#Amazon Delivery Service Partner

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Amazon's bestselling "bitter lemon" energy drink was bottled delivery driver piss

Today (Oct 20), I'm in Charleston, WV at Charleston's Taylor Books from 12h-14h.

For a brief time this year, the bestselling "bitter lemon drink" on Amazon was "Release Energy," which consisted of the harvested urine of Amazon delivery drivers, rebottled for sale by Catfish UK prankster Oobah Butler in a stunt for a new Channel 4 doc, "The Great Amazon Heist":

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-great-amazon-heist

Collecting driver piss is surprisingly easy. Amazon, you see, puts its drivers on a quota that makes it impossible for them to drive safely, park conscientiously, or, indeed, fulfill their basic human biological needs. Amazon has long waged war on its employees' kidneys, marking down warehouse workers for "time off task" when they visit the toilets.

As tales of drivers pissing – and shitting! – in their vans multiplied, Amazon took decisive action. The company enacted a strict zero tolerance policy for drivers returning to the depot with bottles of piss in their vans.

That's where Butler comes in: the roads leading to Amazon delivery depots are lined with bottles of piss thrown out of delivery vans by drivers who don't want to lose their jobs, which made harvesting the raw material for "Release Energy" a straightforward matter.

Butler was worried that he wouldn't be able to list his product on Amazon because he didn't have the requisite "food and drinks licensing" certificates, so he listed his drink in Amazon's refillable pump dispenser category. But Amazon's systems detected the mismatch and automatically shifted the product into the drinks section.

Butler enlisted some confederates to place orders for his drink, and it quickly rocketed to the top of Amazon's listings for the category, which led to Amazon's recommendation engine pushing the item on people who weren't in on the gag. When these orders came in, Butler pulled the plug, but not before an Amazon rep telephoned him to pitch him turning packaging, shipping and fulfillment over to Amazon:

https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-let-its-drivers-urine-be-sold-as-an-energy-drink/

The Release Energy prank was just one stunt Butler pulled for his doc; he also went undercover at an Amazon warehouse, during a period when Amazon hired an extra 1,000 workers for its warehouses in Coventry, UK, in a successful bid to dilute pro-union sentiment in his workforce in advance of a key union vote:

https://jacobin.com/2023/10/the-great-amazon-heist-oobah-butler-review

Butler's stint as an Amazon warehouse worker only lasted a couple of days, ending when Amazon recognized him and fired him.

The contrast between Amazon's ability to detect an undercover reporter and its inability to spot bottles of piss being marketed as bitter lemon energy drink says it all, really. Corporations like Amazon hire vast armies of "threat intelligence" creeps who LARP at being CIA superspies, subjecting employees and activists to intense and often illegal surveillance.

But while Amazon's defensive might is laser-focused on the threat of labor organizers and documentarians, the company can't figure out that one of its bestselling products is bottles of its tormented drivers' own urine.

In the USA, the FTC is suing Amazon for its monopolistic tactics, arguing that the company has found ways to raise prices and reduce quality by trapping manufacturers and sellers with its logistics operation, taking $0.45-$0.51 out of every dollar they earn and forcing them to raise prices at all retailers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/25/greedflation/#commissar-bezos

The Release Energy stunt shows where Amazon's priorities are. Not only did Release Energy get listed on Amazon without any quality checks, the company actually nudged it into a category where it was more likely to be consumed by a person. The only notice the company took of Release Energy was in its logistics and manufacturing department – the part of the business that extracts the monopoly rents at issue in the FTC case – which tracked Butler down in order to sell him these services.

The drivers whose piss Butler collected don't work directly for Amazon, they work for a Delivery Service Partner. These DSPs are victims of a pyramid scheme that Amazon set up. DSP operators lease vans and pay to have them skinned in Amazon livery and studded with Amazon sensors. They take out long-term leases on depots, and hire drivers who dress in Amazon uniforms. Their drivers are minutely monitored by Amazon, down to the movements of their eyeballs.

But none of this is "Amazon" – it's all run by an "entrepreneur," whom Amazon can cut loose without notice, leaving them with unfairly terminated employees, outstanding workers' comp claims, a fleet of Amazon-skinned vehicles and unbreakable facilities leases:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/17/revenge-of-the-chickenized-reverse-centaurs/

Speaking to Wired, Amazon denied that it forces its drivers to piss in bottles, but Butler clearly catches a DSP dispatcher telling drivers "If you pee in a bottle and leave it [in the vehicle], you will get a point for that" – that is, the part you get punished for isn't the peeing, it's the leaving.

Amazon's defense against the FTC is that it spares no effort to keep its marketplace safe. As Amazon spokesperson James Drummond says, they use "industry-leading tools to prevent genuinely unsafe products being listed." But the only industry-leading tools in evidence are tools to bust unions and screw suppliers.

In her landmark Yale Law Review paper, "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox," FTC Chair Lina Khan makes a brilliant argument that Amazon's alleged benefits to "consumers" are temporary at best, illusory at worst:

https://www.yalelawjournal.org/note/amazons-antitrust-paradox

In Butler's documentary, Khan's hypothesis is thoroughly validated: here's a company extracting hundreds of billions from merchants who raise prices to compensate, and those monopoly rents are "invested" in union-busting and countermeasures against investigative journalists, while the tools to keep you from accidentally getting a bottle of piss in the mail are laughably primitive.

Truly, Amazon is the apex predator of the platform era:

https://pluralistic.net/ApexPredator

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/20/release-energy/#the-bitterest-lemon

My next novel is The Lost Cause, a hopeful novel of the climate emergency. Amazon won't sell the audiobook, so I made my own and I'm pre-selling it on Kickstarter!

[dahnaylogistics]

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[kaladinsspear]

Self indulgent fluffy modern Shakadolin AU. Because I love them.

* Kaladin is ex army. One of those people who was special forces and therefore “officially” sat on his butt and did nothing for all 6 years of his service. He didn’t of course, but his entire file is redacted so he gets nothing. No disability (how could he have ptsd? He was “never deployed”) no VA support, no GI bill, nothing.

* He is now working for Amazon as a delivery driver while he goes to school. He started premed, but ended up switching to psychology. He’s especially interested in the body/mind connection. Not necessarily medication (though, he does support its use when needed) but more things like diet, sleep, exercise, and how your physical health affects your mental/emotional health.

* He volunteers at the local animal shelter where he takes dogs on hikes each week. This is how he met Syl.

* Syl is a Veterinarian. She volunteers at the local animal shelter as well, and the two quickly became close friends. They currently share an apartment.

* They tried dating for about a week (heteronormativity ya know?) but decided that it wasn’t for them. They love each other deeply and would consider each other life partners, but they don’t love each other romantically.

* Shallan works at one of those “paint with me” art studios. She has a degree in….drawing? (Sorry! I don’t know what the specializations are in art school!) and takes commissions for technical illustrations on the side.

* She loves the Wheel of Time series and has a thriving fan art instagram and tumblr.

* She met Jasna when she was in school. Jasna was her history professor and quickly became her mentor. Somewhere between a mother and older sister with a little bit of a crush thrown in. Not that Shallan would ever actually want to be in a romantic relationship with Jasna, but she so pretty, and smart, and opinionated, and bold, and…… ya know?

* Jasna is the one who introduced her to Adolin, and he and Shallan hit it off right away.

* They dated for about 3 years before getting married. They are sickeningly adorable.

* Adolin served in the military as well because it was family tradition, but didn’t make the career out of it that was expected of him.

* Adolin was a Marine, and his service is on record. He gets a nice GI bill which he is using to study physical therapy.

* Turns out, Adolin and Kaladin go to the same school.

* At first they are kind of indifferent to each other, but soon bond over shared military experience and an interest in whole body health.

* Adolin introduces Kaladin to Shallan and the two hit it off super well.

* Fortunately, they are all adults who know how to talk to each other and Shallan and Adolin have discussed polyamory before, all be it in hypothetical terms.

* Adolin is actually the one to bring it up to Kaladin, just to make sure Kaladin doesn’t feel pressured or sneaky. All 3 of them have a conversation about what a relationship might look like, and they decide to try it out.

* Turns out, it works great for them. Kaladin and Adolin have a delightful bromance thing going on. They probably wouldn’t have gotten together without Shallan, but they love each other deeply and enjoy their relationship.

* Shallan and Syl are super close as well, and they enjoy drawing together and discussing the Wheel of Time.

* Syl and Adolin get super into cosplay and make fantastic creations together.

[coffee-and-manslaughter]

The Amazon strikes are very interesting to me.

See, I work at Amazon as a driver. Here's the thing, though - I don't actually work for Amazon. I work for a third party (a DSP, or delivery service partner) who in turn works for Amazon.

Part of the reason Amazon has had so much success in ignoring the demands of drivers is because they've been shifting the blame entirely onto the DSPs instead, saying since the employees are not theirs they have no responsibility to appease them.

Which is... interesting, considering Amazon can fire me for any number of offenses. A few of the articles I've seen are talking about how the Teamsters are trying to get that recognized, and that Amazon shifting the blame is just ridiculous.

I can't speak for the warehouse workers, but I wish them the best. The turnover rate is absolutely insane in there and they're currently on mandatory overtime for the holidays.

Also. While I'm making a post about this. Please don't be horrible to the people still running their routes. Even the picketers are being understanding, you have no excuse. Driving for Amazon has your starting pay at 19.75, which for a lot of places (including mine) is a LOT compared to most other jobs. Getting fired from a job like that can be suicide, especially with what it's like trying to get a new job right now.

Anyway. Very interested to see how this is going to end up. I'm very much on the side of the strikers, of course, but I'm not optimistic - Amazon's hold on everything really borders on godlike.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Dave Jamieson at HuffPost:

Amazon delivery drivers at several of the retailer’s hubs went on strike Thursday demanding the company bargain a union contract, according to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Teamsters said the walkouts hit seven facilities in New York, California, Georgia and Illinois less than a week before Christmas. It was unclear how many workers took part or how much the strikes disrupted deliveries. Sean O’Brien, the union’s president, said in a statement that Amazon had “pushed workers to the limit.” “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed,” O’Brien said. “We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it.” Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said the company hadn’t seen “any impact on our operations” due to the walkouts. She also accused the Teamsters of “threatening” and “intimidating” workers into joining the union.

“For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public — claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers,’” Nantel said in a statement. “They don’t, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative.” The Teamsters have been trying to organize the nonunion drivers who work out of Amazon’s hubs. Those drivers technically work for outside contractors — “delivery service partners,” in Amazon-speak — but the union argues the world’s largest online retailer is the one that controls the working conditions.

[...] Amazon has insisted it doesn’t legally employ the drivers, although the drivers wear Amazon uniforms, drive Amazon-branded vans and deliver Amazon packages. Prosecutors at the National Labor Relations Board have challenged Amazon’s position, asserting that the retailer is really a “joint employer” of delivery drivers at a hub in Southern California. But such cases take years to litigate, and Amazon is likely to find a more employer-friendly NLRB under President-elect Donald Trump.

Amazon drivers at several plants have gone on strike to demand union contracts of its drivers. #AmazonStrike

[bitterbareface]

The only acceptable FuryJack Modern AU is working for Amazon. Jack is clearly the Director of Amazon Delivery Service Partner. Furiosa is working as a delivery partner because she wants to take the whole company out from the inside. Her fervant hatred for the company keeps getting mistaken for capitalistic zeal and she keeps getting promoted. When she begins working beside Jack day in and day out, he actually sees what she's trying to do and joins her cause. And instead of dying he gets, like, wrongly imprisoned or something. Immortan Bezos replaces him with Furiosa and then the last chapter of the fic is the home addresses of every S level exec at Amazon.

[naptimeclown]

I need some help again

I hate doing this but I am desperate again.

I'm in the process of trying to leave my current living situation. I've been trying to move in with my partner for some months now, saving up when I can but I only work part time due to chronic pain, fatigue and mental health and get very little hours because we are overstaffed.

I'm currently trying to use one of those pod container services to move my belongings because I cannot drive and cannot trust anyone here to help me with the move except for a friend who very kindly offered but their vehicle isnt able tow a trailer.

I currently have about 1300 saved for this. I was given an estimate of $1,682.85 for the container plus delivery. And the cheapest flights I could find one way were around $200. So I need at least 582.85 just to get out of here and that's not including moving supplies like boxes, tape etc. Im rounding it to 600 just for simplicity.

After finding out about me wanting to move my family has become more hostile. Making racist comments towards my partner. Insisting that I pay bills that they have never mentioned or asked me to chip in with before. Saying that I owe them for things that I bought myself with my own money. Trying to guilt me and otherwise emotionally manipulate me for wanting to leave. Which is starting to drive me back towards unhealthy habits and suicidal thoughts.

My partner cannot help me financially with this because he is currently trying to find a vehicle and I would rather he have a way to get to work. He was able to help by finding me a job that would be happy to take me once I get there.

If you've gotten this far thank you very much for taking the time to read this post.

If you would like to help below is my p*yp*l pool as well as an amazon wishlist of shipping things that would greatly help make this easier. I'll also include my C*sh*pp and Ch!me in case you'd like to give something directly. Thank you again very much. If you aren't able to give please share this post.

Paypl

Wishlist

c*sh*pp: $cjwh1te

chime: $CJW15

175/600

[notwiselybuttoowell]

Vivi Armacost loves Temu. She uses the Chinese online marketplace to buy crafting supplies for her purse-making hobby. “You can get purse detailing and hardware for cents and pennies,” said Armacost, who is 24 and lives in New York. She says it seems like “basically everything” in her apartment comes from Temu

Donald Trump’s 10% tariff on China-made goods sold to the US, which went into effect early on Tuesday morning, might change her shopping habits. On top of this, the US Postal Service briefly suspended deliveries of incoming parcels from China and Hong Kong before they were later resumed.

The tariff closes off a trade loophole that allowed fast-fashion companies such as Temu and Shein to ship packages under $800 into the US duty-free; this loophole, called “de minimis” has been criticized by both political parties in recent years. On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Shein and Temu are now likely to raise prices, as is Amazon’s Haul, a new e-commerce app that imports products from China-based sellers.

Shoppers are concerned the tariff will get in the way of their retail therapy.

“Trying to get that last Temu order in before Trump puts another tariff on China,” Armacost, who works in consulting and also makes comedy videos on TikTok, captioned a post on Monday that shows her frantically typing on a computer, hacker movie-style. It was mostly a joke, but she has friends who made one final Temu run. “My friend Piper got a ton of apartment stuff during a last-minute tariff haul,” she said.

Temu – which surpassed Amazon as the most-downloaded shopping app in 2023 – and Shein are beloved by the overly trendy and the obsessively thrifty. While Shein is known primarily for clothing, Temu also sells makeup, home goods and decor. These products are cheap – just over $4 for a pair of women’s sneakers on Temu, or $1.45 for bracelet on Temu – but of dubious quality. Inevitably, many end up in landfills.

“A lot of the stuff comes actually way smaller than you expect,” Armacost said. “I bought a desk lamp, except it can fit in my hands.”

In the months before Trump took office, shoppers urged each other to stock up on Temu and Shein, in case the new administration followed through on its promise to tax US trade partners. “Kinda feeling emo bc this may be the last good Black Friday for a while because of the tariffs,” one TikTok user wrote in a clip. “Better collect your ‘vintage Shein’ because they will probably go for $100 next year.’”

Two days after the election, the fashion writer Amy Odell warned readers of price hikes in a post to her BackRow Substack titled: “Trump Won. So Shop Now.” Susan Scafidi, a lawyer and founder of Fordham’s Fashion Law Institute, told Odell: “Everything’s going to be more expensive, which is a little crazy when you realize that a lot of the Trump appeal was with regard to the economy.”

Could the tariff kill fast fashion, an industry defined by wasteful over-consumption, as we know it? No, says Margaret Bishop, a textile and apparel specialist and professor at New York’s Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology. “If anything, I think these tariffs will strengthen fast fashion’s hold on customers,” she said. “If everything costs more, particularly food, transportation and housing, they’re going to have to cut back somewhere.

“Americans have a real hunger for new fashion, so they will trade down to be able to continue to buy things. If a $1 pack of T-shirts at Temu becomes $2 a pack, that’s still cheaper than spending $20 for a couple of T-shirts that are better made,” she continued.

Sheng Lu, a professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware, agreed that tariffs would not “fundamentally shift” Americans’ love of a good, if sketchy, deal. While small businesses will bear most of the pain from tariffs – due to supply chain snarls or the fact that Americans won’t be able to spend as much – larger corporations such as Shein and Temu tend to absorb costs.

“These companies are resourceful,” Lu said. “My more immediate concern is that small and medium-sized enterprises won’t survive, or will face significant challenges.”

In 2023, a US congressional report alleged that there was an “extremely high risk” that Temu used forced labor in its supply chain, and that both Shein and Temu evaded US human rights reviews. (Shein denied these claims at the time, while Temu did not comment on the report.) A recent report from the Swiss advocacy group Public Eye found that some Shein workers endure 75-hour work weeks. (Shein told the BBC it was “working hard” to address the issues raised in the report.)

The fast-fashion industry is also synonymous with high carbon emissions and pollution.

Lu fears that tariffs will exacerbate these issues. “If they have to pay more on tariff duties but at the same time make their prices competitive, that’s not good news for workers or the environmental impact, because companies will have more incentive to cut corners,” he said.

In the EU, the European Commission moved on Wednesday to tighten checks on goods sold by online retailers such as Shein and Temu, amid fears that “dangerous products” were flooding the market and that local competitors were losing out to competitors selling unsafe or counterfeit products.

Armacost knows that these e-commerce giants represent the worst of Americans’ desire for excess. “But also, at the same time, spending does stimulate the economy,” she said. “In response to the idea that it’s a good thing if people stop ordering so much random stuff, I say: ‘What’s the point of living in a country if I can’t order 100 pieces of junk for $15?’”

[shipeasetechnologies]

Seamless Order Fulfillment: Why Shipease is the Perfect Logistic Company for Online Sellers

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, order fulfillment plays a crucial role in ensuring customer satisfaction and business success. Online sellers need a logistics partner that can provide seamless and efficient delivery services while reducing operational hassles. This is where Shipease excels, offering a streamlined and reliable solution for all order fulfillment needs. As a top eCommerce shipping platform, Shipease provides the best shipping solutions for e-commerce businesses in Gurgaon and beyond.

Why Choose Shipease?

1. Comprehensive Logistics Solutions

Shipease offers end-to-end logistics services that cater to businesses of all sizes. From warehousing and inventory management to last-mile delivery, Shipease ensures that every step of the fulfillment process is handled with precision and efficiency. This makes it the best logistics company in Gurgaon for businesses seeking reliable shipping solutions.

2. Multiple Courier Integrations

One of the standout features of Shipease is its integration with multiple courier partners. This allows online sellers to choose the best shipping options based on cost, speed, and service quality. With a variety of delivery choices, businesses can enhance customer experience and meet varying delivery expectations. This flexibility makes Shipease the top eCommerce shipping platform for sellers looking for tailored shipping solutions.

3. Advanced Technology and Automation

Shipease leverages advanced technology to automate shipping and tracking processes. The platform provides real-time tracking, automated order processing, and seamless integration with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon. This automation reduces manual errors and ensures faster order fulfillment, making it the best shipping solution for e-commerce businesses in Gurgaon.

4. Cost-Effective Shipping Solutions

Managing shipping costs is a major concern for online sellers. Shipease offers competitive pricing and discounted shipping rates, helping businesses save money while maintaining high-quality service. The dynamic pricing model ensures that sellers get the best rates based on their specific shipping needs, positioning it as the best logistics company in Gurgaon for cost-effective solutions.

5. Reliable and Fast Delivery

Timely delivery is a key factor in customer satisfaction. Shipease’s extensive delivery network ensures fast and reliable shipping, minimizing delays and ensuring packages reach customers on time. Their efficient logistics network also enables same-day and next-day delivery options for businesses aiming to provide premium service, further establishing it as a top eCommerce shipping platform.

6. Hassle-Free Returns Management

Returns are an inevitable part of e-commerce. Shipease simplifies the return process by offering easy return pickups and quick refunds, enhancing customer trust and loyalty. Their hassle-free return management system reduces the burden on sellers and improves overall operational efficiency, making them the best shipping solution for e-commerce businesses in Gurgaon.

7. Exceptional Customer Support

Shipease understands the importance of responsive customer service. Their dedicated support team is available to address any concerns and assist sellers with shipping issues. This proactive approach ensures smooth operations and better problem resolution.

Final Thoughts

For online sellers looking for a dependable logistics partner, Shipease is an ideal choice. With its comprehensive logistics solutions, technology-driven operations, and cost-effective shipping options, Shipease ensures seamless order fulfillment, enabling businesses to focus on growth and customer satisfaction.

As the best logistics company in Gurgaon and a top eCommerce shipping platform, Shipease provides the best shipping solutions for e-commerce businesses in Gurgaon. Choosing Shipease means choosing efficiency, reliability, and success in e-commerce logistics. Start shipping smarter today with Shipease!

[vaastu-naresh]

How to Make Passive Income Online

In today’s digital age, making passive income online has become more accessible than ever. Passive income allows you to earn money with minimal ongoing effort after the initial setup. Whether you want to supplement your existing income or build a full-time online business, there are various ways to generate passive income. Here are some of the best methods:

1. Start a Blog

Blogging can be a great way to earn passive income by monetizing content through ads, affiliate marketing, and digital product sales.

How It Works: Write high-quality content targeting a specific niche.

Income Sources: Display ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.

Tools Needed: A domain, hosting service (like Bluehost or SiteGround), and a content management system like WordPress.

Tip: Focus on SEO to attract organic traffic.

2. Create and Sell Online Courses

If you have expertise in a particular field, you can create and sell online courses on platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare.

How It Works: Develop structured course content and upload it to an online learning platform.

Income Sources: One-time purchases or subscription-based access.

Tools Needed: Video recording equipment, course planning software, and an LMS (Learning Management System).

Tip: Offer free mini-courses to attract students and upsell premium content.

3. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting other companies’ products and earning a commission for each sale generated through your referral link.

How It Works: Share affiliate links in blog posts, social media, or YouTube videos.

Income Sources: Commissions from product sales.

Tools Needed: An affiliate program like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or CJ Affiliate.

Tip: Promote products you genuinely use and trust.

4. Sell Digital Products

Selling digital products is a great way to make passive income because they require no inventory or shipping.

How It Works: Create eBooks, templates, printables, stock photos, or software and sell them online.

Income Sources: Sales through platforms like Gumroad, Etsy, or Shopify.

Tools Needed: Design software like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, or a digital marketplace.

Tip: Automate delivery using online platforms.

5. Invest in Dividend Stocks

Dividend stocks allow you to earn passive income through regular payouts from companies in which you invest.

How It Works: Buy shares in dividend-paying stocks and collect payouts.

Income Sources: Stock dividends.

Tools Needed: A brokerage account like Robinhood, Fidelity, or Vanguard.

Tip: Reinvest dividends to compound your earnings over time.

6. Create a YouTube Channel

YouTube offers multiple monetization options, making it a lucrative passive income source.

How It Works: Upload engaging videos on a topic of interest.

Income Sources: YouTube AdSense, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

Tools Needed: A good camera, microphone, and video editing software.

Tip: Be consistent and create valuable content to grow your audience.

7. Dropshipping Business.

How It Works: Set up an online store and partner with a supplier.

Income Sources: Profit margins from product sales.

Tools Needed: Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce.

Tip: Focus on trending products with high demand.

8. Sell Stock Photos & Videos

If you’re a photographer or videographer, selling stock images and videos can be a great passive income stream.

How It Works: Upload high-quality images and videos to stock websites.

Income Sources: Royalties from stock websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Getty Images.

Tools Needed: A professional camera and photo editing software.

Tip: Research in-demand content to maximize earnings.

9. Write and Sell an Ebook

If you have knowledge or experience in a subject, writing an eBook can generate passive income.

How It Works: Publish an eBook and sell it on platforms like Amazon Kindle or Gumroad.

Income Sources: Royalties from book sales.

Tools Needed: Writing software like Scrivener or Microsoft Word.

Tip: Promote your book through social media and blogging.

10. Rent Out Property on Air.

If you own property, you can rent it out on Airbnb for short-term stays.

How It Works: List your property and manage bookings.

Income Sources: Rental income from guests.

Tools Needed: An Airbnb account and a well-furnished property.

Tip: Optimize your listing with high-quality photos and great customer service.

[azspot]

The drivers whose piss Butler collected don't work directly for Amazon, they work for a Delivery Service Partner. These DSPs are victims of a pyramid scheme that Amazon set up. DSP operators lease vans and pay to have them skinned in Amazon livery and studded with Amazon sensors. They take out long-term leases on depots, and hire drivers who dress in Amazon uniforms. Their drivers are minutely monitored by Amazon, down to the movements of their eyeballs.

Cory Doctorow

[allaboutmarketing4you]

Marketing Strategies And Marketing Mix Of Adobe

Source: The Brand Hopper

"Adobe’s Marketing Mix (4Ps): A Deeper Dive

Adobe’s success can be attributed to its strategic implementation of the marketing mix, the 4Ps: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Let’s explore each element in detail:

1. Product:

Breadth: From Photoshop and Illustrator for design to Premiere Pro and After Effects for video editing, Adobe covers diverse creative needs. They even offer XD for web design and Spark for social media content creation.

Depth: Each software has various versions. Photoshop Elements caters to beginners, while Photoshop CC caters to professionals. This ensures accessibility and scalability for different user groups.

Innovation: Adobe Research invests heavily in AI, machine learning, and other cutting-edge technologies. This translates into features like Content-Aware Fill in Photoshop and Rotoscoping in After Effects.

Integration: Adobe products work seamlessly together. For example, you can edit a photo in Photoshop and directly export it to Premiere Pro for video editing.

Services: Adobe Creative Cloud offers 20GB of cloud storage, access to Adobe Fonts, and integration with stock photo libraries like Adobe Stock, enhancing the overall creative workflow.

2. Price

Subscription Model: Adobe transitioned from perpetual licenses to subscriptions in 2013. This makes their software more affordable for individuals and small businesses, especially with monthly payment options.

Tiered Pricing: Individual, team, and enterprise subscriptions offer different features and functionalities, catering to diverse needs and budgets.

Free Trials and Freemium Options: Adobe offers free trials for most products, allowing users to experience the software firsthand. Some products also have limited free versions with basic features.

Discounts: Educational institutions, students, and teachers receive significant discounts on Adobe Creative Cloud, expanding access to future generations of creative professionals.

Bundled Offerings: Adobe Creative Cloud offers various bundles combining multiple products at a discounted price. This incentivizes purchases and increases perceived value.

3. Place

Direct Sales: Adobe sells directly through its website and flagship stores, offering personalized recommendations, tutorials, and in-depth product demonstrations.

Partner Channels: Strategic partnerships with leading tech companies like Microsoft and Apple expand reach and distribution channels. This makes Adobe software easily accessible through familiar platforms.

Online Marketplaces: Adobe software is available on Amazon and the Microsoft Store, increasing visibility and accessibility for users who prefer these platforms.

Cloud Delivery: Adobe Creative Cloud is delivered through the cloud, eliminating installation hassles and allowing users to access their files and projects from any device with an internet connection.

Mobile Apps: Adobe offers mobile versions of popular products like Photoshop and Lightroom, catering to the on-the-go creative needs of users and expanding their creative potential beyond desktops.

4. Promotion

Content Marketing: Adobe offers high-quality content across various formats. The Adobe Blog features in-depth tutorials, industry insights, and creative inspiration. They also have dedicated YouTube channels for each product, offering tutorials, tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Community Engagement: Adobe fosters a strong community through forums like the Adobe Help Center and user groups. They also host events like Adobe MAX, which connects users, showcases new features, and inspires creativity.

Social Media Marketing: Active engagement on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube builds brand awareness and connects with users directly.

Influencer Marketing: Collaborations with renowned creative professionals like photographers and designers amplify brand messaging and reach new audiences. Adobe also has an Adobe Creative Experts program, empowering passionate users to share their knowledge and expertise.

Events and Conferences: Adobe hosts and participates in industry events like Adobe MAX and Adobe Summit. These events showcase innovation, connect with potential customers, and build brand awareness.

Paid Advertising: Adobe uses targeted ads on platforms like Google and social media to reach specific audience segments and drive traffic to their website and free trial offers.

By strategically implementing these elements, Adobe has created a marketing mix that is comprehensive, effective, and adaptable. They have gone beyond simply selling software; they have built a community, fostered creativity, and established themselves as a leader in the industry. This approach not only drives sales but also builds brand loyalty and establishes a strong foundation for future growth. "

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https://thebrandhopper.com/2024/02/06/marketing-strategies-and-marketing-mix-of-adobe/

[beingdiplomatic]

Fostering Partnerships of Amazon:

Third-Party Sellers: Amazon sells the goods and provides a list of independent vendors in the marketplace. Building a Collaboration in Which Amazon Offers. Platform operations and consumer outreach, while vendors supply goods and frequently take care of fulfillment.

Affiliate Program: Through its affiliate program, which pays bloggers and website owners commissions for promoting Amazon products, the company offers incentives to both people and companies to increase traffic to its platform.

AWS Partner Network (APN): We have a network of technology and consulting partners who provide free service solutions and highly skilled service delivery methods for our cloud service, Amazon Web Services.

Amazon Delivery Service Partners (DSP): Amazon Partners With Independence Contractors Through Its DSP Program To Deliver Packages Expanding Its Logistics Network And Capacity.

Amazon Associates Program: Publishers, influencers, and content producers like using Amazon’s Associate Program to promote Amazon products and earn referral credits.

Retail Partnerships: Amazon offers retailers and brands the opportunity to sell directly on its site through programs such as Vendor Central Seller Central.

Amazon Prime Partnerships: To enhance the value proposition for members, Amazon works with content providers, including publishers and film studios, to deliver content through its Prime membership program.

Technology Partnerships: To give customers more alternatives and capabilities, Amazon partners with tech firms to integrate their solutions with Amazon’s services.

AWS Marketplace: To promote collaborations with software developers and suppliers, AWS provides a marketplace where users may find, purchase, and utilize software and services that are hosted on AWS.

Acquisitions and Investments: To increase its capabilities or penetrate new markets, Amazon makes strategic investments in companies or acquires them outright. This might be considered a partnership or collaboration. Read more...

[nickgerlich]

Missing The Target

Sometimes it is stylish to arrive late at a party, because since pretty much everyone else is there, all eyes will turn when you make your grand entrance. You have entered the room.

But this is often not the case in business, when it is not so much your presence that is noticed, as it is your absence. And when you do finally get there, people are left wondering why you waited so long.

Kind of like with Target, who is now finally considering a membership club. Nothing like spotting your competitors a huge lead, and then trying to stage a comeback, if at all.

To be fair, retail membership clubs have been around a long time, like Costco (1983), Sam’s Club (1983), BJ’s (1984), and others. It was not until 2005 that Amazon Prime launched, and completely in the digital realm. Fifteen years later, Walmart+ set sail, combining brick and mortar with digital.

Which leaves Target so late there might not be any party treats to consume. The booze bottles are nearly empty, the trays of food picked over. It’s not like Target got stuck in traffic; they merely forgot to come at all.

While the early membership clubs are not an immediate threat to Target, Amazon and Walmart are. Prime costs $139 a year, while Walmart+ clocks in at $98. Both include free shipping components, as well as video. Prime Video is provided in Amazon’s bundle, while Walmart has partnered with Paramount+ to offer the streaming service free of charge. Walmart, though, also offers free delivery from its BAM stores, not just online orders, as well as a 10-cent discount on gas.

So what in the world could Target possibly offer that might compete? Target’s grocery operations pale in comparison to Walmart; full-service groceries are only available in Super Target locations, while smaller stores, like the one in Amarillo, offer only a limited selection, the kind that makes even a Trader Joe’s or Aldi look like a world bazaar.

Target would have to find a streaming partner as well to offer a viable option to customers. Oh, and never mind that gas discounts are out of the question, because they never got into that line of business.

All of this then raises the question of how many store memberships a household needs. I have Sam’s, Amazon, and Walmart. I don’t need another. They have a way of locking in customer loyalty, but you are paying for the privilege. I am not that loyal to Target, if only because it is 18 miles away, but more importantly because they don’t offer what the Canyon Walmart has.

We should also note that Target has been busy offering its Target Circle rewards program, which allows shoppers to score discounts and coupons. But the proof is in the pudding. Target’s revenues were in a rather steep decline last year. Perhaps some of this is fall-out from their Pride month merchandise and displays. Timing is everything, and since this happened only a month after the Bud Light fiasco, they wound up in the crosshairs of public scrutiny. Then they blinked and acquiesced, moving the displays farther back into the store.

There are a lot of things I like about Target, though. Hey, Walmart never had folks clamoring to make a faux French word like Target—I mean Tar-zhay—customers did. It’s a higher class of junk, as I joke.

It’s just that they missed the boat on membership clubs. They are a revenue stream, and they provide stickiness. I sense this party is starting to wind down. The fun has about all been had, and we’re looking at a retailer that has missed its own target.

Dr “Improve Your Aim” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[iconicofficesposts]

Best Luxury Classy Reception Desks Furniture Online in Dubai - ICONIC Furniture

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The Classy Reception Desk offers an array of customization options, including a spectrum of decors and dimensions such as the eye-catching Amazon Green and sophisticated Black Gold. Tailor your workspace with options like Bagnara Facia – Dust Grey Top, Amazon Green Front – Levanto Body, Black Gold – Metal Slate Body, or Bagnara Facia – Black Top, available in sizes ranging from 180 x 90 to 240 x 120.

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More than mere furniture providers, we are dedicated partners in curating your ideal workspace. Specializing in tailored solutions for modern, luxury, and ergonomic office furniture, our expertise aims to transform your workplace into a haven of productivity and style.

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[harinikhb30]

From Flexibility to Security: Unraveling the AWS Advantage

In the ever-evolving landscape of cloud computing, Amazon Web Services (AWS) stands out as a trailblazer, offering a robust and versatile platform that has redefined the way businesses and individuals leverage computing resources. AWS Training in Bangalore further enhances the accessibility and proficiency of individuals and businesses in leveraging the full potential of this powerful cloud platform. With AWS training in Bangalore, professionals can gain the skills and knowledge needed to harness the capabilities of AWS for diverse applications and industries.

 Let's take a closer look at the key aspects that make AWS a cornerstone in the world of cloud computing.

1. Cloud Computing Services for Every Need

At its core, AWS is a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides a vast array of services. These services encompass Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS), offering users a flexible and scalable approach to computing.

2. Scalability and Flexibility

A defining feature of AWS is its scalability. Users have the ability to scale their resources up or down based on demand. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for businesses with varying workloads, allowing them to optimize costs while ensuring optimal performance.

3. Global Infrastructure for Enhanced Performance

AWS operates a global network of data centers known as Availability Zones, strategically located in regions around the world. This geographical diversity enables users to deploy applications and services close to end-users, enhancing performance, and ensuring high availability.

4. Emphasis on Security and Compliance

Security is a top priority for AWS. The platform offers robust security features, including data encryption, identity and access management, and compliance with various industry standards and regulations. This commitment to security instills confidence in users, especially those handling sensitive data.

5. Cost-Efficiency at Its Core

AWS follows a pay-as-you-go pricing model, allowing users to pay only for the resources they consume. This cost-efficient approach makes AWS accessible to startups, small businesses, and enterprises alike, eliminating the need for significant upfront investments.

6. Comprehensive Service Offerings

AWS boasts an extensive portfolio of services, covering computing, storage, databases, machine learning, analytics, IoT, security, and more. This diversity empowers users to build, deploy, and manage applications for virtually any purpose, making AWS a one-stop-shop for a wide range of computing needs.

7. Vibrant Ecosystem and Community

The AWS ecosystem is vibrant and dynamic, supported by a large community of users, developers, and partners. This ecosystem includes a marketplace for third-party applications and services, as well as a wealth of documentation, tutorials, and forums that foster collaboration and support.

8. Enterprise-Grade Reliability

The reliability of AWS is paramount, attracting the trust of many large enterprises, startups, and government organizations. Its redundant architecture and robust infrastructure contribute to high availability and fault tolerance, crucial for mission-critical applications.

9. Continuous Innovation

Innovation is ingrained in the AWS DNA. The platform consistently introduces new features and services to address evolving industry needs and technological advancements. Staying at the forefront of innovation ensures that AWS users have access to cutting-edge tools and capabilities.

10. Facilitating DevOps and Automation

AWS supports DevOps practices, empowering organizations to automate processes and streamline development workflows. This emphasis on automation contributes to faster and more efficient software delivery, aligning with modern development practices.

In conclusion, Amazon Web Services (AWS) stands as a powerhouse in the cloud computing arena. Its scalability, security features, and extensive service offerings make it a preferred choice for organizations seeking to harness the benefits of cloud technology. Whether you're a startup, a small business, or a large enterprise, AWS provides the tools and resources to propel your digital initiatives forward. As the cloud computing landscape continues to evolve, AWS remains a stalwart, driving innovation and empowering users to build and scale with confidence. To master the intricacies of AWS and unlock its full potential, individuals can benefit from enrolling in the Best AWS Training Institute. This training ensures that professionals gain the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of AWS, empowering them to contribute effectively to their organizations' digital transformation and success.