In today’s current digital life, emails have become an essential part. Yet, according to the survey, everyday recipients receive around 60 billion spam emails between 2019 and 2023. In addition, online protection and privacy laws have become more stringent with many hacking cases. Unfortunately, this makes emails going to spam folders relatively easy, even if they are legitimate. This article will discuss common reasons why your emails land in spam and how to avoid them.

Your Content Triggers Spam Filters

Spam filters search for specific combinations of words. For instance, if an email receives enough hits or includes the words Lowest Price, Extra Income, No Cost, or Easy Money, it may be routed to spam marketing emails, even though they create interest and are actionable. It is because they are criteria of spam trigger keywords. As a result, it is critical to say or understand which phrases to avoid or keep to make your email expressive and straightforward.

No Unsubscribe Alternative or Relevant Address

One of the big mistakes most of us unknowingly make is not providing relevant addresses or no unsubscribe buttons, which will undoubtedly reduce your delivery rate and ensure your marketing emails are going to spam. When attempting to unsubscribe, the recipient should not experience hiccups and must be visible and easily accessible. Moreover, using subtle techniques to create protracted unsubscribe forms and nearly invisible fonts can also backfire on your email.

Unauthorized Email Communication

It is a no-brainer if your email marketing is going to spam. It is because you send emails to the recipients without their permission. Therefore, you must first get the recipients’ explicit and voluntary consent to send them a marketing email. For instance, you cannot collect email addresses at trade shows and start sending emails to them or for purchasing lists. If you are a beginner, buying a list of contact emails may seem appealing; however, down the line, it sounds like a bad idea. It violates the recently enacted GDPR, which requires clear and explicit consent from the recipient.

Instead, create a two-step sign-up process that allows subscribers to join your list voluntarily and ensures that your emails are approved twice before they arrive in their inboxes.

Numerous Attachments

One of the significant red flags for most spam filters is the number of attachments in one email because files can serve as convenient entry points for viruses and malware. Therefore, it is advised to avoid sending heavy attachments in emails such as newsletters.

If an attachment is required, it is better to notify the recipient and limit the number of attachments in a single email. You can also attach files or documents to emails by uploading them to a cloud-based storage service like Dropbox or Google Drive or include a link to the file in your email to avoid spam filters from flagging it.

Enclosing a Deceptive Subject Line

The subject line is vital in every email, as the recipients open their emails solely based on the subject. Hence, if the email topic is inappropriate and contains overly sensational claims, it may lead your email to the spam folder. A subject line’s role is to describe your email’s content; therefore, it must be accurate and contain at most 60 characters. You need to create an eye-catching, professional, and compelling subject line to boost your email marketing ROI.

Frequent Campaigns

With festive seasons around the corner, most businesses start sending campaign emails with discounts and promotions. So naturally, sending out frequent campaigns for any advertising will send your email to the spam folder, even though your recipient may be interested in your brand or product. Hence, your subscribers should be able to handle your emails. So instead, you restrict the frequency to 3-4 times a week with only one campaign per day.

Evade Getting Your Emails Marked as Spam by Your Recipients

One of the main reasons your emails land in the spam folder of your subscribers is that they are marked as spam by your recipients. Although your content might be excellent, and the recipient may have explicitly permitted you to send them marketing emails, they still label your email as spam to clear their inboxes. They need to remember the reason behind subscribing to your product, or it could be an honest mistake. First, ensure you understand how and when your recipients like to receive their emails and then curate personalized emails they can connect to and engage with without feeling bored.

Inactive Subscribers

Subscriber activity is one of the main criteria spam filters use to delete emails that recipients are least interested. But unfortunately, many companies need help to maintain an active email list. We understand gathering email lists takes time and effort, and removing inactive ones is entirely alright, as they have no impact on your ROI. It only lowers your sender rating ruling to costly and frequent penalties on your ISP and domain. One of the best practices today is “Pruning” subscribers depending on the number of inactive days and unopened emails.

For epochs, the death of code has been foretold. With the prediction getting overhyped, it is clear that the role of technical expertise in the enterprise is transforming. It can be depicted by Shadow IT, which has been a conversation point for some time. In 1995, the technical expertise and general mental model of IT were perforated. The fact that Shadow IT is pervasive is out of step with how people think about tech expertise. Numbers have estimated as much as 10xs known app usage, which shows how technology is harnessed within the organization.

The dated mental models used today are based on organizations having two groups of people “IT” and “Non-IT.” The applications and information systems in the past were primarily built and managed through command-line tools, code, SQL statements, and complex configuration files. This technical skills expertise required a clear delineation between the people who created and configured it. It integrated the applications (IT) and those who used them (non-IT). As time passes by, people have started to evolve with the latest and updated technology. With the help of low-code/no-code solutions, an enriched focus on user experience and packaged cloud offerings, the technology has become increasingly accessible. Over time, as the new generation penetrates the workforce, people have also evolved on iPads and Netflix, and apps and websites have become a regular part of everyday life for the rest of us.

Going back to 20 years ago, our perception of these skills in the organization is still rooted in the world when there was a gap in technical skills between IT and business teams. Also, there was a need to deliver deep technical expertise and technology solutions. At the same time, for years, organizations have struggled to enhance IT and business alignment with limited success. Fundamentally, the lack of success can be attributed to the “us and them” mentality, where almost all IT and the business are contending entities within the same organization – the technical experts vs. the “non-technical” business.

Thus, businesses are left with a false choice with this outdated perception that’s out of step with the fleet-footed changes on the ground. In particular, the role of IT and CIOs is changing in veritably visible ways. Likewise, low-code/no-code (LCNC) is leading to theatrical changes in how organizations interact with software. Summits of big tectonic shifts in work get done, like mixed teams or composable firms, are well underway. It is only with these shifts that we see organizations finally throwing away the old mental model and truly leveraging the technical expertise of the entire organization.

The First Domino to Fall – Service Queue Model

Toiling with a customer whose integration system was handled by IT in a model where teams around the business would log requests and wait in the queue to be prioritized. In Spite of over 1,500 employees in an IT team servicing around 20,000 employees, only two on the team could deliver solutions using the integration middleware product. As a result, it created an obvious bottleneck. This type of situation depicts the state of most organizations across the globe. Due to our legacy mental model, technical skills expertise is misapplied. Instead of realizing that less technical individuals can deliver a large portion of the same services, we remain stuck with the perception that technical services require deep technical experts.

However, it is changing by employing the service queue model, which is giving way to more democratized approaches. Low code lowers the technical skill requirements and acts as the bridge between the business and technical worlds. With the bar lowered and the average technical skill of the organization advancing, the combination allows many more people to stitch together business systems, services, and experiences like building blocks. 

In this scenario, technical expertise is not devalued; it is refocused. Highly technical resources can now use their time more effectively by working on difficult queries or solutions that use their technical expertise, often moving into an overseeing and guidance role. It enables them to ensure that all solutions delivered are high-quality, safe, and compliant. Democratization is not about replacing technical expertise but understanding and effectively using your organization’s technical skill-sets.  

Democratization Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Structure

We aim to look at what companies do across the gamut, as there is no one-size-fits-all structure. Although the role of tech expertise in companies is changing, that does not mean every company needs to change on an immediate basis. In our gears framework, we break it down into three different operating models, which have an Automation HQ team at the centre: 

1. Centralized Model
2. Distributed Model
3. Hybrid Model

The Centralized Model

Teams focus on the service queue, having total control over what gets built, as this is entrenched in traditional companies and can be difficult to change. It is common with IT but can also be used in other departments, for instance, a centralized marketing automation team. While this works at an initial level, it typically does not scale, leading organizations to employ other approaches. However, starting with a centralized model is never a bad preference.

The Distributed Model

Sometimes we call this the federated model, where the building happens across the company empowered by LCNC while the Automation HQ team still maintains centralized standards and controls.

The Hybrid Model

It is a combination of centralized and distributed, where this can sometimes be a transition point between centralized and distributed, and periodically works better for companies.

Knowledge, Control, and Speed

The role of technical expertise is altering along three levels – knowledge, control, and speed, regardless of what model an organization employs. Our mental models of technical skills expertise should shift to adapt to these changes.

Knowledge

Knowledge sharing grows in importance as IT firms shift from following a request-service model into a guidance model. Across the teams, there are distinct skill sets and leveraging them at the right time. To be precise, IT and business bring diverse mindsets, and harnessing the strengths of each is the right approach. However, if not done appropriately, the distributed teams can face a struggle. For instance, the numerous technical team members might help in providing functions such as error handling, operational monitoring, security, and performance are properly considered. In contrast, the less technical and often more business-centric individuals will ensure the solution is truly bringing business value by ensuring the requirements, workflows, and experience is optimal.

Control

In the service queue model, IT teams are used to having total control. However, for over a decade, Shadow IT has been a sign of drifting control and locking down only encourages more Shadow IT. Instead, taking the right approach involves measuring IT on the role of healthy governance. Moreover, it is crucial to shift the relationship when thinking about control, less about command and more about enabling the team with the right standards and processes. Above all, IT needs to shift from being a barrier to being a guide.

Speed

If IT relinquishes control, the essential trade-off with control can happen much faster. Reducing controls and boosting speed can result in involuntary consequences if taken too far. Therefore, assuring that oversight is maintained when thinking about democratization is vital. Moving fast and maintaining controls is possible, but it requires an intentional focus on both, and our gears framework is focused on doing the same. Some of these statements may seem obvious, while others may have heard them before at a conference or equivalent. 

However, organizations making the same mistake over and over for the past decade indicate that something is wrong with how we approach technical expertise as an idea. Imagine we begin to view it as something distributed across the company rather than secluded in the corner of the organization; in this situation, we comprehend that the overall approach to technology within the firm needs modification. Hence, this approach is done when we come across organizations making big breakthroughs and starting to achieve real transformation.

According to Gartner’s recent announcement, enterprise IT spending for cloud-based application software will rise from 58% to 66% in 3 years, underscoring the trend’s durability. Most IT firms have invested more time and money to develop and onboard cloud applications. However, they must understand how each fits within their existing cloud technologies and on-premise systems. For this, they will require to ideate and execute a cloud-to-cloud integration strategy at scale. This article will discuss how to navigate this practice using a few tips. Let’s first understand what cloud-to-cloud application integration is and its advantages.

Cloud-to-Cloud Application Integration

Cloud application integration uses a 3rd party tool or in-house resources to connect two or more cloud applications. Once the data is connected, it can move freely between the applications and remain in sync. For instance, you want to integrate your CRM – Salesforce, with your ERP system – NetSuite. Once connected, you can implement a data sync where any time an account is updated or added to your CRM, the corresponding changes automatically occur in your ERP system.

Benefits of Cloud-to-Cloud Application Integration

Here are some reasons why it is worth investing in cloud-to-cloud integration:

• Start Operating Efficiently
• Removes Data Silos
• Prevents Costly Errors
• Makes your SaaS Application Valuable

Start Operating Efficiently

Compelling employees to perform tasks manually, whether springing between applications to uncover information or engaging in data entry, can create bottlenecks and time delays.

Cloud-to-cloud integration simplifies all types of employee activities, allowing processes to run swiftly and with less time invested by your team. As a side benefit, your employee experience is set to improve, as employees can put more effort and attention towards thoughtful, strategic work.

Extracts Data Silos 

When any information or data silos are sealed in certain systems, it leads to unwanted effects. Employees will have to request access to data, and by the time they receive it, it may not be as valuable; this type of experience can persuade employees to avoid requesting access to data in the future, preventing a variety of data types from helping them. Moreover, there will be cases when employees aren’t aware of certain data, as it only lives in systems they don’t use and can’t reach. Integrating your cloud applications can eliminate data silos and all the consequences they bring as data becomes available across connected applications. 

Prevent Costly Errors

Data entry can lead to all kinds of human errors, especially when it is performed at scale and across multiple teams. For instance, the finance team can input the wrong amount on an invoice, the marketing team can use the wrong email template in a nurture campaign, the HR team can send the wrong candidate an offer letter, and more. With the help of Cloud integration, you can cut back on the level of data entry your team performs and, as a result, any issues they could otherwise bring to your organization.

Make Your SaaS Applications More Valuable

The data application collected and stored is not just valuable to its users but likely benefits other teams for various other reasons. For instance, you have collected product usage data in your data warehouse; this data can help customer success managers detect churn risks and up-sell or cross-sell opportunities. It can also help the product team evaluate the use cases in demand and those that can influence decisions related to the product roadmap. Apart from this, it helps the sales team determine the prospect’s precise features. Thus, cloud integration allows you to distribute this insight from your data warehouse to the downstream systems used by various teams. It also allows them to access the information in or near real time. Moreover, these teams can use the information for their and the organization’s benefit.

Best Practice on Performing Cloud-to-Cloud Integration

Once the organization is set on integrating cloud applications, it is vital to keep the following best practices in mind.

Evaluate Each Integration Tool Carefully

The integration platform as a service (iPaaS) market is filled with vendors that offer diverse platforms. As a starting point, the firm seeks an integration solution that offers a low-code or no-code UX so that their business teams and IT can play a role in implementing and maintaining your integrations. Above all, you will want to glimpse providers that offer application connectors or pre-built, API-based connections to applications that the vendor provides and manages on your behalf. Moreover, the tool should offer enterprise-grade governance and security controls to ensure that business-critical data isn’t at risk of getting compromised.

Focus on High-Value Integration Projects

Once you have demonstrated an ROI and have internal champions, you will likely get the required resources to integrate at scale. Therefore, seek an opportunity that benefits your organization’s bottom line the most, such as integrating Marketo with Salesforce and syncing lead-related fields so that representatives can respond to leads faster. 

Use Integration For Enterprise Automation

While cloud application integration has its benefits, its functionality can only go far. By empowering you to elevate your business processes end-to-end, enterprise automation can take your digital transformation efforts to the next level. For instance, instead of just updating or syncing fields between your ERP system and CRM, you can fundamentally use an enterprise automation platform to transform your business from order to cash. 

Hence, there are countless other ways you can leverage enterprise automation to innovate your processes and make them more resilient. Since the platform provides a low-code or no-code UX, you are not alone in this effort. Various business teams can also play a role in ideating and implementing impact solutions.

Every year we witness a new set of technologies and trends that shapes the world around us. So it is essential to keep ourselves updated with the latest technological advancements. Therefore, if you are not a tech-savvy person, this sounds quirky. But, if you want to stay ahead of the curve, there are some key skills that you should focus on. This article will give you complete knowledge of a few in-demand tech skills you should learn in 2022. From artificial intelligence to quantum computing, these skills will future-proof your career. 

From artificial intelligence to quantum computing, these skills will future-proof your career. The truth is, it does not matter what your job profile is, as nowadays, most profiles require some technical skills, which is why having strong IT skills on your resume can get you a shortlist in any IT industry. 

Tech skills such as data analysis, project management, marketing, accounting, and more will be included in 2022. However, certain technical skills are required for highly specialized job profiles, which the applicant will have if they want to apply. Therefore, tech skills to learn in 2022 are extremely assorted and can also be IT skills for a resume. There are times were recruiters will not just seek the most complicated tech skills in your resume if you have applied for a profile of a vet or baker. At this point, they might be looking for basic IT skills for resumes. 

Tech Skills to Learn in 2022:

Basic IT Skills List

Speaking about the list of basic IT skills, there is a lot that depends on the industry in which you are currently employed. According to the industry, there are diverse tech skills to learn in 2022. Some industries will be pleased if you have a basic IT skills list, while others require more sophisticated IT skills for your resume. However, with the pandemic, everyone started improving their basic IT skills and adapting to changes in the workplace due to digital transformation.

Most In-Demand Tech Skills

Every year, technology keeps updating, so whenever we search for new tech skills, we come across a few considered the most in-demand tech skills. These tech skills may include artificial intelligence, DevOps, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality, Blockchain, Robotic Process Automation, Data Science, and more. 

About In-Demand Tech Skills in 2022

This year, most in-demand tech skills to learn in 2022 include cloud computing which refers to accessing computing services over the internet. It allows companies to store files on remote servers instead of a hard drive. Since we live in modern times, the top 10 tech skills in demand in 2022 must include Artificial Intelligence (AI). We see machines doing humans’ jobs more often, and these machines are programmed to think the way humans do, increasing productivity. 

Technical Skills for IT Jobs

Seeking an opportunity in the IT industry and worried about which tech skill is required? Well, it does not merely matter which industry you are opting for. Nearly every organization seeks some tech skills in their employees. These days they require a host of technical skills to perform all their tasks. Having immense technical skills can be useful in any job because you do not have to ask someone else when experiencing wifi issues. But the question is, do you really need these technical skills required for IT jobs and most in-demand tech skills for any other job? Well, as said earlier, having great technical skills can benefit you in every job you find. 

In this digital world, few online courses on IT skills can be done by oneself without anyone’s suggestion. For technical skills required for IT jobs, you can find some courses offered free online, and some offer certification at the end of the course. Degrees are more time-consuming than certifications, but getting a tech-savvy degree can open many career opportunities. It can be awesome to update your resume with your new IT skills. Over and above, having knowledge of your preferred career and a specialized understanding of technical skills can be the very thing that clinches you a job. Moreover, you will require certain training for more advanced technical skills.

With technology encroaching into every workspace, it is essential to have basic computer skills. This allows you to use a computer confidently, but your computer skills depend on your job and what you are required to do. Thus, having tech skills will help in career advancement and can help you get a job faster than those without tech skills. 

There are many models of technical skills, but the top tech skills to learn in 2022 are Computer networking, Social media, Web – HTML, content management systems, CSS, Javascript, MS Office Outlook, Excel, Email, and Graphical skills such as Photoshop, illustrator, Corel draw, Writing such as ghostwriting, WordPress, SEO, Cybersecurity, Troubleshooting, Google Drive, docs, sheets, and more.

Being tech-savvy to some degree has become of critical importance, with some careers depending heavily on their staff having tech knowledge. It is vital to understand the features of a search engine and know how to set up an anti-virus software program. Also, you can never know when your computer will crash, so you must regularly back up your valuable documents. 

Talking about in-demand technical skills in 2022, the world relies on technology more than ever, requiring it for the most mundane tasks. When considering tech skills to learn this year, all you need to know is that technology is a massive profession. Still, there will always be in-demand technical skills this year, such as Project Management, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Cloud Computing, and Programming. In-demand tech skills 2022 can be hard to learn; learning new skills takes hard work. This year tech skills can be expensive, too, if you decide to not go the free online course route. 

Therefore, everybody has unique ideas about learning the most important tech skills. That’s why you have to be sure you’re not wasting time learning new skills that aren’t in demand. With covid-19, technology has been evolving at an enormous rate, and we simply have to keep up with it as it is taking over everything.