When content meets context, it sparks opportunity.

Global Sector Portal

Hotlink global sector portals serve on-demand digital content with something to match the unique context of every B2B customer (something that is enriching, is relevant and constantly delivers utility). In addition to organized product listings for easy discovery and standardized reference, through the lens of experts and executives, we focus on innovations, trends, designs and technologies that are progressively pushing the limits. Across brands, products, business and learning, we cover what's new, why it matters, how it works and what need it serves. We also cover the story worth telling; to celebrate the journeys of overcoming challenges, transforming lives and the accomplishments that inspire.

15 Business Needs Demanding Power Boosters

More so in the new realities of the next normal

Take Action: Translate these in your business context and talk to us to get started.

CUSTOMER

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1. Discovery and market access is challenging and cumbersome

For sellers, market reach/access is challenging - while sourcing, discovery of options is too cumbersome. With shrinking margins and crowded me-too options, unviable to put feet on the ground everywhere. It is not viable to reach and scan the market.

2. Fight for customer time and attention - shift to on-demand

Some of them demand increased services for certain transactions while others prefer low-touch, 24/7 interactions. Customers give attention as per their own need and flexibility - anytime anywhere on-demand is the way. Ever reducing number of customer want to interact with a sales person until they have done their online research (for sure do not want meet in person); and until it is the right time.

3. Challenging to address multiple stakeholders in B2B customers

Customers in B2B scenarios constitute multiple stakeholders - all of them have a voice and possibly a vote on the buying decision or on business share allocation. Sales person gets access to only a few - rest is left to be convinced by and with the limited understanding (and potential Chinese whisper) of the customer' purchase staff.

It is now important to build on demand resources available to all stakeholders - whether or not, they offer interaction time to the company. Many of them undertake their independent research and education themselves to assess on their on own - as part of the internal assessment, buying evaluations and approval process.

4. Shelf life of sales leads is getting shorter and shorter: Missed opportunities

Responsiveness remains amongst highest rated customer frustrations. We are living in the world of instant gratification with a now or never customer behavior.

Harvard Business Review: Firms that tried to contact potential customers within an hour of receiving a query were nearly seven times as likely to qualify the lead (which we defined as having a meaningful conversation with a key decision maker) as those that tried to contact the customer even an hour later—and more than 60 times as likely as companies that waited 24 hours or longer.

No sales person predict and ensure that she/he knocks at the exact time when the customer need has matured. But if you don't then you miss the opportunity. You win some, you lose some - but do you want to miss some? Always on, digital connect is the only way forward

5. Centralized sourcing is on the rise

Increasingly customers are realigning their sourcing processes and adopting digital methods. To address the next level of cost pressures they are squeezing savings even on the low/mid volume purchases which were traditionally locally sourced with decentralized authority.

SALES

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6. Sales cycles are sluggish - Lead generation and nurturing in the digital world

Productivity studies show that sales people on average only invest 11% time in active selling. Too much time is wated in sales administration and market research. While the administration is addressed by our integrated solutions, active participation in the Global Sector Portals is a catalyst for market research and lead generation.

Content marketing has emerged to be the most reliable and impactful approach for lead generation across B2B segments.

7. Sales promotions too administrative - Dynamic pricing is crucial

Pricing was always important - but now it is no doubt higher on the agenda. With price adjustments becoming more common, B2B companies should maintain discipline in processes and performance management. Building the agility for dynamic pricing without much effort has become imperative.

8. Changing role of sales; and move to remote sales yet with a human touch

Digital relationships are crucial to tie the knot with customers. Digital interactions are many times more important to customers now than they were before the pandemic. Need to enhance customer intimacy via digital channels. Schedule videoconference check-ins to maintain face-value. Trigger content based interactions and then connect for phone follow-up with all customers.

9. Blurring lines between sales and marketing

Digital world demands deeper collaboration to capture and maximize revenues together. Role of sales is changing - they must specialize in objection/ query handling while a lead is nurtured by marketing until it qualifies for sales efforts. As marketing takes this part, sales needs deeper product expertise. Gaps between them are getting smaller - both need both sides of the muscles to get their way through.

10. Aligning sales channels is a critical success factor now

Align sales channels in a multichannel world. Customers are increasingly screening all channels to test deals. It is important for companies to build consistency across channels in their market communication and customer interface.

MARKETING

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11. Power of the sales pitch gets lost-in-transit

By the time it reaches the customer, the impact in the message gets diluted. Increasing tech queries add complexities in query/ objection handling. In many cases, the confidence and conviction drops between product managers to frontline sales reps - after all, it is hottest closer to the sun; need to carry that heat in the sales pitch all the way to the customer to close deals faster.

12. Closing deals needs supplemental decision catalysts - testimonials, reviews and more

Proactivelt assist customers with supplemental material for decision assistance. Collate on-demand resources credible content including organized portfolios, product information, buying guides, end-user support.

13. Powerful and frequent product launches need to be global, sleeker and faster

Tap into the power of new - also while it is new. Important to rapidly introducing new products or reengineering current ones. Run online launches campaigns and information-sharing with customers. and email tailored content that reflects your customers’ needs and current reality.

14. Influencers and innovators need independent grounds to socialize, educate and explain

Rising relevance of credible endorsements and meaningful education. Publish content and then host multi-customer virtual discussions and product demos. Digital is the only way; gatherings in 5-star hotels is no longer just a budgetary constraint.

15. B2B Brand Recall: Fragmented user-base only

Digital persistence and persuasion maintains the link - covers the risk of out-of-sight out-of-mind. Brand recall in B2B is in pockets of customer segments - even the largest global brands with ever wider product offerings are not top of the mind for everyone in every category.

Goal: Leverage Content-as-a-Connection

Discover new business connections and upgrade existing ones to always-live digital relationships anchored deep in customer context to leverage content-as-a-connection

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5 Steps Loop

Be rigrously relevant and constantly deliver utility -- Nurture strong digital relationships and make the customer feel always there for you

Structure content meaningfully in context - match it, make it relevant and constantly deliver utility. We enable brands to get specific and go deeper in context - all the way to personalized auto-updating private buy/sell portfolios with custom classifications and one-to-one target pricing.

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1. Match deep context (Be rigorously relevant)

Be rigorously relevant, know your audience and profile every segment of customers in detail. Produce content that matters to them - not what is easy to produce. The message is no different from the fact that focus on the solution that your product provides; the need that it serves; and not the actual product only. For new business connections, it showcases expertise and breeds familiarity.

2. Constantly deliver utility (add value or convenience)

Be enriching or offer convenience or do anything as long as it add value to the customer. Even if the value is big or small - everything adds up. Just an easy way to connect with the right person without too much effort is a value that reflects that you are there when needed.

The listing organized in one place is a superbly valuable to the customers because it maps their view of the options. Likewise, any new idea or next practices that help them improve their business is always welcome. Every small thing counts and builds customer equity.

3. Always prompt interaction (be persuasive)

Guide the customer into the next best interaction. Build content in ways that always persuade the customer to start an interaction with your brand. In this regard, content is a great salesperson.

4. Remain hooked until the right time (perseverance)

Need to buy and time to buy both need to match for it to convert into a sale. Besides matching the customer need, perseverance is crucial to be there when the time to buy comes. Hotlink enables the live connection via the private buy/sell portfolios. Once the needs is established in the classification, and your product is matched to serve that need, the listing remains as a reminder of sorts - and is actioned at the right time to convert the suspect into a prospect. It covers the risk of out-of-sight out-of-mind.

5. Engage persistently (stimulate interest and appeal)

Anything new is always appealing. Attracts attention and builds recall. Also, consistency builds trust and confidence. It works wonders in customer acquisition and sales conversion.

Listings

Many pages with many ways for market communication

Digitize your collection - Showcase your brands, products and services online. Build an online showroom. Segment Hubs - help build focused collections that are organized by defined target audience; and serve specific purpose. Country Pavilions are setup for effective market focus.

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Global Common Language with Local Tweaks

Redefines Needs, Hence Influences Demand

Tailored classification is setup for each sector portal to curate and navigate with ease. Expert Councils design classifications by segment by category and by market; and provide suggested classifications for private customer portfolios.

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What: Tree & Tags (to Navigate & Filter)

Navigation Tree - Build a tree by attributes with deeper aspects to drill down into each product category which are then mapped.

Filter Tags - Classification Councils also define the relevant hanstags to build a tree of attributes for each product category which are then used for search and filter - to shorten the user journey to excatly what they are looking for.

Why: Relevance & Criticality

Redefines Needs - The products classification is in essence the definition of needs for any business. This has the potential to build clarity at all levels of business - not merely in sales, distribution and sourcing.

Better choices faster - Consistent classification matters as it can deliver multiplier benefits to one and all. It is a means to setup product options for easy discovery, comparison and decision-assitance for better choices faster.

Standardization - Spreads universal understanding of product/ technology options with a common language that enables effective choices and decision-assistance.

New technology adoption - Classification allows contextual understanding of new technologies and promotes shift to advanced and next generation products.

Best practices roll-out - Classification allows a means to enable best practice to be shared and implemented.

Who: Classification Councils

Expert Groups with deep and practical experience in dealing with relevant product categories come together to define the classification that is best for the overall community.

Councils are appropriately formed and structured by segment with market focus groups as extentions
Key positions within the councils are created and appointed on rotation-basis
More Councils are created within one product category as needed to deep dive into each of the product sub-categories.
Inclusion in councils is of high value to get diverse perspectives

How: Design Labs

Design the most appropriate classification that offers standardization across the sector that

Group Discussions - As needed, group discussions are done online and suggestions are circulated for everyone to review and comment.

Classification Considerations - Active areas on the platform are dedicated to classification considerations where norms and standards are published - if needed only for fellow council members before being published for comments by the overall community or finally for use.

Invite Deliberations - While Classification Councils pool their experiences and expertise, they also invite open comments from across the community to broaden the considerations in developing and improving the classification. Idea is that it should be relatable for everyone across the community.

Apply: Navigation Menu on Sector Portal

The classification is uploaded on the Global Sector Portal and made available to the entire community for easy navigation of the product options.

Adapt: Scheme Variations (Downloads for Private-Use)

Global-to-Local: Adapted Market Variations - As needed and appropriate, market focus groups make an amended version of the global products classification
Local-to-Private: Adapted Customer Variations - The market version may further be adapted for customer segments as needed

Alter: Review & Refine

On periodic milestones, the classification scheme is reviewed and refined as appropriate
Feedback loop is active round the year - any suggestion are incorporated appropriately in the next review cycle

More: Extended Design Labs

During the design process, classification councils may encounter sector/ segment-specific requirements that need design changes in the platform for lasting improvement. In such cases, they may constitute a separate design lab independently or under their own ambit to draw the blueprint for such change and coordinate with the Hotlink team regarding the same.

Insights

Series of Contextual Content

Cut the clutter and organize content into collections that enable meaningful clarity for the audience to arrive at the actionable tipping point - to achieve the intended purpose and outcomes; be it to shift beliefs, boost growth, trigger reforms, influence change, assist decisions etc. Series with themes and tracks amplify the voices and opinions of experts and executives.

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Series-as-a-Format

Context is prime to make it meaningful and actionable - hence content is created and organized into sets that follow a theme. It covers both big-picture clarity and deep-dive understanding; enabling beliefs to shift and for shared views and wide consensus to emerge. Depending on the agenda, topics or goals; series are freely designed, organized and curated as deemed appropriate to engage industry professionals.

Hotlink series borrow elements from white papers, webinars, conferences sessions, editorials, columns, periodicals, blogs and compilers. Batch-releases of stories like periodicals; organizing in cognitively logical flows like white-papers. Visualization, appeal and user-experience of the big picture like a jigsaw. Goal is to produce content that is high on impact, meaning and resonance. Sector initiatives, decision-assistance and many other reference-worthy material are curated into collections that deliver lasting utility.

Series are not designed like social media where posts are streamed in a chronology ie based on the time of posting - where despite use of search and hashtags, the order of content remains random. Not doubting the benefits of viral effect, trend building and related recall value - it still remains random. Lasting change and fundamental reforms need more structured information to cut the clutter and arrive at the tipping point.

Produced in seasons - Seasons build over each other with renewed engagement; as they ease the overload of ongoing information explosion into batches. Seasons organize series into focus areas and themes, build anticipation and participation for better business outcomes.

Why on Hotlink?

Neutral Venue - Independence of the platform renders a sense of credibility and maintains a clean perception in an increasingly inflammable compliance environment. It is comforting for everyone to remain hooked and to collaborate freely in a cloud environment that in no ways rakes doubts on crossing the lines of commercial interests.

Non-conflicting Agendas - Hotlink has no agendas of its own. While we focus on sectors, we do not aspire to a drivers position in any of them. We are enablers and facilitators - much like a host. For us, matters of discussion, issues and opinions are better left to the experts and executives.

Variety in one place - Audience flock to platforms that offer variety of choices and options. We work tirelessly you to grow the audience and build a larger and diverse outreach.

Ongoing engagement - We endeavor to continuously engage our audience. Not with a goal to sell a product. Hence we push creativity and design to gather more and more meaningful content in one place.

This isn't your business - Doing it well needs continuous efforts and iterative improvements which are only possible when this is top priority. Experts, Partners, Brands and Companies focus their energies and minds on the content while we manage the process.

Produce or Sponsor a Series

Brands underwrite the cost of making the series in the areas complementing their business. We offer ways to deliver a boost to the brand in multiple ways. The marketing leverages are tailored for each case. Anticipated benefits may include:

Story worth telling
Your brand story has higher impact and deeper emotional response when it is told by others
Customer engagement with faculty/ speakers
High-impact launch of a new product
Brand exposure
Exploit as a marketing opportunity to trigger growth
Showcasing a project/ capability
Establishing credibility

COVERAGE

Through the lens of experts and executives, we focus on innovations, trends, designs and technologies that are progressively pushing the limits. Across brands, products, business and learning, we cover what's new, why it matters, how it works and what need it serves. We also cover the story worth telling; to celebrate the journeys of overcoming challenges, transforming lives and the accomplishments that inspire.

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Brands and Companies

Tell your brand story. Much more than merely the history of the brand and a chronology of events. Brand story is something that tells the essence at the core of its creation and existence. Brand must trigger an emotional response. That is what the brand story is meant to prompt.

Innovations and disruptions which are redefining ways and transforming the sector
Emerging tech that is showing promise for disruption
Cool companies behind the hot brands - highlight the journey of organizations who have a story worth telling
Building brand awareness

Products and Services

Product news, commentary, analysis, features, FAQs, advice, hands-on reviews, buying guides, and informative videos/articles.
Launchpad
Featured Products
Product Options
Use Case Roadmaps
Full pitch - with explanations from product managers who hold deep understanding
Product Experience/ User Feedback - reviews, endorsements and testimonials

Business and Markets

Explore and explain the changing business trends
Next practices
Publich updates on variety of management areas to build collaborative spirit and mobilize mutual alignment at-large.
Commentary on burning issues enableing leaders to continually mobilize thinking.
Compelling stories with actionable triggers

Learning and People

For emerging tech and many B2B products to deliver the true potential and utility, they need to be accompanied with loads of knowledge and skill. We work with innovators and experts to curate relevant learning content that is organized into an online library of learning resources associated with the sector portals.

We recognize leaders and experts across the sector who make a difference. We celebrate contributions and pathbreaking work.

Sales Acceleration Engine for Brands

Global Sector Portal means different things to different people. What it does for all is constantly deliver utility.

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For Brands

Sector Portal is a sales acceleration engine anchored around customer context.

For Customers

Sector Portal is the discovery engine to conveniently research, filter and shortlist product options that match their unique needs.

For Distributors

Sector Portal is a business development engine and a window into advancing their role as an integral backbone of market access.

For Experts

Sector Portal is a spotlight for influencers, innovators, trailblazers and progressive leaders; an amplifier of their voice, work and design thinking.

For Partners

Sector Portal is a catalyst for knowledge agendas, community consensus and policy reforms towards shaping a better future for the sector.

For Community

Sector Portal is a convergence point of ideas and insights to keep pace with now and next.

The Experts Network

Guiding force in the sector ecosystem

Sector Portal is a spotlight for influencers, innovators, trailblazers and progressive leaders; an amplifier of their voice, work and design thinking. Experts contribute and collaborate to inspire and further the mission for progress. They are the torchbearers for timely transition to the next practices in this seamlessly interconnected digital era. They proactively recognize and leverage the inevitable disruption trends; and steer the sector towards a better future by converting threats into opportunities.

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About The Experts Network

Hotlink Experts are a worldwide community of passionate thinkers and doers who have proven and differentiated themselves in their respective fields.

Progressive bright minds collaborate in the Expert Network with a strong bias for action as they leverage the Hotlink platform to influence, shape and transform business ecosystems and trade networks for sustained higher performance. Experts contribute individually as influencers, and team with others for collective action. They seek to maximize outcomes for their business, their sector, and ultimately for business world at large.

Defining The Experts

An expert is someone distinguished and accomplished in the subject matter or in their field of work with a proven track record. - They are futurists, thinkers and doers with progressive ecosystem mindset. They are subject matter experts on any topic relevant to the sector in focus. Passion is the most common attribute that brings and binds industry leaders and progressive thinkers to gather and collaborate in The Experts Network on Hotlink. Each one of them promote an infectious passion for progress. Just for reference, we have noted below some broad indicative thoughts around the role of experts.

Influencers: Thought Leaders & Opinion Makers - Influencers are the voice that inspire thinking and action to boost the mission to Make B2B digital. They offer informed opinions, experiential wisdom and evidence-based analyses that spark constructive thinking and conversations on agendas around the mission. Experts work closely with other Experts; and with Members and Partners to spark, moderate and refine ideas that power the mission. They exchange ideas and build consensus via published work, Q&A, constructive debate etc.

Shapers: Change Makers - Shapers work with a strong bias for action. They form and participate in forums with deep focus to address sector-specific, cluster-specific or market-specific design needs. Experts connect and engage with other experts for constructive deliberations to arrive at consensus on collective action. Forums mobilise, promote and encourage inclusion in their networks to maximize outcomes for their market, sector or cluster. Expert Forums nominate and form transformer and transition groups as needed to get things done.

Transformers: Design Thinkers - Trasformers are hands-on. They work in focused teams with clear goals - mostly on defined timelines to get things done. Transition groups are formed to achieve specific goals in coordination with one or more shaper forums. Transformers pool experiential insights to create and refine designs and drive change management. They review and refine plans and progress the of collaborative initiatives.

How does it work?

We regularly invite qualified subject matter experts into The Experts Network.
Faculty/ fellow/ council opportunities emerge as we commission a series of content, constitute a design lab, form a classification council or start any other sectoral/ cross-sectoral initiative with partners, sponsors, brands or leaders.
Experts are contacted as appropriate and subject to their consent and availability we engage on the project.
We periodically liaise with Experts to seek suggestions on how they see and wish to define a roadmap of involvement. We continually drive and monitor the co-creation of value alongside alignment of expectations based on mutual understanding.

Who is invited?

We invite and welcome people from across functions, disciplines, sectors, markets and nationalities across the world to inspire, innovate and engage with each other; and deploy their collective power to shape a better future for the sector; and to modernize the ease of doing businesses.

We continusly to gather a global pool of influencers, subject matter experts, storytellers, authors, speakers and thinkers who drive dialogue, action and change with their thought provoking insights.

Does the job title matter? Short answer is no. We look for subject matter expertise - not titles.

What's in it for me?

Irrespective of who you are, what title you hold and what authority you enjoy, you will find opportunities to to truly and deeply engage with likeminded bring minds. As you participate alongside other Experts, you not just connect with them, instead you collaborate with them in meaningful experiences which become the foundation for lasting relationships.

What drives you to participate is very specific to your evolving professional context and personal aspirations. Each one defines it differently. Some of the common leverages are listed for reference:

Faculty/ speaking opportunities
Connect with your audience
Further your leadership
High-profile networking
Get noticed
Nurture meaningful relationships
Establish expertise
Build credibility
Drive change
Create a legacy in the body of work
Customer engagement
Business development
Nurture creative energies
Personal satisfaction

Nominate Yourself or Refer Someone

Are you an expert in your field? Or you know one? Write to us at hotlink@hotlink.com with a brief note about the expert and their expertise with their current contact details.

We assess eligibility, do background checks and seek opinions from other experts before selection. This may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

If someone else is selected with your reference, we will credit you for the nomination and keep you in Cc on the email. This transparently tells the Nominated Expert that you recognize and respect them for their capability.

Connect Right Content With the Right Audience

Audience flock to platforms that offer variety of choices and options. Also independent platforms render a sense of credibility and keeps a cleaner perception in an increasingly inflammable compliance environment. We work together with you to grow the audience and build a larger and diverse outreach.

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Why Visit the Sector Portals?

Create opportunities that drive business forward

Market access - discover new connections and map existing networks; find and get found
Explore more options of brands and products - expand your portfolio; preview new product launches and emerging technologies
Easily trigger product inquiries, quotation request and sales calls
Cut efforts and save time as you exploit the organized catalogs and product information in a structured item classification
Participate in the industry-wide event - keep abreast and develop deeper understanding of current industry issues and developments; drive progress at-large and sectoral reforms by shaping opinions and consensus; appreciate, acknowledge and recognize industry professionals
Gain insights with latest thinking & trending - keep pace with market developments; learn from experts; know what's happening
New business, trade deals and promotions
Harmonize one-to-one digital contracts
Organize private portfolios with custom collections as appropriate for your business
Opportunity to extend into connected commerce
Save time, efforts and resources, cut costs through new initiatives
Anytime anywhere convenience to browse frequently

The Partners Network

Win-win-win for common target audience, partners and the platform

Complement capabilities, combine strengths and cooperate to achieve more together with outcomes much greater than sum of the parts. For Partners, Sector Portal is a catalyst for knowledge agendas, community consensus and policy reforms towards shaping a better future for the sector. Together, we promote common interests, advance overlapping agendas/goals or leverage engagement of common target audience; or a joint market action or more.

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About The Partners Network

Partners constitute a worldwide alliance ecosystem driven by blending their industry progress and knowledge agendas with sectoral outreach and contextual professional engagement capabilities on the Hotlink platform.

We collaborate with diverse set of partners for each of the Hotlink Sector Portals to leverage engagement of common target audience. Partners promote their own mission and industry agendas - and join hands with other partners to promote common interests, advance overlapping agendas, undertake industry initiatives and pursue collaborative goals.

Who do we Partner with?

Although every sector is different, as appropriate for the industry, participants and audience, generally we seek to partner with the following:

Industry Partners - Associations, chambers and industry bodies representing the voice of many sectors, segments or stakeholders
Knowledge Partners Subject matter experts and thought-leaders with deep industry insights and analysis
Government Partners - We deliver our responsibility to create a special pedestal for the leaders from government, governmental organization and public services to promote and engage the industry stakeholders and audience
Trade Promotion Partners - National/ international trade promotion bodies

How does it work?

We regularly engage with institutions to explore and engage with them into The Partners Network.
Define common grounds and how we can collaborate.
Map each others' objectives to identify complementing goals or common target audience to extend cooperation with combined actions while remaining independent and neutral.
Regularly liaise with each other to define/ refine a roadmap of involvement. Define actionable plans - generally done for cycles of 3 years.
Periodic reviews to monitor and improve. We continually drive and monitor the co-creation of value alongside alignment of expectations based on mutual understanding.

What to expect?

Partners combine strengths with Hotlink to enable and fast-track their mission - they provoke conversations that matter. Every parther is unique and we periodically define and refine our understanding to make it mutually enriching. Some partners benefit in the following ways:

Opportunities to mobilize and engage networks - engage with communities across the global sector portal to identify and create new opportunities
Share opinions, data and research to build a shared view of important issues
Amplify your voice and outreach - enhance business value and accelerate influence across global markets
Connect with your audience - socialize the next practices to drive broader consensus
Further your leadership and impact
Create and moderate content by building threads with multiple viewpoints and analysis of different perspectives towards a blended voice of the sector for a better future.
High-profile networking and grow your networks
Deliver utility to your target audience specifically tailored to their unique business context
Drive change
Market engagement and business development
Global collaborative initiatives with similar parthers in other geographies
More time and focus on knowledge enabled by platform and support from Hotlink

Become a Partner or Refer One

Write to us at hotlink@hotlink.com with a brief note about you or the Partner you are referring along with the details of their current contact person.
We will initiate a dialogue to explore common grounds and how we can completent each other.
Define the terms of understanding and actionable points (generally for a 3 years cycle).

Make a Series with Hotlink

We let you focus on the agenda, while we take care of the coordination, production, editing etc.

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Story Worth Telling

Independent Neutral Platform Means Higher Credibility

Engagement amongst faculty members is a significant win-win and generates the best results with collaborative minds. Rapport building is fast-tracked with the peer reviews and editing where each one makes value-add suggestions.

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Stage 1: Define & Plan

Define the Series & Target Audience - Articulate the theme and overview with the outreach goals.

Name the Series - Map a identity that has high recall and relatability. The name can match a brand only if the brand sponsors the series.

Faculty Council & Contributors - Define your group- who you find most appropriate as per the theme and the ones you wish to work with. We will then invite them with an appropriate message reflecting you as the anchor of the thinking around the theme for the series. Form the faculty council, prompt interaction and spark engagement with each of the council members. Besides faculty if there are specific contributors in the series, they need to be given appropriate mentions and credit.

Setup Secure Faculty Room - We seutup a microsite with access shared only with faculty members to manage the production journey.

Program, Format & Approach - Breakdown the series into episodes of content and mark each into article or video. At this stage itself start to define the outline of the series collage - ie the landing page.

Approach, Peer Review & Editing - Since all faculty members run extremely busy schedules, it is important to define and agree the approach for content development in advance and decide relative contributions. The solo work, small group calls, status emails, need for a WhatsApp Group or otherwise.

Timeline & Budget/ Sponsors - Define the timeline for each stage and for each release of each episode - either as a sequence or fully as a batch. We will work out the budget for the same; and assess the need and opportunities for sponsorship. In many cases, we at Hotlink could sponsor this from our own marketing resources.

Disclosures - Note down all disclosures by episode to ensure that any commercial interest or conflict of interest is stated upfront.

Credits - Define the credit statements for each episode.

Stage 2: Announce & Promote

Teaser - Release and promote the teaser - build anticipation regularly. Hotlink posts this on the platform and also on LinkedIn and Twitter - tagging each of the faculty members.

Landing Page - Alongside the teaser Hotlink works to prepare the draft landing page.

Stage 3: Develop & Release

Create - Respective faculty members, individually or in groups do their parts as per the approach agreed in planning stage.

Peer Review & Editing - Draft content is shared for peer review and suggested edits are considered, agreed and incorporated.

HTML Production & Video Editing - Hotlink does the task on hand.

Confirmation - Prototypes are reviewed by the faculty members in the given timeline - any edits suggested and refined by us.

Release - As per plan, we move the finalized content from the secure faculty room into the respective sector portal for release.

Stage 4: Circulate & Feedback

Share Widely - As it is released we post the same to invite views. The faculty members also share the same across their networks to maximize audiences.

Feedback - We regularly monitor the feedback and letters to the author and editor. As needed, the responses are posted in the respective episodes.

Stage 5: Explore Next Season

At appropriate milestones after the previous season - and as more thinking emerges over the thinking shared earlier, we explore the trends and material for a follow-up season within that series.

#BusinessNeverStops

#DoMoreBusiness

#OutperformTogether