bring in a lot more revenues to them more than Oil brings to Nigeria as the World is currently going “more-tech”.

The fact is that among the top 50 best-paying jobs in the world, tech jobs occupy almost half of the entire list and this will only increase as the search for tech workers increase.

Nigeria is doing well in catching up when it comes to technology and the tech-related jobs are increasing by the day, here are the top 10 Tech-based jobs in the country.

1. Software Developer

This is where most of these tech jobs fall under. A Software Developer or Programmer or Coder is someone who simply creates Computer Softwares. They use a series of languages and codes to create applications, commands, and tasks that run the computer.

They are highly sought after and are one of the highest earners in the World. A Software Developer must be creative and must be an expert in coding as well as utilization of the computer system as a whole.

Click here to view software developer jobs 

2. IT Program Manager

An IT Manager has a lot of responsibility on his sleeves. He or she manages the company’s IT infrastructure and also manages all projects relating to information in the company. They oversee and determine the timeframe of an IT project from updates to outages.. they plan, coordinate and direct all activities relating to the Company’s Information System.

Click here to view IT manager jobs

3. Software Development Manager

A Software Development Manager simply leads a team of Software Developers. He/She is tasked with hiring and training staff of related companies, creating budgets and documentations then providing reports to those at the top hierarchy.

Click here to view software developer jobs

4. Security Engineer

A company can lose a good amount of its revenue and assets if its security system is breached by a dark hacker. Lots of secret information including passwords and strategies can be leaked which may lead to loss and this is where the Security Engineer comes in.

A Security Engineer combines a variety of skills to design, utilize and monitor various systems that secure a company’s network and software, protecting and shielding its assets from unwanted Intruders. They’re a very important branch of any company.

Click here to view Security Engineer jobs

5. Digital Marketer

A digital marketer or a digital marketing manager is a person whose task is to develop, implement and manage marketing campaigns to promote a company and its products and/or services. He/she s a major PRO of the company as they are essential in promoting awareness about the Company to the general public, hence selling their goods and services rather easily. Marketing is a major factor for any company, hence the importance of a skilled Marketing Manager.

Click here to view Digital marketer jobs

6. Mobile Application Developer

The world has gone digital, 90% of the World Population uses a mobile phone of some kind and over 60% uses or have used a smartphone in this generation. Looking at the Google Play Store, for example, it is the official Android Application store and contains over 2.7 million applications.

The job of an App developer is primarily to create and design applications for particular purposes to serve a particular set of people. These Mobile Application Developers possess a skill in coding and can grow their niche into Web Applications. They can work for companies but can also be independent and ways of earning are flexible.

Click here to view Mobile app developer jobs

7. Data Analyst

Data Analyst is one of the highest paying IT Jobs in Nigeria. They are professionals saddled with the responsibility to analyst raw data or samples to come up with the best possible ways, it can be applied to profit a business/ company.

A typical entry-level data analyst in Nigeria earns between N120,000 – N240,000 monthly. The job comes with flexible working hours with attractive allowances. One of the fastest-growing fields in IT is data analytics.

Most times, a degree in computer science, information management, economics, mathematics, and statistics makes a better data analyst. The job requires a lot of calculations and methodologies.
That been said, anyone can become Data Analyst provided you master all the required skills and software. Some of the programming tools used by Data Analysts include Python, Power Bi, etc.

Click here to view Data analyst jobs

8. Network Engineers

Network engineers are one of the highest-paying IT Jobs in Nigeria. The industry has evolved over the years. One good thing about IT is the fact that the industry keeps charging, so to stay relevant in information technology, you’ve to be updated at all times. Network engineers in Nigeria still earn pretty well. On a salary survey for engineers, an entry-level network engineer earns between N100,000 to N170,000 monthly.

There are certifications expected of a network engineer these certifications include; Cisco network certifications and Microsoft network certifications.

Click here to view Network engineer jobs

9. Database Administrator

The Database of a company is one of its most important assets. Here, records and tracks of the company’s staff, activities, customers, inventory, and transactions are kept. It contains an invaluable set of information which is very useful and can be essential in future decisions. A Database Admin is the person that runs it and they earn a lot as it is not a very easy task.

Click here to view Database administrator jobs

The pace at which the marketing discipline evolves each year is challenging for both individual marketing experts and companies as systems, which are permanently competing for global consumers. With the development of the Internet as the main channel and best opportunity for the implementation of the optimal “one-to-one” marketing model, Internet marketing as a new area of marketing theory and practice has emerged and is constantly improving.

On the other side, the power and attractiveness of online surroundings have also transformed the way consumers behave, creating new patterns and lifestyles that have to be taken into account when creating appropriate Internet marketing strategies, far different from the traditional ones.

Following improvements in mobile and tablet technology, together with social media, marketing has set itself in a new, complex, and challenging market environment. The Internet has become the primary business playground and the most popular communication channel, creating new rules and new roles on both supply and demand side, and Internet marketing and e-commerce have emerged as major preoccupations and business skills in all industrial branches. Marketing has become a completely new discipline today compared with the one that was known a decade ago, making traditional marketing methods less effective and expensive.

The most common comparison is made between Digital and Internet marketing. These two terms are similar but not synonyms. Even though Digital marketing is also known as Internet marketing, online marketing, web marketing, or data-driven marketing [4], it is the umbrella term for a group of marketing processes that exploit all available digital channels and Internet technologies intending to promote branded products and services. Its development is a direct result of the increased electronic data, digital media usage, and its impact in the business sphere globally. So, its development has primarily followed Internet improvements, which is the reason why it has so many manifestations.

WHY DIGITAL MARKETING:

If a business is thriving, it’s growing. Its revenue is increasing by leaps and bounds. Company employees are happy, and the owner is excited. It feels good to be in charge of a growing business. The role of digital marketing is essential for business growth in today’s day and age. Are you taking advantage of the Internet and advertising your business through online strategies. The world of digital marketing might seem confusing, so let us break it down for you. According to HubSpot, digital marketing refers to any marketing effort that involves the Internet or an electronic device. If marketing exists online, it’s classified as digital marketing.

Digital Marketing has been rising in popularity over the last several years. And there’s a simple reason why: the world is online. Technology Review gives us the stats–in 2000, the average American spent about 9.4 hours online. Today, most people spend 24 hours a week on the Internet, most of the time using their smartphones. Internet usage is growing, and as a business owner, you’ve got to take advantage of this. Know where the role of digital marketing stands in your business — or you’ll be left behind. If you have a small business or a start-up, you probably don’t have much money, time, or manpower to invest in traditional marketing techniques. But that’s okay! You don’t need a fancy building with hundreds of people on staff. You just need a simple but solid digital marketing strategy.

1 Offline Marketing

Offline marketing is the process to create brand awareness and reach till target customer satisfy their needs and wants. In many occurrences, individuals adopt a marketing mix strategy for their business promotion.

The entire plan behind the offline promotion is to obtain leads when there is no website for your business. There are many forms of offline marketing strategies such as through print media as well as non-print media. Offline marketing media includes Television, Radio, Brochure, Flyers, Banners, Newspapers, Pamphlets, Posters.

Offline marketing tools offer various benefits, Of course, the first benefit is that with offline marketing, a business doesn’t have to be dependent on an internet connection. If a web server goes down and a website is no longer accessible, that’s valuable custom and discoverability potentially lost. A smaller business may take a while to get back online during which vital customer attention may have been spent elsewhere.

With offline media there are no such worries, it exists in the real world and cannot be taken off the grid. Another benefit may be somewhat less tangible but no less important and that’s that digital marketing is seen by many customers and clients to be throw away. People are so used to seeing advertisements, pop-ups, and marketing emails that they don’t even notice them anymore.

2 Online Marketing:

Online marketing is the process to catch the attention of potential customers for business through a particular banner, articles, video, images, flash animation, etc. Marketing activities or information are planned as an elegant tempt to the visitors in which particular website of business wants to attract.

This information is particularly placed on the main page or front page of a website to reach key audiences. It has many ways to be done possible to get traffic for business through online marketing principles.

Online Marketing is the practice of leveraging web-based channels to spread a message about a company’s brand, products, or services to its potential customers. The purpose of online marketing is to get people to visit your website and then convert those visitors into paying customers.

That’s what online marketing is all about. It has the same set of objectives like Establish and build brand recognition, Determine Pricing and make offers, Run advertising campaigns, promotions, discounts, and specials, etc. Online marketing media includes Website/Blog, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Content Marketing, Video Blogging, Online Classifieds.

7 of the Hottest Digital Marketing Jobs

1. Content Managers & Strategists

Content management is a central role for any agency or digital marketing team as it touches on almost all levels of marketing – and it encompasses much more than just writing and social media activity.

Content managers need to understand not only how to create SEO-friendly content from the ground up, but how to organize, store, and manage it as well. They need to understand how it feeds into different subsets of the marketing plan. They also need to have a grasp on how to develop and share the huge variety of content that is out there.

Content managers may be in charge of social media strategy, managing a team of writers, developing editorial calendars, creating engaging videos, reporting and strategizing using analytics, and a whole range of related activities. They need to be able to coordinate teams and work with a diverse range of clients.

To this end, they not only need to be great writers, but they also need to be able to create stellar content that works across multiple channels. They also need to be good at relationship building, creative, organized, and self-motivated.

Click here to view digital marketing jobs in Nigeria 

2. Virtual Reality Developers and Editors

This is quite a high-tech job but it’s so new and interesting and there’s plenty of room for those who are in the realm of creative – tech. If you are someone with a background that combines technology and creativity, if you are into graphics or even special effects, virtual reality might be a great field for you.

People come into virtual reality from the video arts or if they are well versed in various creative software suites. You may end up with a director-type role or start as an assistant, tester, or editor.

As a product, VR is still quite expensive to purchase and is a highly specialized field. It is being used more and more in digital marketing campaigns and to this end, those that have a strong foundation in technical arts and digital marketing manager will be highly valued.

Click here to view digital marketing jobs in Nigeria

3. SEO/SEM Specialists

SEO and SEM are crucial for a solid digital marketing campaign and to this end, anyone who can demonstrate a piece of solid technical knowledge and combine it with digital marketing expertise, especially in the managerial end of the spectrum, will be the highest earners in this field.

SEO and SEM are difficult to specialize in, in part because search engine algorithms are always fluctuating. Businesses must stay up-to-date to have a consistently high ROI and the bigger the business is, the more complex this can be. In addition, e-commerce sites and those that depend highly on internet traffic for profits will be particularly dependent on a strong SEO / SEM strategy.

Most businesses will want to rank high, so they will need people with deep expertise in these areas and this trend is not likely to slow down, especially as digital technology continues to permeate more and more aspects of our lives.

Click here to view digital marketing jobs in Nigeria 

4. UX Designer

User Experience (UX) designers are responsible for the end-to-end development of websites and digital marketing applications. They may or may have a deep technical background or they may be better versed on the design end of the spectrum.

UX designers are focused on understanding the website from a whole marketing experience, and to that end, they need to understand audiences as well as have an in-depth knowledge of the product or service a given client offers.

They will typically take the lead role in project management for visual design and testing, with a specific eye on the usability of a website or application from start to finish.

Click here to view UX jobs in Nigeria

5. Email Marketing Specialist

Email marketing is an example of a specialized area of content development and marketing. People in charge of email marketing are typically extremely well versed in marketing as well as copywriting and editing.

Email continues to be one of the strongest modes of content out there. To do this well you need to be able to write persuasively. You’ll also be in charge of campaigns, launches, and PR activities based on extensive databases of customer data and various lists.

Email marketing is primarily a lead-generating activity and thus specialists would likely be working in tangent with digital marketing and/or content managers on targeted campaigns.

Click here to view digital marketing jobs in Nigeria 

6. Digital Marketing Managers & Directors

CMOS and VPS can expect to make well over 100 K per year, as can creative directors. This takes years of experience in the field but this may not take too long if you have plenty of managerial experience under your belt.

An effective digital marketing manager or creative director needs to have a solid grasp of everything to do with marketing and business. They must be extremely well versed in strategic planning and execution, as well as financial forecasting. And they must be able to delegate while taking risks and holding firm on decisions.

7. Analysts & AI Specialists

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware that AI (Artificial Intelligence) is one of the hottest up-and-coming technologies and it’s not about to go away soon. And with the rise of big data, anyone who can create systems to analyze this information in such a way that it can be applied to strategic marketing will be highly in demand.

Most people who specialize in these areas will have technical degrees and a computing science background. If this is something you’re interested in, you’ll want to get a solid understanding of data optimization and machine learning, as well as have an in-depth knowledge of programming.

Data analysts will always be in demand as the world becomes more and more data-dependent because of, for instance, the Internet of Things.

Click here to view data analyst jobs in Nigeria 

Tips for Improving and Transform your Digital Marketing Skills

Anyone involved in business marketing or leadership should consider their current and potential level of digital marketing skills as highly valuable – because indeed they are. Even if they’re not super high-tech.

But if you don’t feel that you’re that technologically aware or advanced, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to acquire digital marketing training to learn and grow your skills, even if you don’t feel you have the time or resources to go back to school full time. Online learning and e-learning are keys to success for many, especially those who want to pivot existing skills mid-career.

Here are a few ideas:

· Take an online digital marketing course
· Build your website
· Network like crazy in the field of specialization that you are interested in
· Conduct informational interviews
· Subscribe to blogs that offer free learning resources regularly
· Engage in Facebook groups in your area of interest

There are a few specific subsets of skills that you can work to improve on from the comfort of your own home. For instance, content development and marketing, WordPress, SEO, and marketing automation are all areas that will continue to be in demand.

No matter what you choose to specialize in, everyone will need people with digital marketing experience, and even if you’re not technically minded, there are still plenty of opportunities to develop the career of your dreams in digital marketing and earn a comfortable income.

Technology is a crucial component of our daily lives and has provided us with so much more of the luxurious lifestyle that today we all enjoy. But do you know who works endlessly hard to deliver us these technological services? They are the unknown heroes called software developers. They operate computer programs and make your electronic devices function accordingly. Some develop applications for computers, tabloids, cellphones, while others develop the underlying systems that help run the devices or control networks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed greater emphasis on the need for skilled technology professionals to support organizations’ critical operations and strategic initiatives, but job seekers are facing increasing competition from a growing candidate pool for tech jobs.

TOP 10 highest paying software jobs in 2021

According to Robert Half Technology’s 2021 Salary Guide, critical technology roles are artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) specialists, business intelligence analysts, cloud architects, cybersecurity and data privacy experts, data analytics and reporting professionals, data scientists, developers (database, full-stack, web, software, and mobile), engineers (cloud, data, DevOps, network security and software), help desk and user support professionals, and IT administrators (database, network, and systems).

In-demand IT skills and expertise include Agile and Scrum, Angular, ASP.NET, C#, cloud computing (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes and Helm), Golang, ITIL, Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, Linux, PHP, Python, ReactJS and React Native, Ruby on Rails, SQL, virtualization and virtual, augmented, mixed and cross reality

1. DevOps Engineer

DevOps engineers are the bridge between coding and engineering. These professionals work across departments to help increase a company’s productivity by developing and improving various IT systems. DevOps engineers often need experience with coding languages, software engineering and security systems, and strong analytical, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.

See our open DevOps Engineer jobs.

2. Big data engineer

Businesses need individuals who can transform large amounts of raw data into actionable information for strategy-setting, decision making, and innovation — and pay well for people with these skills. These professionals typically create a company’s software and hardware architecture, and the systems people need to work with the data. Big data engineers usually have a degree in computer science and expertise in mathematics and databases.

See our open Big Data Engineer jobs.

3. Mobile applications developer

Just look at your phone or tablet applications, and it’s pretty easy to figure out why mobile applications developers are in demand. These IT pros need the expertise to develop applications for popular platforms, such as iOS and Android. They also must have experience coding with mobile frameworks and mobile development languages, and knowledge of web development languages.

See our open Mobile applications developer jobs.

4. Information systems security manager

Now more than ever, employers need skilled IT security professionals to help keep sensitive data and systems safe. Successful candidates for this hot job possess a technical background in systems and network security and have great interpersonal and leadership abilities. Analytical and problem-solving skills are key, as are excellent communication abilities. These IT pros also need to keep up with security trends and government regulations. Employers often request certifications such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or CompTIA Security+.

See our open Information system security manager jobs.

5. Data architect

These tech professionals are responsible for the complicated processes essential to making strategic business decisions. They translate business requirements into database solutions and oversee data storage (data centers) and how the data is organized. Ensuring the security of those databases is part of the job as well.

See our open Data Architect jobs.

6. Applications architect

These tech pros design the main parts of applications, including the user interface, middleware, and infrastructure. In addition to strong technical abilities, applications architects need to work well on teams — and sometimes manage them. Excellent communication and planning skills are required for this job. This is one of the highest-paying IT roles because just about every company wants to improve existing applications or create new ones.

See our open Applications architect jobs.

7. Data security analyst

Data security analysts must thoroughly understand computer and network security, including firewall administration, encryption technologies, and network protocols. The job also requires excellent communication and problem-solving skills and knowledge of trends in security and government regulations. A professional certification, such as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation, is beneficial for this role.

See our open Data security analyst jobs.

8. Database manager

Database managers maintain and support a firm’s database environment, helping companies use data more strategically to meet their business goals. Database managers are especially needed in large organizations that have high volumes of data to manage. These pros must possess strong leadership and strategic planning skills.

See our open Database manager jobs.

9. Senior web developer

These IT pros gather business requirements and develop specifications for web-based applications, making web properties look consistent and attractive. They also provide technical assistance to web admins and integrate front- and back-end systems. Senior web developers typically need experience developing on PHP and Ruby on Rails sites and working with a variety of content management systems. Front-end development experience is also valued. Senior web developers need several years of experience in managing web properties.

See our open senior web developer jobs.

10. Systems engineer

Systems engineers maintain and support a company’s technical infrastructure, including system hardware and software. When a system fails, they’ll debug and reconfigure that system, if necessary. That makes knowledge of the development process critical to the job as well. Systems engineers must possess strong communication skills to translate technical information to non-technical users.

See our open systems engineer jobs.

Why choose a Software Engineering career?

1. Median pay for software engineers is in the six-figure range.

If you take all of the occupations in the U.S. and place them in a huge line based on earnings, you’ll find that the median pay is somewhere around $51,960 per year, according to the BLS.

So, if you’re looking for a career track that can quickly take you into the six-figure range, a software engineering career is one to consider. With the right education and experience, you can earn even higher, like around $145,000 per year.

2. You Enjoy Teamwork.

Some career choices are fairly solitary because they require you to work all on your own. . Which makes this career path more appealing if you fall into the second category.
Of course, being an effective team player also requires that you have some of the soft skills necessary to work effectively in teams. They share that among these skills are being empathetic, having good listening skills, and being able to accept criticism.
You don’t necessarily have to start with all of these skills, either. You can always learn them as you go.

3. The field is incredibly broad.

Another reason a software engineering career is a great choice is that the field is so broad and encompasses a variety of roles related to both computer applications and systems. This enables you to work in the area or areas that interest you most.
For instance, some software engineers spend their day’s building or rebuilding computer information systems. Others use their talents to create web pages or enhance a company’s network security. It’s up to you which direction you want to take.
You can also work in almost any industry because they all use software to some extent. Want to put your skills to use by working in a healthcare facility? No problem. Or maybe your dream is to work for a nonprofit? Yes, you can do that, too.

So much has been written about cryptocurrencies and the technology involved. Still, less than 1% of the global population has ever used digital currency (Cryptocurrency), this is according to a 2017 study conducted by Cambridge University, United Kingdom. With the slow increase rate, virtual currencies as it is alternatively called continues to make inroads into the society and has redefined the way manner we conduct and do business.

The world of money and the financial ecosystem is undergoing a huge transformation before our eyes. While cryptocurrency is slowly gaining mainstream adoption, Blockchain, the underlying era at the back of cryptocurrency may offer more capacity and unlock billions of dollars in the global markets.

The global financial system is no doubt embracing the current transition from physical currency to almost virtual currencies through the medium of technology. This wave has ushered in the birth of cryptocurrencies. There have been many attempts at creating a digital currency during the 90s tech boom, with systems like Flooz, Beenz, and Digi Cash emerging on the market but inevitably failing. In early 2009, an anonymous programmer or a group of programmers under the alias Satoshi Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin which is a form of crypto-currency.

This virtual currency has been defined in several related forms. Crypto-currency has been defined as a digital record-keeping device that uses balances to keep track of the obligations from trading and that is publicly known to all traders.

The birth of cryptocurrency as a virtual currency has been generating waving reactions in the global economy even in a developing country like Nigeria. In the light of this outbreak, there has been a lot of positive and negative discourse on the value of cryptocurrencies in the Nigerian economy. Relatively, the Nigeria government through its regulatory agencies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has attempted to place a ban on cryptocurrency, although its legal status remains ambiguous unlike in countries like Morocco and Algeria where there is a clear ban on trading in Bitcoins such that a breach attracts heavy fines.

Nigeria is one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to crypto adoption. A lot of people don’t want to miss out on the opportunities that cryptocurrency offers. This makes the number of people looking to buy bitcoin in Nigeria very high.

The adoption keeps growing day by day despite the ambiguous legal status of digital assets in the country.
Nigeria doesn’t have a law that governs cryptocurrency yet, however, earlier this year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) released a statement that appeared to be a ban on the use of bitcoin as well as other digital assets in the country. While this was perceived by many to be the beginning of the end of crypto in Nigeria, the situation however took another turn as crypto continues to bloom and flourish in the country.

The ban has had little to no effect on cryptocurrency usage in the country as many have adjusted to the current situation, crypto users have found new ways to buy BTC in Nigeria and continue their crypto trades.
On February 5, the CBN released a ruling that orders all financial institutions to stop facilitating crypto transactions and desist from transacting with entities engaging in crypto. The statement also instructed all banks and financial institutions to close accounts of individuals or entities engaging in this type of transaction.

The Benefits of Cryptocurrency in Nigeria

Nigeria has the highest GDP out of all the African countries, but 40% of its population lives in poverty. The country’s struggling economy primarily relies upon oil exports, accounting for more than half of government revenue. Lacking transport and energy infrastructure as well as neglecting to diversify the economy results in a disadvantaged population of impoverished people. The use of cryptocurrency in Nigeria is proving to be a beneficial solution to help lift people out of poverty.

Boosting Supplemental Income

The 2016 recession caused a significant strain on Nigeria’s economy and the country is still struggling to recover. In the second quarter of 2020, the country reported a 27.1% growth in unemployment. Average incomes have been declining for six years straight and experts predict there will be less than a 2% rise in income during 2021. The value of the country’s national currency, the naira, fell by 24% in 2020. This economic downturn caused some Nigerians to seek supplemental income.
A 2020 survey indicates that 32% of Nigerians participate in buying and trading cryptocurrency. In 2020, Nigeria accounted for $400 million worth of cryptocurrency transactions, ranking it third globally in trading volume. Cryptocurrency in Nigeria has so far positively enriched the lives of impoverished citizens.

Ease of Banking

Approximately 60 million Nigerians do not possess a bank account. People who do have bank accounts can only withdraw less than the equivalent of $100 due to local bank restrictions. The hurdles have led to a shift toward mobile banking and cryptocurrency investments. In 2017, reports showed that 71% of Nigerians use mobile phones for communication and internet access.

Top High Pay Crypto Jobs in Nigeria

Blockchain technology has paved way for a whole new host of exciting new jobs in the country.

1. Blockchain Developer

This is one of the jobs where demand has skyrocketed in the last decade. A blockchain developer is a person that develops, manage and secure blockchain networks and platform. It is one of the high demanding jobs that require you to have knowledge of programming and be familiar with blockchain frameworks like hyper ledger fabric. The requirement for this job is basic knowledge of JavaScript, Solidity, and development tools like Truffle, Hardhat, etc. they are not rocket science they are skills you can learn in a year and land a job in the same year.

2. Research Analyst

The research analyst oversees analyzing the market, determining the effectiveness of blockchain, identifying areas for improvement, and developing strategies for implementing such changes.
They can be called crypto analysts, they identify problems, potential risks, and solutions within the blockchain environment. The basic requirement for this job is an extensive knowledge of cryptocurrency and blockchain.

3. Crypto Legal Analyst

There will always be a need for a Crypto Legal Analyst as far as cryptocurrency and blockchain keep growing. The government is tightening the regulation against crypto users, they are bringing new regulations day in day out. The crypto legal analyst analyzes the regulation and brings in new ways to use cryptocurrency without disrupting the regulation.
They oversee the legal aspects of companies or parties that deal with cryptocurrency and blockchain. The most important requirement is a good understanding of English and communication skills, understand blockchain technology, basic knowledge of the law is an added advantage.

4. Crypto UX Designer

They create a unique and user-friendly interface that will attract people to buy Bitcoin in Nigeria and buy Bitcoin with naira. This role is very important because anything that has to do with people’s money, there are usually very careful to not make mistakes handling their money, hence the UX designer design interface that is clear and understandable to the mass and as well easy to use. If they want to instruct people to buy Bitcoin with naira, they do so in simple and easily understandable words.

5. Marketing Specialist

The purpose of a coin is incomplete without it being used. There is no point in creating something that won’t be in use by the consumer. Hence, this is where the importance of the marketing strategist comes to play. The marketing strategist showcase the usage of a product, in this case, a cryptocurrency e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc. so that people will buy Bitcoin with naira.
They work directly with the development team to make an informed decision with marketing the product. They are usually the ones behind the increased adoption of a coin. They can for example bring Bitcoin marketing to Nigerians so that there will be an increase in the number of people that will buy Bitcoin in Nigeria.

6. Full-stack Engineer

A full-stack developer is a web developer or engineer who works with both the front and back ends of a website or application – meaning they can tackle projects that involve databases, building user-facing websites, or even work with clients during the planning phase of projects.

The phrase full-stack evolved from a technical descriptor meaning the full set of primary technologies that comprise a complete technical solution. It typically means the database and operating system (back end) up through and including the user interface (front end).