How push notifications work

Commonly a push notification will include a headline, message, image, and sometimes a URL. Short and clear with the character limit is the header and text. It all depends on the operating system and device used.

It should match the text with the image and fit it quite well. Emojis are used to convey the message of the message compactly. Push notifications are usually categorized into four types:

Web notifications

Messages the user receives through a browser on a computer or phone. Notifications appear on the top or bottom right of the screen on a computer. Browser pooches show as app notifications on a mobile device  at the top of the screen. Web notifications can be shown anytime your browser is open, even if your user is not on the site.

Web notifications are used basically to increase visitor engagement and persuade them to return to the site. This is why conversions can increase.

Desktop notifications

Appear only on the desktop. They are most often dispatched by programs possessed on the personal computer. They can serve to remind the user of great offers or expiring memberships and help increase your engagement.

Mobile notifications

It comes from apps you have installed on your smartphone. Push notifications can be displayed on the lock screen, in the notification center, or on a banner ad. By default, opt-in and manual unsubscribe are provided on Android. On iOS, apps cannot send notifications unless the user has granted permission.

Wearable devices notifications

This category includes watches, bracelets, glasses, etc. These devices show notifications from mobile device applications. Some apps can get notifications turned on and others can be ignored. Since the screens on the watch are much smaller, the notifications on the watch look different: they are shorter and clearer.

Why use push notifications

According to various estimates, push notifications get 4-8 times more clicks than emails. That’s why push notifications are a powerful communication channel in marketing. Here are the reasons why they are used:

• Easy to attract subscribers: Push notifications do not force you to fill in fields in the form – the user only has to agree or disagree to receive notifications. That’s why people are more likely to opt in. Besides, the push will definitely not get lost in the stream of messages – it will end up in the browser or on the user’s work screen;
• Enhancement of returned traffic: You can attract a customer to your website or app once. But you also need to keep him – to motivate him to come back. Persuasive fluff can interest the audience, and users will come back to the site or app. To achieve this, offer subscribers discounts and articles of interest, and tell them about updates;
• Saving time: It takes a lot of time to write an email, an article, a persuasive text for a landing page, and create illustrations. Fluffs are easier: they are concise and take less time to create. But it’s still important to write clearly, structured, and interestingly;
• Boosting audience reach: SMS is often ignored, and emails can end up in spam. But push appears right in the browser or on the user’s desktop and draws attention to itself. Such notifications are read more often.

Push notifications in different business sectors

Push ads are popular in various fields due to their high visibility and ability to grab the attention of users. Here are some of the most popular areas:

• E-commerce: Online retailers are actively using push notifications to notify about sales, new arrivals, and personalized offers;
• Nutra and health: Companies selling nutritional supplements, vitamins, and health products actively use Nutra on push ads to promote their products and inform about favorable offers;
• Financial services: Banks, investment companies and credit organizations use push ads to inform users about new products, promotions, and important updates;
• Gaming industry: Online games and gaming platforms use push advertising to attract new players, and notify them about bonuses, tournaments, and special offers;
• Betting companies and online casinos: Push notifications are used here to inform users about new bets, promotions, and bonuses, which helps to retain interest and bring users back to the platform.

These areas actively utilize push ads due to their ability to deliver information quickly and encourage users to take action.

Conclusion

Push ads are a modern tool that helps to effectively capture users’ attention and increase user engagement. If you want to take your marketing campaigns to the next level, include push notifications in your promotion strategy. Just remember, that timing and relevance are everything when it comes to push notifications. The best results come when you treat these alerts like a conversation with your users, not just another way to blast out messages.

23 business competition quotes for extra motivation

1. “Becoming number one is easier than remaining number one.”  – Bill Bradley
2. “The time your game is most vulnerable is when you’re ahead. Never let up.”  – Rod Laver
3. “Companies that solely focus on competition will die. Those that focus on value creation will thrive.”  – Edward de Bono
4. “Number 1: Cash is king. Number 2: Communicate. Number 3: Buy or bury the competition.”  – Jack Welch
5. “The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself.” – Washington Alston
6. “When you compete against everyone else, no one wants to help you. But when you compete against yourself, everyone wants to help you.” – Simon Sinek
7. “If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think.” – T. Harv Eker
8. “Whether it’s Google or Apple or free software, we’ve got some fantastic competitors and it keeps us on our toes.” – Bill Gates
9. “Without the spur of competition, we’d loaf out our life.” – Arnold Glasow
10. “It’s good to have high-quality competition; it helps drive research forward at a faster pace.” – Shuji Nakamura
11. “As soon as I hear the word ‘competition’ I get serious and start doing everything that I can do.” – Maureen McCormick
12. “Move fast. Speed is one of your main advantages over large competitors.” – Sam Altman
13. “In business, the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.” – Unknown
14. “Competition is not only the basis of protection to the consumer but is the incentive to progress.” – Herbert Hoover
15. “Don’t just aim to defeat your competitors; aim to make them irrelevant.” – Unknown
16. “If your competition is doing it, don’t do it. Find a better way.” – Sam Walton
17. “Competition brings out the best in products and the worst in people.” – David Sarnoff
18. “Success comes from standing out, not fitting in.” – Don Draper, Mad Men
19. “Don’t compete with rivals; make them irrelevant.” – W. Chan Kim
20. “To stay ahead, you must have your next idea waiting in the wings.” – Rosabeth Moss Kanter
21. “In business, the most successful companies don’t compete, they dominate.” – Peter Thiel
22. “Focus on your customers, not your competitors. That’s how you truly win.” – Jeff Bezos
23. “Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems, not just from defeating opponents.” – Unknown

Conclusion

So, the next time you spot a new competitor in your market, take a deep breath. Instead of seeing them as a threat, view them as a sign that you’re in a viable market with room for growth. The most successful business leaders have figured out that obsessing over competition wastes energy you could spend making your own business better. Focus on your customers, keep improving your offerings, and let your work speak for itself.

How dividends impact startup valuation

Dividends play a key role in shaping investors’ perceptions of a startup’s value. While many startups prioritize reinvesting profits, those offering dividends can signal stability and long-term growth potential.

Dividends influence valuation by:

• Showing you have a profitable business model even during early growth stages
• Demonstrating financial discipline and efficient capital management
• Attracting income-focused investors looking for steady returns

Startups paying consistent dividends often stand out in crowded markets. Investors see this as proof that the company is serious about creating value beyond just equity appreciation.

However, balancing dividend payouts with business expansion is critical. Startups must avoid overcommitting to distributions at the expense of future growth opportunities.

Smartly integrating dividend policies helps strengthen investor confidence while enhancing overall appeal without compromising flexibility or innovation. A well-thought-out strategy here ensures benefits for both founders and stakeholders alike.

Understanding dividend yields for better investment decisions

Dividend yields give investors a clearer picture of potential returns compared to share price. For startups, understanding this metric can improve pitches and shareholder communications.

Investors evaluate dividend yields by:

• Comparing payouts against current share prices
• Assessing the startup’s ability to sustain dividends long-term
• Identifying attractive income opportunities relative to risk

Using a dividend yield calculator to showcase realistic figures simplifies investors’ decision-making process. This tool provides transparency, helping stakeholders align expectations with financial realities.

A healthy yield reflects both profitability and competitive value in your market segment. Startups offering consistent or slightly increasing yields appeal more to income-focused investors without diluting shares heavily.

However, focusing only on high yields might raise concerns about growth sustainability. Balancing reasonable payout levels with reinvestment ensures steady interest while maintaining room for innovation and scaling operations over time.

The role of dividends in investor confidence

Dividends build trust between startups and their investors by showcasing a commitment to sharing success. For many backers, this tangible return serves as a sign of stability. Since over 66% of startups fail to generate any ROI, investors need this reassurance.

Investors gain confidence through:

• Receiving consistent payouts that validate the startup’s financial health
• Seeing founders prioritize shareholder value alongside growth plans
• Knowing their investment contributes to both long-term appreciation and immediate returns

Unlike promises tied solely to future expansion, dividends offer real-time rewards for investor loyalty. By aligning company performance with individual benefits, dividends create a sense of partnership.

Startups paying dividends also tend to attract seasoned investors who appreciate calculated risks supported by measurable outcomes. This credibility boosts funding opportunities without requiring frequent renegotiations or reassurances.

Ultimately, incorporating dividends thoughtfully strengthens investor relationships while positioning the startup as reliable even during uncertain market conditions.

Benefits of offering dividends to early shareholders

Rewarding early shareholders with dividends provides unique advantages. These payouts show gratitude while building a foundation for future investor support.

Key benefits include:

• Creating goodwill among those who backed the company during uncertain stages
• Establishing a precedent for sharing financial success as the business grows
• Strengthening loyalty, encouraging reinvestment or word-of-mouth referrals

Dividends also offset some risks taken by initial backers. Unlike later investors, early supporters often face higher uncertainty regarding returns. Payouts acknowledge this commitment and foster long-term relationships.

For startups planning additional funding rounds, dividend payments reassure new investors about credibility and previous transparency with shareholders.

Balancing payouts effectively demonstrates respect for current stakeholders without compromising growth ambitions. This approach not only rewards past belief in the startup’s vision but also sets an example of responsible leadership that can attract further investment opportunities.

Why predictable dividend payouts matter to investors

Predictable dividend payouts provide stability and clarity for investors. This consistency reassures them about the company’s performance and reliability over time.

Benefits of predictable payouts include:

• Helping investors plan their income streams effectively
• Demonstrating steady financial management by the startup
• Reducing uncertainty, particularly during volatile market conditions

When dividends follow a reliable schedule, they foster trust between stakeholders and founders. Regularity shows that the company prioritizes both short-term returns and long-term growth goals.

Predictability also signals resilience in a startup’s operations. Even if growth slows temporarily, maintaining payout schedules showcases discipline in managing profits.

Conclusion

In short, dividends are a strategic tool for attracting investors, strengthening relationships, and demonstrating business stability. Startups that thoughtfully incorporate dividends into their plans are committed to shared success.

Balancing these payments with growth strategies is essential. Maintaining consistency and transparency means startups can foster trust among shareholders while still focusing on expansion. With the right approach, dividends help create lasting partnerships that drive investor confidence and long-term value creation.

Performance is the first thing to look at when discussing pay raise

How have you performed throughout the year? What are you proud of? Can you genuinely say you’ve made a difference to your company? These are all questions to ask yourself before asking a pay raise.

Performance is so important as it highlights multiple values about yourself. It shows how much you care about your job; how driven you are and your attitude towards career progression. After running my business for over ten years now, I always look at how my team has performed, whether that’s the number of PR leads they’ve generated or their general attitude towards work. 

It’s important to recognize that performance doesn’t solely mean the money or profit you’ve generated for your employer. It might be that you’ve stayed an extra half an hour on occasions, demonstrating the dedication you have towards your work, or the fact you’re always willing to help your colleagues out when possible.

Without good attitude and work ethic, there’s no pay raise

When I’m recruiting, I examine the interviewee’s personality and general attitude. For example, gauging a positive response to a particularly tricky scenario I may put to them or assessing their enthusiasm toward more menial tasks they may have to carry out. It’s easy to see who will fit the dynamic of our team.

Being a team player is one of the criteria for salary increase

Going above and beyond isn’t something in your job description, it’s a choice. It’s a choice you make off your own back which signifies the passion you have for working for the business. While it’s not something you might recognise as a personal achievement, more a personality trait, as an MD, it is something I would recognise and take note of.

Employees who are proactive have better chances for a pay raise

It’s important to highlight the fact that how I would determine my employees being worthy of a pay rise, may not be other MD’s definitions. Equally, team members may also have their own contributing factors as to why they feel a raise is warranted.

There are few encouraging things you can do that might aid in a positive outcome:

Putting yourself forward

Assess how you’re viewed within the company

In a business, as MD, my opinion is not the only one that matters. Who I promote and give more responsibility to has to be selected carefully so that it benefits the dynamic and growth of the team. Team members that are selected for pay rise or more responsibility tend to be those that encourage others and build strong and solid relationships with both clients and staff.

As an employee, being aware of your interpersonal skills and how you are viewed and valued by your other team members is a good indication that you are the right fit or ready for promotion or pay rise.

Recognising the bigger picture

Opportunity for a pay rise can be affected by external factors that are totally out of a business owner’s control. A company may have planned for particular pay rises one year but when a recession hits, for example, finances may not be as readily accessible.

For employee’s looking for a raise, it’s all in the timing. Be aware of the current climate and other external factors that may mean a conversation about pay could be less productive.

Conclusion

Sarah Kauter, Founder of VerriBerri

The strategic shift to streaming

Netflix’s move to streaming was driven by an understanding of changing consumer behaviors. The rise of high-speed internet and increasing dissatisfaction with late fees in traditional rental models created the perfect environment for innovation. By introducing a subscription-based model with unlimited streaming, Netflix offered a convenience that resonated deeply with audiences. The decision to pivot was not without risk, but Netflix’s leadership, under Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, proved visionary.

The company’s early investment in proprietary algorithms to recommend content further distinguished it from competitors. Netflix’s data-driven approach turned viewer preferences into actionable insights, ensuring its catalog resonated with users. This model of personalization quickly became one of its strongest assets, keeping subscribers engaged and reducing churn rates.

The content creation revolution

A turning point came in 2013 when Netflix debuted its first original series, House of Cards. The success of this show marked the beginning of Netflix’s evolution from a content distributor to a content creator. The ability to produce exclusive, high-quality programming gave Netflix a competitive edge and helped establish its reputation as a leader in storytelling. Hits like Stranger Things, The Crown, and Squid Game followed, drawing millions of viewers and cementing the platform’s global appeal.

Original programming also allowed Netflix to gain independence from studios and distributors, reducing its reliance on licensed content. However, this strategy came with challenges, particularly skyrocketing content creation costs. The race to produce blockbuster shows and films has led to billion-dollar budgets, putting pressure on Netflix’s profitability.

Challenges in a crowded market

Despite its dominance, Netflix now faces intense competition from established players like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max, as well as new entrants in the streaming market. Each competitor brings unique advantages: Disney’s extensive library of beloved franchises, Amazon’s bundling with Prime memberships, and HBO’s reputation for premium storytelling. This saturation has made subscriber retention more challenging, forcing Netflix to continuously innovate to maintain its edge.

Content costs are another significant hurdle. The demand for fresh, exclusive programming has led to a content arms race, with Netflix spending over $17 billion annually on production. While this investment fuels its global reach, it also raises questions about sustainability.

Additionally, Netflix’s global expansion strategy has encountered mixed results. In established markets like the United States, subscriber growth has slowed, pushing the company to focus on untapped regions. In countries like India, however, competition and pricing challenges have made it difficult to replicate the success seen elsewhere.

Staying relevant

To remain on top, Netflix is leveraging its brand recognition, vast content library, and data analytics. Features like mobile-only plans and localized content aim to attract and retain subscribers in emerging markets. Shows and movies tailored to regional tastes, such as Money Heist or Sacred Games, demonstrate Netflix’s commitment to catering to diverse audiences.

Netflix is also exploring new revenue streams, including the introduction of ad-supported tiers. While a departure from its traditional model, this strategy aims to make the platform more accessible while generating additional income.

Technological innovation continues to be a cornerstone of Netflix’s strategy. The company is experimenting with interactive content, such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, and gaming, signaling its intent to diversify beyond traditional streaming.

The road ahead

Netflix’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptation and innovation. Its ability to anticipate and respond to industry shifts has kept it ahead of the curve, but the challenges of rising costs, fierce competition, and evolving viewer expectations cannot be ignored. To secure its position as the streaming leader, Netflix must continue to balance creative risk-taking with financial discipline, all while staying attuned to its global audience.

For viewers, whether binge-watching the latest hit or discovering hidden gems, Netflix’s story reflects the broader evolution of entertainment itself. In places like New Zealand, where streaming has become a staple of modern life, the company’s influence is a reminder of how rapidly technology can reshape our cultural world. Platforms like New Zealand Daily provide insight into how these changes impact local and global audiences, keeping us informed about the trends.

Conclusion

If Netflix’s history teaches us anything, it’s that they thrive on disruption. Whether they’ll keep their crown in tomorrow’s entertainment world depends on their ability to spot the next big shift before anyone else does. After all, in the streaming world they helped create, standing still is the fastest way to fall behind.