Flexible payment options are vital in boosting eCommerce sales, says Deko. Q1 2023
Editor’s letter. Welcome to our Q1 issue of The Business Concept. The Business Concept is dedicated to providing you with the latest, most intricate visions from across the business landscape. Globally, there is an endless amount of support for business development – and The Business Concept is here to showcase the solutions and assistance being provided around the world. Finding ourselves in the third month of 2023, we are all eager for the arrival of spring. Soon, daffodils will be blooming, the sun will feel warm on our skin, and we’ll be able to leave our coats at home. And there’s more to be excited about. For the world of business, it is already looking to be a sensational year. Among these pages, we explore just a few stories of innovation that have occurred during this quarter, including a collaboration between an all-electric courier and a fashion rental company to make low-carbon fashion rental deliveries possible. Packfleet and HURR are coming together to combat the problem that is fast fashion and to treat our planet kinder. Elsewhere, we gain an insight into the work of a telecoms provider, aircraft sales company, fintech lender, and many more different businesses who are making their mark in their industries. From data restructures, to digital transformations, to strategic partnerships, to passion for delivering a personal, high quality service to customers, these companies know what it takes to succeed. We hope you find these stories to be inspiring and look forward to welcoming you back to our Q2 issue. Rebecca Scotland - Editor
Contents 4. News - Aerial Direct undergoes digital transformation to enhance data and better serve customers. - Deposco Launches End-to-end Omnichannel Planning & Fulfillment Platform. 6. Ascend Aviation: Best Aircraft Sales Company - Africa 7. Gadfin: Most Innovative Inspection & Aerial Infrastructure Survey Solutions 2023 8. Packfleet to provide pollutionfree delivery for designer rental platform HURR. 10. Floreat Group announces the launch of Cayman Islands offering as part of strategic growth plans 11. Artemis Aerospace: How the passenger-to- freighter aircraft conversion market took off 12. Flexible payment options are vital in boosting eCommerce sales, says Deko. 13. ARC-UK Technologies and Landsec forge new strategic partnership to advance and accelerate UK carbon neutral ambitions 14. Business lender Sonovate surpasses £3.5bn in funding to support customers during ‘cost of running a business’ crisis 16. Gong Expands Integrations and Channel Offerings with More Than 40 New Ecosystem Partners
News. 4 Aerial Direct undergoes digital transformation to enhance data and better serve customers. Direct, the award-winning business telecoms provider, today announces its complete data restructure and digital transformation in a move to enhance its strategic decision making and customer service. Aerial Direct faced an issue that is commonplace among telecoms businesses. The company held data across disparate systems, making it difficult to see a clear view of their customer base through the entire sales journey. The regulatory environment also played a part in this need with Aerial Direct requiring an updated reporting system and advice on data governance practices within the cloud to remain compliant. Following the successful implementation of a regulated, secure and scalable solution by Dufrain, the data consultancy, Aerial Direct will now benefit from a 360-degree view of its customer base. Advantages of the new system include: • Even more Data-backed business decisions to ensure meaningful change and growth • Complete centrality of all customer data in one compliant system that is easy to monitor • Benefits will not become reduced over time as the solution is also built in a way that means it is fully scalable to support and accelerate Aerial Direct’s growth plans Dufrain will provide Aerial Direct with an ongoing managed service arrangement to support the company in making the most of its data to support customers throughout their entire business journey. Simon Kelly, Head of BI & Data at Aerial Direct, said: “We were faced with an enormous task in getting to grips with harnessing our data and Dufrain ensured the process was as smooth as possible. Now we know our data is properly managed, we can use it to inform us of key trends and make informed business decisions, something that we couldn’t have done previously, and we think it’ll make a huge difference to our growth campaign and our customers’ experience.” Gerry Goodwin, Chief Commercial Officer at Dufrain, said: “Good data governance is essential for telecoms companies to harness customer data to its full potential and drive business decisions for meaningful change while remaining compliant with all GDPR and data protection regulation. “It is impossible to do that when the information is siloed across the organisation. This is exactly what we’ve helped Aerial Direct build a solution for and, working in partnership, we’ve been able to create a solution that delivers all their needs in one place. We’re looking forward to working with them on an ongoing basis to ensure the tech consistently delivers.”
5 News. Combined supply chain planning and fulfillment solutions speed value and fund growth through a cohesive lens across B2B and Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) channels Deposco, the omnichannel fulfillment supply chain solutions platform for brand owners, retailers, e-commerce, and 3PL companies, has launched the industry’s first true end-toend supply chain solution to orchestrate the end-to-end processes – Plan, Source, Order, Fulfill, and Return – across B2B and DTC channels from a single package to full pallets. In one cohesive Supply Chain Planning (SCP) and Fulfillment solution, businesses can replace inefficient manual processes with instant recommendations and automated workflows that remove the blinders between supply chain operations. The solution is designed to help customers lower their carrying costs, mitigate labour challenges, increase sales, and become more proactive and profitable in approaching inventory as one entity across all touchpoints. “Creating value to fund growth in the volatile B2B and DTC markets has become a costly game that requires businesses to stock up, staff up, and delay growth initiatives due to processes and systems that can’t keep up,” said Bill Gibson, CEO of Deposco. “We are delighted to deliver a unified platform that feeds our customers with the information they need to put the right products at the right places at the right time and cost, rather than increasing inventory as a defensive response to ongoing changes and disruptions.” Deposco’s Bright Suite omnichannel platform is the first of its kind to unite demand planning, supply planning, and order fulfillment through Deposco Launches End-to-end Omnichannel Planning & Fulfillment Platform. a single view of demand against real-time physical inventory execution everywhere. The platform is designed for B2B and DTC brands that need to scale growth and improve their omnichannel experiences but have not had the right tools to make timely, optimal decisions within the full context of their financial, operational, and service impacts. Deposco’s singular omnichannel planning and fulfillment solution combines up-to-the-minute inventory data, automated demand planning insights, efficient operational workflows, and robust reporting across channels – with the flexibility to adapt and scale the technology going forward. Key benefits include: • Coordinated decisions: Orchestrate the demand and supply end-to-end across planning and operations to respond to rapidly evolving changes, while improving cash-to-cash cycles and inventory acquisition/carrying costs. • Improved Forecast Accuracy: Better product availability; efficient processes; and measurable forecast performance and improvements. • Dynamically Optimised Inventory: Right inventory at the right locations, time-phased inventory investments, and automated safety stock policies to improve market agility, inventory turns, and GMROI. • Automated Supply Planning: Efficient PO generation, real-time tracking of ASNs and receipts makes replenishment, buying, and supplier management fast and easy. “By implementing Deposco’s supply chain planning solution into our fulfillment operations, we have seen significant improvements across our organisation,” said Bruce Bickford, Sr. Director of Supply Chain Management at RestorixHealth | AMT. “Now an end-to-end platform, the solution has transformed the way we operate. The implementation process was smooth, and Deposco has been a reliable partner for us.” To learn more about the RestorixHealth | AMT end-to-end Deposco solution, please view the video case study here. “No other partner offers this level of real-time inventory visibility (or actionable insights), cross-functional collaboration and efficiencies, and agile decision-making,” Gibson said. “The addition of SCP supports our mission of positioning businesses to scale current growth while establishing resiliency, increased profitability, and speed-to-value that can be used to fund future growth.” “We are delighted to deliver a unified platform that feeds our customers with the information they need to put the right products at the right places at the right time and cost, rather than increasing inventory as a defensive response to ongoing changes and disruptions.”
Best Aircraft Sales Company - Africa The process of buying an aircraft can be complicated and daunting, especially for first time buyers. Regardless of whether it is your first time or not, the team at Ascend Aviation have years of experience and knowledge in the aviation market that enables them to make the process smooth and seamless for all its customers. From choosing the aircraft to budgeting to delivery, the team is there to support and advise the customers throughout. They get to know each customer to better understand their needs, which, together with their extensive knowledge about the products, means they are able to provide clients with outstanding customer service. Maartin shares, “We offer our clients bespoke, premium service when purchasing an aircraft and insist on personalized service for each of our clients. In an ever-changing aviation market, we ensure that your needs are met at all times.” Ascend Aviation sells all categories of preowned aircrafts, such as jets, turboprop and piston aircrafts, as well as turbine and piston helicopters. It however concentrates on the supply of pre-owned jets and turbines of all makes and models. “We believe that South Africa is the hub of Africa for private aviation, therefore we are perfectly situated to service our clients, not only in Africa but worldwide,” highlights Maartin. In addition to aircraft sales, Ascend Aviation offers acquisition mandates, aircraft valuations, aircraft management, aircraft finance, aircraft insurance, and aircraft ferrying including importation and Ascend Aviation is one of the leading aircraft sales companies in Africa. Its founder, Maartin Steenkamp is passionate about the importance of personal attention, relationship-building, and integrity needed to provide customers with excellent services in the aircraft industry. We take a closer look after its recent recognition in the Aviation and Aerospace Awards 2023. exportation. This makes the process a lot easier for its customers as they can sort through all requirements in the same place without needing to go elsewhere. Since Covid-19, major corporations and individuals are opting for private air travel, which has led to an increase in demand. Ascend Aviation is able to meet demand and provide customers with the solutions they are looking for. Its success has allowed it to expand, as now it has opened a new office in Portugal and in the nearby future it is expanding to the Middle East. Ultimately, with such an exceptional service offering, it comes as no surprise that Ascend Aviation’s success has landed it to be awarded with Best Aircraft Sales Company – Africa. Contact: Maartin Steenkamp Company: Ascend Aviation Web Address: https://ascendaviation.co.za/ Jan23094 From choosing the aircraft to budgeting to delivery, the team is there to support and advise the customers throughout. They get to know each customer to better understand their needs, which, together with their extensive knowledge about the products, means they are able to provide clients with outstanding customer service.
6 Most Innovative Inspection & Aerial Infrastructure Survey Solutions 2023 Gadfin Aero-Logistics Systems creates drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which operate autonomously with minimal human interaction, capable of delivering low-tomedium payloads at short-to-long ranges, as well as conducting long-range scanning operations of linear infrastructure such as roads, power lines, oil and gas pipelines, and more. Gadfin works towards a future where environmentally friendly, quiet drones bridge gaps between islands and countries, connecting institutions in every corner of the globe so that medical and other time-critical supplies can be wherever they are needed in the blink of an eye. proprietary power distribution module, allows the UAVs to fly further for longer intervals. An additional benefit of this is that the drones are zero-emission, which reduces the industry’s carbon footprint. Thanks to its advanced technologies, its drones can deliver low-tomedium payloads at short-to-long ranges, meeting a growing need for urgent delivery of products. Moving forwards, the company is currently developing a larger aircraft which will be able to carry up to 150kg for an even longer distance, while maintaining zero emissions. As a result of its ground-breaking technologies and the unique vision is works every day to realise, Gadfin is 2023’s winner of Most Innovative Inspection and Aerial Infrastructure Survey Solutions in the Aviation and Aerospace Awards. There is no doubt that Gadfin represents the new generation of urgent deliveries and aerial scanning as it continues to innovate and develop UAVs that can accomplish more and more and change the way the world operates. Contact: Eyal Regav Company: Gadfin Web Address: www.gadfin.com Specialising in developing drones and UAVs of various sizes, Gadfin envisions a clean, connected world where even the most deserted spot is easily accessible. Redefining delivery capabilities in terms of flight radius, safety, reliability and automation, the company’s fast, hydrogen powered drones carry out long-range urgent deliveries and preventative maintenance missions. The first to receive Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority permit for urban airspace deliveries at the start of 2020, Gadfin’s technology links hospitals, laboratories and diverse organisations by enabling fast and ongoing transfer of refrigerated medical cargo, including samples, bone marrow, blood tests, blood donations, organs for transplant, and more, within minutes and at low lost. The team at Gadfin, including unmanned technology specialists, traditional aviation engineers, and designers, all work with the aim of keeping costs low while creating drones with enhanced capabilities. Through extensive research, Gadfin’s drones are designed with the highest safety standards in mind. Holding a number of breakthrough patents, its wing folding and spreading technology makes its UAVs versatile by allowing vertical take-off and landing as well as efficient horizontal flight. With wings folded, manoeuvrability is enhanced, side winds are overcome, and a smaller landing space is required, which is beneficial in a range of settings. When the UAV reaches the altitude for horizontal flight, the wings open, allowing it to fly long distances efficiently. This versatility, along with water and dust resistance, means Gadfin’s UAVs can endure all types of unfavourable weather, resulting in a game-changing improvement of aerodynamic capabilities. Furthermore, smooth flight is facilitated by Gadfin’s mechanisms for reducing rotor drag. With a fully electronic platform, Gadfin’s UAVs utilise both high density LiPo batteries and energy-rich hydrogen fuel cells, which is a highly efficient combination. This, alongside Gadfin’s Dec22561 7.
Packfleet to provide pollutionfree delivery for designer rental platform HURR. All-electric courier Packfleet and HURR (fashion rental company) are teaming up to tackle the forgotten fashion sustainability issue – delivery. The collaboration will see the fashion rental marketplace’s parcels delivered for a fraction of the carbon by the courier’s fleet of aquamarine electric vans. The courier will handle thousands of items from fashion brands and designers such as industry giants like Selfridges, Flannels and John Lewis – all of which offer fashion rental services through HURR Enterprise. Since launching, HURR has gained thousands of fans including Holly Willoughby, Stacey Dooley and Laura Witmore as the global rental market has boomed towards a predicted $2.1 billion. All of the fashion platform’s orders within the M25 will be delivered by Packfleet, with the switch to an all-electric courier coming at a time when the capital is facing unprecedented levels of air pollution, in part due to petrol and diesel vans. Aside from operating a completely electric van fleet, Packfleet is a certified B-corp, and plants a tree with every new delivery via Ecologi. Similarly, HURR’s B-corp status demonstrates the brand’s commitment to positive social impact. Aided by Packfleet’s live map tracking, HURR’s London customers can follow their parcel every step of the journey, and the courier’s • Partnership between two tech-led B Corps will enable low-carbon fashion rental deliveries • All HURR’s London orders will be handled by the all-electric courier, with brands like Selfridges and Mulberry available to rent • Partnership comes at a time when the capital is facing an air pollution crisis, worsened by petrol and diesel van couriers industry-leading success rates mean they’ll never miss a parcel. On delivery day, customers will have the option to change everything about the delivery – including the time their parcel arrives, the address it arrives at, and whether drivers ring the doorbell – all at any point on the drivers’ journey. Both brands are disrupting their sector by leading with tech and putting the sustainability mission at the forefront. They are also at similar stages of growth. Packfleet saw 10x growth last year, whilst HURR has seen revenues up 700 per cent in 2022. Tristan Thomas, CEO and co-founder of Packfleet comments: “Fashion has a reputation for being one of the world’s most polluting industries, but HURR is changing that. It’s a leading fashion rental business on the rise, one that’s genuinely making a difference in the market. “It doesn’t make sense to shout about reducing carbon if that doesn’t also apply to the wider supply chain. We’re pleased to be working alongside a brand that has a similar mindset when it comes to sustainable and ethical business.” Victoria Prew, CEO and co-founder at HURR adds: “HURR is all about making fashion more circular, one rental at a time. This extends to every part of the process – including delivery. We’re excited to be working with a courier whose values align with our own. “As an online hybrid rental business, we require the highest touch experience for our community, making sure that the end to end rental experience is elevated and exciting. Packfleet has a reputation for exceptional customer service, something rarely seen from couriers, and we’re looking forward to providing an all-round low carbon fashion experience for our customers.” All-electric courier Packfleet and HURR (fashion rental company) are teaming up to tackle the forgotten fashion sustainability issue – delivery. The collaboration will see the fashion rental marketplace’s parcels delivered for a fraction of the carbon by the courier’s fleet of aquamarine electric vans. Nov22262 Since launching, HURR has gained thousands of fans including Holly Willoughby, Stacey Dooley and Laura Witmore as the global rental market has boomed towards a predicted $2.1 billion.
9 Packfleet to provide pollution-free delivery for designer rental platform HURR
Floreat Group announces the launch of Cayman Islands offering as part of strategic growth plans Based in Camana Bay, the Cayman office will offer private-office investment services to ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals and families globally. The Cayman offering will work closely with the London office to provide bespoke access to a range of private office services, and harness the group’s access to investments across equities, private markets, aircraft leasing and real estate. The Cayman office is led by Clive Thomas, with Billy Harty leading the investment team. Thomas returns to Floreat after spending four years as a Partner at legal and professional services firm Walkers Global. Harty joined from Cayman Islands-based RBC Dominion Securities, where he worked as an investment adviser. Thomas and Harty are joined by latest recruit, Matt Ellis, Investment Manager. Ellis joined from a large, Cayman-based, single-family office, Floreat Group, the privately-held investment group, headquartered in London, has announced the launch of a new Cayman Islands-based offering. where he acted in both an equity research and trading capacity. The launch follows a period of growth for the firm and is a natural evolution to address a new region of demand. Commenting on the launch Clive Thomas, Head of Floreat Cayman, said: “The Cayman Islands represents an excellent opportunity for a firm like Floreat to bring its extensive range of services to a new pool of select clients. Through our experienced investment team and our personal private client services, we will be able to build on the excellent reputation Floreat Group has in a historically underserved region.” Mutaz Otaibi, CEO of Floreat Group, said: “In the changing landscape of wealth management, we believe it is key that businesses are global and can deliver the high standard of specialised services that UHNW clients demand. With a proven track record, Clive and Billy are wellplaced to kickstart the next level of Floreat’s growth.” Jan22376
Artemis Aerospace: How the passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversion market took off When the pandemic pulled the plug on global air travel in 2020, the aviation industry was left reeling. Air passenger traffic was cut off overnight and billions were wiped from industry revenues. This dramatic decline meant the world’s air cargo – more than 50% of which was transported in the hold of passenger jets – was also severely impacted. Despite freight aircraft continuing to operate, the grounding of passenger fleets resulted in a huge gap for air cargo operations that relied heavily on the extensive route networks travelled by passenger airlines. Yet demand for air cargo capacity during this time was not waning. As well as the need to transport essential medical equipment and supplies, the sudden acceleration in e-commerce meant logistics providers, eager to take advantage of this growing sector, were searching for quick solutions to satisfy e-consumers’ appetites for fast and efficient deliveries. The passenger-to-freighter conversions market has experienced rapid and unprecedented growth over the last three years. Here, Jim Scott, owner of components solutions specialist Artemis Aerospace, discusses this impressive market expansion and how PTF conversions programmes are adapting to future demands. In response, airlines adapted quickly seeking to mitigate huge losses by redeploying their passenger aircraft as ‘preighters’. As passenger flights resumed, and demand for travel began to grow again, many of these ‘preighters’ have since returned to normal service. However, with global e-commerce sales expected to grow by 10.4% in 2023, and 57% of people reporting that they shop internationally, according to Forbes, the need for air cargo capacity remains strong. As supply chain logistics diversify and adapt to meet an ever-increasing list of customer expectations, the demand for new freighter aircraft has intensified with MROs working round the clock to fulfil orders. The PTF market faces numerous challenges and resolving these has become essential for airlines that require flexibility in a continuously evolving industry. One company that has been pioneering innovative, advanced and agile PTF solutions is Artemis’s customer Avensis Aviation with its portfolio of fully reversible cargo modifications, including MEDIUS – the first and only EASA STC certified conversion of its kind. Initially launched by Avensis’s customer TAP Air Portugal for its division TAP Air Cargo in September, MEDIUS is a completely reversible solution that transforms passenger cabins into full Class-E cargo compartments, allowing airlines the freedom to adapt quickly to industry demands. Suitable for both narrow and widebody aircraft types, and incorporating a supernumerary cabin section, MEDIUS is undoubtedly a practical choice for airlines that need to consider aircraft leasing restrictions while responding to fluctuating demands. Boeing’s 2022 World Air Cargo Forecast predicts the global freighter fleet will grow by more than 60% by 2041 with the Asia-Pacific region taking more than a third of deliveries. For airlines, this presents multiple opportunities for future-proofing their businesses. Jan22194 However, with global e-commerce sales expected to grow by 10.4% in 2023, and 57% of people reporting that they shop internationally, according to Forbes, the need for air cargo capacity remains strong.
12. Flexible payment options are vital in boosting eCommerce sales, says Deko. Flexible payments are proven to reduce cart abandonment and boost online sales. flexible payment options like buy now pay later (BNPL), which allow consumers to spread the cost of purchases and alleviate some of the financial pressure in these challenging times”. “Flexible payments can reduce cart abandonment rates, as well as empower shoppers to increase the size of their purchase by reducing the financial burden of paying for purchases in one upfront payment. As a result, eCommerce stores are likely to boost their average order value (AOV), which is one of the major solutions to generating more income.” Alternative payment methods like BNPL are becoming increasingly popular with Gen Z and millennials, with 34% of UK shoppers using the service over the 2022 Christmas period. The number of Gen Z and Millennial consumers in the US alone is expected to grow to 70% of the population by 2028; therefore, regardless of a retailer’s current target market demographic, tomorrow’s retail trends will be shaped by these younger generations. Nevertheless, that’s not to say the preferences of more mature cohorts, who currently account for the majority of retail spending, should be ignored. According to research by Pymnts.com, older generations with higher income levels are expanding their footprint in BNPL usage. This suggests that consumer demand for BNPL options at checkout is increasing across the board. Consequently, stores that do not offer alternative payment methods are failing to provide their customer base with the options they now expect and are likely losing out to competitors. Vala continued, “Providing customers with flexible payment options enables online stores to stay in line with customer expectations. Shoppers actively look for companies offering different payment types and the ability to spread the cost, and businesses should grasp this opportunity to increase their customer base further.” “Stores can increase the chance of repeat business by offering popular alternative payment methods such as digital credit products which seamlessly slot into the customer’s purchase journey. Consumers who are looking to purchase similar and related products are likely to return to stores that offer their preferred payment method. Keeping customers happy and engaged will encourage loyalty from their side.” Vala concluded, “There’s little reason for eCommerce stores not to offer flexible payment options to shoppers. Regardless of what products you sell, it is important to keep up with current trends and ensure customers are eager to shop with you. Allowing them to spread the cost of an item can increase business, boost average order size and encourage repeat purchases. Offering different options can position your business as a forward-thinking company ready to enjoy sustained success.” With the cost-of-living crisis putting pressure on household incomes, the need for flexible payment options has never been more urgent, as customers seek alternative ways to pay for those all-important purchases. Retailers can boost online sales by offering much-needed financial flexibility through alternative payment methods. This is according to Melanie Vala, Chief Commercial Officer at Deko, the multi-lender Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) platform. “Interest alone isn’t enough to conclude a sale, and cart abandonment is a significant problem for eCommerce stores, with recent figures as high as 80%.” commented Vala. “eCommerce stores should deploy May21215 “Interest alone isn’t enough to conclude a sale, and cart abandonment is a significant problem for eCommerce stores, with recent figures as high as 80%.” commented Vala. “eCommerce stores should deploy flexible payment options like buy now pay later (BNPL), which allow consumers to spread the cost of purchases and alleviate some of the financial pressure in these challenging times”.
ARC-UK Technologies and Landsec forge new strategic partnership to advance and accelerate UK carbon neutral ambitions ARC-UK Technologies, a leading provider of digital print and document imaging, secured the partnership as a result of achieving carbon neutral production status, improving cost efficiency and further developing both their own and Landsec’s environmental social governance. The partnership will see them provide a range of print and display services across Landsec’s retail destinations, including vinyl displays. The company, among the first UK print companies to become carbon neutral, plans to support local communities’ net carbon zero ambitions by offering neutral print production at Landsec’s major s retail destinations in Leeds, Dartford, London, Somerset, Hertfordshire, Portsmouth, Oxford, Cardiff, Essex and West Yorkshire. The two companies have agreed to explore ways in which ARC-UK Technologies’ printing capabilities, skills and knowledge can help support Landsec’s’ industry-leading sustainability strategy with print and document solutions. ARC-UK Technologies, the UK arm of global print giant ARC Document Solutions, last year became one of the first print businesses in Kent to work towards having a carbon-neutral headquarters with a newly built 30,000 sq ft facility, helping to kickstart Kent County Council’s plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. Darren Moorhouse, Head of Sales UK & Europe for ARC UKTechnologies, said: “It is our aim to ensure that reducing carbon footprints and cutting emissions in line with local communities’ targets is a cornerstone of our business. We believe strongly in helping our environment and our carbon neutral production sets a precedent for the industry as we become one of the first printing companies to offer this. Our partnership with Landsec further supports these plans and we look forward to working together to help tackle the UK’s carbon footprint.” The UK print leaders are now working towards their next milestone of switching to 100 % renewable energy to power their headquarters in Dartford by the 24th of June, helping to reduce carbon emissions. Pablo Sueiras, Head of Retail Asset Management at Landsec, said: “We create sustainable places, ensuring that we reduce the environmental impact of our destinations at every turn. By partnering with our with customers, guests and our supply chain we believe that our spaces can generate value for people and the planet. We’re looking at how we can make every element of our business more sustainable and working with ARC-UK Technologies has allowed us ARC-UK Technologies and Landsec, one of the UK’s largest property and investment company, today announced a strategic partnership. Through the collaboration, the companies will work together on opportunities to help reduce carbon emissions, helping to support local council’s carbon neutral strategies. to make a tangible step in reducing our environmental impact across our retail destinations.” Working with carbon footprint experts Carbon Quota, ARC-UK Technologies, which employs more than 60 people in the UK, can offset any print-related carbon emissions for their clients to manufacture a completely carbon neutral product. This was a driving factor in the formation of the Landsec partnership, which focussed heavily on protecting the environment. Jenny May from Carbon Quota, said: “Demand is increasing rapidly for carbon measurements across the print sector, it’s therefore vital for manufacturers to take control of their emissions. A growing trend we are seeing is that suppliers are losing contracts if they can’t provide accurate carbon reporting. “ARC-UK Technologies are ahead of the competition and clearly see the benefits of managing their carbon impact effectively. Not only does this strategy support them with new business deals, it, more importantly, shows their true commitment to reduce their impact on the environment and help reduce the effects of climate change.” ARC-UK Technologies is part of New York listed ARC Document Solutions, which provides digital printing and document-related services to more than 90,000 customers worldwide and operates in more than 140 locations. May21234 ARC-UK Technologies, a leading provider of digital print and document imaging, secured the partnership as a result of achieving carbon neutral production status, improving cost efficiency and further developing both their own and Landsec’s environmental social governance.
Fintech lender Sonovate has surpassed £3.5bn in total funding and £1 billion in annual funding for the first time as rising costs force businesses to seek finance to manage cashflow and drive growth. During 2022, Sonovate provided businesses with £1.1 billion in finance, a 58% increase on the £700 million lent in the previous year, and more than double 2020’s figure of £444 million. Lending hit £312 million in Q4 2022 alone – up 30% from the same period in 2021. Last year also marked the first time the amount of funding provided in a month surpassed £100 million, with Sonovate initially hitting this sum in October, then again in November when £110 million was loaned to businesses. This high was a 22% jump on the previous highest performing month, when £90m was provided to businesses. Sonovate’s record performance was driven in large part by the expanding adoption of its business finance and technology services by consultancies, recruitment agencies and labour marketplaces throughout the world to allow them to pay contractors on time. • £1.1bn in business finance was provided by Sonovate in 2022, marking a 58% increase on the £700m lent in 2021. • Fintech lender provided over £100m in loans in one month for the first time last year, with businesses receiving £110m in finance during November 2022. • Latest figure takes total funding since launch to £3.5bn – with the finance funding the hiring of nearly 40,000 contractors and freelancers in 44 countries. • Growth attributed to faster adoption of Sonovate’s services by large and enterprise-size recruitment businesses. The increase in finance deployed to businesses was made possible by the securitisation deal with BNP Paribas and M&G Investments that Sonovate completed in Q3 2022. This deal added £165 million to Sonovate’s funding structure, increasing its capital efficiency and expanding its customer base, especially in the enterprise space, whilst delivering added flexibility for export financing. The volume of funding provided to customers over the course of 2022 increased by 50% year-on-year as adoption of embedded finance models gains momentum. Meanwhile, enterprise customers* receive approximately one third of Sonovate’s total lending volume. This significant increase in volume demonstrates the continued growth in the use of contract and freelance labour, and indicates the market potential in the years ahead. In September 2022, Sonovate surpassed £3 billion of funding since inception – an increase of £1 billion in just 12 months as the lender continues to scale at pace. Sonovate envisages continued strong growth as it expects to continue on its growth trajectory in the UK and plans to enter new markets. Richard Prime, Co-founder & CEO of Sonovate, commented: “Rising costs have presented many challenges, but ambitious businesses are embracing the opportunities to drive growth and increase their competitiveness by securing finance to invest in their workforce. “With workers demanding new ways of working in response to both the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, and businesses looking to reduce costs where possible, more and more companies are building their teams around a contract-based workforce. Businesses benefit from this approach as they’re more agile to adapt to changing workload or cashflow and, as this trend continues, the need for ondemand funding will continue to soar.” To date, more than 33,000 freelancers, contractors and gig workers in 44 countries have received payments from over 3,300 businesses supported by Sonovate. During 2022, Sonovate onboarded more than 170 new customers. During 2022, Sonovate provided businesses with £1.1 billion in finance, a 58% increase on the £700 million lent in the previous year, and more than double 2020’s figure of £444 million. Lending hit £312 million in Q4 2022 alone – up 30% from the same period in 2021. Business lender Sonovate surpasses £3.5bn in funding to support customers during ‘cost of running a business’ crisis
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Gong Expands Integrations and Channel Offerings with More Than 40 New Ecosystem Partners Gong, the Revenue Intelligence leader, announced improvements to the Gong Partner Network designed to give ecosystem partners and customers more comprehensive ways to access insights delivered by the Gong Reality Platform. With more than 40 new partners added over the last two quarters, a new partner portal, and a platform feature that automates selling into the right contacts, the Gong ecosystem now offers new ways to help companies drive revenue growth using AI and automation. As organizations of all sizes feel the pressure of inflation and shrinking budgets, they are taking a closer look at their IT investments to find opportunities to consolidate. By bringing together technology, services and consulting partners to deliver their solutions and expertise via Gong, customers can access the tools they need to drive revenue and transform sales processes across the entire funnel – all on a single AI-enabled platform. Gong is revamping its partner program with new tiers and benefits for partners from all channels. The new Gong Partner Portal is the hub where partners can unlock resources to help grow their businesses with Gong. Partners will be able to leverage the portal to track and report on referral and resell opportunities with Gong, and access Gong’s asset library and trainings to help enable sales teams with insights and best practices from Gong’s network. “Selling is critical in this economic environment, but we see companies struggling with how to grow revenue in a way that reflects the reality of their market and pipelines,” said Russell Dwyer, VP of Alliances & RevTec Services at Corporate Visions. “We have partnered with Gong to help our clients measure the effectiveness of their revenue growth strategies, identify coaching opportunities, mitigate pipeline risks, and optimize the efforts of their revenue teams at scale.” Contact Data Integrations Enable Recommended Contacts Today, Gong also made generally available Recommended Contacts, which leverages historical data from previous sales interactions to identify which decision makers and influencers contribute to higher win rates. For example, based on contextual signals such as the stage of a deal, Recommended Contacts will autonomously recommend a persona (for example, a VP of RevOps) at the prospect company that has been shown to yield success when incorporated in previous deals. Then, leveraging data from Gong’s contact data partners, it will surface the name and contact information of the specific individual. From there, teams can connect with multiple decision-makers and progress deals – all from a single, automated platform. Delivered along with Apollo, Cognism, and LeadIQ, Recommended Contacts is the first feature on the Gong Reality Platform that is directly powered by partners, paving the way for continued innovation for the Gong Partner Network. Launches Recommended Contacts, Gong’s first partner-enabled feature, to automate contact identification and sourcing. “Revenue organizations are at a pivotal moment in time – their role in driving company growth has never been more critical, while their roadblocks loom larger than ever,” said Eddie O’Brien, senior vice president, Partnerships, Gong. “By expanding the Gong Partner Network across the full sales funnel and enabling more automation and access options for our customers, we’re tapping an industry-best ecosystem to deliver maximum value to revenue teams.” The Gong Partner Network is a large and expanding group of leading technology, service and consulting firms that partner with Gong to connect their tools and solutions to the Gong Reality Platform. The Gong Partner Network – now with more than 230 technology and channel partners – encompasses the Gong Collective, the leading marketplace for technology integrations for customer-facing teams. The Collective is designed to reduce integration complexity, simplify setup, and enable customers to unlock more value from the platform. Gong, the Revenue Intelligence leader, announced improvements to the Gong Partner Network designed to give ecosystem partners and customers more comprehensive ways to access insights delivered by the Gong Reality Platform. With more than 40 new partners added over the last two quarters, a new partner portal, and a platform feature that automates selling into the right contacts, the Gong ecosystem now offers new ways to help companies drive revenue growth using AI and automation.
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