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Hello there, HTE rock stars! 😎

Welcome to our special edition 🎉

As we head into the holiday season, businesses are gearing up to make the most of AI-driven trends shaping the industry. From LinkedIn’s free AI certification courses, available through December, to new consumer attraction strategies, there’s no shortage of ways to level up and stay competitive. Dive into this month’s insights on how AI is transforming productivity, customer experience, and innovation, plus tips to make the holiday rush a success! Ready to sharpen your skills? Now’s the time to jump on these free learning opportunities and prepare for 2024. 🎯

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- Top 5 AI Trends to Transform Business in 2024 🚀

- Strategies to Attract Consumers For the Holiday Shopping Season ✨

- LinkedIn Rolls Out Free AI Certification Courses to Boost Your Skills 🎯

Top 5 AI Trends to Transform Business in 2024🚀

AI is set to be a major game-changer in 2024, continuing its journey from buzzword to core business tool. Following a year of explosive growth in generative AI, companies across industries are embracing its potential to drive innovation, productivity, and customer experience (CX). Reports from Deloitte and Amazon show that a majority of business leaders view AI as essential for long-term success, but there are challenges, too—from managing data security to navigating an evolving regulatory landscape. As AI takes on a more central role in business strategy, here are the five key AI trends to watch in 2024.

AI has become a must-have for remaining competitive. Deloitte’s State of AI in the Enterprise 5th Edition report found that 94% of global business leaders view AI as vital to success over the next five years.

1. Revolutionizing Customer Experience (CX)

AI is expected to redefine customer experiences by blending smart chatbots, real-time insights, and data-driven personalization. Companies can now target customers with highly customized ads, product recommendations, and shopping experiences. According to a Gartner poll, customer experience is the top focus for AI investment among executive leaders. This year, watch for brands to move beyond simple chatbot support, using AI to provide faster responses, better solutions, and more dynamic customer service experiences across channels.

Customer experience was the top focus for generative AI investment in a Gartner poll of 2,000 executive leaders.

2. Supercharging Workplace Productivity

Generative AI tools are helping teams work faster and smarter. Studies show that 66% of U.S. executives believe AI will transform the workplace. In 2024, expect more AI-powered office tools—from virtual assistants managing email and schedules to automated data analysis and project reporting systems. Microsoft, Google, and other tech leaders are investing heavily in AI applications that streamline daily tasks, boost collaboration, and automate repetitive processes, allowing workers to focus on more strategic, creative activities.

A KPMG LLP study found that a majority (66%) of 225 US executives polled believe gen AI will change the way people work in the future.

3. Accelerating Innovation and Idea Generation

Generative AI can spark more rapid idea generation and problem-solving, making it a powerful tool for innovation. A KPMG study indicates that 62% of executives think AI will drive product and service development. AI-powered tools not only speed up brainstorming but also make it easier to evaluate and refine ideas. By automating routine tasks, professionals have more time to focus on creativity and strategic planning, transforming AI into a true partner for innovation.

4. Strengthening AI Risk Management

While AI brings powerful capabilities, it also introduces new risks. Businesses need to manage sensitive data effectively to avoid accidental leaks, especially as employees use AI-powered tools. To address these challenges, companies are focusing on risk management by setting clear guidelines for AI usage and working within regulatory frameworks. In 2024, expect increased emphasis on ethical AI practices and data protection, as well as new government regulations in the U.S. and Europe to ensure responsible AI deployment.

5. Beyond the Screen: Multimodal AI and Immersive Experiences

AI is moving beyond traditional interfaces and into new realms with multimodal systems that integrate text, audio, images, and video to enhance user experiences. In retail and other sectors, AI-powered immersive experiences are on the rise, helping brands engage customers through interactive, multi-sensory shopping experiences. This shift represents the next frontier in AI, where digital and physical interactions blend, making it easier for consumers to access information and shop intuitively.

In 2024, AI is evolving into an indispensable tool, reshaping how we work, shop, and innovate. As companies harness these AI-driven trends, the focus will remain on balancing rapid advancements with data security and ethical usage, ensuring AI’s role as a transformative but responsible force.

Strategies to Attract Consumers For the Holiday Shopping Season✨

U.S. retail sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday are projected to reach an all-time high of $75 billion in 2024, marking a 5% increase from last year, according to Bain & Co. As the holiday shopping season kicks off, this record-breaking forecast highlights the continued strength of consumer spending over this pivotal weekend. With Black Friday expected to reclaim its spot as the top sales day, and Cyber Monday shifting in relevance, retailers are gearing up to make the most of this high-stakes shopping period.

1. BFCM Sales Forecast: Breaking Records 📈

U.S. retail sales during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend are forecasted to surpass a record-breaking $75 billion, according to Bain & Co. This represents a strong year-over-year sales growth of about 5%, which outpaces the company’s overall holiday sales growth forecast of 3%. This upward trend reflects the weekend’s pivotal role, with the highest share of holiday sales since 2019 expected to be captured during BFCM.

2. BFCM’s High Share in Holiday Spending

Bain & Co. predicts that 8% of all U.S. holiday retail sales will occur over the BFCM weekend—a significant increase that underscores the weekend’s importance for both retailers and shoppers. As the busiest shopping period of the season, it offers an unmatched sales opportunity for retailers to boost revenues and meet their year-end goals.

3. The Spotlight on Black Friday

Black Friday is set to reclaim its status as the top shopping day of the season. While Cyber Monday was once a close competitor, e-commerce growth has started to stabilize, and shoppers now enjoy the convenience of online deals beyond just the BFCM weekend. Many people prefer in-store shopping on Black Friday, while Thanksgiving store closures have also pushed shoppers to start their spending spree earlier in the weekend.

4. Emerging Trends: Thanksgiving Eve & Late-Season Shopping 🛍️

Last year, the day before Thanksgiving became a significant shopping day, driven largely by Thanksgiving Day store closures—a trend Bain expects to continue this year. Additionally, retailers are anticipating a sales surge on December 21 and December 23, as many consumers complete their holiday shopping last minute. These late-in-season shopping days are expected to give retailers an extra sales boost right before Christmas.

5. Preparation Tips for Retailers

According to Aaron Cheris, a partner in Bain’s retail practice, Black Friday offers retailers a prime opportunity to optimize their promotional strategies, ensure sufficient inventory, and enhance in-store experiences. With a later-than-usual Thanksgiving, the BFCM weekend is positioned as the peak of the holiday shopping season. Retailers who effectively prepare for this crucial sales window will be well-poised to exceed holiday season expectations.

LinkedIn Rolls Out Free AI Certification Courses to Boost Your Skills 🎯

LinkedIn is offering three new AI certification courses for free until December 31, aiming to help professionals build skills in AI-driven recruiting, HR, and learning development. As workplace automation continues to rise, LinkedIn's initiative equips users with tools to adapt and stay competitive in the evolving job market.

Free AI Certification Programs

LinkedIn’s new certifications are specifically tailored to meet the needs of recruiters, HR professionals, and learning development specialists. These courses feature expert instruction and practical applications to bridge the AI skills gap. Here’s a look at what each program offers:

1. LinkedIn Recruiter and AI-Driven Talent Acquisition

   • Teaches advanced LinkedIn Recruiter features

   • Covers candidate search strategies and filtering options

   • Includes techniques for targeted outreach

2. Generative AI for Recruiting

   • Explores AI’s impact on HR and recruiting processes

   • Addresses DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in AI recruiting

   • Offers six courses, such as “Generative AI in HR” and “Harnessing AI for Effective Interviewing,” led by experts like Dr. Terri Horton and Glen Cathey

3. Generative AI for Learning and Development

   • Focuses on using AI to improve organizational learning

   • Covers personalized learning approaches and AI literacy

   • Offers courses in upskilling and AI-based learning strategies

The Growing Need for AI Skills

LinkedIn’s data shows that 68% of job skills are expected to change by 2030, highlighting the need for upskilling in AI. LinkedIn’s chief economist Karin Kimbrough recently emphasized to a U.S. Senate subcommittee that companies must invest in AI training to remain competitive in today’s tech-driven market.

Additional AI Course from Google

For those seeking broader AI skills, Google has launched a new “Prompting Essentials” course on Coursera. This course (unlike LinkedIn’s free offerings) requires a Coursera membership and covers AI applications like adapting emails and creating data visualizations.

These LinkedIn certifications offer a timely, accessible way for professionals to stay ahead of automation and strengthen their AI capabilities in the workplace—an opportunity to kick-start new skills for free through the end of December.

Your Voice 🎤

Phew! That was a lot, right? But hey, knowledge is power🌟. We hope this edition gave you some insights and maybe even cleared up a few doubts.

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