Nick Antonov 🇺🇦’s Post

What is Starbucks for you? Is it the place to grab coffee fast and go about your day, or is it a place to hang out and talk with friends? I still see my daughter going to Starbucks with friends to study and spend time there. However, it seems Starbucks is moving more towards a fast-food model with a grab-and-go approach. The mobile order pick-up area now creates crowds of people, which doesn't look great and certainly isn't appreciated by those who've decided to enjoy their coffee and conversation in-store. Over the past decade, Starbucks has prioritized efficiency and volume over the in-store experience that initially set it apart: - Comfortable seating has given way to utilitarian furniture. - Handwritten cup messages have been replaced by printed labels. - The aroma of freshly ground coffee has disappeared in favor of pre-packaged options. - Mobile ordering and drive-throughs have increased sales but diminished the in-store atmosphere. These changes, while boosting short-term profits, risk eroding the very essence of what made Starbucks special. I see some thought about it, but I agree with the author that sometimes, in order to get the quantity, we are losing the quality. https://lnkd.in/gWZV5mS6 #culture #customersexperiance #consulting

For twenty years, we have been talking about SEO and how to optimize your website to be at the top; honestly, I have never had success in it. But it looks like a new era is coming, and we will have “Generative Search Optimization,” or GSO. You can put special code inside of your text, and your product can be much higher in the LLM model results. The idea of embedding special code or markers in text to influence LLM results is intriguing. This approach could potentially allow content creators to provide additional context or metadata that LLMs can use to better understand and prioritize the content. However, it's important to note that this field is still very new and evolving rapidly. A few points to consider about this emerging concept: - Ethics and fairness: As with traditional SEO, there will likely be ongoing discussions about the ethics of manipulating AI model outputs and ensuring fair representation of information. - Implementation: The exact methods for implementing such optimization techniques are still being developed and may vary between different AI models and platforms. - Effectiveness: The long-term effectiveness of these techniques remains to be seen, as AI models and the companies deploying them may adapt to prevent manipulation. - Balancing act: Content creators will need to balance optimization for both traditional search engines and AI-powered systems. https://lnkd.in/g6WDmm47 #SEO #GenAI #consulting #outsourcing #HBR

Based on recent statistics from the US travel market, it looks like Americans are set to hit record travel numbers for the second year in a row. 🇺🇸 July 4th Travel Boom: Americans are expected to travel in record numbers for Independence Day celebrations. ✈️ US Airports Busier Than Ever: • June 23 broke the all-time record with 2.99 million people screened by TSA • 8 of the 10 busiest travel days ever at U.S. airports occurred in the past month • More records expected for the July 4th travel period 📊 By the Numbers: • 2023 average daily TSA checks: 2.35 million • 2024 average daily passenger traffic (through June 29): 2.43 million • Pre-pandemic (2019) average: 2.32 million • Pandemic low (April 2020): 100,000 The travel industry is growing rapidly and appears to be in a strong position. Now might be an excellent time to focus efforts on working with clients in this booming sector. #TravelIndustry #BusinessOpportunity #consulting #outsourcing

The hiring dilemma: How do we truly find the right fit? As the person who hires people, I've faced this challenge repeatedly: - Structured interviews provide comparable data but miss personality insights. - Conversational interviews reveal cultural fit but may overlook critical skills. - Work trials show real performance but are costly and time-consuming. The recently read article suggests combining structured and conversational approaches, especially for senior roles. But is this enough? I'm curious: What innovative methods have you used to balance skill assessment, personality fit, and real-world performance in your hiring process? Have you found a solution that's both effective and efficient? Let's share our experiences and learn from each other. Finding the right talent is crucial for any organization's success. #HiringChallenges #RecruitmentStrategies #TalentAcquisition #consulting #outsoucing

More AI, more alcohol? Recent research reveals complex relationships between AI use, workplace dynamics, and employee well-being: - Daily AI users show increased productivity but also greater isolation - Employees using AI more frequently report: - Stronger desire for human connection - Higher rates of helping behaviors toward coworkers - Increased alcohol consumption and insomnia These findings, published in Harvard Business Review, highlight the need for a balanced approach to AI integration in the workplace. How does your company balance AI implementation with employee well-being? Share your thoughts and experiences! https://lnkd.in/gijXyRQf #EmployeeWellbeing #FutureOfWork #Consulting #outsourcing #HR

I found this picture rather interesting. Everyone tells me now that the Indian market is not as good as it was before. The price for developers has grown a lot, and for a good specialist, it is mostly very close to Eastern Europe now. But this picture shows how fast the Software Development Indian Export is growing, and It is huge. Maybe, it is also a good idea to have an office in India. #indian #outsourcing #consulting

GenAI opened a lot of possibilities for us, and right now, many things can be done much more easily and with better quality. If you still do not use this technology, you are losing markets and opportunities. I would highly recommend starting an investigation and integrating GenAI into your business process and day-to-day operations. I'm happy to talk about it! PS I will tell you that I am a little bit scared of the speed as it is growing. #GenAI #Consulting  #outsourcing

Yesterday, I went with my family to watch Inside Out 2. I watched the first one and am now watching the second one. I think the approach taken in those movies is great. It is not a kids' cartoon; this is a great story for adults about our different emotions and how they drive our behavior. All the adults have to watch it and decide which of the main characters (emotion) is driving them now. Is it Joy, Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, Anger, Sadness, and something else? "Inside Out" teaches us that our emotions are not just simple, isolated feelings but complex characters shaping our inner world. Joy isn't always the hero, and Sadness isn't always the villain—they're both essential. Anxiety can take control of us and completely change us into a different person! Take your family to the cinema to watch this great cartoon, and think about your emotions. #InsideOut #people #emotions #consulting

As leaders, our relationship with power evolves as we gain more authority. But power can be a double-edged sword if we're not careful. Here are five traps to watch out for: The Savior Trap: Constantly giving advice and having all the answers. Antidote: Ask before answering. Listen more, speak less. The Complacency Trap: Assuming you know everything, asking fewer questions. Antidote: Develop a practice of inquiry. Use the "five whys" technique. The Avoidance Trap: Sidestepping unpleasant tasks or tough conversations. Antidote: Face challenges head-on. Consider the cost of inaction. The Friend Trap: Acting like a peer when you're not. Antidote: Make peace with power. Charter new relationships explicitly. The Stress Trap: Passing on your stress to others ("secondhand stress"). Antidote: Develop stress management routines. Respect boundaries (yours and others'). Remember, these traps are somewhat inevitable with positional power. The key is vigilance and continuous self-reflection. What strategies have you found effective in wielding power responsibly? #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #PowerDynamics #HBR #consulting https://lnkd.in/gkFKCCS2