Is Cybersecurity Important for the Healthcare Sector?

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October 12, 2022

Transactional Email Service

Transactional emails are among the important and strategic marketing needs for new-age businesses.

Globally there are many studies indicating the importance and success rate of transactional emails solutions for customer engagement and marketing.

Many email providers are offering service support for transactional emails solutions.

Mailchimp is one of the front runners in the transactional emails domain, and there are many other email providers too offering quality services and features as in Mailchimp.

Top 10 alternatives for transactional emails solutions.

1. Sendinblue

Among the front runners as an alternative to Chimpmail transactional emails solutions, the email provider Sendinblue is an affordable and user-friendly range of email marketing software.

It can be supportive to businesses as an all-in-one marketing and sales-related solution. Other common features integral to Sendinblue are CRM, shared inbox, SMS marketing, and chat solutions offered as internal features by email providers.

Some of the key advantages of Sendinblue are

Email deliverability infrastructure is sound and easy to manage
Pricing is based on the email volume and not based on the contacts
Transactional emails are an integral part of every plan in the offerings.

The platform is multichannel and is available for service in six different languages.

2. Mooseend

Mooseend is another email marketing solution that is a good alternative to transactional emails and is an affordable email provider.

It is one of the well-known email providers offering an automation platform for transactional emails.

In comparison to the Mailchimp solutions, there are certain feature limitations like native integrations and multichannel marketing scope.

However, the available features of Mooseend email providers can be useful for successful email campaigns.

The affordability of Mooseend is its advantage for transactional emails solutions. It is a lot cheaper compared to Mailchimp, and it can be a resourceful email provider for SMBs.

3. ConvertKit

Positioned in the market as an email marketing platform the service offerings from Convertkit as an email provider is a reasonable service for transactional emails.

This email provider service is more resourceful for creative segments like bloggers, YouTubers, artistic solutions, and other such creative businesses.

Convertkit’s email marketing tools are optimized for catering the end-user expectations.

Some of the key advantages of this transactional emails service provider are

It does not charge for the same subscriber data in different lists
Managing multiple signup forms and content assets is a feasible solution and it supports content upgrades effectively
Migration supports free of cost for over 5000 subscriber’s package

4. HubSpot

This is one of the most popular email providers offering transactional emails.

HubSpot’s email marketing service is a holistic integration of automation and marketing tools integrated into one system.

Also, many other integral features of HubSpot can be resourceful for the personalized audience.

HubSpot is one of the resourceful alternatives in the case of marketing automation, email providers can manage the customer database, automated creation of support tickets, and conditional logic.

Additional features offered by email providers HubSpot are popups, live chat ad management, and landing pages.

HubSpot CRM supports managing sales and customer service solutions to handle the cross-functional customer experience.

5. MailerLite

Another affordable email provider offering transactional emails services is MailerLite which is a simple and intuitive email solution.

The user interface from MailerLite is easier and it can help businesses to manage transactional emails campaign solutions more effectively.

Two distinct subscription models are available wherein one is paid, and the other is a free service offering.

A few of the solutions like drag-and-drop editor features, time zone scheduling, and auto resend features are integral to the email providers‘ service offerings.

The lightweight model of the MailerLite is highly effective and a good affordable solution.

6. Klaviyo

Klaviyo’s solution of email marketing service is about customized email provider service offering for eCommerce and can be easily integrated into Shopify kind of eCommerce solutions.

The advanced analytics and insights into the system are highly useful for businesses to adjudge the transactional emails process outcomes and analyze more of the customer data.

By the dimension of the analytical feature, Klaviyo is a rich solution resourceful as the best Mailchimp alternative.

Some of the key integral solutions offered by Klaviyo are

Granular segmentation option, supporting a determination of CLV (customer lifetime value) and risk of churn.
Pre-built templates supporting automation workflows
ROI analysis over the transactional emails marketing

7. AWeber

One of the early entrants in the email providers segment, AWeber is a popular email marketing solution offering services suitable for bloggers, start-ups, and SMBs.

It offers wider options of email templates as part of its transactional email solutions. It also has the scope for email automation and customization as necessary.

The all-inclusive pricing model is one of the simple and quality service models that support handling the email marketing campaign and addressing the segmentation issues using the A/B testing models.

The customer support system of AWeber is handy and can be useful for managing WordPress plugins, signup forms, and RSS to emails.

8. Active Campaign

Active Campaign’s email marketing tool is an integrated solution handling marketing software requirements all-in-one as an email provider for SMBs.

The scope of personalization for emails using contact data is the value-added service available in the solution.

It can split tests up into distinct email versions for managing the performance analysis.

The other key feature is its spam tester’s ability to identify if the email campaigns are hitting the spam box.

9. Twilio SendGrid

Twilio SendGrid among the widely known alternatives supporting the integration, and focused solutions for a different set of transactional emails requirements.

Integration has supported large companies in managing their email campaign and transactional emails process.

Twilio SendGrid has a solution resourceful for businesses of all sizes and offers the scope of easy automation, email testing, and a customized email template builder.

10. Omnisend

Omnisend Positions are supporting eCommerce businesses in managing their email campaign potentially and working better for online stores.

In addition to email marketing, the email provider also supports SMS marketing solutions.

The functionality features of Omnisend are highly resourceful for companies, though the pricing is a bit higher than other alternatives.

For more information on transactional emails, and to have good alternatives chosen other than Mailchimp, contact Exabytes Malaysia for details and subscription services as email providers.

Plans start as low as RM75.00/month!

Biggest SMS Marketing Mistakes That Might Hurt Your Brands

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October 12, 2022

Advantages of Using Bulk SMS Marketing Campaign

Smartphones’ emergence has reduced the gap and intensity of the digital divide, and today billions of users are part of the global mobile network.

Even before the smartphone revolution, businesses started exploring and leveraging SMS (Short messaging systems) marketing across industrial verticals.

There are many digital and telecom marketing companies offering text message marketing as an exclusive range of services to SMBs for text messaging and text marketing using SMS marketing platforms.

Irrespective of technological advancements, social media marketing, and Internet-driven content solutions, the effectiveness of SMS marketing in lead generation has not faded.

It is still considered one of the most effective marketing campaign mediums for businesses.

However, some of the key challenges significant with the system are how the text messages and SMS marketing must go right and avoiding some of the mistakes that could hamper brand marketing.

SMS Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some of the common mistakes integral to the process of SMS marketing and why text marketing from brands will in instances.

1. Campaigns without Proper Consent from Customers

Do Not Disturb, and privacy of mobile numbers of users is an integral part of compliance practices defined for telecom marketing across the countries.

It is important to have consent from the customers, for sending the marketing communication using the text message or SMS marketing features.

More often when businesses rely on third-party service providers for SMS marketing, the compliance element gets ignored at times, and the brand text marketing is messaged to thousands of contact numbers.

In such a bulk messaging campaign, there could be thousands of users who have opted for do not disturb.

If there is persistent messaging to such numbers, it leads to a negative impression on the companies among the prospective customer base.

Though users might be willing and interested in brand products, more often spamming the customers with regular text messaging could affect the brand value.

Thus, the telemarketing teams need to ensure text marketing best practices are followed in SMS marketing.

2. Ineffective URLs

It is a common phenomenon for the marketing teams to carry out SMS marketing campaigns for the actionable outcome.

For instance, many of the text marketing messages we receive carry a URL link.

Even if the users are interested in the content mentioned in the SMS marketing, they are not able to click thru the URL link and route to action.

This is generally attributed to poor responsive URL links. It is important for SMS marketing to have a properly updated landing page, it is responsive to any kind of interface, like mobile-friendly.

In the absence of text marketing having ineffective URL links, not only disrupts the campaign results but also impacts the brand identity.

3. Unprofessional SMS marketing channels

The success of text marketing is more about reaching out to the prospective customer database and having more accurate communication in the SMS.

The messaging campaigns must be dealt strategic and there should be customer profiling.

When unprofessional solutions have been used the chances of not adhering to customer profiling, campaigning beyond the target groups, or text message delivered to unintended segments are a possibility.

Such unwarranted attempts can always hamper the brand image and can deliver poor results for the SMS campaign solutions offered.

Though the campaign costs from these unprofessional service providers might be economic, it is not as effective for brands.

4. Personalization of the Offers

The other major challenge impacting brand communication over text marketing is the non-personalization of the offers.

Systematic curation of the customer database is important for text marketing services to deliver better results.

There are two segments of text marketing, one the generic marketing campaign and the other an intended group or segment-oriented SMS marketing.

Imagine a salon having curated offers for female customers, dispersing the messages to the male customers too, and inviting them to book appointments for the salon services, it seriously impacts the brand image of the business.

Brands need to ensure SMS marketing messages always stay neutral or professionally customized to the demographics of the customers.

5. Proximity Marketing Issues

Imagine you visit a store in another city during your vacation, and they keep sending you text marketing messages on your mobile every day.

Such kinds of issues lead to a negative impression among the customers, and it could affect brand sales.

To avoid such issues, using technology and professional text marketing solutions for proximity marketing is very important.

The return on investment in terms of lead generation and brand coverage is high in proximity marketing.

Businesses should be cautious in choosing the customer database having proximity to the business location.

If a bakery or a store or a gym that is far away from a user location starts delivering their offers on daily basis, will hardly be a value proposition to the brand or the customers.

6. Call-to-Action Service Issues

Text marketing and text messages -based advertising campaigns are economic and increase the reach of the customer base.

Text marketing can be of two types push and pull campaigns. While the push campaign is only to communicate a specific message to customers, the pull campaigns are call-to-action oriented.

The teams need to ensure there is the right kind of set-up and systems in place for call-to-action.

Shortened URLs such as a customer inquiry form or registration page etc. help the marketing campaign achieve a more sustainable process outcome.

For successful campaigns, SMS marketing must be more strategic, wherein there should be a very definitive objective, target group selection, and ROI measure clear for the text marketing.

In the absence of such a strategic process and random ways of SMS campaigns, it is bound to impact the brand’s reputation adversely.

Reach out to our customer support team from Exabytes Malaysia to know more about online marketing using text marketing and bulk SMS marketing campaign services and have profitable campaign plans for your business in Malaysia.

SMS Marketing Solution

SMS Marketing Trends and Predictions to Follow

Herbal Farmer 药材农夫 – 零售英雄第2章

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October 11, 2022

说起中药材店，大部分人第一印象就是苦涩的药粉味，以及阴暗杂乱的货品摆设。

然而常言道：“自古英雄出少年”，30岁年纪轻轻的张进鸿，今天却成功改变了世人对传统中药店的这个印象，打造出一间间宽敞又精致的“Herbal Farmer 药材农夫”，让养生成为时下大马青年族群心目中最Cool的事。

“Herbal Farmer 药材农夫”今天成功让许多从未尝试过中药的年轻人，愿意踏入店内尝试，其中数码转型功不可没。

药材农夫的门市，在全马各地的商场开了一家有一家，而这一份成就，也向国内无数传统零售生意的经营者证明，传统零售生意的未来，仍是有无限的可能性和转机。

药材农夫扭转刻板形象 | 养生从年轻做起

走进“药材农夫”，店内舒适明亮，员工穿著中国特色的制服，店内如超市般设有架子，架上产品包装设计简单新颖、讲究有质感。

张进鸿告诉Exabytes，“药材农夫”提倡“养生从年轻做起”的健康概念，面向25-40岁的年轻族群，提供不含硫黄的高品质中药材。

他补充，传统中药行业为了要长时间保存药材，都会用硫磺加工，然而这种做法实际上对消费者健康有害。

因此在2017年创立“药材农夫”后，他坚决产品必须在不添加硫磺，并保证品质的稳定性的情况下，守护顾客的健康与生活。

“名不正则言不顺”，开店做生意，其中一个令老板们头痛的事情，就是取店名；店名太长太难念，怕顾客记不得；店名太简单太奇特，又怕市场接受不到。

“药材农夫”这个名字，也是想了很久，讨论在讨论后，才定下的。张进鸿说，“药材”二字是最直接表达所售卖的产品；而“农夫”则是向市场强调这个品牌的精神与理念。

“农夫从播种、耕耘、到收成，每个过程都须严谨悉心，只有这样才能产出优质的农作物。”

药材农夫无论在生产、包装设计、员工训练、销售、或是顾客经营，都秉持着农夫的初心，在每个细节都力求做到最好。

“我们的产品生产方面，不但获得HACCP及ISO9001认证，也要求生产流程标准化、内部文件管理标准化、产品知识标准化。同时，药材农夫的中医师团队，也会每月固定为我们的员工进行培训，提高员工对产品的认知。”

药材农夫拥有超过300中丰富产品选择，从海味淮山片、花燕、人参、冬虫夏草，到天然花茶、养生鸡精、腰果，也有进口低脂健康零食等应有尽有。

因此，通过上述各项环节标准化，药材农夫在保证产品品质之余，也能更好地向客户讲解各项产品的功效，提供客户附加价值之余，还能增加客户对产品、品牌的认知度与忠诚度。

此外，我们也会持续地为成为会员的客户，提供促销、礼券、兑换分数机制，以吸引客户持续回到门市进行消费。

科技碰撞新火花

数码新零售的年代到来，主打“现代养生新主张”的药材农夫，自然也不遑多让。实际上张进鸿说，药材农夫早在2019年时，便已开始为线上转型进行部署。

“当时我们原本的设想是以O2O的概念进行调度，为我们的中药材生意注入电子商务的血液，面向消费者提供网上购物服务。”

适逢新冠肺炎疫情冲击，张进鸿心有戚戚焉地表示，所幸药材农夫早有准备，才能在行管令落实后的极短时间内整理好所有的产品资料，迅速推出线上网购服务，同一时间药材农夫也在第三方平台，包括Shoppee和Lazada架设页面销售。

疫情加速了药材农夫数位化转型的脚步，但相对的，药材农夫的营业额和客户群，在疫情期间也因此大幅度增加。

电商科技与中药材相结合所撞出的化学反应让药材农夫倍感惊喜，也让张进鸿看见了新的发展方向。

“我从小陪伴父亲经营中药材店，耳濡目染之下如今也踏入这个行业。我要继续传承父亲的事业，将中药材行业发扬光大。”

张进鸿坦言，目前药材农夫线上与线下的产品选项仍旧有进步的空间，他们将致力朝向OMO新零售迈进，放眼未来能实现线上与线下无缝接轨的优质消费体验。

知多一点

O2O和OMO有什么差别？

O2O即Online To Offline（在线离线/线上到线下），是指将线下的商务机会与互联网结合，让互联网成为线下交易的平台。

而OMO（Online Merge Offline），则是一种整合线上和线下的零售模式。

它指的是以互联网、大数据、人工智能等先进的技术手段，重新优化人、货、场的组织，将线上（云平台）、线下（实体店）与物流有着深度结合，从而对商品的生产、流通和销售的过程进行升级和改造。

这样一来，线上和线下将会成为一个独立个体，提供消费者统一又无缝隙的购物体验。

”把中药行业发扬光大，传承下去“

– 张进鸿，药材农夫创办人

成为我们的零售英雄吧！

每一个零售品牌，背后都有一段伟大的故事。成为我们的零售英雄，让更多人知道你的经历。

想了解如何成为我们的零售英雄，现在就预览零售英雄官方网站，阅读其他零售英雄的故事吧！

Retail Hero Chapter2: HerbalFarmer

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October 11, 2022

Retail Hero Chapter2: HerbalFarmer

When it comes to Chinese herbal medicine stores, most people’s first impression is the bitter taste of medicinal powder and the dark and messy display of goods.

It has been a rule ever since ancient times that many heroes are youngsters. Mr. Teo Chin Hong, a 30-year-old business owner, has successfully changed the world’s impression of traditional Chinese medicine stores. Teo created the spacious and exquisite Herbal Farmer stores and successfully showed young Malaysians that health preservation is the coolest thing to do.

Moreover, Herbal Farmer has successfully attracted many young people who have never tried traditional Chinese medicine to step into the store and try it. Teo attributes his success to effective Digital Transformation. In fact, the number of HerbalFarmer physical stores is increasing steadily in the shopping malls all over Malaysia. The success of Herbal Farmer is a solid proof to countless traditional retail business owners that the future of retail is still filled with unlimited possibilities and opportunities.

HerbalFarmer Reversing the stereotype

Walking into any Herbal Farmer store, one will notice these things immediately: the store is comfortable and bright, the staff wears uniforms with Chinese characteristics, the store has shelves like a supermarket, and the product packaging design is simple, quality, and innovative.

According to Mr Teo, HerbalFarmer advocates the idea of ‘health preservation from young, and provides high-quality, sulfur-free Chinese herbal medicine to young people aged 25-40.

He added that the traditional Chinese medicine industry uses sulfur to process medicinal materials in order to preserve them for a long time, but this practice is actually harmful to the health of consumers.

Therefore, after founding “HerbalFarmer” in 2017, he insisted on providing sufur-free products to protect the health of its customers. This also helps in ensuring product quality and stability.

The spirit of farmers: strict adherence to product quality

“If the name is not correct, the words will not go well.” One of the things that gives business owners a headache is choosing the right business or brand name. If a brand name is too long and difficult to pronounce, customers will not remember it. If it is too simple and unusual, the market might not accept it.

In fact, the name “Herbal Farmer” was only confirmed after several rounds of discussion. Mr Teo stressed that the word ‘medicine’ is the most direct expression of the products sold, while the word ‘farmer’ emphasizes the spirit and philosophy of the brand.

“Farmers must be rigorous and careful in every process, from sowing, tilling, and harvesting. Only in this way can high-quality crops be produced.”

Whether in production, packaging design, employee training, sales, or customer management, HerbalFarmer upholds the original intention of farmers and strives to be the best in every detail.

“In terms of production, we have not only obtained HACCP and ISO9001 certification, but have also achieved standardization in production processes, internal document management, and product knowledge. At the same time, our traditional Chinese medicine practitioner team will also conduct regular monthly training to our employees to consistently enhance employees’ product knowledge.”

Currently, Herbal Farmer offers more than 300 products, ranging from seafood yam slices to Huayan, ginseng, Cordyceps sinensis, natural scented tea, healthy chicken essence, cashew nuts, and imported low-fat healthy snacks.

Therefore, through the standardization of the aforementioned, Herbal Farmer can effectively ensure product quality, better explain the efficacy of various products to customers, provide them with added value, and increase customer awareness and loyalty.

In addition, Herbal Farmer will continue to provide promotions, gift certificates, and redemption points to members to encourage them to return for more.

The powerful synergy of e-commerce and Chinese herbal medicine business

With the arrival of digital retailing, Herbal Farmer that promotes the concept of “modern health preservation” is not left behind. In fact, according to Mr Teo, HerbalFarmer had started getting ready for online transformation as early as 2019.

“At that time, our original idea was to bring the concept of O2O and e-commerce into our Chinese herbal medicine business and provide our customers with online shopping services,” said Mr Teo.

When the pandemic came, Teo was grateful that Herbal Farmer was well prepared. Thanks to prior preparation, the company managed to organize all product information in a very short period of time after the implementation of the MCO, and quickly launched their online shopping services. Moreover, Herbal Farmer was also selling on third-party platforms, including Shopee and Lazada.

The pandemic has accelerated the pace of digital transformation for HerbalFarmer, leading to a significant increase in sales during that period of time.

The synergy created by combining e-commerce technology and Chinese herbal medicine surprised Mr Teo and showed him the right business direction.

“I have helped my father run a Chinese herbal medicine store since I was a child, and my experience prompted me to enter the industry. I want to continue running my father’s business and grow it to a bigger one,” said Mr Teo.

Extra Knowledge

What is the difference between O2O and OMO?

O2O stands for Online-to-Offline, which refers to the combination of offline business opportunities and the Internet, making the Internet a platform for offline transactions.

On the other hand, OMO (Online-Merge-Offline) is a retail model that merges the power of online and offline. It refers to the use of the Internet, big data, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technical methods to re-optimize the organization of people, goods, and industry. The OMO concept deeply integrates online (cloud platform), offline (physical stores), and logistics, so as to improve and transform the production process, distribution, and sale of goods.

In this way, online and offline act as independent entities, providing consumers with an integrated and seamless shopping experience.

“Popularizing and carrying forward the Chinese Herbal Medicine Industry”
by The Founder Of Herbal Farmer, Mr. Teo Chin Hong

Be our retail hero now

Every retail brand has a great story behind it. Let’s be our Retail Hero and your experience now. Preview the Retail Hero official website for more Retail Hero Stories and nominate the retail brand you love.

Retail Hero Chapter 3: Neubodi

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October 11, 2022

Retail Hero Chapter 3: Neubodi

The Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown have wreaked havoc on businesses large and small. On the basis of large social shifts, we all heard the proclamations about “The death of retail”, and we were led to assume that this is where everything will change.

Anne Tan, founder, and CEO of Neubodi, told the Exabytes team that a two-year MCO (Movement Control Order) was indeed very challenging for her business. Yet, by the second quarter of 2022, the company’s sales not only fully recovered, but it is also set to attain its most robust growth ever.

We are truly surprised by Anne’s story. How did Neubodi do it?

What are Neubodi’s unique business secrets? Most importantly, what can we learn from it?

Read on to find out how Anne went from a teacher with no business experience to an entrepreneur who runs the number one lingerie brand in the hearts of Malaysian women.

A history teacher who boldly entered the retail industry

“My childhood dream was to create a women’s clothing brand.”

In an interview, Anne revealed that she has deep ties to the clothing industry. From an early age, she was surrounded by many relatives and friends that were involved in clothing in one way or another, and she herself has a wealth of experience in sewing and cutting.

However, due to social norms, Anne’s first job had nothing related to her interest, i.e., clothing. Instead, she became a teacher. It wasn’t until Neubodi was founded in 2008 that she officially entered the clothing industry.

“During my nine years as a teacher, there was constantly a voice in my head that told me education was not what I was aiming for. After leaving the world of education, I entered the financial industry, but was exhausted by the ups and downs of the market.”
At the time, Anne’s husband ran his own business, and Anne often followed him to negotiate deals overseas.

Love what you do, Do what you love, that’s how you build a sustainable business

While on a business trip abroad, Anne accidentally discovered a foreign company that sold lingerie in a different way from what was happening in Malaysia. She had been unable to find lingerie that suited her before the trip but found and bought the most suitable lingerie abroad at that time.

Moreover, Anne noticed that many women in Malaysia were still struggling to find lingerie that fits them. It was at that moment that she realized she could start a lingerie business.

“Find the lingerie that suits you and bring out the charm of a woman to the fullest!”

With her husband’s encouragement, Neubodi started its journey in 2008 with a small shop. As the number of orders gradually increased, Neubodi entered shopping malls step by step, opened stores one after another, and has now become a part of the lives of Malaysian women, accompanying many local women to face different challenges, showing confidence and charm.

Accompanying her customers and becoming their buddies

Customers using Neubodi can feel Anne’s delicacy and care thanks to the durability and comfort of the products and fabric materials used.

Anne believes that good lingerie can accompany and enhance a woman’s life.

Therefore, when designing her products, Anne not only has very strict requirements for fabrics, comfort, and the lifting effect but also asks all the company’s sales representatives to provide feedback before launching a new product. She wouldn’t be satisfied with her products until all her customers were satisfied.

“For example, our latest new product, the half-cup bra, went through a series of try-ons and modifications over six months.”

Crisis creates opportunity and miracle

In fact, Anne’s concept of “treating people with care” guides Neubodi’s business model, from supply chain to human resources management, sales channels, and customer service.

Therefore, what is more important for Neubodi’s salespeople than performance is to accompany customers in their search for their own lingerie and help them better understand their bodies.

“Lingerie is women’s intimate clothing. We train our store assistants to be meticulous when it comes to helping customers choose the lingerie that suits them, using both their hands and vision. During this time, we communicate with our customers, listen to their ideas and opinions, and continuously improve our products.”

In this way, Neubodi makes consumers feel a connection and symbiosis between the product and themselves. As a result, Neubodi is no longer just a product for consumers, but a warm, listening, caring, and growing best friend.

Crisis creates opportunity and miracle

2020 would be a tough sales winter for domestic physical retail stores due to the enforcement of the movement restriction order caused by Covid-19. Since patronizing the physical shop is no longer an option, Neubodi, a retail brand that has always valued the customer experience, challenges the life and death situation for the first time since opening.

If customers were unable to come to the physical store and experience the lingerie, how could they find lingerie that suits them?

After several discussions, Anne and the Neubodi team decided to share their expertise and teach their existing customer base how to measure and choose the right lingerie online.

It was a pleasant surprise! Not only was she successful in retaining her existing customers, but many young women working from home were introduced to the Neubodi brand.

“During this time, we also learned that many women had to work from home, so we created the True Naked series for this group, which emphasizes nakedness and nudity freedom.”

“This product not only brings convenience to women working from home, but also ensures that the lingerie has a lifting function. When it was released, it was received with enthusiasm and everyone loved it. ”

By staying close and caring with its customers, Neubodi not only successfully navigated the two-year MCO period but also ushered in a new wave of business growth after the market opening, and its business soared.

The Future of Retail: Online or Offline?

According to Anne, lingerie is about the experience, which is especially important for new customers. Having said that, Neubodi is one of the very few lingerie brands who had started developing and managing its own e-commerce store back in the year 2014. While the current online sales only achieve about 10% of Neubodi’s total revenue, Anne is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as the brand experiments with more digital touchpoints for improved customer experience.

“To deliver a consistently high-quality experience to our customers, we needed to connect and merge online and offline.”

According to Anne, lingerie is about the experience, which is especially important for new customers. Therefore, Neubodi’s share of sales is still mainly offline, and its share of online sales is currently only 10%.

“However, I had told the team in 2014 that online business was the future of retail. To deliver a consistently high-quality experience to our customers, we needed to connect and merge online and offline.”

In view of this, online business takes a very important place in Neubodi’s future plans. In the interview, Anne said she would not hesitate to create a system that allows customers to measure and buy lingerie online, provided that the Covid-19 situation is stable and they have sufficient funds. With the new system, customers can enter their body measurements or 3D images to create their own online virtual character, giving them a more precise and reliable way to shop and buy online.

Post-interview

As the saying goes, the best relationships are built on mutual successes. Neubodi listens to customers, understands their needs, and provides them with the best consumer experience. In return, customers can also feel Neubodi’s warmth and sincerity through its products, and that’s how customer loyalty and brand reputation are established.

Anne’s selfless sharing gave us her unique insight into the business. Recognizing the importance of managing customer experience, she also recognizes that OMO (Online-Merge-Offline) is the future of retail.

Although Neubodi is already a noted Malaysian lingerie brand, it didn’t stop there. They have taken it to the next level and entered a new retail era.

We hope that in the near future, Neubodi will fully tap into the powerful new concept of ‘New Retail’ to understand customer needs and provide customers with an even better experience.

Be our retail hero now

Every retail brand has a great story behind it. Let’s be our Retail Hero and your experience now. Preview the Retail Hero official website for more Retail Hero Stories and nominate the retail brand you love.

Neubodi – 零售英雄第三章

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October 11, 2022

新冠疫情的大流行对大大小小的企业造成了严重破坏，社会经历了超出我们控制范围的大转变。

疫情期间，我们都听到了“零售业正在消亡”的宣言，我们都认为一切旧的事物将会发生前所未有的变化。

Neubodi 的创始人兼首席执行长 Anne Tan 告诉 Exabytes 团队，过去两年的 MCO(行动管制令)确实对Neubodi的业务带来一定的挑战性。

然而，到 2022 年第二季度，该公司的销售额不仅完全恢复，而且还实现有史以来最强劲的增长。

我们对Anne的故事感到非常惊讶。Neubodi是怎么做到的呢，他们是否有着与众不同的商业秘密呢？

最重要的是，观众能从中学到什么。

继续阅读，了解 Anne 如何从一个没有零售经验的教师摇身一变，成为一个经营着马来西亚女性心中排名第一的内衣品牌的企业家。

历史老师勇闯零售业

“我小时候的梦想，就是想要创立一个女性服饰品牌。”

Anne在访谈时透露，她与内衣行业的渊源其实颇深。从小她身边都有不少亲友，从事着与内衣相关的工作，而她本身也对缝纫裁剪深有心得。

然而，基于传统观念的束缚，Anne在踏入社会的第一份工作，与服饰业毫无关系，而是在一所学校担任历史老师。直至2008年创立Neubodi后，她才正式踏入内衣行业。

“我在执教鞭的那9年里，一直都有一把声音告诉我，教育并不是我所要追求的事业。离开教育界后，我转投金融业，却因市场的起伏不定的狂风巨浪心力交瘁。”

当时Anne的丈夫有经营自己的生意，Anne也因此经常跟随丈夫到国外洽商。

爱你所做，做你所爱，才能实践永续经营

某次国外商旅途中，Anne偶然发现外国商家售卖内衣的方式与大马不同，过去一直无法找到适合自己内衣的Anne，在国外成功买到最适合自己的内衣。

当下的经验让Anne意识到，或许大马有众多女性也因为找不到适合自己的内衣而饱受困扰，开创内衣事业的念头由此萌生。

“找到对的、适合自己的内衣，才能将一个女性最美的一面展现出来！”

于是，在丈夫的鼓励下，Neubodi在2008年从一家小小的店面开启了它的故事；随订单量慢慢增加，Neubodi一步步进驻商场，门市开了一家又一家，如今已成为大马女性生活的一部分，陪伴广大国内女性迎接各种挑战，展现自信与魅力。

陪伴客户成为知心闺蜜

相信用过Neubodi的消费者，都能从产品的布料材质的执着、舒适度的不将就，感受到Anne的细腻与用心。

Anne认为，一件好的内衣，能够陪伴女人的一生。

因此在设计产品时，Anne除了对布料、舒适度、衬托感有非常严格的要求外，在新产品推出前，也会要求公司所有的销售员试用并给予回馈；直到所有人满意了，才会面向市场贩售。

“好比近期我们的新商品Half Cup Bra，其实早在大约半年前，就已经开始进行内部试穿并反复修改。”
实际上，Anne这种“以心待人”的理念，贯彻整个Neubodi的经营模式，从供应链、人事管理；以致渠道、销售、客户服务。

因此对Neubodi的销售人员而言，相比业绩，更重要的是陪伴客户找到适合自己的内衣，让客户更了解自己的身体。

“内衣是女性的贴身衣物，我们训练门市店员，用双手、视觉帮助客户购买适合自己的内衣。期间，我们还会和客户交流，聆听她们的想法和意见，进而不断地改良产品。”

透过这种方式，Neubodi让消费者感受到产品与他们之间的共生性。由此，Neubodi对消费者而言，不再只是一个商品，而是有温度的、能够倾听的、陪伴客户共同成长的知心闺蜜。

扭转危机创造奇迹

2020年因新冠肺炎而落实的行动管制令，为国内零售业卷起了一场史无前例的寒冬。门市严禁营业，让强调亲身体验的Neubodi，面临开业以来第一次生死存亡的挑战。

顾客无法上门体验，如何能找到适合自己的内衣？

几经商讨后，Anne与Neubodi团队们决定公开他们的专业知识，在线上教导原有的客户群，如何为自己测量、选购合适的内衣。

这一次的尝试，让Neubodi得到惊喜收获，不仅成功让他们守住了原有的客户，许多居家办公的年轻女性，也因此而认识了Neubodi这个品牌。

“在此期间我们也了解到，许多女性需要居家办公，因此我们针对这一族群，推出了强调裸感无拘束的True Naked系列。”

“这个产品为居家工作的女性带来舒适之余，也确保了内衣该有的衬托功能。当时一推出市场，便获得热烈反馈，大家都非常喜欢它。”

凭借着与客户的亲密互动与关怀，Neubodi不仅成功渡过了长达2年的行管令期，甚至在市场开放后，迎来生意的一波高峰，业绩直线上升。

未来开拓线上业务，还是专注线下？

据Anne所说，内衣是需要体验的，这对新客户来说尤其重要。话虽如此，Neubodi是极少数于 2014 年开始开发和管理自己的电子商务商店的内衣品牌之一。

虽然目前的线上销售额仅占 Neubodi 总收入的 10% 左右，但随着Neobodi新增越来越多的线上接触点以解决线上平台无法为消费者体验满足的通病，Anne 对未来线上的发展趋势感到兴奋。

“为了向我们的客户提供始终如一的高质量体验，我们需要融合线上和线下。”

有鉴于此，线上业务在Neubodi的未来规划中，占据了极其重要的地位。Anne在访谈中甚至不讳言指出，待疫情稳定资金充足后，他们要打造一套能够线上测量及选购内衣的系统，让客户输入身材数据来建设自己的线上虚拟角色，用3D图像的方式更精准地进行线上购物。

访谈后记

常言道，最好的关系，是相互成就的。Neubodi透过倾听客户的意见，了解客户的需求，进而为客户带来最优质的消费体验；相对的客户也能透过产品的温度，感受到Neubodi的诚意，品牌忠诚度与声誉也由此建立。

Anne一下午的侃侃而谈，让我们看到她在经商方面独到的慧眼，她深知经营客户体验的重要性，也意识打通线上线下，是零售业未来趋势的硬道理。

Neubodi今天已成为大马内衣品牌巨头，但他们并没有因此停下脚步，而是更上一层楼，向新零售的时代迈进。

我们期许在不久的未来，Neubodi在新零售的陪伴下蜕变成长，更进一步地掌握客户需求，为客户带来更优质的消费体验。

成为我们的零售英雄吧！

每一个零售品牌，背后都有一段伟大的故事。

成为我们的零售英雄，让更多人知道你的经历。

想了解如何成为我们的零售英雄，现在就预览零售英雄官方网站，阅读其他零售英雄的故事吧！

槟城第1场福建话Export工作坊：Exabytes最Tokong Export翻倍包你爽！

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October 11, 2022

Exabytes最Tokong
Export翻倍包你爽！

2022上半年槟城的出口值同比增长28%至2160亿令吉，占全国出口总值的29%。在贸易方面，槟城2021年整年以3540亿令吉的历史最高出口额和1010亿令吉的贸易顺差位居全国榜首。

这个数据显示槟城的出口业前景是一片光明的，但问题是，你从这2160亿令吉里面赚了多少？那你有没有想过，人家做出口，你做出口，卖一样得产品，但为什么人家能赚得比较多？

其实答案很简单，问题出在方法。经过我们协助的客户，3个月内就拿到百万订单，打进200多个国家市场，销售业绩翻倍成长超过100%。

我们知道很多槟城做出口的朋友都想要了解如何能提升业绩，因此特别举办一场福建话工作坊，用最道地的语言解释给大家听，不明白我们就讲到你懂。

通过这场工作坊，我们将会与你分享：

1. Online做出口生意3个月快速开发9个国家
2. SEO优化一个月拿到50个询盘
3. 大数据分析1年累积百万美金交易额

立即报名，让我们协助你成为百万出口卖家！

时间：上午10时正-中午12时30分
地点：Easyspace, Penang

分享嘉宾简介：

Martin邓马定老师，SEO数码行销经理，Exabytes
-资深SEO数码行销专家
-协助超过100家企业优化网站搜寻排名
-社交媒体流量优化战略顾问

Cheong Peng锺萍，数码营销副总裁，Exabytes
-全球贸易战略顾问
-执业数码转型方案框架师
-超过16年销售经验

活动流程：

9.30am：报到

10.00am: 活动开始

11.30am：Networking Session

12.30pm：结束

SMS Marketing Trends and Predictions You Must Follow (Update 2024)

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October 7, 2022

Lean e-business systems as a conceptual practice are emerging, and more specifically SMBs are realizing the need to manage simple and effective text marketing solutions.

Irrespective of the IT systems set-up, the challenges are multi-dimensional.

One in terms of securing the information systems, secondly managing the complexities of the systems, and third, in terms of training and adaptation of the systems by the teams.

Seeming too complex, let’s break it down simply. The fact is many small businesses are moving to simplified solutions that are resourceful for managing business services at a lower cost.

Thus, the significance of SMS marketing or text marketing using instant messaging platforms is evolving fast.

Short Message Service (SMS) has evolved into a conventional solution for businesses to reach out to target customers.

SMS marketing is used by brands for communicating with customers, and text marketing campaign promotions are turning resourceful for businesses.

Falling under the category of owned channels, the channel is pertinent for touch points with customers.

Some of the marketing trends and predictions (Updates 2024) one must consider in SMS marketing for:

Table of Contents

1. Use Text Messaging Based on Customer Retention
2. Growth of Transactional SMS
3. The Rise in Mobile Commerce
4. Wide Reach to Target Groups
5. Interoperability
6. Customized SMS Marketing Trend
7. SMS Marketing as a Customer Service Channel

1. Use Text Messaging Based on Customer Retention

Text messaging can be a powerful tool for improving customer retention. By sending relevant and timely updates and reminders to customers, businesses can keep them engaged and informed about their purchases and services.

For example, businesses can use text messaging to send order confirmations, payment receipts, shipping updates, and appointment reminders. This helps customers feel informed and valued, increasing their likelihood of staying loyal to the brand.

Nowadays, businesses are now emphasizing the importance of customer retention and not solely focusing on acquiring new customers. Retaining old customers is a crucial part of any successful business strategy.

Therefore, text messaging can also be used to gather customer feedback and address any issues they may have. Quick response times and efficient resolution of customer inquiries through text messaging can improve customer satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of churn.

Moreover, businesses can use text messaging to offer exclusive deals and promotions to their customers, further incentivizing them to continue using the brand’s services.

Overall, text messaging can be a crucial component of a customer retention strategy, helping businesses maintain and strengthen their relationships with their customers.

2. Growth of Transactional SMS

Transactional SMS updates have seen substantial growth as businesses adopt SMS for critical notifications.

This type of SMS is used to send essential information to customers, such as order confirmations, payment receipts, and account updates.

Its ease of use, instant delivery, and high open rates make it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes.

Brands can offer their customers more value by sending timely updates through transactional SMS, such as order confirmations and shipping statuses.

This also provides businesses with an opportunity to engage customers and cross-sell and up-sell their products and services.

According to Jess Meher, CEO of Wonderment, consumers prefer real-time updates via text message over email. This is due to the growing prevalence of pay-over-text features.

The growth of transactional SMS is supported by advancements in SMS infrastructure and the increasing use of mobile devices.

As a result, the demand for transactional SMS services is expected to continue rising.

3. The Rise in Mobile Commerce

Research studies from a few sources in the public domain refer to $432.2 billion as the mobile commerce revenue estimations by the end of 2022.

Around 62% of smartphone users are expected to have made one or the other kind of online purchase using smartphones in the last six months.

SMS marketing is enabling mobile commerce solutions more dynamic and actionable.

In an illustrative scenario, when a fintech company is sending an SMS marketing campaign offering flexible loans, users interested in the loan service is clicking the URL to download the app or register an inquiry.

The whole system is so dynamic and simply resourceful.

Text message is gaining more popularity than email campaigns as the hit rate and viewing rate is higher in the case of text marketing than the conventional email campaign.

Also, increasing spam content in email marketing is leading to lower results in email campaigns.

When effectively used as a medium for mobile commerce, SMS marketing is a potential medium.

Advancements in SMS marketing solutions have created ease of managing text marketing more resourcefully.

Different versions like Gif, shortened URL links attachments, and call-for-action kind of transactional message systems are enabling strategic SMS marketing.

However, one difference between email or SMS campaigns is consent.

While email marketing has less exposure to compliance, SMS marketing must account for the local compliance practices for customer consent.

4. Wide Reach to Target Groups

With billions of users carrying smartphones or other mobile devices having a mobile carrier network, the chances of reaching out to a wider group of customer segments are easier with bulk SMS marketing solutions.

The competition prevailing among the service providers is turning beneficial for the brands, as one can fetch the bulk SMS marketing or bulk text marketing package deals at competitive pricing.

Text marketing or SMS marketing is no more used for the marketing touch points alone, rather it is being used as a medium for customer engagement.

In an illustrative scenario, a pharmacy store sending a text message to patients about their prescribed medicine purchase stands as a potential SMS marketing and a kind of customer engagement solution.

5. Interoperability

Today, for many Point-of-Sale applications, the SMS facility is interlinked, and businesses can send transaction messages to the customer’s mobile devices as a text messages.

While some text messages simply carry the transaction confirmation message, few services have the scope of text marketing interlinked to the message.

For example, in sending a text message confirming the payment receipt, a shortened URL can be linked to seeking feedback.

The kind of user experience management evolving in the SMS marketing medium is phenomenal and supports easier ways of managing customer engagement.

6. Customized SMS Marketing Trend

Businesses have advanced customization practices for SMS marketing.

Unlike the past practices of sending generic SMS text messages, today businesses are more interested in SMS marketing for a specific target group and having more customized text message offerings.

Few of the advanced bulk SMS campaign models have the scope of adding the username for SMS marketing.

And true to the development, such measures are resulting in more success rate for SMS marketing and text messaging campaigns.

Audiences are expected to interact with the brand and take actionable measures for personalized messages from the brands.

Customization takes place in different forms as businesses use personalization in different touch points.

While some text messages as wishes are sent by the brands on the anniversary or birthday of customers, some other text marketing happens on public occasions like festival wishes combined with call-for-action messages combined.

7. SMS Marketing as a Customer Service Channel

For many businesses, the scope of SMS marketing has become a medium for handling customer services too.

Today, many restaurants or café kind of outlets are handling SMS marketing -based promotions, and even receive confirmation orders as a response to the text message.

Some of the other common trends integral to SMS marketing trends are

Information management using an automated response system for text messages
Scheduled bulk message campaigns classified for different target groups
Instant messaging and response system over text marketing for customer support
AI (artificial intelligence) powered SMS chatbots
Advanced Text marketing tools like instant messaging tools.

Using the resourceful trends emerging in the domain, if the brands can focus on an integrated approach of SMS marketing, and text marketing using the other instant messaging systems, the process can leverage potential scope for customer engagement, and sale conversions.

How best to use SMS Marketing for business?

Coupons and discounts.
Updates
Services
Contests and sweepstakes
Polls
Newsletters

Despite all the challenges SMS marketing has, if used right, Bulk SMS helps give a strong push to customer relationship management, customer engagement and increase in sales.

Reach out to the expert team at Exabytes Malaysia to assist you in a selection of right-fit bulk SMS marketing solutions and text messaging models that can increase the return on investments and reach out to more customers.

View the product here:

Bulk SMS Marketing Solution

NVMe vs. SATA vs. SAS Which is the Fastest Speed for VPS Hosting?

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October 6, 2022