Contact Us
×

Author: Imarticus Learning

Operational CFO v/s Strategic CFO : Understanding Financial Leadership

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

The present nature of business has pushed a CFO’s role beyond the traditional management of the finance and cash of a company. A CFO is responsible for improving the figures, allocating resources, executing rational business practices, managing relationships with investors, and much more. However, the position of chief financial officer has different facets. 

chief financial officers course

It is best to first understand the differences between operational and strategic CFOs that define different styles of financial leadership. An effective CFO course can help one understand the distinct styles of financial leadership and choose the one suited to a particular type of business.

Who is an operational CFO?

An operational CFO is a financial expert whose primary focus is to optimise company performance by combining functional and financial data. Such professionals must have a deep understanding of the procedures and operations of the company. An operational CFO knows about an organisation’s operations inside out, which helps him/her better grasp the cash flow metrics of the organisation.

chief financial officers course

The leadership abilities of an operational CFO can make a big difference in the long run. Additionally, an operational CFO should possess sufficient knowledge and understanding of financial accounting, financial reporting, risks and other accounting-related aspects. Such professionals should focus on more than just getting better numbers and developing the business’ overall operations. 

Who is a strategic CFO?

Strategic CFOs are professionals who develop a thorough financial strategy and offer better insights that help facilitate positive changes in an organisation. These professionals are responsible for creating effective financial plans for the company. They, however, are aware of the company’s operational performance but have other priorities. 

Unlike an operational CFO, who analyses an organisation’s past and present performance, a strategic CFO is concerned with the company’s future. Hence, a strategic CFO must always be forward-looking and aware of the present economy and financial market structure.

Operational CFO v/s Strategic CFO

Certain distinct characteristics make the two approaches differ from each other. 

  • Purpose

The key objective of an operational CFO is to understand the company processes that will increase overall efficiency and reduce redundancy in an organisation. The operational and financial leadership approach allows a professional to examine every department within a firm meticulously and identify the areas that require elimination and cutting down wasteful spending, leading to overall improvement.

On the other hand, the main objective of a strategic CFO is to understand the company’s financial health. A strategic CFO is responsible for analysing how a firm’s financial health affects its performance and growth. The approach of strategic financial leadership allows professionals to work closely with the management to establish long-term financial goals. Gathering and analysing information direct the business on the right path.

  • Scope

Operational financial leaders concentrate on specific business departments or units. They specifically examine the finer points of a financial report. It may include the daily prices of raw materials, the performance of employees in a team over time, etc. 

On the contrary, strategic financial leaders focus on the entire organisation and financial ways to improve its growth altogether and not concentrate on a particular sector. It is more concerned about reaching the company’s annual targets rather than any specific unit. Hence, a strategic CFO has a much wider scope than an operational CFO.

  • Focus area

Operational CFOs concentrate more on the financial aspects of an organisation’s daily operations. It can include developing strategies to speed up the production process. For instance, categorising and delegating tasks accordingly to get speedy and quality results. Operational financial leadership also integrates procedures and tools for better outputs.

Strategic CFOs, however, concentrate on a company’s overall financial strategy and position. They may create more lucrative product results by working with specific product designers to improve an existing product line. This, in turn, generates accurate results as this approach requires gathering information and analysing the market requirements to discover new opportunities for revenue growth.

  • Time period

The work of an operational CFO covers a shorter time horizon. Generally, operational CFOs work on the data and information they gather over a few months or a maximum of a year. 

However, the work of a strategic CFO is generally of a longer time horizon. Strategic CFOs look into the data and information gathered over a prolonged period stretching years. Strategic CFOs then accurately analyse this data and formulate strategies for the company’s future growth.

Conclusion

The role of a CFO is crucial in any business whatsoever, be it operational or strategic. No matter the distinction, a CFO must possess leadership and communication skills.

If a career in finance is your calling, then the IIM Indore finance programme can be your guiding light. Sign up for IIM Indore Postgraduate Certificate Programme for Emerging CFOs by Imarticus and learn the key features of becoming a successful CFO in the future.

Full Stack Developer vs. Front End Developer vs. Back End Developer

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

The need for web developers has increased dramatically in the current digital era as companies rely on their online presence to succeed. The escalating demand, meanwhile, has led to a lack of clarity on the many kinds of developers and their functions in developing a website or application. You might have heard the phrases “Full Stack Developer,” “Front End Developer,” and “Back End Developer.” 

But what do they signify, and how do they differ? We’ll describe the roles and responsibilities of each sort of developer in this post to help you determine which one is ideal for you.

What is a Full Stack Developer?

An individual who can work on a web application’s front and back end is a full-stack developer. The front end of a web application refers to the elements, such as the layout, design, navigation, and functionality, that the user sees and interacts with. The portion of the online application that manages logic, data, and communication with external services, including the database, server, API, and security, is known as the back end.

Full-stack web developers are in high demand due to their versatility and depth of expertise. An average full-stack developer can expect to earn between $112,788 and $150,000 per year, depending on their experience and skill level. 

A full-stack developer can start from scratch and build a fully working web application using their extensive understanding of web development technologies. There are several career options in web development. Typical technologies that a full-stack developer should be familiar with include the following:

  • The front end uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Front end frameworks and libraries, including Angular, React, and Vue
  • Backend code is written with Node.js, PHP, Python, or Ruby
  • Backend frameworks and libraries, including Rails, Laravel, Express, and Django
  • Backend database systems like PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or MySQL
  • For deployment and hosting, platforms and tools like Git, AWS, or Heroku

The benefits of being a full-stack developer

  • You are more adaptable and versatile at work. 
  • You can easily manage every part of web development and switch between activities.
  • You have greater ownership and control over your initiatives. 
  • You may create, develop, and deploy your web apps without relying on others.

What are the challenges of being a full-stack developer?

  • There are several technologies and developments that you must stay on top of. To remain relevant and competitive, you must continuously pick up new talents and keep your current ones up to date.
  • More responsibility and complexity are placed on you. 
  • You must oversee numerous web development layers and ensure they interact safely and seamlessly.

What is a Front End Developer?

Front-end web developers handle the design and user interface of the website. As you know, HTML serves as a webpage’s structural foundation. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) can be compared to the skeleton’s body or physique. 

In terms of websites, CSS allows front-end web developers to alter the form of the body, which is analogous to setting up specific parts in advance to give a website a distinct look.  In the US, a front-end developer can expect to make around $104,893 per year. 

What are the benefits of being a front-end developer?

  • The current method is centered on a website that prioritizes web developers. 
  • Front-end developers that can support the website for many industries and are knowledgeable about all the tools are in high demand.
  • Innovative and imaginative problems provide difficulties for front-end developers. They must be prepared with a solution and the necessary skills to design the website in a way that may satisfy the specifications.
  • Regarding website front-end tools, developers may learn about the latest ones.

What are the challenges of being a front-end developer?

  • You must address problems with responsiveness and browser compatibility. 
  • You must adapt to the shifting expectations and preferences of users. 
  • Collaboration with other developers and stakeholders is required. 

What is a Back End Developer?

Backend developers must often be familiar with PHP, Ruby, Python, and other programming languages. Additionally, they must be proficient in database technologies like MySQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server. 

The developer community extensively uses PHP. For instance, the SQL database saves the data supplied by a user during registration on a website. The server-side language retrieves the data from the database each time a user logs in, and HTML then shows it on your screen.

Are you curious about the compensation packages for backend web developers? They often earn more yearly money than front-end developers, up to and including $128,880.

There are numerous pros and cons of being a back end developer.

What are the benefits of being a back end developer?

  • You have more logic and problem-solving in your work. 
  • You can use your analytical skills and technical knowledge to create complex algorithms and systems.
  • A back-end developer also deals with some fascinating technologies, so that’s not all. Consider databases, servers, APIs, and many specialized programming languages. 
  • Back-end developers are in great demand. Therefore you can very much name your price when it comes to wage discussions.

The Final Words

Each position has its difficulties and benefits, whether you decide to become a Full Stack Developer, Front End Developer, or Back End Developer. The future of web development careers is expected to develop quickly, and new technologies and frameworks are continuously being developed. 

 Finally, it’s vital to note that the titles of Full Stack Programmer vs. Front End Programmer vs. Back End programmers are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to understand the specific responsibilities of each role to determine which path is right for you.

With the Imarticus Learning Full Stack Developer Pro course, students will discover data structures and algorithms to create end-to-end apps. This 6-month curriculum will prepare you for a lucrative future as a full-stack web developer by providing you with the technical know-how of front-end and back-end programming. 

The Future of Payments: Trends and Innovations in Fintech

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

The fintech industry is constantly changing, and these innovations have a revolutionary impact on the payments industry. Newer and speedier technologies are displacing the conventional methods of exchanging money, from mobile wallets to cryptocurrencies. 

As e-commerce has grown, so has the demand for quick and secure payment methods, making it crucial for financial institutions and entrepreneurs to stay on top of the most recent developments. 

This blog examines the future of payments, cutting-edge trends, and technology revolutionizing business. Join us as we investigate the possibilities of Fintech and the future of payments.

Let’s get started!

How will Fintech shape the future of payments?

There are bigger, more persistent changes already affecting the financial services sector and the whole global economy under the transformation to a cashless society.

Paper checks, analog invoices, and other traditional payment methods are about to undergo a major makeover. New business models are developing as the whole payments sector’s infrastructure transforms.

Two distinct and concurrent tendencies are involved in this restructuring of the payments sector and, in fact, the whole global payments ecosystem. Business is rising for financial companies and technology suppliers. 

The fintech sector has expanded rapidly during the past ten years. The industry had a value of US$3.56 trillion by the end of 2021, and between 2021 and 2025, it was projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 23.58%.

What are the latest payment trends in Fintech?

Financial technology (Fintech) has impacted the conventional payments business for many years. Customers now demand a uniform payment experience across platforms and devices due to the growth of e-commerce and mobile payments.

“Innovations in fintech” refers to cutting-edge products and technology upending the conventional financial sector. The term “fintech,” short for financial technology, describes the use of technology to automate financial services, including investment and banking, as well as payments and money transfers.

Here are some of the future payment trends: 

Trend #1: Contactless Payments

The market for contactless payments was valued at USD 34.55 billion in 2021, and from 2022 to 2030, it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.1%. The expansion is related to the expanding use of digital payment services intended to facilitate client payments more quickly. 

Intelligent hardware, cutting-edge software, and smart services are all components of contactless payments, which enhance conventional payment methods and bring about intelligent transactions. Card issuers are gradually integrating contactless payment card systems worldwide, helping the industry expand.

Since the client does not directly exchange invoicing or payment information with the seller, contactless payments are renowned for being safe. Instead, all correspondence is encrypted, and a unique transaction number is tokenized for each purchase. The one-time code used to identify a specific transaction will be the only information an attacker will obtain from a wireless communication if it is intercepted.

The COVID-19 epidemic and consumers’ desire to avoid direct human interaction when making in-store transactions increased the introduction of contactless payment. 

Trend #2: Embedded Payments

Embedded payments are another development that is altering how we make payments. Payments that are linked to other platforms or services are referred to as embedded payments. They let you make payments while still using the app or website you’re on.

Both consumers and businesses may profit greatly from embedded payments. They improve conversion and retention rates by generating a smooth and seamless user experience. Additionally, they open up previously inaccessible prospects and new business models.

Trend #3: Future of Payments and IoT

The payments environment is being impacted by the Internet of Things (IoT). According to payments and banking specialists Mercator Advisory Group, this industry expands by 15% annually. Businesses that accept IoT payments have a lot of sales prospects due to the exponential growth of linked items like refrigerators, cars, and machines. IoT payments can be made automatically or partially by particular ‘events.’ 

Trend #4: Emerging markets

 As one of the most desirable development regions, Asia’s inventive startups are increasingly challenging Western financial companies. Such markets are open to technological innovation because people accustomed to antiquated payment methods are keen to accept new ones better suited to their everyday economic demands. 

Omdia predicts that between 2020 and 2024, the number of debit and credit cardholders will increase by 5.8% in the Philippines and 5.50% in Indonesia. This demonstrates how nations with previous payment systems are moving away from using cash.

Trend #5: Digital currency

Digital tokens or electronic records known as Central Bank’s Digital Currencies (CBDCs) represent a country’s money virtually. Over the next 20 years, they are expected to have the largest disruptive influence and private-sector cryptocurrencies.

Financial organizations, including Mastercard, Visa, and BNY Mellon, are getting ready to make it easier to utilize CBDCs. Additionally, a recent poll by the Bank for International Settlements indicates that 14% of central banks are currently undertaking pilot testing, and 60% of central banks are investigating CBDCs.

The Final Words

The future of payments is intriguing and promising. Fintech technologies are revolutionizing the way we pay by enabling quicker, safer, and more open transactions than ever before. Staying current on the most recent trends and advances is crucial as we negotiate this quickly changing environment. 

We can stay educated and ready for what is ahead by doing this. Embracing these developments will help you remain ahead of the curve and reap the numerous rewards that Fintech offers, whether you’re a business owner or a regular consumer.  Innovations in Fintech include mobile payment apps, peer-to-peer lending platforms, digital currencies, blockchain technology, and robo-advisors.

Imarticus Learning and Geeta University have created a MBA in fintech program that intends to provide students with expertise in both technology and finance. This course provides practical experience with cutting-edge technologies, including API, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, AI, Machine Learning, RPA, IoT, and Big Data, as well as essential areas of the industry. 

So, let’s embrace future payments and see where it leads!

How are Financial Advisory and Risk Mitigation Related?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Financial management involves the strategic planning, organising, directing, and controlling of financial resources to achieve organisational goals and objectives. Financial planning, budgeting, investing, and risk management are essential components of financial management. Two essential elements of financial management are financial advisory and risk management.

Financial advisory and risk mitigation are closely related due to the important role that financial advisors play in helping individuals and organisations manage financial risks. The financial industry is inherently unpredictable, with numerous risks that could have an effect on investments, assets, and financial security. 

Financial Advisors

Financial advisors are experts who give individuals or organisations guidance and advice on financial matters. They might work as independent advisors or for a financial institution.

You typically need a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related field in order to work as a financial advisor. A professional certification can also help you become a financial advisor.

Financial consultants may charge their clients a fee or accept commissions for the financial products they suggest to their clients. People should do their research and pick a financial advisor who is reliable, knowledgeable, experienced, and who is looking out for their best interests.

Risk Mitigation

Risk mitigation is the process of identifying, evaluating, and reducing or eliminating risks to lessen the likelihood that unfavourable events will affect a person or organisation. It is a crucial component of risk management, which aims to safeguard investments and assets by spotting potential threats and taking action to lessen their likelihood and effects.

Several strategies can be used for risk mitigation, depending on the specific risks involved. Some common strategies include:

  • Avoidance: This involves completely avoiding the risk by not engaging in any activity that can potentially harm the institution. 
  • Reduction: This involves taking steps to reduce the likelihood or impact of the risk, such as implementing safety procedures or investing in backup systems.
  • Transfer: This involves transferring the risk to another party, such as through insurance or outsourcing.
  • Acceptance: This involves accepting the risk and its potential consequences, often when the cost of mitigation outweighs the benefits.

Effective risk mitigation requires ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the chosen strategies are working and to identify new risks as they emerge. By identifying and addressing potential risks, individuals and organisations can help protect their investments and assets, and improve their overall resilience to unexpected events.

Relation Between Financial Advisory and Risk Mitigation

Financial advisory and risk mitigation are closely related because financial advisors often provide advice and guidance on how to mitigate financial risks. Financial advisors help clients identify potential risks to their finances, such as market volatility, inflation, or unexpected expenses, and develop strategies to minimise the impact of those risks.

For example, a financial advisor may recommend diversifying investments across different asset classes to reduce the impact of market fluctuations or suggest purchasing insurance to protect against unexpected events such as accidents or illnesses. 

Additionally, financial advisors may help clients assess the risks associated with different investment options and make informed decisions based on their risk tolerance and financial goals. They may also monitor investments and adjust strategies as needed to minimise risk and maximise returns. 

Ultimately, financial advisory and risk mitigation go hand in hand, as both involve identifying potential risks and taking steps to minimise their impact. By working with a financial advisor, individuals and organisations can better understand and manage their financial risks, ultimately helping to protect their assets and investments.

Considerations for Choosing a Financial Advisor With Risk Mitigation Expertise

When choosing a financial advisor with risk mitigation expertise, companies keep several key considerations to keep in mind. These include: 

  • Professional credentials: Companies search for a financial advisor who has the appropriate professional certifications These certifications indicate that the advisor has completed the required education and training to provide sound financial advice and has demonstrated expertise in risk management. 
  • Relevant experience: Companies consider the advisor’s experience in risk mitigation and financial planning. They look for an advisor who has worked with clients in similar situations to your own and who has a proven track record of success in managing risk and achieving financial goals. 
  • Communication skills: Effective communication is essential in the financial advisory relationship. Companies look for an advisor who is a good listener and who can explain complex financial concepts in clear and simple terms. The advisor should also be responsive to your questions and concerns and be willing to work with you to develop a customised financial plan that meets your specific needs and goals.

Choosing a financial advisor with risk mitigation expertise requires careful consideration. By taking the time to evaluate potential advisors based on these key factors, firms can select an advisor who can help them achieve their financial goals while also minimising potential risks.

Conclusion

In the end, financial advisory and risk mitigation are closely related concepts that go hand in hand when it comes to managing personal or organisational finances. Financial advisors help clients achieve their financial goals by developing customised plans that take into account a range of factors and risk mitigation is an essential component of financial planning. 

As choosing a good financial advisor with risk-mitigating skills is crucial to the financial management of the firm, learning these skills from a trustworthy institution is as important.  Imarticus offers an IIM Calcutta executive programme in Investment Banking and Capital Markets which can help you learn more about financial advisory and risk management.

Cybersecurity Careers: Skills, Certifications and Job Opportunities

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Cybersecurity is crucial in the modern digital era. Companies worldwide are putting more emphasis on cybersecurity due to the growth in cyberattacks and data breaches to safeguard their priceless assets. This has increased the demand for cybersecurity specialists, opening up many work prospects for people with the necessary qualifications. 

According to the University of Maryland, 2,244 daily hacker attacks occur every 39 seconds. This blog is for you if you’re considering a cybersecurity career path or want to grow in your current position. The abilities and credentials required for success in cybersecurity, as well as the present employment market and the most promising career options, will all be covered in this post. Let’s start now!

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity aims to protect your digital information from those seeking to harm you. This covers safeguarding anything from your private information, such as your social media accounts and emails, to the private information of major corporations and governmental bodies.

Cybersecurity is similar to placing a digital lock on your data to prevent cybercriminals from stealing it or using it for nefarious purposes. To defend against dangers like viruses, malware, hacking, and phishing assaults, many tools and approaches must be used.

The field of cyber security is expanding and yet requires qualified personnel. Industry analysts predict the worldwide cybersecurity industry will increase from $170 billion in 2017 to $202 billion in 2023.

There has been a growth in the need for cybersecurity employment. By 2023, there will be more than 1 million open positions in the field of cybersecurity, but fewer than 400,000 people will have received cybersecurity training. The field of cyber security is constantly growing. In 2023 and 2025, respectively, it is predicted to expand by 11% and 20%. The median annual income for this fast-paced job is $81,000.

How to start a career in cybersecurity?

Qualified individuals must fill entry-level, mid-level, and advanced-level positions in the expanding cybersecurity field. Over the next five years, demand for cybersecurity professionals will increase by 18%.

Cybersecurity is essential for any organization that relies on IT systems to store, process, or transmit sensitive information. Cybersecurity helps prevent data breaches, identity theft, ransomware attacks, denial-of-service attacks, phishing scams, and other cyber threats that can cause financial losses, reputational damage, legal liabilities, or even physical harm.

Protecting computer networks and data against unwanted access, use, or destruction is the focus of the cybersecurity sector. Professionals in cybersecurity come in a wide range of specialties and skill sets. Entry-level cybersecurity jobs require a high school diploma or the GED equivalent and some on-the-job training.

An associate’s degree in computer science or a closely related discipline, one year of professional experience, plus a few specialized education courses are needed for mid-level roles. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, three years of experience, and specialized education courses are necessary for advanced-level roles.

What are some of the skills required for a career in cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity professionals need technical and workplace skills to perform their duties effectively. Some of the technical skills include:

Technical and practical skills are necessary for cybersecurity experts to carry out their jobs successfully. Among the technical abilities are:

  • Scripting: Scripting is a sort of coding that lets you use languages like Python or PowerShell to automate processes and develop tools. You may become more productive, save time, and improve your talents as a cybersecurity analyst by using scripting.
  • Networking: The cornerstone of cybersecurity is networking. You must comprehend how networks function, how data moves across servers and devices, how protocols and standards work, and how to protect network connections and devices.
  • Database: Most of the data is kept and retrieved through the database. You must be able to use languages like SQL to query databases, find and use database vulnerabilities, and safeguard databases from unwanted access.
  • Forensics: Digital evidence from cyber events is gathered, examined, and presented. To recover lost or encrypted data, track harmful activity, locate attackers, and preserve evidence for legal uses, you must be familiar with forensic tools and procedures.
  • Penetration testing: Penetration testing mimics actual cyberattacks on the networks or systems of a business to find and exploit weaknesses. You must understand how to use frameworks and tools for penetration testing, engage in ethical hacking, and present your conclusions and suggestions.

The Final Words

The need for qualified people is greater than ever as cybersecurity expands quickly. Any firm seeking to safeguard its digital assets may find you to be a useful asset if you have the necessary training and credentials. This industry has several work options, from security analysts to penetration testers, each with unique difficulties and rewards.

Information security careers can be ideal for you if you have a strong enthusiasm for technology and want to change the world. You can aid in preventing cyberattacks and defending yourself against digital dangers if you have the necessary skills and expertise. 

The cybersecurity certifications by Imarticus Learning are designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills required for a promising career in the field of cybersecurity. Through the cybersecurity program by IIT, roorkee, you will gain expertise in networking and information security basics, ethical hacking, cloud security, application security, and incident handling. Developed in collaboration with CEC, and IIT Roorkee, this program will provide you with the latest security tools and techniques highly sought after in the industry.

So why are you still waiting? Today, start along the path to a rewarding career in cybersecurity!

Email Marketing: How does it work?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Email marketing is one of the powerful tools for businesses to communicate directly with their customers and share information regarding new products, sales, and updates. With a high return on investment (ROI), it has become an integral part of several businesses’ inbound marketing strategies.

Unlike traditional mass mailings, modern email marketing is more specified and targeted, utilising consent and segmentation to ensure that the right message reaches the right audience.

Due to marketing automation, this process has become more streamlined, allowing businesses to focus on other important tasks. In addition to driving sales, a well-designed email marketing strategy can build a strong community around a brand.

How is Email Marketing Important?

In spite of 50 years of existence, Email marketing has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. Email marketing makes room for greater personalisation of campaigns compared to social media marketing. The cost of Email marketing is significantly lower than that of other platforms. This is specifically relevant for small businesses. 

The profitability of Email marketing arises from the direct customer-specific access it offers to the inboxes of the audience. Email marketing encompasses everything from order confirmations to newsletters. The utility of email marketing can be categorised into three primary objectives: 

  • it can help increase conversations. Email campaigns can be sent to subscribers to help promote sales and discounts. Triggering abandoned cart emails can also remind visitors of their unpurchased items. 
  • Secondly, boosting brand awareness by directly reaching out to people is possible through email marketing. One of the added advantages of email marketing over social media posts is personalised emails. 

These are the curated space reserved for favourite brands and publications. This is one of the ways in which brand advertisements can be done efficiently and subscribers can stay in touch with their preferred brands.

  • Email marketing forms an effective way to drive customer loyalty. It can help assist in conversions, onboard new customers and retain existing ones. To streamline communication sales CRM systems work in conjunction with email marketing and help make it easier to build a community. 

How does Email Marketing work?

Email marketing is an important tool for businesses. Despite the various complexities, email marketing can be carried out efficiently by breaking it down into a few crucial steps. The steps are as follows:

  • In the first step, one needs to start with the list. Without having a list of subscribers, one cannot send out email campaigns. Alongside having a list, one needs the right people on the list to ensure successful marketing. Hence including genuinely interested people becomes necessary. 
  • After making the list, the next step forms adding an email service provider (ESP). An ESP helps manage the email list, segment the audience, and distribute email campaigns to the subscribers. It also helps in tracking the performance of the campaign and making data-driven decisions to further improve future campaigns. 

The mark of a good ESP is, it helps integrate with other marketing tools to enable automation. There is a myriad of email service providers that are available across the net, and selecting the right one can be a little challenging.

  • Once an ESP is selected it leaves one with refining the lists and messaging to reach out and connect with their target audience. This process may involve segmenting the list based on interests or a cart abandonment email to encourage subscribers who have abandoned their shopping carts to complete their purchases. 
  • Another critical aspect of email marketing is Automation. An automated email campaign can save time and ensure that the subscribers receive relevant messages at the right time.

How to grow the Email List?

To grow the Email list the provider needs to offer something of value that will entice the visitors to share their contact information. This is where lead magnets come in. 

A lead magnet is also known as an opt-in bribe. It is a free resource that is offered to website visitors in exchange for their email addresses. Lead magnets can take several forms, such as PDFs, audio files, or videos and they can be created at a very low cost.

Creating an effective lead magnet depends on a number of key factors. These are as follows:

  • Consumability of the lead magnet
  • The lead magnet should provide an actionable tool for it to be a good one.
  • The lead magnet should deliver a noticeable improvement in the lives of the audience
  • Relevance of the lead magnet
  • Availability of the lead magnet

Once a compelling lead magnet is created, the following step requires creating an opt-in form that will convert the visitors into subscribers. The opt-in form should include the following things:

  • A well-delineated headline that conveys clearly the benefits of the lead magnet
  • Well-enunciated description with lucid language that portrays the value of the lead magnet
  • Creative visuals including an image of the lead magnet or something like that can boost conversations
  • Precise and concise format that does not ask for too much information in the beginning. 
  • An enticing subscribe button having a contrasting and vibrant colour that will encourage immediate action

It is important to note that, one should keep tracking the results and make appropriate adjustments as needed to keep improving the email marketing strategy.

Conclusion

The significance and need of digital marketing in today’s fast-paced business world are indispensable. The never-so-ever prevalence of online technologies has made it necessary for businesses to adopt digital marketing strategies. Digital marketing provides a platform for individuals to communicate with a large audience and draw critical insights to hone their tactics.

There is a need for businesses to adapt to this increasingly digital world in order to adapt. By embracing digital marketing, companies can leverage the huge potential of the internet to promote their respective brands and appeal to new customers. Digital marketing also enables businesses to collect valuable information they need to build targeted campaigns that resonate with their target audience.

Digital marketing helps develop lasting relationships with their customers. With proper digital marketing strategies in place, businesses can establish a profound online presence and keep ahead of the competition. 

The modern digital age has revolutionised the way businesses work, making it crucial for individuals to harbour a strong digital marketing skill set. The IIT Roorkee digital marketing certification course is providing with a comprehensive online program that helps participants develop the necessary skills to excel in the digital marketing industry. This digital marketing course is targeted to aid individuals build a competitive advantage in the job market and also help businesses reach their marketing milestones.

Choosing the Right Path: Banking Courses After 12th for a Bright Career

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

After completing your 12th-grade education, choosing the right career path to your future success and happiness is important. Banking courses for students are now a common choice due to the industry’s growing need for qualified employees.

Banks, however, are crucial to the financial system and the economy. Banks are considered essential elements of the financial system, and they effectively and efficiently transfer cash from depositors to borrowers. 

 The eligibility requirements, duration, fees, syllabus, scope, and salary information for banking courses after 12th grade are all covered in this blog.

Overview of Banking Courses

A bank is a financial organization that lends money while taking deposits from the general public and producing demand deposits. One of the most well-liked and lucrative industries in India is banking. It provides a range of employment options for applicants with various backgrounds and skill sets. 

However, in the past, banking services were only available for making cash withdrawals, safeguarding deposits, and providing loans. But thanks to technological improvements, banking services have grown and now provide us with various convenient services that make life easier, like online cash transfers, rapid loans, immediate SMS and email services, insurance plans, online bill payments, ATM services, etc., and many more.

  • IPU CET, SET, and other entrance tests, among others, are used to determine admission to the appropriate undergraduate banking programs.
  • After the 12th grade, there is no upper age limit for enrollment in banking programs in private, central, state, regional, and other universities.
  • The UG programs indicated above last for three years.

Following high school, you can enroll in banking courses that will provide the essential information and abilities needed to operate in various banking sectors, including retail banking, corporate banking, investment banking, risk management, treasury operations, etc.

What are the best Banking Courses After 12th?

Depending on your interests and skills, you can select from various banking courses once you complete your 12th-grade education. 

Popular Banking Courses After 12th Commerce

The list of banking courses after 12th includes:

COURSES DURATION BENEFITS POPULAR COURSES
Certificate Banking Courses Short-term courses A career in banking. CFA, CPA, CBCA. FRM, MBA
Diploma Banking Courses Longer courses More expertise in a specific banking domain. Diploma in Banking and Finance, Diploma in Actuarial Science, Diploma in Banking, Finance and Insurance, Diploma in Risk Management
Bachelor’s Degree Banking Courses Full-time degree courses A strong foundation for their career in banking. BBA in Banking, B.Com in Banking and Finance, B.Sc in Banking and Finance
Master’s Degree Banking Courses Advanced degree courses Become leaders or managers in the banking sector MBA in Banking and Finance, M.Com in Banking, M.Sc in Banking and Finance

The Eligibility Criteria and Fees of Banking Courses

Depending on the degree of the course, different individuals may be eligible for banking courses after completing grade 12. The standard requirement is a minimum of 50% in your 12th-grade class from an accredited board. You might also need to take admission examinations or interview for some courses. 

A banking diploma program costs between INR 7,500 to INR 70,000, while the tuition fees for banking certificate programs vary from INR 3,000 to INR 20,000.

Investment Banking course

The syllabus for best banking courses for students after 12th covers various topics related to banking and finance, such as:

  • Banking Laws
  • Financial Management
  • Financial Markets
  • Foreign Exchange
  • Taxation
  • Accounting
  • Risk Management
  • Investment Banking
  • Treasury Operations
  • Business Communication
  • Business Ethics
  • Computer Applications

Career Opportunities After Completing a Banking Course

After high school, there is a strong need for qualified individuals in the banking industry. Thus the potential for banking courses is extremely great. Public sector banks, private sector banks, foreign banks, cooperative banks, regional rural banks, non-banking financial businesses (NBFCs), insurance firms, mutual funds, stock exchanges, etc., all provide various employment options.

After finishing banking courses after your 12th grade, you can apply for some of the following popular employment roles:

  • Bank Clerk
  • Bank PO
  • Bank Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Financial Advisor
  • Credit Manager
  • Risk Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Internal Auditor

Ending Note

After graduating from high school, taking the correct banking education may lead to countless options for a rewarding and successful career in the financial sector. Pursuing a banking education might give you a competitive edge and make you stand out in the job market due to the growing need for trained individuals. 

Banking courses may provide the information and skills you need to achieve whether you want to work as a bank clerk or an investment banker. The best Certified Investment Banking Operations Professional (CIBOP) curriculum is available at Imarticus Learning, with a 100% job interviews guarantee. 

This 150-hour course will provide a solid grounding in financial markets, the trade life cycle, risk management, and regulation so you can confidently enter the workforce. The CIBOP program may help you advance your career as an operations expert for investment banking, whether you’re a graduate or a professional with fewer than three years of experience.

Join the CIBOP program to give your career the push it needs if you’re interested in pursuing a career in banking!

Building Effecting Supply Chain Strategies

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Supply chain management strategies are pivotal in helping organisations optimise their operations, lower costs, and gain a competitive advantage in today’s competitive global business landscape.

Supply chain management strategies can help businesses streamline their processes, and improve efficiency. A robust strategy can also help in increasing customer satisfaction.

In this article, we will learn the importance of building robust supply chain management strategies. And how they can impact a company’s success in managing the flow of goods, services, and information.

What Is a Supply Chain Strategy?

global chief supply chain management course

A supply chain strategy is an organisation’s planned approach to optimise the flow of goods, services, information, and finances. 

Supply chain strategies align the supply chain with business goals, and focus on customer needs. A good strategy can also impact cost efficiency, and risk management, and aim to create a competitive advantage.

Types of Supply Chain Strategies

There are several types of supply chain strategies, including:

Client-centric approach

Meeting customer demand is the central objective of efficient supply chain management strategies, particularly in the era of advancing digital trends. This requires the automation of customer-centric processes, aimed at fulfilling their needs and preferences.

Predictive analytics

Predictive tools allow businesses to manage and adapt shipments based on factors like weather and traffic.

Businesses can gain visibility into assets, and equipment by creating and managing networks using IoT.

This data allows a better understanding of product performance. All the while, facilitating the detection of potential disruptions before they impact the supply chain.

Gathering comprehensive data on product performance allows for a deeper understanding of customer requirements and helps in proactively identifying and addressing potential disruptions in the supply chain before they occur.

Enhanced visibility

Real-time visibility into the status of goods in transit or production provides valuable insights for supply chain management. 

Analysing real-time data on weather patterns, accidents, and traffic disruptions allows for a better understanding of their impact on sales. 

These insights facilitate improved collaboration among manufacturing industries, warehouses, partners, and distribution centres. 

Enhanced supply chain visibility also streamlines cross-border transactions, minimises risks during product recalls, and maximises sustainability in the global supply chain.

Smart automation

Installing smart automation in warehousing can optimise processes between systems, human workers, and machines. It leads to benefits such as mass product customisation, and improved delivery process.

Successful supply chain management strategies are important in supporting the customer base.

Benefits of Effective Supply Chain Strategies

Effective supply chain strategies can bring numerous benefits to organisations, including:

  • Streamlined operations:  Useful supply chain management strategies optimise and improve the flow of goods and services. It results in streamlined operations, reduced costs, and increased productivity. 
  • Competitive advantage: Organisations can gain a competitive edge through optimised supply chain management strategies. Businesses can outperform their competitors by reducing lead times and improving efficiency. 
  • Proactive risk management: Supply chain management strategies include robust risk management initiatives. It enables organisations to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in the supply chain. 
  • Improved profitability: Optimised supply chain strategies help save costs and reduce inventory levels. It also impacts profitability by improving financial performance.

Implementation of Supply Chain Strategies

Supply chain strategies involve several steps to ensure successful execution. These steps may include:

Identify demand patterns

It is essential to identify the nature of demand your business encounters. It includes determining if your business faces seasonal fluctuations, linear patterns, or consistent demand. 

Additionally, understanding the frequency of shipments and noticing any frequent changes, whether weekly or monthly, is essential. 

Finally, identifying the strategies or tools you use for demand forecasting can significantly assist in developing an effective supply chain strategy.

Understand the product portfolio

A “one-size-fits-all” strategy may not be suitable for businesses that manufacture many products within the same industry.

Dealing with a demanding market that exhibits seasonal or cyclical patterns, alongside linear and consistent demand curves, can further complicate matters.

Organisations may need to implement diverse supply chain strategies for different product lines to effectively manage supply and demand dynamics.

Consider customer location

The geographical location of your customers is often overlooked, but it plays a crucial role in supply chain strategy implementation. 

Understanding their physical location provides insights into how their shipments are managed.

Considering customer location, allows you to install the appropriate supply chain strategy for regional or global shipments.

Efficient inventory management

Managing inventory is a critical component of an efficient supply chain. Real-time updates on inventory size, nature, and complexity provide valuable information for determining which supply chain plan to install.

Identify suppliers’ locations

Besides’ customer location, understanding the area of your suppliers is equally important.

For instance, if your suppliers are from a foreign country, there will be longer lead times than suppliers within the same location.

This factor impacts your shipping and inventory processes and must be considered when installing an effective supply chain management strategy.

Ways To Improve Your Supply Chain Strategies

Some steps to better your supply chain management strategies are as follows:

Assess and understand supply chain performance

Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your existing supply chain operations, including sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, and distribution, to identify areas of strength, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.

Establish clear objectives

Define precise, measurable, and achievable objectives for your supply chain management strategy.

Align these objectives with your business strategy and ensure they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Analyse customer requirements

Gain a deep understanding of your customer’s requirements, expectations, and preferences.

Analyse customer demand patterns, lead times, and service level agreements (SLAs) to align your supply chain operations with customer needs and provide exceptional customer service.

Improve supply chain network

Conduct a thorough evaluation of your supply chain network, encompassing sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, and distribution. Consider factors like cost, speed, reliability, and flexibility to identify areas for improvement. 

Streamline processes, cut repetitive steps, and reduce lead times to enhance the flow of goods, services, and information.

Foster collaboration and visibility

Foster collaboration and visibility among suppliers, partners, and stakeholders in the supply chain.

Establish effective communication channels, share information, and collaborate to optimise processes, reduce lead times, and improve efficiency.

Conclusion

Building effective supply chain strategies is essential for businesses to stay competitive in today’s dynamic market environment.

Businesses can streamline their operations and supply chain management processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs through proper evaluation, optimisation, and collaboration.

 For professionals looking to hone their skills in this field, IIM Raipur’s Executive Certificate Programme for Global Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer course can provide valuable insights and knowledge to excel in operations and supply chain management.

Enrol in the course today to gain a competitive edge and advance your career in this critical business function. Visit Imarticus Learning for more information on the Operations and Supply Chain Management course.

Influencer Marketing: The new norm in the age of influencers

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Consumers completely switched to digital mode during the COVID-19 lockdown. Digital consumption is the new norm. People have the power to choose who and what they listen to. Instead of brands talking to consumers, consumers now talk to each other about different brands. People tend to trust the advice of their peers, and this is the basis of influencer marketing.

What Is Influencer Marketing?

Influencer marketing is when companies use people with a huge online following to promote their products or services. These people are called influencers, and their followers are often interested in their recommendations. So, influencers share content about the products on their social media platforms. The mainstream media uses it frequently to build trust among consumers.

Market growth for influencer marketing platforms is projected to reach $24.1 billion by 2025 at a CAGR of 32%. Customer preference for video-based content on OTT platforms and ad blockers are driving the influencer marketing platform market.

How Influencer Marketing Benefits Brands

best iit digital marketing course

Collaborating with an influencer to promote products or services is just one aspect of influencer marketing. As a marketer, it is important to be different from your competition and deliver great results for your business. One way to do this is by paying attention to what customers want and need. This can help us build strong relationships with customers and drive success for the business. Read about the benefits of integrating influencer marketing into a marketing plan.

·         Increase Brand Recognition.

Influencers are trusted and respected by their followers on social media. When an influencer shares content from a brand, it can introduce the brand to a community of people who might be interested in it. This can help increase the brand’s recognition and visibility online. To get the best results from influencer marketing, it is important to create valuable content that helps the influencer’s social media presence. This way, the business and the influencer can benefit from the collaboration.

·         Up Your SEO Game.

Influencer marketing can help improve how well a brand’s website and social media profiles show up in search results. This is because it can increase the number of backlinks or links from other websites to the brand’s website. Search engines use backlinks to understand how popular and trustworthy a website is. By working with influencers, a brand can get more backlinks from the influencer’s website, social media posts, and websites of the influencer’s followers. This can make the brand’s website rank higher in search results and make it more trustworthy.

·         Boost Sales and the Bottom Line.

Influencer marketing doesn’t always result in sales that can be directly linked to the campaign, especially when the objective of the promotion is brand awareness. Influencers create such campaigns to raise public awareness of a brand so that consumers research it before making a purchase. The fact that influencer marketing increases demand for a product contributes to its high return on investment.

Influencer marketing has proven to be an essential part of the social media marketing course. As a result, it is critical to understand the nuances of influencer marketing and maximise its effectiveness.

Features of Imarticus Learning Digital Marketing Course

A digital marketing course covers an influencer marketing module. Imarticus Learning offers Advanced Certification in Digital Marketing and MarTech designed in association with IIT Roorkee. Read the unique standards of this course to place learners in the spotlight.

·         Curriculum Design.

The IIT Digital Marketing course is created by experts from the IIT faculty and industry leaders and lasts for 4.5 months. It covers a wide range of topics like social media marketing and data analytics. It teaches one how to use technology and channels like social media, email, and search to reach the target audience.

·         Pedagogy.

Learn SEO online and other digital marketing skills in the live sessions by IIT faculty members and analyse case studies of large businesses like Tata Motors. Get hands-on experience by working on live projects.

·         Campus Immersion.

Get an opportunity to visit India’s premier institute and interact with fellow learners on the IIT Roorkee campus.

Anyone can enrol for the IIT Digital Marketing Course to learn the fundamentals of digital marketing, including social media, SEO, and affiliate marketing.

Imarticus Learning: Why Choose It?

Imarticus Learning is well-known for its innovative approach to bridging the gap between academia and organisations. With over 500 trainers, including industry experts, 4000+ corporate training days, and 2800+ e-learning hours, it is set to upskill the workforce. To know more about IIT Digital Marketing Course, contact the Imarticus Learning representative now!

Top 5 Python Libraries for Data Science

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Python is considered the most popular programming language used by data scientists on a daily basis. As an object-oriented, high-performance, and open-source language has revolutionised solving data-related problems and tasks like data frame manipulation, data visualization, and the like. It is also widely used in multiple types of Machine Learning. Python comes with numerous useful libraries for data science that developers widely use to solve issues. 

The Python community creates and maintains these libraries, which may be installed via package managers like pip. They are simply imported into Python scripts upon installation, enabling programmers to make full use of their capabilities and features.

Why Are Python Libraries Important?

Python libraries have multiple use cases and are widely used because they are:-

  • Reusable: Python libraries enable developers to reuse code developed by others to do specific tasks or address specific issues. This saves programmers a lot of time and effort because they aren’t required to write code from the scratch for each project.

  • Highly efficient: Python modules are frequently optimised for speed, allowing developers to complete complicated jobs fast and efficiently. This can result in shorter development times and improved application performance.

  • Standardised: Python libraries provide a consistent collection of tools and functions on which developers may rely. This makes project collaboration easy because everyone is utilising the same tools and methodologies.

  • Supported: Python libraries have a huge and active community that provides assistance and contributes to their development. This can assist developers in solving difficulties fast and learning from the experiences of others.

  • Innovative: Python libraries frequently provide state-of-the-art features and premium functionality that may be leveraged to develop creative apps. This can assist developers in staying miles ahead and developing solutions that satisfy changing corporate demands.

5 Most Widely Used Python Libraries 

There are dozens of readily accessible Python libraries that cover a wide variety of functionalities including data analysis, web development, scientific computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and others. Here is a list of the top 5 Python libraries:-

Pillow

Pillow is a well-known open-source library that enables programmers to manipulate images. It is a counterpart of PIL (Python Imaging Library) based on the OOPS concepts in programming and supports a broad range of image file formats such as GIF, JPEG, PNG, BMP, WEBP, and TIFF. It represents and manipulates pictures by using classes and objects. Developers may use Pillow to do image processing operations like cropping, filtering, resizing, and modifying colours. 

Features:-

  • Image metadata support
  • Easy conversion of image format
  • Seamless integration with different Python libraries

Applications:-

  • Image processing
  • Image enhancement
  • Image analysis
  • Image file handling
  • Web development
  • Data visualization

NumPy

NumPy (Numerical Python) is the foundational Python module used in numerical computation and comprises a strong N-dimensional array object. With around 18,000 comments on GitHub, it receives a massive amount of community support via an active group of 700 contributors. It is an array-processing general-purpose software that offers high-performance arrays (multidimensional objects), and tools for manipulating them. 

Features:-

  • Provides quick functions precompiled for numerical routines
  • Provides better efficiency with array-oriented computing
  • Encourages object-oriented strategies
  • Allows for more compact and quick calculations via Vectorisation

Applications:- 

  • Used widely in data analysis. 
  • Generates a strong N-dimensional array.
  • Formulates the foundation of different libraries like sci-kit-learn and SciPy.
  • When used with SciPy and matplotlib, it helps replace MATLAB.

Pandas

Pandas (Python data analysis) is an essential component of data science and is the most popular and commonly used Python package for data research. It is widely utilised in data analysis and cleansing and is supported by an active GitHub community of around 1,200 contributors. It is popularly used for data frame manipulation and offers quick and dynamic data structures like data frame CDs, that work well with structured data. 

Features:-

  • Fluent syntax and extensive functionality allow users to work with missing data.
  • Allows users to write their own function and execute it on a series of data.
  • A high level of abstraction
  • It includes high-level data structures and tools for data manipulation.

Applications:-

  • Data wrangling and cleansing
  • Data frame manipulation
  • ETL (extract, transform, load) processes for data transformation and storage.
  • Academic and commercial applications like statistics, neurology, and economics.
  • Time-series-specific functions like linear regression, moving window, date range creation, and date shifting.

Keras

Keras is a high-functioning neural network API that is written in Python and runs on top of various ML frameworks, like Theano, TensorFlow, or CNTK. It is a popular library that is widely used for various types of Machine Learning, neural network modules, and deep learning. This Python library supports the backends of both Theano and TensorFlow, making it a decent choice. 

Features:-

  • An abundance of prelabeled datasets that can be used to import and load directly.
  • Has a vast number of parameters and integrated layers used for building, configuring, training, and evaluating neural networks.

Applications

  • Extensive creation of predictions 
  • Easy extraction of characteristics
  • Image classification
  • Natural language processing 
  • Time-series analysis
  • Speech and audio recognition

Matplotlib

Matplotlib’s visualisations are both powerful and elegant. As a plotting library for Python, it has vast community support on GitHub with over 26,000 comments and over 700 developers. It is widely used for data visualisation because it helps generate graphs and plots. It also has an object-oriented API for embedding such graphs into applications. 

Features:- 

Can be used as a MATLAB substitute

  • Supports dozens of backends and output types, and can be used regardless of which operating system or output format is preferred.
  • Pandas may be used as MATLAB API wrappers to control MATLAB like a cleaner.
  • Low memory utilisation
  • Enhanced runtime performance

Applications:-

  • Correlation evaluation of variables
  • Display the models’ 95% confidence intervals.
  • Outlier detection 
  • Visualise data distribution to acquire fast insights.

Conclusion

To summarise, Python’s vast ecosystem of libraries covers a wide range of use cases, ranging from data analysis and data visualisation to ML and web development. With these libraries, developers have the ease of simply adding significant functionalities to their apps rather than implementing them from scratch.

Having in-depth knowledge of Python and its libraries is key to becoming an expert in this field. To learn more about Python libraries and their uses, you can consider joining a professional course. If you are looking for a reliable online program, you can join the course offered by Imarticus Learning. Their top-tier Postgraduate Program In Data Science And Analytics will give you the knowledge and skills necessary to move forward in this career field.

Get a free 1:1 Imarticus counselling
Get a free 1:1 Imarticus counselling