The International Association of IT Asset Managers hosts a virtual conference where members and annual conference attendees donate to local/national charities

The International Association of IT Asset Managers (IAITAM) has hosted their global Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) and those registering for the virtual conference were encouraged to donate to a COVID-19 relief charity of their choice.  The result: An unexpectedly massive outpouring of $15.6 million from attendees.

In response to this IAITAM initiative, the following relief efforts were donated to support individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus:

· Over $15 million donated in the name of COVID relief, including Feeding America, United Way of Midlands, Foodbank for the Heartland, Second Harvest Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank, and Canadian Red Cross.

· 12,670 protective face masks were donated to police, fire, hospital, and other essential workers.

· Hundreds of pounds of medical supplies, food and other necessities were donated to Boston Children’s Hospital.

· More than 120 hours were volunteered to assist organizations like The Community Action Project, United Way, and COVID Relief Fund.

IAITAM President and CEO Dr. Barbara Rembiesa said: “I am blown away by the success of our COVID-19 relief charities.  This is the kind of leadership you would expect from IT Asset Managers. These unsung heroes protect the financial investment of the organization by ensuring the operational implementation of hardware and software is done efficiently and correctly. We have members within our network from Fortune 500 companies and small businesses, alike. Every agency or business owner in this digital age should be thinking about their IT assets and how they can increase return on investment and strengthen their data security with proper ITAM training and planning.”

ACE is the world’s largest IT Asset Management (ITAM) conference and explores key topics on ITAM and COVID-19 challenges. Those in attendance included CIOs, COOs, CTOs, IT Asset Managers, IT Professionals, Finance Managers, legal professionals and more. Attendees gained information that could assist them in starting new asset management programs or improve their existing ones.

The International Association of Information Technology Asset Managers, Inc., is the professional association for individuals and organizations involved in any aspect of IT Asset Management, SAM, Hardware Asset Management, Mobile Asset Management, IT Asset Disposition and the lifecycle processes supporting IT Asset Management in organizations and industry across the globe. IAITAM certifications are the only IT Asset Management certifications that are recognized worldwide.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

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Consumers are starting to favour local businesses – 59% of consumers in Britain have used more local stores and services to help support them during lockdown;One in five businesses expect to close due to  COVID-19, for instance those refusing to prioritise front-line workers or failed to ensure the safety of their employees; 62% say they will be more likely to spend money at local business that takes extra steps to ensure safety and well-being of their employees once lockdown restrictions have lifted.

Three in five (59%) consumers have used more local stores and services to help support them during the lockdown, according to new research from Deloitte Digital analysing the impact of the pandemic on customer experience.

In addition, 57% of consumers say they will be more likely to spend money at a business that offers locally produced products once the lockdown has lifted than they would have done before the stay-at-home order was imposed.

Deloitte Digital’s research, analysing responses from 2,140 consumers aged 16 and over in Great Britain between 22nd and 26th May 2020, found that one in five (20%) consumers have stopped using a business due to their response to COVID-19.

Those aged 16-24 are the most likely to have stopped using a brand due to its response to COVID-19. One in four (28%) consumers in this age group say they have stopped using a business for this reason, for instance that has refused to prioritise front-line workers or failed to ensure the safety of their employees.

Meanwhile, 19% of all respondents say they have started using a brand as a result of their response, such as a business that has prioritised front-line workers or quickly introduced measures to keep their employees safe.

Becky Skiles, partner and chief marketing officer at Deloitte Digital said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged brands to demonstrate their commitment to upholding the health and wellbeing of both their staff and their customers, while continuing to deliver products and services as safely and seamlessly as possible. Those that have done this well are seeing real benefits in terms of customer loyalty. Younger consumers in particular are prepared to stand by the brands that demonstrate the positive impact they bring to society and abandon those who do not. For brands to build loyalty, the positive contribution they are bringing to employees and communities must be as clearly communicated as their product offering.”

More then half consumers spend money at businesses supporting local charities

According to Deloitte Digital’s research, 46% of consumers say they are more likely to spend money at a business that supports local charities, such as food banks, once the lockdown has lifted.

In comparison, 25% of consumers say they are more likely to spend money at a UK business with a large national presence and just 7% say they would be more likely to use a business that has a large global presence.

Overall, one in three (32%) consumers have used new brands, products or services that they had previously never heard of during the lockdown, while 19% say they have purchased a subscription service that they intend to keep up once restrictions have lifted.

Compared to before lockdown, 28% say that once social distancing measures have lifted they expect to spend less than they did before the stay-at-home order was introduced, with 10% expecting to spend significantly less. Seventeen per-cent say they will spend more, while around half (48%) think they will spend the same amount.

Deborah Womack, director in Deloitte Digital, commented: “Consumers may have begun shopping locally out of necessity rather than choice, however they are rediscovering their local shop as a place for human contact and personal service when they need it most. With people increasingly supporting their local area, businesses that have a strong understanding of the community will be the most likely to recover well and thrive in the coming months.”

Three in five will spend more money with brands that ensure the safety and well-being of their employees

Deloitte Digital’s research highlights that 62% of consumers are more likely to spend money at a business that takes extra steps to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees once the majority of lockdown restrictions have lifted.

This comes as 23% of consumers say they are likely to shop in a business that uses fewer employers in stores and branches to limit contact with customers.

Just one in five (20%) say they would be more likely to use online-only stores once lockdown has lifted, with 41% of consumers saying they have found it difficult to access the goods or services they need online during the lockdown period.

Skiles concludes: “Many in-store employees have been assigned as key workers, providing communities with vital access to products and services, as well as face-to-face interactions, at a time when these have been in short supply. The contribution these employees bring to society is now clearer than ever before. To maintain the loyalty of customers, brands must ensure that they don’t take their workforce’s efforts for granted and demonstrate the care and concern they hold for their teams.”

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Three In Five Consumers Used Local Stores And Services For Support During Lockdown appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

However, whether you’re looking to start a charity as a full-time business or as a side activity, you need to remember that charities don’t work like your typical company. For someone who’s spent most of your professional life in an office, there is a lot to learn to avoid mistakes!

Charities are businesses

The first and most important mistake that office individuals tend to make is to forget that a charity is a business – albeit a business that isn’t set on making a profit for itself. If you want to make the world a better place, you need to give your charity a chance to survive in a crowded sector. Indeed, just like any business, your charity needs a direction – this will be provided by your board of trustees. You also require a brand that is recognisable – you can’t attract donors if you can’t differentiate your activities and messages from other charity. In other words, your enthusiasm alone won’t keep the charity afloat!

Not accounting for everything

Ultimately, charities don’t pay taxes. But there are exceptions you may not be aware of and easily calculated using an  online tax tool. Tax fraud is a criminal offense you can be found guilty of – but there is support available; you can find out more at Duffy Law, for instance – if you’ve forgotten to complete a tax return for income that didn’t qualify for tax relief. You need to pay business rates on non-domestic buildings, for example, and profits from money you don’t use for charitable purposes. But if you’re unsure of how to qualify your trading activities, you might want to look for professional guidance from a financial advisor.

You need to get your hands dirty

Are you ready to get your charity running and organise fundraising events? Indeed, getting your website up and running is far from being enough if you want to encourage donations. A culinary competition that invites participants to cook or judge provides a fun experience that appeals to donors. You can appeal to local businesses to organise a breakfast in bed morning where you bring donors a free item to match their donations. In short, you need to be part of the event and to carry the activities if you want to kickstart a movement.

Coming from an office environment where most things can be managed remotely, the world of charities can be confusing at first. You need to surround yourself with advisors, enthusiasts and trustees who know what it means to keep a charity running.

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Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post 3 White Collar Mistakes To Avoid In Charity appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.