Everyone loves to go out and eat. Food always seems to taste better when someone else cooks it. Restaurants have been seeing a dip in customers due to the changes of the world, but there are great ways for you to get yourself out there and grow your base of clients with a little bit of effort despite what is happening around the globe. With the colder weather coming and more people wanting to come indoors, there are a lot of opportunities for growth. Here are a few ways for a restaurant to grow their client base.
Offer Entertainment
If you have the space, offer entertainment to your diners. Some people are still not comfortable bar hopping and going from place to place so they would rather stay in just one location. That’s good for you because it means that diners will stay put and spend more money. Just make sure they are not sitting all night because you are going to want to turn those tables, so create an incentive where they can move to the bar and enjoy cocktails as new patrons come in and eat.
Offer Nightly Drink Specials
Happy hour can go on into the night. Late night happy hours are a huge hit, and you will get patrons to give up their tables and move to the bar to enjoy those specials after they eat. House spirits can be put on special, or if you have a sponsor, the sponsored liquor can be on special that will make guests more inclined to order those drinks. People may still want to eat a bit, so having a few bar food items on happy hour will also drive up sales as guests order drinks and food.
Offer a Rewards Program
Getting guests to become repeat customers is easily done with a rewards program. The more you buy and visit, the more points and free things you can earn. Companies like Rewards Network reviews restaurants to see what services they can offer for guests to earn points. Rewards Network found that guests in a rewards program spend 13% more than other diners. Rewards Network can also show you which of your items sells the best so that you can ensure it is always available to your diners.
Change Up Your Menu
People get bored rather quickly with things, and food is no exception. It is always a great idea to keep those “staple” items on your menu that you know are always a crowd pleaser, but other items can change with the seasons. Soups can be replaced with salads in the spring and more earthy foods can be placed on the menu for the fall. Switching things up every few months allows for your food to always seem fresh and new, and everyone is always looking to eat the next big thing. Pair your food with seasonal wines and a seasonal drink menu, and you will be seeing guests coming in to see what you have created next.
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Even after a substantial penetration of digital platforms into our lives, the need to move around physical spaces hasn’t been ruled out yet. In most cases, having an address, name and set of coordinates can make this task straightforward via using GPS on your phone. But there are some limitations to GPS services as it doesn’t provide accurate information in the case of indoor navigation. Various indoor applications that require step-by-step guidance with quick & accurate results; led businesses to incorporate augmented reality into indoor mapping to reach the threshold level of navigation accuracy.
Businesses are actively leveraging the advantages of AR in indoor navigation systems; the global indoor positioning & navigation market is projected to reach $23.6 billion by 2023.
Augmented Reality Redefines Indoor Positioning
Augmented reality in indoor positioning is a next-generation solution. The possibility is that in the next few years, the navigation systems that utilize AR would become industry standards for many fields and eventually be beneficial to both users and companies.
Augmented reality (AR) provides an interactive experience by adding imaginary objects to the real world through computer-generated perceptual information. The release of Apple’s ARKit and Google’s ARCore has significantly improved the navigation apps and is regarded as the two powerful mobile AR platforms designed for AR applications to be built on. These platforms provide a variety of tools for understanding the objects in the real world.
ARKit combines device motion tracking, camera capture, advanced scene processing, and display conveniences to build AR apps. It allows developers to build immersive apps on the iPhone or iPad by analyzing the scene captured by the iPhone’s camera and fused with motion sensors to track the location of the object in 3D space.
ARCore combines motion tracking, environmental understanding, and light estimation. Motion tracking lets the phone understand and track the position relative to the world by observing feature points taken through the android phone’s camera and sensor data. Environmental understanding allows the devices to detect the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the floor.
Let’s get familiar with available Tracking Systems
GPS, which is considered as the global tracking system for the outdoors, but this also fails when it comes to finding location indoors. To overcome this, leveraging AR into indoor positioning solutions aids ease of navigation and enhances the user experiences. The accuracy and functionality of AR for indoor navigation provide tangible benefits for organizations and end-users (such as customers in a store, workers in a warehouse, visitors in a building).
Let’s have a look at the existing tracking systems for indoor positioning.
1. Visual recognition and SLAM systems (vSLAM)
Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is a computational method for obtaining the 3D structure of an unknown environment that uses the data captured by the external sensors to self-locate and build a map of the surrounding environment simultaneously. SLAM algorithm works by mapping out surroundings, extracting features, keeping a track of the user’s location, and based on this info, constantly updates the navigation map.
Visual SLAM refers to the complex process of calculating the location and mapping of a device to its environment, along with taking visual inputs from the camera. It works with 3D vision cameras and finds application in camera pose estimation in AR systems like head-mounted displays, indoor navigation & positioning apps.
The whole process is carried out in real-time and is considered more flexible than other tracking systems like LIDAR and UWB as it doesn’t deal with any external sensors but only with a camera. vSLAM technology is more accurate (tracks up to millimeters) in smaller areas than it is in wide-open areas.
2. Ultra-wideband (UWB)
Ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning systems are considered as one of the most effective options in advanced indoor positioning where a higher degree of precision is required. To monitor AR-based indoor positioning, it’s necessary to estimate the line-of-sight vector of observers using a UWB transceiver that estimates the distance to another UWB transceiver via time of arrival (TDoA). The process is carried out in real-time and can transmit a large amount of data at low power and low cost and can precisely locate the object via Time-of-flight (ToF) up to 200 meters.
One of the use cases where UWB promises to be the most effective tracking system is warehouse management where hundreds of thousands of items are kept and need to be located in the shortest time possible on the customer’s order. In the case of pinpoint accuracy, the UWB positioning system is considered the best option available.
However, this level of accuracy always comes at a cost. The tags used in UWB are much more expensive than tags used in other tracking systems, and hence, makes it a very expensive system to have. In such cases, businesses need to consider if they require pinpoint accuracy to locate the object, or more general information can do their work.
3. Bluetooth Beacons
Beacons are low-energy Bluetooth transmitters that are used to communicate with Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, tablets, etc when they are in close proximity to the beacons. Beacons can be mounted on the wall or ceiling all over the location at a distance of 10-20 meters. After the installation, Bluetooth beacons start transmitting the signals at regular intervals of time and can see the device once it’s in the range which may vary from 20m to 300 m.
Bluetooth Beacons have many applications in the business world like retailers use beacons to trigger location-based features on customer’s mobiles including coupon, store map, sale, discount, etc when they pass by their favourite store. For smaller range applications like shops, malls, airports, buildings, using beacons might be one of the best options to enhance user experiences. Despite these benefits, beacons are considered expensive & obsolete and are now being replaced by visual markers due to their greater accuracy.
4. Virtual Positioning Systems (VPS)
VPS is the amalgam of artificial intelligence, image processing & augmented reality technology that allows the devices to virtually place the surroundings in a map. Virtual positioning systems work well over large areas and fall short when trying to determine position within buildings. It creates a 3D environment by comparing multiple images of the surroundings taken by the phone’s camera to recreate the position relative to the environment using the GPS triangulation technique.
For example, Google uses Street View data to locate the user’s position by taking multiple images and stitching them together into a single 360-degree image, using buildings as reference points. Apple is using ARWoldMap in many outdoor applications to determine the user’s location.
Challenges in Indoor Positioning Systems
The use of AR in Indoor positioning offers so much, but there are still some challenges that need to be addressed during or before the implementation.
Indoor navigation is impossible without a proper map. Building an accurate map is a critical process as it requires the correct coordinate system in the 3D form then aligning it with the geographical coordinates using images taken from various sources. While building maps are critical, maintaining the map and always keeping them up to date become mandatory to provide the best possible user experience.
Drawing the route in the real-world using AR is also a big challenge that needs to be addressed. Visual markers are placed to draw coordinates at specific points to analyze the surroundings and are made sure that it matches to the real-world. AR effect is always placed on the top of any image which creates an illusion of placing digital content in the real world while rendering virtual places.
Having an uninterrupted session becomes another hurdle to get the accurate result in locating the object. To get this result, it’s necessary for users to keep their camera active from initial marking to the final destination. This limitation can be addressed by using Wi-Fi RTT (Round-trip-time) which can provide an accuracy level up to 1 to 2 meters. It measures the time for the signals to reach the user’s device and be received back using 3 or more wi-fi routers.
The Future of AR Indoor Navigation
As more companies explore the potential of AR in navigation systems, it would continue to prove a game-changer in indoor navigation. In the coming years, the use of visual markers will increase due to their ability to bring down the accuracy threshold down to within millimeters.
Wi-Fi RTT-based positioning will see greater adoption and proliferation due to greater precision than WPS (Wi-Fi protected systems). The time taken for sending signals to users and receiving them back will reduce and hence, will increase the accuracy more. The performance of mobile devices will also advance, which will support more complex algorithms. We might see other hybrid solutions like combining visual markers and visual positioning systems which will improve the quality of tracking in near future.
Augmented reality offers a potential solution to improve indoor positioning accuracy and is continually evolving over the years. Augmented reality indoor navigation technology is set to experience significant growth in the coming years, and, as a result, will be firmly on the radar as an investment theme in most companies regardless of their industry type.
About the Author
Kajal Mishra is a Senior Marketing Executive at PathPartner Technology. She provides her contribution in creating content & handling inbound & outbound marketing for Multimedia & AI domain. Exploring newer technologies and writing around that is something that excites her the most.
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If you use a vehicle for delivering goods or want to find a way to really make your brand stand out, truck advertising may be the marketing strategy you haven’t thought of.
Whether you’re a non-profit, a physician, or even a hairstylist, advertising your business on the side of a car or truck could help you reach new audiences.
Truck side advertising is incredibly versatile, and here’s everything you need to know about how the strategy can work for you.
What is truck advertising?
As the name suggests, truck advertising is a strategy in which you use a custom vehicle wrap to advertise your brand on the side of a truck. You could either rent space on a truck from another business or use one of your own delivery trucks to do the job. When the truck is out delivering items, your brand messaging has the chance to travel far and wide on a daily basis. You can do truck advertising to promote your business in the local area or even take your message overseas to reach new target audiences.
It’s essentially like a practical billboard on wheels. The truck can still do what trucks are supposed to do, all while getting you more exposure. You don’t need to cover the entire truck or trailer, either. Sometimes just the back of a van can be covered. If a truck is stuck in a traffic jam, you’ll have plenty of people reading your advertisement on the back of a truck to pass some time… Who knows, you could provide the exact service they’ve been looking for!
Why you should use truck advertising
When it comes to marketing campaigns, the cost typically continues for however long the campaign lasts. With truck advertising, once you’ve paid for the vehicle wrap, that’s all the costs over with. You have the flexibility to run your campaign for a short, or as long as you’d like, without having to worry about the ROI metrics day by day.
A study by Identify Yourself found that 75% of people favor the opinion of brands they see on trucks. As these vehicles are always on the roads and take up quite a prominent space on the horizon, people tend to believe the brand they’re advertising is more professional or better established than others on the market.
There’s also some hidden psychology that can boost your brand’s reputation when using truck advertising. The American Trucking Association reports that 91% of people notice truck side advertising while driving. When you see a brand on a truck, you automatically assume the truck is carrying the brand’s products. If people see truckloads of your brand traveling around, they’ll think you’re hugely successful and more trusted. All of this creates more brand positivity and loyalty for your business.
If you’ve ever been drawn in by an out-of-home advertisement, just think how successful the same could be for your brand. Truck advertising is pretty affordable – especially if you’re using your own truck – so there’s no reason not to try it.
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After the excitement of Halloween has passed, Christmas comes straight to the fore. Decorations pop up everywhere, with multicoloured lights lining the streets or poised invitingly around shop windows. But how can our online stores join in?
If you have an eCommerce store, you might be wondering how best to prepare it for Christmas. In this article, we look at the best ways to stay competitive online amidst the chaos of the season.
Ramp up customer support
As more people flock to your website, prospective customers might have questions or specific enquiries about a gift. With 75% of shoppers in the UK now doing more online shopping than ever before, you might need to adjust your website to cater for a wider range of clients.
Why not add a live chat feature to assist your customers on-demand? If you prefer traditional marketing methods, a customer support line could be more useful.
Prepare your website
You might need to adjust your website to enable it to handle increased customer demand over the festive period. If you’re not feeling confident enough to get technical, you could consult an eCommerce agency to help you realise your visions for your website.
Create a logical shopping journey
Try optimising your pages with clearer links and a logical structure for your customers to follow. A website that looks sharp and loads quickly will massively improve customer experience, so it makes sense to invest time in your website before Christmas.
Personalise the shopping experience
With competitors trying out similar tactics for their eCommerce store this season, make yours stand out by offering a personalised customer journey. With almost 50 shops disappearing from our high streets every day, there has never been a better opportunity to make your business shine online.
Considering a marketing automation strategy could give your business a boost this Christmas. From empty shopping basket notifications to weekly update emails, keeping your customers in the loop could make the difference between hitting your goals or completely smashing those sales figures.
Keep your diary up to date
It’s important to remember the key dates, events and holidays this winter, even if they’re not celebrated in the UK. Bonfire Night closely follows Halloween, and there’s plenty of colourful marketing potential as people head to firework displays to get festive.
Thanksgiving is largely celebrated in the US, but it could be worth branching out to an international client base if it’s relevant to your brand. Don’t forget the rush for impulsive online sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday – these one-off events could be a goldmine for profit.
Using these tips, your website will be tough to compete with – and you’ll be headed to make record online sales this Christmas.
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Your office space is a second home for you and your employees. There comes a time when we all outgrow our homes. Once we start adding to our family, we need a bigger place to live. The same principle applies when it comes to your office space.
If you have been operating out of the same offices for quite some time now, there is every chance that you may have outgrown them and, therefore, you would be better off looking to relocate. But have you really reached this stage? Read on to see some of the major signs it is time to move office.
There is nowhere for your employees to relax
You may assume that your workers do not need a place to relax. After all, they are here to work! Nevertheless, relaxation is critical in any workplace. All employees need somewhere they can go to refresh and revitalize. Taking themselves away from the computer and having a moment to get their energy levels back up is essential. If your office does not provide this, it is time for a change.
You have way more employees than you did a few years ago
This is one of the easiest ways for you to tell whether or not you need to hire a moving company or upgrade your office space. Roll back the clock three years ago and compare the number of employees you had then with the number that you have today. If you have way more employees today, you most definitely have outgrown your office space.
Your office feels messy and cluttered
Do you find that it is almost impossible to keep your office space under control? No matter how hard you try, it appears messy, cluttered, and like you have too many things. Of course, this does not necessarily mean you need to move. You could take advantage of business storage if there are a lot of things within the office that are not being used. However, if this is not an option, a bigger office space is a must.
Not enough space in conference rooms
The fourth and final sign that you have outgrown your office space is if you struggle to hold meetings in a comfortable and efficient manner. Whenever you hold an office meeting, do you need to squeeze workers between each other? Do you always need to source an extra chair in order for the business meeting to commence? If so, you probably need to locate a new building that has bigger conference rooms.
So there you have it: some of the clear indicators that you have outgrown your office space. If you have noticed any of the signs that have been mentioned above, it is important to take action sooner rather than later. This will have an enormous impact on your workers’ levels of efficiency and productivity because they will be operating out of an office that enables them to do more.
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