The International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans isn’t just another event in the maritime industry’s calendar; it’s a melting pot of ideas, innovation, and invaluable networking. This year, we had the pleasure of attending this esteemed gathering, and the experience was nothing short of transformative for the team.

The primary motivation for attending the IWBS was to immerse ourselves in the heartbeat of the maritime industry. The event promised a unique platform to connect with both current and prospective clients, delve into the latest trends, and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping our sector.

There’s an undeniable magic in live events.

Live events provide a real, tactile way to engage with the pulse of an industry. There’s an undeniable magic in live events. From brainstorming strategies to dissecting marketing campaigns, the face-to-face interactions at WorkBoat facilitated a level of depth and understanding seldom achieved in the virtual world.

A standout moment for me was engaging in lively discussions with some of our current clients. We dove into the nuances of targeting different demographic segments within the maritime industry, from ship owners to blue-collar workers, and the unique approaches required for each. Moreover, sharing a meal with people we normally only see on Zoom, including a memorable dinner- featuring some of the best oysters I’ve ever had, added a personal touch to our professional relationships.

The show was not without its challenges, including navigating a packed schedule, but thanks to the exceptional organizational skills of the Selland team, we managed to balance meetings, impromptu discussions, and valuable networking opportunities seamlessly. The show provided an excellent opportunity for our marketing team to collaborate in person and the face-to-face meetings with clients proved invaluable. These interactions led to new perspectives on applying marketing strategies to address their unique business challenges, some of which they hadn’t previously considered solvable.

Encouraged by our success at WorkBoat, we plan to continue our presence at industry events throughout the year. Our sights are set on the Inland Marine Expo in Nashville, with anticipation already building for next year’s IBWS24

For anyone considering attending, whether it be WorkBoat or any other trade show, my advice is simple: embrace every opportunity to connect, learn, and be open to new approaches.

The International WorkBoat Show wasn’t just an event; it was a catalyst for growth, learning, and forging stronger connections. For anyone considering attending, whether it’s WorkBoat or any other trade show, my advice is simple: embrace every opportunity to connect, learn, and be open to new approaches. The experiences you’ll gain are invaluable, both professionally and personally.

It’s true- long-distance relationships get a bad wrap. It seemed like every mid-2000s romantic plot twist involved some variation of ‘let’s throw in a long-distance relationship to break these people up’. For many of us, those exaggerated movie depictions were often our sole reference for understanding communication and relationship dynamics.

Long-distance relationships definitely took a beating from Hollywood, but times have changed. Digital advancement has blown apart the old barriers. Virtual meetings and online connections are the new norm. The days when distance meant a communication death-sentence are gone.

And as tech evolves, so do our communication methods. It’s vital to keep up to connect effectively with different age groups in today’s digital world. When dealing with varying age demographics, it is important to keep these key points in mind:

1. Be patient and understanding.  It’s important to remember that older adults may not be as familiar with technology as younger generations. They may need more time to learn new things and may not be as comfortable with online communication. While a younger client may want to avoid email entirely- opting for in-app communication instead- it is important to find a common ground so all team members involved have time to respond. Be patient- and don’t be afraid to repeat yourself or explain things in a different way. The fastest response may not always be the most comprehensive.
2. Use simple language and avoid jargon. When communicating with any client, it’s important to use simple language and avoid jargon. They may not be familiar with technical terms or acronyms, so it’s important to explain things in a way that they can understand.
3. Use visuals to help explain your points. Different demographics may learn better by seeing things than by hearing them. When explaining your work to them, use visuals to help illustrate your points. This could include charts, diagrams, mock ups, or even a screen share.
4. Focus on the benefits of your work. When describing your work, emphasize the benefits it offers. Whether it’s saving time, money, or hassle, highlighting these advantages can make your contributions stand out. If seeking feedback, ensure these benefits remain at the forefront of the discussion. This ensures the entire team understands how your value perfectly aligns with their needs.
5. Personalize your communication. When possible, personalize your communication to suit different age groups. This could mean addressing someone older by their title or name, asking them questions about their interests, or sharing stories that are relevant to their experiences. For someone younger, requesting a preferred name, or connecting on pop culture topics may do the trick.
6. Be responsive. Older adults may not be as quick to respond to emails or phone calls as younger generations. Be patient and responsive when working with them, and don’t be afraid to follow up if you haven’t heard back. Understand that younger age groups are known for their hustle- don’t be surprised if you get a reply after hours. Remember, nobody’s diving into a strategy session at midnight. Just a quick acknowledgment keeps things moving smoothly.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of connecting with and engaging older adults remotely, while bridging connection with across various age demographics. Remember to be patient, understanding, and focused on the benefits of your work. With a little effort, you can build strong relationships and help clients achieve their goals.

Here are some additional tips for increasing client engagement with older adults who may not understand the complexity of your work or are more comfortable with outdated forms of tech advertising:

• Use case studies and testimonials. Case studies and testimonials from other clients can be a great way to show older adults how your work can benefit them. This is especially effective if the case studies or testimonials are from people they can relate to.
• Offer free consultations. Offering free consultations is a great way to give older adults a chance to learn more about your work without any obligation. This can help them to see the value of your services and to decide if they are a good fit for them.
• Be flexible with your communication methods. Older adults may not be as comfortable with email or phone calls as younger generations. Be flexible with your communication methods and offer to meet with them in person or to talk to them on the phone.
• Use humor and storytelling. Older adults often appreciate humor and storytelling. When communicating with them, try to use humor and storytelling to make your points more engaging.
• Be yourself. Older adults can spot a fake a mile away. Be yourself and let your personality shine through when you communicate with them. This will help to build trust and rapport.

This article was co-authored by Anthony Morris and LJ Johnson following current Selland Team procedures.

In the realm of website design and development, imagery plays a crucial role in capturing the attention of visitors and effectively conveying information about a brand, product, or service. This guide delves into the strategies and principles needed to create captivating visuals that enhance the user experience and achieve desired website impact.

Strategies for Effective Website Imagery

Choosing High-Quality Images

It’s critical to select high-quality images to create a visually appealing website. Enhance professionalism and overall user experience by choosing clear, properly lit, and visually engaging images

Relevance and Context

Aligning imagery with the content it accompanies is essential. When selecting images that are directly relevant to your brand or product message, the understanding of the user is enhanced, and engagement is increased, thus avoiding generic stock photos that add little value is key.

Visual Hierarchy and Composition

Utilize visual hierarchy techniques to guide users’ attention and convey information effectively. Consider the rule of thirds to create balanced compositions and strategically employ white-space to provide visual breathing space and emphasize key elements.

Consistency in Style and Branding

Maintaining a consistent visual style throughout your website creates a cohesive and memorable user experience. Aligning imagery with your brand identity, incorporating consistent color palettes, typography, and overall aesthetics, reinforces brand recognition and professionalism.

User-Centered Approach

Keeping your target audience in mind is essential. Understanding their preferences, demographics, and expectations allows you to tailor the visuals to resonate with their needs and emotions, enhancing the overall user experience.

Principles for Effective Website Imagery

Principles provide a framework for optimizing website imagery, ensuring accessibility, performance, and legal compliance.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Ensuring your website imagery is accessible to all users is crucial. Providing alternative text (alt text) for images allows visually impaired users to understand the content. Including captions or descriptions for complex or informative images further enhances inclusivity. Testing the website with accessibility tools guarantees an inclusive experience for all users.

Performance Optimization

Optimizing image files for the web is vital for website performance. Compressing images without compromising quality reduces loading times. Properly resizing and cropping images for different devices ensures optimal display. Leveraging techniques like lazy loading, responsive images, caching, and content delivery networks (CDNs) contributes to faster image delivery and improved performance.

A/B Testing and Analytics

Continuously evaluating the performance of website imagery through A/B testing allows you to compare different images and determine which ones drive better user engagement. Utilizing analytics tools provides valuable data-driven insights into the effectiveness of your visuals. By iterating and optimizing based on the results, you can continually improve the impact of your website imagery.

Copyright Compliance and Licensing

Adhering to copyright laws and obtaining proper licenses for all images used on your website is essential. Choosing royalty-free stock photos or creating original images helps avoid legal issues. Providing necessary credits to photographers or image sources ensures compliance with licensing requirements.

Conclusion

Implementing effective strategies and adhering to the principles outlined in this guide will create visually captivating websites that engage users, reinforce brand messages, and deliver a memorable user experience. Embrace the power of imagery and continually refine and optimize your website visuals to stay ahead in the competitive online landscape.

When it comes to design, what do most people think of? They want their product to look visually appealing, oftentimes visually stunning and unique while also conveying a specific message or branding. Maybe they want their design to be easy to look at and easy to use. These are all important factors in how design is created and built. But there is so much more underneath the surface to design that contributes to a successful end product, that the everyday person may not realize. 

Most people can assume the basic principles of UI (User Interface ) design. UI is the type of design that focuses on these core solutions:

• Do users find it attractive? 
• Are the interactive elements intuitive?
• Does the design feel natural and provoke a positive response?

But the real magic happens when the UX (User Experience) is applied. UX is a science, using psychology, logic, and intuition to create designs that will take the beauty of UI and make it practical to use for the targeted user. UX core principles can be summed up as:

• How do users feel about the website? 
• How seamless is the users’ flow throughout the site?
• How easy is it for users to accomplish their goals?

Most people walk into a project knowing they want a beautiful design that will convey the value of the product or service. But the equally important and often overlooked portion of UX design is what can make or break a product. We have gathered 3 of the best examples in modern design history that best show how UX design is critical to the success of an overall end product. When done well, it can be life-changing, but when done wrong, results can be devastating.

PCs Before Windows – or MS-DOS

Windows 1.0 was the first graphical operating system. Today  we are spoiled with great interfaces, so this may not look like much, but on the day of its release, it was revolutionary. Before Windows 1.0, there weren’t  many user-friendly options in the market. MS-DOS is a good example of what was available to the consumer in the 80s.  Windows successfully accommodated the use of a mouse, allowing it to work with several applications at once. Furthermore, the new operating system introduced a few of its own new apps such as Write and Paint. The biggest difference between the two systems is that before Windows, the user intent was only about task compilation. Windows gave attention to how the user will achieve his tasks, and how to make him comfortable in the process. Windows 1.0 revolutionized computer operating systems, paving the way for the future we enjoy today. 

Searching the Web: Google vs AltaVista

Today, Google is a staple in our everyday lives. In fact, many people use it as a verb (how many times a day do you hear “Google it”?) In the 90’s, a plethora of other search engines existed: Excite, Webcrawler, and Yahoo just to name a few. AltaVista was one of the before-mentioned search engines. The biggest difference in the user experience was cognitive overload. AltaVista suggested so many topics from the get-go, that it was easy to forget what it was that you were looking for. Google simplified this by keeping it just  a space for users to search.

The difference is in how Google thought about the user flow. Google understood that the user wanted to come and start his task (searching) immediately without distractions. It created the simplest task flow possible. That’s a good example of great UX – when the most important thing is to help the user to get from point A to point B with the least friction possible.

Lincoln’s Disastrous Automobile Recall

In 2015, Lincoln needed to recall more than 10,000 cars. What happened? A button misplacement. Usually, long discussions about button placing sound petty and unneeded, and even I have to admit that sometimes they are, but not in this case. The “Turn Engine Off” button was placed right above the “Sport” button for spirited driving. This placement created a hazardous situation where a person that was driving at high speeds would press to turn their engine off. Lincoln recalled the cars and created a fast design fix, where they changed the location of the button. This simple design flaw cost Lincoln millions of dollars and put drivers’ lives at risk. 

User Experience Design is not just a “nice-to-have” feature of design, rather it is a foundational principle of good design and critical for your end-product. When executed successfully, UX can often find a solution to a problem the user did not even know they had, and give the edge needed to cut through the rest of the competition. UX can elevate any product or service to improve its overall functionality and ultimately create happy and satisfied customers that keep coming back.