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Day: June 19, 2023

Digital employee onboarding: Strategies for success

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Employee onboarding is a critical process that helps new hires get familiar with the company. This helps them familiarise themselves and contribute as quickly as possible. In today’s day and age, where technology is rapidly transforming the workplace, digital employee onboarding is becoming very important.

Digital employee onboarding is the use of technology to automate and simplify the onboarding process. This article explores the methods for successful digital onboarding. It particularly focuses on tech and domain-specific aspects.

Strategies for Tech and Domain Onboarding

There are a few strategies that companies can use to implement successful digital employee onboarding. These include the following.

 

  •  Start early

The onboarding process should begin as soon as a new hire accepts the offer. This will give you time to gather all the necessary information related to the job role. You are better prepared to solve your new employee’s queries.

  • Personalise the experience

No two hires are the same, so it’s important to customise the onboarding experience to suit different needs. This means:

* Providing information and resources that are relevant to the new employee.

* Connecting the new hires with the people and resources they need to succeed.

  • Make it interactive

Digital onboarding doesn’t have to be boring. Use interactive tools and activities to engage new hires and help them learn. Examples: Online portals, video conferencing, and e-learning modules.

  • Get feedback

Ask new hires for feedback on their onboarding experience. This will help you identify areas where you can improve the programme.

With these methods, companies can create an efficient, effective and engaging digital employee onboarding process. This can help them to:

  • Attract and retain top talent.
  • Improve employee satisfaction and productivity.
  • Achieve their business goals.

Benefits of digital employee onboarding

Enhanced efficiency

Digital onboarding eliminates the need for manual paperwork and reduces administrative tasks.

Companies can save time and resources by automating processes such as:

  • Document signing.
  • Task assignments.
  • Providing access.

Automating these processes can ensure a more efficient onboarding experience for new hires.

Improved employee engagement and retention

A good digital onboarding program leads to higher employee engagement and retention rates. Companies can create a positive work environment that encourages employee loyalty by:

  • Providing personalised experiences.
  • Offering continuous learning opportunities.
  • Developing connections with peers and mentors.

Access to real-time analytics

Digital onboarding platforms offer useful insights through data analytics. They allow HR teams to track the progress of new hires. They can also identify any bottlenecks in the onboarding process. This data-driven approach enables companies to:

  • Make informed decisions.
  • Refine their action plan.
  • Improve the overall onboarding experience.

Future of Digital Onboarding

New technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) are improving onboarding in companies. They will make this crucial process smoother and more efficient.

  • AI-powered chatbots will provide personalised assistance during onboarding.
  • ML algorithms will analyse data and suggest the best onboarding tool for people. This will make the process more effective.
  • VR/AR create immersive experiences for employees. They can explore their work environment and engage in training simulations.

To Sum Up

Digital employee onboarding is crucial for companies, especially in tech and domain-specific industries. Tailored programmes, virtual training and collaboration tools help integrate new hires. They also boost productivity and foster a culture of growth.

Companies must recognise the need for efficient onboarding techniques for success in their workforce.

If you want to learn more about digital employee onboarding, Imarticus Learning can help. We offer numerous services to help you implement a successful digital onboarding programme for your company. Contact us today to learn more.

Collaborating in Supply Chain Design: What are the Factors Involved?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Step into the world of supply chain design! It’s intricate. It’s dynamic. It’s powered by collaboration and integration. These are key factors. They shape types of supply chains. Are you curious? Do you want to understand why? Let’s embark on this journey. Let’s unlock the secrets of supply chain design.

Collaboration: A Driving Force in Supply Chain Design

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Collaboration is a force. It fuels the supply chain. It unites stakeholders. It connects suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. Collaboration enhances efficiency. It improves performance. It ensures smooth operations. The result? A more effective supply chain.

But how does it work? It’s about sharing. It’s about communication. It’s about common goals. When stakeholders work together, they can overcome hurdles. They can solve problems. They can meet customer needs better.

This is the power of collaboration. Collaboration fosters trust. It builds strong relationships. It enables the sharing of resources, knowledge, and ideas. This creates opportunities for innovation. It drives continuous improvement. A collaborative supply chain is a resilient supply chain. It can weather challenges. It can adapt to change.

Integration: Linking the Pieces of the Puzzle

Integration is crucial. It’s another key factor in supply chain design. It links the parts. It connects processes. It unites systems. With integration, data flows smoothly. Information is accessible. Decision-making improves.

Consider the logistics process. It involves many steps. There’s procurement. There’s warehousing. There’s transportation. The integration connects these steps. It streamlines operations. It reduces errors. It increases efficiency. Integration means leveraging technology. It means using tools like ERP ( Enterprise resource planning ) systems, IoT (The Internet of Things) devices, and cloud computing. These tools enable real-time data sharing. They improve visibility. They help to monitor and manage the supply chain. Integration fosters agility. It empowers businesses to respond to changes quickly. It ensures a competitive edge in the market.

Types of Supply Chain: Choosing the Right Design

There are many types of supply chains. Each has its benefits. Each has its challenges. The right choice depends on many factors. It depends on the business. It depends on the industry. It depends on the market.

A few examples can be – 

There’s the lean supply chain. It focuses on efficiency. It aims to reduce waste.

Then there’s the agile supply chain. It values flexibility. It responds quickly to market changes.

Understanding these types is crucial. It’s a key step in successful supply chain design.

Factors of Supply Chain: Influencing Design and Performance

Many factors influence supply chain design. They shape its performance. They include demand patterns. They include product characteristics. They include business strategy. Understanding these factors is important. It helps to tailor the supply chain. It helps to meet specific business needs.

Demand patterns can be stable or volatile. They can be predictable or uncertain. Product characteristics can vary. There are perishable goods. There are durable goods. There are high-value items. Business strategies can focus on cost leadership. They can focus on differentiation. They can focus on niche markets. Each factor plays a role. Each factor influences supply chain design. By considering these factors, businesses can create a supply chain aligned with their goals. This alignment ensures success. It ensures a competitive advantage.

The key factors that influence supply chain management include:

Demand Patterns: The fluctuations in consumer demand greatly affect supply chain operations. Stable demand allows for more accurate forecasting and efficient planning, while unpredictable demand can pose challenges.

Product Lifecycle: The stage of the product in its lifecycle (introduction, growth, maturity, or decline) can impact supply chain strategies.

Product Characteristics: The nature of the product, such as its perishability, fragility, weight, or value, will influence logistics and transportation decisions.

Supplier Reliability: The dependability of suppliers plays a key role in maintaining steady product availability and managing production timelines.

Technology: The use of technology, like AI, IoT, and blockchain, can significantly enhance supply chain operations, including inventory management, demand forecasting, and logistics.

Regulations and Compliance: International trade laws, environmental regulations, and safety standards can affect various aspects of the supply chain, from sourcing to delivery.

Economic Conditions: Global and local economic trends can impact supply and demand, pricing, and overall supply chain strategy.

Geographical Scope: The physical distance between suppliers, manufacturers, and customers can impact transportation costs and timelines.

Business Strategy: The overall business strategy (cost leadership or differentiation) will influence supply chain decisions.

Risk Management: The ability to identify and mitigate potential disruptions in the supply chain is a crucial factor in maintaining operational efficiency.

Balancing the Supply Chain Design Act

Supply chain design is a balancing act. It needs collaboration. It needs integration. It needs the right type of supply chain. It needs an understanding of key factors. Together, these elements form a powerful supply chain. They enhance performance. They drive business success.

Ready to master the art of supply chain design? Take the first step with the IIT Guwahati Advanced Certification in Digital Supply Chain Management. This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to design effective supply chains. Visit Imarticus today. Your journey to becoming a supply chain expert starts here!

Regtech: How Technology is Simplifying Regulatory Compliance

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

The growth of information technology has led to major industries around the world seeking out digital solutions for streamlining their operations. Keeping up the pace, fintech has also adapted to digital tools, bringing forth new products and services that lean towards accessibility and user convenience.

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In recent years, RegTech has emerged as one of the commonly used tools implemented by fintech organisations to support regulatory compliance, in addition to monitoring audit trails and preventing fraudulent activities across platforms. If you are pursuing a blockchain course, this article is a quick guide to RegTech and its potential in the fintech industry.

What is RegTech?

Regulatory Technology, or RegTech as it is commonly known, has been steadily growing popular as an automated, technology-driven digital tool allowing organisations to keep up with their regulatory compliance commitments. In the era of digital solutions and technologies, RegTech has been noted for its immense potential in the financial industry, where RegTech can be implemented to monitor a company’s regulatory compliance and monitoring. 

In addition to streamlining the process of regulatory compliance, RegTech can reduce expenses, and eliminate the risks of fraudulent activities such as cyber hacks and data breaches. RegTech can simultaneously monitor and keep up with changes in various aspects of the regulatory space, including data analysis and management, employee surveillance, tracking transactions, detection of fraudulent activities, and more.

What makes RegTech relevant in the fintech industry?

RegTech has been recognised for the promises it brings in support of regulatory compliance, with integration, analytics and speed being its principal assets. With the ability to seamlessly process and organize data sets, as well as generate quick reports, RegTech is an incredible addition to the rapidly evolving environment of regulatory compliance. 

RegTech has also drawn attention in terms of adaptability and can be integrated into systems, even with limited resources. Mentioned below are some of the capabilities that make RegTech adaptable to conditions with limited resources:

  • Compliance monitoring

RegTech tools serve the primary function of monitoring regulatory compliance, which includes tracking any changes in regulatory compliance procedures and standards. RegTech tools can identify various parameters and jurisdictions imposed on regulatory compliance and use the information to flag potential breaches, making sure that the organisation is able to keep up with all regulatory compliance requirements.  

  • Regulatory monitoring

Dedicated analytics tools make RegTech an efficient digital solution, and offer automated regulatory reporting tasks, which significantly lowers expenses and saves time. Furthermore, RegTech makes use of limited resources to efficiently process data sets and organize them accordingly. RegTech’s audit capacities make it easier for companies to stay up-to-date with regulatory compliance and change management. 

  • Risk assessment

RegTech compares transaction patterns based on past scenarios, such as user activity and purchases to authenticate new transactions. This can be extremely helpful in terms of risk assessment, and issues automated warnings to concerned parties, predicting fraudulent activities. Since RegTech can adhere to company protocols and predetermined rules, it has found application as a potential risk management tool that can automatically prevent suspicious activities.

  • Identity verification 

RegTech tools can be integrated with KYC/KYB procedures, allowing organisations to verify the legitimacy of their customers, significantly lowering the risks of fraudulent accounts and transactions. KYC protocols allow RegTech to compare customer information, as well as secure onboard users.  

  • Fraud detection and anti-money laundering

RegTech supports expansive detection and monitoring tools that allow users to collect and analyse data. The collected data can be compared to analyse suspicious activities across platforms, eliminate fraudulent submissions, and handle precautionary measures. RegTech tools also help companies to keep government agencies informed about suspicious users and activities.

  • Tracking and monitoring

Incorporating RegTech can allow organisations to actively track transactions in real-time through transaction monitoring software. Other than flagging potentially suspicious activities, RegTech also accounts for eliminating ACH Network fraud and account takeover frauds, preventing any financial or data breach.

How does RegTech simplify regulatory compliance?

Managing regulatory compliance can be challenging, considering the domain of fintech undergoes changes on an everyday basis. Keeping up with compliance measures can also prove time-consuming and expensive, requiring additional resources to avoid fraud. Since RegTech tools are intuitive, they can help companies avoid additional expenses and save time. Although users are advised to learn financial technology for the best application of RegTech tools, they can also be easily operated without extensive knowledge of cloud computing. 

Incorporating RegTech has also made the domain of fintech more accessible and streamlined for its users. Given below are some of the ways in which RegTech can simplify regulatory compliance for fintech companies:

  • Improved regulatory screening and monitoring

As discussed previously, RegTech has been very influential when it comes to regulatory screening. However, in addition to collecting and analysing data sets, RegTech is also able to recommend strategic use of all available data. RegTech can accurately analyse expanding regulations to predict upcoming changes and help industries prepare accordingly. 

In addition to staying compliant with regulatory changes, this can also help industries avoid additional expenditures. Furthermore, using RegTech tools can help monitor workflow, ensuring they are up to regulatory standards. Improved regulatory screening and monitoring using RegTech tools also help companies implement proactive measures on time. 

  • Keeping up with regulatory standards

The ever-expanding nature of compliance standards often makes it difficult for companies to stay ahead of regulatory changes. RegTech tools can be extremely helpful in this regard, as they can seamlessly collect and process data, allowing companies to act quickly without having to resort to guesswork. And since RegTech tools make predictions taking into account factors like jurisdictions and market conditions, they can help streamline the process, saving time and money.

  • User-friendly automation 

While the efficiency that RegTech tools bring in terms of time and resources is enough reason for RegTech’s steady popularity, its automated compliance reporting feature is undoubtedly a game-changer. Automated updates on regulatory changes can help industries easily meet compliance standards, keep track of transactions, and collaborate with relevant agencies.

Conclusion

The wide scope of RegTech has been praised across various financial institutions and platforms, making it a staple for financial accounting and management. If you wish to pursue a career in fintech, signing up for the Professional Certificate Course from Imarticus is the best step forward. In addition to relevant courses like the blockchain course and cloud computing, Imarticus offers comprehensive coaching to help you learn financial technology and its application. Visit Imarticus Learning today to begin your journey in fintech.

5 Reasons Why Ethical Hacking Is Essential For Businesses Today

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

As businesses expand their online presence, they become increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This is where ethical hacking comes into play. Through ethical hacking, you can identify the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of your business before attackers can exploit them.

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This article will explore five reasons you need ethical hacking to stay ahead of the game and protect your business from potential threats. Join us as we dive into the world of ethical hacking. Discover why it’s an essential tool for businesses in today’s digital age!

What is Ethical Hacking? 

Ethical hacking involves intentionally and legally exploiting computer systems, networks, or applications with permission from the owner. It is also known as white hat hacking or penetration testing. Ethical hackers are also called penetration testers or security analysts. They use their technical expertise to find organisational vulnerabilities. They perform tasks like network scanning, vulnerability testing, and web application testing to identify weaknesses.

Top 5 Reasons: Why Businesses Need Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking works as a shield against cyber threats. It protects your organisation from data breaches, system hacking etc. The below-mentioned top 5 reasons tell the importance of ethical hacking.

Protecting Valuable Digital Assets 

Businesses now rely heavily on technology and data. Ethical hacking is vital to protect valuable digital assets, like intellectual property, customer information, and sensitive data. Without ethical hacking, your business is at higher risk of cyber attacks. This can cause financial and reputational harm.

Proactive Threat Detection and Prevention 

Ethical hacking helps you detect and prevent threats in advance. By regularly assessing and testing your systems, networks, and applications, you can find vulnerabilities and fix them before attackers strike. This proactive approach dramatically lowers the risk of cyber attacks.

Maintaining Customer Trust

Trust is vital for business success. A data breach can damage your reputation and trust. Ethical hacking shows your commitment to data security, ensuring your information is safe. By prioritising ethical hacking, you build trust and loyalty and stand out from competitors.

Compliance with Regulatory Requirements 

Businesses must follow data protection laws like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (Central Consumer Protection Authority). These laws have strict rules to protect customer information. Not complying can lead to hefty fines and legal trouble. Ethical hacking helps identify security gaps that could cause non-compliance.

Staying Competitive 

Strong security practices are crucial for business success. Ethical hacking enhances security, protecting customer data and maintaining resilience. It also keeps you ahead of competitors in the industry.

What Happens When Businesses Neglect the Importance of Ethical Hacking?

In today’s connected world, businesses rely on technology and face constant cyber-attack risks. Ethical hacking is crucial for finding vulnerabilities and preventing breaches. Unfortunately, some businesses underestimate its importance, putting themselves at risk.

Breached Data 

Without proactive security measures, your business becomes more vulnerable to data breaches. These breaches compromise customer data, thereby eroding trust. This may result in customer loss harming the reputation and image of your company.

Non-Compliance

Not following ethical hacking can lead to non-compliance with data protection regulations and industry standards. In addition, this puts your business at risk of facing legal consequences. This includes fines, penalties, and legal actions from affected parties.

Risks and Weaknesses 

Ethical hacking finds weaknesses and risks in your business’s digital infrastructure. With it, you can detect vulnerabilities, making you aware of entry points for attackers. This makes it easier to implement necessary security measures.

Advancement and Innovation 

Ethical hacking not only finds security flaws but also helps identify ways to improve and innovate. If you don’t use ethical hacking assessments, you won’t gain valuable insights to enhance your systems, processes, and technologies. This puts you at risk of falling behind your competitors.

Final Words

Ethical hacking helps safeguard your valuable assets from cyber threats. It includes vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, security audits, incident response testing, and security awareness training. By doing these activities, you can enhance your security and reduce risks.

However, to master these skills and techniques, you need the proper training and education. Ethical hacking has a bright future. Therefore, if you are looking for the best courses to learn such skills, you should visit Imarticus Learning, a leading platform in this field. It offers a 6-month extensive PG (Post Graduate) programme in Cyber Security, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to be the best in the field.

Sign up for Imarticus Learning’s Cyber Security Course Today!

User Experience (UX) Design and its Impact on Digital Marketing

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

User Experience or UX design is simply the interface design through which users interact with any product or service. It establishes a relationship between the two. Thus, it holds the power to make or break the success of the brand or its entire business. 

Especially, in today’s digital era, consumers constantly access the internet to look for the perfect product or service as per their needs. In these continuous interactions between them, what stands as a differentiating factor for consumers is the quality of their experience. Therefore, UX design not only determines the user’s experience but also the development of the user’s attitude toward the product or service. 

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This means the user experience is one of the most important factors to take care of when marketing a product or service to its end consumers. And in order to master this balance, a certification in digital marketing can be quite fruitful for a marketing professional.

What is the relationship between UX and Digital Marketing?

With time, marketing strategies have evolved a lot. A major chunk of this happened due to the introduction of the digital age. Now, as people are investing most of their time in the digital world, businesses have structured their marketing around it. And to achieve their end goal of selling more products/services using digital marketing, brands cannot ignore the importance of UX design. 

To put it in simple words, User experience has deep roots in online brands. And when we talk about online consumers, they are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience. This directs toward why brands invest so much in UX design as it directly impacts the profit margins. 

Similar to any marketing strategy, digital marketing also aims to be at the top with its retention rate. That means the customers continue to use their product or service. But to achieve this, a thoughtful UX design is quite important. 

According to UX statistics, 70% of customers abandon their purchases because of a bad user experience. That being said, a paid report from Forrester implies that, on average, every $1 invested in UX brings $100 in return. That is a highly respectable ROI of 9,900%.

Now, it makes complete sense how a UX design of a product or service is related to its digital marketing. The latter cannot bring out a satisfactory result without a proper application of the former.

Impact of UX on Digital Marketing

It’s often seen that during the application of modern digital marketing strategies, UX is overlooked. This ignorance is then clearly seen in the retention rate of users. However, all of these can be rectified once the due importance to the user’s experience is given. And before doing so, we must know UX impacts the digital marketing of a business.

Enhancement in SEO

In today’s age, ranking the highest in search engine optimisation is crucial for almost every business present out there. The visibility of brands in the digital world has become a new necessity for them to survive in this competitive market. And in accomplishing this, a better UX can contribute a ton. From increasing the visibility in searches to reducing the bounce rate, it does it all. To train in this profession, one takes the help of an SEO course as well. 

Leads to the user’s pleasure

For brands, the very first and the most important step is to make sure that user experience is absolute. As it holds the power of affecting further processes, be it marketing or anything else. Therefore, UX is an unavoidable component when building a relationship with the consumer.

Effective landing page design

Uniqueness is a necessary element when a brand aims to stand out from the rest. Especially when it comes to the landing page designs which highly effects the conversion rate. Users tend to judge businesses through their unique landing pages and the finer their experience is on it. The easier it is for your visitors to find information on your website, the conversion of them to potential customers is likely to rise. 

Optimised to mobile

As per the statistics of 2022, 60% of website traffic is generated through mobile in comparison to 39% of desktops and tablets. This highlights how much users are invested in their smartphones, thus, making it the primary touchpoint for a growing amount of digital customers. Hence, businesses that have optimised their landing pages for mobile users not only enhance their SEO mobile rank but show a massive rise in conversions.

Gather User’s feedback for a better strategy

For structuring a digital marketing strategy, some crucial pointers are needed about the user’s experience with the business. The data collected about the user’s experience determines how customers interact with their products and services, and what type of content they require, and prefer. From this, marketers can take note and plan their strategies. These insights can then be used to devise solutions for the problems that consumer face. Hence, increasing the conversion rate.

Conclusion

With the above insights, we came to know about UX, that’s often overlooked by businesses but impacts it greatly. It shapes the audience’s perception of the product/service and works to develop in the favour of the business. From establishing a relationship between the customer and brand to enhancing conversion rates and increasing brand awareness, UX does it all. 

These uses of UX design heavily impact digital marketing strategies for good by providing professionals with insights into the user’s experience. Thus, to stand out in this competitive landscape, businesses have to incorporate UX in structuring digital marketing strategies. 

To know these applications in depth, one can go for an Advanced Certification in Digital Marketing and MarTech by IIT Roorkee. Here, you’ll be provided with practical knowledge of how to lay out the best digital marketing strategy by making the best use of UX. 

View Imarticus Learning to know more about certification in Digital Marketing.

Ensemble Methods: Combining Multiple Models for Improved Performance

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Machine Learning models developed for more accurate prediction are trained with a variety of different methods. Some of these essential methods are the ensemble methods that can assist in gaining a more accurate result.

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In brief, ensemble methods combine the predictions of several methods to form a more accurate result. And anyone who is seeking a career in data analytics should care about it more as it will direct them toward creating models that are more precise. 

What Are Ensemble Methods?

Ensemble methods simply combine several individually trained models through machine learning and statistical techniques with the objective of giving out the most precise result possible. Thus, not only the final result is accurate but also improves the robustness of predictions. 

By applying this method, one can even reduce the risk of overfitting while increasing the stability of predictions. All of this falls into place by aggregating the output of multiple results. Thus, solving the most complicated machine learning problems, like regression and classification, in no time. 

In particular fields like finance, healthcare, and autonomous systems where accuracy and reliability are important, the application of ensemble methods can do wonders.

Benefits of Ensemble Methods

  • Compared to the other individual models, ensemble methods have increased predictive accuracy.
  • Given its precision, the result of ensemble methods is less prone to any errors.
  •  It also helps in overcoming the limitations of individual models by combining the strengths of multiple models to achieve better results.
  • The ensemble methods perfectly manage both linear and non-linear types of data in the datasheet.
  • Bias/Variance can be reduced when using the ensemble method to produce results.  
  • Both the process and the end result after the ensemble of models are less noisy and more stable in nature.
  • Given the use of ensemble methods, it can be applied to various machine learning tasks, such as classification, anomaly detection, and regression.

Ensemble Method Groups

Ensemble learning methods are mostly categorised into two groups;

Sequential Ensemble Methods

As the name implies, in this ensemble method, the base learners are dependent on the results obtained by previous base learners. Although, every subsequent base model corrects the results of its predecessor by fixing the errors in it. Thus, the end result leads to a more improved performance. 

Parallel Ensemble Methods

Contrary to the above one, there is no dependency on base learners in this method. Here, the results of all the models, executed parallelly are combined at the end to make an accurate prediction. 

There are two Parallel Ensemble Methods with different approaches to their base learner;

  • Homogeneous- A single machine learning algorithm is used
  • Heterogeneous- Multiple machine learning algorithms are used.

Types of Ensemble Methods in Machine Learning

In order to have a robust and reliable predictor, ensemble methods have a few advanced techniques to carry out the process. To learn about the process in depth, one can opt for a machine learning certification as well. 

Here are the three types of ensemble methods that are put to use:

  • Boosting

It is a sequential ensemble learning technique carried out on the most difficult-to-predict examples. In boosting method, models are iteratively trained so at the end, several weak base learners can also build a powerful ensemble. Here, the final prediction is based on a weighted average of the models. This method is used to decrease bias errors and also can avoid overfitting of data with parameter tuning.

Some boosting algorithms are AdaBoost, XGBoost, and LightGBM.

  • Bagging

Unlike boosting, in the bagging method, multiple models are trained on a randomly generated sample of the original datasheet. It then combines the predictions from all to aggregate them through averaging or voting. Bagging or Bootstrap Aggregation is a parallel ensemble learning technique to reduce the variance in the final prediction.

A few examples of it would be Random Forest and Bagged Decision Trees. 

  • Stacking

This method is also known as a stacked generalisation, referring to the ensemble technique that works by combining multiple machine learning algorithms through meta-learning. Here, the base models are trained on the entire datasheet. But the meta-models or level 1 models are trained on the predictions of base-level models. It helps to reduce bias or variance in base models.

Some libraries for Stacking are StackingClassifier and StackingRegressor.

  • Voting

This ensemble learning method creates multiple models of different types, which go through some simple statistics like calculation mean or median to combine the prediction. This result will then serve as additional input for training to make the final prediction. Similar to other ensemble methods, it is also implemented through Python programming and with the help of tools like Power BI, which makes the process of implementing the models much easier.

Conclusion

A single algorithm might disappoint one by its inaccurate prediction for a given data set. But if we build and combine multiple models, the chance of boosting the accuracy in overall performance increases. This is where ensemble methods are put into use to carry out precise results.  

As we understood from the above information, ensemble methods combine several predictions to churn out the most accurate and robust prediction. However, it is often not preferred in some industries where interpretability is more important. But that being said, no one can deny the effectiveness of these methods. Further, their benefits, if appropriately applied, are tremendous. 

Thus, to learn these ensemble methods, one must skill up in Python programming and using power BI. And all of these can be easily covered in a machine learning certification. 

For those who are looking to develop their skills and move ahead in their career in data analytics, Imarticus Learning offers the Postgraduate Programme in Data Science and Analytics. Here, you will get the expertise in working with the necessary tools with complete knowledge of the subject. 

Visit Imarticus Learning to learn more about data science and machine learning.

Investment Banking and the Role of Financial Advisory Services

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

We live in a fast-paced world that is thriving based on technological development and disruptive changes. To adapt to that ever-evolving environment, corporations and businesses are constantly aiming to upgrade them. Investment Banking is one of the vital pillars on which the global economy stands firm.

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Investment banking offers a wide range of services like capital information, merger and acquisitions, and financial advisory to both government agencies and privately held companies. Among all the services, financial advisory is one of the crucial services that help clients with wealth management and financial transactions.

Financial advisory also guides them to understand the concept of strategic decision-making. In this article, we shall be exploring the nitty-gritty of investment banking while attempting to understand the significance of financial advisory services in the world of financial systems. 

What is Investment Banking?

Investment banking is a sector that primarily deals with the money market. It focuses on creating value through financial transactions and advisory services. Investment banks act as the intermediary bodies between investors and companies or governments acting as issuers of securities by helping in the efficient allocation of capital. Investment banking comes into play to help companies raise money by issuing securities or providing advisory services like mergers and acquisitions advice, and underwriting securities offerings. 

Investment banking is foundationally the practice of assisting businesses in raising capital through the issuance of securities or the provision of advisory services such as merger and acquisition counsel. Additionally, investment banking services provide advice on capital markets, offer stock underwriting services, and help businesses manage their debt. Investment banks essentially serve as middlemen between buyers and sellers of securities or other financial products.

Investment Banker’s role

In today’s economy, the best way to run in profit is to divide the primary capital into multiple sectors. Investment bankers provide proper strategic advice to finance-related companies, governments, and various other organisations in need. Private companies that raise additional funds go public by offering securities. This process is known as an Initial Public Offer, in short, IPO.

Investment banking helps companies that are preparing IPO of stocks and investment bankers in extension, analyse the company’s worth and whether it qualifies to be publicly traded or not. They also buy the shares of the stock at a discounted price and then sell them at the IPO price to interested investors – both individuals and organisations.

What are Financial Advisory Services?

Financial Advisory Services is a vital part of investment banking in the global financial system. Under its belt, financial advisory services have a wide range of specialised solutions that investment banks provide to their clients. These services are designed to help those clients in making well-informed financial decisions, risk management, and optimisation of their capital structure, and hence to achieve their respective financial objectives.

Financial advisory services can be categorised into three main domains: corporate finance advisory, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and wealth management.

Corporate Finance Advisory

Corporate finance advisory primarily concerns assisting corporations with raising capital, managing debt, and risk management, thus optimising their financial structure. Investment banks come up with suitable strategic advice on various financial matters like capital budgeting, capital structure, and financing options.

They also help clients identify the most appropriate sources and scopes of funding – whether through equity offerings, debt issuance, or alternative financing methods. Investment banks also guide efficient capital allocation by helping companies determine the most profitable use of their financial resources to boost growth and maximise shareholder value.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

Mergers and acquisitions are inclusive of complex financial transactions that demand extensive financial expertise and strategic insight in order to obtain the optimum result. Investment banks play a vital role in facilitating mergers and acquisitions deals by guiding clients through various stages of the whole process. They also help them identify potential buyers, and assess valuation determining their worth.

Investment bankers also help in structuring the deal, negotiate terms of the same, and advise on post-merger integration options. They make use of their comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the money market consisting of market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and financial analysis and help clients navigate the nooks of M&A transactions and achieve the best possible outcome of those deals.

Wealth Management

Wealth management is one of the most sought-after services in the global financial sector. Investment banks happen to offer services to both individuals and institutional investors. It includes an array of services like portfolio management, investment strategy and advice, risk management, and other customised solutions uniquely tailored for individual client needs. With their in-depth market research, trend analysis, economic insight, and experience in handling a varied range of investment opportunities to optimise investment portfolios – investment bankers help and guide clients to achieve their financial goals.

Financial Advisor’s role

Financial advisors collaborate with their clients to examine and analyse their current financial situations – both strengths and weaknesses and their financial goals for the future. Based on that, they devise strategies that can yield profitable outcomes both in the short and long run. Financial advisors also coach you on how to navigate through the pitfalls on the way and steer clear of them in future.

With a solid and proven strategy under their arsenal, they help clients execute their plans to obtain the best possible result. They are also capable of advising clients in areas like higher education planning, investing in insurance, and retirement planning. A good financial advisor must be equipped with both in-depth and hands-on knowledge to table solutions and recommendations in the hour of need.

Perks of availing financial advisory services

Financial advisory services provide valuable financial solutions to clients by offering their expertise in market intelligence, and strategic guidance. Some of the key benefits of signing up for financial advisory services are:

  1. Expert advice: Investment banks are armed with highly able and skilled professionals with deep knowledge of financial markets, regulations, and trends. This expertise enables them to provide clients with tailor-made solutions and strategic insights that are crucial and effective in making well-informed financial decisions.
  2. Access to capital: Investment banks are connected with institutional investors, private equity firms, venture capitalists, and other sources of capital. This range of networking allows them to connect clients with potential investors with different portfolios and secure funding for various capital needs and investments.
  3. Transactional assistance: Complex financial transactions like IPOs, debt issuances, and M&A deals require tremendous planning and coordination in order to be executed flawlessly. Investment banks act as trusted and capable advisors and project managers who can ensure smooth and efficient transactions with minimal risks while maximising the financial value for their clients.
  4. Market intelligence: Investment banks are equipped with extensive research facilities and professionals who are capable of analysing market data, therefore providing clients with valuable insights into market trends, industry dynamics, and competitive landscapes. This information proves useful in making data-driven decisions and staying one step ahead of the curve in an ever-changing financial environment.

Skills required

  • Exceptional understanding of the money market and derivatives market, the trends and dynamics.
  • Must be armed with analytical skills and insights to contribute to crucial financial decisions.
  • Good communication skills and a problem-solving attitude.
  • In-depth knowledge of accounting principles and excellent networking abilities.

Scopes in investment banking

  • Investment bankers: Investment bankers make use of their capital market knowledge to research and determine profitable financial investment decisions.
  • Financial analysts: Financial analysts are equipped to analyse market trends and provide useful insights to clients regarding investment opportunities and outcomes.
  • Wealth managers: Wealth managers are responsible for finding suitable investment opportunities that result in financial profit for their clients and managing their portfolios at the same time.
  • Investment advisors: With their knowledge, expertise and experience in the global financial market, investment advisors guide clients to understand their financial resources, and fund allocation, hence helping to make sound decisions before financial investments.

Conclusion

Investment banking and financial advisory services play a vital role in shaping the global financial landscape by providing support to business organisations, government agencies, and high-profile individuals. The comprehensive expertise and strategic guidance offered by investment banks help clients navigate complex financial transactions, optimise their capital structure, and achieve their financial goals.

Imarticus Learning provides an exceptionally well-tailored investment banking course in india to arm the students with the required knowledge and hone their skills to become successful professionals in future.

The investment banking certification course offered by Imarticus Learning is where your search for a well-built programme ends. Sign up today and take the next step towards your brighter future.