December 2018 Summaries

Preparing for a business conference requires setting clear goals, planning an agenda, and making connections with others. To make the most of the experience, it's essential to be intentional in your approach, including preparing an elevator pitch, asking unique questions, and tracking expenses. During the conference, focus on conversations, take notes, and stay organized. After the conference, follow up with new contacts, write about your experience, and present your findings to your team. By being more intentional before, during, and after a business conference, you can make meaningful connections, absorb valuable information, and achieve your goals.

Zapier's 2018 data shows that software bundles are back, with many businesses adopting a suite-like approach to their applications. This shift is driven by the need for greater productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Zapier's fastest-growing apps of 2018 include ManyChat, Front, Dubsado, and others that offer DIY-friendly customization options, smart automation, and workflow integrations. These new business apps are designed to streamline workflows, make information easier to find, and reduce mundane tasks like copying and pasting data from one application to another. The most popular new business apps in 2018 include Slack, Mailchimp, HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, and others that offer innovative marketing automation tools, project management solutions, and team collaboration features.

The game has flipped for eCommerce retailers, shifting from expansion and new markets to retention and customer loyalty. To achieve this, brands must develop a customer-first mindset, leveraging seven essential marketing strategies: identifying and broadcasting their unique value proposition, creating engaging blog content that satisfies both customers and SEO requirements, implementing referral programs that leverage consumers' trust in their peers, enlisting influencers to advertise for them, encouraging newsletter signups for direct connections with shoppers, utilizing social media for one-on-one customer engagement, and turning customer service and lenient return policies into a marketing tool. By prioritizing these strategies, eCommerce retailers can earn and maintain a loyal customer base, ultimately benefiting both the business and its customers.

Google Calendar is widely used for organizing events and meetings, and its API enables the automation of these tasks. Developers can integrate Google Calendar into their applications using three main approaches: the official client libraries, native HTTP APIs, and Zapier, with each method catering to different levels of programming expertise and project requirements. The official client libraries offer a streamlined setup for developers who can manage their environment, while the native HTTP APIs provide flexibility for those familiar with HTTP client integrations. Zapier, on the other hand, allows non-developers to create integrations without coding by using a user-friendly interface to connect Google Calendar with over 1,300 other services. Access to the API requires creating OAuth tokens, which can be managed through Google's OAuth 2.0 Playground for temporary or full access. The API supports various operations such as creating, updating, and finding events, and developers are encouraged to refer to the official Google Calendar API documentation for a comprehensive list of available endpoints.