Last month we sent out an EDM to our clients letting them know that we had recently rebranded with a new logo and website.

The Media Shark rebrand has been in the pipeline for a while now however with an ever growing portfolio of clients, design and development projects taking priority it was a task that always seemed to get pushed to the bottom of the pile!

Alas, in mid June, we asked one of our designers to put together a mood board of ideas and concepts showcasing who we are as a company right now.

Media Shark rebrands! – It was actually at an event which we had sponsored earlier this year when the MC announced that people should contact Media Shark “For all things Media” when we realised we were no longer delivering the right message of our services and who we were.

Media Shark has grown significantly in the last 18 months with a larger team of designers and developers and we now soley focus on app and custom software development. Therefore it was important for us to deliver the message across all of our channels as to who we are today.

The first round of concepts still very much included the Shark, which although we will always have a fondness for, we felt as was a little dated for the brand and current demographic.

The second round of concepts were a lot closer to what we were looking for and there were admittedly some strong opinions. The second round of concepts started to include a semicolon with the shark finn, gradually reducing the “sharkiness” and bringing in the semi colon as code which is exaclty what we wanted to repsresent.

We knew we were getting closer and it was hard to let the Shark go, especially as we have the old logo painted as a huge mural on our office wall!

We didnt rush the decision as we knew how important it was to get it right and finally…………………………

We are thrilled to bits with our new icon and logo and couldn’t wait to get started on the website.

The website design took longer than expected with a few rounds of revisions before we were happy. This was then developed by one of our oldest team members, someone who has been with us from the very beginning – Camilo!

Once the website was live, we spread the message across our socials and began the extensive task of updating all of our collateral including business cards, t.shirts and all digital documents.

We are happy to say the effort was worth it, we couldn’t be happier with the new look.  

At Media Shark we have extensive experience creating brand identities for clients’ software and mobile applications and back in the early days of Media Shark logo design and brand identity was one of our main services.

We are proud to have created the logos and brand identities for all types of Gold Coast and Queensland Companies including Burleigh Protein & Etchd

We understand that the brand identity is the personality of the business is and that it needs to be clear and consistent. As we always convey to our clients, branding is more than just a logo it represents the company’s culture and vision.

Our look may have changed but our purpose remains the same!

Our Vision is to provide a first class experience, making clients feel welcome and valued.
Our Mission is to provide our clients with clear direction and transparency.
We Value each client that walks through the door, always referring to our Think Like a Shark culture. 

As we draw closer to the end of the year we are looking forward to a fresh new year, a fresh new look and a fresh new chapter for Media Shark. We would love for you to join us!

The post Media Shark Rebrands! appeared first on Mediashark.

With the worldwide number of smartphone users on the rise, App development is and an all-time high and it’s hard to imagine a life before them. It is estimated that there are more connected devices in the world than there are people. 

With Android and IOS taking the forefront of this industry. We are continuing to see the ongoing trend in apps that make our lives easier, more interactive, and even allow the government to monitor us.

Mobile apps have changed the way we live, and the way we connect with our families, friends, and peers. So in a world where everything is literally at our fingertips, you would think that everything we can possibly think of has already been created right? – Wrong!

The list is ongoing however below are 3 apps that don’t exist yet that we here at Media Shark believe could be on the cusp of creation:

1) Apps that don’t exist yet – Scan & Shop

An app that allows the user to scan an outfit, whether it be the Gold Coast girl on the street or Carrie Bickmore on the Project. This app would allow the user to find out which retail store the outfit is from and order it online straight away – this idea has been done before but for music, wine, and food. Yet we still have not seen one for clothing. The potential for the retail industry here is tremendous particularly given this industry, in particular, has taken a hit in recent years and now needs to find a new way to evolve and adapt.

*Virtual clothes try on – In addition to the above, there could be an option to try on clothes from a brand virtually. Similar to the way Ikea allows users to sample products in realtime via their augmented reality app. This could be a feature of the scan and shop or even as its own individual app.

2) Apps that don’t exist yet – Battery Share 

An app that allows you to connect to someone else’s phone and use their charge if you’re running low. We have seen portable chargers and all kinds of cumbersome gizmos to carry around in addition to our humble telephone however we are yet to discover an application that lets the user “borrow” a little bit of charge from a friend or colleague. Of course, the app would need to be protected to prevent other users from zapping other people’s battery life however wouldn’t it be nice to be safe in the knowledge that you would never be caught out again. A good safety tool for the younger generation when mum and dad are worrying if their teenage daughter managed to get on the last bus.

3) Apps that don’t exist yet – Restaurant Seating

A real-time app that lets the user know what seats are available in a restaurant and allows the user to book a table to ensure they get the best view of the river or the sunset. It would also let the user know if a seat is about to become free. As a tourist, a family with young children or even for an impulse business meeting this would be a great app to help the user find somewhere amazing and suitable minus the queuing at the door or the inconvenient wait at the bar only to be put at a tiny table next to the toilet. There are apps available that benefit the restaurateur – Waitlist Me and Hostme provide texts and notifications when your table is ready to save you queuing but there is nothing out there yet that can give you a tailored, unique experience like the above.

*Whilst there still hasn’t bee an app created which does the above – Apps within the restaurant industry continue to be huge, partucliarly post pandemic when people are looking to reconnect in person and venues are wanting to bring customers back into their establishments. 

Eat Club 

Eat Club is a recently created “food tech startup” founded by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White to help restaurants in fillling their empty seats during quiet times thoughout the day with the aim of bringing customers back to restaurants.

“EatClub connects customers with restaurants who have spare tables on any given day/night. The mobile app helps restaurants fill these spare tables while the customers receive great deals in return.”

Only time will tell if these ideas ever make it to market however with Apps now becoming a way of life and the way we work and communicate. I, for one, can’t wait to see what they think of next!

At Media Shark, our niche is building web and app software development. We specialise in native and hybrid app design If you have an idea you want to be brought to life, please reach out to us, our passion is turning your ideas into reality.

The post App Development – The 3 Most Wanted Apps That Don’t Exist Yet (Updated 2022) appeared first on Mediashark.

A recent survey conducted by talent lms showed that 72% of tech workers are thinking of quitting their job in the next 12 months. 

There is a major shortage of talented individuals particularly within the tech industry worldwide. The fact is, employees are now in a position of power and able to choose to work their own terms and control their own hours.

Mid pandemic the majority of the workforce endured months of uncertainty, reduced hours and changes to their roles so it’s no surprise that now the dust has settled and the landscape is a little clearer, people have had the time to reevaluate what’s important to them.

The Great Resignation – Why are employees are choosing to voluntarily leave their jobs?

• Changes to workplace culture

With the tech industry especially, the USP used to be unique working spaces and amazing office culture. Employees who were used to the perks of a barista made coffee, a cute little cafe in the lobby, free snacks and think pods no longer have these attractive draw cards.

Company cutbacks and remote working has meant that the glitz and the glamor that came with working at a collaborative agency has now been lost. 

In some cases though, people simply just don’t want a trendy office anymore and value the time saved from commuting more importantly than a climbing wall and mediation hub.

• Increased opportunities freelancing

The comfort level of hiring a remote worker has increased over the last 2 years with Upwork reporting that 53% of businesses say that remote work has increased their willingness to use freelancers.

As well as offering a higher wage, freelancing offers the opportunity to work for multiple companies on various projects. Having diversity in a portfolio is key for any tech bod worth their salt and having the ability to showcase work experience in different areas is a real plus for some employers in the tech industry.

• The opportunity to work for a tech startup 

Venture funding is at an all time high with $643 billion poured into startups worldwide last year. Working for a startup is not only incredibly exciting, it can offer more flexibility. It is predicted that fintech especially will continue to be huge in 2022 – who wouldn’t want to jump aboard? 

• Starting their own venture 

With the harsh realisation that people could lose their jobs in the blink of an eye, also came a renewed confidence to start their own enterprise. All the extra free time which has come from reduced hours and lockdowns has meant that passion projects which have always been on the back burner seem more attainable. In addition to this, the security and loyalty that comes with working for a family owned business is also hard to resist.

• Employee surveillance 

Ongoing surveillance of remote workers means people have been consistently monitored in their own homes, a situation which would never have happened under normal circumstances. This in some cases has led to a breakdown of relationships and left some workers feeling micromanaged and disrespected. 

• Vaccine mandates 

The ongoing debate and the reason many people are and continue to be divided is the government vaccine mandates; some people would simply rather leave their position than succumb to a vaccination mandate. 

On the other hand some employees feel as though their employer hasn’t taken covid seriously enough and have not enforced mask wearing and social distancing in the workplace leaving them concerned for their safety.

• Increased workload leading to burnout

With a huge amount of companies needing to facilitate the working from home model, IT departments have been pushed to the limit. In the height of the pandemic the tech industry was in high demand. This coupled with taking on other people’s workload through redundancies has meant that employees are simply just burnt out.

The Great Resignation – How can employers retain their tech employees

The same report conducted by talent lms found that tech employees want more training, in particular in machine learning, AI and blockchain. The world is currently at its most advanced in terms of technology and people want to upskill to ensure they don’t get left behind.

Employees who aren’t receiving the right training will quite simply look elsewhere. Retaining talent rather than sourcing new talent is a wise move in a market that is so competitive right now.

Working hard on company culture and developing a new approach to employee satisfaction is key to moving forward. Organisations need to assist employees faced with the ongoing psychological and emotional effects of changing work locations. Employers must evolve their relationship with employees. 

Choosing and implementing the right communication and collaboration software is crucial too, some employees have reported the frustration of poor tools has also led to them losing motivation and wanting to leave.

The Great Resignation – The Future of Tech Workers?

Technology has never been more accessible to everyone as it is in 2022. Technology allows people to connect and work anywhere they want in the world.

Gone are the days when working for a big tech giant was a dream. With the backlash over poor culture, scandals and lawsuits – is it actually cool to work for Facebook anymore? 

In 2022 we are in a new era of work and young switched on individuals who are talented and confident innovators and are leading the way by creating their own billion dollar tech companies

In 2022 Google Meets and work life balance have replaced the 50 hour office week and monthly board meeting. People don’t just want flexibility, they demand it!

Final thoughts

Freelancing & remote work is here to stay so let’s embrace it. The simple fact is, we are in a phase of disruptive change to the tech industry and as the Great Resignation has proved the workforce are much like skynet – they have become self aware and taken control

The post The Great Resignation & The Tech Industry appeared first on Mediashark.

Three key updates were announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in June of 2021:

1. In-app Events
2. Product Page Optimisation
3. Custom Product Pages

(In app Events is now live however Product Page Optimisation and Custom Product Pages do not yet have a set date)

So – what are these new features?

Custom Product Pages will allow A/B testing through paid channels outside of the iOS App Store

Product Page Optimization will provide conversion testing for organic channels

In-app Events will allow developers to find out which features are doing the most to improve user retention, engagement, and acquisition through new metrics available in App Analytics.

These new features may potentially replace the need for third-party testing platforms and will be available directly in App Store Connect.

The new testing tools (Product Page Optimisation and Custom Product Pages) will allow A/B testing to take place live on the App Store.

Product Page Optimisation

Product Page Optimisation will offer developers and mobile marketers a powerful and long-awaited A/B testing tool. Developers will now be able to create 3 additional Product Pages to be displayed alongside an app’s default product page.

Creative elements such as the app icon, screenshots, and preview videos can be tested by applying various treatments to determine what can potentially drive the most conversion.

Being able to test so many elements is exciting, but developers should be careful of trying to test too much at the same time – In order to isolate which changes have the most impact, it is recommended to limit each test to change only one factor.

This is the best practice for any iterative test as it can reduce uncertainty when designing further experiments.

Product Page Optimisation tests can be run for up to 90 days, but depending on traffic volume they might not need this much time. Generally a test can be wrapped up once actionable conclusions can be drawn from the results.

This is where an App Store Optimisation consultation can come in handy to determine when enough data has been collected. During the test cycle and at the end of the test, the results can be monitored and compared to an app’s baseline performance in App Analytics.

Custom Product Pages

There will also be an option to optimse app product pages for paid traffic.

When directed to the App Store from an external link, the difference between an install and a bounce could come down to how users feel the product page reflects the ad that brought them there.

If a user feels like they were misled then they are much less likely to install.

Taking a one-size fits-all approach to product page design could create missed opportunities to reach additional audiences. The new Custom Product Pages are a great way to reach users with the design elements that most appeal to them.

Custom Product Pages will allow developers to redirect external channels to one of 35 Custom Product Pages via placing the page’s unique URL into relevant advertisements or third-party referrals. This will allow users to see a product page that reflects the design elements of the environment that prompted them to click the referral link.

Each unique page can feature variations on screenshots, app previews, and promotional texts to allow developers to position their app for the intended audience. Designing an App Store Optimisation strategy positioned to optimize all 35 different custom pages available can greatly expand an app’s potential audience.

Developers can view actionable performance data tied to Custom Product Pages in App Analytics. These metrics provide insight into which product pages are driving conversion for specific demographics broken down by region, device, source type, and more. This allows developers to refine their App Store assets to increase conversion across paid channels and hone their ASO strategy to perfectly compliment paid efforts.

With the right strategy, Custom Product Pages can be set up, marketers can distribute the unique URLs to the associated campaigns, and developers can easily measure performance metrics via App Analytics.

In-app Events

Users can now see In-app Event cards in a few locations across the App Stores. In-app Event cards appear in the editorial section on the Today, Games, and Apps Tabs, which may prove to be a useful tool for new user acquisition.

Event cards also appear in search results and product pages, presenting differently depending on whether the user viewing the app has downloaded it. Existing users will see the event card in place of the app’s current screenshots in search results, while new users see the event card below current screenshots.

Product pages allow developers to publish up to five events that are visible to all users.

New metadata fields and creative elements are required for In-app Events.

Metadata includes the event name, the short description and the long description

Creative elements include an event card image and an event page image or video

There are also two brand new fields required for In-app Events called the Event Badge and the Event Purpose. The Event Badge is a front-facing element that indicates to users the type of event being offered, while the event’s purpose is a back-end field used by Apple for personalised recommendations.

There will now be a way to help build user anticipation for events by allowing promotions of events up to two weeks in advance.

Users can ask to be notified when an event starts by clicking the “Notify Me” button on the event card. Upon clicking the notification, existing users will be launched directly into the event and new users will be brought to the event’s details page where they can proceed to install the app. 

Apple will provide personalised recommendations on the editorial tabs that suggest events for apps that are currently or previously installed, alongside new apps based on what Apple’s algorithm determines a user will be interested in. Users also have the ability to directly search for events on the App Store, where all users both active and new are shown the event card along with the app in search results. 

Final Thoughts

A/B testing has always been an issue with the App Store, with problems such as inaccurate metrics and risky testing methods. With these exciting new features developers will finally have the right tools needed to get the real conversion data they need from App Store Connect.

In-app Events have started rolling out recently for developers who have opted in to upgrade their Apple developer accounts. These events provide a means for developers to connect with users through timely events on the App Store, with the potential to engage and retain active or lapsed users as well as attract new users.

New metrics will be visible in App Analytics to measure the results of these new tools, and the findings have the potential to provide deeper insight into what is most driving conversion and how developers can best optimize their apps moving forward.

About the Author

Gummicube Co-Founder & CEO, Dave Bell

Gummicube is a global leader in App Store Optimization with more than 11 years of experience optimizing and marketing apps. We offer the leading enterprise ASO technology and agency services, providing support to clients around the world. Our company is trusted by thousands of enterprise brands and leading startups including Microsoft, LinkedIn, Bethesda, SWEAT, GrubHub, McAfee and many others.

The post App Store Optimisation & The Impact Of iOS 15 appeared first on Mediashark.

As we near the end of 2021 which has been another rollercoaster of a year for many of us. It’s time to take a look to the future with a fresh and excited mindset to see what we can expect in the form of mobile app trends for 2022. 

What edgy and innovative ideas will be the future of app development in 2022?

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Augmented & Virtual Reality

Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that he’s changing the name of Facebook to Meta Platforms Inc (Meta). In short the Metaverse will be “a virtual reality construct intended to supplant the internet, merge virtual life with real life and create endless new playgrounds for everyone”

So what is Virtual and Augmented reality?

Virtual Reality – users wear a headset or glasses and are completely immersed into a new “virtual” environment.

Augmented Reality – an enhanced vision of the real world, created with superimposed images, sights and sounds.

A lot of retail brands such as IKEA are using augmented reality apps so that their customers can have a more engaging experience when shopping for products. But did you also know that Snapchat filters are a form of augmented reality too! 

Both technologies will be key trends to keep an eye on in 2022. 

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Internet of Things (IoT)

In layman’s terms the Internet of things (IoT) is the network of connected applications that can collect and exchange data over the internet using sensors. Some examples include smarthomes and wearables such as fitbits. The vast majority of these applications are also connected to our smartphone devices. 

It’s estimated that the number of active IoT devices will surpass 25.4 billion in 2030. In 2022 mobile IoT will allow us to control the lighting and heating in our homes from apps on our phones and put the coffee machine on just as we arrive at the front door

IoT is also increasingly important in the world of healthcare, not only for our fitness and heart rate monitoring but for observing patients too.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – iOS 15

With Apple’s release of IOS15 back in September came lots of new features including a new way to view notifications, a focus feature which allows a user to create various profiles for different times of the day, an awesome new text scan feature, safari updates, and those all important privacy changes. 

iOS 15 has been a game changer for many and has allowed for a new era of apps to be developed. App store connect will now allow developers to change app icons and customise product pages which in turn will change the way we market to new and existing users.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Inclusive UI/UX 

The design of a mobile app includes the UI (user interface) and the UX (user experience). Inclusive UI/UX is the way a mobile app has been designed for all users in all situations. Inclusive design is not just aimed at people with disabilities. 

Understanding user diversity in today’s digital world and ensuring apps can be used and enjoyed by everyone is essential!

A great example of inclusive design is a voice control feature for someone who is driving and can’t use their hands. Another example is the screen lock feature to keep the screen still whilst the user is operating the app, this may be useful for physical workers who may be up a ladder or under a car.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – AI

Artificial intelligence has been around for a number of years and is already a part of our day to day lives with creations such as Siri – Apple’s virtual assistant and Alexa, Amazon’s own virtual assistant.

Chatbots are now also increasingly used in messaging apps and are a form of artificial intelligence. A recent report stated that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030.

AI is now being utilised to understand the behaviour patterns of mobile app users and gain valuable insight into user engagement levels.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Data Privacy

Data privacy has been big in the last few years particularly after the Netflix documentary The Great Hack which was about the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica data scandal. 

Apple has now taken the reins and with the release of iOS 15 and is now asking users whether they want to be opted in to in app marketing, something which was previously standard. Offering data privacy has almost become as ethical as sustainability when it comes to corporate and social responsibility.

Taking control of our own data privacy will continue to be a real trend in 2022 with emerging companies such as Gener8 Ads giving us the opportunity to block the advertising that’s not relevant to us and tailor the ads we actually want to see.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Digital Currency

As we reported in last week’s article, Fintech is huge right now globally. Some of the world’s most valuable companies are in the Fintech sector. Digital Currency has changed the world of finance and covid in particular has accelerated and changed the way we do business. The need for contactless technology is higher than ever. 

In 2022 we expect a new wave of mobile apps which will allow us to manage our finances, conduct business transactions, manage our investments and crypto currencies.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Low-Code Prototyping

Low code app development is on the rise and has allowed businesses to automate new processes quickly. Low code prototyping however will be a massive trend for 2022 allowing novice app developers and entrepreneurs the opportunity to build a mobile app prototype at a rapid rate and reduced cost which is is key during the initial stages of the app development journey. It will also allow first time app developers to get in front of investors at a faster rate to secure that all important funding.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – On-Demand Apps

The on-demand sector is still going strong and according to the PwC research, it is estimated that the on-demand economy will soar to reach a whopping $335 billion by 2025

From ridesharing and prescriptions to takeaways and food shopping. Everything can now be booked, paid for and delivered by on-demand apps. 

The ongoing success of the on-demand app sector has given mass appeal to investors with on-demand grocery start-up Gorilla recently securing close to $1bn in their series C funding round.

On-demand apps will continue to trend in 2022 with healthcare and education being the newest players.

Final Thoughts

The mobile app statistics for 2021 show a clear shift in the way we use and engage with our apps. We are now using them to organise navigate our day to day lives. Mobile app trends for 2022 are set to be some of the most advanced technology we have ever seen so hold onto your hats – we’re in for a thrilling ride! 

The post Mobile App Trends 2022 – 9 Mobile App Trends To Watch Out For! appeared first on Mediashark.

It’s every ambitious entrepreneur’s dream to create a unicorn startup, currently there are only 892 companies worldwide that have unicorn status – but what are unicorn startups and how are they achieved? 

The term unicorn was coined by venture capitalist Aileen Lee in her article Welcome to the unicorn club in 2013 and is now widely used to describe a privately held company that has a valuation of 1 billion dollars.

Air bnb, Facebook and Google were all unicorn startups that have now moved on to hectocorn status (which we will cover later)

The US and China are currently taking the monopoly of the most valuable companies in 2021 followed closely by India and the UK.  

Industry wise, technology is high on the list of unicorns in the form of software and artificial intelligence, but it’s actually the fintech sector which is booming with 42 fintech unicorns being created in the last quarter.

In recent years Australia has seen some noteworthy tech unicorn startups to make the list including: 

Canva: 

Canva is a graphic design platform that was founded by Melanie Perkins and partner Cliff Obrecht. Canva is now valued at $40 billion US dollars making it one of the world’s most valuable startups (and now propelled to decarcorn status)

Canva has also made it in at number 3 on the Forbes “The Cloud 100 2021” list which is their definition of the best, brightest and most valuable private companies.

Since raising $2oo million in their latest funding round, Canvas new valuation means it is Australia’s most valuable unlisted company and most successful startup which is awesome!

It is reported that it took 3 years to gain the all important $3m investment they needed to launch and that the couple plan to slowly give away the majority of their wealth to charities.

Airwallex:

Established in Melbourne, Airwallex is a fintech startup which achieved unicorn status in March 2019 after securing $141 million in funding and knocking back a takeover bid from Stripe.

Founded by Jack Zhang, Lucy Lio, Jacob Dai and Max Li, Airwallex initially focussed on allowing small businesses make transactions with offshore merchants without incurring the exchange fees but has now expanded and offers multi currency credit cards, 

Airwallex is currently valued at $4 billion since also securing $200 million in its last funding round.

Culture Amp:

Culture Amp is an employee engagement tool which is now valued at over $2 billion, the Melbourne based start up reached unicorn status in 2019 but has now grown considerably since the start of the pandemic.

Culture Amp is on trend with the current transition from remote and hybrid working models and allows organisations to survey their employees to gauge levels of engagement to gain insight into company culture, and productivity levels. Culture Amp was founded in 2011 in Melbourne, by Didier Elzinga, Douglas English, Jon Williams, and Rod Hamilton,

Characteristics of a unicorn startup

There are thousands of businesses started globally every year but the unfortunate truth is – 20% of businesses fail in their first year and around 60% will go bust within their first three years. Some of the reasons being a lack of cash, no market demand for the product or simply they just didn’t have the right team.  

So what makes a unicorn?

Disruptive innovation

Often a unicorn is a company that transforms the way an industry, consumer or business does something. Uber for example has changed the way we travel, Netflix has changed the way we watch television. The most recent being Cryptocurrency which has disrupted money and changed the world of finance and the way we conduct our banking transactions and investments.  

High tech

Many unicorn companies are software companies, therefore their business models rely heavily on technology (which is the future of course) this coupled with consumer expectation for digital services is the driving force behind why a unicorn needs to be high on tech.

They solve a problem

Identifying a problem and solving it is the reason why the on demand economy is still thriving. On demand is the process where a gap is bridged between consumers and the product or service they want. 

Rapid growth

Having a vision for rapid expansion and a global mentality from the start is key as well as having a business model that is easily scalable, the model must have the ability and structure to operate at a national and international level.

Founders

There are some interesting similarities when it comes to the founders of unicorn startups which Aileen Lee discovered whilst writing her article back in 2013.

The average age of founders at founding is 34

Co-founders with years of history together have driven most success

80 percent of unicorns had at least one co-founder who had previously founded a company

Well rounded and experienced teams who have a long history together and have dipped their toes in the water before seem to be a recipe for success!  

Decacorn, Hectocorn

2021 has been a record year for startups with more companies than ever reaching unicorn status and in much shorter time frames than we have ever seen. A report by crunchbase shared that there are 2 – 3 companies reaching unicorn status each day globally

There are however still just a handful of companies which have reached beyond unicorn status, these companies are defined as either a Decacorn (valued at $1o billion) or a Hectocorn (valued at $1oo billion)

Chinese e-commerce giant Shein is a decacorn company – currently valued at $15bn

Stripe is a decacorn currently headed towards hectocorn status – currently valued at $95bn

Now, we are familiar with giants Google, Facebook, Apple & Microsoft (All Hectocorns) but what about our Aussie businesses?

Afterpay:

Aussie fintech company Afterpay was founded in 2014 by Sydney based Nick Molnar and Anthony Eisen. Afterpay was recently acquired by Square in a $39bn deal making it the biggest takeover deal in Australia’s history.

Afterpay works with thousands of businesses worldwide to allow the customer to split their transactions into 4 installments instead of 1. Afterpay has always been somewhat controversial however it has 100,000 retailers signed up and over 16.2 million customers. 

Atlassian:

Australia’s biggest tech success story to date is Atlassian, now worth more than $100 billion USD. Atlassian is a Sydney based tech giant that was founded by Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar who met whilst at University. 

The pair put $10,000.00 on a credit card to fund the project initially and the company is currently valued at AU$136.7 billion. 

“It’s just exciting to see an Australian business do this. A Sydney-founded business to be $100 billion on the NASDAQ is really demonstrating the success Australian entrepreneurs can have on the global stage.” – Gavin Appel, Atlassian investor and founder of Ignition

Who to watch out for in 2022

Rumoured to be the next Atlassian, Brisbane software company Octopus Deploy recently secured $172.5 million in funding. Until then the company had been bootstrapped all the way by founder and couple Sonia and Paul Stovell. 

Octopus Deploy is a deployment tool and a single place where a team can manage releases and automate complex application deployments 

Final Thoughts

Australia is home to 6 companies that have made it to the unicorn list with the majority in the fintech industry. The pandemic has changed the way we conduct business and our overall outlook on enterprise. Some Australian businesses are thriving post pandemic and it’s an incredibly exciting time. If ever there was a time to get started – it’s now!

The post Unicorn Startups – Australia’s Most Valuable Companies appeared first on Mediashark.

When I saw the image of Ted Lasso on the Apple TV, I thought to myself – I’m definitely not going to like this show. It looks far too cheesy! Here we are almost 2 seasons down and watching Ted Lasso on our lunch break has become a daily office ritual. 

Ted Lasso is heartwarming, feelgood tv and to put it simply, it brightens our day. It’s no surprise that Ted Lasso is ranked as Apple TV’s top comedy in 50 countries and has just won an array of awards at the Emmys including best comedy series. The 30-40 minute episodes are uplifting, engaging and each of the characters are relatable.

For someone like me who has been living away from England for nearly a decade, the show brings a wholesome warmth and nostalgia that makes me feel happy!

So why have we all fallen in love with Ted Lasso?

Ted Lasso is a breath of fresh air in what has been an incredibly difficult 18 months for many people. The lighthearted banter and one liners are cleverly mixed in with some tougher topics such as divorce, death and mental health.

Ted Lasso himself is a happy go lucky chap who is not only endearing but a sweet reminder that there are so many reasons to smile. He is also a kind caring coach who demonstrates great leadership and genuine optimism.

A leader that always tries his best

In the very first episode Ted moves to England from America to coach struggling Richmond FC in the premier league, a sport he’s never coached before. Ted doesn’t know much about the game but promises the team will give everything they’ve got in “all 4 quarters”

He lifts people up

“For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It is about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field,” Ted genuinely cares about his team and his mission is to bring out the best in them regardless of the wins or losses

Ted is a leader who doesn’t judge

When Rebecca the owner of Richmond FC came clean about the real reason she hired him – to destroy the club in an act of revenge on her cheating husband whose love was for the team. Ted forgave her instantly, choosing to focus on the future instead of the past.

He believes in his team even when they are the underdogs

At the end of Series 1 Richmond FC are relegated but Ted doesn’t care – his advice simply being “You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? It’s got a 10-second memory.”

Simple acts of kindness

Biscuits with the boss is an awesome idea, Ted bakes cute little cookies for his boss Rebecca and gives them to her every morning. Im am just dying to find out what those butter shortbread biscuits taste like. The fact is It’s cool to be kind and Ted Lasso offers kindness in spades. 

We think Ted is an inspirational and compassionate leader who we could all take a lesson from & we’re so excited to see the whole cast back on our screen for a Third Season!

The post Leadership Lessons From Ted Lasso appeared first on Mediashark.

As the majority of the workforce continues to work from home and the office, the world has transitioned into a new hybrid work model. The vast majority of companies are now offering a more flexible approach and a different outlook on work life balance, with some allowing employees to work remotely 2/3 days per week.

A recent study by Gartner has found that 48% of employees expect to work remotely once the pandemic is over and another survey conducted by Wakfield Research found that 47% would likely look for another job if their employer did not offer a flexible working arrangement.

The new hybrid work model has brought about many questions; How do we train our managers and department heads to lead a distributed workforce? How do we keep our employees engaged whilst maintaining a strong company culture? And most importantly, is the hybrid work model sustainable?

Although some employers are keen to “get back to the office”, the majority of employees aren’t so excited about the prospect. There is an evident disconnection between employees and employers. 

Companies who have already been hit hard by the pandemic are also now facing a high staff turnover rate as 40% of employees are feeling burnt out as a result of Covid-19.

So as we navigate our way through this new era of work, how do we embrace the new normal in order to help our businesses and employees continue to thrive?

In March 2020, our lives as we knew them changed forever, we had been listening to a distant whisper of a mysterious virus that was slowly spreading around the world and as we hopped of the bus and walked to work, the streets became strangely quiet and a nervous energy began to build in the office.

The following weeks and months were like nothing we have ever experienced before, and our working and home lives merged into one. Worldwide, we ended up spending a large proportion of 2020 at home and continue to do so due to the ongoing outbreaks and government enforced lockdowns.

During this time however, we found that we were no longer having to spend hours out of the day commuting to work which meant we were also saving money, there was more time to spend on cooking healthy meals instead of grabbing a pastry at the train station. We had more quality time with loved ones – life was good!

So it’s no surprise that a large percentage of the worforce the world over want to continue with this lifestyle and make hybrid work – the new normal   

7% of employees would take a pay cut if it meant being able to work from home two or three days a week

Hybrid work – the benefits?

The fact is, the hybrid workforce is happier and more productive. Employees working from home do not have the daily commute, they don’t have office chit chat and distractions, they have more time for family life and exercise and they are less stressed. Employees that are happier are more productive – It’s a fact! Happy workers are 13% more productive, according to Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. A happy team can lead to increased performance.

Employers can also benefit from the hybrid work model as they can save money on renting office space, paying out on sick days, and the inevitable staff turnover. 

By implementing a hybrid working model, employers are creating a great employee retention strategy. A recent article by Forbes, states that staff turnover can cost employers 33% of an employees annual salary. The costs to advertise the role, the interviewing process and training period all cost the company valuable time and money. 

Keeping employees happy and engaged makes business sense!

Hybrid Work – Provide people with the tools they need to succeed

Many companies have had to transition from offline to online and organisations have had to implement software solutions quickly and effectively. A key to the success of the hybrid work model is giving employees the tools they need to succeed in their jobs whilst working from home. 

Employers must ensure they are providing their remote workers with structure and support whilst ensuring they still feel valued and a key part of the team. Maintaining a great company culture takes time and effort, below are a few ideas:

1. Implement employee pulse surveys
2. Refresh your vision mission and values to reflect the companies new hybrid model
3. Prioritise your teams thoughts and ideas
4. Implement a wellness programme and encourage staff to take time out for their mental and physical health
5. Check in frequently, via Zoom or Google Meets
6. Get the whole team involved in weekly catch ups
7. Ensure there is always someone available to answer questions and provide guidance
8. Allocate team tasks to encourage your team to collaborate towards common goals and projects

Culture & Equality

There is a clear socioeconomic divide when it comes to the hybrid work model which has highlighted our age and cultural differences. The reality is, not everyone wants to work remotely! An article by fortune.com details how gen Z was already struggling with their productivity levels back in August last year.

Some of the younger generation are students straight out of University needing “real world experience” in their chosen field. Remote working does not allow for people to grow their skills and collaborate in a team environment.

Our housing differences and overcrowding in some households can lead to the exact opposite of a productive work life balance.

A recent survey found that 26% of Bangladeshi British households have more people than bedrooms, compared to just 2% of white British households

There are also situations where working from home isn’t ideal whether that be for reasons such as cramped accommodation or sharing a workspace with partners and children or even more sensitive reasons such as domestic violence. 

Will overseeing a distributed workforce make managers’ lives easier or stretch them beyond their capabilities?

Learning best practices to manage cultural differences for distributed teams is crucial to a companies success and employers would do well to invest time and effort here to ensure their company culture remains consistent, strong and supportive.

Trust

From one household to the next, there will always be differences in how employees approach their working day when working from home. What a strong work ethic looks like in the office may present very differently to a manger when working remotely, but that does not necessarily mean that an employee is not working.

After well over a year of remote work the trust between managers, employees and even colleagues is at an all time low. Distance breeds distrust, with managers not being able to oversee what a team member is doing throughout the day, some relationships have become strained. Relationships are built and maintained by spending time with each other, so remote working has put an increased pressure on the trust within a team.

There has also been an increase in employee surveillance through technology, a report by Express VPN shows that bosses say remote work make them feel like they have a lack of control over their business and 3 in 4 bosses are surveilling their staff. The same report shows that 59% of employees felt stressed about being monitored in what is already a very uncertain time.

The hyrbid working model has led some companies to blur the lines between what is etchical and what is necessary for the business.

Employees can help build trust when working from home by being proactive on reporting what they have done throughout the day and a key takeaway for an employer may be to set specific projects rather than actual hours worked.

By empowering employees to be in charge of projects and manage their own time, this can be a great way of building trust between employer and employee. 

Final Thoughts

If the ongoing pandemic has taught us anything it is to be patient and compassionate. Everybody’s situation is different and we have begun to and continue to to take down the corporate walls and see colleagues and employees as real human beings with lives and families. Here at Media Shark we are embracing the hybrid work model!

The post Hybrid Work – Is The Hybrid Work Model The New Normal? appeared first on Mediashark.

According to a report by TechCrunch – Mobile apps are 3rd in the most profitable startups!

When it comes to mobile app development, the ability to present a prototype has never been easier, mobile app prototypes give us the opportunity to showcase how an application will work without actually developing any software or implementing any code.  If you are looking to raise investment, a prototype is a stepping stone to creating a first class MVP 

High Fidelity Prototype – Proof of concept

Investors want to know why they should put their money into your business and a prototype demonstrates that an idea can be turned into a reality, this is proof of concept. 

People’s perception of a product changes once they have it in their hands so a fully clickable high fidelity prototype of the app will validate that the idea/product is worthy of taking to the development stage. 

Proof of concept doesn’t mean that the app is market ready however, it just means that the idea has merit and the functionality can be worked on and improved.

High Fidelity Prototype – UI/UX Design 

The UI/UX design is one of the most important parts of any mobile app, a good design means that the user has a good experience and so it plays a key role in ensuring the app’s success.

In simple terms the UI is the User Interface & this is where the users of the application interact with it – the user interface incorporates logo, branding, colours. The UI needs to be appealing to the user to encourage them to download the application from the store.

The UX is the User Experience and is designed with the user in mind and how they will experience using the app on a day to day basis. The main purpose of UX is to enhance the experience and ease of use. UX focuses on the functionality and accessibility of the app

The Apple Store & Play Store are highly competitive places with many companies now choosing to automate their business, so developing an app with an engaging UI/UX is at the heart of its success.

Market size and opportunity

42% of startup businesses fail because there’s no market need for their services or products, so validating the idea is crucial, researching the market size and potential for growth is key. 

If there is a demand for a product and a little healthy competition this will go a long way towards securing investment. 

Each individual investor will have their own appetite for risk, however if you have already demonstrated your proof of concept, conducted market research and created a functional prototype. You have shown that you are past the idea stage and ready to move forward with a product that has the potential for growth 

It’s a good idea to remember that not all industries are thriving, particularly with the ongoing effects of the pandemic. Launching into a thriving industry with maximum potential for success and sustainability is the best route forward – Does your app have longevity? 

Your commitment

You may have already funded the initial stages of your app build however you will incur additional costs and need further funding for your marketing and product launch. There are also the certain ongoing costs of maintenance and updates for any software development. 

Creating a prototype with your own funds will show a huge level of commitment and if you can bootstrap your way to this point you will instill confidence in investors and show that you are willing to take some level of risk to get your idea off the ground.

Be mindful however, that the earlier you look to gain funding the higher the chance that investors will want to take a larger percentage of equity in your business.

Gaining investment for your app doesn’t have to happen all at once; there are several rounds of funding which are called seed finding, series A funding and Series B & C funding. There is also Early Stage funding, which is intended for considered specifically for companies moving into the development phase. This round of funding is generally larger in value than the seed stage as new businesses tend to need more operating funds once they have a viable product. 

Final thoughts

Prototypes build an understanding of how an app will look and feel and most importantly function. A well designed prototype coupled with a well rehearsed pitch and a clear understanding of the business a prototype could be the key to securing investment.

Reach out to us at Media Shark if you are looking to create a prototype with the aim of gaining investment

The post Your High Fidelity Prototype – What Investors Want To See? appeared first on Mediashark.

On the morning of 22nd March, with thermometers reaching almost 28°C, we had a new topic to discuss in our daily team catch up at Media Shark HQ.  The pandemic reached Australia and forced mass closures of non-essential businesses. From that day, companies had to reinvent themselves and transition from offline to online to ensure business continuity. While we see the second wave shattering businesses across Victoria, in Queensland there is no community transmission, and several restrictions have now been lifted.

The changes imposed in the last 200 days, following the first case of COVID-19 being detected in Australia, were unprecedented in economic, social and health spheres. It has not been easy, however we have heard incredible stories of resilience and creativity. In this first article of the shout out series, we talked with 5 companies from different industries located in the Southeast region of Queensland, to see the changes they implemented to overcome the hurdles that they faced.

“Don’t reach for normal, reach for better.” 

Michelle Norris

The questions that we asked:

1. What were the changes that you implemented on your business to keep it afloat?
2. How did you transition from offline to online?
3. What were the most significant challenges during this transition?
4. If you can give one piece of advice for those considering opening a business, what that would be?

David Ridden, director of Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery

• What were the changes that you implemented on your business to keep it afloat?

“Within 72 hours from the Government making us close our distillery to the public we had designed a hand & surface sanitiser to the World Health Organisation guidelines, setup our very first online store and started to sell sanitiser both direct from the distillery and online. There is no way this would have been achieved with having a fantastic team of people at Granddad Jack’s.”

• How did you transition from offline to online? 

“We had no choice. We had to go online and do it faster than most other distilleries to survive and keep all of our team employed. Before COVID it was illegal for distilleries to sell online in QLD so for us it was starting from a base of zero. But we were lucky as we already had a good social media following and had been creating excellent content for many months, that along with so many people searching for sanitiser online created an online business for us that hit five figures within a week. Sanitiser wasn’t the only thing selling online we seen an incredible amount of new customers purchasing our award-winning spirits for the first time and built an extensive database of new customers that are still purchasing from us today.”

• What were the most significant challenges during this transition

“Finding packaging for our sanitiser and managing all the online orders we where getting.”

• If you can give one piece of advice for those considering opening a business, what that would be?

“Understand the rules so you can play the game in this new era of business and give it a red hot go”

Alice Farley, Branch Manager and Head of Marketing of International Cargo Express

• What were the changes that you implemented on your business to keep it afloat?

“Our services changed almost overnight with airfreight options for our customers almost non-existent. This meant we had to work hard to find alternative sea freight services and communicate this to our client base. Our operation had already transitioned to a fully digitalised business, and this meant we were well placed to react to the pandemic. Staff are able to work remotely with visual access to all consignments we were handling on a global scale.”

• How did you transition from offline to online?

“Our face to face interactions with our clients immediately transitioned to zoom conferencing. Our engagement strategy was managed through social media and our website, including regular updates about COVID-19 in the forwarding industry.”

• What were the most significant challenges during this transition?

“The most significant challenges were working with businesses that had not been able to transition online. When our offices closed and all staff were working remotely, it was business as usual for us, but this was not the case for all of our clients and suppliers. Equally, there was a sense of nervousness when the pandemic came to light, managing the expectations of employees was critical to our success.”

• If you can give one piece of advice for those considering opening a business, what that would be?

“My advice would be to listen to the impacts of the pandemic on staff. We have taken some time to understand that our remote working structure has been productive. This will change how we operate going forward,allowing the team to have more flexibility but ultimately getting more results”

• What were the changes that you implemented on your business to keep it afloat?

“We became master pivoters. Whenever there was an announcement of a restriction or an easement, we basically created new businesses. The funny thing was that under all of that, the challenge was something that kept my team going!”

• How did you transition from offline to online?

“We did a couple of things. We sent our cocktails online, which everybody loved. We now have decided to keep this business running and are in the process of testing our recipe samples for faults to be shelf safe, so it has been very successful!

We also took our street food market into a drive-thru scenario hosted by Drag Queens. This was during COVID-19 lockdown, so a lot of people were so excited to see some kind of entertainment and a great experience. Plus our team came together, talk about team building!!!”

• What were the most significant challenges during this transition?

“Having no cash flow was obviously challenging! For me personally, I guess it was trying to keep a happy face when you could see your business you built over ten years literally fall off a cliff within weeks. The not knowing what the future holds can make work seem very insignificant, you have moments of why am I even bothering to try and forward plan when it could happen again. You honestly go into fight or flight, and I guess I am a fighter!”

• If you can give one piece of advice for those considering opening a business, what that would be?

“I think this world pandemic has challenged everybody in different ways. If you are starting a business, start it because you are passionate about it. It has to run in your blood to have the instinct to survive in times like these. For me, my business is my life, my passion, it clearly defines me, Start a company for the love, nothing else.” 

• What were the changes that you implemented on your business to keep it afloat?

“Thankfully, our business has always had a strong focus on takeaway coffee. Additionally, we have been cash-free almost from the beginning! The biggest change we had to implement was pivoting to the point of sale system that had native forward ordering and was contactless-payment focussed. 

• How did you transition from offline to online?

“We took the time to look at our social media channels and cut what wasn’t working. We also split up our stores and gave them their own page, messaging and audience. The most significant transition online was forward ordering, as described above.”

• What were the most significant challenges during this transition?

“We had intended to open a new store in March, but the shutdowns caused great delays to this opening, and we had to sit on our hands for three months, which was very frustrating”.

• If you can give one piece of advice for those considering opening a business, what that would be?

“Put the customer experience first, no matter what you’re doing.” 

Joanna Suter and Clement Mora, owners of Passada – School of Afro Latin Dance

• What were the changes that you implemented on your business to keep it afloat?

“As soon as it was announced that gyms and studios had to close, we decided to move our classes online and made them available worldwide. Without online classes, we’re not sure that we’d have the momentum we were lucky to have when we re-opened. We had to strategise and focus on the styles that were easy to do at home – this meant changing the timetable to suit the current situation. In the dance studio, we offer both partner and solo styles, but with the obvious difficulties associated with partner dancing, we streamed solo style classes and adjusted our partner styles to solo dancing.

With physical and mental fitness being a priority for our community, we heavily focused on our dance-based fitness classes, which enabled us to keep spirits and everyone motivated. There was a lot of trial and error, and we were prepared to keep changing our online schedule to suit our students’ needs and preferences.” 

• How did you transition from offline to online?

“There was a huge amount of trial and error! We researched how we could get the best out of our live classes. For example: how best to use Zoom; what audio/visual equipment was required to make an excellent online class and generally all the necessary things to enhance the student’s experience. We have a booking system via an app which at the time got plenty of use. This online booking system allowed students to purchase and book classes, with the choice to participate live or the recorded version which could be done in their own time.

The transition between offline to online also meant that we had to ramp up our social media activity so as to foster and maintain our sense of community. It allowed us to stay engaged with our students and to remind them that we were here for them.”

• What were the most significant challenges during this transition?

“Hands down, the lack of social connection with people. Dance allows us to form connections with others, and it is exactly this connection that is difficult to capture in an online class. While we were grateful to be able to continue to dance and exercise, we were not prepared for how physically and mentally taxing online courses would be. In a room full of people, we can bounce off each other and amp each other up if we need and usually, we feel energetic and rejuvenated after class! In an empty studio in front of a camera, an intense dance cardio session can be tricky when you’re not sharing the room with your students!”

• If you can give one piece of advice for those considering opening a business, what that would be?

“It comes down to your work ethic and attitude. Just keep working and forging ahead. Don’t stop. Yes, you will be exhausted and at times, discouraged. You’ll feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster. But, that will pass. Your customers and clients will be looking to you for guidance and possibly even leadership. In every crisis, the opportunity presents itself. We chose to stay engaged and used this opportunity to show our clients and customers our professionalism, compassion and integrity.

We all have the opportunity to deepen our relationships with customers; stand out and be a source of help and inspiration for those who are at home who might have more time on their hands and want to try something new.” 

Entrepreneurship is not a straight-forward and easy road to navigate through. However, seeing companies in different industries reinviting themselves and transitioning through uncertainty. These are the types of stories that put a smile on our faces.

Do you know a company that has a story to tell about how they overcome the challenges they faced? Share it with us! 

Looking for insights about how to transition between offline to online? Get in touch with us!

The post How businesses have reinvented themselves since COVID-19: The transition from online to offline series 1 appeared first on Mediashark.