Business

Automation could be the Answer to Powerful Growth in your eCommerce Business

Published

5 years ago

March 26, 2020

We are in the midst of an ongoing revolution in artificial intelligence, and in automation more broadly. Jobs which were once performed by people are now, increasingly, being performed by machines. And this transition is taking place more quickly with every passing day.

Economic circumstances, like the dip in labour supply following the coronavirus pandemic, might accelerate the pace of change still further – but this is a longer-term transition to an entirely different sort of economy.

Certain sectors might benefit from automation right now. Among these is eCommerce.

What is automation in eCommerce?

Running an eCommerce business relies on many tasks being performed. These can often be repetitive, dull, and time consuming. Tasks of this nature are best left to machines.

What forms might eCommerce automation take?

Marketing Cohesion

The launch of a new product can be a tricky and complicated process. Not only does the product in question need to be added to the storefront; it also needs to be advertised through a diverse range of targeted channels. Automation will remove much of the administrative work from this process, and ensure that errors and downtime are kept to a minimum.

Streamlining Tracking

The modern customer expects packages to be delivered as quickly as possible. But they also expect to be kept informed at every stage of a given package’s progress. If there are hundreds of items out for delivery at any one time, then tracking these might be a full-time job. If there are thousands of them, this might be impossible.

Identifying high-risk orders

Sometimes, your system might receive an order that anyone could recognise as a risk. If dozens, or hundreds, of the same item are to be delivered to a domestic address, then this might be cause for concern. But an artificial intelligence might be able to identify more subtle forms of risk, and pick out potential fraudsters using modelling and statistics.

Warehousing

The Covid-19 pandemic means that warehouse operators will find themselves unable to come into work. This is likely to kick the adoption of robotic alternatives into overdrive. Robotic Process Automation is an increasingly important pillar of the online shopping industry – and it was likely to become ubiquitous even before the intervention of world events.

Shipping Comparison

Settling on just a single courier can often lead to wasted money in the long-term. By instead considering a range of options, you’ll be able to identify the cheapest, and thereby limit your spending on shipping – which will constitute a sizeable portion of your variable costs. You can perform this comparison via services like Parcel2Go.

Identifying high-value customers

A minority of customers can often make up a majority of an e-commerce business’s income. And, in the case of some businesses, this is especially likely. Artificial intelligence allows these customers to be flagged automatically according to pre-selected criteria, so that they can be targeted later by tailored advertising. Retaining these customers can be hugely important for small businesses, particularly during trying economic times.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

6 days ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.