FM names new technology executive
Tara Long will lead the global commercial property insurer's technology strategy, FM said Tuesday. She'll ensure the company has the right architecture, skills and tools to support clients, business operations and long-term growth.
Long arrives from MassMutual, where she served as chief technology officer and head of enterprise infrastructure services. She previously held roles at Gerber Scientific and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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'Tara brings a wealth of experience in leading digital transformations and driving large-scale operational improvements to enhance the client experience and advance business objectives,' said Randy Hodge, FM's COO. 'She will collaborate closely with partners from across FM to ensure our technology initiatives not only serve our clients effectively but also position them — and our business — for long-term success.'
Long holds an MBA with a concentration in management information systems from Western New England University and a bachelor's in psychology from Mount Holyoke College.
She succeeds Srini Krishnamurthy, who is now leading FM India. FM recently expanded its footprint in Bengaluru at the center of India's high-tech industry, and also plans to open a new sales office in Mumbai. It also recently signed a lease in Boston at a yet-to-be-completed office tower.
FM is a mutual insurance group dedicated to property risk management. It touts its expertise in scientific research, engineering and technology underwriting, and maintains a focus on commercial property insurance. Its owners represent many of the world's largest organizations, including one of every four Fortune 500 companies, the company says.
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CNN
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Corporate America is silent as Trump abandons free-market principles
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‘Beyond Discrete – Sensing the Future' Murata showcases Next-Gen Technologies Driving a Smarter and Greener Future at electronica India 2025
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In the competitive business ecosystem of North Carolina, app development in Charlotte, NC, is no longer just a trend—it's a measurable investment. Companies across retail, healthcare, finance, and logistics are pouring resources into digital solutions to improve efficiency, reach new customers, and boost revenue. According to Statista, mobile app revenue worldwide hit $474 billion in 2022, with projections reaching over $732 billion by 2027. That's a growth rate few other sectors can match, and Charlotte's tech-forward community is positioned to take a solid slice of that pie. Yet, investing in an app isn't just about hiring a developer and waiting for the magic to happen. The ROI—Return on Investment—depends heavily on factors like design quality, development strategy, user experience, and ongoing maintenance. Skimp on these, and your app can quickly turn into a cost sink instead of a profit generator. This is where a strategic approach and data-backed decision-making separate profitable app owners from those stuck with 'just another app' no one uses. When discussing app development in Charlotte, NC, ROI isn't simply about how many downloads your app gets—it's about tangible returns that align with business goals. For example, a logistics app might reduce delivery times by 15%, directly increasing customer satisfaction and retention. Meanwhile, an e-commerce app might increase average order value through upselling features, translating into a measurable revenue bump. ROI in app projects often includes both hard metrics (sales, conversions, reduced operational costs) and soft metrics (brand awareness, user engagement). Understanding ROI in this context means tracking the right KPIs from day one. For Charlotte-based companies, this often includes customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), and churn rate. If your app costs $150,000 to develop but reduces operational expenses by $50,000 annually and generates $120,000 in additional revenue, the payback period can be as short as 12–18 months. Numbers like these make a strong case for treating app development as a strategic investment, not an optional luxury. ROI calculation starts with a simple formula—(Net Gain / Total Cost) × 100—but the challenge lies in defining 'gain' in a digital environment. In Charlotte's tech sector, where industries range from banking to biotech, gains might mean time saved per transaction, increased subscription renewals, or even reduced customer support tickets. A financial services app, for example, might handle 40% of transactions digitally, saving hundreds of labor hours each month. The more precise your data, the more confidently you can make business decisions post-launch. A well-maintained analytics stack—integrating tools like Google Analytics for Firebase and Mixpanel—can reveal whether that new checkout flow improved conversions by 8% or if that gamification feature increased daily active users by 20%. Those metrics directly influence budget allocation for updates, marketing, and scaling efforts. Without them, ROI becomes a guessing game. In North Carolina, local market dynamics significantly influence app ROI. Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro each have unique user demographics, business ecosystems, and tech adoption rates. A retail app targeting Charlotte shoppers may see higher engagement with mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Venmo, while a Raleigh-based B2B app might prioritize integrations with enterprise software. Understanding these differences lets businesses design features and marketing strategies tailored to each audience. For instance, a Charlotte-based ride-hailing app might focus on optimizing pickup times in high-density areas like Uptown. At the same time, one serving Greensboro might highlight affordable long-distance travel to rural communities. This level of customization can dramatically improve user retention and revenue per user. North Carolina's tech-friendly policies, growing talent pool, and investment incentives create fertile ground for ROI in app development in Charlotte, NC. According to the NC Department of Commerce, the state has seen a 27% growth in software development jobs over the past five years. However, competition is also fierce—both for customer attention and developer talent. App development teams must balance speed-to-market with feature completeness to capitalize on emerging trends. Miss the timing, and your competitor in Charlotte or Durham might capture your target audience first. Additionally, infrastructure factors like 5G rollout in cities such as Charlotte, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem present opportunities for faster, more complex app experiences—if you're ready to implement them. The fastest way to improve ROI in app development in Charlotte, NC, is by building features that directly support business goals. For a food delivery app, this might mean one-tap reordering and AI-driven dish recommendations. A healthcare scheduling app could include automated appointment reminders and telehealth integration. These aren't just 'cool' features—they're revenue and retention boosters. Every added feature should have a hypothesis: 'If we implement X, we expect Y measurable result.' This makes it easier to prioritize development and test effectiveness post-launch. Without this approach, feature creep can drain your budget without delivering proportional returns. Here are a few high-impact features that have been shown to improve ROI in local app projects: Personalized content or product recommendations Streamlined onboarding process with minimal data entry In-app messaging or chatbots for real-time support Loyalty programs and gamification to encourage repeat usage Secure and diverse payment options Integration with location-based services for targeted offers Each of these has proven to increase metrics like engagement, conversion rate, or average revenue per user—turning app features into profit drivers. In a city like Charlotte, where users have no shortage of app options, a poor user experience can quickly erode ROI. A 2023 PwC report found that 32% of customers would stop doing business with a brand they loved after just one bad experience. That means even if your app is packed with features, slow load times or confusing navigation can cause users to uninstall and never return. Great UX starts with understanding your users—what they need, what frustrates them, and what keeps them coming back. In Charlotte's competitive markets, this often means conducting usability tests in local contexts, such as testing navigation during live sports events at Bank of America Stadium or during rush hour commutes. Designing for North Carolina's diverse urban environments—Charlotte's financial district, Raleigh's tech hubs, Greensboro's manufacturing centers—requires flexibility. In app development in Charlotte, NC, a ride-share app might display different default payment methods in Charlotte than in Greensboro based on user preferences. Similarly, push notification timing might vary depending on local workday patterns. These micro-adjustments create a sense of personalization that keeps users engaged and loyal. And when loyalty is high, so is ROI. According to Bain & Company, a 5% increase in customer retention can increase profits by 25% to 95%, making UX investments one of the most reliable ROI drivers in app development. Many North Carolina businesses mistakenly treat ROI measurement as a one-time post-launch task. ROI should be tracked continuously, starting from the day the app goes live. This is where setting up the right analytics stack—Google Analytics for Firebase, Amplitude, or custom event tracking—pays off. For example, a Charlotte-based e-commerce app might monitor average order values, repeat purchase rates, and cart abandonment percentages every week to detect early performance patterns. With a live feedback loop, companies can react quickly—tweaking onboarding flows to improve activation rates, or A/B testing push notifications to boost engagement. In Charlotte's highly competitive app market, small percentage gains can translate into massive profit increases. For instance, raising conversion rates by just 2% on a $5M revenue app equals an additional $100,000 annually without increasing ad spend. Measuring ROI in North Carolina means understanding both industry-specific and region-specific benchmarks. In app development in Charlotte, NC, a fintech app may have a very different success metric than a tourism app in Asheville. Localized KPIs—such as adoption rates in Raleigh's tech-savvy population versus Winston-Salem's more traditional user base—help ensure the ROI data is contextually accurate. For example, Above Bits once worked with a healthcare client whose ROI wasn't just in revenue but in operational efficiency—reducing appointment no-shows by 18% in the first six months. The lesson? When your business operates across multiple cities in North Carolina, ROI measurement must adapt to each market's realities. Some small businesses attempt the DIY route, thinking they'll save money. While no-code tools and template-based solutions may reduce upfront costs, they often lead to hidden expenses: scalability issues, security vulnerabilities, and poor user adoption. In Charlotte's high-expectation market, cutting corners on development can mean losing customers to competitors with more polished apps. A professional approach—like the one Above Bits offers—ensures that your app is built with scalability, compliance, and long-term ROI in mind. This isn't about paying more; it's about investing smarter. For example, the cost of rebuilding a poorly executed DIY app often exceeds the original budget for a professionally developed one by 40–60%. Factor Professional Development (Above Bits) DIY / No-Code Tools Initial Cost Higher upfront investment Lower upfront cost Scalability Built for growth, flexible architecture Limited scaling options Security Enterprise-grade protocols Basic or limited Time-to-Market Optimized without quality sacrifice Fast but risk of rework Long-Term ROI Potential High, sustained over years Low to medium, often declines Maintenance Proactive and structured Reactive, self-managed This comparison shows that while DIY tools might look appealing initially, the ROI gap widens significantly over time, favoring professional development. A common ROI killer is building a great app that no one knows exists. Marketing should be integrated into the development process—not an afterthought. For example, creating shareable moments within the app, optimizing for app store search (ASO), and aligning with seasonal campaigns in Charlotte's busy calendar (think Carolina Panthers games or the Wells Fargo Championship) can significantly boost downloads and retention. Above Bits often collaborates with clients to synchronize marketing and development timelines, ensuring that promotional campaigns align perfectly with app feature rollouts. This not only builds hype but also drives measurable ROI from day one of launch. ROI isn't just financial—it's also about brand trust. In app development in Charlotte, NC, and across North Carolina, users are quick to uninstall apps that feel unreliable or untrustworthy. By partnering with Above Bits, companies benefit from a proven track record of delivering secure, intuitive, and high-performing apps. This credibility directly impacts ROI by increasing customer lifetime value and reducing churn rates. According to a 2024 Localytics study, apps with strong brand trust see retention rates up to 35% higher after the first month—a statistic that directly translates to higher revenue and ROI. If you've been hesitating to invest in app development, remember that ROI isn't just about money—it's about creating a tool that works tirelessly for your business. The right development partner will ensure your app delivers consistent, measurable results that grow over time. With Charlotte's expanding tech infrastructure and North Carolina's supportive business environment, the opportunity to build a high-ROI app has never been better. Above Bits specializes in turning concepts into profitable digital products. Whether you're a startup looking to break into the market or an established business aiming to expand your digital footprint, our process is designed to maximize ROI from day one. We don't just hand over an app—we deliver a business asset built for performance. In app development in Charlotte, NC, every stage—from strategy and design to launch and maintenance—is focused on ROI. Our team understands Charlotte's competitive dynamics, the diversity of North Carolina's markets, and the technical requirements to stand out in today's crowded app stores. If you're ready to see what a truly ROI-focused app can do for your business, reach out to Above Bits today. Your journey toward a profitable and sustainable digital product starts here. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
