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Types of CRM Software and How They Enhance Customer Satisfaction for Your Business

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Imagine running a business where you never forget a customer’s name, their preferences, or the last conversation you had with them. Sounds ideal, right? Well, that’s exactly what Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can help you achieve! And today, customer expectations are higher than ever. So catering to their needs is every business’s priority. It’s no longer just about closing sales—it’s about creating meaningful, lasting connections that keep customers coming back.

Whether you’re managing a real estate firm, a lending business, or an e-commerce store, the right CRM can make all the difference. But with so many options out there, how do you know which type is the best fit for your business? And more importantly, how can it help you enhance customer satisfaction and take your business to the next level? Well, that’s exactly what I will discuss in this blog.

What Does a CRM Platform Help Achieve?

A CRM platform is your secret weapon for keeping your business organized, boosting efficiency, and—most importantly—keeping your customers happy.

Okay so firstly, a CRM helps you streamline communication. Whether a customer calls, emails, or reaches out via social media, the CRM platform tracks every interaction. This allows your team to always know the latest updates. No more awkward moments of asking the same questions twice. Your team has all the context they need to provide quick and personalized responses.

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A CRM also enables better decision-making. With all your customer data in one place, it’s easy to see trends and patterns. This helps you tailor your marketing campaigns, anticipate customer needs, and make smarter business moves. This means you’re not just reacting to customer demands; you’re proactively meeting them, which is key to keeping your clients satisfied and loyal.

And perhaps the most important function of all, a CRM platform helps you automate the busy work. From automating follow-up reminders to managing sales pipelines and analyzing performance, CRMs take the guesswork out of day-to-day operations. The result? More time for your team to focus on high-impact tasks, like nurturing leads and providing top-notch customer service.

Types of CRM Software

There are several types of CRM software, each with specific features that cater to different business needs. Let’s first explore the core categories of CRM software, followed by industry-specific CRMs that deliver tailored solutions for specific sectors.

The 3 Core CRM Software Types

1. Operational CRM

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Operational CRM focuses on automating and improving everyday business processes such as sales, marketing, and customer service operations.

Key Features

  • Sales Automation: Helps automate repetitive tasks like tracking leads, order processing, and follow-ups.
  • Marketing Automation: Allows for segmenting customer bases and creating targeted marketing campaigns to deliver personalized messages.
  • Service Automation: Helps manage customer service tickets, schedule follow-ups, and automate resolutions, ensuring faster responses.

How Operational CRM Enhances Customer Satisfaction:

By automating routine tasks, Operational CRM reduces response times and increases efficiency, which directly improves the customer experience. The ability to automate follow-ups ensures that no customer inquiry is left unattended, which makes customers feel valued.

1. Analytical CRM

Analytical CRM focuses on collecting and analyzing customer data to provide insights that can drive business decisions.

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Key Features

  • Customer Data Analysis: Collects data from various touchpoints (email, social media, website) to better understand customer behaviour and preferences.
  • Customer Segmentation: Divides the customer base into segments, allowing for more targeted marketing efforts.
  • Predictive Analysis: Uses historical data to predict future customer behaviour, helping businesses anticipate customer needs.

How Analytical CRM Enhances Customer Satisfaction:

By understanding customer preferences and predicting future behaviour, Analytical CRM enables businesses to deliver highly personalized experiences. This makes customers feel understood and appreciated, which fosters satisfaction and loyalty.

  1. Collaborative CRM

Collaborative CRM enhances internal collaboration among departments by providing a unified view of customer information.

Key Features

  • Cross-Department Communication: Ensures that sales, marketing, and customer service teams share data and collaborate seamlessly.
  • Customer Interaction Tracking: Monitors all interactions with customers to ensure consistent messaging and support across departments.
  • Unified Customer Data: Centralizes customer information so that all teams have access to up-to-date data.

How Collaborative CRM Enhances Customer Satisfaction:

Collaborative CRM ensures that customers receive consistent service, no matter which department they interact with. When internal teams are aligned, customers don’t experience communication gaps, which significantly boosts satisfaction.

Industry-Specific CRMs

  • Real Estate Syndication CRM

A Real Estate Syndication CRM is specifically designed for real estate sponsors and fund managers. It streamlines every aspect of your real estate business, from investor relations to deal management, making it easier to scale your operations and keep your investors satisfied. Its key features include:

  • Investor Relationship Management at Its Best: The platform centralizes all your investor data, providing you with a 360-degree view of each investor’s engagement, history, and preferences. Every interaction—whether it’s an email, phone call, or meeting—can be tracked and stored within the platform.
  • Efficient Deal Management: It simplifies deal management by allowing you to track every deal’s progress in real-time. Whether you’re in the initial stages of raising capital or navigating the final stages of closing a deal, the platform helps you keep track of every milestone.
  • 2-Way Email Sync Notes: This feature automatically syncs your email communications with investors. Any email sent or received gets logged in the CRM, ensuring that you and your team have complete visibility into all conversations. You can also add notes to these emails, making it easy to track follow-ups or flag important details.
  • CRM for Loan Servicing and Management

CRM for lenders are often known as Contact Relationship Management due to the fact that they do not need your usual marketing features that come with Customer Relationship Management. Typically, you will find this platform in A Contact Relationship Management for lenders the loan servicing and management for every lender.

This CRM is designed to help lenders maintain organized, efficient communication with borrowers, investors, and stakeholders.

A Contact Relationship Management for lenders centralizes borrower data, automates follow-ups, and tracks payment histories, providing a 360-degree view of each relationship. This enhances customer service, improves collection processes, and ensures a seamless loan lifecycle.

An E-Commerce CRM is tailored to the needs of online retailers. It helps businesses manage customer orders, track sales, and create personalized marketing campaigns based on purchase behaviour. Its key features are:

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  • Order Management: Tracks customer orders, shipment status, and returns in real-time.
  • Behavioral Analytics: Analyzes customer behaviour to recommend products and create personalized marketing campaigns.
  • Customer Support Integration: Connects with live chat, email, and social media to offer seamless customer support.
  • Healthcare CRM

A Healthcare CRM is designed for medical providers, clinics, and hospitals to manage patient relationships. It helps streamline appointment scheduling, patient communications, and medical history tracking. Its key features are:

  • Appointment Management: Automates appointment scheduling, reminders, and follow-ups.
  • Patient History: Tracks medical records, treatment history, and patient preferences to provide personalized care.
  • Patient Communication: Automates patient outreach, such as appointment reminders and post-visit follow-ups.
  • CRM for Hotels/Hospitality Industry

A Hospitality CRM is tailored for hotels, resorts, and the broader hospitality industry. It focuses on enhancing guest experiences by managing bookings, guest preferences, and customer loyalty programs. Its key features are:

  • Guest Management: Tracks guest preferences, booking history, and special requests to create personalized experiences.
  • Loyalty Programs: Automates the management of loyalty programs, ensuring that repeat customers are rewarded.
  • Feedback Management: Collects and analyzes guest feedback to improve services.

Wrapping Up!

CRM software plays a critical role in enhancing customer satisfaction by helping businesses manage relationships more effectively. Whether you’re looking to streamline operations with Operational CRM, derive insights from Analytical CRM, foster collaboration through Collaborative CRM, or implement industry-specific CRMs, each type offers distinct advantages that can transform the way you interact with customers.

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Pharrell Williams Redefines the American Dream

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Pharrell Williams on the True American Dream: “It’s About Doing What You Love”

Grammy-winning artist and philanthropist Pharrell Williams is urging Americans to redefine what they see as the “American Dream.” In a powerful speech at the Web Summit in Lisbon, he challenged society’s obsession with wealth and encouraged a shift towards career fulfillment, claiming that the dream isn’t about amassing wealth but about finding joy in one’s work.

The American Dream: Beyond Wealth and Status

Williams, a Virginia native, touched on the generational perspective that success is measured by financial prosperity. “In my country, we are raised to think about how to make the most money because our parents thought that way,” Williams explained. “They had this false sense of what the American Dream is or should be.”

With recent surveys showing that 47% of Americans believe the dream is either out of reach or simply a myth, Williams’ perspective reflects a growing sentiment that fulfillment, not finances, is the true measure of success. “The American Dream is not about making the most money,” Williams argued. “It should be about spending the most time doing something that you love.”

A 2021 YouGov survey revealed that American teens are increasingly interested in careers driven by passion, such as becoming a vlogger, YouTuber, or professional streamer. This shift, Williams noted, is at odds with previous generations’ ambitions, which often leaned towards traditional high-paying jobs like doctors and lawyers. Williams acknowledged the pressure many young people face to meet these expectations but urged them to follow their own passions, even if it means changing paths.

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A Shift in Career Aspirations

Williams drew attention to the disconnect between parents’ career expectations for their children and young people’s evolving dreams. “Your parents told you they wanted you to be a doctor or a lawyer,” he said, recognizing that some individuals may find happiness in these roles. However, many discover that traditional career paths don’t align with their passions and ultimately decide to change direction.

Reflecting on the common pursuit of financially stable careers that may not bring happiness, Williams added, “The vast majority, they go after it and they don’t get it. And then they end up working somewhere they hate because it’s the next best thing financially.” He explained that prioritizing financial gain often results in unfulfilling work, which is why he believes it’s essential to focus on work that truly resonates with one’s interests.

Pharrell encourages young people to consider whether they would pursue a particular field if money were no object. “If you think about something that you love so much, that if you could snap your fingers right now and you’d never make any money but all your bills were paid—would you do it?” he asked the audience. His message is clear: the American Dream should be about achieving personal happiness and purpose, rather than strictly financial success.

The Role of Charity and Creating Opportunities

Williams’ advocacy for fulfillment over wealth isn’t just theoretical; he actively works to create opportunities for others through his charitable foundations, Yellow and Black Ambition. Yellow is focused on improving educational equity, and Black Ambition is dedicated to reducing the wealth inequality gap by supporting entrepreneurship. His charitable work reflects his philosophy on success—one that values equal opportunity and personal growth over traditional metrics of wealth.

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Williams emphasized that the key to a fulfilling career doesn’t necessarily lie in achieving a “dream job” in the conventional sense but finding a way to engage with something one loves, even if it’s a supporting role. “If a person’s ideal job was to be a professional footballer but they weren’t suited to it, they could still find fulfillment as a coach, cameraman, or even a team coach driver,” he suggested. By aligning a career with one’s passion, Williams argues that people will find greater happiness and motivation in their work. “If you can find a vocation around something that you love, you now have a dream job. You will be the first one there and you’ll be the last one to leave.”

Redefining Success for Future Generations

In closing, Williams shared his belief that parents and society should encourage children to pursue work they love, rather than pushing them towards lucrative but potentially unfulfilling careers. “To me, that is what we should be telling our children—that is the way that we should be leading society—for people to do what they love.”

By focusing on fulfillment, Williams believes the next generation can redefine the American Dream to be one that values personal happiness and meaningful work. His call to action is clear: the true dream isn’t about wealth; it’s about living a life that brings joy and purpose. As Americans navigate shifting societal expectations and economic challenges, Williams’ perspective serves as a reminder that the essence of success lies not in money, but in the satisfaction of doing what one loves.

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We sell Britain’s most luxurious jacket potato for £50 with edible GOLD and caviar – here’s how you can get it for FREE

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We sell Britain’s most luxurious jacket potato for £50 with edible GOLD and caviar - here’s how you can get it for FREE

THE country’s swankiest jacket potato is being given away completely free of charge this month.

Topped with saffron butter-infused lobster tail and premium caviar, the dish is anything but simple.

Mecca Bingo has teamed up with social media sensation Spudman, to offer Brits a taste of the UK's most luxurious baked potato

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Mecca Bingo has teamed up with social media sensation Spudman, to offer Brits a taste of the UK’s most luxurious baked potatoCredit: MECCA BINGO
Ben Newman who goes by the name Spudman, and who has more than 5 million followers on social media

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Ben Newman who goes by the name Spudman, and who has more than 5 million followers on social mediaCredit: MECCA BINGO
Hull will be his first stop on a national tour before the chef heads to Stevenage and Blackpool

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Hull will be his first stop on a national tour before the chef heads to Stevenage and BlackpoolCredit: MECCA BINGO
The baked potato can be enjoyed completely free of charge this month

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The baked potato can be enjoyed completely free of charge this monthCredit: MECCA BINGO

The not-so-humble spud even comes doused in fresh truffle shaving, grated Gruyére cheese and edible gold leaf.

The dish would usually set you back a whopping £50.

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Despite its hefty price tag however, the baked potato can be enjoyed completely free of charge this month if you head down to Hull bingo hall.

The limited edition dish is available at Mecca Bingo on Clough Road between midday and 2pm on Wednesday, 20 November.

Ben Newman who goes by the name Spudman, and who has more than 5 million followers on social media, is the culinary wizard behind the spud.

Diners’ fury as posh London restaurant sells scrambled eggs on toast for £58

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Diner were left fuming after discovering a posh London restaurant selling scrambled eggs on toast for £58.

HIDE in Mayfair is a Michelin-star restaurant which has caused a stir recently for its breakfast menu prices.

The customers were appalled to learn that the cost of scrambled eggs on toast might set them back a whopping £58.

The breakfast dish costs £36 a serving but the price rises even further to £58 if adding white truffle.

White truffles are known to be an extravagant food with one of the highest price tags.

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The expensive fungi are difficult to grow and take years to cultivate, making them scarce and valuable.

He told Hull Live: “It’s been amazing to see so many people share in the love of a great jack pot, and now, thanks to Mecca Bingo, it’s a chance for everyone to enjoy a taste of something decadent and jackpot worthy – on the house!”

Hull will be his first stop on a national tour before the chef heads to Stevenage and Blackpool.

Tom Sharpe, manager of culinary innovation at Mecca Bingo added: “As the OG of amazing jackpots, at Mecca Bingo, all our players are always in with the chance of hitting the jackpot, and the ‘Jackpot Jack Pot’, takes that excitement one step further.

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“We’re thrilled to partner with Spudman on this luxurious new recipe that combines the ultimate comfort food with the excitement of a jackpot win!’’

This comes as 70 per cent of Brits said they consider potatoes to be one of their favourite foods in winter.

The tiny mashed potato restaurant crowned best in the country

More than half of those polled also said they often seek more “elevated” versions of the baked potato, according to research by Mecca Bingo.

70 per cent of Brits said they consider potatoes to be one of their favourite foods in winter

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70 per cent of Brits said they consider potatoes to be one of their favourite foods in winterCredit: MECCA BINGO
The not-so-humble spud even comes doused in fresh truffle shaving

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The not-so-humble spud even comes doused in fresh truffle shavingCredit: MECCA BINGO

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Where Is Menendez Brothers’ Therapist Dr. Jerome Oziel Now?

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The Man Behind the Confession: What Happened to Dr. Jerome Oziel, the Menendez Brothers’ Therapist?

In the annals of American crime, few cases have captivated the public as deeply as the Menendez murders. Lyle and Erik Menendez’s brutal killing of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, shocked the nation and turned into one of the most highly publicized criminal trials of the early 1990s. Now, with Netflix’s latest release, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the chilling details of this family tragedy are once again under scrutiny. Beyond the brothers and their victims, there was another key figure who played a dramatic role in shaping the Menendez narrative: Dr. Jerome Oziel, Erik’s therapist. Oziel’s presence in the case, from the confessions to the courtroom, remains an essential—if controversial—part of this story. Here’s a closer look at Oziel’s relationship with the Menendez brothers, his impact on the case, and what has become of him today.

Jerome Oziel

The Confession: Did Erik Menendez Admit the Murder to Oziel?

Dr. Jerome Oziel’s association with the Menendez brothers began in 1988, when the family turned to him after Lyle and Erik were caught burglarizing homes in Calabasas, California. Jose and Kitty Menendez sought help for their troubled sons, hoping Oziel could address what they viewed as signs of delinquency. For a time, Erik saw Oziel as his therapist, confiding in him. But the relationship took a dark and pivotal turn after the murder of the Menendez parents in August 1989.

On Halloween of that year, Erik, who was clearly struggling with the weight of his actions, reached out to Oziel with an urgent request for a session. According to court records, they met at Oziel’s Bedford Drive office in Beverly Hills. The session extended beyond the confines of the office, spilling into the surrounding streets as they took a walk in a nearby park. There, Erik confessed to the murders, describing the planning, the execution, and the fabricated alibi he and his brother had constructed.

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Oziel documented the confession meticulously, detailing how Erik recounted the crime and the reasons behind it. In dictated notes from this session, Oziel later described how Erik had revealed “in detail the planning and execution of the crime, including (the brothers’) fabricated alibi defense.” This confession would become central to the case against the brothers. Not long after, on November 2, both Lyle and Erik met with Oziel to discuss the motive behind the murder of their parents, diving into the psychological and emotional factors that led them to such a horrific act.

One critical decision Oziel made was to record a December 11 session with the brothers, creating an audio record of their discussions. This tape would prove both invaluable and controversial, and it became the subject of a prolonged legal dispute over its admissibility in court. Oziel’s recordings and notes would play a decisive role in the brothers’ prosecution, as well as in the public’s understanding of the gruesome crime.

The Tapes: How Oziel’s Recordings Influenced the Case

The recordings Oziel made of the Menendez brothers’ confessions became a flashpoint in the legal proceedings. In March 1990, a dramatic turn of events took place when Judalon Smyth, a former patient of Oziel and a woman with whom he was having an affair, approached the authorities and disclosed the existence of these tapes. This bombshell revelation led to the tapes being seized by law enforcement, and shortly thereafter, the Menendez brothers were arrested.

The legal battle that followed centered on whether the recordings were admissible in court, with the defense arguing that they were protected under therapist-patient confidentiality. The question reached the California Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled in August 1992 that two out of four tapes were indeed admissible. This decision was instrumental in the trial, providing evidence that supported the prosecution’s case and giving insight into the brothers’ motives and mindset at the time of the killings.

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Oziel’s role in the trial was complicated and contentious. During the first trial, he testified as a key witness for the prosecution, describing Erik’s confession in vivid detail. However, Oziel’s credibility was subjected to a grueling cross-examination that focused largely on his personal life, including his affair with Smyth. This affair cast a shadow over his testimony, with the defense attempting to depict him as an unreliable and compromised witness whose own conduct undermined his professional ethics.

By the time of the second trial, Oziel’s direct involvement had waned—he did not testify. However, the tape recordings he had made were still played in court, cementing his influence in the case even in his absence. The recordings, along with the complex web of personal and professional conflicts that surrounded Oziel, left an indelible mark on the Menendez case, turning him into one of its most controversial figures.

Life After the Trial: Oziel’s Fall from Grace and New Beginnings

The fallout from the Menendez trial took a heavy toll on Dr. Oziel’s professional life. In 1997, the California Board of Psychology moved to revoke his license, citing several ethical violations, including breaches of patient confidentiality and allegations of inappropriate relationships with female patients. Oziel denied the accusations, maintaining that the revocation of his license was not related to any wrongdoing. In a statement given in 2017, he claimed, “I did not surrender my license due to the accusation, which implies I gave up my practice because I did things alleged in the original accusation. … No agency ever found I did a thing that was improper or wrong.”

Oziel suggested that his decision to step away from clinical psychology was motivated by a new career opportunity. He relocated to another state and focused on a business venture that he described as “highly lucrative,” eventually leaving behind the world of therapy in which he had once thrived. This shift marked a significant departure from his earlier life in Beverly Hills, where he had been a recognized figure in psychological circles, specializing in phobias and sex-related disorders, and had even taught at the University of Southern California.

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Today, Oziel resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he has reinvented himself as a marital mediator, going by the name Jerry Oziel. He now works at the Marital Mediation Center, where he applies his expertise in psychology to help couples resolve conflicts in their marriages without resorting to divorce. The center’s mission focuses on conflict resolution as an alternative to separation, offering couples a chance to repair their relationships through structured dialogue and mediation.

Despite his changed life and new career path, the shadow of the Menendez case continues to follow Oziel. The Netflix documentary on the Menendez brothers, released in October 2024, revisits his role in the case. Although he declined to participate in the documentary, his impact on the story remains undeniable. His involvement as the therapist who first heard Erik Menendez’s confession transformed him into a central—and polarizing—figure in the Menendez saga.

Where Is Dr. Jerome Oziel Now?

Though Dr. Jerome Oziel no longer holds a license to practice psychology, he has continued to leverage his background in human behavior. Now known as Jerry Oziel, he has focused on helping couples navigate marital issues. In Albuquerque, he lives a quieter life, removed from the high-profile cases that defined his earlier career.

Oziel’s academic journey began at Arizona State University, where he received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1972. Following stints in South Carolina and eventually California, he established himself as a psychologist in Beverly Hills, becoming known for his work on phobias and sex-related disorders. His career was on a successful trajectory until the Menendez case thrust him into a maelstrom of media attention, ethical scrutiny, and ultimately, professional ruin.

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The Menendez case remains one of the most haunting and complex trials in American criminal history, and Oziel’s role in it has ensured that his name remains intertwined with the story. As new audiences revisit the case, Oziel’s contributions—and controversies—continue to provoke questions about the limits of confidentiality, the ethics of therapy, and the personal toll of high-profile legal battles. In this way, Dr. Jerome Oziel remains a specter in the saga of the Menendez family, his influence etched into the legacy of a case that has gripped the American public for decades.

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Viewers left in tears over heart-warming ad that is ‘better than John Lewis’

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Viewers left in tears over heart-warming ad that is 'better than John Lewis'

AS soon as the Christmas advert season began, all eyes were on John Lewis to see what it had in store.

But it seems another retailer has stolen viewers’ hearts this year.

Tesco's 2024 Christmas Advert reflects on the effects of loss during the festive period

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Tesco’s 2024 Christmas Advert reflects on the effects of loss during the festive period

As the Christmas ads start rolling, most of us begin to start getting into the festive spirit – and we also tend to shed a tear or two.

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John Lewis has become well-known for its emotional and heartwarming Christmas adverts.

But the real tear-jerker this year isn’t the usual suspect, with some people saying Tesco‘s three minute advert is far better than the John Lewis Campaign.

The ad follows a man called Gary who is trying to navigate Christmas while mourning the loss of his grandmother.

It touches on how the festive period can cause conflicting emotions for many people who are missing a loved one.

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The soundtrack for the ad is Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz, and it opens with Gary visiting his grandfather, then pans to a flashback of him visiting his late nan.

He gets up to leave, and at the door his grandfather hands him a packet of Tesco gingerbread men.

Taking a bite of one of the biscuits, Gary’s world transforms into a magical Christmas landscape where sugary treats burst out of every corner.

But when he thinks about the absence of his grandmother, his festive dreamland begins to crumble.

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So, Gary decides to rekindle a Christmas tradition he had with his grandmother by sitting with his grandfather and building a gingerbread house.

The pair are seen to “rebuild” their lives after the loss, as the ad finishes with the entire family sitting down and having Christmas dinner together.

The table spread features glimpses of Tesco’s festive range including a turkey and pigs in blankets.

John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 – tearjerker ad with iconic 90s song as sister desperately searches to find perfect gift

Becky Brock, group customer director at Tesco, said: “We want our Christmas campaign to connect people with the joy of moments that help feed our Christmas spirit and showcase how Tesco can help you do just that.

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“We appreciate that even if you love Christmas, there can be
little things that eat away at your Christmas spirit as well as things that help to feed it.”

People went crazy for the short film on social media, celebrating its ability to connect with viewers.

One person wrote on X: “The Tesco Christmas ad is AMAZING!”

Another person said: “I’ve just watched the Tesco Christmas ad and it’s completely correct and has got the tone right.”

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While someone commented: “Tesco Christmas ad is all about the spirit of Christmas. Normal people, normal lives.”

A fourth warned: “Check it out, it’s the best I’ve seen so far – but I dare you not to shed a tear.”

The usual tear-jerker on the block, John Lewis, has faced much less praise this winter season.

Another X user wrote: “@JohnLewisRetail That was a bad Christmas ad, I’m sorry but Tesco wins it this year.”

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John Lewis is famous for pulling on the heart strings at Christmas time, previously spending as much as £7 million on a single campaign.

It spent almost that much this time round, and is classed as the biggest advertising event of the year.

In its two minute long advert for 2024, named The Gifting Hour, the story line follows a woman’s urgent hunt for a gift for her sister.

For the first time in 17 years, the John Lewis store actually features in the mini-film.

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The ad, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, follows the woman, named Sally, rushing around the John Lewis shop floor.

Then she is transported down memory lane, and she tries to navigate childhood memories and pick up clues on what to buy her sister.

When she finds the perfect gift she reenters reality and find its already wrapped.

She then heads outside and shares a special moment with her sister, followed by the strap line: “The secret to the perfect gift? Knowing where to look.”

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John Lewis purposefully leaves the contents of the gift a mystery to emphasise sentiment over material value.

However the heart-warming message fell short, with one person posting on X: “That’s it, Christmas is ruined. The John Lewis ad is quite comfortably the worst one yet.”

Another said: “Very disappointed, I wanted the John Lewis Christmas ad to make me cry and give me a sense of family and home.

“I have loved all previous ads because what sets them apart is they never actually focused on shopping, this year you have.”

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Some viewers weren’t impressed by the song choice for this year’s ad.

One person wrote on X: “Where’s the slow emotional cover we usually get?”

Despite usually using a cover version of a famous song for its adverts, the campaign opts for The Sonnet by The Verve sung by the original band members.

It serves as a nod to the 90s, which has had a major resurgence this year.

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It has also been left open to the audience as John Lewis searches for a coverstar on TikTok – and legendary lead singer of the band Richard Ashcroft will help pick the new star.

The winner will record and release their own track with BMG and a version of the advert with their rendition will be played on TV on Christmas Day. 

They will also win a £3,000 shopping spree and tickets to a Richard Ashcroft headline show in 2025. 

Proceeds from the single will be donated to the John Lewis Partnership’s Building Happier Futures programme, which helps care-experienced people. 

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This year, the advert is the final instalment of a three-part series, to relaunch the chain’s Never Knowingly Undersold pledge.  

It will air first on John Lewis’ social media platforms at 8am tomorrow, but MyJohnLewis members can watch it from 8am on the John Lewis website. 

It will be broadcast on TV during the ad break for Coronation Street on ITV at  8.45pm on Friday November 15. 

How to save money on Christmas shopping

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Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.

Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.

Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.

Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.

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Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.

Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.

Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.

Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.

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They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.

Others weren’t impressed by the lack of men visible onscreen throughout the John Lewis advert.

An X user wrote: “No mention of men in the advert. According to John Lewis men don’t shop or have families.”

On GB News, Dr Renee Hoenderkamp complained: “There’s no men in it. There’s no brothers, no husbands, there’s no grandpas – it’s all women.

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“Christmas is about family, which includes men and women.”

But other viewers saw it as celebrating women.

One X user said: “If you have just watched the John Lewis advert and have sisters you will totally get it – I sobbed.

“I am blessed to have the most amazing sisters and best friends”.

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Another said: “The John Lewis Christmas ad is a celebration of women and it’s, quite frankly, brilliant!”

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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California Launches New Energy Rebates for Homeowners

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California Unveils New Energy Rebates to Help Homeowners Cut Energy Costs

Eligible Californians can now save thousands on home energy expenses thanks to a new rebate program targeting energy-efficient upgrades. Announced by Governor Gavin Newsom, the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEEHRA) provide financial incentives for homeowners to install eco-friendly heating and cooling systems, marking the beginning of two federal programs aimed at supporting efficient and climate-resilient homes. These rebates, a product of the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), are part of California’s commitment to reducing energy costs, improving air quality, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Substantial Savings on Energy-Efficient Heat Pumps

Starting November 12, 2024, eligible single-family homeowners in California can apply for HEEHRA rebates on the purchase and installation of heat pump HVAC systems, offering a sustainable solution that can replace traditional electric resistance heating systems. The rebates, managed by the California Energy Commission (CEC), provide significant financial assistance, potentially saving households hundreds annually in energy costs.

Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the dual benefits of these rebates, stating, “Thousands of dollars are now available for California homeowners to install heat pumps, making your home more energy-efficient and reducing your energy bills by hundreds of dollars each year. With these new rebates made possible by the Biden-Harris administration, Californians can save money and take real climate action.” Additional climate action programs are available at climateaction.ca.gov.

CEC Commissioner Andrew McAllister emphasized the efficiency of heat pumps, noting, “We’re excited to announce that owners of single-family homes may apply for HEEHRA rebates on the purchase and installation of an energy-efficient heat pump HVAC. These units make homes more comfortable and can reduce electricity use by up to 75% compared to electric resistance heating such as furnaces. They also work as air conditioners, which an increasing number of Californians now need due to the effects of climate change. HEEHRA helps put this dual-use clean technology within reach of more Californians.”

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Eligibility and Rebate Amounts for California Homeowners

Californians can receive rebates ranging from $4,000 to $8,000, depending on household income relative to the area median income (AMI). Homeowners with incomes between 80% and 150% of the AMI may qualify for up to $4,000, while those with incomes under 80% AMI could be eligible for the maximum $8,000 rebate. Homeowners can check their AMI eligibility and begin the rebate application by visiting here.

The program also includes incentives for owners of multifamily buildings. The rebates for multifamily properties went live on October 8, 2024, expanding access to efficient appliances across a broader range of residents.

The CEC’s funding distribution for these rebates is a part of the TECH Clean California initiative, which aims to increase adoption of energy-efficient home appliances across the state. The rebates cover substantial costs for new heat pump systems and can be combined with additional incentives for further savings on electric appliances and equipment upgrades.

Expanding Energy Efficiency Statewide

The CEC’s proactive rollout of rebates reflects California’s leadership in environmental policy. The state has been an early adopter in providing energy efficiency rebates for multifamily buildings, and the expansion to single-family homeowners underscores its commitment to widespread climate resilience.

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Keishaa Austin, Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs, commented on California’s leadership, stating, “California was an early mover in setting up and launching their Home Energy Rebates. Now, mere weeks after making the program available for multifamily buildings, they are expanding it to single-family homeowners. Starting today, thanks to the California Energy Commission’s continued commitment to the residents it serves, low- and middle-income Californian homeowners can apply to save thousands of dollars on energy-saving heat pump HVAC units.”

For more details on the available rebates and eligibility requirements, Californians can visit techcleanca.com/heehra for guidance on the application process and to learn more about other incentives that may increase potential savings on energy-efficient home upgrades.

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Last chance to get 1L Baileys for £8.50 from major supermarket as cheapest deal around set to end

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Supermarket giant slashes price of 1L Baileys to only £10 TODAY

SHOPPERS have just a few hours left to buy a large one litre bottle of Baileys for the cheapest price around.

Fans of the Irish cream liqueur will be delighted that the cost has been cut to just £8.50 ahead of the festive season.

Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur is a festive favourite

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Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur is a festive favouriteCredit: Getty

Morrisons slashed the price of the popular tipple last week (November 8), but the deal is only available until midnight tonight.

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Shoppers need to spend £45 or more in-store to get their hands on the discounted drink.

Baileys is famed for its smooth luxurious texture and distinctive taste.

With hints of chocolate and vanilla amongst the combination of Irish whiskey and Irish cream, it’s a tantalising mix.

Customers in England and Wales can get their hands on the beverage for £8.50, while those in Scotland can pick up a bottle for £11.05.

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This is a 61% saving on the normal price tag of £22.

According to Britain’s coupon kid Jordan Cox, at this time of year there is always a Baileys price war among supermarkets.

He said: “The standard price drop is usually down to £10 for a 1L bottle… or £9.50 if we’re lucky. So for Morrisons to drop the price to £8.50 is quite astonishing!”

The Morrisons deal is especially good because supermarket prices have been naturally increasing over the years, he added. 

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As a seasonal treat, Sainsbury’s also halved the cost of a 1 litre bottle to only £10.

The deal is only available to those with a Nectar Card as part of its Nectar Prices.

Meanwhile, Tesco Clubcard customers can pick up a bottle of Baileys for £13.

The offer is valid for delivery from now until December 9.

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It’s worth noting that the prices of items including Baileys can change regularly and deal can start and end at any time.

Though £8.50 is the lowest price we’ve seen so far this festive season, Baileys could still be cheaper between now and Christmas.

Remember to always compare prices when shopping so you know you’re paying the right amount for what you’re getting.

A great way to do this is via the comparison site Trolley which will show the prices for every store.

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Supermarkets have increasingly only offered these deals to shoppers who have registered for their loyalty programmes to encourage more people to register.

Shoppers have complained that this is annoying as they could previously get the offers without needing to sign up.

The Morrisons deal is also only available to shoppers who have joined the supermarket’s loyalty scheme and have a More Card.

It is easy to sign up for the loyalty programme, which is free to join.

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Simply go to the Morrisons More website and enter a few details such as your address, email and mobile number.

Once you have registered you will be sent a More Card and can download the supermarket’s app.

You will then receive offers which will give you money off your next shop.

To get the prices in store just scan the barcode on your card or in the app.

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You will also be able to earn points on your spending which can be converted into coupons.

Once you reach 5,000 points you convert them into £5 vouchers called “Fivers” which you can spend in-store or online.

If you do not have the app then your Fiver will be printed in-store.

When you scan your card or app you will also be in with a chance of bagging a “Basket Bonus” which could give you money off your next shop or free treats.

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How to save on your supermarket shop

THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.

You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.

If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.

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Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.

Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.

This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.

Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.

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For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.

If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.

Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.

How else to save on Baileys

To make your pounds go further you could always opt for a Baileys dupe, which is similar to the real thing.

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You can pick up a 700ml bottle of Ballycastle cream liqueur from Aldi for £4.99.

A litre of the beverage would cost £7.13, which would save you £1.37.

The Ballycastle range comes in several flavours including Chocolate Clementine, White Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter.

All these flavours can be picked up for £7.49.

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Other supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, M&S and Lidl also have their own Baileys dupes.

Sainsbury’s 700ml Irish Cream Liqueur costs £13 but Nectar card holders can pick it up for £10.

It would cost £14.28 for a litre, making it more expensive than a bottle of the real deal from Morrisons.

Meanwhile, a 700ml bottle of Carthy’s Country Cream liqueur costs £6.70.

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For a whole litre, it would set you back £9.57, making it more expensive than a bottle of Baileys from Morrisons.

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