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Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Silent Killer Of Growth: Weak Value Propositions
Henry McIntosh is founder of Twenty One Twelve Marketing - specialists in ideal client acquisition for tech, SaaS and financial firms. Most companies think their value proposition is fine. The brand feels modern, the sales deck looks good, but something's off. Growth is lumpy. Marketing is uncertain. Even your outsourced "expert" agencies are floundering. And nobody knows why. In many cases, the problem isn't the tactic but the foundation. A weak or unclear value proposition is the silent killer of growth. But it won't show up in board meetings or dashboards. It shows up in symptoms: inconsistent messaging, weak leads, high churn, ineffective campaigns and frustrated teams. If you're not confident in the difference you make to your customers, you can be sure your market isn't either. Here's how a faulty value proposition is holding your business back: 1. Your Brand Is Vague And Overly Emotive Most businesses fall into one of two traps: They either mimic corporate giants like Apple and Google, hoping that a sleek brand will build loyalty, or they bury their messaging in vague, emotional language that fails to resonate. For small to mid-sized companies, this doesn't work. You don't have the advertising budget to force-feed the market an abstract message. And, more importantly, nobody cares about your 'why' until they understand what's in it for them. Your brand must clearly convey the commercial value you deliver—not the feeling you want to evoke or the mission that excites your team but the value your customer receives from working with you. If you can't communicate this value in a few short sentences, your prospects will tune out. 2. Marketing Doesn't Know What To Say Marketing without positioning is just noise. Teams that don't have a firm grasp on the value proposition are left experimenting with campaigns that lack consistency or purpose. You see this in the form of fragmented content, inconsistent tone and scattergun messaging. These businesses often have smart, capable marketers who are doing their best, but without a clear strategic anchor, they're left guessing. This is especially true for companies led by ex-corporate leaders who are used to big-brand halo effects and enterprise-sized budgets. They assume a logo and a few taglines are enough. But in leaner teams, the message matters more. Great marketing doesn't require more content—it requires more clarity. 3. Your Digital Leads Are Weak When you don't understand why your best customers buy from you, the fallback is to chase quantity over quality. The result? Bloated customer relationship management systems (CRMs), disinterested leads and overworked sales teams. A long-time associate of Twenty One Twelve likes to use the following example: Real estate firms once used online property price calculators to generate leads. But most users just wanted to know their home value, not sell. These "leads" went nowhere. Reps burned time. Conversion plummeted. High volume, low intent. Now, imagine running digital campaigns with a precise value proposition—something tailored to your ideal client, speaking directly to their pain points, priorities and desired outcomes. Suddenly, you're not hunting for interest—you're creating it. In an age of AI and hyper-personalization, a broad value proposition isn't just lazy—it's expensive. 4. Sales Relies On Tactics, Not Value When value isn't clearly defined, sales teams default to tricks: discounts, urgency plays and gimmicky intros. It reduces a complex offering to a transactional pitch. This hurts in two ways. First, you lose margin. Second, you lose long-term trust. Arm your salespeople with a strong value proposition and everything changes. They move from dealmakers to advisors. They know their audience, what they need to highlight and when to walk away. A great value proposition creates space for better qualification, storytelling and, ultimately, conversions. It allows your sales team to stop improvising and start advising. 5. Agencies And Consultants Are Left Guessing If you're working with external partners, your value proposition is their launchpad. Without it, they're flying blind. We see this all the time: campaigns stall, messaging flops, creative feels off. The client blames the agency, the agency blames the brief, but under the surface, the real issue is a lack of clarity about what the business does best. The core narrative must be nailed down. Even the most talented agencies can't perform miracles. They need focus, direction and a defined promise to bring to life. If you're burning through agencies, the problem might not be them—but you. Build From The Core The difference between companies that grow sustainably and those that constantly restart is simple: Winners build from the core. They understand the value they bring, who benefits and how to articulate it. If you're seeing symptoms like poor leads, unclear messaging, sales under pressure or failed campaigns, don't start with tactics. Start with your proposition. Because if you don't know the value you bring, the market certainly won't figure it out for you. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Globe and Mail
10-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Robotic Process Automation Advances Across Texas Industries; IBN Technologies Expands Support Operations
"Robotic Process Automation [USA]" Read how Robotic Process Automation supports finance modernization for Texas enterprises. The article explores RPA's ability to improve reporting, speed up workflows, and meet complex compliance needs. Companies like IBN Technologies offer industry-focused solutions that enable financial efficiency and long-term business adaptability. Miami, Florida - 10 June, 2025 - Businesses are advancing their digital capabilities to meet increased customer demands and operational complexity. Smart automation tools are supporting this shift by providing scalable and reliable solutions. Robotic process automation is emerging as a method to streamline critical operations. Texas organizations are refining workflows to accelerate performance. Across sectors such as energy and public services, AI and automation are guiding smarter process execution and better system integration. Companies like IBN Technologies, as per industry experts, use intelligent text recognition to deliver end-to-end RPA process automation at scale. Automate your finance processes — get started now! Get a free consultation: Facing Automation Challenges Financial firms nationwide are focused on improving speed and accuracy in operations. Robotic process automation can deliver streamlined workflows, yet many Texas organizations still grapple with adoption barriers. Outdated systems delay comprehensive automation deployment. Rising data security requirements complicate digital workflow expansion. Uniform scaling of automation solutions proves challenging. The shortage of qualified automation staff limits progress. Employees lack of automation knowledge slows adoption. Compliance rules require strict oversight of automated tasks. Financial leadership seeks clear ROI to back automation investments. System fragmentation obstructs operational standardization. Integration challenges result in inconsistent automation performance. These obstacles raise concerns, but businesses continue to cautiously explore opportunities to enhance efficiency in a shifting market. In Texas, organizations implement IBN Technologies' adaptable automation frameworks to address industry challenges, fit diverse organizational models, and meet regulatory requirements, empowering businesses to optimize workflows and sustain growth. Boosting Performance with Automation Automation is rapidly gaining ground in various sectors. By optimizing workflows and supporting faster, insight-based decisions, organizations view intelligent automation as a valuable strategic asset. Robotic process automation acts as a core technology for flexible, connected, and efficient operations. • Automation-driven workflows deliver faster results. • Current data insights help make informed choices. • Unified platforms improve collaboration across teams. • Digital processes increase transparency in key functions. • Consistent standards support teamwork and coordination. • Intelligent automation assists with compliance accuracy. • Business leaders focus on solutions offering clear benefits. • Scalable platforms support sustainable growth. • Flexible integrations prepare for ongoing digital shifts. • Adaptive workflows respond to evolving priorities. Expert guidance remains critical to successful automation. IBN Technologies provides custom automation services designed for seamless integration and intelligent process management, helping companies maintain agility and control. 'Strategic automation decisions can enhance a company's position. Partnering with skilled experts ensures strong, measurable results,' says Ajay Mehta, CEO of IBN Technologies. Driving Growth Through Automation In Texas, a variety of sectors have worked with IBN Technologies to implement specialized robotic process automation systems, yielding significant operational improvements and stronger competitive positioning. Integration of RPA within business activities has improved speed and accuracy. Its notable impact on finance drives faster decisions and streamlined operations. Robotic process automation has raised operational efficiency in Texas industries by more than 30%. Over 40% of organizations employing RPA report enhanced decision-making in real time. Adopters of RPA have achieved a 25% average cut in operational expenditure. Navigating Finance Under Strain Demand for faster reporting and streamlined execution is colliding with outdated systems and fragmented approvals. RPA is now top-of-mind for finance leaders, not as a trend, but a necessity to address persistent workflow friction. Still, gaps in internal alignment and legacy systems delay transformation. As Intelligent Process Automation gains recognition, real challenges remain. Disparate tools, unclear role ownership, and lack of internal expertise make execution difficult. Financial operations in Texas face unique complexity—from multi-entity environments to industry-specific controls—heightening the need for adaptable, governed automation. In response, companies like IBN Technologies are providing sector-aligned automation frameworks that support financial teams under pressure, enabling them to evolve without compromising operational clarity. Related Services: Intelligent Process Automation: About IBN Technologies IBN Technologies LLC, an outsourcing specialist with 25 years of experience, serves clients across the United States, United Kingdom, Middle East, and India. Renowned for its expertise in RPA, Intelligent process automation includes AP Automation services like P2P, Q2C, and Record-to-Report. IBN Technologies provides solutions compliant with ISO 9001:2015, 27001:2022, CMMI-5, and GDPR standards. The company has established itself as a leading provider of IT, KPO, and BPO outsourcing services in finance and accounting, including CPAs, hedge funds, alternative investments, banking, travel, human resources, and retail industries. It offers customized solutions that drive AR efficiency and growth. Media Contact Company Name: IBN Technologies LLC Contact Person: Pradip Email: Send Email Phone: +1 844-644-8440 Address: 66, West Flagler Street Suite 900 City: Miami State: Florida 33130 Country: United States Website:
Bloomberg
06-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Private Equity in 401(k)s Isn't as Smart as It Seems
Should regular Americans be allowed to put more of their retirement savings into private investments long reserved for the wealthy? The White House is seriously considering the proposal, at the behest of some of the country's largest financial firms. This has never been a good idea. The pitch sounds compelling. Accredited investors — professionals and relatively well-off individuals — have entrusted trillions of dollars to private capital funds, which purport to generate superior returns by locking up money for multiyear periods in assets ranging from infrastructure to business loans. American workers with more than $12 trillion in retirement accounts such as 401(k)s have long time horizons, too. Why not let them share in the riches instead of confining them to publicly traded securities?
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Financial Ombudsman set to slash the 8% interest on compensation firms have to pay when things go wrong
The Financial Ombudsman is plotting a major shake-up of how much interest firms have to pay on compensation pay outs which would make it far less generous for consumers ruled to have been treated unfairly. Currently, firms are ordered to pay a flat 8 per cent interest on compensation awards. But the Ombudsman has announced it is launching a consultation to review the amount of interest firms pay on compensation awards after a Call for Input with the Financial Conduct Authority where it sought views on how to update the dispute resolution system. It could push through new rules that would see the interest on compensation paid to people when things go wrong from 8 per cent to the Bank of England base rate plus 1 per cent, which would currently mean a far lower 5.25 per cent. If a consumer is found to have lost out financially because of an error by a financial firm, the FOS can force the business to pay compensation, plus interest on top. There are different types of interest the FOS can order businesses to pay, and one of these compensates consumers for losing out financially - such as where an insurance claim has been wrongly turned down. In these cases, the Ombudsman can currently order the firm to pay 8 per cent interest on top of the compensation for the period their customer was out of pocket. It can also tell a business to pay 8 per cent interest if it doesn't pay compensation on time. However, for new complaints submitted to the service, the Financial Ombudsman is recommending changing the interest rate so it tracks the Bank of England's base rate plus 1 per cent. The base rate currently stands at 4.25 per cent, the lowest level in two years, and markets are pricing in three more cuts before the end of the year. With the base rate at its current level, they amount of interest firms could be ordered to pay if it is 5.25 per cent. This would fall if the base rate continues to drop. The base rate would be calculated as an average rate over the period that the money was due until the date redress payment is made. The Financial Services Ombudsman said: 'Feedback from the Call for Input suggested that this interest rate could be better aligned with, and reflect, market conditions.' It comes as The Financial Ombudsman has been facing increasing demand for its service in recent years. Last year it resolved more than 200,000 complaints. James Dipple-Johnstone, interim chief ombudsman at the Financial Ombudsman Service, said: 'We think reform of the dispute resolution system is crucial to make it fit for the future. 'That is why we are acting on feedback from our Call for Input and reviewing a range of our processes to ensure that they work for a modern economy.' The consultation will run until 2 July 2025.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Ombudsman proposes changes to interest levels applied to compensation
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is proposing to change the interest rate applied to the compensation awarded to consumers, to tie it to the Bank of England base rate. If someone is found to have lost out because of their financial firm's errors, the ombudsman can order the business to pay compensation, plus interest. There are different types of interest businesses can be directed to pay, and one of these compensates consumers for being 'deprived' of money (not having it available to use) such as when it finds a claim has been wrongly turned down by a financial firm. The ombudsman can currently direct businesses to pay 8% interest on top of the compensation for the period their customer was out of pocket. It can also tell a business to pay 8% interest if it does not pay compensation on time. But the service said feedback suggests the interest rate 'could be better aligned with, and reflect, market conditions'. For new complaints submitted to the service, it is recommending changing the interest rate so it tracks against the Bank of England's average base rate plus one percentage point. The base rate would be calculated as an average rate over the period that the money was due until the date redress payment is made. The consultation is gathering feedback on this recommendation as well as other potential options and proposals for implementation. The Bank of England base rate currently sits at 4.25%, its lowest level in two years. Economists have speculated that two more reductions could happen this year. James Dipple-Johnstone, interim chief ombudsman at the FOS, said the service welcomes feedback 'on whether our proposed new interest rate strikes the right balance between simplicity, fairness and proportionality'. The consultation will run until July 2 and the service said further proposals around its service will be brought forward in the summer.
