Project management is an essential process for many organisations and, for anyone working in the property sector, the management side can be especially complex. Managing property development on all scales often brings together architects, developers, designers, sales & marketing professionals and more.  In order to keep projects running smoothly, however, it’s vital that teams have a tool to organise their work and for many property developers, Jira is the ideal solution to this need. But, what is Jira and how can businesses use it effectively?  What is Jira? Jira is a project management software that was initially created to enable software developers to track issues. There are now three different packages with this software: a basic project management platform project management with Agile functionality, and  a service desk solution which is designed for IT professionals.  With so many teams involved in large-scale property projects, many of which may be planned and discussed remotely, being able to collaborate effectively and track projects from start to finish is essential. Jira is a tool that can help with this and bring projects to fruition more efficiently through iterative development (or repetition of a process).  What can it be used for? Jira has evolved over the years to encompass a range of tasks and types of project management, from software development and bug tracking to content management and marketing. It can be used for flexible Kanban boards to give users complete visibility of projects so that staff can prioritise work for greater productivity, as well as Scrum software development.  Over 65,000 companies globally now rely on Jira in some capacity to manage their projects, in no small part because of the flexibility it delivers. For project management teams, software developers and DevOp teams alike, Jira provides a host of integrations and capabilities.  Jira cloud deployment is also used by thousands of teams around the world to handle various aspects of running a business, with a range of diverse roles. Cloud migration provides numerous business benefits, from lower costs and greater security to scalability and the ability to work on the go, so it’s no surprise that so many companies are choosing to adopt this technology.  How can property businesses benefit from Jira? Customisable  Property businesses can benefit from using Jira in a number of ways, starting with its customisability for integrating different teams and site requirements. It’s an industry leader in agile software and the ease with which users can set up, share and customise dashboards and workflows is a key reason for this. Jira is quick to install and configure, and it’s entirely browser-based which makes it a convenient and flexible option.  Scalable Jira is also incredibly scalable and has virtually no limits in terms of number of users or projects, making it suitable for everyone from small two-person teams through to global businesses. One of the biggest advantages for businesses is that the system doesn’t depend on SQL knowledge – it has a simple ‘What You See Is What You Get’ or WYSIWYG interface for querying tickets which results in a user-friendly platform that doesn’t require intensive training or specialist skills.  Easy collaboration For collaboration, Jira is an industry-leading software that enables teams to work efficiently together. It’s one of the primary benefits of using Jira for businesses. This permission-based tool provides joint-editing tools and monitoring capabilities to enable colleagues to see progress and updates for each task. Tasks can be arranged in priority order so that employees can tackle tasks in terms of necessity and productivity, to deliver the best result for customers or clients.  Cloud integration Cloud technology has completely transformed how businesses operate and share data, streamlining workflows and helping teams to adapt more quickly. Cloud software offers several benefits – it reduces IT costs, improves productivity and makes teams more efficient, but it also boosts security and reduces the risks of a data breach. The ability to integrate these two tools, along with many other apps, makes for a central solution that can be tailored to your needs.  Jira is one of the best tools for issue and project tracking, making it ideal for overseeing large-scale building designs or construction projects. It provides incredible agile support for teams, bringing together professionals from across the property business who may have merged together on one specific build. There are countless plugins to extend the capabilities of Jira and the ability for cloud migration makes it a versatile solution for property businesses looking to manage projects and track issues more efficiently. 

Are you considering event marketing for your business? First, congratulations! Event marketing is a great way to engage your customers and develop a lasting relationship with them. It also offers the opportunity to meet your customers and industry influencers face-to-face, rather than simply pitching at them. But what you’ll find is that event marketing isn’t always well understood – even by many professionals – so we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you think about how best to market your next event. Getting started with Event Marketing Let’s start by understanding what is event marketing: What is Event Marketing? Event marketing is where a business invests in an event – such as a conference, exhibition, or tradeshow – with the aim of reaching and influencing its target market. By attending these events, they can position themselves as thought-leaders and experts in their industry Types of Event Marketing There are many different types of event marketing, each with its own unique advantages. Let’s look at some common types of event marketing: Conferences Tradeshows and Exhibitions (including trade shows . Though some companies also hold consumer-facing events such as open days) Seminars Webinars Live Streaming Online events Virtual events Physical events In essence, there are many different types of events, depending on the nature of your business. For example, if you’re an eCommerce brand trying to sell fashion or electronics directly to consumers then a consumer-facing trade show will likely suit you best; while if you’re in financial services then attending conferences and seminars will be more effective at generating leads. Problems Solved By Event Marketing It’s worth considering what you hope to get out of event marketing before investing in an event. This will help you identify your goal(s) and ensure that your approach is on track. Here are some common business problems that event marketing can solve: Generate leads Grow brand awareness Improve reputation Educate customers Build thought leadership Build a sales pipeline Demonstrate expertise to potential partners and suppliers. So you’ve decided that event marketing is right for your business. What are the steps to getting started? Essential Steps To Get Started 1) Understand your event’s objectives The first step is to be clear on what you want to achieve from the event. For example, will it be a launch of a new product/service or an update on existing products and services? Will it be targeted at existing customers, channel partners (e.g., resellers or distributors), or prospective customers (e.g., marketers and media)? 2) Identify your target audience It’s also important to be clear who you want to attend – and, just as importantly – who not to invite! It may seem obvious but we’ve seen too many events that end up with a room full of people the host company doesn’t really want to speak with. 3) Build relationships with event decision-makers Don’t just view the suppliers or organizers of an event as a means to an end – you have every chance of being successful if you build strong business relationships with them before your event. For example, do they share your industry sector? What is their experience in running events like this one? How can you add value to them before your event? How can they add value to you? 4) Agree on the messaging and positioning with key stakeholders It’s also important to agree on what you want to achieve with colleagues (both internal and external), suppliers, speakers at your event, and, of course, senior management. This should be a joint effort that ensures that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet! 5) Ensure the event fits your marketing budget Don’t forget that an expensive-looking and -sounding event does not necessarily equate to a successful one. It’s worth testing the waters by hosting smaller events with different audiences leading up to your main one, if necessary. This is where things start to get interesting So you’re ready to plan your first event. But how do you make sure it’s a success? Here are some key areas to focus on. 1) Price your tickets correctly Consider commissioning research into the price sensitivity of your target audience – or even do this as part of pre-event promotion. This can help you decide if you should charge a higher rate for certain attendees. You should also consider how you can leverage your sponsors, partners, suppliers to help cover the cost of event services. 2) Promote your event It’s not just about buying advertising – remember that there are plenty of free techniques you can use, such as using social media like LinkedIn and Twitter to drive registrations (and think about promoting your event over other channels, too). 3) Prepare your audience for the content you plan to deliver What are the ‘pain points that you plan to address? How can you highlight these to potential attendees before the event? For example, if there’s a new product/service being launched at your event, then send out an advance briefing to attendees. 4) Make sure your event is engaging Consider adding an element of gamification to the registration process, for example, or developing a competition that encourages pre-event engagement with buyers. You could also use smart technology such as iPads to help attendees get the most from your event. 5) Don’t forget post-event activities It’s not just about your event: what happens after the event in terms of follow-up and post-event engagement is crucial to maximize impact. Do you have a specific plan for this? For example, will there be a strong digital element to help capture leads following the event? 6) Evaluate your results How do you plan to measure success? The key thing is that you need to establish what you will be looking for so that everyone can agree on the level of achievement. This should be discussed in advance with your management team, too. Wrapping Up Event marketing is always evolving and it’s crucial that you keep up to date with your knowledge base. This

Do you have a commercial construction business and want to know what you should be keeping up with and what the new trends are? Do you feel like your business is a bit old-fashioned and want to know what you could be doing to keep up with the trends? The commercial construction industry is a very exciting place to be right now. There are many different trends that have come into play and will continue to grow over the next few years. For example, green buildings are becoming increasingly popular as more people want their office spaces to reflect their values and attitudes towards the environment. Another trend is improving worker productivity by creating open floor plans with flexible workspaces so employees can collaborate better together. These trends may not all apply specifically to you but it’s important for any company in this field to remain up to date on what’s happening to stay competitive and relevant within the industry. Here are 6 trends to follow in the commercial construction industry. The use of sustainable materials First on our list, when it comes to following the trends in the commercial construction industry, we have the use of sustainable materials. When it comes to the construction of buildings something that many people are placing a big emphasis on is the use of sustainable materials. These are materials that can’t be depleted easily, but also can be recreated easily. Rather than using rock and stone, which although can be found in abundance, people are choosing living materials such as wood, or even things that can easily be man-made. On top of that, other living materials such as specific algae can be used as a way to self-mend different kinds of concrete. When talking about concrete, it is also a sustainable material that you can use, and if you’re looking for professionals that produce highly durable floors you can check out what TCF West in Winnipeg offers. They are leading in the industry, and with them you can rely on a cost-effective service. A focus on energy efficiency These days, with the world suffering from global warming and everything that comes along with it, a lot of companies are making a concerted effort to go green and make use of an energy-efficient lifestyle. This goes for their products, and production, as well as the building itself. Many of these new companies make use of renewable energy, but they also contribute to the collection of renewable energy. Lots of businesses have their own solar panels which are used to either power the whole building or just certain parts like having heated water or lights on.  This is done to lower their carbon footprint and try their best to reduce the rate at which global warming is progressing. Other businesses are demolishing inefficient properties and are building new ones from scratch only to improve the environment from the inside out. Bella Contracting Services is where you can find demolition contractors in Connecticut if you’re thinking about making such drastic changes to your business. Improved indoor air quality The quality of air in a building is not something that people will typically pay too much attention to, especially those who work there. However, it is important to note, that especially if you are working in a big city where there is a lot of pollution, the air quality can eventually take its toll on you. As a business, you should be implementing different ways to improve the quality of the air in your building. This can be by having filters placed in your pipes that are circulating the air, and changing them regularly, or even by having humidifiers if you are in dryer conditions to make it more bearable. A decrease in the usage of toxic chemicals Toxic chemicals are commonly used among different businesses, depending on what they produce, but while they pay attention to not letting the consumers come in contact with these toxic chemicals, less caution is taken with the workers. By eliminating toxic chemicals, not only will you create a better working environment for your staff, but you will also help reduce the damage that your business is doing to the environment. Increased emphasis on indoor environmental factors, such as lighting and acoustics A big trend in the commercial industry is the layout and design change of these places. Many people may be used to dull yellow lighting, gross carpeted flooring, and an unwelcoming environment, however, there is now a big emphasis on the working environment and how the look of it can be beneficial to the worth ethic and productivity. For instance, you can include an open floor plan where people can be with each other and have a better time working together. Something else you can do is improve the quality of the lighting. Many businesses are stuck using old yellow lighting, but by making use of LED lighting it not only looks more modern, but it creates a lighter environment.