Latest news with #NEXT
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NEXT Partners with Infobip to Enhance Fraud Detection and Messaging Experiences
Infobip Signals and RCS capabilities empower NEXT to strengthen customer security and deliver personalised messaging LONDON, June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global cloud communications platform Infobip has partnered with NEXT plc, the leading UK-based clothing brand, to bolster customer security and elevate the messaging experience for the retailer's customers. With fraud estimated to cost the UK economy over £219 billion per year, it has never been more important for consumer brands to deploy robust security measures. By leveraging Infobip Signals, an AI and machine-learning powered solution that combats artificially inflated traffic, the collaboration combines Infobip's advanced communications technology to protect NEXT's customers against fraud and delivers richer, more secure messaging experiences. To date, NEXT has been able to block approximately 175,000 artificial messages per month, thanks to Infobip's AI-powered solution. This proactive approach ensures the reliability and security of NEXT's SMS messaging, mitigating the risk of fraudulent activity. Recognising the importance of secure, rich messaging, NEXT has also implemented Rich Communication Services (RCS) for Business, powered by Infobip. Multimedia capabilities and verified sender profiles offered through RCS enable NEXT to strengthen brand identity and foster greater trust and confidence among customers. This next-generation messaging platform enhances the value and interactivity of customer communication. Raz Razaq, Head of Customer Contact Experience Technology, at NEXT, said: "At Next, we are committed to protecting our customers from fraud while continuing to provide the rich, responsive, and reliable communication that they expect from us. To benefit from the latest anti-fraud technology, we partnered with Infobip to help keep both our customers and infrastructure safe from new and emerging threats. Combined, Infobip Signals and RCS will create secure conversational experiences for our customers." James Stokes, Head of Enterprise, UK and Nordics, at Infobip, added: "Infobip is helping support one of the UK's best-known high-street retailers in their mission to provide a safe and seamless customer experience. Our AI-enabled solutions offer peace of mind, while the capabilities of RCS offer a richer customer experience. "In the last year, we've seen a 500% growth in the adoption of RCS, a testament to the desire from brands like NEXT to offer customers an elevated experience, delivering personalised and conversational interactions. We look forward to continuing to provide first-class customer experiences through this collaboration." About Infobip Infobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. Accessed through a single platform, Infobip's omnichannel engagement, identity, user authentication and contact centre solutions help businesses and partners overcome the complexity of consumer communications to grow business and increase loyalty. About NEXT NEXT plc is a leading UK-based retailer offering clothing, footwear, and home products. With a focus on customer experience and digital innovation, NEXT serves millions of customers across the UK and internationally. View source version on Contacts Marcelo NahimeSenior PR and Social Media Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
NEXT Partners with Infobip to Enhance Fraud Detection and Messaging Experiences
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global cloud communications platform Infobip has partnered with NEXT plc, the leading UK-based clothing brand, to bolster customer security and elevate the messaging experience for the retailer's customers. To date, NEXT has been able to block approximately 175,000 artificial messages per month, thanks to Infobip's AI-powered solution. With fraud estimated to cost the UK economy over £219 billion per year, it has never been more important for consumer brands to deploy robust security measures. By leveraging Infobip Signals, an AI and machine-learning powered solution that combats artificially inflated traffic, the collaboration combines Infobip's advanced communications technology to protect NEXT's customers against fraud and delivers richer, more secure messaging experiences. To date, NEXT has been able to block approximately 175,000 artificial messages per month, thanks to Infobip's AI-powered solution. This proactive approach ensures the reliability and security of NEXT's SMS messaging, mitigating the risk of fraudulent activity. Recognising the importance of secure, rich messaging, NEXT has also implemented Rich Communication Services (RCS) for Business, powered by Infobip. Multimedia capabilities and verified sender profiles offered through RCS enable NEXT to strengthen brand identity and foster greater trust and confidence among customers. This next-generation messaging platform enhances the value and interactivity of customer communication. Raz Razaq, Head of Customer Contact Experience Technology, at NEXT, said: 'At Next, we are committed to protecting our customers from fraud while continuing to provide the rich, responsive, and reliable communication that they expect from us. To benefit from the latest anti-fraud technology, we partnered with Infobip to help keep both our customers and infrastructure safe from new and emerging threats. Combined, Infobip Signals and RCS will create secure conversational experiences for our customers.' James Stokes, Head of Enterprise, UK and Nordics, at Infobip, added: 'Infobip is helping support one of the UK's best-known high-street retailers in their mission to provide a safe and seamless customer experience. Our AI-enabled solutions offer peace of mind, while the capabilities of RCS offer a richer customer experience. 'In the last year, we've seen a 500% growth in the adoption of RCS, a testament to the desire from brands like NEXT to offer customers an elevated experience, delivering personalised and conversational interactions. We look forward to continuing to provide first-class customer experiences through this collaboration.' About Infobip Infobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. Accessed through a single platform, Infobip's omnichannel engagement, identity, user authentication and contact centre solutions help businesses and partners overcome the complexity of consumer communications to grow business and increase loyalty. About NEXT NEXT plc is a leading UK-based retailer offering clothing, footwear, and home products. With a focus on customer experience and digital innovation, NEXT serves millions of customers across the UK and internationally.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Seasonal employment: 7 tips for small businesses hiring for the summer
Seasonal employment: 7 tips for small businesses hiring for the summer For many small business owners, the busy summer season brings both increased profits and staffing headaches. Instead of hiring permanent employees, seasonal employment can be a flexible solution to keep your operations running smoothly during your busiest months. However, hiring seasonal employees can be tricky. To help, NEXT researched the pros and cons of seasonal employment, tips for hiring and retaining summer workers, pay, insurance requirements and more. What is seasonal employment? Companies hire for seasonal work for limited periods-from a single event or weekend to several months-to meet temporary increases in demand. These jobs can be part-time, full-time, single-day, or contracted positions. The businesses most likely to benefit the most from seasonal hiring can include: Vacation resortsYouth summer campsPoolsConstructionSki resortsLawn careLandscapingAgriculture and farmingFood serviceRetail storesGolf coursesDelivery servicesMovie theaters How long are seasonal jobs? Summer seasonal employment typically lasts several months, but roles can be as brief as a single event or weekend. Due to ongoing labor shortages, small businesses face tougher competition for summer talent. A recent NEXT survey revealed that labor shortage concerns doubled since 2023-the biggest increase among all small business stressors. These shortages make it increasingly important to recruit early and strategically. For instance, a restaurant expecting large crowds for a Fourth of July event might hire seasonal staff specifically for that one busy day. A business owner may need seasonal hiring to keep up with demand in the spring if they own a lawn care business. A summer camp could hire seasonal staffing only for the summer weeks, plus one or two weeks of preparation and cleanup. It's very common for retail store owners or delivery businesses to seek out holiday hiring for the winter season. But if you sell chocolates and flowers, Valentine's Day could be an equally busy time of year. Pay rates and overtime wages for hiring seasonal workers Seasonal employees are generally subject to the same employment laws as regular employees, including rules on minimum wage and overtime pay. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most seasonal employees must earn: At least the federal minimum wage ($7.25 per hour) and;Receive overtime pay at one-and-a-half times their hourly wage for hours over 40 in a workweek. However, state laws differ significantly, often requiring a higher minimum wage or more generous overtime rules. (Check your state's minimum wage.) Non-compliance can lead to costly fines or legal action, so staying informed about your local regulations is crucial. There are exceptions specific to seasonal businesses. For example, employees at seasonal amusement parks, recreational facilities, or summer camps operating less than seven months per year might be exempt from the standard overtime pay requirements set by the FLSA. If your business falls into these categories, carefully verify your eligibility for these exemptions. Best practices: Document employment terms-including pay rates, overtime policies, and expected work hours-to prevent misunderstandings and potential disputes. Consult a labor attorney or your state labor department before hiring seasonal workers to ensure you're fully compliant. Insurance requirements for seasonal hiring Most states require businesses with at least one employee to carry workers' compensation insurance. This coverage can help cover medical expenses, lost wages and other costs related to on-the-job injuries or illnesses. In most cases, hiring seasonal employees requires you to have workers' comp coverage. Always confirm your local requirements to ensure you're in compliance. And here's the kicker: Seasonal workers often tend to be at higher risk of injury because they get less training and are typically less experienced. Make sure you have the proper training and protections in place to help protect your workers, yourself, and your business. 7 tips for hiring seasonal employees Seasonal workers can help you fill labor gaps during your busiest time of year. Here are some helpful tips for finding quality seasonal workers: 1. Start recruiting early to beat the rush Finding great summer employees can be competitive. Many businesses post their summer seasonal job listings as early as February or March to attract the strongest candidates, especially students or teachers. Use local job boards, social media, university bulletin boards, or specialized summer hiring platforms to gain a head start over your competition. A few popular job boards include: 2. Clearly define summer job expectations Summer seasonal workers thrive when their roles are clearly defined. State job responsibilities, work schedules, pay rates, overtime expectations and the exact duration of the summer position in your job listings and interviews. Transparency helps summer hires fully understand their roles, reduces turnover and helps employees stay motivated throughout the busy summer months. 3. Focus on candidates specifically seeking summer seasonal work Target candidates explicitly interested in summer-only roles. College students, recent graduates, teachers on summer break, stay-at-home parents with limited time and retirees seeking supplemental summer income make ideal candidates. Mark your job postings with clear language such as "summer seasonal," "temporary summer positions," or "perfect for students seeking summer jobs." This specificity ensures applicants fully understand the short-term nature of the work, minimizing unexpected turnover mid-season. 4. Prioritize enthusiasm and adaptability for summer jobs Most temporary work doesn't require extensive experience. Attitude and adaptability are key to successful seasonal hires. Look for candidates with energy, enthusiasm and strong interpersonal skills. DIY manufacturing shop owner April Wilkerson looks for these traits when vetting new team members. "Anybody who shows a willingness to want to be on my team and be in my world, I say 'Sure, let's give it a try." But she also advises owners to know when things aren't going to work out. During interviews, ask questions that assess adaptability to the fast-paced summer environment, such as, "Tell me about a time you had to be flexible or shift gears fast during work," or "How do you handle working under rush conditions?" 5. Give preference to returning seasonal workers whenever possible Returning workers already know your company's culture and processes, and require minimal retraining. Maintain seasonal employee relationships during the off-season. Check-in periodically to ensure your former summer employees return eager and ready to contribute again. 6. Offer summer-specific perks and incentives Make your seasonal jobs more attractive with summer-oriented perks such as flexible scheduling, bonuses for completing the entire summer season, discounts on products or services, or team-building events like barbecues or outings. These incentives may help attract higher-quality candidates who might otherwise choose other summer opportunities. 7. Streamline onboarding to maximize summer productivity Summer is short, and you'll want your seasonal hires to be productive quickly. Develop concise, efficient onboarding and training materials-such as checklists or short training videos-to speed up the process. Benefits and disadvantages of hiring for summer jobs A few benefits for business owners hiring for the season include: Flexible schedules: Scale up or down quickly by controlling how much staff you hire, when you hire them and how long their employment employment costs: Eliminate the costs of hiring full-time staff by hiring seasonal employees to work during busy seasons only."Test-driven" employees: Use the seasonal hiring period to determine if an employee is a good fit for your business year round. Some potential downsides of hiring for seasonal summer jobs include: Workers with less training: Due to the brief period of employment, you'll have less time to train seasonal employees. It could result in lower-quality of loyalty: Seasonal staff don't have as much skin in the game as regular employees, which could make productivity and performance suffer. They could also be more likely to leave mid-season, forcing you to hire again during your busiest time of hurdles: Hiring seasonal staff may have different laws and requirements. Make sure you understand the rules around seasonal labor in your area. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Business insurance report: 92% are covered, only 13% feel completely prepared to face risks
More insurance coverage should mean more confidence for small business owners, right? Not exactly—at least, not yet. According to a NEXT nationwide survey of 500 small business owners, insurance adoption is up across the board but confidence hasn't caught up. Despite more business owners having small business insurance coverage, many still feel unprepared to face real-world risks, and a majority say they find insurance confusing. This year's survey, a follow-up to NEXT's 2023 industry pulse check, sheds light on how small business owners are thinking about and managing risk. The results reveal a mix of progress but also persistent gaps, especially when it comes to understanding coverage and choosing the right policies for unique business needs. Almost all of the small businesses surveyed (92%) said they are investing in small business insurance—a 20% increase compared to NEXT's last survey in 2023. The majority of small businesses (62% in 2025 versus 51% in 2023) have general liability insurance, one of the most common types of business insurance. And with the exception of BOP insurance (Business Owners' Policy), we see increased investment in business insurance across the board. Some of the most dramatic increases include: Workers' compensation insurance, which can help cover the costs of employees with work-related injuries and illnesses, also had a big jump: from 29% to 49%. Professional liability insurance, which is coverage that can help with the costs of professional mistakes, grew from 20% to 31%. Commercial property insurance, which can help protect business equipment, inventory and structures, saw an increase of 58%. Cyber liability insurance, which can help protect against cyber attacks and some hardware failures, saw the biggest growth in adoption, nearly tripling, from 10% in 2023 to 27% in 2025. The amount of businesses with coverage has increased, but just 13% of small business owners say they feel completely prepared to face potential threats like professional mistakes or workplace injuries. Overall, 87% of business owners feel less than fully prepared to face risks to their business. Less than half (47%) say they are "very" or "completely" prepared. While this is an improvement from 34% in 2023, there's still a significant confidence gap for people buying policies for their business. Nearly half of all respondents rank professional mistakes as the top risk they are worried about in 2025. A "professional mistake" is a business or professional error that results in financial harm or damage to a customer. The other top business risks small businesses worry about are employee illness or injury (36%) and cyber attacks (35%). Overall, concerns about the most common business risks remained consistent with results from NEXT's 2023 report. These findings suggest that small businesses are increasingly focused on day-to-day operational risk—the kind that can stem from overwork, understaffing and small oversights with big consequences. With increasing client expectations and legal exposure on the rise, "getting it wrong" is becoming one of the biggest threats to staying in business. And it's reshaping how entrepreneurs think about risk. It's no surprise that the main reason (32%) why small businesses purchase insurance is for protection against financial loss. After all, that's essentially the definition of small business insurance. But there are other less tangible motivations like just gaining peace of mind from knowing you're covered (21%). Other top motivators to buy insurance include wanting to protect employees or customers (18%) and to satisfy a legal or regulatory requirement (12%). Interestingly, only 14% of respondents said they would buy insurance to cover risks specific to their business. This indicates that many small businesses incorrectly see business insurance as one-size-fits-all rather than something that can—and should—be tailored for the unique needs of each industry and business. For the 86% of small business owners who don't prioritize choosing business insurance tailored for their industry and specific needs, this perception gap could leave them exposed to risks they didn't even know they had—or paying for coverage that doesn't serve them. Even as insurance adoption rises, a small group of business owners continue to opt out largely because they don't understand it or feel they can't afford it. Among the 8% of small businesses that remain uninsured, cost and confusion are the biggest barriers. 53% say insurance is too expensive. 35% don't feel insurance is necessary for their business. 30% aren't sure what kind of coverage they need. 18% feel they don't have time to research and buy coverage. 5% say they haven't found an insurance provider they trust. All of these barriers to coverage hint at areas where insurance providers can do better to support small businesses. Nearly 7 in 10 small business owners say they find insurance confusing. They struggle to understand coverage options, choose the right provider and determine appropriate limits. Despite having more small business insurance coverage, most owners still feel unsure about what they're actually buying or whether it fits their business needs. While nearly 70% of small business owners don't fully understand their coverage or how it works, 87% trust their insurance company to "have their back" if something goes wrong. 32% of survey respondents strongly agree and 55% somewhat agree that their insurer will be there to support them when needed. Just 13% express doubt about how much they can rely on their insurance providers to support them in a crisis. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. 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Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Business insurance report: 92% are covered, only 13% feel completely prepared to face risks
More insurance coverage should mean more confidence for small business owners, right? Not exactly-at least, not yet. According to a NEXT nationwide survey of 500 small business owners, insurance adoption is up across the board but confidence hasn't caught up. Despite more business owners having small business insurance coverage, many still feel unprepared to face real-world risks, and a majority say they find insurance confusing. This year's survey, a follow-up to NEXT's 2023 industry pulse check, sheds light on how small business owners are thinking about and managing risk. The results reveal a mix of progress but also persistent gaps, especially when it comes to understanding coverage and choosing the right policies for unique business needs. Almost all of the small businesses surveyed (92%) said they are investing in small business insurance-a 20% increase compared to NEXT's last survey in 2023. The majority of small businesses (62% in 2025 versus 51% in 2023) have general liability insurance, one of the most common types of business insurance. And with the exception of BOP insurance (Business Owners' Policy), we see increased investment in business insurance across the board. Some of the most dramatic increases include: Workers' compensation insurance, which can help cover the costs of employees with work-related injuries and illnesses, also had a big jump: from 29% to 49%.Professional liability insurance, which is coverage that can help with the costs of professional mistakes, grew from 20% to 31%.Commercial property insurance, which can help protect business equipment, inventory and structures, saw an increase of 58%.Cyber liability insurance, which can help protect against cyber attacks and some hardware failures, saw the biggest growth in adoption, nearly tripling, from 10% in 2023 to 27% in 2025. The amount of businesses with coverage has increased, but just 13% of small business owners say they feel completely prepared to face potential threats like professional mistakes or workplace injuries. Overall, 87% of business owners feel less than fully prepared to face risks to their business. Less than half (47%) say they are "very" or "completely" prepared. While this is an improvement from 34% in 2023, there's still a significant confidence gap for people buying policies for their business. Nearly half of all respondents rank professional mistakes as the top risk they are worried about in 2025. A "professional mistake" is a business or professional error that results in financial harm or damage to a customer. The other top business risks small businesses worry about are employee illness or injury (36%) and cyber attacks (35%). Overall, concerns about the most common business risks remained consistent with results from NEXT's 2023 report. These findings suggest that small businesses are increasingly focused on day-to-day operational risk-the kind that can stem from overwork, understaffing and small oversights with big consequences. With increasing client expectations and legal exposure on the rise, "getting it wrong" is becoming one of the biggest threats to staying in business. And it's reshaping how entrepreneurs think about risk. The biggest reason small businesses invest in insurance is to protect against financial loss It's no surprise that the main reason (32%) why small businesses purchase insurance is for protection against financial loss. After all, that's essentially the definition of small business insurance. But there are other less tangible motivations like just gaining peace of mind from knowing you're covered (21%). Other top motivators to buy insurance include wanting to protect employees or customers (18%) and to satisfy a legal or regulatory requirement (12%). Interestingly, only 14% of respondents said they would buy insurance to cover risks specific to their business. This indicates that many small businesses incorrectly see business insurance as one-size-fits-all rather than something that can-and should-be tailored for the unique needs of each industry and business. For the 86% of small business owners who don't prioritize choosing business insurance tailored for their industry and specific needs, this perception gap could leave them exposed to risks they didn't even know they had-or paying for coverage that doesn't serve them. Even as insurance adoption rises, a small group of business owners continue to opt out largely because they don't understand it or feel they can't afford it. Among the 8% of small businesses that remain uninsured, cost and confusion are the biggest barriers. 53% say insurance is too expensive.35% don't feel insurance is necessary for their business.30% aren't sure what kind of coverage they need.18% feel they don't have time to research and buy coverage.5% say they haven't found an insurance provider they trust. All of these barriers to coverage hint at areas where insurance providers can do better to support small businesses. Nearly 7 in 10 small business owners say they find insurance confusing. They struggle to understand coverage options, choose the right provider and determine appropriate limits. Despite having more small business insurance coverage, most owners still feel unsure about what they're actually buying or whether it fits their business needs. 87% of small businesses trust their insurer While nearly 70% of small business owners don't fully understand their coverage or how it works, 87% trust their insurance company to "have their back" if something goes wrong. 32% of survey respondents strongly agree and 55% somewhat agree that their insurer will be there to support them when needed. Just 13% express doubt about how much they can rely on their insurance providers to support them in a crisis. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
