etouches Expands Sales Model Through Social Selling
June 12, 2018
Most event technology is sold through business-to-business (B2B) channels. However, B2B sales processes can take more time than some planners have for smaller events.
To help ease the process, etouches is selling its LOOPD Smart Tags and mobile event apps on a new online store as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. This new low-touch sales model presents a unique way for event professionals to purchase enterprise event technology.
The LOOPD Smart Tag enables attendees to network at an event without worrying about lead scanners, business cards or session check-ins. Acting as a digital business card, LOOPD is a small passive wearable device that connects to others via Bluetooth LE. The Smart Tag allows attendees to exchange contact information electronically, using their own mobile device.
The Smart Tag also records contextual insights such as the time and location for every new connection. Event managers have the ability to track attendee locations, session attendance and interactions to change and enhance programming for future based on patterns and trends.
“Smaller enterprise transactions should provide the same ease and transparency as the consumer shopping experience,” said Brian Friedman, vice president of digital innovation for etouches.
He continued, “When we shop online as consumers, we have all the product information we need at our fingertips along with pricing and customer reviews. But in the world of enterprise solutions, sales take much more time. Smaller enterprise transactions should be controlled easily by the consumer on his or her own timeline.”
etouches’ new sales model gives event professionals easy access to LOOPD and helps them become proficient with the technology faster. The approach is ideal for customers who already know what they want and don’t want to wait to procure it.
Pricing starts at $10 for a LOOPD Smart Tag and scales to $6,500 for the LOOPD Pro App. Users can make purchases seamlessly through an automated payment process.
“Social and online selling helps customers connect with our solutions in a way that’s in tune with consumer buying habits today,” explained Chalva Tchkotoua, chief marketing officer of etouches.
He added, “Some customers want to call a salesperson. Others prefer to find answers themselves online. Our new approach puts more control in the buyers’ hands. It guides them efficiently to solutions. And it focuses on continual innovation to drive customer success.”
The company is relying on word of mouth to help gain traction. It also offered LOOPD Smart Tags to hosted buyers at the 2018 Meeting Professionals International (MPI) World Education Conference (WEC) to help give a pre-qualified audience a taste of how the technology operates.
Event professionals can purchase entry-level LOOPD solutions on the etouches online store, Facebook Store, Pinterest Product Page, Instagram, and Buzzfeed. These solutions as well as LOOPD Goals and LOOPD Session Tracking are also available through the etouches sales department.
To learn more about etouches, go HERE.
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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