Get Smart Innovations

Don't let the romantic lyrics and over-the-top blank stare fool you – Taylor Swift is one of the sharpest entrepreneurs there is. The 34-year-old singer/songwriter has an estimated net worth of more than $1.1 billion and is constantly making smart moves to keep the money coming. Her music might melt hearts, but it's her business savviness that drops jaws. Over $1.1B net worth and 12 Grammy awards at 34. Her current tour raising billions. Named as Time's Person of the Year for 2023. Ranking at no. 5 at Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. Financial analysts citing her impact on the global GDP. This, is no fairy tale– it's #Swiftonomics, and it's changing the rules of brand building and entrepreneurial success. While personally I'm not a #swiftie, there's no denying that she isn't just about staging concerts or fangirling; she's about building a brand with hard work, focus & strategy. Her rise is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and strategic leadership – lessons just as valuable in boardrooms as in concert halls.  Building a brand and a business isn’t a fleeting romance; it's a dedicated relationship that demands steadfast commitment. Swift is known for her tireless work ethic, she embraces the dedication and work ethic required to succeed. During her current Aussie tour, she just entertained over 300,000 fans over 3 nights in Melbourne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, almost as popular as the Collingwood Football Club ;) Swift excels at establishing direct and authentic connections with her fans, do you? From casually responding to their posts to liking, favoriting, and even reposting their selfies, Swift goes beyond traditional marketing & merely posting pretty pics; she is fostering advocacy and excitement that surpasses conventional advertising. Embrace a culture of inclusiveness & community; connect with your fans, followers & customers in a real, personal and dynamic way. Share not only your successes but also your struggles & challenges. Allow your customers to witness the people behind the brand, mirroring how Swift unveils behind-the-scenes glimpses to her fans. Aim to build a community, not merely a following. Just like Swift reads the room and modifies her sound, entrepreneurs must be masters of adaptation. Market trends can shift like desert sands, and anticipating customer needs before they even materialise is key to staying ahead of the curve. This means being– agile, nimble and ready to pivot: Be open to user feedback: Listen to your customers, embrace their suggestions & adapt your product to cater to their needs. Embracing new platforms and technologies: Be present where your customers are, their smartphones! Finally, turn setbacks into success, Swift's journey isn't just a string of chart-topping hits. It's a masterclass in navigating setbacks with grace and grit. Instead of succumbing to adversity, earn from every stumble & #shakeIToff

New, innovative AI technologies are transforming the future of business. Will you be left behind or will you lead the way forward?

Could games and virtual worlds become the next major food-ordering channel? There are 3.3 billion gamers worldwide. Annual U.S. spending on games surpasses the entire pizza industry: ~$55B vs. ~$47B. The gaming industry is increasingly embracing metaverse - virtual worlds driven by digital experiences that are highly immersive and interactive. Some of the most prominent ones include Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite, with impressive monthly active users of 214M, 166M, and 236M, respectively. Virtual worlds are projected to attract 2.6 billion users by the year 2030. Statistics also show that over 90% of Gen Z engage in gaming, and a significant portion prefers online food ordering. The future of gaming and social interaction where billions of people spend hours in virtual spaces playing, working, and interacting with each other is almost here. It opens new opportunities for the restaurant industry. And major brands are already venturing into this uncharted territory. In 2021 Chipotle Mexican Grill partnered with Roblox to digitize their Halloween promotion. Players could dress their avatars in Chipotle Halloween costumes, play mini-games, and receive codes for free burritos to redeem in person. The virtual restaurant received over 8 million visits during the campaign. McDonald's has been building virtual restaurants in Metaverse since 2022. The concept is straightforward: “You are hanging out in the metaverse and get hungry. You don't have to put down your headset. You walk into a McDonald's and place an order. It arrives at your door a little while later”. Last month Wow Bao launched a virtual dance club and lounge on Roblox. This new gamified experience allows players to get new accessories for their avatars, link up their accounts with Wow Bao’s rewards program, and play for a chance to win free food. This post was actually inspired by Geoff Alexander, who recently shared his vision of how restaurants can leverage the gaming industry. Additionally, new 3pd services are emerging for the gaming community. One of them - Liifer, which provides a food-ordering interface using a hotkey in a game. It opens in orderable mode as an overlay to your game allowing order food while playing. You can find Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC, Subway, Domino's, Starbucks, and other brands there. So it looks like the gaming sector appears to be poised to generate numerous fresh prospects for the restaurant industry. Do you believe that it can become the next significant channel for food ordering and brand awareness? I would love to hear your thoughts! 🎮🍕 #restaurant #tech #food #ordering #games #metaverse #delivery