Blog

Hey all – I am ex-Bizible/Marketo and excited to share we launched our marketing automation solution for product-led companies and raised a $5M from some great investors, including a few other ex-Marketo execs. Biggest difference with Inflection is we’re built on your product activity data (+ CRM data), can scale to hundreds of millions of contacts, and also have pricing model that works for PLG. Below pretty sums up why we built the product: https://preview.redd.it/p2ghx2p9a5091.jpg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1505dca1365fdd5741d5d994707c1d3e30d07c2a submitted by /u/Snoo-75705 [link] [comments]

https://youtu.be/2FFJv7SlFeI The Best High-Quality, Done-For-You, Content Syndication Platform For Delivering Rankings, Traffic and Sales To Your Customers On A Silver Platter is Back DFY SUITE 4.0 will allows you to get high-quality content syndication for your videos or niche sites WITHOUT having to do ANY of the work yourself… Unlock advanced System and “insider” secrets to generate even more Traffic You will get Long-Term, page 1 Rankings WORLDWIDE by leveraging the POWER of High-Quality Syndication by allowing DFY SUITE 4.0 to DO IT FOR YOU! When it comes to Ranking your content on page 1, the two most important things that help you get there are QUALITY syndication and QUALITY content! And since we ALSO handle the CONTENT that we use in your syndication, we wanted to ensure that we use the BEST quality content we can produce. So we’ve released a MASSIVE update to our content writing engine to include the ability for you to select the niche and or keyword you’d like the content to be in so our A.I knows what to write about for your campaigns. And yes, this is the THIRD time they revamped their content system because they TRULY want to be the BEST Done-For-You ranking solution on the market. Their content engine is powered by REAL artificial intelligence app, Creaite, however they ensured they updated to the LATEST version so you now get MUCH more quality and much MORE relevant content for EVERY campaign they syndicate for you. ✅ THEY added done-for-you Google Maps Embedding for BOOSTING Local Rankings! (this alone is INSANELY powerful) ✅ THEY added Done-For-You Google My Business Citations To Skyrocket Local Rankings EVEN MORE!!! (THEY REALLY stepped up the DFY local rankings) ✅ THEYadded Done-For-You Twitch Embeds so you can Get Even MORE Video Traffic And Rankings! ✅ 6x’d the size of our network, 6x’d our authority, 6x’d our ranking power ✅ THEY also added 200 NEW High-Authority Domains To Our Network EXCLUSIVELY For Version 4.0! ✅ and just like in 3.0, DFY suite 4.0 will provide DONE-FOR-YOU rankings in ANY language and or location WORLDWIDE! submitted by /u/Impossible-Ad-2600 [link] [comments]

Typical business advice touts that the customer should always come first. Given that my title is hospitality director, you’d especially think that ensuring customers are having the best experience possible would always be my top priority.And it is, but I’ve discovered a more roundabout yet incredibly powerful way of getting there: putting our employees first. After helping open and run four restaurants over the past six years as co-founder of Destination Unknown Restaurants, I’ve found that focusing on employee happiness ultimately leads to better customer experiences and a stronger business. And while I’m speaking from the perspective of the restaurant industry, this advice applies across all small businesses.For us, taking care of our employees primarily means ensuring they’re fairly compensated for their work. In 2020, we moved the bulk of our full-time staff from hourly pay to a salary so they no longer have to rely on tips or worry about scheduling when it comes to their income. We looked at what our highest-paid employees in each category made under a tipping system annually, then added 5% to determine their new base salary. The increase in cost for us is offset by a significant reduction in turnover and the associated training costs.But more than the money, this move has transformed the way we relate to our employees, and the way they relate to the business. We feel invested in them and dedicated to their growth and well-being, rather than viewing them as people who could be replaced at any time like many restaurants do. They give this back to us in spades in their care for our company and customers.Depending on the state of your business, giving your employees salaries may not be realistic, but looking for other ways to truly take care of your employees, be it through other benefits, professional development, or flexible work arrangements, will only benefit your success in the long run. Here are just a few ways we’ve seen this move improve things for our customers, for our operations, and for our morale.It’s Built a Workplace Where Everyone is Working Toward the Same GoalWhen employees feel taken care of rather than taken advantage of, it removes the “not my job” mentality and instead encourages a team environment where everyone is working to make sure every customer has a great experience.At a standard, tip-based restaurant, servers are typically only worried about their section so they can make decent money for the day. At our restaurants, I see employees working together to make sure every guest has a positive experience. If a server has a slow section, they can help another employee out instead of stressing about their income. They run food to each others’ tables and are constantly checking guests’ faces to make sure they’re having a good time. I’ve also noticed everyone banding together to train new teammates since every person impacts the guest experience.We’ve further incentivized this environment of working together to offer top-notch service by adding a bonus structure on top of employee salaries. Every month, our servers and bartenders are eligible for a bonus based on good reviews on Google and Yelp. If we get great press or an award like a Michelin star, there’s an additional bonus as well. This way, instead of just doing their one job well, each employee is focused on giving guests a great experience in any way they can.It’s Helped Us Retain the Best TalentPrioritizing employee happiness has saved us so much time and money on recruiting, hiring, and training. During a time when so many businesses are facing mass resignations and staffing challenges, we have very low turnover and have had no issues hiring. During a time when so many businesses are facing mass resignations and staffing challenges, we have very low turnover and have had no issues hiring. – Kelly Phillips, Co-Founder of Destination Unknown RestaurantsYes, it was stressful when we had to pull from our savings to make payroll during the pandemic lockdowns. But I was resolute that we didn’t let anyone go because I know I’m never going to find another Elmer, another Marco, or another one of the other outstanding employees who I trust deeply. Maybe I’ll find decent replacements eventually, but it’s certainly not going to be overnight, and not without a lot of work.Longer employee retention also undoubtedly makes the business better. When people stick around for a year or more, they get to know everything there is about the position, they become more efficient, and they find ways to serve customers even better. Many of my employees are people who helped us open these restaurants, and I can’t imagine succeeding without them.It’s Created a Relationship Where Employees Want to Reinvest in the BusinessMore than just retaining talent, I’ve noticed that investing in my team means they’re excited to invest back in the future of the business.By nature of having a salary, they feel there’s potential to stay and grow here, to move up the ladder and make this role part of their career. I could see many of these people becoming managers or partners or spearheading the opening of another restaurant one day. Obviously, this is a huge asset for us when we’re ready to grow and expand. But it’s also a huge asset now because employees are excited to work on the business rather than just work for it. For instance, I’ll notice on slow days, instead of just sitting around stressing about the lack of tips, my team will feel empowered to use the time to make small improvements around the restaurant or brainstorm new ideas. It’s exciting to have employees who want to help push the business forward, rather than just coming in and doing the bare minimum of their job.It’s Reduced Stress to Create a Better EnvironmentUltimately, I think one of the biggest ways putting our employees first has led to a better customer experience is by simply reducing the amount of stress our staff feels day to day. When you walk into a business and the team isn’t happy, you can tell immediately. At so many tip-based restaurants in particular, servers are doing math in the middle of their shift to figure out if they can pay their bills, which takes away from their focus on the customer. Meanwhile, our staff has more peace of mind, and the guests can feel that, making them excited to come back again and again. You can see that in how our businesses are doing today: We recently had a record sales week, and Destino is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Washington, DC.Your people really shape the identity of your business. – Kelly Phillips, Co-Founder of Destination Unknown RestaurantsYour people really shape the identity of your business. When they’re not well taken care of, that will reflect in how people feel when they interact with your business, even if it’s in unintentional or subtle ways. But when they feel prioritized, they’ll give that energy back to the customer.This whole experience has been a powerful reminder to me that, yes, my job is to take care of customers. But, even before that, my job is to take care of my employees, because I can’t do any of this without them.

One common question you’ll get asked in an interview is, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
When it’s coming from a hiring manager, we usually have an answer ready. When it comes to your personal life, do you have a five-year plan?

In the most stressful times in my life, planning brings me great joy and peace. But who says you have to wait for the stress to come? In this article, we’ll outline why you should create a five-year plan and how to build one you’ll follow through with.

Benefits of a 5-Year Plan
Whether professional or personal, a five-year plan can serve as a reset for your life. Who doesn’t like a fresh start?
After all, that’s why New Year’s resolutions are so popular. They give us something to look forward to. There’s also something to be said about writing out a detailed plan. It can be a great motivator to put something in motion.
Personally, I’ve said countless times that I want to be fluent in Spanish. However, it’s not until I write a detailed plan for how that it will become real. 
This brings us to our next point: clarity. Sometimes, a path seems scarier than it actually is because we don’t actually know what it looks like.
Creating a plan is like pointing a flashlight in a dark road. A more accurate description is that it turns that dark, twisty road into a clear path forward. Doesn’t mean there won’t be any bumps in the road but at least you’ll know exactly where you’ll land and how to get there.
Lastly, a five-year plan can serve as a reminder of what’s at stake. In your daily life, it can be easy to forget that every day, we’re shaping our future.
The decisions we make today affect what our life will look like years from now. Having a visual reminder of this can keep you focused on your goals.
5-Year Plan Example
Using our downloadable five-year plan template, we were able to create a detailed five-year plan, broken down by year, process, success metric, benefit, and resources. 

How to Make a 5-Year Plan
1. Know your “why.”
This is singlehandedly the most important step in creating a plan.
A clear “why” is your North star. It’s what will guide you throughout your journey and motivate you to keep moving forward.
It can take a while to narrow this down. You’ll know you have the answer when it’s linked to a core value or belief. Otherwise, you have to keep digging.
One way to get to this is by just asking the question over and over again. For instance:

I want to learn American Sign Language. Why?
To become more connected to another culture. Why?
To broaden my perspective. Why?
To be a more understanding, tolerant, and inclusive person.

Now, we’ve taken something at surface level and brought it down to a personal, human level.
2. Consider every aspect of your life.
When creating a five-year plan, you want to review your life as a whole and plan accordingly.
It’s not enough to plan for your professional career and not your personal one. After all, one impacts the other.
There are the core four that you should always have:

Career
Health (physical and mental)
Finances
Relationships

Depending on your goals, you can also add categories for religious or spiritual development, recreation, and service.
Don’t forget bucket-list items – have you been wanting to learn a new language? Or perhaps you want to visit every country in the world. Bucket list items are perfect for five-year plans because you can spread them out over a long period of time and have fun tracking your progress.

3. Make it S.M.A.R.T.
To give you the best chances of success, every goal should pass the SMART test. That means being:

Specific – The vaguer your goal, the harder it will be to reach.
Measurable – You must be able to quantify your goals because otherwise, how will you know you’ve reached it? This doesn’t always mean assigning a figure to it, it can also be a feeling.
Achievable – While it’s good to push yourself beyond your limits, your goal should be attainable and realistic based on where you stand currently.
Relevant – How does this goal fit within the bigger picture? Does it align with your personal values? What’s the impact on your life?
Time-bound – It’s not enough to say it’s a five-year plan, you have to create a timeline and set milestones at specific points within your journey.

4. Start with the big ideas then narrow your focus.
When you’re first writing your five-year plan, start with the big idea from each category.
If you don’t know where to start, use this: “In five years, I want to be [fill in the blank].” This will help you figure out goals that you may not have vocalized before.
From there, break it down into bite-size pieces.
This means turning your ideas into action items that can be executed over a certain period of time, specifically from five years to monthly milestones.
Research will play a big role in this, as you will need to learn how to achieve some of your goals. For instance, say your five-year financial plan is to be debt-free.
That’s the big idea but you need to dive deeper. How exactly will you achieve that? Your research will likely suggest setting a budget, paying off your most expensive loan first, consolidating your debts, and more.
Once you know the key action items, you can break them down by year, month, and even week.
This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal in action. The more specific you are, the better you will be at fulfilling your five-year plan.
If you want to add more structure to your life and play a more active role in shaping your future, consider creating a five-year plan. While things may not pan out exactly as you’ve expected, you’ll be surprised at how close you’ll get to what you wished for.