In the ever-evolving landscape of business technology, adapting to change is no longer a choice — it’s a necessity. And when it comes to managing those changes seamlessly, Salesforce stands tall as a powerhouse. However, navigating the intricate realm of Salesforce Change Management can often leave even the most seasoned professionals scratching their heads.

We unveil six invaluable tips that promise to unravel the complexities, making the process not just manageable, but downright straightforward. Whether you’re a salesforce novice or a seasoned pro, these insights will empower you to wield change as a tool for growth, without breaking a sweat.

Clear Change Identification and Prioritization

Before embarking on any salesforce changes, it’s essential to meticulously define the scope and objectives of the proposed modifications. This involves a detailed analysis of the current system, identifying pain points, and recognizing opportunities for enhancement. Once potential changes are identified, a rigorous prioritization process should be employed.

This prioritization should be based on factors such as the anticipated business impact, alignment with strategic goals, and feasibility of implementation. The impacts of any change should be thoroughly evaluated, considering both short-term and long-term consequences. This includes assessing potential disruptions to existing processes, workflows, and user experiences, as well as estimating the financial, resource, and time investments required for successful implementation.

ALSO READ: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SALESFORCE INVESTMENT

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Successful salesforce change management thrives on collaborative efforts across diverse departments. Forming a dedicated change management team comprising representatives from different functional areas fosters a holistic approach. Involving stakeholders early in the process ensures that all perspectives are considered, mitigating resistance and enhancing buy-in.

Open communication channels must be established to facilitate idea sharing, status updates, and issue resolution. This collaborative synergy not only promotes comprehensive change planning but also empowers a sense of ownership among stakeholders. By uniting expertise and insights from various disciplines, organizations can navigate change with collective strength and drive more successful implementations.

Comprehensive Change Documentation

Thorough documentation is the backbone of effective salesforce change management. Detailed records of change requests, requirements, and implementation plans ensure a clear roadmap for all involved. A well-maintained repository of version-controlled documentation facilitates transparency, aiding in tracing the evolution of changes and reducing confusion. This meticulous documentation also supports knowledge transfer, enabling seamless onboarding and continuity.

By meticulously capturing every step and decision, organizations establish a reliable foundation for change, ensuring that stakeholders remain informed and aligned throughout the process. Robust documentation safeguards against uncertainties and serves as a valuable resource for future enhancements.

Thorough Testing and Quality Assurance

Rigorous testing and quality assurance are cornerstones of successful Salesforce change management. Crafting comprehensive test plans and scenarios allows for the meticulous examination of new configurations and functionalities. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) involving end-users validates the changes from a practical standpoint, ensuring they meet user needs and expectations.

Addressing any detected bugs, performance issues, or discrepancies during testing guarantees a smoother transition. A robust testing phase minimizes post-implementation disruptions and fosters user confidence. By prioritizing quality assurance, organizations fortify their change management process, delivering dependable solutions that align seamlessly with business objectives.

User Training and Support

Empowering users through effective training and ongoing support is pivotal in salesforce change management. Developing comprehensive training materials, including guides and tutorials, equips users with the knowledge to navigate new features and processes. Conducting engaging training sessions and workshops enhances user proficiency and fosters a positive transition experience.

Providing accessible avenues for user support, such as help desks or forums, ensures timely issue resolution and knowledge sharing. Prioritizing user training and support cultivates user confidence, reduces frustration, and promotes efficient utilization of the salesforce platform, ultimately contributing to the success of change initiatives.

Effective Change Rollout and Monitoring

A well-executed change rollout and vigilant monitoring are pivotal to salesforce change management success. Careful planning of controlled rollouts or pilot launches ensures gradual adoption and minimizes disruption. Monitoring user adoption, feedback, and system performance provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of implemented changes. Iterative improvements based on real-time data help fine-tune configurations and address evolving needs.

This proactive approach guarantees that the change’s impact aligns with expectations, promoting sustained user satisfaction. By maintaining a watchful eye on the ongoing change process, organizations can swiftly adapt, optimize, and enhance the Salesforce environment, driving long-term success and continuous improvement.

Simplifying Salesforce change management is a multi-faceted endeavor that demands strategic planning, collaboration, documentation, testing, training, and vigilant monitoring. By adhering to these key principles, organizations can navigate transitions with clarity, engage stakeholders effectively, and ensure seamless system enhancements. Embracing change as an iterative process allows for agility and continuous improvement, leading to a Salesforce environment that not only meets current needs but also lays a solid foundation for future innovation and success.

ALSO READ: SALESFORCE GENIE CAN TRANSFORM YOUR SALES STRATEGY

Kasmo, one of the leading Salesforce consulting and ISV partner, is delighted to announce the addition of two accomplished Salesforce Practice leaders, Kiran KM and Subba Reddy, to its global team. The strategic initiative reflects Kasmo's ongoing commitment to enhancing its Salesforce practice and delivering exceptional services to its valued clients.

CEOs making sane financial decisions!

Alright Alright Alright

Salesforce, the cloud-based "customer relationship management" software colossus co-helmed by the definitely-not-Hawaiian Marc Benioff, is the latest in a slew of tech giants to lay off thousands of employees, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Per the WSJ, the company will be letting go of 8,000 members from its massive workforce, formerly referred to by Benioff — who, again, is definitely not Hawaiian — as the "Salesforce ohana," ohana being the Hawaiian name for "family." (Salesforce stepped away from using that and other Hawaiian terminology and practices back in 2019 due to cultural appropriation concerns.)

"It's an unfortunate part that you have to say goodbye to folks who, in many cases, are your friends and you have relationships with," Benioff, an original co-founder of the firm, told the WSJ. "But, ultimately, the success of the business has to be paramount."

A fair point, at least on the surface. Present-day Silicon Valley, which had previously enjoyed a decade of relatively non-stop growth and endless employee perks, is now attempting to grapple with post-pandemic slowdowns as well as a rapidly changing industry landscape. But Benioff's woes are a bit... different.

At Salesforce, massive amounts of company resources seem to be going to exceedingly peculiar places, including — but certainly not limited to — actor Matthew McConaughey's pockets. According to the WSJ, the Hollywood star was being paid $10 million per year to be a "creative adviser and TV pitchman" for the firm.

A sane financial decision to make for a $160 billion dollar company, we're sure.

Boom Boom Pow

It's been no secret that McConaughey has close ties to the firm — he's spoken at Salesforce events, attended company meetings (accompanied at times by Black Eyed Pea William "will.i.am" Adams), and has even appeared in the outfit's Super Bowl commercials.

But having celebrity ambassadors is one thing; as a company insider told The Financial Times back in January, Benioff "frequently involved" his celebrity pals in "strategy discussions," even granting them a seat at "high-level corporate discussions." And while we're sure McConaughey is a smart enough guy, if mass layoffs were in order, we simply can't fathom that his brainstorming sessions were worth $10 million annually.

Paying McConaughey millions to hang out isn't the only Salesforce issue. The still-not-Hawaiian Benioff is well-known for lavishing his employees with wild perks, which included hosting wildly expensive celebrity-headlined conferences and opulent wellness retreats.

In any case, our thoughts are with the laid-off Salesforcers. Things will one day be alright, alright, alright.

READ MORE: At Marc Benioff'S Salesforce, It's One Big Family—Until Trouble Hits [The Wall Street Journal]

More on tech layoffs: Big Tech Announced More than 45,000 Layoffs in recent Months

According to a study by KPMG, SMEs with a digital presence have 51% higher revenues than those without. This means that if you run a business, you will get higher revenues with an online presence.

But here’s the challenge. Many web design companies have emerged in India to cater to this growing demand for web design. Since many web design companies are out there, knowing the best for your business is difficult. And that is why this article exists.

We vetted several companies based on their expertise, experience, quality, and pricing. And from our results, we compiled a list of the top 10 web design companies in India that you should consider for your web project.

You can easily get the best web design companies in India by checking out this list. Ready? Let’s check them out!

List of Top 10 Web Design Companies in India

Here are India’s best web development agencies for creating stunning, functional websites for your business.

1. eFlair WebTech

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eFlair WebTech is one of the best web development agencies in India, specializing in creating custom websites for clients across various industries.

With over a decade of experience, eFlair has a team of experienced and skilled web designers who use the latest technologies and tools, including AI and Machine Learning, to deliver high-quality, user-friendly websites.

They've worked with big names like Expedia and Razorpay, consistently delivering results that exceed industry standards.

Services offered: Responsive web design, UI/UX design, e-commerce development, CMS development, SEO, digital marketing, mobile app development, and more.

Location: Bangalore and Vijayawada

Contact email: info@eflairwebtech.com

2. Techahead

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Techahead has been shaking up the tech industry for over a decade, delivering cutting-edge digital solutions and pushing the boundaries beyond what's possible.

With a team of over 200 highly skilled professionals in India and an impressive portfolio of 2,000+ successful projects, Techahead gives human-centric design, scalable and secure architecture, and digital products that make a real impact.

They’ve worked with startups and global brands, including big names like Audi, Disney, American Express, and Starbucks.

Services offered: Web design, Mobile App Development, Web App Development, Internet of Things‎ (IoT).

Location: New Delhi

Contact: sales@techaheadcorp.com

2. OpenXcell

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OpenXcell is a trusted and accredited web design company with a solid reputation for delivering premium services. With over 12 years of experience, it has a global customer base of over 1000 and over 500 qualified professionals who can help transform your business with cutting-edge technology.

They offer transparent pricing and state-of-the-art facilities to ensure quick product delivery. Openxcell takes team ownership seriously and delivers outstanding results to its clients.

Services offered: Web design, Mobile App Development, Web Application Development, B AI & ML Machine Learning UI UX Design.

Location: Ahmedabad

Contact: sales@openxcell.com

4. Quytech

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With over 13 years of experience, 1000 completed projects, and 500 satisfied customers, Quytech is trusted as one of the best web development agencies in India. From conceptualization to deployment support, they offer end-to-end solutions that meet and exceed customers' expectations.

Quytech has fueled success for hundreds of clients from Healthcare, Hospitality, FMCG, Retail, Real Estate, Education, Travel, and other business verticals.

Services offered:web design, web development, AI/ML development, blockchain development.

Location: Delhi NCR

Contact: info@quytech.com

5. Emizentech

Emizentech is one of the top UI/UX design agencies in India, renowned for providing cutting-edge digital solutions across diverse industries. They’re dedicated to delivering e-commerce websites and websites that are highly efficient, scalable, and cost-effective.

Their highly skilled and expert designers and developers work together to analyze your needs, implement proven strategies, and develop creative ideas to deliver you a website or application to help your business succeed.

Services offered:Web design, Mobile app development, DevOps, digital transformation, and web development.

Location: Jaipur

Contact email: info@emizentech.com

6. Algoworks

Algoworks is a leader in digital transformation, and that’s why it's one top 10 web design companies in India. Their team of experts specializes in providing top-notch web services. Algoworks has been at the forefront of web design since 2006, focusing on delivering exceptional results.

They’ve won numerous awards and completed over 1200 projects for startups and Fortune 500 companies. Their team of passionate techies and designers take pride in delivering top-quality products.

Services offered:Web design,Mobile app development, DevOps, digital transformation, Salesforce, and web development.

Location: Noida

Contact: sales@algoworks.com

7. The NineHertz

The NineHertz is one of the leading website design firms in India dedicated to delivering top-quality digital solutions. With them, you can get access to a top-notch web design team, a decisive business consultant, a marketing leader, and a product manager all in one.

Since 2008, The Nine Hertz has been creating web solutions for some of the world's most innovative brands, including Pepsi, Casio, and Ericsson. The Nine Hertz has over 200 team members, including industry experts in web design and development.

Services offered:UI/UX design, mobile app development, digital transformation, e-Commerce solutions, and web development.

Location: Jaipur

Contact: sales@theninehertz.com

8. GeekyAnts

GeekyAnts is one of the incredibly leading web design companies in India that are taking the tech world by storm.

What's even more impressive is that they partner with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Google, AWS, and Vercel (creators of Next.js), and they've worked with 500+ clients worldwide. They've helped companies in various industries, including big names like Darden, MPL, ICICI, and Noon.

Services offered:UI/UX design. Web & Mobile Development, Business Analysis, Product Management.

Location: Bangalore

Contact Tel: +91 9595884422

9. Hyperlink Infosystem

Hyperlink Infosystem is one of the best web designers in India. This ISO 9001:2008 certified organization has delivered over 4500 dynamic and cost-effective solutions to clients worldwide since 2011. With an exceptional team of professionals, Hyperlink Infosystem has become one of the industry's most popular providers of tech services.

And that's not all! Hyperlink Infosystem is a member of the prestigious GESIA and has won numerous awards for its professional website creation in India.

Services offered:Web design,Mobile App Development, Web development, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain.

Location: Ahmedabad and Mumbai

Contact: info@hyperlinkinfosystem.com

10. WDI

WDI is one of the rapidly growing web design companies in India. Their team of excellent developers creates fast, secure, and scalable web solutions tailored to your specifications while adding significant strategic value to your product plan.

With over 20 years of experience, WDI has a vast knowledge base in various sectors, including FoodTech, eCommerce, SaaS Luxury and Lifestyle, Healthcare, and more. And their large team of expert and experienced designers is ready to support your business and fuel its growth. Plus, they work with trending tools, technologies, and frameworks, including AI and Machine Learning, to provide cutting-edge solutions for our clients.

Services offered:Web design,Mobile app development, e-Commerce, and web development.

Location: Mumbai

Contact: ideas@wdipl.com

Importance of Web Design in Digital Transformation

Digital transformation uses technologies to create new or modify existing business processes, products, services, and customer experiences. It is a strategic and innovative approach to achieving competitive advantage, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and business growth in the digital era.

Web design is integral to digital transformation, as it determines how a business interacts with its online audience and delivers its value proposition. It affects various aspects of digital transformation, including:

1. User Experience (UX)

User experience (UX) is a user's overall impression and satisfaction when interacting with a website or web application. It involves usability, accessibility, functionality, aesthetics, performance, and security.

A good web design can enhance the UX by providing a clear, intuitive, and engaging interface that meets the user’s needs and expectations. As a result, it can increase user retention, loyalty, conversion, and advocacy.

2. Mobile Optimization

Mobile optimization is designing and developing a website or a web application that adapts to different screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations of mobile devices. It ensures that the website or the web application is accessible, readable, navigable, and responsive on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.

A good web design can ensure mobile optimization using responsive, adaptive web design, progressive web apps, etc. This can Boost user reach, engagement, and satisfaction.

3. Branding and Business Growth

Branding is creating a unique identity and image for a business in the minds of its customers and stakeholders. Web design can reinforce branding by creating a consistent and coherent visual identity across all digital channels and platforms. This can increase brand awareness, recognition, trust, loyalty, market share, revenue, profit, and a business's customer base.

4. Global Reach

Web design can help you access and serve customers from different countries and regions worldwide. You can create a website or a web application compatible with other languages, currencies, time zones, and cultural norms. It can also leverage global networks, partnerships, and platforms to expand the business’s presence and influence in the global market.

Pros and Cons of Web Design in Business

While Web design has many benefits for businesses in the digital age, it has some challenges and drawbacks that you must consider. Here are some of the pros and cons of web design in the industry:

Pros

• Web design can help businesses create a professional and attractive online presence to attract and retain customers.
• It can help businesses communicate their message and value proposition effectively and efficiently to their target audience.
• Web design can help businesses optimize their website or web application for different devices, browsers, and search engines, improving their visibility and ranking on the internet.
• It enhances the customer experience by providing a user-friendly, interactive, and personalized interface that can increase user satisfaction and loyalty.
• Web design can help businesses increase their conversion rate by providing clear calls to action, trust signals, testimonials, and incentives to persuade users to take the desired action.
• Web design can help businesses reduce operational costs by automating and streamlining their processes, such as inventory management, order processing, payment processing, customer service, etc.
• It can help businesses generate valuable data and insights by tracking and analyzing user behavior, preferences, feedback, and performance metrics that can help them Boost their products, services, and strategies.

Cons

• Web design can be expensive and time-consuming to create and maintain, especially if it involves complex features, functions, and integrations.
• It can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, hacking, malware, and other security threats that compromise the business's data, privacy, and reputation.
• Technical issues such as bugs, errors, glitches, and downtime can disrupt the website or web application's functionality, performance, and reliability.
• External factors like user feedback, competitor actions, market trends, and regulatory changes require frequent updates, modifications, and adaptations.
• Websites can be challenging to differentiate and stand out, as millions of websites and web applications offer similar products, services, and features.

Understanding Web Design

Web design is a broad and multidisciplinary field with various aspects of creating and maintaining websites and web applications. It involves both the creative and technical aspects of web development. Let’s explore this further.

Web Design vs. Web Development

Web design and web development are often used interchangeably, but they differ. Web design is planning and designing the visual and interactive elements of a website or a web application, such as layout, color scheme, typography, graphics, images, navigation, interactivity, and user interface. Web development is the process of coding and programming the functionality and logic of a website or a web application, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, etc.

Web designers create the front-end or the user-facing part of the website or web application, while web developers create the back-end or the server-side part of the website or web application. However, they both need to collaborate and communicate effectively to ensure that the website or web application meets the client's and user's requirements and expectations.

Types of Web Design

You can use different types of web design to create websites and web applications, depending on the purpose, audience, and content of the website or web application. Some of the common types of web design are:

1. Responsive web design

Responsive web design adapts to different screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations of devices, such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It uses flexible grids, images, and media queries to adjust the layout and content of the website or web application according to the device’s capabilities and preferences. Responsive web design aims to provide an optimal user experience across all devices.

2. Adaptive web design

Adaptive web design uses predefined layouts for different screen sizes and devices. It detects the device’s characteristics and delivers the most suitable layout. Adaptive web design can provide faster loading times and better performance than responsive web design, but it requires more maintenance and testing.

3. Progressive web apps

This web design combines the features and benefits of both websites and native mobile apps. They are websites that you can install on mobile devices, work offline, send push notifications, access device hardware, etc. Progressive web apps aim to provide a seamless and immersive user experience across all platforms.

Tools and Technologies

Various web design tools and technologies are used to create websites and web applications. Some of the common ones are:

1. Figma

Figma is a web-based design tool that allows teams to collaborate on designs in real time. It is a popular choice for web designers because it is easy to use and has many features.

2. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful image editing software for creating and editing images for web design.

3. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics software used to create illustrations, logos, and other graphics for web design.

4. HTML

HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the foundation of all web pages. Developers use it to define the structure and content of a web page.

5. CSS

Cascading Style Sheets are used to control the appearance of a web page. This is for setting a web page's font, color, and layout elements.

6. JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language used for adding interactivity to a web page. You can use it to create animations, pop-ups, and other interactive features.

7. Bootstrap

Bootstrap is a front-end framework that makes it easy to create responsive web pages. It provides a set of pre-built components and styles for creating a consistent look and feel across different devices.

Emerging Trends and Innovations

Web design is a dynamic and evolving field that constantly adapts to new trends and innovations in technology, user behavior, and market demands.

Some of the emerging trends and innovations in web design are:

1. AI and Machine Learning in Design

In web design, developers use AI and Machine Learning to automate tasks, optimize performance, enhance user experience, and generate creative solutions.

Some examples of AI and Machine Learning in web design are chatbots, content personalization, and the design of a website or a web application to each user's individual preferences.

2. Voice User Interfaces

Voice User Interfaces allow users to interact with websites or web applications using voice commands or speech recognition. They can provide more natural, convenient, and accessible communication and navigation for users, especially on mobile devices.

Voice Assistants can perform tasks or provide user information using voice input and output.

3. Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects connected to the Internet that can communicate with each other and users. It can include sensors, cameras, smartphones, wearables, appliances, vehicles, etc.

IoT is now used in web design to create smart and interactive websites or web applications that collect, process, and display data from IoT devices. Some examples of IoT in web design are Smart Homes and Smart Cities.

4. Sustainability and Eco-friendly Designs

Sustainability and eco-friendly designs aim to reduce websites' or web applications' environmental impact and carbon footprint. They can include Green Hosting and Minimalist Design.

Competition and Collaboration In the Web Design Industry

The web design industry in India is highly competitive and dynamic, as many web design companies offer similar products, services, and features to the same or different markets. However, this competition among web design companies can have positive and negative effects. Here are some of them.

5. Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis involves studying rivals' strengths, weaknesses, products, and market strategies. It enables companies to identify opportunities and threats, tailor their offerings, and create unique selling propositions. This analysis fosters a competitive edge, guiding firms in decision-making, and it can lead to innovations in design, functionality, and user experience.

6. Collaboration Opportunities

Collaboration in the web design industry can be instrumental in pooling resources, expertise, and creativity. Collaboration fosters innovation and the sharing of ideas and technologies, whether between different teams within a company or through partnerships between companies. This can lead to more effective and efficient design processes and better end products. You can achieve collaboration through joint ventures, strategic partnerships, or simply the effective teamwork of designers and developers.

7. Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are common strategies in the web design industry for growth and consolidation. Acquiring or merging with another company can provide access to new markets, technologies, and talent. It might allow a company to expand its service offerings or gain a competitive advantage by eliminating competitors. Though potentially beneficial, M&A must be handled carefully to ensure a positive outcome and integration of cultures and technologies.

8. Entry Barriers and Regulations

While open to new entrants, the web design industry presents certain barriers and regulations. The need for specialized skills and knowledge can deter new competitors on the barriers front.

Establishing a reputation and a portfolio, competing with well-established players, and the fast-paced nature of technological change can be daunting for newcomers. Regulations might also impact the industry, with laws related to intellectual property, data protection, accessibility, and others that must be adhered to in the design process.

Choosing the Right Web Design Company

Choosing the right web design company for your web project can be a daunting and challenging task, as there are many factors that you need to consider before making a decision.

Some of them are:

1. Understanding What Your Needs Are

You need to have a clear idea of what you want your website or web application to do, how you want it to look, and who you want it to serve.

You must define your web project's requirements, objectives, and expectations, such as target audience, value proposition, features, functions, budget, timeline, etc.

2. Checking References and Reviews

Check the references and reviews of the web design companies you are interested in, such as their portfolio, testimonials, ratings, awards, certifications, etc. This might reveal evidence of their quality, experience, reputation, and credibility in the web design industry.

Also, look for feedback from their previous or existing clients, such as their satisfaction, loyalty, and referrals.

3. Analyzing Technology Compatibility

Check the technology compatibility of the web design companies you are interested in, such as their tools, technologies, frameworks, platforms, etc.

You must also look for compatibility with your existing or future systems, such as your website hosting, domain name, email service, etc.

4. Post-launch Support and Guarantees

Ask about the post-launch support and guarantees that the web design companies you are interested in offer, such as their maintenance, updates, upgrades, bug fixes, security patches, backup services, etc. You may test their support services' reliability, responsiveness, and availability.

Conclusion

Web design is a vital and influential factor in the digital transformation of businesses in the 21st century. It can help companies create a professional and attractive online presence that can attract and retain customers, communicate their message and value proposition, and increase their conversion rate.

However, to achieve this, you must choose the right web design company for your web. If you choose from the top 10 web design companies in India listed in this article, you can rest assured that you made the right choice!

FAQs

1. Are Indian web design companies competitive on a global scale?

Yes, Indian web design companies are competitive globally, as they offer high-quality, innovative, and affordable web design services to clients worldwide. Indian web design companies also have access to a large pool of talented, skilled, and experienced web designers who can deliver excellent results within tight deadlines.

2. How much does web design cost in India?

The cost of web design in India can range from as low as ₹12,500 to as high as ₹35,000 or more.

3. What are the latest trends in web design?

Some of the latest trends in web design are AI and machine learning, voice user interfaces, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Sustainability and Eco-friendly Designs.

4. How do I choose the right web design company for my business?

You must first understand your needs to choose the right web design company for your business. Then check references and reviews and analyze the technology compatibility of the web design companies you are interested in.

5. What should I expect from a professional web design company?

You should expect a professional web design company to understand your needs and expectations, deliver quality and value, and provide post-launch support and guarantees.

6. Can I find affordable web design services in India for my small business?

Yes, you can find affordable web design services in India for your small business, as many web design companies in India offer high-quality, innovative, and customized web design services at reasonable prices.

Updated: 11 Aug 2023, 06:27 PM IST

Artificial intelligence – we love it, we fear it, but few of us understand it. Whether you’re asking ChatGPT to “explain cognitive computing like I’m five,” or “name the best sci-fi thrillers” (Blade Runner comes in first), it can leave you both satisfied and mystified by how the digital know-it-all generates the seemingly perfect response.

But as scores of companies and entire industries embrace AI, many are hurry to move beyond mystification and toward a career opportunity. Doing so won’t come cheap.

For those already in the work force and wanting to wrap their heads around AI, a machine learning postgraduate certificate or master’s in AI management will set you back between $3,000 and $70,000 for a year of studies. That’s based on tuition fees across 31 institutions providing these programs across Canada. But with 67 per cent of global employers looking for new ways to use generative AI – according to a March, 2023, report from Salesforce – it might be well worth the investment.

Higher education providers are certainly noticing surging demand for AI-focused upskilling programs. “We’ve seen a 43 per cent enrolment increase in the last year,” says Sean Woodhead, program manager for York University’s School of Continuing Studies’ certificate in machine learning.

A handful of new programs have also emerged to serve rising demand. Concordia released a certificate in AI proficiency last fall and McGill has an upcoming two-part program in data analysis for complex systems and data-driven decision-making.

“There’s been a lot of demand from people who don’t necessarily want to be in a technical role but just want to incorporate computational intelligence to help with what they do,” says Elisa Schaeffer, associate professor of applied digital intelligence at McGill. “To make better decisions, better analysis.”

But in an AI landscape that’s rapidly evolving, some worry about the durability of these credentials in contrast to their price tag. “It’s a major investment, major time and money,” says Ian Christie, a career coach at Bold Career Project, a B.C.-based career coaching service. “It’s important to look at the dollar cost and time investment versus returns.”

The new hybrid work, humans working with AI, will require more skills from managers

For 31-year-old Louay Mneimneh, the investment was a no-brainer. “It’s going to be a student loan that I’ll have to take but I’m willing to invest that money for the exposure and experience,” says Mr. Mneimneh, who enrolled in the 2024 cohort of the Queen’s Master of AI Management program. “I want to understand AI in a way that I can manage it – I want to understand the logic.”

A civil engineer by training, Mr. Mneimneh worked in construction and business consulting for seven years when he began to recognize the massive potential of AI in his field. But without any foundational knowledge in AI, or experience using it, he felt he was missing out on major opportunities.

“There’s a crazy amount of data in a construction site and with AI you can have real-time project analysis of the schedule, the timeline, the budgets,” he says.

Mr. Mneimneh belongs to the 54 per cent of global workers who believe that generative AI will advance their career – as well as the 62 per cent who say they don’t have the skills to effectively use the technology, according to a July study from Salesforce.

He expects to dish out almost $70,000 for the three-semester program, or roughly $22,000 per semester. But some of the sticker shock is absorbed by knowing that he can work while studying – most courses are offered after nine-to-five hours so students don’t have to pause their careers.

Not to mention, graduates before him have seen tangible ROI. “It increased my salary more than 40k,” says Amir Nejad, an alumni of the Queen’s MMAI program, who moved from a product manager role to AI and data science management after graduating.

According to Stephen Thomas, the executive director of the Queen’s MMAI, most students enter the program wanting a promotion or a raise in their current organization, much like those seeking an MBA. “Most people have a change either within the program or right after,” he says.

For those simply looking to brush up on their AI skills though, certificates are the more feasible option. McGill, for instance, charges $1,459 per course with a two-course requirement and a 15 per cent discount for alumni. Students learn how to use predictive analytics to detect fraud or optimize marketing tasks, though without a fancy degree at the end.

On the employer side, the demand for AI skills is certainly there. “There is not a single part of our organization that cannot benefit from AI advancement,” says Jas Jaaj, managing partner of AI at Deloitte Canada. While he supports students looking to pursue continuing studies in AI, Mr. Jaaj says he would direct his own staff to internal training resources first.

Still, Mr. Christie says anyone hurry on upskilling and looking for a way to save shouldn’t shy away from asking management for support. Just do your research. “Knowing whether your company has a budget is important – often companies have a few thousand dollars a year for development so ask, ‘can I use that toward this?’ ”

Keep in mind, these arrangements have caveats. “They come with handcuffs, like, ‘you have to stay with us for x amount of years,’ ” he says, which might not be great for those looking for a career change.

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Private sector consultants are being paid day rates of around £7,000 by the Government to help with its coronavirus test and trace system, according to reports.

Private sector consultants are being paid day rates of around £7,000 by the Government to help with its coronavirus test and trace system, according to reports.

Sky News said it has seen documents revealing Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was paid about £10 million for around 40 consultants to provide four months’ work between the end of April and late August.

The broadcaster said the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) received a 10 to 15% discount from BCG, whose day rates for public sector work range from £2,400 to £7,360 for the most senior consultants.

Its report comes amid ongoing criticism of the Government’s £12 billion test and trace system.

The DHSC said efforts to set up NHS Test and Trace required it to work with public and private sector partners, with “every pound spent” going towards keeping people safe and ramping up testing capacity.

But Labour’s shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth, responding to the reports, said: “The figures being spent on this broken system are truly shocking.”

He added: “Testing and contact tracing is failing to keep the virus under control, which makes it even more disgraceful that such huge sums of money are being spent on something that isn’t fit for purpose.”

Mr Ashworth reiterated Labour’s call for a “short circuit-break” lockdown to “fix the failing test and trace system and to ultimately save lives”.

Raising the consultant payments reports in the Commons, Labour MP Toby Perkins said: “You won’t find dedicated public servants being paid £7,500 a day.”

He added: “But what you will find is a basic competence, a knowledge of their area, a desire to make sure that the systems work before they are implemented.

“And that is what we need right now in our system.”

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson commented: “Just imagine how far that money would go if it was given to local authorities.

“They are paying these consultants the weekly equivalent of what a nurse earns in a year.”

Major companies such as Deloitte, PwC and BCG have been working on the Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, managing the track and trace system, the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the search to produce working ventilators.

Sky News reported last week that more than a thousand consultants from Deloitte were working on the NHS Test and Trace programme, on day rates of as much as £2,360.

The broadcaster said documents showed the Government had since hired more private sector consultants to work on its Moonshot mass testing programme.

Some 165 consultants were recruited to work on the scheme between now and November, Sky News said.

This includes 84 more from Deloitte, 31 from EY and 50 from KPMG, with a further 42 roles potentially available for consultants.

Tamzen Isacsson, chief executive of the Management Consultancies Association (MCA), said a large number of consultancy firms had been brought in during the pandemic to support “critical government projects”, including NHS Test and Trace.

“The consulting sector has provided multi-disciplinary capabilities and senior experience very quickly to support Government and has helped deal with complex negotiations around data, infrastructure and procurement at pace,” she said.

Ms Isacsson said MCA member firms used by the Government had been procured through “competitively tendered Crown Commercial Service frameworks which evaluate bidding firms against quality and cost criteria”.

Contracts required firms to “upskill civil servants” and “transfer knowledge”, Ms Isacsson.

She added: “We should remember that Government is dealing with an unprecedented volume of workload and major upheaval due to Covid-19 and using external resources has enabled them to work quickly and with intensity in many areas.”

A DHSC spokesperson said: “NHS Test and Trace is the biggest testing system per head of population of all the major countries in Europe.

“It’s processing 270,000 tests a day and nearly 700,000 people who may otherwise have unknowingly been at risk of spreading coronavirus have been contacted.

“To build the largest diagnostic network in British history, it requires us to work with both public and private sector partners with the specialist skills and experience we need.

“Every pound spent is contributing towards our efforts to keep people safe as we ramp up testing capacity to 500,000 tests a day by the end of October.”

BCG declined to comment.