Hi, I am Cortana (Source: DualShockers)
We’re heading for another big shake up in marketing next year (what’s new?). And now that it’s December, it’s time to roll up our collective sleeves and get stuck into the changes that will be coming our way. As always, what actually happens is going to be very different to how most of us imagine it to be. Chatbots, not people, will be talking to our customers, and marketers are going to be getting more and more invested in the ad blocking arms race as savvy consumers try to hide their personally identifiable information from businesses and governments they see as a threat.
Check out these interesting and sometimes outright weird marketing trends expected to arrive in the year ahead.
ROI Metrics Will Dominate
At the moment, companies are using things like CPMs to measure the performance of their websites. The idea is that the higher the rate of conversion on their websites, whether it’s downloads, signups, or purchases, the better. But the problem with these data is that they are very mono-dimensional. Companies aren’t able to measure what the return is on their investment very easily. After all, different conversions have different values, and converting one set of customers can be a lot more costly than converting another set.
In the coming year, it is expected by Forbes and other experts that ROI-based performance metrics will come to dominate. Companies will be able to get real-time information on how much it cost them to generate an individual conversion, as well as how much that conversion cost relative to the amount of value generated by it. This new approach will then make it easier for companies to dedicate their precious marketing dollars to those instances that will generate the highest return.
Businesses Will Uncover Dark Social
Knowing where customers came from online is important. But right now, many people are choosing to keep their identities hidden, thanks to ever-increasing intrusion on their lives by governments and to a lesser degree, companies. This has led to the widespread adoption of encrypted, private messaging apps that effectively block out the ability of businesses to collect data. The problem with this is that companies rely on knowing which channels people are coming from to optimize their marketing strategies. If for instance, they’re getting lots of traffic from Facebook, but not very much from Twitter, it doesn’t make sense to plow investment dollars into Twitter.
Next year, companies will get tools that will help them uncover the world of dark social. GetSocial.io, for instance, can help firms find out where their customers are coming from, without revealing any personally identifiable information. It’s the best of both worlds, where consumer data remains private, and where companies get the information they need to better target their marketing campaigns.
Third-Party, Social Media “Buy Buttons”
The future of ecommerce looks surprisingly different from the present. At the moment, the paradigm is that online retailers have to have their own website to which their customers arrive and make purchases. There’s a lot of money being spent right now on these sites to make sure that they have high visibility on general search engines.
But thanks to the fact that people never seem to tire of social media, social media itself will soon become a shopping platform in its own right. Facebook and Pinterest and currently investigating ways to include buy buttons next to products or items. For Pinterest, this is a particularly interesting idea, since it is a site dedicated to hosting and organizing photographs, usually of beautiful, bespoke products. Companies wouldn’t have to invest their marketing efforts trying to improve their rank on Google; they’ll be investing in enhancing their visibility on platforms like Pinterest and making sure that they produce the most alluring photographs possible. New social media marketing is something you can learn more about at Simplilearn here.
Marketing That “Gives Back”
Customers want the brands that they consume to have a feel good element. They want to know that when they buy a product that at least some of their money will be going to a noble cause. There are all sorts of companies that are doing this already. Take Warby Parker, the online glasses seller, for instance. This company proudly promotes the fact that “for every pair purchased, a pair is distributed to someone in need.” Regular, everyday companies need to think of ways of resonating with their customer base and making them feel as if they are improving the world with every purchase.
Native Advertising
Internet users are getting more and more savvy to the marketing tactics of online advertisers, hence the growth in the use of adblockers. Next year companies will have to focus more exclusively on native advertising – advertising that is expertly weaved into the content of an article or a video. Advertisers are going to need to target bloggers and vloggers and get them to incorporate their own products in a way that adds value to consumers. People don’t want yet another banner ad promising to save them money: they want something that actively helps them to understand something or somewhere that gives them unbiased information about a product. Product reviews, as well as videos showcasing how much fun a product can be, will form the lion’s share of marketing going forward.
Yet More Market Segmentation
You might think that we’ve reached peak personalization for online marketing, but according to experts, it’s going to be going up another notch next year. Personalization means targeting advertising based on a person’s habits and preferences online. The basic idea is to give consumers only the advertising content that they want, rather than bombarding them with information that they are not interested in. In a world of information overload, this may be the only approach marketers can use to get their message to stick.
Marketing Will Become Mobile-First
Long gone are the days when the PC was the dominant platform through which people consume online content. The market has spoken, and it turns out that people prefer their mobile devices, despite the fact that they only provide a fraction of the screen real estate. This new reality means that businesses are going to have to optimize first for mobile, and then for desktop after, to make sure that they are prioritizing their experiences in the correct way. Right now, many website builders have a desktop-first approach, which will have to change as we go forward in 2017.
Chatbots Will Talk To Your Customers For You
If you’ve ever gotten interested in artificial intelligence or computer science, you’ll have heard about the Turing test. The Turing Test was a test devised by Alan Turing, the esteemed computer scientist depicted in the film The Imitation Game. It said that artificial intelligence was achieved if an expert couldn’t tell whether he or she was talking to a person or a computer.
It might surprise you to discover that we’re not far off the world that Alan Turing envisioned. Today’s chatbots are being developed by the world’s most advanced AI companies, including Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon. They’re all in a sort of arms race to build an AI that is able to chat with customers on behalf of business, find out their preferences, and feed all those data into a central repository where it can be analyzed and made use of. Chatbots, as they are called, will soon provide users with news updates on the products that they are interested in, as well as personalized responses to their queries, slashing the costs customer service in the process.
Companies Will Deliver Their Own Breaking News
Top tech companies are already making a habit of live streaming their events. You can now watch the biggest product launches, right from the comfort of your own computer as they happen in real time. As we go into 2017, live streaming technology will continue to push boundaries. For example, Instagram has now integrated its live stream option into its new “Stores” feature, meaning companies are able to keep users apprised of the very latest developments at company HQ.
Without Influencers, Companies Will Be Nowhere
We’ve already discussed just how important it will be for companies to find bloggers and vloggers who can act as hosts for their native advertising efforts. Next year, they’ll have to reach out to these influencers more than they ever did in the past. The reason for this is that people tend to trust influencers a lot more than they do the company’s own, direct marketing. Smart companies realize that to be successful, they have to reach out to influencers to gain credibility and sell their product. They need people who are seen as leaders in their own particular social field to promote, review and use their products if they are to be successful.
So there you have it – the big marketing trends to look out for next year. We haven’t even talked about things like VR or interactive content here because they are enormous topics in their own right. Suffice to say that 2017 is going to be very different – again.
Industrial surface treatment depends on careful control. During powder coating, liquid painting, anodizing, electrocoating, plating, and similar processes, certain sections of a component must remain untouched. Threads, contact points, holes, edges, and assembly areas often require protection so that the finished part can function correctly without additional cleaning or reworking.
This protection is achieved through industrial masking products designed to resist heat, chemicals, repeated handling, and demanding production conditions. Selecting the right solution helps manufacturers obtain cleaner finishes, maintain dimensional accuracy, reduce defects, and keep production moving efficiently. Standard components can address many recurring applications, while custom designs provide a practical answer when complex geometries or specialized requirements make conventional products unsuitable.
Industrial masking solutions for surface treatments
Global Mask designs, manufactures, and commercializes masking products for companies involved in industrial coating, metal finishing, and surface treatment. Its range supports processes such as powder and liquid coating, anodizing, electrodeposition, plating, and cataphoresis, where reliable protection is required throughout application, curing, and finishing.
The company combines standard masking components with made-to-measure developments created for specific parts and production environments. Its products include silicone plugs, caps, tapes, discs, tubes, sheets, profiles, cords, hooks, and other protective elements. This broad selection allows production teams to match the masking method to the component, treatment, temperature, and expected manufacturing volume.
Standard components for recurring production needs
Standard masking products are useful when manufacturers work with common hole sizes, threads, tubes, studs, or flat areas. Silicone caps and plugs can protect internal and external surfaces, while tapes and discs cover defined sections that must remain free from paint or coating. Tubes, profiles, sheets, and cords provide further options for parts with less conventional dimensions.
Because industrial finishing often involves elevated temperatures, masking materials must remain stable during both application and curing. A properly selected component should maintain its fit, prevent coating from reaching protected areas, and be removed without damaging the surrounding finish. Consistent masking supports repeatable results across long production runs and helps limit corrective work after treatment.
Custom rubber masks for complex components
Standard products cannot address every shape, particularly when components contain unusual openings, several protected areas, or surfaces that must be covered simultaneously. In these situations, custom rubber masks can be developed around the exact dimensions, geometry, treatment method, and working conditions of the application. Global Mask produces tailored solutions ranging from special tape shapes to complex molded rubber and silicone parts.
These customized products are intended to fit directly into the customer’s production process rather than requiring operators to adapt a generic component. The company’s capabilities include molded silicone parts, silicone cutting, and 3D silicone printing, allowing different manufacturing methods to be considered according to the design. A purpose-built mask can protect several areas at once while simplifying placement and removal.
How a customized masking project is defined
The development process begins with a clear understanding of the part and its treatment conditions. Dimensions and geometry determine the physical design, while the coating method influences the choice of material and construction. Working temperature is another essential factor because the mask must remain secure and stable throughout the complete surface treatment cycle.
Production volume also affects the recommended solution. A project involving a limited series may require a different manufacturing approach from a component produced continuously in large quantities. By evaluating these conditions together, the masking design can balance accuracy, durability, handling requirements, and repeatability without adding unnecessary complexity to the production line.
Flat surface masking and special tape shapes
Flat areas may require more than a rectangular section of conventional tape. Openings, logos, contact zones, mounting surfaces, and irregular edges often need a precisely shaped barrier. Global Mask manufactures die-cut tapes in customized forms using plotter cutting and die-cutting equipment, providing options for both short runs and high-volume production.
Precut shapes can improve consistency because operators do not need to trim every piece manually. They also make positioning more predictable, which is valuable when the same protected area must be reproduced across many components. Accurate tape geometry helps establish clean coating boundaries while supporting faster and more standardized application.
Choosing between reusable and single-use masking
The most suitable format depends on the treatment, part design, production frequency, and handling process. Tapes and discs are practical for many flat or lightly contoured surfaces, while reusable rubber or silicone masks may be more appropriate for repeated operations. Molded components can also provide a secure fit when the masking area includes several connected features.
Removal must be considered alongside installation. A product that can be positioned quickly but is difficult to remove may slow later stages of production. For that reason, an effective design considers the entire workflow, including preparation, coating, curing, cooling, mask removal, inspection, and reuse when applicable.
Hooks and suspension systems for coating lines
Masking products protect selected surfaces, but components must also be supported and transported throughout the finishing process. Global Mask supplies hooks, eyebolts, and related suspension accessories for holding parts during painting and surface treatment. Different hook formats allow manufacturers to select a configuration suited to the component’s weight, shape, contact points, and movement through the line.
The suspension system can influence both process stability and coating access. A properly supported part remains secure while allowing the coating to reach the intended areas. Contact points must also be planned carefully because they may require masking or may need to remain electrically conductive during certain treatments. Coordinating suspension and masking helps create a more orderly finishing operation.
High-temperature masking for wheel coating
Wheel finishing presents specific challenges because bolt holes and the rear hub area may need protection during powder coating. Global Mask offers reusable high-temperature rubber masks designed for these locations, along with discs, plugs, kits, and hooks intended for wheel coating applications.
Reusable wheel masks can provide a consistent fit across repeated cycles when they are selected for the correct wheel design and process conditions. Their defined shape supports accurate placement and protects functional areas from unwanted coating. This specialized approach is relevant to manufacturers and finishing companies that require reliable results while handling recurring wheel production.
Technical design for different industrial sectors
Global Mask serves businesses in industrial painting, metal finishing, and surface treatment, while its solutions are also used in automotive, railway, aerospace, sporting equipment, home appliance, electronics, and architectural applications. Each sector presents different combinations of materials, shapes, temperatures, coatings, and production volumes, so masking requirements can vary considerably.
The company supports these applications through in-house design and production, engineering guidance, customer assistance, and the development of masking proposals based on project requirements. Combining product knowledge with application-specific design helps manufacturers protect critical areas, reduce masking errors, and maintain dependable finishing results throughout their industrial workflow.
Running a business is a balancing act between managing today’s tasks and planning for tomorrow’s challenges – and getting that balance right is where you’ll find success. Future-proofing your business might sound like something from a sci-fi show or just one of those words that no one really understands or does, but in this case, it’s a real thing, and it’s a really important thing. You’ve got to be proactive, and the tools and systems you choose now can either set you up for long-term success, or leave you in your competitors’ dust, so you’ve got to get it right. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Think Scalability
The tools you’re using right now might seem – and actually be, in fact – perfect for your current needs, but the question isn’t whether they’re working now (you wouldn’t be using them if they weren’t), but instead it’s whether they can grow with you. In other words, you’ve got to choose tools that won’t fall apart as your business grows, meaning you’ve got to start from scratch with new systems – when you’re growing your business, you’ll have enough on your plate without that as well.
For example, small businesses often rely on simple payment methods in the early days, and although they’re definitely convenient, as time goes on you’ll probably have to rethink things, especially if you’re growing. If you’re still relying on quick fixes, it’s probably time to stop using Zelle for payments because when it comes to business transactions, it doesn’t have the features and security of something more professional.
Automate Where You Can
What’s one of the most precious resources any business owner can have? The answer is time. So if time is so precious, why are you wasting it on repetitive tasks when you could be doing other things if you put some automation in place? Just think of all the time you’d free up if you automated your invoicing, social media posts, email campaigns, and so on – what could you do to make your business better with the time you save?
Not only does automation save time, but it also means there’s a lot less chance for human error to creep in, and that’s got to give any business owner lots of peace of mind and reduce their stress levels – and doing that is always a positive.
Stay Ahead On Cybersecurity
You might have noticed a few (and possibly the numbers are growing) headlines recently about big data breaches – it basically means that customers’ sensitive data has been accessed by hackers, and when that happens, those customers can have issues with identity theft, lost money, compromised passwords, and more.
That’s why it’s so important to invest in good cybersecurity if you want to future-proof your business and make it strong and trustworthy today. Strong firewalls, secure payment systems, data encryption, cloud storage, and good cybersecurity training for your team can go a long way to protecting your business and your customers, meaning it’s going to last a lot longer and get a good reputation too.
EDC gear includes products that have become indispensable for improving one’s quality of life. These are the tools and implements that can solve everything from simple daily tasks to being vital objects capable of saving lives.
Regardless of the lifestyle you lead, there are countless situations in daily life where you need a tool or item that helps resolve inconveniences or facilitates completing tasks. This is where the category of products known as EDC (Every Day Carry) comes into play. EDC includes a variety of items that are necessary in unexpected moments.
For these tools to truly be useful in daily life, they must be durable and of high quality. For this reason, it is highly recommended to choose selected EDC gear by Onibai.com, an Italian brand with extensive experience in selling this kind of exclusive everyday carry equipment. The brand offers a wide selection of well-crafted, durable products that meet the demands of everyday carry needs.
Knives: essential for multiple situations
Knives, or EDC blades, are among the most essential tools in any EDC kit. In fact, they are often seen as a symbol of someone who is prepared, practical, and functional. Whether it’s opening packages or envelopes, cutting cords or ropes, or other simple daily tasks, a suitable knife can make these activities much easier. Additionally, a good knife can serve as a means of self-defence in case of sudden attacks.
Over time, the design of knives has evolved and diversified. Daily-use knives are now specifically designed for lighter cutting tasks, such as those mentioned earlier. Tactical knives, on the other hand, are made for more intense scenarios. They are stronger and reinforced, often designed for high resistance or self-defence situations.
Urban knives, tailored for city dwellers, are built to meet the needs of individuals in modern environments, so they often feature sleek finishes that complement contemporary lifestyles. Another popular category is multi-tool knives, which are designed to handle a variety of tasks. These knives have the resilience and sturdiness of a 3-inch blade while also fulfilling the precision requirements needed for various EDC tasks.
Other essential EDC products
In addition to knives, there is a wide range of other EDC products that are indispensable in daily life. One of these is, undoubtedly, a reliable wallet. A well-designed wallet needs to be robust enough to withstand daily use while keeping essential items like bank cards, identification documents, and more, safe and in good condition.
Flashlights are also vital components of any EDC kit. These tools are incredibly useful in many situations, particularly in dark environments or emergencies where additional lighting is critical. When selecting a torch, factors such as battery life, size, portability, and brightness should all be taken into account.
Purses, fanny packs, or backpacks also play an essential role in everyday carry. These items are where people store the various EDC products described above. They usually come with several compartments and are available in different sizes and materials, depending on the person’s style and daily activities.
Other items that are part of an EDC kit include beads and cords, Velcro patches, bottle openers, multi-functional key organisers, as well as durable, long-lasting, and stylish pens that adapt to any situation and lifestyle.
An interesting category of EDC products includes stress-relief toys for adults, which provide a means of alleviating daily stress. Popular options in this category include fidget spinners, fidget sticks, stress-relief sliders, poker chips with buttons, and mechanical coins. These items not only serve as a source of relaxation but can also be a fun and effective way to manage anxiety and tension during the course of a busy day.
In conclusion, EDC gear is not just a set of tools but a lifestyle that reflects preparedness, practicality, and a proactive approach to the uncertainties of everyday life. The more equipped you are, the more empowered you will feel in facing the challenges that arise.