Do you use Gmail? Now it’s simpler to customise it and change your settings, with the new quick access settings panel. Easy access with Gmail makes it easier for the end user to customise their personal email account.
Gmail are adding a quick settings menu that helps you easily find and use different layouts, settings and themes that feel right for you. When you click on Settings, you’ll now see different interfaces, inbox types, and display options alongside your real inbox. When an option is selected, the inbox will immediately update so you can compare choices and see how settings work in real time. The full settings menu is still available by clicking the “See all settings” button at the top of the new quick settings menu.
The customization matters for the user as it gives you an option to personalize the Gmail interface. You get to set it up to the most optimal look where you can easily find and read your email.
Why it matters
Gmail has many options to customize layout, look and feel, and other details to make sure the interface is personalized and optimized for how you like to work. These include:
Customizing the density of text and information displayed
Choosing a different inbox type to help intelligently prioritize and organize emails
Adding reading panes to quickly see email contents
Applying themes to personalize the look and feel of your inbox
They are making these options easier to find and letting you explore them in real time. So, your actual inbox will update immediately to show you exactly what the setting will do. They hope this makes it easier to set up Gmail the way that works best for you.
Additional details
Note that this update just adds an easier way to access settings that already exist in the full Gmail settings menu. There are no new settings, and users’ existing settings won’t be changed with this update. You can still see the full settings menu by clicking the “See all settings” button at the top of the new quick settings menu.
So how can we help your business?
Are you a sole trader or SME that are using Gmail or another email provider? Would you like a more professional email address? One major benefit of using a custom domain name for your website is the fact that you can easily get a professional email address using your domain name.
We have hundreds of domain names for sale. Are always happy to assist you finding the right one for your business.
Contact the LIS Help Desk for your professional domain name today. We are only one click away from helping you with your business.
Think robots are a thing of the future? Think again. Ocado Technology has created robots that anticipate what you need. Thomas Roszak was working as a maintenance technician at Ocado. Based in their giant warehouse in Hatfield when he received a very unusual assignment.
His regular job involved repairing and maintaining the online supermarket’s automated sorting and packing system. The system puts together grocery orders from customers. It can be physically demanding work, manipulating heavy panels and working with other pieces of bulky machinery.
Research and Development
In a project designed to ease that burden, Ocado Technology, had been developing robots. They anticipate what you need. Can recognise when a technician might need help. As well as stepping in with either the right tool or help with lifting.
Mr Roszak was asked to help test the machine. He saw it for the first time and was taken back to his childhood. He said “I grew up on movies like The Terminator. So, when I saw that robot, I was actually impressed with what it looked like. You can actually imagine it looks like a man.”
For Mr Roszak, the robot’s strength was a real asset. One test job involved removing a heavy metal plate from above head height. A human would struggle to hold the plate for more than two or three minutes. However, the robot found it “easy” to hold the plate in place, while Mr Roszak undid the bolts.
Experimenting with robots for grocery picking and packing
Ocado Technology often hits the news under headlines of innovation in the field of AI and robotics. Over the past couple of years, we’ve announced our involvement in several high-profile research projects. Including the SoMa soft manipulation system and the SecondHands technician robot. This is because our robotics research team faces a remarkable challenge. To develop smart and generalised robotic solutions. Systems capable of picking the 50,000 different items available on Ocado.com safely and reliably.
While humans can quickly learn and develop all manner of strategies for grasping various items based on what they intend to do with them, robots need to be taught these strategies and that’s why AI plays such an important role too.
Since this ever-growing range of products has different form factors and physical properties, the SoMa and SecondHands projects will help us develop a new suite of robotic grippers and grasping strategies in partnership with Europe’s leading technical universities. While making significant progress on those projects, we are also developing more immediate in-house solutions using off the shelf components that can pick a significant proportion of our products.
Today we’d like to introduce one of these new and exciting breakthroughs in robotic picking developed by Ocado Technology. The system has been designed by our robotics research team. To pick a range of groceries from our highly automated warehouses called Customer Fulfilment Centres.
How can we help?
We can’t build robots that anticipate what you need. However, LIS can help your business. with your IT requirements. Do you have a new idea that is in the research and development stage? If so, this would be an ideal opportunity to contact the LIS Help Desk. The business world is changing, and we are all relying on the latest technology. Make sure you stay ahead of the competition. Our friendly an experienced team are more than happy to help.
Do your staff prefer working from home? It seems that 9 out of 10 workers would like the option to work from home. Take a look at this article https://www.verdict.co.uk/working-from-home.
The spread of home working is opening up a new range of possibilities for the way businesses can work and structure themselves.
As well as opportunities and benefits, home working brings new responsibilities for the employer and employee. Employees with 26 weeks service have a statutory right to request flexible-working arrangements such as home working and you have to seriously consider such requests.
Your staff can be just as effective working from home. Make sure they have the correct set up, access to data and communications to contact clients and colleagues.
So, do your staff prefer working from home? We compare working from home to working in the office.
Advantages of employees working from home
With increasing numbers of employees working at home – or using home as a working base for at least part of the week – it’s clear there are a number of benefits for business, such as:
Improved employee retention – home working can help retain employees with an otherwise long daily commute.
Access to a wider pool of applicants – for example, such as those from more geographically remote areas, or people who may prefer to work from home.
Possible productivity gains – due to fewer interruptions, allowing more focused work.
Increased staff motivation – with staff having a better work/life balance.
Financial benefits – savings on office space and other facilities.
Convenience – ability to locate sales staff near clients rather than in your premises.
Better work/life balance – employees working from home can lead to improvements in health and well-being.
Advantages of employees working from the office
Though there are some benefits to employees working at the office:
Monitoring performance – it is easier to manage office workers and monitor their performance.
Cost of working from the office – costs will be lower for each employee to work at the office. No training and providing suitable equipment will be required. This includes adaptations to meet health and safety standards within the home office environment.
Staff development – easier to maintain staff development and upgrading skills.
Information security risk – less risk of data leakage.
Reduced isolation – home working can be lonely.
Increased staff morale – it is easier for a team to bond in the same location.
Some jobs can not be done at home.
Better work/life balance – employees working away from home can lead to improvements in health and well-being.
A shift towards home working doesn’t mean employees have to work only at home. Often splitting time between home and the workplace is the most productive solution and you may want the homeworker to attend meetings to keep them fully involved and informed.
LIS are here to assist you with the transition of home working. Our experienced IT professionals can advise on improving remote worker capabilities and keep critical systems working. We can also advise on the best way to keep ICT equipment clean and hygienic for hot desking and shared areas. Contact us for more information.
Could holding an online raffle be the way to give your business a much-needed boost in these strange times? Can virtual raffles save business?
In these uncertain times it’s nice to hear some good news. Find out how you can raise your business profile, attract some new customers and sell some of your products or services, click here.
From London…
In south London, independent traders are being thrown a lifeline by online raffles, organised by two community groups, Save East Dulwich and the Big SE Raffle, which have raised thousands of pounds for local shops, salons and pubs.
Victoria Rennison, who set up the Save East Dulwich raffle, said she came up with the idea after wondering “what would happen to East Dulwich if all of these businesses went under?”
“There’s such a sense of community because of them – I feel like they need some support from us in return,” she said. “I was thinking, what could I do remotely, when no one is allowed to see each other?”
… to Manchester
A business owner has created a virtual community raffle to support independent businesses during lockdown in Salford west. Susie Kwok, 48-year-old, owner of On Our Doorstep magazine began fundraising last weekend and has since sold almost 50 tickets. She said: “There are 1,000 tickets on sale. This would allow us to help 20 local businesses. If this takes off, we will continue running raffles until the lockdown is over. Our ultimate target would be to reach 10,000 tickets – which would mean we have helped 200 local businesses!”
“Each prize will be worth £50 or more. So, for £1, you could win a brilliant prize, plus the satisfaction you have helped our businesses which are the heart of our community. She added “Can virtual raffles save business by promoting services and products?”
As a business owner, Ms Kwok knows first-hand what local independent businesses in Salford are experiencing. Before the lockdown On Our Doorstep was ready to distribute their April/May issue but that has since been postponed. Ms Kwok continued to say that there is not enough financial support for businesses: “It’s based on your final profits and what you’ve submitted in your final self-assessment.”
“It doesn’t take into account that before you take out your profit you have to pay your employees, printers etc. Then you still have the worry of how to pay those other bills that are in no way covered by the government grant.”
Currently, Ms Kwok takes no percentage from the Salford West raffle to support her business as “it didn’t feel right”. But there are hopes that soon she will be able to offer a prize to help her business as well as others. Ms Kwok says: “It’s important that the community doesn’t forget these businesses.”
Help is at hand
We hope that your business is still operating and are here to assist you with your IT requirements. Contact the LIS Helpdesk for a chat to help with your business IT solutions. We provide fully managed IT solutions, support and have a range of comprehensive technology solutions. We look after your business which allows you to run your business!
We know lockdown has been difficult for business, but it’s not all doom and gloom. Here are five businesses that are booming (and they are not all huge). Find out how lockdown has been difficult for business, take a look at a recent BBC news article about five businesses that are booming despite the lockdown.
Yet in many ways, our current situation is very different to a month ago. Many of us have lost jobs, taken pay cuts or been put on furlough. Boris Johnson has declared the UK past its peak of the outbreak. We can buy toilet roll from the supermarket (albeit after queuing behind people in masks).
Five industries thriving in lockdown
Gifts & Occasions
Mother’s Day was the first weekend under lockdown, order volumes and referrals in the sector soared by 122% and 229% year-on-year respectively. Once the occasion passed, orders began to decline, dropping to just +26% year-on-year. Then Easter arrived. In the week running up to 12th April, order volumes and referrals in the gifting sector significantly increased. By Easter Monday, gift brands were acquiring 415% more new customers via referral year-on-year. (It’s worth noting that Easter fell on different dates last year).
Since Easter, order volumes and referrals in the gift sector have continued to increase and show no signs of slowing. Right now, order volumes are up 245% year-on-year and referrals up 650%.
That means people are buying from and recommending gifting brands each day than they were during Easter, an actual occasion, last year. It seems that in the absence of being able to physically see friends and family, consumers are turning to ecommerce gift brands to send their love from afar.
Home & Garden
At the start of April, order volumes and referrals for home and garden clients were up 55% and 83% year-on-year respectively. Both have significantly increased since.
As people looked forward to a sunshine-filled Easter at home, they went online to buy plants, baking equipment, and other products to liven up the long weekend in isolation.
On 21st April, referrals peaked at +321% year-on-year, compared to sales at +120%. Both now remain relatively steady at +278% and +110% respectively.
In the current environment, our homes and garden frequently come up in conversation. A comment on a houseplant in the background of a Zoom call, a chat about blooming tulips in the garden, a freshly baked banana bread on Instagram – all these small occurrences lead to brand recommendations and new customers.
Health & Fitness
In the week following the government’s lockdown announcement, order volumes for health and fitness brands increased by 163% year-on-year. People weren’t just working out in new ways – they were telling others about it, too. Referrals increased by 361%.
Fast forward to now, and orders for health and fitness brands have dropped, though remain significantly higher than this time last year. Order volumes for our clients in this sector are up 85% year-on-year. Referrals are more than double that at +185% year on year.
Consumers also feel less panicked. We may be no closer to knowing when we can next go to the pub, but we know we can go for a jog outside. Plus, with all holiday plans ruled out for the foreseeable, exercise has become more about feeling good than honing the perfect bikini body. How we’re exercising has changed, but our inclination to tell others about it hasn’t.
Food & Drink
March saw a huge spike in demand for food and drink brands as consumers stocked up on pasta, gin and other essentials.
A few months on, sales and referrals in this sector are decreasing, though remain significantly higher than last year. This is likely due to two reasons.
Firstly, consumers have more confidence in supermarket supply chains and government restrictions to know there’s little risk of going hungry. Secondly, many people ordered enough food and drink to last weeks, meaning they don’t need to order again so quickly.
That’s also impacted referrals. With people no longer panicking about running out of fresh veg or (worse) wine, they’re not talking about it as much. And when they do talk about it, they’ve likely already recommended their favourite brands to friends. Nonetheless, things are pretty good for online food and drink brands right now.
Beauty
Beauty products weren’t top of consumers’ shopping lists entering lockdown, but they’ve certainly risen up it over the past month.
With more time on our hands, many people are turning their attention to skincare rituals and self-care treats. A bubble bath and facemask are a pretty appealing. As the option for a night out is off the cards.
We are not showing off our newly glowing skin or glossy hair in person. However, we’re still telling our friends about our favourite beauty brands.
At the start of April, beauty sales had increased by 37% year-on-year and referrals by 64%. Sales are now up 110% year-on-year, with referrals a significant 356% higher than this time last year.
Business planning for the future
Lockdown has been difficult for business as people are continuing to shop online as well as speaking with their loved ones. That presents a powerful opportunity for brands with a relevant offering and effective referral programme.
The fragile economy is also making people increasingly conscious of how they’re spending their money. A brand that comes with a friend’s seal of approval is far more likely to result in a purchase. Compared to a random website found online – particularly if it comes with a discount or other incentive.
Rather than simply enjoy the surge in orders and referrals, now is the time for thriving businesses to plan for the future. Those with effective retention strategies will prosper long-term; those without will fall by the wayside.
Obviously, LIS can’t help with the development of your business, but that is fine as that is your area of expertise! Tech is our job so contact the LIS Help Desk to discuss how your IT needs to evolve to help drive your business in the post corona world. Whether you need to keep your data secure, deliver long term working from home, create a safe hot desking environment, make best use of a flexible phone system or just give your staff the “looked after” feeling that LIS brings to its clients, we can help. We will give you the best advice, suggest the best solutions and are more than happy to help.
Hopefully your business has survived this tough period and you are now starting on the long road to the new stable business life. Lockdown has been difficult for business but with LIS at least the IT is sorted!
#LockdownBoom #GoodForBusiness #InDemand
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Gifts & Occasions
Home & Garden
Health & Fitness
Food & Drink
Beauty