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1
- | FRONTIER | LEASING | & FINANCE | LTD |
2
- | --------- | -------- | ----------- | --- |
3
- 21 sStt ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005
4
-
5
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LIMITED.
6
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
7
- MR. KAWALJIT SINGH CHAWLA
8
- MR. RAMN ATH CHOUDHARY
9
- MR. VASUDEV R. YADAV
10
- AUDITORS
11
- M/s. J.S. Bhatia & Co
12
- Chartered Accountants
13
- Wl 5, Ashoka Centre,
14
- 2nd Floor.
15
- Lokmanya Tilak Marg,
16
- Mumbai-400 001.
17
- BANKERS
18
- PUNJAB & SIND BANK
19
- J.K. Somani Bldg.,
20
- British Hotel Lane, Fort,
21
- Mumbai - 400 023.
22
- BHARAT OVERSEAS BANK LTD
23
- Rampart Row, Fort,
24
- Mumbai-400 023.
25
- REGISTERED OFFICE
26
- Jyoti Studio Compound,
27
- Near Kenned}' Bridge,
28
- Mumbai-400 007.
29
- 2004-2005 ::
30
-
31
- FRONTIER LEAStWG & FINANCE LIMITED
32
- Rcgd. Office: C/o. Victory Printing Press. Jyoti Studio Compound. • K. B. A. Irani Bridge
33
- ,M U M 8 A 1-400 007 .
34
- NOTICE
35
- NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the 21ST Annual General Meeting of the Members of
36
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LIMITED will be held on Thursday, 29th September
37
- 2005 at 3:00 p.m at the Registered Office of the Company at C/o. Victory Printing press, Jyoti
38
- Studio Compound, K.B.A. Irani Bridge, Mumbai 400 007 to transact the following business:
39
- ORDINARY BUSINESS:
40
- 1. To receive, consider and adopt the audited Statement of Accounts far the year ended 31st
41
- Match 2005 and Balance Sheet as on that date along with the Reports of Directors and
42
- Auditors thereon.
43
- 2. To appoint a Director in place of Mr. Ramnath Chauthary who retires by rotation and being
44
- eligible, offers himself for re-appointment.
45
- 3. To appoint M/s. J. S. Bhatia & Co., Chartered Accountants, the retiring Auditors as Auditors
46
- of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of this meeting uniil (he conclusion of next
47
- Annual General Meeting of the Company and to fix their remuneration.
48
- SPECIAL BUSINESS: .
49
- 4. To consider and if thought fit, to pass with or without modification (s). the following resolution
50
- as an Ordinary Resolution:
51
- "RESOLVED THAT Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chawla , who was appointed as an Additional Director
52
- the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 260 of the Companies -Act, 1956 read with
53
- .Articles of Association of the Company with effect from 12th August, 2005 and who would vacate
54
- his office at the ensuing Annual General Meeting and in respect of whom the Company has
55
- received a notice under section 257 of the Companies Act, 1956 along with necessary deposits
56
- from a shareholders proposing the candidature for Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chaw la as a Director of the
57
- Company , be and is hereby appointed as a Director of the Company whose office shall be liable
58
- to retirement by rotation."
59
- For and on behalf of he Board .
60
- Place: Mumbai
61
- Dated: 25"' August 2005 DIRECTOR
62
- Registered Office:
63
- Go. Victory Printing Press.
64
- Jyoti Studio Compound.
65
- K.B.A. h'ani Bridge.
66
- Mumbai - 400 007.
67
-
68
- NOTES:
69
- 1. A MEMBER ENTITLED TO ATTEND AND VOTE AT THE MEETING IS
70
- | ALSO ENTITLED | TO APPOINT A PROXY TO ATTEND AND | | | | TO VOTE |
71
- | -------------- | --------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- |
72
- t
73
- INSTEAD OF HIMSELF AND SUCH PROXY NKKD NOT BE A MEMBER
74
- OF THE COMPANY.
75
- 2. Proxies, if any, in order to be effective must be received at the Company's Registered
76
- Office not later than 48 hours (forty eight hours) before the tune fixed for holding the
77
- meeting.
78
- 3. The Register of Members and the Share Transfer Books of the Company will remain closed
79
- from Wednesday, 28th September 3005 to Thursday, 29* September 2005 (both days
80
- inclusive).
81
- 4. Shareholders axe requested to forward their queries on the Accounts for the financial year
82
- ended 31st March, 2005 to the Registered Office of the Company at least 10 days in
83
- advance to enable the Company to keep the information ready at the meeting.
84
- 5. The Annual Reports and Attendance slips will not be distributed at the Annual General
85
- Meeting. Shareholders are requested to bring the same along with them.
86
- BRIEF RESUME OF PERSONS PROPOSED TO BE APPOINTED/ RE-
87
- | APPOINTED | AS DIRECTOR | OF THE | COMPANY | AT THE | ANNUAL |
88
- | ---------- | ------------- | -------- | -------- | -------- | ------ |
89
- GENERAL MEETING:
90
- 1 Particulars Mr. Ramnath Choudharv Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chawla 1
91
- | Date of Birth | | 19.08.1944 | | | 31.07.1966 |
92
- | ------------------- | --- | ---------- | --- | --- | ---------- |
93
- | Date of Appointment | | 26.06.1985 | | | 12.08.2005 |
94
- | Qualifications | | S.S.C | | | B.B.A |
95
- Expertise in specific A/CJs & Taxation Machinery & Machine Tools.
96
- functional areas
97
- | Directorship of other | | No | | | No. |
98
- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
99
- Companies
100
- | Chairman/Member of the | | No | | | No |
101
- | ---------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
102
- Committees of the board of
103
- the Companies on which he
104
- is a Director
105
- • •
106
- | | | | | . . | ... _ |
107
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | ------ |
108
-
109
- | | | | FINANCE | | LIMITED |
110
- | --- | --- | --- | -------- | --- | ------- |
111
- Rcgd. Office : C/o. Victory Printing Press Jyoti Studio Compound. K. 8. A. Irani Bridgo.
112
- | | ,M U M | O A I -4 00 | 0 0 7. | | |
113
- | --- | --------- | ------------- | ------ | --- | --- |
114
- DIRECTORS'REPORT
115
- To The Members,
116
- The Directors have pleasure in presenting their 21* Annual Report on the business operations
117
- of the Company alongwith the Statement of Audited Accounts for the year ended 31st March
118
- 2005.
119
- Financial Results:
120
- (Amt. in Rs.)
121
- | Particulars | | Year Ended | | Year Ended | |
122
- | ------------ | --- | -------------- | -------- | -------------- | -------- |
123
- | | | 31* March 2005 | | 31* March 2004 | |
124
- | Total Income | | | 3,48,443 | | 2,60,610 |
125
- Profit/(Loss) before Interest, Depreciation 2,63,694 1,70,505
126
- & Taxation
127
- | Less: Interest | | | 43,441 | | 2,502 |
128
- | -------------- | --- | --- | ------ | --- | ----- |
129
- Profit/(Loss) before Depreciation & Tax 2,20,253 l_ ' 1,68,003
130
- | Less: Depreciation | | | 9,096 | | 13,497 |
131
- | ------------------------ | --- | --- | -------- | --- | -------- |
132
- | Pro£it/(Loss) before Tax | | | 2,11,157 | | 1,54,506 |
133
- Less: Provision for Tax
134
- | Current Tax | | | 46,000 | | 50,720 |
135
- | ---------------------------------------- | --- | --- | ---------- | --- | -------- |
136
- | Deferred Tax | | | (3,522) | | 4,411 |
137
- | Net Profit/(Loss) after Tax | | | 1,68,679 | | 99,375 |
138
- | Balance brought forward from Last Tear | | | . 9,88,463 | | 9,06\239 |
139
- | Excess/ Short Provision for Tax | | | 235 | | 847 |
140
- | Transfer to Statutory Reserves | | | 34000 | | 20000 |
141
- | Balance carried forward to Balance Sheet | | | 1123377 | | 988461 |
142
- Year under Review.
143
- Dunng the year under review, income from operations has been increased to Rs.3.48 Lacs as
144
- compared to Rs. 2.60 Lacs for the previous year. Profit before Interest, Depreciation and
145
- Taxation stood at Rs.2.63 Lacs. After providing for Interest, depreciation and taxation of Rs.
146
- 0.95 Lac, the Company has registered a Net profit of Rs. 1.68 Lacs as against Rs.0.99 lacs in
147
- the previous year.
148
- Your Company continues to be cautiously optimistic about its growth prospects for the
149
- current financial year.
150
- Dividend:
151
- Your Directors have not recommended payment of dividend for the year under review
152
- considering the need to improve the net worth of the Company.
153
-
154
- Directors' Responsibility Statement.
155
- Pursuant to Section 217(2AA) of the Companies Act, 1956, your Directors confirm the
156
- following:
157
- • In the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable standards have been followed
158
- Your Directors have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and
159
- made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair
160
- view of the state of Affaires of the Company at the end of the fipannei year and of the
161
- profit or' the Company for that year.
162
- • Your Directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate
163
- accounting records in accordance with the provisions of this Act for safeguarding the
164
- assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities.
165
- Your Directors have prepared the attached Statement of Accounts for the year ended
166
- March 31, 2005 on a going concern basis.
167
- Directors:
168
- Your Directors place on record their profound grief on the sudden and said demise of Mr.
169
- Jameet Singh Chawla, Director of the Company on 12th August 2005.
170
- Mr. Ramnath Chaudhary, is liable to retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting and
171
- being eligible, offers himself for re-appointment. Your Board recommends his re-appointment.
172
- Mr. Kftwdjit Singh Chawla who was appointed as an Additional Director of the Company
173
- during the year pursuant to the provisions of Section 260 of the Companies Act, 1956 would
174
- vacate his office on the date of the ensuing Annual General Meeting of the Company. The
175
- Company has received Notices under Section 257 of die said act from a shareholder proposing
176
- the candidature of Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chawla for the office of Director of the Company.
177
- Accordingly, resolution has been proposed in the Notice of the forthcoming Annual General
178
- Meeting of the Company for the appointment of Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chawla as a Director of
179
- the Company.
180
- Auditors:
181
- M/s. j. S. Bhatta & Co., Chartered Accountants, Auditors of the Company retire at the
182
- ensuing Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-appointment. The Company has
183
- received a certificate from the Auditors to the effect that their appointment; if made, would be
184
- within the prescribed limits under Section 224(1B) of the Companies Act, 1956. The members
185
- Are requested to appoint the Auditors and authorise the Board to fix their remuneration.
186
- A uditors' Report:
187
- Observations made in the Auditors' Report are self-explanatory and therefore, do not call for
188
- any further comments under Section 217(3) of the Companies Act, 1956.
189
-
190
- Secretarial Compliance certificate:
191
- Secretarial Compliance Certificate as required under section 383 A(l) of the Companies Act, 1956
192
- as amended hy the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2000 issued by M/'s Rathi & Associates,
193
- Company Secretaries is attached herewith.
194
- Fixed Deposits:
195
- During the period under review, the Company has not accepted or renewed any deposits within the
196
- meaning of Section 58A of the Companies Act, 1956 and the Companies (Acceptance of
197
- Deposits) Rules, 1975.
198
- Particulars of Employees:
199
- During the year under review, none of the employees of the Company was in receipt of
200
- remuneration aggregating Rs.24,00,000/- or more per annum, if employed throughout the year, or
201
- Rs. 2,00,000/- or more per month, in case employed for part of the year. Hence, there are no
202
- particulars to he annexed to tliis report as required under Section 217 (2A) of the Companies Act
203
- 1956 and the rules made thereunder.
204
- Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption, Foreign Exchange Earnings And Outgo:
205
- The requirements of disclosures in terms of Section 217(l)(e) of the Companies *\ct, 1956, read
206
- wirh rhe Companies (Disclosures of the Particulars in the Report of the Board of Directors) Rules.
207
- X9SS pertaining to the conservation of energy and technology absorption are not applicable to the
208
- Company due to the very nature of the industry in which it operates.
209
- During the year under review, there was no foreign exchange earnings and outgo.
210
- . 4 eknoniedgements:
211
- The.Directors wish to express their gratitude to the bankers, clients and all the business associates
212
- tor their continuous support to the Company and to the Shareholders for the confidence reposed in
213
- the Company's management. The Directors also convey their appreciation to the employees at all
214
- levels for their enormous personal efforts as well as collective contribution.
215
- For and on behalf of the Board
216
- Place: Munibai
217
- Date: 25 August 2005 Director Director
218
-
219
- ft «*• s.
220
- BHATIA & CO.
221
- *•
222
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Mumbai-400 001.
223
- Trt.: Office: 2267 5066 / 2267 5067
224
- Fax: 2269 2994
225
- Resi.: 2620 2207 / 2620 3849
226
- E-mail: jaipalsb©bom3.vsnl.net.ln
227
- AUDITOR'S REPORT
228
- We have audited the attached Balance Sheet of M/S FRONTIER LEASING &
229
- FINANCE LTD., as at 31st March 2005 and also the Profit and Loss Account for
230
- the year ended on that date and cash flow statement for the year ended on that date
231
- annexed thereto. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
232
- Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
233
- financial statements on our audit.
234
- We conducted our audit in accordance- with auditing standards generally accepted
235
- in India. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
236
- reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
237
- misstateme-nts. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
238
- significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
239
- financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable
240
- basis for our opinion.
241
- As required by the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2003, (the Order) issued
242
- by the Central Government of India in terms of sub-section (4A) of Section 227 of
243
- the Companies Act, 1956, we enclose in the Annexure a statement on the matters
244
- specified in paragraphs 4 and 5 of the said Order.
245
- Further to our comments in the Annexure referred to above, we report that :
246
- i) We have obtained all the information and explanations, which to the best of
247
- our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purposes of our audit.
248
- ii) In our opinion, proper books of account as required by law have been kept
249
- by the Company so far, as appears from our examination of those books.
250
- Hi) The Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Account dealt with by this report are in
251
- agreement with the books of accounts.
252
- iv) In our opinion, the Balance Sheet Profit and Loss Account and Cash Flow
253
- Statement dealt with by this report comply with the accounting standards
254
- referred to in sub-section (3C) of Section 211 of the Companies Act, 1956.
255
-
256
- | J. S. BHAT1A & CO. | | | | w |
257
- | -------------------- | ------------ | --- | --- | ---------------------------------- |
258
- | CHARTERED | ACCOUNTANTS | | | E-mail: jalpalsbeborh3.vsnl.net.ln |
259
- v) On the basis of written representations received from the directors as on
260
- March 31, 2005 and taken on record by the Board of Directors, we report
261
- that none of the directors is disqualified as on March 31, 2005 from being
262
- appointed as a director in terms of Claus6 (g) of sub-section (1) of Section
263
- 274 of the Companies Act, 1956;
264
- vi) In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the
265
- explanations given to us, the said accounts give the information required by
266
- the Companies Act,, 1956, in the manner so required and give a true and fair
267
- view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in
268
- India :
269
- a) In the. case of the Balance Sheet, of the state of affairs of the Company
270
- as at 31;{1 March, 2005.
271
- b) In the case of Profit & Loss Account, of the Profit for the year ended
272
- on that date;
273
- c) in the case of cash flow statement,, of the cash flows for the year
274
- ended on that date.
275
- For J. S. BHATIA&CO..
276
- | | | | ARTERED | ACCOUNTANTS. |
277
- | -------- | ------------- | --- | ------------ | ------------ |
278
- | PLACE . | MUMBA1 | | J. S. BHATIA | |
279
- | DATE | -zs/ogj 2003 | | PROPRIETOR | |
280
-
281
- J. S. BHATIA & CO. ™ ' S^
282
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS E-maH: Jalpiteb©boin3.v»nl.nrt.ln
283
- Annexure to the auditors report of even date to the members of M/s Frontier
284
- Leasing & Finance Ltd.
285
- i) a). The Company has maintained proper records showing full particulars,
286
- including quantitative details and the situation of its fixed assets.
287
- b) All fixed assets are physically verified by the management during the
288
- year. In our opinion, the frequency of verification of the fixed assets
289
- by the management is reasonable having regard to the size of the
290
- Company and the nature of its assets. There were no discrepancies
291
- noticed during the physical verification conducted by management.
292
- c) The assets disposed off during the year are not significant and
293
- therefore do not affect the going concern assumption.
294
- ii) Since the company did not deal in goods or merchandise, the requirements
295
- relating to inventory in clause (ii)(a), (ii)(b) and (ii)(c) of the order are not
296
- applicable.
297
- in) During the year, the Company has not granted any loans to parties listed in
298
- the register maintained under section 301 of the Companies Act, 1956.
299
- Hence, requirements mentioned in clause (iii)(a), (iii)(b), (iii)(c),(iii)(d) are
300
- not applicable.
301
- iv) Since the company did not deal in goods or merchandise, the requirements
302
- in clause (iv) of the order to internal control procedure on purchase of
303
- inventory, fixed assets and sale of goods is not applicable.
304
- v) Based on the audit procedures applied by us and according to the
305
- information and explanations provided by the management, we are of the
306
- opinion that there are no transactions that need to be entered into the
307
- register maintained under section 301.
308
- vi) The Company has not accepted any deposits from the public during the year;
309
- vii) The Company has a system of internal audit which, in our opinion, is
310
- commensurate with its size and nature of its business;
311
-
312
- J S RHATTA Jfo Pft TW.:Olte»:22675066/2267 5067
313
- V. &. UtlALLA 06 iAJ. F«:22692994
314
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS E-mail: Jaipalsbebom3.vsnl.neLin
315
- viii) The company is not required to maintain cost records pursuant to the rules
316
- made by the Central Government under section 209(l)(d) of the Companies
317
- Act, 1956.
318
- ix) According to the records, information and explanations provided to us, the
319
- Company is generally regular in depositing with appropriate authorities
320
- undisputed amount of income-tax and other statutory dues applicable to it
321
- and no undisputed amounts payable were outstanding as at 31st March, 2004
322
- for a period of more than six months from the date they became payable;
323
- x) The Company neither has accumulated losses at the end of the financial year
324
- but has incurred cash losses during the year and during the year immediately
325
- preceding current year;
326
- xi) Based on our audit procedures and on the information and explanations
327
- given by the management, the Company has not availed funds / facilities
328
- from the financial institution or bank;
329
- xii) Based on our examination and according to the information and explanations
330
- given to us, the Company has not granted loans and advances on the basis of
331
- security by way of pledge of shares, debentures and other securities;
332
- xiii) The company is not a chit / nidhi / mutual benefit fund/ society and clause
333
- (xiii) of the order is not applicable.
334
- xiv) In our opinion and according to the information and explanations given to
335
- us, proper records have been maintained of the transactions and contracts
336
- relating to dealing in shares, securities and debentures and timely entries
337
- have been made in such records. All the investments are in the name of the
338
- company.
339
- «v) On the basis of the information and explanations given to us the Company
340
- has not given any guarantee for loans taken by others from bank or financial
341
- institutions;
342
-
343
- J S RHATTA fe PO TW.:Omo«:22876066/22675067
344
- O. O. UttAliA OB UU. Fax:226»2994
345
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS E-mail: jalpalsb©bom3.vsnl.not.in
346
- xvi) There was no term loan availed by the company and outstanding during the
347
- year.
348
- xvii) On the basis of our examination of the books of accounts and the
349
- information and explanations given to us, in our opinion, the funds raised on
350
- short-term basis have not been used for long term investment and vice versa;
351
- xviii) During the year, the Company has not made any preferential allotment of
352
- shares to parties and companies covered in the register maintained under
353
- section 301 of the Act;
354
- xix) The Company did not have any outstanding debentures during the year;
355
- xx) The Company has not raised any money by public issues during the year;
356
- xxi) Based on the audit procedure performed and information and explanations
357
- given to us by the management, we report that no fraud on or by the
358
- Company has been noticed or reported during the course of our audit.
359
- For! S. BHATIA&CO.,
360
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS.
361
- PLACE : MUMBAI J. S. BHATIA
362
- DATE : PROPRIETOR
363
-
364
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
365
- BALANCE SHEET AS ON 31ST MARCH 2005
366
- | | | AS AT | AS AT |
367
- | ------------------- | --- | --------- | --------- |
368
- | | | 31.3.2005 | 31.3.2004 |
369
- | I. SOURCES OF FUNDS | CH | Es | Rs |
370
- 1 Shareholders Funds
371
- | a) Capital | A | 2450000 | 2450000 |
372
- | ---------- | --- | ------- | ------- |
373
- B
374
- | b) Reserve & Surplus | | 2565027 | 24161 A3 |
375
- | -------------------- | --- | ------- | -------- |
376
- 2 Loan Funds
377
- 10735
378
- | Unsecured Loans | B1 | | 10033 |
379
- | -------------------- | --- | -------- | ------- |
380
- | TOTAL FUNDS EMPLOYED | | 5045762 | 4876146 |
381
- II. APPLICATIONS OF FUND
382
- 1 Fixed Assets
383
- | Gross Block | | 624532 | 624532 |
384
- | ----------- | --- | ------ | ------ |
385
- | | | 592430 | 583335 |
386
- Less: Depreciation
387
- | Net Block | | 32102 | 41197 |
388
- | ------------- | --- | ------- | ------ |
389
- | 2 Investments | | 801704 | 781879 |
390
- 3 Net Cuirrent Assets
391
- | Current Assets | E | 51090 | 17997 |
392
- | --------------------------------------- | --- | -------- | ------- |
393
- | Loans & Advances | F | 4259644 | 4173242 |
394
- | | | 4310734 | 4191239 |
395
- | Less : Current Liabilities & Provisions | | 121339 | 157208 |
396
- | | | 4189395 | 4034031 |
397
- | 4 Deffered Tax Assets | | 22561 | 19039 |
398
- | TOTAL FUNDS APPLIED | | 5045762 | 4876146 |
399
- NOTES ON ACCOUNTS
400
- AS PER OUT ATTACHED REPORT OF EVEN DATE FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE 8OARD
401
- FOR J.S BHATIA & CO
402
- | CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT | KAWALJIT SINGH CHAWLA | | |
403
- | --------------------- | --------------------- | --- | --- |
404
- VASUOEV R. YADAV
405
- J.S BHATIA
406
- | PROPRIETOR | DIRECTORS | | |
407
- | ------------------------- | ------------------------- | --- | --- |
408
- | PLACE . MUMBAI | PLACE . MUMBAI | | |
409
- | DATED : 25th AUGUST 2005. | DATED : 25th AUGUST 2005. | | |
410
-
411
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
412
- PROHT & LOSS A/C FOR THE YEAR EHDED 31ST MARCH 2005
413
- | | | | | Rs | | Rs |
414
- | --- | --- | --- | ---------- | --- | --------- | --- |
415
- | | | SCH | 31.3.2005 | | 31.3.2004 | |
416
- INCOME ••
417
- | interest Received | | H | | 215807 | | 231639 |
418
- | ------------------------ | --- | --- | --- | ------ | --- | ------ |
419
- | Dividend Income | | I | | 200 | | 200 |
420
- | Profit on Sale of Assets | | | | | 0 | 28771 |
421
- | Profit on Sate of Shares | | | | 122436 | | 0 |
422
- | | | | | 348443 | | 260610 |
423
- EXPENDITURE :
424
- | Administration & Other Exp | | J | | 84749 | | 90105 |
425
- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | ----- |
426
- | Depreciation | | | | 9096 | | 13497 |
427
- K
428
- | Interest Paid | | | | 43441 | | 2502 |
429
- | ----------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | --- | ------ |
430
- | | | | | 137286 | | 106104 |
431
- | Profit Before Tax | | | | 211157 | | 154506 |
432
- Less : Provision of Taxation
433
- | | | | | 46000 | | 50720 |
434
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | ----- |
435
- Current Tax
436
- | | Defferecf Tax | | | -3522 | | 4411 |
437
- | --- | ------------- | --- | --- | ------ | --- | ----- |
438
- | | | | | 168679 | | 99375 |
439
- Profit After Tax
440
- | Balance brought forward from Last year | | | | 988463 | | 908239 |
441
- | -------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | ------- |
442
- | Excess / (Short) Provision for Tax | | | | 235 | | 847 |
443
- | | | | | (34000) | | (2QQGQ) |
444
- Transfer to Statutory Reserve
445
- | | | | | | 0 | 0 |
446
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
447
- Net Defered Tax Assets on transitional provision
448
- | Balance carried forward to Balance Sheet | | | | 1123377 | | 988461 |
449
- | ---------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | ------ |
450
- Earning Per Share
451
- | | | | | 0.55 | | 0 33 |
452
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | --- | ---- |
453
- Basic & Diluted
454
- | Face Value per Share | | | | Rs 10/- | | Rs. 10/- |
455
- | -------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | -------- |
456
- NOTES ON ACCOUNTS
457
- AS PER OUT ATTACHED REPORT OF EVEN DATE FOR AJND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
458
- FOR J.S BHATIA & CO
459
- | CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT | | KAWALJIT SINGH CHAWLA | | | | |
460
- | -------------------- | --- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
461
- VASUDEVR.YADAV
462
- J.S BHATIA
463
- | PROPRIETOR | | DIRECTORS | | | | |
464
- | ------------------------ | --- | ------------- | ----------------- | --- | --- | --- |
465
- | PLACE: MUMBAi | | PLACE: MUMBAf | | | | |
466
- | DATED : 25th AUGUST 2005 | | DATED | 25th AUGUST 2005. | | | |
467
-
468
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
469
- SCHEDULE ANNEXED TO AND FORMING PART OF THE ACCOUNTS AS AT 31.03.2008
470
- | | | | | AS AT | AS AT | |
471
- | ---------- | --- | --- | --- | ---------- | --------- | --- |
472
- | SCHEDULE A | | | | 31.3.2005 | 31.3.2004 | |
473
- | | | | | Rs | | Rs |
474
- Share Capital
475
- Authorised
476
- | 2,50,000 Equrty Shares of Rs. 10/- each | | | | 2500000 | | 2500000 |
477
- | --------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | ------- |
478
- Issued. Subscribed & Paid UP
479
- | 2,45,000 Equity Shates of Rs. 10)- each | | | | 2450000 | | 2450000 |
480
- | --------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | ------- |
481
- | | | | | 2450000 | | 2450000 |
482
- SCHEDULE B:
483
- Reserve & Surplus
484
- | | Opening | Addition | | Deduction | Closing | |
485
- | --------------------- | --------- | -------- | --- | --------- | ------- | --------- |
486
- | | Balance | | | | Balance | |
487
- | General Reserve | 1185650 | | 0 | 0 | | 1185650 |
488
- | (Previous Year) | (1185650) | | 0 | 0 | | (1185650) |
489
- | Statutory Reserve | Z42O00 | 34000 | | 0 | | 276000 |
490
- | (Prev©us Year) | (222000) | (20000) | | 0 | | (242000) |
491
- | Profit & Loss Account | | | | 34000 | | 1123377 |
492
- | | 9S84B3 | 168914 | | | | |
493
- | | (908239) | (100224) | | (20000) | | (988463) |
494
- (Previous Year)
495
- | | 2416113 | 202914 | | 34000 | | 2585027 |
496
- | --- | ------- | ------ | --- | ----- | --- | ------- |
497
- Total
498
- | | (2315889) | (120224) | | (20000) | | (2416113) |
499
- | --- | --------- | -------- | --- | ------- | --- | --------- |
500
- (Previous Year)
501
- SCHEDULE B1
502
- Unsecured Loans
503
- | Jeet Machine Toots Ltd | | | | 10735 | | 10033 |
504
- | ---------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | ----- |
505
- | | | | | 10735 | | 10033 |
506
-
507
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
508
- SCHEDULE -C
509
- FIXED ASSETS
510
- (AMOUNT IN RS)
511
- | ASSETS | GROSS BLOCK | DEPRECIATION | | | NET | BLOCK |
512
- | ------ | ----------- | --------------- | ------------- | ------- | --------- | ------- |
513
- | | As on Dedn | As on As on | t-or the Dedn | As on | As on | | As on |
514
- | | 1.4.04 | 31.3.05 01.4.04 | Year | 31.3.05 | 31.3.05J | 31.3.04 |
515
- Furniture &
516
- | Fixture | 1322 0 | 1322 1247 | 14 0 | 1261 | 61 | 75 |
517
- | ------- | ------ | --------- | ---- | ---- | --- | --- |
518
- Office
519
- | Equipment | 64170 0 | 64170 51284 | 5154 0 | 5643S | 7732 | 12886 |
520
- | --------- | ------- | ----------- | ------ | ----- | ---- | ----- |
521
- !
522
- Plant &
523
- [
524
- i
525
- Mach.
526
- | Leased | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
527
- | -------- | ------------- | ------------- | ------------ | ------ | -------- | ----- |
528
- | Others | 559040 0 | 559040 | 3928 0 | 534731 | 24309 | 2S237 |
529
- | TOTAL | 624532 0 | 624532 583334 | 9096 0 | 592430 | 32102 | 41193 |
530
- | PREVIOUS | | I | | | | |
531
- | | | | | | 41197 I | 67448 |
532
- | YEAR | 741023 116491 | 6245321673575 | 13497 103737 | 583335 | | |
533
-
534
- FRONTIER LEASING & FNANCE LTD
535
- SCHEDULE -D
536
- INVESTMENTS (AT COST)
537
- LONG TERM INVESTMENTS OTHER THAW TRADE INVESTMENTS:
538
- | NAME OF SCRIP | | NO.OF | FACE | | AS AT | AS AT | |
539
- | -------------- | -------- | ------ | ------ | --- | -------- | ------- | --- |
540
- | | SHARES/ | | VALUE | | 31.3.05 | 31.3.04 | |
541
- | | DEBENTU | | | | | fi£ | |
542
- (PREV.YR.)
543
- 1 IN SHARES AND DEBENTURES :-
544
- A. IN FULLY PAID UP EQUITY SHARES: (QUOTED)
545
- | Jeet Machine TooteUd | | 1400 | | | 3556 | | 3556 |
546
- | ------------------------------------ | --- | ---- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | ---- |
547
- | Subway Finance & Investment Co. Ltd | | 1000 | | 10 | 2463 | | 2463 |
548
- | Timex Watches ltd. | | 100 | | 10 | | 0 | 1000 |
549
- | Indoco. | | | 85 | 10 | 20825 | | 0 |
550
- B. \U FULLY PAID UP EQUITY SHARES: (UNQUOTED^
551
- | | | | | 10 | 2000 | | 2000 |
552
- | --------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | --- | ---- |
553
- | Ring Plus (Aqua Bearings Ltd) | | 200 | | | | | |
554
- | Usha fvftcroprocess Controls Ltd | | 5G | | to | 500 | | 500 |
555
- Aggregate Cost of Im'estments in Shares & Debentures (!) 29344 9519
556
- | Aggregate Cost of Quoted Investments | At Cost | | | | 26S44 | | 7019 |
557
- | ------------------------------------------ | ------- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | ------ | ---- |
558
- | Aggregate Cost of Unquoted Investments | At Cost | | | | 2500 | | 2500 |
559
- | IN IMMOVABLE PROPERTIES | (ID | | | | 772360 | 772360 | |
560
- | II Aggregate Cost of Investments (I + II) | | | | | 801704 | 781879 | |
561
- 11764
562
- | Aggregate Market Vakie of Quoted Shares/ Debentures | | | | | 35947 | | |
563
- | --------------------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | --- |
564
-
565
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
566
- | | | | AS AT | AS AT |
567
- | --- | --- | --- | --------- | --------- |
568
- | | | | 31.3.2005 | 31.3.2004 |
569
- | | | | Bs. | S§ |
570
- SCHEDULE E
571
- Current Assets
572
- | Cash on Hand | | | 1017 | |
573
- | ------------ | --- | --- | ---- | --- |
574
- 1517
575
- | Bank Balance {win Schedule Bank) | | | 50074 | 16480 |
576
- | -------------------------------- | --- | --- | ----- | ----- |
577
- | | | | 51091 | 17997 |
578
- SCHEDULEF
579
- | Loans & | Advances | | | |
580
- | -------- | -------- | --- | --- | --- |
581
- (Considered Good & Unsecured)
582
- | Gemini Machine International | | | 0 | 523550 |
583
- | ---------------------------- | --- | --- | ------- | ------- |
584
- | Aavance Payment of Tax | | | 21500 | 40500 |
585
- | Tax Deducted at Source | | | 92399 | 108949 |
586
- | Deposits | | | 2000 | 2000 |
587
- | FDR Deports | | | 3925438 | 2950000 |
588
- | Interest Accrued on FDR | | | 215807 | 547943 |
589
- | Prepaid Expenses | | | 2500 | 0 |
590
- | | | | 4259644 | 4173242 |
591
- SCHEDULE G
592
- Current Usabilities & Provisions
593
- | Other LiaDilites | | | 24619 | 28488 |
594
- | ---------------------- | --- | --- | ------ | ------ |
595
- | Provision for Taxation | | | 96720 | 128720 |
596
- | | | | 121339 | 157208 |
597
- SCHEDULE H
598
- Interest Received
599
- | On Loans (Gross) | | | 0 | 30000 |
600
- | ---------------- | --- | --- | --- | ----- |
601
- (TDS Rs.NIL Previous Year Rs.6150/-)
602
- | Fixed Depostis | | | 215807 | 201639 |
603
- | -------------- | --- | --- | ------ | ------ |
604
- (TDS Rs. 44676/- Previous Year Rs 41573/-)
605
- | | | | 21580f | 231639 |
606
- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | ------ |
607
- SCHEDULE}
608
- Dividend Income
609
- | Dividend on Long Term investment (Gross) | | | 200 | 200 |
610
- | ---------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
611
- | | | | 200 | 200 |
612
- (TDS Rs.NIL Pre\ious Year Rs. NIL)
613
- SCHEDULEJ
614
- Administration & Other Expenses
615
- | | | | 14660 | 15116 |
616
- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | ----- |
617
- Advertisement Exp
618
- | Salary & Other Benefits | | | 1775 | 2069 |
619
- | ----------------------- | --- | --- | ---- | ---- |
620
- Pa'ymerrt \o Auditors
621
- Audit Fees
622
- 5510
623
- | | Taxation Fees | 7500 | 13010 | 12900 |
624
- | --------------------- | ------------- | ---- | ----- | ----- |
625
- | Professional Charges | | | 30535 | 34083 |
626
- | Listing Fees | | | 1QGGG | 1000G |
627
- | Printing & Stationary | | | | 540 |
628
- 1134
629
- | Office Rent | | | 6000 | 6000 |
630
- | -------------------------------- | --- | --- | ----- | ----- |
631
- | Donation' | | | 1000 | 0 |
632
- | Rep . 4. Main.tan.ce of Computer | | | 0 | 667 |
633
- | Miscellenous Expenses | | | 6635 | 8730 |
634
- | | | | 84749 | S0105 |
635
- SCHEDULE K
636
- Interest Paid
637
- | Interest Paid to Others | | | 702 | 2502 |
638
- | ------------------------------------- | --- | --- | ----- | ---- |
639
- | interest Paid against Bank Loan - FDR | | | 42739 | 0 |
640
- | | | | 43441 | 2502 |
641
-
642
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD.
643
- SCHEDULE - L : NOTES ON ACCOUNTS.
644
- 1. Significant Accounting Policies :-
645
- The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, on an accrual
646
- basis and in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.
647
- 1.1) Fixed Assets:-
648
- Fixed Assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Cost comprises
649
- the purchase price and any attributable cost of bringing the asset to its working
650
- condition for its intended use.
651
- 1.2) Depreciation :-
652
- Depreciation on Fixed Assets is provided on Written Down Method at the rates
653
- and in the manner specified in the Schedule XIV of the Companies Act, 1956.
654
- 1.3) Investments :-
655
- Long Term Investments are stated at cost.
656
- 1.4) Revenue Recognition :
657
- Interest is recorded on time basis. Dividend income on investments is accounted
658
- for when the right to receive the payment is established.
659
- 1.5) Taxation :-
660
- The provision for Current Tax is determined on the basis of taxable income for the
661
- current accounting year in accordance with the Income Tax Act, 1961.
662
- The Deferred Tax is recognised, considering the prudence, on timing difference
663
- that originate in one period and capable of reversal in subsequent period.
664
- Deferred tax assets are recognised on Long Term Capital ioss on the basis of
665
- reasonable certainty that such deferred tax asset can be realised against future
666
- taxable Long Term Capital Gain.
667
- Deferred tax Liability recognised in earlier year on difference between Book
668
- depredation and depreciation under Income Tax Act 1961 is reversed to the extent
669
- of realization.
670
- 1.6) Retirement Benefits :-
671
- The Gratuity liability is provided on cash basis.
672
- 1 7) Segment Information :-
673
- Since the company is dealing in only one segment, i.e. financing, there is no
674
- reportable segment as per AS-17 on "Segment Reporting" issued by Institute of
675
- Chartered Accountant of India.
676
-
677
- 2. Contingent Liability not provided for
678
- | | | | As on | As on | | |
679
- | --- | --- | --- | -------- | ------- | --- | --- |
680
- | | | | 31.3.05 | 31.3.04 | | |
681
- Estimated amount of contracts remaining
682
- to be executed on capital account and
683
- | | not provided for | | Nil | Nil | | |
684
- | --- | ----------------------------------- | --- | -------- | ------- | --- | --- |
685
- | | | | As on | As on | | |
686
- | | | | 31.3.05 | 31.3.04 | | |
687
- | 3. | a) Expenditure in Foreign Currency | | Nii | | Nii | |
688
- b) Amount remitted during the year in
689
- | | Foreign Currency on account & Divided | | Nil | | Nil | |
690
- | --- | -------------------------------------- | --- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
691
- | | c) Earning in Foreign Exchange | | Nil | | Nil | |
692
- 4 Other information pursuant to paragraph 3,4C, 4D of Part II of Schedule VI of the
693
- Companies Act, 1956 are not applicable.
694
- 5 Payment made to Auditors :
695
- | | | | As on | As on | | |
696
- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | ------- | --- | --- |
697
- | | | | 31.3.05 | 31.3.04 | | |
698
- | | | | 5000 | 5000 | | |
699
- a) As Audit Fees
700
- | | b) Other Matters | | 7500 | 7500 | | |
701
- | --- | ---------------- | --- | ---- | ---- | --- | --- |
702
- 400
703
- | | c) Service Tax | | 510 | | | |
704
- | --- | -------------- | --- | ----- | ----- | --- | --- |
705
- | | | | 13010 | 12900 | | |
706
- 6 The basic earning per share is computed by dividing the net profit attributable to the equity
707
- shareholders for the year by the weighted average number of equity shares outstanding
708
- during the year. As there is no presence of diiutive potential equity shares, the diluted EPS
709
- is same as basis EPS as follows :
710
- | | | | | | As on | As on |
711
- | --- | --- | ---------------------------------------- | --- | ----------- | ------- | ---------- |
712
- | | | | | 31/03/2005 | | 31/03/2004 |
713
- | | | Profit after Tax | | | 168679 | 99375 |
714
- | | | Add : Excess /(Short) Provision for Tax | | | 235 | 847 |
715
- | | | Less: Transfer to Statutory Reserve | | | 34000 | 20000 |
716
- Net Profit attributable to Equity Shareholders 134914 80222
717
- | | | Weighted average number of shares | | 245000 | | 245000 |
718
- | --- | --- | ---------------------------------- | --- | ------- | --- | ------ |
719
- Earning per share
720
- | | | Basic & Diluted | | | 0.55 | 0.33 |
721
- | --- | --- | ---------------- | --- | --- | ----- | ---- |
722
-
723
- 7. Deferred Tax :-
724
- 5.1) Net Deferred Tax income for the year is Rs. 3522 and the same has been charged to
725
- the Profit and Loss Account.
726
- 6.2) The break-up of deferred tax assets and fiabifities are as foilows :
727
- | | As on | As on |
728
- | --- | -------- | -------- |
729
- | | 31.03.05 | 31.03.04 |
730
- Deferred Tax Assets
731
- | On Long Term Capital Loss of Prev.Years | 233 | 160347 |
732
- | --------------------------------------- | ----- | ------ |
733
- | Measured @ 20.91% (20.50%) | 33761 | 32871 |
734
- Deferred Tax Liability
735
- Difference between Book Value of
736
- depreciable assets and WDV for Tax
737
- | purposes. | (2914) | 38562 |
738
- | ----------------------------- | ------ | ------ |
739
- | Measured @ 36.60% (35.87%) | 11200 | 13832 |
740
- | Net Deferred Tax Liabilities. | 22561 | 190391 |
741
- 6. Refated Party Transaction (AS-18)
742
- a) List of Related Parties and Relationships.
743
- The following is the information on transactions with the related parties:
744
- Name Relationship
745
- Key Management Personnel:- Kawaljit S. Chawla Whole Time Director
746
- Ramnath Choudhary Whole Time Director
747
- Vasudev R.Yadav Whole Time Director
748
- b) Relatives of Key Management Personnel >
749
- Relationship
750
- Name
751
- | Jeet Machines Tools Ltd | Father of Director is director in | |
752
- | ----------------------- | --------------------------------- | --- |
753
- the said Company
754
- c) Refated Party Transactions : Relatives of Key Management
755
- Personnel
756
- Interest Paid Rs. 702/-
757
- 9. There are no amounts due to any enterprise which is small scale and ancillary
758
- undertaking, for more than 30 days
759
- 10 Previous year figures are regrouped or rearranged wherever necessary
760
-
761
- 11. BALANCE SHEET ABSTRACT AND COMPANY'S GENERAL BUSINESS PROFILE
762
- I REGISTRATION DETAILS
763
- | Registration No | | | 33328 | |
764
- | ------------------ | --- | --- | ---------- | --- |
765
- | State Code | No | | 11 | |
766
- | Balance Sheet Date | | | 31.03.2005 | |
767
- II CAPITAL RAISED DURING THE YEAR
768
- | Public Issue | | | : Nil | |
769
- | ------------------ | ---------------- | --- | --------------- | --------- |
770
- | Riujrt | Issue | | •. Nil | |
771
- | Bonus Issue | | | : Nil | |
772
- | Private Placement | | | : Nil | |
773
- | HI POSITION | OF MOBILIZATION | | AND DEPLOYMENT | OF FUNDS |
774
- (Amounts in Rupees Thousands )
775
- | | Total Liabilities | | . 5046 | |
776
- | --- | ------------------ | --- | ------- | --- |
777
- | | Total Assets | | : 5046 | |
778
- SOURCE OF FUND
779
- | | Paid up Capital | | : 2450 | |
780
- | --- | ----------------- | --- | ------- | --- |
781
- | | Reserve & Surplus | | 2585 | |
782
- | | Secured Loan | | Nil | |
783
- | | Unsecured Loan | | 11 | |
784
- APPLICATION OF FUNDS
785
- | | Net Fixed Assets | | : 32 | |
786
- | --- | ------------------- | ------ | ------- | --- |
787
- | | Investments | | : 802 | |
788
- | | NeV Current Assets | | . 4189 | |
789
- | | Misc. Expenditure | | : Nil | |
790
- | | Accumulated | Losses | : Nil | |
791
- | | Deterred Tax Assets | | : 23 | |
792
- IV PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY(Anw>unts in Rupees Thousands)
793
- | Turnover | | | : 348 | |
794
- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
795
- | Total Expenditure | | | : 137 | |
796
- | Profit Before Tax | | | ; 211 | |
797
- | Profit After Tax | | | : 169 | |
798
- | Earning Per Shares (In Rs) | | | : 0.55 | |
799
- | Dividend | | | : Nil | |
800
-
801
- V. GENERIC NAMES OF THREE PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS / SERVICES OF COMPANY
802
- (As per monetary term)
803
- Item Code No. (ITC CODE ) : NA
804
- Product Description : Finance & Investment.
805
- As per report of even date
806
- FOR J.S. BHATIA & CO. For and on behvAf of th« Board.
807
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT.
808
- KAWALJIT SINGH CHAWLA
809
- J.S. BHATrA VASUDEVR. VADAV
810
- PROPRIETOR
811
- DIRECTORS.
812
- Place : Mumbai Place : Mumbai
813
- Date : 25* August 2005 Date : 25* August 2005
814
-
815
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD.
816
- CASHFLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31.2008
817
- Amount m Rupees
818
- | | 31/03/2005 | 31/03/2004 |
819
- | --- | ----------- | ---------- |
820
- I CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
821
- Net Profit before Tax & Extraordinary items 211.157.00 154.506.00
822
- Add / (Less): Adjustments for
823
- | Dividend income | (20000) | (200.00) |
824
- | ------------------------------------ | ------------ | ----------- |
825
- | Depreciation | 9,096.00 | 13,497.00 |
826
- | ( Profit y loss on fixed Assets sold | 0.00 | (28,771.00) |
827
- | | (132.436.00) | 0.00 |
828
- (Profit) /-Loss on Sale of Investment
829
- | Demat & Brokerage charges | 652.00 | 0.00 |
830
- | ------------------------- | ------ | ---- |
831
- Increase / (Decrease) in Trade & Other Payable (3,869.00) 10,190.00
832
- | Direct taxes paid | (44.676.00) | (62.971.00) |
833
- | ----------------- | ----------- | ----------- |
834
- (Increase)/ Decrease in Trade & Other Receivable (643,302.00) (90.602.00)
835
- CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES -1 (603.578.00) (4.351.00)
836
- II CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
837
- | (Purchase) / sate of Fixed Assets | 0.00 | 41,525.00 |
838
- | --------------------------------- | ---- | --------- |
839
- (Purchase V Sale of Investments (Net of Pur.&Saies) (19,825.00) 0.00
840
- | | 523.811.00 | 0.00 |
841
- | --- | ---------- | ---- |
842
- (Increase)/ Decrease in Loans & Advances
843
- | Profit on Sale of Investments | 132,436.00 | 0.00 |
844
- | -------------------------------------- | ---------- | --------- |
845
- | Dividend received | 200.00 | 200.00 |
846
- | NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES - R | 636,622.00 | 41.725.00 |
847
- III CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
848
- | Demat & Brokerage charges | (652.00) | 0.00 |
849
- | -------------------------------------- | -------- | ----------- |
850
- | Proceeds / (Repayment) from borrowings | 702.00 | (32,044.00) |
851
- | | 50.00 | (32,044.00) |
852
- NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES • •
853
- | NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH ( | 33,094.00 | 5,330.00 |
854
- | --------------------------------- | --------- | -------- |
855
- OPENING BALANCE OF CASH & CASH EQUIVALENT 17,997.00 12,667 00
856
- CLOSING BALANCE OF CASH & CASH EQUIVALENT 51.091.00 17,997.00
857
- Notes 1) Cash and cash equivatents consists of cash on hand and balances with bank
858
- 2) Figures in brackets represents outflow of cash
859
- 3) Figures for the last year have been regrouped, wherever considered necessary
860
- Per our report of even date
861
- FOR J. S. BHATIA & CO. For and on behalf of the board
862
- Chartered accountants
863
- J. S. BHATIA KAWAUIT SINGH CHAWLA
864
- PROPRIETOR
865
- PLACE : MUMBAI
866
- DATED : 25.08.2005
867
-
868
- | T | Q R H | A T fA Jte | fV"fc | | 14A15, Ashoka Centre, |
869
- | ---------- | --------- | ------------ | ------ | --- | ------------------------------ |
870
- | J. b. | BHATIA & | | CO. | | 2nd Floor, LotonanyaTllakMaiB, |
871
- | CHARTERED | | ACCOUNTANTS | | | Mumbal-400001. |
872
- Tel.: Office: 2267 5066 / 2267 5067
873
- Fax: 2269 2994
874
- Rest.: 2620 2207 / 2620 3849
875
- E-mail: jaipalsb6)bom3.vsnl.net.in
876
- AUDITOR'S CERTIFICATE
877
- To,
878
- The Board of Directors,
879
- Frontier Leasing & Finance Limited.
880
- We have examined the attached Cash Flow Statement of Frontier Leasing &
881
- Finance Limited for the year ended 31st March 2005. The Statement has been
882
- prepared by the Company in accordance with the requirements of clause 32 of
883
- the listing agreement with various Stock Exchanges and is based on and in
884
- agreement with the corresponding Profit & Loss Account and Balance Sheet of
885
- the Company covered by our report of even date to the members of the
886
- Company.
887
- For J. S. BHATIA & CO.,
888
- | | | | | CHARTERED | AC CO UNTANTS |
889
- | --- | --------------- | -------------- | --- | ---------- | ------------- |
890
- | | PLACE : MUMBAI | | | | J. S. BHATIA |
891
- | | DATE | : T-^/dZ/xooS | | - | (PROPRIETOR) |
892
-
893
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LIMITED.
894
- Registered Office : C/o. Victory Printing Press, Jyoti Studio
895
- Compound, KB.A Irani Bridge,
896
- Mumbai - 400 007.
897
- PLEASE COMPLETE THE ATTENDANCE SLIP AND HAND IT
898
- OVER AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE MEETING HALL.
899
- 1. Name of the Shareholder.
900
- (In Block Letters)
901
- 2. Ledger Folio Number.
902
- 3. Name of the Proxy (In Block Letter) ,
903
- (To be filled in only if the proxy attends instead of member)
904
- 4. No. of Shares held.
905
- 1 hereby record my presence at 21st Annual General Meeting of
906
- the Company to be held on Thursday, 29th September 2005 at
907
- C/o. Victory Printing Press, Jyoti Studio Compound, K.B» A Irani Bridge,
908
- Mumbai - 400 007 at 3.00 p.m.
909
- Signature of the Shareholder /Proxy
910
- NOTES :
911
- 1. Shareholders/Proxy holders are requested to bring the attendance slip
912
- with them when they come to the meeting. No attendance slip will be
913
- issued at the time of meeting.
914
- 2. Shareholders who come to attend the meeting are requested to
915
- bring their copies of Annual Report with them, as spare copies wQl
916
- not available in the meeting.
917
-
918
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LIMITED.
919
- PROXY FORM
920
- I/We
921
- of being the Member/Members
922
- of the named company hereby appoint
923
- of or tailing
924
- him
925
- of or failmg
926
- him
927
- as / my proxy to vote for me / us on behalf at the 21 st Annual General Meeting of
928
- the Company to beheld at3.00 p.m. on Thursday, 29th September 2005 and at
929
- any adjournment thereof.
930
- Ledger Folio No
931
- No. of Shares held
932
- : Affix :
933
- : Revenue
934
- : Stamp
935
- Signature
936
- Date
937
- NOTES :
938
- (a) The form should be signed across the stamp as per specimen signature
939
- registered with the Company.
940
- (b) The Companies Act, 1956 fays down that the instrument appointing a,
941
- proxy shaft be deposited at the Registered Office of the Company
942
- not less than FOURTY EIGHT HOURS before the time fixed for
943
- holding the meeting.
944
- (c) A Proxy need not be a Member.
 
1
+ The Step-by-Step Guide
2
+ to Recruiting Top Talent
3
+
4
+ Your blueprint to transform your talent acquisition practices
5
+ to attract the people you need.
6
+
7
+ Table of Contents
8
+
9
+ 01
10
+
11
+ The Race for Talent
12
+
13
+ 02
14
+
15
+ Does Your Talent Acquisition
16
+ Process Need a Tune-up?
17
+
18
+ 03
19
+
20
+ 5 Factors That Affect Your Talent
21
+ Acquisition Efforts
22
+
23
+ 04
24
+
25
+ The Step-by-Step Guide to
26
+ Recruiting Top Candidates
27
+
28
+ page 3
29
+
30
+ page 4
31
+
32
+ page 5
33
+
34
+ page 7
35
+
36
+ BONUS
37
+
38
+ 05
39
+
40
+ 10 Must-Haves of a Great
41
+ Recruitment Management System
42
+ page 11
43
+
44
+ 06
45
+
46
+ Find and Keep
47
+ the Talent You Need
48
+
49
+ page 12
50
+
51
+ 2
52
+
53
+ BOOKMARKS
54
+ Click on the title to to be
55
+ directed to that page.
56
+
57
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. The Race for Talent
58
+
59
+ 01
60
+
61
+ It’s a job seeker’s market.
62
+
63
+ High employment rates, an aging workforce, and
64
+ skills gaps in both technical and soft skills have put
65
+ employees in the driver’s seat.
66
+
67
+ What this means for you is that you’re going to
68
+ have to fight harder than ever to recruit and retain
69
+ the people you need.
70
+
71
+ You’re going to have to leverage technology, lean into
72
+ your values, improve your employer branding, and in
73
+ some cases take a sledgehammer to your current talent
74
+ acquisition strategies to create engaging and responsive
75
+ recruitment experiences that not only attract candidates
76
+ to your company but compel them to choose you over
77
+ the competition.
78
+
79
+ It can be a daunting task… but we’ve got you covered
80
+ -as HCM consultants and SAP® SuccessFactors®
81
+ specialists, we’ve helped countless businesses do
82
+ exactly this.
83
+
84
+ This eBook is the first step in the process. It includes the
85
+ step-by-step guide to recruiting the best talent. Use it to
86
+ evaluate where you stand and build a talent acquisition
87
+ process that gives you the workforce you need for a
88
+ successful future.
89
+
90
+ Let’s get started.
91
+
92
+ An overwhelming
93
+ majority of candidates
94
+ (69%) refuse to
95
+ re-apply to a company
96
+ if they have a poor
97
+ experience during the
98
+ application process.
99
+
100
+ 3
101
+
102
+ 1 2016 Talent Board NAM CandE Research Report FINAL 170202.pdf
103
+ link: http://www.thetalentboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2016_Talent_Board_NAM_Can-
104
+
105
+ dE_Research_Report_FINAL_170202.pdf
106
+
107
+ 69%© 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved.
108
+ Does Your Talent Acquisition
109
+ Process Need a Tune-up?
110
+
111
+ 02
112
+
113
+ Let’s look under the hood at your talent acquisition strategy
114
+ and see what’s really there. Here are five key questions that
115
+ you need to answer to identify the roadblocks between where
116
+ you are, and where you want to be.
117
+
118
+ 01
119
+
120
+ 02
121
+
122
+ 03
123
+
124
+ 04
125
+
126
+ 05
127
+
128
+ Is your recruiting based on
129
+ current best practices?
130
+
131
+ Do you have buy-in
132
+ from your team?
133
+
134
+ Is your technology up to date
135
+ and fully cloud capable?
136
+
137
+ HR trends are evolving more
138
+ rapidly now than ever before.
139
+ Make sure you’re not falling
140
+ behind the competition when
141
+ it comes to implementing best
142
+ practices.
143
+
144
+ Is your team aligned internally?
145
+ Do they share a common lens?
146
+ Great candidate experiences
147
+ depend on the interactions
148
+ candidates have with your
149
+ team during the various stages
150
+ of the acquisition process.
151
+ Buy-in from your team is vital.
152
+
153
+ If you haven’t moved to the
154
+ cloud yet, it is never too late.
155
+ If you’ve migrated but aren’t
156
+ satisfied with your current
157
+ system, it can be salvaged.
158
+ The right tech really does
159
+ make a difference.
160
+
161
+ Are you always looking
162
+ for ways to innovate your
163
+ recruiting approach?
164
+
165
+ Is your recruitment
166
+ management system (RCM)
167
+ making your job easier?
168
+
169
+ Technology is playing an
170
+ increasingly crucial role in the
171
+ talent acquisition process. You
172
+ need to always have an eye on
173
+ the horizon, ear to the ground,
174
+ and willingness to adapt
175
+ and innovate your approach.
176
+ Remember: good ideas can
177
+ come from anywhere.
178
+
179
+ The right tools should help
180
+ to increase efficiency. But
181
+ sometimes, the tool itself
182
+ sucks up your time. And that’s
183
+ frustrating. Make sure your
184
+ system and processes make
185
+ your job easier. That’s the most
186
+ valuable success metric.
187
+
188
+ 4
189
+
190
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. 5 Factors That Affect
191
+ Your Talent Acquisition Efforts
192
+
193
+ 03
194
+
195
+ The first step to building an effective acquisition strategy is to know
196
+ what internal and external factors affect your recruitment efforts.
197
+
198
+ Based on our experience and a study of current market conditions, here’s
199
+ 5 factors that you need to be aware of when building your strategy.
200
+
201
+ You need to determine how you’ll adapt, counter, and respond to
202
+ each of these.
203
+
204
+ 5
205
+
206
+ Continued on next page >
207
+
208
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. 01
209
+
210
+ GROWING DEMAND &
211
+ DWINDLING SUPPLY
212
+
213
+ 02
214
+
215
+ TURNOVER &
216
+ BURNOUT
217
+
218
+ 03
219
+
220
+ INCONSISTENT
221
+ HIRING PROCESSES
222
+
223
+ 04
224
+
225
+ INTENSE FOCUS ON
226
+ COST MANAGEMENT
227
+
228
+ 05
229
+
230
+ EVOLVING
231
+ EXPECTATIONS
232
+
233
+ With just about every major
234
+ industry facing staffing
235
+ shortages, the candidates are
236
+ now in the driver’s seat with the
237
+ option of picking an employer
238
+ that responds to their needs
239
+ in a location of their choosing.
240
+ While talent acquisition and
241
+ human resources teams can’t
242
+ change the growing supply/
243
+ demand imbalance, they need
244
+ to be aware of how this affects
245
+ their acquisition strategy and
246
+ take active steps to attract
247
+ Gen X, Millennials, and
248
+ pretty soon Gen Z before the
249
+ competition does.
250
+
251
+ The staffing shortage also has
252
+ an adverse effect on current
253
+ professionals who have to
254
+ work longer hours leading to
255
+ burnout and turnover – which
256
+ leads to a dangerous loop of
257
+ an exhausted workforce, an
258
+ ever-growing pile of work, and
259
+ more turnover. Furthermore, an
260
+ organization with a reputation
261
+ for high turnover and burnout
262
+ creates additional challenges
263
+ for recruitment teams when it
264
+ comes to hiring the best talent.
265
+
266
+ Modern businesses often have
267
+ complex org charts, siloed
268
+ branches, and evolving parts.
269
+ This creates inconsistent hiring
270
+ processes that vary from
271
+ department to department,
272
+ region to region, and result in
273
+ poor candidate experiences
274
+ that negatively affect the
275
+ organization’s brand image.
276
+ While the HR team can’t
277
+ control everything, cloud-based
278
+ comprehensive talent solutions
279
+ such as SAP SuccessFactors can
280
+ help companies centralize their
281
+ processes and bring visibility to
282
+ internal teams and candidates.
283
+
284
+ Companies are always under
285
+ pressure to control costs. Up
286
+ against this mentality, HR
287
+ managers struggle to secure
288
+ funding for talent management
289
+ initiatives and, as a result,
290
+ end up using disparate, on
291
+ premise or outdated recruitment
292
+ technologies. This leads to error
293
+ prone processes due to the
294
+ doubling of data across systems,
295
+ labor intensive and slow hiring
296
+ steps, and a disconnected
297
+ candidate experience.
298
+
299
+ The largest generation in the
300
+ workforce today is tech-savvy
301
+ and socially aware Millennials.
302
+ As candidates, Millennials
303
+ look for companies that
304
+ align with their values, offer
305
+ training and development,
306
+ and deliver opportunities for
307
+ career growth. They expect
308
+ their future employers to
309
+ be digitally connected with
310
+ an intuitive website that
311
+ showcases its brand and
312
+ culture. They want a simple,
313
+ mobile friendly job application
314
+ process, transparent and timely
315
+ communication, and an active
316
+ social media presence so they
317
+ can interact with the company
318
+ during the hiring process.
319
+
320
+ 6
321
+
322
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. The Step-by-Step Guide to
323
+ Recruiting Top Candidates
324
+
325
+ 04
326
+
327
+ Building an amazing team is just as important as building a great
328
+ customer base. But, hiring the cream of the crop isn’t as easy as it
329
+ used to be. In the race for talent, the candidate experience matters
330
+ more now than ever before! This step-by-step guide is the blueprint
331
+ you need to transform your recruitment processes to meet the
332
+ expectations of a truly multigenerational digital workforce.
333
+
334
+ 7
335
+
336
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. 1
337
+
338
+ 2
339
+
340
+ EVALUATE YOUR HIRING PROCESS
341
+ FROM START TO FINISH
342
+
343
+ Start by evaluating your current hiring process to make
344
+ sure you know what your candidate experience is
345
+ truly like - we would even go so far to suggest secret-
346
+ shopping the hiring process.
347
+
348
+ Next, storyboard your hiring process and map out
349
+ outcomes. The goal here is to plot the set of experiences
350
+ a candidate could have and optimize every step.
351
+
352
+ Use the data insights to create repeatable and
353
+ consistent hiring processes that offer positive
354
+ experiences.
355
+
356
+ Always make sure your hiring processes align
357
+ with and reflect your values and culture.
358
+
359
+ TIP
360
+
361
+ 8
362
+
363
+ CREATE A STRONG, ATTRACTIVE
364
+ BRAND THAT SHOWS YOUR VALUE
365
+ TO TOP TALENT
366
+
367
+ Your brand is your most valuable asset, when it comes to
368
+ recruiting talent.
369
+
370
+ The first step in creating an attractive brand is developing
371
+ your Employee Value Proposition - a good EVP outlines
372
+ your organization’s mission and values and commitment
373
+ to employees.
374
+
375
+ Once you have your EVP, the next step is to make sure
376
+ your career site not only reflects but showcases your EVP
377
+ - much like the buyer’s journey, the hiring journey now
378
+ begins with an online search.
379
+
380
+ Lastly, make sure you have a strong content strategy
381
+ as it will help you build your brand identity and ensure
382
+ candidates find and connect with you online.
383
+
384
+ Great content is relevant, trendy, and
385
+ provides value. We find setting up an
386
+ editorial board helps ensure you’re regularly
387
+ and consistently posting good content.
388
+
389
+ TIP
390
+
391
+ Continued on next page >
392
+
393
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. < Continued from previous page
394
+
395
+ 3
396
+
397
+ BUILD A TALENT PIPELINE AND NURTURE TALENT
398
+
399
+ There’s no such thing as “Just-in-Time Recruiting”.
400
+
401
+ Smart recruiters know the importance of building and nurturing a talent pipeline.
402
+ To build a strong pipeline:
403
+
404
+ 01
405
+
406
+ 02
407
+
408
+ Source talent globally
409
+ through an omni-channel
410
+ approach. Connect with and
411
+ reach out to candidates on
412
+ job boards, social platforms
413
+ and in-person events.
414
+
415
+ Create a network of
416
+ communities, content,
417
+ and contact points so that
418
+ you’re constantly nurturing
419
+ candidates and making sure
420
+ your brand is top of mind.
421
+
422
+ 03
423
+
424
+ 04
425
+
426
+ Make it simple for candidates
427
+ to get in touch and follow
428
+ up with HR by leveraging
429
+ automation, chatbots, and
430
+ other AI technology.
431
+
432
+ 05
433
+
434
+ Use technology to track
435
+ candidate progress and
436
+ development benchmarks.
437
+
438
+ Take every opportunity
439
+ to share your culture and
440
+ events with candidates by
441
+ sharing different types of
442
+ company news and not just
443
+ job updates.
444
+
445
+ Encourage your
446
+ organization��s
447
+ leaders to be
448
+ active online,
449
+ sharing stories
450
+ and updates, and
451
+ engaging with
452
+ candidates.
453
+
454
+ TIP
455
+
456
+ 9
457
+
458
+ Continued on next page >
459
+
460
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. < Continued from previous page
461
+
462
+ 4
463
+
464
+ 5
465
+
466
+ ENHANCE THE CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE
467
+
468
+ It’s time to end the candidate feedback black hole.
469
+
470
+ According to the 2016 North American Talent Board
471
+ Candidate Experience research report, 47 percent of
472
+ candidates never receive any communication up to two
473
+ months after applying for an open position!2
474
+
475
+ Give yourself an edge over the competition by
476
+ leveraging your RCM to not only keep your internal
477
+ team on the same page but also track and
478
+ communicate with candidates regularly.
479
+
480
+ Additionally, make sure your career site is always up to
481
+ date with current openings and that it showcases your
482
+ culture through employee testimonials.
483
+
484
+ CREATE AND SHARE
485
+ A CONSISTENT MESSAGE
486
+
487
+ The last step is less of a one-time only step and more so
488
+ an ongoing process.
489
+
490
+ Once you’ve evaluated, streamlined, and automated
491
+ your hiring processes, developed your EVP, and built
492
+ out your pipeline strategies, you need to make sure your
493
+ organization continues to create and share consistent
494
+ content and messages with your online and offline
495
+ communities.
496
+
497
+ Companies that constantly connect and engage passive
498
+ talent will have greater success at sourcing and hiring
499
+ top talent.
500
+
501
+ Don’t forget to make your application
502
+ process mobile friendly.
503
+
504
+ TIP
505
+
506
+ 10
507
+
508
+ Tell your story. Engage your current
509
+ workforce and ask them to share
510
+ testimonials about what a job with your
511
+ organization is really like. Candidates are
512
+ attracted to authentic messages driven by
513
+ the workforce, not mandated by leadership.
514
+
515
+ TIP
516
+
517
+ 2 2016 Talent Board NAM CandE Research Report FINAL 170202.pdf
518
+ link: http://www.thetalentboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2016_
519
+ Talent_Board_NAM_CandE_Research_Report_FINAL_170202.pdf
520
+
521
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. BONUS
522
+
523
+ 10 Must-Haves of a Great
524
+ Recruitment Management System
525
+
526
+ 05
527
+
528
+ There’s no denying that technology has changed the talent acquisition process – But, how do you know if the
529
+ technology you’re currently using is delivering what you need to build a motivated, high performing workforce?
530
+
531
+ Use this cheat-sheet of the 10 must-haves to evaluate your system.
532
+
533
+ Seamless cloud integration – easily access candidate and
534
+ employee information from anywhere.
535
+
536
+ A simplified workflow for recruiters & HR – make the hiring
537
+ process easier for top talent and your HR team to navigate.
538
+
539
+ Standardized, optimized processes & communication
540
+ with consistent processes in place, you’ll reduce error and
541
+ dramatically improve communications.
542
+
543
+ Omni-channel job distribution advertise open positions
544
+ across sites and social channels to increase job exposure.
545
+
546
+ Customized, mobile-friendly landing pages & web portals
547
+ make the hiring process faster and easier.
548
+
549
+ 06
550
+
551
+ 07
552
+
553
+ 08
554
+
555
+ 09
556
+
557
+ 10
558
+
559
+ Support for single and multi-stage applicant flows make it
560
+ simpler to hire regardless of job complexity.
561
+
562
+ A candidate-first experience cater to the people you want
563
+ most and build a consistent pipeline for top talent.
564
+
565
+ Empowered hiring managers put the right information in the
566
+ hands of decisions makers.
567
+
568
+ A smooth transition from candidate to employee – get new
569
+ employees up and running faster, saving time and costs.
570
+
571
+ Full visibility through analytics – make data-driven hiring
572
+ decisions and track candidates from start to finish.
573
+
574
+ 01
575
+
576
+ 02
577
+
578
+ 03
579
+
580
+ 04
581
+
582
+ 05
583
+
584
+ 11
585
+
586
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. Find and Keep
587
+ the Talent You Need
588
+
589
+ Finding the right talent is key to growing your business. A major part of recruiting
590
+ success is the tools you use. Simplifying your data by replacing disparate, on-
591
+ premise systems with a unified, cloud-based HR system that provides real-time
592
+ data is a great start.
593
+
594
+ Our certified SAP SuccessFactors professionals can help you master your new
595
+ recruiting system. But most importantly, we help you align that system to your
596
+ overall HR strategy and your company culture. Our goal is to help you transform
597
+ your business so you can find and attract great talent.
598
+
599
+ Contact us today to find out how we can help you deliver a recruiting
600
+ solution designed to let your organization’s recruiting efforts thrive.
601
+
602
+ 12
603
+
604
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. This document is provided for information purposes
605
+ only, and the contents are subject to change without notice. This document is not warranted to be error-free, nor subject to
606
+ any other warranties or conditions, whether expressed orally or implied in law, including implied warranties and conditions
607
+ of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. We specifically disclaim any liability with respect to this document, and
608
+ no contractual obligations are formed either directly or indirectly by this document. This document may not be reproduced
609
+ or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without our prior written permission.
610
+ Rizing, Rizing HCM, and other Rizing products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks
611
+ or registered trademarks of Rizing LLC or a Rizing affiliate company in the United States and other countries. All other product
612
+ and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
613
+
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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1
- | FRONTIER | LEASING | & FINANCE | LTD |
2
- | --------- | -------- | ----------- | --- |
3
- 21 sStt ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005
4
-
5
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LIMITED.
6
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
7
- MR. KAWALJIT SINGH CHAWLA
8
- MR. RAMN ATH CHOUDHARY
9
- MR. VASUDEV R. YADAV
10
- AUDITORS
11
- M/s. J.S. Bhatia & Co
12
- Chartered Accountants
13
- Wl 5, Ashoka Centre,
14
- 2nd Floor.
15
- Lokmanya Tilak Marg,
16
- Mumbai-400 001.
17
- BANKERS
18
- PUNJAB & SIND BANK
19
- J.K. Somani Bldg.,
20
- British Hotel Lane, Fort,
21
- Mumbai - 400 023.
22
- BHARAT OVERSEAS BANK LTD
23
- Rampart Row, Fort,
24
- Mumbai-400 023.
25
- REGISTERED OFFICE
26
- Jyoti Studio Compound,
27
- Near Kenned}' Bridge,
28
- Mumbai-400 007.
29
- 2004-2005 ::
30
-
31
- FRONTIER LEAStWG & FINANCE LIMITED
32
- Rcgd. Office: C/o. Victory Printing Press. Jyoti Studio Compound. • K. B. A. Irani Bridge
33
- ,M U M 8 A 1-400 007 .
34
- NOTICE
35
- NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the 21ST Annual General Meeting of the Members of
36
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LIMITED will be held on Thursday, 29th September
37
- 2005 at 3:00 p.m at the Registered Office of the Company at C/o. Victory Printing press, Jyoti
38
- Studio Compound, K.B.A. Irani Bridge, Mumbai 400 007 to transact the following business:
39
- ORDINARY BUSINESS:
40
- 1. To receive, consider and adopt the audited Statement of Accounts far the year ended 31st
41
- Match 2005 and Balance Sheet as on that date along with the Reports of Directors and
42
- Auditors thereon.
43
- 2. To appoint a Director in place of Mr. Ramnath Chauthary who retires by rotation and being
44
- eligible, offers himself for re-appointment.
45
- 3. To appoint M/s. J. S. Bhatia & Co., Chartered Accountants, the retiring Auditors as Auditors
46
- of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of this meeting uniil (he conclusion of next
47
- Annual General Meeting of the Company and to fix their remuneration.
48
- SPECIAL BUSINESS: .
49
- 4. To consider and if thought fit, to pass with or without modification (s). the following resolution
50
- as an Ordinary Resolution:
51
- "RESOLVED THAT Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chawla , who was appointed as an Additional Director
52
- the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 260 of the Companies -Act, 1956 read with
53
- .Articles of Association of the Company with effect from 12th August, 2005 and who would vacate
54
- his office at the ensuing Annual General Meeting and in respect of whom the Company has
55
- received a notice under section 257 of the Companies Act, 1956 along with necessary deposits
56
- from a shareholders proposing the candidature for Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chaw la as a Director of the
57
- Company , be and is hereby appointed as a Director of the Company whose office shall be liable
58
- to retirement by rotation."
59
- For and on behalf of he Board .
60
- Place: Mumbai
61
- Dated: 25"' August 2005 DIRECTOR
62
- Registered Office:
63
- Go. Victory Printing Press.
64
- Jyoti Studio Compound.
65
- K.B.A. h'ani Bridge.
66
- Mumbai - 400 007.
67
-
68
- NOTES:
69
- 1. A MEMBER ENTITLED TO ATTEND AND VOTE AT THE MEETING IS
70
- | ALSO ENTITLED | TO APPOINT A PROXY TO ATTEND AND | | | | TO VOTE |
71
- | -------------- | --------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- |
72
- t
73
- INSTEAD OF HIMSELF AND SUCH PROXY NKKD NOT BE A MEMBER
74
- OF THE COMPANY.
75
- 2. Proxies, if any, in order to be effective must be received at the Company's Registered
76
- Office not later than 48 hours (forty eight hours) before the tune fixed for holding the
77
- meeting.
78
- 3. The Register of Members and the Share Transfer Books of the Company will remain closed
79
- from Wednesday, 28th September 3005 to Thursday, 29* September 2005 (both days
80
- inclusive).
81
- 4. Shareholders axe requested to forward their queries on the Accounts for the financial year
82
- ended 31st March, 2005 to the Registered Office of the Company at least 10 days in
83
- advance to enable the Company to keep the information ready at the meeting.
84
- 5. The Annual Reports and Attendance slips will not be distributed at the Annual General
85
- Meeting. Shareholders are requested to bring the same along with them.
86
- BRIEF RESUME OF PERSONS PROPOSED TO BE APPOINTED/ RE-
87
- | APPOINTED | AS DIRECTOR | OF THE | COMPANY | AT THE | ANNUAL |
88
- | ---------- | ------------- | -------- | -------- | -------- | ------ |
89
- GENERAL MEETING:
90
- 1 Particulars Mr. Ramnath Choudharv Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chawla 1
91
- | Date of Birth | | 19.08.1944 | | | 31.07.1966 |
92
- | ------------------- | --- | ---------- | --- | --- | ---------- |
93
- | Date of Appointment | | 26.06.1985 | | | 12.08.2005 |
94
- | Qualifications | | S.S.C | | | B.B.A |
95
- Expertise in specific A/CJs & Taxation Machinery & Machine Tools.
96
- functional areas
97
- | Directorship of other | | No | | | No. |
98
- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
99
- Companies
100
- | Chairman/Member of the | | No | | | No |
101
- | ---------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
102
- Committees of the board of
103
- the Companies on which he
104
- is a Director
105
- • •
106
- | | | | | . . | ... _ |
107
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | ------ |
108
-
109
- | | | | FINANCE | | LIMITED |
110
- | --- | --- | --- | -------- | --- | ------- |
111
- Rcgd. Office : C/o. Victory Printing Press Jyoti Studio Compound. K. 8. A. Irani Bridgo.
112
- | | ,M U M | O A I -4 00 | 0 0 7. | | |
113
- | --- | --------- | ------------- | ------ | --- | --- |
114
- DIRECTORS'REPORT
115
- To The Members,
116
- The Directors have pleasure in presenting their 21* Annual Report on the business operations
117
- of the Company alongwith the Statement of Audited Accounts for the year ended 31st March
118
- 2005.
119
- Financial Results:
120
- (Amt. in Rs.)
121
- | Particulars | | Year Ended | | Year Ended | |
122
- | ------------ | --- | -------------- | -------- | -------------- | -------- |
123
- | | | 31* March 2005 | | 31* March 2004 | |
124
- | Total Income | | | 3,48,443 | | 2,60,610 |
125
- Profit/(Loss) before Interest, Depreciation 2,63,694 1,70,505
126
- & Taxation
127
- | Less: Interest | | | 43,441 | | 2,502 |
128
- | -------------- | --- | --- | ------ | --- | ----- |
129
- Profit/(Loss) before Depreciation & Tax 2,20,253 l_ ' 1,68,003
130
- | Less: Depreciation | | | 9,096 | | 13,497 |
131
- | ------------------------ | --- | --- | -------- | --- | -------- |
132
- | Pro£it/(Loss) before Tax | | | 2,11,157 | | 1,54,506 |
133
- Less: Provision for Tax
134
- | Current Tax | | | 46,000 | | 50,720 |
135
- | ---------------------------------------- | --- | --- | ---------- | --- | -------- |
136
- | Deferred Tax | | | (3,522) | | 4,411 |
137
- | Net Profit/(Loss) after Tax | | | 1,68,679 | | 99,375 |
138
- | Balance brought forward from Last Tear | | | . 9,88,463 | | 9,06\239 |
139
- | Excess/ Short Provision for Tax | | | 235 | | 847 |
140
- | Transfer to Statutory Reserves | | | 34000 | | 20000 |
141
- | Balance carried forward to Balance Sheet | | | 1123377 | | 988461 |
142
- Year under Review.
143
- Dunng the year under review, income from operations has been increased to Rs.3.48 Lacs as
144
- compared to Rs. 2.60 Lacs for the previous year. Profit before Interest, Depreciation and
145
- Taxation stood at Rs.2.63 Lacs. After providing for Interest, depreciation and taxation of Rs.
146
- 0.95 Lac, the Company has registered a Net profit of Rs. 1.68 Lacs as against Rs.0.99 lacs in
147
- the previous year.
148
- Your Company continues to be cautiously optimistic about its growth prospects for the
149
- current financial year.
150
- Dividend:
151
- Your Directors have not recommended payment of dividend for the year under review
152
- considering the need to improve the net worth of the Company.
153
-
154
- Directors' Responsibility Statement.
155
- Pursuant to Section 217(2AA) of the Companies Act, 1956, your Directors confirm the
156
- following:
157
- • In the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable standards have been followed
158
- Your Directors have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and
159
- made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair
160
- view of the state of Affaires of the Company at the end of the fipannei year and of the
161
- profit or' the Company for that year.
162
- • Your Directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate
163
- accounting records in accordance with the provisions of this Act for safeguarding the
164
- assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities.
165
- Your Directors have prepared the attached Statement of Accounts for the year ended
166
- March 31, 2005 on a going concern basis.
167
- Directors:
168
- Your Directors place on record their profound grief on the sudden and said demise of Mr.
169
- Jameet Singh Chawla, Director of the Company on 12th August 2005.
170
- Mr. Ramnath Chaudhary, is liable to retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting and
171
- being eligible, offers himself for re-appointment. Your Board recommends his re-appointment.
172
- Mr. Kftwdjit Singh Chawla who was appointed as an Additional Director of the Company
173
- during the year pursuant to the provisions of Section 260 of the Companies Act, 1956 would
174
- vacate his office on the date of the ensuing Annual General Meeting of the Company. The
175
- Company has received Notices under Section 257 of die said act from a shareholder proposing
176
- the candidature of Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chawla for the office of Director of the Company.
177
- Accordingly, resolution has been proposed in the Notice of the forthcoming Annual General
178
- Meeting of the Company for the appointment of Mr. Kawaljit Singh Chawla as a Director of
179
- the Company.
180
- Auditors:
181
- M/s. j. S. Bhatta & Co., Chartered Accountants, Auditors of the Company retire at the
182
- ensuing Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-appointment. The Company has
183
- received a certificate from the Auditors to the effect that their appointment; if made, would be
184
- within the prescribed limits under Section 224(1B) of the Companies Act, 1956. The members
185
- Are requested to appoint the Auditors and authorise the Board to fix their remuneration.
186
- A uditors' Report:
187
- Observations made in the Auditors' Report are self-explanatory and therefore, do not call for
188
- any further comments under Section 217(3) of the Companies Act, 1956.
189
-
190
- Secretarial Compliance certificate:
191
- Secretarial Compliance Certificate as required under section 383 A(l) of the Companies Act, 1956
192
- as amended hy the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2000 issued by M/'s Rathi & Associates,
193
- Company Secretaries is attached herewith.
194
- Fixed Deposits:
195
- During the period under review, the Company has not accepted or renewed any deposits within the
196
- meaning of Section 58A of the Companies Act, 1956 and the Companies (Acceptance of
197
- Deposits) Rules, 1975.
198
- Particulars of Employees:
199
- During the year under review, none of the employees of the Company was in receipt of
200
- remuneration aggregating Rs.24,00,000/- or more per annum, if employed throughout the year, or
201
- Rs. 2,00,000/- or more per month, in case employed for part of the year. Hence, there are no
202
- particulars to he annexed to tliis report as required under Section 217 (2A) of the Companies Act
203
- 1956 and the rules made thereunder.
204
- Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption, Foreign Exchange Earnings And Outgo:
205
- The requirements of disclosures in terms of Section 217(l)(e) of the Companies *\ct, 1956, read
206
- wirh rhe Companies (Disclosures of the Particulars in the Report of the Board of Directors) Rules.
207
- X9SS pertaining to the conservation of energy and technology absorption are not applicable to the
208
- Company due to the very nature of the industry in which it operates.
209
- During the year under review, there was no foreign exchange earnings and outgo.
210
- . 4 eknoniedgements:
211
- The.Directors wish to express their gratitude to the bankers, clients and all the business associates
212
- tor their continuous support to the Company and to the Shareholders for the confidence reposed in
213
- the Company's management. The Directors also convey their appreciation to the employees at all
214
- levels for their enormous personal efforts as well as collective contribution.
215
- For and on behalf of the Board
216
- Place: Munibai
217
- Date: 25 August 2005 Director Director
218
-
219
- ft «*• s.
220
- BHATIA & CO.
221
- *•
222
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Mumbai-400 001.
223
- Trt.: Office: 2267 5066 / 2267 5067
224
- Fax: 2269 2994
225
- Resi.: 2620 2207 / 2620 3849
226
- E-mail: jaipalsb©bom3.vsnl.net.ln
227
- AUDITOR'S REPORT
228
- We have audited the attached Balance Sheet of M/S FRONTIER LEASING &
229
- FINANCE LTD., as at 31st March 2005 and also the Profit and Loss Account for
230
- the year ended on that date and cash flow statement for the year ended on that date
231
- annexed thereto. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
232
- Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
233
- financial statements on our audit.
234
- We conducted our audit in accordance- with auditing standards generally accepted
235
- in India. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
236
- reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
237
- misstateme-nts. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
238
- significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
239
- financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable
240
- basis for our opinion.
241
- As required by the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2003, (the Order) issued
242
- by the Central Government of India in terms of sub-section (4A) of Section 227 of
243
- the Companies Act, 1956, we enclose in the Annexure a statement on the matters
244
- specified in paragraphs 4 and 5 of the said Order.
245
- Further to our comments in the Annexure referred to above, we report that :
246
- i) We have obtained all the information and explanations, which to the best of
247
- our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purposes of our audit.
248
- ii) In our opinion, proper books of account as required by law have been kept
249
- by the Company so far, as appears from our examination of those books.
250
- Hi) The Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Account dealt with by this report are in
251
- agreement with the books of accounts.
252
- iv) In our opinion, the Balance Sheet Profit and Loss Account and Cash Flow
253
- Statement dealt with by this report comply with the accounting standards
254
- referred to in sub-section (3C) of Section 211 of the Companies Act, 1956.
255
-
256
- | J. S. BHAT1A & CO. | | | | w |
257
- | -------------------- | ------------ | --- | --- | ---------------------------------- |
258
- | CHARTERED | ACCOUNTANTS | | | E-mail: jalpalsbeborh3.vsnl.net.ln |
259
- v) On the basis of written representations received from the directors as on
260
- March 31, 2005 and taken on record by the Board of Directors, we report
261
- that none of the directors is disqualified as on March 31, 2005 from being
262
- appointed as a director in terms of Claus6 (g) of sub-section (1) of Section
263
- 274 of the Companies Act, 1956;
264
- vi) In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the
265
- explanations given to us, the said accounts give the information required by
266
- the Companies Act,, 1956, in the manner so required and give a true and fair
267
- view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in
268
- India :
269
- a) In the. case of the Balance Sheet, of the state of affairs of the Company
270
- as at 31;{1 March, 2005.
271
- b) In the case of Profit & Loss Account, of the Profit for the year ended
272
- on that date;
273
- c) in the case of cash flow statement,, of the cash flows for the year
274
- ended on that date.
275
- For J. S. BHATIA&CO..
276
- | | | | ARTERED | ACCOUNTANTS. |
277
- | -------- | ------------- | --- | ------------ | ------------ |
278
- | PLACE . | MUMBA1 | | J. S. BHATIA | |
279
- | DATE | -zs/ogj 2003 | | PROPRIETOR | |
280
-
281
- J. S. BHATIA & CO. ™ ' S^
282
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS E-maH: Jalpiteb©boin3.v»nl.nrt.ln
283
- Annexure to the auditors report of even date to the members of M/s Frontier
284
- Leasing & Finance Ltd.
285
- i) a). The Company has maintained proper records showing full particulars,
286
- including quantitative details and the situation of its fixed assets.
287
- b) All fixed assets are physically verified by the management during the
288
- year. In our opinion, the frequency of verification of the fixed assets
289
- by the management is reasonable having regard to the size of the
290
- Company and the nature of its assets. There were no discrepancies
291
- noticed during the physical verification conducted by management.
292
- c) The assets disposed off during the year are not significant and
293
- therefore do not affect the going concern assumption.
294
- ii) Since the company did not deal in goods or merchandise, the requirements
295
- relating to inventory in clause (ii)(a), (ii)(b) and (ii)(c) of the order are not
296
- applicable.
297
- in) During the year, the Company has not granted any loans to parties listed in
298
- the register maintained under section 301 of the Companies Act, 1956.
299
- Hence, requirements mentioned in clause (iii)(a), (iii)(b), (iii)(c),(iii)(d) are
300
- not applicable.
301
- iv) Since the company did not deal in goods or merchandise, the requirements
302
- in clause (iv) of the order to internal control procedure on purchase of
303
- inventory, fixed assets and sale of goods is not applicable.
304
- v) Based on the audit procedures applied by us and according to the
305
- information and explanations provided by the management, we are of the
306
- opinion that there are no transactions that need to be entered into the
307
- register maintained under section 301.
308
- vi) The Company has not accepted any deposits from the public during the year;
309
- vii) The Company has a system of internal audit which, in our opinion, is
310
- commensurate with its size and nature of its business;
311
-
312
- J S RHATTA Jfo Pft TW.:Olte»:22675066/2267 5067
313
- V. &. UtlALLA 06 iAJ. F«:22692994
314
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS E-mail: Jaipalsbebom3.vsnl.neLin
315
- viii) The company is not required to maintain cost records pursuant to the rules
316
- made by the Central Government under section 209(l)(d) of the Companies
317
- Act, 1956.
318
- ix) According to the records, information and explanations provided to us, the
319
- Company is generally regular in depositing with appropriate authorities
320
- undisputed amount of income-tax and other statutory dues applicable to it
321
- and no undisputed amounts payable were outstanding as at 31st March, 2004
322
- for a period of more than six months from the date they became payable;
323
- x) The Company neither has accumulated losses at the end of the financial year
324
- but has incurred cash losses during the year and during the year immediately
325
- preceding current year;
326
- xi) Based on our audit procedures and on the information and explanations
327
- given by the management, the Company has not availed funds / facilities
328
- from the financial institution or bank;
329
- xii) Based on our examination and according to the information and explanations
330
- given to us, the Company has not granted loans and advances on the basis of
331
- security by way of pledge of shares, debentures and other securities;
332
- xiii) The company is not a chit / nidhi / mutual benefit fund/ society and clause
333
- (xiii) of the order is not applicable.
334
- xiv) In our opinion and according to the information and explanations given to
335
- us, proper records have been maintained of the transactions and contracts
336
- relating to dealing in shares, securities and debentures and timely entries
337
- have been made in such records. All the investments are in the name of the
338
- company.
339
- «v) On the basis of the information and explanations given to us the Company
340
- has not given any guarantee for loans taken by others from bank or financial
341
- institutions;
342
-
343
- J S RHATTA fe PO TW.:Omo«:22876066/22675067
344
- O. O. UttAliA OB UU. Fax:226»2994
345
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS E-mail: jalpalsb©bom3.vsnl.not.in
346
- xvi) There was no term loan availed by the company and outstanding during the
347
- year.
348
- xvii) On the basis of our examination of the books of accounts and the
349
- information and explanations given to us, in our opinion, the funds raised on
350
- short-term basis have not been used for long term investment and vice versa;
351
- xviii) During the year, the Company has not made any preferential allotment of
352
- shares to parties and companies covered in the register maintained under
353
- section 301 of the Act;
354
- xix) The Company did not have any outstanding debentures during the year;
355
- xx) The Company has not raised any money by public issues during the year;
356
- xxi) Based on the audit procedure performed and information and explanations
357
- given to us by the management, we report that no fraud on or by the
358
- Company has been noticed or reported during the course of our audit.
359
- For! S. BHATIA&CO.,
360
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS.
361
- PLACE : MUMBAI J. S. BHATIA
362
- DATE : PROPRIETOR
363
-
364
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
365
- BALANCE SHEET AS ON 31ST MARCH 2005
366
- | | | AS AT | AS AT |
367
- | ------------------- | --- | --------- | --------- |
368
- | | | 31.3.2005 | 31.3.2004 |
369
- | I. SOURCES OF FUNDS | CH | Es | Rs |
370
- 1 Shareholders Funds
371
- | a) Capital | A | 2450000 | 2450000 |
372
- | ---------- | --- | ------- | ------- |
373
- B
374
- | b) Reserve & Surplus | | 2565027 | 24161 A3 |
375
- | -------------------- | --- | ------- | -------- |
376
- 2 Loan Funds
377
- 10735
378
- | Unsecured Loans | B1 | | 10033 |
379
- | -------------------- | --- | -------- | ------- |
380
- | TOTAL FUNDS EMPLOYED | | 5045762 | 4876146 |
381
- II. APPLICATIONS OF FUND
382
- 1 Fixed Assets
383
- | Gross Block | | 624532 | 624532 |
384
- | ----------- | --- | ------ | ------ |
385
- | | | 592430 | 583335 |
386
- Less: Depreciation
387
- | Net Block | | 32102 | 41197 |
388
- | ------------- | --- | ------- | ------ |
389
- | 2 Investments | | 801704 | 781879 |
390
- 3 Net Cuirrent Assets
391
- | Current Assets | E | 51090 | 17997 |
392
- | --------------------------------------- | --- | -------- | ------- |
393
- | Loans & Advances | F | 4259644 | 4173242 |
394
- | | | 4310734 | 4191239 |
395
- | Less : Current Liabilities & Provisions | | 121339 | 157208 |
396
- | | | 4189395 | 4034031 |
397
- | 4 Deffered Tax Assets | | 22561 | 19039 |
398
- | TOTAL FUNDS APPLIED | | 5045762 | 4876146 |
399
- NOTES ON ACCOUNTS
400
- AS PER OUT ATTACHED REPORT OF EVEN DATE FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE 8OARD
401
- FOR J.S BHATIA & CO
402
- | CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT | KAWALJIT SINGH CHAWLA | | |
403
- | --------------------- | --------------------- | --- | --- |
404
- VASUOEV R. YADAV
405
- J.S BHATIA
406
- | PROPRIETOR | DIRECTORS | | |
407
- | ------------------------- | ------------------------- | --- | --- |
408
- | PLACE . MUMBAI | PLACE . MUMBAI | | |
409
- | DATED : 25th AUGUST 2005. | DATED : 25th AUGUST 2005. | | |
410
-
411
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
412
- PROHT & LOSS A/C FOR THE YEAR EHDED 31ST MARCH 2005
413
- | | | | | Rs | | Rs |
414
- | --- | --- | --- | ---------- | --- | --------- | --- |
415
- | | | SCH | 31.3.2005 | | 31.3.2004 | |
416
- INCOME ••
417
- | interest Received | | H | | 215807 | | 231639 |
418
- | ------------------------ | --- | --- | --- | ------ | --- | ------ |
419
- | Dividend Income | | I | | 200 | | 200 |
420
- | Profit on Sale of Assets | | | | | 0 | 28771 |
421
- | Profit on Sate of Shares | | | | 122436 | | 0 |
422
- | | | | | 348443 | | 260610 |
423
- EXPENDITURE :
424
- | Administration & Other Exp | | J | | 84749 | | 90105 |
425
- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | ----- |
426
- | Depreciation | | | | 9096 | | 13497 |
427
- K
428
- | Interest Paid | | | | 43441 | | 2502 |
429
- | ----------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | --- | ------ |
430
- | | | | | 137286 | | 106104 |
431
- | Profit Before Tax | | | | 211157 | | 154506 |
432
- Less : Provision of Taxation
433
- | | | | | 46000 | | 50720 |
434
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | ----- |
435
- Current Tax
436
- | | Defferecf Tax | | | -3522 | | 4411 |
437
- | --- | ------------- | --- | --- | ------ | --- | ----- |
438
- | | | | | 168679 | | 99375 |
439
- Profit After Tax
440
- | Balance brought forward from Last year | | | | 988463 | | 908239 |
441
- | -------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | ------- |
442
- | Excess / (Short) Provision for Tax | | | | 235 | | 847 |
443
- | | | | | (34000) | | (2QQGQ) |
444
- Transfer to Statutory Reserve
445
- | | | | | | 0 | 0 |
446
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
447
- Net Defered Tax Assets on transitional provision
448
- | Balance carried forward to Balance Sheet | | | | 1123377 | | 988461 |
449
- | ---------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | ------ |
450
- Earning Per Share
451
- | | | | | 0.55 | | 0 33 |
452
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | --- | ---- |
453
- Basic & Diluted
454
- | Face Value per Share | | | | Rs 10/- | | Rs. 10/- |
455
- | -------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | -------- |
456
- NOTES ON ACCOUNTS
457
- AS PER OUT ATTACHED REPORT OF EVEN DATE FOR AJND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
458
- FOR J.S BHATIA & CO
459
- | CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT | | KAWALJIT SINGH CHAWLA | | | | |
460
- | -------------------- | --- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
461
- VASUDEVR.YADAV
462
- J.S BHATIA
463
- | PROPRIETOR | | DIRECTORS | | | | |
464
- | ------------------------ | --- | ------------- | ----------------- | --- | --- | --- |
465
- | PLACE: MUMBAi | | PLACE: MUMBAf | | | | |
466
- | DATED : 25th AUGUST 2005 | | DATED | 25th AUGUST 2005. | | | |
467
-
468
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
469
- SCHEDULE ANNEXED TO AND FORMING PART OF THE ACCOUNTS AS AT 31.03.2008
470
- | | | | | AS AT | AS AT | |
471
- | ---------- | --- | --- | --- | ---------- | --------- | --- |
472
- | SCHEDULE A | | | | 31.3.2005 | 31.3.2004 | |
473
- | | | | | Rs | | Rs |
474
- Share Capital
475
- Authorised
476
- | 2,50,000 Equrty Shares of Rs. 10/- each | | | | 2500000 | | 2500000 |
477
- | --------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | ------- |
478
- Issued. Subscribed & Paid UP
479
- | 2,45,000 Equity Shates of Rs. 10)- each | | | | 2450000 | | 2450000 |
480
- | --------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | ------- |
481
- | | | | | 2450000 | | 2450000 |
482
- SCHEDULE B:
483
- Reserve & Surplus
484
- | | Opening | Addition | | Deduction | Closing | |
485
- | --------------------- | --------- | -------- | --- | --------- | ------- | --------- |
486
- | | Balance | | | | Balance | |
487
- | General Reserve | 1185650 | | 0 | 0 | | 1185650 |
488
- | (Previous Year) | (1185650) | | 0 | 0 | | (1185650) |
489
- | Statutory Reserve | Z42O00 | 34000 | | 0 | | 276000 |
490
- | (Prev©us Year) | (222000) | (20000) | | 0 | | (242000) |
491
- | Profit & Loss Account | | | | 34000 | | 1123377 |
492
- | | 9S84B3 | 168914 | | | | |
493
- | | (908239) | (100224) | | (20000) | | (988463) |
494
- (Previous Year)
495
- | | 2416113 | 202914 | | 34000 | | 2585027 |
496
- | --- | ------- | ------ | --- | ----- | --- | ------- |
497
- Total
498
- | | (2315889) | (120224) | | (20000) | | (2416113) |
499
- | --- | --------- | -------- | --- | ------- | --- | --------- |
500
- (Previous Year)
501
- SCHEDULE B1
502
- Unsecured Loans
503
- | Jeet Machine Toots Ltd | | | | 10735 | | 10033 |
504
- | ---------------------- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | ----- |
505
- | | | | | 10735 | | 10033 |
506
-
507
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
508
- SCHEDULE -C
509
- FIXED ASSETS
510
- (AMOUNT IN RS)
511
- | ASSETS | GROSS BLOCK | DEPRECIATION | | | NET | BLOCK |
512
- | ------ | ----------- | --------------- | ------------- | ------- | --------- | ------- |
513
- | | As on Dedn | As on As on | t-or the Dedn | As on | As on | | As on |
514
- | | 1.4.04 | 31.3.05 01.4.04 | Year | 31.3.05 | 31.3.05J | 31.3.04 |
515
- Furniture &
516
- | Fixture | 1322 0 | 1322 1247 | 14 0 | 1261 | 61 | 75 |
517
- | ------- | ------ | --------- | ---- | ---- | --- | --- |
518
- Office
519
- | Equipment | 64170 0 | 64170 51284 | 5154 0 | 5643S | 7732 | 12886 |
520
- | --------- | ------- | ----------- | ------ | ----- | ---- | ----- |
521
- !
522
- Plant &
523
- [
524
- i
525
- Mach.
526
- | Leased | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
527
- | -------- | ------------- | ------------- | ------------ | ------ | -------- | ----- |
528
- | Others | 559040 0 | 559040 | 3928 0 | 534731 | 24309 | 2S237 |
529
- | TOTAL | 624532 0 | 624532 583334 | 9096 0 | 592430 | 32102 | 41193 |
530
- | PREVIOUS | | I | | | | |
531
- | | | | | | 41197 I | 67448 |
532
- | YEAR | 741023 116491 | 6245321673575 | 13497 103737 | 583335 | | |
533
-
534
- FRONTIER LEASING & FNANCE LTD
535
- SCHEDULE -D
536
- INVESTMENTS (AT COST)
537
- LONG TERM INVESTMENTS OTHER THAW TRADE INVESTMENTS:
538
- | NAME OF SCRIP | | NO.OF | FACE | | AS AT | AS AT | |
539
- | -------------- | -------- | ------ | ------ | --- | -------- | ------- | --- |
540
- | | SHARES/ | | VALUE | | 31.3.05 | 31.3.04 | |
541
- | | DEBENTU | | | | | fi£ | |
542
- (PREV.YR.)
543
- 1 IN SHARES AND DEBENTURES :-
544
- A. IN FULLY PAID UP EQUITY SHARES: (QUOTED)
545
- | Jeet Machine TooteUd | | 1400 | | | 3556 | | 3556 |
546
- | ------------------------------------ | --- | ---- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | ---- |
547
- | Subway Finance & Investment Co. Ltd | | 1000 | | 10 | 2463 | | 2463 |
548
- | Timex Watches ltd. | | 100 | | 10 | | 0 | 1000 |
549
- | Indoco. | | | 85 | 10 | 20825 | | 0 |
550
- B. \U FULLY PAID UP EQUITY SHARES: (UNQUOTED^
551
- | | | | | 10 | 2000 | | 2000 |
552
- | --------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | --- | ---- |
553
- | Ring Plus (Aqua Bearings Ltd) | | 200 | | | | | |
554
- | Usha fvftcroprocess Controls Ltd | | 5G | | to | 500 | | 500 |
555
- Aggregate Cost of Im'estments in Shares & Debentures (!) 29344 9519
556
- | Aggregate Cost of Quoted Investments | At Cost | | | | 26S44 | | 7019 |
557
- | ------------------------------------------ | ------- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | ------ | ---- |
558
- | Aggregate Cost of Unquoted Investments | At Cost | | | | 2500 | | 2500 |
559
- | IN IMMOVABLE PROPERTIES | (ID | | | | 772360 | 772360 | |
560
- | II Aggregate Cost of Investments (I + II) | | | | | 801704 | 781879 | |
561
- 11764
562
- | Aggregate Market Vakie of Quoted Shares/ Debentures | | | | | 35947 | | |
563
- | --------------------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | --- |
564
-
565
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD
566
- | | | | AS AT | AS AT |
567
- | --- | --- | --- | --------- | --------- |
568
- | | | | 31.3.2005 | 31.3.2004 |
569
- | | | | Bs. | S§ |
570
- SCHEDULE E
571
- Current Assets
572
- | Cash on Hand | | | 1017 | |
573
- | ------------ | --- | --- | ---- | --- |
574
- 1517
575
- | Bank Balance {win Schedule Bank) | | | 50074 | 16480 |
576
- | -------------------------------- | --- | --- | ----- | ----- |
577
- | | | | 51091 | 17997 |
578
- SCHEDULEF
579
- | Loans & | Advances | | | |
580
- | -------- | -------- | --- | --- | --- |
581
- (Considered Good & Unsecured)
582
- | Gemini Machine International | | | 0 | 523550 |
583
- | ---------------------------- | --- | --- | ------- | ------- |
584
- | Aavance Payment of Tax | | | 21500 | 40500 |
585
- | Tax Deducted at Source | | | 92399 | 108949 |
586
- | Deposits | | | 2000 | 2000 |
587
- | FDR Deports | | | 3925438 | 2950000 |
588
- | Interest Accrued on FDR | | | 215807 | 547943 |
589
- | Prepaid Expenses | | | 2500 | 0 |
590
- | | | | 4259644 | 4173242 |
591
- SCHEDULE G
592
- Current Usabilities & Provisions
593
- | Other LiaDilites | | | 24619 | 28488 |
594
- | ---------------------- | --- | --- | ------ | ------ |
595
- | Provision for Taxation | | | 96720 | 128720 |
596
- | | | | 121339 | 157208 |
597
- SCHEDULE H
598
- Interest Received
599
- | On Loans (Gross) | | | 0 | 30000 |
600
- | ---------------- | --- | --- | --- | ----- |
601
- (TDS Rs.NIL Previous Year Rs.6150/-)
602
- | Fixed Depostis | | | 215807 | 201639 |
603
- | -------------- | --- | --- | ------ | ------ |
604
- (TDS Rs. 44676/- Previous Year Rs 41573/-)
605
- | | | | 21580f | 231639 |
606
- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | ------ |
607
- SCHEDULE}
608
- Dividend Income
609
- | Dividend on Long Term investment (Gross) | | | 200 | 200 |
610
- | ---------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
611
- | | | | 200 | 200 |
612
- (TDS Rs.NIL Pre\ious Year Rs. NIL)
613
- SCHEDULEJ
614
- Administration & Other Expenses
615
- | | | | 14660 | 15116 |
616
- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | ----- |
617
- Advertisement Exp
618
- | Salary & Other Benefits | | | 1775 | 2069 |
619
- | ----------------------- | --- | --- | ---- | ---- |
620
- Pa'ymerrt \o Auditors
621
- Audit Fees
622
- 5510
623
- | | Taxation Fees | 7500 | 13010 | 12900 |
624
- | --------------------- | ------------- | ---- | ----- | ----- |
625
- | Professional Charges | | | 30535 | 34083 |
626
- | Listing Fees | | | 1QGGG | 1000G |
627
- | Printing & Stationary | | | | 540 |
628
- 1134
629
- | Office Rent | | | 6000 | 6000 |
630
- | -------------------------------- | --- | --- | ----- | ----- |
631
- | Donation' | | | 1000 | 0 |
632
- | Rep . 4. Main.tan.ce of Computer | | | 0 | 667 |
633
- | Miscellenous Expenses | | | 6635 | 8730 |
634
- | | | | 84749 | S0105 |
635
- SCHEDULE K
636
- Interest Paid
637
- | Interest Paid to Others | | | 702 | 2502 |
638
- | ------------------------------------- | --- | --- | ----- | ---- |
639
- | interest Paid against Bank Loan - FDR | | | 42739 | 0 |
640
- | | | | 43441 | 2502 |
641
-
642
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD.
643
- SCHEDULE - L : NOTES ON ACCOUNTS.
644
- 1. Significant Accounting Policies :-
645
- The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, on an accrual
646
- basis and in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.
647
- 1.1) Fixed Assets:-
648
- Fixed Assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Cost comprises
649
- the purchase price and any attributable cost of bringing the asset to its working
650
- condition for its intended use.
651
- 1.2) Depreciation :-
652
- Depreciation on Fixed Assets is provided on Written Down Method at the rates
653
- and in the manner specified in the Schedule XIV of the Companies Act, 1956.
654
- 1.3) Investments :-
655
- Long Term Investments are stated at cost.
656
- 1.4) Revenue Recognition :
657
- Interest is recorded on time basis. Dividend income on investments is accounted
658
- for when the right to receive the payment is established.
659
- 1.5) Taxation :-
660
- The provision for Current Tax is determined on the basis of taxable income for the
661
- current accounting year in accordance with the Income Tax Act, 1961.
662
- The Deferred Tax is recognised, considering the prudence, on timing difference
663
- that originate in one period and capable of reversal in subsequent period.
664
- Deferred tax assets are recognised on Long Term Capital ioss on the basis of
665
- reasonable certainty that such deferred tax asset can be realised against future
666
- taxable Long Term Capital Gain.
667
- Deferred tax Liability recognised in earlier year on difference between Book
668
- depredation and depreciation under Income Tax Act 1961 is reversed to the extent
669
- of realization.
670
- 1.6) Retirement Benefits :-
671
- The Gratuity liability is provided on cash basis.
672
- 1 7) Segment Information :-
673
- Since the company is dealing in only one segment, i.e. financing, there is no
674
- reportable segment as per AS-17 on "Segment Reporting" issued by Institute of
675
- Chartered Accountant of India.
676
-
677
- 2. Contingent Liability not provided for
678
- | | | | As on | As on | | |
679
- | --- | --- | --- | -------- | ------- | --- | --- |
680
- | | | | 31.3.05 | 31.3.04 | | |
681
- Estimated amount of contracts remaining
682
- to be executed on capital account and
683
- | | not provided for | | Nil | Nil | | |
684
- | --- | ----------------------------------- | --- | -------- | ------- | --- | --- |
685
- | | | | As on | As on | | |
686
- | | | | 31.3.05 | 31.3.04 | | |
687
- | 3. | a) Expenditure in Foreign Currency | | Nii | | Nii | |
688
- b) Amount remitted during the year in
689
- | | Foreign Currency on account & Divided | | Nil | | Nil | |
690
- | --- | -------------------------------------- | --- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
691
- | | c) Earning in Foreign Exchange | | Nil | | Nil | |
692
- 4 Other information pursuant to paragraph 3,4C, 4D of Part II of Schedule VI of the
693
- Companies Act, 1956 are not applicable.
694
- 5 Payment made to Auditors :
695
- | | | | As on | As on | | |
696
- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | ------- | --- | --- |
697
- | | | | 31.3.05 | 31.3.04 | | |
698
- | | | | 5000 | 5000 | | |
699
- a) As Audit Fees
700
- | | b) Other Matters | | 7500 | 7500 | | |
701
- | --- | ---------------- | --- | ---- | ---- | --- | --- |
702
- 400
703
- | | c) Service Tax | | 510 | | | |
704
- | --- | -------------- | --- | ----- | ----- | --- | --- |
705
- | | | | 13010 | 12900 | | |
706
- 6 The basic earning per share is computed by dividing the net profit attributable to the equity
707
- shareholders for the year by the weighted average number of equity shares outstanding
708
- during the year. As there is no presence of diiutive potential equity shares, the diluted EPS
709
- is same as basis EPS as follows :
710
- | | | | | | As on | As on |
711
- | --- | --- | ---------------------------------------- | --- | ----------- | ------- | ---------- |
712
- | | | | | 31/03/2005 | | 31/03/2004 |
713
- | | | Profit after Tax | | | 168679 | 99375 |
714
- | | | Add : Excess /(Short) Provision for Tax | | | 235 | 847 |
715
- | | | Less: Transfer to Statutory Reserve | | | 34000 | 20000 |
716
- Net Profit attributable to Equity Shareholders 134914 80222
717
- | | | Weighted average number of shares | | 245000 | | 245000 |
718
- | --- | --- | ---------------------------------- | --- | ------- | --- | ------ |
719
- Earning per share
720
- | | | Basic & Diluted | | | 0.55 | 0.33 |
721
- | --- | --- | ---------------- | --- | --- | ----- | ---- |
722
-
723
- 7. Deferred Tax :-
724
- 5.1) Net Deferred Tax income for the year is Rs. 3522 and the same has been charged to
725
- the Profit and Loss Account.
726
- 6.2) The break-up of deferred tax assets and fiabifities are as foilows :
727
- | | As on | As on |
728
- | --- | -------- | -------- |
729
- | | 31.03.05 | 31.03.04 |
730
- Deferred Tax Assets
731
- | On Long Term Capital Loss of Prev.Years | 233 | 160347 |
732
- | --------------------------------------- | ----- | ------ |
733
- | Measured @ 20.91% (20.50%) | 33761 | 32871 |
734
- Deferred Tax Liability
735
- Difference between Book Value of
736
- depreciable assets and WDV for Tax
737
- | purposes. | (2914) | 38562 |
738
- | ----------------------------- | ------ | ------ |
739
- | Measured @ 36.60% (35.87%) | 11200 | 13832 |
740
- | Net Deferred Tax Liabilities. | 22561 | 190391 |
741
- 6. Refated Party Transaction (AS-18)
742
- a) List of Related Parties and Relationships.
743
- The following is the information on transactions with the related parties:
744
- Name Relationship
745
- Key Management Personnel:- Kawaljit S. Chawla Whole Time Director
746
- Ramnath Choudhary Whole Time Director
747
- Vasudev R.Yadav Whole Time Director
748
- b) Relatives of Key Management Personnel >
749
- Relationship
750
- Name
751
- | Jeet Machines Tools Ltd | Father of Director is director in | |
752
- | ----------------------- | --------------------------------- | --- |
753
- the said Company
754
- c) Refated Party Transactions : Relatives of Key Management
755
- Personnel
756
- Interest Paid Rs. 702/-
757
- 9. There are no amounts due to any enterprise which is small scale and ancillary
758
- undertaking, for more than 30 days
759
- 10 Previous year figures are regrouped or rearranged wherever necessary
760
-
761
- 11. BALANCE SHEET ABSTRACT AND COMPANY'S GENERAL BUSINESS PROFILE
762
- I REGISTRATION DETAILS
763
- | Registration No | | | 33328 | |
764
- | ------------------ | --- | --- | ---------- | --- |
765
- | State Code | No | | 11 | |
766
- | Balance Sheet Date | | | 31.03.2005 | |
767
- II CAPITAL RAISED DURING THE YEAR
768
- | Public Issue | | | : Nil | |
769
- | ------------------ | ---------------- | --- | --------------- | --------- |
770
- | Riujrt | Issue | | •. Nil | |
771
- | Bonus Issue | | | : Nil | |
772
- | Private Placement | | | : Nil | |
773
- | HI POSITION | OF MOBILIZATION | | AND DEPLOYMENT | OF FUNDS |
774
- (Amounts in Rupees Thousands )
775
- | | Total Liabilities | | . 5046 | |
776
- | --- | ------------------ | --- | ------- | --- |
777
- | | Total Assets | | : 5046 | |
778
- SOURCE OF FUND
779
- | | Paid up Capital | | : 2450 | |
780
- | --- | ----------------- | --- | ------- | --- |
781
- | | Reserve & Surplus | | 2585 | |
782
- | | Secured Loan | | Nil | |
783
- | | Unsecured Loan | | 11 | |
784
- APPLICATION OF FUNDS
785
- | | Net Fixed Assets | | : 32 | |
786
- | --- | ------------------- | ------ | ------- | --- |
787
- | | Investments | | : 802 | |
788
- | | NeV Current Assets | | . 4189 | |
789
- | | Misc. Expenditure | | : Nil | |
790
- | | Accumulated | Losses | : Nil | |
791
- | | Deterred Tax Assets | | : 23 | |
792
- IV PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY(Anw>unts in Rupees Thousands)
793
- | Turnover | | | : 348 | |
794
- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
795
- | Total Expenditure | | | : 137 | |
796
- | Profit Before Tax | | | ; 211 | |
797
- | Profit After Tax | | | : 169 | |
798
- | Earning Per Shares (In Rs) | | | : 0.55 | |
799
- | Dividend | | | : Nil | |
800
-
801
- V. GENERIC NAMES OF THREE PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS / SERVICES OF COMPANY
802
- (As per monetary term)
803
- Item Code No. (ITC CODE ) : NA
804
- Product Description : Finance & Investment.
805
- As per report of even date
806
- FOR J.S. BHATIA & CO. For and on behvAf of th« Board.
807
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT.
808
- KAWALJIT SINGH CHAWLA
809
- J.S. BHATrA VASUDEVR. VADAV
810
- PROPRIETOR
811
- DIRECTORS.
812
- Place : Mumbai Place : Mumbai
813
- Date : 25* August 2005 Date : 25* August 2005
814
-
815
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LTD.
816
- CASHFLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31.2008
817
- Amount m Rupees
818
- | | 31/03/2005 | 31/03/2004 |
819
- | --- | ----------- | ---------- |
820
- I CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
821
- Net Profit before Tax & Extraordinary items 211.157.00 154.506.00
822
- Add / (Less): Adjustments for
823
- | Dividend income | (20000) | (200.00) |
824
- | ------------------------------------ | ------------ | ----------- |
825
- | Depreciation | 9,096.00 | 13,497.00 |
826
- | ( Profit y loss on fixed Assets sold | 0.00 | (28,771.00) |
827
- | | (132.436.00) | 0.00 |
828
- (Profit) /-Loss on Sale of Investment
829
- | Demat & Brokerage charges | 652.00 | 0.00 |
830
- | ------------------------- | ------ | ---- |
831
- Increase / (Decrease) in Trade & Other Payable (3,869.00) 10,190.00
832
- | Direct taxes paid | (44.676.00) | (62.971.00) |
833
- | ----------------- | ----------- | ----------- |
834
- (Increase)/ Decrease in Trade & Other Receivable (643,302.00) (90.602.00)
835
- CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES -1 (603.578.00) (4.351.00)
836
- II CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
837
- | (Purchase) / sate of Fixed Assets | 0.00 | 41,525.00 |
838
- | --------------------------------- | ---- | --------- |
839
- (Purchase V Sale of Investments (Net of Pur.&Saies) (19,825.00) 0.00
840
- | | 523.811.00 | 0.00 |
841
- | --- | ---------- | ---- |
842
- (Increase)/ Decrease in Loans & Advances
843
- | Profit on Sale of Investments | 132,436.00 | 0.00 |
844
- | -------------------------------------- | ---------- | --------- |
845
- | Dividend received | 200.00 | 200.00 |
846
- | NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES - R | 636,622.00 | 41.725.00 |
847
- III CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
848
- | Demat & Brokerage charges | (652.00) | 0.00 |
849
- | -------------------------------------- | -------- | ----------- |
850
- | Proceeds / (Repayment) from borrowings | 702.00 | (32,044.00) |
851
- | | 50.00 | (32,044.00) |
852
- NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES • •
853
- | NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH ( | 33,094.00 | 5,330.00 |
854
- | --------------------------------- | --------- | -------- |
855
- OPENING BALANCE OF CASH & CASH EQUIVALENT 17,997.00 12,667 00
856
- CLOSING BALANCE OF CASH & CASH EQUIVALENT 51.091.00 17,997.00
857
- Notes 1) Cash and cash equivatents consists of cash on hand and balances with bank
858
- 2) Figures in brackets represents outflow of cash
859
- 3) Figures for the last year have been regrouped, wherever considered necessary
860
- Per our report of even date
861
- FOR J. S. BHATIA & CO. For and on behalf of the board
862
- Chartered accountants
863
- J. S. BHATIA KAWAUIT SINGH CHAWLA
864
- PROPRIETOR
865
- PLACE : MUMBAI
866
- DATED : 25.08.2005
867
-
868
- | T | Q R H | A T fA Jte | fV"fc | | 14A15, Ashoka Centre, |
869
- | ---------- | --------- | ------------ | ------ | --- | ------------------------------ |
870
- | J. b. | BHATIA & | | CO. | | 2nd Floor, LotonanyaTllakMaiB, |
871
- | CHARTERED | | ACCOUNTANTS | | | Mumbal-400001. |
872
- Tel.: Office: 2267 5066 / 2267 5067
873
- Fax: 2269 2994
874
- Rest.: 2620 2207 / 2620 3849
875
- E-mail: jaipalsb6)bom3.vsnl.net.in
876
- AUDITOR'S CERTIFICATE
877
- To,
878
- The Board of Directors,
879
- Frontier Leasing & Finance Limited.
880
- We have examined the attached Cash Flow Statement of Frontier Leasing &
881
- Finance Limited for the year ended 31st March 2005. The Statement has been
882
- prepared by the Company in accordance with the requirements of clause 32 of
883
- the listing agreement with various Stock Exchanges and is based on and in
884
- agreement with the corresponding Profit & Loss Account and Balance Sheet of
885
- the Company covered by our report of even date to the members of the
886
- Company.
887
- For J. S. BHATIA & CO.,
888
- | | | | | CHARTERED | AC CO UNTANTS |
889
- | --- | --------------- | -------------- | --- | ---------- | ------------- |
890
- | | PLACE : MUMBAI | | | | J. S. BHATIA |
891
- | | DATE | : T-^/dZ/xooS | | - | (PROPRIETOR) |
892
-
893
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LIMITED.
894
- Registered Office : C/o. Victory Printing Press, Jyoti Studio
895
- Compound, KB.A Irani Bridge,
896
- Mumbai - 400 007.
897
- PLEASE COMPLETE THE ATTENDANCE SLIP AND HAND IT
898
- OVER AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE MEETING HALL.
899
- 1. Name of the Shareholder.
900
- (In Block Letters)
901
- 2. Ledger Folio Number.
902
- 3. Name of the Proxy (In Block Letter) ,
903
- (To be filled in only if the proxy attends instead of member)
904
- 4. No. of Shares held.
905
- 1 hereby record my presence at 21st Annual General Meeting of
906
- the Company to be held on Thursday, 29th September 2005 at
907
- C/o. Victory Printing Press, Jyoti Studio Compound, K.B» A Irani Bridge,
908
- Mumbai - 400 007 at 3.00 p.m.
909
- Signature of the Shareholder /Proxy
910
- NOTES :
911
- 1. Shareholders/Proxy holders are requested to bring the attendance slip
912
- with them when they come to the meeting. No attendance slip will be
913
- issued at the time of meeting.
914
- 2. Shareholders who come to attend the meeting are requested to
915
- bring their copies of Annual Report with them, as spare copies wQl
916
- not available in the meeting.
917
-
918
- FRONTIER LEASING & FINANCE LIMITED.
919
- PROXY FORM
920
- I/We
921
- of being the Member/Members
922
- of the named company hereby appoint
923
- of or tailing
924
- him
925
- of or failmg
926
- him
927
- as / my proxy to vote for me / us on behalf at the 21 st Annual General Meeting of
928
- the Company to beheld at3.00 p.m. on Thursday, 29th September 2005 and at
929
- any adjournment thereof.
930
- Ledger Folio No
931
- No. of Shares held
932
- : Affix :
933
- : Revenue
934
- : Stamp
935
- Signature
936
- Date
937
- NOTES :
938
- (a) The form should be signed across the stamp as per specimen signature
939
- registered with the Company.
940
- (b) The Companies Act, 1956 fays down that the instrument appointing a,
941
- proxy shaft be deposited at the Registered Office of the Company
942
- not less than FOURTY EIGHT HOURS before the time fixed for
943
- holding the meeting.
944
- (c) A Proxy need not be a Member.
 
1
+ The Step-by-Step Guide
2
+ to Recruiting Top Talent
3
+
4
+ Your blueprint to transform your talent acquisition practices
5
+ to attract the people you need.
6
+
7
+ Table of Contents
8
+
9
+ 01
10
+
11
+ The Race for Talent
12
+
13
+ 02
14
+
15
+ Does Your Talent Acquisition
16
+ Process Need a Tune-up?
17
+
18
+ 03
19
+
20
+ 5 Factors That Affect Your Talent
21
+ Acquisition Efforts
22
+
23
+ 04
24
+
25
+ The Step-by-Step Guide to
26
+ Recruiting Top Candidates
27
+
28
+ page 3
29
+
30
+ page 4
31
+
32
+ page 5
33
+
34
+ page 7
35
+
36
+ BONUS
37
+
38
+ 05
39
+
40
+ 10 Must-Haves of a Great
41
+ Recruitment Management System
42
+ page 11
43
+
44
+ 06
45
+
46
+ Find and Keep
47
+ the Talent You Need
48
+
49
+ page 12
50
+
51
+ 2
52
+
53
+ BOOKMARKS
54
+ Click on the title to to be
55
+ directed to that page.
56
+
57
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. The Race for Talent
58
+
59
+ 01
60
+
61
+ It’s a job seeker’s market.
62
+
63
+ High employment rates, an aging workforce, and
64
+ skills gaps in both technical and soft skills have put
65
+ employees in the driver’s seat.
66
+
67
+ What this means for you is that you’re going to
68
+ have to fight harder than ever to recruit and retain
69
+ the people you need.
70
+
71
+ You’re going to have to leverage technology, lean into
72
+ your values, improve your employer branding, and in
73
+ some cases take a sledgehammer to your current talent
74
+ acquisition strategies to create engaging and responsive
75
+ recruitment experiences that not only attract candidates
76
+ to your company but compel them to choose you over
77
+ the competition.
78
+
79
+ It can be a daunting task… but we’ve got you covered
80
+ -as HCM consultants and SAP® SuccessFactors®
81
+ specialists, we’ve helped countless businesses do
82
+ exactly this.
83
+
84
+ This eBook is the first step in the process. It includes the
85
+ step-by-step guide to recruiting the best talent. Use it to
86
+ evaluate where you stand and build a talent acquisition
87
+ process that gives you the workforce you need for a
88
+ successful future.
89
+
90
+ Let’s get started.
91
+
92
+ An overwhelming
93
+ majority of candidates
94
+ (69%) refuse to
95
+ re-apply to a company
96
+ if they have a poor
97
+ experience during the
98
+ application process.
99
+
100
+ 3
101
+
102
+ 1 2016 Talent Board NAM CandE Research Report FINAL 170202.pdf
103
+ link: http://www.thetalentboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2016_Talent_Board_NAM_Can-
104
+
105
+ dE_Research_Report_FINAL_170202.pdf
106
+
107
+ 69%© 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved.
108
+ Does Your Talent Acquisition
109
+ Process Need a Tune-up?
110
+
111
+ 02
112
+
113
+ Let’s look under the hood at your talent acquisition strategy
114
+ and see what’s really there. Here are five key questions that
115
+ you need to answer to identify the roadblocks between where
116
+ you are, and where you want to be.
117
+
118
+ 01
119
+
120
+ 02
121
+
122
+ 03
123
+
124
+ 04
125
+
126
+ 05
127
+
128
+ Is your recruiting based on
129
+ current best practices?
130
+
131
+ Do you have buy-in
132
+ from your team?
133
+
134
+ Is your technology up to date
135
+ and fully cloud capable?
136
+
137
+ HR trends are evolving more
138
+ rapidly now than ever before.
139
+ Make sure you’re not falling
140
+ behind the competition when
141
+ it comes to implementing best
142
+ practices.
143
+
144
+ Is your team aligned internally?
145
+ Do they share a common lens?
146
+ Great candidate experiences
147
+ depend on the interactions
148
+ candidates have with your
149
+ team during the various stages
150
+ of the acquisition process.
151
+ Buy-in from your team is vital.
152
+
153
+ If you haven’t moved to the
154
+ cloud yet, it is never too late.
155
+ If you’ve migrated but aren’t
156
+ satisfied with your current
157
+ system, it can be salvaged.
158
+ The right tech really does
159
+ make a difference.
160
+
161
+ Are you always looking
162
+ for ways to innovate your
163
+ recruiting approach?
164
+
165
+ Is your recruitment
166
+ management system (RCM)
167
+ making your job easier?
168
+
169
+ Technology is playing an
170
+ increasingly crucial role in the
171
+ talent acquisition process. You
172
+ need to always have an eye on
173
+ the horizon, ear to the ground,
174
+ and willingness to adapt
175
+ and innovate your approach.
176
+ Remember: good ideas can
177
+ come from anywhere.
178
+
179
+ The right tools should help
180
+ to increase efficiency. But
181
+ sometimes, the tool itself
182
+ sucks up your time. And that’s
183
+ frustrating. Make sure your
184
+ system and processes make
185
+ your job easier. That’s the most
186
+ valuable success metric.
187
+
188
+ 4
189
+
190
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. 5 Factors That Affect
191
+ Your Talent Acquisition Efforts
192
+
193
+ 03
194
+
195
+ The first step to building an effective acquisition strategy is to know
196
+ what internal and external factors affect your recruitment efforts.
197
+
198
+ Based on our experience and a study of current market conditions, here’s
199
+ 5 factors that you need to be aware of when building your strategy.
200
+
201
+ You need to determine how you’ll adapt, counter, and respond to
202
+ each of these.
203
+
204
+ 5
205
+
206
+ Continued on next page >
207
+
208
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. 01
209
+
210
+ GROWING DEMAND &
211
+ DWINDLING SUPPLY
212
+
213
+ 02
214
+
215
+ TURNOVER &
216
+ BURNOUT
217
+
218
+ 03
219
+
220
+ INCONSISTENT
221
+ HIRING PROCESSES
222
+
223
+ 04
224
+
225
+ INTENSE FOCUS ON
226
+ COST MANAGEMENT
227
+
228
+ 05
229
+
230
+ EVOLVING
231
+ EXPECTATIONS
232
+
233
+ With just about every major
234
+ industry facing staffing
235
+ shortages, the candidates are
236
+ now in the driver’s seat with the
237
+ option of picking an employer
238
+ that responds to their needs
239
+ in a location of their choosing.
240
+ While talent acquisition and
241
+ human resources teams can’t
242
+ change the growing supply/
243
+ demand imbalance, they need
244
+ to be aware of how this affects
245
+ their acquisition strategy and
246
+ take active steps to attract
247
+ Gen X, Millennials, and
248
+ pretty soon Gen Z before the
249
+ competition does.
250
+
251
+ The staffing shortage also has
252
+ an adverse effect on current
253
+ professionals who have to
254
+ work longer hours leading to
255
+ burnout and turnover – which
256
+ leads to a dangerous loop of
257
+ an exhausted workforce, an
258
+ ever-growing pile of work, and
259
+ more turnover. Furthermore, an
260
+ organization with a reputation
261
+ for high turnover and burnout
262
+ creates additional challenges
263
+ for recruitment teams when it
264
+ comes to hiring the best talent.
265
+
266
+ Modern businesses often have
267
+ complex org charts, siloed
268
+ branches, and evolving parts.
269
+ This creates inconsistent hiring
270
+ processes that vary from
271
+ department to department,
272
+ region to region, and result in
273
+ poor candidate experiences
274
+ that negatively affect the
275
+ organization’s brand image.
276
+ While the HR team can’t
277
+ control everything, cloud-based
278
+ comprehensive talent solutions
279
+ such as SAP SuccessFactors can
280
+ help companies centralize their
281
+ processes and bring visibility to
282
+ internal teams and candidates.
283
+
284
+ Companies are always under
285
+ pressure to control costs. Up
286
+ against this mentality, HR
287
+ managers struggle to secure
288
+ funding for talent management
289
+ initiatives and, as a result,
290
+ end up using disparate, on
291
+ premise or outdated recruitment
292
+ technologies. This leads to error
293
+ prone processes due to the
294
+ doubling of data across systems,
295
+ labor intensive and slow hiring
296
+ steps, and a disconnected
297
+ candidate experience.
298
+
299
+ The largest generation in the
300
+ workforce today is tech-savvy
301
+ and socially aware Millennials.
302
+ As candidates, Millennials
303
+ look for companies that
304
+ align with their values, offer
305
+ training and development,
306
+ and deliver opportunities for
307
+ career growth. They expect
308
+ their future employers to
309
+ be digitally connected with
310
+ an intuitive website that
311
+ showcases its brand and
312
+ culture. They want a simple,
313
+ mobile friendly job application
314
+ process, transparent and timely
315
+ communication, and an active
316
+ social media presence so they
317
+ can interact with the company
318
+ during the hiring process.
319
+
320
+ 6
321
+
322
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. The Step-by-Step Guide to
323
+ Recruiting Top Candidates
324
+
325
+ 04
326
+
327
+ Building an amazing team is just as important as building a great
328
+ customer base. But, hiring the cream of the crop isn’t as easy as it
329
+ used to be. In the race for talent, the candidate experience matters
330
+ more now than ever before! This step-by-step guide is the blueprint
331
+ you need to transform your recruitment processes to meet the
332
+ expectations of a truly multigenerational digital workforce.
333
+
334
+ 7
335
+
336
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. 1
337
+
338
+ 2
339
+
340
+ EVALUATE YOUR HIRING PROCESS
341
+ FROM START TO FINISH
342
+
343
+ Start by evaluating your current hiring process to make
344
+ sure you know what your candidate experience is
345
+ truly like - we would even go so far to suggest secret-
346
+ shopping the hiring process.
347
+
348
+ Next, storyboard your hiring process and map out
349
+ outcomes. The goal here is to plot the set of experiences
350
+ a candidate could have and optimize every step.
351
+
352
+ Use the data insights to create repeatable and
353
+ consistent hiring processes that offer positive
354
+ experiences.
355
+
356
+ Always make sure your hiring processes align
357
+ with and reflect your values and culture.
358
+
359
+ TIP
360
+
361
+ 8
362
+
363
+ CREATE A STRONG, ATTRACTIVE
364
+ BRAND THAT SHOWS YOUR VALUE
365
+ TO TOP TALENT
366
+
367
+ Your brand is your most valuable asset, when it comes to
368
+ recruiting talent.
369
+
370
+ The first step in creating an attractive brand is developing
371
+ your Employee Value Proposition - a good EVP outlines
372
+ your organization’s mission and values and commitment
373
+ to employees.
374
+
375
+ Once you have your EVP, the next step is to make sure
376
+ your career site not only reflects but showcases your EVP
377
+ - much like the buyer’s journey, the hiring journey now
378
+ begins with an online search.
379
+
380
+ Lastly, make sure you have a strong content strategy
381
+ as it will help you build your brand identity and ensure
382
+ candidates find and connect with you online.
383
+
384
+ Great content is relevant, trendy, and
385
+ provides value. We find setting up an
386
+ editorial board helps ensure you’re regularly
387
+ and consistently posting good content.
388
+
389
+ TIP
390
+
391
+ Continued on next page >
392
+
393
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. < Continued from previous page
394
+
395
+ 3
396
+
397
+ BUILD A TALENT PIPELINE AND NURTURE TALENT
398
+
399
+ There’s no such thing as “Just-in-Time Recruiting”.
400
+
401
+ Smart recruiters know the importance of building and nurturing a talent pipeline.
402
+ To build a strong pipeline:
403
+
404
+ 01
405
+
406
+ 02
407
+
408
+ Source talent globally
409
+ through an omni-channel
410
+ approach. Connect with and
411
+ reach out to candidates on
412
+ job boards, social platforms
413
+ and in-person events.
414
+
415
+ Create a network of
416
+ communities, content,
417
+ and contact points so that
418
+ you’re constantly nurturing
419
+ candidates and making sure
420
+ your brand is top of mind.
421
+
422
+ 03
423
+
424
+ 04
425
+
426
+ Make it simple for candidates
427
+ to get in touch and follow
428
+ up with HR by leveraging
429
+ automation, chatbots, and
430
+ other AI technology.
431
+
432
+ 05
433
+
434
+ Use technology to track
435
+ candidate progress and
436
+ development benchmarks.
437
+
438
+ Take every opportunity
439
+ to share your culture and
440
+ events with candidates by
441
+ sharing different types of
442
+ company news and not just
443
+ job updates.
444
+
445
+ Encourage your
446
+ organization��s
447
+ leaders to be
448
+ active online,
449
+ sharing stories
450
+ and updates, and
451
+ engaging with
452
+ candidates.
453
+
454
+ TIP
455
+
456
+ 9
457
+
458
+ Continued on next page >
459
+
460
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. < Continued from previous page
461
+
462
+ 4
463
+
464
+ 5
465
+
466
+ ENHANCE THE CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE
467
+
468
+ It’s time to end the candidate feedback black hole.
469
+
470
+ According to the 2016 North American Talent Board
471
+ Candidate Experience research report, 47 percent of
472
+ candidates never receive any communication up to two
473
+ months after applying for an open position!2
474
+
475
+ Give yourself an edge over the competition by
476
+ leveraging your RCM to not only keep your internal
477
+ team on the same page but also track and
478
+ communicate with candidates regularly.
479
+
480
+ Additionally, make sure your career site is always up to
481
+ date with current openings and that it showcases your
482
+ culture through employee testimonials.
483
+
484
+ CREATE AND SHARE
485
+ A CONSISTENT MESSAGE
486
+
487
+ The last step is less of a one-time only step and more so
488
+ an ongoing process.
489
+
490
+ Once you’ve evaluated, streamlined, and automated
491
+ your hiring processes, developed your EVP, and built
492
+ out your pipeline strategies, you need to make sure your
493
+ organization continues to create and share consistent
494
+ content and messages with your online and offline
495
+ communities.
496
+
497
+ Companies that constantly connect and engage passive
498
+ talent will have greater success at sourcing and hiring
499
+ top talent.
500
+
501
+ Don’t forget to make your application
502
+ process mobile friendly.
503
+
504
+ TIP
505
+
506
+ 10
507
+
508
+ Tell your story. Engage your current
509
+ workforce and ask them to share
510
+ testimonials about what a job with your
511
+ organization is really like. Candidates are
512
+ attracted to authentic messages driven by
513
+ the workforce, not mandated by leadership.
514
+
515
+ TIP
516
+
517
+ 2 2016 Talent Board NAM CandE Research Report FINAL 170202.pdf
518
+ link: http://www.thetalentboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2016_
519
+ Talent_Board_NAM_CandE_Research_Report_FINAL_170202.pdf
520
+
521
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. BONUS
522
+
523
+ 10 Must-Haves of a Great
524
+ Recruitment Management System
525
+
526
+ 05
527
+
528
+ There’s no denying that technology has changed the talent acquisition process – But, how do you know if the
529
+ technology you’re currently using is delivering what you need to build a motivated, high performing workforce?
530
+
531
+ Use this cheat-sheet of the 10 must-haves to evaluate your system.
532
+
533
+ Seamless cloud integration – easily access candidate and
534
+ employee information from anywhere.
535
+
536
+ A simplified workflow for recruiters & HR – make the hiring
537
+ process easier for top talent and your HR team to navigate.
538
+
539
+ Standardized, optimized processes & communication
540
+ with consistent processes in place, you’ll reduce error and
541
+ dramatically improve communications.
542
+
543
+ Omni-channel job distribution advertise open positions
544
+ across sites and social channels to increase job exposure.
545
+
546
+ Customized, mobile-friendly landing pages & web portals
547
+ make the hiring process faster and easier.
548
+
549
+ 06
550
+
551
+ 07
552
+
553
+ 08
554
+
555
+ 09
556
+
557
+ 10
558
+
559
+ Support for single and multi-stage applicant flows make it
560
+ simpler to hire regardless of job complexity.
561
+
562
+ A candidate-first experience cater to the people you want
563
+ most and build a consistent pipeline for top talent.
564
+
565
+ Empowered hiring managers put the right information in the
566
+ hands of decisions makers.
567
+
568
+ A smooth transition from candidate to employee – get new
569
+ employees up and running faster, saving time and costs.
570
+
571
+ Full visibility through analytics – make data-driven hiring
572
+ decisions and track candidates from start to finish.
573
+
574
+ 01
575
+
576
+ 02
577
+
578
+ 03
579
+
580
+ 04
581
+
582
+ 05
583
+
584
+ 11
585
+
586
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. Find and Keep
587
+ the Talent You Need
588
+
589
+ Finding the right talent is key to growing your business. A major part of recruiting
590
+ success is the tools you use. Simplifying your data by replacing disparate, on-
591
+ premise systems with a unified, cloud-based HR system that provides real-time
592
+ data is a great start.
593
+
594
+ Our certified SAP SuccessFactors professionals can help you master your new
595
+ recruiting system. But most importantly, we help you align that system to your
596
+ overall HR strategy and your company culture. Our goal is to help you transform
597
+ your business so you can find and attract great talent.
598
+
599
+ Contact us today to find out how we can help you deliver a recruiting
600
+ solution designed to let your organization’s recruiting efforts thrive.
601
+
602
+ 12
603
+
604
+ © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. © 2020 Rizing LLC or a Rizing LLC affiliate company. All rights reserved. This document is provided for information purposes
605
+ only, and the contents are subject to change without notice. This document is not warranted to be error-free, nor subject to
606
+ any other warranties or conditions, whether expressed orally or implied in law, including implied warranties and conditions
607
+ of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. We specifically disclaim any liability with respect to this document, and
608
+ no contractual obligations are formed either directly or indirectly by this document. This document may not be reproduced
609
+ or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without our prior written permission.
610
+ Rizing, Rizing HCM, and other Rizing products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks
611
+ or registered trademarks of Rizing LLC or a Rizing affiliate company in the United States and other countries. All other product
612
+ and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
613
+
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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@@ -1,685 +1,1318 @@
1
- 7 Steps to create a winning social
2
- media marketing strategy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
4
- Introduction
 
5
 
6
- Social media was often seen as the wild child of the marketing
7
 
8
- department—the place where interns started their careers and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9
 
10
- brands could say random things with little to no repercussions. But
11
 
12
- times have changed, and the industry has matured.
 
 
 
 
13
 
14
- Yes, social media is still a wonderful place for brands to have a little
 
 
 
 
15
 
16
- fun, but it also has a real and measurable impact on a business’
17
 
18
- bottom line. Thus, social media can no longer live in a silo; it must be
 
 
 
 
 
19
 
20
- work in tandem with the rest of your business strategy.
21
 
22
- To ensure that your social media marketing campaigns contribute to
 
23
 
24
- your brand’s greater business objectives, we’ve put together this
25
 
26
- guide to coach you through the process. We’ve also incorporated a
27
 
28
- checklist you can use to make sure you’ve done it all right. Here are
 
 
29
 
30
- your seven steps to success:
 
 
31
 
32
- 01 Ensure social goals solve challenges
33
 
34
- 02 Extend efforts throughout your organization
35
 
36
- 03 Focus on networks that add value
 
 
37
 
38
- 04 Create engaging content
39
 
40
- 05 Identify business opportunities through social
41
 
42
- 06 Engage instead of ignore
 
 
43
 
44
- 07 Track, improve and market your efforts
45
 
46
- 01
47
 
48
- 01
49
- Ensure social goals
50
- solve challenges
 
 
51
 
52
- Goal setting is a staple of all marketing and business strategies. Social media is no
53
 
54
- exception. Of course, with a range of social capabilities, it can be difficult to
55
 
56
- determine exactly what your objectives should be. For guidance, look to the
57
 
58
- challenges before you.
59
 
60
- • Has website traffic dipped?
61
 
62
- • Is customer loyalty low?
63
 
64
- • Do you need to do a better job of building a positive brand reputation?
 
 
65
 
66
- • Do you just need to make people aware that your product exists?
 
67
 
68
- A smart social media marketing campaign can answer each of these questions.
 
 
69
 
70
- Prove your team’s worth by tackling them head on. To get you started, we pulled
 
 
71
 
72
- together a few common business obstacles and social objectives that can help
 
73
 
74
- brands overcome them.
 
 
75
 
76
- Challenge: Low website traffic
77
-
78
- The world is online. A brand’s website, therefore, is one of its most important
79
-
80
- marketing tools. Low website traffic can mean fewer customers and lower profits.
81
-
82
- To combat this challenge, your social team should focus its goals on creating links
83
-
84
- directly to the website (whether they’re from your own social posts or influencers’).
85
-
86
- Link to useful content, subpages and company images to position your website
87
-
88
- and your brand as a resource rather than just another cog in the corporate wheel.
89
-
90
- This traffic should increase leads and, in the long run, revenues.
91
-
92
- 02
93
-
94
- Challenge: Decreasing customer retention
95
-
96
- According to The Chartered Institute of Marketing, it costs four to ten times more
97
-
98
- to acquire a customer than to retain one. To keep your customers around, use
99
-
100
- social as a tool to support, communicate and engage. A good social relationship
101
-
102
- with your customers should translate into a better perception and offline
103
-
104
- relationship with your brand. By developing a strong social bond, customers will
105
-
106
- be more likely to stick with your brand time and time again.
107
-
108
- Challenge: Poor customer service
109
-
110
- People turn to social to engage with businesses. Therefore, it is important for your
111
-
112
- brand to be ready to help customers on any channel they can contact you
113
-
114
- through. Arm your social media team with the materials, education and authority
115
-
116
- to respond to customer questions and issues. When you do so, you’ll be equipped
117
-
118
- to respond to your customers in a timely and accurate way, regardless of how they
119
-
120
- reach out to you.
121
-
122
- Challenge: Weak brand awareness
123
-
124
- Social allows you to reach a broad audience. But honing and perfecting that
125
-
126
- message takes brain power and time. To create authentic and lasting brand
127
-
128
- awareness, avoid a slew of promotional messages; instead, focus on creating
129
-
130
- meaningful content and a strong brand personality through your social channels.
131
-
132
- Determine relevant hashtags and industry influencers you can engage with, and
133
-
134
- tap into those resources to extend your brand’s overall awareness.
135
-
136
- What are your social media goals?
137
-
138
- (cid:31) Increase brand awareness
139
-
140
- (cid:31) Drive website traffic
141
-
142
- (cid:31) Improve customer
143
- service and retention
144
-
145
- (cid:31) Gather quality leads
146
-
147
- (cid:31) Source job candidates
148
-
149
- 03
150
-
151
- 02
152
- Extend efforts throughout
153
- your organization
154
-
155
- Social has long lived within the marketing department, but that doesn’t mean it
156
-
157
- can’t (and shouldn’t) have a hand in nearly every business function, from human
158
-
159
- resources to research and development. To create a fully integrated social media
160
-
161
- marketing campaign, you’ll need to involve and integrate multiple departments,
162
-
163
- especially if your goals have a direct impact on them. Work with all your teams to
164
-
165
- determine how you can best support their goals and what key performance
166
-
167
- indicators are important to them (we’ve outlined some ideas on both below).
168
-
169
- Sales
170
-
171
- Social selling is a term that has grown in popularity since the rise of social
172
-
173
- marketing. By searching for sales opportunities and then engaging in a helpful
174
-
175
- and authentic manner, social media can be a great way to prime the sales funnel
176
-
177
- and find new leads.
178
-
179
- 04
180
-
181
- Customer service
182
-
183
- Social media is quickly becoming one of the most important channels through
184
-
185
- which companies interact with their current customers. Social is an easy and very
186
-
187
- public way for customers to air their grievances with your brand. If you aren’t
188
-
189
- responding, it can hurt your reputation and customer relationship.
190
-
191
- Building great relationships on social is about more than responding to
192
-
193
- complaints. For example, Seamless does a wonderful job of Retweeting positive
194
-
195
- posts from satisfied customers and regularly engaging with all kinds of mentions.
196
-
197
- Human resources
198
-
199
- While the HR team probably spends a good amount of its time on social media
200
-
201
- looking through the profiles of applicants, it can also use social as a way to
202
-
203
- increase overall application numbers. Showcase job postings on social media and
204
-
205
- encourage your employees to share them to their networks as well. Beyond just
206
-
207
- 05
208
-
209
- job postings, social is a useful tool in showcasing your company culture to the
210
-
211
- world. Highlight some behind-the-scenes images of what it is like to work for your
212
-
213
- company so you can improve the perception of your brand among candidates.
214
-
215
- Research and Development
216
-
217
- Your brand’s social audience represents a group that is highly engaged, invested
218
-
219
- and interested in your product or service. Why not leverage that to serve as an
220
-
221
- online focus group for your company? Asking for and listening to customer
222
-
223
- feedback on social media is a nimble and easy way to get instant feedback.
224
-
225
- Additionally, social media can help expose gaps in a product or service.
226
-
227
- Marketing
228
-
229
- The marketing department, specifically advertising and PR, traditionally has a
230
-
231
- strong role in the social media strategy. But there are always new ways to ensure
232
-
233
- people are aware of and excited about your brand through social. Whether you’re
234
-
235
- debuting a product, ad campaign or initiative, ensure that social has a strong hand
236
-
237
- in spreading the word.
238
-
239
- Customer service
240
-
241
- Social media is quickly becoming one of the most important channels through
242
-
243
- which companies interact with their current customers. Social is an easy and very
244
-
245
- public way for customers to air their grievances with your brand. If you aren’t
246
-
247
- responding, it can hurt your reputation and customer relationship.
248
-
249
- Building great relationships on social is about more than responding to
250
-
251
- complaints. For example, Seamless does a wonderful job of Retweeting positive
252
-
253
- posts from satisfied customers and regularly engaging with all kinds of mentions.
254
-
255
- Human resources
256
-
257
- While the HR team probably spends a good amount of its time on social media
258
-
259
- looking through the profiles of applicants, it can also use social as a way to
260
-
261
- increase overall application numbers. Showcase job postings on social media and
262
-
263
- encourage your employees to share them to their networks as well. Beyond just
264
-
265
- job postings, social is a useful tool in showcasing your company culture to the
266
-
267
- world. Highlight some behind-the-scenes images of what it is like to work for your
268
-
269
- company so you can improve the perception of your brand among candidates.
270
-
271
- Research and Development
272
-
273
- Your brand’s social audience represents a group that is highly engaged, invested
274
-
275
- and interested in your product or service. Why not leverage that to serve as an
276
-
277
- online focus group for your company? Asking for and listening to customer
278
-
279
- feedback on social media is a nimble and easy way to get instant feedback.
280
-
281
- Additionally, social media can help expose gaps in a product or service.
282
-
283
- Marketing
284
-
285
- The marketing department, specifically advertising and PR, traditionally has a
286
-
287
- strong role in the social media strategy. But there are always new ways to ensure
288
-
289
- people are aware of and excited about your brand through social. Whether you’re
290
-
291
- debuting a product, ad campaign or initiative, ensure that social has a strong hand
292
-
293
- in spreading the word.
294
-
295
- What teams are active on social?
296
-
297
- (cid:31) Sales
298
-
299
- (cid:31) Marketing
300
-
301
- (cid:31) Advertising
302
-
303
- (cid:31) Public relations
304
-
305
- (cid:31) Customer service
306
-
307
- (cid:31) Human resources
308
-
309
- (cid:31) Research and
310
- development
311
-
312
- 06
313
-
314
- 03
315
- Focus on networks
316
- that add value
317
-
318
- Just because a network has billions of users doesn’t mean it will have a direct
319
-
320
- contribution to your brand’s objectives. Instead of trying to be everything to
321
-
322
- everybody, focus your efforts on networks that hold the key to your target
323
-
324
- audience and objectives.
325
-
326
- Each network has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each social media
327
-
328
- marketer should carefully pick and choose which networks they want to take
329
-
330
- advantage of. Here are some of the most popular networks as well as what they’re
331
-
332
- best at.
333
-
334
- Facebook
335
-
336
- With an audience of 2.32 billion monthly active users, Facebook offers an
337
-
338
- opportunity to reach a broad range of customers and potential customers. The
339
-
340
- chart below breaks down Facebook’s demographic representation—your target
341
-
342
- audience is most likely represented in some way.
343
-
344
- 07
345
-
346
- But how can Facebook contribute to your overall goals? Because Facebook’s
347
-
348
- News Feed is a very visible place for social posts, it’s one of the best places for
349
-
350
- you to distribute your content in order to increase brand awareness, drive website
351
-
352
- traffic and distinguish yourself as a thought leader. This strategy is even more
353
-
354
- effective when you take advantage of Facebook’s targeting capabilities that allow
355
-
356
- you to tailor your messages to users with certain interests.
357
-
358
- Twitter
359
-
360
- Where Facebook has the volume of users, Twitter has the volume of messages. In
361
-
362
- fact, there are over 500 million Tweets sent every day. With all those social
363
-
364
- messages, there is a great chance that someone is either mentioning your
365
-
366
- company or starting a conversation that you would be interested in joining.
367
-
368
- That’s why Twitter is best to use as a customer service and business development
369
-
370
- channel. Monitor the network for inbound messages from dissatisfied customers,
371
-
372
- and quickly turn them into happy interactions. At the same time, look for
373
-
374
- prospective customers.
375
-
376
- LinkedIn
377
-
378
- LinkedIn has a robust network of over 500 million users, most of whom frequent
379
-
380
- the site with a “working” mindset. The advantage with this is that LinkedIn is an
381
-
382
- amazing network for B2B social media marketers. Whereas sites like Twitter and
383
-
384
- Facebook catch users more or less on their personal time, LinkedIn gives you
385
-
386
- access to customers when they’re at their professional best. Use this to build
387
-
388
- relationships with future customers.
389
-
390
- Which networks align with your business strategy?
391
-
392
- (cid:31) Facebook
393
-
394
- (cid:31) Twitter
395
-
396
- (cid:31) Instagram
397
-
398
- (cid:31) LinkedIn
399
-
400
- (cid:31) Pinterest
401
-
402
- (cid:31) YouTube
403
-
404
- (cid:31) Snapchat
405
-
406
- 08
407
-
408
- 04
409
- Create engaging content
410
-
411
- Once you’ve involved the right stakeholders, department and networks, it’s time to
412
-
413
- start building engaging content for your social channels. This content—whether a
414
-
415
- video, tip sheet or simple Tweet—should all ladder up into your business
416
-
417
- objectives.
418
-
419
- Videos
420
- • How-to videos can be a proactive approach to social customer care—answer
421
-
422
- your customers’ questions before they’re asked.
423
-
424
- • Behind-the-scenes videos give your audience a sense of your company culture
425
-
426
- and brand personality.
427
-
428
- Guides
429
- • Position your organization as a thought leader and elevate your brand by
430
-
431
- developing engaging content that speaks to your customers.
432
-
433
- • Guides should cater to your target audience, ensuring you’re adding value.
434
-
435
- 09
436
-
437
- Infographics
438
- • Internal or external data can be turned into a beautiful, insightful infographic.
439
-
440
- • When done right, infographics can be some of the most socially shared pieces
441
-
442
- of content, so make them engaging and resourceful.
443
-
444
- What content can you create with full force
445
- and frequency?
446
-
447
- (cid:31) Videos
448
-
449
- (cid:31) Photos
450
-
451
- (cid:31) Ebooks
452
-
453
- (cid:31) Webinars
454
-
455
- (cid:31) White papers
456
-
457
- (cid:31) Blog posts
458
-
459
- (cid:31) Case studies
460
-
461
- (cid:31) Infographics
462
 
463
  10
464
 
465
- 05
466
- Identify business opportunities
467
- through social
468
-
469
- With millions of messages being sent across social channels every day, there is
470
-
471
- undoubtedly conversation happening around your brand. Social media listening,
472
 
473
- therefore, should be an essential part of your social media marketing strategy.
 
 
474
 
475
- Industry trends and competitor insights
476
 
477
- Go beyond simple keyword searches to stay on top of what audiences in your
478
-
479
- segment are asking for. You can get ahead of competitors by noticing emerging
480
-
481
- trends in your area, and meet customers’ needs perfectly by developing features
482
-
483
- and products that people are overwhelmingly requesting.
484
-
485
- For example, listening can uncover how much of Hulu's audience of streaming TV
486
-
487
- viewers is starting to expect a download option.
488
-
489
- 11
490
 
491
- Social sentiment
 
 
492
 
493
- Don’t wait for complaints to start pouring in directly to your support accounts to
494
 
495
- find out you have a problem. Sentiment analysis lets you know how positively or
496
 
497
- negatively audiences are discussing topics related to your brand, helping you
 
 
498
 
499
- uncover trends before they become a problem.
500
 
501
- Sentiment impacts more than just customer care—you can use positive sentiment
502
 
503
- to find out how well your campaigns are hitting the mark, or find out what’s going
 
504
 
505
- right by learning what your customers appreciate most about your brand.
 
506
 
507
- Identify business opportunities
 
 
508
 
509
- through social
510
 
511
- With millions of messages being sent across social channels every day, there is
512
 
513
- undoubtedly conversation happening around your brand. Social media listening,
 
 
514
 
515
- therefore, should be an essential part of your social media marketing strategy.
 
516
 
517
- Industry trends and competitor insights
518
-
519
- Go beyond simple keyword searches to stay on top of what audiences in your
520
-
521
- segment are asking for. You can get ahead of competitors by noticing emerging
522
-
523
- trends in your area, and meet customers’ needs perfectly by developing features
524
-
525
- and products that people are overwhelmingly requesting.
526
-
527
- For example, listening can uncover how much of Hulu's audience of streaming TV
528
-
529
- viewers is starting to expect a download option.
530
-
531
- Social sentiment
532
-
533
- Don’t wait for complaints to start pouring in directly to your support accounts to
534
 
535
- find out you have a problem. Sentiment analysis lets you know how positively or
536
 
537
- negatively audiences are discussing topics related to your brand, helping you
 
 
538
 
539
- uncover trends before they become a problem.
540
 
541
- Sentiment impacts more than just customer care—you can use positive sentiment
 
542
 
543
- to find out how well your campaigns are hitting the mark, or find out what’s going
 
544
 
545
- right by learning what your customers appreciate most about your brand.
 
546
 
547
- What can your brand track with social listening?
548
 
549
- (cid:31) Industry trends
550
 
551
- (cid:31) Product research
552
 
553
- (cid:31) Competitive analysis
 
 
 
 
 
554
 
555
- (cid:31) Customer experience
 
 
 
 
 
556
 
557
- (cid:31) Brand intelligence
 
 
 
 
 
558
 
559
- (cid:31) Campaign success
560
 
561
  12
562
 
563
- 06
564
- Engage instead of ignore
565
-
566
- We can’t say it enough: Whether someone is commenting on a post you’ve made,
567
-
568
- writing on your wall or mentioning you on Twitter, it’s important to always stay
569
-
570
- engaged. If customers are consistently ignored, they’ll eventually ditch your brand
571
-
572
- all together and look for an alternative.
573
-
574
- Don’t ignore negative feedback about your brand on social. Staying engaged with
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
575
 
576
- these customers, as well as responding with openness and transparency, can win
577
-
578
- back frustrated audiences.
579
-
580
- Slack turned a service outage into a positive for the customer, who ended up
581
-
582
- praising their social team and Liking their responses.
583
-
584
- How are you responding to your followers?
585
-
586
- (cid:31) Dedicated social team
587
-
588
- (cid:31) Shared social responsibility across departments
589
-
590
- (cid:31) Social tools with built-in customer relationship management capabilities
591
-
592
- 13
593
  13
594
 
595
- 07
596
- Track, improve and market
597
- your efforts
598
 
599
- You won’t be able to really begin analyzing and improving your efforts until you’ve
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
600
 
601
- successfully got steps 1–6 operational. This final step is actually a step back,
 
602
 
603
- letting you figure out what’s working and what’s not.
604
 
605
- Use a tool to track success
 
 
 
606
 
607
- Sprout was created with social media marketing in mind. Sprout offers a full suite
608
 
609
- of social media analytics, which help you pinpoint exactly which of your messages
610
 
611
- perform best. You also can use tools like Google Analytics, which integrates with
 
612
 
613
- Sprout, to see which of your posts are driving traffic, conversions and overall
 
614
 
615
- revenue.
616
 
617
- 14
618
 
619
- Build on success
620
 
621
- Once you have a good understanding of which content is driving the most
622
 
623
- engagement, site visits and conversions, you can use that knowledge to increase
624
 
625
- your success. Write content and social media posts that are similar to the ones
 
 
626
 
627
- that have worked in the past. This is an ongoing process that will help you hone
628
 
629
- your unique social voice.
630
 
631
- Share your success
632
 
633
- The last step is to let the company know about the successes you’re
634
 
635
- finding—especially those who have a stake in the strategy. This allows you to
636
 
637
- prove the worth of social media and showcase its broader implications across
638
 
639
- your entire enterprise.
640
 
641
- Plus, it doesn’t hurt to show off how hard you’ve been working.
642
 
643
- Are your efforts metrics driven?
644
 
645
- (cid:26) Analysis: Assess which posts were successful and which were
646
- not—and why.
647
 
648
- (cid:26) Reporting: Showcase your results with streamlined, visual
649
- presentations.
650
 
651
- (cid:26) Improvement: Optimize what works and scrap what doesn’t.
 
652
 
653
- 15
654
 
655
- Social Media Engagement,
656
- Advocacy & Analytics Solutions
657
 
658
- Sprout Social offers social media management, analytics and
 
 
 
 
659
 
660
- advocacy solutions for leading agencies and brands, including
661
 
662
- Hyatt, GrubHub, Microsoft, Uber and Zendesk. Available via web
663
 
664
- browser, iOS and Android apps, Sprout’s engagement platform
 
 
 
 
 
665
 
666
- enables brands to more effectively communicate on social
 
 
 
 
 
667
 
668
- channels, collaborate across teams and provide an exceptional
669
 
670
- customer experience.
671
 
672
- Bambu by Sprout Social, a platform for advocacy, empowers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
673
 
674
- employees to share curated content across their social networks
675
 
676
- to further amplify a brand’s reach and engagement.
 
 
 
 
 
677
 
678
- Headquartered in Chicago, Sprout is a Twitter Official Partner,
679
 
680
- Facebook Marketing Partner, Instagram Partner Program Member
 
681
 
682
- and LinkedIn Company Page Partner.
683
 
684
- Get your team set up at sproutsocial.com.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
685
 
 
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+ 3
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+ 2
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+ 0
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+ 2
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+ t
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+ c
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+ O
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+ 0
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+ 1
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+
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+ ]
13
+ I
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+
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+ A
16
+ .
17
+ s
18
+ c
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+ [
20
+
21
+ 4
22
+ v
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+ 6
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+ 6
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+ 3
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+ 1
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+ 1
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+ .
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+ 3
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+ 0
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+ 3
32
+ 2
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+ :
34
+ v
35
+ i
36
+ X
37
+ r
38
+ a
39
+
40
+ Reflexion: Language Agents with
41
+ Verbal Reinforcement Learning
42
+
43
+ Noah Shinn
44
+ Northeastern University
45
+ noahshinn024@gmail.com
46
+
47
+ Federico Cassano
48
+ Northeastern University
49
+ cassano.f@northeastern.edu
50
+
51
+ Edward Berman
52
+ Northeastern University
53
+ berman.ed@northeastern.edu
54
+
55
+ Ashwin Gopinath
56
+ Massachusetts Institute of Technology
57
+ agopi@mit.edu
58
+
59
+ Karthik Narasimhan
60
+ Princeton University
61
+ karthikn@princeton.edu
62
+
63
+ Shunyu Yao
64
+ Princeton University
65
+ shunyuy@princeton.edu
66
+
67
+ Abstract
68
+
69
+ Large language models (LLMs) have been increasingly used to interact with exter-
70
+ nal environments (e.g., games, compilers, APIs) as goal-driven agents. However,
71
+ it remains challenging for these language agents to quickly and efficiently learn
72
+ from trial-and-error as traditional reinforcement learning methods require exten-
73
+ sive training samples and expensive model fine-tuning. We propose Reflexion, a
74
+ novel framework to reinforce language agents not by updating weights, but in-
75
+ stead through linguistic feedback. Concretely, Reflexion agents verbally reflect
76
+ on task feedback signals, then maintain their own reflective text in an episodic
77
+ memory buffer to induce better decision-making in subsequent trials. Reflexion is
78
+ flexible enough to incorporate various types (scalar values or free-form language)
79
+ and sources (external or internally simulated) of feedback signals, and obtains
80
+ significant improvements over a baseline agent across diverse tasks (sequential
81
+ decision-making, coding, language reasoning). For example, Reflexion achieves a
82
+ 91% pass@1 accuracy on the HumanEval coding benchmark, surpassing the previ-
83
+ ous state-of-the-art GPT-4 that achieves 80%. We also conduct ablation and analysis
84
+ studies using different feedback signals, feedback incorporation methods, and agent
85
+ types, and provide insights into how they affect performance. We release all code,
86
+ demos, and datasets at https://github.com/noahshinn024/reflexion.
87
+
88
+ 1
89
+
90
+ Introduction
91
+
92
+ Recent works such as ReAct [30], SayCan [1], Toolformer [22], HuggingGPT [23], generative
93
+ agents [19], and WebGPT [17] have demonstrated the feasibility of autonomous decision-making
94
+ agents that are built on top of a large language model (LLM) core. These methods use LLMs to
95
+ generate text and ‘actions‘ that can be used in API calls and executed in an environment. Since
96
+ they rely on massive models with an enormous number of parameters, such approaches have been
97
+ so far limited to using in-context examples as a way of teaching the agents, since more traditional
98
+ optimization schemes like reinforcement learning with gradient descent require substantial amounts
99
+ of compute and time.
100
+
101
+ Preprint. Under review.
102
+
103
+ In this paper, we propose an alternative approach called Reflexion that uses verbal reinforcement
104
+ to help agents learn from prior failings. Reflexion converts binary or scalar feedback from the
105
+ environment into verbal feedback in the form of a textual summary, which is then added as additional
106
+ context for the LLM agent in the next episode. This self-reflective feedback acts as a ‘semantic’
107
+ gradient signal by providing the agent with a concrete direction to improve upon, helping it learn
108
+ from prior mistakes to perform better on the task. This is akin to how humans iteratively learn to
109
+ accomplish complex tasks in a few-shot manner – by reflecting on their previous failures in order to
110
+ form an improved plan of attack for the next attempt. For example, in figure 1, a Reflexion agent
111
+ learns to optimize its own behavior to solve decision-making, programming, and reasoning tasks
112
+ through trial, error, and self-reflection.
113
+
114
+ Generating useful reflective feedback is challenging since it requires a good understanding of where
115
+ the model made mistakes (i.e. the credit assignment problem [25]) as well as the ability to generate
116
+ a summary containing actionable insights for improvement. We explore three ways for doing
117
+ this – simple binary environment feedback, pre-defined heuristics for common failure cases, and
118
+ self-evaluation such as binary classification using LLMs (decision-making) or self-written unit
119
+ tests (programming). In all implementations, the evaluation signal is amplified to natural language
120
+ experience summaries which can be stored in long-term memory.
121
+
122
+ Reflexion has several advantages compared to more traditional RL approaches like policy or value-
123
+ based learning: 1) it is lightweight and doesn’t require finetuning the LLM, 2) it allows for more
124
+ nuanced forms of feedback (e.g. targeted changes in actions), compared to scalar or vector rewards
125
+ that are challenging to perform accurate credit assignment with, 3) it allows for a more explicit and
126
+ interpretable form of episodic memory over prior experiences, and 4) it provides more explicit hints
127
+ for actions in future episodes. At the same time, it does have the disadvantages of relying on the
128
+ power of the LLM’s self-evaluation capabilities (or heuristics) and not having a formal guarantee for
129
+ success. However, as LLM capabilities improve, we only expect this paradigm to get better over time.
130
+
131
+ We perform experiments on (1) decision-making tasks to test sequential action choices over long
132
+ trajectories, (2) reasoning tasks to test knowledge-intensive, single-step generation improvement,
133
+ and (3) programming tasks to teach the agent to effectively use external tools such as compilers
134
+ and interpreters. Across all three types of tasks, we observe Reflexion agents are better decision-
135
+ makers, reasoners, and programmers. More concretely, Reflexion agents improve on decision-making
136
+ AlfWorld [24] tasks over strong baseline approaches by an absolute 22% in 12 iterative learning
137
+ steps, and on reasoning questions in HotPotQA [28] by 20%, and Python programming tasks on
138
+ HumanEval [6] by as much as 11%.
139
+
140
+ To summarize, our contributions are the following:
141
+
142
+ • We propose Reflexion, a new paradigm for ‘verbal‘ reinforcement that parameterizes a
143
+
144
+ policy as an agent’s memory encoding paired with a choice of LLM parameters.
145
+
146
+ • We explore this emergent property of self-reflection in LLMs and empirically show that
147
+
148
+ self-reflection is extremely useful to learn complex tasks over a handful of trials.
149
+
150
+ • We introduce LeetcodeHardGym, a code-generation RL gym environment consisting of 40
151
+
152
+ challenging Leetcode questions (‘hard-level‘) in 19 programming languages.
153
+
154
+ • We show that Reflexion achieves improvements over strong baselines across several tasks,
155
+
156
+ and achieves state-of-the-art results on various code generation benchmarks.
157
+
158
+ 2 Related work
159
+
160
+ Reasoning and decision-making Self-Refine [15] employs an iterative framework for self-
161
+ refinement to autonomously improve generation through self-evaluation. These self-evaluation
162
+ and self-improvement steps are conditioned on given task constraints, such as "How can this genera-
163
+ tion be written in a more positive way". Self-Refine is effective but is limited to single-generation
164
+ reasoning tasks. Pryzant et al. [21] performs a similar semantic prompt-writing optimization, but is
165
+ also limited to single-generation tasks. Paul et al. [20] fine-tune critic models to provide intermediate
166
+ feedback within trajectories to improve reasoning responses. Xie et al. [27] use stochastic beam
167
+ search over actions to perform a more efficient decision-making search strategy which allows the
168
+ agent to use foresight advantage due to its self-evaluation component. Yoran et al. [31] and Nair et al.
169
+
170
+ 2
171
+
172
+ Figure 1: Reflexion works on decision-making 4.1, programming 4.3, and reasoning 4.2 tasks.
173
+
174
+ Related work on reasoning and decision-making
175
+
176
+ Approach
177
+
178
+ Self-refine [15]
179
+ Beam search [27]
180
+ Reflexion (ours)
181
+
182
+ Self
183
+ refine
184
+
185
+
186
+
187
+
188
+ Hidden
189
+
190
+ Decision
191
+ constraints making
192
+
193
+
194
+
195
+
196
+
197
+
198
+
199
+
200
+
201
+ Binary Memory
202
+ reward
203
+
204
+
205
+
206
+
207
+
208
+
209
+
210
+
211
+ Related work on programming
212
+
213
+ Approach
214
+ Test execution
215
+
216
+ AlphaCode [14]
217
+ CodeT [5]
218
+ Self-debugging [7]
219
+ CodeRL [12]
220
+ Reflexion (ours)
221
+
222
+ Test
223
+ execution
224
+
225
+
226
+
227
+
228
+
229
+
230
+ Debugging
231
+
232
+
233
+
234
+
235
+
236
+
237
+
238
+ Self-generated Multiple
239
+ languages
240
+
241
+
242
+
243
+
244
+
245
+
246
+ tests
247
+
248
+
249
+
250
+
251
+
252
+
253
+ Self-reflection
254
+
255
+
256
+
257
+
258
+
259
+
260
+
261
+ [16] use decider models to reason over several generations. Kim et al. [10] use a retry pattern over
262
+ a fixed number of steps without an evaluation step. Goodman [9] perform a qualitative evaluation
263
+ step that proposes optimizations to the previous generation. In this paper, we show that several of
264
+ these concepts can be enhanced with self-reflection to build a persisting memory of self-reflective
265
+ experiences which allows an agent to identify its own errors and self-suggest lessons to learn from its
266
+ mistakes over time.
267
+
268
+ Programming Several past and recent works employ variations of test-driven development or
269
+ code debugging practices. AlphaCode [14] evaluates a set of generations on hidden test cases.
270
+ CodeT [5] uses self-generated unit tests that are used to score generated function implementations.
271
+ Self-Debugging [7] employs a debugging component that is used to improve existing implementations
272
+ given feedback from a code execution environment. CodeRL [12] sets the problem in an RL frame-
273
+ work using an actor-critic setup to debug programs given feedback from an execution environment.
274
+ AlphaCode, Self-Debugging and CodeRL are effective in fixing less-complex program bugs, but they
275
+ rely upon ground truth test cases that invalidate pass@1 eligibility, and do not use self-reflection to
276
+ bridge the gap between error identification and implementation improvement. CodeT does not access
277
+ hidden test cases but does not implement a self-learning step to improve code writing.
278
+
279
+ 3 Reflexion: reinforcement via verbal reflection
280
+
281
+ We develop a modular formulation for Reflexion, utilizing three distinct models: an Actor, denoted as
282
+ Ma, which generates text and actions; an Evaluator model, represented by Me, that scores the outputs
283
+ produced by Ma; and a Self-Reflection model, denoted as Msr, which generates verbal reinforcement
284
+ cues to assist the Actor in self-improvement. We provide a detailed description of each of these
285
+ models and subsequently elucidate their collaborative functioning within the Reflexion framework.
286
+
287
+ 3
288
+
289
+ 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Algorithm 1 Reinforcement via self-reflection
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+
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+ Initialize Actor, Evaluator, Self-Reflection:
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+ Ma, Me, Msr
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+ Initialize policy πθ(ai|si), θ = {Ma, mem}
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+ Generate initial trajectory using πθ
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+ Evaluate τ0 using Me
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+ Generate initial self-reflection sr0 using Msr
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+ Set mem ← [sr0]
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+ Set t = 0
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+ while Me not pass or t < max trials do
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+
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+ Generate τt = [a0, o0, . . . ai, oi] using πθ
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+ Evaluate τt using Me
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+ Generate self-reflection srt using Msr
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+ Append srt to mem
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+ Increment t
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+
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+ end while
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+ return
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+
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+ Figure 2: (a) Diagram of Reflexion. (b) Reflexion reinforcement algorithm
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+
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+ Actor The Actor is built upon a large language model (LLM) that is specifically prompted to
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+ generate the necessary text and actions conditioned on the state observations. Analogous to traditional
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+ policy-based RL setups, we sample an action or generation, at, from the current policy πθ at time t,
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+ receive an observation from the environment ot. We explore various Actor models, including Chain of
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+ Thought [26] and ReAct [30]. These diverse generation models allow us to explore different aspects
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+ of text and action generation within the Reflexion framework, providing valuable insights into their
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+ performance and effectiveness. In addition, we also add a memory component mem that provides
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+ additional context to this agent. This adaption was inspired by Brooks et al. [3], who suggest a policy
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+ iteration approach using in-context learning. Details on how this is populated are provided below.
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+
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+ Evaluator The Evaluator component of the Reflexion framework plays a crucial role in assessing
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+ the quality of the generated outputs produced by the Actor. It takes as input a generated trajectory
324
+ and computes a reward score that reflects its performance within the given task context. Defining
325
+ effective value and reward functions that apply to semantic spaces is difficult, so we investigate
326
+ several variants of the Evaluator model. For reasoning tasks, we explore reward functions based
327
+ on exact match (EM) grading, ensuring that the generated output aligns closely with the expected
328
+ solution. In decision-making tasks, we employ pre-defined heuristic functions that are tailored to
329
+ specific evaluation criteria. Additionally, we experiment with using a different instantiation of an
330
+ LLM itself as an Evaluator, generating rewards for decision-making and programming tasks. This
331
+ multi-faceted approach to Evaluator design allows us to examine different strategies for scoring
332
+ generated outputs, offering insights into their effectiveness and suitability across a range of tasks.
333
+
334
+ Self-reflection The Self-Reflection model instantiated as an LLM, plays a crucial role in the
335
+ Reflexion framework by generating verbal self-reflections to provide valuable feedback for future
336
+ trials. Given a sparse reward signal, such as a binary success status (success/fail), the current trajectory,
337
+ and its persistent memory mem, the self-reflection model generates nuanced and specific feedback.
338
+ This feedback, which is more informative than scalar rewards, is then stored in the agent’s memory
339
+ (mem). For instance, in a multi-step decision-making task, when the agent receives a failure signal, it
340
+ can infer that a specific action ai led to subsequent incorrect actions ai+1 and ai+2. The agent can
341
+ then verbally state that it should have taken a different action, a′
342
+ i+1
343
+ and a′
344
+ i+2, and store this experience in its memory. In subsequent trials, the agent can leverage its past
345
+ experiences to adapt its decision-making approach at time t by choosing action a′
346
+ i. This iterative
347
+ process of trial, error, self-reflection, and persisting memory enables the agent to rapidly improve its
348
+ decision-making ability in various environments by utilizing informative feedback signals.
349
+
350
+ i, which would have resulted in a′
351
+
352
+ Memory Core components of the Reflexion process are the notion of short-term and long-term
353
+ memory. At inference time, the Actor conditions its decisions on short and long-term memory, similar
354
+
355
+ 4
356
+
357
+ ActionObs / RewardTrajectory(short-term memory)Experience(long-term memory)Self-reflection (LM)AgentActor (LM)EnvironmentEvaluator (LM)External feedbackInternalfeedbackReflectivetext to the way that humans remember fine-grain recent details while also recalling distilled important
358
+ experiences from long-term memory. In the RL setup, the trajectory history serves as the short-term
359
+ memory while outputs from the Self-Reflection model are stored in long-term memory. These two
360
+ memory components work together to provide context that is specific but also influenced by lessons
361
+ learned over several trials, which is a key advantage of Reflexion agents over other LLM action
362
+ choice works.
363
+
364
+ The Reflexion process Reflexion is formalized as an iterative optimization process in 1. In the
365
+ first trial, the Actor produces a trajectory τ0 by interacting with the environment. The Evaluator then
366
+ produces a score r0 which is computed as rt = Me(τ0). rt is only a scalar reward for trial t that
367
+ improves as task-specific performance increases. After the first trial, to amplify r0 to a feedback form
368
+ that can be used for improvement by an LLM, the Self-Reflection model analyzes the set of {τ0, r0}
369
+ to produce a summary sr0 which is stored in the memory mem. srt is a verbal experience feedback
370
+ for trial t. The Actor, Evaluator, and Self-Reflection models work together through trials in a loop
371
+ until the Evaluator deems τt to be correct. As mentioned in 3, the memory component of Reflexion
372
+ is crucial to its effectiveness. After each trial t, srt, is appended mem. In practice, we bound mem
373
+ by a maximum number of stored experiences, Ω (usually set to 1-3) to adhere to max context LLM
374
+ limitations.
375
+
376
+ 4 Experiments
377
+
378
+ We evaluate various natural language RL setups on decision-making, reasoning, and code generation
379
+ tasks. Specifically, we challenge an agent to perform search-based question answering on HotPotQA
380
+ [28], multi-step tasks in common household environments in AlfWorld [24], and code writing tasks
381
+ in competition-like environments with interpreters and compilers in HumanEval [6], MBPP [2],
382
+ and LeetcodeHard, a new benchmark. Most notably, Reflexion improves performance over strong
383
+ baselines by 22% in AlfWorld, 20% in HotPotQA, and 11% on HumanEval.
384
+
385
+ 4.1 Sequential decision making: ALFWorld
386
+
387
+ AlfWorld is a suite of text-based environments that challenge an agent to solve multi-step tasks
388
+ in a variety of interactive environments based on TextWorld [8]. Following Yao et al. [30], we
389
+ run the agent in 134 AlfWorld environments across six different tasks, including finding hidden
390
+ objects (e.g., finding a spatula in a drawer), moving objects (e.g., moving a knife to the cutting
391
+ board), and manipulating objects with other objects (e.g., chilling a tomato in the fridge). We use
392
+ ReAct [30] as the action generator as Yao et al. [30] has shown success in long trajectory decision-
393
+ making using explicit intermediate thoughts. AlfWorld tasks naturally require a self-evaluation step
394
+ as the environment can only signal if a task is complete. To achieve fully autonomous behavior,
395
+ we implement two self-evaluation techniques: natural language classification using an LLM and a
396
+ hand-written heuristic. The heuristic is simple: if the agent executes the same action and receives the
397
+ same response for more than 3 cycles, or if the number of actions taken in the current environment
398
+ exceeds 30 (inefficient planning), we self-reflect. In the baseline runs, if self-reflection is suggested,
399
+ we skip the self-reflection process, reset the environment, and start a new trial. In the Reflexion runs,
400
+ the agent uses self-reflection to find its mistake, update its memory, reset the environment, and start a
401
+ new trial. To avoid very long prompt windows that may exceed the maximum limit, we truncate the
402
+ agent’s memory to the last 3 self-reflections (experiences).
403
+
404
+ To avoid syntactic errors, we provide two domain-specific few-shot trajectories to the agent. We use
405
+ the same few-shot trajectory examples as Yao et al. [30] with GPT-3 for the LLM. AlfWorld tasks,
406
+ ReAct few-shot prompts, and Reflexion examples are included in the appendix.
407
+
408
+ Results ReAct + Reflexion significantly outperforms ReAct by completing 130 out of 134 tasks
409
+ using the simple heuristic to detect hallucinations and inefficient planning. Further, ReAct + Reflexion
410
+ learns to solve additional tasks by learning in 12 consecutive trials. In the ReAct-only approach, we
411
+ see that performance increase halts between trials 6 and 7.
412
+
413
+ Analysis A common error in baseline failed AlfWorld trajectories is when an agent thinks that it
414
+ has possession of an item but does not actually have the item. The agent proceeds to execute several
415
+ actions in a long trajectory and is not able to backtrack its actions to find the mistake. Reflexion
416
+
417
+ 5
418
+
419
+ Figure 3: (a) AlfWorld performance across 134 tasks showing cumulative proportions of solved tasks
420
+ using self-evaluation techniques of (Heuristic) and (GPT) for binary classification. (b) Classification
421
+ of AlfWorld trajectories by reason of failure.
422
+
423
+ eliminates almost all of these cases by using self-reflection to distill long, failed trajectories into
424
+ relevant experiences that can are used as "self-hints" in the future. There are two main cases in which
425
+ long-term memory helps an agent in AlfWorld: 1) An early mistake in a long trajectory can be easily
426
+ identified. The agent can suggest a new action choice or even a new long-term plan. 2) There are too
427
+ many surfaces/containers to check for an item. The agent can exploit its experience memory over
428
+ several trials to thoroughly search a room. In 3, the learning curve suggests that the learning process
429
+ occurs over several experiences, meaning that the agent is successfully balancing cases 1 and 2 shown
430
+ in the immediate spike in the improvement between the first two trials, then a steady increase over
431
+ the next 11 trials to a near-perfect performance. On the other hand, 3 shows a ReAct-only agent
432
+ converging at a hallucination rate of 22% with no signs of long-term recovery.
433
+
434
+ 4.2 Reasoning: HotpotQA
435
+
436
+ HotPotQA [28] is a Wikipedia-based dataset with 113k question-and-answer pairs that challenge
437
+ agents to parse content and reason over several supporting documents. To test improvement in
438
+ reasoning only ability, we implement Reflexion + Chain-of-Thought (CoT) [26] for step-by-step
439
+ Q → A and Q, Cgt → A implementations, where Q is the question, Cgt is the ground truth context
440
+ from the dataset, and A is the final answer. Since CoT is not a multi-step decision-making technique,
441
+ we give Cgt to the agent so that we can isolate the reasoning behavior over large sections of the
442
+ provided text. To test holistic question and answering ability, which requires reasoning and action
443
+ choice, we implement a Reflexion + ReAct [30] agent that can retrieve relevant context using a
444
+ Wikipedia API and infer answers using step-by-step explicit thinking. For CoT implementations, we
445
+ use 6-shot prompting; for ReAct, we use 2-shot prompting, and for self-reflection, we use 2-shot
446
+ prompting. All examples can be found in the appendix.
447
+
448
+ Robustly evaluating natural language answers is a long-standing problem in NLP. Therefore, between
449
+ trials, we use exact match answer grading using the environment to give a binary success signal to
450
+ the agent. After each trial, the self-reflection loop is employed to amplify the binary signal, similar to
451
+ the decision-making setup 4.1 in AlfWorld with a memory size of 3 experiences.
452
+
453
+ Results Reflexion outperforms all baseline approaches by significant margins over several learning
454
+ steps. Furthermore, ReAct-only, CoT-only, and CoT (GT)-only implementations fail to probabilisti-
455
+ cally improve on any tasks, meaning that no failed tasks from the first trial from any of the baseline
456
+ approaches were able to be solved in subsequent trials using a temperature of 0.7 In the Reflexion runs,
457
+ we allowed the agent to gather experience and retry on failed tasks until it produced 3 consecutive
458
+ failed attempts on the particular task. Naturally, the CoT (GT) achieved higher accuracy scores as it
459
+ was given access to the ground truth context of the question. Still, the CoT (GT) agent is unable to
460
+ correctly infer the correct answer for 39% of the questions, but Reflexion helps the agent to correct
461
+ its mistakes without access to the ground truth answer to improve its accuracy by 14%.
462
+
463
+ 6
464
+
465
+ 0246810Trial Number0.50.60.70.80.91.0Proportion of Solved Environments(a) ALFWorld Success RateReAct onlyReAct + Reflexion (Heuristic)ReAct + Reflexion (GPT)0246810Trial Number0.00.10.20.30.40.5Proportion of Environments(a) ALFWorld Success RateReAct only - hallucinationReAct only - inefficient planningReAct + Reflexion - hallucinationReAct + Reflexion - inefficient planning Figure 4: Chain-of-Thought (CoT) and ReAct. Reflexion improves search, information retrieval,
466
+ and reasoning capabilities on 100 HotPotQA questions. (a) Reflexion ReAct vs Reflexion CoT (b)
467
+ Reflexion CoT (GT) for reasoning only (c) Reflexion vs episodic memory ablation.
468
+
469
+ Analysis We perform an ablation experiment to isolate the advantage of the self-reflective step for
470
+ reasoning using CoT (GT) as the baseline approach 4. Recall that CoT (GT) uses Chain-of-Thought
471
+ reasoning with provided ground truth context, which tests reasoning ability over long contexts. Next,
472
+ we add an element of episodic memory (EPM) by including the most recent trajectory. For the
473
+ Reflexion agent, we implement the standard self-reflection step as a final pass. Intuitively, we test if
474
+ the agent is iteratively learning more effectively by using verbal explanation using language written
475
+ in the first person. 4 shows that self-reflection improves learning by an 8% absolute boost over
476
+ the episodic memory learning advantage. This result supports the argument that refinement-only
477
+ approaches are not as effective as self-reflection-guided refinement approaches.
478
+
479
+ 4.3 Programming
480
+
481
+ We evaluate the baseline and Reflexion approaches on Python and Rust code writing on MBPP
482
+ [2], HumanEval [6], and LeetcodeHardGym, our new dataset. MBPP and HumanEval measure
483
+ function body generation accuracy given natural language descriptions. We use a benchmark language
484
+ compiler, MultiPL-E [4], to translate subsets of HumanEval and MBPP to the Rust language. MultiPL-
485
+ E is a collection of small compilers that can be used to translate Python benchmark questions to 18
486
+ other languages. We include experiments for Rust code generation to demonstrate that Reflexion
487
+ implementations for code generation are language-agnostic and can be used for interpreted and
488
+ compiled languages. Lastly, we introduce a new benchmark, LeetcodeHardGym, which is an
489
+ interactive programming gym that contains 40 Leetcode hard-rated questions that have been released
490
+ after October 8, 2022, which is the pre-training cutoff date of GPT-4 [18].
491
+
492
+ The task of programming presents a unique opportunity to use more grounded self-evaluation practices
493
+ such as self-generated unit test suites. Thus, our Reflexion-based programming task implementation is
494
+ eligible for pass@1 accuracy reporting. To generate a test suite, we use Chain-of-Thought prompting
495
+ [26] to produce diverse, extensive tests with corresponding natural language descriptions. Then, we
496
+ filter for syntactically valid test statements by attempting to construct a valid abstract syntax tree
497
+ (AST) for each proposed test. Finally, we sample n tests from the collection of generated unit tests
498
+ to produce a test suite T , denoted as {t0, t1, . . . , tn}. We set n to a maximum of 6 unit tests. Aside
499
+ from the unit test suite component, the setup for the learning loop for a Reflexion programming agent
500
+ is identical to the reasoning and decision-making agents with a max memory limit of 1 experience.
501
+
502
+ Benchmark + Language Prev SOTA Pass@1
503
+
504
+ SOTA Pass@1 Reflexion Pass@1
505
+
506
+ HumanEval (PY)
507
+ HumanEval (RS)
508
+ MBPP (PY)
509
+ MBPP (RS)
510
+ Leetcode Hard (PY)
511
+
512
+ 65.8 (CodeT [5] + GPT-3.5)
513
+
514
+ 67.7 (CodeT [5] + Codex [6])
515
+
516
+
517
+
518
+ 80.1 (GPT-4)
519
+ 60.0 (GPT-4)
520
+ 80.1 (GPT-4)
521
+ 70.9 (GPT-4)
522
+ 7.5 (GPT-4)
523
+
524
+ 91.0
525
+ 68.0
526
+ 77.1
527
+ 75.4
528
+ 15.0
529
+
530
+ Table 1: Pass@1 accuracy for various model-strategy-language combinations. The base strategy is a
531
+ single code generation sample. All instruction-based models follow zero-shot code generation.
532
+
533
+ 7
534
+
535
+ 0246Trial Number0.20.40.60.8Proportion of Solved Tasks(a) HotPotQA Success RateCoT onlyReAct onlyCoT + ReflexionReAct + Reflexion01234567Trial Number0.40.60.81.0Proportion of Solved Tasks(b) HotPotQA CoT (GT)CoT (GT) onlyCoT (GT) + Reflexion01234Trial Number0.50.60.70.80.91.0Proportion of Solved Tasks(c) HotPotQA Episodic MemoryCoT (GT) onlyCoT (GT) EPMCoT (GT) EPM + Reflexion Benchmark + Language Base Reflexion TP
536
+
537
+ FN
538
+
539
+ FP
540
+
541
+ TN
542
+
543
+ HumanEval (PY)
544
+ MBPP (PY)
545
+ HumanEval (RS)
546
+ MBPP (RS)
547
+
548
+ 0.91
549
+ 0.77
550
+ 0.68
551
+ 0.75
552
+ Table 2: Overall accuracy and test generation performance for HumanEval and MBPP. For Rust,
553
+ HumanEval is the hardest 50 problems from HumanEval Python translated to Rust with MultiPL-E
554
+ [4]. TP: unit tests pass, solution pass; FN: unit tests fail, solution pass; FP: unit tests pass, solution
555
+ fail; TN: unit tests fail, solution fail.
556
+
557
+ 0.60
558
+ 0.41
559
+ 0.63
560
+ 0.49
561
+
562
+ 0.99
563
+ 0.84
564
+ 0.87
565
+ 0.84
566
+
567
+ 0.40
568
+ 0.59
569
+ 0.37
570
+ 0.51
571
+
572
+ 0.01
573
+ 0.16
574
+ 0.13
575
+ 0.16
576
+
577
+ 0.80
578
+ 0.80
579
+ 0.60
580
+ 0.71
581
+
582
+ Results Reflexion outperforms all baseline accuracies and sets new state-of-the-art standards on
583
+ all benchmarks for Python and Rust except for MBPP Python 1. We further investigate the inferior
584
+ performance of Reflexion on MBPP Python.
585
+
586
+ Analysis We acknowledge that self-reflecting code-generation agents are bound to their ability to
587
+ write diverse, comprehensive tests. Therefore, in the case in which the model generates a flaky test
588
+ suite, it is possible that all tests pass on an incorrect solution and lead to a false positive label on a
589
+ code completion [11]. On the other hand, if the model produces an incorrectly written test suite, it
590
+ is possible for some of the tests to fail on a correct solution, leading to a self-reflection generation
591
+ that is conditioned on a false negative code completion. Given the implementation of Reflexion,
592
+ false negatives are preferred over false positives as the agent may be able to use self-reflection to
593
+ identify the incorrect test(s) and prompt itself to keep the original code completion intact. On the
594
+ other hand, if an invalid test suite returns a false positive completion (all internal test cases pass
595
+ but the implementation is incorrect), the agent will prematurely report an invalid submission. In 2,
596
+ various conditions are measured to analyze performance beyond pass@1 accuracy. Previously, we
597
+ displayed the inferior performance of Reflexion to the baseline GPT-4 on MBPP Python. In 2, we
598
+ observe a notable discrepancy between the false positive labels produced by internal test execution,
599
+ P(not pass@1 generation correct | tests pass). That is, the probability that a submission will fail given
600
+ that it passes all unit tests. For HumanEval and MBPP Python, the baseline pass@1 accuracies are
601
+ relatively similar, 82% and 80%, respectively. However, the false positive test execution rate for
602
+ MBPP Python is 16.3% while the rate for HumanEval Python is a mere 1.4%, leading to 91% overall
603
+ accuracy 1.
604
+
605
+ Approach
606
+
607
+ Test Generation
608
+
609
+ Self-reflection Pass@1 (Acc)
610
+
611
+ Base model
612
+ Test generation omission
613
+ Self-reflection omission
614
+ Reflexion
615
+
616
+ False
617
+ False
618
+ True
619
+ True
620
+
621
+ False
622
+ True
623
+ False
624
+ True
625
+
626
+ 0.60
627
+ 0.52
628
+ 0.60
629
+ 0.68
630
+
631
+ Table 3: Pass@1 accuracy for various compromised approaches on the Reflexion approach using
632
+ GPT-4 as the base model on HumanEval Rust - 50 hardest problems
633
+
634
+ Ablation study We test the composite approach of Reflexion for test generation and self-reflection
635
+ cooperation on a subset of the 50 hardest HumanEval Rust problems. Our Rust compiler environment
636
+ provides verbose error logs and helpful debugging hints, therefore serving as a good playground
637
+ for compromised approaches. First, we omit internal test generation and execution steps, which
638
+ test the agent to self-reflect without guidance from current implementations. 3 shows an inferior
639
+ 52% vs 60% (baseline) accuracy, which suggests that the agent is unable to determine if the current
640
+ implementation is correct without unit tests. Therefore, the agent must participate in all iterations of
641
+ the run without the option to return early, performing harmful edits to the implementation.
642
+
643
+ Next, we test self-reflection contribution by omitting the natural language explanation step following
644
+ failed unit test suite evaluations.
645
+ Intuitively, this challenges the agent to combine the tasks of
646
+ error identification and implementation improvement across all failed unit tests. Interestingly, the
647
+ compromised agent does not improve performance over the baseline run. We observe that the test
648
+ generation and code compilation steps are able to catch syntax and logic errors, but the implementation
649
+ fixes do not reflect these indications. These empirical results suggest that several recent works that
650
+
651
+ 8
652
 
653
+ propose blind trial and error debugging techniques without self-reflection are ineffective on harder
654
+ tasks such as writing complex programs in Rust.
655
 
656
+ 5 Limitations
657
 
658
+ At its core, Reflexion is an optimization technique that uses natural language to do policy optimization.
659
+ Policy optimization is a powerful approach to improve action choice through experience, but it may
660
+ still succumb to non-optimal local minima solutions. In this study, we limit long-term memory to
661
+ a sliding window with maximum capacity, but we encourage future work to extend the memory
662
+ component of Reflexion with more advanced structures such as vector embedding databases or
663
+ traditional SQL databases. Specific to code generation, there are many practical limitations to test-
664
+ driven development in specifying accurate input-output mappings such as non-deterministic generator
665
+ functions, impure functions that interact with APIs, functions that vary output according to hardware
666
+ specifications, or functions that invoke parallel or concurrent behavior that may be difficult to predict.
667
 
668
+ 6 Broader impact
669
 
670
+ Large language models are increasingly used to interact with external environments (e.g. the Internet,
671
+ software, robotics, etc.) and humans. Our work has the potential of reinforcing and empowering
672
+ these agents toward greater automation and work efficiency, but it also amplifies the risks when these
673
+ agents were put into misuse. We believe that this direction of research will need more effort in safety
674
+ and ethical considerations.
675
 
676
+ On the other hand, reinforcement learning has suffered from its black-box policy and optimiza-
677
+ tion setups in which interpretability and alignment have been challenging. Our proposed “verbal”
678
+ reinforcement learning might address some of the issues and turn autonomous agents more inter-
679
+ pretable and diagnosable. For example, in the case of tool-usage that may be too hard for humans to
680
+ understand, self-reflections could be monitored to ensure proper intent before using the tool.
681
 
682
+ 7 Conclusion
683
 
684
+ In this work, we present Reflexion, an approach that leverages verbal reinforcement to teach agents
685
+ to learn from past mistakes. We empirically show that Reflexion agents significantly outperform
686
+ currently widely-used decision-making approaches by utilizing self-reflection.
687
+ In future work,
688
+ Reflexion could be used to employ more advanced techniques that have been thoroughly studied in
689
+ traditional RL settings, such as value learning in natural language or off-policy exploration techniques.
690
 
691
+ 8 Reproducibility
692
 
693
+ We highly advise others to use isolated execution environments when running autonomous code
694
+ writing experiments as the generated code is not validated before execution.
695
 
696
+ 9
697
 
698
+ References
699
 
700
+ [1] Ahn, M., Brohan, A., Brown, N., Chebotar, Y., Cortes, O., David, B., Finn, C., Gopalakrishnan,
701
+ K., Hausman, K., Herzog, A., et al. (2022). Do as i can, not as i say: Grounding language in
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+ robotic affordances. arXiv preprint arXiv:2204.01691.
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+ [2] Austin, J., Odena, A., Nye, M., Bosma, M., Michalewski, H., Dohan, D., Jiang, E., Cai, C.,
705
+ Terry, M., Le, Q., et al. (2021). Program synthesis with large language models. arXiv preprint
706
+ arXiv:2108.07732.
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+ [3] Brooks, E., Walls, L., Lewis, R. L., and Singh, S. (2022). In-context policy iteration. arXiv
709
 
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+ preprint arXiv:2210.03821.
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+ [4] Cassano, F., Gouwar, J., Nguyen, D., Nguyen, S., Phipps-Costin, L., Pinckney, D., Yee, M.-H., Zi,
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+ Y., Anderson, C. J., Feldman, M. Q., Guha, A., Greenberg, M., and Jangda, A. (2022). Multipl-e:
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+ A scalable and extensible approach to benchmarking neural code generation.
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+ [5] Chen, B., Zhang, F., Nguyen, A., Zan, D., Lin, Z., Lou, J.-G., and Chen, W. (2022). Codet: Code
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+ generation with generated tests. arXiv preprint arXiv:2207.10397.
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+ [6] Chen, M., Tworek, J., Jun, H., Yuan, Q., Pinto, H. P. d. O., Kaplan, J., Edwards, H., Burda, Y.,
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+ Joseph, N., Brockman, G., et al. (2021). Evaluating large language models trained on code. arXiv
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+ preprint arXiv:2107.03374.
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+ [7] Chen, X., Lin, M., Schärli, N., and Zhou, D. (2023). Teaching large language models to
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+ self-debug. arXiv preprint arXiv:2304.05128.
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+ [8] Côté, M.-A., Kádár, A., Yuan, X., Kybartas, B., Barnes, T., Fine, E., Moore, J., Hausknecht, M.,
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+ El Asri, L., Adada, M., et al. (2019). Textworld: A learning environment for text-based games. In
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+ Computer Games: 7th Workshop, CGW 2018, Held in Conjunction with the 27th International
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+ Selected Papers 7, pages 41–75. Springer.
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+ [9] Goodman, N. (2023). Meta-prompt: A simple self-improving language agent. noahgood-
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+ man.substack.com.
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+ [10] Kim, G., Baldi, P., and McAleer, S. (2023). Language models can solve computer tasks. arXiv
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+ preprint arXiv:2303.17491.
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+ [11] Lam, W., Winter, S., Wei, A., Xie, T., Marinov, D., and Bell, J. (2020). A large-scale longitudinal
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+ study of flaky tests. Proc. ACM Program. Lang., 4(OOPSLA).
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+ [12] Le, H., Wang, Y., Gotmare, A. D., Savarese, S., and Hoi, S. C. H. (2022). Coderl: Mastering
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749
 
750
+ [13] Li, R., Allal, L. B., Zi, Y., Muennighoff, N., Kocetkov, D., Mou, C., Marone, M., Akiki, C., Li, J.,
751
+ Chim, J., et al. (2023). Starcoder: may the source be with you! arXiv preprint arXiv:2305.06161.
752
 
753
+ [14] Li, Y., Choi, D., Chung, J., Kushman, N., Schrittwieser, J., Leblond, R., Eccles, T., Keeling,
754
+ J., Gimeno, F., Dal Lago, A., et al. (2022). Competition-level code generation with alphacode.
755
+ Science, 378(6624):1092–1097.
756
 
757
+ [15] Madaan, A., Tandon, N., Gupta, P., Hallinan, S., Gao, L., Wiegreffe, S., Alon, U., Dziri, N.,
758
+ Prabhumoye, S., Yang, Y., et al. (2023). Self-refine: Iterative refinement with self-feedback. arXiv
759
+ preprint arXiv:2303.17651.
760
 
761
+ [16] Nair, V., Schumacher, E., Tso, G., and Kannan, A. (2023). Dera: Enhancing large language
762
+ model completions with dialog-enabled resolving agents. arXiv preprint arXiv:2303.17071.
763
 
764
+ [17] Nakano, R., Hilton, J., Balaji, S., Wu, J., Ouyang, L., Kim, C., Hesse, C., Jain, S., Kosaraju, V.,
765
+ Saunders, W., et al. (2021). Webgpt: Browser-assisted question-answering with human feedback.
766
+ arXiv preprint arXiv:2112.09332.
767
 
768
+ [18] OpenAI (2023). Gpt-4 technical report. ArXiv.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
769
 
770
  10
771
 
772
+ [19] Park, J. S., O’Brien, J. C., Cai, C. J., Morris, M. R., Liang, P., and Bernstein, M. S. (2023).
773
+ Generative agents: Interactive simulacra of human behavior. arXiv preprint arXiv:2304.03442.
 
 
 
 
 
774
 
775
+ [20] Paul, D., Ismayilzada, M., Peyrard, M., Borges, B., Bosselut, A., West, R., and Faltings,
776
+ B. (2023). Refiner: Reasoning feedback on intermediate representations. arXiv preprint
777
+ arXiv:2304.01904.
778
 
779
+ [21] Pryzant, R., Iter, D., Li, J., Lee, Y. T., Zhu, C., and Zeng, M. (2023). Automatic prompt
780
 
781
+ optimization with" gradient descent" and beam search. arXiv preprint arXiv:2305.03495.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
782
 
783
+ [22] Schick, T., Dwivedi-Yu, J., Dessì, R., Raileanu, R., Lomeli, M., Zettlemoyer, L., Cancedda, N.,
784
+ and Scialom, T. (2023). Toolformer: Language models can teach themselves to use tools. arXiv
785
+ preprint arXiv:2302.04761.
786
 
787
+ [23] Shen, Y., Song, K., Tan, X., Li, D., Lu, W., and Zhuang, Y. (2023). Hugginggpt: Solving ai
788
 
789
+ tasks with chatgpt and its friends in huggingface. arXiv preprint arXiv:2303.17580.
790
 
791
+ [24] Shridhar, M., Yuan, X., Côté, M.-A., Bisk, Y., Trischler, A., and Hausknecht, M. (2021).
792
+ ALFWorld: Aligning Text and Embodied Environments for Interactive Learning. In Proceedings
793
+ of the International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR).
794
 
795
+ [25] Sutton, R. S. and Barto, A. G. (2018). Reinforcement Learning: An Introduction. The MIT
796
 
797
+ Press, second edition.
798
 
799
+ [26] Wei, J., Wang, X., Schuurmans, D., Bosma, M., Chi, E., Le, Q., and Zhou, D. (2022). Chain of
800
+ thought prompting elicits reasoning in large language models. arXiv preprint arXiv:2201.11903.
801
 
802
+ [27] Xie, Y., Kawaguchi, K., Zhao, Y., Zhao, X., Kan, M.-Y., He, J., and Xie, Q. (2023). Decomposi-
803
+ tion enhances reasoning via self-evaluation guided decoding. arXiv preprint arXiv:2305.00633.
804
 
805
+ [28] Yang, Z., Qi, P., Zhang, S., Bengio, Y., Cohen, W. W., Salakhutdinov, R., and Manning, C. D.
806
+ (2018). HotpotQA: A dataset for diverse, explainable multi-hop question answering. In Conference
807
+ on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (EMNLP).
808
 
809
+ [29] Yao, S., Chen, H., Yang, J., and Narasimhan, K. (preprint). Webshop: Towards scalable
810
 
811
+ real-world web interaction with grounded language agents. In ArXiv.
812
 
813
+ [30] Yao, S., Zhao, J., Yu, D., Du, N., Shafran, I., Narasimhan, K., and Cao, Y. (2023). ReAct:
814
+ Synergizing reasoning and acting in language models. In International Conference on Learning
815
+ Representations (ICLR).
816
 
817
+ [31] Yoran, O., Wolfson, T., Bogin, B., Katz, U., Deutch, D., and Berant, J. (2023). Answering
818
+ questions by meta-reasoning over multiple chains of thought. arXiv preprint arXiv:2304.13007.
819
 
820
+ 11
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
821
 
822
+ A Evaluation with additional models
823
 
824
+ We further investigated the applicability of trial-and-error problem-solving with models of various
825
+ strengths. We found that the ability to specify self-corrections is an emergent quality of stronger,
826
+ larger models.
827
 
828
+ Approach Pass@1 accuracy (avg over 8 trials) Pass@1 accuracy (std)
829
 
830
+ Baseline
831
+ Reflexion
832
 
833
+ 0.26
834
+ 0.26
835
 
836
+ 0.00481
837
+ 0.00305
838
 
839
+ Table 4: Pass@1 accuracy on HumanEval Python using starchat-beta [13].
840
 
841
+ Model
842
 
843
+ Baseline accuracy Reflexion accuracy
844
 
845
+ CoT (GT) + text-davinci-003
846
+ CoT (GT) + gpt-3.5-turbo
847
+ CoT (GT) + gpt-4
848
+ ReAct + text-davinci-003
849
+ ReAct + gpt-3.5-turbo
850
+ ReAct + gpt-4
851
 
852
+ 0.60
853
+ 0.57
854
+ 0.68
855
+ 0.30
856
+ 0.26
857
+ 0.39
858
 
859
+ 0.77
860
+ 0.71
861
+ 0.80
862
+ 0.55
863
+ 0.38
864
+ 0.51
865
 
866
+ Table 5: Pass@1 accuracy on 100 HotPotQA using various models.
867
 
868
  12
869
 
870
+ B Decision-making
871
+
872
+ Environment: You are in the middle of a room. Looking quickly around you, you see a bed 1, a desk
873
+ 2, a desk 1, a drawer 6, a drawer 5, a drawer 4, a drawer 3, a drawer 2, a drawer 1, a garbagecan 1, a
874
+ laundryhamper 1, a safe 1, a shelf 6, a shelf 5, a shelf 4, a shelf 3, a shelf 2, and a shelf 1.
875
+ Task: examine the mug with the desklamp.
876
+ Trial #1
877
+ > think: To solve the task, I need to find and take a mug, then find and use a desklamp.
878
+ > think: First I need to find a mug. A mug is more likely to appear in drawer (1-6), desk (1-2), shelf
879
+ (1-6), garbagecan (1), laundryhamper (1). I can check one by one, starting with drawer 1.
880
+ > go to drawer 1
881
+ The drawer 1 is closed.
882
+ . . .
883
+ > open drawer 6
884
+ You open the drawer 6. The drawer 6 is open. In it, you see a keychain 2.
885
+ > go to desk 1
886
+ On the desk 1, you see a creditcard 3, a desklamp 1, a laptop 2, a mug 1, a pen 1, and a pencil 1.
887
+ > think: Now I find a mug (1). Next, I need to take it.
888
+ > take mug 1 from desk 1
889
+ You pick up the mug 1 from the desk 1.
890
+ > think: Now I take a mug (1). Next, I need to find a desklamp. A desklamp is more likely to appear
891
+ in desk (1-2), sidetable (1-2), shelf (1-6), bed (1), drawer (1-6). I can check one by one, starting with
892
+ desk 1.
893
+ > go to desk 1
894
+ Nothing happens.
895
+ > go to desk 2
896
+ On the desk 2, you see a alarmclock 1, a bowl 1, a mug 3, a pencil 3, and a pencil 2.
897
+ > think: Now I find a desklamp (1). Next, I need to use it.
898
+ > use desklamp 1
899
+ Nothing happens.
900
+ > use desklamp 1
901
+ Nothing happens.
902
+ Status: Fail
903
+ Reflection: In this environment, my plan was to find a mug then find and use a desklamp. However,
904
+ the task says to examine the mug with the desklamp. I should have looked for the desklamp first, then
905
+ looked for the mug. I noticed that the desklamp was found on desk 1. In the next trial, I will go to
906
+ desk 1, find the lamp, then look for the mug and examine it with the desklamp.
907
+ Trial #2
908
+ > go to desk 1
909
+ On the desk 1, you see a creditcard 3, a desklamp 1, a laptop 2, a mug 1, a pen 1, and a pencil 1.
910
+ > think: To solve the task, I need to find and take a mug, then find and use a desklamp.
911
+ > take mug 1 from desk 1
912
+ You pick up the mug 1 from the desk 1.
913
+ > think: To solve the task, I need to find and take a mug, then find and use a desklamp.
914
+ > use desklamp 1
915
+ You turn on the desklamp 1.
916
+ Status: Success
917
+
918
+ Figure 5: [Top] An AlfWorld trajectory in which the agent failed due to inefficient planning. In the
919
+ reflection, the agent recognizes that it should have looked for the desklamp then the mug, not the mug
920
+ then the desklamp. [Bottom] The agent is able to correct its reasoning trace and execute a sequence
921
+ of actions in a concise manner.
922
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
923
  13
924
 
925
+ B.1 WebShop Limitation
 
 
926
 
927
+ In 5, we briefly state that Reflexion struggles to overcome local minima choices that require extremely
928
+ creative behavior to escape. We observe this shortcoming in an experiment on WebShop [29].
929
+ WebShop is a web-based problem-solving benchmark that tests agents to navigate an e-commerce
930
+ website to locate and purchase products given requests from clients. We test a two-shot ReAct +
931
+ Reflexion agent in 100 environments. However, after only four trials, we terminate the runs as the
932
+ agent does not show signs of improvement 6. Further, the agent does not generate helpful, intuitive
933
+ self-reflections after failed attempts. We conclude that Reflexion is unable to solve tasks that require
934
+ a significant amount of diversity and exploration. In AlfWorld, the agent is able to adequately explore
935
+ new environments because the permissible actions can be seen in the observations. In HotPotQA,
936
+ the agent faces a similar WebShop search query task but is more successful as the search space for
937
+ Wikipedia articles is more diverse and requires less precise search queries. A common problem for
938
+ e-commerce search engines is properly handling ambiguity in natural language search interpretations.
939
+ Thus, WebShop presents a task that requires very diverse and unique behavior from a Reflexion agent.
940
 
941
+ Figure 6: Reflexion vs React performance on WebShop across 100 customer shopping requests.
942
+ ReAct + Reflexion fails to significantly outperform ReAct.
943
 
944
+ C Programming
945
 
946
+ Programming LLM calls require strict instructions to produce function bodies only, due to the
947
+ extensive dialogue training of the LLMs. A few programming examples are reported below with
948
+ instructions highlighted in blue and templates. See the full implementation at https://github.
949
+ com/noahshinn024/reflexion.
950
 
951
+ C.1 Programming function implementation example (HumanEval Python)
952
 
953
+ Sample function signature:
954
 
955
+ 1 def minSubArraySum ( nums ) :
956
+ 2
957
 
958
+ """
959
+ Given an array of integers nums , find the minimum sum of
960
 
961
+ 3
962
 
963
+ 4
964
 
965
+ 5
966
 
967
+ 6
968
 
969
+ any
970
 
971
+ non - empty sub - array of nums .
972
+ Example
973
+ minSubArraySum ([2 , 3 , 4 , 1 , 2 , 4]) == 1
974
 
975
+ 14
976
 
977
+ 0.00.51.01.52.02.53.0Trial Number0.100.150.200.250.300.350.400.450.50Proportion of Solved EnvironmentsWebShop Success RateReAct onlyReAct + Reflexion 7
978
 
979
+ 8
980
 
981
+ 1
982
 
983
+ 2
984
 
985
+ 3
986
 
987
+ 4
988
 
989
+ 5
990
 
991
+ 6
992
 
993
+ 7
 
994
 
995
+ 8
 
996
 
997
+ minSubArraySum ([ -1 , -2 , -3]) == -6
998
+ """
999
 
1000
+ Sample function body implementation:
1001
 
1002
+ min_sum = float ( ’ inf ’)
1003
+ for i in range ( len ( nums ) ) :
1004
 
1005
+ current_sum = 0
1006
+ for j in range (i , len ( nums ) ) :
1007
+ current_sum += nums [ j ]
1008
+ if current_sum < min_sum :
1009
+ min_sum = current_sum
1010
 
1011
+ return min_sum
1012
 
1013
+ C.2 Reflexion Actor instruction
1014
 
1015
+ You are a Python writing assistant. You will be given your previous implementation of a function,
1016
+ a series of unit tests results, and your self-reflection on your previous implementation. Apply the
1017
+ necessary changes below by responding only with the improved body of the function. Do not include
1018
+ the signature in your response. The first line of your response should have 4 spaces of indentation so
1019
+ that it fits syntactically with the user provided signature. You will be given a few examples by the
1020
+ user.
1021
 
1022
+ Reflexion Actor generations follow the form:
1023
+ (Instruction)
1024
+ (Function implementation)
1025
+ (Unit test feedback)
1026
+ (Self-reflection)
1027
+ (Instruction for next function implmentation)
1028
 
1029
+ Full examples are shown in https://github.com/noahshinn024/reflexion
1030
 
1031
+ C.3 Reflexion Self-reflection instruction and example
1032
 
1033
+ You are a Python writing assistant. You will be given your previous implementation of a function,
1034
+ a series of unit tests results, and your self-reflection on your previous implementation. Apply the
1035
+ necessary changes below by responding only with the improved body of the function. Do not include
1036
+ the signature in your response. The first line of your response should have 4 spaces of indentation so
1037
+ that it fits syntactically with the user provided signature. You will be given a few examples by the
1038
+ user. Reflexion Self-Reflection generations follow the form:
1039
+ (Instruction)
1040
+ (Function implementation)
1041
+ (Unit test feedback)
1042
 
1043
+ C.4 Reflexion programming no Self-Reflection ablation example
1044
 
1045
+ Reflexion no Self-Reflection ablation Actor generations follow the form:
1046
+ (Instruction)
1047
+ (Function implementation)
1048
+ (Unit test feedback)
1049
+ (Self-reflection)
1050
+ (Instruction for next function implmentation)
1051
 
1052
+ C.5 Reflexion programming no test generation ablation example
1053
 
1054
+ Reflexion no test generation ablation Actor generations follow the form:
1055
+ (Instruction)
1056
 
1057
+ 15
1058
 
1059
+ (Function implementation)
1060
+ (Unit test feedback)
1061
+ (Self-reflection)
1062
+ (Instruction for next function implmentation)
1063
+
1064
+ 16
1065
+
1066
+ D Reasoning
1067
+
1068
+ D.1 Full example
1069
+
1070
+ Trial #2: Question: Grown-Ups starred the actor
1071
+ who was best known for which role on "’Allo
1072
+ ’Allo!"?
1073
+ Thought 1: I need to search the actor who was
1074
+ best known for a role on "’Allo ’Allo!" and find
1075
+ out what role they were best known for.
1076
+ Action 1: Search[Grown-Ups]
1077
+ Observation 1: Grown-Ups is a 1980 British
1078
+ BBC television film devised and directed by
1079
+ It stars Lesley Manville, Philip
1080
+ Mike Leigh.
1081
+ Davis, Brenda Blethyn, Janine Duvitski, Lindsay
1082
+ Duncan and Sam Kelly. It was edited by Robin
1083
+ Sales and produced by Louis Marks for the BBC,
1084
+ and originally shown on BBC 2 on 28 November
1085
+ 1980.
1086
+ Thought 2: The paragraph does not mention the
1087
+ actor who was best known for a role on "’Allo
1088
+ ’Allo!". I need to search the actor’s name instead.
1089
+ Action 2: Search[Sam Kelly]
1090
+ Observation 2: Roger Michael Kelly (19 Decem-
1091
+ ber 1943 – 14 June 2014), known by the stage
1092
+ name Sam Kelly, was an English actor who ap-
1093
+ peared in film, television, radio and theatre. He
1094
+ is best known for his roles as Captain Hans Geer-
1095
+ ing in ’Allo ’Allo!, Warren in Porridge, Sam in
1096
+ On the Up, and Ted Liversidge in Barbara.
1097
+ Thought 3: Sam Kelly is best known for his role
1098
+ as Captain Hans Geering in "’Allo ’Allo!", so
1099
+ the answer is Captain Hans Geering.
1100
+ Action 3: Finish[Captain Hans Geering]
1101
+ Observation 3: Answer is CORRECT
1102
+
1103
+ Trial #1: Question: Grown-Ups starred the actor
1104
+ who was best known for which role on "’Allo
1105
+ ’Allo!"?
1106
+ Thought 1: I need to search Grown-Ups and
1107
+ "’Allo ’Allo!", find the actor who starred in
1108
+ Grown-Ups, then find the role he was best known
1109
+ for in "’Allo ’Allo!".
1110
+ Action 1: Search[Grown-Ups]
1111
+ Observation 1: Grown-Ups is a 1980 British
1112
+ BBC television film devised and directed by
1113
+ Mike Leigh.
1114
+ It stars Lesley Manville, Philip
1115
+ Davis, Brenda Blethyn, Janine Duvitski, Lindsay
1116
+ Duncan and Sam Kelly. It was edited by Robin
1117
+ Sales and produced by Louis Marks for the BBC,
1118
+ and originally shown on BBC 2 on 28 November
1119
+ 1980.
1120
+ Thought 2: Grown-Ups starred Lesley Manville,
1121
+ Philip Davis, Brenda Blethyn, Janine Duvitski,
1122
+ Lindsay Duncan and Sam Kelly. I need to search
1123
+ "’Allo ’Allo!" and find which actor was best
1124
+ known for which role.
1125
+ Action 2: Search["’Allo ’Allo!"]
1126
+ Observation 2: Could not find ["’Allo ’Allo!"].
1127
+ Similar: ["’Allo ’Allo!", "List of ’Allo ’Allo!
1128
+ characters", ’Gorden Kaye’, "’Allo ’Allo! (series
1129
+ 2)", ’Allô, allô’, ’Francesca Gonshaw’, "’Allo
1130
+ ’Allo! (series 4)", ’Kim Hartman’, "’Allo ’Allo!
1131
+ (series 6)", ’Jeremy Lloyd’]
1132
+ Thought 3: To find the actor who was best known
1133
+ for which role on "’Allo ’Allo!", I can search
1134
+ Gorden Kaye.
1135
+ Action 3: Search[Gorden Kaye]
1136
+ Observation 3: Gordon Irving Kaye (7 April
1137
+ 1941 – 23 January 2017), known profession-
1138
+ ally as Gorden Kaye, was an English actor,
1139
+ best known for playing womanising café owner
1140
+ René Artois in the television comedy series ’Allo
1141
+ ’Allo!.
1142
+ Thought 4: Gorden Kaye was best known for
1143
+ playing womanising café owner René Artois in
1144
+ the television comedy series "’Allo ’Allo!". So
1145
+ the answer is Rene Artois.
1146
+ Action 4: Finish[Rene Artois]
1147
+ Observation 4: Answer is INCORRECT
1148
+ Reflection: I searched the wrong title for the show, "’Allo ’Allo!", which resulted in no results. I
1149
+ should have searched the show’s main character, Gorden Kaye, to find the role he was best known for
1150
+ in the show.
1151
+
1152
+ Figure 7: Two HotPotQA trials within the same environment and task. The Reflexion + ReAct agent
1153
+ uses self-reflection to determine a better search method for the next trial.
1154
+
1155
+ 17
1156
+
1157
+ D.2 Chain-of-Thought + Reflexion
1158
+
1159
+ Trial #2: Question: What profession does John
1160
+ Lanchester and Alan Dean Foster have in com-
1161
+ mon?
1162
+ Thought 1: Let’s think step by step. John Lanch-
1163
+ ester is a novelist, journalist, and financial jour-
1164
+ nalist. Alan Dean Foster is a novelist and screen-
1165
+ writer. So the profession John Lanchester and
1166
+ Alan Dean Foster have in common is novelist.
1167
+ Action 1: Finish[novelist]
1168
+ Observation 1: Answer is CORRECT
1169
+
1170
+ Trial #1: Question: What profession does John
1171
+ Lanchester and Alan Dean Foster have in com-
1172
+ mon?
1173
+ Thought 1: Let’s think step by step. John Lanch-
1174
+ ester is a novelist, journalist, and critic. Alan
1175
+ Dean Foster is a novelist and screenwriter. So
1176
+ the profession John Lanchester and Alan Dean
1177
+ Foster have in common is novelist and screen-
1178
+ writer.
1179
+ Action 1: Finish[novelist and screenwriter]
1180
+ Observation 1: Answer is INCORRECT
1181
+ Reflection: My reasoning for the profession John Lanchester and Alan Dean Foster have in common
1182
+ failed because I incorrectly assumed that they both had the same profession. In the future, when
1183
+ attempting this question, I should focus on better researching the individual backgrounds of both
1184
+ authors to ensure that I am accurately identifying their professions. Additionally, I should consider
1185
+ the possibility that they may have multiple professions in common.
1186
+
1187
+ D.3 HotPotQA Chain-of-Thought (GT) + Reflexion
1188
+
1189
+ Context: The Battle of White Plains was a battle in the New York and New Jersey campaign of the
1190
+ American Revolutionary War fought on October 28, 1776, near White Plains, New York. Following
1191
+ the retreat ...
1192
+ Trial #1: Question: What was a series of battles
1193
+ during the Revolutionary War, for control of New
1194
+ York City and the state of New Jersey, fought on
1195
+ October 28, 1776 near White Plains, New York?
1196
+ Thought 1: The question is asking about a se-
1197
+ ries of battles during the Revolutionary War for
1198
+ control of New York City and the state of New
1199
+ Jersey, fought on October 28, 1776 near White
1200
+ Plains, New York. From the context, I know that
1201
+ this was the Battle of White Plains.
1202
+ Action 1: Finish[Battle of White Plains]
1203
+ Observation 1: Answer is INCORRECT
1204
+
1205
+ Trial #2: Question: What was a series of battles
1206
+ during the Revolutionary War, for control of New
1207
+ York City and the state of New Jersey, fought on
1208
+ October 28, 1776 near White Plains, New York?
1209
+ Thought 1: The question is asking for a series of
1210
+ battles during the Revolutionary War, for control
1211
+ of New York City and the state of New Jersey,
1212
+ fought on October 28, 1776 near White Plains,
1213
+ New York. Based on the context, I know that
1214
+ this series of battles was the New York and New
1215
+ Jersey campaign.
1216
+ Action 1: Finish[The New York and New Jersey
1217
+ campaign]
1218
+ Observation 1: Answer is CORRECT
1219
+
1220
+ Reflection: Upon reflecting on the incorrect answer I provided, I realize that I may not have provided
1221
+ enough context to accurately answer the question. The question asked for a series of battles, but I
1222
+ only provided the name of one battle. To better answer this question in the future, I will make sure to
1223
+ provide more context, such as the name of the campaign, which was the New York and New Jersey
1224
+ campaign, and the fact that it was a series of battles. Additionally, I will make sure to include the
1225
+ dates of the battles, as well as the locations, to ensure that my answer is comprehensive and accurate.
1226
+
1227
+ 18
1228
+
1229
+ D.4 HotPotQA episodic memory (EPM) ablation prompts
1230
+
1231
+ D.4.1
1232
+
1233
+ (EPM) Chain-of-Thought + Reflexion
1234
+
1235
+ Trial #1: Question: Which of Jonny Craig and
1236
+ Pete Doherty has been a member of more bands
1237
+ ?
1238
+ Thought 1: Let’s think step by step. Jonny
1239
+ Craig has been a member of six bands, including
1240
+ Emarosa, Dance Gavin Dance, and Slaves. Pete
1241
+ Doherty has been a member of seven bands, in-
1242
+ cluding The Libertines, Babyshambles, and The
1243
+ Puta Madres. So Pete Doherty has been a mem-
1244
+ ber of more bands.
1245
+ Action 1: Finish[Pete Doherty]
1246
+ Observation 1: Answer is INCORRECT
1247
+
1248
+ Trial #2: Question: Which of Jonny Craig and
1249
+ Pete Doherty has been a member of more bands
1250
+ ?
1251
+ Thought 1: Let’s think step by step. I will re-
1252
+ search the past and current bands of both musi-
1253
+ cians to ensure that I am accurately comparing
1254
+ their band memberships. After researching, I
1255
+ have found that Jonny Craig has been a mem-
1256
+ ber of seven bands, including Emarosa, Dance
1257
+ Gavin Dance, and Slaves. Pete Doherty has been
1258
+ a member of seven bands, including The Lib-
1259
+ ertines, Babyshambles, and The Puta Madres. So
1260
+ Jonny Craig has been a member of more bands.
1261
+ Action 2: Finish[Jonny Craig]
1262
+ Observation 2: Answer is CORRECT
1263
+
1264
+ Reflection: My reasoning for which musician has been a member of more bands failed because I did
1265
+ not take into account that Jonny Craig has been a member of more bands in the past, even though Pete
1266
+ Doherty is currently a member of more bands. In the future, when attempting this question, I should
1267
+ focus on researching the past and current bands of both musicians to ensure that I am accurately
1268
+ comparing their band memberships.
1269
+
1270
+ D.4.2
1271
+
1272
+ (EPM) Chain-of-Thought (GT) + Reflexion
1273
+
1274
+ Context: Hari Bahadur Basnet is a Nepalese politician. He is the head of the Foreign Relations
1275
+ Department of the Rastriya Janashakti Party. Basnet holds a M.Sc. in Engineering.
1276
+ A Master of Science (Latin: "Magister Scientiae" ; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., MSci, M.Sci.,
1277
+ ScM, Sc.M., SciM or Sci.M.) is a master’s degree in the field of science...
1278
+ Trial #1: Question: The head of the Foreign
1279
+ Relations Department of the Rastriya Janashakti
1280
+ Party holds a degree that can be abbreviated MS,
1281
+ M.S., or ScM, in what field?
1282
+ (Previous trajectory)
1283
+
1284
+ Trial #2: Question: The head of the Foreign Re-
1285
+ lations Department of the Rastriya Janashakti
1286
+ Party holds a degree that can be abbreviated MS,
1287
+ M.S., or ScM, in what field?
1288
+ (Previous trajectory)
1289
+ Thought 1: The question is asking what field
1290
+ of study the head of the Foreign Relations De-
1291
+ partment of the Rastriya Janashakti Party holds
1292
+ a degree in. From the context, I know that the
1293
+ degree is a Master of Science degree, which is
1294
+ typically granted for studies in sciences, engi-
1295
+ neering, and medicine. However, the question
1296
+ is asking for the field of study, not the degree.
1297
+ Based on the context, I know that Hari Bahadur
1298
+ Basnet holds a M.Sc. in Engineering.
1299
+ Action 1: Finish[Engineering]
1300
+ Observation 1: Answer is CORRECT
1301
+
1302
+ Thought 1: The question is asking what field
1303
+ of study the head of the Foreign Relations
1304
+ Department of the Rastriya Janashakti Party
1305
+ holds a degree in. From the context, I know
1306
+ that the degree is a Master of Science degree,
1307
+ which is typically granted for studies in sciences,
1308
+ engineering, and medicine.
1309
+ Action 1: Finish[Sciences, Engineering, and
1310
+ Medicine]
1311
+ Observation 1: Answer is INCORRECT
1312
+
1313
+ Reflection: For the first trial, I misunderstood the question. I thought the question was asking for a
1314
+ category of degrees, rather than a specific degree. I learned from my mistake and in the second trial, I
1315
+ focused more closely on the question to understand that it was asking for a specific field of study.
1316
+
1317
+ 19
1318
 
q106/random_k4/random_4.md CHANGED
@@ -1 +1,809 @@
1
- OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)IntroductionClimate & Health Vulnerability AssessmentPURPOSEThis vulnerability assessment is intended to inform public health professionals and community partners engaged in climate change adaptation and resilience planning. It focuses specifically on social vulnerability as a way to integrate the concepts of social determinants of health and environmental justice into climate change planning.PROCESSThe Climate and Health Program developed this assessment in consultation with other grantees of the CDC’s Climate Ready States and Cities Initiative. The assessment is based on associations identified in research literature, which are summarized in the 2014 Oregon Climate and Health Profile Report.The Climate and Health Program envisions this assessment being updated and expanded as our knowledge grows and conditions change. This first edition, published in Fall 2015, is limited to measures of population sensitivity. In the future, we anticipate adding measures of hazard exposure such as extreme heat, and adaptive capacity, such as access to air conditioning. Additionally, we hope to expand the composite vulnerability index in subsequent assessments to incorporate more measures of vulnerability, and we hope to add context by analyzing the key drivers in each community.We acknowledge that maps of social and demographic characteristics do not tell the whole story. For example, there may be strengths that enable some communities to readily overcome vulnerabilities. This assessment is just one of many pieces of information that can help Oregon’s public health system prepare for the impacts of climate change.FOR MORE INFORMATIONContact:Climate and Health Programbrendon.haggerty@state.or.us(971) 673-0335Or visit:healthoregon.org/climate OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivitySocial vulnerabilityABOUT THIS INDICATORThis index is a combination eleven indicators of social vulnerability including measures of demographics, socioeconomic status, and health. The indicators are drawn from US Census data and health statistics from the Oregon Health Authority. Each indicator is equally weighted, and the index is relative to other census tracts in the state. Census tracts shaded dark blue represent areas with higher social vulnerability. These tracts are distributed in many parts of the state, and largely overlap with broad indicators of socioeconomic status such as educational attainment.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYIndexes such as this one are based on the work of Susan Cutter (1), which established associations between natural hazards and indicators of social vulnerability. They are used to help understand vulnerability to climate impacts in many jurisdictions (2, 3).DATA SOURCESOregon Climate & Health Program, Public Health Division, Oregon Health Authority. July 2015.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climateComposite vulnerability indexCensus TractsLowMediumHighCounty borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityBirth outcomesABOUT THIS INDICATORThe percentage of births that are pre-term is an indicator of risks for infants calculated from birth certificate records. While darker blue represents a larger percent of preterm births, counties are mostly similar on this metric, varying between about 6% and 11%.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYPreterm births are associated with extreme heat (1) and air pollution (2). Moreover, adverse birth outcomes like preterm birth or low birth weight are associated with problems during early childhood (3) as well as long term health effects including risk of cardiovascular disease (4). Existing illness such as those linked to adverse birth outcomes result in greater vulnerability to negative health impacts of climate change.DATA SOURCESBirth Risk Factors: Oregon Birth Certificates, Center for Health Statistics, Center for Public Health Practice, Public Health Divsion, Oregon Health Authority.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of infants born <36 weeks of pregnancyCounties6.2% - 7.4%7.5% - 8.1%8.2% - 10.5%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityChildrenABOUT THIS INDICATORThe population of the youngest Oregon residents is unevenly distributed, as reflected in the above map showing the percent of the population within under age 18. Darker blue tracts indicate higher concentrations of children. Statewide, 22% of the population is under 18 years of age.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYInfants and children are vulnerable to multiple climate impacts. Young children are more susceptible to extreme heat (1). Children are more vulnerable to environmental toxins of all types, since the same dose given to an adult is lower in proportion to body size (2). This makes children more sensitive to contaminated food, water, and air resulting from impacts of climate change. One study estimated that 88% of the additional burden of disease due to climate change falls upon children (3).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of population aged less than 18 yearsCensus tracts0% - 19.2%19.3% - 24.2%24.3% - 38.1%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityChronic DiseaseABOUT THIS INDICATORBody Mass Index (BMI) is a population-level indicator of obesity levels. The estimates in the map above are derived from de-identified driver license data, adjusted for age, and averaged over whole census tracts. BMI is indicative of chronic illness, since it is closely associated with diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYPeople with existing illness are more vulnerable to climate change impacts because the changing climate has potential to exacerbate many conditions. For example, extreme heat increases the risk of heat-related death for those with diabetes (1), and air quality issues arising from heat or wildfire can worsen asthma symptoms (2). Moreover, extreme weather events such as floods and landslides can disrupt care and access to needed medication (3).DATA SOURCESOregon Environmental Public Health Tracking. 2015.[data files]. Available at www.epht.oregon.govSee bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climateCensus tracts0.0 - 26.226.3 - 27.127.2 - 30.4County borders05010025MilesAge-adjusted mean body mass index OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityEducational AttainmentABOUT THIS INDICATORThe percent of adults aged 25 years or over without a high school diploma is a common measure of educational attainment collected by the US Census Bureau. In other jurisdictions, this indicator was found to be a primary driver of social vulnerability (1). This map displays the percentage of adults in each census tract who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent. Dark blue census tracts reflect higher percentages of adults with low educational attainment.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYLow educational attainment is associated with greater vulnerability to heat related illness (2, 3, 4) and exposure to air pollution (5,6). As noted in the Oregon Climate and Health Profile Report, exposure to these hazards is likely to increase in Oregon as a result of climate change.DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of adults aged 25+ without a high school diplomaCensus tracts0% - 6.7%6.8% - 12%12.1% - 56.3%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityForeign-born populationABOUT THIS INDICATORThis indicator is a partial substitute for indicators of vulnerability used in other assessments (1). The percent of the population born outside the US is indicative of potential linguistic isolation or citizenship status. In this map, areas of darkest blue represent the highest percentages of people born outside the US. These tracts are found primarily in the Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYThis indicator is suggests linguistic isolation, limited capacity to access resources, and potential difficulty asserting labor and housing rights. Together, these traits are associated with vulnerability to a range of climate-related hazards, including heat related illness, extreme weather, and occupational exposures (2).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of population born outside of the United StatesCensus tracts0% - 4.6%4.7% - 10.1%10.2% - 44.7%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityIsolated older adultsABOUT THIS INDICATORThe percent of households that are single-person aged 65 years or older indicates the co-occurrence of two types of vulnerability: advanced age and social isolation. Social isolation can take many forms, but this indicator from the census is among the most readily available. The map above shows high percentages of single-person older adult households in dark blue. Unlike the percent of adults aged 65 or older, the percentage of single-person older householders shows a less distinct spatial pattern.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYSocial isolation can result in a lack of supportive contact networks that can be relied upon in extreme conditions. This indicator is associated with greater vulnerability to extreme heat (1, 2).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of households that are single-person aged 65 years or olderCensus tracts0% - 7%7.1% - 11.1%11.2% - 40.3%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityOlder adultsABOUT THIS INDICATORIn the above map, dark blue represents areas with higher percentages of older adults. A very clear pattern is present: there are higher percentages of older adults in rural areas. The lowest percentages are found in the state’s urban areas in the Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, and near Medford.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYOlder adults are more vulnerable to multiple hazards, especially extreme heat (1, 2, 3). This is partly because of the decreased ability to regulate body temperature that normally comes with age. Risk is elevated for many older adults because of medications or chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. As a result, older adults have the highest rates of heat-related illness and heat-related death. Older adults are also more vulnerable to poor air quality and infectious diseases related to climate change (4).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of population aged 65 years or olderCensus tracts0% - 11%11.1% - 17.1%17.2% - 46%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityRace and ethnicityABOUT THIS INDICATORThis indicator measures the proportion of the population who identifies as a race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic white. Greater percentages are represented by darker shades of blue. Diverse communities are found across Oregon, with some greater concentrations in the lower Willamette Valley, North Central area, and parts of Eastern and Southern Oregon.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYOregon’s communities of color are already disproportionately burdened by illness and lack of access to health-supportive resources (1). Research suggests ways communities of color are more vulnerable to certain climate hazards, including: greater sensitivity and exposure to air pollutants (2, 3), fewer resources for recovery from extreme weather events (4), and inadequacy of existing warning systems (5).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent identifying as a race other than non-Hispanic whiteCensus tracts0% - 15.9%16% - 27.2%27.3% - 97.2%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivitySocioeconomic statusABOUT THIS INDICATORThe percent of households earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level is an indicator of socioeconomic status at the census tract level. In 2015, the poverty level for a family of 4 was about $24,000. Low-income households are part of communities throughout Oregon.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYLow-income households have few resources to cope with climate-related health impacts. Compared to wealthier households, disasters have a greater impact on low-income populations as a result of geographic isolation, type of residence and social exclusion (1). Lower income households are more likely to live in urban heat islands, have higher exposure to air pollutants, and are less likely to be able to afford protective measures like air conditioning (2, 3, 4).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of households with incomes <200% of Federal Poverty LevelCensus tracts0% - 29.1%29.2% - 42.2%42.3% - 91.7%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityTenureABOUT THIS INDICATORThe US Census Bureau provides estimates of the proportion of occupied housing units that are occupied by renters. In this map, dark blue tracts represent areas with a high proportion of renters. While it may appear to be a small number of tracts, they are overwhelmingly concentrated in urban areas with greater density. The dark blue tracts represent 1/3 of Oregon’s population.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYRenters are less able to mitigate climate threats by investing time, labor, and equipment in protective measures. This is attributed to financial barriers and lack of incentive to engage in protective maintenance (e.g. removing trees that elevate fire risk) (1).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of housing occupants occupied by rentersCensus tracts0% - 27.2%27.3% - 42%42.1% - 100%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityUnemploymentABOUT THIS INDICATOREmployment status is commonly included in measures of vulnerability (1). The American Community Survey provides estimates of the percent of the population age 16 years or older who are unemployed. On the above map, darker shades of blue represent greater unemployment rates. Tracts with high unemployment are distributed throughout the state.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYLike other indicators of socioeconomic status, the percentage of adults who are unemployed helps to illustrate peoples’ capacity to cope with climate stressors. This indicator also provides a baseline by which we can judge whether changes to the economy resulting from climate instability are affecting workers. Additionally, there is evidence that employment status shapes migration patterns (2).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of population aged 16 years or older who are unemployedCensus tracts0% - 9%9.1% - 12.8%12.9% - 32.6%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)BibliographyBIRTH OUTCOMES1. Basu R., Malig B., Ostro B. (2010) High Ambient Temperature and the Risk of Preterm Delivery. American Journal of Epidemiology,172:1108–172. Fleischer, N.L., Merialdi, M., van Donkelaar, A., Vadillo-Ortega, F., Martin, R.V., Betran, A. P., & Souza, J. P. (2014). Outdoor air pollution, preterm birth, and low birth weight: analysis of the world health organization global survey on maternal and perinatal health. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(4), 425.3. Kramer, M.S., Demissie, K., Yang, H., Platt, R.W., Sauvé, R., & Liston, R. (2000). The contribution of mild and moderate preterm birth to infant mortality. Journal of the American Medical Association, 284(7), 843-849.4. Rogers, L. K., & Velten, M. (2011). Maternal inflammation, growth retardation, and preterm birth: insights into adult cardiovascular disease. Life Sciences,89(13), 417-421.CHILDREN1. Sheffield P.E., Knowlton K., Carr J.L., Kinney P.L. (2011). Modeling of regional climate change effects on ground-level ozone and childhood asthma. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 41:251–72. Basu, R. (2009). High ambient temperature and mortality: a review of epidemiologic studies from 2001 to 2008. Environmental Health, 8(1), 40.3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. America’s Children and the Environment [Internet]. (2000). Available from: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/ACE-Report.htm/$File/ ACE-Report.pdfCHRONIC DISEASE1. Reid, C.E., O’Neill, M.S., Gronlund, C.J., Brines, S.J., Diez-Roux, A.V., Brown, D.G., & Schwartz, J.D. (2009). Mapping community determinants of heat vulnerability. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11):1730-1736 2. Gent J.F., Triche E.W., Holford T.R., Belanger K., Bracken M.B., Beckett W.S., et al. Association of low-level ozone and fine particles with respiratory symptoms in children with asthma. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;290:1859– 67.3. Kessler R.C. (2007).Hurricane Katrina’s impact on the care of survivors with chronic medical conditions. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22:1225–30.EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT1. Cooley, H., & Pacifica Institute. (2012). Social vulnerability to climate change in California. California Energy Commission.2. O’Neill, M. S., Zanobetti, A., & Schwartz, J. (2003). Modifiers of the temperature and mortality association in seven US cities. American Journal of Epidemiology, 157(12), 1074-1082.3. Basu, R. (2009). High ambient temperature and mortality: a review of epidemiologic studies from 2001 to 2008. Environmental Health, 8(1), 40.4. Reid, C.E., O’Neill, M.S., Gronlund, C.J., Brines, S.J., Diez-Roux, A.V., Brown, D.G., & Schwartz, J.D. (2009). Mapping community determinants of heat vulnerability. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11):1730-1736 5. Krewski, D., R. T. Burnett, et al. (2000). Reanalysis of the Harvard Six Cities Study and the American Cancer Society Study of Particulate Air Pollution and Mortality. Boston, Massachusetts: Health Effects Institute.6. Pope III, C. A., & Dockery, D. W. (2006). Health effects of fine particulate air pollution: lines that connect. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 56(6), 709-742FOREIGN-BORN POPULATION1. Cooley, H., & Pacifica Institute. (2012). Social vulnerability to climate change in California. California Energy Commission.2. Shonkoff, S. B., Morello-Frosch, R., Pastor, M., & Sadd, J. (2011). The climate gap: environmental health and equity implications of climate change and mitigation policies in California—a review of the literature. Climatic Change,109(1), 485-503.ISOLATED OLDER ADULTS1. McGeehin, M. A., & Mirabelli, M. (2001). The potential impacts of climate variability and change on temperature-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Environmental health perspectives, 109(Suppl 2), 185.2. English, P. B., Sinclair, A. H., Ross, Z., Anderson, H., Boothe, V., Davis, C., Ebi, K., Kagey, B., Malecki, K., Shultz, R.m & Simms, E. (2009). Environmental health indicators of climate change for the United States: findings from the State Environmental Health Indicator Collaborative. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11), 1673-81.OLDER ADULTS1. Knowlton, K., Rotkin-Ellman, M., King, G., Margolis, H.G., Smith, D., Solomon, G., Trent R., & English, P. (2009). The 2006 California heat wave: impacts on hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Environmental Health Perspectives,117(1), 61-67.2. Basu, R., & Ostro, B. D. (2008). A multicounty analysis identifying the populations vulnerable to mortality associated with high ambient temperature in California. American Journal of Epidemiology, 168(6), 632-637.3. Reid, C.E., O’Neill, M.S., Gronlund, C.J., Brines, S.J., Diez-Roux, A.V., Brown, D.G., & Schwartz, J.D. (2009). Mapping community determinants of heat vulnerability. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11):1730-1736 4. Gamble, J. L., Hurley, B. J., Schultz, P. A., Jaglom, W. S., Krishnan, N., & Harris, M. (2013). Climate change and older Americans: state of the science. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(1), 15-22. OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Bibliography - continuedRACE AND ETHNICITY1. Oregon Health Authority. State of Equity Report [Internet]. 2013. Available from: http://www.oregon.gov/ oha/oei/Pages/soe.aspx2. Gwynn R.C., Thurston G.D. (2001). The burden of air pollution: impacts among racial minorities. Environmental Health Perspectives,109 Suppl 501–6.3. Medina-Ramón M., Schwartz J. (2008). Who is more vulnerable to die from ozone air pollution? Epidemiology,19:672–9.4. Toldson I.A., Ray K., Hatcher S.S., Louis L.S. (2011). Examining the long-term racial disparities in health and economic conditions among Hurricane Katrina survivors: Policy implications for Gulf Coast recovery. Journal of Black Studies, 42:360–78.5. Hayden M.H., Drobot S., Radil S., Benight C., Gruntfest E.C., Barnes L.R. (2007). Information sources for flash flood warnings in Denver, CO and Austin, TX. Environmental Hazards, 7:211SOCIAL VULNERABILITY1. Cutter, S.L., Boruff, B.J., & Shirley, W.L. (2003). Social vulnerability to environmental hazards. Social Science Quarterly, 84(2), 242-261.2. Cooley, H., & Pacifica Institute. (2012). Social vulnerability to climate change in California. California Energy Commission.3. Minnesota Department of Health. 2014. Minnesota Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment 2014. October 2014, Saint Paul, MNSOCIOECONOMIC STATUS1. Fothergill A, Peek LA. (2004). Poverty and Disasters in the United States: A Review of Recent Sociological Findings. Natural Hazards, 32:89–1102. Reid, C.E., O’Neill, M.S., Gronlund, C.J., Brines, S.J., Diez-Roux, A.V., Brown, D.G., & Schwartz, J.D. (2009). Mapping community determinants of heat vulnerability. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11):1730-1736 3. Basu, R., & Ostro, B.D. (2008). A multicounty analysis identifying the populations vulnerable to mortality associated with high ambient temperature in California. American Journal of Epidemiology, 168(6), 632-637.4. Harlan S.L., Brazel A.J., Prashad L., Stefanov W.L., Larsen L. (2006). Neighborhood microclimates and vulnerability to heat stress. Social Science and Medicine, 63:2847–63.TENURE1.Collins, Timothy W., & Bolin, B. (2009). Situating hazard vulnerability: people’s negotiations with wildfire environments in the US Southwest. Environmental Management, 44.3: 441-455.UNEMPLOYMENT1. Cutter, S.L., Boruff, B.J., & Shirley, W L. (2003). Social vulnerability to environmental hazards. Social Science Quarterly, 84(2), 242-261.2. Reuveny, R. (2007). Climate change-induced migration and violent conflict. Political Geography, 26(6), 656-673.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
+ Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Results for Fiscal Third Quarter 2026
2
+ February 3, 2026 at 4:05 PM EST
3
+ Company raises fiscal year 2026 outlook
4
+ Fiscal third quarter Net Bookings were $1.76 billion, above Company's guidance range
5
+ Net Bookings for fiscal year 2026 are now expected to range from $6.65 to $6.7 billion
6
+ NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2026-- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) today reported results for the third quarter of
7
+ its fiscal year 2026, ended December 31, 2025. For further information, please see the third quarter fiscal 2026 results slide deck posted to the
8
+ Company’s investor relations website at take2games.com/ir.
9
+ CEO Comments
10
+ Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO of Take-Two Interactive, stated: “Our outstanding third quarter results reflect outperformance from all of our
11
+ labels, and we are once again raising our Net Bookings outlook for Fiscal 2026. With ongoing momentum across many of our businesses, and the
12
+ highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19th, we continue to project record levels of Net Bookings in Fiscal 2027, which we
13
+ believe will establish a new financial baseline for our business, set us on a path to enhanced profitability, and provide further balance sheet strength
14
+ and flexibility.”
15
+ Third Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial and Operational Highlights
16
+ Total Net Bookings* grew 28% to $1.76 billion, compared to $1.37 billion during last year’s fiscal third quarter.
17
+ Net Bookings from recurrent consumer spending** grew 23% and accounted for 76% of total Net Bookings.
18
+ The largest contributors to Net Bookings were NBA® 2K26, Grand Theft Auto® Online and Grand Theft Auto V,
19
+ Toon Blast™, Match Factory!™, Empires & Puzzles™, Color Block Jam™, Red Dead Redemption® 2 and Red
20
+ Dead Online, Red Dead Redemption® and Undead Nightmare, Words With Friends™, WWE® 2K25, and Toy
21
+ Blast™.
22
+ GAAP net revenue was $1.70 billion, compared to $1.36 billion in last year’s fiscal third quarter.
23
+ Recurrent consumer spending** increased 20% and accounted for 77% of total GAAP net revenue.
24
+ The largest contributors to GAAP net revenue were NBA 2K26 and NBA 2K25, Grand Theft Auto Online and Grand
25
+ Theft Auto V, Toon Blast, Match Factory!, Empires & Puzzles, Color Block Jam, Red Dead Redemption and
26
+ Undead Nightmare, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online, Words With Friends, WWE 2K25, and
27
+ Borderlands® 4.
28
+ GAAP net loss was $92.9 million, or $0.50 per share, as compared to $125.2 million, or $0.71 per share, for the
29
+ comparable period last year.
30
+ * Net Bookings is our operational metric and defined as the net amount of products and services sold digitally or sold-in physically during the period,
31
+ and includes licensing fees, merchandise, in-game advertising, strategy guides and publisher incentives.
32
+ ** Recurrent consumer spending is generated from ongoing consumer engagement and includes virtual currency, add-on content, in-game purchases
33
+ and in-game advertising
34
+ Third Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Results
35
+ The following data is used internally by the Company’s management and Board of Directors to adjust the Company’s GAAP and Non-GAAP financial
36
+ results in order to facilitate comparison of its operating performance between periods and to better understand its core business:
37
+ Three Months Ended December 31, 2025
38
+ Financial Data
39
+
40
+ Change in deferred
41
+ Amortization of
42
+ Statement of net revenue and Stock-based Business Business Other
43
+ | in millions | | | | acquired | | | |
44
+ | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --------- | --- | --- | --- |
45
+ Operations related cost of compensation reorganization acquisition (a)
46
+ intangibles
47
+ revenue
48
+ | GAAP | | | | | | | |
49
+ | ----------------- | --------- | ------ | ------ | -------- | --- | --- | --- |
50
+ | Total net revenue | $1,699.0 | 58.0 | | | | | |
51
+ | Cost of revenue | 753.5 | (3.1) | (3.6) | (160.7) | | | |
52
+ | Gross profit | 945.5 | 61.1 | 3.6 | 160.7 | | | |
53
+ Operating
54
+ | | 984.2 | | (86.7) | (15.1) | (0.6) | (4.0) | |
55
+ | --- | ------ | --- | ------- | ------- | ------ | ------ | --- |
56
+ expenses
57
+ (Loss) income
58
+ | | (38.7) | 61.1 | 90.3 | 175.8 | 0.6 | 4.0 | |
59
+ | --- | ------- | ----- | ----- | ------ | ---- | ---- | --- |
60
+ from operations
61
+ Interest and other,
62
+ | | (17.1) | (1.6) | | | | 4.5 | 0.1 |
63
+ | --- | ------- | ------ | --- | --- | --- | ---- | ---- |
64
+ net
65
+ (Loss) income
66
+ | before income | (55.8) | 59.6 | 90.3 | 175.8 | 0.6 | 8.5 | 0.1 |
67
+ | ------------- | ------- | ----- | ----- | ------ | ---- | ---- | ---- |
68
+ taxes
69
+ | | | | | | | | |
70
+ | -------- | ------ | ----- | ----- | --- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
71
+ | Non-GAAP | | | | | | | |
72
+ | EBITDA | 174.8 | 59.6 | 90.3 | | 0.6 | 6.5 | 0.1 |
73
+ The above table utilizes a management tax rate of 18%
74
+ Share count used to calculate management reporting diluted net income per share is 186.5 million
75
+ (a) Other includes adjustments for (i) the revaluation of the Turkish Lira against the U.S. Dollar and (ii) fair value adjustments related to certain equity
76
+ investments.
77
+ Outlook for Fiscal Year 2026
78
+ Take-Two is raising its outlook for the fiscal year and providing its initial outlook for its fiscal fourth quarter ending March 31, 2026:
79
+ Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2026
80
+ The Company is also providing selected data, which is used internally by its management and Board of Directors to adjust the Company’s GAAP and
81
+ Non-GAAP financial outlook in order to facilitate comparison of its operating performance between periods and to better understand its core business
82
+ and future outlook:
83
+ | | Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2026 | | | | | | |
84
+ | ------------------------ | ---------------------------------- | ---------------------- | --- | ----------- | --------------- | -------- | --- |
85
+ | | | Financial Data | | | | | |
86
+ | | | Change in deferred net | | | | Business | |
87
+ | $ in millions except for | | | | Stock-based | Amortization of | | |
88
+ Outlook (b) revenue and related cost of acquisition and
89
+ | per share amounts | | | | compensation | acquired intangibles | | |
90
+ | ----------------- | ----------------- | ------- | --- | ------------ | -------------------- | --------- | --- |
91
+ | | | revenue | | | | other (c) | |
92
+ | GAAP | | | | | | | |
93
+ | Total net revenue | $6,550 to $6,600 | $100 | | | | | |
94
+
95
+ | Cost of revenue | $2,781 to $2,797 | $(5) | $31 | $(641) | |
96
+ | ----------------------- | ----------------- | ----- | ------- | ------- | ------ |
97
+ | Operating expenses | $3,959 to $3,969 | | $(333) | $(68) | $(8) |
98
+ | Interest and other, net | $97 | | | | $(14) |
99
+ (Loss) income before
100
+ | | $(287) to $(263) | $105 | $302 | $709 | $22 |
101
+ | --- | ----------------- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ---- |
102
+ income taxes
103
+ | Net loss | $(369) to $(338) | | | | |
104
+ | -------- | ----------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
105
+ $(2.00) to
106
+ | Net loss per share | | | | | |
107
+ | ------------------ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
108
+ $(1.84)
109
+ | Net cash provided by | approximately | | | | |
110
+ | -------------------- | ------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
111
+ | | | | | | |
112
+ | operating activities | $450 | | | | |
113
+ approximately
114
+ | Capital expenditures | | | | | |
115
+ | -------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
116
+ $180
117
+ | | | | | | |
118
+ | ------------------ | ----------------- | ----- | ----- | --- | --- |
119
+ | Non-GAAP | | | | | |
120
+ | EBITDA | $657 to $681 | $105 | $302 | | $8 |
121
+ | | | | | | |
122
+ | Operational metric | | | | | |
123
+ | Net Bookings | $6,650 to $6,700 | | | | |
124
+ Management reporting tax rate anticipated to be 18%
125
+ Share count used to calculate GAAP net loss per share is expected to be 183.9 million
126
+ Share count used to calculate management reporting diluted net income per share is expected to be 186.3 million
127
+ (b) The individual components of the financial outlook may not foot to the totals, as the Company does not expect actual results for every component to
128
+ be at the low end or high end of the outlook range simultaneously.
129
+ (c) Other includes adjustments for (i) business reorganization expenses, (ii) the revaluation of the Turkish Lira against the U.S. Dollar, and (iii) fair value
130
+ adjustments related to certain equity investments.
131
+ Fiscal Fourth Quarter Ending March 31, 2026
132
+ The Company is also providing selected data, which is used internally by its management and Board of Directors to adjust the Company’s GAAP and
133
+ Non-GAAP financial outlook in order to facilitate comparison of its operating performance between periods and to better understand its core business
134
+ and future outlook:
135
+ | | Three Months Ending March 31, 2026 | | | | |
136
+ | --- | ----------------------------------- | --------------- | --- | --- | --- |
137
+ | | | Financial Data | | | |
138
+ $ in millions except for Outlook (b) Change in deferred net revenue Stock-based Amortization of Business
139
+ | | | | | | |
140
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
141
+ per share amounts and related cost of revenue compensation acquired intangibles acquisition
142
+ | GAAP | | | | | |
143
+ | ---- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
144
+
145
+ $1,573 to
146
+ | Total net revenue | | $(63) | | | |
147
+ | ----------------- | --- | ------ | --- | --- | --- |
148
+ $1,623
149
+ $675 to
150
+ | Cost of revenue | | $(10) | $1 | $(161) | |
151
+ | --------------- | --- | ------ | --- | ------- | --- |
152
+ $692
153
+ $973 to
154
+ | Operating expenses | | | $(79) | $(17) | |
155
+ | ------------------ | --- | --- | ------ | ------ | --- |
156
+ $983
157
+ | Interest and other, net | $26 | | | | $(4) |
158
+ | ----------------------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- | ----- |
159
+ (Loss) income before $(101) to
160
+ | | | $(53) | $78 | $178 | $4 |
161
+ | --- | --- | ------ | ---- | ----- | --- |
162
+ income taxes $(78)
163
+ $(129) to
164
+ | Net (loss) income | | | | | |
165
+ | ----------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
166
+ $(99)
167
+ Net (loss) income per $(0.70) to
168
+ | | | | | | |
169
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
170
+ share $(0.54)
171
+ | | | | | | |
172
+ | -------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
173
+ | Non-GAAP | | | | | |
174
+ $138 to
175
+ | EBITDA | | $(53) | $78 | | |
176
+ | ------ | --- | ------ | ---- | --- | --- |
177
+ $161
178
+ | | | | | | |
179
+ | ------------------ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
180
+ | Operational metric | | | | | |
181
+ $1,510 to
182
+ | Net Bookings | | | | | |
183
+ | ------------ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
184
+ $1,560
185
+ Management reporting tax rate anticipated to be 18%
186
+ Share count used to calculate GAAP net loss per share is expected to be 185.3 million
187
+ Share count used to calculate management reporting diluted net income per share is expected to be 187.6 million
188
+ (b) The individual components of the financial outlook may not foot to the totals, as the Company does not expect actual results for every component to
189
+ be at the low end or high end of the outlook range simultaneously.
190
+ Key assumptions and dependencies underlying the Company’s outlook include: a continuation of the current economic backdrop; the timely delivery of
191
+ the titles included in this financial outlook; continued growth in the installed base of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as engagement on
192
+ Xbox One and PlayStation 4; the ability to develop and publish products that capture market share for these current generation systems while also
193
+ leveraging opportunities on PC, mobile and other platforms; factors affecting our performance on mobile, such as player acquisition costs; our ongoing
194
+ focus on our live services portfolio and new game pipeline; and stable foreign exchange rates. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking
195
+ Statements” below.
196
+ Product Releases
197
+ The following have been released since October 1, 2025:
198
+ | Label | Product | | Platforms | Release Date | |
199
+ | ----- | ------------------------- | --- | ------------ | ----------------- | --- |
200
+ | 2K | WWE 2K Mobile for Netflix | | iOS, Android | November 19, 2025 | |
201
+ Rockstar GamesRed Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 December 2, 2025
202
+ Rockstar GamesRed Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare for NetflixiOS, Android December 2, 2025
203
+
204
+ PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox
205
+ Rockstar GamesGrand Theft Auto Online: A Safehouse in the Hills December 10, 2025
206
+ One, PC
207
+ Take-Two's future lineup announced to-date includes:
208
+ Label Product Platforms Release Date
209
+ 2K Sid Meier's Civilization VII for Apple ArcadeiOS February 5, 2026
210
+ 2K PGA TOUR 2K25 Switch 2 February 6, 2026
211
+ 2K WWE 2K26 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, PCMarch 13, 2026
212
+ Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto VI PS5, Xbox Series X|S November 19, 2026
213
+ Zynga CSR 3 iOS, Android TBA
214
+ Zynga Top Goal iOS, Android TBA
215
+ Ghost Story GamesJudas PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC TBA
216
+ 2K Project ETHOS TBA TBA
217
+ 2K BioShock next iteration TBA TBA
218
+ Conference Call
219
+ Take-Two will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to review these results and discuss other topics. The call can be accessed by
220
+ dialing (800) 715-9871 or (646) 307-1963 (conference ID: 9711440). A live listen-only webcast of the call will be available by visiting
221
+ http://ir.take2games.com and a replay will be available following the call at the same location.
222
+ Non-GAAP Financial Measure
223
+ In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company uses a Non-GAAP
224
+ measure of financial performance: EBITDA, which is defined as GAAP net income (loss) excluding interest income (expense), provision for (benefit
225
+ from) income taxes, depreciation expense, and amortization and impairment of acquired intangibles.
226
+ The Company’s management believes it is important to consider EBITDA, in addition to net income, as it removes the effect of certain non-cash
227
+ expenses, debt-related charges, and income taxes. Management believes that, when considered together with reported amounts, EBITDA is useful to
228
+ investors and management in understanding the Company’s ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends and provides useful
229
+ additional information relating to the Company’s operations and financial condition.
230
+ This Non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. This Non-GAAP
231
+ financial measure may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies. In the future, Take-Two may also consider whether other
232
+ items should also be excluded in calculating this Non-GAAP financial measure used by the Company. Management believes that the presentation of
233
+ this Non-GAAP financial measure provides investors with additional useful information to measure Take-Two's financial and operating performance. In
234
+ particular, this measure facilitates comparison of our operating performance between periods and may help investors to understand better the
235
+ operating results of Take-Two. Internally, management uses this Non-GAAP financial measure in assessing the Company's operating results and in
236
+ planning and forecasting. A reconciliation of this Non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable GAAP measure is contained in the financial
237
+ tables to this press release.
238
+ Final Results
239
+ The financial results discussed herein are presented on a preliminary basis; final data will be included in Take-Two’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
240
+ for the period ended December 31, 2025.
241
+ About Take-Two Interactive Software
242
+ Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher, and marketer of interactive entertainment for
243
+ consumers around the globe. We develop and publish products principally through Rockstar Games, 2K, and Zynga. Our strategy is to create hit
244
+ entertainment experiences, delivered on every platform relevant to our audience through a variety of sound business models. Our pillars – creativity,
245
+ innovation, and efficiency – guide us as we strive to create the highest quality, most captivating experiences for our consumers. The Company’s
246
+ common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at
247
+ http://www.take2games.com.
248
+ All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.
249
+
250
+ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
251
+ The statements contained herein, which are not historical facts, including statements relating to Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.'s ("Take-Two," the
252
+ "Company," "we," "us," or similar pronouns) outlook, are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and may be identified by
253
+ words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "should," "will," or words of
254
+ similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for our future business and financial performance. Such forward-
255
+ looking statements are based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them,
256
+ which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may vary
257
+ materially from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to the timely release and
258
+ significant market acceptance of our games; the risks of conducting business internationally, including as a result of unforeseen geopolitical events;
259
+ the impact of changes in interest rates by the Federal Reserve and other central banks, including on our short-term investment portfolio; the impact of
260
+ inflation; volatility in foreign currency exchange rates; our dependence on key management and product development personnel; our dependence on
261
+ our NBA 2K and Grand Theft Auto products and our ability to develop other hit titles; our ability to leverage opportunities on PlayStation®5 and Xbox
262
+ Series X|S; factors affecting our mobile business, such as player acquisition costs; and the ability to maintain acceptable pricing levels on our games.
263
+ Other important factors and information are contained in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the risks summarized in
264
+ the section entitled "Risk Factors," the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Company's other periodic filings with the SEC,
265
+ which can be accessed at www.take2games.com. All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and apply only as of the
266
+ date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future
267
+ events or otherwise.
268
+
269
+ TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.
270
+ CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
271
+ (in millions, except per share amounts)
272
+ | | | | | | |
273
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
274
+ Three Months Ended December 31, Nine Months Ended December 31,
275
+ | | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
276
+ | ------------ | ---------- | ------------- | ------------ | ------------- | --- |
277
+ | Net revenue: | | | | | |
278
+ | Game | $ 1,570.3 | $ 1,243.1 | $ 4,593.7 | $ 3,693.7 | |
279
+ | Advertising | 128.7 | 116.7 | 382.9 | 357.4 | |
280
+ Total net revenue 1,699.0 1,359.8 4,976.6 4,051.1
281
+ | Cost of revenue: | | | | | |
282
+ | ---------------- | -------- | ----------- | ---------- | ----------- | --- |
283
+ | Product costs | 220.9 | 200.2 | 660.6 | 616.0 | |
284
+ Game intangibles 160.1 171.1 477.4 508.0
285
+ | Licenses | 118.3 | 88.8 | 343.6 | 241.1 | |
286
+ | -------- | -------- | ---------- | ---------- | ----------- | --- |
287
+ Internal royalties 167.4 103.1 335.0 249.3
288
+ Software development costs and royalties 86.8 36.7 289.0 177.8
289
+ Total cost of revenue 753.5 599.9 2,105.6 1,792.2
290
+ Gross profit 945.5 759.9 2,871.0 2,258.9
291
+ Selling and marketing 433.2 388.9 1,378.6 1,281.6
292
+
293
+ Research and development 282.7 240.9 812.1 707.4
294
+ General and administrative 218.6 189.6 650.6 653.1
295
+ Depreciation and amortization 49.1 49.5 148.3 141.6
296
+ Business reorganization 0.6 23.1 (3.5 ) 89.4
297
+ Total operating expenses 984.2 892.0 2,986.1 2,873.1
298
+ Loss from operations (38.7 ) (132.1 ) (115.1 ) (614.2 )
299
+ Interest and other, net (17.1 ) (20.8 ) (70.0 ) (75.2 )
300
+ Loss before income taxes (55.8 ) (152.9 ) (185.1 ) (689.4 )
301
+ Provision for (benefit from) for income taxes 37.1 (27.7 ) 53.6 63.3
302
+ | Net loss | $ (92.9 | ) $ (125.2 | ) $ (238.7 | ) $ (752.7 | ) | | |
303
+ | --------------- | -------- | ------------ | ----------- | ------------ | --- | --- | --- |
304
+ | | | | | | | | |
305
+ | Loss per share: | | | | | | | |
306
+ Basic and diluted loss per share $ (0.50 ) $ (0.71 ) $ (1.30 ) $ (4.31 )
307
+ | Weighted average shares outstanding | | | | | | | |
308
+ | ----------------------------------- | -------- | ----------- | ---------- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- |
309
+ | Basic | 185.0 | 176.0 | 183.4 | 174.5 | | | |
310
+
311
+ TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.
312
+ CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
313
+ (in millions, except per share amounts)
314
+
315
+ | | | | | | December 31, | March 31, | |
316
+ | ------------------------------------ | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------------ | ------------ | --- |
317
+ | | | | | | | | |
318
+ | | | | | | 2025 | 2025 | |
319
+ | | | | | | (Unaudited) | | |
320
+ | ASSETS | | | | | | | |
321
+ | Current assets: | | | | | | | |
322
+ | Cash and cash equivalents | | | | | $ 2,160.0 | $ 1,456.1 | |
323
+ | Short-term investments | | | | | 199.0 | 9.4 | |
324
+ | Restricted cash and cash equivalents | | | | | 13.2 | 14.9 | |
325
+
326
+ Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1.9 and $1.6 at December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively 824.1 771.1
327
+ | Software development costs and licenses | 50.2 | 80.8 | |
328
+ | --------------------------------------- | ---------- | ------------ | --- |
329
+ | Contract assets | 87.3 | 80.8 | |
330
+ | Prepaid expenses and other | 344.8 | 402.8 | |
331
+ | Total current assets | 3,678.6 | 2,815.9 | |
332
+ | Fixed assets, net | 453.5 | 443.8 | |
333
+ | Right-of-use assets | 333.7 | 326.1 | |
334
+ Software development costs and licenses, net of current portion 2,244.7 1,892.6
335
+ | Goodwill | 1,065.7 | 1,057.3 | |
336
+ | ---------------------- | ---------- | ------------ | --- |
337
+ | Other intangibles, net | 1,845.8 | 2,336.0 | |
338
+ Long-term restricted cash and cash equivalents 78.6 88.2
339
+ | Other assets | 309.9 | 220.8 | |
340
+ | ------------------------------------ | ----------- | ------------ | --- |
341
+ | Total assets | $ 10,010.5 | $ 9,180.7 | |
342
+ | LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | | |
343
+ | Current liabilities: | | | |
344
+ | Accounts payable | $ 191.3 | $ 194.7 | |
345
+ Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 1,100.2 1,127.6
346
+ | Deferred revenue | 1,292.7 | 1,083.5 | |
347
+ | ----------------------------- | ---------- | ------------ | --- |
348
+ | Lease liabilities | 69.3 | 61.5 | |
349
+ | Short-term debt, net | 582.2 | 1,148.5 | |
350
+ | Total current liabilities | 3,235.7 | 3,615.8 | |
351
+ | Long-term debt, net | 2,487.0 | 2,512.6 | |
352
+ | Non-current deferred revenue | 20.1 | 25.4 | |
353
+ | Non-current lease liabilities | 372.8 | 383.3 | |
354
+ Non-current software development royalties 83.4 93.6
355
+ | Deferred tax liabilities, net | 190.8 | 259.6 | |
356
+ | ----------------------------- | -------- | ---------- | --- |
357
+ | Other long-term liabilities | 125.1 | 152.7 | |
358
+
359
+ | Total liabilities | $ | 6,514.9 $ 7,043.0 | |
360
+ | --------------------- | --- | -------------------- | --- |
361
+ | Stockholders' equity: | | | |
362
+ Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5.0 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2025
363
+ | | | — — | |
364
+ | --- | --- | -------- | --- |
365
+ and March 31, 2025
366
+ Common stock, $0.01 par value, 300.0 and 300.0 shares authorized; 208.8 and 200.8 shares issued and 185.1 and
367
+ | | | 2.1 2.0 | |
368
+ | --- | --- | ------------ | --- |
369
+ 177.1 outstanding at December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively
370
+ | Additional paid-in capital | | 11,847.7 10,312.0 | |
371
+ | -------------------------- | --- | ---------------------- | --- |
372
+ Treasury stock, at cost; 23.7 and 23.7 common shares at December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively (1,020.6 ) (1,020.6 )
373
+ | Accumulated deficit | | (7,297.5 ) (7,058.8 | ) |
374
+ | ------------------------------------ | --- | ---------------------- | --- |
375
+ | Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (36.1 ) (96.9 | ) |
376
+ | Total stockholders' equity | $ | 3,495.6 $ 2,137.7 | |
377
+ Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 10,010.5 $ 9,180.7
378
+
379
+ TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.
380
+ CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
381
+ (in millions)
382
+ | | | | |
383
+ | --------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------ | --- |
384
+ | | Nine Months Ended December 31, | | |
385
+ | | 2025 | 2024 | |
386
+ | Operating activities: | | | |
387
+ | Net loss | $ (238.7 | ) $ (752.7 | ) |
388
+ Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
389
+ Amortization and impairment of software development costs and licenses 282.9 181.2
390
+ | Stock-based compensation | 226.9 | 244.4 | |
391
+ | ------------------------ | -------- | ----------- | --- |
392
+ | Noncash lease expense | 42.3 | 45.1 | |
393
+ Amortization and impairment of intangibles 525.3 563.4
394
+ | Depreciation | 124.1 | 114.2 | |
395
+ | ---------------- | -------- | ----------- | --- |
396
+ | Interest expense | 114.2 | 123.9 | |
397
+
398
+ | Other, net | 25.8 | 25.2 | |
399
+ | ---------- | ------- | ---------- | --- |
400
+ Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect from purchases of businesses:
401
+ | Accounts receivable | (51.8 | ) 2.9 | |
402
+ | ------------------- | -------- | --------- | --- |
403
+ Software development costs and licenses (518.5 ) (568.9 )
404
+ Prepaid expenses and other current and other non-current assets (65.9 ) 30.1
405
+ | Deferred revenue | 201.0 | 25.3 | |
406
+ | ---------------- | -------- | ---------- | --- |
407
+ Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (278.7 ) (358.3 )
408
+ Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 388.9 (324.2 )
409
+ | Investing activities: | | | |
410
+ | ---------------------------------- | --------- | ------------ | --- |
411
+ | Change in bank time deposits | (189.7 | ) 18.7 | |
412
+ | Purchases of fixed assets | (126.0 | ) (115.3 | ) |
413
+ | Divestitures | — | 36.0 | |
414
+ | Purchases of long-term investments | (21.2 | ) (21.4 | ) |
415
+ | Business acquisitions | (2.0 | ) 9.4 | |
416
+ | Asset acquisitions | (19.9 | ) (16.1 | ) |
417
+ Net cash used in investing activities (358.8 ) (88.7 )
418
+ | Financing activities: | | | |
419
+ | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
420
+ Tax payment related to net share settlements on restricted stock awards (2.4 ) —
421
+ | Issuance of common stock | 1,247.0 | 55.0 | |
422
+ | ------------------------ | ---------- | ---------- | --- |
423
+ Payment for settlement of convertible notes — (8.3 )
424
+ | Proceeds from issuance of debt | — | 598.9 | |
425
+ | ------------------------------ | --------- | ----------- | --- |
426
+ | Cost of debt | — | (5.4 | ) |
427
+ | Repayment of debt | (600.0 | ) — | |
428
+ Payment of contingent earn-out consideration — (12.0 )
429
+ Net cash provided by financing activities 644.6 628.2
430
+ Effects of foreign currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash
431
+ | | 17.9 | (8.4 | ) |
432
+ | --- | ------- | ---------- | --- |
433
+ equivalents
434
+
435
+ Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents 692.6 206.9
436
+ Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year (1) 1,559.2 1,102.0
437
+ Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period (1) $ 2,251.8 $ 1,308.9
438
+
439
+ (1) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents shown on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow includes
440
+ amounts in the Cash and cash equivalents, Restricted cash and cash equivalents, and Long-term restricted cash and cash equivalents on our
441
+ Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
442
+
443
+ TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
444
+ Net Revenue and Net Bookings by Geographic Region, Distribution Channel, and Platform Mix
445
+ | (in millions) | | | |
446
+ | ----------------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------ | ----------- |
447
+ | | | | |
448
+ | | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |
449
+ | | | | |
450
+ | | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
451
+ | | Amount % of total | Amount | % of total |
452
+ | Net revenue by geographic region | | | |
453
+ | United States | $ 1,012.2 60 | % $825.7 | 61 % |
454
+ | International | 686.8 40 | % 534.1 | 39 % |
455
+ | Total Net revenue | $ 1,699.0 100 | % $1,359.8 | 100 % |
456
+ | | | | |
457
+ | Net Bookings by geographic region | | | |
458
+ | United States | $ 1,047.0 60 | % $841.8 | 61 % |
459
+ | International | 710.1 40 | % 531.6 | 39 % |
460
+ | Total Net Bookings | $ 1,757.1 100 | % $1,373.4 | 100 % |
461
+ | | | | |
462
+ | | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |
463
+ | | | | |
464
+ | | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
465
+ | | Amount % of total | Amount | % of total |
466
+ | Net revenue by distribution channel | | | |
467
+ | Digital online | $ 1,654.5 97 | % $1,310.7 | 96 % |
468
+
469
+ | Physical retail and other | 44.5 3 | % 49.1 | 4 % |
470
+ | ------------------------------------ | ------------------- | ------------------ | ----------- |
471
+ | Total Net revenue | $ 1,699.0 100 | % $1,359.8 | 100 % |
472
+ | | | | |
473
+ | Net Bookings by distribution channel | | | |
474
+ | Digital online | $ 1,711.7 97 | % $1,324.0 | 96 % |
475
+ | Physical retail and other | 45.4 3 | % 49.4 | 4 % |
476
+ | Total Net Bookings | $ 1,757.1 100 | % $1,373.4 | 100 % |
477
+ | | | | |
478
+ | | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |
479
+ | | | | |
480
+ | | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
481
+ | | Amount % of total | Amount | % of total |
482
+ | Net revenue by platform | | | |
483
+ | Mobile | $ 865.8 51 | % $731.6 | 54 % |
484
+ | Console | 652.1 38 | % 507.9 | 37 % |
485
+ | PC and other | 181.1 11 | % 120.3 | 9 % |
486
+ | Total Net revenue | $ 1,699.0 100 | % $1,359.8 | 100 % |
487
+ | | | | |
488
+ | Net Bookings by platform | | | |
489
+ | Mobile | $ 860.9 49 | % $709.5 | 52 % |
490
+ | Console | 702.6 40 | % 538.0 | 39 % |
491
+ | PC and other | 193.6 11 | % 125.9 | 9 % |
492
+ | Total Net Bookings | $ 1,757.1 100 | % $1,373.4 | 100 % |
493
+
494
+ TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
495
+ Net Revenue and Net Bookings by Geographic Region, Distribution Channel, and Platform Mix
496
+ (in millions)
497
+ | | | | |
498
+ | --- | ----- | --- | --- |
499
+
500
+ | | Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |
501
+ | ------------------------------------ | ------------------- | ----------------- | ----------- |
502
+ | | | | |
503
+ | | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
504
+ | | Amount % of total | Amount | % of total |
505
+ | Net revenue by geographic region | | | |
506
+ | United States | $2,948.7 59 | % $2,460.7 | 61 % |
507
+ | International | 2,027.9 41 | % 1,590.4 | 39 % |
508
+ | Total Net revenue | $4,976.6 100 | % $4,051.1 | 100 % |
509
+ | | | | |
510
+ | Net Bookings by geographic region | | | |
511
+ | United States | $3,072.2 60 | % $2,484.7 | 61 % |
512
+ | International | 2,068.5 40 | % 1,581.8 | 39 % |
513
+ | Total Net Bookings | $5,140.7 100 | % $4,066.5 | 100 % |
514
+ | | | | |
515
+ | | Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |
516
+ | | | | |
517
+ | | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
518
+ | | Amount % of total | Amount | % of total |
519
+ | Net revenue by distribution channel | | | |
520
+ | Digital online | $4,824.2 97 | % $3,906.2 | 96 % |
521
+ | Physical retail and other | 152.4 3 | % 144.9 | 4 % |
522
+ | Total Net revenue | $4,976.6 100 | % $4,051.1 | 100 % |
523
+ | | | | |
524
+ | Net Bookings by distribution channel | | | |
525
+ | Digital online | $4,988.0 97 | % $3,928.5 | 97 % |
526
+ | Physical retail and other | 152.7 3 | % 138.0 | 3 % |
527
+ | Total Net Bookings | $5,140.7 100 | % $4,066.5 | 100 % |
528
+ | | | | |
529
+ | | Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |
530
+ | | | | |
531
+ | | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
532
+
533
+ | | | Amount | % of total | Amount | % of total | | | |
534
+ | ------------------------ | --- | ---------- | ----------- | ------------ | ----------- | --- | --- | --- |
535
+ | Net revenue by platform | | | | | | | | |
536
+ | Mobile | | $2,489.1 | 50 | % $2,194.3 | 54 | % | | |
537
+ | PC and other | | 1,922.7 | 39 | % 1,507.9 | 37 | % | | |
538
+ | Console | | 564.8 | 11 | % 348.9 | 9 | % | | |
539
+ | Total Net revenue | | $4,976.6 | 100 | % $4,051.1 | 100 | % | | |
540
+ | | | | | | | | | |
541
+ | Net Bookings by platform | | | | | | | | |
542
+ | Mobile | | $2,471.8 | 48 | % $2,141.9 | 52 | % | | |
543
+ | PC and other | | 2,084.9 | 41 | % 1,565.7 | 39 | % | | |
544
+ | Console | | 584.0 | 11 | % 358.9 | 9 | % | | |
545
+ | Total Net Bookings | | $5,140.7 | 100.0 | % $4,066.5 | 100 | % | | |
546
+
547
+ TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
548
+ ADDITIONAL DATA
549
+ (in millions)
550
+ | | | | | | | | | |
551
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
552
+ Cost of revenue -
553
+ Three Months Ended Cost of revenue - Cost of revenue - Cost of revenue Cost of revenue -
554
+ | | Net revenue | | | | | | Software development | |
555
+ | --- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --------------------- | --- |
556
+ December 31, 2025 Product costs Game intangibles - Licenses Internal royalties
557
+ costs and royalties
558
+ As reported $ 1,699.0 $ 220.9 $ 160.1 $ 118.3 $ 167.4 $ 86.8
559
+ Net effect from deferred
560
+ | revenue and related cost | 58.0 | 1.5 | | | | | (4.6 | ) |
561
+ | ------------------------- | ---- | -------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
562
+ of revenue
563
+ Stock-based
564
+ | | | | | | | | (3.6 | ) |
565
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
566
+ compensation
567
+ Amortization of acquired
568
+ | | | (0.6 | ) (160.1 | ) | | | | |
569
+ | --- | --- | ------- | ----------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
570
+ intangibles
571
+ | | | | | | | | | |
572
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
573
+ Depreciation
574
+ Three Months Ended Selling and Research and General and Business
575
+ | | | | | and | | | Interest and other, net | |
576
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | --- | --- | ------------------------ | --- |
577
+ December 31, 2025 marketing development administrative reorganization
578
+ amortization
579
+
580
+ As reported $ 433.2 $ 282.7 $ 218.6 $ 49.1 0.6 $ (17.1 )
581
+ Net effect from deferred
582
+ | revenue and related cost | | | | | | (1.6 | ) |
583
+ | ------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
584
+ of revenue
585
+ Stock-based
586
+ | | (24.2 ) | (25.6 | ) (36.9 | ) | | | |
587
+ | --- | ----------- | ----- | ---------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
588
+ compensation
589
+ Amortization of acquired
590
+ | | | (7.2 | ) | (7.9 | ) | | |
591
+ | --- | --- | ------- | ---- | ------- | ---- | --- | --- |
592
+ intangibles
593
+ Acquisition related
594
+ | | | (0.3 | ) (3.7 | ) | | 4.5 | |
595
+ | --- | --- | ------- | --------- | ---- | --- | ------ | --- |
596
+ expenses
597
+ Impact of business
598
+ | | | | | | (0.6 | ) | |
599
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | ---- | --- |
600
+ reorganization
601
+ | Other | | | | | | 0.1 | |
602
+ | ----- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | --- |
603
+ Cost of revenue -
604
+ Three Months Ended Cost of revenue - Cost of revenue Cost of revenue Cost of revenue -
605
+ | | Net revenue | | | | | Software development | |
606
+ | --- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --------------------- | --- |
607
+ December 31, 2024 Product costs -Game intangibles - Licenses Internal royalties
608
+ costs and royalties
609
+ As reported $ 1,359.8 $ 200.2 $ 171.1 $ 88.8 $ 103.1 $ 36.7
610
+ Net effect from deferred
611
+ revenue and related cost 13.7 2.7 0.1 (1.6 )
612
+ of revenue
613
+ Stock-based
614
+ | | | | | | | (2.6 | ) |
615
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
616
+ compensation
617
+ Amortization and
618
+ | impairment of acquired | | (0.8 | ) (171.1 | ) | | | |
619
+ | ---------------------- | --- | ------- | ----------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
620
+ intangibles
621
+ | | | | | | | | |
622
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
623
+ Depreciation
624
+ Three Months Ended Selling and Research and General and Business
625
+ | | | | | and | | Interest and other, net | |
626
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | --- | ------------------------ | --- |
627
+ December 31, 2024 marketing development administrative reorganization
628
+ amortization
629
+ As reported $ 388.9 $ 240.9 $ 189.6 $ 49.5 $ 23.1 $ (20.8 )
630
+ Net effect from deferred
631
+ | revenue and related cost | | | | | | 2.8 | |
632
+ | ------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | --- |
633
+ of revenue
634
+ Stock-based
635
+ | | (22.4 ) | (26.1 | ) (31.8 | ) | | | |
636
+ | --- | ----------- | ----- | ---------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
637
+ compensation
638
+ Amortization and
639
+ | impairment of acquired | (1.0 ) | (7.2 | ) | (9.2 | ) | | |
640
+ | ---------------------- | ---------- | ---- | ---- | ------- | ---- | --- | --- |
641
+ intangibles
642
+ Acquisition related
643
+ | | (0.2 ) | (0.8 | ) 7.8 | | | 2.9 | |
644
+ | --- | ---------- | ---- | -------- | ---- | --- | ------ | --- |
645
+ expenses
646
+
647
+ Impact of business
648
+ | | | | | | (23.1 | ) | |
649
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | -------- | ---- | --- |
650
+ reorganization
651
+ | Other | | | | | | 3.4 | |
652
+ | ----- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | --- |
653
+
654
+ TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
655
+ ADDITIONAL DATA
656
+ | (in millions) | | | | | | | |
657
+ | ------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
658
+ Cost of revenue -
659
+ Nine Months Ended Cost of revenue - Cost of revenue - Cost of revenue Cost of revenue -
660
+ | | Net revenue | | | | | Software development | |
661
+ | --- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --------------------- | --- |
662
+ December 31, 2025 Product costs Game intangibles - Licenses Internal royalties
663
+ costs and royalties
664
+ As reported $ 4,976.6 $ 660.6 $ 477.4 $ 343.6 $ 335.0 $ 289.0
665
+ Net effect from deferred
666
+ revenue and related cost 164.1 (0.6 ) 0.6 1.9
667
+ of revenue
668
+ Stock-based
669
+ | | | | | | | 32.6 | |
670
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
671
+ compensation
672
+ Amortization of acquired
673
+ | | | (2.1 | ) (477.4 | ) | | | |
674
+ | --- | --- | ------- | ----------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
675
+ intangibles
676
+ | | | | | | | | |
677
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
678
+ Depreciation
679
+ Nine Months Ended Selling and Research and General and Business
680
+ | | | | | and | | Interest and other, net | |
681
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | --- | ------------------------ | --- |
682
+ December 31, 2025 marketing development administrative reorganization
683
+ amortization
684
+ As reported $ 1,378.6 $ 812.1 $ 650.6 $ 148.3 $ (3.5 ) $ (70.0 )
685
+ Net effect from deferred
686
+ | revenue and related cost | | | | | | (1.1 | ) |
687
+ | ------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
688
+ of revenue
689
+ Stock-based
690
+ | | (73.8 ) | (71.8 | ) (113.9 | ) | | | |
691
+ | --- | ----------- | ----- | ----------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
692
+ compensation
693
+ Amortization of acquired
694
+ | | | (21.5 | ) | (24.2 | ) | | |
695
+ | --- | --- | -------- | ---- | -------- | ---- | --- | --- |
696
+ intangibles
697
+ Impact of business
698
+ | | | | | | 3.5 | | |
699
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | ---- | --- |
700
+ reorganization
701
+ Acquisition related
702
+ | | | (1.0 | ) (10.6 | ) | | 11.5 | |
703
+ | --- | --- | ------- | ---------- | ---- | --- | ------- | --- |
704
+ expenses
705
+ | Other | | | | | | (1.4 | ) |
706
+ | ----- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
707
+ | | | | | | | | |
708
+
709
+ Cost of revenue -
710
+ Nine Months Ended Cost of revenue - Cost of revenue - Cost of revenue Cost of revenue -
711
+ | | Net revenue | | | | | Software development | |
712
+ | --- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --------------------- | --- |
713
+ December 31, 2024 Product costs Game intangibles - Licenses Internal royalties
714
+ costs and royalties
715
+ As reported $ 4,051.1 $ 616.0 $ 508.0 $ 241.1 $ 249.3 $ 177.8
716
+ Net effect from deferred
717
+ revenue and related cost 15.5 0.3 1.7 (0.5 )
718
+ of revenue
719
+ Stock-based
720
+ | | | | | | | (8.6 | ) |
721
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
722
+ compensation
723
+ Amortization and
724
+ | impairment of acquired | | (2.4 | ) (508.0 | ) | | | |
725
+ | ---------------------- | --- | ------- | ----------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
726
+ intangibles
727
+ | | | | | | | | |
728
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
729
+ Depreciation
730
+ Nine Months Ended Selling and Research and General and Business
731
+ | | | | | and | | Interest and other, net | |
732
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---- | --- | ------------------------ | --- |
733
+ December 31, 2024 marketing development administrative reorganization
734
+ amortization
735
+ As reported $ 1,281.6 $ 707.4 $ 653.1 $ 141.6 $ 89.4 $ (75.2 )
736
+ Net effect from deferred
737
+ | revenue and related cost | | | | | | 2.0 | |
738
+ | ------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------ | --- |
739
+ of revenue
740
+ Stock-based
741
+ | | (68.1 ) | (75.5 | ) (92.2 | ) | | | |
742
+ | --- | ----------- | ----- | ---------- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
743
+ compensation
744
+ Amortization and
745
+ impairment of acquired (4.1 ) (21.5 ) (27.4 )
746
+ intangibles
747
+ Impact of business
748
+ | | | | | | (89.4 | ) | |
749
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | -------- | ---- | --- |
750
+ reorganization
751
+ Acquisition related
752
+ | | (0.3 ) | (1.5 | ) (61.9 | ) | | 8.2 | |
753
+ | --- | ---------- | ---- | ---------- | ---- | --- | ------ | --- |
754
+ expenses
755
+ | Other | | | | | | 13.8 | |
756
+ | ----- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
757
+
758
+ | TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES | | | | | | | |
759
+ | ---------------------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
760
+ RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURE
761
+ | (in millions) | | | | | | | |
762
+ | ------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
763
+ Three Months Ended December 31, Nine Months Ended December 31,
764
+ | | | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | | |
765
+ | -------- | --- | -------- | ------------ | ----------- | ------------ | --- | --- |
766
+ | Net loss | | $ (92.9 | ) $ (125.2 | ) $ (238.7 | ) $ (752.7 | ) | |
767
+
768
+ Provision for (benefit from) for income taxes 37.1 (27.7 ) 53.6 63.3
769
+ | Interest expense | 13.6 | 12.2 | 52.7 | 50.0 | |
770
+ | ---------------- | ------- | ---------- | --------- | ---------- | --- |
771
+ Depreciation and amortization 49.1 49.5 148.3 141.6
772
+ Amortization of acquired intangibles 167.9 180.0 501.0 536.0
773
+ | EBITDA | $ 174.8 | $ 88.8 | $ 516.9 | $ 38.2 | |
774
+ | -------------------------------------- | -------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | --- |
775
+ | Outlook | | | | | |
776
+ | Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2026 | | | | | |
777
+ | Net loss $(369) to $(338) | | | | | |
778
+ | Provision for income taxes $82 to $75 | | | | | |
779
+ | Interest expense $70 | | | | | |
780
+ | Depreciation $166 | | | | | |
781
+ Amortization of acquired intangibles $708
782
+ | EBITDA $657 to $681 | | | | | |
783
+ | -------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
784
+ | Outlook | | | | | |
785
+ | Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 | | | | | |
786
+ | Net loss $(129) to $(99) | | | | | |
787
+ | Provision for income taxes $28 to $21 | | | | | |
788
+ | Interest expense $20 | | | | | |
789
+ | Depreciation $41 | | | | | |
790
+ Amortization of acquired intangibles $178
791
+ | EBITDA $138 to $161 | | | | | |
792
+ | -------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
793
+
794
+ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260203145448/en/
795
+ (Investor Relations)
796
+ Nicole Shevins
797
+ Senior Vice President
798
+ Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
799
+ Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
800
+ (646) 536-3005
801
+ Nicole.Shevins@take2games.com
802
+ (Corporate Press)
803
+ Alan Lewis
804
+
805
+ Head of Global Corporate Communications
806
+ Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
807
+ (646) 536-2983
808
+ Alan.Lewis@take2games.com
809
+ Source: Take-Two Interactive
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1
- 7 Steps to create a winning social
2
- media marketing strategy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
4
- Introduction
5
 
6
- Social media was often seen as the wild child of the marketing
7
 
8
- department—the place where interns started their careers and
 
 
 
 
9
 
10
- brands could say random things with little to no repercussions. But
 
 
 
 
 
11
 
12
- times have changed, and the industry has matured.
13
 
14
- Yes, social media is still a wonderful place for brands to have a little
15
 
16
- fun, but it also has a real and measurable impact on a business’
17
 
18
- bottom line. Thus, social media can no longer live in a silo; it must be
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19
 
20
- work in tandem with the rest of your business strategy.
 
 
21
 
22
- To ensure that your social media marketing campaigns contribute to
 
 
23
 
24
- your brand’s greater business objectives, we’ve put together this
 
 
25
 
26
- guide to coach you through the process. We’ve also incorporated a
 
 
27
 
28
- checklist you can use to make sure you’ve done it all right. Here are
 
 
29
 
30
- your seven steps to success:
31
 
32
- 01 Ensure social goals solve challenges
33
 
34
- 02 Extend efforts throughout your organization
35
 
36
- 03 Focus on networks that add value
37
 
38
- 04 Create engaging content
 
 
39
 
40
- 05 Identify business opportunities through social
41
 
42
- 06 Engage instead of ignore
43
 
44
- 07 Track, improve and market your efforts
45
 
46
- 01
47
 
48
- 01
49
- Ensure social goals
50
- solve challenges
51
 
52
- Goal setting is a staple of all marketing and business strategies. Social media is no
53
 
54
- exception. Of course, with a range of social capabilities, it can be difficult to
55
-
56
- determine exactly what your objectives should be. For guidance, look to the
57
-
58
- challenges before you.
59
-
60
- • Has website traffic dipped?
61
-
62
- • Is customer loyalty low?
63
-
64
- • Do you need to do a better job of building a positive brand reputation?
65
-
66
- • Do you just need to make people aware that your product exists?
67
-
68
- A smart social media marketing campaign can answer each of these questions.
69
-
70
- Prove your team’s worth by tackling them head on. To get you started, we pulled
71
-
72
- together a few common business obstacles and social objectives that can help
73
-
74
- brands overcome them.
75
-
76
- Challenge: Low website traffic
77
-
78
- The world is online. A brand’s website, therefore, is one of its most important
79
-
80
- marketing tools. Low website traffic can mean fewer customers and lower profits.
81
-
82
- To combat this challenge, your social team should focus its goals on creating links
83
-
84
- directly to the website (whether they’re from your own social posts or influencers’).
85
-
86
- Link to useful content, subpages and company images to position your website
87
-
88
- and your brand as a resource rather than just another cog in the corporate wheel.
89
-
90
- This traffic should increase leads and, in the long run, revenues.
91
-
92
- 02
93
-
94
- Challenge: Decreasing customer retention
95
-
96
- According to The Chartered Institute of Marketing, it costs four to ten times more
97
-
98
- to acquire a customer than to retain one. To keep your customers around, use
99
-
100
- social as a tool to support, communicate and engage. A good social relationship
101
-
102
- with your customers should translate into a better perception and offline
103
-
104
- relationship with your brand. By developing a strong social bond, customers will
105
-
106
- be more likely to stick with your brand time and time again.
107
-
108
- Challenge: Poor customer service
109
-
110
- People turn to social to engage with businesses. Therefore, it is important for your
111
-
112
- brand to be ready to help customers on any channel they can contact you
113
-
114
- through. Arm your social media team with the materials, education and authority
115
-
116
- to respond to customer questions and issues. When you do so, you’ll be equipped
117
-
118
- to respond to your customers in a timely and accurate way, regardless of how they
119
-
120
- reach out to you.
121
-
122
- Challenge: Weak brand awareness
123
-
124
- Social allows you to reach a broad audience. But honing and perfecting that
125
-
126
- message takes brain power and time. To create authentic and lasting brand
127
-
128
- awareness, avoid a slew of promotional messages; instead, focus on creating
129
-
130
- meaningful content and a strong brand personality through your social channels.
131
-
132
- Determine relevant hashtags and industry influencers you can engage with, and
133
-
134
- tap into those resources to extend your brand’s overall awareness.
135
-
136
- What are your social media goals?
137
-
138
- (cid:31) Increase brand awareness
139
-
140
- (cid:31) Drive website traffic
141
-
142
- (cid:31) Improve customer
143
- service and retention
144
-
145
- (cid:31) Gather quality leads
146
-
147
- (cid:31) Source job candidates
148
-
149
- 03
150
-
151
- 02
152
- Extend efforts throughout
153
- your organization
154
-
155
- Social has long lived within the marketing department, but that doesn’t mean it
156
-
157
- can’t (and shouldn’t) have a hand in nearly every business function, from human
158
-
159
- resources to research and development. To create a fully integrated social media
160
-
161
- marketing campaign, you’ll need to involve and integrate multiple departments,
162
-
163
- especially if your goals have a direct impact on them. Work with all your teams to
164
-
165
- determine how you can best support their goals and what key performance
166
-
167
- indicators are important to them (we’ve outlined some ideas on both below).
168
-
169
- Sales
170
-
171
- Social selling is a term that has grown in popularity since the rise of social
172
-
173
- marketing. By searching for sales opportunities and then engaging in a helpful
174
-
175
- and authentic manner, social media can be a great way to prime the sales funnel
176
-
177
- and find new leads.
178
-
179
- 04
180
-
181
- Customer service
182
-
183
- Social media is quickly becoming one of the most important channels through
184
-
185
- which companies interact with their current customers. Social is an easy and very
186
-
187
- public way for customers to air their grievances with your brand. If you aren’t
188
-
189
- responding, it can hurt your reputation and customer relationship.
190
-
191
- Building great relationships on social is about more than responding to
192
-
193
- complaints. For example, Seamless does a wonderful job of Retweeting positive
194
-
195
- posts from satisfied customers and regularly engaging with all kinds of mentions.
196
-
197
- Human resources
198
-
199
- While the HR team probably spends a good amount of its time on social media
200
-
201
- looking through the profiles of applicants, it can also use social as a way to
202
-
203
- increase overall application numbers. Showcase job postings on social media and
204
-
205
- encourage your employees to share them to their networks as well. Beyond just
206
-
207
- 05
208
-
209
- job postings, social is a useful tool in showcasing your company culture to the
210
-
211
- world. Highlight some behind-the-scenes images of what it is like to work for your
212
-
213
- company so you can improve the perception of your brand among candidates.
214
-
215
- Research and Development
216
-
217
- Your brand’s social audience represents a group that is highly engaged, invested
218
-
219
- and interested in your product or service. Why not leverage that to serve as an
220
-
221
- online focus group for your company? Asking for and listening to customer
222
-
223
- feedback on social media is a nimble and easy way to get instant feedback.
224
-
225
- Additionally, social media can help expose gaps in a product or service.
226
-
227
- Marketing
228
-
229
- The marketing department, specifically advertising and PR, traditionally has a
230
-
231
- strong role in the social media strategy. But there are always new ways to ensure
232
-
233
- people are aware of and excited about your brand through social. Whether you’re
234
-
235
- debuting a product, ad campaign or initiative, ensure that social has a strong hand
236
-
237
- in spreading the word.
238
-
239
- Customer service
240
-
241
- Social media is quickly becoming one of the most important channels through
242
-
243
- which companies interact with their current customers. Social is an easy and very
244
-
245
- public way for customers to air their grievances with your brand. If you aren’t
246
-
247
- responding, it can hurt your reputation and customer relationship.
248
-
249
- Building great relationships on social is about more than responding to
250
-
251
- complaints. For example, Seamless does a wonderful job of Retweeting positive
252
-
253
- posts from satisfied customers and regularly engaging with all kinds of mentions.
254
-
255
- Human resources
256
-
257
- While the HR team probably spends a good amount of its time on social media
258
-
259
- looking through the profiles of applicants, it can also use social as a way to
260
-
261
- increase overall application numbers. Showcase job postings on social media and
262
-
263
- encourage your employees to share them to their networks as well. Beyond just
264
-
265
- job postings, social is a useful tool in showcasing your company culture to the
266
-
267
- world. Highlight some behind-the-scenes images of what it is like to work for your
268
-
269
- company so you can improve the perception of your brand among candidates.
270
-
271
- Research and Development
272
-
273
- Your brand’s social audience represents a group that is highly engaged, invested
274
-
275
- and interested in your product or service. Why not leverage that to serve as an
276
-
277
- online focus group for your company? Asking for and listening to customer
278
-
279
- feedback on social media is a nimble and easy way to get instant feedback.
280
-
281
- Additionally, social media can help expose gaps in a product or service.
282
-
283
- Marketing
284
-
285
- The marketing department, specifically advertising and PR, traditionally has a
286
-
287
- strong role in the social media strategy. But there are always new ways to ensure
288
-
289
- people are aware of and excited about your brand through social. Whether you’re
290
-
291
- debuting a product, ad campaign or initiative, ensure that social has a strong hand
292
-
293
- in spreading the word.
294
-
295
- What teams are active on social?
296
-
297
- (cid:31) Sales
298
-
299
- (cid:31) Marketing
300
-
301
- (cid:31) Advertising
302
-
303
- (cid:31) Public relations
304
-
305
- (cid:31) Customer service
306
-
307
- (cid:31) Human resources
308
-
309
- (cid:31) Research and
310
- development
311
-
312
- 06
313
-
314
- 03
315
- Focus on networks
316
- that add value
317
-
318
- Just because a network has billions of users doesn’t mean it will have a direct
319
-
320
- contribution to your brand’s objectives. Instead of trying to be everything to
321
-
322
- everybody, focus your efforts on networks that hold the key to your target
323
-
324
- audience and objectives.
325
-
326
- Each network has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each social media
327
-
328
- marketer should carefully pick and choose which networks they want to take
329
-
330
- advantage of. Here are some of the most popular networks as well as what they’re
331
-
332
- best at.
333
-
334
- Facebook
335
-
336
- With an audience of 2.32 billion monthly active users, Facebook offers an
337
-
338
- opportunity to reach a broad range of customers and potential customers. The
339
-
340
- chart below breaks down Facebook’s demographic representation—your target
341
-
342
- audience is most likely represented in some way.
343
-
344
- 07
345
-
346
- But how can Facebook contribute to your overall goals? Because Facebook’s
347
-
348
- News Feed is a very visible place for social posts, it’s one of the best places for
349
-
350
- you to distribute your content in order to increase brand awareness, drive website
351
-
352
- traffic and distinguish yourself as a thought leader. This strategy is even more
353
-
354
- effective when you take advantage of Facebook’s targeting capabilities that allow
355
-
356
- you to tailor your messages to users with certain interests.
357
-
358
- Twitter
359
-
360
- Where Facebook has the volume of users, Twitter has the volume of messages. In
361
-
362
- fact, there are over 500 million Tweets sent every day. With all those social
363
-
364
- messages, there is a great chance that someone is either mentioning your
365
-
366
- company or starting a conversation that you would be interested in joining.
367
-
368
- That’s why Twitter is best to use as a customer service and business development
369
-
370
- channel. Monitor the network for inbound messages from dissatisfied customers,
371
-
372
- and quickly turn them into happy interactions. At the same time, look for
373
-
374
- prospective customers.
375
-
376
- LinkedIn
377
-
378
- LinkedIn has a robust network of over 500 million users, most of whom frequent
379
-
380
- the site with a “working” mindset. The advantage with this is that LinkedIn is an
381
-
382
- amazing network for B2B social media marketers. Whereas sites like Twitter and
383
-
384
- Facebook catch users more or less on their personal time, LinkedIn gives you
385
-
386
- access to customers when they’re at their professional best. Use this to build
387
-
388
- relationships with future customers.
389
-
390
- Which networks align with your business strategy?
391
-
392
- (cid:31) Facebook
393
-
394
- (cid:31) Twitter
395
-
396
- (cid:31) Instagram
397
-
398
- (cid:31) LinkedIn
399
-
400
- (cid:31) Pinterest
401
-
402
- (cid:31) YouTube
403
-
404
- (cid:31) Snapchat
405
-
406
- 08
407
-
408
- 04
409
- Create engaging content
410
-
411
- Once you’ve involved the right stakeholders, department and networks, it’s time to
412
-
413
- start building engaging content for your social channels. This content—whether a
414
-
415
- video, tip sheet or simple Tweet—should all ladder up into your business
416
-
417
- objectives.
418
-
419
- Videos
420
- • How-to videos can be a proactive approach to social customer care—answer
421
-
422
- your customers’ questions before they’re asked.
423
-
424
- • Behind-the-scenes videos give your audience a sense of your company culture
425
-
426
- and brand personality.
427
-
428
- Guides
429
- • Position your organization as a thought leader and elevate your brand by
430
-
431
- developing engaging content that speaks to your customers.
432
-
433
- • Guides should cater to your target audience, ensuring you’re adding value.
434
-
435
- 09
436
-
437
- Infographics
438
- • Internal or external data can be turned into a beautiful, insightful infographic.
439
-
440
- • When done right, infographics can be some of the most socially shared pieces
441
-
442
- of content, so make them engaging and resourceful.
443
 
444
- What content can you create with full force
445
- and frequency?
446
 
447
- (cid:31) Videos
 
 
448
 
449
- (cid:31) Photos
 
 
 
450
 
451
- (cid:31) Ebooks
 
 
452
 
453
- (cid:31) Webinars
 
 
454
 
455
- (cid:31) White papers
 
 
456
 
457
- (cid:31) Blog posts
458
 
459
- (cid:31) Case studies
460
 
461
- (cid:31) Infographics
462
 
463
- 10
 
 
464
 
465
- 05
466
- Identify business opportunities
467
- through social
468
 
469
- With millions of messages being sent across social channels every day, there is
 
 
470
 
471
- undoubtedly conversation happening around your brand. Social media listening,
472
 
473
- therefore, should be an essential part of your social media marketing strategy.
474
 
475
- Industry trends and competitor insights
 
 
476
 
477
- Go beyond simple keyword searches to stay on top of what audiences in your
478
 
479
- segment are asking for. You can get ahead of competitors by noticing emerging
480
 
481
- trends in your area, and meet customers’ needs perfectly by developing features
 
 
482
 
483
- and products that people are overwhelmingly requesting.
 
 
484
 
485
- For example, listening can uncover how much of Hulu's audience of streaming TV
 
 
 
486
 
487
- viewers is starting to expect a download option.
 
 
488
 
489
  11
490
 
491
- Social sentiment
 
 
 
 
 
492
 
493
- Don’t wait for complaints to start pouring in directly to your support accounts to
494
 
495
- find out you have a problem. Sentiment analysis lets you know how positively or
496
 
497
- negatively audiences are discussing topics related to your brand, helping you
498
 
499
- uncover trends before they become a problem.
500
 
501
- Sentiment impacts more than just customer care—you can use positive sentiment
 
502
 
503
- to find out how well your campaigns are hitting the mark, or find out what’s going
 
504
 
505
- right by learning what your customers appreciate most about your brand.
 
 
506
 
507
- Identify business opportunities
 
 
 
508
 
509
- through social
 
510
 
511
- With millions of messages being sent across social channels every day, there is
512
 
513
- undoubtedly conversation happening around your brand. Social media listening,
514
 
515
- therefore, should be an essential part of your social media marketing strategy.
516
 
517
- Industry trends and competitor insights
 
 
518
 
519
- Go beyond simple keyword searches to stay on top of what audiences in your
 
 
520
 
521
- segment are asking for. You can get ahead of competitors by noticing emerging
 
 
522
 
523
- trends in your area, and meet customers’ needs perfectly by developing features
 
 
524
 
525
- and products that people are overwhelmingly requesting.
 
 
526
 
527
- For example, listening can uncover how much of Hulu's audience of streaming TV
528
 
529
- viewers is starting to expect a download option.
530
 
531
- Social sentiment
 
 
532
 
533
- Don’t wait for complaints to start pouring in directly to your support accounts to
534
 
535
- find out you have a problem. Sentiment analysis lets you know how positively or
536
 
537
- negatively audiences are discussing topics related to your brand, helping you
 
 
 
538
 
539
- uncover trends before they become a problem.
540
 
541
- Sentiment impacts more than just customer care—you can use positive sentiment
542
 
543
- to find out how well your campaigns are hitting the mark, or find out what’s going
 
 
544
 
545
- right by learning what your customers appreciate most about your brand.
 
 
546
 
547
- What can your brand track with social listening?
548
 
549
- (cid:31) Industry trends
550
 
551
- (cid:31) Product research
552
 
553
- (cid:31) Competitive analysis
554
 
555
- (cid:31) Customer experience
556
 
557
- (cid:31) Brand intelligence
558
 
559
- (cid:31) Campaign success
560
 
561
- 12
562
 
563
- 06
564
- Engage instead of ignore
565
 
566
- We can’t say it enough: Whether someone is commenting on a post you’ve made,
567
 
568
- writing on your wall or mentioning you on Twitter, it’s important to always stay
569
 
570
- engaged. If customers are consistently ignored, they’ll eventually ditch your brand
571
 
572
- all together and look for an alternative.
573
 
574
- Don’t ignore negative feedback about your brand on social. Staying engaged with
575
 
576
- these customers, as well as responding with openness and transparency, can win
577
 
578
- back frustrated audiences.
579
 
580
- Slack turned a service outage into a positive for the customer, who ended up
581
 
582
- praising their social team and Liking their responses.
583
 
584
- How are you responding to your followers?
585
 
586
- (cid:31) Dedicated social team
587
 
588
- (cid:31) Shared social responsibility across departments
589
 
590
- (cid:31) Social tools with built-in customer relationship management capabilities
591
 
592
- 13
593
- 13
594
 
595
- 07
596
- Track, improve and market
597
- your efforts
598
 
599
- You won’t be able to really begin analyzing and improving your efforts until you’ve
600
 
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- successfully got steps 1–6 operational. This final step is actually a step back,
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- letting you figure out what’s working and what’s not.
604
 
605
- Use a tool to track success
606
 
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- Sprout was created with social media marketing in mind. Sprout offers a full suite
608
 
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- of social media analytics, which help you pinpoint exactly which of your messages
610
 
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- perform best. You also can use tools like Google Analytics, which integrates with
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- Sprout, to see which of your posts are driving traffic, conversions and overall
614
 
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- revenue.
616
 
617
- 14
 
618
 
619
- Build on success
 
 
 
620
 
621
- Once you have a good understanding of which content is driving the most
622
 
623
- engagement, site visits and conversions, you can use that knowledge to increase
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- your success. Write content and social media posts that are similar to the ones
 
 
626
 
627
- that have worked in the past. This is an ongoing process that will help you hone
628
 
629
- your unique social voice.
 
 
 
 
630
 
631
- Share your success
632
 
633
- The last step is to let the company know about the successes you’re
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
634
 
635
- finding—especially those who have a stake in the strategy. This allows you to
636
 
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- prove the worth of social media and showcase its broader implications across
638
 
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- your entire enterprise.
640
 
641
- Plus, it doesn’t hurt to show off how hard you’ve been working.
642
 
643
- Are your efforts metrics driven?
 
 
 
644
 
645
- (cid:26) Analysis: Assess which posts were successful and which were
646
- not—and why.
647
 
648
- (cid:26) Reporting: Showcase your results with streamlined, visual
649
- presentations.
650
 
651
- (cid:26) Improvement: Optimize what works and scrap what doesn’t.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
652
 
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- Get your team set up at sproutsocial.com.
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+ ]
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+ :
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+ X
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+ r
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+ a
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+
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+ Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
41
+
42
+ TABFACT: A LARGE-SCALE DATASET FOR TABLE-
43
+ BASED FACT VERIFICATION
44
+
45
+ Wenhu Chen, Hongmin Wang, Jianshu Chen, Yunkai Zhang, Hong Wang,
46
+ Shiyang Li, Xiyou Zhou, William Yang Wang
47
+ University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
48
+ Tencent AI Lab, Bellevue, WA, USA
49
+ {wenhuchen,hongmin wang,yunkai zhang,hongwang600,william}@ucsb.edu
50
+ {shiyangli,xiyou}@cs.ucsb.edu jianshuchen@tencent.com
51
+
52
+ ABSTRACT
53
+
54
+ The problem of verifying whether a textual hypothesis holds based on the given
55
+ evidence, also known as fact verification, plays an important role in the study of
56
+ natural language understanding and semantic representation. However, existing
57
+ studies are mainly restricted to dealing with unstructured evidence (e.g., natu-
58
+ ral language sentences and documents, news, etc), while verification under struc-
59
+ tured evidence, such as tables, graphs, and databases, remains under-explored.
60
+ This paper specifically aims to study the fact verification given semi-structured
61
+ data as evidence. To this end, we construct a large-scale dataset called TabFact
62
+ with 16k Wikipedia tables as the evidence for 118k human-annotated natural lan-
63
+ guage statements, which are labeled as either ENTAILED or REFUTED. TabFact
64
+ is challenging since it involves both soft linguistic reasoning and hard symbolic
65
+ reasoning. To address these reasoning challenges, we design two different mod-
66
+ els: Table-BERT and Latent Program Algorithm (LPA). Table-BERT leverages
67
+ the state-of-the-art pre-trained language model to encode the linearized tables
68
+ and statements into continuous vectors for verification. LPA parses statements
69
+ into programs and executes them against the tables to obtain the returned binary
70
+ value for verification. Both methods achieve similar accuracy but still lag far be-
71
+ hind human performance. We also perform a comprehensive analysis to demon-
72
+ strate great future opportunities. The data and code of the dataset are provided in
73
+ https://github.com/wenhuchen/Table-Fact-Checking.
74
+
75
+ 1
76
+
77
+ INTRODUCTION
78
+
79
+ Verifying whether a textual hypothesis is entailed or refuted by the given evidence is a fundamental
80
+ problem in natural language understanding (Katz & Fodor, 1963; Van Benthem et al., 2008). It
81
+ can benefit many downstream applications like misinformation detection, fake news detection, etc.
82
+ Recently, the first-ever end-to-end fact-checking system has been designed and proposed in Hassan
83
+ et al. (2017). The verification problem has been extensively studied under different natural language
84
+ tasks such as recognizing textual entailment (RTE) (Dagan et al., 2005), natural language inference
85
+ (NLI) (Bowman et al., 2015), claim verification (Popat et al., 2017; Hanselowski et al., 2018; Thorne
86
+ et al., 2018) and multimodal language reasoning (NLVR/NLVR2) (Suhr et al., 2017; 2019). RTE
87
+ and NLI view a premise sentence as the evidence, claim verification views passage collection like
88
+ Wikipedia1 as the evidence, NLVR/NLVR2 views images as the evidence. These problems have
89
+ been previously addressed using a variety of techniques including logic rules, knowledge bases, and
90
+ neural networks. Recently large-scale pre-trained language models (Devlin et al., 2019; Peters et al.,
91
+ 2018; Yang et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2019) have surged to dominate the other algorithms to approach
92
+ human performance on several textual entailment tasks (Wang et al., 2018; 2019).
93
+
94
+ However, existing studies are restricted to dealing with unstructured text as the evidence, which
95
+ would not generalize to the cases where the evidence has a highly structured format. Since such
96
+ structured evidence (graphs, tables, or databases) are also ubiquitous in real-world applications like
97
+
98
+ 1https://www.wikipedia.org/
99
+
100
+ 1
101
+
102
+ Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
103
+
104
+ Figure 1: Examples from the TABFACT dataset. The top table contains the semi-structured knowl-
105
+ edge facts with caption ”United...”. The left and right boxes below provide several entailed and
106
+ refuted statements. The error parts are highlighted with red font.
107
+
108
+ database systems, dialog systems, commercial management systems, social networks, etc, we argue
109
+ that the fact verification under structured evidence forms is an equivalently important yet under-
110
+ explored problem. Therefore, in this paper, we are specifically interested in studying fact verification
111
+ with semi-structured Wikipedia tables (Bhagavatula et al., 2013)2 as evidence owing to its structured
112
+ and ubiquitous nature (Jauhar et al., 2016; Zhong et al., 2017; Pasupat & Liang, 2015). To this end,
113
+ we introduce a large-scale dataset called TABFACT, which consists of 118K manually annotated
114
+ statements with regard to 16K Wikipedia tables, their relations are classified as ENTAILED and
115
+ REFUTED3. The entailed and refuted statements are both annotated by human workers. With some
116
+ examples in Figure 1, we can clearly observe that unlike the previous verification related problems,
117
+ TABFACT combines two different forms of reasoning in the statements, (i) Linguistic Reasoning:
118
+ the verification requires semantic-level understanding. For example, “John J. Mcfall failed to be
119
+ re-elected though being unopposed.” requires understanding over the phrase “lost renomination ...”
120
+ in the table to correctly classify the entailment relation. Unlike the existing QA datasets (Zhong
121
+ et al., 2017; Pasupat & Liang, 2015), where the linguistic reasoning is dominated by paraphrasing,
122
+ TABFACT requires more linguistic inference or common sense. (ii) Symbolic Reasoning: the verifi-
123
+ cation requires symbolic execution on the table structure. For example, the phrase “There are three
124
+ Democrats incumbents” requires both condition operation (where condition) and arithmetic oper-
125
+ ation (count). Unlike question answering, a statement could contain compound facts, all of these
126
+ facts need to be verified to predict the verdict. For example, the ”There are ...” in Figure 1 requires
127
+ verifying three QA pairs (total count=5, democratic count=2, republic count=3). The two forms of
128
+ reasoning are interleaved across the statements making it challenging for existing models.
129
+
130
+ In this paper, we particularly propose two approaches to deal with such mixed-reasoning challenge:
131
+ (i) Table-BERT, this model views the verification task completely as an NLI problem by linearizing a
132
+ table as a premise sentence p, and applies state-of-the-art language understanding pre-trained model
133
+ to encode both the table and statements h into distributed representation for classification. This
134
+ model excels at linguistic reasoning like paraphrasing and inference but lacks symbolic reasoning
135
+ skills. (ii) Latent Program Algorithm, this model applies lexical matching to find linked entities and
136
+ triggers to filter pre-defined APIs (e.g. argmax, argmin, count, etc). We adopt bread-first-search
137
+ with memorization to construct the potential program candidates, a discriminator is further utilized
138
+ to select the most “consistent” latent programs. This model excels at the symbolic reasoning aspects
139
+ by executing database queries, which also provides better interpretability by laying out the decision
140
+ rationale. We perform extensive experiments to investigate their performances: the best-achieved
141
+ accuracy of both models are reasonable, but far below human performance. Thus, we believe that
142
+ the proposed table-based fact verification task can serve as an important new benchmark towards the
143
+ goal of building powerful AI that can reason over both soft linguistic form and hard symbolic forms.
144
+ To facilitate future research, we released all the data, code with the intermediate results.
145
+
146
+ 2In contrast to the database tables, where each column has strong type constraint, the cell records in our
147
+
148
+ semi-structured tables can be string/data/integer/floating/phrase/sentences.
149
+
150
+ 3we leave out NEUTRAL due to its low inter-worker agreement, which is easily confused with REFUTED.
151
+
152
+ 2
153
+
154
+ DistrictIncumbentPartyResultCandidatesCalifornia 3John E. Mossdemocraticre-electedJohn E. Moss (d) 69.9% John Rakus(r) 30.1%California 5Phillip Burtondemocraticre-electedPhillip Burton (d) 81.8% EdloE. Powell (r) 18.2%California 8George Paul Millerdemocraticlost renominationdemocratic holdPeteStark(d) 52.9% Lew M. Warden, Jr. (r) 47.1%California 14Jerome R. Waldierepublicanre-electedJeromeR. Waldie(d) 77.6% FloydE. Sims(r) 22.4%California 15John J. Mcfallrepublicanre-electedJohn J. Mcfall(d) unopposed1.John E. Moss and Phillip Burton are both re-elected in the house of representative election.2.John J. Mcfallis unopposed during the re-election.3.There are three different incumbents from democratic.1.John E. Moss and George Paul Miller are both re-electedin the house of representative election.2.John J. Mcfallfailed to be re-elected though being unopposed.3.There are five candidates in total, two of them are democrats and three of them are republicans.United States House of Representatives Elections, 1972Entailed StatementRefuted Statement Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
155
+
156
+ 2 TABLE FACT VERIFICATION DATASET
157
+
158
+ First, we follow the previous Table-based Q&A datasets (Pasupat & Liang, 2015; Zhong et al., 2017)
159
+ to extract web tables (Bhagavatula et al., 2013) with captions from WikiTables4. Here we filter out
160
+ overly complicated and huge tables (e.g. multirows, multicolumns, latex symbol) and obtain 18K
161
+ relatively clean tables with less than 50 rows and 10 columns.
162
+
163
+ For crowd-sourcing jobs, we follow the human subject research protocols5 to pay Amazon Mechani-
164
+ cal Turk6 workers from the native English-speaking countries “US, GB, NZ, CA, AU” with approval
165
+ rates higher than 95% and more than 500 accepted HITs. Following WikiTableQuestion (Pasupat &
166
+ Liang, 2015), we provide the annotators with the corresponding table captions to help them better
167
+ understand the background. To ensure the annotation quality, we develop a pipeline of “positive
168
+ two-channel annotation” → ���negative statement rewriting” → “verification”, as described below.
169
+
170
+ 2.1 POSITIVE TWO-CHANNEL COLLECTION & NEGATIVE REWRITING STRATEGY
171
+
172
+ To harvest statements of different difficulty levels, we design a two-channel collection process:
173
+ Low-Reward Simple Channel: the workers are paid 0.45 USD for annotating one Human Intel-
174
+ ligent Task (HIT) that requires writing five statements. The workers are encouraged to produce
175
+ plain statements meeting the requirements: (i) corresponding to a single row/record in the table with
176
+ unary fact without involving compound logical inference. (ii) mention the cell values without dra-
177
+ matic modification or paraphrasing. The average annotation time of a HIT is 4.2 min.
178
+ High-Reward Complex Channel: the workers are paid 0.75 USD for annotating a HIT (five state-
179
+ ments). They are guided to produce more sophisticated statements to meet the requirements: (i)
180
+ involving multiple rows in the tables with higher-order semantics like argmax, argmin, count, differ-
181
+ ence, average, summarize, etc. (ii) rephrase the table records to involve more semantic understand-
182
+ ing. The average annotation time of a HIT is 6.8 min. The data obtained from the complex channel
183
+ are harder in terms of both linguistic and symbolic reasoning, the goal of the two-channel split is to
184
+ help us understand the proposed models can reach under different levels of difficulty.
185
+
186
+ As suggested in (Zellers et al., 2018), there might be annotation artifacts and conditional stylistic
187
+ patterns such as length and word-preference biases, which can allow shallow models (e.g. bag-of-
188
+ words) to obtain artificially high performance. Therefore, we design a negative rewriting strategy to
189
+ minimize such linguistic cues or patterns. Instead of letting the annotators write negative statements
190
+ from scratch, we let them rewrite the collected entailed statements. During the annotation, the
191
+ workers are explicitly guided to modify the words, phrases or sentence structures but retain the
192
+ sentence style/length to prevent artificial cues. We disallow naive negations by adding “not, never,
193
+ etc” to revert the statement polarity in case of obvious linguistic patterns.
194
+
195
+ 2.2 QUALITY CONTROL
196
+
197
+ To control the quality of the annotation process, we review a randomly sampled statement from each
198
+ HIT to decide whether the whole annotation job should be rejected during the annotation process.
199
+ Specifically, a HIT must satisfy the following criteria to be accepted: (i) the statements should
200
+ contain neither typos nor grammatical errors. (ii) the statements do not contain vague claims like
201
+ might, few, etc. (iii) the claims should be explicitly supported or contradicted by the table without
202
+ requiring the additional knowledge, no middle ground is permitted. After the data collection, we
203
+ re-distribute all the annotated samples to further filter erroneous statements, the workers are paid
204
+ 0.05 USD per statement to decide whether the statement should be rejected. The criteria we apply
205
+ are similar: no ambiguity, no typos, explicitly supported or contradictory. Through the post-filtering
206
+ process, roughly 18% entailed and 27% refuted instances are further abandoned due to poor quality.
207
+
208
+ 4http://websail-fe.cs.northwestern.edu/wikiTables/about/
209
+ 5https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_wage_in_the_United_States
210
+ 6https://www.mturk.com/
211
+
212
+ 3
213
+
214
+ Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
215
+
216
+ Figure 2: Proportion of different higher-order operations from the simple/complex channels.
217
+
218
+ Channel
219
+
220
+ #Sentence
221
+
222
+ #Table
223
+
224
+ Len(Ent)
225
+
226
+ Len(Ref)
227
+
228
+ Split
229
+
230
+ #Sentence
231
+
232
+ Table
233
+
234
+ Row Col
235
+
236
+ Simple
237
+ Complex
238
+ Total
239
+
240
+ 50,244
241
+ 68,031
242
+ 118,275
243
+
244
+ 9,189
245
+ 7,392
246
+ 16,573
247
+
248
+ 13.2
249
+ 14.2
250
+ 13.8
251
+
252
+ 13.1
253
+ 14.2
254
+ 13.8
255
+
256
+ Train
257
+ Val
258
+ Test
259
+
260
+ 92,283
261
+ 12,792
262
+ 12,779
263
+
264
+ 13,182
265
+ 1,696
266
+ 1,695
267
+
268
+ 14.1
269
+ 14.0
270
+ 14.2
271
+
272
+ 5.5
273
+ 5.4
274
+ 5.4
275
+
276
+ Table 1: Basic statistics of the data collected from the simple/complex channel and the division of
277
+ Train/Val/Test Split in the dataset, where “Len” denotes the averaged sentence length.
278
+
279
+ 2.3 DATASET STATISTICS
280
+
281
+ Inter-Annotator Agreement: After the data collection pipeline, we merged the instances from two
282
+ different channels to obtain a diverse yet clean dataset for table-based fact verification. We sample
283
+ 1000 annotated (table, statement) pairs and re-distribute each to 5 individual workers to re-label them
284
+ as either ENTAILED or REFUTED. We follow the previous works (Thorne et al., 2018; Bowman
285
+ et al., 2015) to adopt the Fleiss Kappa (Fleiss, 1971) as an indicator, where Fleiss κ = ¯pc− ¯pe
286
+ is
287
+ 1− ¯pe
288
+ computed from from the observed agreement ¯pc and the agreement by chance ¯pe. We obtain a Fleiss
289
+ κ = 0.75, which indicates strong inter-annotator agreement and good-quality.
290
+
291
+ Dataset Statistics: As shown in Table 1, the amount of data harvested via the complex channel
292
+ slightly outnumbers the simple channel, the averaged length of both the positive and negative sam-
293
+ ples are indistinguishable. More specifically, to analyze to which extent the higher-order operations
294
+ are included in two channels, we group the common higher-order operations into 8 different cate-
295
+ gories. As shown in Figure 2, we sample 200 sentences from two different channels to visualize
296
+ their distribution. We can see that the complex channel overwhelms the simple channel in terms
297
+ of the higher-order logic, among which, count and superlatives are the most frequent. We split
298
+ the whole data roughly with 8:1:1 into train, validation7, and test splits and shows their statistics
299
+ in Table 1. Each table with an average of 14 rows and 5-6 columns corresponds to 2-20 different
300
+ statements, while each cell has an average of 2.1 words. In the training split, the positive instances
301
+ slightly outnumber the negative instances, while the validation and test split both have rather bal-
302
+ anced distributions over positive and negative instances.
303
+
304
+ 3 MODELS
305
+
306
+ With the collected dataset, we now formally define the table-based fact verification task: the dataset
307
+ is comprised of triple instances (T, S, L) consisting of a table T, a natural language statement
308
+ S = s1, · · · , sn and a verification label L ∈ {0, 1}. The table T = {Ti,j|i ≤ RT , j ≤ CT } has
309
+ RT rows and CT columns with the Tij being the content in the (i, j)-th cell. Tij could be a word,
310
+ a number, a phrase, or even a natural language sentence. The statement S describes a fact to be
311
+ verified against the content in the table T. If it is entailed by T, then L = 1, otherwise the label
312
+ L = 0. Figure 1 shows some entailed and refuted examples. During training, the model and the
313
+ learning algorithm are presented with K instances like (T, S, L)K
314
+ k=1 from the training split. In the
315
+ testing stage, the model is presented with (T, S)K(cid:48)
316
+ k=1 and supposed to predict the label as ˆL. We
317
+ I( ˆLk = Lk) on the test set.
318
+ measure the performance by the prediction accuracy Acc = 1
319
+ K(cid:48)
320
+ Before building the model, we first perform entity linking to detect all the entities in the statements.
321
+ Briefly, we first lemmatize the words and search for the longest sub-string matching pairs between
322
+ statements and table cells/captions, where the matched phrases are denoted as the linked entities. To
323
+ focus on statement verification against the table, we do not feed the caption to the model and simply
324
+
325
+ (cid:80)K(cid:48)
326
+ 1
327
+
328
+ 7We filter roughly 400 sentences from abnormal tables including hyperlinks, math symbols, etc
329
+
330
+ 4
331
+
332
+ 02040AGGREGATIONNEGATESUPERLATIVECOUNTCOMPATIVEORDINALUNIQUEALLPercentProportion of different Higher-order OperationsSimpleComplexOverall Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
333
+
334
+ mask the phrases in the statements which link to the caption with placeholders. The details of the
335
+ entity linker are listed in the Appendix. We describe our two proposed models as follows.
336
+
337
+ 3.1 LATENT PROGRAM ALGORITHM (LPA)
338
+
339
+ In this approach, we formulate the table fact verification as a program synthesis problem, where the
340
+ latent program algorithm is not given in TABFACT. Thus, it can be seen as a weakly supervised
341
+ learning problem as discussed in Liang et al. (2017); Lao et al. (2011). Under such a setting, we
342
+ propose to break down the verification into two stages: (i) latent program search, (ii) discriminator
343
+ ranking. In the first program synthesis step, we aim to parse the statement into programs to represent
344
+ its semantics. We define the plausible API set to include roughly 50 different functions like min, max,
345
+ count, average, filter, and and realize their interpreter with Python-Pandas. Each API is defined to
346
+ take arguments of specific types (number, string, bool, and view (e.g sub-table)) to output specific-
347
+ type variables. During the program execution, we store the generated intermediate variables to
348
+ different-typed caches N , R, B, V (Num, Str, Bool, View). At each execution step, the program can
349
+ fetch the intermediate variable from the caches to achieve semantic compositionality. In order to
350
+ shrink the search space, we follow NSM (Liang et al., 2017) to use trigger words to prune the API
351
+ set and accelerate the search speed. The definitions of all API, trigger words can be found in the
352
+ Appendix. The comprehensive the latent program search procedure is summarized in Algorithm 1,
353
+
354
+ while (P, N , R, B, V) = Q.pop() do:
355
+
356
+ while loop over function set f ∈ F do:
357
+
358
+ if arguments of f are in the caches then
359
+
360
+ Pop out the required arguments arg1, arg2, · · · , argn for different cachess.
361
+ Execute A = f (arg1, · · · , argn) and concatenate the program trace P .
362
+ if Type(A)=Bool then
363
+
364
+ Algorithm 1 Latent Program Search with Comments
365
+ 1: Initialize Number Cache N , String Cache R, Bool Cache B, View Cache V → ∅
366
+ 2: Push linked numbers, strings from the given statement S into N , R, and push T into V
367
+ 3: Initialize the result collector P → ∅ and an empty program trace P = ∅
368
+ 4: Initialize the Queue Q = [(P, N , R, B, V)], we use Q to store the intermediate states
369
+ 5: Use trigger words to find plausible function set F, for example, more will trigger Greater function.
370
+ 6: while loop over time t = 1 → MAXSTEP do:
371
+ 7:
372
+ 8:
373
+ 9:
374
+ 10:
375
+ 11:
376
+ 12:
377
+ 13:
378
+ 14:
379
+ 15:
380
+ 16:
381
+ 17:
382
+ 18:
383
+ 19:
384
+ 20:
385
+ 21:
386
+ 22:
387
+ 23:
388
+ 24:
389
+ 25: Return the triple (T, S, P) # Return (Table, Statement, Program Set)
390
+
391
+ P.push((P, A)) # The program P is valid since it consumes all the variables.
392
+ P = ∅ # Collect the valid program P into set P and reset P
393
+
394
+ B.push(A) # The intermediate boolean value is added to the bool cache
395
+ Q.push((P, N , R, B, V)) # Add the refreshed state to the queue again
396
+
397
+ push A into N or S or V # Add the refreshed state to the queue for further search
398
+ Q.push((P, N , R, B, V))
399
+
400
+ P = ∅;break # The program ends without consuming the cache, throw it.
401
+
402
+ if Type(A) ∈ {Num, Str, View} then
403
+
404
+ if N = S = B = ∅ then
405
+
406
+ if N = S = B = ∅ then
407
+
408
+ else
409
+
410
+ else
411
+
412
+ and the searching procedure is illustrated in Figure 3.
413
+
414
+ After we collected all the potential program candidates P = {(P1, A1), · · · , (Pn, An)} for a given
415
+ statement S (where (Pi, Ai) refers to i-th candidate), we need to learn a discriminator to iden-
416
+ tify the “appropriate” traces from the set from many erroneous and spurious traces. Since we do
417
+ not have the ground truth label about such discriminator, we use a weakly supervised training al-
418
+ gorithm by viewing all the label-consistent programs as positive instances {Pi|(Pi, Ai); Ai = L}
419
+ and the label-inconsistent program as negative instances {Pi|(Pi, Ai); Ai (cid:54)= L} to minimize the
420
+ cross-entropy of discriminator pθ(S, P ) with the weakly supervised label. Specifically, we build
421
+ our discriminator with a Transformer-based two-way encoder (Vaswani et al., 2017), where the
422
+ statement encoder encodes the input statement S as a vector EncS(S) ∈ Rn×D with dimen-
423
+ sion D, while the program encoder encodes the program P = p1, · · · , pm as another vector
424
+ EncP (P ) ∈ Rm×D, we concatenate these two vectors and feed it into a linear projection layer
425
+
426
+ 5
427
+
428
+ Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
429
+
430
+ Figure 3: The program synthesis procedure for the table in Figure 1. We link the entity (e.g. demo-
431
+ cratic, republican), and then composite functions on the fly to return the values from the table.
432
+
433
+ Figure 4: The diagram of Table-BERT with horizontal scan, two different linearizations are depicted.
434
+
435
+ to compute pθ(S, P ) = σ(vT
436
+ p [EncS(S); EncP (P )]) as the relevance between S and P with weight
437
+ vp ∈ RD. At test time, we use the discriminator pθ to assign confidence pθ(S, P ) to each candidate
438
+ P ∈ P, and then either aggregate the prediction from all hypothesis with the confidence weights or
439
+ rank the highest-confident hypothesis and use their outputs as the prediction.
440
+
441
+ 3.2 TABLE-BERT
442
+
443
+ In this approach, we view the table verification problem as a two-sequence binary classification
444
+ problem like NLI or MPRC (Wang et al., 2018) by linearizing a table T into a sequence and treating
445
+ the statement as another sequence. Since the linearized table can be extremely long surpassing the
446
+ limit of sequence models like LSTM, Transformers, etc. We propose to shrink the sequence by only
447
+ retaining the columns containing entities linked to the statement to alleviate such a memory issue.
448
+ In order to encode such sub-table as a sequence, we propose two different linearization methods, as
449
+ is depicted in Figure 4. (i) Concatenation: we simply concatenate the table cells with [SEP] tokens
450
+ in between and restart position counter at the cell boundaries; the column name is fed as another
451
+ type embedding to the input layer. Such design retains the table information in its machine format.
452
+ (ii) Template: we adopt simple natural language templates to transform a table into a “somewhat
453
+ natural” sentence. Taking the horizontal scan as an example, we linearize a table as “row one’s
454
+ game is 51; the date is February; ..., the score is 3.4 (ot).
455
+ row 2 is ...”. The isolated cells are
456
+ connected with punctuations and copula verbs in a language-like format.
457
+ After obtaining the linearized sub-table ˜T, we concatenate it with the natural language state-
458
+ ment S and prefix a [CLS] token to the sentence to obtain the sequence-level representation
459
+ H = fBERT ([ ˜T, S]), with H ∈ R768 from pre-trained BERT (Devlin et al., 2019). The rep-
460
+ resentation is further fed into multi-layer perceptron fM LP to obtain the entailment probability
461
+ pθ( ˜T, S) = σ(fM LP (H)), where σ is the sigmoid function. We finetune the model θ (including the
462
+ parameters of BERT and MLP) to minimize the binary cross entropy L(pθ( ˜T, S), L) on the training
463
+ set. At test time, we use the trained BERT model to compute the matching probability between the
464
+ (table, statement) pair, and classify it as ENTAILED statement when pθ( ˜T, S) is greater than 0.5.
465
+
466
+ 6
467
+
468
+ There are more democratsthan republicansin the election.incumbentdemocraticincumbentrepublicanV1=Filter(T, incumbent==democratic))Feature-based Entity LinkingV2=Filter(T, incumbent==republican))StringincumbentrepublicanSubV1SubV2SubV1Viewpop3=Count(V1)popCount3SubV1SubV2ViewNum2=Count(V2)Count2Count3NumGreater(3, 2)BoolTrueBoolpopTableLISP EngineEntailedSearchGameDateOpponentScore51February 3 , 2009Florida3-4 52February 4 , 2009Buffalo0-5 53February 7 , 2010Montreal5-2 TypePositionWordFebruary3,2009[SEP][CLS]51[SEP]10123400gameTOKdatedatedatedateTOKTOKTOK0[SEP]Floridaisplaying123SSS12-Layer BERT-Base Modelonegameis51;date[CLS]isFebruary32019;[SEP]123456708910111220PositionWordrowLabelFlorida13ConcatTemplate Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
469
+
470
+ 4 EXPERIMENTS
471
+
472
+ In this section, we aim to evaluate the proposed methods on TABFACT. Besides the standard valida-
473
+ tion and test sets, we also split the test set into a simple and a complex partition based on the channel
474
+ from which they were collected. This facilitates analyzing how well the model performs under dif-
475
+ ferent levels of difficulty. Additionally, we also hold out a small test set with 2K samples for human
476
+ evaluation, where we distribute each (table, statement) pair to 5 different workers to approximate
477
+ human judgments based on their majority voting, the results are reported in Table 2.
478
 
479
+ Model
480
 
481
+ BERT classifier w/o Table
482
 
483
+ Table-BERT-Horizontal-F+T-Concatenate
484
+ Table-BERT-Vertical-F+T-Template
485
+ Table-BERT-Vertical-T+F-Template
486
+ Table-BERT-Horizontal-F+T-Template
487
+ Table-BERT-Horizontal-T+F-Template
488
 
489
+ NSM w/ RL (Binary Reward)
490
+ NSM w/ LPA-guided ML + RL
491
+ LPA-Voting w/o Discriminator
492
+ LPA-Weighted-Voting
493
+ LPA-Ranking w/ Discriminator
494
+ LPA-Ranking w/ Discriminator (Caption)
495
 
496
+ Human Performance
497
 
498
+ Val
499
 
500
+ 50.9
501
 
502
+ 50.7
503
+ 56.7
504
+ 56.7
505
+ 66.0
506
+ 66.1
507
+
508
+ 54.1
509
+ 63.2
510
+ 57.7
511
+ 62.5
512
+ 65.2
513
+ 65.1
514
+
515
+ -
516
+
517
+ Test
518
+
519
+ 50.5
520
+
521
+ 50.4
522
+ 56.2
523
+ 57.0
524
+ 65.1
525
+ 65.1
526
+
527
+ 54.1
528
+ 63.5
529
+ 58.2
530
+ 63.1
531
+ 65.0
532
+ 65.3
533
+
534
+ -
535
+
536
+ Test (simple)
537
+
538
+ Test (complex)
539
+
540
+ Small Test
541
+
542
+ 51.0
543
+
544
+ 50.8
545
+ 59.8
546
+ 60.6
547
+ 79.0
548
+ 79.1
549
+
550
+ 55.4
551
+ 77.4
552
+ 68.5
553
+ 74.6
554
+ 78.4
555
+ 78.7
556
+
557
+ -
558
+
559
+ 50.1
560
+
561
+ 50.0
562
+ 55.0
563
+ 54.3
564
+ 58.1
565
+ 58.2
566
+
567
+ 53.1
568
+ 56.1
569
+ 53.2
570
+ 57.3
571
+ 58.5
572
+ 58.5
573
+
574
+ -
575
+
576
+ 50.4
577
+
578
+ 50.3
579
+ 56.2
580
+ 55.5
581
+ 67.9
582
+ 68.1
583
+
584
+ 55.8
585
+ 66.9
586
+ 61.5
587
+ 66.8
588
+ 68.6
589
+ 68.9
590
+
591
+ 92.1
592
+
593
+ Table 2: The results of different models, the numbers are in percentage. T+F means table followed
594
+ by fact, while F+T means fact followed by table. NSM is modified from Liang et al. (2017).
595
+
596
+ NSM We follow Liang et al. (2017) to modify their approach to fit the setting of TABFACT. Specif-
597
+ ically, we adopt an LSTM as an encoder and another LSTM with copy mechanism as a decoder
598
+ to synthesize the program. However, without any ground truth annotation for the intermediate
599
+ programs, directly training with reinforcement learning is difficult as the binary reward is under-
600
+ specified, which is listed in Table 2 as ”NSM w/ RL”. Further, we use LPA as a teacher to search the
601
+ top programs for the NSM to bootstrap and then use reinforcement learning to finetune the model,
602
+ which achieves reasonable performance on our dataset listed as ”NSM w/ ML + RL”.
603
+ Table-BERT We build Table-BERT based on the open-source implementation of BERT8 using the
604
+ pre-trained model with 12-layer, 768-hidden, 12-heads, and 110M parameters trained in 104 lan-
605
+ guages. We use the standard BERT tokenizer to break the words in both statements and tables into
606
+ subwords and join the two sequences with a [SEP] token in between. The representation correspond-
607
+ ing to [CLS] is fed into an MLP layer to predict the verification label. We finetune the model on
608
+ a single TITAN X GPU with a mini-batch size of 6. The best performance is reached after about
609
+ 3 hours of training (around 10K steps). We implement and compare the following variants of the
610
+ Table-BERT model including (i) Concatenation vs. Template: whether to use natural language tem-
611
+ plates during linearization. (ii) Horizontal vs. Vertical: scan direction in linearization.
612
+ LPA We run the latent program search in a distributed fashion on three 64-core machines to gener-
613
+ ate the latent programs. The search terminates once the buffer has more than 50 traces or the path
614
+ length is larger than 7. The average search time for each statement is about 2.5s. For the discrimina-
615
+ tor model, we design two transformer-based encoders (3 layers, 128-dimension hidden embedding,
616
+ and 4 heads at each layer) to encode the programs and statements, respectively. The variants of LPA
617
+ models considered include (i) Voting: assign each program with equal weight and vote without the
618
+ learned discriminator. (ii) Weighted-Voting: compute a weighted-sum to aggregate the predictions
619
+ of all latent programs with the discriminator confidence as the weights. (iii) Ranking: rank all the
620
+ hypotheses by the discriminator confidence and use the top-rated hypothesis as the output. (Caption)
621
+ means feeding the caption as a sequence of words to the discriminator during ranking.
622
+ Preliminary Evaluation In order to test whether our negative rewriting strategy eliminates the ar-
623
+ tifacts or shallow cues, we also fine-tune a pre-trained BERT (Devlin et al., 2019) to classify the
624
+ statement S without feeding in table information. The result is reported as “BERT classifier w/o
625
+
626
+ 8https://github.com/huggingface/pytorch-pretrained-BERT
627
+
628
+ 7
629
+
630
+ Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
631
+
632
+ Table” in Table 2, which is approximately the majority guess and reflects the effectiveness of the
633
+ rewriting strategy. Before presenting the experiment results, we first perform a preliminary study to
634
+ evaluate how well the entity linking system, program search, and the statement-program discrimi-
635
+ nator perform. Since we do not have the ground truth labels for these models, we randomly sample
636
+ 100 samples from the dev set to perform the human study. For the entity linking, we evaluate its
637
+ accuracy as the number of correctly linked sentences / total sentences. For the latent program search,
638
+ we evaluate whether the “true” programs are included in the candidate set P as recall score.
639
+
640
+ Results We report the performance of different methods as well as human performance in Table 2.
641
+ First of all, we observe that the naive serialized model fails to learn anything effective (same as the
642
+ Majority Guess). It reveals the importance of template when using the pre-trained BERT (Devlin
643
+ et al., 2019) model: the “natural” connection words between individual cells is able to unleash the
644
+ power of the large pre-trained language model and enable it to perform reasoning on the structured
645
+ table form. Such behavior is understandable given the fact that BERT is pre-trained on purely natural
646
+ language corpora. In addition, we also observe that the horizontal scan excels in the vertical scan
647
+ because it better captures the convention of human expression. Among different LPA methods, we
648
+ found that LPA-Ranking performs the best since it can better suppress the spurious programs than
649
+ the voting-based algorithm. Overall, the LPA model is on par with Table-BERT on both simple
650
+ and test split without any pre-training on external corpus, which reflects the effectiveness of LPA to
651
+ leverage symbolic operations in the verification process.
652
+
653
+ Through our human evaluation, we found that only 58% of sentences have been correctly linked
654
+ without missing-link or over-link, while the systematic search has a recall of 51% under the cases
655
+ where the sentence is correctly linked. With that being said, the chance for LPA method to cover
656
+ the correct program (rationale) is roughly under 30%. After the discriminator’s re-ranking step,
657
+ the probability of selecting these particular oracle program is even much lower. However, we still
658
+ observe a final overall accuracy of 65%, which indicates that the spurious problem is quite severe in
659
+ LPA, where the correct label is predicted based on the wrong reason.
660
+
661
+ Through our human evaluation, we also observe that Table-BERT exhibits poor consistency as it can
662
+ misclassify simple cases but correctly-classify hard cases. These two major weaknesses are yet to
663
+ be solved in future studies. In contrast, LPA behaves much more consistently and provides a clear
664
+ latent rationale for its decision. But, such a pipeline system requires laborious handcrafting of API
665
+ operations and is also very sensitive to the entity linking accuracy. Both methods have pros and
666
+ cons; how to combine them still remains an open question.
667
+
668
+ Program Annotation To further promote the development of different models in our dataset, we
669
+ collect roughly 1400 human-annotated programs paired with the original statements. These state-
670
+ ments include the most popular logical operations like superlative, counting, comparison, unique,
671
+ etc. We provide these annotations in Github9, which can either be used to bootstrap the semantic
672
+ parsers or provide the rationale for NLI models.
673
+
674
+ 5 RELATED WORK
675
+
676
+ Natural Language Inference & Reasoning: Modeling reasoning and inference in human language
677
+ is a fundamental and challenging problem towards true natural language understanding. There has
678
+ been extensive research on RTE in the early years (Dagan et al., 2005) and more recently shifted
679
+ to NLI (Bowman et al., 2015; Williams et al., 2017). NLI seeks to determine whether a natural
680
+ language hypothesis h can be inferred from a natural language premise p. With the surge of deep
681
+ learning, there have been many powerful algorithms like the Decomposed Model (Parikh et al.,
682
+ 2016), Enhanced-LSTM (Chen et al., 2017) and BERT (Devlin et al., 2019). Besides the textual ev-
683
+ idence, NLVR (Suhr et al., 2017) and NLVR2 (Suhr et al., 2019) have been proposed to use images
684
+ as the evidence for statement verification on multi-modal setting. Our proposed fact verification task
685
+ is closely related to these inference tasks, where our semi-structured table can be seen as a collection
686
+ of “premises” exhibited in a semi-structured format. Our proposed problem hence could be viewed
687
+ as the generalization of NLI under the semi-structured domain.
688
+ Table Question Answering: Another line of research closely related to our task is the table-based
689
+
690
+ 9https://github.com/wenhuchen/Table-Fact-Checking/tree/master/bootstrap
691
+
692
+ 8
693
+
694
+ Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
695
+
696
+ Figure 5: The two uniqueness of Table-based fact verification against standard QA problems.
697
+
698
+ question answering, such as MCQ (Jauhar et al., 2016), WikiTableQuestion (Pasupat & Liang,
699
+ 2015), Spider (Yu et al., 2018), Sequential Q&A (Iyyer et al., 2017), and WikiSQL (Zhong et al.,
700
+ 2017), for which approaches have been extended to handle large-scale tables from Wikipedia (Bha-
701
+ gavatula et al., 2013). However, in these Q&A tasks, the question types typically provide strong
702
+ signals needed for identifying the type of answers, while TABFACT does not provide such speci-
703
+ ficity. The uniqueness of TABFACT lies in two folds: 1) a given fact is regarded as a false claim as
704
+ long as any part of the statement contains misinformation. Due to the conjunctive nature of verifica-
705
+ tion, a fact needs to be broken down into several sub-clauses or (Q, A) pairs to separate evaluate their
706
+ correctness. Such a compositional nature of the verification problem makes it more challenging than
707
+ a standard QA setting. On one hand, the model needs to recognize the multiple QA pairs and their
708
+ relationship. On the other hand, the multiple sub-clauses make the semantic form longer and logic
709
+ inference harder than the standard QA setting. 2) some facts cannot even be handled using semantic
710
+ forms, as they are driven by linguistic inference or common sense. In order to verify these state-
711
+ ments, more inference techniques have to be leveraged to enable robust verification. We visualize
712
+ the above two characteristics of TABFACT in Figure 5.
713
+
714
+ Program Synthesis & Semantic Parsing: There have also been great interests in using program
715
+ synthesis or logic forms to solve different natural language processing problems like question
716
+ answering (Liang et al., 2013; Berant et al., 2013; Berant & Liang, 2014), visual navigation (Artzi
717
+ et al., 2014; Artzi & Zettlemoyer, 2013), code generation (Yin & Neubig, 2017; Dong & Lapata,
718
+ 2016), SQL synthesis (Yu et al., 2018), etc. The traditional semantic parsing papers (Artzi et al.,
719
+ 2014; Artzi & Zettlemoyer, 2013; Zettlemoyer & Collins, 2005; Liang et al., 2013; Berant et al.,
720
+ 2013) greatly rely on rules, lexicon to parse natural language sentences into different forms like
721
+ lambda calculus, DCS, etc. More recently, researchers strive to propose neural models to directly
722
+ perform end-to-end formal reasoning like Theory Prover (Riedel et al., 2017; Rockt¨aschel & Riedel,
723
+ 2017), Neural Turing Machine (Graves et al., 2014), Neural Programmer (Neelakantan et al.,
724
+ 2016; 2017) and Neural-Symbolic Machines (Liang et al., 2017; 2018; Agarwal et al., 2019). The
725
+ proposed TABFACT serves as a great benchmark to evaluate the reasoning ability of different neural
726
+ reasoning models. Specifically, TABFACT poses the following challenges: 1) spurious programs
727
+ (i.e., wrong programs with the true returned answers): since the program output is only a binary
728
+ label, which can cause serious spurious problems and misguide the reinforcement learning with the
729
+ under-specified binary rewards. 2) decomposition: the model needs to decompose the statement
730
+ into sub-clauses and verify the sub-clauses one by one, which normally requires the longer logic in-
731
+ ference chains to infer the statement verdict. 3) linguistic reasoning like inference and paraphrasing.
732
+
733
+ Fact Checking The problem of verifying claims and hypotheses on the web has drawn significant at-
734
+ tention recently due to its high social influence. Different fact-checking pioneering studies have been
735
+
736
+ 9
737
+
738
+ DistrictIncumbentPartyResultCandidatesCalifornia 3John E. Mossdemocraticre-electedJohn E. Moss (d) 69.9% John Rakus(r) 30.1%California 5Phillip Burtondemocraticre-electedPhillip Burton (d) 81.8% EdloE. Powell (r) 18.2%California 8George Paul Millerdemocraticlost renominationdemocratic holdPeteStark(d) 52.9% Lew M. Warden, Jr. (r) 47.1%California 14Jerome R. Waldierepublicanre-electedJeromeR. Waldie(d) 77.6% FloydE. Sims(r) 22.4%California 15John J. Mcfallrepublicanre-electedJohn J. Mcfall(d) unopposedUnited States House of Representatives Elections, 1972There are five candidates in total, two of them are democrats and three of them are republicans.Question: How many of candidates in total?Answer: 5Question: How many democrats are there?Answer: 2Question: How many republicans are there?Answer: 3∧∧ConjunctiveEq(Count(T), 5)=TEq(Count(Filter(T, party=‘dem..’)), 2)=FEq(Count(Filter(T, party=‘rep..’)), 3)=F∧∧outcomedatetournamentsurfacepartneropponents in the finalscore in the finalrunner -up1985bologna , italyclayalberto touspaolocanèsimonecolombo5 -7 , 4 -6winner1986bordeaux , franceclaydavid de miguelronald agénor mansour bahrami7 -5 , 6 -4winner1989prague , czechoslovakiaclayhorst skoffpetr korda tomáš šmíd6 -4 , 6 -4Jordi Arreseachieves better score in 1986 than in 1985.Jordi ArreseJordi Arresewon both of the final games in 1986.1986: Winner1986: Runner-upLinguistic Inference7 -5 , 6 -4Mathematic Inference(2)(1) Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
739
+
740
+ performed including LIAR (Wang, 2017), PolitiFact (Vlachos & Riedel, 2014), FEVER (Thorne
741
+ et al., 2018) and AggChecker (Jo et al., 2019), etc. The former three studies are mainly based on
742
+ textual evidence on social media or Wikipedia, while AggChecker is closest to ours in using re-
743
+ lational databases as the evidence. Compared to AggChecker, our paper proposes a much larger
744
+ dataset to benchmark the progress in this direction.
745
+
746
+ 6 CONCLUSION
747
+
748
+ This paper investigates a very important yet previously under-explored research problem: semi-
749
+ structured fact verification. We construct a large-scale dataset and proposed two methods, Table-
750
+ BERT and LPA, based on the state-of-the-art pre-trained natural language inference model and pro-
751
+ gram synthesis. In the future, we plan to push forward this research direction by inspiring more
752
+ sophisticated architectures that can perform both linguistic and symbolic reasoning.
753
+
754
+ REFERENCES
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+ Alane Suhr, Stephanie Zhou, Ally Zhang, Iris Zhang, Huajun Bai, and Yoav Artzi. A corpus for
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+ reasoning about natural language grounded in photographs. In Proceedings of the Annual Meeting
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+ scale dataset for fact extraction and verification. In Proceedings of the 2018 Conference of the
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+ A brief history of natural
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+ logic.
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+ pp. 353, 2018.
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+ understanding systems. arXiv preprint arXiv:1905.00537, 2019.
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+ William Yang Wang. liar, liar pants on fire: A new benchmark dataset for fake news detection. In
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+ Proceedings of the 55th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics (Volume
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+ 2: Short Papers), pp. 422–426, 2017.
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+ Adina Williams, Nikita Nangia, and Samuel R Bowman. A broad-coverage challenge corpus for
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+ sentence understanding through inference. arXiv preprint arXiv:1704.05426, 2017.
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+ Zhilin Yang, Zihang Dai, Yiming Yang, Jaime Carbonell, Ruslan Salakhutdinov, and Quoc V Le.
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+ Xlnet: Generalized autoregressive pretraining for language understanding. Advances in neural
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+ information processing systems, 2019.
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+ Pengcheng Yin and Graham Neubig. A syntactic neural model for general-purpose code generation.
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+ arXiv preprint arXiv:1704.01696, 2017.
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+ Tao Yu, Rui Zhang, Kai Yang, Michihiro Yasunaga, Dongxu Wang, Zifan Li, James Ma, Irene Li,
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+ Qingning Yao, Shanelle Roman, et al. Spider: A large-scale human-labeled dataset for complex
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+ and cross-domain semantic parsing and text-to-sql task. In Proceedings of the 2018 Conference
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+ on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing, pp. 3911–3921, 2018.
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+ Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
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+ Rowan Zellers, Yonatan Bisk, Roy Schwartz, and Yejin Choi. Swag: A large-scale adversarial
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+ dataset for grounded commonsense inference. In Proceedings of the 2018 Conference on Empir-
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+ classification with probabilistic categorial grammars. In Proceedings of the Twenty-First Confer-
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+ Victor Zhong, Caiming Xiong, and Richard Socher. Seq2sql: Generating structured queries from
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+ natural language using reinforcement learning. arXiv preprint arXiv:1709.00103, 2017.
976
 
977
+ 13
978
 
979
+ Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
980
 
981
+ A APPENDIX
982
 
983
+ A.1 FUNCTION DESCRIPTION
984
 
985
+ We list the detailed function description in Figure 6. We also visualize the functionality of the most
986
 
987
+ Figure 6: The function definition used in TabFact.
988
 
989
+ typical functions and their input/output examples in Figure 7.
 
990
 
991
+ Figure 7: The visualization of different functions.
992
 
993
+ 14
994
 
995
+ NameArgumentsOutputCommentCountViewNumberReturnthe number of rows in the ViewWithinView, Header String, Cell String/NumberBoolReturn whetherthe cell string/number exists under the Header Column of the given viewWithoutView, Header String, Cell String/NumberBoolReturn whetherthe cell string/number does not exist under the Header Column of the given viewNoneStringBoolWhether the string representsNone, like “None”, “No”, “-”, “No information provided”Before/AfterRow, RowRowReturnswhether row1 is before/after row2First/Second/Third/FourthView, RowBoolReturns whether the rowis in the first/second/third position of the viewAverage/Sum/Max/MinView, HeaderStringNumberReturns theaverage/summation/max/min value under the Header Column of the given viewArgmin/ArgmaxView, Header StringRowReturns the row with the maximum/minimum value under the Header Column of thegiven viewHopRow,Header StringNumber/StringReturns thecell value under the Header Column of the given rowDiff/AddNumber, NumberNumberPerform arithmetic operations on twonumbersGreater/LessNumber, NumberBoolReturns whetherthe first number is greater/less than the second numberEqual/UnequalString, String/Number,NumberBoolComparetwo numbers or strings to see whether they are the sameFilter_eq/Filter_greater/Filter_less/Filter_greater_or_equal/Filter_less_or_equalView, HeaderString, NumberViewReturnsthe subviewof the given with the cell values under the Header column greater/less/eq/…against the given numberAll_eq/All_greater/All_less/All_greater_or_equal/All_less_or_equalView, HeaderString, NumberBoolReturnsthe whether all of the cell values under the Header column are greater/less/eq/…against the given numberAnd/OrBool, BoolBoolReturns the Booleanoperation results of two inputsCountNameAge()=2within(, Name, A)=𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒NameAgeABwithout(, Name, A)=𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒NameAgeABNone() =𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒-/Not Given/NABeforeNameAgeA()=𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒NameAgeBFirstNameAgeA() =𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒Avg(, Age)=3NameAgeA2B4Argmin(, Age)=NameAgeA2B4NameAgeA2Filter_eq(, Age, 2)=NameAgeA2B4NameAgeA2All_eq(, Age, 2)=TrueNameAgeA2B2HopNameAgeA(, Name)=𝐴Diff(2, 1)=1Greater(2, 1)=𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒Equal(2, 2)=𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒, Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
996
 
997
+ We list all the trigger words for different functions in Figure 8
998
 
999
+ Figure 8: The trigger words used to shrink the search space.
1000
 
1001
+ B HIGHER-ORDER OPERATIONS
1002
 
1003
+ 1. Aggregation: the aggregation operation refers to sentences like “the averaged age of all
1004
 
1005
+ ....”, “the total amount of scores obtained in ...”, etc.
1006
 
1007
+ 2. Negation: the negation operation refers to sentences like “xxx did not get the best score”,
1008
 
1009
+ “xxx has never obtained a score higher than 5”.
1010
 
1011
+ 3. Superlative: the superlative operation refers to sentences like “xxx achieves the highest
1012
 
1013
+ score in”, “xxx is the lowest player in the team”.
1014
 
1015
+ 4. Comparative: the comparative operation refers to sentences like “xxx has a higher score
1016
 
1017
+ than yyy”.
 
1018
 
1019
+ 5. Ordinal: the ordinal operation refers to sentences like “the first country to achieve xxx is
 
 
1020
 
1021
+ xxx”, “xxx is the second oldest person in the country”.
1022
 
1023
+ 6. Unique: the unique operation refers to sentences like “there are 5 different nations in the
1024
 
1025
+ tournament, ”, “there are no two different players from U.S”
1026
 
1027
+ 7. All:
1028
 
1029
+ the for all operation refers to sentences like “all of the trains are departing in the
1030
 
1031
+ morning”, “none of the people are older than 25.”
1032
 
1033
+ 8. None: the sentences which do not involve higher-order operations like “xxx achieves 2
1034
 
1035
+ points in xxx game”, “xxx player is from xxx country”.
1036
 
1037
+ C ERROR ANALYSIS
1038
 
1039
+ Before we quantitatively demonstrate the error analysis of the two methods, we first theoretically
1040
+ analyze the bottlenecks of the two methods as follows:
1041
 
1042
+ Symbolic We first provide a case in which the symbolic execution can not deal with theoretically
1043
+ in Figure 9. The failure cases of symbolic are either due to the entity link problem or function
1044
+ coverage problem. For example, in the given statement below, there is no explicit mention of ”7-5,
1045
+ 6-4” cell. Therefore, the entity linking model fails to link to this cell content. Furthermore, even
1046
 
1047
+ 15
1048
 
1049
+ TriggerFunction'average'average'difference', 'gap', 'than', 'separate'diff'sum', 'summation', 'combine', 'combined', 'total', 'add', 'all', 'there are'ddd, sum'not', 'no', 'never', "didn't", "won't", "wasn't", "isn't,"haven't", "weren't", "won't", 'neither', 'none', 'unable,'fail', 'different', 'outside', 'unable', 'fail'not_eq, not_within,Filter_not_eq,none'not', 'no', 'none'none'first', 'top', 'latest', 'most'first'last', 'bottom', 'latest', 'most'last'RBR', 'JJR', 'more', 'than', 'above', 'after'filter_greater,greater'RBR', 'JJR', 'less', 'than', 'below', 'under'filter_less, less'all', 'every', 'each'all_eq, all_less, all_greater, ['all', 'every', 'each'], ['not', 'no', 'never', "didn't", "won't", "wasn't"]all_not_eq'at most', 'than'all_less_eq, all_greater_eq'RBR', 'RBS', 'JJR', 'JJS'max, min'JJR', 'JJS', 'RBR', 'RBS', 'top', 'first'argmax, argmin'within', 'one', 'of', 'among'within'follow', 'following', 'followed', 'after', 'before', 'above', 'precede'before'follow', 'following', 'followed', 'after', 'before', 'above', 'precede'after’most’most_freqordinalFirst, second,third, fourth Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
1050
 
1051
+ though we can successfully link to this string, there is no defined function to parse ”7-5, 6-5” as ”won
1052
+ two games” because it requires linguistic/mathematical inference to understand the implication from
1053
+ the string. Such cases are the weakness of symbolic reasoning models.
1054
 
1055
+ Figure 9: The error case of symbolic reasoning model
1056
 
1057
+ BERT In contrast, Table-BERT model seems to have no coverage problem as long as it can feed
1058
+ the whole table content. However, due to the template linearization, the table is unfolded into a long
1059
+ sequence as depicted in Figure 10. The useful information, ”clay” are separated in a very long span
1060
+ of unrelated words. How to grasp such a long dependency and memorize the history information
1061
+ poses a great challenge to the Table-BERT model.
1062
 
1063
+ Figure 10: The error case of BERT NLI model
1064
 
1065
+ Statistics Here we pick 200 samples from the validation set which only involve single semantic
1066
+ and divide them into different categories. We denote the above-mentioned cases as ”linguistic in-
1067
+ ference”, and the sentences which only describe information from one row as ”Trivial”, the rest are
1068
+ based on their logic operation like Aggregation, Superlative, Count, etc. We visualize the accuracy
1069
+ of LPA and Table-BERT in Figure 11. From which we can observe that the statements with linguis-
1070
+ tic inference are much better handled with the BERT model, while LPA achieves an accuracy barely
1071
+ higher than a random guess. The BERT model can deal with trivial cases well as it uses a horizontal
1072
+ scan order. In contrast, the LPA model outperforms BERT on higher-order logic cases, especially
1073
+ when the statement involves operations like Count and Superlative.
1074
 
1075
+ 16
1076
 
1077
+ outcomedatetournamentsurfacepartneropponents in the finalscore in the finalrunner -up1985Bologna , ItalyclayAlberto TousPaolo CanèSimone Colombo5 -7 , 4 -6winner1986Bordeaux , FranceclayDavid De MiguelRonald AgénorMansour Bahrami7 -5 , 6 -4winner1989Prague , CzechoslovakiaclayHorst SkoffPetr KordaTomáššmíd6 -4 , 6 -4Jordi Arreseachieves better score in 1986 than in 1985.Jordi ArreseJordi Arresewon both of the final games in 1986.1986: Winner1986: Runner-upLinguistic Inference7 -5 , 6 -4Mathematic Inferenceoutcomedatetournamentsurfacepartneropponents in the finalscore in the finalrunner -up1985Bologna , ItalyclayAlberto TousPaolo CanèSimone Colombo5 -7 , 4 -6winner1986Bordeaux , FranceclayDavid De MiguelRonald AgénorMansour Bahrami7 -5 , 6 -4winner1989Prague , CzechoslovakiaclayHorst SkoffPetr KordaTomáššmíd6 -4 , 6 -4Jordi ArreseJordi Arreseplayed all of his games on clay surface.Given the table titled “Jordi Arrese”, in row one, the outcome is runner-up, the date is 1985, … , the surface is clay…. …… , In row two, the outcome is … , the surface is clay. In row three, the outcome is …, … the surface is clay.TemplateLong DependencyThe three “Clay” are separated by more over 20 words Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
1078
 
1079
+ Figure 11: The error analysis of two different models
1080
 
1081
+ D REASONING DEPTH
1082
 
1083
+ Given that our LPA has the breadth to cover a large semantic space. Here we also show the reasoning
1084
+ depth in terms of how many logic inference steps are required to tackle verify the given claims. We
1085
+ visualize the histogram in Figure 12 and observe that the reasoning steps are concentrated between
1086
+ 4 to 7. Such statistics indicate the difficulty of fact verification in our TABFACT dataset.
1087
 
1088
+ Figure 12: The histogram of reasoning steps required to verify the claims
 
1089
 
1090
+ E WHETHER TO KEEP WIKIPEDIA CONTEXT
 
1091
 
1092
+ Before crowd-sourcing the annotation for the tables, we observed that the previous WikiTableQues-
1093
+ tion Pasupat & Liang (2015) provides context (Wikipedia title) during annotation while the Wik-
1094
+ iSQL Zhong et al. (2017) does not. Therefore, we particularly design ablation annotation tasks to
1095
+ compare the annotation quality between w/ and w/o Wikipedia title as context. We demonstrate a
1096
+ typical example in Figure 13, where a Wiki table10 aims to describe the achievements of a tennis
1097
+ player named Dennis, but itself does not provide any explicit hint about “Tennis Player Dennis”.
1098
+ Unsurprisingly, the sentence fluency and coherence significantly drop without such information.
1099
+ Actually, a great portion of these Wikipedia tables requires background knowledge (like sports,
1100
+ celebrity, music, etc) to understand. We perform a small user study to measure the fluency of an-
1101
+ notated statements. Specifically, we collected 50 sentences from both annotation w/ and w/o title
1102
+ context and randomly shuffle them as pairs, which are distributed to the 8 experts without telling
1103
+ them their source to compare the language fluency. It turns out that the experts ubiquitously agree
1104
+ that the statements with Wikipedia titles are more human-readable. Therefore, we argue that such
1105
+ a context is necessary for annotators to understand the background knowledge to write more flu-
1106
+ ent sentences. On the other end, we also hope to minimize the influence of the textual context in
1107
+ the table-based verification task, therefore, we design an annotation criterion: the Wikipedia title
1108
 
1109
+ 10https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Ralston
1110
 
1111
+ 17
 
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+ 4550556065707580LinguisticTrivialAggregationSuperlativeCountCompareNegationError Analysis of LPA/Table-BERTTable-BERTLPA050000100000150000200000250000300000350000400000450000Reasoning Depth Statistics in LPA1234567 Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
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+ is provided to the workers during the annotation, but they are explicitly banned from bringing any
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+ unrelated background information other than the title into the annotation. As illustrated in Figure 13,
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+ the title only acts as a placeholder in the statements to make it sound more natural.
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+ Figure 13: Comparison of worker annotation w/ and w/o Wikipedia title as context
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+ F ENTITY LINKING
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+ Here we propose to use the longest string match to find all the candidate entities in the table, when
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+ multiple candidates coexist, we select the one with the minimum edit distances. The visualization is
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+ demonstrated in Figure 14.
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+ Figure 14: Entity Linking System.
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+ G THE PROGRAM CANDIDATES
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+ Here we demonstrate some program candidates in Figure 15, and show how our proposed discrimi-
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+ nator is designed to compute the matching probability between the statement and program. Specif-
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+ ically, we employ two transformer-based encoder Vaswani et al. (2017), the left one is aimed to
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+ encode the program sequence and the right one is aimed to encode the statement sequence. Their
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+ output from [CLS] position is concatenated and fed into an MLP to classify the verification label.
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+ H HIT INTERFACE
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+ We provide the human intelligent task interface on AMT in the following. Very detailed instructions
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+ on what are trivial statements and what are non-trivial statements. Comprehensive examples have
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+ been given to guide the Turkers to write well-formed while logically plausible statements. In order
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+ to harvest fake statements without statistical cues, we also provide detailed instructions on how to
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+ re-write the ”fake” statements. During the annotation, we hire 8 experts to perform sanity checks on
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+ each of the HIT to make sure that the annotated dataset is clean and meets our requirements.
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+ 18
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+ Context(Title)Richard Dennis Ralston(born July 27, 1942, an American formertennisplayerNo Informationis providedAnnotateFrom 1960 to 1969, Ralston won five major double championships.Winner is on the grass surface.Rafael Osuna is partner in the Wimbeldonoutcomeyearchampionshipsurfacepartnerwinner1960Wimbledon championshipsgrassRafael Osunawinner1961US ChampionshipsgrassChuck Mckinleyrunner -up1962US ChampionshipsgrassChuck Mckinleywinner1963US Championships (2)grassChuck MckinleyDistrictIncumbentPartyResultCandidatesCalifornia 3John E. Mossdemocraticre-electedJohn E. Moss (d) 69.9% John Rakus(r) 30.1%California 5Phillip Burtondemocraticre-electedPhillip Burton (d) 81.8% EdloE. Powell (r) 18.2%california8George Paul Millerdemocraticlost renomination democratic holdPeteStark(d) 52.9% Lew M. Warden, Jr. (r) 47.1%California 14Jerome R. Waldierepublicanre-electedJeromeR. Waldie(d) 77.6% FloydE. Sims(r) 22.4%California 15John J. Mcfallrepublicanre-electedJohn J. Mcfall(d) unopposedStatement: John E. Mossis a democratic who is from California 3 districtJohnJohn E. Moss (d) 69.9% johnrakus(r) 30.1%John E. MossJohn J. McfallJohnE. MossJohn E. Moss (d) 69.9% johnrakus(r) 30.1%John E. Mossis Published as a conference paper at ICLR 2020
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+ Figure 15: We demonstrate the top program candidates and use the discriminator to rank them.
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+ 19
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+ Statement: There are more democraticthan republicanin the election. Less(Count(Filter(incumbent==democratic)), Count(Filter(incumbent==republican)))=FalseLess(Count(Filter(incumbent==republican)), Count(Filter(incumbent==democratic)))=TrueGreater(Count(Filter(incumbent==republican)), Count(Filter(incumbent==democratic)))=FalseGreater(Count(Filter(incumbent==democratic)),Count(Filter(incumbent==republican)))=TrueWithin((Filter(incumbent==democratic), incumbent, republican)=FalseWithin((Filter(incumbent==republican), incumbent, democratic)=FalseAnd(Same(all_rows, incumbent, democratic), Same(all_rows, incumbent, republican))=TrueOr(Same(all_rows, incumbent, democratic), Same(all_rows, incumbent, republican))=TrueEq(Count(Filter(incumbent==republican)), Count(Filter(incumbent==democratic)))=FalseProgram EncoderStatement EncoderLabel 11/8/2019HIThttps://s3.amazonaws.com/mturk_bulk/hits/370501562/uNGk1Dz1zM48BZI6mALfxA.html1/4Survey Instructions (Click to expand)You are given a table with its wikipedia source, your job is to compose non-trivial statements supportedby the table.- "Trivial": the sentence can be easily generated by looking only a certain row without understanding thetable.- "Non-trivial": the sentence requires reading multiple rows of the table and understanding of the tablecontent. For example, the sentences which include summarization, comparative, negation, relational,inclusion, superlative, aggregational, rephrase or combinations of them are non-trivial. But non-trvial is notlimited to these types, any statement involving understanding and reasoning is accepted. We list two examples below to help you understand, you are encouraged to open the table wikipedia link tounderstand the context of the table. (Everything in the table is lower-cased, you are free to use lower or uppercase in your sentence):Table Wikipedia Link: Road_Rules_Challenge:_The_Island(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_World/Road_Rules_Challenge:_The_Island)playeroriginal seasongendereliminatedplacingderrick kosinskirr : x - trememalewinnerwinnerevelyn smithfresh meatfemalewinnerwinnerjohnny devenanziorw : key westmalewinnerwinnerkenny santuccifresh meatmalewinnerwinnerjenn grijalvarw : denverfemaleepisode 8runner - uppaula meronekrw : key westfemaleepisode 8runner - uprobin hibbardrw : san diegofemaleepisode 8runner - upryan kehoefresh meatmaleepisode 8runner - updunbar merrillrw : sydneymaleepisode 89th placejohanna bottarw : austinfemaleepisode 810th placekellyanne juddrw : sydneyfemaleepisode 811th placedan walshrr : viewers' revengemaleepisode 812th placecolie edisonrw : denverfemaleepisode 713th placecohutta grindstaffrw : sydneymaleepisode 614th placetyrie ballardrw : denvermaleepisode 515th placeashli robsonrw : sydneyfemaleepisode 416th placerachel robinsonrr : campus crawlfemaleepisode 317th placeabram boiserr : south pacificmaleepisode 218th placedave malinoskyrw : hollywoodmaleepisode 2 (quit)19th placeRejected ("Trivial") examples:1. In the TV series "The Island", Derrick Kosinski is a male character. (Easy! You can simply look into firstrow to produce this sentence.)2. Derrick Kosinski has the placing of winner in the TV series.3. Kenny Santucci is from original season of "Fresh Meat". 11/8/2019HIThttps://s3.amazonaws.com/mturk_bulk/hits/370501562/uNGk1Dz1zM48BZI6mALfxA.html2/4Table Wikipedia Link: AFC_Champions_League (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Champions_League) Tips1: We set minimum length to 9, and sentences with more complicated grammar structures arepreferred. Tips2: Do not limited to only one type of description like superlative or relative. Tips3: Copying the records from the table is encouraged, which can help avoid typos and mis-spelling asmuch as possible, . Tips4: Do not vague words like "maybe", "perhaps", "good", "excellent", "most", etc. 4. Jenn Grijalva is Runner-Up of the challenge.Accepted ("Non-Trivial") examples: (Superlative): In the TV series "The Island", Evelyn Smith is the highest ranked female. (Comparitive): In the TV series "The Island", Jenn Grijalva appears later than Colie Edison in the series.(Relational): Ashli Robson appears one episode later than Rachel Robinson in the TV series.(Summarization): there are three male winners in the challenge.(Rephrase): Evelyn Smith never eliminated in any episode in the TV series.(Combination): Derrick Kosinski is the winner and Jenn Grijalva is Runner-Up of the challenge.(Negation): jenn grijalva is not the female winning the challenge. (Inclusion): Evelyn smith is one of the four winner for the challenge.rankmember associationpointsgroup stageplay - offafc cup1saudi arabia860.54002qatar838.24003iran813.53104uae750.22205uzbekistan680.81006india106.40027jordan128.7002Rejected ("Trivial") examples:1. In the rank, it has 0 play - off.2. ratar is in rank 2.3. When member association is india, the points is 106.4.Accepted ("Non-Trivial") examples: (Negation): iran is one of the two countries getting into the 4th stage. (Average): uae and qatar have anaverage of 1 play - off during the champion league. (Algorithmic): saudi arabia achieves 22.3 more points than qatar. (Comparison): india got lower points than jordan in the league. (Summarization): there are two team which have won the afc cup twice.(Superlative): In the Champions League, saudi arabia achieves the highest points. (Combination): saudi arabia is the group stage 4 while iran is in group stage 3. 11/8/2019HIThttps://s3.amazonaws.com/mturk_bulk/hits/370501562/uNGk1Dz1zM48BZI6mALfxA.html3/4First Read the following table, then write five diverse non-trivial facts for this given table:Table Source: athletics at the 1952 summer olympics - men 's pole vault(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_1952_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_pole_vault)athletenationality3.603.803.95resultbob richardsunited states--o4.55 ordon lazunited states--o4.50ragnar lundbergsweden--o4.40petro denysenkosoviet union--o4.40valto oleniusfinland---4.30bunkichi sawadajapan-oxxo4.20volodymyr brazhnyksoviet union-oo4.20viktor knyazevsoviet union-oo4.20george mattosunited states--o4.20erkki katajafinland--o4.10tamás homonnaysweden-oo4.10lennart lindhungary-oo4.10milan milakovyugoslavia-oxo4.10rigas efstathiadisgreece-oo3.95torfy bryngeirssoniceland-oo3.95erling kaasnorway-oxxx3.80theodosios balafasgreeceooxxx3.80jukka piironenfinland-xoxx3.80zeno dragomirromania-xoxx3.80Please write a non-trivial statement, minimum 9 wordsPlease write a non-trivial statement, minimum 9 wordsPlease write a non-trivial statement, minimum 9 wordsPlease write a non-trivial statement, minimum 9 wordsPlease write a non-trivial statement, minimum 9 words 11/8/2019HIThttps://s3.amazonaws.com/mturk_bulk/hits/391922557/v_5b2TrRmw9TnD5hSI_CnA.html1/3Survey Instructions (Click to expand)Please first read a table to understand its content, an example is shown below, which contains theleaderboard of a competition.PlayerOriginal SeasonGenderEliminatedPlacingDerrick KosinskiRR: X-TremeMaleWinnerWinnerEvelyn SmithFresh MeatFemaleWinnerWinnerJohnny DevenanzioRW: Key WestMaleWinnerWinnerKenny SantucciFresh MeatMaleWinnerWinnerJenn GrijalvaRW: DenverFemaleEpisode 8Runner-UpPaula MeronekRW: Key WestFemaleEpisode 8Runner-UpRobin HibbardRW: San DiegoFemaleEpisode 8Runner-UpRyan KehoeFresh MeatMaleEpisode 8Runner-UpDunbar MerrillRW: SydneyMaleEpisode 89th PlaceJohanna BottaRW: AustinFemaleEpisode 810th PlaceKellyAnne JuddRW: SydneyFemaleEpisode 811th PlaceDan WalshRR: Viewers' RevengeMaleEpisode 812th PlaceColie EdisonRW: DenverFemaleEpisode 713th PlaceCohutta GrindstaffRW: SydneyMaleEpisode 614th PlaceTyrie BallardRW: DenverMaleEpisode 515th PlaceAshli RobsonRW: SydneyFemaleEpisode 416th PlaceRachel RobinsonRR: Campus CrawlFemaleEpisode 317th PlaceAbram BoiseRR: South PacificMaleEpisode 218th PlaceDave MalinoskyRW: HollywoodMaleEpisode 2 (quit)19th PlaceTonya CooleyRW: ChicagoFemaleEpisode 120th PlaceYou are given a sentence to describe a fact in the table, please follow the following two cases to finish thejob:* If the given sentence is fluent and consistent with the table, then please re-write it to make it"fake" based on the following criteria:1. Contradictory: it should still be a fluent and coherent, but it needs be explicitly contrdictory to thefacts in the table.2. Do not simply add NOT to revert the sentence meaning.3. Do not write neutral or non-verifiable sentences, you need to confirm it in the table.3. The fake statement needs to be clear, explicit and natural, do not use vague or ambiguous words like"bad", "good", "many", etc.4. try to use diverse fake types during annotatoin.Example 1. Given statement: Ashli Robson was eliminated in episode 4.Good Faking: Ashli Robson survives through episode 1 to episode 5.Good Faking: Ashli Robson is not the only one eliminated in episode 4.Bad Faking (Simply add not): Ashli Robson was not eliminated on episode 4. 11/8/2019HIThttps://s3.amazonaws.com/mturk_bulk/hits/391922557/v_5b2TrRmw9TnD5hSI_CnA.html2/3Bad Faking (Ambiguous, who is Ashli?): Ashli was not eliminated on episode 4.Bad Faking (Irrelevant): Ashli was born in Mexico.Bad Faking (Too subjective, what do you mean by "early"): AshlDerrick Kosinski lost the game very early.Bad Faking (Not verifiable): AshlDerrick Kosinski was the most popular player.Example 2. Given statement: Tonya Cooley is in the 20th place.Good Faking: Tonya Cooley is not the last in placing.Good Faking: Tonya Cooley is eliminated in episode 1 but not the last in placing.Bad Faking: (There is nothing larger than 20th) Tonya Cooley is after the 20th place.Bad Faking: (Half Wrong/half Right) When the gneder is female, the player is Tonya Colley.Bad Faking (Introduce values outside the table): Tonya Cooley is in the 43th place. Bad Faking (Typo): Tonya Cooler is in the 20th palace. * If the given statement is erroneous (see following), please type in N/A in the input box.1. critical grammar error like missing verbs, nouns, etc. Do not count small errors like tense,singular/plural, case errors.2. serious typo, misspelling.3. the described fact is contradictory to the table.You can use the highlight button to help you find the mentions in the table, you can use eitherupper or lower case, not important 11/8/2019HIThttps://s3.amazonaws.com/mturk_bulk/hits/391922557/v_5b2TrRmw9TnD5hSI_CnA.html3/3SubmitFirst Read the given tables, then rewrite the statements to make them fake:Table Source: 2003 - 04 isu junior grand prix(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003%E2%80%9304_ISU_Junior_Grand_Prix)ranknationgoldsilverbronzetotal1russia10148322united states967223canada4210164japan454135hungary40266czech republic21146ukraine13046italy01347sweden12038israel11029finland00119france0101Hightlight Mentions, Click Me!Given Statement: russia won the most silver medals in the grand prixPlease rewrite a sentence which is contradictory to the tableHightlight Mentions, Click Me!Given Statement: france and finland won the least medals in the grand prixPlease rewrite a sentence which is contradictory to the tableHightlight Mentions, Click Me!Given Statement: hungary and finland were the only countries that idd not win any silver medalsPlease rewrite a sentence which is contradictory to the tableHightlight Mentions, Click Me!Given Statement: the united states won more gold medals than canadaPlease rewrite a sentence which is contradictory to the tableHightlight Mentions, Click Me!Given Statement: canada won the most bronze medals in the grand prixPlease rewrite a sentence which is contradictory to the table
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- OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)IntroductionClimate & Health Vulnerability AssessmentPURPOSEThis vulnerability assessment is intended to inform public health professionals and community partners engaged in climate change adaptation and resilience planning. It focuses specifically on social vulnerability as a way to integrate the concepts of social determinants of health and environmental justice into climate change planning.PROCESSThe Climate and Health Program developed this assessment in consultation with other grantees of the CDC’s Climate Ready States and Cities Initiative. The assessment is based on associations identified in research literature, which are summarized in the 2014 Oregon Climate and Health Profile Report.The Climate and Health Program envisions this assessment being updated and expanded as our knowledge grows and conditions change. This first edition, published in Fall 2015, is limited to measures of population sensitivity. In the future, we anticipate adding measures of hazard exposure such as extreme heat, and adaptive capacity, such as access to air conditioning. Additionally, we hope to expand the composite vulnerability index in subsequent assessments to incorporate more measures of vulnerability, and we hope to add context by analyzing the key drivers in each community.We acknowledge that maps of social and demographic characteristics do not tell the whole story. For example, there may be strengths that enable some communities to readily overcome vulnerabilities. This assessment is just one of many pieces of information that can help Oregon’s public health system prepare for the impacts of climate change.FOR MORE INFORMATIONContact:Climate and Health Programbrendon.haggerty@state.or.us(971) 673-0335Or visit:healthoregon.org/climate OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivitySocial vulnerabilityABOUT THIS INDICATORThis index is a combination eleven indicators of social vulnerability including measures of demographics, socioeconomic status, and health. The indicators are drawn from US Census data and health statistics from the Oregon Health Authority. Each indicator is equally weighted, and the index is relative to other census tracts in the state. Census tracts shaded dark blue represent areas with higher social vulnerability. These tracts are distributed in many parts of the state, and largely overlap with broad indicators of socioeconomic status such as educational attainment.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYIndexes such as this one are based on the work of Susan Cutter (1), which established associations between natural hazards and indicators of social vulnerability. They are used to help understand vulnerability to climate impacts in many jurisdictions (2, 3).DATA SOURCESOregon Climate & Health Program, Public Health Division, Oregon Health Authority. July 2015.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climateComposite vulnerability indexCensus TractsLowMediumHighCounty borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityBirth outcomesABOUT THIS INDICATORThe percentage of births that are pre-term is an indicator of risks for infants calculated from birth certificate records. While darker blue represents a larger percent of preterm births, counties are mostly similar on this metric, varying between about 6% and 11%.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYPreterm births are associated with extreme heat (1) and air pollution (2). Moreover, adverse birth outcomes like preterm birth or low birth weight are associated with problems during early childhood (3) as well as long term health effects including risk of cardiovascular disease (4). Existing illness such as those linked to adverse birth outcomes result in greater vulnerability to negative health impacts of climate change.DATA SOURCESBirth Risk Factors: Oregon Birth Certificates, Center for Health Statistics, Center for Public Health Practice, Public Health Divsion, Oregon Health Authority.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of infants born <36 weeks of pregnancyCounties6.2% - 7.4%7.5% - 8.1%8.2% - 10.5%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityChildrenABOUT THIS INDICATORThe population of the youngest Oregon residents is unevenly distributed, as reflected in the above map showing the percent of the population within under age 18. Darker blue tracts indicate higher concentrations of children. Statewide, 22% of the population is under 18 years of age.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYInfants and children are vulnerable to multiple climate impacts. Young children are more susceptible to extreme heat (1). Children are more vulnerable to environmental toxins of all types, since the same dose given to an adult is lower in proportion to body size (2). This makes children more sensitive to contaminated food, water, and air resulting from impacts of climate change. One study estimated that 88% of the additional burden of disease due to climate change falls upon children (3).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of population aged less than 18 yearsCensus tracts0% - 19.2%19.3% - 24.2%24.3% - 38.1%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityChronic DiseaseABOUT THIS INDICATORBody Mass Index (BMI) is a population-level indicator of obesity levels. The estimates in the map above are derived from de-identified driver license data, adjusted for age, and averaged over whole census tracts. BMI is indicative of chronic illness, since it is closely associated with diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYPeople with existing illness are more vulnerable to climate change impacts because the changing climate has potential to exacerbate many conditions. For example, extreme heat increases the risk of heat-related death for those with diabetes (1), and air quality issues arising from heat or wildfire can worsen asthma symptoms (2). Moreover, extreme weather events such as floods and landslides can disrupt care and access to needed medication (3).DATA SOURCESOregon Environmental Public Health Tracking. 2015.[data files]. Available at www.epht.oregon.govSee bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climateCensus tracts0.0 - 26.226.3 - 27.127.2 - 30.4County borders05010025MilesAge-adjusted mean body mass index OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityEducational AttainmentABOUT THIS INDICATORThe percent of adults aged 25 years or over without a high school diploma is a common measure of educational attainment collected by the US Census Bureau. In other jurisdictions, this indicator was found to be a primary driver of social vulnerability (1). This map displays the percentage of adults in each census tract who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent. Dark blue census tracts reflect higher percentages of adults with low educational attainment.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYLow educational attainment is associated with greater vulnerability to heat related illness (2, 3, 4) and exposure to air pollution (5,6). As noted in the Oregon Climate and Health Profile Report, exposure to these hazards is likely to increase in Oregon as a result of climate change.DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of adults aged 25+ without a high school diplomaCensus tracts0% - 6.7%6.8% - 12%12.1% - 56.3%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityForeign-born populationABOUT THIS INDICATORThis indicator is a partial substitute for indicators of vulnerability used in other assessments (1). The percent of the population born outside the US is indicative of potential linguistic isolation or citizenship status. In this map, areas of darkest blue represent the highest percentages of people born outside the US. These tracts are found primarily in the Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYThis indicator is suggests linguistic isolation, limited capacity to access resources, and potential difficulty asserting labor and housing rights. Together, these traits are associated with vulnerability to a range of climate-related hazards, including heat related illness, extreme weather, and occupational exposures (2).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of population born outside of the United StatesCensus tracts0% - 4.6%4.7% - 10.1%10.2% - 44.7%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityIsolated older adultsABOUT THIS INDICATORThe percent of households that are single-person aged 65 years or older indicates the co-occurrence of two types of vulnerability: advanced age and social isolation. Social isolation can take many forms, but this indicator from the census is among the most readily available. The map above shows high percentages of single-person older adult households in dark blue. Unlike the percent of adults aged 65 or older, the percentage of single-person older householders shows a less distinct spatial pattern.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYSocial isolation can result in a lack of supportive contact networks that can be relied upon in extreme conditions. This indicator is associated with greater vulnerability to extreme heat (1, 2).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of households that are single-person aged 65 years or olderCensus tracts0% - 7%7.1% - 11.1%11.2% - 40.3%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityOlder adultsABOUT THIS INDICATORIn the above map, dark blue represents areas with higher percentages of older adults. A very clear pattern is present: there are higher percentages of older adults in rural areas. The lowest percentages are found in the state’s urban areas in the Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, and near Medford.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYOlder adults are more vulnerable to multiple hazards, especially extreme heat (1, 2, 3). This is partly because of the decreased ability to regulate body temperature that normally comes with age. Risk is elevated for many older adults because of medications or chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. As a result, older adults have the highest rates of heat-related illness and heat-related death. Older adults are also more vulnerable to poor air quality and infectious diseases related to climate change (4).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of population aged 65 years or olderCensus tracts0% - 11%11.1% - 17.1%17.2% - 46%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityRace and ethnicityABOUT THIS INDICATORThis indicator measures the proportion of the population who identifies as a race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic white. Greater percentages are represented by darker shades of blue. Diverse communities are found across Oregon, with some greater concentrations in the lower Willamette Valley, North Central area, and parts of Eastern and Southern Oregon.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYOregon’s communities of color are already disproportionately burdened by illness and lack of access to health-supportive resources (1). Research suggests ways communities of color are more vulnerable to certain climate hazards, including: greater sensitivity and exposure to air pollutants (2, 3), fewer resources for recovery from extreme weather events (4), and inadequacy of existing warning systems (5).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent identifying as a race other than non-Hispanic whiteCensus tracts0% - 15.9%16% - 27.2%27.3% - 97.2%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivitySocioeconomic statusABOUT THIS INDICATORThe percent of households earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level is an indicator of socioeconomic status at the census tract level. In 2015, the poverty level for a family of 4 was about $24,000. Low-income households are part of communities throughout Oregon.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYLow-income households have few resources to cope with climate-related health impacts. Compared to wealthier households, disasters have a greater impact on low-income populations as a result of geographic isolation, type of residence and social exclusion (1). Lower income households are more likely to live in urban heat islands, have higher exposure to air pollutants, and are less likely to be able to afford protective measures like air conditioning (2, 3, 4).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of households with incomes <200% of Federal Poverty LevelCensus tracts0% - 29.1%29.2% - 42.2%42.3% - 91.7%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityTenureABOUT THIS INDICATORThe US Census Bureau provides estimates of the proportion of occupied housing units that are occupied by renters. In this map, dark blue tracts represent areas with a high proportion of renters. While it may appear to be a small number of tracts, they are overwhelmingly concentrated in urban areas with greater density. The dark blue tracts represent 1/3 of Oregon’s population.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYRenters are less able to mitigate climate threats by investing time, labor, and equipment in protective measures. This is attributed to financial barriers and lack of incentive to engage in protective maintenance (e.g. removing trees that elevate fire risk) (1).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of housing occupants occupied by rentersCensus tracts0% - 27.2%27.3% - 42%42.1% - 100%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Population sensitivityUnemploymentABOUT THIS INDICATOREmployment status is commonly included in measures of vulnerability (1). The American Community Survey provides estimates of the percent of the population age 16 years or older who are unemployed. On the above map, darker shades of blue represent greater unemployment rates. Tracts with high unemployment are distributed throughout the state.HOW THIS INDICATOR IS RELATED TO CLIMATE VULNERABILITYLike other indicators of socioeconomic status, the percentage of adults who are unemployed helps to illustrate peoples’ capacity to cope with climate stressors. This indicator also provides a baseline by which we can judge whether changes to the economy resulting from climate instability are affecting workers. Additionally, there is evidence that employment status shapes migration patterns (2).DATA SOURCES2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. US Census Bureau.See bibliography for references.For more information, visit healthoregon.org/climatePercent of population aged 16 years or older who are unemployedCensus tracts0% - 9%9.1% - 12.8%12.9% - 32.6%County borders05010025Miles OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)BibliographyBIRTH OUTCOMES1. Basu R., Malig B., Ostro B. (2010) High Ambient Temperature and the Risk of Preterm Delivery. American Journal of Epidemiology,172:1108–172. Fleischer, N.L., Merialdi, M., van Donkelaar, A., Vadillo-Ortega, F., Martin, R.V., Betran, A. P., & Souza, J. P. (2014). Outdoor air pollution, preterm birth, and low birth weight: analysis of the world health organization global survey on maternal and perinatal health. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(4), 425.3. Kramer, M.S., Demissie, K., Yang, H., Platt, R.W., Sauvé, R., & Liston, R. (2000). The contribution of mild and moderate preterm birth to infant mortality. Journal of the American Medical Association, 284(7), 843-849.4. Rogers, L. K., & Velten, M. (2011). Maternal inflammation, growth retardation, and preterm birth: insights into adult cardiovascular disease. Life Sciences,89(13), 417-421.CHILDREN1. Sheffield P.E., Knowlton K., Carr J.L., Kinney P.L. (2011). Modeling of regional climate change effects on ground-level ozone and childhood asthma. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 41:251–72. Basu, R. (2009). High ambient temperature and mortality: a review of epidemiologic studies from 2001 to 2008. Environmental Health, 8(1), 40.3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. America’s Children and the Environment [Internet]. (2000). Available from: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/ACE-Report.htm/$File/ ACE-Report.pdfCHRONIC DISEASE1. Reid, C.E., O’Neill, M.S., Gronlund, C.J., Brines, S.J., Diez-Roux, A.V., Brown, D.G., & Schwartz, J.D. (2009). Mapping community determinants of heat vulnerability. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11):1730-1736 2. Gent J.F., Triche E.W., Holford T.R., Belanger K., Bracken M.B., Beckett W.S., et al. Association of low-level ozone and fine particles with respiratory symptoms in children with asthma. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;290:1859– 67.3. Kessler R.C. (2007).Hurricane Katrina’s impact on the care of survivors with chronic medical conditions. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22:1225–30.EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT1. Cooley, H., & Pacifica Institute. (2012). Social vulnerability to climate change in California. California Energy Commission.2. O’Neill, M. S., Zanobetti, A., & Schwartz, J. (2003). Modifiers of the temperature and mortality association in seven US cities. American Journal of Epidemiology, 157(12), 1074-1082.3. Basu, R. (2009). High ambient temperature and mortality: a review of epidemiologic studies from 2001 to 2008. Environmental Health, 8(1), 40.4. Reid, C.E., O’Neill, M.S., Gronlund, C.J., Brines, S.J., Diez-Roux, A.V., Brown, D.G., & Schwartz, J.D. (2009). Mapping community determinants of heat vulnerability. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11):1730-1736 5. Krewski, D., R. T. Burnett, et al. (2000). Reanalysis of the Harvard Six Cities Study and the American Cancer Society Study of Particulate Air Pollution and Mortality. Boston, Massachusetts: Health Effects Institute.6. Pope III, C. A., & Dockery, D. W. (2006). Health effects of fine particulate air pollution: lines that connect. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 56(6), 709-742FOREIGN-BORN POPULATION1. Cooley, H., & Pacifica Institute. (2012). Social vulnerability to climate change in California. California Energy Commission.2. Shonkoff, S. B., Morello-Frosch, R., Pastor, M., & Sadd, J. (2011). The climate gap: environmental health and equity implications of climate change and mitigation policies in California—a review of the literature. Climatic Change,109(1), 485-503.ISOLATED OLDER ADULTS1. McGeehin, M. A., & Mirabelli, M. (2001). The potential impacts of climate variability and change on temperature-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Environmental health perspectives, 109(Suppl 2), 185.2. English, P. B., Sinclair, A. H., Ross, Z., Anderson, H., Boothe, V., Davis, C., Ebi, K., Kagey, B., Malecki, K., Shultz, R.m & Simms, E. (2009). Environmental health indicators of climate change for the United States: findings from the State Environmental Health Indicator Collaborative. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11), 1673-81.OLDER ADULTS1. Knowlton, K., Rotkin-Ellman, M., King, G., Margolis, H.G., Smith, D., Solomon, G., Trent R., & English, P. (2009). The 2006 California heat wave: impacts on hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Environmental Health Perspectives,117(1), 61-67.2. Basu, R., & Ostro, B. D. (2008). A multicounty analysis identifying the populations vulnerable to mortality associated with high ambient temperature in California. American Journal of Epidemiology, 168(6), 632-637.3. Reid, C.E., O’Neill, M.S., Gronlund, C.J., Brines, S.J., Diez-Roux, A.V., Brown, D.G., & Schwartz, J.D. (2009). Mapping community determinants of heat vulnerability. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11):1730-1736 4. Gamble, J. L., Hurley, B. J., Schultz, P. A., Jaglom, W. S., Krishnan, N., & Harris, M. (2013). Climate change and older Americans: state of the science. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(1), 15-22. OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY | CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM OHA (10.15)Bibliography - continuedRACE AND ETHNICITY1. Oregon Health Authority. State of Equity Report [Internet]. 2013. Available from: http://www.oregon.gov/ oha/oei/Pages/soe.aspx2. Gwynn R.C., Thurston G.D. (2001). The burden of air pollution: impacts among racial minorities. Environmental Health Perspectives,109 Suppl 501–6.3. Medina-Ramón M., Schwartz J. (2008). Who is more vulnerable to die from ozone air pollution? Epidemiology,19:672–9.4. Toldson I.A., Ray K., Hatcher S.S., Louis L.S. (2011). Examining the long-term racial disparities in health and economic conditions among Hurricane Katrina survivors: Policy implications for Gulf Coast recovery. Journal of Black Studies, 42:360–78.5. Hayden M.H., Drobot S., Radil S., Benight C., Gruntfest E.C., Barnes L.R. (2007). Information sources for flash flood warnings in Denver, CO and Austin, TX. Environmental Hazards, 7:211SOCIAL VULNERABILITY1. Cutter, S.L., Boruff, B.J., & Shirley, W.L. (2003). Social vulnerability to environmental hazards. Social Science Quarterly, 84(2), 242-261.2. Cooley, H., & Pacifica Institute. (2012). Social vulnerability to climate change in California. California Energy Commission.3. Minnesota Department of Health. 2014. Minnesota Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment 2014. October 2014, Saint Paul, MNSOCIOECONOMIC STATUS1. Fothergill A, Peek LA. (2004). Poverty and Disasters in the United States: A Review of Recent Sociological Findings. Natural Hazards, 32:89–1102. Reid, C.E., O’Neill, M.S., Gronlund, C.J., Brines, S.J., Diez-Roux, A.V., Brown, D.G., & Schwartz, J.D. (2009). Mapping community determinants of heat vulnerability. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(11):1730-1736 3. Basu, R., & Ostro, B.D. (2008). A multicounty analysis identifying the populations vulnerable to mortality associated with high ambient temperature in California. American Journal of Epidemiology, 168(6), 632-637.4. Harlan S.L., Brazel A.J., Prashad L., Stefanov W.L., Larsen L. (2006). Neighborhood microclimates and vulnerability to heat stress. Social Science and Medicine, 63:2847–63.TENURE1.Collins, Timothy W., & Bolin, B. (2009). Situating hazard vulnerability: people’s negotiations with wildfire environments in the US Southwest. Environmental Management, 44.3: 441-455.UNEMPLOYMENT1. Cutter, S.L., Boruff, B.J., & Shirley, W L. (2003). Social vulnerability to environmental hazards. Social Science Quarterly, 84(2), 242-261.2. Reuveny, R. (2007). Climate change-induced migration and violent conflict. Political Geography, 26(6), 656-673.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
+ DOI: 10.1111/polp.12517
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+
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+ O R I G I N A L A R T I C L E
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+
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+ The fluid voter: Exploring independent voting patterns
6
+ over time
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+
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+ Thom Reilly1
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+
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+ | Dan Hunting2
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+
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+ 1School of Public Affairs, Arizona State
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+ University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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+
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+ 2Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and
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+ Nonprofit Innovation, Arizona State
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+ University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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+
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+ Correspondence
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+
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+ Thom Reilly, School of Public Affairs, Arizona
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+ State University, 411 N Central Ave. Office 422K,
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+ Mail Code 3720, Phoenix, AZ 85005, USA.
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+ Email: thom.reilly@asu.edu
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+
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+ Abstract
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+ Independents remain hard to categorize because they are, by
28
+ their choice of self-identification, resisting the standard cate-
29
+ gories of political classification. Despite the growth in inde-
30
+ pendent voter identity, many political strategists still view
31
+ independents as partisans. In this article, we contribute to the
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+ academic literature on independent voting behavior by explor-
33
+ ing whether those who identify as politically independent
34
+ function as true independents by accounting for their voting
35
+ patterns over time. We do this by analyzing data produced by
36
+ the American National Election Studies (ANES) on political
37
+ identification and voting choices from 1972 to 2020 on each
38
+ of the three ANES measures of party affiliation. Our findings
39
+ show when tracking independent voting behavior over more
40
+ than one election, there is a significant volatility in voting
41
+ loyalty and independents as a group are distinct from parti-
42
+ sans. This volatility was observed in all three measures of party
43
+ affiliation used by the ANES survey data. The research also
44
+ finds evidence that a sizeable number of independents move
45
+ in and out of independent status from one election to another.
46
+
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+ K E Y W O R D S
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+ ANES, elections, fluid voter, independent voter, over time, partisanship,
49
+ political behavior, political parties, United States, volatility, voter identifi-
50
+ cation, voting behavior, voting loyalty
51
+
52
+ Related Articles
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+ Grossmann, Matt. 2014. “The Varied Effects of Policy Cues
54
+ on Partisan Opinions.” Politics & Policy 42(6): 881–904.
55
+ https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12102.
56
+ Reilly, Thom, and E. C. Hedberg. 2022. “Social Networks
57
+ of Independents and Partisans: Are Independents a Moder-
58
+ ating Forcer?” Politics & Policy 50(2): 225–43. https://doi.
59
+ org/10.1111/polp.12460.
60
+ Saeki, Manabu. 2019. “Anatomy of Party Sorting: Parti-
61
+ san Polarization of Voters and Party Switching.” Politics &
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+ Policy 47(4): 699–747. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12318.
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+
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+ Politics & Policy. 2023;00:1–22.
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+
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+ wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/polp
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+
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+ 1
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+
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+ © 2023 Policy Studies Organization.
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+ 2
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+
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+ THE FLUID VOTER
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+
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+ Americans are increasingly declaring independence from the political parties. The rise in political
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+ independence is likely an outgrowth of Americans' record or near-record negative views of the
77
+ U.S. two-party system (Ingraham, 2021) and their low level of trust in government (PEW, 2022).
78
+ Self-defined independent voters now number between 40% and 46% of the U.S. electorate
79
+ (Gallup, 2022) and currently constitute either the largest or second-largest group of registered
80
+ voters in half the states (Gruber & Opdycke, 2020). Despite the historical increase in independ-
81
+ ent voter identification, many political strategists still view independents as partisans (Magleby
82
+ et al., 2011; Petrocik, 2009) and contend that the overwhelming majority of Americans who say
83
+ they are “independent” really lean toward one party or the other. However, other scholars have
84
+ disputed the findings that most independents are leaners and suggest that there is no conclusive
85
+ evidence for this position (Abrams & Fiorina, 2011).
86
+
87
+ Our study seeks to contribute to the academic literature by exploring whether those who are
88
+ identified as politically independent function as true independents by accounting for their voting
89
+ patterns over time. We are interested in determining whether independents move in and out of
90
+ independent status. We do this by reviewing the voting behavior of Democrats, Republicans,
91
+ and independents over multiple election cycles. Our research seeks to address the following three
92
+ questions:
93
+
94
+ 1. Does political identification change across time?
95
+ 2. How do respondents allocate their votes across parties?
96
+ 3. Do voting choices change over time?
97
+
98
+ LITERATURE REVIEW
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+
100
+ The classification of voters as independent dates back to the seminal work of Angus Campbell
101
+ and his colleagues, who first published The American Voter in 1960 (Campbell et  al.,  1960).
102
+ Analyzing data collected under the University of Michigan Survey Research Center (and later
103
+ aggregated by the American National Election Studies; ANES Data Center, 2021), the authors
104
+ describe the identity of party affiliation as a central characteristic explaining voting behavior
105
+ and other political attitudes and behaviors. The surveys that The American Voter analyzed have
106
+ been considered by many to be the gold standard in the field. Though officially founded in 1978,
107
+ the American National Election Studies (ANES) program has continuous survey data on the
108
+ electorate since 1948. The survey is usually administered every other year, but occasionally every
109
+ fourth year. ANES is a comprehensive survey which provides much information on respondents'
110
+ background and political attitude.
111
+
112
+ The American Voter authors acknowledged that some kind of “independent” existed but
113
+ characterized the independent as having little interest in campaigns and outcomes and suggested
114
+ their choice between competing candidates is uninformed. Most of what we know about inde-
115
+ pendents comes from survey data, and most surveys predispose the majority of independents as
116
+ leaners toward either of the two political parties. Since 1952, when individuals identified them-
117
+ selves as an independent, researchers and pollsters have asked a follow-up question on whether
118
+ respondents prefer one party over the other if they had to vote then and there.
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+
120
+ In addition to asking respondents to identify themselves from a three-point scale: Democrat,
121
+ Republican, and independent, respondents were asked to self-identify on the ANES seven-point
122
+ political spectrum (ANES Data Center, 2015):
123
+
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+ 1. Strong Democrat
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+ 2. Democrat
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+ 3. Independent, leans Democrat
127
+ 4. Independent
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+
129
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
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+
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+ 3
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+
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+ 5. Independent, leans Republican
134
+ 6. Republican
135
+ 7. Strong Republican
136
+
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+ Since the seven-point measure was introduced in the 1952 survey, researchers accessing the ANES
138
+ data were able to use several measures. They could use the seven-point measure, a five-point
139
+ measure by collapsing the three independent categories into one (as the authors of the Amer-
140
+ ican Voter did), a three-point measure with leaners classed as independents, or a three-point
141
+ measure with leaners classified as partisans. Researchers used any or all of these measures often
142
+ depending on which coding decision gave them big enough cell sizes for analysis by re-coding the
143
+ data or not (DeBell, 2010).
144
+
145
+ Viewing the majority of independents as partisans originates from the formative research
146
+ popularized in The Myth of the Independent Voter (Keith et al., 1992), which claimed that the
147
+ ANES' “Seven-Point Scale” should only include three actual categories (Democrat, Repub-
148
+ lican, and Independent). After the Petrocik  (2009) and Keith and others'  (1992) articles, it
149
+ became more common to use a five-point or three-point measure with leaners classified as
150
+ independents.
151
+
152
+ Most independents indicated a lean toward one of the two major political parties' candi-
153
+ dates. Political scientists have labeled these individuals as “independent leaners” and have argued
154
+ that the number of pure independents is actually quite small—below 10%. This percentage has
155
+ remained constant since the 1950s (Mayer, 2008; PEW, 2019; Sides, 2013), and many political
156
+ scientists assert that the overwhelming majority of Americans who say there are “independent”
157
+ lean toward one party or the other (Teixiera, 2012).
158
+
159
+ Klar and Krupnikov (2016) have recently added some important research on the independent
160
+ voter. They explored the social significance of the growth in people refusing to identify them-
161
+ selves with a political party and suggested that independents and partisans differ psychologically
162
+ (Klar & Krupnikov,  2016). They do not dispute the notion that independents may be “closet
163
+ partisans” (they call them “undercover partisans”); but they do dispute the bias that independ-
164
+ ents are not politically engaged, stating that “engagement levels are comparable across independ-
165
+ ents and partisans” (Klar,  2014). They assert that many Americans are embarrassed by their
166
+ political party and do not wish to be associated with either side. Instead, they intentionally mask
167
+ their party preference, especially in social situations (Klar & Krupnikov, 2016). Nonetheless, they
168
+ contend that the refusal to publicly identify with a party must be revealing something important.
169
+ And they believe the predictors of independent political engagement differ substantially from
170
+ partisans.
171
+
172
+ However, there are some researchers that disagree with the assertion that independents
173
+ are leaners and suggest there is more volatility in their voter patterns, and that a sizeable
174
+ number of independents move in and out of independent status in ways that impact inde-
175
+ pendent voting over time (Abrams & Fiorina,  2011; Fiorina,  1977,  2016; Jackson,  1975;
176
+ Page & Jones, 1979). Their identification may depend on specific candidates or issues on the
177
+ ballot (Reilly et al., 2023) or may derive from short-term interest rather than a long-standing
178
+ loyalty (Miller, 1991). Fiorina (2017), professor of political science at Stanford University and
179
+ former chairman of the board of the ANES, contends that following independent leaners
180
+ over several elections is key to understanding their voting patterns. Along with his colleague
181
+ Samuel J. Abrams, they conducted such an analysis and found that, following independent
182
+ leaners across multiple elections, their partisan stability is closer to pure independents than
183
+ weak partisans (Fiorina, 2017). They also noted that “classifying all leaners as weak partisans
184
+ mis-characterizes the partisanship of Americans and overestimates the rate of party voting”
185
+ (Abrams & Fiorina, 2011). Other researchers have argued that responses to survey question
186
+ probes asking independents if they lean toward the Democratic or Republican Party are
187
+ significantly contaminated by short-term electoral elements operating in the campaign, such
188
+
189
+ 4
190
+
191
+ THE FLUID VOTER
192
+
193
+ as the candidates and specific issues (Abrams & Fiorina,  2011; Brody,  1978,  1991; Brody &
194
+ Rothenberg, 1988; Miller, 1991).
195
+
196
+ Finally, given the lack of data on voting patterns of independents in state races and
197
+ down-ballot (other than for president, governor, and Congress), there is growing interest in
198
+ examining the characteristics and attitudes of unaffiliated or independent voters as they
199
+ compare to voters from the two major parties. Bitzer and others (2022) researched down-ballot
200
+ voters in North Carolina and found unaffiliated voters were not simply shadow partisans but
201
+ varied from Democrats and Republicans in terms of demographics, political behavior, and polit-
202
+ ical attitudes.
203
+
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+ OUR EXPECTATIONS
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+
206
+ Our study seeks to contribute to the academic literature by exploring whether those who are
207
+ identified as politically independent function as true independents by accounting for their voting
208
+ patterns over time. The study also explores whether independents move in and out of independ-
209
+ ent status.
210
+
211
+ We begin with a description of ANES data and the three measures of party affiliation used
212
+ by the survey. Analysis then begins with a look at how the political identification of voters
213
+ changes over multiple survey waves using each of the three ANES scales to be described in the
214
+ next section. This analysis includes a parallel review of respondents who voted in both waves and
215
+ those who voted in neither wave. We next investigate how frequently respondents to the ANES
216
+ vote “straight tickets”—always choosing candidates from the same party—or “mixed tickets”
217
+ where some Republican and some Democrat candidates are chosen. It is expected that those
218
+ identifying as Democrat or Republican will mostly choose candidates from their own party,
219
+ while independents will show more variety in their choices. These results will also be reported on
220
+ each of the three political identification scales discussed below. Finally, we explore the degree to
221
+ which individuals change their voting choices over time.
222
+
223
+ METHODOLOGY
224
+
225
+ The ANES Cumulative Data File (CDF) is used to examine political identification and voting
226
+ choices from 1972 to 2020 (ANES Data Center, n.d.). Although the CDF contains data dating
227
+ back to 1948, restricting the analysis to data from 1972 onward provided the best balance of: (a)
228
+ providing a large enough sample to be useful and (b) capturing attitudes and trends that are rele-
229
+ vant in the current social and political climate. There have been substantial demographic changes
230
+ in the United States over the 72 years of ANES data. Additionally, prior to the passage of the
231
+ Voting Rights Act of 1965, large portions of the population were effectively disenfranchised.
232
+ These changes become evident when pre-1972 ANES data are compared to 1972–2020 data.
233
+ Prior to 1972, 6.4% of ANES respondents who reported voting were non-White, but the figure
234
+ jumps to 22.4% when looking at voters between 1972 and 2020. This percentage is much more in
235
+ line with current voter profiles. Smaller, but still important, changes are evident in the age distri-
236
+ bution and gender of respondents across the two time periods. Eighteen- to twenty-year-olds
237
+ made up 1.5% of the pre-1972 respondents and 5.9% after that. Females made up 52.4% of
238
+ the pre-1972 respondents and 53.8% from 1972 to 2020. The 1972–2020 data are more closely
239
+ aligned with current voter demographics, making this analysis more applicable to today's voters.
240
+ This dataset includes political identification information for respondents and self-reported
241
+ voting choices for president, Senate, Congress, and governor races. Since the ANES does not
242
+ show 2020 election preference data in the CDF, these data were linked to the CDF using the
243
+ Respondent ID from the ANES 2020 timeseries file. The resulting file was then formatted so that
244
+
245
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
246
+
247
+ 5
248
+
249
+ each record represented a unique respondent, capturing party identification on three scales and
250
+ reported voting choices for all survey waves that each respondent answered.
251
+
252
+ We examine three questions, looking at each on three different political identification scales:
253
+
254
+ 1. Does political identification change across time?
255
+ 2. How do respondents allocate their votes across parties?
256
+ 3. Do voting choices change over time?
257
+
258
+ To probe these areas, we look at political identification with three different scales commonly used
259
+ by the ANES. First, with the initial party identification queried in question VCF0302, which
260
+ asks, “Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Democrat, a Republican, an
261
+ Independent, or what?” This “Initial Party ID Response” gives a three-point scale with Demo-
262
+ crats and Republicans, and all minor-party and independent respondents grouped under the
263
+ independent umbrella. Second, we use the ANES Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301, “Seven Point
264
+ Scale”) that divides Democrats and Republicans into “strong” and “weak” supporters of their
265
+ parties, and divides independents into Democrat-leaners, Republican-leaners, and true independ-
266
+ ents. Finally, we use the modified three-point scale from VCF0303 “Summary 3-Category.” The
267
+ Summary 3-Category measure collapses the Seven-Point Scale by counting Democrat-leaning
268
+ independents as Democrats and Republican-leaning independents as Republicans. This leaves
269
+ only a small fraction of the respondents as independents.
270
+
271
+ American National Election Studies Survey
272
+
273
+ The CDF was downloaded in SPSS format and filtered to include responses from 1972 to 2020.
274
+ Since 2020 post-election voting information is not currently in the CDF, data from the 2020
275
+ time-series file were joined to the CDF to provide complete information on the 2016–2020 panel.
276
+ The resulting file contains responses from 43,423 individuals, of whom 27,832 voted in at least
277
+ one election (Table 1).
278
+
279
+ The ANES contains data on how respondents reported voting on four different contests,
280
+ giving the party choice for president, Congress, Senate, and governor. Respondents do not neces-
281
+ sarily vote in each of these races due to the timing of elections. Choices for a total of 77,729
282
+ contests are recorded for the 27,832 voters in the data. For each election cycle, the total number
283
+ of votes for Democratic, Republican, and third-party candidates were totaled for each respond-
284
+ ent, along with their party identification at that time. The survey has also included time-series
285
+ panel data from time to time, where respondents are contacted multiple times over the years. For
286
+ respondents that appeared in multiple waves of the survey, their votes and party identification
287
+ were tallied at each survey point.
288
+
289
+ Since 1970, there have been seven panels as shown in Table 2, each covering a single presi-
290
+ dential election. Of the 13,399 respondents to the survey in these panels, 4770 voted in all waves
291
+ available to them. These voters reported their voting choice on a total of 25,024 races for pres-
292
+ ident, Congress, Senate, and governor. Due to the timing of election cycles, not all respondents
293
+ reported voting in each of these races in each wave of the survey.
294
+
295
+ Party identification on three scales
296
+
297
+ ANES CDF classifies the political identification of respondents according to their answers to
298
+ questions VCF0302, VCF0301, and VCF0303.
299
+
300
+ VCF0302 is the initial party identification response and asks:
301
+
302
+ 6
303
+
304
+ THE FLUID VOTER
305
+
306
+ T A B L E 1 ANES respondents by year
307
+
308
+ Total respondents
309
+
310
+ Respondents who voted
311
+
312
+ Total votes tallied
313
+
314
+ Year
315
+
316
+ 1972
317
+
318
+ 1974
319
+
320
+ 1976
321
+
322
+ 1978
323
+
324
+ 1980
325
+
326
+ 1982
327
+
328
+ 1984
329
+
330
+ 1986
331
+
332
+ 1988
333
+
334
+ 1990
335
+
336
+ 1992
337
+
338
+ 1994
339
+
340
+ 1996
341
+
342
+ 1998
343
+
344
+ 2000
345
+
346
+ 2002
347
+
348
+ 2004
349
+
350
+ 2008
351
+
352
+ 2012
353
+
354
+ 2016
355
+
356
+ 2020
357
+
358
+ 2705
359
+
360
+ 475
361
+
362
+ 1323
363
+
364
+ 2304
365
+
366
+ 1614
367
+
368
+ 1418
369
+
370
+ 2257
371
+
372
+ 2176
373
+
374
+ 2040
375
+
376
+ 1980
377
+
378
+ 1126
379
+
380
+ 1036
381
+
382
+ 398
383
+
384
+ 1281
385
+
386
+ 1807
387
+
388
+ 324
389
+
390
+ 1212
391
+
392
+ 2322
393
+
394
+ 5914
395
+
396
+ 4270
397
+
398
+ 5441
399
+
400
+ 1718
401
+
402
+ 237
403
+
404
+ 691
405
+
406
+ 1167
407
+
408
+ 989
409
+
410
+ 798
411
+
412
+ 1427
413
+
414
+ 1087
415
+
416
+ 1226
417
+
418
+ 1236
419
+
420
+ 807
421
+
422
+ 693
423
+
424
+ 239
425
+
426
+ 648
427
+
428
+ 1240
429
+
430
+ 160
431
+
432
+ 829
433
+
434
+ 1580
435
+
436
+ 4355
437
+
438
+ 3124
439
+
440
+ 3581
441
+
442
+ 7215
443
+
444
+ 760
445
+
446
+ 1731
447
+
448
+ 2463
449
+
450
+ 2572
451
+
452
+ 1860
453
+
454
+ 3314
455
+
456
+ 2549
457
+
458
+ 3104
459
+
460
+ 4294
461
+
462
+ 3888
463
+
464
+ 2575
465
+
466
+ 562
467
+
468
+ 1509
469
+
470
+ 3838
471
+
472
+ 247
473
+
474
+ 2058
475
+
476
+ 3624
477
+
478
+ 11,322
479
+
480
+ 12,981
481
+
482
+ 5263
483
+
484
+ 77,729
485
+
486
+ Total
487
+
488
+ 43,423
489
+
490
+ 27,832
491
+
492
+ T A B L E 2 Multiple-wave voters in ANES data, 1972–2000
493
+
494
+ Year of 1st wave
495
+
496
+ Year of 2nd wave
497
+
498
+ Total respondents
499
+
500
+ Voted in both waves
501
+
502
+ Total votes in
503
+ Wave 1
504
+
505
+ Total votes
506
+ in Wave 2
507
+
508
+ 1972
509
+
510
+ 1974
511
+
512
+ 1990
513
+
514
+ 1992
515
+
516
+ 1994
517
+
518
+ 2000
519
+
520
+ 2016
521
+
522
+ Grand total
523
+
524
+ 1974
525
+
526
+ 1976
527
+
528
+ 1992
529
+
530
+ 1994
531
+
532
+ 1996
533
+
534
+ 2002
535
+
536
+ 2020
537
+
538
+ 2705
539
+
540
+ 475
541
+
542
+ 1980
543
+
544
+ 1126
545
+
546
+ 1036
547
+
548
+ 1807
549
+
550
+ 4270
551
+
552
+ 13,399
553
+
554
+ 658
555
+
556
+ 83
557
+
558
+ 582
559
+
560
+ 444
561
+
562
+ 367
563
+
564
+ 604
565
+
566
+ 2032
567
+
568
+ 4770
569
+
570
+ 1644
571
+
572
+ 189
573
+
574
+ 902
575
+
576
+ 763
577
+
578
+ 560
579
+
580
+ 1171
581
+
582
+ 2858
583
+
584
+ 8087
585
+
586
+ 701
587
+
588
+ 131
589
+
590
+ 916
591
+
592
+ 463
593
+
594
+ 500
595
+
596
+ 673
597
+
598
+ 2298
599
+
600
+ 5682
601
+
602
+ Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Democrat, a Republican,
603
+ an Independent, or what?
604
+
605
+ VCF0301 is party identification on a Seven-Point Scale and is constructed by combining the
606
+ VCF0302 question with one of two follow-up questions. Respondents who identify as either
607
+ Republicans or Democrats in their initial response are asked a follow-up question:
608
+
609
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
610
+
611
+ 7
612
+
613
+ Would you call yourself a strong [Democrat/Republican] or a not very strong
614
+ [Democrat/Republican]?
615
+
616
+ These responses form the two ends of the Seven-Point Scale, with Strong Democrats coded as 1,
617
+ Weak Democrats coded as 2, Weak Republicans coded as 6, and Strong Republicans as 7. A small
618
+ number (92) of those who expressed partisan affiliation in VCF0302 were coded as DK, NA,
619
+ Other at this point in the survey.
620
+
621
+ Those who did not identify as either Democrats or Republicans are given this follow-up
622
+
623
+ question:
624
+
625
+ Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic
626
+ Party?
627
+
628
+ These responses are used to construct the middle three categories of the Seven-Point Scale. Those
629
+ answering “Democratic” are assigned to Independent-Democrats (3), with “Republican” coded as
630
+ Independent-Republican (5). Respondents who choose “Neither” are Independent-Independents at
631
+ scale point 4. Note that although the above question is asked in the ANES time series surveys,
632
+ it does not appear in the CDF data. The results of this question are captured in CDF item
633
+ VCF0301. Also note that a small number of respondents answered “do not know” or refused
634
+ to answer VCF0302 but indicated a party preference in the follow-up. These were moved to the
635
+ Independent-Republican and Independent-Democrat categories for VCF0301.
636
+
637
+ Finally, the Seven-Point Scale of VCF0301 is collapsed to three categories for VCF0303.
638
+ This is done by combining the strong and weak Democrats with Independent-Democrats under
639
+ Democrats (including leaners) and ANES political identification data on 43,423 respondents
640
+ from 1972 through 2020 is shown on these three scales in Table 3. Independents make up 36%
641
+ of the total respondents over these surveys, with 13% identified as having no party leaning or
642
+ Independent-Independents.
643
+
644
+ RESULTS
645
+
646
+ Change in political identification over time—voters
647
+
648
+ We now use ANES data from multiple waves to look at how political identification changes for
649
+ voters over time. Between 1972 and 2020, ANES has data on 4770 respondents who voted in
650
+ two consecutive waves of the survey (Table 2). The following section looks at how these voters
651
+ changed their party identification from one survey cycle to the next. A small portion of this
652
+ number did not report party identification on one of the three scales analyzed below.
653
+
654
+ Initial Party ID Response (VCF0302)
655
+
656
+ Of the 4745 respondents shown in Figure 1, 22% changed their initial-response party ID from
657
+ one wave to another. Independents were more fluid on this metric than party-affiliated respond-
658
+ ents: 16% of both Democrats and Republicans were changed at the second survey wave, while
659
+ 36% of Independents changed.
660
+
661
+ In each major party, 13% of the wave-one respondents changed their position and identi-
662
+ fied as independents at wave two, while 3% went to the opposite party. Independents saw 17%
663
+ of the wave-one respondents move to Democrat and 19% move to Republican. The absolute
664
+ number of voters switching from party-affiliated to independent (426) and from independent to
665
+ party-affiliated (520) are similar, but the percentage of independents becoming party-affiliated
666
+
667
+ 8
668
+
669
+ THE FLUID VOTER
670
+
671
+ T A B L E 3 Three political ID scales: 1972–2020 ANES data
672
+
673
+ Democrat
674
+
675
+ Republican
676
+
677
+ Independent
678
+
679
+ Other
680
+
681
+ DK/NA Total
682
+
683
+ VCF0302 (initial
684
+ response)
685
+
686
+ Percent
687
+
688
+ 16,263
689
+
690
+ 37%
691
+
692
+ 10,976
693
+
694
+ 25%
695
+
696
+ VCF0301 (7-Point
697
+
698
+ Scale)
699
+
700
+ Strong
701
+ Dem
702
+
703
+ Weak
704
+
705
+ Weak
706
+
707
+ Dem
708
+
709
+ Rep
710
+
711
+ Strong
712
+ Rep
713
+
714
+ 12,772
715
+
716
+ 29%
717
+
718
+ 3085
719
+
720
+ 7%
721
+
722
+ 327
723
+
724
+ 1%
725
+
726
+ 43,423
727
+
728
+ Ind-Dem Ind-Ind Ind-Rep DK/NA Total
729
+
730
+ Percent
731
+
732
+ VCF0303
733
+
734
+ (Summary
735
+ 3-Category)
736
+
737
+ Percent
738
+
739
+ 8523
740
+
741
+ 20%
742
+
743
+ 7677
744
+
745
+ 18%
746
+
747
+ 5354
748
+
749
+ 12%
750
+
751
+ 5592
752
+
753
+ 13%
754
+
755
+ 5515
756
+
757
+ 13%
758
+
759
+ 5677
760
+
761
+ 13%
762
+
763
+ 4726
764
+
765
+ 11%
766
+
767
+ 359
768
+
769
+ 1%
770
+
771
+ 43,423
772
+
773
+ 100%
774
+
775
+ Democrat (incl.
776
+ leaners)
777
+
778
+ 21,715
779
+
780
+ 50%
781
+
782
+ Republican (incl.
783
+
784
+ Independent
785
+
786
+ DK/NA Total
787
+
788
+ leaners)
789
+
790
+ 15,672
791
+
792
+ 36%
793
+
794
+ 5677
795
+
796
+ 13%
797
+
798
+ 359
799
+
800
+ 1%
801
+
802
+ 43,423
803
+
804
+ 100%
805
+
806
+ F I G U R E 1 Change in initial response (VCF0302) voters, 1972–2020
807
+
808
+ is nearly three times that of party-affiliates becoming independent. Respondents coded as Inde-
809
+ pendent, No Preference, and Other are included in the independent category. This flow is illus-
810
+ trated in Figure 1.
811
+
812
+ Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301)
813
+
814
+ When the Seven-Point Scale of variable VCF0301 is analyzed across two survey waves, more
815
+ fluidity in political identification becomes apparent. Of the 4735 respondents who voted in two
816
+ waves of the survey and recorded scores on this scale in both waves, 43% changed their identifi-
817
+ cation at the second wave. This is nearly double the 22% rate seen in the initial response variable
818
+ above.
819
+
820
+ Partisan respondents at the extremes of the scale were more consistent in their identification,
821
+ with 21% of Strong Democrats and 22% of Strong Republicans changing at the second wave.
822
+ Fifty-seven percent of Weak Democrats and 55% of Weak Republicans changed their identifica-
823
+ tion at wave two. Overall, 36% of Democrats and 36% of Republicans changed their party iden-
824
+ tification by at least one point on this scale between wave one and wave two; this is substantially
825
+ higher than the 36% of party-identified respondents who changed their position.
826
+
827
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
828
+
829
+ 9
830
+
831
+ F I G U R E 2 Change in 7-point scale (VCF0301) voters, 1972–2020
832
+
833
+ The complex flow of the three independent classifications is shown in Figure 2. As noted
834
+ above, 36% of those reporting to be independent at the first wave interview were identifying with
835
+ one of the two parties at the second wave. In addition, another 22% of independents remained
836
+ independent at wave two, but shifted their position within the three independent categories on
837
+ this scale. Overall, 57% of those in one of the three independent categories of the Seven-Point
838
+ Scale changed their identification at wave two. This flow is illustrated in Figure 2.
839
+
840
+ Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303)
841
+
842
+ The collapsed categories of the Summary 3-Category Scale presented in VCF0303 necessarily
843
+ suppress much of the change in party identification seen in the previous two scales. By this
844
+ measure, 10% of Democrats (including leaners) and 12% of Republicans (including leaners)
845
+ changed their identification between the two survey waves. The independents represent just 7%
846
+ of respondents on this scale, as those who identify as independent but leaning toward a party are
847
+ grouped with their respective parties. The 328 remaining “true” independents fractured nearly
848
+ in thirds when queried at the second wave: 36% remained Independent while 30% switched to
849
+ Democrat and 34% to Republican. A total of 64% of the Independents from wave one were clas-
850
+ sified as partisans at wave two. Among those classified as either Democrats or Republicans at
851
+ wave one, just 11% changed their identification on this scale at wave two (Figure 3).
852
+
853
+ 10
854
+
855
+ THE FLUID VOTER
856
+
857
+ F I G U R E 3 Change in Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303) voters, 1972–2020
858
+
859
+ F I G U R E 4 Change in initial response (VCF0302) non-voters, 1972–2020
860
+
861
+ Change in political identification over time—Non-voters
862
+
863
+ ANES data 1972–2020 also contain information on political identification for respondents
864
+ who did not vote. In this section we examine changes in political identification in the 15,292
865
+ respondents who answered two consecutive waves of the survey but voted in neither election.
866
+ For the purposes of this article, we use the term non-voters to identify those respondents who
867
+ did not vote in either wave of this analysis. It is unknown what portion of this population votes
868
+ on occasion.
869
+
870
+ Initial party response (VCF0302)
871
+
872
+ Of the 15,592 respondents shown in Figure 4, 60% changed their initial response party identifi-
873
+ cation from one wave to the next. This is nearly three times the 22% rate seen among those who
874
+ voted in both waves. Fifty-seven percent of the non-voting Democrat-identified respondents and
875
+
876
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
877
+
878
+ 11
879
+
880
+ 69% of Republicans changed their identification. Taken together, 62% of the party-identified
881
+ non-voters changed their identification at wave two. This compares with 59% of the independ-
882
+ ents who changed.1
883
+
884
+ Of the 5201 who identified with Democrats at wave one, just 43% identified as such at wave
885
+ two, with 34% now seeing themselves as independents, and 23% crossing over to be Republicans.
886
+ This contrasts with just three percent of voting Democrats crossing over to the other party at
887
+ wave two. Non-voting Republicans showed even more fluidity between the two survey waves.
888
+ Just 31% of those who said they were Republican at wave one maintained that identification
889
+ at wave two, with a third of the respondents switching to Democratic identification and 36%
890
+ now calling themselves Independent. Non-voting independents switched to Democrat in 36% of
891
+ the cases, and to Republican 23%, with 41% remaining independent. This flow is illustrated in
892
+ Figure 4.
893
+
894
+ Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301)
895
+
896
+ Non-voting respondents to ANES changed their political identification on the Seven-Point Scale
897
+ between wave one and wave two in 81% of the cases. This fluidity was relatively consistent across
898
+ the scale, ranging from 76% of Strong Democrats changing identification by at least one scale
899
+ point to 87% of Independent-Republicans.
900
+
901
+ Changes in party identification for the three independent categories are shown in Figure 5.
902
+ A total of 5923 (83%) of those who identified as one of the three independent categories at wave
903
+ one had moved by at least one scale point at wave two. Of this amount, 1722 (29%) remained
904
+ within the independent domain while 4201 (81%) moved to one of the parties. Changes in inde-
905
+ pendent non-voter identification are shown in Figure 5.
906
+
907
+ Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303)
908
+
909
+ When non-voting ANES respondents are examined on the summary 3-category scale of
910
+ VCF0303, 58% are seen to change categories. Democrats (including leaners) moved to another
911
+ point on the scale 46% of the time, with 32% identifying as Republicans at wave 2 and 13%
912
+ as independents. Well over half (60%) of the non-voters identified as Republicans at wave one
913
+ changed identification at wave two, with 47% later identifying as Democrat and 13% as inde-
914
+ pendent. Independent non-voters changed identification 81% of the time, with 48% moving to
915
+ Democrat at wave two and 33% to Republican. These flows are illustrated in Figure 6.
916
+
917
+ Voting patterns: Straight and split-ticket voters
918
+
919
+ ANES asks respondents to state how they voted in four contests: president, Congress, Senate7,
920
+ and governor. Respondents may not have the opportunity to vote in each of these races, depend-
921
+ ing on the timing of the election cycle. There are 27,832 respondents in the ANES data that said
922
+ they voted in at least one election, and these respondents give us information on a total of 77,729
923
+ races.
924
+
925
+ Of the ANES respondents who reported voting from 1972 to 2010, Figure 7 shows that 20,521
926
+ (73.7%) always voted a straight ticket for either Democrats (11,638 respondents) or Republicans
927
+ (8883). Conversely, 9316 respondents never voted for a Democrat and 12,201 never voted Repub-
928
+
929
+ 1 Z-test for proportions <.01.
930
+
931
+ 12
932
+
933
+ THE FLUID VOTER
934
+
935
+ F I G U R E 5 Change in 7-Point Scale (VCF0301) non-voters, 1972–2020
936
+
937
+ lican (Figure 7) in the races surveyed. Note that the 0% and 100% columns do not exactly mirror
938
+ each other due to the number of votes for minor parties.
939
+
940
+ The great majority of voters surveyed by ANES exclusively vote for one of the major parties,
941
+ with only a small percentage splitting their votes between Republicans and Democrats. The
942
+ 40%–59% bracket in Figure 7 shows that 4655 people (16.7%) divided their votes evenly between
943
+ the two parties. Considering both the small number of election contests available for analysis
944
+ and the polarized nature of voting noted above, further analysis divides voters into three groups:
945
+ those who voted for Democrats in 100% of the contests, those who voted for Republicans in
946
+ 100% of the contests, and those who voted for some mix of Democrats and Republicans. With
947
+ this information, we can see what portion of the sample consistently vote for one party and what
948
+ portion switch their votes between parties (Figure 7).
949
+
950
+ Initial Party ID Response (VCF0302)
951
+
952
+ As expected, Democrats generally vote a straight ticket for Democrats, at a rate of 74% while 71%
953
+ of Republicans, 5678 of the total 7990 Republican voters, always vote Republican (Figure 8).
954
+ Incongruously, 5% of Democrats and 5% of Republicans report that they always vote for the
955
+ opposite party.
956
+
957
+ Independents are much more evenly divided in their vote choices. A significant portion still
958
+ vote straight tickets for one party or the other, with 34.8% always voting for Democrats and
959
+ 30% always voting Republican. A plurality of independents (35.2%) split their votes between
960
+ Democrats and Republicans at least occasionally. This compares with the combined figures for
961
+
962
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
963
+
964
+ 13
965
+
966
+ F I G U R E 6 Change in Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303) non-voters, 1972–2020
967
+
968
+ 12,000
969
+
970
+ 12,101
971
+
972
+ 10,000
973
+
974
+ 9,316
975
+
976
+ 11,638
977
+
978
+ 8,883
979
+
980
+ s
981
+ t
982
+ n
983
+ e
984
+ d
985
+ n
986
+ o
987
+ p
988
+ s
989
+ e
990
+ R
991
+ S
992
+ E
993
+ N
994
+ A
995
+
996
+ 8,000
997
+
998
+ 6,000
999
+
1000
+ 4,000
1001
+
1002
+ 2,000
1003
+
1004
+ -
1005
+
1006
+ 1,882
1007
+
1008
+ 2,086
1009
+
1010
+ 2,327
1011
+
1012
+ 2,328
1013
+
1014
+ 2,061
1015
+
1016
+ 1,869
1017
+
1018
+ 165
1019
+
1020
+ 191
1021
+
1022
+ 443
1023
+
1024
+ 374
1025
+
1026
+ 0%
1027
+
1028
+ 1%-19% 20%-39% 40%-59% 60%-79% 80%-99%
1029
+
1030
+ 100%
1031
+
1032
+ Dem Votes
1033
+
1034
+ Rep Votes
1035
+
1036
+ F I G U R E 7 Percent of each respondent's votes by party, 1972–2020
1037
+
1038
+ Democrats and Republicans showing that 22% of the party-identified voters voted a mixed ticket
1039
+ at least once.2 Respondents coded as Independent, No Preference, and Other are included in the
1040
+ Independent category (Figure 8).
1041
+
1042
+ Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301)
1043
+
1044
+ With the Independent-Democrats and Independent-Republicans broken out on the
1045
+ 7-Point Scale of VCF0301, we see a steady progression from left-to-right, with decreas-
1046
+ ing Democratic straight-ticket voting and increasing Republican support (Figure  9). The
1047
+ Independent-Independents at the middle of the scale have truly mixed voting choices: 31% only
1048
+ voting for Democrats, 27% on voting for Republicans, and 43% choosing a mixture of Democrat
1049
+ and Republican candidates. The votes reported by Independent-Independents represent 8% of
1050
+ the 27,704 reported to ANES by respondents (Figure 9).
1051
+
1052
+ 2 Z-test for proportions <.01.
1053
+
1054
+ 14
1055
+
1056
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1057
+
1058
+ 8,160
1059
+
1060
+ s
1061
+ t
1062
+ n
1063
+ e
1064
+ d
1065
+ n
1066
+ o
1067
+ p
1068
+ s
1069
+ e
1070
+ R
1071
+ S
1072
+ E
1073
+ N
1074
+ A
1075
+
1076
+ 9,000
1077
+
1078
+ 8,000
1079
+
1080
+ 7,000
1081
+
1082
+ 6,000
1083
+
1084
+ 5,000
1085
+
1086
+ 4,000
1087
+
1088
+ 3,000
1089
+
1090
+ 2,000
1091
+
1092
+ 1,000
1093
+
1094
+ -
1095
+
1096
+ 5,678
1097
+
1098
+ 3,026
1099
+
1100
+ 3,056
1101
+
1102
+ 2,610
1103
+
1104
+ 2,324
1105
+
1106
+ 1,906
1107
+
1108
+ 560
1109
+
1110
+ 406
1111
+
1112
+ Democrat
1113
+
1114
+ Republican
1115
+
1116
+ Independent
1117
+
1118
+ Always Votes DEM
1119
+
1120
+ Mixed Votes
1121
+
1122
+ Always Votes REP
1123
+
1124
+ F I G U R E 8
1125
+
1126
+ Straight-ticket and mixed voting by Initial Party ID Response, 1972–2020
1127
+
1128
+ s
1129
+ t
1130
+ n
1131
+ e
1132
+ d
1133
+ n
1134
+ o
1135
+ p
1136
+ s
1137
+ e
1138
+ R
1139
+ S
1140
+ E
1141
+ N
1142
+ A
1143
+
1144
+ 6,000
1145
+
1146
+ 5,000
1147
+
1148
+ 4,000
1149
+
1150
+ 3,000
1151
+
1152
+ 2,000
1153
+
1154
+ 1,000
1155
+
1156
+ -
1157
+
1158
+ Strong Dem Weak Dem Ind-Dem
1159
+
1160
+ Ind-Ind
1161
+
1162
+ Ind-Rep Weak Rep Strong Rep
1163
+
1164
+ Always vote DEM
1165
+
1166
+ Mixed Votes
1167
+
1168
+ Always vote REP
1169
+
1170
+ F I G U R E 9
1171
+
1172
+ Straight-ticket and mixed voting by 7-point scale, 1972–2010
1173
+
1174
+ Interestingly, Independent-Democrats show a higher percentage of straight-ticket support of
1175
+ Democratic candidates (63%) than the Weak Democrats who explicitly declare support for the
1176
+ party (60%).3
1177
+
1178
+ Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303)
1179
+
1180
+ With the Independent-Democrats and Independent-Republicans of VCF0301 included as “lean-
1181
+ ers” in their respective partisan buckets for VCF0303, the Independent-Independents are high-
1182
+ lighted (Figure 10). Combining the straight-ticket Democrat and Republican votes shows that
1183
+
1184
+ 3 Z-test for proportions p < .05.
1185
+
1186
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
1187
+
1188
+ 15
1189
+
1190
+ s
1191
+ t
1192
+ n
1193
+ e
1194
+ d
1195
+ n
1196
+ o
1197
+ p
1198
+ s
1199
+ e
1200
+ R
1201
+ S
1202
+ E
1203
+ N
1204
+ A
1205
+
1206
+ 12,000
1207
+
1208
+ 10,000
1209
+
1210
+ 8,000
1211
+
1212
+ 6,000
1213
+
1214
+ 4,000
1215
+
1216
+ 2,000
1217
+
1218
+ -
1219
+
1220
+ 10,207
1221
+
1222
+ 7,412
1223
+
1224
+ 3,284
1225
+
1226
+ 3,019
1227
+
1228
+ 817
1229
+
1230
+ 665
1231
+
1232
+ 705
1233
+
1234
+ 984
1235
+
1236
+ 611
1237
+
1238
+ Democrat (incl. leaners)
1239
+
1240
+ Republican (incl. leaners)
1241
+
1242
+ Independent
1243
+
1244
+ Always Votes DEM
1245
+
1246
+ Mixed Votes
1247
+
1248
+ Always Votes REP
1249
+
1250
+ F I G U R E 1 0
1251
+
1252
+ Straight-ticket and mixed voting by Summary 3-Category scale, 1972–2010
1253
+
1254
+ 77% of the Democrat (including leaners) category always votes a straight ticket, 73% of Repub-
1255
+ licans (including leaners), and 57% of independents (Figure 10).
1256
+
1257
+ Voting change over time
1258
+
1259
+ Changes in voting behavior for ANES two-wave voters are summarized in Table  4. The 1464
1260
+ respondents reported voting a straight Democrat ticket both the first and second time they were
1261
+ interviewed, with 1239 voting straight Republican both times, and 434 casting mixed votes at
1262
+ each wave. This total of 3137 represents 66% of the total 4770 who voted in two waves of the
1263
+ survey. This leaves 34% who altered their behavior across the election cycles.
1264
+
1265
+ The 4754 respondents who voted in two waves of the ANES survey and stated their political
1266
+ identification are summarized in Table 5.4 Respondents who identified as Republicans or Demo-
1267
+ crats as their Initial Party ID Response for VCF0302 are grouped together as Party Affiliated in
1268
+ this table, for comparison to independent voters. Respondents coded as Independent, No Prefer-
1269
+ ence, and Other are included in the independent category.
1270
+
1271
+ Party-affiliated voters exhibited the same voting behavior, either straight-ticket or mixed
1272
+ voting in each wave, in 70% of the cases. For Independents, this percentage drops to 57%.
1273
+ Conversely, 30% of party affiliates changed their voting patterns across two elections, while 43%
1274
+ of Independents changed.
1275
+
1276
+ Party-affiliated voters voted a straight ticket for the same party at a rate of 62%. Independ-
1277
+ ents, while still voting consistently for a single party at a significant rate (44%), were still more
1278
+ likely to change their voting behavior at the second wave of the survey. A small number of voters
1279
+ voted a straight ticket for one party at Wave 1 and then switched to the other party at Wave 2.
1280
+ Here we see that independents were twice as likely to make this large shift than party affiliates.
1281
+ There is a small difference between the two groups on percentages that went from straight ticket
1282
+ at Wave 1 to mixed at Wave 2. Independents were more likely to go from mixed to straight voting
1283
+ and much more likely to vote for a mix of the two parties in both waves.
1284
+
1285
+ 4 Sixteen of the 4770 ANES respondents who reported voting in two waves of the survey are coded as DK or NA, refused in VCF0302,
1286
+ leaving 4754 who could have their political identification classified.
1287
+
1288
+ 16
1289
+
1290
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1291
+
1292
+ T A B L E 4 Changes in voting behavior, all respondents
1293
+
1294
+ Wave 2
1295
+
1296
+ Wave 1
1297
+
1298
+ Straight REP
1299
+
1300
+ Mixed vote
1301
+
1302
+ Straight DEM
1303
+
1304
+ Total
1305
+
1306
+ Straight REP
1307
+
1308
+ Mixed Vote
1309
+
1310
+ Straight DEM
1311
+
1312
+ 1239
1313
+
1314
+ 399
1315
+
1316
+ 55
1317
+
1318
+ 1693
1319
+
1320
+ 285
1321
+
1322
+ 434
1323
+
1324
+ 264
1325
+
1326
+ 983
1327
+
1328
+ 123
1329
+
1330
+ 507
1331
+
1332
+ 1464
1333
+
1334
+ 2094
1335
+
1336
+ T A B L E 5 Voting changes over two waves of ANES data
1337
+
1338
+ Party affiliated
1339
+
1340
+ Independent
1341
+
1342
+ Initial Party ID Response (VCF0302)
1343
+
1344
+ Straight ticket Wave 1 & Wave 2: same party both waves*
1345
+
1346
+ Mixed ticket, both Wave 1 & Wave 2*
1347
+
1348
+ Subtotal: Same voting behavior in Wave 1 & 2*
1349
+
1350
+ Straight ticket Wave 1 & Wave 2: switched parties*
1351
+
1352
+ Straight ticket in Wave 1, mixed ticket in Wave 2**
1353
+
1354
+ Mixed ticket in Wave 1, straight ticket in Wave 2*
1355
+
1356
+ Subtotal: Different voting behavior in Wave 1 & 2*
1357
+
1358
+ n
1359
+
1360
+ 2056
1361
+
1362
+ 237
1363
+
1364
+ 2293
1365
+
1366
+ 96
1367
+
1368
+ 355
1369
+
1370
+ 547
1371
+
1372
+ 998
1373
+
1374
+ %
1375
+
1376
+ 62%
1377
+
1378
+ 7%
1379
+
1380
+ 70%
1381
+
1382
+ 3%
1383
+
1384
+ 11%
1385
+
1386
+ 17%
1387
+
1388
+ 30%
1389
+
1390
+ n
1391
+
1392
+ 640
1393
+
1394
+ 196
1395
+
1396
+ 836
1397
+
1398
+ 81
1399
+
1400
+ 191
1401
+
1402
+ 355
1403
+
1404
+ 627
1405
+
1406
+ Total
1407
+
1408
+ 1647
1409
+
1410
+ 1340
1411
+
1412
+ 1783
1413
+
1414
+ 4770
1415
+
1416
+ %
1417
+
1418
+ 44%
1419
+
1420
+ 13%
1421
+
1422
+ 57%
1423
+
1424
+ 6%
1425
+
1426
+ 13%
1427
+
1428
+ 24%
1429
+
1430
+ 43%
1431
+
1432
+ Total
1433
+
1434
+ *Z-test for proportions p < .01.
1435
+ **Z-test for proportions p < .05.
1436
+
1437
+ Initial Party ID Response (VCF0302)
1438
+
1439
+ 3291
1440
+
1441
+ 100%
1442
+
1443
+ 1463
1444
+
1445
+ 100%
1446
+
1447
+ When the party-affiliated category shown in Table 5 is broken out to show the two parties, we see
1448
+ the results are largely the same. Democrats continued their pattern from Wave 1, either voting
1449
+ a straight ticket for a particular party or voting a mixed ticket, in 71% of the cases. This left
1450
+ 29% of self-identified Democrats changing their voting behavior in some fashion, with 32% of
1451
+ Republicans exhibiting changed behavior. The p-value for a comparison of these percentages is
1452
+ .176, suggesting that there is little meaningful difference between Democrats and Republicans on
1453
+ this measure.
1454
+
1455
+ As noted above, 43% of independents showed changed behavior between Wave 1 and Wave 2,
1456
+
1457
+ with a p-value of <.01 compared to party-affiliated respondents (Table 6).
1458
+
1459
+ Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301)
1460
+
1461
+ When this same measure of voting change over time is applied to the Seven-Point Scale of
1462
+ VCF0301, we see that, unsurprisingly, the Strong Democrats and Strong Republicans are most
1463
+ consistent in their behavior, with less than a quarter of these groups changing their voting profile
1464
+ from one wave to the next (Table 7). Independent-Independents were the most likely to change their
1465
+ voting profile at 48%, followed by Independent-Republicans at 45%. Independent-Democrats
1466
+ again seem to be as committed to Democratic candidates as the Weak Democrats with the party
1467
+ in the question posed in VCF0301. Weak Democrats voted for a straight Democratic ticked at a
1468
+
1469
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
1470
+
1471
+ T A B L E 6 Changes in voting behavior by Initial Party ID Response
1472
+
1473
+ VCF0302
1474
+
1475
+ Democrat
1476
+
1477
+ Republican
1478
+
1479
+ Subtotal: Party-identified
1480
+
1481
+ Independent, Other, No Pref.
1482
+
1483
+ Total
1484
+
1485
+ Voted in two waves
1486
+
1487
+ Percent that changed voting behavior
1488
+
1489
+ 1803
1490
+
1491
+ 1488
1492
+
1493
+ 3291
1494
+
1495
+ 1463
1496
+
1497
+ 4754
1498
+
1499
+ 29%
1500
+
1501
+ 32%
1502
+
1503
+ 30%
1504
+
1505
+ 43%
1506
+
1507
+ 34%
1508
+
1509
+ 17
1510
+
1511
+ Percent that
1512
+ did not change
1513
+
1514
+ 71%
1515
+
1516
+ 68%
1517
+
1518
+ 70%
1519
+
1520
+ 57%
1521
+
1522
+ 66%
1523
+
1524
+ T A B L E 7 Changes in voting behavior by 7-Point Scale
1525
+
1526
+ VCF0301
1527
+
1528
+ Voted in two waves
1529
+
1530
+ Percent that changed voting behavior
1531
+
1532
+ Percent that did not change
1533
+
1534
+ Strong Democrat
1535
+
1536
+ 1045
1537
+
1538
+ Weak Democrat
1539
+
1540
+ Independent-Democrat
1541
+
1542
+ Independent-Independent
1543
+
1544
+ Independent-Republican
1545
+
1546
+ Weak Republican
1547
+
1548
+ Strong Republican
1549
+
1550
+ Total
1551
+
1552
+ 757
1553
+
1554
+ 547
1555
+
1556
+ 332
1557
+
1558
+ 588
1559
+
1560
+ 637
1561
+
1562
+ 850
1563
+
1564
+ 4756
1565
+
1566
+ 22%
1567
+
1568
+ 40%
1569
+
1570
+ 38%
1571
+
1572
+ 48%
1573
+
1574
+ 45%
1575
+
1576
+ 42%
1577
+
1578
+ 24%
1579
+
1580
+ 34%
1581
+
1582
+ 78%
1583
+
1584
+ 60%
1585
+
1586
+ 62%
1587
+
1588
+ 52%
1589
+
1590
+ 55%
1591
+
1592
+ 58%
1593
+
1594
+ 76%
1595
+
1596
+ 66%
1597
+
1598
+ rate of 45%, while Independent-Democrats did so at a rate of 47% with a p-value of .472 between
1599
+ the two rates, indicating little actual difference between the two groups.
1600
+
1601
+ Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303)
1602
+
1603
+ The Summary 3-Category Scale once again shrinks the size of the independent category but
1604
+ maximizes its difference from the enlarged party-identified categories. Democrats (including
1605
+ leaners) were slightly less likely to change their behavior (31%) than Republicans (including lean-
1606
+ ers) at 35%.5 True independents, as above, changed their voting profile 48% of the time between
1607
+ the first and second survey waves (Table 8).
1608
+
1609
+ DISCUSSION
1610
+
1611
+ Analyzing each of the three ANES measures of party affiliation (Initial Party ID, Seven-Point
1612
+ Scale, and Summary 3 Category) over multiple elections provides some important findings on
1613
+ the voting patterns of independents. We find evidence that, when tracking independent voting
1614
+ behavior over more than one election, there is a significant volatility in voting loyalty and as
1615
+ a group, independents are distinct from partisans. The research also confirms that a sizeable
1616
+ number of independents move in and out of independent status from one election to another.
1617
+
1618
+ In the first analysis on how political identification of voters changes over multiple survey
1619
+ waves, we explored how these respondents changed their party identification from one survey
1620
+ cycle to the next. The Initial Party ID scale found that independents were more fluid on this metric
1621
+ than party-affiliated respondents with the percent of independents changing at the second wave
1622
+
1623
+ 5 Z-test for proportions <.01.
1624
+
1625
+ 18
1626
+
1627
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1628
+
1629
+ T A B L E 8 Changes in voting behavior by Summary 3-Category Scale
1630
+
1631
+ VCF0303
1632
+
1633
+ Voted in two waves
1634
+
1635
+ Percent that changed voting behavior
1636
+
1637
+ Democrat (including leaners)
1638
+
1639
+ Republican (including leaners)
1640
+
1641
+ Subtotal: Party-Identified
1642
+
1643
+ Independent
1644
+
1645
+ Total
1646
+
1647
+ 2349
1648
+
1649
+ 2075
1650
+
1651
+ 4424
1652
+
1653
+ 332
1654
+
1655
+ 4756
1656
+
1657
+ 31%
1658
+
1659
+ 35%
1660
+
1661
+ 33%
1662
+
1663
+ 48%
1664
+
1665
+ 34%
1666
+
1667
+ Percent that
1668
+ did not change
1669
+
1670
+ 69%
1671
+
1672
+ 65%
1673
+
1674
+ 67%
1675
+
1676
+ 52%
1677
+
1678
+ 66%
1679
+
1680
+ by more than double that of partisans. Additionally, the percentage of independents becoming
1681
+ party affiliated was nearly three times that of party affiliates becoming independent. Moving to
1682
+ the analysis of the Seven-Point Scale, even more fluidity was found with an overall 57% of those
1683
+ in one of the three independent categories of the Seven-Point Scale changing their identification
1684
+ at wave two. The last analysis collapsed categories of the Summary 3-Category Scale in party
1685
+ identification seen in the previous two scales and resulted in a significantly reduced (7%) number
1686
+ of independent respondents. Despite this small percentage of independent respondents, almost
1687
+ two-thirds or 64% of the independents changed classification to partisans at Wave 2.
1688
+
1689
+ ANES participants who responded to two consecutive waves of the survey but voted in
1690
+ neither of the corresponding elections showed much greater fluidity in their political identifica-
1691
+ tion between waves. Overall, 60% of respondents changed their Initial Party Identification. In
1692
+ contrast with the voting respondents, non-voting Independents were substantially the same as
1693
+ party affiliates, 59% making a switch to party affiliation. Non-voting independents were more
1694
+ likely to move by at least one point on the Seven-Point Scale (64%) than either Democrats (50%)
1695
+ or Republicans (49%). Thirty-nine percent of non-voters who identified as Independent in the
1696
+ first survey wave chose party affiliation at wave two. When the Summary 3-Category Scale is
1697
+ analyzed, we see that 81% of the non-voting independents identified with one of the major
1698
+ parties at wave two, compared with 58% of all respondents.
1699
+
1700
+ Our analysis on how independent voters and non-voters changed their party identification
1701
+ from one cycle to the next showed a significant amount of fluidity with non-voters being espe-
1702
+ cially unpredictable. On all three political identification scales, independent respondents changed
1703
+ their political identification over time more often than partisans (ranging from 36% to 64% for
1704
+ voters and 59% to 83% for non-voters) with the exception of non-voting Republicans on the
1705
+ Initial Party ID Scale. These findings suggest that independent voters and non-voters who iden-
1706
+ tify in one political classification in one election are less likely to identify themselves in the same
1707
+ manner in the next election. Their identification may depend on specific candidates or issues on
1708
+ the ballot (Reilly et al., 2023) or may derive from short-term interest rather than a long-standing
1709
+ loyalty (Miller, 1991). This finding supports Fiorina's (2016) assertion about independent voting
1710
+ behavior: “whatever they are, they are an important component of the electoral instability that
1711
+ characterizes the contemporary era. Their critical contribution to contemporary elections lies in
1712
+ their volatility” (p. 10).
1713
+
1714
+ We next investigated how frequently respondents to the ANES scales vote “straight tickets,”
1715
+ always choosing candidates from the same party or “mixed tickets” where some Republican
1716
+ and some Democrat candidates are chosen. Our expectation that those identifying as Demo-
1717
+ crat or Republican would mostly choose candidates from their own party was confirmed, while
1718
+ independents demonstrated more variety in their choices. For the Initial Party ID scale, over
1719
+ 70% of partisans voted straight ticket, while 65% of independent respondents did, with the
1720
+ independent straight-ticket voters divided; 35% voting for Democrats and 30% for Republi-
1721
+ cans. While the Seven-Point Scale showed similar results, Independent-Democrats showed a
1722
+
1723
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
1724
+
1725
+ 19
1726
+
1727
+ higher percentage of straight-ticket support of Democratic candidates than the Weak Demo-
1728
+ crats, while Independent Republicans were slightly less likely to vote a straight ticket than Weak
1729
+ Republicans.
1730
+
1731
+ Finally, we explored the degree to which individuals change their voting choices over time
1732
+ (two-wave voters). Partisan voters exhibited the same voting behavior, either straight-ticket
1733
+ or mixed voting in each wave, in 70% of the cases. For independents, this percentage drops
1734
+ to 57%. The Initial Party ID analysis found that approximately 30% of partisans changed
1735
+ between waves compared to 43% of independents; while the Seven-Point Scale showed
1736
+ Independent-Independents were the most likely to change their voting profile at 48%, followed
1737
+ by Independent-Republicans at 45%. Weak Democrats voted for a straight Democratic ticket at
1738
+ a rate of 45%, while Independent-Democrats did so at a rate of 47%. Independents were more
1739
+ likely to go from mixed to straight voting and much more likely to vote for a mix of the two
1740
+ parties in both waves. For the Summary 3-Category, approximately a third of partisans changed
1741
+ their voting patterns over the two waves compared to 48% of independents.
1742
+
1743
+ Our research on independent voting behavior included analyses of voting patterns over time.
1744
+ The findings confirm that independents do indeed move in and out of independent status when
1745
+ tracked over multiple elections. Further, this study lends support to the notion that there is a
1746
+ good deal more fluidity in voting patterns of independents. This was the case when analyzing
1747
+ data across all three ANES scales. Our analysis of the ANES Seven-Point Scale showed that
1748
+ Independent-Republicans and Weak-Republicans resembled each other's voting patterns on
1749
+ straight/split ticket and voting change over time analyses (Mayer, 2008; Petrocik, 2009; Smith
1750
+ et al., 1995); however, this was not the case with Independent-Democrats and Weak-Democrats.
1751
+ Independent-Democrats, who did not affiliate with any party in the Initial Party Response ID
1752
+ question, were more likely to vote only for Democrats than Weak-Democrats that specifically
1753
+ identified as Democrat. Similarly, Independent-Republicans were as likely to vote a straight
1754
+ Republican ticket in both waves than Weak Republicans. Respondents who were coded as either
1755
+ 5 (Independent-Republican) or 6 (Weak Republican) showed essentially the same voting behav-
1756
+ ior, while those coded as 3 (Independent-Democrat) were more Democratic in their behavior
1757
+ than the supposedly more liberal Weak Democrats at scale point 2. This indicates that caution
1758
+ needs to be exercised when treating the Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301) as a continuous variable.
1759
+
1760
+ It may be that traditional ways of measuring voter identification do not capture the independ-
1761
+ ent voter due to voter composition of the electorate and our hyperpolarized political environ-
1762
+ ment. Due to the research of Keith and others (1992), it became most common for researchers
1763
+ with the ANES to utilize a three-point or five-point scale that classified independent-leaning
1764
+ Democrats, or independent-leaning Republicans, as partisans (VCF0302, Initial Party ID
1765
+ response). This resulted in a significant reduction in the number of self-described independ-
1766
+ ents. Reilly and Hedberg (2022) have argued that in light of the more recent work of Klar and
1767
+ Krupnikov (2016) and Zschirnt (2011), which showed the importance of the independent iden-
1768
+ tity, classifying self-identified independents as partisans seems counterproductive in examining
1769
+ their influence on partisans, especially when respondents elected to self-identify as leaners. The
1770
+ authors collapsed three groups—respondents who selected option 3, 4, or 5—as independ-
1771
+ ent, thus treating leaners as Independents (VCF0303, Summary 3-category scale). Similarly,
1772
+ Fiorina (2016) has long been an opponent of classifying leaning independents as partisans and
1773
+ leaving pure independents in the middle ID category arguing that “We can think of no other case
1774
+ in political science where analysts change a respondent's explicit response to a survey item on
1775
+ the basis of information from other items—especially one generally used as the dependent varia-
1776
+ ble” (Abrams & Fiorina, 2011, p. 5). Perhaps it is time to develop new explanatory constructs to
1777
+ capture independent voter classification.
1778
+
1779
+ 20
1780
+
1781
+ CONCLUSION
1782
+
1783
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1784
+
1785
+ Our study contributes to previous literature on the independent voter by showing their voting
1786
+ patterns are volatile, unpredictable, and distinct from partisans. Additionally, when analyz-
1787
+ ing voting behavior over time, our research confirmed that a sizeable number of independ-
1788
+ ents move in and out of independent status from one election to another. This volatility was
1789
+ observed in all three measures of party affiliation used by the ANES survey data. When inde-
1790
+ pendents are followed over multiple elections, they have been found to have no firm partisan
1791
+ loyalties.
1792
+
1793
+ Despite our contributions, our study has several limitations. First, as with any survey, the
1794
+ voting classification and behavior details are all based on self-reports, which are suspectable to
1795
+ response bias. Second, although ANES is a rich dataset with a long history to draw from, it does
1796
+ have limitations for this sort of analysis. There is limited information about voter choices in the
1797
+ data. The survey asks for party choices on just four races: president, Congress, Senate, and gover-
1798
+ nor. With the survey waves spaced two years apart (except for the 2016–2020 waves), respondents
1799
+ will not be able to provide answers to presidential, senatorial, and most governor's races in both
1800
+ waves, which limits the data available for analysis. These four races, especially at the presidential
1801
+ level, are susceptible to a “celebrity effect” where a high-profile candidate's perceived charm
1802
+ (or repulsiveness) may overwhelm a voter's policy-based preferences when selecting a candidate.
1803
+ Data that included more frequent and down-ballot races would provide a better picture of the
1804
+ relationship between the stated political identification of voters and their voting choices (Bitzer
1805
+ et al., 2021). Finally, it is also difficult to draw solid conclusions about the behavior of non-voters
1806
+ from these data. These non-voters may be latent voters who generally lie dormant but turn out
1807
+ at the polls when there is an issue or candidate that particularly motivates them. Without a very
1808
+ long time-series survey, it is difficult to say with what frequency these latent voters are activated
1809
+ or what motivates changes in their political identification.
1810
+
1811
+ There is a lot that still needs to be learned about this emerging group of voters. Future
1812
+ research should explore the fluidity of Black and Latino voters as well as the increasing genera-
1813
+ tional divide. Most importantly, there is a need to continue to track independent voting behavior
1814
+ over time and more analysis on the voting patterns of independents is needed down ballot at the
1815
+ state and local level.
1816
+
1817
+ ORCID
1818
+ Thom Reilly
1819
+
1820
+ https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8614-0482
1821
+
1822
+ REFERENCES
1823
+ Abrams, Samuel J., and Morris P. Fiorina. 2011. “Are Leaning Independents Deluded or Dishonest Weak Partisans?”
1824
+
1825
+ https://cise.luiss.it/cise/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Are-Leaners-Partisans.pdf.
1826
+
1827
+ ANES Data Center. 2015. “Party Identification 3-Point Scale (Revised in 2008) 1952-2012.” American National Election
1828
+
1829
+ Studies. https://electionstudies.org/resources/anes-guide/top-tables/?id=22.
1830
+
1831
+ ANES Data Center. 2021. “American National Election Studies.” https://electionstudies.org/data-center/.
1832
+ ANES Data Center. n.d. “Time Series Cumulative Data File.” American National Election Studies. https://electionstud-
1833
+
1834
+ ies.org/data-center/anes-time-series-cumulative-data-file/.
1835
+
1836
+ Bitzer, J. Michael, Christopher A. Cooper, Whitney Ross Manzo, and Susan Roberts. 2021, November 4–5. “The Rise
1837
+ of the Unaffiliated Voter in North Carolina.” Prepared for Presentation at the State if the Parties 2020 and Beyond
1838
+ Virtual Conference. Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, University of Akron.
1839
+
1840
+ Bitzer, J. Michael, Christopher A. Cooper, Whitney Ross Manzo, and Susan Roberts. 2022. “Growing and Distinct:
1841
+ The Unaffiliated Voter as Unmoored Voter.” Social Science Quarterly 103(7): 1587–601. https://doi.org/10.1111/
1842
+ ssqu.13225
1843
+
1844
+ Brody, Richard A. 1978. “Change and Stability in the Components of Partisan Identification” Paper Prepared for the
1845
+
1846
+ NES Conference on Party Identification.
1847
+
1848
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
1849
+
1850
+ 21
1851
+
1852
+ Brody, Richard A. 1991. “Stability and Change in Party Identification: Presidential Off-Years.” In Reasoning and Choice,
1853
+ edited by Paul A. Sniderman, Philip E. Tetlock, and Richard A. Brody, 179–205. Cambridge: Cambridge Univer-
1854
+ sity Press.
1855
+
1856
+ Brody, Richard A., and Lawrence S. Rothenberg. 1988. “The Instability of Partisanship: An Analysis of the 1980 Pres-
1857
+
1858
+ idential Election.” British Journal of Political Science 18(4): 445–65. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007123400005214.
1859
+
1860
+ Campbell, Angus, Philip E. Converse, Warren E. Miller, and Donald E. Stokes. 1960. The American Voter. Hoboken,
1861
+
1862
+ NJ: Wiley.
1863
+
1864
+ DeBell, Matthew. 2010. How to Analyze ANES Survey Data. ANES Technical Report Series no.nes012492. Palo Alto,
1865
+
1866
+ CA, and Ann Arbor, MI: Stanford University and the University of Michigan.
1867
+
1868
+ Fiorina, Morris P. 1977. “An Outline for a Model of Party Choice.” American Journal of Political Science 21(3): 601–25.
1869
+
1870
+ https://doi.org/10.2307/2110583.
1871
+
1872
+ Fiorina, Morris P. 2016. “Independents: The Marginal Members of an Electoral Coalition.” Washington, DC: Hoover
1873
+
1874
+ Institution. https://www.hoover.org/research/independents-marginal-members-electoral-coalition.
1875
+
1876
+ Fiorina, Morris P. 2017. Unstable Majorities: Polarization, Party Sorting, and Political Stalemate. Washington, DC:
1877
+
1878
+ Hoover Institution Press.
1879
+
1880
+ Gallup. 2022. “Party Affiliation.” Gallup Polls. https://news.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx.
1881
+ Gruber, Jeremy, and John Opdycke. 2020. “The Next Great Migration: The Rise of Independent Voters.” Open Prima-
1882
+
1883
+ ries. https://openprimarieseducationfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ROI_Report_R1.pdf.
1884
+
1885
+ Ingraham, Christopher. 2021. “How to Fix Democracy: More Beyond the Two-Party System, Experts Say.” The Wash-
1886
+
1887
+ ington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/01/break-up-two-party-system/.
1888
+
1889
+ Jackson, John E. 1975. “Issues, Party Choices, and Presidential Votes.” American Journal of Political Science 19(2):
1890
+
1891
+ 161–85. https://doi.org/10.2307/2110431.
1892
+
1893
+ Keith, Bruce E., David B. Magleby, Candice J. Nelson, Elizabeth Orr, Mark C. Westlye, and Raymond E. Wolfinger.
1894
+
1895
+ 1992. The Myth of the Independent Voter. Oakland, CA: University of California Press.
1896
+
1897
+ Klar, Samara. 2014. “Partisanship in a Social Setting.” American Journal of Political Science 58(3): 687–704. https://doi.
1898
+
1899
+ org/10.1111/ajps.12087.
1900
+
1901
+ Klar, Samara, and Yanna Krupnikov. 2016. Independent Politics: How American Disdain for Parties Leads to Political
1902
+
1903
+ Inaction. New York: Cambridge University Press.
1904
+
1905
+ Magleby, David, Candice Nelson, and Mark Westlye. 2011. “The Myth of the Indepedent Voter Revisited.” In Facing the
1906
+ Challenge of Democracy: Explorations in the Analysis of Public Opinion and Political Particiaption, edited by Paul
1907
+ M. Sniderman and Benjamin Highton, pp. 238–63. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
1908
+
1909
+ Mayer, William G. 2008. The Swing Voter in American Politics. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press.
1910
+ Miller, Warren E. 1991. “Party Identification, Realignment and Party Voting: Back to Basics.” American Political Science
1911
+
1912
+ Review 85(2): 557–68. https://doi.org/10.2307/1963175.
1913
+
1914
+ Page, Benjamin I., and Calvin C. Jones. 1979. “Reciprocal Effects of Policy Preferences, Party Loyalties, and the Vote.”
1915
+
1916
+ The American Political Science Review 73(4): 1071–89. https://doi.org/10.2307/1953990.
1917
+
1918
+ Petrocik, John R. 2009. “Measuring Party Support: Leaners Are Not Independents.” Electoral Studies 28(4): 562–72.
1919
+
1920
+ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2009.05.022.
1921
+
1922
+ PEW Research Center. 2019. Political Independents: Who They Are, What They Think. U.S. Politics & Policy. https://
1923
+
1924
+ www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/03/14/political-independents-who-they-are-what-they-think/.
1925
+
1926
+ PEW Research Center. 2022. Americans’ Views of Government: Decades of Distrust, Enduring Support for Its Role U.S.
1927
+ Politics & Policy. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/06/06/americans-views-of-government-decades-of-dist
1928
+ rust-enduring-support-for-its-role/.
1929
+
1930
+ Reilly, Thom, and E. C. Hedberg. 2022. “Social Networks of Independents and Partisans: Are Independents a Moderat-
1931
+
1932
+ ing Force?” Politics & Policy 50(2): 225–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12460.
1933
+
1934
+ Reilly, Thom, Jacqueline S. Salit, and Omar H. Ali. 2023. The Independent Voter. London: Routledge.
1935
+ Sides, John. 2013. “Three Myths about Political Independents.” The Monkey Cage. https://themonkeycage.org/2009/12/
1936
+
1937
+ three_myths_about_political_in/.
1938
+
1939
+ Smith, Andrew E., Alfred J. Tuchfarber, Eric W. Rademacher, and Stephen E. Bennett. 1995. “Partisan Leaners Are NOT
1940
+
1941
+ Independents.” The Public Perspective. https://ropercenter.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2018-07/66009.pdf.
1942
+
1943
+ Teixiera, Ruy. 2012. “The Great Illusion.” The New Republic. https://newrepublic.com/article/100799/swing-vote-untapp
1944
+
1945
+ ed-power-independents-linda-killian.
1946
+
1947
+ Zschirnt, Simon. 2011. “The Origins & Meaning of Liberal/Conservative Self-Identifications Revisited.” Political Behav-
1948
+
1949
+ ior 33(4): 685–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-010-9145-6.
1950
+
1951
+ 22
1952
+
1953
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1954
+
1955
+ AUT HOR BI OG RAP HIES
1956
+
1957
+ Thom Reilly is a Professor and Co-Director for the Center for an Independent and Sustaina-
1958
+ ble Democracy in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. He is the former
1959
+ Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education and County Manager for Clark
1960
+ County, Nevada. Reilly's research focuses on public pay and benefit schemes, nonpartisan
1961
+ governance, the independent voter, and child welfare. He is the author of several books
1962
+ including The Independent Voter (Routledge Press, 2023) with co-authors Jacqueline Salit and
1963
+ Omar Ali, The Failure of Governance in Bell, California (Lexington Press, 2016), and Rethink-
1964
+ ing Public Sector Compensation (M.E. Sharpe, 2012).
1965
+
1966
+ Dan Hunting is Senior Researcher at Arizona State University's Lodestar Center for Philan-
1967
+ thropy & Nonprofit Innovation. His research interests include economic impacts of the
1968
+ nonprofit sector, voter dynamics, workforce development, education funding, and urban
1969
+ growth. Hunting has authored several foundational works that have informed Arizona policy
1970
+ discussions including Finding & Keeping: Educators for Arizona's Classrooms an analysis
1971
+ of the state's teacher shortage, and Sun Corridor: A Competitive Mindset (co-authored with
1972
+ Grady Gammage, Jr.) which described the complex connections between the economies of
1973
+ Phoenix and Tucson.
1974
+
1975
+ How to cite this article: Reilly, Thom, and Dan Hunting. 2023. “The fluid voter:
1976
+ Exploring independent voting patterns over time.” Politics & Policy 00: 1–22. https://doi.
1977
+ org/10.1111/polp.12517.
1978
+
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@@ -1,602 +1,491 @@
1
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers
2
- with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
3
 
4
- A WBR Digital Benchmarking Whitepaper Presented in Conjunction with CFI Group
5
- September 2014
6
 
7
- Table Of Contents
8
 
9
- Executive Summary ............... 2
10
 
11
- Key Findings ........................... 3
12
 
13
- Research Findings
14
- Investing in People &
15
- Technology
16
- to Enhance In-Store
17
- Experiences ............................... 4
18
 
19
- The Challenge of
20
- Cross-Channel Consistency ....... 6
21
 
22
- Turning In-Store Data
23
- into Actionable Messaging ........ 9
24
 
25
- The Future of
26
- Store Technologies .................. 10
27
 
28
- Key Recommendations ........ 13
29
 
30
- Appendices ........................... 14
31
 
32
- About Future Stores ............ 16
33
 
34
- About CFI Group .................. 16
35
 
36
- About WBR & WBR Digital .. 17
37
 
38
- Register for Next Year’s
39
- Future Stores Conference .... 17
40
 
41
- Executive Summary
42
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great
43
- In-Store Retail Experiences
44
 
45
- Technology has had an expansive and multidimensional impact on retail in recent
46
- years. In particular, the ascendance of multichannel e-commerce platforms has
47
- challenged brands to reimagine how they interact with consumers. As a result, today’s
48
- connected consumers have access to a whole host of digital shopping tools, including
49
- interactive websites with high-definition images and mobile-optimized web and email.
50
- E-commerce offers variety, convenience, and information, empowering consumers to
51
- engage with retailers when, where, and how they please.
52
 
53
- Despite e-commerce’s growing popularity, stores are still the lynchpins of retail strategy.
54
- The Department of Commerce estimates that e-commerce accounted for approximately
55
- 6.5% of all retail sales in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2014. Although this
56
- reaffirms that physical stores remain retailers’ most prominent sources of revenue, it
57
- also suggests that there are great opportunities for synergy between a brand’s physical
58
- locations and its e-commerce platform.
59
 
60
- Indeed, many of the technological innovations that have threatened to erode in-store
61
- sales have turned out to be great assets to retailers. Mobile devices enable businesses
62
- to send extremely relevant and timely messages to consumers by using location-based
63
- services and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons. Loyalty programs deployed across
64
- channels encourage repeat business both in-store and online. QR codes and interactive
65
- displays offer customers new ways to engage with and learn about products and
66
- services. Omnichannel initiatives (e.g., an option for the consumer to buy online and
67
- pick up in-store) promote interchannel traffic. Because of these innovations, today’s
68
- consumers begin shopping before they walk into the store and continue shopping after
69
- they leave, making their in-store experiences the unifying element.
70
 
71
- The mission of retail stores has evolved and expanded greatly in recent years, and
72
- it has been influenced in large part by technological innovation and new consumer
73
- insights. The most successful retail stores not only leverage new technologies to drive
74
- in-store conversions, but they also enhance the shopping experience, collect actionable
75
- customer data, and serve as a physical extension of the brand. This is the store of the
76
- future: a connected showroom that fuses together multichannel experiences to convert
77
- and engage customers while also learning from them.
78
 
79
- What follows is an analysis of the best practices and paradigm-shifting experiences
80
- retailers are creating in their stores. The analysis is based on survey data collected from
81
- retail executives and professionals in a variety of industries. This data was collected on-site
82
- at the 2014 Future Stores Conference and through an online survey. The findings are
83
- based on the insights and practices of some of the world’s leading retailers and brands.
84
 
85
- 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
86
 
87
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Key Findings
88
-
89
- Retailers are increasing their investments in
90
- technology in order to make their in-store
91
- experiences more relevant and engaging.
92
- Although associates are still the most important in-store sales
93
- assets, retailers are investing equally in new store technologies
94
- and personnel training. Will this shift in emphasis produce a more
95
- technology-driven in-store sales process?
96
-
97
- Businesses are struggling to create consistent
98
- shopping experiences across channels.
99
- In today’s omnichannel commercial world, consistency of experience
100
- is key to improving conversions and enhancing consumer loyalty.
101
- Unfortunately, most retailers’ shopping experiences are only somewhat
102
- consistent across channels, resulting in significant missed opportunities.
103
-
104
- Retailers must improve in-store data
105
- collection in order to create more targeted
106
- and personalized marketing activities.
107
-
108
- Few retailers are collecting in-store data very effectively, leaving
109
- them with an incomplete view of the customer and ineffective
110
- marketing messages.
111
-
112
- The most effective retail technologies of
113
- the future will create seamless shopping
114
- experiences and integrate with other
115
- technologies and services.
116
-
117
- In-store retail technology is constantly evolving.
118
- Although many new technologies will arise over the next 2-5 years,
119
- not all of those tools will help businesses improve their conversions and
120
- experiences. Retailers will need to critically sort through the multitude
121
- of solutions and only implement those that enhance conversions while
122
- providing customers with effortless, engaging experiences.
123
 
124
  3
125
 
126
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences “Customers always want
127
- more of what they’re
128
- not getting. They want
129
- outcomes to be easier to
130
- achieve, and they would
131
- like them with greater
132
- convenience and at a
133
- higher value.
134
 
135
- - Mike Wittenstein, Retail
136
- Customer Experience Strategist
137
- and Designer, Storyminers
138
 
139
- Research Findings
 
 
140
 
141
- Investing in People & Technology to Enhance In-Store
142
- Experiences
 
143
 
144
- Today’s retail stores fulfill a variety of critical functions ranging far beyond simple revenue
145
- generation. Stores have become the standard-bearers for a brand’s customer experience,
146
- driving consumer loyalty and engagement through innovative interactions and inventive
147
- campaigns. Stores are also a burgeoning source of data that can be turned into rich insights
148
- into shoppers’ tendencies and preferences. Add in customers’ lofty expectations for shopping
149
- experiences and the value of the modern store becomes undeniable. With few exceptions,
150
- stores continue to be the backbone of retail businesses, even in today’s world of e-commerce
151
- and digital interconnectedness.
152
 
153
- The best brands are using their stores as a source of innovation and invention, and
154
- they are constantly updating designs, technology, and personnel to get the most out of
155
- each location. Creating a store of the future means seamlessly integrating cutting-edge
156
- technology with tried and true designs and tactics, providing a strong balance of analog
157
- and digital elements that help deliver to customers higher value outcomes that are easier
158
- to achieve. When it comes to technology, electronic point of sale (EPOS) tools have
159
- become extremely common, with over three quarters of survey respondents indicating
160
- that they are already utilizing the capability. A robust 72% are leveraging mobile devices
161
- and tablets in stores, and 60% are making use of digital displays or kiosks.
162
 
163
- Although retailers indicated that they are investing equally in new technology and training
164
- of store associates, 91% of those surveyed said that the greatest sales assets in their
165
- stores are still sales associates. New technologies are providing good value to the in-store
166
- experience, but they have yet to supplant personnel as key sales elements.
 
 
 
167
 
168
- What is the greatest sales asset in your stores?
 
 
 
 
 
 
169
 
170
- 91% Sales associates
171
 
172
- 6% Store format design
173
 
174
- 6%
175
 
176
- Interactive elements
177
- (tablets, virtual
178
- displays, etc.)
 
179
 
180
- Respondents Overwhelmingly Consider Sales
181
- Associates to Be Their Greatest In-Store Assets
182
 
183
- 4
 
184
 
185
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
186
 
187
- Which of the following are you investing in
188
- most to improve in-store conversions?
189
 
190
- 42% New technology
 
191
 
192
- (i.e. touch screens,
193
- beacons, etc.)
 
 
 
 
 
194
 
195
- 41% Training and
 
 
196
 
197
- development of
198
- sales associates
199
 
200
- 17% Alternative store
201
 
202
- formats
203
 
204
- Respondents Are Investing Equally in New
205
- Technology and Sales Associate Training to Drive
206
- In-Store Conversions
207
 
208
- Which technologies are you using to enhance
209
- the in-store experience
 
210
 
211
- 76% POS
212
 
213
- 72% Mobile/tablet
214
 
215
- 60% Displays/Kiosks
216
 
217
- 12% None of these
218
 
219
- 5% NFC
220
 
221
- 3% BLE
222
 
223
- Point-Of-Sale Tools and Tablets Are the Most
224
- 70
225
- Common Technologies Being Leveraged to
226
- Enhance In-Store Experiences
227
 
228
- 50
229
 
230
- 10
231
 
232
- 30
233
 
234
- 40
235
 
236
- 60
237
 
238
- 20
239
 
240
- 0
 
241
 
242
- 80
243
 
244
- 5
245
 
246
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
247
-
248
- “The tools are all there
249
- to integrate these
250
- experiences, they just
251
- aren’t always being
252
- implemented. There is
253
- a resistance to change,
254
- because making changes
255
- costs a lot of time and
256
- money.”
257
-
258
- - Jack Shaw, VP North American
259
- Sales, Adaequare Inc.
260
-
261
- The Challenge of Cross-Channel Consistency
262
-
263
- Advances in technology – particularly mobile technology – over the past decade have
264
- resulted in a rapid expansion in the variety of commercial tools available to consumers.
265
- Today, consumers are increasingly engaging with brands across a variety of diverse media.
266
- The customer journey has become expansive, dynamic, and multilayered; it permeates
267
- desktop websites, mobile-optimized sites and apps, social networks, and retail stores
268
- themselves. For retailers, this has meant a multiplication of consumer touch points and
269
- an unprecedented demand for innovative digital shopping tools. However, the challenge
270
- for retailers is not just to develop spectacular omnichannel shopping capabilities but also
271
- to deliver outstanding experiences across all channels. When it comes to omnichannel
272
- customer experiences, consistency is key.
273
-
274
- Delivering consistently great customer experiences in-store and online can be a profound
275
- challenge for retail businesses. In this study, only 16% of respondents said that their
276
- customer experiences are very consistent between their stores and online presence.
277
- The majority (60%) of those surveyed noted that their experiences are only somewhat
278
- consistent. In their quest to provide a great customer experience, these retailers are facing
279
- many complex challenges, including creating consistency across channels, personalizing
280
- the experience, capturing and applying relevant customer data, and the implementation
281
- of customer experience initiatives across store locations.
282
-
283
- Although the retailer perspective is an important indicator of the state of shopping
284
- experiences, an even more critical measure is how consumers perceive those experiences.
285
- Unfortunately, the way retailers view their shopping experience can differ greatly from
286
- consumers’ perspectives. For instance, in a Bain & Co. customer experience survey,
287
- 80% of companies stated that they were delivering a “superior experience” to their
288
- customers. However, consumers in the survey said that only 8% of companies were
289
- actually delivering high-quality experiences. This discrepancy underlines how critical it is
290
- for retailers to listen to their customers, especially when it comes to experiences.
291
-
292
- Without a doubt, modern retail businesses must have an omnichannel vision in order
293
- to adapt to the changes in consumer shopping patterns brought on by technological
294
- advances. In part, a successful omnichannel strategy demands that retailers understand
295
- the key actions that consumers take during their shopping experiences, and retailers
296
- must then make those actions available across multiple channels. Enabling consumers to
297
- engage with multiple platforms en route to a purchase not only improves the shopping
298
- experience but also increases conversion rates and reduces cart abandonment.
299
-
300
- Two notable omnichannel shopping practices include showrooming and “buy online, pick
301
- up in store” options. Showrooming, the practice of evaluating products in a store before
302
- buying them online, poses a clear threat to traditional retailers, which are susceptible to
303
- customers using mobile devices to compare prices while in the store. Despite the threat,
304
- nearly three quarters of respondents reported that they have not seen any sort of impact
305
- from showrooming. In fact, 19% noted that showrooming has had a positive impact on
306
- their businesses. This is likely because omnichannel shoppers have been shown to spend
307
- significantly more than single-channel shoppers. Similarly, “buy online, pick up in store”
308
- options, which offer the convenience of an online transaction alongside the satisfaction
309
- of instantly picking up an item, are expanding although only 26% of respondents
310
- currently have fully-deployed programs.
311
 
312
- 6
313
 
314
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences How consistent is your customer experience
315
- between in-store and online?
316
 
317
- 60% Somewhat consistent
318
 
319
- 24% Not consistent
320
 
321
- 16% Very consistent
322
 
323
- Most Respondents Say That Their In-Store and
324
- Online Experiences Are Somewhat Consistent
325
 
326
- What is the greatest challenge of providing a
327
- great customer experience?
328
 
329
- 34% Creating consistent
330
- experiences across
331
- channels
332
 
333
- 24% Personalizing
334
 
335
- customer
336
- experiences
337
 
338
- 21% Capturing and
339
 
340
- analyzing relevant
341
- customer data
342
 
343
- 21% Implementing
344
 
345
- customer experience
346
- initiatives across
347
- stores
348
 
349
- There Are Many Challenges to Providing a Great
350
- Customer Experience, with No Single Obstacle
351
- Standing Out Above the Rest
352
 
353
- 7
354
 
355
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
356
 
357
- How is showrooming impacting your business?
358
 
359
- 74% Neutral we have
360
 
361
- not seen much of a
362
- change
363
 
364
- 19% Positivelywe
365
 
366
- have adapted and
367
- are leveraging it to
368
- drive sales
369
 
370
- 7% Negatively it is
371
- hurting our sales
372
 
373
- Nearly Three-Quarters of Respondents Have Not
374
- Yet Felt the Effects of Showrooming
375
 
376
- Do you currently offer a “buy online, pick up
377
- in store” option?
378
 
379
- 51% No, we do not
380
 
381
- 26% We have a fully-
382
- deployed program
383
 
384
- 23% We currently offer a
385
 
386
- limited program
 
387
 
388
- Approximately Half of the Retailers Surveyed
389
- Currently Offer Some Sort of Option to Buy
390
- Products Online and Pick Them Up In-Store
391
 
392
  8
393
 
394
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
 
 
 
 
395
 
396
- Turning In-Store Data into Actionable Messaging
397
 
398
- The age of big data has made retailers keenly aware of the wealth of information that can be
399
- collected in their stores. Using BLE beacons, location-based mobile services, loyalty programs,
400
- promotions, and sales trends, merchants can uncover valuable data on the in-store customer
401
- experience. This data can then help them track traffic patterns, evaluate how customers are
402
- interacting with displays, and determine which promotions and marketing messages are
403
- having the greatest impact. In other words, these insights lead to optimized stores, improved
404
- marketing campaigns, and more effective omnichannel commerce interfaces.
405
 
406
- Unfortunately, only 14% of respondents indicated that they believe that they are very
407
- effectively collecting customer data in their stores. Similarly, a third of respondents said that
408
- their in-store data collection has been ineffective. As a result, just under a fifth of the retailers
409
- surveyed said that their marketing activities are very targeted and personalized. This lack of
410
- personalization indicates that most retailers are missing major opportunities to reap the many
411
- benefits of in-store data insights.
412
 
413
- For those companies that are not yet taking advantage of in-store data, it is essential that they
414
- build processes to capture that information. Those retailers that have processes in place now
415
- have access to a new age of sophisticated key performance indicators, such as conversion
416
- rate, shopper yield, Average Transaction Value (ATV), entrance traffic, and sales per square
417
- foot, as well as a whole host of omnichannel metrics and capabilities.
 
418
 
419
- How effectively are you collecting customer
420
- data in-store
 
 
 
421
 
422
- 44% Somewhat effectively
 
423
 
424
- 33% Not effectively
425
 
426
- 14% Very effectively
 
 
 
427
 
428
- 9% Unsure
429
 
430
- Only 14% of Respondents Reported That Their
431
- Businesses Are Doing a Very Effective Job of
432
- Collecting Customer Data in Stores
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
433
 
434
  9
435
 
436
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences “67% of shoppers are
437
- accessing brand-related
438
- content and apps while
439
- shopping in-store. This
440
- embrace of mobile
441
- shopping is where the
442
- real opportunity lies for
443
- retailers to make their
444
- store a better place to
445
- shop. It is gradually
446
- becoming clear: the
447
- stores that make proper
448
- use of mobile wallets
449
- are the ones who will
450
- come out on top in the
451
- modern retail era.”
452
 
453
- - Digital Retail Product Executive,
454
- Retail
455
 
456
- How would you describe the personalization and
457
- targeting of your current marketing activities?
458
 
459
- 53% Somewhat targeted
460
 
461
- and personalized
462
 
463
- 23% Not targeted and
464
- personalized
465
 
466
- 19% Very Targeted and
467
- personalized
 
 
 
 
 
468
 
469
- 5% Not sure
470
 
471
- Most Organizations Are Personalizing and
472
- Targeting Their Marketing Messages, but There
473
- Is Still Room for Improvement
474
 
475
- The Future of Store Technologies
476
 
477
- With businesses leveraging their digital assets to drive sales in-store and vice versa,
478
- omnichannel execution has become the bedrock of modern retail strategy. In fact, the
479
- intersections between physical and digital retail channels have become so extensive that
480
- many companies are no longer differentiating between sales made in stores and those
481
- made digitally. As Saks Inc. CEO Stephen Sadove has said, “There is so much integration
482
- between store and online sales that we can’t report the numbers separately. [That just
483
- doesn’t] make sense, because we are moving inventory from one to another all the time.”
484
 
485
- The omnichannel paradigm has an inherent emphasis on technological innovation.
486
- New devices, online offerings, and digital touch points are the engines of retail growth
487
- because they streamline shopping experiences across channels and engage consumers on
488
- their own terms. Novel technologies also enable businesses to gather a massive amount
489
- of customer data, which can then be used to personalize marketing messages and shift
490
- inventory to the right places. However, given the abundance of tools and technologies
491
- available, choosing the right solutions can prove challenging. The best brands are those
492
- that cut through unessential capabilities and focus only on those that add significant
493
- value to the customer experience.
494
 
495
- The technologies that retailers rely on to improve conversions, engage customers, and
496
- collect data in stores will inevitably change over time. As a result, which capabilities will
497
- be at the center of the stores of the future? Despite the relatively wide utilization of QR
498
- codes in retail stores, 61% of those surveyed said that they believe that QR codes will
499
- disappear on the next 2-5 years. In contrast, 71% of respondents indicated anticipation
500
- that mobile wallet capabilities will become standard over the same time period. In many
501
- cases, the utilization of a given capability will not just depend on how sophisticated a
502
- technology is but also on how that technology can be leveraged during a customer’s
503
 
504
- 10
505
 
506
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
507
 
508
- path to purchase. Mobile wallets, for example, could potentially streamline the payment
509
- process and mitigate one possible obstacle to a purchase while also enhancing customer
510
- loyalty programs by capturing more data and improving incentives.
511
 
512
- Design will also factor heavily into the retail technologies of the future. According to
513
- Mike Wittenstein, Retail Customer Experience Strategist and Designer, Storyminers, some
514
- of the most successful retail technologies are the least intrusive and most intuitive for
515
- consumers to interact with. This is the principle of Invisible Design: the less intrusive and
516
- more streamlined a technology is, the more likely it is to become widely adopted.
517
 
518
- What in-store technology will disappear in the
519
- next 2-5 years?
520
 
521
- 61% QR Codes
522
 
523
- 24% None of the Above
524
 
525
- 13% Touch screens & kiosks
526
 
527
- 10% SMS
528
 
529
- 10% Mobile websites
530
 
531
- 10% Retail Apps
532
 
533
- 9%
534
 
535
- iBeacons/Display Beacons
536
 
537
- A Strong Majority Believes that QR Codes Will
538
- 20
539
- 0
540
- Disappear in the next 2-5 Years
 
 
 
541
 
542
- 50
543
 
544
- 30
545
 
546
- 40
 
 
547
 
548
- 10
 
 
549
 
550
- 60
 
551
 
552
- 70
 
553
 
554
- 80
555
 
556
- What future store technology will become
557
- standard practice in the next 2-5 years?
558
 
559
- 71% Mobile wallet
560
 
561
- 48%
 
562
 
563
- iBeacons/Display Beacons
564
 
565
- 42% Wearable technology
 
 
 
566
 
567
- 35%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
568
 
569
- Interactive mirrors &
570
- virtual displays
 
 
 
 
571
 
572
- 8% QR Codes
 
 
573
 
574
- 3% Other
 
575
 
576
- More than 70% of Respondents See Mobile Wallet
577
- 70
578
- 50
579
- Becoming Standard over the next 2-5 Years
580
 
581
- 60
582
 
583
- 20
584
 
585
- 30
 
 
586
 
587
- 10
588
 
589
- 40
590
 
591
- 0
592
 
593
- 80
594
 
595
- 11
596
 
597
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
598
- Which retailers do you believe are providing the
599
- most exceptional in-store experiences?
600
 
601
  1
602
 
@@ -604,283 +493,476 @@ most exceptional in-store experiences?
604
 
605
  3
606
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
607
  4
608
 
609
- 5
610
 
611
- Nordstrom
 
 
 
 
612
 
613
- Apple
 
 
 
 
614
 
615
- REI
616
 
617
- Nike
618
 
619
- Sephora
 
620
 
621
- Nordstrom, Apple, and REI Top the List of
622
- Retailers Providing Exceptional In-Store
623
- Experiences
624
 
625
- 12
 
 
626
 
627
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Key Recommendations
 
628
 
629
- As retailers continue to invest heavily in store
630
- technologies, there may come a time when
631
- technology is seen as a more critical in-store
632
- sales asset than associates.
633
 
634
- Insofar as interactive displays, POS tools, and other digital offerings can create a fluid
635
- and enjoyable shopping experience, customers will willingly turn to those technologies.
636
- As those tools become more sophisticated, they may eventually supersede sales
637
- associates as the greatest in-store revenue drivers.
638
 
639
- In order to holistically measure how consumers
640
- are interacting with their products and
641
- brands, businesses must prioritize a new set
642
- of consumer engagement metrics alongside
643
- traditional measures like conversions.
644
 
645
- Customer experiences have become so important that retailers must consider new
646
- metrics, including involvement (i.e., whether or not consumers are relying on the brand
647
- for information, goods, and services on an ongoing basis) and time of awareness to
648
- time of satisfaction (i.e., how long it takes for a customer to acquire a good or service
649
- from the time they become aware of it). Improving involvement and shortening the
650
- time of awareness to time of satisfaction are becoming central objectives for businesses.
651
 
652
- Retail success is increasingly dependent on
653
- how well businesses are learning from and
654
- listening to customers.
655
 
656
- In a customer-centric world, the top-performing organizations are those that sincerely
657
- listen to customer feedback and effectively collect customer data. Stores are a great
658
- source of these inputs, which enable organizations to optimize their offerings and
659
- create personalized marketing messages.
660
 
661
- Modern retail challenges organizations to deliver
662
- the right services to the right places at the right
663
- times while maintaining a consistent feel.
664
- Not only must retail organizations become more agile in order to create the capabilities
665
- customers demand, they must also extend those capabilities across a variety of channels
666
- without detracting from the overall experience. Many retailers are struggling with this
667
- cross-channel consistency, highlighting the need for them to critically evaluate how they
668
- interact with customers on different media.
669
 
670
- Creating a store of the future means
671
- leveraging the right technologies and phasing
672
- out anachronistic elements.
673
 
674
- In order to create immersive and satisfying in-store experiences that consistently drive
675
- revenue, companies must replace outmoded elements with the right technologies,
676
- particularly digital tools that enhance product interactions and capture key data points.
677
- This requires constant re-evaluation and, occasionally, reinvention of store components
678
 
679
- 13
 
680
 
681
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Appendices
682
 
683
- Appendix A: Methodology
684
- For this report, Worldwide Business Research conducted in person and online surveys
685
- of 104 store, operations, IT, cross-channel, and retail customer experience executives
686
- representing 14 industries (see Appendix B for demographic information). Survey
687
- participants included decision-makers and executives with responsibility for their
688
- businesses’ in-store and digital experiences and performance. In-person surveys and
689
- interviews were conducted on-site at the 2014 Future Stores Conference. Data was
690
- collected in June of 2014.
691
 
692
- Appendix B: Demographic Information
693
 
694
- Industry
695
 
696
- 20% Specialty Retail
697
 
698
- 17% Apparel
699
 
700
- 12% Sporting Goods
701
 
702
- 10% Consulting
703
 
704
- 9% Automotive
705
 
706
- 6% Software &
707
 
708
- Analytics
709
 
710
- 5% Hardware,
711
 
712
- Electronics, and
713
- Appliances
714
 
715
- 5% General E- ‐commerce
716
 
717
- 5% Other
718
 
719
- 4% Department Stores
720
 
721
- 2% Telecommunications
722
 
723
- 2% Home Furnishings
724
 
725
- 2% Supermarkets
726
 
727
- 1% Toys & Hobbies
728
 
729
- 14
 
 
730
 
731
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
732
 
733
- Roles and Titles
734
 
735
- Revenue Breakdown
736
 
737
- 15% Marketing
738
 
739
- 15% Executive
740
 
741
- Management
742
 
743
- 15% Information
744
 
745
- Technology
746
 
747
- 12% Omni- channel
748
 
749
- 12% Customer
750
- Experience
751
 
752
- 8% eCommerce
753
 
754
- 6% Operations
755
 
756
- 6% Customer Insights
757
 
758
- and Analytics
759
 
760
- 6% Consulting & Agency
761
 
762
- 3%
763
 
764
- Innovation
765
 
766
- 2% Story Design &
767
 
768
- Management
769
 
770
- 22% Less than $50 million
771
 
772
- 17% $50- ‐150 million
773
 
774
- 61% Greater than $150
775
 
776
- million
777
 
778
- 15
779
 
780
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
781
 
782
- “The event was fantastic.
783
- It was very well executed,
784
- and I have taken a lot
785
- of information from the
786
- event that we will be
787
- working to implement in
788
- our stores.”
789
 
790
- - Chanel Chartrand, Visual
791
- Merchandiser, Coastal.com
792
 
793
- About Future Stores
794
 
795
- Future Stores is WBR’s intensive event focused on cutting-edge omnichannel retail
796
- strategies. From omnichannel marketing and customer analytics to retail technology
797
- and store operations, Future Stores will show you how to design and implement
798
- winning in-store strategies to beat the competition and boost customer loyalty.
799
 
800
- The conference is centered on the pain points of store, operations, IT, cross-channel
801
- and customer experience executives to bridge the gap between the store experience
802
- and the digital experience. Future Stores provides tactical strategies for brick and
803
- mortar retailers to improve and increase conversion rates in-store as well as make the
804
- store and cross-channel shopping experiences as seamless and easy as they are online.
805
 
806
- About CFI Group
807
 
808
- CFI Group is a global leader in providing customer feedback insights through analytics.
809
- CFI Group provides a technology platform that leverages the science of the American
810
- Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). This platform continuously measures the customer
811
- experience across multiple channels, benchmarks performance, and prioritizes
812
- improvements for maximum impact.
813
 
814
- Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, CFI Group serves
815
- global clients from a network of offices worldwide. Our clients span a variety of
816
- industries, including financial services, hospitality, manufacturing, telecom, retail, and
817
- government. Regardless of your industry, we can put the power of our technology and
818
- the science of the ACSI methodology to work for you.
819
 
820
- CFI Group USA, L.L.C.
821
- 625 Avis Drive
822
- Ann Arbor, MI 48108
823
- (734) 930-9090
824
- Askcfi@cfigroup.com
825
 
826
- 16
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
827
 
828
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences About WBR &
829
- WBR Digital
 
 
830
 
831
- WBR is the world’s biggest large-scale conference company and part of the PLS group,
832
- one of the world’s leading providers of strategic business intelligence with 16 offices
833
- worldwide. Our conference divisions consistently out-perform their industry sector
834
- competitors on the quality of the events we produce and the relationships we nurture
835
- with both attendees and sponsors.
836
 
837
- Every year, over 10,000 senior executives from Fortune 1,000 companies attend over
838
- 100 of our annual conferences – a true “Who’s Who” of today’s corporate world.
839
- From Automotive events in Bucharest to Logistics conferences in Arizona to Luxury
840
- conferences in New York and Finance summits in Hong Kong, WBR is dedicated to
841
- exceeding the needs of its customers around the world.
842
 
843
- In addition to our industry leading conferences, our professional services marketing
844
- division, WBR Digital, connects solutions providers to their target audiences with
845
- digital branding and engagement services and lead generation campaigns. WBR’s
846
- marketers act as an extension of your team, relieving strain on your internal resources
847
- while engaging with customers and prospects on your brand and solutions. Solutions
848
- providers can target identified accounts or relevant industry/function segments of WBR’s
849
- global database of senior-level decision makers.
850
 
851
- Contact:
852
- Andrew Cole
853
- Digital Content Manager
854
- 646-200-7541
855
- Andrew.Cole@wbresearch.com
856
 
857
- Be a Part of Next Year’s
858
- Future Stores Conference
859
 
860
- Be a part of next year’s event and discuss the new trends shaping the retail industry.
861
 
862
- Click To Register Now
863
 
864
- Call our customer service team to get the best available discounts for your firm at
865
- 1.888.482.6012, or email us at futurestores@wbresearch.com
866
 
867
- 17
868
 
869
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences What did you think? Rate this content and help us improve!
870
 
871
- “An organization’s ability to learn, and translate that learning into
872
- action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.” - Jack Welch
873
 
874
- It is our goal to produce relevant, valuable content to help inform
875
- your strategic business decisions, so we would love to know what
876
- you thought of this report. Your feedback goes directly to our
877
- content team and helps us to improve.
878
 
879
- CLICK HERE TO TELL
880
- US WHAT YOU THINK
881
 
882
- YOU CAN ALSO SUBMIT A RATING HERE WWW.SURVEYMONKEY.COM/S/JTVB7FB
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
883
 
884
  18
885
 
886
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
+ Becoming a
2
+ data-driven
3
+ organization
4
 
5
+ The what, why and how
 
6
 
7
+ Ongoing digitization is turning everything into data, forcing
8
 
9
+ Technological advancements in data analytics are, however,
10
 
11
+ companies to become more data-driven. While the benefits of
12
 
13
+ making it possible for any type of company in every industry to
 
 
 
 
14
 
15
+ the data-driven organisation are clear (improved performance,
 
16
 
17
+ become data-driven.
 
18
 
19
+ more profitability, stronger innovations), there are still some
 
20
 
21
+ Discover the basic do’s and don’ts in ‘Becoming a data-driven
22
 
23
+ technical and business challenges to overcome.
24
 
25
+ organisation: the what, why and how’.
26
 
27
+ Table of contents
28
 
29
+ 1
30
 
31
+ Why become
32
+ data-driven?
33
 
34
+ You may not have noticed, but everything around us has
 
 
35
 
36
+ turned into data. Not just our cars or mobile phones, a
 
 
 
 
 
 
37
 
38
+ growing number of other appliances, machines and ‘things’
 
 
 
 
 
39
 
40
+ are generating a constant flux of data. Where we are and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
41
 
42
+ what we do is used for marketing purposes. Sensors in
 
 
 
 
 
 
43
 
44
+ machines tell companies how to improve their output.
 
 
 
 
45
 
46
+ This flood of data is transforming our world. Companies that
47
+
48
+ want to stay ahead must become data-driven.
49
+
50
+ The rise of the data-driven organisation
51
+
52
+ Many organisations worry about staying competitive in the midst of Big
53
+ Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning or the Internet of Things
54
+ (IoT). Especially as many of these concepts are already generating value
55
+ for many companies. The glue that binds all of these together is data.
56
+
57
+ What is being data-driven all about?
58
+
59
+ Data-driven organisations process and use ever more data
60
+
61
+ As consultancy firm McKinsey says:
62
+
63
+ to improve and speed up their decision-making. The goal of
64
+
65
+ having superior analytics is having superior insights. In data-
66
 
67
+ driven organisations, decisions that aren’t supported by data,
68
+
69
+ are considered suspicious. Smarter analytics technologies
70
+
71
+ now enable every company to become more data-driven.
72
+
73
+ “Businesses no longer have to go on gut instinct;
74
+ they can use data and analytics to make faster
75
+ decisions and more accurate forecasts supported
76
+ by a mountain of evidence.”
77
+
78
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
79
+
80
+ 4
81
+
82
+ Data-driven organisations
83
+ use analytics to become smarter:
84
+
85
+ 1
86
+
87
+ They perform
88
+ better
89
+
90
+ The data shows where
91
+ they can streamline
92
+ their processes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
93
 
94
  3
95
 
96
+ They are more
97
+ profitable
98
+
99
+ Constant improvements
100
+ and better predictions
101
+ help to outsmart the
102
+ competition and
103
+ improve innovation.
104
 
105
+ 2
 
 
106
 
107
+ They are
108
+ operationally
109
+ more predictable
110
 
111
+ Data insights fuel
112
+ current and future
113
+ decision-making.
114
 
115
+ These advantages make an organisation more shock-resistant and less
116
+ likely to be surprised by the next economy - or technology disruption.
 
 
 
 
 
 
117
 
118
+ Gut feeling no longer makes the difference
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
119
 
120
+ Gut feeling is not good enough anymore to differentiate yourself from
121
+ your competitors. To be truly competitive, you will need data. Lots of
122
+ relevant data. Luckily, any organisation can set out on the journey to
123
+ become data-driven. You no longer need to be a data scientist to work
124
+ with data. Citizen Data Scientists are not your professional statistician or
125
+ trained analyst, nor your maths wizard or computer scientist, but rather
126
+ regular business users who create and use advanced analytical models.
127
 
128
+ Citizen Data Scientists are part of the ongoing wave of democratization
129
+ of analytics in every department. These business people have the right
130
+ attitude – curious, adventurous, determined – to research and improve
131
+ things in your organisation. They want to get their hands on the data
132
+ themselves and find new ways to get answers. They’re willing to learn
133
+ new methods and use new tools. They often think, “I don’t want to ask a
134
+ statistician. I want to try it myself.”
135
 
136
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
137
 
138
+ 5
139
 
140
+ 2,500 PB
141
 
142
+ Every day, the world creates 2,500
143
+ petabytes of data. In the past two years,
144
+ mankind has generated more data than
145
+ in the preceding 5,000 years combined.
146
 
147
+ Source: IFL Science
 
148
 
149
+ ZOOM-IN ON
150
+ SWISSCOM
151
 
152
+ SWITZERLAND | TELECOM | CUSTOMER SERVICE
153
 
154
+ 7 x FASTER
 
155
 
156
+ CUSTOMER SERVICE DATA IS NOW PROCESSED 7X FASTER
157
+ MAKING IT FAR MORE USEFUL IN ISSUE SOLVING.
158
 
159
+ Swisscom, Switzerland’s biggest telecom operator, found that the analysis
160
+ of their customer service data was too slow and required too much
161
+ manual work. As such, it did not really help to improve customer service.
162
+ Through smarter text analytics, however, relationships and possible
163
+ solutions were shown much faster, often almost simultaneously as the
164
+ ongoing call center documentation evolved. Reports are now sent daily
165
+ instead of weekly or even monthly.
166
 
167
+ “We are able to create fully automated daily reports, which
168
+ has a direct positive effect on service quality and customer
169
+ satisfaction.”
170
 
171
+ Albert Labermeier
172
+ Senior Marketing Analyst at Swisscom
173
 
174
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
175
 
176
+ 6
177
 
178
+ 2
 
 
179
 
180
+ The road to
181
+ becoming
182
+ data-driven
183
 
184
+ While the benefits of becoming more data-driven are
185
 
186
+ apparent, in our experience, many companies are still faced
187
 
188
+ with a few bumps in the road. Luckily, technical advances are
189
 
190
+ bringing data analytics within reach of a growing number of
191
 
192
+ organisations.
193
 
194
+ Changing mindsets
195
 
196
+ On the road to becoming data-driven, it’s crucial for people to change
197
+ their mindset and organisations to change their processes. Doing so, will
198
+ help overcome some of these hurdles:
 
199
 
200
+ 1
201
 
202
+ 2
203
 
204
+ 3
205
 
206
+ 4
207
 
208
+ UNSTRUCTURED DATA
209
 
210
+ UNCONNECTED SYSTEMS
211
 
212
+ LOW DATA QUALITY OR
213
+ UNAVAILABLE DATA
214
 
215
+ MISALIGNMENT WITH IT
216
 
217
+ Data that is not predefined or does
218
 
219
+ Organisations often use multiple
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
220
 
221
+ Sometimes, the data quality simply
222
 
223
+ Business units shouldn’t have to
 
224
 
225
+ not fit the mould of traditional
226
 
227
+ information storage systems side by
228
 
229
+ isn’t good enough, because of poor
230
 
231
+ depend on IT for data analytics, they
 
232
 
233
+ data models. This includes text
 
234
 
235
+ side with no or difficult connections
 
 
236
 
237
+ data input or poorly implemented
238
 
239
+ should be able to run it themselves.
 
240
 
241
+ documents, pictures, e-mails, sensor
242
 
243
+ between them. These systems may
 
244
 
245
+ data connections. It is hard to get
246
 
247
+ With IT being under constant
 
 
248
 
249
+ data, and much more. This data
 
 
250
 
251
+ even offer conflicting information
252
 
253
+ good business intelligence from
254
 
255
+ pressure to keep delivering more
256
 
257
+ is hard to analyse for traditional
258
 
259
+ because they use different sources,
 
260
 
261
+ pooror plain wrong – data.
262
 
263
+ at lower costs, your data analytics
 
 
264
 
265
+ analytics programs, although it
 
266
 
267
+ processing methods or naming
 
268
 
269
+ contains valuable information.
 
270
 
271
+ conventions.
272
 
273
+ requests may end up at the bottom
 
274
 
275
+ of their list.
276
 
277
+ But all of these challenges can be overcome by defining
278
+ a roadmap towards better data analytics.
279
 
280
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
 
 
281
 
282
  8
283
 
284
+ ZOOM-IN ON
285
+ ASTRAZENECA
286
+
287
+ SWEDEN | HEALTHCARE | MANUFACTURING
288
+
289
+ VARIATIONS IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS HAVE BEEN MINIMIZED.
290
 
291
+ THE CONTENT OF THE ANALYSES HAS BEEN GREATLY EXPANDED.
292
 
293
+ PRODUCTION CYCLES HAVE BECOME LEANER.
 
 
 
 
 
 
294
 
295
+ AstraZeneca, a global pharmaceutical company, wanted to make the
296
+ production process for its inhalers more cost-effective and qualitative by
297
+ better using the production data. Not an easy task, given the system’s 1,700
298
+ parameters and a total data growth of 1.5 million rows per week.
 
 
299
 
300
+ With the proper analytics system in place, automated data management
301
+ for each production batch has become possible, thus allowing for quick
302
+ analysis throughout the manufacturing process. Between 50 and 100
303
+ employees as diverse as engineers, operators and managers now create
304
+ or receive reports from the system while knowledge sharing is greatly
305
+ facilitated.
306
 
307
+ “Due to the success of the program, several other products
308
+ from the same family which are produced in AstraZeneca’s
309
+ Swedish operations have now been included under the
310
+ system. We plan to use the same system for completely
311
+ different product groups as well.”
312
 
313
+ Henrik Åkerblom
314
+ Process Engineer at AstraZeneca
315
 
316
+ 80%
317
 
318
+ Analysts at Gartner
319
+ estimate that 80% of all
320
+ enterprise data today is
321
+ unstructured
322
 
323
+ Source: Gartner
324
 
325
+ 45%
326
+
327
+ According to an IDG
328
+ survey, 45% of business
329
+ leaders cite ‛unstructured
330
+ data’ as their single
331
+ biggest hurdle to
332
+ overcome in analytics.
333
+
334
+ Source: IDG
335
+
336
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
337
 
338
  9
339
 
340
+ 3
341
+
342
+ The three
343
+ foundations of
344
+ better analytics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
345
 
346
+ Technological improvements within analytics platforms
 
347
 
348
+ enable more companies to become data-driven, as it
 
349
 
350
+ enables organisations to manage their data better, run more
351
 
352
+ complex analyses and visualize the outcome in a more
353
 
354
+ understandable manner. Getting the technical foundations
 
355
 
356
+ right puts you well on your way.
357
+
358
+ Laying the foundation
359
+
360
+ There are three foundations to becoming data-driven.
361
+
362
+ 1
363
 
364
+ 2
365
 
366
+ 3
 
 
367
 
368
+ DATA MANAGEMENT
369
 
370
+ This is the data you use as input. A good analytics platform can process any combination of structured, semi-structured and unstructured data. Automated
 
 
 
 
 
 
371
 
372
+ connections between your analytics platform and other systems ensure that the most recent data is always available and used. While not every data point will
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
373
 
374
+ be crystal clear from the start, technical advances in Machine Learning and the like already automate data management, for the most part. Similarly, data inputs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
375
 
376
+ and data comparisons can be automated, neatly breaking down the obstacle of handling semi- and unstructured data. By applying the right governance
377
 
378
+ structure, privacy rules can be applied to personally identifiable information.
379
 
380
+ ANALYTICS
 
 
381
 
382
+ Pouring over endless rows of figures and numbers is the heavy lifting of data science. By leaving this task to specialized software, you leave less room for
 
 
 
 
383
 
384
+ human error and create more room to actually start using the results of your analysis. Complex calculations can now be run by a click of a button, making it
 
385
 
386
+ available to any regular business user.
387
 
388
+ DATA VISUALIZATION
389
 
390
+ The end result of your analytical work should be smarter insights. By visualizing this in different types of graphics and charts, the outcomes become easily
391
 
392
+ understandable for everyone at a glance, while reports and dashboards can quickly be set up, thus opening up the insights to a growing number of people
393
 
394
+ across the whole organisation.
395
 
396
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
397
 
398
+ 11
399
 
400
+ 74%
401
 
402
+ According to a Forrester
403
+ study, 74% of all companies
404
+ would like to be more data-
405
+ driven, but only 29% claim
406
+ that they are actually good
407
+ at putting this idea into
408
+ action.
409
 
410
+ Source: Forrester
411
 
412
+ The power of analytics that everyone can use
413
 
414
+ These three solid foundations enable you to build an analytics platform
415
+ that works for everyone. This has major benefits that help eliminate the
416
+ obstacles on your data-driven journey.
417
 
418
+ You get clear, actionable results, even from imperfect or
419
+ unstructured data. Cleaning up your data and perfecting your input
420
+ models can come later.
421
 
422
+ Your intelligence is easy to view and understand with visuals that
423
+ are more captivating than any line of text could ever be.
424
 
425
+ Because the platform is easy to use, self-service reduces reliance on
426
+ IT. In turn, IT can focus more on its core business.
427
 
428
+ 1
429
 
430
+ 2
 
431
 
432
+ 3
433
 
434
+ ZOOM-IN ON
435
+ RABOBANK
436
 
437
+ THE NETHERLANDS | BANKING | OPERATIONS
438
 
439
+ TRANSPARENCY THROUGHOUT THE ORGANISATION HAS
440
+ INCREASED. DATA VISUALIZATION ENABLES THE BANK TO PROVIDE
441
+ PERTINENT INFORMATION AND DIRECT CHAIN MANAGERS MORE
442
+ EFFECTIVELY.
443
 
444
+ The Rabobank Group, a leading global financial services provider serving
445
+ more than 10 million customers and headquartered in the Netherlands,
446
+ wanted to optimize its operations by improving the financial and
447
+ collaborative alignment across its chains. The company discovered that
448
+ there was a huge amount of data available from all groups of the bank’s
449
+ organisational chain such as departments, business units and local
450
+ branches, but there wasn’t one single system that could integrate and
451
+ structure all the information efficiently and provide the ability to share
452
+ results.
453
 
454
+ With data visualization, large amounts of data are presented visually. The
455
+ diverse pictorial or graphical options lead to new questions that weren’t
456
+ asked before. The bank is now much more flexible in its ability to provide
457
+ information and it can direct chain managers more effectively. At the
458
+ same time, employees have become more engaged because they can
459
+ quickly see the results of what they do.
460
 
461
+ “With the knowledge and access to all chain information,
462
+ we are able to let go of old business models and replace
463
+ them with more dynamic ones.”
464
 
465
+ John Lambrechts
466
+ Manager Concern Control at Rabobank
467
 
468
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
 
 
 
469
 
470
+ 12
471
 
472
+ 4
473
 
474
+ The
475
+ data-driven
476
+ journey
477
 
478
+ So where do you start your data-driven journey? Anywhere is
479
 
480
+ good, as long as it isn’t everywhere. A ‘big bang’ approach is
481
 
482
+ risky: it can overcomplicate things or may simply lack focus.
483
 
484
+ We recommend a step-by-step approach as the surest way
485
 
486
+ forward to success.
487
 
488
+ Plotting the course
 
 
489
 
490
  1
491
 
 
493
 
494
  3
495
 
496
+ Choose your starting point
497
+
498
+ The most important datasets have priority
499
+
500
+ Expand the reach of the platform
501
+
502
+ This can be a team (e.g. the marketing
503
+ department) or a specific data source. Consider
504
+ collecting data from your CRM system to get a
505
+ better insight into customer behavior, or begin
506
+ with productivity data from the shop-floor.
507
+
508
+ Recorded customer service calls or data from your
509
+ finance department could equally be your first
510
+ project. It is best if your starting-point is something
511
+ you’re already familiar with, and if you have a clear
512
+ goal in mind.
513
+
514
+ You must make a distinction between must-have
515
+ datasets that will work towards your goal and nice-
516
+ to-have datasets that are only loosely related.
517
+
518
+ Data may be a mix of structured, semi-structured
519
+ and unstructured data. Pour it all in and look at
520
+ what your analytics platform comes up with and
521
+ whether the results are actionable. Consider if
522
+ additional data management (e.g. data cleaning)
523
+ is needed or whether you can already continue
524
+ using the current datasets.
525
+
526
+ Once you have value-added results, you can start
527
+ expanding the reach of the platform within and
528
+ across teams. This can happen in a series of waves
529
+ that create more and more buy-in as the results
530
+ begin to show more and more benefits.
531
+
532
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
533
+
534
+ 14
535
+
536
+ Start
537
+
538
+ expand
539
+ within the team
540
+
541
+ Scale
542
+
543
+ Grow
544
+
545
+ expand
546
+ beyond the team
547
+
548
+ get the entire
549
+ organization on-board
550
+
551
  4
552
 
553
+ The data-driven organisation is born
554
 
555
+ Once you have moved from a limited number of data sources to an all-
556
+ encompassing data management flow; you’ve extended the reach of
557
+ data analytics from the few to the many and every key decision is backed
558
+ by data, you’ve truly become a data-driven organisation. You‘ll find that,
559
+ as you become better at analytics, you’ll move from hindsight to insight
560
 
561
+ to foresight. You’ll no longer simply look back at ‘what happened’, but
562
+ you’ll steer your gaze to the future. Not only can you track ROI on all
563
+ data-enabled projects, you can also run predictive analytics and simulate
564
+ ‘what-if’ scenarios. The backbone of your business strategy is now
565
+ formed by undisputable facts.
566
 
567
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
568
 
569
+ 15
570
 
571
+ ZOOM-IN ON
572
+ Eni
573
 
574
+ BELGIUM | ENERGY | MARKETING & OPERATIONS
 
 
575
 
576
+ a
577
+ 360°
578
+ view
579
 
580
+ on your
581
+ customers
582
 
583
+ ‛What-if’ scenarios, allowing them to assess the impact of strategic
584
+ decisions, such as changes in price or margin, reduced customer
585
+ churn and more.
 
586
 
587
+ User-friendly dashboards that help to keep an eye on the long-term
588
+ profitability of the entire customer base.
 
 
589
 
590
+ “We calculate how much the customer will spend with us
591
+ (revenues) and how long they will stay (retention). We also
592
+ predict when we might experience payment issues (credit
593
+ losses) with them and how much it will cost us to serve their
594
+ needs (service costs).
595
 
596
+ Zdravka Jevtimov
597
+ Customer Insights Manager at Eni
 
 
 
 
598
 
599
+ CUSTOMER CHURN AND RETENTION CAN NOW BE PREDICTED.
 
 
600
 
601
+ FUTURE PROFITABILITY OF PRODUCTS, CHANNELS AND
602
+ SEGMENTS CAN BE BETTER EVALUATED UP FRONT.
 
 
603
 
604
+ Eni is an integrated energy company with operations on five continents.
605
+ In the highly competitive energy market, it’s crucial to build long-term
606
+ relationships with clients. That’s why the company continuously monitors
607
+ and analyses the behaviour of its entire client base throughout the
608
+ complete customer life cycle.
 
 
 
609
 
610
+ The company developed a solid and trustworthy prediction model using
611
+ more than 700 parameters offering Eni’s management:
 
612
 
613
+ Valuable information about customers
 
 
 
614
 
615
+ Help in evaluating the future profitability of the company’s product
616
+ portfolio, sales channels and customer segments
617
 
618
+ 60%
619
 
620
+ 56%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
621
 
622
+ Analyst firm Gartner estimates that
623
 
624
+ According to CMO.com, best-in-
625
 
626
+ over half of Big Data projects at
627
 
628
+ class marketeers are 56% more likely
629
 
630
+ companies fail. One big reason for
631
 
632
+ to use data and analytics platforms.
633
 
634
+ this is that companies often want
635
 
636
+ However, only 19% of marketers fully
637
 
638
+ to do everything at once instead of
639
 
640
+ track all their marketing efforts with
641
 
642
+ focusing on smaller projects with a
 
643
 
644
+ data.
645
 
646
+ clear end goal or a quick win.
647
 
648
+ Source: CMO.com
649
 
650
+ Source: Gartner
651
 
652
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
653
 
654
+ 16
655
 
656
+ 5
657
 
658
+ The next level
659
+ in data-driven
660
+ work
661
 
662
+ Being data-driven is not an end-state. It’s the beginning of an exploration of exciting possibilities. As the pace of technology
663
 
664
+ innovation keeps accelerating, yesterday’s science fiction becomes today’s reality. Here are some of the elements that will fuel
665
 
666
+ the data-driven organisation of the future.
667
 
668
+ On the edge of Tomorrow
669
 
670
+ Edge analytics
671
 
672
+ Transparency
673
 
674
+ Security
675
 
676
+ IoT
677
 
678
+ AI
679
 
680
+ Supply chain
 
681
 
682
+ Real-time on site analytics
683
 
684
+ Why not be transparent with
685
 
686
+ Analytics can be put to work
687
 
688
+ With the wealth of data
689
 
690
+ Artificial intelligence (AI)
691
 
692
+ Experts can use Big Data to
693
 
694
+ can track consumers’ in-store
695
 
696
+ consumers about the huge
697
 
698
+ for data protection as well.
699
 
700
+ generated by machines, your
701
 
702
+ makes it possible for
703
 
704
+ further optimize logistics.
705
 
706
+ behavior and pair it with the
707
 
708
+ amounts of data that are
709
 
710
+ With advanced pattern
711
 
712
+ production lines could map
 
 
 
 
 
 
713
 
714
+ machines to learn from
 
715
 
716
+ By taking into account
717
 
718
+ right kind of offer bundles to
 
 
 
719
 
720
+ collected? Some information
 
 
 
 
721
 
722
+ recognition and correlating
723
 
724
+ out ways to become even
 
 
 
 
725
 
726
+ experience, adjust to new
 
 
 
 
727
 
728
+ circumstantial factors that
 
 
 
 
729
 
730
+ attract attention and capture
731
+
732
+ will always remain sensitive,
733
+
734
+ the needs of the individual.
735
+
736
+ but offering transparency
737
+
738
+ This effectively creates the
739
+
740
+ to your customers can be
741
+
742
+ segment of one.
743
+
744
+ a big win in the branding
745
+
746
+ department. According to
747
 
748
+ recent surveys, over 80%
749
+ of consumers say ethics
750
+ matter when they buy. With
751
+ the General Data Protection
752
 
753
+ Regulation (GDPR), adhering
754
+ to privacy rules has become
755
+ an absolute must.
 
 
756
 
757
+ behaviours, risks can be
758
+ assessed better and cyber
759
+ attacks or real-life security
760
+ threats can be prevented
761
+ before they even occur.
762
 
763
+ more productive, discover
 
 
 
 
 
 
764
 
765
+ inputs and perform human-
 
 
 
 
766
 
767
+ influence delivery speed and
 
768
 
769
+ hidden costs and unlikely
770
 
771
+ like tasks. AI relies heavily on
772
 
773
+ reliability (e.g. traffic flows,
 
774
 
775
+ sources of revenue. The
776
 
777
+ deep learning and natural
778
 
779
+ accidents, weather patterns,
 
780
 
781
+ Internet of Things (IoT) will
782
+ revolutionize production
783
+ as well as consumption
 
784
 
785
+ language processing.
786
+ Computers are ‘trained’ to
787
 
788
+ rain storms), smarter logistics
789
+
790
+ could even be used to
791
+
792
+ accomplish specific tasks by
793
+
794
+ operate more sustainably.
795
+
796
+ patterns. And it’s just around
797
+
798
+ processing large amounts
799
+
800
+ the corner.
801
+
802
+ of data and recognizing
803
+
804
+ patterns in that data.
805
+
806
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
807
 
808
  18
809
 
810
+ ZOOM-IN ON
811
+ INTERAMERICAN
812
+
813
+ GREECE | INSURANCE | COMPLIANCE
814
+
815
+ BE FULLY GDPR-COMPLIANT.
816
+ MAKE A BIG STEP TOWARDS BECOMING A DIGITAL-ONLY INSURER.
817
+
818
+ For INTERAMERICAN, a leading insurance provider in Greece, trust
819
+ is crucial to retaining loyal customers. The company adopted a data
820
+ analytics platform to be fully compliant with the EU General Data
821
+ Protection Regulation (GDPR) while also supporting the company’s
822
+ strategic focus of transforming itself into a digital-only insurer.
823
+
824
+ Its data governance initiative improves the availability, completeness and
825
+ accuracy of the information and data being managed. Topics covered
826
+ are data ownership, data location, data access, data provenance, risk
827
+ assessments and proper recovery procedures in case of breaches. All vital
828
+ elements in helping give customers peace of mind that their personal
829
+ data will be safe.
830
+
831
+ “Our organisation is working to transition to the new digital
832
+ age and create long-term, trust-based relationships with our
833
+ customers. SAS for Data Protection helps us work towards
834
+ compliance with the requirements of the new regulation
835
+ and foster customer trust.”
836
+
837
+ Xenophon Liapakis
838
+ CIO at INTERAMERICAN
839
+
840
+ 41%
841
+
842
+ According to a CFI Group
843
+ survey, 41% of all consumers
844
+ use mobile apps while
845
+ shopping. For Millennials, this
846
+ figure even rises to 67%. 51%
847
+ of those polled said they would
848
+ be likely to use apps if they
849
+ made the shopping experience
850
+ easier and faster.
851
+
852
+ Source: CFI Group
853
+
854
+ Over half of organisations
855
+ surveyed by IDG say that
856
+ they are already deploying
857
+ analytics to detect cyber
858
+ attacks, denial-of-service
859
+ attacks and phishing.
860
+ However, 59% among them
861
+ still said they have been
862
+ compromised at least once
863
+ per month “because they
864
+ were not able to keep up
865
+ and fully analyse the data.”
866
+
867
+ Source: IDG
868
+
869
+ According to Accenture
870
+ research, using Big Data
871
+ analytics had a net positive
872
+ impact on customer service
873
+ and demand fulfilment
874
+ for nearly half of all supply
875
+ chain experts polled.
876
+ Other advantages listed
877
+ included greater supply
878
+ chain integration (36%),
879
+ productivity improvements
880
+ (33%) and improved cost to
881
+ serve (28%).
882
+
883
+ Source: Accenture
884
+
885
+ 46%
886
+
887
+ 53%
888
+
889
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
890
+
891
+ 19
892
+
893
+ 6
894
+
895
+ Getting in
896
+ on the action
897
+
898
+ Becoming a data-driven organisation is now within reach
899
+ of every company. Cloud solutions have made access to
900
+ data analytics platforms much easier: software-as-a-service
901
+ (SaaS) enables organisations to no longer build and
902
+ maintain everything on premise but rent this for as long as
903
+ needed. And with Results-as-a-Service (RaaS), it becomes
904
+ even possible to completely ‘outsource’ your analytics.
905
+ If you do not have tools and expertise to turn data into
906
+ insights, you can still get results.
907
+ Your organization provides the data and the business
908
+ problem to be solved, and RaaS delivers results you can
909
+ act on.
910
+
911
+ By starting your data-driven journey in one specific area
912
+ of your company, clearly defining your path towards data
913
+ analytics, adopting the right mindset and technologies,
914
+ and gradually extending the reach and impact throughout
915
+ your company, you too can become the type of data-driven
916
+ company that is ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
917
+ Start your data-driven journey now and, in no time, you’ll
918
+ find yourself wondering: ‘How on earth did we run our
919
+ business without analytics?’
920
+
921
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
922
+
923
+ 21
924
+
925
+ Learn more about the what, why and how of
926
+ becoming a data-driven organisation
927
+
928
+ Read more
929
+
930
+ Follow us:
931
+
932
+ For more information, contact us
933
+
934
+ SOURCES
935
+
936
+ https://www.cio.com/article/3204131/analytics/intelligent-analytics-fuels-faster-smarter-decision-making.html
937
+
938
+ http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3130017
939
+
940
+ https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/report-says-most-millennials-are-using-mobile-retail-apps/?utm_source=NetWorld%20Alliance&utm_
941
+
942
+ medium=email&utm_campaign=EMNARCE07022014
943
+
944
+ http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/stakeholder_trends_insights/sustainable_brands/study_81_consumers_say_they_will_make_
945
+
946
+ http://www.cmo.com/features/articles/2016/5/31/15-mind-blowing-stats-about-data-driven-marketing.html#gs.uH3Iceg
947
+
948
+ https://www.csoonline.com/article/3139923/security/how-big-data-is-improving-cyber-security.html
949
+
950
+ https://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2015/07/13/ten-ways-big-data-is-revolutionizing-supply-chain-management/#53f4e2769f59
951
+
952
+ https://www.shopify.com/enterprise/94678726-the-need-for-speed-why-customer-service-needs-to-be-faster-than-ever
953
+
954
+ https://reprints.forrester.com/#/assets/2/202/’RES127061’/reports
955
+
956
+ https://www.sas.com/nl_nl/training/citizen-data-scientist.html
957
+
958
+ https://www.sas.com/en_us/insights/articles/analytics/how-to-find-and-equip-citizen-data-scientists.html
959
+
960
+ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2017/06/05/the-big-unstructured-data-problem/#28e176dd493a
961
+
962
+ SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration.
963
+ Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright © 2017, SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. 109150_G66177.1117
964
+
965
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
966
+
967
+ 22
968
+
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1
- GUI DE
2
 
3
- Social Media
4
- Marketing Strategy
5
- Eight easy steps to develop your
6
- social media presence
7
 
8
- Contents
9
 
10
- Step 1: Set social media marketing goals that align to business objectives
11
 
12
- Step 2: Learn everything you can about your audience
13
 
14
- Step 3: Research the competition
 
 
15
 
16
- Step 4: Conduct a social media audit
17
 
18
- Step 5: Set up accounts and improve existing profiles
19
 
20
- Step 6: Find inspiration
 
 
21
 
22
- Step 7: Create a social media content calendar
23
 
24
- Step 8: Test, evaluate, and adjust your strategy
 
 
25
 
26
- 3
27
-
28
- 4
29
-
30
- 5
31
-
32
- 6
33
-
34
- 7
35
-
36
- 8
37
-
38
- 8
39
 
40
- 10
41
 
42
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
 
43
 
44
- #239584107
45
 
46
- 2
47
 
48
- Related resource
49
 
50
- The Social Media Metrics
51
- that Really Matter—and
52
- How to Track Them
53
 
54
- Step 1
55
 
56
- Set social media marketing goals that align to
57
- business objectives
 
 
 
 
 
 
58
 
59
- The more specific your strategy is, the more effective the execution will be.
60
- Set SMART goals and track the right metrics to set yourself up for success.
 
 
 
 
 
 
61
 
62
- Set SMART goals
63
 
64
- The first step to creating a social media marketing strategy is to establish
65
- your objectives and goals. Without goals, you have no way to measure your
66
- success or your social media return on investment (ROI).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
67
 
68
- Each of your goals should be:
 
69
 
70
- Specific
71
-
72
- Measurable
73
-
74
- Attainable
75
-
76
- Relevant
77
-
78
- Time-bound
79
-
80
- An example of a SMART goal for your business might be "Grow our Instagram
81
- audience by 50 new followers per week."
82
-
83
- With SMART goals, you’ll make sure your goals actually lead to real business
84
- results, rather than just lofty ideals.
85
-
86
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
87
 
88
  3
89
 
90
- Track meaningful metrics
91
-
92
- While vanity metrics like retweets and likes can be fun to share and easy to
93
- track, it’s hard to prove their real value for your business. Instead, focus on
94
- targets such as leads generated, web referrals, and conversion rate.
95
-
96
- You may want to track different goals for different channels, or even different uses
97
- of each channel. For example, you can use paid campaigns to increase brand
98
- awareness, but measure acquisition and engagement for organic social posts.
99
-
100
- Make sure to align your social media goals with your overall marketing
101
- strategy. This will make it easier for you to show the value of your work and
102
- get executive buy-in and investment.
103
-
104
- Start developing your social media marketing plan by writing down at least
105
- three social media goals.
106
-
107
- Goals
108
-
109
- 1.
110
-
111
- 2.
112
-
113
- 3.
114
-
115
- Step 2
116
-
117
- Related resource
118
-
119
- How to build audience
120
- personas
121
-
122
- Learn everything you can about your audience
123
-
124
- if you’re not engaged in social media listening, you’re creating your business
125
- strategy with blinders on—and you’re missing out on mountains of actionable
126
- insights from real people who are actively talking about you or your industry online.
127
-
128
- Here’s how to start listening and building your understanding of your
129
- audience and their needs.
130
-
131
- Create audience personas
132
-
133
- tKnowing who your audience is and what they want to see on social is key to
134
- creating content that they will like, comment on, and share. This knowledge
135
- also critical for planning how to develop your social media fans into
136
- customers for your business.
137
-
138
- Try creating audience personas. For example, a retail brand might create
139
- different personas based on demographics, buying motivations, common
140
- buying objections, and the emotional needs of each type of customer.
141
-
142
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
143
 
144
- 4
145
 
146
- Personas sharpen your marketing tactics. Luxury buyers, for example,
147
- might not respond to Facebook ads with sales. But they might respond to
148
- Facebook ads with exclusive in-store events to be the first to see a new line of
149
- clothing. With personas, you’ll have the customer insights you need to create
150
- campaigns that speak to the real desires and motivations of your buyers.
151
 
152
- Gather real-world data
 
 
 
 
 
 
153
 
154
- Don’t make assumptions. Social media analytics can also provide a ton of
155
- valuable information about who your followers are, where they live, which
156
- languages they speak, and how they interact with your brand on social. These
157
- insights allow you to refine your strategy and better target your social ads.
158
 
159
- Jugnoo, an Uber-like service for auto-rickshaws in India, used Facebook
160
- Analytics to learn that 90 percent of their users who referred other
161
- customers were between 18 and 34 years old, and that 65 percent of that
162
- group was using Android. They used this information to target their ads,
163
- resulting in a 40 percent lower cost per referral.
164
 
165
- Step 3
 
 
 
 
 
166
 
167
- Research the competition
 
 
 
168
 
169
- Odds are, your competitors are already using social media—and that means
170
- you can learn from what they’re already doing.
171
 
172
- Conduct a competitive analysis
173
 
174
- A competitive analysis allows you to understand who the competition is and
175
- what they’re doing well (and not so well). You’ll get a good sense of what’s
176
- expected in your industry, which will help you set some social media targets
177
- of your own.
 
178
 
179
- This analysis will also help you spot opportunities. For example, maybe
180
- one of your competitors dominates on Facebook, but has put little effort
181
- into Twitter or Instagram. You might want to focus on the networks where
182
- your audience is underserved, rather than trying to win fans away from a
183
- dominant player.
184
 
185
- Engage in social listening
 
 
 
 
186
 
187
- Social listening is another way to keep track of the competition.
 
 
 
188
 
189
- As you track your competitors’ accounts and relevant industry keywords, you
190
- may notice strategic shifts in the way competitors use their social accounts.
191
- Or you might spot a specific post or campaign that really hits the mark—or
192
- one that bombs.
193
 
194
- Keep an eye on this information and use to it evaluate your own goals and plans.
 
 
 
195
 
196
- Related resources
 
 
 
 
197
 
198
- How to conduct a
199
- competitor audit
200
-
201
- Getting started with
202
- social listening
203
-
204
- Watch: How to set up
205
- social listening streams
206
-
207
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
208
 
209
  5
210
 
211
- Related resource
212
-
213
- Hootsuite’s social media
214
- audit template
215
-
216
- Step 4
217
-
218
- Conduct a social media audit
219
-
220
- Conducting a social media audit helps you assess how well your current
221
- social media use works for you.
222
-
223
- Evaluate your current efforts
224
-
225
- If you’re already using social media tools, you need to take a step back and look
226
- at what you’ve already accomplished. Ask yourself the following questions:
227
-
228
- •• What’s working?
229
-
230
- •• What’s not working?
231
-
232
- •• Who’s connecting with you on social?
233
-
234
- •• Which social media sites does your target market use?
235
-
236
- •• How does your social media presence compare to that of your competitors?
237
-
238
- Once you gather all this information in one place, you’ll have a good starting
239
- point for planning how to improve your results.
240
-
241
- Your audit should give you a clear picture of what purpose each of your
242
- social accounts serves. If the purpose of an account isn’t clear, think about
243
- whether it’s worth keeping. It may be a valuable account that just needs
244
- a strategic redirection, or it may be an outdated account that’s no longer
245
- worth your while.
246
-
247
- To help you decide, ask yourself the following questions:
248
-
249
- 1. Is my audience here?
250
-
251
- 2. If so, how are they using this platform?
252
-
253
- 3. Can I use this account to help achieve meaningful business goals?
254
-
255
- Asking these tough questions now will help keep your social media strategy
256
- on track as you grow your social presence.
257
-
258
- Look for impostor accounts
259
-
260
- During your audit process, you may discover fraudulent accounts using your
261
- business name or the names of your products—that is, accounts that you
262
- and your business don’t own.
263
-
264
- These imposter accounts can be harmful to your brand (never mind
265
- capturing followers that should be yours), so be sure to report them. You
266
- may want to get your social accounts verified to ensure your fans and
267
- followers know they are dealing with the real you.
268
-
269
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
270
-
271
- 6
272
-
273
- Related resources
274
-
275
- Watch: How to optimize
276
- your social profiles
277
-
278
- We’ve also got step-by-step
279
- guides for each network
280
- to walk you through the
281
- process:
282
-
283
- Create a Facebook
284
- business page
285
-
286
- Create an Instagram
287
- business account
288
-
289
- Create a Twitter business
290
- account
291
-
292
- Create a Snapchat
293
- account
294
-
295
- Create a LinkedIn
296
- Company Page
297
-
298
- Create a Pinterest
299
- business account
300
-
301
- Create a YouTube channel
302
-
303
- Create a WeChat business
304
- account
305
-
306
- Don’t let this list overwhelm
307
- you. Remember, it’s better to
308
- use fewer channels well than
309
- to stretch yourself thin trying
310
- to maintain a presence on
311
- every social network.
312
-
313
- Finally, here’s a quick
314
- reference guide for image
315
- sizes for every network.
316
-
317
- Step 5
318
-
319
- Set up accounts and improve existing profiles
320
-
321
- Decide which networks you’ll focus on, and then set up and optimize your
322
- accounts.
323
-
324
- Determine which networks to use (and how to use them)
325
-
326
- As you decide which social channels to use, you’ll also need to define your
327
- strategy for each network. For example, you might decide to use Twitter for
328
- customer service, Facebook for customer acquisition, and Instagram for
329
- engaging existing customers.
330
-
331
- It’s a good exercise to create mission statements for each network. These
332
- one-sentence declarations will help you focus on a very specific goal for
333
- each account on each social network.
334
-
335
- For example, you could decide that:
336
-
337
- •• Facebook is best for acquiring new customers via paid advertising.
338
-
339
- ••
340
-
341
- Instagram is where you build brand affinity with existing customers.
342
-
343
- •• Twitter is where you engage press and industry influencers.
344
-
345
- •• LinkedIn is where you engage existing employees and attract new talent.
346
-
347
- •• YouTube is where you support existing customers with education and
348
-
349
- video help content.
350
-
351
- •• Snapchat is where you distribute content with the goal of building brand
352
-
353
- awareness with younger consumers.
354
-
355
- If you can’t create a solid mission statement for a particular social network,
356
- you may want to reconsider whether that network is worth it.
357
-
358
- Set up (and optimize) your accounts
359
-
360
- Once you’ve decided which networks to focus on, it’s time to create your
361
- profiles—or improve existing profiles so they align with your strategic plan.
362
-
363
- In general, make sure you fill out all profile fields, use keywords people will
364
- use to search for your business, and use images that are correctly sized for
365
- each network.
366
-
367
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
368
 
369
  7
370
 
371
- Step 6
372
-
373
- Find inspiration
374
-
375
- While it’s important that your brand be distinctive and unique, you can still
376
- draw inspiration from other businesses that are great on social.
377
-
378
- Social network success stories
379
-
380
- All of the social networks feature success stories that highlight how brands
381
- are using their tools effectively. You can usually find these on the business
382
- section of the social network’s website. (For example, take a look at the
383
- Facebook business success stories.) These case studies offer valuable
384
- insights you can apply to your own goals for each social network.
385
-
386
- Award-winning accounts and campaigns
387
-
388
- For examples of brands that are at the top of their social media game, check
389
- out the winners of The Facebook Awards or The Shorty Awards.
390
-
391
- Step 7
392
-
393
- Create a social media content calendar
394
-
395
- Sharing great content is essential, of course, but it’s equally important to have
396
- a plan in place for when you’ll share content to get the maximum impact.
397
-
398
- Your social media content calendar also needs to account for the time you’ll
399
- spend interacting with your audience (although you need to allow for some
400
- spontaneous engagement as well).
401
-
402
- Create a posting schedule
403
-
404
- Your social media content calendar lists the dates and times at which you will
405
- publish types of content on each channel. It’s the perfect place to plan all of your
406
- social media activities—from images and link sharing to blog posts and videos.
407
-
408
- Your calendar ensures your posts are spaced out appropriately and
409
- published at the optimal times. It should include both your day-to-day posts
410
- and your content for social media campaigns.
411
-
412
- Related resources
413
-
414
- How to create a social
415
- media content calendar
416
-
417
- Watch: How to save time
418
- with bulk scheduling
419
-
420
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
421
-
422
- 8
423
-
424
- Plot your content mix
425
-
426
- Make sure your calendar reflects the mission statement you’ve assigned to
427
- each social profile, so that everything you post is working to support your
428
- business goals. For example, you might decide that:
429
-
430
- •• 50 percent of content will drive traffic back to your blog
431
-
432
- •• 25 percent of content will be curated from other sources
433
-
434
- •• 20 percent of content will support enterprise goals (selling, lead
435
-
436
- generation, and so on)
437
-
438
- •• 5 percent of content will be about your employees and company culture
439
-
440
- Placing these different post types in your content calendar will help ensure
441
- you maintain the ratio you’ve planned. If you’re starting from scratch and
442
- you’re simply not sure what types of content to post, try the 80-20 rule:
443
-
444
- •• 80 percent of your posts should inform, educate, or entertain your audience
445
-
446
- •• 20 percent can directly promote your brand
447
-
448
- You could also try the social media rule of thirds:
449
-
450
- •• One-third of your social content promotes your business, converts
451
-
452
- readers, and generates profit
453
-
454
- •• One-third of your social content shares ideas and stories from thought
455
-
456
- leaders in your industry or like-minded businesses
457
-
458
- •• One-third of your social content involves personal interactions with your
459
-
460
- audience
461
-
462
- Once you have your calendar set, use scheduling tools or bulk scheduling to
463
- prepare your posting in advance rather than updating constantly throughout
464
- the day. This allows you to focus on crafting the language and format of your
465
- posts, rather than writing them on the fly whenever you have time.
466
-
467
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
468
 
469
  9
470
 
471
- Step 8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
472
 
473
- Test, evaluate, and adjust your strategy
 
 
 
 
 
474
 
475
- Your social media strategy is a hugely important document for your
476
- business, and you can’t assume you’ll get it exactly right on the first try.
 
477
 
478
- As you start to implement your plan and track your results, you may find
479
- that some strategies don’t work as well as you’d anticipated, while others are
480
- working even better than expected.
 
 
 
 
481
 
482
- Track your data
 
483
 
484
- In addition to using the analytics tools available within each social network,
485
- use UTM parameters to track visitors as they move through your website, so
486
- you can see exactly which social posts drive the most traffic to your website.
 
 
487
 
488
- Re-evaluate, test, and do it all again
 
 
 
 
 
 
489
 
490
- When data starts coming in, use it to reevaluate your strategy regularly.
491
- You can also use this information to test different posts, campaigns, and
492
- strategies against one another. Constant testing allows you to understand
493
- what works and what doesn’t, so you can refine your strategy in real time.
494
 
495
- Surveys can also be a great way to find out how well your strategy is working.
496
- Ask your social media followers, email list, and website visitors whether
497
- you’re meeting their needs and expectations on social media. You can even
498
- ask them what they’d like to see more of—and then make sure to deliver on
499
- what they tell you.
500
 
501
- Things change fast on social media. New networks emerge, while others
502
- go through significant demographic shifts. Your business will go through
503
- periods of change as well. All this means that your social media strategy
504
- should be a living document that you look at regularly and adjust as needed.
505
- Refer to it often to keep you on track, but don’t be afraid to make changes
506
- so that it better reflects new goals, tools, or plans.
507
 
508
- When you update your social strategy, make sure to let everyone on your
509
- social team know, so they can all work together to help your business make
510
- the most of your social media accounts.
511
 
512
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
513
 
514
- 10
515
 
516
- Bonus: Download our social media
517
- strategy template
518
- Does this all feel a little overwhelming? The truth is that building your social
519
- media strategy is a substantial job. It should be, since it’s such an important
520
- document for your business. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.
521
 
522
- We’ve created a template to guide you through the whole process of
523
- creating your social media marketing plan. Visit our blog to download it (plus
524
- six other social media templates that can save you hours of work).
525
 
526
- Take the next leap in your social media career
 
 
 
527
 
528
- Hootsuite Academy
 
 
 
529
 
530
- Earn industry-recognized social media certifications that will make you stand
531
- out from the crowd.
 
 
532
 
533
- Begin with our free comprehensive training on social marketing. All of our
534
- courses are delivered online and taught by expert industry practitioners.
535
- Take the free course here.
536
 
537
- Build a professional workflow with Hootsuite
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
538
 
539
- From scheduling Instagram posts to advanced ROI measurement, Hootsuite’s
540
- flexible platform helps you execute every aspect of your social media strategy.
541
- We’re the world’s most widely used platform for managing social media.
542
 
543
- Get started with the plan that fits your needs here.
544
 
545
- Did you find this guide helpful?
546
 
547
- Tell us whether we should praise our writers or shout at them. Either way,
548
- we appreciate your honest feedback. Take our 4-minute survey here.
549
 
550
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
 
 
 
 
551
 
552
- 11
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
553
 
 
1
+ FOR PUBLICATION
2
 
3
+ UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
4
+ FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT
 
 
5
 
6
+ X CORP.,
7
 
8
+ Plaintiff - Appellant,
9
 
10
+ v.
11
 
12
+ ROBERT BONTA, in his official
13
+ capacity as Attorney General of
14
+ California,
15
 
16
+ Defendant - Appellee.
17
 
18
+ No. 24-271
19
 
20
+ D.C. No.
21
+ 2:23-cv-01939-
22
+ WBS-AC
23
 
24
+ OPINION
25
 
26
+ Appeal from the United States District Court
27
+ for the Eastern District of California
28
+ William B. Shubb, District Judge, Presiding
29
 
30
+ Argued and Submitted July 17, 2024
31
+ San Francisco, California
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32
 
33
+ Filed September 4, 2024
34
 
35
+ Before: MILAN D. SMITH, JR., MARK J. BENNETT,
36
+ and ANTHONY D. JOHNSTONE, Circuit Judges.
37
 
38
+ Opinion by Judge Milan D. Smith, Jr.
39
 
40
+ 2
41
 
42
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
43
 
44
+ SUMMARY*
 
 
45
 
46
+ First Amendment / Social Media Platforms
47
 
48
+ The panel reversed the district court’s order denying
49
+ social media platform owner X Corp.’s motion for a
50
+ preliminary injunction to enjoin enforcement of California
51
+ Assembly Bill AB 587 (AB 587), which requires large social
52
+ media companies to post their terms of service and to submit
53
+ reports to the Attorney General of California (the State)
54
+ about their terms of service and their content-moderation
55
+ policies and practices.
56
 
57
+ The Content Category Report provisions of AB 587
58
+ require social media companies to submit to the State a
59
+ semiannual report detailing whether and how they define six
60
+ categories of content: hate speech or racism, extremism or
61
+ radicalization,
62
+ or misinformation,
63
+ harassment, foreign political interference, and controlled
64
+ substance distribution.
65
 
66
+ disinformation
67
 
68
+ The panel held that X Corp. was likely to succeed on the
69
+ merits of its claim that the Content Category Report
70
+ provisions facially violate the First Amendment. A facial
71
+ challenge is permissible because the Content Category
72
+ Report provisions raise the same First Amendment issues for
73
+ every social media company. The Content Category Report
74
+ provisions compel non-commercial speech, and are subject
75
+ to strict scrutiny because the provisions are content-
76
+ based. The Content Category Report provisions likely fail
77
+ strict scrutiny because they are not narrowly tailored to serve
78
 
79
+ * This summary constitutes no part of the opinion of the court. It has
80
+ been prepared by court staff for the convenience of the reader.
81
 
82
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
83
 
84
  3
85
 
86
+ the State’s purported goal of requiring social media
87
+ companies to be transparent about their policies and
88
+ practices.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
89
 
90
+ The panel held that the remaining factors weighed in
91
 
92
+ favor of a preliminary injunction.
 
 
 
 
93
 
94
+ Accordingly, the panel reversed the district court’s
95
+ denial of a preliminary injunction, and remanded with
96
+ instructions to enter a preliminary injunction consistent with
97
+ the opinion and to determine whether the Content Category
98
+ Report provisions are severable from the remainder of AB
99
+ 587 and, if so, which, if any, of the remaining challenged
100
+ provisions should also be enjoined.
101
 
102
+ COUNSEL
 
 
 
103
 
104
+ Joel L. Kurtzberg (argued), Floyd Abrams, Jason D.
105
+ Rozbruch, and Lisa J. Cole, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP,
106
+ New York, New York; William R. Warne and Meghan M.
107
+ Baker, Downey Brand LLP, Sacramento, California; for
108
+ Plaintiff-Appellant.
109
 
110
+ Gabrielle D. Boutin (argued), Deputy Attorney General;
111
+ Anthony R. Hakl, Supervising Deputy Attorney General;
112
+ Thomas S. Patterson, Senior Deputy Attorney General; Rob
113
+ Bonta, Attorney General of California; Office of the
114
+ California Attorney General, Sacramento, California; for
115
+ Defendant-Appellee.
116
 
117
+ Robert Corn-Revere and Joshua A. House, Foundation for
118
+ Individual Rights and Expression, Washington, D.C., for
119
+ Amicus Curiae Foundation for Individual Rights and
120
+ Expression.
121
 
122
+ 4
 
123
 
124
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
125
 
126
+ Trenton H. Norris, Mark W. Brennan, J. Ryan Thompson,
127
+ Sophie Baum, and Alexander Tablan, Hogan Lovells LLP,
128
+ San Francisco, California; Cory L. Andrews and John M.
129
+ Masslon II, Washington Legal Foundation, Washington,
130
+ D.C.; for Amicus Curiae Washington Legal Foundation.
131
 
132
+ Gene C. Schaerr, Schaerr Jaffe LLP, Washington, D.C., for
133
+ Amici Curiae Professor Eugene Volokh and Protect the First
134
+ Foundation.
 
 
135
 
136
+ Megan L. Brown, Jeremy J. Broggi, and Boyd Garriott,
137
+ Wiley Rein LLP, Washington, D.C.; Jonathan D. Urick and
138
+ Maria C. Monaghan, United States Chamber Litigation
139
+ Center; Washington, D.C.; for Amicus Curiae United States
140
+ of America Chamber of Commerce.
141
 
142
+ Bruce D. Brown, Katie Townsend, Gabe Rottman, Grayson
143
+ Clary and Emily Hockett, Reporters Committee for Freedom
144
+ of the Press, Washington, D.C.; for Amicus Curiae Reporters
145
+ Committee for Freedom of the Press.
146
 
147
+ David A. Greene and Aaron Mackey, Electronic Frontier
148
+ Foundation, San Francisco, California, for Amicus Curiae
149
+ Electronic Frontier Foundation.
 
150
 
151
+ Jacob M. Karr, Technology Law and Policy Clinic at New
152
+ York University, New York, New York; G.S. Hans, Cornell
153
+ Law School, Ithaca, New York; for Amici Curiae First
154
+ Amendment and Internet Law Scholars.
155
 
156
+ Michelle Quist and Lauren D. Wigginton, Buchalter APC,
157
+ Salt Lake City, Utah; Jon M. Greenbaum, Edward G. Caspar,
158
+ and Marc P. Epstein, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights
159
+ Under Law, Washington, D.C.; for Amicus Curiae Lawyers'
160
+ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
161
 
162
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
163
 
164
  5
165
 
166
+ Viviana M. Hanley and Nathanial I. Levy, Deputy Attorneys
167
+ General; Michael L. Zuckerman, Deputy Solicitor General;
168
+ Jeremy Feigenbaum, Solicitor General; Metthew J. Platkin,
169
+ Attorney General of New Jersey; Office of the New Jersey
170
+ Attorney General, Trenton, New Jersey; Kristin K. Mayes,
171
+ Attorney General of Arizona, Office of the Arizona Attorney
172
+ General, Phoenix, Arizona; Philip J. Weiser, Attorney
173
+ General of Colorado, Office of the Colorado Attorney
174
+ General, Denver, Colorado; William Tong, Attorney
175
+ General of Connecticut, Office of the Connecticut Attorney
176
+ General, Hartford, Connecticut; Kathleen
177
+ Jennings,
178
+ Attorney General of Delaware, Office of the Delaware
179
+ Attorney General, Wilmington, Delaware; Brian L.
180
+ Schwalb, Attorney General of the District of Columbia,
181
+ Office of the District of Columbia Attorney General,
182
+ Washington, D.C.; Kwame Raoul, Attorney General of
183
+ Illinois, Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Chicago,
184
+ Illinois; Aaron M. Frey, Attorney General of Maine, Office
185
+ of the Maine Attorney General, Augusta, Maine; Anthony
186
+ G. Brown, Attorney General of Maryland, Office of the
187
+ Maryland Attorney General, Baltimore, Maryland; Andrea
188
+ J. Campbell, Attorney General of Massachusetts, Office of
189
+ the Massachusetts
190
+ Boston,
191
+ Attorney
192
+ Massachusetts; Dana Nessel, Attorney General of Michigan,
193
+ Office of
194
+ the Michigan Attorney General, Lansing,
195
+ Michigan; Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota,
196
+ Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, St. Paul,
197
+ Minnesota; Aaron D. Ford, Attorney General of Nevada,
198
+ Office of the Nevada Attorney General, Carson City,
199
+ Nevada; Letitia James, Attorney General of New York,
200
+ Office of the New York Attorney General, New York, New
201
+ York; Ellen F. Rosenblum, Attorney General of Oregon,
202
+ Office of the Oregon Attorney General, Salem, Oregon;
203
+
204
+ General,
205
+
206
+ 6
207
+
208
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
209
+
210
+ Michelle A. Henry, Attorney General of Pennsylvania,
211
+ Office of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Charity R. Clark,
212
+ Attorney General of Vermont, Office of the Vermont
213
+ Attorney General, Montpelier, Vermont; Robert M.
214
+ Ferguson, Attorney General of Washington, Office of the
215
+ Washington Attorney General, Olympia, Washington; for
216
+ Amici Curiae States of New Jersey, Arizona, Colorado,
217
+ Connecticut, Delaware, The District of Columbia, Illinois,
218
+ Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
219
+ Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and
220
+ Washington.
221
+
222
+ Jason S. Harrow and Charles Gerstein, Gerstein Harrow
223
+ LLP, Los Angeles, California, for Amicus Curiae Institute
224
+ for Strategic Dialogue.
225
+
226
+ Megan Iorio and Schuyler Standley, Electronic Privacy
227
+ Information Center, Washington, D.C., for Amicus Curiae
228
+ Electronic Privacy Information Center.
229
+
230
+ Kristen G. Simplicio and Cort T. Carlson, Tycko & Zavareei
231
+ LLP, Washington, D.C.; John Yang, Niyati Shah, and Noah
232
+ Baron, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Washington,
233
+ D.C.; for Amicus Curiae Asian Americans Advancing
234
+ Justice.
235
+
236
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
237
 
238
  7
239
 
240
+ OPINION
241
+
242
+ M. SMITH, Circuit Judge:
243
+
244
+ The California State Legislature enacted Assembly Bill
245
+ 587 (AB 587) in September 2022. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code
246
+ §§ 22675–81.
247
+ The law requires large social media
248
+ companies to, inter alia, post their terms of service and to
249
+ submit, on a semiannual basis, reports to the Attorney
250
+ General of California (the State) about their terms of service
251
+ and content-moderation policies and practices. X Corp., the
252
+ owner of the large social media platform X (formerly known
253
+ as Twitter), moved for a preliminary injunction to enjoin
254
+ enforcement of AB 587 on free speech and federal
255
+ preemption grounds. The district court denied X Corp.’s
256
+ motion, finding that X Corp. failed to establish a likelihood
257
+ of success on the merits. X Corp. appeals. For the reasons
258
+ below, we reverse and remand to the district court for further
259
+ proceedings consistent with this opinion.
260
+
261
+ FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
262
+
263
+ AB 587 has three primary elements: (1) a requirement
264
+ that social media companies 1 publicly post their terms of
265
+ service, including processes for flagging content and
266
+ potential actions that may be taken with respect to flagged
267
+ content (Terms of Service (TOS) Posting), see Cal. Bus. &
268
+ Prof. Code § 22676, (2) a requirement that social media
269
+
270
+ 1 AB 587 does not apply to social media companies with gross annual
271
+ revenues of less than $100 million, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22680, nor
272
+ to “an internet-based service or application for which interactions
273
+ between users are limited to direct messages, commercial transactions,
274
+ consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any
275
+ combination thereof,” id. § 22681.
276
+
277
+ 8
278
+
279
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
280
+
281
+ racism;
282
+
283
+ (b) extremism or
284
+
285
+ companies submit to the State a semiannual report detailing
286
+ their TOS and content-moderation practices including, if at
287
+ all, how the terms of service define and address (a) hate
288
+ speech or
289
+ radicalization;
290
+ (c) disinformation or misinformation; (d) harassment; and
291
+ (e) foreign political interference, as well as statistics on
292
+ content that was flagged by the social media company as
293
+ belonging to any of the categories (TOS Report), see id.
294
+ § 22677, 2 and (3) a penalty provision, whereby the social
295
+ media company may be sued in court for, inter alia,
296
+ materially omitting or misrepresenting required information
297
+ and may be liable to pay up to $15,000 per violation per day,
298
+ see id. § 22678.3
299
+
300
+ On September 8, 2023, X Corp. filed a complaint against
301
+ the State seeking declaratory relief and injunctive relief
302
+ barring the law’s enforcement. The complaint alleges three
303
+ causes of action challenging the TOS Posting, TOS Report,
304
+ and penalty provision of AB 587 as: (1) a violation of the
305
+ free speech clauses of the U.S. and California Constitutions;
306
+ (2) a violation of the Dormant Commerce Clause; and
307
+ (3) federally preempted pursuant to the Communications
308
+ Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. § 230(c). X Corp. filed a motion for
309
+ preliminary injunction based on its free speech and
310
+
311
+ 2 AB 587 was subsequently amended to add to this list “[c]ontrolled
312
+ substance distribution.” 2023 Cal. Legis. Serv. 7680 (West).
313
+
314
+ 3 In assessing the amount of any penalty, a court is to consider whether
315
+ the social media company has made a reasonable, good faith attempt to
316
+ comply with the provisions of the statute. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code
317
+ § 22678(a)(3).
318
+
319
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
320
 
321
  9
322
 
323
+ preemption claims, seeking to enjoin the State from
324
+ enforcing the challenged provisions of AB 587.4
325
+
326
+ On December 28, 2023, the district court denied X
327
+ Corp.’s motion. The court began its analysis with X Corp.’s
328
+ First Amendment claim.5 The court held that X Corp. was
329
+ unlikely to prevail because the TOS Posting and TOS Report
330
+ requirements appeared constitutionally permissible in light
331
+ of Zauderer v. Office of Disciplinary Counsel of Supreme
332
+ Court of Ohio, 471 U.S. 626 (1985), the Supreme Court’s
333
+ test for compelled commercial speech. See X Corp. v. Bonta,
334
+ No. 23-cv-01939, 2023 WL 8948286, at *1–2 (E.D. Cal.
335
+ Dec. 28, 2023).
336
+
337
+ The court’s analysis of the TOS Report requirement
338
+ focused primarily on the provisions requiring that social
339
+ media companies report whether and how they define and
340
+ address certain enumerated content categories. Id. at *2.
341
+ The court acknowledged that such reports do “not so easily
342
+ fit the traditional definition of commercial speech” because
343
+ they “are not advertisements” and because “social media
344
+ companies have no particular economic motivation to
345
+ provide them.” Id. However, the court applied Zauderer to
346
+ those provisions nevertheless so as to “follow[] the lead of
347
+ the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits.” Id. (citing NetChoice, LLC
348
+ v. Paxton, 49 F.4th 439, 485 (5th Cir. 2022), rev’d on other
349
+ grounds sub nom. Moody v. NetChoice, LLC, 144 S. Ct. 2383
350
+
351
+ 4 X Corp. did not seek a preliminary injunction based upon the Dormant
352
+ Commerce Clause.
353
+
354
+ 5 The district court did not analyze X Corp.’s free speech claim under
355
+ Article I, Section 2, of the California Constitution, nor do the parties
356
+ meaningfully address this claim on appeal. Because we hold that X
357
+ Corp. is likely to succeed on its First Amendment claim, we do not reach
358
+ X Corp.’s free speech claim pursuant to the California Constitution.
359
+
360
+ 10
361
+
362
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
363
+
364
+ to
365
+
366
+ (2024) (“NetChoice (Tex.)”), and NetChoice, LLC v. Att’y
367
+ Gen., Fla., 34 F.4th 1196, 1230 (11th Cir. 2022), rev’d on
368
+ other grounds sub nom. Moody, 144 S. Ct. 2383 (“NetChoice
369
+ (Fla.)”)). The court then concluded that the TOS Report
370
+ requirement satisfies Zauderer. Id. The court reasoned that
371
+ the provisions require speech that is “purely factual” and
372
+ “uncontroversial” because they “merely require[] social
373
+ media companies
374
+ their existing content
375
+ identify
376
+ moderation policies, if any, related to the specified
377
+ categories” and the “mere fact that the reports may be ‘tied
378
+ in some way to a controversial issue’ does not make the
379
+ reports themselves controversial.” Id. (quoting CTIA - The
380
+ Wireless Ass’n v. City of Berkeley, 928 F.3d 832, 845 (9th
381
+ Cir. 2019) (“CTIA II”)). The court rejected X Corp.’s
382
+ argument that the TOS Report requirement is “unduly
383
+ burdensome,” explaining that “AB 587 does not require that
384
+ a social media company adopt any of the specified
385
+ categories” of speech, and that in any event “Zauderer is
386
+ concerned not merely with logistical or economic burdens,
387
+ but burdens on speech.” Id. It further held that the TOS
388
+ Report requirement is “reasonably related to a substantial
389
+ government interest in requiring social media companies to
390
+ be transparent about their content moderation policies and
391
+ practices so that consumers can make informed decisions
392
+ about where they consume and disseminate news and
393
+ information.” Id.
394
+
395
+ The district court also determined that X Corp. had failed
396
+ to show a likelihood of success on its claim that AB 587 is
397
+ preempted by 47 U.S.C. § 230(c). Id. at *3. The court
398
+ observed that the purpose of section 230(c) “is to provide
399
+ ‘protection for “Good Samaritan” blocking and screening of
400
+ offensive material’” so that a website may “self-regulate
401
+ offensive third party content without fear of liability.” Id.
402
+
403
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
404
+
405
+ 11
406
 
407
+ (quoting Doe v. Internet Brands, Inc., 824 F.3d 846, 851–52
408
+ (9th Cir. 2016)). The court concluded that AB 587 is not
409
+ preempted because, under its plain language, it “does not
410
+ provide for any potential liability stemming from a
411
+ company’s content moderation activities per se,” only for
412
+ failing to make AB 587’s required disclosures. Id.
413
 
414
+ On January 12, 2024, X Corp. timely filed notice of its
415
+ appeal. The provision of AB 587 most relevant in this appeal
416
+ is section 22677(a), which reads in its entirety:
417
 
418
+ (a) On a semiannual basis in accordance with
419
+ subdivision (b), a social media company shall
420
+ submit to the Attorney General a terms of
421
+ service report. The terms of service report
422
+ shall include, for each social media platform
423
+ owned or operated by the company, all of the
424
+ following:
425
 
426
+ (1) The current version of the terms of service
427
+ of the social media platform.
428
 
429
+ (2) If a social media company has filed its
430
+ first
431
+ report, a complete and detailed
432
+ description of any changes to the terms of
433
+ service since the previous report.
434
 
435
+ (3) A statement of whether the current
436
+ version of the terms of service defines each
437
+ of the following categories of content, and, if
438
+ so,
439
+ those categories,
440
+ the definitions of
441
+ including any subcategories:
442
 
443
+ (A) Hate speech or racism.
 
 
 
444
 
445
+ (B) Extremism or radicalization.
 
 
 
 
446
 
447
+ (C) Disinformation or misinformation.
 
 
 
 
 
448
 
449
+ 12
 
 
450
 
451
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
452
 
453
+ (D) Harassment.
454
 
455
+ (E) Foreign political interference.
 
 
 
 
456
 
457
+ (F) Controlled substance distribution.6
 
 
458
 
459
+ (4) A detailed description of content
460
+ moderation practices used by the social
461
+ media company for that platform, including,
462
+ but not limited to, all of the following:
463
 
464
+ (A) Any existing policies intended to
465
+ address
466
+ the categories of content
467
+ described in paragraph (3).
468
 
469
+ (B) How automated content moderation
470
+ systems enforce terms of service of the
471
+ social media platform and when these
472
+ systems involve human review.
473
 
474
+ (C) How the social media company
475
+ responds to user reports of violations of
476
+ the terms of service.
477
 
478
+ (D) How the social media company
479
+ would remove
480
+ individual pieces of
481
+ content, users, or groups that violate the
482
+ terms of service, or take broader action
483
+ against individual users or against groups
484
+ of users that violate the terms of service.
485
+
486
+ (E) The languages in which the social
487
+ media platform does not make terms of
488
+ service available, but does offer product
489
 
490
+ 6 As noted above, section 22677(a)(3)(F) was added subsequent to X
491
+ Corp. filing its lawsuit in the district court.
 
492
 
493
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
494
 
495
+ 13
496
 
497
+ features, including, but not limited to,
498
+ menus and prompts.
499
 
500
+ (5) (A) Information on content that was
501
+ flagged by the social media company as
502
+ content belonging to any of the categories
503
+ described in paragraph (3), including all of
504
+ the following:
505
 
506
+ (i) The total number of flagged items of
507
+ content.
508
+
509
+ (ii) The total number of actioned items of
510
+ content.
511
+
512
+ (iii) The total number of actioned items of
513
+ content that resulted in action taken by
514
+ the social media company against the
515
+ user or group of users responsible for the
516
+ content.
517
+
518
+ (iv) The total number of actioned items of
519
+ content that were removed, demonetized,
520
+ or deprioritized by the social media
521
+ company.
522
+
523
+ (v) The number of times actioned items
524
+ of content were viewed by users.
525
+
526
+ (vi) The number of times actioned items
527
+ of content were shared, and the number of
528
+ users that viewed the content before it
529
+ was actioned.
530
+
531
+ (vii) The number of times users appealed
532
+ social media company actions taken on
533
+ that platform and the number of reversals
534
+ of social media company actions on
535
+
536
+ 14
537
+
538
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
539
+
540
+ appeal disaggregated by each type of
541
+ action.
542
+
543
+ (B) All information required by subparagraph
544
+ (A) shall be disaggregated into the following
545
+ categories:
546
+
547
+ (i) The category of content, including any
548
+ relevant
549
+ in
550
+ paragraph (3).
551
+
552
+ categories
553
+
554
+ described
555
+
556
+ (ii) The type of content, including, but not
557
+ limited to, posts, comments, messages,
558
+ profiles of users, or groups of users.
559
+
560
+ (iii) The type of media of the content,
561
+ including, but not limited to, text, images,
562
+ and videos.
563
+
564
+ the content was flagged,
565
+ (iv) How
566
+ including, but not limited to, flagged by
567
+ company employees or contractors,
568
+ flagged by artificial intelligence software,
569
+ flagged by community moderators,
570
+ flagged by civil society partners, and
571
+ flagged by users.
572
+
573
+ (v) How
574
+ the content was actioned,
575
+ including, but not limited to, actioned by
576
+ company employees or contractors,
577
+ intelligence
578
+ actioned
579
+ software,
580
+ community
581
+ moderators, actioned by civil society
582
+ partners, and actioned by users.
583
+
584
+ by
585
+ actioned
586
+
587
+ artificial
588
+ by
589
+
590
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
591
+
592
+ 15
593
+
594
+ JURISDICTION AND STANDARD OF REVIEW
595
+
596
+ We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1)
597
+ to review the denial of a preliminary injunction. Creech v.
598
+ Idaho Comm’n of Pardons & Parole, 94 F.4th 851, 854 (9th
599
+ Cir. 2024). We review the denial of a preliminary injunction
600
+ for abuse of discretion, but we review de novo the
601
+ underlying issues of law. Cal. Chamber of Com. v. Council
602
+ for Educ. & Rsch. on Toxics, 29 F.4th 468, 475 (9th Cir.
603
+ 2022).
604
+
605
+ “The appropriate legal standard to analyze a preliminary
606
+ injunction motion requires a district court to determine
607
+ whether a movant has established that (1) [it] is likely to
608
+ succeed on the merits of [its] claim, (2) [it] is likely to suffer
609
+ irreparable harm absent the preliminary injunction, (3) the
610
+ balance of equities tips in [its] favor, and (4) a preliminary
611
+ injunction is in the public interest.” Baird v. Bonta, 81 F.4th
612
+ 1036, 1040 (9th Cir. 2023); see Winter v. Nat. Res. Def.
613
+ Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008). Because “the party
614
+ opposing injunctive relief is a government entity” here, the
615
+ third and fourth factors “merge.” Fellowship of Christian
616
+ Athletes v. San Jose Unified Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ., 82 F.4th
617
+ 664, 695 (9th Cir. 2023) (en banc) (quoting Nken v. Holder,
618
+ 556 U.S. 418, 435 (2009)).
619
+
620
+ ANALYSIS
621
+
622
+ On appeal, X Corp. challenges the district court’s ruling
623
+ on the TOS Report requirement and penalty provision as
624
+ applied to the TOS Report requirement. X Corp. does not
625
+ appeal the district court’s denial of a preliminary injunction
626
+ as to the TOS Posting requirement, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code
627
+ § 22676.
628
+
629
+ 16
630
+
631
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
632
+
633
+ X Corp. argues that the district court erred by finding that
634
+ X Corp. did not establish a likelihood of success on the
635
+ merits because
636
+ is
637
+ (1) the TOS Report
638
+ compelled, non-commercial speech subject to strict scrutiny,
639
+ not the lower tier of scrutiny in Zauderer, (2) regardless, the
640
+ TOS Report requirement fails under any level of scrutiny,
641
+ and (3) section 230’s broad immunity precludes liability
642
+ under AB 587.
643
+
644
+ requirement
645
+
646
+ X Corp. seeks to reverse the district court’s ruling as to
647
+ the entirety of the TOS Report requirement. But the thrust
648
+ of the appeal concerns section 22677(a)(3), which requires
649
+ that social media companies report whether and how they
650
+ define six categories of content, and sections 22677(a)(4)(A)
651
+ and (a)(5), which directly incorporate section 22677(a)(3).
652
+ For ease of reference, we refer to these sections as the
653
+ Content Category Report provisions.
654
+
655
+ For the reasons below, we hold that the Content Category
656
+ Report provisions likely compel non-commercial speech and
657
+ are subject to strict scrutiny, under which they do not
658
+ survive. We reverse the district court on that basis. Because
659
+ we reverse on free speech grounds, we need not reach X
660
+ Corp.’s section 230 theory. We remand to the district court
661
+ to determine in the first instance whether the Content
662
+ Category Report provisions are severable from
663
+ the
664
+ remainder of AB 587, and if so, which, if any, of the
665
+ remaining challenged provisions should also be subject to
666
+ the preliminary injunction.7
667
+
668
+ 7 We do not decide whether sections 22677(a)(1), (2), and (4)(B)–(E)—
669
+ which require that social media companies disclose the text of their TOS
670
+ and describe their enforcement mechanisms, without mention of specific
671
+
672
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
673
+
674
+ 17
675
+
676
+ I. X Corp. is likely to succeed in showing that the
677
+ Content Category Report provisions facially violate
678
+ the First Amendment.
679
+
680
+ “For a host of good reasons, courts usually handle
681
+ constitutional claims case by case, not en masse.” Moody,
682
+ 144 S. Ct. at 2397. The Supreme Court “has therefore made
683
+ facial challenges hard to win.” Id. In a typical facial
684
+ challenge, a plaintiff cannot
685
+ succeed “unless he
686
+ ‘establish[es] that no set of circumstances exists under which
687
+ the [law] would be valid,’ or he shows that the law lacks a
688
+ ‘plainly legitimate sweep.’” Id. (alterations in original) (first
689
+ quoting United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739, 745 (1987);
690
+ then quoting Wash. State Grange v. Wash. State Republican
691
+ Party, 552 U.S. 442, 449 (2008)).
692
+
693
+ less demanding
694
+
695
+ However, in First Amendment cases, the Supreme Court
696
+ “has lowered that very high bar.” Id. “To provide breathing
697
+ the Supreme Court has
698
+ room for free expression,”
699
+ “substituted a
700
+ though still rigorous
701
+ standard.” Id. (cleaned up) (quoting United States v.
702
+ Hansen, 599 U.S. 762, 769 (2023)); see also Tucson v. City
703
+ of Seattle, 91 F.4th 1318, 1327 (9th Cir. 2024). “[I]f the
704
+ law’s unconstitutional applications substantially outweigh
705
+ its constitutional ones,” then a court may sustain a facial
706
+ challenge to the law and strike it down. Moody, 144 S. Ct.
707
+ at 2397. As Moody clarified, a First Amendment facial
708
+ challenge has two parts: first, the courts must “assess the
709
+ state laws’ scope”; and second, the courts must “decide
710
+
711
+ content categories—are facially constitutional. Neither party—either
712
+ below or on appeal—briefed what should happen to the remainder of
713
+ section 22677 if the Content Category Report provisions were found to
714
+ be likely unconstitutional.
715
+
716
+ 18
717
+
718
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
719
+
720
+ which of the laws’ applications violate the First Amendment,
721
+ and . . . measure them against the rest.” Id. at 2398.
722
+
723
+ “[N]o one has paid much attention to” the requirements
724
+ for a facial challenge so far in this case. Id. at 2397.
725
+ Nevertheless, we conclude that a facial challenge is
726
+ permissible here. That is because all aspects of the Content
727
+ Category Report, in every application to a covered social
728
+ media company, raise the same First Amendment issues. As
729
+ explained in further detail below, every Content Category
730
+ Report must detail the company’s policies and actions
731
+ concerning certain state-specified categories of content
732
+ (even if only to detail the company’s decision not to define
733
+ the enumerated categories of section 22677(a)(3)). In effect,
734
+ the Content Category Report provisions compel every
735
+ covered social media company to reveal its policy opinion
736
+ about contentious issues, such as what constitutes hate
737
+ speech or misinformation and whether to moderate such
738
+ expression.8
739
+
740
+ 8 X Corp. cites legislative history and statements from the California
741
+ State Attorney General in describing the indirect chilling effects AB 587
742
+ may have by generating public controversy about the actions of social
743
+ media companies and thereby pressuring them to change their content
744
+ moderation policies. No matter how a social media company chooses to
745
+ moderate such content, the company will face backlash from its users
746
+ and the public. That is true even if the company decides not to define
747
+ the enumerated categories, because they will draw criticism for under-
748
+ moderating their community. While we account for these effects in our
749
+ analysis, whether State officials intended these effects plays no role in
750
+ our analysis of the merits of this facial challenge. See B & L Prods., Inc.
751
+ v. Newsom, 104 F.4th 108, 116 (9th Cir. 2024) (citing United States v.
752
+ O’Brien, 391 U.S. 367, 383 n.30 (1968)) (rejecting “the idea that
753
+ ‘legislative motive’” of indirectly chilling speech “‘is a proper basis for
754
+ declaring a statute unconstitutional’”).
755
+
756
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
757
+
758
+ 19
759
+
760
+ Thus, the Content Category Report provisions raise the
761
+ same First Amendment issues for every covered social
762
+ media company. That is true from the face of the law; we
763
+ need not “speculate about ‘hypothetical’ or ‘imaginary’
764
+ cases.” See Wash. State Grange, 552 U.S. at 450. We
765
+ therefore proceed to consider whether the Content Category
766
+ Report provisions are likely to survive X Corp.’s First
767
+ Amendment facial challenge.
768
+
769
+ A. The Content Category Report provisions compel
770
+ non-commercial speech and are subject to strict
771
+ scrutiny.
772
+
773
+ regulation
774
+
775
+ One of the First Amendment’s core purposes is “to
776
+ preserve an uninhibited marketplace of ideas in which truth
777
+ will ultimately prevail.” McCullen v. Coakley, 573 U.S. 464,
778
+ 476 (2014) (quoting FCC v. League of Women Voters of
779
+ Cal., 468 U.S. 364, 377 (1984)). In evaluating whether a
780
+ regulation violates the First Amendment, courts “distinguish
781
+ between content-based and content-neutral regulations of
782
+ speech.” Vidal v. Elster, 602 U.S. 286, 292 (2024) (internal
783
+ quotation marks omitted) (quoting Nat’l Inst. of Fam. & Life
784
+ Advocs. v. Becerra, 585 U.S. 755, 766 (2018)). A content-
785
+ based
786
+ its
787
+ communicative content,” restricting discussion of a subject
788
+ matter or topic. Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155, 163
789
+ (2015). “As a general matter,” a content-based regulation is
790
+ “presumptively unconstitutional and may be justified only if
791
+ the government proves that [it is] narrowly tailored to serve
792
+ compelling state interests.” Nat’l Inst. of Fam. & Life
793
+ Advocs., 585 U.S. at 766 (quoting Reed, 576 U.S. at 163).
794
+ When a state “compel[s] individuals to speak a particular
795
+ message,” the state “alter[s] the content of their speech,” and
796
+ engages in content-based regulation. Id. (cleaned up)
797
+ (quoting Riley v. Nat’l Fed’n of the Blind of N.C., Inc., 487
798
+
799
+ speech based on
800
+
801
+ “target[s]
802
+
803
+ 20
804
+
805
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
806
+
807
+ U.S. 781, 795 (1988)). The First Amendment’s guarantee of
808
+ freedom of speech makes no distinction of “constitutional
809
+ significance” “between compelled speech and compelled
810
+ silence.” Riley, 487 U.S. at 796–97.
811
+
812
+ In general, laws regulating commercial speech are
813
+ subject to a lesser standard of scrutiny. See Bolger v. Youngs
814
+ Drug Prods. Corp., 463 U.S. 60, 64–65 (1983) (discussing
815
+ recognition and evolution of commercial speech doctrine).
816
+ This holds true for both corporations and individuals alike.
817
+ See Pac. Gas & Elec. Co. v. Pub. Utils. Comm’n of Cal., 475
818
+ U.S. 1, 16 (1986). Commercial speech is “usually defined
819
+ as speech that does no more than propose a commercial
820
+ transaction.” United States v. United Foods, Inc., 533 U.S.
821
+ 405, 409 (2001). “Courts view this definition as just a
822
+ starting point, however, and instead try to give effect to a
823
+ ‘common-sense distinction’ between commercial speech
824
+ and other varieties of speech.” Ariix, LLC v. NutriSearch
825
+ Corp., 985 F.3d 1107, 1115 (9th Cir. 2021) (cleaned up)
826
+ (quoting Jordan v. Jewel Food Stores, Inc., 743 F.3d 509,
827
+ 516–17 (7th Cir. 2014)). Indeed, the “commercial speech
828
+ analysis is fact-driven, due to the inherent difficulty of
829
+ drawing bright lines that will clearly cabin commercial
830
+ speech in a distinct category.” First Resort, Inc. v. Herrera,
831
+ 860 F.3d 1263, 1272 (9th Cir. 2017) (internal quotation
832
+ marks omitted) (quoting Greater Balt. Ctr. for Pregnancy
833
+ Concerns, Inc. v. Mayor & City Council of Balt., 721 F.3d
834
+ 264, 284 (4th Cir. 2013)).
835
+
836
+ Because of the difficulty of drawing clear lines between
837
+ commercial and non-commercial speech, the Supreme Court
838
+ in Bolger outlined three factors to consider. 463 U.S. at 64–
839
+ 67. “Where the facts present a close question, ‘strong
840
+ support’ that the speech should be characterized as
841
+ commercial speech is found where [1] the speech is an
842
+
843
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
844
+
845
+ 21
846
+
847
+ advertisement, [2] the speech refers to a particular product,
848
+ and [3] the speaker has an economic motivation.” Hunt v.
849
+ City of L.A., 638 F.3d 703, 715 (9th Cir. 2011) (citing
850
+ Bolger, 463 U.S. at 66–67). These so-called Bolger factors
851
+ are important guideposts, but they are not necessarily
852
+ dispositive. See Bolger, 463 U.S. at 67 n.14 (“Nor do we
853
+ mean to suggest that each of the characteristics present in
854
+ this case must necessarily be present in order for speech to
855
+ be commercial.”); Dex Media W., Inc. v. City of Seattle, 696
856
+ F.3d 952, 958 (9th Cir. 2012).
857
+
858
+ Commercial speech is generally subject to intermediate
859
+ scrutiny. Nat’l Ass’n of Wheat Growers v. Bonta, 85 F.4th
860
+ 1263, 1266 (9th Cir. 2023). However, an exception applies
861
+ to compelled commercial speech that is “purely factual and
862
+ uncontroversial.” Id.; see Pac. Coast Horseshoeing Sch.,
863
+ Inc. v. Kirchmeyer, 961 F.3d 1062, 1074 (9th Cir. 2020)
864
+ (citing Zauderer as a variation in the treatment of speech
865
+ “within the class of commercial speech”). “In that scenario,
866
+ the government need only demonstrate the compelled speech
867
+ survives a lesser form of scrutiny akin to a rational basis
868
+ test.” Nat’l Wheat, 85 F.4th at 1266.
869
+
870
+ State legislatures do not have “freewheeling authority to
871
+ declare new categories of speech outside the scope of the
872
+ First Amendment.” United States v. Stevens, 559 U.S. 460,
873
+ 472, (2010). Thus, “without persuasive evidence that a
874
+ novel restriction on content is part of a long (if heretofore
875
+ unrecognized) tradition of proscription, a legislature may not
876
+ revise the ‘judgment [of] the American people,’ embodied in
877
+ the First Amendment, ‘that the benefits of its restrictions on
878
+ the Government outweigh the costs.’” Brown v. Entm’t
879
+ Merchs. Ass’n, 564 U.S. 786, 792 (2011) (alteration in
880
+ original) (quoting Stevens, 559 U.S. at 470).
881
+
882
+ 22
883
+
884
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
885
+
886
+ Here, the Content Category Reports are not commercial
887
+ speech. They require a company to recast its content-
888
+ moderation practices in language prescribed by the State,
889
+ implicitly opining on whether and how certain controversial
890
+ categories of content should be moderated. As a result, few
891
+ indicia of commercial speech are present in the Content
892
+ Category Reports.
893
+
894
+ First, the Content Category Reports do not satisfy the
895
+ “usual[] defin[ition]” of commercial speech—i.e., “speech
896
+ that does no more than propose a commercial transaction.”
897
+ See United Foods, Inc., 533 U.S. at 409; see also IMDb.com
898
+ Inc. v. Becerra, 962 F.3d 1111, 1122 (2020) (“Because
899
+ IMDb’s public profiles do not ‘propose a commercial
900
+ transaction,’ we need not reach the Bolger factors.”). The
901
+ State appears to concede as much in its answering brief.
902
+
903
+ To the extent our circuit has recognized exceptions to
904
+ that general rule, those exceptions are limited and are
905
+ inapplicable to the Content Category Reports here. For
906
+ example, as identified by the First Amendment and Internet
907
+ Law Scholars amici, we have characterized the following
908
+ speech as commercial even if not a clear fit with the Supreme
909
+ Court’s above articulation: (i) targeted, individualized
910
+ solicitations, see Nationwide Biweekly Admin., Inc. v. Owen,
911
+ 873 F.3d. 716, 731–32 (9th Cir. 2017); contract negotiations,
912
+ see S.F. Apartment Ass’n v. San Francisco, 881 F.3d 1169,
913
+ 1177–78 (9th Cir. 2018); and retail product warnings, see
914
+ CTIA II, 928 F.3d at 845. Though it does not directly or
915
+ exclusively propose a commercial transaction, all of this
916
+ speech communicates the terms of an actual or potential
917
+ transaction. But the Content Category Reports go further:
918
+ they express a view about those terms by conveying whether
919
+ a company believes certain categories should be defined and
920
+ proscribed.
921
+
922
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
923
+
924
+ 23
925
+
926
+ Second, the Content Category Reports fail to satisfy at
927
+ least two of the three Bolger factors. The compelled
928
+ disclosures are not advertisements. See Hunt, 638 F.3d at
929
+ 715. Nor do the Content Category Reports merely disclose
930
+ existing commercial speech, so a social media company has
931
+ no economic motivation in their content. See id. The district
932
+ court found the same. The State does not dispute the district
933
+ court’s finding on appeal. Although the Bolger factors are
934
+ not dispositive, they are “important guideposts” to the
935
+ analysis and, here, further support the conclusion that the
936
+ compelled speech is non-commercial. See Ariix, LLC, 985
937
+ F.3d at 1116.
938
+
939
+ topics,
940
+
941
+ Third, while a social media platform’s existing TOS and
942
+ content moderation policies may be commercial speech, its
943
+ opinions about and reasons for those policies are different in
944
+ character and kind. The Content Category Report provisions
945
+ would require 9 a social media company to convey the
946
+ company’s policy views on intensely debated and politically
947
+ fraught
948
+ racism,
949
+ misinformation, and radicalization, and also convey how the
950
+ company has applied its policies. The State suggests that
951
+ this requirement is subject to lower scrutiny because “it is
952
+ only a transparency measure” about the product. But even if
953
+ the Content Category Report provisions concern only
954
+ transparency, the relevant question here is: transparency into
955
+ what? Even a pure “transparency” measure, if it compels
956
+ non-commercial speech, is subject to strict scrutiny. See
957
+
958
+ including
959
+
960
+ speech,
961
+
962
+ hate
963
+
964
+ 9 The State relies heavily on the fact that AB 587 does not affirmatively
965
+ require any social media company to opine on these topics, instead
966
+ requiring the company to convey its position only to the extent such a
967
+ policy already exists. That fact, however, is immaterial or at least non-
968
+ dispositive as to the nature of the speech being conveyed, which is
969
+ fundamentally non-commercial.
970
+
971
+ 24
972
+
973
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
974
+
975
+ Riley, 487 U.S. at 796–97. That is true of the Content
976
+ Category Report provisions. Insight into whether a social
977
+ media company considers, for example, (1) a post citing
978
+ rhetoric from on-campus protests to constitute hate speech;
979
+ (2) reports about a seized laptop to constitute foreign
980
+ political interference; or (3) posts about election fraud to
981
+ constitute misinformation
982
+ is sensitive, constitutionally
983
+ protected speech that the State could not otherwise compel a
984
+ social media company to disclose without satisfying strict
985
+ scrutiny. The mere fact that those beliefs are memorialized
986
+ in the company’s content moderation policy does not, by
987
+ itself, convert expression about
988
+ into
989
+ commercial speech. As X Corp. argues in its reply brief,
990
+ such a rule would be untenable. It would mean that basically
991
+ any compelled disclosure by any business about its activities
992
+ would be commercial and subject to a lower tier of scrutiny,
993
+ no matter how political in nature. Protection under the First
994
+ Amendment cannot be vitiated so easily.10
995
+
996
+ those beliefs
997
+
998
+ The district court performed, essentially, no analysis on
999
+ this question. In fact, the district court acknowledged that
1000
+ the Content Category Reports “do not so easily fit the
1001
+ traditional definition of commercial speech” as they “are not
1002
+ advertisements, and social media companies have no
1003
+
1004
+ 10 For substantially the same reason, nor can the test for whether speech
1005
+ is commercial or non-commercial turn on whether the speech is “directed
1006
+ to potential consumers and may presumably play a role in the decision
1007
+ of whether to use the platform,” as the district court seemed to suggest.
1008
+ Consider, for example, a state law that compels a social media company
1009
+ to disclose the political affiliations of its managers. That information
1010
+ could conceivably “play a role in the [potential consumer’s] decision of
1011
+ whether to use the platform”—i.e., if the consumer is concerned about
1012
+ the platform’s content being politically skewed. It could not be that such
1013
+ a law compels only commercial speech subject to a lower tier of scrutiny.
1014
+
1015
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1016
+
1017
+ 25
1018
+
1019
+ to provide
1020
+
1021
+ particular economic motivation
1022
+ them.”
1023
+ Nevertheless, the court applied Zauderer, suggesting the
1024
+ compelled speech is commercial. See Nat’l Wheat, 85 F.4th
1025
+ at 1275 (identifying Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.
1026
+ v. Public Service Commission of New York, 447 U.S. 557
1027
+ (1980), and Zauderer as “two levels of scrutiny governing
1028
+ compelled commercial speech” (emphasis added)); CTIA II,
1029
+ 928 F.3d at 843 (endorsing proposition that Zauderer is
1030
+ merely the “exception to the general rule of Central
1031
+ Hudson”). The district court offered no reason for that
1032
+ decision except for wanting to “follow[] the lead of the Fifth
1033
+ and Eleventh Circuits.”
1034
+
1035
+ But neither the Fifth nor Eleventh Circuit dealt with
1036
+ speech similar to the Content Category Reports. Unlike
1037
+ Texas HB 20 or Florida SB 7072, the Content Category
1038
+ Report provisions compel social media companies to report
1039
+ whether and how they believe particular, controversial
1040
+ categories of content should be defined and regulated on
1041
+ their platforms. Neither the Texas nor Florida provisions at
1042
+ issue in the NetChoice cases require a company to disclose
1043
+ the existence or substance of its policies addressing such
1044
+ categories. See NetChoice (Tex.), 49 F.4th at 446 (requiring
1045
+ platforms to disclose “how they moderate and promote
1046
+ content” and provide “high-level statistics” about their
1047
+ moderation efforts without mention of controversial topics);
1048
+ NetChoice (Fla.), 34 F.4th at 1206–07 (requiring platforms
1049
+ to disclose information about their content-moderation
1050
+ “standards” and “rule changes” without regard to particular
1051
+ content categories). Though perhaps relevant to an analysis
1052
+ of sections 22677(a)(1), (2), and (4)(B)–(E), these cases are
1053
+ unhelpful on the issue of the Content Category Reports and
1054
+ offer no compelling reason to apply Zauderer.
1055
+
1056
+ 26
1057
+
1058
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1059
+
1060
+ For these reasons, we conclude that the Content
1061
+ Category Report provisions compel non-commercial speech.
1062
+ Because the provisions are content-based, which the State
1063
+ does not contest, they are subject to strict scrutiny. See Nat’l
1064
+ Inst. of Fam. & Life Advocs., 585 U.S. at 766.11
1065
+
1066
+ B. The Content Category Report provisions likely
1067
+
1068
+ fail strict scrutiny.
1069
+
1070
+ Strict scrutiny “is a demanding standard.” Brown v. Ent.
1071
+ Merchants Ass’n, 564 U.S. 786, 799 (2011). “It is rare that
1072
+ a regulation restricting speech because of its content will
1073
+ ever be permissible.” United States v. Playboy Ent. Grp.,
1074
+ Inc., 529 U.S. 803, 818 (2000). A state must show that the
1075
+ statute “furthers a compelling governmental interest and is
1076
+ narrowly tailored to that end.” Reed, 576 U.S. at 171. “If a
1077
+ less restrictive alternative would serve the [g]overnment’s
1078
+ purpose, the legislature must use that alternative.” Playboy
1079
+ Ent. Grp., Inc., 529 U.S. at 813.
1080
+
1081
+ At minimum, the Content Category Report provisions
1082
+ likely fail under strict scrutiny because they are not narrowly
1083
+ tailored. They are more extensive than necessary to serve
1084
+ the State’s purported goal of “requiring social media
1085
+ companies to be transparent about their content-moderation
1086
+ policies and practices so that consumers can make informed
1087
+ decisions about where they consume and disseminate news
1088
+ and information.” Consumers would still be meaningfully
1089
+ informed if, for example, a company disclosed whether it
1090
+
1091
+ 11 X Corp. argues that strict scrutiny applies for the following additional
1092
+ reasons: because AB 587 is viewpoint discriminatory, interferes with a
1093
+ social media company’s constitutionally protected editorial judgment,
1094
+ and regulates “speech about speech.” Several of the amici raise similar
1095
+ arguments. Because we agree that strict scrutiny applies, we need not
1096
+ reach these arguments.
1097
+
1098
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1099
+
1100
+ 27
1101
+
1102
+ was moderating certain categories of speech without having
1103
+ to define those categories in a public report. Or, perhaps, a
1104
+ company could be compelled to disclose a sample of posts
1105
+ that have been removed without requiring the company to
1106
+ explain why or on what grounds.12
1107
+
1108
+ In any event, the State does not attempt to argue that the
1109
+ law survives strict scrutiny. For the reasons above, X Corp.
1110
+ has shown a likelihood of success on the merits of its First
1111
+ Amendment claim as to sections 22677(a)(3), (a)(4)(A), and
1112
+ (a)(5).
1113
+
1114
+ C. The remaining Winter factors weigh in favor of a
1115
+
1116
+ preliminary injunction.
1117
+
1118
+ With respect to the second factor, a loss of First
1119
+ Amendment freedoms constitutes an irreparable injury. See
1120
+ Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 82 F.4th at 694 (“It is
1121
+ axiomatic that ‘[t]he loss of First Amendment freedoms, for
1122
+ even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes
1123
+ irreparable injury.’” (citation omitted)). Because X Corp.
1124
+ has a colorable First Amendment claim, it has demonstrated
1125
+ that it likely will suffer irreparable harm. See Am. Bev. Ass’n
1126
+ v. San Francisco, 916 F.3d 749, 758 (9th Cir. 2019) (en
1127
+ banc).
1128
+
1129
+ The third and fourth factors—balance of equities and
1130
+ public interest—also favor X Corp. “[I]t is always in the
1131
+ public interest to prevent the violation of a party’s
1132
+ constitutional rights.” Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 82
1133
+ F.4th at 695 (citation omitted). When a party “‘raise[s]
1134
+ serious First Amendment questions,’ that alone ‘compels a
1135
+
1136
+ 12 We do not opine on whether such laws would survive constitutional
1137
+ scrutiny. They are offered only to illustrate that the Content Category
1138
+ Report provisions are not narrowly tailored to the State’s interest.
1139
+
1140
+ 28
1141
+
1142
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1143
+
1144
+ finding that the balance of hardships tips sharply in [its]
1145
+ favor.’” Id. (second alteration in original) (quoting Am. Bev.
1146
+ Ass’n, 916 F.3d at 758). The government reasonably has an
1147
+ interest in transparency by social media platforms. But even
1148
+ “undeniably admirable goals” “must yield” when they
1149
+ “collide with the . . . Constitution.” Id.
1150
+
1151
+ Because X Corp. has shown a likelihood of success on
1152
+ the merits of its First Amendment claim, and the remaining
1153
+ Winter factors weigh in favor of an injunction, we reverse
1154
+ the district court’s decision denying a preliminary injunction
1155
+ as to AB 587’s Content Category Report provisions.
1156
+
1157
+ II. We remand to the district court to determine whether
1158
+ the Content Category Report provisions are likely
1159
+ severable from the remainder of AB 587.
1160
+
1161
+ “Severability is . . . a matter of state law.” Sam Francis
1162
+ Found. v. Christies, Inc., 784 F.3d 1320, 1325 (9th Cir.
1163
+ 2015) (en banc) (alteration in original) (quoting Leavitt v.
1164
+ Jane L., 518 U.S. 137, 139 (1996) (per curiam)). “In
1165
+ California, the presence of a severability clause in a statutory
1166
+ scheme that contains an invalid provision ‘normally calls for
1167
+ sustaining the valid part of the enactment.’” Garcia v. City
1168
+ of Los Angeles, 11 F.4th 1113, 1120 (9th Cir. 2021) (quoting
1169
+ Cal. Redevelopment Ass’n v. Matosantos, 267 P.3d 580, 607
1170
+ (Cal. 2011)).
1171
+
1172
+ The parties did not brief severability on appeal, and the
1173
+ severability arguments below appear to have been cursory.
1174
+ During oral argument, counsel for the State suggested that,
1175
+ were we to find that any part of the statute should be
1176
+ enjoined, the issue of severability should be remanded. We
1177
+ agree and leave it to the district court to determine in the first
1178
+ instance whether the likely unconstitutional provisions of
1179
+ AB 587, sections 22677(a)(3), (a)(4)(A), and (a)(5), are
1180
+
1181
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1182
+
1183
+ 29
1184
+
1185
+ severable from its remainder. See generally Detrich v. Ryan,
1186
+ 740 F.3d 1237, 1248–49 (9th Cir. 2013) (en banc) (observing
1187
+ that it is “standard practice . . . to remand to the district court
1188
+ for a decision in the first instance without requiring any
1189
+ special justification for so doing”), overruled on other
1190
+ grounds by Shinn v. Ramirez, 596 U.S. 366 (2022).
1191
+
1192
+ CONCLUSION
1193
+
1194
+ For the foregoing reasons, we REVERSE the district
1195
+ court’s denial of a preliminary injunction as to California
1196
+ Business and Professions Code sections 22677(a)(3),
1197
+ (a)(4)(A), and (a)(5). We remand with instructions to enter
1198
+ a preliminary injunction consistent with this opinion and to
1199
+ determine whether these provisions are severable from the
1200
+ remainder of AB 587 and, if so, which, if any, of the
1201
+ remaining challenged provisions should also be enjoined.
1202
 
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@@ -1,602 +1,491 @@
1
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers
2
- with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
3
 
4
- A WBR Digital Benchmarking Whitepaper Presented in Conjunction with CFI Group
5
- September 2014
6
 
7
- Table Of Contents
8
 
9
- Executive Summary ............... 2
10
 
11
- Key Findings ........................... 3
12
 
13
- Research Findings
14
- Investing in People &
15
- Technology
16
- to Enhance In-Store
17
- Experiences ............................... 4
18
 
19
- The Challenge of
20
- Cross-Channel Consistency ....... 6
21
 
22
- Turning In-Store Data
23
- into Actionable Messaging ........ 9
24
 
25
- The Future of
26
- Store Technologies .................. 10
27
 
28
- Key Recommendations ........ 13
29
 
30
- Appendices ........................... 14
31
 
32
- About Future Stores ............ 16
33
 
34
- About CFI Group .................. 16
35
 
36
- About WBR & WBR Digital .. 17
37
 
38
- Register for Next Year’s
39
- Future Stores Conference .... 17
40
 
41
- Executive Summary
42
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great
43
- In-Store Retail Experiences
44
 
45
- Technology has had an expansive and multidimensional impact on retail in recent
46
- years. In particular, the ascendance of multichannel e-commerce platforms has
47
- challenged brands to reimagine how they interact with consumers. As a result, today’s
48
- connected consumers have access to a whole host of digital shopping tools, including
49
- interactive websites with high-definition images and mobile-optimized web and email.
50
- E-commerce offers variety, convenience, and information, empowering consumers to
51
- engage with retailers when, where, and how they please.
52
 
53
- Despite e-commerce’s growing popularity, stores are still the lynchpins of retail strategy.
54
- The Department of Commerce estimates that e-commerce accounted for approximately
55
- 6.5% of all retail sales in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2014. Although this
56
- reaffirms that physical stores remain retailers’ most prominent sources of revenue, it
57
- also suggests that there are great opportunities for synergy between a brand’s physical
58
- locations and its e-commerce platform.
59
 
60
- Indeed, many of the technological innovations that have threatened to erode in-store
61
- sales have turned out to be great assets to retailers. Mobile devices enable businesses
62
- to send extremely relevant and timely messages to consumers by using location-based
63
- services and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons. Loyalty programs deployed across
64
- channels encourage repeat business both in-store and online. QR codes and interactive
65
- displays offer customers new ways to engage with and learn about products and
66
- services. Omnichannel initiatives (e.g., an option for the consumer to buy online and
67
- pick up in-store) promote interchannel traffic. Because of these innovations, today’s
68
- consumers begin shopping before they walk into the store and continue shopping after
69
- they leave, making their in-store experiences the unifying element.
70
 
71
- The mission of retail stores has evolved and expanded greatly in recent years, and
72
- it has been influenced in large part by technological innovation and new consumer
73
- insights. The most successful retail stores not only leverage new technologies to drive
74
- in-store conversions, but they also enhance the shopping experience, collect actionable
75
- customer data, and serve as a physical extension of the brand. This is the store of the
76
- future: a connected showroom that fuses together multichannel experiences to convert
77
- and engage customers while also learning from them.
78
 
79
- What follows is an analysis of the best practices and paradigm-shifting experiences
80
- retailers are creating in their stores. The analysis is based on survey data collected from
81
- retail executives and professionals in a variety of industries. This data was collected on-site
82
- at the 2014 Future Stores Conference and through an online survey. The findings are
83
- based on the insights and practices of some of the world’s leading retailers and brands.
84
 
85
- 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
86
 
87
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Key Findings
88
-
89
- Retailers are increasing their investments in
90
- technology in order to make their in-store
91
- experiences more relevant and engaging.
92
- Although associates are still the most important in-store sales
93
- assets, retailers are investing equally in new store technologies
94
- and personnel training. Will this shift in emphasis produce a more
95
- technology-driven in-store sales process?
96
-
97
- Businesses are struggling to create consistent
98
- shopping experiences across channels.
99
- In today’s omnichannel commercial world, consistency of experience
100
- is key to improving conversions and enhancing consumer loyalty.
101
- Unfortunately, most retailers’ shopping experiences are only somewhat
102
- consistent across channels, resulting in significant missed opportunities.
103
-
104
- Retailers must improve in-store data
105
- collection in order to create more targeted
106
- and personalized marketing activities.
107
-
108
- Few retailers are collecting in-store data very effectively, leaving
109
- them with an incomplete view of the customer and ineffective
110
- marketing messages.
111
-
112
- The most effective retail technologies of
113
- the future will create seamless shopping
114
- experiences and integrate with other
115
- technologies and services.
116
-
117
- In-store retail technology is constantly evolving.
118
- Although many new technologies will arise over the next 2-5 years,
119
- not all of those tools will help businesses improve their conversions and
120
- experiences. Retailers will need to critically sort through the multitude
121
- of solutions and only implement those that enhance conversions while
122
- providing customers with effortless, engaging experiences.
123
 
124
  3
125
 
126
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences “Customers always want
127
- more of what they’re
128
- not getting. They want
129
- outcomes to be easier to
130
- achieve, and they would
131
- like them with greater
132
- convenience and at a
133
- higher value.
134
 
135
- - Mike Wittenstein, Retail
136
- Customer Experience Strategist
137
- and Designer, Storyminers
138
 
139
- Research Findings
 
 
140
 
141
- Investing in People & Technology to Enhance In-Store
142
- Experiences
 
143
 
144
- Today’s retail stores fulfill a variety of critical functions ranging far beyond simple revenue
145
- generation. Stores have become the standard-bearers for a brand’s customer experience,
146
- driving consumer loyalty and engagement through innovative interactions and inventive
147
- campaigns. Stores are also a burgeoning source of data that can be turned into rich insights
148
- into shoppers’ tendencies and preferences. Add in customers’ lofty expectations for shopping
149
- experiences and the value of the modern store becomes undeniable. With few exceptions,
150
- stores continue to be the backbone of retail businesses, even in today’s world of e-commerce
151
- and digital interconnectedness.
152
 
153
- The best brands are using their stores as a source of innovation and invention, and
154
- they are constantly updating designs, technology, and personnel to get the most out of
155
- each location. Creating a store of the future means seamlessly integrating cutting-edge
156
- technology with tried and true designs and tactics, providing a strong balance of analog
157
- and digital elements that help deliver to customers higher value outcomes that are easier
158
- to achieve. When it comes to technology, electronic point of sale (EPOS) tools have
159
- become extremely common, with over three quarters of survey respondents indicating
160
- that they are already utilizing the capability. A robust 72% are leveraging mobile devices
161
- and tablets in stores, and 60% are making use of digital displays or kiosks.
162
 
163
- Although retailers indicated that they are investing equally in new technology and training
164
- of store associates, 91% of those surveyed said that the greatest sales assets in their
165
- stores are still sales associates. New technologies are providing good value to the in-store
166
- experience, but they have yet to supplant personnel as key sales elements.
 
 
 
167
 
168
- What is the greatest sales asset in your stores?
 
 
 
 
 
 
169
 
170
- 91% Sales associates
171
 
172
- 6% Store format design
173
 
174
- 6%
175
 
176
- Interactive elements
177
- (tablets, virtual
178
- displays, etc.)
 
179
 
180
- Respondents Overwhelmingly Consider Sales
181
- Associates to Be Their Greatest In-Store Assets
182
 
183
- 4
 
184
 
185
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
186
 
187
- Which of the following are you investing in
188
- most to improve in-store conversions?
189
 
190
- 42% New technology
 
191
 
192
- (i.e. touch screens,
193
- beacons, etc.)
 
 
 
 
 
194
 
195
- 41% Training and
 
 
196
 
197
- development of
198
- sales associates
199
 
200
- 17% Alternative store
201
 
202
- formats
203
 
204
- Respondents Are Investing Equally in New
205
- Technology and Sales Associate Training to Drive
206
- In-Store Conversions
207
 
208
- Which technologies are you using to enhance
209
- the in-store experience
 
210
 
211
- 76% POS
212
 
213
- 72% Mobile/tablet
214
 
215
- 60% Displays/Kiosks
216
 
217
- 12% None of these
218
 
219
- 5% NFC
220
 
221
- 3% BLE
222
 
223
- Point-Of-Sale Tools and Tablets Are the Most
224
- 70
225
- Common Technologies Being Leveraged to
226
- Enhance In-Store Experiences
227
 
228
- 50
229
 
230
- 10
231
 
232
- 30
233
 
234
- 40
235
 
236
- 60
237
 
238
- 20
239
 
240
- 0
 
241
 
242
- 80
243
 
244
- 5
245
 
246
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
247
-
248
- “The tools are all there
249
- to integrate these
250
- experiences, they just
251
- aren’t always being
252
- implemented. There is
253
- a resistance to change,
254
- because making changes
255
- costs a lot of time and
256
- money.”
257
-
258
- - Jack Shaw, VP North American
259
- Sales, Adaequare Inc.
260
-
261
- The Challenge of Cross-Channel Consistency
262
-
263
- Advances in technology – particularly mobile technology – over the past decade have
264
- resulted in a rapid expansion in the variety of commercial tools available to consumers.
265
- Today, consumers are increasingly engaging with brands across a variety of diverse media.
266
- The customer journey has become expansive, dynamic, and multilayered; it permeates
267
- desktop websites, mobile-optimized sites and apps, social networks, and retail stores
268
- themselves. For retailers, this has meant a multiplication of consumer touch points and
269
- an unprecedented demand for innovative digital shopping tools. However, the challenge
270
- for retailers is not just to develop spectacular omnichannel shopping capabilities but also
271
- to deliver outstanding experiences across all channels. When it comes to omnichannel
272
- customer experiences, consistency is key.
273
-
274
- Delivering consistently great customer experiences in-store and online can be a profound
275
- challenge for retail businesses. In this study, only 16% of respondents said that their
276
- customer experiences are very consistent between their stores and online presence.
277
- The majority (60%) of those surveyed noted that their experiences are only somewhat
278
- consistent. In their quest to provide a great customer experience, these retailers are facing
279
- many complex challenges, including creating consistency across channels, personalizing
280
- the experience, capturing and applying relevant customer data, and the implementation
281
- of customer experience initiatives across store locations.
282
-
283
- Although the retailer perspective is an important indicator of the state of shopping
284
- experiences, an even more critical measure is how consumers perceive those experiences.
285
- Unfortunately, the way retailers view their shopping experience can differ greatly from
286
- consumers’ perspectives. For instance, in a Bain & Co. customer experience survey,
287
- 80% of companies stated that they were delivering a “superior experience” to their
288
- customers. However, consumers in the survey said that only 8% of companies were
289
- actually delivering high-quality experiences. This discrepancy underlines how critical it is
290
- for retailers to listen to their customers, especially when it comes to experiences.
291
-
292
- Without a doubt, modern retail businesses must have an omnichannel vision in order
293
- to adapt to the changes in consumer shopping patterns brought on by technological
294
- advances. In part, a successful omnichannel strategy demands that retailers understand
295
- the key actions that consumers take during their shopping experiences, and retailers
296
- must then make those actions available across multiple channels. Enabling consumers to
297
- engage with multiple platforms en route to a purchase not only improves the shopping
298
- experience but also increases conversion rates and reduces cart abandonment.
299
-
300
- Two notable omnichannel shopping practices include showrooming and “buy online, pick
301
- up in store” options. Showrooming, the practice of evaluating products in a store before
302
- buying them online, poses a clear threat to traditional retailers, which are susceptible to
303
- customers using mobile devices to compare prices while in the store. Despite the threat,
304
- nearly three quarters of respondents reported that they have not seen any sort of impact
305
- from showrooming. In fact, 19% noted that showrooming has had a positive impact on
306
- their businesses. This is likely because omnichannel shoppers have been shown to spend
307
- significantly more than single-channel shoppers. Similarly, “buy online, pick up in store”
308
- options, which offer the convenience of an online transaction alongside the satisfaction
309
- of instantly picking up an item, are expanding although only 26% of respondents
310
- currently have fully-deployed programs.
311
 
312
- 6
313
 
314
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences How consistent is your customer experience
315
- between in-store and online?
316
 
317
- 60% Somewhat consistent
318
 
319
- 24% Not consistent
320
 
321
- 16% Very consistent
322
 
323
- Most Respondents Say That Their In-Store and
324
- Online Experiences Are Somewhat Consistent
325
 
326
- What is the greatest challenge of providing a
327
- great customer experience?
328
 
329
- 34% Creating consistent
330
- experiences across
331
- channels
332
 
333
- 24% Personalizing
334
 
335
- customer
336
- experiences
337
 
338
- 21% Capturing and
339
 
340
- analyzing relevant
341
- customer data
342
 
343
- 21% Implementing
344
 
345
- customer experience
346
- initiatives across
347
- stores
348
 
349
- There Are Many Challenges to Providing a Great
350
- Customer Experience, with No Single Obstacle
351
- Standing Out Above the Rest
352
 
353
- 7
354
 
355
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
356
 
357
- How is showrooming impacting your business?
358
 
359
- 74% Neutral we have
360
 
361
- not seen much of a
362
- change
363
 
364
- 19% Positivelywe
365
 
366
- have adapted and
367
- are leveraging it to
368
- drive sales
369
 
370
- 7% Negatively it is
371
- hurting our sales
372
 
373
- Nearly Three-Quarters of Respondents Have Not
374
- Yet Felt the Effects of Showrooming
375
 
376
- Do you currently offer a “buy online, pick up
377
- in store” option?
378
 
379
- 51% No, we do not
380
 
381
- 26% We have a fully-
382
- deployed program
383
 
384
- 23% We currently offer a
385
 
386
- limited program
 
387
 
388
- Approximately Half of the Retailers Surveyed
389
- Currently Offer Some Sort of Option to Buy
390
- Products Online and Pick Them Up In-Store
391
 
392
  8
393
 
394
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
 
 
 
 
395
 
396
- Turning In-Store Data into Actionable Messaging
397
 
398
- The age of big data has made retailers keenly aware of the wealth of information that can be
399
- collected in their stores. Using BLE beacons, location-based mobile services, loyalty programs,
400
- promotions, and sales trends, merchants can uncover valuable data on the in-store customer
401
- experience. This data can then help them track traffic patterns, evaluate how customers are
402
- interacting with displays, and determine which promotions and marketing messages are
403
- having the greatest impact. In other words, these insights lead to optimized stores, improved
404
- marketing campaigns, and more effective omnichannel commerce interfaces.
405
 
406
- Unfortunately, only 14% of respondents indicated that they believe that they are very
407
- effectively collecting customer data in their stores. Similarly, a third of respondents said that
408
- their in-store data collection has been ineffective. As a result, just under a fifth of the retailers
409
- surveyed said that their marketing activities are very targeted and personalized. This lack of
410
- personalization indicates that most retailers are missing major opportunities to reap the many
411
- benefits of in-store data insights.
412
 
413
- For those companies that are not yet taking advantage of in-store data, it is essential that they
414
- build processes to capture that information. Those retailers that have processes in place now
415
- have access to a new age of sophisticated key performance indicators, such as conversion
416
- rate, shopper yield, Average Transaction Value (ATV), entrance traffic, and sales per square
417
- foot, as well as a whole host of omnichannel metrics and capabilities.
 
418
 
419
- How effectively are you collecting customer
420
- data in-store
 
 
 
421
 
422
- 44% Somewhat effectively
 
423
 
424
- 33% Not effectively
425
 
426
- 14% Very effectively
 
 
 
427
 
428
- 9% Unsure
429
 
430
- Only 14% of Respondents Reported That Their
431
- Businesses Are Doing a Very Effective Job of
432
- Collecting Customer Data in Stores
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
433
 
434
  9
435
 
436
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences “67% of shoppers are
437
- accessing brand-related
438
- content and apps while
439
- shopping in-store. This
440
- embrace of mobile
441
- shopping is where the
442
- real opportunity lies for
443
- retailers to make their
444
- store a better place to
445
- shop. It is gradually
446
- becoming clear: the
447
- stores that make proper
448
- use of mobile wallets
449
- are the ones who will
450
- come out on top in the
451
- modern retail era.”
452
 
453
- - Digital Retail Product Executive,
454
- Retail
455
 
456
- How would you describe the personalization and
457
- targeting of your current marketing activities?
458
 
459
- 53% Somewhat targeted
460
 
461
- and personalized
462
 
463
- 23% Not targeted and
464
- personalized
465
 
466
- 19% Very Targeted and
467
- personalized
 
 
 
 
 
468
 
469
- 5% Not sure
470
 
471
- Most Organizations Are Personalizing and
472
- Targeting Their Marketing Messages, but There
473
- Is Still Room for Improvement
474
 
475
- The Future of Store Technologies
476
 
477
- With businesses leveraging their digital assets to drive sales in-store and vice versa,
478
- omnichannel execution has become the bedrock of modern retail strategy. In fact, the
479
- intersections between physical and digital retail channels have become so extensive that
480
- many companies are no longer differentiating between sales made in stores and those
481
- made digitally. As Saks Inc. CEO Stephen Sadove has said, “There is so much integration
482
- between store and online sales that we can’t report the numbers separately. [That just
483
- doesn’t] make sense, because we are moving inventory from one to another all the time.”
484
 
485
- The omnichannel paradigm has an inherent emphasis on technological innovation.
486
- New devices, online offerings, and digital touch points are the engines of retail growth
487
- because they streamline shopping experiences across channels and engage consumers on
488
- their own terms. Novel technologies also enable businesses to gather a massive amount
489
- of customer data, which can then be used to personalize marketing messages and shift
490
- inventory to the right places. However, given the abundance of tools and technologies
491
- available, choosing the right solutions can prove challenging. The best brands are those
492
- that cut through unessential capabilities and focus only on those that add significant
493
- value to the customer experience.
494
 
495
- The technologies that retailers rely on to improve conversions, engage customers, and
496
- collect data in stores will inevitably change over time. As a result, which capabilities will
497
- be at the center of the stores of the future? Despite the relatively wide utilization of QR
498
- codes in retail stores, 61% of those surveyed said that they believe that QR codes will
499
- disappear on the next 2-5 years. In contrast, 71% of respondents indicated anticipation
500
- that mobile wallet capabilities will become standard over the same time period. In many
501
- cases, the utilization of a given capability will not just depend on how sophisticated a
502
- technology is but also on how that technology can be leveraged during a customer’s
503
 
504
- 10
505
 
506
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
507
 
508
- path to purchase. Mobile wallets, for example, could potentially streamline the payment
509
- process and mitigate one possible obstacle to a purchase while also enhancing customer
510
- loyalty programs by capturing more data and improving incentives.
511
 
512
- Design will also factor heavily into the retail technologies of the future. According to
513
- Mike Wittenstein, Retail Customer Experience Strategist and Designer, Storyminers, some
514
- of the most successful retail technologies are the least intrusive and most intuitive for
515
- consumers to interact with. This is the principle of Invisible Design: the less intrusive and
516
- more streamlined a technology is, the more likely it is to become widely adopted.
517
 
518
- What in-store technology will disappear in the
519
- next 2-5 years?
520
 
521
- 61% QR Codes
522
 
523
- 24% None of the Above
524
 
525
- 13% Touch screens & kiosks
526
 
527
- 10% SMS
528
 
529
- 10% Mobile websites
530
 
531
- 10% Retail Apps
532
 
533
- 9%
534
 
535
- iBeacons/Display Beacons
536
 
537
- A Strong Majority Believes that QR Codes Will
538
- 20
539
- 0
540
- Disappear in the next 2-5 Years
 
 
 
541
 
542
- 50
543
 
544
- 30
545
 
546
- 40
 
 
547
 
548
- 10
 
 
549
 
550
- 60
 
551
 
552
- 70
 
553
 
554
- 80
555
 
556
- What future store technology will become
557
- standard practice in the next 2-5 years?
558
 
559
- 71% Mobile wallet
560
 
561
- 48%
 
562
 
563
- iBeacons/Display Beacons
564
 
565
- 42% Wearable technology
 
 
 
566
 
567
- 35%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
568
 
569
- Interactive mirrors &
570
- virtual displays
 
 
 
 
571
 
572
- 8% QR Codes
 
 
573
 
574
- 3% Other
 
575
 
576
- More than 70% of Respondents See Mobile Wallet
577
- 70
578
- 50
579
- Becoming Standard over the next 2-5 Years
580
 
581
- 60
582
 
583
- 20
584
 
585
- 30
 
 
586
 
587
- 10
588
 
589
- 40
590
 
591
- 0
592
 
593
- 80
594
 
595
- 11
596
 
597
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
598
- Which retailers do you believe are providing the
599
- most exceptional in-store experiences?
600
 
601
  1
602
 
@@ -604,283 +493,476 @@ most exceptional in-store experiences?
604
 
605
  3
606
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
607
  4
608
 
609
- 5
610
 
611
- Nordstrom
 
 
 
 
612
 
613
- Apple
 
 
 
 
614
 
615
- REI
616
 
617
- Nike
618
 
619
- Sephora
 
620
 
621
- Nordstrom, Apple, and REI Top the List of
622
- Retailers Providing Exceptional In-Store
623
- Experiences
624
 
625
- 12
 
 
626
 
627
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Key Recommendations
 
628
 
629
- As retailers continue to invest heavily in store
630
- technologies, there may come a time when
631
- technology is seen as a more critical in-store
632
- sales asset than associates.
633
 
634
- Insofar as interactive displays, POS tools, and other digital offerings can create a fluid
635
- and enjoyable shopping experience, customers will willingly turn to those technologies.
636
- As those tools become more sophisticated, they may eventually supersede sales
637
- associates as the greatest in-store revenue drivers.
638
 
639
- In order to holistically measure how consumers
640
- are interacting with their products and
641
- brands, businesses must prioritize a new set
642
- of consumer engagement metrics alongside
643
- traditional measures like conversions.
644
 
645
- Customer experiences have become so important that retailers must consider new
646
- metrics, including involvement (i.e., whether or not consumers are relying on the brand
647
- for information, goods, and services on an ongoing basis) and time of awareness to
648
- time of satisfaction (i.e., how long it takes for a customer to acquire a good or service
649
- from the time they become aware of it). Improving involvement and shortening the
650
- time of awareness to time of satisfaction are becoming central objectives for businesses.
651
 
652
- Retail success is increasingly dependent on
653
- how well businesses are learning from and
654
- listening to customers.
655
 
656
- In a customer-centric world, the top-performing organizations are those that sincerely
657
- listen to customer feedback and effectively collect customer data. Stores are a great
658
- source of these inputs, which enable organizations to optimize their offerings and
659
- create personalized marketing messages.
660
 
661
- Modern retail challenges organizations to deliver
662
- the right services to the right places at the right
663
- times while maintaining a consistent feel.
664
- Not only must retail organizations become more agile in order to create the capabilities
665
- customers demand, they must also extend those capabilities across a variety of channels
666
- without detracting from the overall experience. Many retailers are struggling with this
667
- cross-channel consistency, highlighting the need for them to critically evaluate how they
668
- interact with customers on different media.
669
 
670
- Creating a store of the future means
671
- leveraging the right technologies and phasing
672
- out anachronistic elements.
673
 
674
- In order to create immersive and satisfying in-store experiences that consistently drive
675
- revenue, companies must replace outmoded elements with the right technologies,
676
- particularly digital tools that enhance product interactions and capture key data points.
677
- This requires constant re-evaluation and, occasionally, reinvention of store components
678
 
679
- 13
 
680
 
681
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Appendices
682
 
683
- Appendix A: Methodology
684
- For this report, Worldwide Business Research conducted in person and online surveys
685
- of 104 store, operations, IT, cross-channel, and retail customer experience executives
686
- representing 14 industries (see Appendix B for demographic information). Survey
687
- participants included decision-makers and executives with responsibility for their
688
- businesses’ in-store and digital experiences and performance. In-person surveys and
689
- interviews were conducted on-site at the 2014 Future Stores Conference. Data was
690
- collected in June of 2014.
691
 
692
- Appendix B: Demographic Information
693
 
694
- Industry
695
 
696
- 20% Specialty Retail
697
 
698
- 17% Apparel
699
 
700
- 12% Sporting Goods
701
 
702
- 10% Consulting
703
 
704
- 9% Automotive
705
 
706
- 6% Software &
707
 
708
- Analytics
709
 
710
- 5% Hardware,
711
 
712
- Electronics, and
713
- Appliances
714
 
715
- 5% General E- ‐commerce
716
 
717
- 5% Other
718
 
719
- 4% Department Stores
720
 
721
- 2% Telecommunications
722
 
723
- 2% Home Furnishings
724
 
725
- 2% Supermarkets
726
 
727
- 1% Toys & Hobbies
728
 
729
- 14
 
 
730
 
731
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
732
 
733
- Roles and Titles
734
 
735
- Revenue Breakdown
736
 
737
- 15% Marketing
738
 
739
- 15% Executive
740
 
741
- Management
742
 
743
- 15% Information
744
 
745
- Technology
746
 
747
- 12% Omni- channel
748
 
749
- 12% Customer
750
- Experience
751
 
752
- 8% eCommerce
753
 
754
- 6% Operations
755
 
756
- 6% Customer Insights
757
 
758
- and Analytics
759
 
760
- 6% Consulting & Agency
761
 
762
- 3%
763
 
764
- Innovation
765
 
766
- 2% Story Design &
767
 
768
- Management
769
 
770
- 22% Less than $50 million
771
 
772
- 17% $50- ‐150 million
773
 
774
- 61% Greater than $150
775
 
776
- million
777
 
778
- 15
779
 
780
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
781
 
782
- “The event was fantastic.
783
- It was very well executed,
784
- and I have taken a lot
785
- of information from the
786
- event that we will be
787
- working to implement in
788
- our stores.”
789
 
790
- - Chanel Chartrand, Visual
791
- Merchandiser, Coastal.com
792
 
793
- About Future Stores
794
 
795
- Future Stores is WBR’s intensive event focused on cutting-edge omnichannel retail
796
- strategies. From omnichannel marketing and customer analytics to retail technology
797
- and store operations, Future Stores will show you how to design and implement
798
- winning in-store strategies to beat the competition and boost customer loyalty.
799
 
800
- The conference is centered on the pain points of store, operations, IT, cross-channel
801
- and customer experience executives to bridge the gap between the store experience
802
- and the digital experience. Future Stores provides tactical strategies for brick and
803
- mortar retailers to improve and increase conversion rates in-store as well as make the
804
- store and cross-channel shopping experiences as seamless and easy as they are online.
805
 
806
- About CFI Group
807
 
808
- CFI Group is a global leader in providing customer feedback insights through analytics.
809
- CFI Group provides a technology platform that leverages the science of the American
810
- Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). This platform continuously measures the customer
811
- experience across multiple channels, benchmarks performance, and prioritizes
812
- improvements for maximum impact.
813
 
814
- Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, CFI Group serves
815
- global clients from a network of offices worldwide. Our clients span a variety of
816
- industries, including financial services, hospitality, manufacturing, telecom, retail, and
817
- government. Regardless of your industry, we can put the power of our technology and
818
- the science of the ACSI methodology to work for you.
819
 
820
- CFI Group USA, L.L.C.
821
- 625 Avis Drive
822
- Ann Arbor, MI 48108
823
- (734) 930-9090
824
- Askcfi@cfigroup.com
825
 
826
- 16
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
827
 
828
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences About WBR &
829
- WBR Digital
 
 
830
 
831
- WBR is the world’s biggest large-scale conference company and part of the PLS group,
832
- one of the world’s leading providers of strategic business intelligence with 16 offices
833
- worldwide. Our conference divisions consistently out-perform their industry sector
834
- competitors on the quality of the events we produce and the relationships we nurture
835
- with both attendees and sponsors.
836
 
837
- Every year, over 10,000 senior executives from Fortune 1,000 companies attend over
838
- 100 of our annual conferences – a true “Who’s Who” of today’s corporate world.
839
- From Automotive events in Bucharest to Logistics conferences in Arizona to Luxury
840
- conferences in New York and Finance summits in Hong Kong, WBR is dedicated to
841
- exceeding the needs of its customers around the world.
842
 
843
- In addition to our industry leading conferences, our professional services marketing
844
- division, WBR Digital, connects solutions providers to their target audiences with
845
- digital branding and engagement services and lead generation campaigns. WBR’s
846
- marketers act as an extension of your team, relieving strain on your internal resources
847
- while engaging with customers and prospects on your brand and solutions. Solutions
848
- providers can target identified accounts or relevant industry/function segments of WBR’s
849
- global database of senior-level decision makers.
850
 
851
- Contact:
852
- Andrew Cole
853
- Digital Content Manager
854
- 646-200-7541
855
- Andrew.Cole@wbresearch.com
856
 
857
- Be a Part of Next Year’s
858
- Future Stores Conference
859
 
860
- Be a part of next year’s event and discuss the new trends shaping the retail industry.
861
 
862
- Click To Register Now
863
 
864
- Call our customer service team to get the best available discounts for your firm at
865
- 1.888.482.6012, or email us at futurestores@wbresearch.com
866
 
867
- 17
868
 
869
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences What did you think? Rate this content and help us improve!
870
 
871
- “An organization’s ability to learn, and translate that learning into
872
- action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.” - Jack Welch
873
 
874
- It is our goal to produce relevant, valuable content to help inform
875
- your strategic business decisions, so we would love to know what
876
- you thought of this report. Your feedback goes directly to our
877
- content team and helps us to improve.
878
 
879
- CLICK HERE TO TELL
880
- US WHAT YOU THINK
881
 
882
- YOU CAN ALSO SUBMIT A RATING HERE WWW.SURVEYMONKEY.COM/S/JTVB7FB
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
883
 
884
  18
885
 
886
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
+ Becoming a
2
+ data-driven
3
+ organization
4
 
5
+ The what, why and how
 
6
 
7
+ Ongoing digitization is turning everything into data, forcing
8
 
9
+ Technological advancements in data analytics are, however,
10
 
11
+ companies to become more data-driven. While the benefits of
12
 
13
+ making it possible for any type of company in every industry to
 
 
 
 
14
 
15
+ the data-driven organisation are clear (improved performance,
 
16
 
17
+ become data-driven.
 
18
 
19
+ more profitability, stronger innovations), there are still some
 
20
 
21
+ Discover the basic do’s and don’ts in ‘Becoming a data-driven
22
 
23
+ technical and business challenges to overcome.
24
 
25
+ organisation: the what, why and how’.
26
 
27
+ Table of contents
28
 
29
+ 1
30
 
31
+ Why become
32
+ data-driven?
33
 
34
+ You may not have noticed, but everything around us has
 
 
35
 
36
+ turned into data. Not just our cars or mobile phones, a
 
 
 
 
 
 
37
 
38
+ growing number of other appliances, machines and ‘things’
 
 
 
 
 
39
 
40
+ are generating a constant flux of data. Where we are and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
41
 
42
+ what we do is used for marketing purposes. Sensors in
 
 
 
 
 
 
43
 
44
+ machines tell companies how to improve their output.
 
 
 
 
45
 
46
+ This flood of data is transforming our world. Companies that
47
+
48
+ want to stay ahead must become data-driven.
49
+
50
+ The rise of the data-driven organisation
51
+
52
+ Many organisations worry about staying competitive in the midst of Big
53
+ Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning or the Internet of Things
54
+ (IoT). Especially as many of these concepts are already generating value
55
+ for many companies. The glue that binds all of these together is data.
56
+
57
+ What is being data-driven all about?
58
+
59
+ Data-driven organisations process and use ever more data
60
+
61
+ As consultancy firm McKinsey says:
62
+
63
+ to improve and speed up their decision-making. The goal of
64
+
65
+ having superior analytics is having superior insights. In data-
66
 
67
+ driven organisations, decisions that aren’t supported by data,
68
+
69
+ are considered suspicious. Smarter analytics technologies
70
+
71
+ now enable every company to become more data-driven.
72
+
73
+ “Businesses no longer have to go on gut instinct;
74
+ they can use data and analytics to make faster
75
+ decisions and more accurate forecasts supported
76
+ by a mountain of evidence.”
77
+
78
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
79
+
80
+ 4
81
+
82
+ Data-driven organisations
83
+ use analytics to become smarter:
84
+
85
+ 1
86
+
87
+ They perform
88
+ better
89
+
90
+ The data shows where
91
+ they can streamline
92
+ their processes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
93
 
94
  3
95
 
96
+ They are more
97
+ profitable
98
+
99
+ Constant improvements
100
+ and better predictions
101
+ help to outsmart the
102
+ competition and
103
+ improve innovation.
104
 
105
+ 2
 
 
106
 
107
+ They are
108
+ operationally
109
+ more predictable
110
 
111
+ Data insights fuel
112
+ current and future
113
+ decision-making.
114
 
115
+ These advantages make an organisation more shock-resistant and less
116
+ likely to be surprised by the next economy - or technology disruption.
 
 
 
 
 
 
117
 
118
+ Gut feeling no longer makes the difference
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
119
 
120
+ Gut feeling is not good enough anymore to differentiate yourself from
121
+ your competitors. To be truly competitive, you will need data. Lots of
122
+ relevant data. Luckily, any organisation can set out on the journey to
123
+ become data-driven. You no longer need to be a data scientist to work
124
+ with data. Citizen Data Scientists are not your professional statistician or
125
+ trained analyst, nor your maths wizard or computer scientist, but rather
126
+ regular business users who create and use advanced analytical models.
127
 
128
+ Citizen Data Scientists are part of the ongoing wave of democratization
129
+ of analytics in every department. These business people have the right
130
+ attitude – curious, adventurous, determined – to research and improve
131
+ things in your organisation. They want to get their hands on the data
132
+ themselves and find new ways to get answers. They’re willing to learn
133
+ new methods and use new tools. They often think, “I don’t want to ask a
134
+ statistician. I want to try it myself.”
135
 
136
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
137
 
138
+ 5
139
 
140
+ 2,500 PB
141
 
142
+ Every day, the world creates 2,500
143
+ petabytes of data. In the past two years,
144
+ mankind has generated more data than
145
+ in the preceding 5,000 years combined.
146
 
147
+ Source: IFL Science
 
148
 
149
+ ZOOM-IN ON
150
+ SWISSCOM
151
 
152
+ SWITZERLAND | TELECOM | CUSTOMER SERVICE
153
 
154
+ 7 x FASTER
 
155
 
156
+ CUSTOMER SERVICE DATA IS NOW PROCESSED 7X FASTER
157
+ MAKING IT FAR MORE USEFUL IN ISSUE SOLVING.
158
 
159
+ Swisscom, Switzerland’s biggest telecom operator, found that the analysis
160
+ of their customer service data was too slow and required too much
161
+ manual work. As such, it did not really help to improve customer service.
162
+ Through smarter text analytics, however, relationships and possible
163
+ solutions were shown much faster, often almost simultaneously as the
164
+ ongoing call center documentation evolved. Reports are now sent daily
165
+ instead of weekly or even monthly.
166
 
167
+ “We are able to create fully automated daily reports, which
168
+ has a direct positive effect on service quality and customer
169
+ satisfaction.”
170
 
171
+ Albert Labermeier
172
+ Senior Marketing Analyst at Swisscom
173
 
174
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
175
 
176
+ 6
177
 
178
+ 2
 
 
179
 
180
+ The road to
181
+ becoming
182
+ data-driven
183
 
184
+ While the benefits of becoming more data-driven are
185
 
186
+ apparent, in our experience, many companies are still faced
187
 
188
+ with a few bumps in the road. Luckily, technical advances are
189
 
190
+ bringing data analytics within reach of a growing number of
191
 
192
+ organisations.
193
 
194
+ Changing mindsets
195
 
196
+ On the road to becoming data-driven, it’s crucial for people to change
197
+ their mindset and organisations to change their processes. Doing so, will
198
+ help overcome some of these hurdles:
 
199
 
200
+ 1
201
 
202
+ 2
203
 
204
+ 3
205
 
206
+ 4
207
 
208
+ UNSTRUCTURED DATA
209
 
210
+ UNCONNECTED SYSTEMS
211
 
212
+ LOW DATA QUALITY OR
213
+ UNAVAILABLE DATA
214
 
215
+ MISALIGNMENT WITH IT
216
 
217
+ Data that is not predefined or does
218
 
219
+ Organisations often use multiple
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
220
 
221
+ Sometimes, the data quality simply
222
 
223
+ Business units shouldn’t have to
 
224
 
225
+ not fit the mould of traditional
226
 
227
+ information storage systems side by
228
 
229
+ isn’t good enough, because of poor
230
 
231
+ depend on IT for data analytics, they
 
232
 
233
+ data models. This includes text
 
234
 
235
+ side with no or difficult connections
 
 
236
 
237
+ data input or poorly implemented
238
 
239
+ should be able to run it themselves.
 
240
 
241
+ documents, pictures, e-mails, sensor
242
 
243
+ between them. These systems may
 
244
 
245
+ data connections. It is hard to get
246
 
247
+ With IT being under constant
 
 
248
 
249
+ data, and much more. This data
 
 
250
 
251
+ even offer conflicting information
252
 
253
+ good business intelligence from
254
 
255
+ pressure to keep delivering more
256
 
257
+ is hard to analyse for traditional
258
 
259
+ because they use different sources,
 
260
 
261
+ pooror plain wrong – data.
262
 
263
+ at lower costs, your data analytics
 
 
264
 
265
+ analytics programs, although it
 
266
 
267
+ processing methods or naming
 
268
 
269
+ contains valuable information.
 
270
 
271
+ conventions.
272
 
273
+ requests may end up at the bottom
 
274
 
275
+ of their list.
276
 
277
+ But all of these challenges can be overcome by defining
278
+ a roadmap towards better data analytics.
279
 
280
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
 
 
281
 
282
  8
283
 
284
+ ZOOM-IN ON
285
+ ASTRAZENECA
286
+
287
+ SWEDEN | HEALTHCARE | MANUFACTURING
288
+
289
+ VARIATIONS IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS HAVE BEEN MINIMIZED.
290
 
291
+ THE CONTENT OF THE ANALYSES HAS BEEN GREATLY EXPANDED.
292
 
293
+ PRODUCTION CYCLES HAVE BECOME LEANER.
 
 
 
 
 
 
294
 
295
+ AstraZeneca, a global pharmaceutical company, wanted to make the
296
+ production process for its inhalers more cost-effective and qualitative by
297
+ better using the production data. Not an easy task, given the system’s 1,700
298
+ parameters and a total data growth of 1.5 million rows per week.
 
 
299
 
300
+ With the proper analytics system in place, automated data management
301
+ for each production batch has become possible, thus allowing for quick
302
+ analysis throughout the manufacturing process. Between 50 and 100
303
+ employees as diverse as engineers, operators and managers now create
304
+ or receive reports from the system while knowledge sharing is greatly
305
+ facilitated.
306
 
307
+ “Due to the success of the program, several other products
308
+ from the same family which are produced in AstraZeneca’s
309
+ Swedish operations have now been included under the
310
+ system. We plan to use the same system for completely
311
+ different product groups as well.”
312
 
313
+ Henrik Åkerblom
314
+ Process Engineer at AstraZeneca
315
 
316
+ 80%
317
 
318
+ Analysts at Gartner
319
+ estimate that 80% of all
320
+ enterprise data today is
321
+ unstructured
322
 
323
+ Source: Gartner
324
 
325
+ 45%
326
+
327
+ According to an IDG
328
+ survey, 45% of business
329
+ leaders cite ‛unstructured
330
+ data’ as their single
331
+ biggest hurdle to
332
+ overcome in analytics.
333
+
334
+ Source: IDG
335
+
336
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
337
 
338
  9
339
 
340
+ 3
341
+
342
+ The three
343
+ foundations of
344
+ better analytics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
345
 
346
+ Technological improvements within analytics platforms
 
347
 
348
+ enable more companies to become data-driven, as it
 
349
 
350
+ enables organisations to manage their data better, run more
351
 
352
+ complex analyses and visualize the outcome in a more
353
 
354
+ understandable manner. Getting the technical foundations
 
355
 
356
+ right puts you well on your way.
357
+
358
+ Laying the foundation
359
+
360
+ There are three foundations to becoming data-driven.
361
+
362
+ 1
363
 
364
+ 2
365
 
366
+ 3
 
 
367
 
368
+ DATA MANAGEMENT
369
 
370
+ This is the data you use as input. A good analytics platform can process any combination of structured, semi-structured and unstructured data. Automated
 
 
 
 
 
 
371
 
372
+ connections between your analytics platform and other systems ensure that the most recent data is always available and used. While not every data point will
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
373
 
374
+ be crystal clear from the start, technical advances in Machine Learning and the like already automate data management, for the most part. Similarly, data inputs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
375
 
376
+ and data comparisons can be automated, neatly breaking down the obstacle of handling semi- and unstructured data. By applying the right governance
377
 
378
+ structure, privacy rules can be applied to personally identifiable information.
379
 
380
+ ANALYTICS
 
 
381
 
382
+ Pouring over endless rows of figures and numbers is the heavy lifting of data science. By leaving this task to specialized software, you leave less room for
 
 
 
 
383
 
384
+ human error and create more room to actually start using the results of your analysis. Complex calculations can now be run by a click of a button, making it
 
385
 
386
+ available to any regular business user.
387
 
388
+ DATA VISUALIZATION
389
 
390
+ The end result of your analytical work should be smarter insights. By visualizing this in different types of graphics and charts, the outcomes become easily
391
 
392
+ understandable for everyone at a glance, while reports and dashboards can quickly be set up, thus opening up the insights to a growing number of people
393
 
394
+ across the whole organisation.
395
 
396
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
397
 
398
+ 11
399
 
400
+ 74%
401
 
402
+ According to a Forrester
403
+ study, 74% of all companies
404
+ would like to be more data-
405
+ driven, but only 29% claim
406
+ that they are actually good
407
+ at putting this idea into
408
+ action.
409
 
410
+ Source: Forrester
411
 
412
+ The power of analytics that everyone can use
413
 
414
+ These three solid foundations enable you to build an analytics platform
415
+ that works for everyone. This has major benefits that help eliminate the
416
+ obstacles on your data-driven journey.
417
 
418
+ You get clear, actionable results, even from imperfect or
419
+ unstructured data. Cleaning up your data and perfecting your input
420
+ models can come later.
421
 
422
+ Your intelligence is easy to view and understand with visuals that
423
+ are more captivating than any line of text could ever be.
424
 
425
+ Because the platform is easy to use, self-service reduces reliance on
426
+ IT. In turn, IT can focus more on its core business.
427
 
428
+ 1
429
 
430
+ 2
 
431
 
432
+ 3
433
 
434
+ ZOOM-IN ON
435
+ RABOBANK
436
 
437
+ THE NETHERLANDS | BANKING | OPERATIONS
438
 
439
+ TRANSPARENCY THROUGHOUT THE ORGANISATION HAS
440
+ INCREASED. DATA VISUALIZATION ENABLES THE BANK TO PROVIDE
441
+ PERTINENT INFORMATION AND DIRECT CHAIN MANAGERS MORE
442
+ EFFECTIVELY.
443
 
444
+ The Rabobank Group, a leading global financial services provider serving
445
+ more than 10 million customers and headquartered in the Netherlands,
446
+ wanted to optimize its operations by improving the financial and
447
+ collaborative alignment across its chains. The company discovered that
448
+ there was a huge amount of data available from all groups of the bank’s
449
+ organisational chain such as departments, business units and local
450
+ branches, but there wasn’t one single system that could integrate and
451
+ structure all the information efficiently and provide the ability to share
452
+ results.
453
 
454
+ With data visualization, large amounts of data are presented visually. The
455
+ diverse pictorial or graphical options lead to new questions that weren’t
456
+ asked before. The bank is now much more flexible in its ability to provide
457
+ information and it can direct chain managers more effectively. At the
458
+ same time, employees have become more engaged because they can
459
+ quickly see the results of what they do.
460
 
461
+ “With the knowledge and access to all chain information,
462
+ we are able to let go of old business models and replace
463
+ them with more dynamic ones.”
464
 
465
+ John Lambrechts
466
+ Manager Concern Control at Rabobank
467
 
468
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
 
 
 
469
 
470
+ 12
471
 
472
+ 4
473
 
474
+ The
475
+ data-driven
476
+ journey
477
 
478
+ So where do you start your data-driven journey? Anywhere is
479
 
480
+ good, as long as it isn’t everywhere. A ‘big bang’ approach is
481
 
482
+ risky: it can overcomplicate things or may simply lack focus.
483
 
484
+ We recommend a step-by-step approach as the surest way
485
 
486
+ forward to success.
487
 
488
+ Plotting the course
 
 
489
 
490
  1
491
 
 
493
 
494
  3
495
 
496
+ Choose your starting point
497
+
498
+ The most important datasets have priority
499
+
500
+ Expand the reach of the platform
501
+
502
+ This can be a team (e.g. the marketing
503
+ department) or a specific data source. Consider
504
+ collecting data from your CRM system to get a
505
+ better insight into customer behavior, or begin
506
+ with productivity data from the shop-floor.
507
+
508
+ Recorded customer service calls or data from your
509
+ finance department could equally be your first
510
+ project. It is best if your starting-point is something
511
+ you’re already familiar with, and if you have a clear
512
+ goal in mind.
513
+
514
+ You must make a distinction between must-have
515
+ datasets that will work towards your goal and nice-
516
+ to-have datasets that are only loosely related.
517
+
518
+ Data may be a mix of structured, semi-structured
519
+ and unstructured data. Pour it all in and look at
520
+ what your analytics platform comes up with and
521
+ whether the results are actionable. Consider if
522
+ additional data management (e.g. data cleaning)
523
+ is needed or whether you can already continue
524
+ using the current datasets.
525
+
526
+ Once you have value-added results, you can start
527
+ expanding the reach of the platform within and
528
+ across teams. This can happen in a series of waves
529
+ that create more and more buy-in as the results
530
+ begin to show more and more benefits.
531
+
532
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
533
+
534
+ 14
535
+
536
+ Start
537
+
538
+ expand
539
+ within the team
540
+
541
+ Scale
542
+
543
+ Grow
544
+
545
+ expand
546
+ beyond the team
547
+
548
+ get the entire
549
+ organization on-board
550
+
551
  4
552
 
553
+ The data-driven organisation is born
554
 
555
+ Once you have moved from a limited number of data sources to an all-
556
+ encompassing data management flow; you’ve extended the reach of
557
+ data analytics from the few to the many and every key decision is backed
558
+ by data, you’ve truly become a data-driven organisation. You‘ll find that,
559
+ as you become better at analytics, you’ll move from hindsight to insight
560
 
561
+ to foresight. You’ll no longer simply look back at ‘what happened’, but
562
+ you’ll steer your gaze to the future. Not only can you track ROI on all
563
+ data-enabled projects, you can also run predictive analytics and simulate
564
+ ‘what-if’ scenarios. The backbone of your business strategy is now
565
+ formed by undisputable facts.
566
 
567
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
568
 
569
+ 15
570
 
571
+ ZOOM-IN ON
572
+ Eni
573
 
574
+ BELGIUM | ENERGY | MARKETING & OPERATIONS
 
 
575
 
576
+ a
577
+ 360°
578
+ view
579
 
580
+ on your
581
+ customers
582
 
583
+ ‛What-if’ scenarios, allowing them to assess the impact of strategic
584
+ decisions, such as changes in price or margin, reduced customer
585
+ churn and more.
 
586
 
587
+ User-friendly dashboards that help to keep an eye on the long-term
588
+ profitability of the entire customer base.
 
 
589
 
590
+ “We calculate how much the customer will spend with us
591
+ (revenues) and how long they will stay (retention). We also
592
+ predict when we might experience payment issues (credit
593
+ losses) with them and how much it will cost us to serve their
594
+ needs (service costs).
595
 
596
+ Zdravka Jevtimov
597
+ Customer Insights Manager at Eni
 
 
 
 
598
 
599
+ CUSTOMER CHURN AND RETENTION CAN NOW BE PREDICTED.
 
 
600
 
601
+ FUTURE PROFITABILITY OF PRODUCTS, CHANNELS AND
602
+ SEGMENTS CAN BE BETTER EVALUATED UP FRONT.
 
 
603
 
604
+ Eni is an integrated energy company with operations on five continents.
605
+ In the highly competitive energy market, it’s crucial to build long-term
606
+ relationships with clients. That’s why the company continuously monitors
607
+ and analyses the behaviour of its entire client base throughout the
608
+ complete customer life cycle.
 
 
 
609
 
610
+ The company developed a solid and trustworthy prediction model using
611
+ more than 700 parameters offering Eni’s management:
 
612
 
613
+ Valuable information about customers
 
 
 
614
 
615
+ Help in evaluating the future profitability of the company’s product
616
+ portfolio, sales channels and customer segments
617
 
618
+ 60%
619
 
620
+ 56%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
621
 
622
+ Analyst firm Gartner estimates that
623
 
624
+ According to CMO.com, best-in-
625
 
626
+ over half of Big Data projects at
627
 
628
+ class marketeers are 56% more likely
629
 
630
+ companies fail. One big reason for
631
 
632
+ to use data and analytics platforms.
633
 
634
+ this is that companies often want
635
 
636
+ However, only 19% of marketers fully
637
 
638
+ to do everything at once instead of
639
 
640
+ track all their marketing efforts with
641
 
642
+ focusing on smaller projects with a
 
643
 
644
+ data.
645
 
646
+ clear end goal or a quick win.
647
 
648
+ Source: CMO.com
649
 
650
+ Source: Gartner
651
 
652
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
653
 
654
+ 16
655
 
656
+ 5
657
 
658
+ The next level
659
+ in data-driven
660
+ work
661
 
662
+ Being data-driven is not an end-state. It’s the beginning of an exploration of exciting possibilities. As the pace of technology
663
 
664
+ innovation keeps accelerating, yesterday’s science fiction becomes today’s reality. Here are some of the elements that will fuel
665
 
666
+ the data-driven organisation of the future.
667
 
668
+ On the edge of Tomorrow
669
 
670
+ Edge analytics
671
 
672
+ Transparency
673
 
674
+ Security
675
 
676
+ IoT
677
 
678
+ AI
679
 
680
+ Supply chain
 
681
 
682
+ Real-time on site analytics
683
 
684
+ Why not be transparent with
685
 
686
+ Analytics can be put to work
687
 
688
+ With the wealth of data
689
 
690
+ Artificial intelligence (AI)
691
 
692
+ Experts can use Big Data to
693
 
694
+ can track consumers’ in-store
695
 
696
+ consumers about the huge
697
 
698
+ for data protection as well.
699
 
700
+ generated by machines, your
701
 
702
+ makes it possible for
703
 
704
+ further optimize logistics.
705
 
706
+ behavior and pair it with the
707
 
708
+ amounts of data that are
709
 
710
+ With advanced pattern
711
 
712
+ production lines could map
 
 
 
 
 
 
713
 
714
+ machines to learn from
 
715
 
716
+ By taking into account
717
 
718
+ right kind of offer bundles to
 
 
 
719
 
720
+ collected? Some information
 
 
 
 
721
 
722
+ recognition and correlating
723
 
724
+ out ways to become even
 
 
 
 
725
 
726
+ experience, adjust to new
 
 
 
 
727
 
728
+ circumstantial factors that
 
 
 
 
729
 
730
+ attract attention and capture
731
+
732
+ will always remain sensitive,
733
+
734
+ the needs of the individual.
735
+
736
+ but offering transparency
737
+
738
+ This effectively creates the
739
+
740
+ to your customers can be
741
+
742
+ segment of one.
743
+
744
+ a big win in the branding
745
+
746
+ department. According to
747
 
748
+ recent surveys, over 80%
749
+ of consumers say ethics
750
+ matter when they buy. With
751
+ the General Data Protection
752
 
753
+ Regulation (GDPR), adhering
754
+ to privacy rules has become
755
+ an absolute must.
 
 
756
 
757
+ behaviours, risks can be
758
+ assessed better and cyber
759
+ attacks or real-life security
760
+ threats can be prevented
761
+ before they even occur.
762
 
763
+ more productive, discover
 
 
 
 
 
 
764
 
765
+ inputs and perform human-
 
 
 
 
766
 
767
+ influence delivery speed and
 
768
 
769
+ hidden costs and unlikely
770
 
771
+ like tasks. AI relies heavily on
772
 
773
+ reliability (e.g. traffic flows,
 
774
 
775
+ sources of revenue. The
776
 
777
+ deep learning and natural
778
 
779
+ accidents, weather patterns,
 
780
 
781
+ Internet of Things (IoT) will
782
+ revolutionize production
783
+ as well as consumption
 
784
 
785
+ language processing.
786
+ Computers are ‘trained’ to
787
 
788
+ rain storms), smarter logistics
789
+
790
+ could even be used to
791
+
792
+ accomplish specific tasks by
793
+
794
+ operate more sustainably.
795
+
796
+ patterns. And it’s just around
797
+
798
+ processing large amounts
799
+
800
+ the corner.
801
+
802
+ of data and recognizing
803
+
804
+ patterns in that data.
805
+
806
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
807
 
808
  18
809
 
810
+ ZOOM-IN ON
811
+ INTERAMERICAN
812
+
813
+ GREECE | INSURANCE | COMPLIANCE
814
+
815
+ BE FULLY GDPR-COMPLIANT.
816
+ MAKE A BIG STEP TOWARDS BECOMING A DIGITAL-ONLY INSURER.
817
+
818
+ For INTERAMERICAN, a leading insurance provider in Greece, trust
819
+ is crucial to retaining loyal customers. The company adopted a data
820
+ analytics platform to be fully compliant with the EU General Data
821
+ Protection Regulation (GDPR) while also supporting the company’s
822
+ strategic focus of transforming itself into a digital-only insurer.
823
+
824
+ Its data governance initiative improves the availability, completeness and
825
+ accuracy of the information and data being managed. Topics covered
826
+ are data ownership, data location, data access, data provenance, risk
827
+ assessments and proper recovery procedures in case of breaches. All vital
828
+ elements in helping give customers peace of mind that their personal
829
+ data will be safe.
830
+
831
+ “Our organisation is working to transition to the new digital
832
+ age and create long-term, trust-based relationships with our
833
+ customers. SAS for Data Protection helps us work towards
834
+ compliance with the requirements of the new regulation
835
+ and foster customer trust.”
836
+
837
+ Xenophon Liapakis
838
+ CIO at INTERAMERICAN
839
+
840
+ 41%
841
+
842
+ According to a CFI Group
843
+ survey, 41% of all consumers
844
+ use mobile apps while
845
+ shopping. For Millennials, this
846
+ figure even rises to 67%. 51%
847
+ of those polled said they would
848
+ be likely to use apps if they
849
+ made the shopping experience
850
+ easier and faster.
851
+
852
+ Source: CFI Group
853
+
854
+ Over half of organisations
855
+ surveyed by IDG say that
856
+ they are already deploying
857
+ analytics to detect cyber
858
+ attacks, denial-of-service
859
+ attacks and phishing.
860
+ However, 59% among them
861
+ still said they have been
862
+ compromised at least once
863
+ per month “because they
864
+ were not able to keep up
865
+ and fully analyse the data.”
866
+
867
+ Source: IDG
868
+
869
+ According to Accenture
870
+ research, using Big Data
871
+ analytics had a net positive
872
+ impact on customer service
873
+ and demand fulfilment
874
+ for nearly half of all supply
875
+ chain experts polled.
876
+ Other advantages listed
877
+ included greater supply
878
+ chain integration (36%),
879
+ productivity improvements
880
+ (33%) and improved cost to
881
+ serve (28%).
882
+
883
+ Source: Accenture
884
+
885
+ 46%
886
+
887
+ 53%
888
+
889
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
890
+
891
+ 19
892
+
893
+ 6
894
+
895
+ Getting in
896
+ on the action
897
+
898
+ Becoming a data-driven organisation is now within reach
899
+ of every company. Cloud solutions have made access to
900
+ data analytics platforms much easier: software-as-a-service
901
+ (SaaS) enables organisations to no longer build and
902
+ maintain everything on premise but rent this for as long as
903
+ needed. And with Results-as-a-Service (RaaS), it becomes
904
+ even possible to completely ‘outsource’ your analytics.
905
+ If you do not have tools and expertise to turn data into
906
+ insights, you can still get results.
907
+ Your organization provides the data and the business
908
+ problem to be solved, and RaaS delivers results you can
909
+ act on.
910
+
911
+ By starting your data-driven journey in one specific area
912
+ of your company, clearly defining your path towards data
913
+ analytics, adopting the right mindset and technologies,
914
+ and gradually extending the reach and impact throughout
915
+ your company, you too can become the type of data-driven
916
+ company that is ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
917
+ Start your data-driven journey now and, in no time, you’ll
918
+ find yourself wondering: ‘How on earth did we run our
919
+ business without analytics?’
920
+
921
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
922
+
923
+ 21
924
+
925
+ Learn more about the what, why and how of
926
+ becoming a data-driven organisation
927
+
928
+ Read more
929
+
930
+ Follow us:
931
+
932
+ For more information, contact us
933
+
934
+ SOURCES
935
+
936
+ https://www.cio.com/article/3204131/analytics/intelligent-analytics-fuels-faster-smarter-decision-making.html
937
+
938
+ http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3130017
939
+
940
+ https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/report-says-most-millennials-are-using-mobile-retail-apps/?utm_source=NetWorld%20Alliance&utm_
941
+
942
+ medium=email&utm_campaign=EMNARCE07022014
943
+
944
+ http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/stakeholder_trends_insights/sustainable_brands/study_81_consumers_say_they_will_make_
945
+
946
+ http://www.cmo.com/features/articles/2016/5/31/15-mind-blowing-stats-about-data-driven-marketing.html#gs.uH3Iceg
947
+
948
+ https://www.csoonline.com/article/3139923/security/how-big-data-is-improving-cyber-security.html
949
+
950
+ https://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2015/07/13/ten-ways-big-data-is-revolutionizing-supply-chain-management/#53f4e2769f59
951
+
952
+ https://www.shopify.com/enterprise/94678726-the-need-for-speed-why-customer-service-needs-to-be-faster-than-ever
953
+
954
+ https://reprints.forrester.com/#/assets/2/202/’RES127061’/reports
955
+
956
+ https://www.sas.com/nl_nl/training/citizen-data-scientist.html
957
+
958
+ https://www.sas.com/en_us/insights/articles/analytics/how-to-find-and-equip-citizen-data-scientists.html
959
+
960
+ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2017/06/05/the-big-unstructured-data-problem/#28e176dd493a
961
+
962
+ SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration.
963
+ Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright © 2017, SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. 109150_G66177.1117
964
+
965
+ Becoming a data-driven organization
966
+
967
+ 22
968
+
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1
- GUI DE
2
 
3
- Social Media
4
- Marketing Strategy
5
- Eight easy steps to develop your
6
- social media presence
7
 
8
- Contents
9
 
10
- Step 1: Set social media marketing goals that align to business objectives
11
 
12
- Step 2: Learn everything you can about your audience
13
 
14
- Step 3: Research the competition
 
 
15
 
16
- Step 4: Conduct a social media audit
17
 
18
- Step 5: Set up accounts and improve existing profiles
19
 
20
- Step 6: Find inspiration
 
 
21
 
22
- Step 7: Create a social media content calendar
23
 
24
- Step 8: Test, evaluate, and adjust your strategy
 
 
25
 
26
- 3
27
-
28
- 4
29
-
30
- 5
31
-
32
- 6
33
-
34
- 7
35
-
36
- 8
37
-
38
- 8
39
 
40
- 10
41
 
42
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
 
43
 
44
- #239584107
45
 
46
- 2
47
 
48
- Related resource
49
 
50
- The Social Media Metrics
51
- that Really Matter—and
52
- How to Track Them
53
 
54
- Step 1
55
 
56
- Set social media marketing goals that align to
57
- business objectives
 
 
 
 
 
 
58
 
59
- The more specific your strategy is, the more effective the execution will be.
60
- Set SMART goals and track the right metrics to set yourself up for success.
 
 
 
 
 
 
61
 
62
- Set SMART goals
63
 
64
- The first step to creating a social media marketing strategy is to establish
65
- your objectives and goals. Without goals, you have no way to measure your
66
- success or your social media return on investment (ROI).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
67
 
68
- Each of your goals should be:
 
69
 
70
- Specific
71
-
72
- Measurable
73
-
74
- Attainable
75
-
76
- Relevant
77
-
78
- Time-bound
79
-
80
- An example of a SMART goal for your business might be "Grow our Instagram
81
- audience by 50 new followers per week."
82
-
83
- With SMART goals, you’ll make sure your goals actually lead to real business
84
- results, rather than just lofty ideals.
85
-
86
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
87
 
88
  3
89
 
90
- Track meaningful metrics
91
-
92
- While vanity metrics like retweets and likes can be fun to share and easy to
93
- track, it’s hard to prove their real value for your business. Instead, focus on
94
- targets such as leads generated, web referrals, and conversion rate.
95
-
96
- You may want to track different goals for different channels, or even different uses
97
- of each channel. For example, you can use paid campaigns to increase brand
98
- awareness, but measure acquisition and engagement for organic social posts.
99
-
100
- Make sure to align your social media goals with your overall marketing
101
- strategy. This will make it easier for you to show the value of your work and
102
- get executive buy-in and investment.
103
-
104
- Start developing your social media marketing plan by writing down at least
105
- three social media goals.
106
-
107
- Goals
108
-
109
- 1.
110
-
111
- 2.
112
-
113
- 3.
114
-
115
- Step 2
116
-
117
- Related resource
118
-
119
- How to build audience
120
- personas
121
-
122
- Learn everything you can about your audience
123
-
124
- if you’re not engaged in social media listening, you’re creating your business
125
- strategy with blinders on—and you’re missing out on mountains of actionable
126
- insights from real people who are actively talking about you or your industry online.
127
-
128
- Here’s how to start listening and building your understanding of your
129
- audience and their needs.
130
-
131
- Create audience personas
132
-
133
- tKnowing who your audience is and what they want to see on social is key to
134
- creating content that they will like, comment on, and share. This knowledge
135
- also critical for planning how to develop your social media fans into
136
- customers for your business.
137
-
138
- Try creating audience personas. For example, a retail brand might create
139
- different personas based on demographics, buying motivations, common
140
- buying objections, and the emotional needs of each type of customer.
141
-
142
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
143
 
144
- 4
145
 
146
- Personas sharpen your marketing tactics. Luxury buyers, for example,
147
- might not respond to Facebook ads with sales. But they might respond to
148
- Facebook ads with exclusive in-store events to be the first to see a new line of
149
- clothing. With personas, you’ll have the customer insights you need to create
150
- campaigns that speak to the real desires and motivations of your buyers.
151
 
152
- Gather real-world data
 
 
 
 
 
 
153
 
154
- Don’t make assumptions. Social media analytics can also provide a ton of
155
- valuable information about who your followers are, where they live, which
156
- languages they speak, and how they interact with your brand on social. These
157
- insights allow you to refine your strategy and better target your social ads.
158
 
159
- Jugnoo, an Uber-like service for auto-rickshaws in India, used Facebook
160
- Analytics to learn that 90 percent of their users who referred other
161
- customers were between 18 and 34 years old, and that 65 percent of that
162
- group was using Android. They used this information to target their ads,
163
- resulting in a 40 percent lower cost per referral.
164
 
165
- Step 3
 
 
 
 
 
166
 
167
- Research the competition
 
 
 
168
 
169
- Odds are, your competitors are already using social media—and that means
170
- you can learn from what they’re already doing.
171
 
172
- Conduct a competitive analysis
173
 
174
- A competitive analysis allows you to understand who the competition is and
175
- what they’re doing well (and not so well). You’ll get a good sense of what’s
176
- expected in your industry, which will help you set some social media targets
177
- of your own.
 
178
 
179
- This analysis will also help you spot opportunities. For example, maybe
180
- one of your competitors dominates on Facebook, but has put little effort
181
- into Twitter or Instagram. You might want to focus on the networks where
182
- your audience is underserved, rather than trying to win fans away from a
183
- dominant player.
184
 
185
- Engage in social listening
 
 
 
 
186
 
187
- Social listening is another way to keep track of the competition.
 
 
 
188
 
189
- As you track your competitors’ accounts and relevant industry keywords, you
190
- may notice strategic shifts in the way competitors use their social accounts.
191
- Or you might spot a specific post or campaign that really hits the mark—or
192
- one that bombs.
193
 
194
- Keep an eye on this information and use to it evaluate your own goals and plans.
 
 
 
195
 
196
- Related resources
 
 
 
 
197
 
198
- How to conduct a
199
- competitor audit
200
-
201
- Getting started with
202
- social listening
203
-
204
- Watch: How to set up
205
- social listening streams
206
-
207
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
208
 
209
  5
210
 
211
- Related resource
212
-
213
- Hootsuite’s social media
214
- audit template
215
-
216
- Step 4
217
-
218
- Conduct a social media audit
219
-
220
- Conducting a social media audit helps you assess how well your current
221
- social media use works for you.
222
-
223
- Evaluate your current efforts
224
-
225
- If you’re already using social media tools, you need to take a step back and look
226
- at what you’ve already accomplished. Ask yourself the following questions:
227
-
228
- •• What’s working?
229
-
230
- •• What’s not working?
231
-
232
- •• Who’s connecting with you on social?
233
-
234
- •• Which social media sites does your target market use?
235
-
236
- •• How does your social media presence compare to that of your competitors?
237
-
238
- Once you gather all this information in one place, you’ll have a good starting
239
- point for planning how to improve your results.
240
-
241
- Your audit should give you a clear picture of what purpose each of your
242
- social accounts serves. If the purpose of an account isn’t clear, think about
243
- whether it’s worth keeping. It may be a valuable account that just needs
244
- a strategic redirection, or it may be an outdated account that’s no longer
245
- worth your while.
246
-
247
- To help you decide, ask yourself the following questions:
248
-
249
- 1. Is my audience here?
250
-
251
- 2. If so, how are they using this platform?
252
-
253
- 3. Can I use this account to help achieve meaningful business goals?
254
-
255
- Asking these tough questions now will help keep your social media strategy
256
- on track as you grow your social presence.
257
-
258
- Look for impostor accounts
259
-
260
- During your audit process, you may discover fraudulent accounts using your
261
- business name or the names of your products—that is, accounts that you
262
- and your business don’t own.
263
-
264
- These imposter accounts can be harmful to your brand (never mind
265
- capturing followers that should be yours), so be sure to report them. You
266
- may want to get your social accounts verified to ensure your fans and
267
- followers know they are dealing with the real you.
268
-
269
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
270
-
271
- 6
272
-
273
- Related resources
274
-
275
- Watch: How to optimize
276
- your social profiles
277
-
278
- We’ve also got step-by-step
279
- guides for each network
280
- to walk you through the
281
- process:
282
-
283
- Create a Facebook
284
- business page
285
-
286
- Create an Instagram
287
- business account
288
-
289
- Create a Twitter business
290
- account
291
-
292
- Create a Snapchat
293
- account
294
-
295
- Create a LinkedIn
296
- Company Page
297
-
298
- Create a Pinterest
299
- business account
300
-
301
- Create a YouTube channel
302
-
303
- Create a WeChat business
304
- account
305
-
306
- Don’t let this list overwhelm
307
- you. Remember, it’s better to
308
- use fewer channels well than
309
- to stretch yourself thin trying
310
- to maintain a presence on
311
- every social network.
312
-
313
- Finally, here’s a quick
314
- reference guide for image
315
- sizes for every network.
316
-
317
- Step 5
318
-
319
- Set up accounts and improve existing profiles
320
-
321
- Decide which networks you’ll focus on, and then set up and optimize your
322
- accounts.
323
-
324
- Determine which networks to use (and how to use them)
325
-
326
- As you decide which social channels to use, you’ll also need to define your
327
- strategy for each network. For example, you might decide to use Twitter for
328
- customer service, Facebook for customer acquisition, and Instagram for
329
- engaging existing customers.
330
-
331
- It’s a good exercise to create mission statements for each network. These
332
- one-sentence declarations will help you focus on a very specific goal for
333
- each account on each social network.
334
-
335
- For example, you could decide that:
336
-
337
- •• Facebook is best for acquiring new customers via paid advertising.
338
-
339
- ••
340
-
341
- Instagram is where you build brand affinity with existing customers.
342
-
343
- •• Twitter is where you engage press and industry influencers.
344
-
345
- •• LinkedIn is where you engage existing employees and attract new talent.
346
-
347
- •• YouTube is where you support existing customers with education and
348
-
349
- video help content.
350
-
351
- •• Snapchat is where you distribute content with the goal of building brand
352
-
353
- awareness with younger consumers.
354
-
355
- If you can’t create a solid mission statement for a particular social network,
356
- you may want to reconsider whether that network is worth it.
357
-
358
- Set up (and optimize) your accounts
359
-
360
- Once you’ve decided which networks to focus on, it’s time to create your
361
- profiles—or improve existing profiles so they align with your strategic plan.
362
-
363
- In general, make sure you fill out all profile fields, use keywords people will
364
- use to search for your business, and use images that are correctly sized for
365
- each network.
366
-
367
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
368
 
369
  7
370
 
371
- Step 6
372
-
373
- Find inspiration
374
-
375
- While it’s important that your brand be distinctive and unique, you can still
376
- draw inspiration from other businesses that are great on social.
377
-
378
- Social network success stories
379
-
380
- All of the social networks feature success stories that highlight how brands
381
- are using their tools effectively. You can usually find these on the business
382
- section of the social network’s website. (For example, take a look at the
383
- Facebook business success stories.) These case studies offer valuable
384
- insights you can apply to your own goals for each social network.
385
-
386
- Award-winning accounts and campaigns
387
-
388
- For examples of brands that are at the top of their social media game, check
389
- out the winners of The Facebook Awards or The Shorty Awards.
390
-
391
- Step 7
392
-
393
- Create a social media content calendar
394
-
395
- Sharing great content is essential, of course, but it’s equally important to have
396
- a plan in place for when you’ll share content to get the maximum impact.
397
-
398
- Your social media content calendar also needs to account for the time you’ll
399
- spend interacting with your audience (although you need to allow for some
400
- spontaneous engagement as well).
401
-
402
- Create a posting schedule
403
-
404
- Your social media content calendar lists the dates and times at which you will
405
- publish types of content on each channel. It’s the perfect place to plan all of your
406
- social media activities—from images and link sharing to blog posts and videos.
407
-
408
- Your calendar ensures your posts are spaced out appropriately and
409
- published at the optimal times. It should include both your day-to-day posts
410
- and your content for social media campaigns.
411
-
412
- Related resources
413
-
414
- How to create a social
415
- media content calendar
416
-
417
- Watch: How to save time
418
- with bulk scheduling
419
-
420
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
421
-
422
- 8
423
-
424
- Plot your content mix
425
-
426
- Make sure your calendar reflects the mission statement you’ve assigned to
427
- each social profile, so that everything you post is working to support your
428
- business goals. For example, you might decide that:
429
-
430
- •• 50 percent of content will drive traffic back to your blog
431
-
432
- •• 25 percent of content will be curated from other sources
433
-
434
- •• 20 percent of content will support enterprise goals (selling, lead
435
-
436
- generation, and so on)
437
-
438
- •• 5 percent of content will be about your employees and company culture
439
-
440
- Placing these different post types in your content calendar will help ensure
441
- you maintain the ratio you’ve planned. If you’re starting from scratch and
442
- you’re simply not sure what types of content to post, try the 80-20 rule:
443
-
444
- •• 80 percent of your posts should inform, educate, or entertain your audience
445
-
446
- •• 20 percent can directly promote your brand
447
-
448
- You could also try the social media rule of thirds:
449
-
450
- •• One-third of your social content promotes your business, converts
451
-
452
- readers, and generates profit
453
-
454
- •• One-third of your social content shares ideas and stories from thought
455
-
456
- leaders in your industry or like-minded businesses
457
-
458
- •• One-third of your social content involves personal interactions with your
459
-
460
- audience
461
-
462
- Once you have your calendar set, use scheduling tools or bulk scheduling to
463
- prepare your posting in advance rather than updating constantly throughout
464
- the day. This allows you to focus on crafting the language and format of your
465
- posts, rather than writing them on the fly whenever you have time.
466
-
467
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
468
 
469
  9
470
 
471
- Step 8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
472
 
473
- Test, evaluate, and adjust your strategy
 
 
 
 
 
474
 
475
- Your social media strategy is a hugely important document for your
476
- business, and you can’t assume you’ll get it exactly right on the first try.
 
477
 
478
- As you start to implement your plan and track your results, you may find
479
- that some strategies don’t work as well as you’d anticipated, while others are
480
- working even better than expected.
 
 
 
 
481
 
482
- Track your data
 
483
 
484
- In addition to using the analytics tools available within each social network,
485
- use UTM parameters to track visitors as they move through your website, so
486
- you can see exactly which social posts drive the most traffic to your website.
 
 
487
 
488
- Re-evaluate, test, and do it all again
 
 
 
 
 
 
489
 
490
- When data starts coming in, use it to reevaluate your strategy regularly.
491
- You can also use this information to test different posts, campaigns, and
492
- strategies against one another. Constant testing allows you to understand
493
- what works and what doesn’t, so you can refine your strategy in real time.
494
 
495
- Surveys can also be a great way to find out how well your strategy is working.
496
- Ask your social media followers, email list, and website visitors whether
497
- you’re meeting their needs and expectations on social media. You can even
498
- ask them what they’d like to see more of—and then make sure to deliver on
499
- what they tell you.
500
 
501
- Things change fast on social media. New networks emerge, while others
502
- go through significant demographic shifts. Your business will go through
503
- periods of change as well. All this means that your social media strategy
504
- should be a living document that you look at regularly and adjust as needed.
505
- Refer to it often to keep you on track, but don’t be afraid to make changes
506
- so that it better reflects new goals, tools, or plans.
507
 
508
- When you update your social strategy, make sure to let everyone on your
509
- social team know, so they can all work together to help your business make
510
- the most of your social media accounts.
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512
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
513
 
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- 10
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- six other social media templates that can save you hours of work).
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553
 
 
1
+ FOR PUBLICATION
2
 
3
+ UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
4
+ FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT
 
 
5
 
6
+ X CORP.,
7
 
8
+ Plaintiff - Appellant,
9
 
10
+ v.
11
 
12
+ ROBERT BONTA, in his official
13
+ capacity as Attorney General of
14
+ California,
15
 
16
+ Defendant - Appellee.
17
 
18
+ No. 24-271
19
 
20
+ D.C. No.
21
+ 2:23-cv-01939-
22
+ WBS-AC
23
 
24
+ OPINION
25
 
26
+ Appeal from the United States District Court
27
+ for the Eastern District of California
28
+ William B. Shubb, District Judge, Presiding
29
 
30
+ Argued and Submitted July 17, 2024
31
+ San Francisco, California
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32
 
33
+ Filed September 4, 2024
34
 
35
+ Before: MILAN D. SMITH, JR., MARK J. BENNETT,
36
+ and ANTHONY D. JOHNSTONE, Circuit Judges.
37
 
38
+ Opinion by Judge Milan D. Smith, Jr.
39
 
40
+ 2
41
 
42
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
43
 
44
+ SUMMARY*
 
 
45
 
46
+ First Amendment / Social Media Platforms
47
 
48
+ The panel reversed the district court’s order denying
49
+ social media platform owner X Corp.’s motion for a
50
+ preliminary injunction to enjoin enforcement of California
51
+ Assembly Bill AB 587 (AB 587), which requires large social
52
+ media companies to post their terms of service and to submit
53
+ reports to the Attorney General of California (the State)
54
+ about their terms of service and their content-moderation
55
+ policies and practices.
56
 
57
+ The Content Category Report provisions of AB 587
58
+ require social media companies to submit to the State a
59
+ semiannual report detailing whether and how they define six
60
+ categories of content: hate speech or racism, extremism or
61
+ radicalization,
62
+ or misinformation,
63
+ harassment, foreign political interference, and controlled
64
+ substance distribution.
65
 
66
+ disinformation
67
 
68
+ The panel held that X Corp. was likely to succeed on the
69
+ merits of its claim that the Content Category Report
70
+ provisions facially violate the First Amendment. A facial
71
+ challenge is permissible because the Content Category
72
+ Report provisions raise the same First Amendment issues for
73
+ every social media company. The Content Category Report
74
+ provisions compel non-commercial speech, and are subject
75
+ to strict scrutiny because the provisions are content-
76
+ based. The Content Category Report provisions likely fail
77
+ strict scrutiny because they are not narrowly tailored to serve
78
 
79
+ * This summary constitutes no part of the opinion of the court. It has
80
+ been prepared by court staff for the convenience of the reader.
81
 
82
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
83
 
84
  3
85
 
86
+ the State’s purported goal of requiring social media
87
+ companies to be transparent about their policies and
88
+ practices.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
89
 
90
+ The panel held that the remaining factors weighed in
91
 
92
+ favor of a preliminary injunction.
 
 
 
 
93
 
94
+ Accordingly, the panel reversed the district court’s
95
+ denial of a preliminary injunction, and remanded with
96
+ instructions to enter a preliminary injunction consistent with
97
+ the opinion and to determine whether the Content Category
98
+ Report provisions are severable from the remainder of AB
99
+ 587 and, if so, which, if any, of the remaining challenged
100
+ provisions should also be enjoined.
101
 
102
+ COUNSEL
 
 
 
103
 
104
+ Joel L. Kurtzberg (argued), Floyd Abrams, Jason D.
105
+ Rozbruch, and Lisa J. Cole, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP,
106
+ New York, New York; William R. Warne and Meghan M.
107
+ Baker, Downey Brand LLP, Sacramento, California; for
108
+ Plaintiff-Appellant.
109
 
110
+ Gabrielle D. Boutin (argued), Deputy Attorney General;
111
+ Anthony R. Hakl, Supervising Deputy Attorney General;
112
+ Thomas S. Patterson, Senior Deputy Attorney General; Rob
113
+ Bonta, Attorney General of California; Office of the
114
+ California Attorney General, Sacramento, California; for
115
+ Defendant-Appellee.
116
 
117
+ Robert Corn-Revere and Joshua A. House, Foundation for
118
+ Individual Rights and Expression, Washington, D.C., for
119
+ Amicus Curiae Foundation for Individual Rights and
120
+ Expression.
121
 
122
+ 4
 
123
 
124
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
125
 
126
+ Trenton H. Norris, Mark W. Brennan, J. Ryan Thompson,
127
+ Sophie Baum, and Alexander Tablan, Hogan Lovells LLP,
128
+ San Francisco, California; Cory L. Andrews and John M.
129
+ Masslon II, Washington Legal Foundation, Washington,
130
+ D.C.; for Amicus Curiae Washington Legal Foundation.
131
 
132
+ Gene C. Schaerr, Schaerr Jaffe LLP, Washington, D.C., for
133
+ Amici Curiae Professor Eugene Volokh and Protect the First
134
+ Foundation.
 
 
135
 
136
+ Megan L. Brown, Jeremy J. Broggi, and Boyd Garriott,
137
+ Wiley Rein LLP, Washington, D.C.; Jonathan D. Urick and
138
+ Maria C. Monaghan, United States Chamber Litigation
139
+ Center; Washington, D.C.; for Amicus Curiae United States
140
+ of America Chamber of Commerce.
141
 
142
+ Bruce D. Brown, Katie Townsend, Gabe Rottman, Grayson
143
+ Clary and Emily Hockett, Reporters Committee for Freedom
144
+ of the Press, Washington, D.C.; for Amicus Curiae Reporters
145
+ Committee for Freedom of the Press.
146
 
147
+ David A. Greene and Aaron Mackey, Electronic Frontier
148
+ Foundation, San Francisco, California, for Amicus Curiae
149
+ Electronic Frontier Foundation.
 
150
 
151
+ Jacob M. Karr, Technology Law and Policy Clinic at New
152
+ York University, New York, New York; G.S. Hans, Cornell
153
+ Law School, Ithaca, New York; for Amici Curiae First
154
+ Amendment and Internet Law Scholars.
155
 
156
+ Michelle Quist and Lauren D. Wigginton, Buchalter APC,
157
+ Salt Lake City, Utah; Jon M. Greenbaum, Edward G. Caspar,
158
+ and Marc P. Epstein, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights
159
+ Under Law, Washington, D.C.; for Amicus Curiae Lawyers'
160
+ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
161
 
162
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
163
 
164
  5
165
 
166
+ Viviana M. Hanley and Nathanial I. Levy, Deputy Attorneys
167
+ General; Michael L. Zuckerman, Deputy Solicitor General;
168
+ Jeremy Feigenbaum, Solicitor General; Metthew J. Platkin,
169
+ Attorney General of New Jersey; Office of the New Jersey
170
+ Attorney General, Trenton, New Jersey; Kristin K. Mayes,
171
+ Attorney General of Arizona, Office of the Arizona Attorney
172
+ General, Phoenix, Arizona; Philip J. Weiser, Attorney
173
+ General of Colorado, Office of the Colorado Attorney
174
+ General, Denver, Colorado; William Tong, Attorney
175
+ General of Connecticut, Office of the Connecticut Attorney
176
+ General, Hartford, Connecticut; Kathleen
177
+ Jennings,
178
+ Attorney General of Delaware, Office of the Delaware
179
+ Attorney General, Wilmington, Delaware; Brian L.
180
+ Schwalb, Attorney General of the District of Columbia,
181
+ Office of the District of Columbia Attorney General,
182
+ Washington, D.C.; Kwame Raoul, Attorney General of
183
+ Illinois, Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Chicago,
184
+ Illinois; Aaron M. Frey, Attorney General of Maine, Office
185
+ of the Maine Attorney General, Augusta, Maine; Anthony
186
+ G. Brown, Attorney General of Maryland, Office of the
187
+ Maryland Attorney General, Baltimore, Maryland; Andrea
188
+ J. Campbell, Attorney General of Massachusetts, Office of
189
+ the Massachusetts
190
+ Boston,
191
+ Attorney
192
+ Massachusetts; Dana Nessel, Attorney General of Michigan,
193
+ Office of
194
+ the Michigan Attorney General, Lansing,
195
+ Michigan; Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota,
196
+ Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, St. Paul,
197
+ Minnesota; Aaron D. Ford, Attorney General of Nevada,
198
+ Office of the Nevada Attorney General, Carson City,
199
+ Nevada; Letitia James, Attorney General of New York,
200
+ Office of the New York Attorney General, New York, New
201
+ York; Ellen F. Rosenblum, Attorney General of Oregon,
202
+ Office of the Oregon Attorney General, Salem, Oregon;
203
+
204
+ General,
205
+
206
+ 6
207
+
208
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
209
+
210
+ Michelle A. Henry, Attorney General of Pennsylvania,
211
+ Office of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Charity R. Clark,
212
+ Attorney General of Vermont, Office of the Vermont
213
+ Attorney General, Montpelier, Vermont; Robert M.
214
+ Ferguson, Attorney General of Washington, Office of the
215
+ Washington Attorney General, Olympia, Washington; for
216
+ Amici Curiae States of New Jersey, Arizona, Colorado,
217
+ Connecticut, Delaware, The District of Columbia, Illinois,
218
+ Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
219
+ Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and
220
+ Washington.
221
+
222
+ Jason S. Harrow and Charles Gerstein, Gerstein Harrow
223
+ LLP, Los Angeles, California, for Amicus Curiae Institute
224
+ for Strategic Dialogue.
225
+
226
+ Megan Iorio and Schuyler Standley, Electronic Privacy
227
+ Information Center, Washington, D.C., for Amicus Curiae
228
+ Electronic Privacy Information Center.
229
+
230
+ Kristen G. Simplicio and Cort T. Carlson, Tycko & Zavareei
231
+ LLP, Washington, D.C.; John Yang, Niyati Shah, and Noah
232
+ Baron, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Washington,
233
+ D.C.; for Amicus Curiae Asian Americans Advancing
234
+ Justice.
235
+
236
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
237
 
238
  7
239
 
240
+ OPINION
241
+
242
+ M. SMITH, Circuit Judge:
243
+
244
+ The California State Legislature enacted Assembly Bill
245
+ 587 (AB 587) in September 2022. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code
246
+ §§ 22675–81.
247
+ The law requires large social media
248
+ companies to, inter alia, post their terms of service and to
249
+ submit, on a semiannual basis, reports to the Attorney
250
+ General of California (the State) about their terms of service
251
+ and content-moderation policies and practices. X Corp., the
252
+ owner of the large social media platform X (formerly known
253
+ as Twitter), moved for a preliminary injunction to enjoin
254
+ enforcement of AB 587 on free speech and federal
255
+ preemption grounds. The district court denied X Corp.’s
256
+ motion, finding that X Corp. failed to establish a likelihood
257
+ of success on the merits. X Corp. appeals. For the reasons
258
+ below, we reverse and remand to the district court for further
259
+ proceedings consistent with this opinion.
260
+
261
+ FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
262
+
263
+ AB 587 has three primary elements: (1) a requirement
264
+ that social media companies 1 publicly post their terms of
265
+ service, including processes for flagging content and
266
+ potential actions that may be taken with respect to flagged
267
+ content (Terms of Service (TOS) Posting), see Cal. Bus. &
268
+ Prof. Code § 22676, (2) a requirement that social media
269
+
270
+ 1 AB 587 does not apply to social media companies with gross annual
271
+ revenues of less than $100 million, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22680, nor
272
+ to “an internet-based service or application for which interactions
273
+ between users are limited to direct messages, commercial transactions,
274
+ consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any
275
+ combination thereof,” id. § 22681.
276
+
277
+ 8
278
+
279
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
280
+
281
+ racism;
282
+
283
+ (b) extremism or
284
+
285
+ companies submit to the State a semiannual report detailing
286
+ their TOS and content-moderation practices including, if at
287
+ all, how the terms of service define and address (a) hate
288
+ speech or
289
+ radicalization;
290
+ (c) disinformation or misinformation; (d) harassment; and
291
+ (e) foreign political interference, as well as statistics on
292
+ content that was flagged by the social media company as
293
+ belonging to any of the categories (TOS Report), see id.
294
+ § 22677, 2 and (3) a penalty provision, whereby the social
295
+ media company may be sued in court for, inter alia,
296
+ materially omitting or misrepresenting required information
297
+ and may be liable to pay up to $15,000 per violation per day,
298
+ see id. § 22678.3
299
+
300
+ On September 8, 2023, X Corp. filed a complaint against
301
+ the State seeking declaratory relief and injunctive relief
302
+ barring the law’s enforcement. The complaint alleges three
303
+ causes of action challenging the TOS Posting, TOS Report,
304
+ and penalty provision of AB 587 as: (1) a violation of the
305
+ free speech clauses of the U.S. and California Constitutions;
306
+ (2) a violation of the Dormant Commerce Clause; and
307
+ (3) federally preempted pursuant to the Communications
308
+ Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. § 230(c). X Corp. filed a motion for
309
+ preliminary injunction based on its free speech and
310
+
311
+ 2 AB 587 was subsequently amended to add to this list “[c]ontrolled
312
+ substance distribution.” 2023 Cal. Legis. Serv. 7680 (West).
313
+
314
+ 3 In assessing the amount of any penalty, a court is to consider whether
315
+ the social media company has made a reasonable, good faith attempt to
316
+ comply with the provisions of the statute. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code
317
+ § 22678(a)(3).
318
+
319
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
320
 
321
  9
322
 
323
+ preemption claims, seeking to enjoin the State from
324
+ enforcing the challenged provisions of AB 587.4
325
+
326
+ On December 28, 2023, the district court denied X
327
+ Corp.’s motion. The court began its analysis with X Corp.’s
328
+ First Amendment claim.5 The court held that X Corp. was
329
+ unlikely to prevail because the TOS Posting and TOS Report
330
+ requirements appeared constitutionally permissible in light
331
+ of Zauderer v. Office of Disciplinary Counsel of Supreme
332
+ Court of Ohio, 471 U.S. 626 (1985), the Supreme Court’s
333
+ test for compelled commercial speech. See X Corp. v. Bonta,
334
+ No. 23-cv-01939, 2023 WL 8948286, at *1–2 (E.D. Cal.
335
+ Dec. 28, 2023).
336
+
337
+ The court’s analysis of the TOS Report requirement
338
+ focused primarily on the provisions requiring that social
339
+ media companies report whether and how they define and
340
+ address certain enumerated content categories. Id. at *2.
341
+ The court acknowledged that such reports do “not so easily
342
+ fit the traditional definition of commercial speech” because
343
+ they “are not advertisements” and because “social media
344
+ companies have no particular economic motivation to
345
+ provide them.” Id. However, the court applied Zauderer to
346
+ those provisions nevertheless so as to “follow[] the lead of
347
+ the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits.” Id. (citing NetChoice, LLC
348
+ v. Paxton, 49 F.4th 439, 485 (5th Cir. 2022), rev’d on other
349
+ grounds sub nom. Moody v. NetChoice, LLC, 144 S. Ct. 2383
350
+
351
+ 4 X Corp. did not seek a preliminary injunction based upon the Dormant
352
+ Commerce Clause.
353
+
354
+ 5 The district court did not analyze X Corp.’s free speech claim under
355
+ Article I, Section 2, of the California Constitution, nor do the parties
356
+ meaningfully address this claim on appeal. Because we hold that X
357
+ Corp. is likely to succeed on its First Amendment claim, we do not reach
358
+ X Corp.’s free speech claim pursuant to the California Constitution.
359
+
360
+ 10
361
+
362
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
363
+
364
+ to
365
+
366
+ (2024) (“NetChoice (Tex.)”), and NetChoice, LLC v. Att’y
367
+ Gen., Fla., 34 F.4th 1196, 1230 (11th Cir. 2022), rev’d on
368
+ other grounds sub nom. Moody, 144 S. Ct. 2383 (“NetChoice
369
+ (Fla.)”)). The court then concluded that the TOS Report
370
+ requirement satisfies Zauderer. Id. The court reasoned that
371
+ the provisions require speech that is “purely factual” and
372
+ “uncontroversial” because they “merely require[] social
373
+ media companies
374
+ their existing content
375
+ identify
376
+ moderation policies, if any, related to the specified
377
+ categories” and the “mere fact that the reports may be ‘tied
378
+ in some way to a controversial issue’ does not make the
379
+ reports themselves controversial.” Id. (quoting CTIA - The
380
+ Wireless Ass’n v. City of Berkeley, 928 F.3d 832, 845 (9th
381
+ Cir. 2019) (“CTIA II”)). The court rejected X Corp.’s
382
+ argument that the TOS Report requirement is “unduly
383
+ burdensome,” explaining that “AB 587 does not require that
384
+ a social media company adopt any of the specified
385
+ categories” of speech, and that in any event “Zauderer is
386
+ concerned not merely with logistical or economic burdens,
387
+ but burdens on speech.” Id. It further held that the TOS
388
+ Report requirement is “reasonably related to a substantial
389
+ government interest in requiring social media companies to
390
+ be transparent about their content moderation policies and
391
+ practices so that consumers can make informed decisions
392
+ about where they consume and disseminate news and
393
+ information.” Id.
394
+
395
+ The district court also determined that X Corp. had failed
396
+ to show a likelihood of success on its claim that AB 587 is
397
+ preempted by 47 U.S.C. § 230(c). Id. at *3. The court
398
+ observed that the purpose of section 230(c) “is to provide
399
+ ‘protection for “Good Samaritan” blocking and screening of
400
+ offensive material’” so that a website may “self-regulate
401
+ offensive third party content without fear of liability.” Id.
402
+
403
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
404
+
405
+ 11
406
 
407
+ (quoting Doe v. Internet Brands, Inc., 824 F.3d 846, 851–52
408
+ (9th Cir. 2016)). The court concluded that AB 587 is not
409
+ preempted because, under its plain language, it “does not
410
+ provide for any potential liability stemming from a
411
+ company’s content moderation activities per se,” only for
412
+ failing to make AB 587’s required disclosures. Id.
413
 
414
+ On January 12, 2024, X Corp. timely filed notice of its
415
+ appeal. The provision of AB 587 most relevant in this appeal
416
+ is section 22677(a), which reads in its entirety:
417
 
418
+ (a) On a semiannual basis in accordance with
419
+ subdivision (b), a social media company shall
420
+ submit to the Attorney General a terms of
421
+ service report. The terms of service report
422
+ shall include, for each social media platform
423
+ owned or operated by the company, all of the
424
+ following:
425
 
426
+ (1) The current version of the terms of service
427
+ of the social media platform.
428
 
429
+ (2) If a social media company has filed its
430
+ first
431
+ report, a complete and detailed
432
+ description of any changes to the terms of
433
+ service since the previous report.
434
 
435
+ (3) A statement of whether the current
436
+ version of the terms of service defines each
437
+ of the following categories of content, and, if
438
+ so,
439
+ those categories,
440
+ the definitions of
441
+ including any subcategories:
442
 
443
+ (A) Hate speech or racism.
 
 
 
444
 
445
+ (B) Extremism or radicalization.
 
 
 
 
446
 
447
+ (C) Disinformation or misinformation.
 
 
 
 
 
448
 
449
+ 12
 
 
450
 
451
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
452
 
453
+ (D) Harassment.
454
 
455
+ (E) Foreign political interference.
 
 
 
 
456
 
457
+ (F) Controlled substance distribution.6
 
 
458
 
459
+ (4) A detailed description of content
460
+ moderation practices used by the social
461
+ media company for that platform, including,
462
+ but not limited to, all of the following:
463
 
464
+ (A) Any existing policies intended to
465
+ address
466
+ the categories of content
467
+ described in paragraph (3).
468
 
469
+ (B) How automated content moderation
470
+ systems enforce terms of service of the
471
+ social media platform and when these
472
+ systems involve human review.
473
 
474
+ (C) How the social media company
475
+ responds to user reports of violations of
476
+ the terms of service.
477
 
478
+ (D) How the social media company
479
+ would remove
480
+ individual pieces of
481
+ content, users, or groups that violate the
482
+ terms of service, or take broader action
483
+ against individual users or against groups
484
+ of users that violate the terms of service.
485
+
486
+ (E) The languages in which the social
487
+ media platform does not make terms of
488
+ service available, but does offer product
489
 
490
+ 6 As noted above, section 22677(a)(3)(F) was added subsequent to X
491
+ Corp. filing its lawsuit in the district court.
 
492
 
493
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
494
 
495
+ 13
496
 
497
+ features, including, but not limited to,
498
+ menus and prompts.
499
 
500
+ (5) (A) Information on content that was
501
+ flagged by the social media company as
502
+ content belonging to any of the categories
503
+ described in paragraph (3), including all of
504
+ the following:
505
 
506
+ (i) The total number of flagged items of
507
+ content.
508
+
509
+ (ii) The total number of actioned items of
510
+ content.
511
+
512
+ (iii) The total number of actioned items of
513
+ content that resulted in action taken by
514
+ the social media company against the
515
+ user or group of users responsible for the
516
+ content.
517
+
518
+ (iv) The total number of actioned items of
519
+ content that were removed, demonetized,
520
+ or deprioritized by the social media
521
+ company.
522
+
523
+ (v) The number of times actioned items
524
+ of content were viewed by users.
525
+
526
+ (vi) The number of times actioned items
527
+ of content were shared, and the number of
528
+ users that viewed the content before it
529
+ was actioned.
530
+
531
+ (vii) The number of times users appealed
532
+ social media company actions taken on
533
+ that platform and the number of reversals
534
+ of social media company actions on
535
+
536
+ 14
537
+
538
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
539
+
540
+ appeal disaggregated by each type of
541
+ action.
542
+
543
+ (B) All information required by subparagraph
544
+ (A) shall be disaggregated into the following
545
+ categories:
546
+
547
+ (i) The category of content, including any
548
+ relevant
549
+ in
550
+ paragraph (3).
551
+
552
+ categories
553
+
554
+ described
555
+
556
+ (ii) The type of content, including, but not
557
+ limited to, posts, comments, messages,
558
+ profiles of users, or groups of users.
559
+
560
+ (iii) The type of media of the content,
561
+ including, but not limited to, text, images,
562
+ and videos.
563
+
564
+ the content was flagged,
565
+ (iv) How
566
+ including, but not limited to, flagged by
567
+ company employees or contractors,
568
+ flagged by artificial intelligence software,
569
+ flagged by community moderators,
570
+ flagged by civil society partners, and
571
+ flagged by users.
572
+
573
+ (v) How
574
+ the content was actioned,
575
+ including, but not limited to, actioned by
576
+ company employees or contractors,
577
+ intelligence
578
+ actioned
579
+ software,
580
+ community
581
+ moderators, actioned by civil society
582
+ partners, and actioned by users.
583
+
584
+ by
585
+ actioned
586
+
587
+ artificial
588
+ by
589
+
590
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
591
+
592
+ 15
593
+
594
+ JURISDICTION AND STANDARD OF REVIEW
595
+
596
+ We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1)
597
+ to review the denial of a preliminary injunction. Creech v.
598
+ Idaho Comm’n of Pardons & Parole, 94 F.4th 851, 854 (9th
599
+ Cir. 2024). We review the denial of a preliminary injunction
600
+ for abuse of discretion, but we review de novo the
601
+ underlying issues of law. Cal. Chamber of Com. v. Council
602
+ for Educ. & Rsch. on Toxics, 29 F.4th 468, 475 (9th Cir.
603
+ 2022).
604
+
605
+ “The appropriate legal standard to analyze a preliminary
606
+ injunction motion requires a district court to determine
607
+ whether a movant has established that (1) [it] is likely to
608
+ succeed on the merits of [its] claim, (2) [it] is likely to suffer
609
+ irreparable harm absent the preliminary injunction, (3) the
610
+ balance of equities tips in [its] favor, and (4) a preliminary
611
+ injunction is in the public interest.” Baird v. Bonta, 81 F.4th
612
+ 1036, 1040 (9th Cir. 2023); see Winter v. Nat. Res. Def.
613
+ Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008). Because “the party
614
+ opposing injunctive relief is a government entity” here, the
615
+ third and fourth factors “merge.” Fellowship of Christian
616
+ Athletes v. San Jose Unified Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ., 82 F.4th
617
+ 664, 695 (9th Cir. 2023) (en banc) (quoting Nken v. Holder,
618
+ 556 U.S. 418, 435 (2009)).
619
+
620
+ ANALYSIS
621
+
622
+ On appeal, X Corp. challenges the district court’s ruling
623
+ on the TOS Report requirement and penalty provision as
624
+ applied to the TOS Report requirement. X Corp. does not
625
+ appeal the district court’s denial of a preliminary injunction
626
+ as to the TOS Posting requirement, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code
627
+ § 22676.
628
+
629
+ 16
630
+
631
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
632
+
633
+ X Corp. argues that the district court erred by finding that
634
+ X Corp. did not establish a likelihood of success on the
635
+ merits because
636
+ is
637
+ (1) the TOS Report
638
+ compelled, non-commercial speech subject to strict scrutiny,
639
+ not the lower tier of scrutiny in Zauderer, (2) regardless, the
640
+ TOS Report requirement fails under any level of scrutiny,
641
+ and (3) section 230’s broad immunity precludes liability
642
+ under AB 587.
643
+
644
+ requirement
645
+
646
+ X Corp. seeks to reverse the district court’s ruling as to
647
+ the entirety of the TOS Report requirement. But the thrust
648
+ of the appeal concerns section 22677(a)(3), which requires
649
+ that social media companies report whether and how they
650
+ define six categories of content, and sections 22677(a)(4)(A)
651
+ and (a)(5), which directly incorporate section 22677(a)(3).
652
+ For ease of reference, we refer to these sections as the
653
+ Content Category Report provisions.
654
+
655
+ For the reasons below, we hold that the Content Category
656
+ Report provisions likely compel non-commercial speech and
657
+ are subject to strict scrutiny, under which they do not
658
+ survive. We reverse the district court on that basis. Because
659
+ we reverse on free speech grounds, we need not reach X
660
+ Corp.’s section 230 theory. We remand to the district court
661
+ to determine in the first instance whether the Content
662
+ Category Report provisions are severable from
663
+ the
664
+ remainder of AB 587, and if so, which, if any, of the
665
+ remaining challenged provisions should also be subject to
666
+ the preliminary injunction.7
667
+
668
+ 7 We do not decide whether sections 22677(a)(1), (2), and (4)(B)–(E)—
669
+ which require that social media companies disclose the text of their TOS
670
+ and describe their enforcement mechanisms, without mention of specific
671
+
672
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
673
+
674
+ 17
675
+
676
+ I. X Corp. is likely to succeed in showing that the
677
+ Content Category Report provisions facially violate
678
+ the First Amendment.
679
+
680
+ “For a host of good reasons, courts usually handle
681
+ constitutional claims case by case, not en masse.” Moody,
682
+ 144 S. Ct. at 2397. The Supreme Court “has therefore made
683
+ facial challenges hard to win.” Id. In a typical facial
684
+ challenge, a plaintiff cannot
685
+ succeed “unless he
686
+ ‘establish[es] that no set of circumstances exists under which
687
+ the [law] would be valid,’ or he shows that the law lacks a
688
+ ‘plainly legitimate sweep.’” Id. (alterations in original) (first
689
+ quoting United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739, 745 (1987);
690
+ then quoting Wash. State Grange v. Wash. State Republican
691
+ Party, 552 U.S. 442, 449 (2008)).
692
+
693
+ less demanding
694
+
695
+ However, in First Amendment cases, the Supreme Court
696
+ “has lowered that very high bar.” Id. “To provide breathing
697
+ the Supreme Court has
698
+ room for free expression,”
699
+ “substituted a
700
+ though still rigorous
701
+ standard.” Id. (cleaned up) (quoting United States v.
702
+ Hansen, 599 U.S. 762, 769 (2023)); see also Tucson v. City
703
+ of Seattle, 91 F.4th 1318, 1327 (9th Cir. 2024). “[I]f the
704
+ law’s unconstitutional applications substantially outweigh
705
+ its constitutional ones,” then a court may sustain a facial
706
+ challenge to the law and strike it down. Moody, 144 S. Ct.
707
+ at 2397. As Moody clarified, a First Amendment facial
708
+ challenge has two parts: first, the courts must “assess the
709
+ state laws’ scope”; and second, the courts must “decide
710
+
711
+ content categories—are facially constitutional. Neither party—either
712
+ below or on appeal—briefed what should happen to the remainder of
713
+ section 22677 if the Content Category Report provisions were found to
714
+ be likely unconstitutional.
715
+
716
+ 18
717
+
718
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
719
+
720
+ which of the laws’ applications violate the First Amendment,
721
+ and . . . measure them against the rest.” Id. at 2398.
722
+
723
+ “[N]o one has paid much attention to” the requirements
724
+ for a facial challenge so far in this case. Id. at 2397.
725
+ Nevertheless, we conclude that a facial challenge is
726
+ permissible here. That is because all aspects of the Content
727
+ Category Report, in every application to a covered social
728
+ media company, raise the same First Amendment issues. As
729
+ explained in further detail below, every Content Category
730
+ Report must detail the company’s policies and actions
731
+ concerning certain state-specified categories of content
732
+ (even if only to detail the company’s decision not to define
733
+ the enumerated categories of section 22677(a)(3)). In effect,
734
+ the Content Category Report provisions compel every
735
+ covered social media company to reveal its policy opinion
736
+ about contentious issues, such as what constitutes hate
737
+ speech or misinformation and whether to moderate such
738
+ expression.8
739
+
740
+ 8 X Corp. cites legislative history and statements from the California
741
+ State Attorney General in describing the indirect chilling effects AB 587
742
+ may have by generating public controversy about the actions of social
743
+ media companies and thereby pressuring them to change their content
744
+ moderation policies. No matter how a social media company chooses to
745
+ moderate such content, the company will face backlash from its users
746
+ and the public. That is true even if the company decides not to define
747
+ the enumerated categories, because they will draw criticism for under-
748
+ moderating their community. While we account for these effects in our
749
+ analysis, whether State officials intended these effects plays no role in
750
+ our analysis of the merits of this facial challenge. See B & L Prods., Inc.
751
+ v. Newsom, 104 F.4th 108, 116 (9th Cir. 2024) (citing United States v.
752
+ O’Brien, 391 U.S. 367, 383 n.30 (1968)) (rejecting “the idea that
753
+ ‘legislative motive’” of indirectly chilling speech “‘is a proper basis for
754
+ declaring a statute unconstitutional’”).
755
+
756
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
757
+
758
+ 19
759
+
760
+ Thus, the Content Category Report provisions raise the
761
+ same First Amendment issues for every covered social
762
+ media company. That is true from the face of the law; we
763
+ need not “speculate about ‘hypothetical’ or ‘imaginary’
764
+ cases.” See Wash. State Grange, 552 U.S. at 450. We
765
+ therefore proceed to consider whether the Content Category
766
+ Report provisions are likely to survive X Corp.’s First
767
+ Amendment facial challenge.
768
+
769
+ A. The Content Category Report provisions compel
770
+ non-commercial speech and are subject to strict
771
+ scrutiny.
772
+
773
+ regulation
774
+
775
+ One of the First Amendment’s core purposes is “to
776
+ preserve an uninhibited marketplace of ideas in which truth
777
+ will ultimately prevail.” McCullen v. Coakley, 573 U.S. 464,
778
+ 476 (2014) (quoting FCC v. League of Women Voters of
779
+ Cal., 468 U.S. 364, 377 (1984)). In evaluating whether a
780
+ regulation violates the First Amendment, courts “distinguish
781
+ between content-based and content-neutral regulations of
782
+ speech.” Vidal v. Elster, 602 U.S. 286, 292 (2024) (internal
783
+ quotation marks omitted) (quoting Nat’l Inst. of Fam. & Life
784
+ Advocs. v. Becerra, 585 U.S. 755, 766 (2018)). A content-
785
+ based
786
+ its
787
+ communicative content,” restricting discussion of a subject
788
+ matter or topic. Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155, 163
789
+ (2015). “As a general matter,” a content-based regulation is
790
+ “presumptively unconstitutional and may be justified only if
791
+ the government proves that [it is] narrowly tailored to serve
792
+ compelling state interests.” Nat’l Inst. of Fam. & Life
793
+ Advocs., 585 U.S. at 766 (quoting Reed, 576 U.S. at 163).
794
+ When a state “compel[s] individuals to speak a particular
795
+ message,” the state “alter[s] the content of their speech,” and
796
+ engages in content-based regulation. Id. (cleaned up)
797
+ (quoting Riley v. Nat’l Fed’n of the Blind of N.C., Inc., 487
798
+
799
+ speech based on
800
+
801
+ “target[s]
802
+
803
+ 20
804
+
805
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
806
+
807
+ U.S. 781, 795 (1988)). The First Amendment’s guarantee of
808
+ freedom of speech makes no distinction of “constitutional
809
+ significance” “between compelled speech and compelled
810
+ silence.” Riley, 487 U.S. at 796–97.
811
+
812
+ In general, laws regulating commercial speech are
813
+ subject to a lesser standard of scrutiny. See Bolger v. Youngs
814
+ Drug Prods. Corp., 463 U.S. 60, 64–65 (1983) (discussing
815
+ recognition and evolution of commercial speech doctrine).
816
+ This holds true for both corporations and individuals alike.
817
+ See Pac. Gas & Elec. Co. v. Pub. Utils. Comm’n of Cal., 475
818
+ U.S. 1, 16 (1986). Commercial speech is “usually defined
819
+ as speech that does no more than propose a commercial
820
+ transaction.” United States v. United Foods, Inc., 533 U.S.
821
+ 405, 409 (2001). “Courts view this definition as just a
822
+ starting point, however, and instead try to give effect to a
823
+ ‘common-sense distinction’ between commercial speech
824
+ and other varieties of speech.” Ariix, LLC v. NutriSearch
825
+ Corp., 985 F.3d 1107, 1115 (9th Cir. 2021) (cleaned up)
826
+ (quoting Jordan v. Jewel Food Stores, Inc., 743 F.3d 509,
827
+ 516–17 (7th Cir. 2014)). Indeed, the “commercial speech
828
+ analysis is fact-driven, due to the inherent difficulty of
829
+ drawing bright lines that will clearly cabin commercial
830
+ speech in a distinct category.” First Resort, Inc. v. Herrera,
831
+ 860 F.3d 1263, 1272 (9th Cir. 2017) (internal quotation
832
+ marks omitted) (quoting Greater Balt. Ctr. for Pregnancy
833
+ Concerns, Inc. v. Mayor & City Council of Balt., 721 F.3d
834
+ 264, 284 (4th Cir. 2013)).
835
+
836
+ Because of the difficulty of drawing clear lines between
837
+ commercial and non-commercial speech, the Supreme Court
838
+ in Bolger outlined three factors to consider. 463 U.S. at 64–
839
+ 67. “Where the facts present a close question, ‘strong
840
+ support’ that the speech should be characterized as
841
+ commercial speech is found where [1] the speech is an
842
+
843
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
844
+
845
+ 21
846
+
847
+ advertisement, [2] the speech refers to a particular product,
848
+ and [3] the speaker has an economic motivation.” Hunt v.
849
+ City of L.A., 638 F.3d 703, 715 (9th Cir. 2011) (citing
850
+ Bolger, 463 U.S. at 66–67). These so-called Bolger factors
851
+ are important guideposts, but they are not necessarily
852
+ dispositive. See Bolger, 463 U.S. at 67 n.14 (“Nor do we
853
+ mean to suggest that each of the characteristics present in
854
+ this case must necessarily be present in order for speech to
855
+ be commercial.”); Dex Media W., Inc. v. City of Seattle, 696
856
+ F.3d 952, 958 (9th Cir. 2012).
857
+
858
+ Commercial speech is generally subject to intermediate
859
+ scrutiny. Nat’l Ass’n of Wheat Growers v. Bonta, 85 F.4th
860
+ 1263, 1266 (9th Cir. 2023). However, an exception applies
861
+ to compelled commercial speech that is “purely factual and
862
+ uncontroversial.” Id.; see Pac. Coast Horseshoeing Sch.,
863
+ Inc. v. Kirchmeyer, 961 F.3d 1062, 1074 (9th Cir. 2020)
864
+ (citing Zauderer as a variation in the treatment of speech
865
+ “within the class of commercial speech”). “In that scenario,
866
+ the government need only demonstrate the compelled speech
867
+ survives a lesser form of scrutiny akin to a rational basis
868
+ test.” Nat’l Wheat, 85 F.4th at 1266.
869
+
870
+ State legislatures do not have “freewheeling authority to
871
+ declare new categories of speech outside the scope of the
872
+ First Amendment.” United States v. Stevens, 559 U.S. 460,
873
+ 472, (2010). Thus, “without persuasive evidence that a
874
+ novel restriction on content is part of a long (if heretofore
875
+ unrecognized) tradition of proscription, a legislature may not
876
+ revise the ‘judgment [of] the American people,’ embodied in
877
+ the First Amendment, ‘that the benefits of its restrictions on
878
+ the Government outweigh the costs.’” Brown v. Entm’t
879
+ Merchs. Ass’n, 564 U.S. 786, 792 (2011) (alteration in
880
+ original) (quoting Stevens, 559 U.S. at 470).
881
+
882
+ 22
883
+
884
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
885
+
886
+ Here, the Content Category Reports are not commercial
887
+ speech. They require a company to recast its content-
888
+ moderation practices in language prescribed by the State,
889
+ implicitly opining on whether and how certain controversial
890
+ categories of content should be moderated. As a result, few
891
+ indicia of commercial speech are present in the Content
892
+ Category Reports.
893
+
894
+ First, the Content Category Reports do not satisfy the
895
+ “usual[] defin[ition]” of commercial speech—i.e., “speech
896
+ that does no more than propose a commercial transaction.”
897
+ See United Foods, Inc., 533 U.S. at 409; see also IMDb.com
898
+ Inc. v. Becerra, 962 F.3d 1111, 1122 (2020) (“Because
899
+ IMDb’s public profiles do not ‘propose a commercial
900
+ transaction,’ we need not reach the Bolger factors.”). The
901
+ State appears to concede as much in its answering brief.
902
+
903
+ To the extent our circuit has recognized exceptions to
904
+ that general rule, those exceptions are limited and are
905
+ inapplicable to the Content Category Reports here. For
906
+ example, as identified by the First Amendment and Internet
907
+ Law Scholars amici, we have characterized the following
908
+ speech as commercial even if not a clear fit with the Supreme
909
+ Court’s above articulation: (i) targeted, individualized
910
+ solicitations, see Nationwide Biweekly Admin., Inc. v. Owen,
911
+ 873 F.3d. 716, 731–32 (9th Cir. 2017); contract negotiations,
912
+ see S.F. Apartment Ass’n v. San Francisco, 881 F.3d 1169,
913
+ 1177–78 (9th Cir. 2018); and retail product warnings, see
914
+ CTIA II, 928 F.3d at 845. Though it does not directly or
915
+ exclusively propose a commercial transaction, all of this
916
+ speech communicates the terms of an actual or potential
917
+ transaction. But the Content Category Reports go further:
918
+ they express a view about those terms by conveying whether
919
+ a company believes certain categories should be defined and
920
+ proscribed.
921
+
922
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
923
+
924
+ 23
925
+
926
+ Second, the Content Category Reports fail to satisfy at
927
+ least two of the three Bolger factors. The compelled
928
+ disclosures are not advertisements. See Hunt, 638 F.3d at
929
+ 715. Nor do the Content Category Reports merely disclose
930
+ existing commercial speech, so a social media company has
931
+ no economic motivation in their content. See id. The district
932
+ court found the same. The State does not dispute the district
933
+ court’s finding on appeal. Although the Bolger factors are
934
+ not dispositive, they are “important guideposts” to the
935
+ analysis and, here, further support the conclusion that the
936
+ compelled speech is non-commercial. See Ariix, LLC, 985
937
+ F.3d at 1116.
938
+
939
+ topics,
940
+
941
+ Third, while a social media platform’s existing TOS and
942
+ content moderation policies may be commercial speech, its
943
+ opinions about and reasons for those policies are different in
944
+ character and kind. The Content Category Report provisions
945
+ would require 9 a social media company to convey the
946
+ company’s policy views on intensely debated and politically
947
+ fraught
948
+ racism,
949
+ misinformation, and radicalization, and also convey how the
950
+ company has applied its policies. The State suggests that
951
+ this requirement is subject to lower scrutiny because “it is
952
+ only a transparency measure” about the product. But even if
953
+ the Content Category Report provisions concern only
954
+ transparency, the relevant question here is: transparency into
955
+ what? Even a pure “transparency” measure, if it compels
956
+ non-commercial speech, is subject to strict scrutiny. See
957
+
958
+ including
959
+
960
+ speech,
961
+
962
+ hate
963
+
964
+ 9 The State relies heavily on the fact that AB 587 does not affirmatively
965
+ require any social media company to opine on these topics, instead
966
+ requiring the company to convey its position only to the extent such a
967
+ policy already exists. That fact, however, is immaterial or at least non-
968
+ dispositive as to the nature of the speech being conveyed, which is
969
+ fundamentally non-commercial.
970
+
971
+ 24
972
+
973
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
974
+
975
+ Riley, 487 U.S. at 796–97. That is true of the Content
976
+ Category Report provisions. Insight into whether a social
977
+ media company considers, for example, (1) a post citing
978
+ rhetoric from on-campus protests to constitute hate speech;
979
+ (2) reports about a seized laptop to constitute foreign
980
+ political interference; or (3) posts about election fraud to
981
+ constitute misinformation
982
+ is sensitive, constitutionally
983
+ protected speech that the State could not otherwise compel a
984
+ social media company to disclose without satisfying strict
985
+ scrutiny. The mere fact that those beliefs are memorialized
986
+ in the company’s content moderation policy does not, by
987
+ itself, convert expression about
988
+ into
989
+ commercial speech. As X Corp. argues in its reply brief,
990
+ such a rule would be untenable. It would mean that basically
991
+ any compelled disclosure by any business about its activities
992
+ would be commercial and subject to a lower tier of scrutiny,
993
+ no matter how political in nature. Protection under the First
994
+ Amendment cannot be vitiated so easily.10
995
+
996
+ those beliefs
997
+
998
+ The district court performed, essentially, no analysis on
999
+ this question. In fact, the district court acknowledged that
1000
+ the Content Category Reports “do not so easily fit the
1001
+ traditional definition of commercial speech” as they “are not
1002
+ advertisements, and social media companies have no
1003
+
1004
+ 10 For substantially the same reason, nor can the test for whether speech
1005
+ is commercial or non-commercial turn on whether the speech is “directed
1006
+ to potential consumers and may presumably play a role in the decision
1007
+ of whether to use the platform,” as the district court seemed to suggest.
1008
+ Consider, for example, a state law that compels a social media company
1009
+ to disclose the political affiliations of its managers. That information
1010
+ could conceivably “play a role in the [potential consumer’s] decision of
1011
+ whether to use the platform”—i.e., if the consumer is concerned about
1012
+ the platform’s content being politically skewed. It could not be that such
1013
+ a law compels only commercial speech subject to a lower tier of scrutiny.
1014
+
1015
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1016
+
1017
+ 25
1018
+
1019
+ to provide
1020
+
1021
+ particular economic motivation
1022
+ them.”
1023
+ Nevertheless, the court applied Zauderer, suggesting the
1024
+ compelled speech is commercial. See Nat’l Wheat, 85 F.4th
1025
+ at 1275 (identifying Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.
1026
+ v. Public Service Commission of New York, 447 U.S. 557
1027
+ (1980), and Zauderer as “two levels of scrutiny governing
1028
+ compelled commercial speech” (emphasis added)); CTIA II,
1029
+ 928 F.3d at 843 (endorsing proposition that Zauderer is
1030
+ merely the “exception to the general rule of Central
1031
+ Hudson”). The district court offered no reason for that
1032
+ decision except for wanting to “follow[] the lead of the Fifth
1033
+ and Eleventh Circuits.”
1034
+
1035
+ But neither the Fifth nor Eleventh Circuit dealt with
1036
+ speech similar to the Content Category Reports. Unlike
1037
+ Texas HB 20 or Florida SB 7072, the Content Category
1038
+ Report provisions compel social media companies to report
1039
+ whether and how they believe particular, controversial
1040
+ categories of content should be defined and regulated on
1041
+ their platforms. Neither the Texas nor Florida provisions at
1042
+ issue in the NetChoice cases require a company to disclose
1043
+ the existence or substance of its policies addressing such
1044
+ categories. See NetChoice (Tex.), 49 F.4th at 446 (requiring
1045
+ platforms to disclose “how they moderate and promote
1046
+ content” and provide “high-level statistics” about their
1047
+ moderation efforts without mention of controversial topics);
1048
+ NetChoice (Fla.), 34 F.4th at 1206–07 (requiring platforms
1049
+ to disclose information about their content-moderation
1050
+ “standards” and “rule changes” without regard to particular
1051
+ content categories). Though perhaps relevant to an analysis
1052
+ of sections 22677(a)(1), (2), and (4)(B)–(E), these cases are
1053
+ unhelpful on the issue of the Content Category Reports and
1054
+ offer no compelling reason to apply Zauderer.
1055
+
1056
+ 26
1057
+
1058
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1059
+
1060
+ For these reasons, we conclude that the Content
1061
+ Category Report provisions compel non-commercial speech.
1062
+ Because the provisions are content-based, which the State
1063
+ does not contest, they are subject to strict scrutiny. See Nat’l
1064
+ Inst. of Fam. & Life Advocs., 585 U.S. at 766.11
1065
+
1066
+ B. The Content Category Report provisions likely
1067
+
1068
+ fail strict scrutiny.
1069
+
1070
+ Strict scrutiny “is a demanding standard.” Brown v. Ent.
1071
+ Merchants Ass’n, 564 U.S. 786, 799 (2011). “It is rare that
1072
+ a regulation restricting speech because of its content will
1073
+ ever be permissible.” United States v. Playboy Ent. Grp.,
1074
+ Inc., 529 U.S. 803, 818 (2000). A state must show that the
1075
+ statute “furthers a compelling governmental interest and is
1076
+ narrowly tailored to that end.” Reed, 576 U.S. at 171. “If a
1077
+ less restrictive alternative would serve the [g]overnment’s
1078
+ purpose, the legislature must use that alternative.” Playboy
1079
+ Ent. Grp., Inc., 529 U.S. at 813.
1080
+
1081
+ At minimum, the Content Category Report provisions
1082
+ likely fail under strict scrutiny because they are not narrowly
1083
+ tailored. They are more extensive than necessary to serve
1084
+ the State’s purported goal of “requiring social media
1085
+ companies to be transparent about their content-moderation
1086
+ policies and practices so that consumers can make informed
1087
+ decisions about where they consume and disseminate news
1088
+ and information.” Consumers would still be meaningfully
1089
+ informed if, for example, a company disclosed whether it
1090
+
1091
+ 11 X Corp. argues that strict scrutiny applies for the following additional
1092
+ reasons: because AB 587 is viewpoint discriminatory, interferes with a
1093
+ social media company’s constitutionally protected editorial judgment,
1094
+ and regulates “speech about speech.” Several of the amici raise similar
1095
+ arguments. Because we agree that strict scrutiny applies, we need not
1096
+ reach these arguments.
1097
+
1098
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1099
+
1100
+ 27
1101
+
1102
+ was moderating certain categories of speech without having
1103
+ to define those categories in a public report. Or, perhaps, a
1104
+ company could be compelled to disclose a sample of posts
1105
+ that have been removed without requiring the company to
1106
+ explain why or on what grounds.12
1107
+
1108
+ In any event, the State does not attempt to argue that the
1109
+ law survives strict scrutiny. For the reasons above, X Corp.
1110
+ has shown a likelihood of success on the merits of its First
1111
+ Amendment claim as to sections 22677(a)(3), (a)(4)(A), and
1112
+ (a)(5).
1113
+
1114
+ C. The remaining Winter factors weigh in favor of a
1115
+
1116
+ preliminary injunction.
1117
+
1118
+ With respect to the second factor, a loss of First
1119
+ Amendment freedoms constitutes an irreparable injury. See
1120
+ Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 82 F.4th at 694 (“It is
1121
+ axiomatic that ‘[t]he loss of First Amendment freedoms, for
1122
+ even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes
1123
+ irreparable injury.’” (citation omitted)). Because X Corp.
1124
+ has a colorable First Amendment claim, it has demonstrated
1125
+ that it likely will suffer irreparable harm. See Am. Bev. Ass’n
1126
+ v. San Francisco, 916 F.3d 749, 758 (9th Cir. 2019) (en
1127
+ banc).
1128
+
1129
+ The third and fourth factors—balance of equities and
1130
+ public interest—also favor X Corp. “[I]t is always in the
1131
+ public interest to prevent the violation of a party’s
1132
+ constitutional rights.” Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 82
1133
+ F.4th at 695 (citation omitted). When a party “‘raise[s]
1134
+ serious First Amendment questions,’ that alone ‘compels a
1135
+
1136
+ 12 We do not opine on whether such laws would survive constitutional
1137
+ scrutiny. They are offered only to illustrate that the Content Category
1138
+ Report provisions are not narrowly tailored to the State’s interest.
1139
+
1140
+ 28
1141
+
1142
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1143
+
1144
+ finding that the balance of hardships tips sharply in [its]
1145
+ favor.’” Id. (second alteration in original) (quoting Am. Bev.
1146
+ Ass’n, 916 F.3d at 758). The government reasonably has an
1147
+ interest in transparency by social media platforms. But even
1148
+ “undeniably admirable goals” “must yield” when they
1149
+ “collide with the . . . Constitution.” Id.
1150
+
1151
+ Because X Corp. has shown a likelihood of success on
1152
+ the merits of its First Amendment claim, and the remaining
1153
+ Winter factors weigh in favor of an injunction, we reverse
1154
+ the district court’s decision denying a preliminary injunction
1155
+ as to AB 587’s Content Category Report provisions.
1156
+
1157
+ II. We remand to the district court to determine whether
1158
+ the Content Category Report provisions are likely
1159
+ severable from the remainder of AB 587.
1160
+
1161
+ “Severability is . . . a matter of state law.” Sam Francis
1162
+ Found. v. Christies, Inc., 784 F.3d 1320, 1325 (9th Cir.
1163
+ 2015) (en banc) (alteration in original) (quoting Leavitt v.
1164
+ Jane L., 518 U.S. 137, 139 (1996) (per curiam)). “In
1165
+ California, the presence of a severability clause in a statutory
1166
+ scheme that contains an invalid provision ‘normally calls for
1167
+ sustaining the valid part of the enactment.’” Garcia v. City
1168
+ of Los Angeles, 11 F.4th 1113, 1120 (9th Cir. 2021) (quoting
1169
+ Cal. Redevelopment Ass’n v. Matosantos, 267 P.3d 580, 607
1170
+ (Cal. 2011)).
1171
+
1172
+ The parties did not brief severability on appeal, and the
1173
+ severability arguments below appear to have been cursory.
1174
+ During oral argument, counsel for the State suggested that,
1175
+ were we to find that any part of the statute should be
1176
+ enjoined, the issue of severability should be remanded. We
1177
+ agree and leave it to the district court to determine in the first
1178
+ instance whether the likely unconstitutional provisions of
1179
+ AB 587, sections 22677(a)(3), (a)(4)(A), and (a)(5), are
1180
+
1181
+ X CORP. V. BONTA
1182
+
1183
+ 29
1184
+
1185
+ severable from its remainder. See generally Detrich v. Ryan,
1186
+ 740 F.3d 1237, 1248–49 (9th Cir. 2013) (en banc) (observing
1187
+ that it is “standard practice . . . to remand to the district court
1188
+ for a decision in the first instance without requiring any
1189
+ special justification for so doing”), overruled on other
1190
+ grounds by Shinn v. Ramirez, 596 U.S. 366 (2022).
1191
+
1192
+ CONCLUSION
1193
+
1194
+ For the foregoing reasons, we REVERSE the district
1195
+ court’s denial of a preliminary injunction as to California
1196
+ Business and Professions Code sections 22677(a)(3),
1197
+ (a)(4)(A), and (a)(5). We remand with instructions to enter
1198
+ a preliminary injunction consistent with this opinion and to
1199
+ determine whether these provisions are severable from the
1200
+ remainder of AB 587 and, if so, which, if any, of the
1201
+ remaining challenged provisions should also be enjoined.
1202
 
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1
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers
2
- with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
3
 
4
- A WBR Digital Benchmarking Whitepaper Presented in Conjunction with CFI Group
5
- September 2014
6
-
7
- Table Of Contents
8
-
9
- Executive Summary ............... 2
10
-
11
- Key Findings ........................... 3
12
-
13
- Research Findings
14
- Investing in People &
15
- Technology
16
- to Enhance In-Store
17
- Experiences ............................... 4
18
-
19
- The Challenge of
20
- Cross-Channel Consistency ....... 6
21
-
22
- Turning In-Store Data
23
- into Actionable Messaging ........ 9
24
-
25
- The Future of
26
- Store Technologies .................. 10
27
-
28
- Key Recommendations ........ 13
29
-
30
- Appendices ........................... 14
31
-
32
- About Future Stores ............ 16
33
-
34
- About CFI Group .................. 16
35
-
36
- About WBR & WBR Digital .. 17
37
-
38
- Register for Next Year’s
39
- Future Stores Conference .... 17
40
-
41
- Executive Summary
42
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great
43
- In-Store Retail Experiences
44
-
45
- Technology has had an expansive and multidimensional impact on retail in recent
46
- years. In particular, the ascendance of multichannel e-commerce platforms has
47
- challenged brands to reimagine how they interact with consumers. As a result, today’s
48
- connected consumers have access to a whole host of digital shopping tools, including
49
- interactive websites with high-definition images and mobile-optimized web and email.
50
- E-commerce offers variety, convenience, and information, empowering consumers to
51
- engage with retailers when, where, and how they please.
52
-
53
- Despite e-commerce’s growing popularity, stores are still the lynchpins of retail strategy.
54
- The Department of Commerce estimates that e-commerce accounted for approximately
55
- 6.5% of all retail sales in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2014. Although this
56
- reaffirms that physical stores remain retailers’ most prominent sources of revenue, it
57
- also suggests that there are great opportunities for synergy between a brand’s physical
58
- locations and its e-commerce platform.
59
-
60
- Indeed, many of the technological innovations that have threatened to erode in-store
61
- sales have turned out to be great assets to retailers. Mobile devices enable businesses
62
- to send extremely relevant and timely messages to consumers by using location-based
63
- services and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons. Loyalty programs deployed across
64
- channels encourage repeat business both in-store and online. QR codes and interactive
65
- displays offer customers new ways to engage with and learn about products and
66
- services. Omnichannel initiatives (e.g., an option for the consumer to buy online and
67
- pick up in-store) promote interchannel traffic. Because of these innovations, today’s
68
- consumers begin shopping before they walk into the store and continue shopping after
69
- they leave, making their in-store experiences the unifying element.
70
-
71
- The mission of retail stores has evolved and expanded greatly in recent years, and
72
- it has been influenced in large part by technological innovation and new consumer
73
- insights. The most successful retail stores not only leverage new technologies to drive
74
- in-store conversions, but they also enhance the shopping experience, collect actionable
75
- customer data, and serve as a physical extension of the brand. This is the store of the
76
- future: a connected showroom that fuses together multichannel experiences to convert
77
- and engage customers while also learning from them.
78
-
79
- What follows is an analysis of the best practices and paradigm-shifting experiences
80
- retailers are creating in their stores. The analysis is based on survey data collected from
81
- retail executives and professionals in a variety of industries. This data was collected on-site
82
- at the 2014 Future Stores Conference and through an online survey. The findings are
83
- based on the insights and practices of some of the world’s leading retailers and brands.
84
-
85
- 2
86
-
87
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Key Findings
88
-
89
- Retailers are increasing their investments in
90
- technology in order to make their in-store
91
- experiences more relevant and engaging.
92
- Although associates are still the most important in-store sales
93
- assets, retailers are investing equally in new store technologies
94
- and personnel training. Will this shift in emphasis produce a more
95
- technology-driven in-store sales process?
96
 
97
- Businesses are struggling to create consistent
98
- shopping experiences across channels.
99
- In today’s omnichannel commercial world, consistency of experience
100
- is key to improving conversions and enhancing consumer loyalty.
101
- Unfortunately, most retailers’ shopping experiences are only somewhat
102
- consistent across channels, resulting in significant missed opportunities.
103
 
104
- Retailers must improve in-store data
105
- collection in order to create more targeted
106
- and personalized marketing activities.
107
 
108
- Few retailers are collecting in-store data very effectively, leaving
109
- them with an incomplete view of the customer and ineffective
110
- marketing messages.
111
 
112
- The most effective retail technologies of
113
- the future will create seamless shopping
114
- experiences and integrate with other
115
- technologies and services.
116
 
117
- In-store retail technology is constantly evolving.
118
- Although many new technologies will arise over the next 2-5 years,
119
- not all of those tools will help businesses improve their conversions and
120
- experiences. Retailers will need to critically sort through the multitude
121
- of solutions and only implement those that enhance conversions while
122
- providing customers with effortless, engaging experiences.
123
 
124
- 3
125
 
126
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences “Customers always want
127
- more of what they’re
128
- not getting. They want
129
- outcomes to be easier to
130
- achieve, and they would
131
- like them with greater
132
- convenience and at a
133
- higher value.”
134
 
135
- - Mike Wittenstein, Retail
136
- Customer Experience Strategist
137
- and Designer, Storyminers
138
 
139
- Research Findings
 
 
 
140
 
141
- Investing in People & Technology to Enhance In-Store
142
- Experiences
143
 
144
- Today’s retail stores fulfill a variety of critical functions ranging far beyond simple revenue
145
- generation. Stores have become the standard-bearers for a brand’s customer experience,
146
- driving consumer loyalty and engagement through innovative interactions and inventive
147
- campaigns. Stores are also a burgeoning source of data that can be turned into rich insights
148
- into shoppers’ tendencies and preferences. Add in customers’ lofty expectations for shopping
149
- experiences and the value of the modern store becomes undeniable. With few exceptions,
150
- stores continue to be the backbone of retail businesses, even in today’s world of e-commerce
151
- and digital interconnectedness.
152
 
153
- The best brands are using their stores as a source of innovation and invention, and
154
- they are constantly updating designs, technology, and personnel to get the most out of
155
- each location. Creating a store of the future means seamlessly integrating cutting-edge
156
- technology with tried and true designs and tactics, providing a strong balance of analog
157
- and digital elements that help deliver to customers higher value outcomes that are easier
158
- to achieve. When it comes to technology, electronic point of sale (EPOS) tools have
159
- become extremely common, with over three quarters of survey respondents indicating
160
- that they are already utilizing the capability. A robust 72% are leveraging mobile devices
161
- and tablets in stores, and 60% are making use of digital displays or kiosks.
162
 
163
- Although retailers indicated that they are investing equally in new technology and training
164
- of store associates, 91% of those surveyed said that the greatest sales assets in their
165
- stores are still sales associates. New technologies are providing good value to the in-store
166
- experience, but they have yet to supplant personnel as key sales elements.
167
 
168
- What is the greatest sales asset in your stores?
 
169
 
170
- 91% Sales associates
 
171
 
172
- 6% Store format design
 
173
 
174
- 6%
 
175
 
176
- Interactive elements
177
- (tablets, virtual
178
- displays, etc.)
179
 
180
- Respondents Overwhelmingly Consider Sales
181
- Associates to Be Their Greatest In-Store Assets
182
 
183
- 4
 
184
 
185
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
186
 
187
- Which of the following are you investing in
188
- most to improve in-store conversions?
189
 
190
- 42% New technology
 
191
 
192
- (i.e. touch screens,
193
- beacons, etc.)
194
 
195
- 41% Training and
 
 
196
 
197
- development of
198
- sales associates
199
 
200
- 17% Alternative store
 
201
 
202
- formats
 
203
 
204
- Respondents Are Investing Equally in New
205
- Technology and Sales Associate Training to Drive
206
- In-Store Conversions
207
 
208
- Which technologies are you using to enhance
209
- the in-store experience
210
 
211
- 76% POS
 
 
212
 
213
- 72% Mobile/tablet
 
214
 
215
- 60% Displays/Kiosks
 
216
 
217
- 12% None of these
218
 
219
- 5% NFC
 
220
 
221
- 3% BLE
 
222
 
223
- Point-Of-Sale Tools and Tablets Are the Most
224
- 70
225
- Common Technologies Being Leveraged to
226
- Enhance In-Store Experiences
227
 
228
- 50
 
229
 
230
- 10
 
231
 
232
- 30
 
233
 
234
- 40
 
235
 
236
- 60
 
237
 
238
- 20
 
239
 
240
- 0
 
 
241
 
242
- 80
243
 
244
- 5
 
245
 
246
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
247
 
248
- “The tools are all there
249
- to integrate these
250
- experiences, they just
251
- aren’t always being
252
- implemented. There is
253
- a resistance to change,
254
- because making changes
255
- costs a lot of time and
256
- money.”
257
 
258
- - Jack Shaw, VP North American
259
- Sales, Adaequare Inc.
260
 
261
- The Challenge of Cross-Channel Consistency
 
262
 
263
- Advances in technology particularly mobile technology over the past decade have
264
- resulted in a rapid expansion in the variety of commercial tools available to consumers.
265
- Today, consumers are increasingly engaging with brands across a variety of diverse media.
266
- The customer journey has become expansive, dynamic, and multilayered; it permeates
267
- desktop websites, mobile-optimized sites and apps, social networks, and retail stores
268
- themselves. For retailers, this has meant a multiplication of consumer touch points and
269
- an unprecedented demand for innovative digital shopping tools. However, the challenge
270
- for retailers is not just to develop spectacular omnichannel shopping capabilities but also
271
- to deliver outstanding experiences across all channels. When it comes to omnichannel
272
- customer experiences, consistency is key.
273
 
274
- Delivering consistently great customer experiences in-store and online can be a profound
275
- challenge for retail businesses. In this study, only 16% of respondents said that their
276
- customer experiences are very consistent between their stores and online presence.
277
- The majority (60%) of those surveyed noted that their experiences are only somewhat
278
- consistent. In their quest to provide a great customer experience, these retailers are facing
279
- many complex challenges, including creating consistency across channels, personalizing
280
- the experience, capturing and applying relevant customer data, and the implementation
281
- of customer experience initiatives across store locations.
282
 
283
- Although the retailer perspective is an important indicator of the state of shopping
284
- experiences, an even more critical measure is how consumers perceive those experiences.
285
- Unfortunately, the way retailers view their shopping experience can differ greatly from
286
- consumers’ perspectives. For instance, in a Bain & Co. customer experience survey,
287
- 80% of companies stated that they were delivering a “superior experience” to their
288
- customers. However, consumers in the survey said that only 8% of companies were
289
- actually delivering high-quality experiences. This discrepancy underlines how critical it is
290
- for retailers to listen to their customers, especially when it comes to experiences.
291
 
292
- Without a doubt, modern retail businesses must have an omnichannel vision in order
293
- to adapt to the changes in consumer shopping patterns brought on by technological
294
- advances. In part, a successful omnichannel strategy demands that retailers understand
295
- the key actions that consumers take during their shopping experiences, and retailers
296
- must then make those actions available across multiple channels. Enabling consumers to
297
- engage with multiple platforms en route to a purchase not only improves the shopping
298
- experience but also increases conversion rates and reduces cart abandonment.
299
 
300
- Two notable omnichannel shopping practices include showrooming and “buy online, pick
301
- up in store” options. Showrooming, the practice of evaluating products in a store before
302
- buying them online, poses a clear threat to traditional retailers, which are susceptible to
303
- customers using mobile devices to compare prices while in the store. Despite the threat,
304
- nearly three quarters of respondents reported that they have not seen any sort of impact
305
- from showrooming. In fact, 19% noted that showrooming has had a positive impact on
306
- their businesses. This is likely because omnichannel shoppers have been shown to spend
307
- significantly more than single-channel shoppers. Similarly, “buy online, pick up in store”
308
- options, which offer the convenience of an online transaction alongside the satisfaction
309
- of instantly picking up an item, are expanding although only 26% of respondents
310
- currently have fully-deployed programs.
311
 
312
- 6
313
 
314
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences How consistent is your customer experience
315
- between in-store and online?
316
 
317
- 60% Somewhat consistent
 
318
 
319
- 24% Not consistent
 
320
 
321
- 16% Very consistent
 
322
 
323
- Most Respondents Say That Their In-Store and
324
- Online Experiences Are Somewhat Consistent
325
 
326
- What is the greatest challenge of providing a
327
- great customer experience?
328
 
329
- 34% Creating consistent
330
- experiences across
331
- channels
332
 
333
- 24% Personalizing
334
 
335
- customer
336
- experiences
337
 
338
- 21% Capturing and
 
339
 
340
- analyzing relevant
341
- customer data
342
 
343
- 21% Implementing
 
344
 
345
- customer experience
346
- initiatives across
347
- stores
348
 
349
- There Are Many Challenges to Providing a Great
350
- Customer Experience, with No Single Obstacle
351
- Standing Out Above the Rest
352
 
353
- 7
 
354
 
355
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
356
 
357
- How is showrooming impacting your business?
 
358
 
359
- 74% Neutral we have
 
360
 
361
- not seen much of a
362
- change
363
 
364
- 19% Positively – we
365
 
366
- have adapted and
367
- are leveraging it to
368
- drive sales
369
 
370
- 7% Negatively it is
371
- hurting our sales
372
 
373
- Nearly Three-Quarters of Respondents Have Not
374
- Yet Felt the Effects of Showrooming
375
 
376
- Do you currently offer a “buy online, pick up
377
- in store” option?
378
 
379
- 51% No, we do not
 
 
 
380
 
381
- 26% We have a fully-
382
- deployed program
383
 
384
- 23% We currently offer a
 
385
 
386
- limited program
 
 
387
 
388
- Approximately Half of the Retailers Surveyed
389
- Currently Offer Some Sort of Option to Buy
390
- Products Online and Pick Them Up In-Store
391
 
392
- 8
 
393
 
394
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
395
 
396
- Turning In-Store Data into Actionable Messaging
 
 
 
 
397
 
398
- The age of big data has made retailers keenly aware of the wealth of information that can be
399
- collected in their stores. Using BLE beacons, location-based mobile services, loyalty programs,
400
- promotions, and sales trends, merchants can uncover valuable data on the in-store customer
401
- experience. This data can then help them track traffic patterns, evaluate how customers are
402
- interacting with displays, and determine which promotions and marketing messages are
403
- having the greatest impact. In other words, these insights lead to optimized stores, improved
404
- marketing campaigns, and more effective omnichannel commerce interfaces.
405
 
406
- Unfortunately, only 14% of respondents indicated that they believe that they are very
407
- effectively collecting customer data in their stores. Similarly, a third of respondents said that
408
- their in-store data collection has been ineffective. As a result, just under a fifth of the retailers
409
- surveyed said that their marketing activities are very targeted and personalized. This lack of
410
- personalization indicates that most retailers are missing major opportunities to reap the many
411
- benefits of in-store data insights.
412
 
413
- For those companies that are not yet taking advantage of in-store data, it is essential that they
414
- build processes to capture that information. Those retailers that have processes in place now
415
- have access to a new age of sophisticated key performance indicators, such as conversion
416
- rate, shopper yield, Average Transaction Value (ATV), entrance traffic, and sales per square
417
- foot, as well as a whole host of omnichannel metrics and capabilities.
418
 
419
- How effectively are you collecting customer
420
- data in-store
421
 
422
- 44% Somewhat effectively
423
 
424
- 33% Not effectively
425
 
426
- 14% Very effectively
427
 
428
- 9% Unsure
429
 
430
- Only 14% of Respondents Reported That Their
431
- Businesses Are Doing a Very Effective Job of
432
- Collecting Customer Data in Stores
433
 
434
- 9
435
 
436
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences “67% of shoppers are
437
- accessing brand-related
438
- content and apps while
439
- shopping in-store. This
440
- embrace of mobile
441
- shopping is where the
442
- real opportunity lies for
443
- retailers to make their
444
- store a better place to
445
- shop. It is gradually
446
- becoming clear: the
447
- stores that make proper
448
- use of mobile wallets
449
- are the ones who will
450
- come out on top in the
451
- modern retail era.”
452
 
453
- - Digital Retail Product Executive,
454
- Retail
455
 
456
- How would you describe the personalization and
457
- targeting of your current marketing activities?
458
 
459
- 53% Somewhat targeted
 
460
 
461
- and personalized
 
462
 
463
- 23% Not targeted and
464
- personalized
465
 
466
- 19% Very Targeted and
467
- personalized
468
 
469
- 5% Not sure
 
470
 
471
- Most Organizations Are Personalizing and
472
- Targeting Their Marketing Messages, but There
473
- Is Still Room for Improvement
474
 
475
- The Future of Store Technologies
 
476
 
477
- With businesses leveraging their digital assets to drive sales in-store and vice versa,
478
- omnichannel execution has become the bedrock of modern retail strategy. In fact, the
479
- intersections between physical and digital retail channels have become so extensive that
480
- many companies are no longer differentiating between sales made in stores and those
481
- made digitally. As Saks Inc. CEO Stephen Sadove has said, “There is so much integration
482
- between store and online sales that we can’t report the numbers separately. [That just
483
- doesn’t] make sense, because we are moving inventory from one to another all the time.”
484
 
485
- The omnichannel paradigm has an inherent emphasis on technological innovation.
486
- New devices, online offerings, and digital touch points are the engines of retail growth
487
- because they streamline shopping experiences across channels and engage consumers on
488
- their own terms. Novel technologies also enable businesses to gather a massive amount
489
- of customer data, which can then be used to personalize marketing messages and shift
490
- inventory to the right places. However, given the abundance of tools and technologies
491
- available, choosing the right solutions can prove challenging. The best brands are those
492
- that cut through unessential capabilities and focus only on those that add significant
493
- value to the customer experience.
494
 
495
- The technologies that retailers rely on to improve conversions, engage customers, and
496
- collect data in stores will inevitably change over time. As a result, which capabilities will
497
- be at the center of the stores of the future? Despite the relatively wide utilization of QR
498
- codes in retail stores, 61% of those surveyed said that they believe that QR codes will
499
- disappear on the next 2-5 years. In contrast, 71% of respondents indicated anticipation
500
- that mobile wallet capabilities will become standard over the same time period. In many
501
- cases, the utilization of a given capability will not just depend on how sophisticated a
502
- technology is but also on how that technology can be leveraged during a customer’s
503
 
504
- 10
 
505
 
506
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
507
 
508
- path to purchase. Mobile wallets, for example, could potentially streamline the payment
509
- process and mitigate one possible obstacle to a purchase while also enhancing customer
510
- loyalty programs by capturing more data and improving incentives.
511
 
512
- Design will also factor heavily into the retail technologies of the future. According to
513
- Mike Wittenstein, Retail Customer Experience Strategist and Designer, Storyminers, some
514
- of the most successful retail technologies are the least intrusive and most intuitive for
515
- consumers to interact with. This is the principle of Invisible Design: the less intrusive and
516
- more streamlined a technology is, the more likely it is to become widely adopted.
517
 
518
- What in-store technology will disappear in the
519
- next 2-5 years?
520
 
521
- 61% QR Codes
 
522
 
523
- 24% None of the Above
 
524
 
525
- 13% Touch screens & kiosks
526
 
527
- 10% SMS
528
 
529
- 10% Mobile websites
 
 
 
530
 
531
- 10% Retail Apps
532
 
533
- 9%
534
 
535
- iBeacons/Display Beacons
536
 
537
- A Strong Majority Believes that QR Codes Will
538
- 20
539
- 0
540
- Disappear in the next 2-5 Years
541
 
542
- 50
543
 
544
- 30
545
 
546
- 40
 
 
547
 
548
- 10
549
 
550
- 60
 
 
551
 
552
- 70
553
 
554
- 80
555
 
556
- What future store technology will become
557
- standard practice in the next 2-5 years?
558
 
559
- 71% Mobile wallet
560
 
561
- 48%
562
 
563
- iBeacons/Display Beacons
564
 
565
- 42% Wearable technology
566
 
567
- 35%
568
 
569
- Interactive mirrors &
570
- virtual displays
571
 
572
- 8% QR Codes
573
 
574
- 3% Other
575
 
576
- More than 70% of Respondents See Mobile Wallet
577
- 70
578
- 50
579
- Becoming Standard over the next 2-5 Years
580
 
581
- 60
 
582
 
583
- 20
 
584
 
585
- 30
 
586
 
587
- 10
 
588
 
589
- 40
590
 
591
- 0
592
 
593
- 80
 
594
 
595
- 11
 
596
 
597
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
598
- Which retailers do you believe are providing the
599
- most exceptional in-store experiences?
600
 
601
- 1
 
602
 
603
- 2
604
 
605
- 3
606
 
607
- 4
608
 
609
- 5
610
 
611
- Nordstrom
612
 
613
- Apple
614
 
615
- REI
616
 
617
- Nike
618
 
619
- Sephora
620
 
621
- Nordstrom, Apple, and REI Top the List of
622
- Retailers Providing Exceptional In-Store
623
- Experiences
624
 
625
- 12
626
 
627
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Key Recommendations
 
628
 
629
- As retailers continue to invest heavily in store
630
- technologies, there may come a time when
631
- technology is seen as a more critical in-store
632
- sales asset than associates.
633
 
634
- Insofar as interactive displays, POS tools, and other digital offerings can create a fluid
635
- and enjoyable shopping experience, customers will willingly turn to those technologies.
636
- As those tools become more sophisticated, they may eventually supersede sales
637
- associates as the greatest in-store revenue drivers.
638
 
639
- In order to holistically measure how consumers
640
- are interacting with their products and
641
- brands, businesses must prioritize a new set
642
- of consumer engagement metrics alongside
643
- traditional measures like conversions.
644
 
645
- Customer experiences have become so important that retailers must consider new
646
- metrics, including involvement (i.e., whether or not consumers are relying on the brand
647
- for information, goods, and services on an ongoing basis) and time of awareness to
648
- time of satisfaction (i.e., how long it takes for a customer to acquire a good or service
649
- from the time they become aware of it). Improving involvement and shortening the
650
- time of awareness to time of satisfaction are becoming central objectives for businesses.
651
 
652
- Retail success is increasingly dependent on
653
- how well businesses are learning from and
654
- listening to customers.
655
 
656
- In a customer-centric world, the top-performing organizations are those that sincerely
657
- listen to customer feedback and effectively collect customer data. Stores are a great
658
- source of these inputs, which enable organizations to optimize their offerings and
659
- create personalized marketing messages.
660
 
661
- Modern retail challenges organizations to deliver
662
- the right services to the right places at the right
663
- times while maintaining a consistent feel.
664
- Not only must retail organizations become more agile in order to create the capabilities
665
- customers demand, they must also extend those capabilities across a variety of channels
666
- without detracting from the overall experience. Many retailers are struggling with this
667
- cross-channel consistency, highlighting the need for them to critically evaluate how they
668
- interact with customers on different media.
669
 
670
- Creating a store of the future means
671
- leveraging the right technologies and phasing
672
- out anachronistic elements.
673
 
674
- In order to create immersive and satisfying in-store experiences that consistently drive
675
- revenue, companies must replace outmoded elements with the right technologies,
676
- particularly digital tools that enhance product interactions and capture key data points.
677
- This requires constant re-evaluation and, occasionally, reinvention of store components
678
 
679
- 13
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
680
 
681
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Appendices
682
 
683
- Appendix A: Methodology
684
- For this report, Worldwide Business Research conducted in person and online surveys
685
- of 104 store, operations, IT, cross-channel, and retail customer experience executives
686
- representing 14 industries (see Appendix B for demographic information). Survey
687
- participants included decision-makers and executives with responsibility for their
688
- businesses’ in-store and digital experiences and performance. In-person surveys and
689
- interviews were conducted on-site at the 2014 Future Stores Conference. Data was
690
- collected in June of 2014.
691
 
692
- Appendix B: Demographic Information
693
 
694
- Industry
 
 
 
695
 
696
- 20% Specialty Retail
697
 
698
- 17% Apparel
 
 
 
699
 
700
- 12% Sporting Goods
 
701
 
702
- 10% Consulting
703
 
704
- 9% Automotive
705
 
706
- 6% Software &
707
 
708
- Analytics
 
 
 
 
 
709
 
710
- 5% Hardware,
711
 
712
- Electronics, and
713
- Appliances
714
 
715
- 5% General E- ‐commerce
716
 
717
- 5% Other
718
 
719
- 4% Department Stores
720
 
721
- 2% Telecommunications
 
722
 
723
- 2% Home Furnishings
724
-
725
- 2% Supermarkets
726
-
727
- 1% Toys & Hobbies
728
-
729
- 14
730
-
731
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
732
-
733
- Roles and Titles
734
-
735
- Revenue Breakdown
736
-
737
- 15% Marketing
738
-
739
- 15% Executive
740
-
741
- Management
742
-
743
- 15% Information
744
-
745
- Technology
746
-
747
- 12% Omni- channel
748
-
749
- 12% Customer
750
- Experience
751
-
752
- 8% eCommerce
753
-
754
- 6% Operations
755
-
756
- 6% Customer Insights
757
-
758
- and Analytics
759
-
760
- 6% Consulting & Agency
761
-
762
- 3%
763
-
764
- Innovation
765
-
766
- 2% Story Design &
767
-
768
- Management
769
-
770
- 22% Less than $50 million
771
-
772
- 17% $50- ‐150 million
773
-
774
- 61% Greater than $150
775
-
776
- million
777
-
778
- 15
779
-
780
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
781
-
782
- “The event was fantastic.
783
- It was very well executed,
784
- and I have taken a lot
785
- of information from the
786
- event that we will be
787
- working to implement in
788
- our stores.”
789
-
790
- - Chanel Chartrand, Visual
791
- Merchandiser, Coastal.com
792
-
793
- About Future Stores
794
-
795
- Future Stores is WBR’s intensive event focused on cutting-edge omnichannel retail
796
- strategies. From omnichannel marketing and customer analytics to retail technology
797
- and store operations, Future Stores will show you how to design and implement
798
- winning in-store strategies to beat the competition and boost customer loyalty.
799
-
800
- The conference is centered on the pain points of store, operations, IT, cross-channel
801
- and customer experience executives to bridge the gap between the store experience
802
- and the digital experience. Future Stores provides tactical strategies for brick and
803
- mortar retailers to improve and increase conversion rates in-store as well as make the
804
- store and cross-channel shopping experiences as seamless and easy as they are online.
805
-
806
- About CFI Group
807
-
808
- CFI Group is a global leader in providing customer feedback insights through analytics.
809
- CFI Group provides a technology platform that leverages the science of the American
810
- Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). This platform continuously measures the customer
811
- experience across multiple channels, benchmarks performance, and prioritizes
812
- improvements for maximum impact.
813
-
814
- Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, CFI Group serves
815
- global clients from a network of offices worldwide. Our clients span a variety of
816
- industries, including financial services, hospitality, manufacturing, telecom, retail, and
817
- government. Regardless of your industry, we can put the power of our technology and
818
- the science of the ACSI methodology to work for you.
819
-
820
- CFI Group USA, L.L.C.
821
- 625 Avis Drive
822
- Ann Arbor, MI 48108
823
- (734) 930-9090
824
- Askcfi@cfigroup.com
825
-
826
- 16
827
-
828
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences About WBR &
829
- WBR Digital
830
-
831
- WBR is the world’s biggest large-scale conference company and part of the PLS group,
832
- one of the world’s leading providers of strategic business intelligence with 16 offices
833
- worldwide. Our conference divisions consistently out-perform their industry sector
834
- competitors on the quality of the events we produce and the relationships we nurture
835
- with both attendees and sponsors.
836
-
837
- Every year, over 10,000 senior executives from Fortune 1,000 companies attend over
838
- 100 of our annual conferences – a true “Who’s Who” of today’s corporate world.
839
- From Automotive events in Bucharest to Logistics conferences in Arizona to Luxury
840
- conferences in New York and Finance summits in Hong Kong, WBR is dedicated to
841
- exceeding the needs of its customers around the world.
842
-
843
- In addition to our industry leading conferences, our professional services marketing
844
- division, WBR Digital, connects solutions providers to their target audiences with
845
- digital branding and engagement services and lead generation campaigns. WBR’s
846
- marketers act as an extension of your team, relieving strain on your internal resources
847
- while engaging with customers and prospects on your brand and solutions. Solutions
848
- providers can target identified accounts or relevant industry/function segments of WBR’s
849
- global database of senior-level decision makers.
850
-
851
- Contact:
852
- Andrew Cole
853
- Digital Content Manager
854
- 646-200-7541
855
- Andrew.Cole@wbresearch.com
856
-
857
- Be a Part of Next Year’s
858
- Future Stores Conference
859
-
860
- Be a part of next year’s event and discuss the new trends shaping the retail industry.
861
-
862
- Click To Register Now
863
-
864
- Call our customer service team to get the best available discounts for your firm at
865
- 1.888.482.6012, or email us at futurestores@wbresearch.com
866
-
867
- 17
868
-
869
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences What did you think? Rate this content and help us improve!
870
-
871
- “An organization’s ability to learn, and translate that learning into
872
- action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.” - Jack Welch
873
-
874
- It is our goal to produce relevant, valuable content to help inform
875
- your strategic business decisions, so we would love to know what
876
- you thought of this report. Your feedback goes directly to our
877
- content team and helps us to improve.
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879
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880
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881
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882
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884
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885
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886
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+ Supports the adoption and promotion of standards-based health information.
142
+ - [TEFCA](/interoperability/trusted-exchange-framework-and-common-agreement-tefca/)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
143
 
144
+ Operates as a nationwide framework for the interoperability of electronic health information.
145
+ - [HHS Health IT Alignment Program](/hhs-health-it-alignment-program/)
146
 
147
+ Coordinates health data and technology initiatives across HHS to enhance interoperability and effectiveness.
148
+ - [Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC)](/hitac/)
149
 
150
+ Advises on policies, standards, and implementation specifications for health data and technology.
151
+ - [Privacy & Security](/privacy-security/)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
152
 
153
+ Protects electronic health information security through policy.
154
+ * + ### Rulemaking
155
+ + [HTI Rules](https://healthit.gov/regulations/hti-rules/)
 
 
 
 
 
156
 
157
+ Health data interoperability regulations ensuring secure, effective technology use.
158
+ + [Information Blocking](https://healthit.gov/information-blocking/)
 
 
 
 
 
 
159
 
160
+ Policies to prevent practices interfering with the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information.
161
+ + [Certification Program Rules](/certification-program-regulations/)
 
 
 
 
 
162
 
163
+ Ensures health IT meets standards for functionality, security, and interoperability.
164
+ - Research & Analysis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
165
 
166
+ * ## [Research & Analysis](/data/)
167
 
168
+ ![](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bluearrow-1.png)
 
169
 
170
+ Interactive datasets related to health IT data analysis, providing insights into adoption and use.
171
+ * [Dashboards](/data/search/?postType=dashboard)
172
 
173
+ Gives data-driven insight on how dashboards are driving health IT adoption and how they have helped users to meet federal healthcare incentives or programs.
174
+ * [Data Briefs](/data/search/?postType=data-brief)
175
 
176
+ Provides health IT adoption and use statistics derived from surveys and administrative data and in-depth analysis of health IT policies and programs.
177
+ * [Datasets](/data/search/?postType=dataset)
178
 
179
+ Grants access to raw datasets from ONC related to health IT adoption, health IT capabilities and other topics.
180
+ * [Quick Stats](/data/search/?postType=quick-stat)
181
 
182
+ Streamlines data into visualizations of key data and summarizes the latest statistics, facts and figures about health IT.
183
+ * [About Health IT Research & Analysis](https://healthit.gov/data/about/)
184
 
185
+ Provides information about how health IT data are collected, analyzed, and published.
186
+ * Resources & Tools
187
+ + - Featured
188
 
189
+ * ## Featured Resources & Tools
190
 
191
+ Highlights key tools and guidance supporting effective health IT implementation, interoperability, patient engagement, and compliance with federal standards.
192
+ * [Interoperability Standards](https://www.healthit.gov/isp/)
193
 
194
+ ONC’s initiatives in health data standards enable secure electronic health data exchange.
195
+ * [TEFCA Resources](https://healthit.gov/resources/?topics=tefca)
196
 
197
+ Data sheets, videos, and documents to guide users of the TEFCA framework and exchange.
198
+ * [Implementation Resources](https://healthit.gov/resources/?search-text=Implementation+Resources)
199
 
200
+ Technical resources and tools supporting healthcare providers, clinicians, and developers of health IT products.
201
+ * [Health IT Playbook](https://www.healthit.gov/playbook/)
202
 
203
+ Strategies, recommendations, and best practices for implementing and using health data and technology.
204
+ * [Security Risk Assessment Tool](https://healthit.gov/privacy-security/security-risk-assessment-tool/)
 
205
 
206
+ Desktop application supporting providers conducting HIPAA security risk assessments.
207
+ * [Patient Engagement Playbook](https://www.healthit.gov/playbook/pe/)
 
208
 
209
+ Practical reference tool for clinicians, staff, and other innovators around the world to improve patient engagement.
210
+ * [Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL)](https://chpl.healthit.gov/)
211
 
212
+ A comprehensive and authoritative listing of successfully tested and certified health IT modules.
213
+ * [Conformance Test Tools & Edge Testing Tool](https://healthit.gov/onc-conformance-test-tools/)
214
 
215
+ Resources for developers implementing standards to enable health information interoperability.
216
+ * [Health IT Feedback Form](https://inquiry.healthit.gov/support/plugins/servlet/desk/portal/2)
217
 
218
+ Users can submit feedback regarding health data and technology usability, interoperability, and compliance issues.
219
+ - Resources
220
 
221
+ * ## [Resources](/resources/)
 
222
 
223
+ ![](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bluearrow-1.png)
224
 
225
+ Collection of practical materials, videos, educational tools, and user guides designed to support successful implementation and adoption of health IT systems.
226
+ * [Get It, Check It, Use It Guide](https://healthit.gov/get-it-check-it-use-it/)
 
227
 
228
+ A guide for patients and caregivers who want to access, review, and use their health records.
229
+ * [Video Resources](https://healthit.gov/resources/?resource_types=video)
230
 
231
+ A repository of informational videos created by ONC.
232
+ * [Health IT Curriculum Resources for Educators](https://healthit.gov/health-it-basics/health-it-curriculum-resources-educators/)
233
 
234
+ Instructional materials to help healthcare workers stay current in the changing healthcare environment and deliver care more effectively.
235
+ * [Fact Sheets](https://healthit.gov/resources/?resource_types=fact-sheet)
236
 
237
+ A repository of fact sheets created by ONC.
238
+ - Tools & Technology
239
+ * + ### Implementation
240
+ + [Certified Health IT Product List](https://chpl.healthit.gov/)
241
 
242
+ A comprehensive and authoritative listing of successfully tested and certified health IT modules.
243
+ + [Electronic Clinical Quality Improvement Resource Center](https://ecqi.healthit.gov/)
244
 
245
+ Provides common standards and shared technologies to monitor and analyze the quality of health care and patient outcomes.
246
+ + [Security Risk Assessment Tool](https://healthit.gov/privacy-security/security-risk-assessment-tool/)
247
 
248
+ Desktop application supporting providers conducting HIPAA security risk assessments.
249
+ * + ### Tools
250
+ + [Edge Testing Tool](https://site.healthit.gov/)
251
 
252
+ A centralized collection of testing tools and resources supporting health IT developers and users fully evaluating specific technical standards.
253
+ + [Conformance Test Tools](https://healthit.gov/onc-conformance-test-tools/)
 
254
 
255
+ ONC-approved conformance resources supporting developers implementing standards to enable health information interoperability.
256
+ + [Get It, Check It, Use It Guide](https://healthit.gov/get-it-check-it-use-it/)
257
 
258
+ A guide for patients and caregivers who want to access, review, and use their health records.
259
+ * + ### Quick Links
260
+ + [Certification & Testing](https://healthit.gov/onc-health-it-certification-program-test-method/)
261
+ + [USCDI](https://isp.healthit.gov/united-states-core-data-interoperability-uscdi)
262
+ + [USCDI+](https://healthit.gov/standards-and-technology/uscdi-plus/)
263
+ + [Interoperability Standards Platform (ISP)](https://isp.healthit.gov/)
264
+ + [FHIR](https://healthit.gov/fhir)
265
+ + [ONC Standards Bulletins](https://healthit.gov/standards-and-technology/onc-standards-bulletin/)
266
+ + [Patient ID & Matching Adopted Standards for HHS](https://healthit.gov/standards-and-technology/patient-identity-and-patient-record-matching/)
267
+ * News & Events
268
 
269
+ + - [Media Center](/media-center)
270
+ - [News](/news)
271
+ - [Events](/events)
272
+ + - ## Latest News & Events
273
+ - ### Upcoming Event
274
 
275
+ [![Adoption of AI in Clinical Care: Updates from the HHS RFI](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/featured_news_menu_NC_events.jpg)
 
 
 
 
 
 
276
 
277
+ **June 25, 2026**
 
 
 
 
 
278
 
279
+ #### Adoption of AI in Clinical Care: Updates from the HHS RFI](https://healthit.gov/event/adoption-of-ai-in-clinical-care-updates-from-the-hhs-rfi/)
 
 
 
 
280
 
281
+ ### Latest Blog
 
282
 
283
+ [![Advancing the Future of Behavioral Health Data Exchange ](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/featured_news_menu_blog-alt.jpg)
284
 
285
+ **February 4, 2026**
286
 
287
+ #### Advancing the Future of Behavioral Health Data Exchange](https://healthit.gov/blog/behavioral-health/advancing-the-future-of-behavioral-health-data-exchange/)
288
 
289
+ ### Recent News
290
 
291
+ [![New Data Brief: Electronic Health Record Adoption and Exchange Capabilities Among Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Facilities, 2024](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/uscdi_feature-image_data-info.jpg)
 
 
292
 
293
+ **April 20, 2026**
294
 
295
+ #### New Data Brief: Electronic Health Record Adoption and Exchange Capabilities Among Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Facilities, 2024](https://healthit.gov/data/data-briefs/electronic-health-record-adoption-and-exchange-capabilities-among-substance-use-and-mental-health-treatment-facilities-2024/)
296
+ * About
297
+ + - Overview
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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+ * [About ONC](https://healthit.gov/about/)
 
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+ Mission, role, and responsibilities of ONC.
302
+ * [Leadership](/about/leadership)
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+ * [History](https://healthit.gov/about/history/)
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+ Timeline of ONC’s evolution and key milestones.
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+ * [Budget & Performance](https://healthit.gov/about/onc-budget-and-performance/)
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+ * [Investments](https://healthit.gov/interoperability/investments/)
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+ * [Reports to Congress](/reports-congress/)
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+ Annual health data and technology progress updates to Congress.
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+ - Careers
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+ * [Careers at ONC](https://healthit.gov/about/careers/)
 
 
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+ View opportunities with ONC.
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+ * [Working at ONC](https://healthit.gov/about/careers/working-at-onc/)
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+ * [Contact Us](https://healthit.gov/contact-us/)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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330
+ * [Health IT Feedback Form](https://www.healthit.gov/feedback)
 
 
 
 
 
 
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+ Users can submit feedback regarding health data and technology usability, interoperability, and compliance issues.
333
+ * [Report Issue with Certified Health IT](/certification-health-it/certified-health-it-complaint-process/)
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+ * [Information Blocking Claim](https://healthit.gov/report-info-blocking)
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+ ONC’s contractors and grantees play a valuable role in helping promote better health care for Americans by fostering interoperable health data and technology.
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+ * [Grants Management & Process](https://healthit.gov/about/onc-grants-cooperative-agreements/)
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+ Learn about opportunities for funding through grants and cooperative agreements.
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+ * [Blog](/blog/)
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+ * [Health IT Feedback & Inquiry Form](/feedback)
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+ * [Certification of Health IT](https://healthit.gov/certification-health-it/)
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+ * [Information Blocking](https://healthit.gov/information-blocking/)
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- GUI DE
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-
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- Social Media
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- Marketing Strategy
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- Eight easy steps to develop your
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- social media presence
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-
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- Contents
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-
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- Step 1: Set social media marketing goals that align to business objectives
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-
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- Step 2: Learn everything you can about your audience
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-
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- Step 3: Research the competition
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-
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- Step 4: Conduct a social media audit
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-
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- Step 5: Set up accounts and improve existing profiles
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-
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- Step 6: Find inspiration
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-
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- Step 7: Create a social media content calendar
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-
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- Step 8: Test, evaluate, and adjust your strategy
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-
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- 3
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- 4
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- 6
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- 7
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- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
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-
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- #239584107
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-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46
  2
47
 
48
- Related resource
49
-
50
- The Social Media Metrics
51
- that Really Matter—and
52
- How to Track Them
53
-
54
- Step 1
55
-
56
- Set social media marketing goals that align to
57
- business objectives
58
-
59
- The more specific your strategy is, the more effective the execution will be.
60
- Set SMART goals and track the right metrics to set yourself up for success.
61
-
62
- Set SMART goals
63
-
64
- The first step to creating a social media marketing strategy is to establish
65
- your objectives and goals. Without goals, you have no way to measure your
66
- success or your social media return on investment (ROI).
67
-
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- Each of your goals should be:
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-
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- Specific
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-
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- Measurable
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-
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- Attainable
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-
76
- Relevant
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-
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- Time-bound
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-
80
- An example of a SMART goal for your business might be "Grow our Instagram
81
- audience by 50 new followers per week."
82
-
83
- With SMART goals, you’ll make sure your goals actually lead to real business
84
- results, rather than just lofty ideals.
85
-
86
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
87
-
88
  3
89
 
90
- Track meaningful metrics
91
-
92
- While vanity metrics like retweets and likes can be fun to share and easy to
93
- track, it’s hard to prove their real value for your business. Instead, focus on
94
- targets such as leads generated, web referrals, and conversion rate.
95
-
96
- You may want to track different goals for different channels, or even different uses
97
- of each channel. For example, you can use paid campaigns to increase brand
98
- awareness, but measure acquisition and engagement for organic social posts.
99
-
100
- Make sure to align your social media goals with your overall marketing
101
- strategy. This will make it easier for you to show the value of your work and
102
- get executive buy-in and investment.
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-
104
- Start developing your social media marketing plan by writing down at least
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- three social media goals.
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-
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- Goals
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-
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- 1.
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-
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- 2.
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-
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- 3.
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-
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- Step 2
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-
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- Related resource
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-
119
- How to build audience
120
- personas
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-
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- Learn everything you can about your audience
123
-
124
- if you’re not engaged in social media listening, you’re creating your business
125
- strategy with blinders on—and you’re missing out on mountains of actionable
126
- insights from real people who are actively talking about you or your industry online.
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-
128
- Here’s how to start listening and building your understanding of your
129
- audience and their needs.
130
-
131
- Create audience personas
132
-
133
- tKnowing who your audience is and what they want to see on social is key to
134
- creating content that they will like, comment on, and share. This knowledge
135
- also critical for planning how to develop your social media fans into
136
- customers for your business.
137
-
138
- Try creating audience personas. For example, a retail brand might create
139
- different personas based on demographics, buying motivations, common
140
- buying objections, and the emotional needs of each type of customer.
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-
142
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
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-
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  4
145
 
146
- Personas sharpen your marketing tactics. Luxury buyers, for example,
147
- might not respond to Facebook ads with sales. But they might respond to
148
- Facebook ads with exclusive in-store events to be the first to see a new line of
149
- clothing. With personas, you’ll have the customer insights you need to create
150
- campaigns that speak to the real desires and motivations of your buyers.
151
-
152
- Gather real-world data
153
-
154
- Don’t make assumptions. Social media analytics can also provide a ton of
155
- valuable information about who your followers are, where they live, which
156
- languages they speak, and how they interact with your brand on social. These
157
- insights allow you to refine your strategy and better target your social ads.
158
-
159
- Jugnoo, an Uber-like service for auto-rickshaws in India, used Facebook
160
- Analytics to learn that 90 percent of their users who referred other
161
- customers were between 18 and 34 years old, and that 65 percent of that
162
- group was using Android. They used this information to target their ads,
163
- resulting in a 40 percent lower cost per referral.
164
-
165
- Step 3
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-
167
- Research the competition
168
-
169
- Odds are, your competitors are already using social media—and that means
170
- you can learn from what they’re already doing.
171
-
172
- Conduct a competitive analysis
173
-
174
- A competitive analysis allows you to understand who the competition is and
175
- what they’re doing well (and not so well). You’ll get a good sense of what’s
176
- expected in your industry, which will help you set some social media targets
177
- of your own.
178
-
179
- This analysis will also help you spot opportunities. For example, maybe
180
- one of your competitors dominates on Facebook, but has put little effort
181
- into Twitter or Instagram. You might want to focus on the networks where
182
- your audience is underserved, rather than trying to win fans away from a
183
- dominant player.
184
-
185
- Engage in social listening
186
-
187
- Social listening is another way to keep track of the competition.
188
-
189
- As you track your competitors’ accounts and relevant industry keywords, you
190
- may notice strategic shifts in the way competitors use their social accounts.
191
- Or you might spot a specific post or campaign that really hits the mark—or
192
- one that bombs.
193
-
194
- Keep an eye on this information and use to it evaluate your own goals and plans.
195
-
196
- Related resources
197
-
198
- How to conduct a
199
- competitor audit
200
-
201
- Getting started with
202
- social listening
203
-
204
- Watch: How to set up
205
- social listening streams
206
-
207
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
208
-
209
  5
210
 
211
- Related resource
212
-
213
- Hootsuite’s social media
214
- audit template
215
-
216
- Step 4
217
-
218
- Conduct a social media audit
219
-
220
- Conducting a social media audit helps you assess how well your current
221
- social media use works for you.
222
-
223
- Evaluate your current efforts
224
-
225
- If you’re already using social media tools, you need to take a step back and look
226
- at what you’ve already accomplished. Ask yourself the following questions:
227
-
228
- •• What’s working?
229
-
230
- •• What’s not working?
231
-
232
- •• Who’s connecting with you on social?
233
-
234
- •• Which social media sites does your target market use?
235
-
236
- •• How does your social media presence compare to that of your competitors?
237
-
238
- Once you gather all this information in one place, you’ll have a good starting
239
- point for planning how to improve your results.
240
-
241
- Your audit should give you a clear picture of what purpose each of your
242
- social accounts serves. If the purpose of an account isn’t clear, think about
243
- whether it’s worth keeping. It may be a valuable account that just needs
244
- a strategic redirection, or it may be an outdated account that’s no longer
245
- worth your while.
246
-
247
- To help you decide, ask yourself the following questions:
248
-
249
- 1. Is my audience here?
250
-
251
- 2. If so, how are they using this platform?
252
-
253
- 3. Can I use this account to help achieve meaningful business goals?
254
-
255
- Asking these tough questions now will help keep your social media strategy
256
- on track as you grow your social presence.
257
-
258
- Look for impostor accounts
259
-
260
- During your audit process, you may discover fraudulent accounts using your
261
- business name or the names of your products—that is, accounts that you
262
- and your business don’t own.
263
-
264
- These imposter accounts can be harmful to your brand (never mind
265
- capturing followers that should be yours), so be sure to report them. You
266
- may want to get your social accounts verified to ensure your fans and
267
- followers know they are dealing with the real you.
268
-
269
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
270
-
271
  6
272
 
273
- Related resources
274
-
275
- Watch: How to optimize
276
- your social profiles
277
-
278
- We’ve also got step-by-step
279
- guides for each network
280
- to walk you through the
281
- process:
282
-
283
- Create a Facebook
284
- business page
285
-
286
- Create an Instagram
287
- business account
288
-
289
- Create a Twitter business
290
- account
291
-
292
- Create a Snapchat
293
- account
294
-
295
- Create a LinkedIn
296
- Company Page
297
-
298
- Create a Pinterest
299
- business account
300
-
301
- Create a YouTube channel
302
-
303
- Create a WeChat business
304
- account
305
-
306
- Don’t let this list overwhelm
307
- you. Remember, it’s better to
308
- use fewer channels well than
309
- to stretch yourself thin trying
310
- to maintain a presence on
311
- every social network.
312
-
313
- Finally, here’s a quick
314
- reference guide for image
315
- sizes for every network.
316
-
317
- Step 5
318
-
319
- Set up accounts and improve existing profiles
320
-
321
- Decide which networks you’ll focus on, and then set up and optimize your
322
- accounts.
323
-
324
- Determine which networks to use (and how to use them)
325
-
326
- As you decide which social channels to use, you’ll also need to define your
327
- strategy for each network. For example, you might decide to use Twitter for
328
- customer service, Facebook for customer acquisition, and Instagram for
329
- engaging existing customers.
330
-
331
- It’s a good exercise to create mission statements for each network. These
332
- one-sentence declarations will help you focus on a very specific goal for
333
- each account on each social network.
334
-
335
- For example, you could decide that:
336
-
337
- •• Facebook is best for acquiring new customers via paid advertising.
338
-
339
- ••
340
-
341
- Instagram is where you build brand affinity with existing customers.
342
-
343
- •• Twitter is where you engage press and industry influencers.
344
-
345
- •• LinkedIn is where you engage existing employees and attract new talent.
346
-
347
- •• YouTube is where you support existing customers with education and
348
-
349
- video help content.
350
-
351
- •• Snapchat is where you distribute content with the goal of building brand
352
-
353
- awareness with younger consumers.
354
-
355
- If you can’t create a solid mission statement for a particular social network,
356
- you may want to reconsider whether that network is worth it.
357
-
358
- Set up (and optimize) your accounts
359
-
360
- Once you’ve decided which networks to focus on, it’s time to create your
361
- profiles—or improve existing profiles so they align with your strategic plan.
362
-
363
- In general, make sure you fill out all profile fields, use keywords people will
364
- use to search for your business, and use images that are correctly sized for
365
- each network.
366
-
367
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
368
 
369
  7
370
 
371
- Step 6
372
-
373
- Find inspiration
374
-
375
- While it’s important that your brand be distinctive and unique, you can still
376
- draw inspiration from other businesses that are great on social.
377
-
378
- Social network success stories
379
-
380
- All of the social networks feature success stories that highlight how brands
381
- are using their tools effectively. You can usually find these on the business
382
- section of the social network’s website. (For example, take a look at the
383
- Facebook business success stories.) These case studies offer valuable
384
- insights you can apply to your own goals for each social network.
385
-
386
- Award-winning accounts and campaigns
387
-
388
- For examples of brands that are at the top of their social media game, check
389
- out the winners of The Facebook Awards or The Shorty Awards.
390
-
391
- Step 7
392
-
393
- Create a social media content calendar
394
-
395
- Sharing great content is essential, of course, but it’s equally important to have
396
- a plan in place for when you’ll share content to get the maximum impact.
397
-
398
- Your social media content calendar also needs to account for the time you’ll
399
- spend interacting with your audience (although you need to allow for some
400
- spontaneous engagement as well).
401
-
402
- Create a posting schedule
403
-
404
- Your social media content calendar lists the dates and times at which you will
405
- publish types of content on each channel. It’s the perfect place to plan all of your
406
- social media activities—from images and link sharing to blog posts and videos.
407
-
408
- Your calendar ensures your posts are spaced out appropriately and
409
- published at the optimal times. It should include both your day-to-day posts
410
- and your content for social media campaigns.
411
-
412
- Related resources
413
-
414
- How to create a social
415
- media content calendar
416
-
417
- Watch: How to save time
418
- with bulk scheduling
419
-
420
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
421
 
422
  8
423
 
424
- Plot your content mix
425
-
426
- Make sure your calendar reflects the mission statement you’ve assigned to
427
- each social profile, so that everything you post is working to support your
428
- business goals. For example, you might decide that:
429
-
430
- •• 50 percent of content will drive traffic back to your blog
431
-
432
- •• 25 percent of content will be curated from other sources
433
-
434
- •• 20 percent of content will support enterprise goals (selling, lead
435
-
436
- generation, and so on)
437
-
438
- •• 5 percent of content will be about your employees and company culture
439
-
440
- Placing these different post types in your content calendar will help ensure
441
- you maintain the ratio you’ve planned. If you’re starting from scratch and
442
- you’re simply not sure what types of content to post, try the 80-20 rule:
443
-
444
- •• 80 percent of your posts should inform, educate, or entertain your audience
445
-
446
- •• 20 percent can directly promote your brand
447
-
448
- You could also try the social media rule of thirds:
449
-
450
- •• One-third of your social content promotes your business, converts
451
-
452
- readers, and generates profit
453
-
454
- •• One-third of your social content shares ideas and stories from thought
455
-
456
- leaders in your industry or like-minded businesses
457
-
458
- •• One-third of your social content involves personal interactions with your
459
-
460
- audience
461
-
462
- Once you have your calendar set, use scheduling tools or bulk scheduling to
463
- prepare your posting in advance rather than updating constantly throughout
464
- the day. This allows you to focus on crafting the language and format of your
465
- posts, rather than writing them on the fly whenever you have time.
466
-
467
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
 
 
 
 
 
 
468
 
469
  9
470
 
471
- Step 8
472
-
473
- Test, evaluate, and adjust your strategy
474
-
475
- Your social media strategy is a hugely important document for your
476
- business, and you can’t assume you’ll get it exactly right on the first try.
477
-
478
- As you start to implement your plan and track your results, you may find
479
- that some strategies don’t work as well as you’d anticipated, while others are
480
- working even better than expected.
481
-
482
- Track your data
483
-
484
- In addition to using the analytics tools available within each social network,
485
- use UTM parameters to track visitors as they move through your website, so
486
- you can see exactly which social posts drive the most traffic to your website.
487
-
488
- Re-evaluate, test, and do it all again
489
-
490
- When data starts coming in, use it to reevaluate your strategy regularly.
491
- You can also use this information to test different posts, campaigns, and
492
- strategies against one another. Constant testing allows you to understand
493
- what works and what doesn’t, so you can refine your strategy in real time.
494
-
495
- Surveys can also be a great way to find out how well your strategy is working.
496
- Ask your social media followers, email list, and website visitors whether
497
- you’re meeting their needs and expectations on social media. You can even
498
- ask them what they’d like to see more of—and then make sure to deliver on
499
- what they tell you.
500
-
501
- Things change fast on social media. New networks emerge, while others
502
- go through significant demographic shifts. Your business will go through
503
- periods of change as well. All this means that your social media strategy
504
- should be a living document that you look at regularly and adjust as needed.
505
- Refer to it often to keep you on track, but don’t be afraid to make changes
506
- so that it better reflects new goals, tools, or plans.
507
-
508
- When you update your social strategy, make sure to let everyone on your
509
- social team know, so they can all work together to help your business make
510
- the most of your social media accounts.
511
-
512
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
513
 
514
  10
515
 
516
- Bonus: Download our social media
517
- strategy template
518
- Does this all feel a little overwhelming? The truth is that building your social
519
- media strategy is a substantial job. It should be, since it’s such an important
520
- document for your business. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.
521
-
522
- We’ve created a template to guide you through the whole process of
523
- creating your social media marketing plan. Visit our blog to download it (plus
524
- six other social media templates that can save you hours of work).
525
-
526
- Take the next leap in your social media career
527
-
528
- Hootsuite Academy
529
-
530
- Earn industry-recognized social media certifications that will make you stand
531
- out from the crowd.
532
-
533
- Begin with our free comprehensive training on social marketing. All of our
534
- courses are delivered online and taught by expert industry practitioners.
535
- Take the free course here.
536
-
537
- Build a professional workflow with Hootsuite
538
-
539
- From scheduling Instagram posts to advanced ROI measurement, Hootsuite’s
540
- flexible platform helps you execute every aspect of your social media strategy.
541
- We’re the world’s most widely used platform for managing social media.
542
-
543
- Get started with the plan that fits your needs here.
544
-
545
- Did you find this guide helpful?
546
-
547
- Tell us whether we should praise our writers or shout at them. Either way,
548
- we appreciate your honest feedback. Take our 4-minute survey here.
549
-
550
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
551
 
552
  11
553
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
+ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Herzogenaurach, March 9, 2022
2
+ adidas delivers strong results in 2021 and
3
+ expects double-digit sales growth in 2022
4
+ Major developments FY 2021
5
+ Currency-neutral revenues up 16% driven by growth in all markets
6
+ Excellent top-line momentum in EMEA, North America and Latin America with strong
7
+ double-digit increases in each region
8
+ • Double-digit growth in DTC reflecting improvements in both online and offline
9
+ • Gross margin increases to 50.7% driven by higher full-price sales and better inventory
10
+ management
11
+ • Operating margin increases 5.3 percentage points to 9.4%
12
+ Net income from continuing operations grows more than € 1 billion to € 1.492 billion
13
+ • Executive and Supervisory Boards propose dividend increase of 10% to € 3.30 per share
14
+ Outlook for FY 2022
15
+ • Currency-neutral sales to increase at a rate between 11% and 13%, already reflecting
16
+ up to 250 million of risk in Russia/CIS business related to the war in Ukraine
17
+ • Gross margin to increase to a level of between 51.5% and 52.0%
18
+ Operating margin to increase to a level of between 10.5% and 11.0%
19
+ • Net income from continuing operations to grow to between € 1.8 billion and € 1.9 billion
20
+ Kasper Rorsted, CEO of adidas: “Unfortunately, we release our 2021 results in unsettling
21
+ times. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people, our teams on the ground and
22
+ everyone affected by the war. We strongly condemn any form of violence and stand in solidarity
23
+ with all those calling for peace. We also provide immediate humanitarian aid to those in need
24
+ of support. We will continue to follow the situation closely and take future business decisions
25
+ and actions as needed, always prioritizing our employee’s safety and support.”
26
+ “In 2021, we delivered a strong set of results despite several external factors weighing on both
27
+ demand and supply throughout the year”, Kasper Rorsted continued. “Wherever markets
28
+ operated without major disruptions we have been experiencing strong top-line momentum.
29
+ This is reflected in double-digit revenue growth in EMEA, North America and Latin America.
30
+ While we continued to invest heavily into our brand, our direct-to-consumer business, and our
31
+ digital transformation, we improved our bottom-line by more than € 1 billion. Taking it all
32
+ together, 2021 was a successful first year within our new strategic cycle. In 2022, we will build
33
+ 1
34
+
35
+ on this momentum and continue to grow both our top- and bottom-line at double-digit rates
36
+ amid heightened uncertainty.”
37
+ Financial Performance in 2021
38
+ Currency-neutral sales grow 16% despite challenging market environment
39
+ In 2021, adidas was able to increase its currency-neutral revenues by 16% despite several
40
+ external factors weighing on both demand and supply throughout the year. In total, the
41
+ challenging market environment in Greater China, extensive covid-19-related lockdowns in
42
+ Asia-Pacific as well as industry-wide supply chain disruptions reduced revenue growth by
43
+ more than € 1.5 billion during the year. From a channel perspective, the company’s top-line
44
+ increase was characterized by a strong recovery from the material revenue decline in its
45
+ physical distribution channels during 2020, when the global coronavirus pandemic had caused
46
+ a large number of temporary store closures. As a result, wholesale revenues as well as sales
47
+ in adidas’ own-retail stores grew at strong double-digit rates in 2021. E-commerce revenues
48
+ increased 4% during the year, on top of the exceptionally high growth in 2020 when e-
49
+ commerce revenues had grown by more than 50%. In euro terms, the company’s revenues
50
+ increased 15% in 2021 to € 21.234 billion (2020: € 18.435 billion).
51
+ Revenue improves in all market segments
52
+ While sales increased in all market segments in 2021, the top-line development in the regions
53
+ differed significantly depending on the impact the various demand and supply challenges had
54
+ on the specific region. While all markets were negatively impacted by industry-wide supply
55
+ chain challenges, the company recorded particularly strong developments in markets that
56
+ operated without major covid-19-related disruptions. Accordingly, currency-neutral sales in
57
+ EMEA, North America, and Latin America increased by 24%, 17%, and 47%, respectively. At
58
+ the same time, the challenging market environment in Greater China (+3%) and the extensive
59
+ covid-19-related restrictions in Asia-Pacific (+8%) weighed on adidas’ results in these
60
+ markets.
61
+ Gross margin at 50.7% driven by higher full-prices sales and better inventory management
62
+ The company’s gross margin increased 0.7 percentage points to 50.7% in 2021 (2020: 50.0%).
63
+ While negative currency developments, higher supply chain costs and a less favorable channel
64
+ and market mix weighed on the development in 2021, higher full-price sales and lower
65
+ inventory allowances as well as the non-recurrence of last year’s purchase order cancellation
66
+ costs were able to overcompensate the negative effects.
67
  2
68
 
69
+ Operating margin improves by 5.3 percentage points
70
+ Other operating expenses increased 4% to € 8.892 billion in 2021 (2020: € 8.580 billion). As a
71
+ percentage of sales, other operating expenses were down 4.7 percentage points to 41.9%
72
+ (2020: 46.5%). Marketing and point-of-sale expenses increased 7% to € 2.547 billion
73
+ (2020: € 2.373 billion) due to increased investments into the brand supporting the introduction
74
+ of new products and to drive consumer experience across both digital and physical platforms.
75
+ As a percentage of sales, marketing and point-of-sale expenses decreased 0.9 percentage
76
+ points to 12.0% (2020: 12.9%). Operating overhead expenses increased 2% to € 6.345 billion
77
+ (2020: 6.207 billion) including more than € 220 million stranded costs related to the
78
+ divestiture of the Reebok business. As a percentage of sales, operating overhead expenses
79
+ decreased 3.8 percentage points to 29.9% (2020: 33.7%). As a result of the strong top-line
80
+ increase in combination with the improved gross margin and lower operating expenses as a
81
+ percentage of sales, the company’s operating profit increased 166% to 1.986 billion in 2021
82
+ (2020: € 746 million). Consequently, the operating margin increased 5.3 percentage points to
83
+ 9.4% compared to the prior year level of 4.0%.
84
+ Net financial result decreases
85
+ Financial income decreased 32% to 19 million in 2021 (2020: 29 million), while financial
86
+ expenses were down 22% to 153 million (2020: 196 million). As a result, the company
87
+ recorded a negative net financial result of 133 million (2020: negative € 167 million). The
88
+ company’s tax rate decreased 0.8 percentage points to 19.4% in 2021 (2020: 20.2%).
89
+ Net income from continuing operations increases by more than € 1 billion
90
+ Net income from continuing operations increased 223% to € 1.492 billion in 2021 (2020:
91
+ € 461 million). Both basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations also increased 223% to
92
+ € 7.47 (2020: € 2.31).
93
+ Average operating working capital as percentage of sales decreases 5.3 percentage points
94
+ At the end of December 2021, inventories were down 9% to € 4.009 billion (2020: € 4.397
95
+ billion), or 12% lower on a currency-neutral basis. This development mainly reflects the
96
+ divestiture of the Reebok business. The strong sell-through of the company’s products,
97
+ successful inventory management as well as the impact from industry-wide supply chain
98
+ challenges also contributed to the decline. Accounts receivable increased 11% to € 2.175
99
+ billion at the end of December 2021 (2020: € 1.952 billion) reflecting the company’s strong
100
+ top-line growth. On a currency-neutral basis, accounts receivables were up 6%. Accounts
101
+ payable were down 4% to 2.294 billion at the end of December 2021 versus € 2.390 billion
102
+ in 2020. This development reflects the normalization of payment terms as well as the
103
+ divestiture of the Reebok business. On a currency-neutral basis, accounts payable decreased
 
 
 
 
 
104
  3
105
 
106
+ 6%. Average operating working capital as a percentage of sales decreased 5.3 percentage
107
+ points to 20.0% for the full year (2020: 25.3%).
108
+ Accelerated investments into DTC and digital
109
+ The company’s capital expenditure increased 51% in 2021 to 667 million (2020: € 442
110
+ million). Investments in new or remodeled own-retail stores, the company’s e-commerce
111
+ business as well as the broader IT infrastructure represented once again the majority of the
112
+ expenditure.
113
+ Executive and Supervisory Boards propose dividend payment of 3.30 per share
114
+ As a result of the strong operational and financial performance in 2021, the company’s
115
+ financial position as well as Management’s confidence in its long-term growth aspirations,
116
+ the adidas Executive and Supervisory Boards will recommend paying a dividend of € 3.30 per
117
+ dividend-entitled share to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on May 12, 2022. This
118
+ represents an increase of 10% compared to the prior year dividend (2021: € 3.00).
119
+ Financial Performance in Q4 2021
120
+ Sales in the fourth quarter impacted by supply and demand challenges
121
+ Currency-neutral revenues in the fourth quarter declined 3%. Significant supply shortages as
122
+ a result of the lockdowns in Vietnam last year, the challenging market environment in Greater
123
+ China as well as covid-19-related lockdowns in Asia-Pacific reduced revenue growth by more
124
+ than € 400 million in Q4. In light of the supply shortages the company continued to prioritize
125
+ its own DTC channel. As a result, DTC revenues were stable versus the prior year, reflecting
126
+ a 14% increase compared to the 2019 level. While adidas e-commerce revenues experienced
127
+ a strong increase in full-price sales, revenues in the company’s own digital channel declined
128
+ by 2% during the quarter reflecting the exceptionally high growth in the prior year period.
129
+ Compared to the 2019 level, e-commerce revenues grew 39% in the fourth quarter. In euro
130
+ terms, adidas revenues were flat versus the prior year at € 5.137 billion (2020: € 5.142 billion).
131
+ Revenues in EMEA up strong double-digits in Q4
132
+ From a regional perspective, revenues in North America were most impacted by the supply
133
+ shortages in the fourth quarter with almost half of the total negative impact recorded in this
134
+ particular market. As a result, currency-neutral revenues in North America declined 4%
135
+ during the quarter. Nevertheless, revenues in the company’s direct-to-consumer business
136
+ continued to increase in the market, reflecting the company’s DTC-led strategy. While EMEA
137
+ was also significantly impacted by the supply shortages, revenues still grew 15%, driven by
138
+ double-digit growth in both DTC and wholesale. Fourth quarter revenues in Latin America
139
+ improved 9%, reflecting strong double-digit growth versus the 2019 level. Revenues in Greater
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
140
  4
141
 
142
+ China (-24%) and APAC (-6%) declined due to the supply shortages, covid-19-related
143
+ restrictions and in the case of China the challenging market environment.
144
+ Gross margin slightly down 0.1 percentage points
145
+ In the fourth quarter of 2021, the gross margin declined slightly by 0.1 percentage points to
146
+ 49.0% (2020: 49.1%). Significantly higher supply chain costs the company recorded
147
+ additional freight costs of more than € 100 million this quarter alone – as well as continued
148
+ headwinds from unfavorable currency developments represented a material drag on gross
149
+ margin in Q4. This impact was almost completely offset by significantly higher full price sales.
150
+ Operating margin below prior year level
151
+ Other operating expenses were up 7% to 2.501 billion during the fourth quarter (2020:
152
+ 2.331 billion). As a percentage of sales, other operating expenses increased 3.3 percentage
153
+ points to 48.7% (2020: 45.3%). Marketing and point-of-sale expenses increased 8% to
154
+ € 715 million (2020: € 662 million) and as a percentage of sales were up to 13.9% (2020:
155
+ 12.9%), reflecting higher investments to support the introduction of new products such as the
156
+ UltraBoost22, NMD S1 and the latest IVY PARK x adidas collection, as well as to elevate the
157
+ consumer experience across all touchpoints. Operating overhead expenses increased 7% to
158
+ 1.786 billion (2020: € 1.670 billion) and included stranded costs related to the divestiture of
159
+ the Reebok business in an amount of around 60 million. As a percentage of sales, operating
160
+ overhead expenses increased to 34.8% (2020: 32.5%). Operating profit amounted to
161
+ 66 million (2020: € 225 million), resulting in an operating margin of 1.3% (2020: 4.4%). Net
162
+ income from continuing operations reached € 123 million in the quarter (2020: € 143 million),
163
+ supported by a positive tax benefit related to the divestiture of the Reebok business. Both basic
164
+ and diluted EPS from continuing operations were € 0.58 in Q4 (2020: € 0.70).
165
+ Outlook for 2022
166
+ Currency-neutral sales to increase between 11% and 13%
167
+ After the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, adidas expects double-digit top-
168
+ line growth to continue in 2022 amid heightened uncertainty. Driven by the execution of the
169
+ company’s strategy ‘Own the Game’ as well as its strong product pipeline currency-neutral
170
+ revenues are projected to increase at a rate between 11% and 13%. This growth assumption
171
+ already includes a risk of up to 250 million in the company’s Russia/CIS business – about
172
+ 50% of adidas’ total revenues in the region due to the war in Ukraine and reflects the
173
+ suspension of adidas’ retail and e-commerce operations in Russia. This amount represents
174
+ around 1 percentage point of growth for the total company and explains the difference to the
175
+ initial outlook as provided in the Management Report at the time of the preparation of the
176
+ company’s annual report.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
177
  5
178
 
179
+ Currency-neutral revenues to increase in all markets
180
+ From a regional perspective, currency-neutral revenues are expected to increase in all
181
+ markets. While currency-neutral sales in North America and Latin America are projected to
182
+ grow at a mid- to high-teens rate, currency-neutral revenues are expected to grow at a rate
183
+ in the mid-teens in EMEA and Asia-Pacific. Greater China is expected to record a sales
184
+ increase in the mid-single digits as the company continues to make progress with its action
185
+ plan aimed at stabilizing the business and re-igniting growth.
186
+ Gross margin expected to expand to a level of between 51.5% and 52.0%
187
+ adidas’ gross margin is expected to continue to increase and reach a level of between 51.5%
188
+ and 52.0%. A positive channel mix effect, significant price increases as well as the positive
189
+ impact from favorable currency developments will drive the gross margin improvement and
190
+ are expected to outweigh significantly higher supply chain costs.
191
+ Operating margin to increase to a level of between 10.5% and 11.0%
192
+ The company’s operating margin is expected to increase significantly to a level of between
193
+ 10.5% and 11.0%. In addition to the higher gross margin, lower operating expenses in
194
+ percentage of sales will benefit the company’s operating margin in 2022. This development
195
+ will be supported by the non-recurrence of around 70% of the Reebok-related stranded costs,
196
+ which accounted to more than € 220 million in 2021. Driven by the strong top-line growth in
197
+ combination with the margin improvements net income from continuing operations is
198
+ projected to increase to a level of between € 1.8 billion and € 1.9 billion in 2022.
199
+ ***
200
+ Contacts:
201
+ Media Relations Investor Relations
202
+ corporate.press@adidas.com investor.relations@adidas.com
203
+ Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-2352 Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-2920
204
+ For more information, please visit adidas-group.com or report.adidas-group.com.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
205
  6
206
 
207
+ | | | | | |
208
+ | --- | ---------------- | ---------------- | --- | --- |
209
+ | | Quarter ending | Quarter ending | | |
210
+ in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change
211
+ | Net sales | | 5,137 | 5,142 | (0.1%) |
212
+ | ------------------------------------- | --- | ----------- | -------- | -------- |
213
+ | Cost of sales | | 2,618 | 2,615 | 0.1% |
214
+ | Gross profit | | 2,519 | 2,526 | (0.3%) |
215
+ | (% of net sales) | | 49.0% | 49.1% | (0.1pp) |
216
+ | Royalty and commission income | | 33 | 18 | 86.4% |
217
+ | Other operating income | | 15 | 13 | 16.3% |
218
+ | Other operating expenses | | 2,501 | 2,331 | 7.3% |
219
+ | (% of net sales) | | 48.7% | 45.3% | 3.3pp |
220
+ | Marketing and point-of-sale expenses | | 715 | 662 | 8.2% |
221
+ | (% of net sales) | | 13.9% | 12.9% | 1.1pp |
222
+ | Operating overhead expenses2 | | 1,786 | 1,670 | 6.9% |
223
+ | (% of net sales) | | 34.8% | 32.5% | 2.3pp |
224
+ | Operating profit | | 66 | 225 | (70.9%) |
225
+ | (% of net sales) | | 1.3% | 4.4% | (3.1pp) |
226
+ | Financial income | | 17 | 11 | 59.1% |
227
+ | Financial expenses | | 39 | 76 | (49.4%) |
228
+ | Income before taxes | | 44 | 160 | (72.2%) |
229
+ | (% of net sales) | | 0.9% | 3.1% | (2.2pp) |
230
+ | Income taxes | | (79) | 17 | n.a. |
231
+ | (% of income before taxes) | | (177.6%) | 10.5% | n.a. |
232
+ Net income from continuing operations 123 143 (13.8%)
233
+ | (% of net sales) | | 2.4% | 2.8% | (0.4pp) |
234
+ | ----------------- | --- | ------- | ------- | -------- |
235
+ Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax 89 14 534.2%
236
+ | Net income | | 213 | 157 | 35.3% |
237
+ | ----------------- | --- | ------- | ------- | ------ |
238
+ | (% of net sales) | | 4.1% | 3.1% | 1.1pp |
239
+ Net income attributable to shareholders 202 151 33.6%
240
+ | (% of net sales) | | 3.9% | 2.9% | 1.0pp |
241
+ | ----------------- | --- | ------- | ------- | ------ |
242
+ Net income attributable to non-controlling interests 11 6 74.9%
243
+ | | | | | |
244
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
245
+ Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in €) 0.58 0.70 (16.8%)
246
+ Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in €) 0.58 0.70 (16.8%)
247
+ | | | | | |
248
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
249
+ Basic earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (in €) 1.05 0.77 35.6 %
250
+ Diluted earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (in €) 1.05 0.77 35.6 %
251
+ | | | | | |
252
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
253
+ 1 2021 and 2020 figures reflect continuing operations as a result of the reclassification of the Reebok business to discontinued operations.
254
+ 2 Aggregated distribution and selling expenses, general and administration expenses, sundry expenses and impairment losses (net) on accounts receivable and contract assets.
255
+ Rounding differences may arise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
256
 
257
  7
258
 
259
+ | | | | | | | | |
260
+ | --- | --------------- | --- | --------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- |
261
+ | | Quarter ending | | Quarter ending | | | | Change |
262
+ € in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change (currency-neutral)
263
+ | EMEA | | 1,832 | | 1,559 | 17.5% | | 15.2% |
264
+ | ----------------- | --- | -------- | --- | -------- | -------- | --- | -------- |
265
+ | North America | | 1,303 | | 1,317 | (1.1%) | | (3.7%) |
266
+ | Greater China | | 1,037 | | 1,287 | (19.4%) | | (24.3%) |
267
+ | Asia-Pacific | | 541 | | 587 | (7.8%) | | (6.0%) |
268
+ | Latin America | | 397 | | 365 | 8.8% | | 8.7% |
269
+ | Other Businesses | | 28 | | 27 | 3.6% | | 4.1% |
270
+ | | | | | | | | |
271
+ 1 2021 and 2020 figures reflect continuing operations as a result of the reclassification of the Reebok business to discontinued operations.
272
+ Rounding differences may arise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
273
 
274
  8
275
 
276
+ | | | | | |
277
+ | --- | --- | ------------ | ------------ | --- |
278
+ | | | Year ending | Year ending | |
279
+ in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change
280
+ | Net sales | | 21,234 | 18,435 | 15.2% |
281
+ | ------------------------------ | --- | --------- | --------- | -------- |
282
+ | Cost of sales | | 10,469 | 9,213 | 13.6% |
283
+ | Gross profit | | 10,765 | 9,222 | 16.7% |
284
+ | (% of net sales) | | 50.7% | 50.0% | 0.7pp |
285
+ | Royalty and commission income | | 86 | 61 | 40.9% |
286
+ | Other operating income | | 28 | 42 | (34.8%) |
287
+ | Other operating expenses | | 8,892 | 8,580 | 3.6% |
288
+ | (% of net sales) | | 41.9% | 46.5% | (4.7pp) |
289
+ Marketing and point-of-sale expenses 2,547 2,373 7.3%
290
+ | (% of net sales) | | 12.0% | 12.9% | (0.9pp) |
291
+ | ----------------------------- | --- | -------- | -------- | -------- |
292
+ | Operating overhead expenses2 | | 6,345 | 6,207 | 2.2% |
293
+ | (% of net sales) | | 29.9% | 33.7% | (3.8pp) |
294
+ | Operating profit | | 1,986 | 746 | 166.3% |
295
+ | (% of net sales) | | 9.4% | 4.0% | 5.3pp |
296
+ | Financial income | | 19 | 29 | (32.1%) |
297
+ | Financial expenses | | 153 | 196 | (22.0%) |
298
+ | Income before taxes | | 1,852 | 578 | 220.2% |
299
+ | (% of net sales) | | 8.7% | 3.1% | 5.6pp |
300
+ | Income taxes | | 360 | 117 | 207.9% |
301
+ | (% of income before taxes) | | 19.4% | 20.2% | (0.8pp) |
302
+ Net income from continuing operations 1,492 461 223.4%
303
+ | (% of net sales) | | 7.0% | 2.5% | 4.5pp |
304
+ | ----------------- | --- | ------- | ------- | ------ |
305
+ Gain/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 666 –19 n.a
306
+ | Net income | | 2,158 | 443 | 387.4% |
307
+ | ----------------- | --- | -------- | ------- | ------- |
308
+ | (% of net sales) | | 10.2% | 2.4% | 7.8pp |
309
+ Net income attributable to shareholders 2,116 432 389.6%
310
+ | (% of net sales) | | 10.0% | 2.3% | 7.6pp |
311
+ | ----------------- | --- | -------- | ------- | ------ |
312
+ Net income attributable to non-controlling interests 42 11 296.5%
313
+ | | | | | |
314
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
315
+ Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in €) 7.47 2.31 223.3%
316
+ Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in €) 7.47 2.31 223.3%
317
+ | | | | | |
318
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
319
+ Basic earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (in €) 10.90 2.21 392.1%
320
+ Diluted earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (in €) 10.90 2.21 392.1%
321
+ | | | | | |
322
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
323
+ 1 2021 and 2020 figures reflect continuing operations as a result of the reclassification of the Reebok business to discontinued operations.
324
+ 2 Aggregated distribution and selling expenses, general and administration expenses, sundry expenses and impairment losses (net) on accounts receivable and contract assets.
325
+ Rounding differences may arise.
326
 
327
  9
328
 
329
+ | | | | | | | |
330
+ | --- | --- | ------------ | ------------ | --- | --- | ------- |
331
+ | | | Year ending | Year ending | | | Change |
332
+ € in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change (currency-neutral)
333
+ | EMEA | | 7,760 | 6,308 | | 23.0% | 24.0 % |
334
+ | ----------------- | --- | -------- | ------ | ------ | --------- | ------- |
335
+ | North America | | 5,105 | 4,519 | | 13.0% | 16.6 % |
336
+ | Greater China | | 4,597 | 4,342 | | 5.9% | 3.0 % |
337
+ | Asia-Pacific | | 2,180 | 2,083 | | 4.7% | 7.7 % |
338
+ | Latin America | | 1,446 | 1,035 | | 39.8% | 47.2 % |
339
+ | Other Businesses | | 145 | | 149 | (2.6%) | (2.0%) |
340
+ | | | | | | | |
341
+ 1 2021 and 2020 figures reflect continuing operations as a result of the reclassification of the Reebok business to discontinued operations.
342
+ Rounding differences may arise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
343
 
344
  10
345
 
346
+ | | | | | |
347
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
348
+ in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change in %
349
+ | Cash and cash equivalents | | 3,828 | 3,994 | (4.1) |
350
+ | ------------------------------- | --- | -------- | -------- | ------- |
351
+ | Accounts receivable | | 2,175 | 1,952 | 11.4 |
352
+ | Other current financial assets | | 745 | 702 | 6.1 |
353
+ | Inventories | | 4,009 | 4,397 | (8.8) |
354
+ | Income tax receivables | | 91 | 109 | (16.9) |
355
+ | Other current assets | | 1,062 | 999 | 6.3 |
356
+ Assets classified as held for sale 2,033 0 802,610.8
357
+ | Total current assets | | 13,944 | 12,154 | 14.7 |
358
+ | ---------------------------------------- | --- | --------- | --------- | ------- |
359
+ | Property, plant and equipment | | 2,256 | 2,157 | 4.6 |
360
+ | Right-of-use assets | | 2,569 | 2,430 | 5.7 |
361
+ | Goodwill | | 1,228 | 1,208 | 1.7 |
362
+ | Trademarks | | 16 | 750 | (97.8) |
363
+ | Other intangible assets | | 336 | 252 | 33.6 |
364
+ | Long-term financial assets | | 290 | 353 | (17.8) |
365
+ | Other non-current financial assets | | 160 | 414 | (61.2) |
366
+ | Deferred tax assets | | 1,263 | 1,233 | 2.5 |
367
+ | Other non-current assets | | 74 | 103 | (28.4) |
368
+ | Total non-current assets | | 8,193 | 8,899 | (7.9) |
369
+ | Total assets | | 22,137 | 21,053 | 5.1 |
370
+ | Short-term borrowings | | 29 | 686 | (95.8) |
371
+ | Accounts payable | | 2,294 | 2,390 | (4.0) |
372
+ | Current lease liabilities | | 573 | 563 | 1.8 |
373
+ | Other current financial liabilities | | 363 | 446 | (18.6) |
374
+ | Income taxes | | 536 | 562 | (4.7) |
375
+ | Other current provisions | | 1,458 | 1,609 | (9.4) |
376
+ | Current accrued liabilities | | 2,684 | 2,172 | 23.6 |
377
+ | Other current liabilities | | 434 | 398 | 9.0 |
378
+ | Liabilities classified as held for sale | | 594 | – | n.a. |
379
+ | Total current liabilities | | 8,965 | 8,827 | 1.6 |
380
+ | Long-term borrowings | | 2,466 | 2,482 | (0.7) |
381
+ | Non-current lease liabilities | | 2,263 | 2,159 | 4.8 |
382
+ Other non-current financial liabilities 51 115 (55.4)
383
+ | Pensions and similar obligations | | 267 | 284 | (6.1) |
384
+ | --------------------------------- | --- | -------- | -------- | ------- |
385
+ | Deferred tax liabilities | | 122 | 241 | (49.5) |
386
+ | Other non-current provisions | | 149 | 229 | (34.8) |
387
+ | Non-current accrued liabilities | | 8 | 8 | (3.2) |
388
+ | Other non-current liabilities | | 9 | 17 | (45.8) |
389
+ | Total non-current liabilities | | 5,334 | 5,535 | (3.6) |
390
+ | Share capital | | 192 | 195 | (1.8) |
391
+ Reserves (thereof at Dec. 31st, 2021 € 128 million relating to the Reebok disposal
392
+ | | | 69 | (474) | n.a. |
393
+ | --- | --- | ----- | -------- | ----- |
394
+ group)
395
+ | Retained earnings | | 7,259 | 6,733 | 7.8 |
396
+ | ----------------------------- | --- | --------- | --------- | ----- |
397
+ | Shareholders' equity | | 7,519 | 6,454 | 16.5 |
398
+ | Non-controlling interests | | 318 | 237 | 34.0 |
399
+ | Total equity | | 7,837 | 6,691 | 17.1 |
400
+ | Total liabilities and equity | | 22,137 | 21,053 | 5.1 |
401
 
402
  11
403
 
404
+ | Additional balance sheet information | | | | |
405
+ | ------------------------------------- | -------- | -------- | -------- | --------- |
406
+ | Operating working capital | | 3,890 | 3,960 | (1.8) |
407
+ | Working capital | | 4,978 | 3,328 | 49.6 |
408
+ | Adjusted net borrowings2 | | 2,963 | 3,148 | (5.9) |
409
+ | Financial leverage3 | 39.4% | 48.8% | | (9.4 pp) |
410
+ | | | | | |
411
+ | | | | | |
412
+ 1 2021 figures reflect the reclassification of the Reebok business to assets or liabilities held for sale.
413
+ 2 Adjusted net borrowings = short-term borrowings + long-term borrowings and future cash used in lease and pension liabilities – cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets.
414
+ 3 Based on shareholders' equity.
415
+ Rounding differences may arise.
416
+
417
+ 12
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1
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers
2
- with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
3
 
4
- A WBR Digital Benchmarking Whitepaper Presented in Conjunction with CFI Group
5
- September 2014
6
-
7
- Table Of Contents
8
-
9
- Executive Summary ............... 2
10
-
11
- Key Findings ........................... 3
12
-
13
- Research Findings
14
- Investing in People &
15
- Technology
16
- to Enhance In-Store
17
- Experiences ............................... 4
18
-
19
- The Challenge of
20
- Cross-Channel Consistency ....... 6
21
-
22
- Turning In-Store Data
23
- into Actionable Messaging ........ 9
24
-
25
- The Future of
26
- Store Technologies .................. 10
27
-
28
- Key Recommendations ........ 13
29
-
30
- Appendices ........................... 14
31
-
32
- About Future Stores ............ 16
33
-
34
- About CFI Group .................. 16
35
-
36
- About WBR & WBR Digital .. 17
37
-
38
- Register for Next Year’s
39
- Future Stores Conference .... 17
40
-
41
- Executive Summary
42
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great
43
- In-Store Retail Experiences
44
-
45
- Technology has had an expansive and multidimensional impact on retail in recent
46
- years. In particular, the ascendance of multichannel e-commerce platforms has
47
- challenged brands to reimagine how they interact with consumers. As a result, today’s
48
- connected consumers have access to a whole host of digital shopping tools, including
49
- interactive websites with high-definition images and mobile-optimized web and email.
50
- E-commerce offers variety, convenience, and information, empowering consumers to
51
- engage with retailers when, where, and how they please.
52
-
53
- Despite e-commerce’s growing popularity, stores are still the lynchpins of retail strategy.
54
- The Department of Commerce estimates that e-commerce accounted for approximately
55
- 6.5% of all retail sales in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2014. Although this
56
- reaffirms that physical stores remain retailers’ most prominent sources of revenue, it
57
- also suggests that there are great opportunities for synergy between a brand’s physical
58
- locations and its e-commerce platform.
59
-
60
- Indeed, many of the technological innovations that have threatened to erode in-store
61
- sales have turned out to be great assets to retailers. Mobile devices enable businesses
62
- to send extremely relevant and timely messages to consumers by using location-based
63
- services and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons. Loyalty programs deployed across
64
- channels encourage repeat business both in-store and online. QR codes and interactive
65
- displays offer customers new ways to engage with and learn about products and
66
- services. Omnichannel initiatives (e.g., an option for the consumer to buy online and
67
- pick up in-store) promote interchannel traffic. Because of these innovations, today’s
68
- consumers begin shopping before they walk into the store and continue shopping after
69
- they leave, making their in-store experiences the unifying element.
70
-
71
- The mission of retail stores has evolved and expanded greatly in recent years, and
72
- it has been influenced in large part by technological innovation and new consumer
73
- insights. The most successful retail stores not only leverage new technologies to drive
74
- in-store conversions, but they also enhance the shopping experience, collect actionable
75
- customer data, and serve as a physical extension of the brand. This is the store of the
76
- future: a connected showroom that fuses together multichannel experiences to convert
77
- and engage customers while also learning from them.
78
-
79
- What follows is an analysis of the best practices and paradigm-shifting experiences
80
- retailers are creating in their stores. The analysis is based on survey data collected from
81
- retail executives and professionals in a variety of industries. This data was collected on-site
82
- at the 2014 Future Stores Conference and through an online survey. The findings are
83
- based on the insights and practices of some of the world’s leading retailers and brands.
84
-
85
- 2
86
-
87
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Key Findings
88
-
89
- Retailers are increasing their investments in
90
- technology in order to make their in-store
91
- experiences more relevant and engaging.
92
- Although associates are still the most important in-store sales
93
- assets, retailers are investing equally in new store technologies
94
- and personnel training. Will this shift in emphasis produce a more
95
- technology-driven in-store sales process?
96
 
97
- Businesses are struggling to create consistent
98
- shopping experiences across channels.
99
- In today’s omnichannel commercial world, consistency of experience
100
- is key to improving conversions and enhancing consumer loyalty.
101
- Unfortunately, most retailers’ shopping experiences are only somewhat
102
- consistent across channels, resulting in significant missed opportunities.
103
 
104
- Retailers must improve in-store data
105
- collection in order to create more targeted
106
- and personalized marketing activities.
107
 
108
- Few retailers are collecting in-store data very effectively, leaving
109
- them with an incomplete view of the customer and ineffective
110
- marketing messages.
111
 
112
- The most effective retail technologies of
113
- the future will create seamless shopping
114
- experiences and integrate with other
115
- technologies and services.
116
 
117
- In-store retail technology is constantly evolving.
118
- Although many new technologies will arise over the next 2-5 years,
119
- not all of those tools will help businesses improve their conversions and
120
- experiences. Retailers will need to critically sort through the multitude
121
- of solutions and only implement those that enhance conversions while
122
- providing customers with effortless, engaging experiences.
123
 
124
- 3
125
 
126
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences “Customers always want
127
- more of what they’re
128
- not getting. They want
129
- outcomes to be easier to
130
- achieve, and they would
131
- like them with greater
132
- convenience and at a
133
- higher value.”
134
 
135
- - Mike Wittenstein, Retail
136
- Customer Experience Strategist
137
- and Designer, Storyminers
138
 
139
- Research Findings
 
 
 
140
 
141
- Investing in People & Technology to Enhance In-Store
142
- Experiences
143
 
144
- Today’s retail stores fulfill a variety of critical functions ranging far beyond simple revenue
145
- generation. Stores have become the standard-bearers for a brand’s customer experience,
146
- driving consumer loyalty and engagement through innovative interactions and inventive
147
- campaigns. Stores are also a burgeoning source of data that can be turned into rich insights
148
- into shoppers’ tendencies and preferences. Add in customers’ lofty expectations for shopping
149
- experiences and the value of the modern store becomes undeniable. With few exceptions,
150
- stores continue to be the backbone of retail businesses, even in today’s world of e-commerce
151
- and digital interconnectedness.
152
 
153
- The best brands are using their stores as a source of innovation and invention, and
154
- they are constantly updating designs, technology, and personnel to get the most out of
155
- each location. Creating a store of the future means seamlessly integrating cutting-edge
156
- technology with tried and true designs and tactics, providing a strong balance of analog
157
- and digital elements that help deliver to customers higher value outcomes that are easier
158
- to achieve. When it comes to technology, electronic point of sale (EPOS) tools have
159
- become extremely common, with over three quarters of survey respondents indicating
160
- that they are already utilizing the capability. A robust 72% are leveraging mobile devices
161
- and tablets in stores, and 60% are making use of digital displays or kiosks.
162
 
163
- Although retailers indicated that they are investing equally in new technology and training
164
- of store associates, 91% of those surveyed said that the greatest sales assets in their
165
- stores are still sales associates. New technologies are providing good value to the in-store
166
- experience, but they have yet to supplant personnel as key sales elements.
167
 
168
- What is the greatest sales asset in your stores?
 
169
 
170
- 91% Sales associates
 
171
 
172
- 6% Store format design
 
173
 
174
- 6%
 
175
 
176
- Interactive elements
177
- (tablets, virtual
178
- displays, etc.)
179
 
180
- Respondents Overwhelmingly Consider Sales
181
- Associates to Be Their Greatest In-Store Assets
182
 
183
- 4
 
184
 
185
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
186
 
187
- Which of the following are you investing in
188
- most to improve in-store conversions?
189
 
190
- 42% New technology
 
191
 
192
- (i.e. touch screens,
193
- beacons, etc.)
194
 
195
- 41% Training and
 
 
196
 
197
- development of
198
- sales associates
199
 
200
- 17% Alternative store
 
201
 
202
- formats
 
203
 
204
- Respondents Are Investing Equally in New
205
- Technology and Sales Associate Training to Drive
206
- In-Store Conversions
207
 
208
- Which technologies are you using to enhance
209
- the in-store experience
210
 
211
- 76% POS
 
 
212
 
213
- 72% Mobile/tablet
 
214
 
215
- 60% Displays/Kiosks
 
216
 
217
- 12% None of these
218
 
219
- 5% NFC
 
220
 
221
- 3% BLE
 
222
 
223
- Point-Of-Sale Tools and Tablets Are the Most
224
- 70
225
- Common Technologies Being Leveraged to
226
- Enhance In-Store Experiences
227
 
228
- 50
 
229
 
230
- 10
 
231
 
232
- 30
 
233
 
234
- 40
 
235
 
236
- 60
 
237
 
238
- 20
 
239
 
240
- 0
 
 
241
 
242
- 80
243
 
244
- 5
 
245
 
246
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
247
 
248
- “The tools are all there
249
- to integrate these
250
- experiences, they just
251
- aren’t always being
252
- implemented. There is
253
- a resistance to change,
254
- because making changes
255
- costs a lot of time and
256
- money.”
257
 
258
- - Jack Shaw, VP North American
259
- Sales, Adaequare Inc.
260
 
261
- The Challenge of Cross-Channel Consistency
 
262
 
263
- Advances in technology particularly mobile technology over the past decade have
264
- resulted in a rapid expansion in the variety of commercial tools available to consumers.
265
- Today, consumers are increasingly engaging with brands across a variety of diverse media.
266
- The customer journey has become expansive, dynamic, and multilayered; it permeates
267
- desktop websites, mobile-optimized sites and apps, social networks, and retail stores
268
- themselves. For retailers, this has meant a multiplication of consumer touch points and
269
- an unprecedented demand for innovative digital shopping tools. However, the challenge
270
- for retailers is not just to develop spectacular omnichannel shopping capabilities but also
271
- to deliver outstanding experiences across all channels. When it comes to omnichannel
272
- customer experiences, consistency is key.
273
 
274
- Delivering consistently great customer experiences in-store and online can be a profound
275
- challenge for retail businesses. In this study, only 16% of respondents said that their
276
- customer experiences are very consistent between their stores and online presence.
277
- The majority (60%) of those surveyed noted that their experiences are only somewhat
278
- consistent. In their quest to provide a great customer experience, these retailers are facing
279
- many complex challenges, including creating consistency across channels, personalizing
280
- the experience, capturing and applying relevant customer data, and the implementation
281
- of customer experience initiatives across store locations.
282
 
283
- Although the retailer perspective is an important indicator of the state of shopping
284
- experiences, an even more critical measure is how consumers perceive those experiences.
285
- Unfortunately, the way retailers view their shopping experience can differ greatly from
286
- consumers’ perspectives. For instance, in a Bain & Co. customer experience survey,
287
- 80% of companies stated that they were delivering a “superior experience” to their
288
- customers. However, consumers in the survey said that only 8% of companies were
289
- actually delivering high-quality experiences. This discrepancy underlines how critical it is
290
- for retailers to listen to their customers, especially when it comes to experiences.
291
 
292
- Without a doubt, modern retail businesses must have an omnichannel vision in order
293
- to adapt to the changes in consumer shopping patterns brought on by technological
294
- advances. In part, a successful omnichannel strategy demands that retailers understand
295
- the key actions that consumers take during their shopping experiences, and retailers
296
- must then make those actions available across multiple channels. Enabling consumers to
297
- engage with multiple platforms en route to a purchase not only improves the shopping
298
- experience but also increases conversion rates and reduces cart abandonment.
299
 
300
- Two notable omnichannel shopping practices include showrooming and “buy online, pick
301
- up in store” options. Showrooming, the practice of evaluating products in a store before
302
- buying them online, poses a clear threat to traditional retailers, which are susceptible to
303
- customers using mobile devices to compare prices while in the store. Despite the threat,
304
- nearly three quarters of respondents reported that they have not seen any sort of impact
305
- from showrooming. In fact, 19% noted that showrooming has had a positive impact on
306
- their businesses. This is likely because omnichannel shoppers have been shown to spend
307
- significantly more than single-channel shoppers. Similarly, “buy online, pick up in store”
308
- options, which offer the convenience of an online transaction alongside the satisfaction
309
- of instantly picking up an item, are expanding although only 26% of respondents
310
- currently have fully-deployed programs.
311
 
312
- 6
313
 
314
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences How consistent is your customer experience
315
- between in-store and online?
316
 
317
- 60% Somewhat consistent
 
318
 
319
- 24% Not consistent
 
320
 
321
- 16% Very consistent
 
322
 
323
- Most Respondents Say That Their In-Store and
324
- Online Experiences Are Somewhat Consistent
325
 
326
- What is the greatest challenge of providing a
327
- great customer experience?
328
 
329
- 34% Creating consistent
330
- experiences across
331
- channels
332
 
333
- 24% Personalizing
334
 
335
- customer
336
- experiences
337
 
338
- 21% Capturing and
 
339
 
340
- analyzing relevant
341
- customer data
342
 
343
- 21% Implementing
 
344
 
345
- customer experience
346
- initiatives across
347
- stores
348
 
349
- There Are Many Challenges to Providing a Great
350
- Customer Experience, with No Single Obstacle
351
- Standing Out Above the Rest
352
 
353
- 7
 
354
 
355
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
356
 
357
- How is showrooming impacting your business?
 
358
 
359
- 74% Neutral we have
 
360
 
361
- not seen much of a
362
- change
363
 
364
- 19% Positively – we
365
 
366
- have adapted and
367
- are leveraging it to
368
- drive sales
369
 
370
- 7% Negatively it is
371
- hurting our sales
372
 
373
- Nearly Three-Quarters of Respondents Have Not
374
- Yet Felt the Effects of Showrooming
375
 
376
- Do you currently offer a “buy online, pick up
377
- in store” option?
378
 
379
- 51% No, we do not
 
 
 
380
 
381
- 26% We have a fully-
382
- deployed program
383
 
384
- 23% We currently offer a
 
385
 
386
- limited program
 
 
387
 
388
- Approximately Half of the Retailers Surveyed
389
- Currently Offer Some Sort of Option to Buy
390
- Products Online and Pick Them Up In-Store
391
 
392
- 8
 
393
 
394
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
395
 
396
- Turning In-Store Data into Actionable Messaging
 
 
 
 
397
 
398
- The age of big data has made retailers keenly aware of the wealth of information that can be
399
- collected in their stores. Using BLE beacons, location-based mobile services, loyalty programs,
400
- promotions, and sales trends, merchants can uncover valuable data on the in-store customer
401
- experience. This data can then help them track traffic patterns, evaluate how customers are
402
- interacting with displays, and determine which promotions and marketing messages are
403
- having the greatest impact. In other words, these insights lead to optimized stores, improved
404
- marketing campaigns, and more effective omnichannel commerce interfaces.
405
 
406
- Unfortunately, only 14% of respondents indicated that they believe that they are very
407
- effectively collecting customer data in their stores. Similarly, a third of respondents said that
408
- their in-store data collection has been ineffective. As a result, just under a fifth of the retailers
409
- surveyed said that their marketing activities are very targeted and personalized. This lack of
410
- personalization indicates that most retailers are missing major opportunities to reap the many
411
- benefits of in-store data insights.
412
 
413
- For those companies that are not yet taking advantage of in-store data, it is essential that they
414
- build processes to capture that information. Those retailers that have processes in place now
415
- have access to a new age of sophisticated key performance indicators, such as conversion
416
- rate, shopper yield, Average Transaction Value (ATV), entrance traffic, and sales per square
417
- foot, as well as a whole host of omnichannel metrics and capabilities.
418
 
419
- How effectively are you collecting customer
420
- data in-store
421
 
422
- 44% Somewhat effectively
423
 
424
- 33% Not effectively
425
 
426
- 14% Very effectively
427
 
428
- 9% Unsure
429
 
430
- Only 14% of Respondents Reported That Their
431
- Businesses Are Doing a Very Effective Job of
432
- Collecting Customer Data in Stores
433
 
434
- 9
435
 
436
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences “67% of shoppers are
437
- accessing brand-related
438
- content and apps while
439
- shopping in-store. This
440
- embrace of mobile
441
- shopping is where the
442
- real opportunity lies for
443
- retailers to make their
444
- store a better place to
445
- shop. It is gradually
446
- becoming clear: the
447
- stores that make proper
448
- use of mobile wallets
449
- are the ones who will
450
- come out on top in the
451
- modern retail era.”
452
 
453
- - Digital Retail Product Executive,
454
- Retail
455
 
456
- How would you describe the personalization and
457
- targeting of your current marketing activities?
458
 
459
- 53% Somewhat targeted
 
460
 
461
- and personalized
 
462
 
463
- 23% Not targeted and
464
- personalized
465
 
466
- 19% Very Targeted and
467
- personalized
468
 
469
- 5% Not sure
 
470
 
471
- Most Organizations Are Personalizing and
472
- Targeting Their Marketing Messages, but There
473
- Is Still Room for Improvement
474
 
475
- The Future of Store Technologies
 
476
 
477
- With businesses leveraging their digital assets to drive sales in-store and vice versa,
478
- omnichannel execution has become the bedrock of modern retail strategy. In fact, the
479
- intersections between physical and digital retail channels have become so extensive that
480
- many companies are no longer differentiating between sales made in stores and those
481
- made digitally. As Saks Inc. CEO Stephen Sadove has said, “There is so much integration
482
- between store and online sales that we can’t report the numbers separately. [That just
483
- doesn’t] make sense, because we are moving inventory from one to another all the time.”
484
 
485
- The omnichannel paradigm has an inherent emphasis on technological innovation.
486
- New devices, online offerings, and digital touch points are the engines of retail growth
487
- because they streamline shopping experiences across channels and engage consumers on
488
- their own terms. Novel technologies also enable businesses to gather a massive amount
489
- of customer data, which can then be used to personalize marketing messages and shift
490
- inventory to the right places. However, given the abundance of tools and technologies
491
- available, choosing the right solutions can prove challenging. The best brands are those
492
- that cut through unessential capabilities and focus only on those that add significant
493
- value to the customer experience.
494
 
495
- The technologies that retailers rely on to improve conversions, engage customers, and
496
- collect data in stores will inevitably change over time. As a result, which capabilities will
497
- be at the center of the stores of the future? Despite the relatively wide utilization of QR
498
- codes in retail stores, 61% of those surveyed said that they believe that QR codes will
499
- disappear on the next 2-5 years. In contrast, 71% of respondents indicated anticipation
500
- that mobile wallet capabilities will become standard over the same time period. In many
501
- cases, the utilization of a given capability will not just depend on how sophisticated a
502
- technology is but also on how that technology can be leveraged during a customer’s
503
 
504
- 10
 
505
 
506
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
 
507
 
508
- path to purchase. Mobile wallets, for example, could potentially streamline the payment
509
- process and mitigate one possible obstacle to a purchase while also enhancing customer
510
- loyalty programs by capturing more data and improving incentives.
511
 
512
- Design will also factor heavily into the retail technologies of the future. According to
513
- Mike Wittenstein, Retail Customer Experience Strategist and Designer, Storyminers, some
514
- of the most successful retail technologies are the least intrusive and most intuitive for
515
- consumers to interact with. This is the principle of Invisible Design: the less intrusive and
516
- more streamlined a technology is, the more likely it is to become widely adopted.
517
 
518
- What in-store technology will disappear in the
519
- next 2-5 years?
520
 
521
- 61% QR Codes
 
522
 
523
- 24% None of the Above
 
524
 
525
- 13% Touch screens & kiosks
526
 
527
- 10% SMS
528
 
529
- 10% Mobile websites
 
 
 
530
 
531
- 10% Retail Apps
532
 
533
- 9%
534
 
535
- iBeacons/Display Beacons
536
 
537
- A Strong Majority Believes that QR Codes Will
538
- 20
539
- 0
540
- Disappear in the next 2-5 Years
541
 
542
- 50
543
 
544
- 30
545
 
546
- 40
 
 
547
 
548
- 10
549
 
550
- 60
 
 
551
 
552
- 70
553
 
554
- 80
555
 
556
- What future store technology will become
557
- standard practice in the next 2-5 years?
558
 
559
- 71% Mobile wallet
560
 
561
- 48%
562
 
563
- iBeacons/Display Beacons
564
 
565
- 42% Wearable technology
566
 
567
- 35%
568
 
569
- Interactive mirrors &
570
- virtual displays
571
 
572
- 8% QR Codes
573
 
574
- 3% Other
575
 
576
- More than 70% of Respondents See Mobile Wallet
577
- 70
578
- 50
579
- Becoming Standard over the next 2-5 Years
580
 
581
- 60
 
582
 
583
- 20
 
584
 
585
- 30
 
586
 
587
- 10
 
588
 
589
- 40
590
 
591
- 0
592
 
593
- 80
 
594
 
595
- 11
 
596
 
597
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
598
- Which retailers do you believe are providing the
599
- most exceptional in-store experiences?
600
 
601
- 1
 
602
 
603
- 2
604
 
605
- 3
606
 
607
- 4
608
 
609
- 5
610
 
611
- Nordstrom
612
 
613
- Apple
614
 
615
- REI
616
 
617
- Nike
618
 
619
- Sephora
620
 
621
- Nordstrom, Apple, and REI Top the List of
622
- Retailers Providing Exceptional In-Store
623
- Experiences
624
 
625
- 12
626
 
627
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Key Recommendations
 
628
 
629
- As retailers continue to invest heavily in store
630
- technologies, there may come a time when
631
- technology is seen as a more critical in-store
632
- sales asset than associates.
633
 
634
- Insofar as interactive displays, POS tools, and other digital offerings can create a fluid
635
- and enjoyable shopping experience, customers will willingly turn to those technologies.
636
- As those tools become more sophisticated, they may eventually supersede sales
637
- associates as the greatest in-store revenue drivers.
638
 
639
- In order to holistically measure how consumers
640
- are interacting with their products and
641
- brands, businesses must prioritize a new set
642
- of consumer engagement metrics alongside
643
- traditional measures like conversions.
644
 
645
- Customer experiences have become so important that retailers must consider new
646
- metrics, including involvement (i.e., whether or not consumers are relying on the brand
647
- for information, goods, and services on an ongoing basis) and time of awareness to
648
- time of satisfaction (i.e., how long it takes for a customer to acquire a good or service
649
- from the time they become aware of it). Improving involvement and shortening the
650
- time of awareness to time of satisfaction are becoming central objectives for businesses.
651
 
652
- Retail success is increasingly dependent on
653
- how well businesses are learning from and
654
- listening to customers.
655
 
656
- In a customer-centric world, the top-performing organizations are those that sincerely
657
- listen to customer feedback and effectively collect customer data. Stores are a great
658
- source of these inputs, which enable organizations to optimize their offerings and
659
- create personalized marketing messages.
660
 
661
- Modern retail challenges organizations to deliver
662
- the right services to the right places at the right
663
- times while maintaining a consistent feel.
664
- Not only must retail organizations become more agile in order to create the capabilities
665
- customers demand, they must also extend those capabilities across a variety of channels
666
- without detracting from the overall experience. Many retailers are struggling with this
667
- cross-channel consistency, highlighting the need for them to critically evaluate how they
668
- interact with customers on different media.
669
 
670
- Creating a store of the future means
671
- leveraging the right technologies and phasing
672
- out anachronistic elements.
673
 
674
- In order to create immersive and satisfying in-store experiences that consistently drive
675
- revenue, companies must replace outmoded elements with the right technologies,
676
- particularly digital tools that enhance product interactions and capture key data points.
677
- This requires constant re-evaluation and, occasionally, reinvention of store components
678
 
679
- 13
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
680
 
681
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences Appendices
682
 
683
- Appendix A: Methodology
684
- For this report, Worldwide Business Research conducted in person and online surveys
685
- of 104 store, operations, IT, cross-channel, and retail customer experience executives
686
- representing 14 industries (see Appendix B for demographic information). Survey
687
- participants included decision-makers and executives with responsibility for their
688
- businesses’ in-store and digital experiences and performance. In-person surveys and
689
- interviews were conducted on-site at the 2014 Future Stores Conference. Data was
690
- collected in June of 2014.
691
 
692
- Appendix B: Demographic Information
693
 
694
- Industry
 
 
 
695
 
696
- 20% Specialty Retail
697
 
698
- 17% Apparel
 
 
 
699
 
700
- 12% Sporting Goods
 
701
 
702
- 10% Consulting
703
 
704
- 9% Automotive
705
 
706
- 6% Software &
707
 
708
- Analytics
 
 
 
 
 
709
 
710
- 5% Hardware,
711
 
712
- Electronics, and
713
- Appliances
714
 
715
- 5% General E- ‐commerce
716
 
717
- 5% Other
718
 
719
- 4% Department Stores
720
 
721
- 2% Telecommunications
 
722
 
723
- 2% Home Furnishings
724
-
725
- 2% Supermarkets
726
-
727
- 1% Toys & Hobbies
728
-
729
- 14
730
-
731
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
732
-
733
- Roles and Titles
734
-
735
- Revenue Breakdown
736
-
737
- 15% Marketing
738
-
739
- 15% Executive
740
-
741
- Management
742
-
743
- 15% Information
744
-
745
- Technology
746
-
747
- 12% Omni- channel
748
-
749
- 12% Customer
750
- Experience
751
-
752
- 8% eCommerce
753
-
754
- 6% Operations
755
-
756
- 6% Customer Insights
757
-
758
- and Analytics
759
-
760
- 6% Consulting & Agency
761
-
762
- 3%
763
-
764
- Innovation
765
-
766
- 2% Story Design &
767
-
768
- Management
769
-
770
- 22% Less than $50 million
771
-
772
- 17% $50- ‐150 million
773
-
774
- 61% Greater than $150
775
-
776
- million
777
-
778
- 15
779
-
780
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences
781
-
782
- “The event was fantastic.
783
- It was very well executed,
784
- and I have taken a lot
785
- of information from the
786
- event that we will be
787
- working to implement in
788
- our stores.”
789
-
790
- - Chanel Chartrand, Visual
791
- Merchandiser, Coastal.com
792
-
793
- About Future Stores
794
-
795
- Future Stores is WBR’s intensive event focused on cutting-edge omnichannel retail
796
- strategies. From omnichannel marketing and customer analytics to retail technology
797
- and store operations, Future Stores will show you how to design and implement
798
- winning in-store strategies to beat the competition and boost customer loyalty.
799
-
800
- The conference is centered on the pain points of store, operations, IT, cross-channel
801
- and customer experience executives to bridge the gap between the store experience
802
- and the digital experience. Future Stores provides tactical strategies for brick and
803
- mortar retailers to improve and increase conversion rates in-store as well as make the
804
- store and cross-channel shopping experiences as seamless and easy as they are online.
805
-
806
- About CFI Group
807
-
808
- CFI Group is a global leader in providing customer feedback insights through analytics.
809
- CFI Group provides a technology platform that leverages the science of the American
810
- Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). This platform continuously measures the customer
811
- experience across multiple channels, benchmarks performance, and prioritizes
812
- improvements for maximum impact.
813
-
814
- Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, CFI Group serves
815
- global clients from a network of offices worldwide. Our clients span a variety of
816
- industries, including financial services, hospitality, manufacturing, telecom, retail, and
817
- government. Regardless of your industry, we can put the power of our technology and
818
- the science of the ACSI methodology to work for you.
819
-
820
- CFI Group USA, L.L.C.
821
- 625 Avis Drive
822
- Ann Arbor, MI 48108
823
- (734) 930-9090
824
- Askcfi@cfigroup.com
825
-
826
- 16
827
-
828
- How to Engage and Convert Consumers with Great In-Store Retail Experiences About WBR &
829
- WBR Digital
830
-
831
- WBR is the world’s biggest large-scale conference company and part of the PLS group,
832
- one of the world’s leading providers of strategic business intelligence with 16 offices
833
- worldwide. Our conference divisions consistently out-perform their industry sector
834
- competitors on the quality of the events we produce and the relationships we nurture
835
- with both attendees and sponsors.
836
-
837
- Every year, over 10,000 senior executives from Fortune 1,000 companies attend over
838
- 100 of our annual conferences – a true “Who’s Who” of today’s corporate world.
839
- From Automotive events in Bucharest to Logistics conferences in Arizona to Luxury
840
- conferences in New York and Finance summits in Hong Kong, WBR is dedicated to
841
- exceeding the needs of its customers around the world.
842
-
843
- In addition to our industry leading conferences, our professional services marketing
844
- division, WBR Digital, connects solutions providers to their target audiences with
845
- digital branding and engagement services and lead generation campaigns. WBR’s
846
- marketers act as an extension of your team, relieving strain on your internal resources
847
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848
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849
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851
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1
+ ![](/wp-content/themes/healthit/assets/dist/visuals/img/us_flag_small.png)
 
2
 
3
+ An official website of the United States government
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
 
5
+ Here’s how you know
 
 
 
 
 
6
 
7
+ Here’s how you know
 
 
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+ ![](/wp-content/themes/healthit/assets/dist/visuals/img/icon-dot-gov.svg)
 
 
10
 
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+ **Official websites use .gov**
 
 
 
12
 
13
+ A
14
+ **.gov**
15
+ website belongs to an official government organization in the
16
+ United States.
 
 
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+ ![](/wp-content/themes/healthit/assets/dist/visuals/img/icon-https.svg)
19
 
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+ **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21
 
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+ A
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+ **lock**
24
+ (
25
 
26
+ ) or
27
+ **https://**
28
+ means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive
29
+ information only on official, secure websites.
30
 
31
+ [![ONC - Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Logo](/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ONC_Primary-Horizontal_inverse.png)](/ "HealthIt.gov")
 
32
 
33
+ Menu
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34
 
35
+ ![Close](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/themes/healthit/assets/dist/icons/usa-icons/close.svg)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36
 
37
+ [Skip Navigation](#ubermenu-main-36-skipnav)
 
 
 
38
 
39
+ * Topics
40
+ + - Featured
41
 
42
+ * ## Featured
43
+ * [Certification of Health IT](/certification-health-it/)
44
 
45
+ Ensures health IT meets standards for functionality, security, and interoperability.
46
+ * [Information Blocking](https://healthit.gov/information-blocking/)
47
 
48
+ Regulations ensuring health data is shared appropriately without improper barriers.
49
+ * [Interoperability](/interoperability/)
50
 
51
+ Enables secure and seamless exchange of electronic health information among authorized users.
52
+ * [Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC)](/hitac/)
 
53
 
54
+ Advises on policies, standards, and implementation specifications for health data and technology.
55
+ * [United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI)](https://isp.healthit.gov/united-states-core-data-interoperability-uscdi)
56
 
57
+ Offers a standardized set of health data classes and constituent data elements for nationwide, interoperable health information exchange.
58
+ * [Trusted Exchange Framework & Common Agreement (TEFCA)](https://healthit.gov/policy/tefca/)
59
 
60
+ Operates as a nationwide framework for the interoperability of electronic health information.
61
+ - Artificial Intelligence
62
 
63
+ * ## Artificial Intelligence
64
+ * [Artificial Intelligence (AI) at HHS](https://healthit.gov/artificial-intelligence/)
65
 
66
+ HHS’ list of AI use cases is publicly available to search and reference. In addition to AI use case summaries, the inventory also includes information on data, IT infrastructure, internal governance, and much more.
67
+ - Care Continuum
68
 
69
+ * ## Care Continuum
 
70
 
71
+ Explore the roles of health information and technology in broad healthcare settings, supporting seamless, coordinated patient care from prevention through recovery.
72
+ * ### Care Settings
73
+ * [Behavioral Health](https://healthit.gov/behavioral-health/)
74
 
75
+ Health information, policies, and technology supporting integrated care for mental health and substance use disorders.
76
+ * [Emergency Medical Services](https://healthit.gov/emergency-medical-services/)
77
 
78
+ Rapid response and communication during health emergencies through health information and technology.
79
+ * [Long-Term & Post-Acute Care](https://healthit.gov/long-term-and-post-acute-care/)
80
 
81
+ Health information and technology facilitating coordinated care beyond acute settings.
82
+ * [Maternal & Pediatric Care](https://healthit.gov/maternal-and-pediatric-care/)
83
 
84
+ Technology addressing unique health needs of mothers and children.
85
+ * [Pharmacy & PDMP](/pharmacy-pdmp/)
 
86
 
87
+ Electronic tools tracking controlled substance prescriptions to improve patient safety.
88
+ * [Public Health](https://healthit.gov/public-health/)
89
 
90
+ Using health information and technology to prevent disease, diagnose health conditions, and promote population health.
91
+ * ### Clinical Topics
92
+ * [Clinical Quality & Safety](/clinical-quality-and-safety/)
93
 
94
+ Optimal care through measuring results, prioritizing improvements, and implementing and monitoring results.
95
+ * [Usability & Provider Burden](/usability-and-provider-burden/)
96
 
97
+ Promotes health information and technology usability to reduce clinician burden and enhance patient care.
98
+ - Interoperability
99
 
100
+ * ## Interoperability
101
 
102
+ Promotes standardized exchange and use of electronic health data to improve patient care, coordination, and public health outcomes.
103
+ * [Health IT Interoperability](/interoperability/)
104
 
105
+ Enables secure and seamless exchange of electronic health information among authorized users.
106
+ * [Trusted Exchange Framework & Common Agreement (TEFCA)](/interoperability/trusted-exchange-framework-and-common-agreement-tefca/)
107
 
108
+ Facilitates secure, nationwide electronic health information sharing to connect providers, patients, public health agencies, and payers.
109
+ * [Certification of Health IT](/certification-health-it/)
 
 
110
 
111
+ Provides certification criteria for developers of health IT modules that ensures health IT products meet the standards for functionality, security, and interoperability.
112
+ * [Standards & Technology](/standards-and-technology/)
113
 
114
+ Advance healthcare quality and safety through standardized health IT and secure health data exchange.
115
+ * [Information Blocking](https://healthit.gov/information-blocking/)
116
 
117
+ Prevents practices that interfere with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information, as defined by the Cures Act.
118
+ * [Interoperability Standards Platform](https://www.healthit.gov/isp/)
119
 
120
+ Serves as a homepage for tools and resources for understanding and using health IT standards and technologies.
121
+ * [Investments](/investments/)
122
 
123
+ Support interoperability improvements nationwide.
124
+ * [Health IT & Health Information Exchange Basics](https://healthit.gov/health-it-basics/)
125
 
126
+ Enable secure electronic sharing and access of patient health information, supporting healthcare providers and patients across care settings.
127
+ * [Patient Access to Health Records](https://healthit.gov/patient-access-to-health-records/)
128
 
129
+ Ensure patients have secure and convenient access to their health records, supported by healthcare providers and health IT developers under HIPAA.
130
+ - Policy
131
+ * + ## [Policy](/policy/)
132
 
133
+ ![](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bluearrow-1.png)
134
 
135
+ Outlines federal regulations and strategic initiatives guiding effective use and secure exchange of electronic health information.
136
+ + - [Legislation](https://healthit.gov/legislation/)
137
 
138
+ Delivers improvements in the delivery and experience of health care while enhancing health outcomes by leveraging health information technology.
139
+ - [Regulations](/regulations/)
140
 
141
+ Supports the adoption and promotion of standards-based health information.
142
+ - [TEFCA](/interoperability/trusted-exchange-framework-and-common-agreement-tefca/)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
143
 
144
+ Operates as a nationwide framework for the interoperability of electronic health information.
145
+ - [HHS Health IT Alignment Program](/hhs-health-it-alignment-program/)
146
 
147
+ Coordinates health data and technology initiatives across HHS to enhance interoperability and effectiveness.
148
+ - [Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC)](/hitac/)
149
 
150
+ Advises on policies, standards, and implementation specifications for health data and technology.
151
+ - [Privacy & Security](/privacy-security/)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
152
 
153
+ Protects electronic health information security through policy.
154
+ * + ### Rulemaking
155
+ + [HTI Rules](https://healthit.gov/regulations/hti-rules/)
 
 
 
 
 
156
 
157
+ Health data interoperability regulations ensuring secure, effective technology use.
158
+ + [Information Blocking](https://healthit.gov/information-blocking/)
 
 
 
 
 
 
159
 
160
+ Policies to prevent practices interfering with the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information.
161
+ + [Certification Program Rules](/certification-program-regulations/)
 
 
 
 
 
162
 
163
+ Ensures health IT meets standards for functionality, security, and interoperability.
164
+ - Research & Analysis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
165
 
166
+ * ## [Research & Analysis](/data/)
167
 
168
+ ![](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bluearrow-1.png)
 
169
 
170
+ Interactive datasets related to health IT data analysis, providing insights into adoption and use.
171
+ * [Dashboards](/data/search/?postType=dashboard)
172
 
173
+ Gives data-driven insight on how dashboards are driving health IT adoption and how they have helped users to meet federal healthcare incentives or programs.
174
+ * [Data Briefs](/data/search/?postType=data-brief)
175
 
176
+ Provides health IT adoption and use statistics derived from surveys and administrative data and in-depth analysis of health IT policies and programs.
177
+ * [Datasets](/data/search/?postType=dataset)
178
 
179
+ Grants access to raw datasets from ONC related to health IT adoption, health IT capabilities and other topics.
180
+ * [Quick Stats](/data/search/?postType=quick-stat)
181
 
182
+ Streamlines data into visualizations of key data and summarizes the latest statistics, facts and figures about health IT.
183
+ * [About Health IT Research & Analysis](https://healthit.gov/data/about/)
184
 
185
+ Provides information about how health IT data are collected, analyzed, and published.
186
+ * Resources & Tools
187
+ + - Featured
188
 
189
+ * ## Featured Resources & Tools
190
 
191
+ Highlights key tools and guidance supporting effective health IT implementation, interoperability, patient engagement, and compliance with federal standards.
192
+ * [Interoperability Standards](https://www.healthit.gov/isp/)
193
 
194
+ ONC’s initiatives in health data standards enable secure electronic health data exchange.
195
+ * [TEFCA Resources](https://healthit.gov/resources/?topics=tefca)
196
 
197
+ Data sheets, videos, and documents to guide users of the TEFCA framework and exchange.
198
+ * [Implementation Resources](https://healthit.gov/resources/?search-text=Implementation+Resources)
199
 
200
+ Technical resources and tools supporting healthcare providers, clinicians, and developers of health IT products.
201
+ * [Health IT Playbook](https://www.healthit.gov/playbook/)
202
 
203
+ Strategies, recommendations, and best practices for implementing and using health data and technology.
204
+ * [Security Risk Assessment Tool](https://healthit.gov/privacy-security/security-risk-assessment-tool/)
 
205
 
206
+ Desktop application supporting providers conducting HIPAA security risk assessments.
207
+ * [Patient Engagement Playbook](https://www.healthit.gov/playbook/pe/)
 
208
 
209
+ Practical reference tool for clinicians, staff, and other innovators around the world to improve patient engagement.
210
+ * [Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL)](https://chpl.healthit.gov/)
211
 
212
+ A comprehensive and authoritative listing of successfully tested and certified health IT modules.
213
+ * [Conformance Test Tools & Edge Testing Tool](https://healthit.gov/onc-conformance-test-tools/)
214
 
215
+ Resources for developers implementing standards to enable health information interoperability.
216
+ * [Health IT Feedback Form](https://inquiry.healthit.gov/support/plugins/servlet/desk/portal/2)
217
 
218
+ Users can submit feedback regarding health data and technology usability, interoperability, and compliance issues.
219
+ - Resources
220
 
221
+ * ## [Resources](/resources/)
 
222
 
223
+ ![](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bluearrow-1.png)
224
 
225
+ Collection of practical materials, videos, educational tools, and user guides designed to support successful implementation and adoption of health IT systems.
226
+ * [Get It, Check It, Use It Guide](https://healthit.gov/get-it-check-it-use-it/)
 
227
 
228
+ A guide for patients and caregivers who want to access, review, and use their health records.
229
+ * [Video Resources](https://healthit.gov/resources/?resource_types=video)
230
 
231
+ A repository of informational videos created by ONC.
232
+ * [Health IT Curriculum Resources for Educators](https://healthit.gov/health-it-basics/health-it-curriculum-resources-educators/)
233
 
234
+ Instructional materials to help healthcare workers stay current in the changing healthcare environment and deliver care more effectively.
235
+ * [Fact Sheets](https://healthit.gov/resources/?resource_types=fact-sheet)
236
 
237
+ A repository of fact sheets created by ONC.
238
+ - Tools & Technology
239
+ * + ### Implementation
240
+ + [Certified Health IT Product List](https://chpl.healthit.gov/)
241
 
242
+ A comprehensive and authoritative listing of successfully tested and certified health IT modules.
243
+ + [Electronic Clinical Quality Improvement Resource Center](https://ecqi.healthit.gov/)
244
 
245
+ Provides common standards and shared technologies to monitor and analyze the quality of health care and patient outcomes.
246
+ + [Security Risk Assessment Tool](https://healthit.gov/privacy-security/security-risk-assessment-tool/)
247
 
248
+ Desktop application supporting providers conducting HIPAA security risk assessments.
249
+ * + ### Tools
250
+ + [Edge Testing Tool](https://site.healthit.gov/)
251
 
252
+ A centralized collection of testing tools and resources supporting health IT developers and users fully evaluating specific technical standards.
253
+ + [Conformance Test Tools](https://healthit.gov/onc-conformance-test-tools/)
 
254
 
255
+ ONC-approved conformance resources supporting developers implementing standards to enable health information interoperability.
256
+ + [Get It, Check It, Use It Guide](https://healthit.gov/get-it-check-it-use-it/)
257
 
258
+ A guide for patients and caregivers who want to access, review, and use their health records.
259
+ * + ### Quick Links
260
+ + [Certification & Testing](https://healthit.gov/onc-health-it-certification-program-test-method/)
261
+ + [USCDI](https://isp.healthit.gov/united-states-core-data-interoperability-uscdi)
262
+ + [USCDI+](https://healthit.gov/standards-and-technology/uscdi-plus/)
263
+ + [Interoperability Standards Platform (ISP)](https://isp.healthit.gov/)
264
+ + [FHIR](https://healthit.gov/fhir)
265
+ + [ONC Standards Bulletins](https://healthit.gov/standards-and-technology/onc-standards-bulletin/)
266
+ + [Patient ID & Matching Adopted Standards for HHS](https://healthit.gov/standards-and-technology/patient-identity-and-patient-record-matching/)
267
+ * News & Events
268
 
269
+ + - [Media Center](/media-center)
270
+ - [News](/news)
271
+ - [Events](/events)
272
+ + - ## Latest News & Events
273
+ - ### Upcoming Event
274
 
275
+ [![Adoption of AI in Clinical Care: Updates from the HHS RFI](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/featured_news_menu_NC_events.jpg)
 
 
 
 
 
 
276
 
277
+ **June 25, 2026**
 
 
 
 
 
278
 
279
+ #### Adoption of AI in Clinical Care: Updates from the HHS RFI](https://healthit.gov/event/adoption-of-ai-in-clinical-care-updates-from-the-hhs-rfi/)
 
 
 
 
280
 
281
+ ### Latest Blog
 
282
 
283
+ [![Advancing the Future of Behavioral Health Data Exchange ](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/featured_news_menu_blog-alt.jpg)
284
 
285
+ **February 4, 2026**
286
 
287
+ #### Advancing the Future of Behavioral Health Data Exchange](https://healthit.gov/blog/behavioral-health/advancing-the-future-of-behavioral-health-data-exchange/)
288
 
289
+ ### Recent News
290
 
291
+ [![New Data Brief: Electronic Health Record Adoption and Exchange Capabilities Among Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Facilities, 2024](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/uscdi_feature-image_data-info.jpg)
 
 
292
 
293
+ **April 20, 2026**
294
 
295
+ #### New Data Brief: Electronic Health Record Adoption and Exchange Capabilities Among Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Facilities, 2024](https://healthit.gov/data/data-briefs/electronic-health-record-adoption-and-exchange-capabilities-among-substance-use-and-mental-health-treatment-facilities-2024/)
296
+ * About
297
+ + - Overview
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
298
 
299
+ * [About ONC](https://healthit.gov/about/)
 
300
 
301
+ Mission, role, and responsibilities of ONC.
302
+ * [Leadership](/about/leadership)
303
 
304
+ Profiles of ONC’s senior leadership team.
305
+ * [History](https://healthit.gov/about/history/)
306
 
307
+ Timeline of ONC’s evolution and key milestones.
308
+ * [Budget & Performance](https://healthit.gov/about/onc-budget-and-performance/)
309
 
310
+ Financial reports and performance accountability.
311
+ * [Investments](https://healthit.gov/interoperability/investments/)
312
 
313
+ Strategic investments in programs, policies, and technology.
314
+ * [Reports to Congress](/reports-congress/)
315
 
316
+ Annual health data and technology progress updates to Congress.
317
+ - Careers
318
 
319
+ * [Careers at ONC](https://healthit.gov/about/careers/)
 
 
320
 
321
+ View opportunities with ONC.
322
+ * [Working at ONC](https://healthit.gov/about/careers/working-at-onc/)
323
 
324
+ Overview of workplace culture and employee experience.
325
+ - Contact
 
 
 
 
 
326
 
327
+ * [Contact Us](https://healthit.gov/contact-us/)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
328
 
329
+ Reach ONC with general inquiries.
330
+ * [Health IT Feedback Form](https://www.healthit.gov/feedback)
 
 
 
 
 
 
331
 
332
+ Users can submit feedback regarding health data and technology usability, interoperability, and compliance issues.
333
+ * [Report Issue with Certified Health IT](/certification-health-it/certified-health-it-complaint-process/)
334
 
335
+ Complaint process to resolve any issues of potential noncompliance with certification requirements.
336
+ * [Information Blocking Claim](https://healthit.gov/report-info-blocking)
337
 
338
+ Form to report alleged information blocking practices.
339
+ * [Speaker Request](https://healthit.gov/speaker-request-form/)
 
340
 
341
+ Form to request ONC experts for speaking engagements.
342
+ - Funding Opportunities
 
 
 
343
 
344
+ * [Funding Announcements](https://healthit.gov/about/funding-announcements/)
 
345
 
346
+ ONC’s contractors and grantees play a valuable role in helping promote better health care for Americans by fostering interoperable health data and technology.
347
+ * [Grants Management & Process](https://healthit.gov/about/onc-grants-cooperative-agreements/)
348
 
349
+ Learn about opportunities for funding through grants and cooperative agreements.
350
+ * [Blog](/blog/)
351
 
352
+ Search![Search](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/themes/healthit/assets/dist/icons/usa-icons-bg/search--white.svg)
353
 
354
+ ![Close](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/themes/healthit/assets/dist/icons/usa-icons/close.svg)
355
 
356
+ Popular searches:
357
+ [certification](https://healthit.gov/?swp_form%5Bform_id%5D=1&swps=certification)
358
+ [information blocking](https://healthit.gov/?swp_form%5Bform_id%5D=1&swps=information%20blocking)
359
+ [interoperability](https://healthit.gov/?swp_form%5Bform_id%5D=1&swps=interoperability)
360
 
361
+ 1. Home
362
 
363
+ # Page *Not Found*
364
 
365
+ The page you’re looking for is not available on our current site. To look for it, you can:
366
 
367
+ * Double-check the web address for any mistakes.
368
+ * Use our search.
369
+ * Visit our archives.
370
+ * [Return to our front page](/).
371
 
372
+ ![Logo](https://healthit.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ONC_Secondary-Horizontal_positive@2x.png)
373
 
374
+ #### Get in Touch
375
 
376
+ * [Health IT Feedback & Inquiry Form](/feedback)
377
+ * [ONC Speaker Form](/speaker-request-form/)
378
+ * [Contact Us](/about/contact)
379
 
380
+ #### Get Involved
381
 
382
+ * [Careers](/about/careers/)
383
+ * [Events](/events/)
384
+ * [Funding Opportunities](/about/funding-announcements/)
385
 
386
+ [Submit Feedback](#helpful-modal)
387
 
388
+ ## Submit Feedback
389
 
390
+ Step 1 of 3
 
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+ 33%
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+ e.g. https://healthit.gov/interoperability
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+ ![Close](/wp-content/themes/healthit/assets/dist/icons/usa-icons/close.svg)
 
 
 
 
 
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+ This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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+ Email(Required)
 
 
478
 
479
+ #### EXPLORE
 
 
 
480
 
481
+ * [Certification of Health IT](https://healthit.gov/certification-health-it/)
482
+ * [Information Blocking](https://healthit.gov/information-blocking/)
483
+ * [Interoperability](https://healthit.gov/interoperability/)
484
+ * [Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC)](https://healthit.gov/hitac/)
485
+ * [Patient Access to Health Records](https://healthit.gov/patient-access-to-health-records/)
486
+ * [TEFCA](https://healthit.gov/policy/tefca/)
487
+ * [Policy](https://healthit.gov/policy/)
488
+ * [Resources](https://healthit.gov/resources/)
489
 
490
+ #### DATA
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- GUI DE
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-
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- Social Media
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- Marketing Strategy
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- Eight easy steps to develop your
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- social media presence
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-
8
- Contents
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-
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- Step 1: Set social media marketing goals that align to business objectives
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-
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- Step 2: Learn everything you can about your audience
13
-
14
- Step 3: Research the competition
15
-
16
- Step 4: Conduct a social media audit
17
-
18
- Step 5: Set up accounts and improve existing profiles
19
-
20
- Step 6: Find inspiration
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-
22
- Step 7: Create a social media content calendar
23
-
24
- Step 8: Test, evaluate, and adjust your strategy
25
-
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- 3
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- 4
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- 5
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- 6
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- 7
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- 8
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- 8
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- 10
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- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
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-
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- #239584107
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-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46
  2
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- Related resource
49
-
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- The Social Media Metrics
51
- that Really Matter—and
52
- How to Track Them
53
-
54
- Step 1
55
-
56
- Set social media marketing goals that align to
57
- business objectives
58
-
59
- The more specific your strategy is, the more effective the execution will be.
60
- Set SMART goals and track the right metrics to set yourself up for success.
61
-
62
- Set SMART goals
63
-
64
- The first step to creating a social media marketing strategy is to establish
65
- your objectives and goals. Without goals, you have no way to measure your
66
- success or your social media return on investment (ROI).
67
-
68
- Each of your goals should be:
69
-
70
- Specific
71
-
72
- Measurable
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-
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- Attainable
75
-
76
- Relevant
77
-
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- Time-bound
79
-
80
- An example of a SMART goal for your business might be "Grow our Instagram
81
- audience by 50 new followers per week."
82
-
83
- With SMART goals, you’ll make sure your goals actually lead to real business
84
- results, rather than just lofty ideals.
85
-
86
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
87
-
88
  3
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90
- Track meaningful metrics
91
-
92
- While vanity metrics like retweets and likes can be fun to share and easy to
93
- track, it’s hard to prove their real value for your business. Instead, focus on
94
- targets such as leads generated, web referrals, and conversion rate.
95
-
96
- You may want to track different goals for different channels, or even different uses
97
- of each channel. For example, you can use paid campaigns to increase brand
98
- awareness, but measure acquisition and engagement for organic social posts.
99
-
100
- Make sure to align your social media goals with your overall marketing
101
- strategy. This will make it easier for you to show the value of your work and
102
- get executive buy-in and investment.
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-
104
- Start developing your social media marketing plan by writing down at least
105
- three social media goals.
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-
107
- Goals
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-
109
- 1.
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-
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- 2.
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-
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- 3.
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-
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- Step 2
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-
117
- Related resource
118
-
119
- How to build audience
120
- personas
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-
122
- Learn everything you can about your audience
123
-
124
- if you’re not engaged in social media listening, you’re creating your business
125
- strategy with blinders on—and you’re missing out on mountains of actionable
126
- insights from real people who are actively talking about you or your industry online.
127
-
128
- Here’s how to start listening and building your understanding of your
129
- audience and their needs.
130
-
131
- Create audience personas
132
-
133
- tKnowing who your audience is and what they want to see on social is key to
134
- creating content that they will like, comment on, and share. This knowledge
135
- also critical for planning how to develop your social media fans into
136
- customers for your business.
137
-
138
- Try creating audience personas. For example, a retail brand might create
139
- different personas based on demographics, buying motivations, common
140
- buying objections, and the emotional needs of each type of customer.
141
-
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- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
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-
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  4
145
 
146
- Personas sharpen your marketing tactics. Luxury buyers, for example,
147
- might not respond to Facebook ads with sales. But they might respond to
148
- Facebook ads with exclusive in-store events to be the first to see a new line of
149
- clothing. With personas, you’ll have the customer insights you need to create
150
- campaigns that speak to the real desires and motivations of your buyers.
151
-
152
- Gather real-world data
153
-
154
- Don’t make assumptions. Social media analytics can also provide a ton of
155
- valuable information about who your followers are, where they live, which
156
- languages they speak, and how they interact with your brand on social. These
157
- insights allow you to refine your strategy and better target your social ads.
158
-
159
- Jugnoo, an Uber-like service for auto-rickshaws in India, used Facebook
160
- Analytics to learn that 90 percent of their users who referred other
161
- customers were between 18 and 34 years old, and that 65 percent of that
162
- group was using Android. They used this information to target their ads,
163
- resulting in a 40 percent lower cost per referral.
164
-
165
- Step 3
166
-
167
- Research the competition
168
-
169
- Odds are, your competitors are already using social media—and that means
170
- you can learn from what they’re already doing.
171
-
172
- Conduct a competitive analysis
173
-
174
- A competitive analysis allows you to understand who the competition is and
175
- what they’re doing well (and not so well). You’ll get a good sense of what’s
176
- expected in your industry, which will help you set some social media targets
177
- of your own.
178
-
179
- This analysis will also help you spot opportunities. For example, maybe
180
- one of your competitors dominates on Facebook, but has put little effort
181
- into Twitter or Instagram. You might want to focus on the networks where
182
- your audience is underserved, rather than trying to win fans away from a
183
- dominant player.
184
-
185
- Engage in social listening
186
-
187
- Social listening is another way to keep track of the competition.
188
-
189
- As you track your competitors’ accounts and relevant industry keywords, you
190
- may notice strategic shifts in the way competitors use their social accounts.
191
- Or you might spot a specific post or campaign that really hits the mark—or
192
- one that bombs.
193
-
194
- Keep an eye on this information and use to it evaluate your own goals and plans.
195
-
196
- Related resources
197
-
198
- How to conduct a
199
- competitor audit
200
-
201
- Getting started with
202
- social listening
203
-
204
- Watch: How to set up
205
- social listening streams
206
-
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- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
208
-
209
  5
210
 
211
- Related resource
212
-
213
- Hootsuite’s social media
214
- audit template
215
-
216
- Step 4
217
-
218
- Conduct a social media audit
219
-
220
- Conducting a social media audit helps you assess how well your current
221
- social media use works for you.
222
-
223
- Evaluate your current efforts
224
-
225
- If you’re already using social media tools, you need to take a step back and look
226
- at what you’ve already accomplished. Ask yourself the following questions:
227
-
228
- •• What’s working?
229
-
230
- •• What’s not working?
231
-
232
- •• Who’s connecting with you on social?
233
-
234
- •• Which social media sites does your target market use?
235
-
236
- •• How does your social media presence compare to that of your competitors?
237
-
238
- Once you gather all this information in one place, you’ll have a good starting
239
- point for planning how to improve your results.
240
-
241
- Your audit should give you a clear picture of what purpose each of your
242
- social accounts serves. If the purpose of an account isn’t clear, think about
243
- whether it’s worth keeping. It may be a valuable account that just needs
244
- a strategic redirection, or it may be an outdated account that’s no longer
245
- worth your while.
246
-
247
- To help you decide, ask yourself the following questions:
248
-
249
- 1. Is my audience here?
250
-
251
- 2. If so, how are they using this platform?
252
-
253
- 3. Can I use this account to help achieve meaningful business goals?
254
-
255
- Asking these tough questions now will help keep your social media strategy
256
- on track as you grow your social presence.
257
-
258
- Look for impostor accounts
259
-
260
- During your audit process, you may discover fraudulent accounts using your
261
- business name or the names of your products—that is, accounts that you
262
- and your business don’t own.
263
-
264
- These imposter accounts can be harmful to your brand (never mind
265
- capturing followers that should be yours), so be sure to report them. You
266
- may want to get your social accounts verified to ensure your fans and
267
- followers know they are dealing with the real you.
268
-
269
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
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-
271
  6
272
 
273
- Related resources
274
-
275
- Watch: How to optimize
276
- your social profiles
277
-
278
- We’ve also got step-by-step
279
- guides for each network
280
- to walk you through the
281
- process:
282
-
283
- Create a Facebook
284
- business page
285
-
286
- Create an Instagram
287
- business account
288
-
289
- Create a Twitter business
290
- account
291
-
292
- Create a Snapchat
293
- account
294
-
295
- Create a LinkedIn
296
- Company Page
297
-
298
- Create a Pinterest
299
- business account
300
-
301
- Create a YouTube channel
302
-
303
- Create a WeChat business
304
- account
305
-
306
- Don’t let this list overwhelm
307
- you. Remember, it’s better to
308
- use fewer channels well than
309
- to stretch yourself thin trying
310
- to maintain a presence on
311
- every social network.
312
-
313
- Finally, here’s a quick
314
- reference guide for image
315
- sizes for every network.
316
-
317
- Step 5
318
-
319
- Set up accounts and improve existing profiles
320
-
321
- Decide which networks you’ll focus on, and then set up and optimize your
322
- accounts.
323
-
324
- Determine which networks to use (and how to use them)
325
-
326
- As you decide which social channels to use, you’ll also need to define your
327
- strategy for each network. For example, you might decide to use Twitter for
328
- customer service, Facebook for customer acquisition, and Instagram for
329
- engaging existing customers.
330
-
331
- It’s a good exercise to create mission statements for each network. These
332
- one-sentence declarations will help you focus on a very specific goal for
333
- each account on each social network.
334
-
335
- For example, you could decide that:
336
-
337
- •• Facebook is best for acquiring new customers via paid advertising.
338
-
339
- ••
340
-
341
- Instagram is where you build brand affinity with existing customers.
342
-
343
- •• Twitter is where you engage press and industry influencers.
344
-
345
- •• LinkedIn is where you engage existing employees and attract new talent.
346
-
347
- •• YouTube is where you support existing customers with education and
348
-
349
- video help content.
350
-
351
- •• Snapchat is where you distribute content with the goal of building brand
352
-
353
- awareness with younger consumers.
354
-
355
- If you can’t create a solid mission statement for a particular social network,
356
- you may want to reconsider whether that network is worth it.
357
-
358
- Set up (and optimize) your accounts
359
-
360
- Once you’ve decided which networks to focus on, it’s time to create your
361
- profiles—or improve existing profiles so they align with your strategic plan.
362
-
363
- In general, make sure you fill out all profile fields, use keywords people will
364
- use to search for your business, and use images that are correctly sized for
365
- each network.
366
-
367
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
368
 
369
  7
370
 
371
- Step 6
372
-
373
- Find inspiration
374
-
375
- While it’s important that your brand be distinctive and unique, you can still
376
- draw inspiration from other businesses that are great on social.
377
-
378
- Social network success stories
379
-
380
- All of the social networks feature success stories that highlight how brands
381
- are using their tools effectively. You can usually find these on the business
382
- section of the social network’s website. (For example, take a look at the
383
- Facebook business success stories.) These case studies offer valuable
384
- insights you can apply to your own goals for each social network.
385
-
386
- Award-winning accounts and campaigns
387
-
388
- For examples of brands that are at the top of their social media game, check
389
- out the winners of The Facebook Awards or The Shorty Awards.
390
-
391
- Step 7
392
-
393
- Create a social media content calendar
394
-
395
- Sharing great content is essential, of course, but it’s equally important to have
396
- a plan in place for when you’ll share content to get the maximum impact.
397
-
398
- Your social media content calendar also needs to account for the time you’ll
399
- spend interacting with your audience (although you need to allow for some
400
- spontaneous engagement as well).
401
-
402
- Create a posting schedule
403
-
404
- Your social media content calendar lists the dates and times at which you will
405
- publish types of content on each channel. It’s the perfect place to plan all of your
406
- social media activities—from images and link sharing to blog posts and videos.
407
-
408
- Your calendar ensures your posts are spaced out appropriately and
409
- published at the optimal times. It should include both your day-to-day posts
410
- and your content for social media campaigns.
411
-
412
- Related resources
413
-
414
- How to create a social
415
- media content calendar
416
-
417
- Watch: How to save time
418
- with bulk scheduling
419
-
420
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
421
 
422
  8
423
 
424
- Plot your content mix
425
-
426
- Make sure your calendar reflects the mission statement you’ve assigned to
427
- each social profile, so that everything you post is working to support your
428
- business goals. For example, you might decide that:
429
-
430
- •• 50 percent of content will drive traffic back to your blog
431
-
432
- •• 25 percent of content will be curated from other sources
433
-
434
- •• 20 percent of content will support enterprise goals (selling, lead
435
-
436
- generation, and so on)
437
-
438
- •• 5 percent of content will be about your employees and company culture
439
-
440
- Placing these different post types in your content calendar will help ensure
441
- you maintain the ratio you’ve planned. If you’re starting from scratch and
442
- you’re simply not sure what types of content to post, try the 80-20 rule:
443
-
444
- •• 80 percent of your posts should inform, educate, or entertain your audience
445
-
446
- •• 20 percent can directly promote your brand
447
-
448
- You could also try the social media rule of thirds:
449
-
450
- •• One-third of your social content promotes your business, converts
451
-
452
- readers, and generates profit
453
-
454
- •• One-third of your social content shares ideas and stories from thought
455
-
456
- leaders in your industry or like-minded businesses
457
-
458
- •• One-third of your social content involves personal interactions with your
459
-
460
- audience
461
-
462
- Once you have your calendar set, use scheduling tools or bulk scheduling to
463
- prepare your posting in advance rather than updating constantly throughout
464
- the day. This allows you to focus on crafting the language and format of your
465
- posts, rather than writing them on the fly whenever you have time.
466
-
467
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
 
 
 
 
 
 
468
 
469
  9
470
 
471
- Step 8
472
-
473
- Test, evaluate, and adjust your strategy
474
-
475
- Your social media strategy is a hugely important document for your
476
- business, and you can’t assume you’ll get it exactly right on the first try.
477
-
478
- As you start to implement your plan and track your results, you may find
479
- that some strategies don’t work as well as you’d anticipated, while others are
480
- working even better than expected.
481
-
482
- Track your data
483
-
484
- In addition to using the analytics tools available within each social network,
485
- use UTM parameters to track visitors as they move through your website, so
486
- you can see exactly which social posts drive the most traffic to your website.
487
-
488
- Re-evaluate, test, and do it all again
489
-
490
- When data starts coming in, use it to reevaluate your strategy regularly.
491
- You can also use this information to test different posts, campaigns, and
492
- strategies against one another. Constant testing allows you to understand
493
- what works and what doesn’t, so you can refine your strategy in real time.
494
-
495
- Surveys can also be a great way to find out how well your strategy is working.
496
- Ask your social media followers, email list, and website visitors whether
497
- you’re meeting their needs and expectations on social media. You can even
498
- ask them what they’d like to see more of—and then make sure to deliver on
499
- what they tell you.
500
-
501
- Things change fast on social media. New networks emerge, while others
502
- go through significant demographic shifts. Your business will go through
503
- periods of change as well. All this means that your social media strategy
504
- should be a living document that you look at regularly and adjust as needed.
505
- Refer to it often to keep you on track, but don’t be afraid to make changes
506
- so that it better reflects new goals, tools, or plans.
507
-
508
- When you update your social strategy, make sure to let everyone on your
509
- social team know, so they can all work together to help your business make
510
- the most of your social media accounts.
511
-
512
- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
513
 
514
  10
515
 
516
- Bonus: Download our social media
517
- strategy template
518
- Does this all feel a little overwhelming? The truth is that building your social
519
- media strategy is a substantial job. It should be, since it’s such an important
520
- document for your business. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.
521
-
522
- We’ve created a template to guide you through the whole process of
523
- creating your social media marketing plan. Visit our blog to download it (plus
524
- six other social media templates that can save you hours of work).
525
-
526
- Take the next leap in your social media career
527
-
528
- Hootsuite Academy
529
-
530
- Earn industry-recognized social media certifications that will make you stand
531
- out from the crowd.
532
-
533
- Begin with our free comprehensive training on social marketing. All of our
534
- courses are delivered online and taught by expert industry practitioners.
535
- Take the free course here.
536
-
537
- Build a professional workflow with Hootsuite
538
-
539
- From scheduling Instagram posts to advanced ROI measurement, Hootsuite’s
540
- flexible platform helps you execute every aspect of your social media strategy.
541
- We’re the world’s most widely used platform for managing social media.
542
-
543
- Get started with the plan that fits your needs here.
544
-
545
- Did you find this guide helpful?
546
-
547
- Tell us whether we should praise our writers or shout at them. Either way,
548
- we appreciate your honest feedback. Take our 4-minute survey here.
549
-
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- GUIDE / Social Media Marketing Strategy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
551
 
552
  11
553
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
+ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Herzogenaurach, March 9, 2022
2
+ adidas delivers strong results in 2021 and
3
+ expects double-digit sales growth in 2022
4
+ Major developments FY 2021
5
+ Currency-neutral revenues up 16% driven by growth in all markets
6
+ Excellent top-line momentum in EMEA, North America and Latin America with strong
7
+ double-digit increases in each region
8
+ • Double-digit growth in DTC reflecting improvements in both online and offline
9
+ • Gross margin increases to 50.7% driven by higher full-price sales and better inventory
10
+ management
11
+ • Operating margin increases 5.3 percentage points to 9.4%
12
+ Net income from continuing operations grows more than € 1 billion to € 1.492 billion
13
+ • Executive and Supervisory Boards propose dividend increase of 10% to € 3.30 per share
14
+ Outlook for FY 2022
15
+ • Currency-neutral sales to increase at a rate between 11% and 13%, already reflecting
16
+ up to 250 million of risk in Russia/CIS business related to the war in Ukraine
17
+ • Gross margin to increase to a level of between 51.5% and 52.0%
18
+ Operating margin to increase to a level of between 10.5% and 11.0%
19
+ • Net income from continuing operations to grow to between € 1.8 billion and € 1.9 billion
20
+ Kasper Rorsted, CEO of adidas: “Unfortunately, we release our 2021 results in unsettling
21
+ times. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people, our teams on the ground and
22
+ everyone affected by the war. We strongly condemn any form of violence and stand in solidarity
23
+ with all those calling for peace. We also provide immediate humanitarian aid to those in need
24
+ of support. We will continue to follow the situation closely and take future business decisions
25
+ and actions as needed, always prioritizing our employee’s safety and support.”
26
+ “In 2021, we delivered a strong set of results despite several external factors weighing on both
27
+ demand and supply throughout the year”, Kasper Rorsted continued. “Wherever markets
28
+ operated without major disruptions we have been experiencing strong top-line momentum.
29
+ This is reflected in double-digit revenue growth in EMEA, North America and Latin America.
30
+ While we continued to invest heavily into our brand, our direct-to-consumer business, and our
31
+ digital transformation, we improved our bottom-line by more than € 1 billion. Taking it all
32
+ together, 2021 was a successful first year within our new strategic cycle. In 2022, we will build
33
+ 1
34
+
35
+ on this momentum and continue to grow both our top- and bottom-line at double-digit rates
36
+ amid heightened uncertainty.”
37
+ Financial Performance in 2021
38
+ Currency-neutral sales grow 16% despite challenging market environment
39
+ In 2021, adidas was able to increase its currency-neutral revenues by 16% despite several
40
+ external factors weighing on both demand and supply throughout the year. In total, the
41
+ challenging market environment in Greater China, extensive covid-19-related lockdowns in
42
+ Asia-Pacific as well as industry-wide supply chain disruptions reduced revenue growth by
43
+ more than € 1.5 billion during the year. From a channel perspective, the company’s top-line
44
+ increase was characterized by a strong recovery from the material revenue decline in its
45
+ physical distribution channels during 2020, when the global coronavirus pandemic had caused
46
+ a large number of temporary store closures. As a result, wholesale revenues as well as sales
47
+ in adidas’ own-retail stores grew at strong double-digit rates in 2021. E-commerce revenues
48
+ increased 4% during the year, on top of the exceptionally high growth in 2020 when e-
49
+ commerce revenues had grown by more than 50%. In euro terms, the company’s revenues
50
+ increased 15% in 2021 to € 21.234 billion (2020: € 18.435 billion).
51
+ Revenue improves in all market segments
52
+ While sales increased in all market segments in 2021, the top-line development in the regions
53
+ differed significantly depending on the impact the various demand and supply challenges had
54
+ on the specific region. While all markets were negatively impacted by industry-wide supply
55
+ chain challenges, the company recorded particularly strong developments in markets that
56
+ operated without major covid-19-related disruptions. Accordingly, currency-neutral sales in
57
+ EMEA, North America, and Latin America increased by 24%, 17%, and 47%, respectively. At
58
+ the same time, the challenging market environment in Greater China (+3%) and the extensive
59
+ covid-19-related restrictions in Asia-Pacific (+8%) weighed on adidas’ results in these
60
+ markets.
61
+ Gross margin at 50.7% driven by higher full-prices sales and better inventory management
62
+ The company’s gross margin increased 0.7 percentage points to 50.7% in 2021 (2020: 50.0%).
63
+ While negative currency developments, higher supply chain costs and a less favorable channel
64
+ and market mix weighed on the development in 2021, higher full-price sales and lower
65
+ inventory allowances as well as the non-recurrence of last year’s purchase order cancellation
66
+ costs were able to overcompensate the negative effects.
67
  2
68
 
69
+ Operating margin improves by 5.3 percentage points
70
+ Other operating expenses increased 4% to € 8.892 billion in 2021 (2020: € 8.580 billion). As a
71
+ percentage of sales, other operating expenses were down 4.7 percentage points to 41.9%
72
+ (2020: 46.5%). Marketing and point-of-sale expenses increased 7% to € 2.547 billion
73
+ (2020: € 2.373 billion) due to increased investments into the brand supporting the introduction
74
+ of new products and to drive consumer experience across both digital and physical platforms.
75
+ As a percentage of sales, marketing and point-of-sale expenses decreased 0.9 percentage
76
+ points to 12.0% (2020: 12.9%). Operating overhead expenses increased 2% to € 6.345 billion
77
+ (2020: 6.207 billion) including more than € 220 million stranded costs related to the
78
+ divestiture of the Reebok business. As a percentage of sales, operating overhead expenses
79
+ decreased 3.8 percentage points to 29.9% (2020: 33.7%). As a result of the strong top-line
80
+ increase in combination with the improved gross margin and lower operating expenses as a
81
+ percentage of sales, the company’s operating profit increased 166% to 1.986 billion in 2021
82
+ (2020: € 746 million). Consequently, the operating margin increased 5.3 percentage points to
83
+ 9.4% compared to the prior year level of 4.0%.
84
+ Net financial result decreases
85
+ Financial income decreased 32% to 19 million in 2021 (2020: 29 million), while financial
86
+ expenses were down 22% to 153 million (2020: 196 million). As a result, the company
87
+ recorded a negative net financial result of 133 million (2020: negative € 167 million). The
88
+ company’s tax rate decreased 0.8 percentage points to 19.4% in 2021 (2020: 20.2%).
89
+ Net income from continuing operations increases by more than € 1 billion
90
+ Net income from continuing operations increased 223% to € 1.492 billion in 2021 (2020:
91
+ € 461 million). Both basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations also increased 223% to
92
+ € 7.47 (2020: € 2.31).
93
+ Average operating working capital as percentage of sales decreases 5.3 percentage points
94
+ At the end of December 2021, inventories were down 9% to € 4.009 billion (2020: € 4.397
95
+ billion), or 12% lower on a currency-neutral basis. This development mainly reflects the
96
+ divestiture of the Reebok business. The strong sell-through of the company’s products,
97
+ successful inventory management as well as the impact from industry-wide supply chain
98
+ challenges also contributed to the decline. Accounts receivable increased 11% to € 2.175
99
+ billion at the end of December 2021 (2020: € 1.952 billion) reflecting the company’s strong
100
+ top-line growth. On a currency-neutral basis, accounts receivables were up 6%. Accounts
101
+ payable were down 4% to 2.294 billion at the end of December 2021 versus € 2.390 billion
102
+ in 2020. This development reflects the normalization of payment terms as well as the
103
+ divestiture of the Reebok business. On a currency-neutral basis, accounts payable decreased
 
 
 
 
 
104
  3
105
 
106
+ 6%. Average operating working capital as a percentage of sales decreased 5.3 percentage
107
+ points to 20.0% for the full year (2020: 25.3%).
108
+ Accelerated investments into DTC and digital
109
+ The company’s capital expenditure increased 51% in 2021 to 667 million (2020: € 442
110
+ million). Investments in new or remodeled own-retail stores, the company’s e-commerce
111
+ business as well as the broader IT infrastructure represented once again the majority of the
112
+ expenditure.
113
+ Executive and Supervisory Boards propose dividend payment of 3.30 per share
114
+ As a result of the strong operational and financial performance in 2021, the company’s
115
+ financial position as well as Management’s confidence in its long-term growth aspirations,
116
+ the adidas Executive and Supervisory Boards will recommend paying a dividend of € 3.30 per
117
+ dividend-entitled share to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on May 12, 2022. This
118
+ represents an increase of 10% compared to the prior year dividend (2021: € 3.00).
119
+ Financial Performance in Q4 2021
120
+ Sales in the fourth quarter impacted by supply and demand challenges
121
+ Currency-neutral revenues in the fourth quarter declined 3%. Significant supply shortages as
122
+ a result of the lockdowns in Vietnam last year, the challenging market environment in Greater
123
+ China as well as covid-19-related lockdowns in Asia-Pacific reduced revenue growth by more
124
+ than € 400 million in Q4. In light of the supply shortages the company continued to prioritize
125
+ its own DTC channel. As a result, DTC revenues were stable versus the prior year, reflecting
126
+ a 14% increase compared to the 2019 level. While adidas e-commerce revenues experienced
127
+ a strong increase in full-price sales, revenues in the company’s own digital channel declined
128
+ by 2% during the quarter reflecting the exceptionally high growth in the prior year period.
129
+ Compared to the 2019 level, e-commerce revenues grew 39% in the fourth quarter. In euro
130
+ terms, adidas revenues were flat versus the prior year at € 5.137 billion (2020: € 5.142 billion).
131
+ Revenues in EMEA up strong double-digits in Q4
132
+ From a regional perspective, revenues in North America were most impacted by the supply
133
+ shortages in the fourth quarter with almost half of the total negative impact recorded in this
134
+ particular market. As a result, currency-neutral revenues in North America declined 4%
135
+ during the quarter. Nevertheless, revenues in the company’s direct-to-consumer business
136
+ continued to increase in the market, reflecting the company’s DTC-led strategy. While EMEA
137
+ was also significantly impacted by the supply shortages, revenues still grew 15%, driven by
138
+ double-digit growth in both DTC and wholesale. Fourth quarter revenues in Latin America
139
+ improved 9%, reflecting strong double-digit growth versus the 2019 level. Revenues in Greater
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
140
  4
141
 
142
+ China (-24%) and APAC (-6%) declined due to the supply shortages, covid-19-related
143
+ restrictions and in the case of China the challenging market environment.
144
+ Gross margin slightly down 0.1 percentage points
145
+ In the fourth quarter of 2021, the gross margin declined slightly by 0.1 percentage points to
146
+ 49.0% (2020: 49.1%). Significantly higher supply chain costs the company recorded
147
+ additional freight costs of more than € 100 million this quarter alone – as well as continued
148
+ headwinds from unfavorable currency developments represented a material drag on gross
149
+ margin in Q4. This impact was almost completely offset by significantly higher full price sales.
150
+ Operating margin below prior year level
151
+ Other operating expenses were up 7% to 2.501 billion during the fourth quarter (2020:
152
+ 2.331 billion). As a percentage of sales, other operating expenses increased 3.3 percentage
153
+ points to 48.7% (2020: 45.3%). Marketing and point-of-sale expenses increased 8% to
154
+ € 715 million (2020: € 662 million) and as a percentage of sales were up to 13.9% (2020:
155
+ 12.9%), reflecting higher investments to support the introduction of new products such as the
156
+ UltraBoost22, NMD S1 and the latest IVY PARK x adidas collection, as well as to elevate the
157
+ consumer experience across all touchpoints. Operating overhead expenses increased 7% to
158
+ 1.786 billion (2020: € 1.670 billion) and included stranded costs related to the divestiture of
159
+ the Reebok business in an amount of around 60 million. As a percentage of sales, operating
160
+ overhead expenses increased to 34.8% (2020: 32.5%). Operating profit amounted to
161
+ 66 million (2020: € 225 million), resulting in an operating margin of 1.3% (2020: 4.4%). Net
162
+ income from continuing operations reached € 123 million in the quarter (2020: € 143 million),
163
+ supported by a positive tax benefit related to the divestiture of the Reebok business. Both basic
164
+ and diluted EPS from continuing operations were € 0.58 in Q4 (2020: € 0.70).
165
+ Outlook for 2022
166
+ Currency-neutral sales to increase between 11% and 13%
167
+ After the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, adidas expects double-digit top-
168
+ line growth to continue in 2022 amid heightened uncertainty. Driven by the execution of the
169
+ company’s strategy ‘Own the Game’ as well as its strong product pipeline currency-neutral
170
+ revenues are projected to increase at a rate between 11% and 13%. This growth assumption
171
+ already includes a risk of up to 250 million in the company’s Russia/CIS business – about
172
+ 50% of adidas’ total revenues in the region due to the war in Ukraine and reflects the
173
+ suspension of adidas’ retail and e-commerce operations in Russia. This amount represents
174
+ around 1 percentage point of growth for the total company and explains the difference to the
175
+ initial outlook as provided in the Management Report at the time of the preparation of the
176
+ company’s annual report.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
177
  5
178
 
179
+ Currency-neutral revenues to increase in all markets
180
+ From a regional perspective, currency-neutral revenues are expected to increase in all
181
+ markets. While currency-neutral sales in North America and Latin America are projected to
182
+ grow at a mid- to high-teens rate, currency-neutral revenues are expected to grow at a rate
183
+ in the mid-teens in EMEA and Asia-Pacific. Greater China is expected to record a sales
184
+ increase in the mid-single digits as the company continues to make progress with its action
185
+ plan aimed at stabilizing the business and re-igniting growth.
186
+ Gross margin expected to expand to a level of between 51.5% and 52.0%
187
+ adidas’ gross margin is expected to continue to increase and reach a level of between 51.5%
188
+ and 52.0%. A positive channel mix effect, significant price increases as well as the positive
189
+ impact from favorable currency developments will drive the gross margin improvement and
190
+ are expected to outweigh significantly higher supply chain costs.
191
+ Operating margin to increase to a level of between 10.5% and 11.0%
192
+ The company’s operating margin is expected to increase significantly to a level of between
193
+ 10.5% and 11.0%. In addition to the higher gross margin, lower operating expenses in
194
+ percentage of sales will benefit the company’s operating margin in 2022. This development
195
+ will be supported by the non-recurrence of around 70% of the Reebok-related stranded costs,
196
+ which accounted to more than € 220 million in 2021. Driven by the strong top-line growth in
197
+ combination with the margin improvements net income from continuing operations is
198
+ projected to increase to a level of between € 1.8 billion and € 1.9 billion in 2022.
199
+ ***
200
+ Contacts:
201
+ Media Relations Investor Relations
202
+ corporate.press@adidas.com investor.relations@adidas.com
203
+ Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-2352 Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-2920
204
+ For more information, please visit adidas-group.com or report.adidas-group.com.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
205
  6
206
 
207
+ | | | | | |
208
+ | --- | ---------------- | ---------------- | --- | --- |
209
+ | | Quarter ending | Quarter ending | | |
210
+ in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change
211
+ | Net sales | | 5,137 | 5,142 | (0.1%) |
212
+ | ------------------------------------- | --- | ----------- | -------- | -------- |
213
+ | Cost of sales | | 2,618 | 2,615 | 0.1% |
214
+ | Gross profit | | 2,519 | 2,526 | (0.3%) |
215
+ | (% of net sales) | | 49.0% | 49.1% | (0.1pp) |
216
+ | Royalty and commission income | | 33 | 18 | 86.4% |
217
+ | Other operating income | | 15 | 13 | 16.3% |
218
+ | Other operating expenses | | 2,501 | 2,331 | 7.3% |
219
+ | (% of net sales) | | 48.7% | 45.3% | 3.3pp |
220
+ | Marketing and point-of-sale expenses | | 715 | 662 | 8.2% |
221
+ | (% of net sales) | | 13.9% | 12.9% | 1.1pp |
222
+ | Operating overhead expenses2 | | 1,786 | 1,670 | 6.9% |
223
+ | (% of net sales) | | 34.8% | 32.5% | 2.3pp |
224
+ | Operating profit | | 66 | 225 | (70.9%) |
225
+ | (% of net sales) | | 1.3% | 4.4% | (3.1pp) |
226
+ | Financial income | | 17 | 11 | 59.1% |
227
+ | Financial expenses | | 39 | 76 | (49.4%) |
228
+ | Income before taxes | | 44 | 160 | (72.2%) |
229
+ | (% of net sales) | | 0.9% | 3.1% | (2.2pp) |
230
+ | Income taxes | | (79) | 17 | n.a. |
231
+ | (% of income before taxes) | | (177.6%) | 10.5% | n.a. |
232
+ Net income from continuing operations 123 143 (13.8%)
233
+ | (% of net sales) | | 2.4% | 2.8% | (0.4pp) |
234
+ | ----------------- | --- | ------- | ------- | -------- |
235
+ Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax 89 14 534.2%
236
+ | Net income | | 213 | 157 | 35.3% |
237
+ | ----------------- | --- | ------- | ------- | ------ |
238
+ | (% of net sales) | | 4.1% | 3.1% | 1.1pp |
239
+ Net income attributable to shareholders 202 151 33.6%
240
+ | (% of net sales) | | 3.9% | 2.9% | 1.0pp |
241
+ | ----------------- | --- | ------- | ------- | ------ |
242
+ Net income attributable to non-controlling interests 11 6 74.9%
243
+ | | | | | |
244
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
245
+ Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in €) 0.58 0.70 (16.8%)
246
+ Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in €) 0.58 0.70 (16.8%)
247
+ | | | | | |
248
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
249
+ Basic earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (in €) 1.05 0.77 35.6 %
250
+ Diluted earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (in €) 1.05 0.77 35.6 %
251
+ | | | | | |
252
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
253
+ 1 2021 and 2020 figures reflect continuing operations as a result of the reclassification of the Reebok business to discontinued operations.
254
+ 2 Aggregated distribution and selling expenses, general and administration expenses, sundry expenses and impairment losses (net) on accounts receivable and contract assets.
255
+ Rounding differences may arise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
256
 
257
  7
258
 
259
+ | | | | | | | | |
260
+ | --- | --------------- | --- | --------------- | --- | --- | --- | ------- |
261
+ | | Quarter ending | | Quarter ending | | | | Change |
262
+ € in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change (currency-neutral)
263
+ | EMEA | | 1,832 | | 1,559 | 17.5% | | 15.2% |
264
+ | ----------------- | --- | -------- | --- | -------- | -------- | --- | -------- |
265
+ | North America | | 1,303 | | 1,317 | (1.1%) | | (3.7%) |
266
+ | Greater China | | 1,037 | | 1,287 | (19.4%) | | (24.3%) |
267
+ | Asia-Pacific | | 541 | | 587 | (7.8%) | | (6.0%) |
268
+ | Latin America | | 397 | | 365 | 8.8% | | 8.7% |
269
+ | Other Businesses | | 28 | | 27 | 3.6% | | 4.1% |
270
+ | | | | | | | | |
271
+ 1 2021 and 2020 figures reflect continuing operations as a result of the reclassification of the Reebok business to discontinued operations.
272
+ Rounding differences may arise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
273
 
274
  8
275
 
276
+ | | | | | |
277
+ | --- | --- | ------------ | ------------ | --- |
278
+ | | | Year ending | Year ending | |
279
+ in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change
280
+ | Net sales | | 21,234 | 18,435 | 15.2% |
281
+ | ------------------------------ | --- | --------- | --------- | -------- |
282
+ | Cost of sales | | 10,469 | 9,213 | 13.6% |
283
+ | Gross profit | | 10,765 | 9,222 | 16.7% |
284
+ | (% of net sales) | | 50.7% | 50.0% | 0.7pp |
285
+ | Royalty and commission income | | 86 | 61 | 40.9% |
286
+ | Other operating income | | 28 | 42 | (34.8%) |
287
+ | Other operating expenses | | 8,892 | 8,580 | 3.6% |
288
+ | (% of net sales) | | 41.9% | 46.5% | (4.7pp) |
289
+ Marketing and point-of-sale expenses 2,547 2,373 7.3%
290
+ | (% of net sales) | | 12.0% | 12.9% | (0.9pp) |
291
+ | ----------------------------- | --- | -------- | -------- | -------- |
292
+ | Operating overhead expenses2 | | 6,345 | 6,207 | 2.2% |
293
+ | (% of net sales) | | 29.9% | 33.7% | (3.8pp) |
294
+ | Operating profit | | 1,986 | 746 | 166.3% |
295
+ | (% of net sales) | | 9.4% | 4.0% | 5.3pp |
296
+ | Financial income | | 19 | 29 | (32.1%) |
297
+ | Financial expenses | | 153 | 196 | (22.0%) |
298
+ | Income before taxes | | 1,852 | 578 | 220.2% |
299
+ | (% of net sales) | | 8.7% | 3.1% | 5.6pp |
300
+ | Income taxes | | 360 | 117 | 207.9% |
301
+ | (% of income before taxes) | | 19.4% | 20.2% | (0.8pp) |
302
+ Net income from continuing operations 1,492 461 223.4%
303
+ | (% of net sales) | | 7.0% | 2.5% | 4.5pp |
304
+ | ----------------- | --- | ------- | ------- | ------ |
305
+ Gain/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 666 –19 n.a
306
+ | Net income | | 2,158 | 443 | 387.4% |
307
+ | ----------------- | --- | -------- | ------- | ------- |
308
+ | (% of net sales) | | 10.2% | 2.4% | 7.8pp |
309
+ Net income attributable to shareholders 2,116 432 389.6%
310
+ | (% of net sales) | | 10.0% | 2.3% | 7.6pp |
311
+ | ----------------- | --- | -------- | ------- | ------ |
312
+ Net income attributable to non-controlling interests 42 11 296.5%
313
+ | | | | | |
314
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
315
+ Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in €) 7.47 2.31 223.3%
316
+ Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in €) 7.47 2.31 223.3%
317
+ | | | | | |
318
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
319
+ Basic earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (in €) 10.90 2.21 392.1%
320
+ Diluted earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (in €) 10.90 2.21 392.1%
321
+ | | | | | |
322
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
323
+ 1 2021 and 2020 figures reflect continuing operations as a result of the reclassification of the Reebok business to discontinued operations.
324
+ 2 Aggregated distribution and selling expenses, general and administration expenses, sundry expenses and impairment losses (net) on accounts receivable and contract assets.
325
+ Rounding differences may arise.
326
 
327
  9
328
 
329
+ | | | | | | | |
330
+ | --- | --- | ------------ | ------------ | --- | --- | ------- |
331
+ | | | Year ending | Year ending | | | Change |
332
+ € in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change (currency-neutral)
333
+ | EMEA | | 7,760 | 6,308 | | 23.0% | 24.0 % |
334
+ | ----------------- | --- | -------- | ------ | ------ | --------- | ------- |
335
+ | North America | | 5,105 | 4,519 | | 13.0% | 16.6 % |
336
+ | Greater China | | 4,597 | 4,342 | | 5.9% | 3.0 % |
337
+ | Asia-Pacific | | 2,180 | 2,083 | | 4.7% | 7.7 % |
338
+ | Latin America | | 1,446 | 1,035 | | 39.8% | 47.2 % |
339
+ | Other Businesses | | 145 | | 149 | (2.6%) | (2.0%) |
340
+ | | | | | | | |
341
+ 1 2021 and 2020 figures reflect continuing operations as a result of the reclassification of the Reebok business to discontinued operations.
342
+ Rounding differences may arise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
343
 
344
  10
345
 
346
+ | | | | | |
347
+ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
348
+ in millions December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Change in %
349
+ | Cash and cash equivalents | | 3,828 | 3,994 | (4.1) |
350
+ | ------------------------------- | --- | -------- | -------- | ------- |
351
+ | Accounts receivable | | 2,175 | 1,952 | 11.4 |
352
+ | Other current financial assets | | 745 | 702 | 6.1 |
353
+ | Inventories | | 4,009 | 4,397 | (8.8) |
354
+ | Income tax receivables | | 91 | 109 | (16.9) |
355
+ | Other current assets | | 1,062 | 999 | 6.3 |
356
+ Assets classified as held for sale 2,033 0 802,610.8
357
+ | Total current assets | | 13,944 | 12,154 | 14.7 |
358
+ | ---------------------------------------- | --- | --------- | --------- | ------- |
359
+ | Property, plant and equipment | | 2,256 | 2,157 | 4.6 |
360
+ | Right-of-use assets | | 2,569 | 2,430 | 5.7 |
361
+ | Goodwill | | 1,228 | 1,208 | 1.7 |
362
+ | Trademarks | | 16 | 750 | (97.8) |
363
+ | Other intangible assets | | 336 | 252 | 33.6 |
364
+ | Long-term financial assets | | 290 | 353 | (17.8) |
365
+ | Other non-current financial assets | | 160 | 414 | (61.2) |
366
+ | Deferred tax assets | | 1,263 | 1,233 | 2.5 |
367
+ | Other non-current assets | | 74 | 103 | (28.4) |
368
+ | Total non-current assets | | 8,193 | 8,899 | (7.9) |
369
+ | Total assets | | 22,137 | 21,053 | 5.1 |
370
+ | Short-term borrowings | | 29 | 686 | (95.8) |
371
+ | Accounts payable | | 2,294 | 2,390 | (4.0) |
372
+ | Current lease liabilities | | 573 | 563 | 1.8 |
373
+ | Other current financial liabilities | | 363 | 446 | (18.6) |
374
+ | Income taxes | | 536 | 562 | (4.7) |
375
+ | Other current provisions | | 1,458 | 1,609 | (9.4) |
376
+ | Current accrued liabilities | | 2,684 | 2,172 | 23.6 |
377
+ | Other current liabilities | | 434 | 398 | 9.0 |
378
+ | Liabilities classified as held for sale | | 594 | – | n.a. |
379
+ | Total current liabilities | | 8,965 | 8,827 | 1.6 |
380
+ | Long-term borrowings | | 2,466 | 2,482 | (0.7) |
381
+ | Non-current lease liabilities | | 2,263 | 2,159 | 4.8 |
382
+ Other non-current financial liabilities 51 115 (55.4)
383
+ | Pensions and similar obligations | | 267 | 284 | (6.1) |
384
+ | --------------------------------- | --- | -------- | -------- | ------- |
385
+ | Deferred tax liabilities | | 122 | 241 | (49.5) |
386
+ | Other non-current provisions | | 149 | 229 | (34.8) |
387
+ | Non-current accrued liabilities | | 8 | 8 | (3.2) |
388
+ | Other non-current liabilities | | 9 | 17 | (45.8) |
389
+ | Total non-current liabilities | | 5,334 | 5,535 | (3.6) |
390
+ | Share capital | | 192 | 195 | (1.8) |
391
+ Reserves (thereof at Dec. 31st, 2021 € 128 million relating to the Reebok disposal
392
+ | | | 69 | (474) | n.a. |
393
+ | --- | --- | ----- | -------- | ----- |
394
+ group)
395
+ | Retained earnings | | 7,259 | 6,733 | 7.8 |
396
+ | ----------------------------- | --- | --------- | --------- | ----- |
397
+ | Shareholders' equity | | 7,519 | 6,454 | 16.5 |
398
+ | Non-controlling interests | | 318 | 237 | 34.0 |
399
+ | Total equity | | 7,837 | 6,691 | 17.1 |
400
+ | Total liabilities and equity | | 22,137 | 21,053 | 5.1 |
401
 
402
  11
403
 
404
+ | Additional balance sheet information | | | | |
405
+ | ------------------------------------- | -------- | -------- | -------- | --------- |
406
+ | Operating working capital | | 3,890 | 3,960 | (1.8) |
407
+ | Working capital | | 4,978 | 3,328 | 49.6 |
408
+ | Adjusted net borrowings2 | | 2,963 | 3,148 | (5.9) |
409
+ | Financial leverage3 | 39.4% | 48.8% | | (9.4 pp) |
410
+ | | | | | |
411
+ | | | | | |
412
+ 1 2021 figures reflect the reclassification of the Reebok business to assets or liabilities held for sale.
413
+ 2 Adjusted net borrowings = short-term borrowings + long-term borrowings and future cash used in lease and pension liabilities – cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets.
414
+ 3 Based on shareholders' equity.
415
+ Rounding differences may arise.
416
+
417
+ 12
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@@ -1,605 +1,1978 @@
1
- FITNESS TRACKER
2
- SF-206
3
-
4
- Manual
5
-
6
- Please read this manual before use.
7
-
8
- Visit us at
9
- www.slideusa.com
10
- or contact us at
11
- support@slideusa.com
12
-
13
- SAFETY WARNING
14
- • Please charge the Fitness
15
- tracker with the provided
16
- charging clamp for at least
17
- two hours prior to its first use.
18
-
19
- PRODUCT OVERVIEW
20
-
21
- 1 __
22
-
23
- _
24
- _
25
-
26
- 2 ____________
27
-
28
- __
29
- 4
30
-
31
- 3a._________
32
-
33
- 3b. ________
34
-
35
- Fatigue Monitor
36
- Touch Sensor
37
-
38
- 1.
39
- 2.
40
- 3a. Charging Contacts
41
- 3b. Charging Contacts
42
- 4. Charging Clamp
43
-
44
- DETACHABLE WRISTBAND
45
- This device comes with a detachable
46
- wristbands. To remove the wristband
47
- locate the metallic pin on the edge of
48
- the wristband where it meets the
49
- watch. Pull the pin sideways and the
50
- wristband will automatically detach
51
- from the watch.
52
-
53
- ________ Pin
54
-
55
- GETTING STARTED
56
- Powering On/Off: Power the fitness
57
- tracker On/Off, by touching and
58
- holding the touch sensor.
59
- Charging: The fitnesses Tracker
60
- comes with its own USB compatible
61
- charger. To charge the device
62
- plug the USB charging clamp into
63
- a USB slot. Then clamp the fitness
64
- tracker into the charger.
65
- Note: Make sure that the charging
66
- contacts on the clamp and the
67
- fitness tracker are aligned.
68
-
69
- Touch Sensor: Available functions
70
- will be shown on the screen and
71
- can be navigated through by
72
- simply touching or touching and
73
- holding the touch sensor under the
74
- screen.
75
- Downloading The App: To use the
76
- SF-206 as
77
- intended the
78
- user should
79
- download the
80
- Lefun Health
81
- app using the
82
- provided QR
83
- code.
84
- Note: If the App is not downloaded
85
- some features of the device may
86
- not be usable.
87
- Enabling All features: Before first
88
- use, the user should enable all
89
- features of the device. This is done
90
- while in the Health section by
91
- navigating to the menu in the
92
- top left side of the screen and
93
- selecting both Band Function
94
- Settings and Message Reminder.
95
-
96
- Pairing Instructions: To pair the
97
- Fitnesses tracker and the user's
98
- phone follow the below instructions.
99
-
100
- 1. Open the Lefun Health App
101
- and while in the Health
102
- section navigate to the
103
- menu in the top left side of
104
- the screen and select Device
105
- Name/Connection Status.
106
-
107
- 2. The user will be asked to
108
- provide Lefun Health
109
- permission to access several of
110
- the phone's features. For the
111
- Fitness Tracker to operate as
112
- intended the user should allow
113
- the device all permissions.
114
- 3. While on the pairing page the
115
-
116
- user will see all devices
117
- compatible with the Lefun
118
- Heath app listed. If the user
119
- does not see their fitness
120
- tracker they should take the
121
- following steps.
122
- A. Make sure that the fitness
123
- tracker is powered on.
124
- B.. Press t
125
- B. Press the search button
126
- to begin scanning for a signal.
127
- 4. Select the fitness tracker from
128
-
129
- the available list to pair.
130
-
131
- Restore factory Settings: To restore
132
- factory settings touch and hold the
133
- touch button while on the "About"
134
- page of the fitness tracker. The user
135
- will see a prompt saying "Long Press
136
- Restore Factory Settings." To confirm
137
- the reset touch and hold the touch
138
- sensor again. The fitness tracker will
139
- then automatically restore itself to
140
- factory settings.
141
-
142
- MENU SETTINGS
143
- Menu Features: The fitness tracker
144
- has several features that can be
145
- changed on the app by navigating
146
- to the health page and selecting
147
- the menu option in the top left side
148
- of the screen. These features
149
- include but are not limited to,
150
-
151
- Menu __
152
-
153
- Smart Alarm - After the alarm is
154
- set the watch will vibrate at the
155
- appointed time.
156
-
157
- Message Notification - The fitness
158
- tracker will vibrate when the
159
- user's phone receives a message
160
- or call. Note: This feature must be
161
- turned on manually.
162
-
163
- Search Device: The user can
164
- locate the lost fitness tracker
165
- (make it vibrate) by selecting this
166
- option.
167
-
168
- Shake For A Selfie: Select this
169
-
170
- feature to access the camera on
171
- the user's phone. Next, shake the
172
- fitness tracker to take a photo.
173
- Note: Photos will be saved on the
174
- user's phone.
175
-
176
- Band Function Settings:
177
-
178
- A. Sedentary Reminder: The
179
-
180
- fitness tracker will
181
- automatically provide the user
182
- a warning should they remain
183
- sedentary for too long.
184
- B. Reminder for drinking: The
185
-
186
- fitness tracker will
187
- automatically provide the user
188
- with a reminder to drink water
189
- at regular intervals.
190
-
191
- C. Screen Up Upon Raising:
192
- Quickly view the time or
193
- messages without tapping the
194
- screen or pressing the
195
- multifunction button. To use it
196
- just turn your wrist towards you
197
- and the screen will be
198
- displayed for a few seconds.
199
-
200
- D. Smart Anti-lost: Turn On/Off
201
- Smart Anti Lost Setting.
202
-
203
- Note: The following features may
204
- not work as intended if the user
205
- has not turned them on.
206
-
207
- WATERPROOFING
208
-
209
- Your Fitness tracker is water-
210
- resistant, rain-proof, splash-proof
211
- and can stand up to even the
212
- sweatiest workout.
213
- NOTE: Do not swim or shower with
214
- your wristband. Though water
215
- won't damage the device, it
216
- should be dried thoroughly after
217
- coming into contact with any
218
- water.
219
-
220
- FEATURES
221
- While on the Home Screen of the
222
- device touch the touch sensor to
223
-
224
- navigate through the available
225
- apps.
226
-
227
- 103
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
228
 
229
  83
230
 
231
- Home
232
- Screen:
233
- press and
234
- hold the
235
- touch sensor
236
- to switch
237
-
238
- between the available home
239
- screen displays as shown above.
240
-
241
- 10325
242
- STEPS
243
-
244
- Pedometer:
245
- Records the
246
- number of steps the
247
- user is taking during
248
- a 24 hour period.
249
- This information is
250
- accessible on both
251
- the fitness tracker
252
-
253
- and the app. Note: The step counter
254
- is reset to zero at midnight.
255
-
256
- Exercise: Records
257
- the amount of time
258
- the user has
259
- exercised. Note: The
260
- time exercised is
261
- reset to zero at
262
- midnight. Note: The
263
- user can select
264
- between the
265
-
266
- following four exerciser options.
267
- 1. Running
268
- 2. Badminton
269
- 3. Climbing
270
- 4. Bicycling
271
-
272
- 99
273
-
274
- Heart rate monitor:
275
- Measures the
276
- wearer's current
277
- resting heart rate
278
- and displays that
279
- data as the number
280
- of heartbeats per
281
-
282
- minute (BPM). Note: Data will be
283
- saved in the app
284
-
285
- 87
286
 
287
  131
288
 
289
- 99
290
-
291
- SPO2 Test: Measures
292
- the amount of
293
- oxygen in the blood
294
- (sp02) Note: data
295
- not recorded in the
296
- app.
297
-
298
- Blood Pressure:
299
- Measures the
300
- wearer's current
301
- Blood pressure. Note:
302
- Normal Blood
303
- pressure is 120/80.
304
-
305
- Additional Features: The fitness
306
- tracker has several additional
307
- features including Find Phone,
308
- Messages, Details about the device,
309
- QR Code, and the Power Off
310
- feature.
311
- After the App has been successfully
312
- downloaded, the user should be
313
- sure to pair the fitness tracker to
314
- their phone using the app.
315
-
316
- Enabling All features: App:
317
- (Necessary For Messages, Calls,
318
- and Reminders)
319
- Before first use the user should
320
- enable all features of the device.
321
- This is done while in the Health
322
- section by navigating to the
323
- menu in the top left side of the
324
- screen and selecting both Band
325
- Function Settings and Message
326
- Reminder.
327
-
328
- Enabling All features: Phone:
329
- (Necessary For Messages, Calls, and
330
- Reminders)
331
- Some features may not work as
332
- intended if the user has not enabled
333
- "Lefun Health" on their phone. To do
334
- this the user should open their
335
- phone's settings and select
336
-
337
- Notifications and Accessibility from
338
- the following options. Find "Lefun
339
- Health" and enable the Apps to
340
- Access your phone.
341
- Note: This is detailed in the image on
342
- the next page.
343
- Note: As the settings page on
344
- phones varies from type to type. The
345
- above instructions and included
346
- images may not directly reflect the
347
- appropriate method of enabling all
348
- features on the user's phone.
349
-
350
- Important
351
-
352
- Iphone
353
-
354
- Android
355
-
356
- GENERAL INFORMATION
357
- Environmental Conditions
358
- Operating Temperature: 14°F-122°
359
- F:-4°C-14°C
360
-
361
- Size
362
- The wristbands have an adjustable
363
- circumference and will fit anyone
364
- who has a wrist between 5.5 and .5
365
- inches.
366
- Disposal and Recycling
367
- The user should be aware that it is
368
- the consumer’s responsibility to
369
- properly dispose of and recycle the
370
- SmartWatch and accompanying
371
- components. Do not dispose of the
372
- SmartWatch with common
373
- household waste as it is considered
374
- electronic waste and should be
375
- disposed of at your local electronic
376
- equipment collection facility.
377
-
378
- APP - HEALTH SECTION
379
- While in the health section the user
380
- may select the menu in the top left
381
- side of the screen or navigate to
382
- other pages of the health section
383
- by swiping left.
384
-
385
- Today's Data
386
-
387
- _
388
- _
389
- ___
390
- _
391
- _
392
- Menu
393
-
394
- The number of steps taken, calories
395
- burned, distance traveled, hours
396
- slept, blood pressure, and heart rate
397
- are all displayed here.
398
-
399
- Pedometer
400
-
401
- _
402
- _
403
- ___
404
- _
405
- _
406
- Menu
407
-
408
- The number of steps taken, calories
409
- burned, and distance traveled are all
410
- displayed here
411
-
412
- Sleep Monitor
413
-
414
- _
415
- _
416
- ___
417
- _
418
- _
419
- Menu
420
-
421
- Note: The sleep Monitor only works so
422
- long as the user is wearing the
423
- fitnesses tracker when they are
424
- asleep.
425
-
426
- Heart Rate
427
-
428
- _
429
- _
430
- ___
431
- _
432
- _
433
- Menu
434
-
435
- Note: The user may check their
436
- heart rate using the app by pressing
437
- "Start To Measure." This will
438
- automatically activate the fitness
439
- trackers heart rate monitor.
440
-
441
- Blood Pressure
442
-
443
- _
444
- _
445
- ___
446
- _
447
- _
448
- Menu
449
-
450
- Note: The user may check their
451
- blood pressure using the app by
452
- pressing "Start To Measure." This will
453
- automatically activate the fitness
454
- trackers blood pressure monitor.
455
-
456
- App - Sports
457
-
458
- _
459
- _
460
- _
461
- _
462
- _
463
- Sports
464
- History
465
-
466
- _
467
- _
468
- _
469
- _
470
- _
471
-
472
- Slide To
473
- Unlock
474
-
475
- While on the sports page the user will
476
- see the above icons. Pressing the blue
477
- icon will immediately begin tracking
478
- both the route and distance traveled.
479
- While tracking, the user will see the
480
- bellow icons. Press the below blue
481
- icon to stop tracking.
482
-
483
- _
484
- _
485
- _
486
- _
487
- _
488
- Sports
489
- Settings
490
-
491
- _
492
- _
493
- _
494
- _
495
- _
496
- Map
497
-
498
- Data: While on the Sports page the
499
- user will see the following
500
- information displayed. Travel
501
- Distance, Speed in min/km, Calories
502
- burned in Kcal, and Elevation
503
- change in Meters.
504
- Sports Features:
505
- History : Records the user workout
506
- history.
507
- Settings : Allows the user to set
508
- Calorie targets, or adjust
509
- countdown settings.
510
- Begin Tracking : Actively begins
511
- tracking distance traveled, speed,
512
- calories burned, and route traveled.
513
- Note: When tracking has begun the
514
- phone screen will automatically
515
- lock. To Unlock the screen press
516
- and the user will be prompted to
517
- "Slide To Unlock" the screen.
518
- To access route tracking via the
519
- map press .
520
- Press button and the user will be
521
- prompted with and . Pressing
522
- the first one will continue tracking
523
- and pressing the second one will
524
- end the workout and record the
525
- data in the sports history section.
526
-
527
- App - Trend
528
-
529
- App - My Data
530
-
531
- Users Personal
532
- information can
533
- be edited here.
534
-
535
- -
536
- -
537
- -
538
- -
539
- -
540
- -
541
- -
542
-
543
- ------------
544
-
545
- -
546
- -
547
- -
548
- -
549
- -
550
- -
551
- -
552
- -
553
- -
554
- -
555
- -
556
- -
557
- -
558
- -
559
- -
560
- -
561
- -
562
- -
563
- -
564
- -
565
- -
566
- -
567
- -
568
- -
569
- -
570
-
571
- ---
572
-
573
- ----Device Information
574
-
575
- ----Set fitness targets
576
-
577
- ----Frequently Asked Questions
578
-
579
- ----Check For Updates
580
-
581
- This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
582
- conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
583
- any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
584
- Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
585
- could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
586
- NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
587
- digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
588
- reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
589
- generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
590
- accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
591
- However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
592
- If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
593
- which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
594
- correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
595
- -- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
596
- -- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
597
- -- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
598
-
599
- from that to which the receiver is connected.
600
-
601
- -- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
602
- The device has been evaluated to meet general RF exposure requirement. The device can be u
603
- sed in portable exposure condition without restriction
604
- FCC ID: 2AJVKSF206
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
605
 
 
1
+ DOI: 10.1111/polp.12517
2
+
3
+ O R I G I N A L A R T I C L E
4
+
5
+ The fluid voter: Exploring independent voting patterns
6
+ over time
7
+
8
+ Thom Reilly1
9
+
10
+ | Dan Hunting2
11
+
12
+ 1School of Public Affairs, Arizona State
13
+ University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
14
+
15
+ 2Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and
16
+ Nonprofit Innovation, Arizona State
17
+ University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
18
+
19
+ Correspondence
20
+
21
+ Thom Reilly, School of Public Affairs, Arizona
22
+ State University, 411 N Central Ave. Office 422K,
23
+ Mail Code 3720, Phoenix, AZ 85005, USA.
24
+ Email: thom.reilly@asu.edu
25
+
26
+ Abstract
27
+ Independents remain hard to categorize because they are, by
28
+ their choice of self-identification, resisting the standard cate-
29
+ gories of political classification. Despite the growth in inde-
30
+ pendent voter identity, many political strategists still view
31
+ independents as partisans. In this article, we contribute to the
32
+ academic literature on independent voting behavior by explor-
33
+ ing whether those who identify as politically independent
34
+ function as true independents by accounting for their voting
35
+ patterns over time. We do this by analyzing data produced by
36
+ the American National Election Studies (ANES) on political
37
+ identification and voting choices from 1972 to 2020 on each
38
+ of the three ANES measures of party affiliation. Our findings
39
+ show when tracking independent voting behavior over more
40
+ than one election, there is a significant volatility in voting
41
+ loyalty and independents as a group are distinct from parti-
42
+ sans. This volatility was observed in all three measures of party
43
+ affiliation used by the ANES survey data. The research also
44
+ finds evidence that a sizeable number of independents move
45
+ in and out of independent status from one election to another.
46
+
47
+ K E Y W O R D S
48
+ ANES, elections, fluid voter, independent voter, over time, partisanship,
49
+ political behavior, political parties, United States, volatility, voter identifi-
50
+ cation, voting behavior, voting loyalty
51
+
52
+ Related Articles
53
+ Grossmann, Matt. 2014. “The Varied Effects of Policy Cues
54
+ on Partisan Opinions.” Politics & Policy 42(6): 881–904.
55
+ https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12102.
56
+ Reilly, Thom, and E. C. Hedberg. 2022. “Social Networks
57
+ of Independents and Partisans: Are Independents a Moder-
58
+ ating Forcer?” Politics & Policy 50(2): 225–43. https://doi.
59
+ org/10.1111/polp.12460.
60
+ Saeki, Manabu. 2019. “Anatomy of Party Sorting: Parti-
61
+ san Polarization of Voters and Party Switching.” Politics &
62
+ Policy 47(4): 699–747. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12318.
63
+
64
+ Politics & Policy. 2023;00:1–22.
65
+
66
+ wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/polp
67
+
68
+ 1
69
+
70
+ © 2023 Policy Studies Organization.
71
+ 2
72
+
73
+ THE FLUID VOTER
74
+
75
+ Americans are increasingly declaring independence from the political parties. The rise in political
76
+ independence is likely an outgrowth of Americans' record or near-record negative views of the
77
+ U.S. two-party system (Ingraham, 2021) and their low level of trust in government (PEW, 2022).
78
+ Self-defined independent voters now number between 40% and 46% of the U.S. electorate
79
+ (Gallup, 2022) and currently constitute either the largest or second-largest group of registered
80
+ voters in half the states (Gruber & Opdycke, 2020). Despite the historical increase in independ-
81
+ ent voter identification, many political strategists still view independents as partisans (Magleby
82
+ et al., 2011; Petrocik, 2009) and contend that the overwhelming majority of Americans who say
83
+ they are “independent” really lean toward one party or the other. However, other scholars have
84
+ disputed the findings that most independents are leaners and suggest that there is no conclusive
85
+ evidence for this position (Abrams & Fiorina, 2011).
86
+
87
+ Our study seeks to contribute to the academic literature by exploring whether those who are
88
+ identified as politically independent function as true independents by accounting for their voting
89
+ patterns over time. We are interested in determining whether independents move in and out of
90
+ independent status. We do this by reviewing the voting behavior of Democrats, Republicans,
91
+ and independents over multiple election cycles. Our research seeks to address the following three
92
+ questions:
93
+
94
+ 1. Does political identification change across time?
95
+ 2. How do respondents allocate their votes across parties?
96
+ 3. Do voting choices change over time?
97
+
98
+ LITERATURE REVIEW
99
+
100
+ The classification of voters as independent dates back to the seminal work of Angus Campbell
101
+ and his colleagues, who first published The American Voter in 1960 (Campbell et  al.,  1960).
102
+ Analyzing data collected under the University of Michigan Survey Research Center (and later
103
+ aggregated by the American National Election Studies; ANES Data Center, 2021), the authors
104
+ describe the identity of party affiliation as a central characteristic explaining voting behavior
105
+ and other political attitudes and behaviors. The surveys that The American Voter analyzed have
106
+ been considered by many to be the gold standard in the field. Though officially founded in 1978,
107
+ the American National Election Studies (ANES) program has continuous survey data on the
108
+ electorate since 1948. The survey is usually administered every other year, but occasionally every
109
+ fourth year. ANES is a comprehensive survey which provides much information on respondents'
110
+ background and political attitude.
111
+
112
+ The American Voter authors acknowledged that some kind of “independent” existed but
113
+ characterized the independent as having little interest in campaigns and outcomes and suggested
114
+ their choice between competing candidates is uninformed. Most of what we know about inde-
115
+ pendents comes from survey data, and most surveys predispose the majority of independents as
116
+ leaners toward either of the two political parties. Since 1952, when individuals identified them-
117
+ selves as an independent, researchers and pollsters have asked a follow-up question on whether
118
+ respondents prefer one party over the other if they had to vote then and there.
119
+
120
+ In addition to asking respondents to identify themselves from a three-point scale: Democrat,
121
+ Republican, and independent, respondents were asked to self-identify on the ANES seven-point
122
+ political spectrum (ANES Data Center, 2015):
123
+
124
+ 1. Strong Democrat
125
+ 2. Democrat
126
+ 3. Independent, leans Democrat
127
+ 4. Independent
128
+
129
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
130
+
131
+ 3
132
+
133
+ 5. Independent, leans Republican
134
+ 6. Republican
135
+ 7. Strong Republican
136
+
137
+ Since the seven-point measure was introduced in the 1952 survey, researchers accessing the ANES
138
+ data were able to use several measures. They could use the seven-point measure, a five-point
139
+ measure by collapsing the three independent categories into one (as the authors of the Amer-
140
+ ican Voter did), a three-point measure with leaners classed as independents, or a three-point
141
+ measure with leaners classified as partisans. Researchers used any or all of these measures often
142
+ depending on which coding decision gave them big enough cell sizes for analysis by re-coding the
143
+ data or not (DeBell, 2010).
144
+
145
+ Viewing the majority of independents as partisans originates from the formative research
146
+ popularized in The Myth of the Independent Voter (Keith et al., 1992), which claimed that the
147
+ ANES' “Seven-Point Scale” should only include three actual categories (Democrat, Repub-
148
+ lican, and Independent). After the Petrocik  (2009) and Keith and others'  (1992) articles, it
149
+ became more common to use a five-point or three-point measure with leaners classified as
150
+ independents.
151
+
152
+ Most independents indicated a lean toward one of the two major political parties' candi-
153
+ dates. Political scientists have labeled these individuals as “independent leaners” and have argued
154
+ that the number of pure independents is actually quite small—below 10%. This percentage has
155
+ remained constant since the 1950s (Mayer, 2008; PEW, 2019; Sides, 2013), and many political
156
+ scientists assert that the overwhelming majority of Americans who say there are “independent”
157
+ lean toward one party or the other (Teixiera, 2012).
158
+
159
+ Klar and Krupnikov (2016) have recently added some important research on the independent
160
+ voter. They explored the social significance of the growth in people refusing to identify them-
161
+ selves with a political party and suggested that independents and partisans differ psychologically
162
+ (Klar & Krupnikov,  2016). They do not dispute the notion that independents may be “closet
163
+ partisans” (they call them “undercover partisans”); but they do dispute the bias that independ-
164
+ ents are not politically engaged, stating that “engagement levels are comparable across independ-
165
+ ents and partisans” (Klar,  2014). They assert that many Americans are embarrassed by their
166
+ political party and do not wish to be associated with either side. Instead, they intentionally mask
167
+ their party preference, especially in social situations (Klar & Krupnikov, 2016). Nonetheless, they
168
+ contend that the refusal to publicly identify with a party must be revealing something important.
169
+ And they believe the predictors of independent political engagement differ substantially from
170
+ partisans.
171
+
172
+ However, there are some researchers that disagree with the assertion that independents
173
+ are leaners and suggest there is more volatility in their voter patterns, and that a sizeable
174
+ number of independents move in and out of independent status in ways that impact inde-
175
+ pendent voting over time (Abrams & Fiorina,  2011; Fiorina,  1977,  2016; Jackson,  1975;
176
+ Page & Jones, 1979). Their identification may depend on specific candidates or issues on the
177
+ ballot (Reilly et al., 2023) or may derive from short-term interest rather than a long-standing
178
+ loyalty (Miller, 1991). Fiorina (2017), professor of political science at Stanford University and
179
+ former chairman of the board of the ANES, contends that following independent leaners
180
+ over several elections is key to understanding their voting patterns. Along with his colleague
181
+ Samuel J. Abrams, they conducted such an analysis and found that, following independent
182
+ leaners across multiple elections, their partisan stability is closer to pure independents than
183
+ weak partisans (Fiorina, 2017). They also noted that “classifying all leaners as weak partisans
184
+ mis-characterizes the partisanship of Americans and overestimates the rate of party voting”
185
+ (Abrams & Fiorina, 2011). Other researchers have argued that responses to survey question
186
+ probes asking independents if they lean toward the Democratic or Republican Party are
187
+ significantly contaminated by short-term electoral elements operating in the campaign, such
188
+
189
+ 4
190
+
191
+ THE FLUID VOTER
192
+
193
+ as the candidates and specific issues (Abrams & Fiorina,  2011; Brody,  1978,  1991; Brody &
194
+ Rothenberg, 1988; Miller, 1991).
195
+
196
+ Finally, given the lack of data on voting patterns of independents in state races and
197
+ down-ballot (other than for president, governor, and Congress), there is growing interest in
198
+ examining the characteristics and attitudes of unaffiliated or independent voters as they
199
+ compare to voters from the two major parties. Bitzer and others (2022) researched down-ballot
200
+ voters in North Carolina and found unaffiliated voters were not simply shadow partisans but
201
+ varied from Democrats and Republicans in terms of demographics, political behavior, and polit-
202
+ ical attitudes.
203
+
204
+ OUR EXPECTATIONS
205
+
206
+ Our study seeks to contribute to the academic literature by exploring whether those who are
207
+ identified as politically independent function as true independents by accounting for their voting
208
+ patterns over time. The study also explores whether independents move in and out of independ-
209
+ ent status.
210
+
211
+ We begin with a description of ANES data and the three measures of party affiliation used
212
+ by the survey. Analysis then begins with a look at how the political identification of voters
213
+ changes over multiple survey waves using each of the three ANES scales to be described in the
214
+ next section. This analysis includes a parallel review of respondents who voted in both waves and
215
+ those who voted in neither wave. We next investigate how frequently respondents to the ANES
216
+ vote “straight tickets”—always choosing candidates from the same party—or “mixed tickets”
217
+ where some Republican and some Democrat candidates are chosen. It is expected that those
218
+ identifying as Democrat or Republican will mostly choose candidates from their own party,
219
+ while independents will show more variety in their choices. These results will also be reported on
220
+ each of the three political identification scales discussed below. Finally, we explore the degree to
221
+ which individuals change their voting choices over time.
222
+
223
+ METHODOLOGY
224
+
225
+ The ANES Cumulative Data File (CDF) is used to examine political identification and voting
226
+ choices from 1972 to 2020 (ANES Data Center, n.d.). Although the CDF contains data dating
227
+ back to 1948, restricting the analysis to data from 1972 onward provided the best balance of: (a)
228
+ providing a large enough sample to be useful and (b) capturing attitudes and trends that are rele-
229
+ vant in the current social and political climate. There have been substantial demographic changes
230
+ in the United States over the 72 years of ANES data. Additionally, prior to the passage of the
231
+ Voting Rights Act of 1965, large portions of the population were effectively disenfranchised.
232
+ These changes become evident when pre-1972 ANES data are compared to 1972–2020 data.
233
+ Prior to 1972, 6.4% of ANES respondents who reported voting were non-White, but the figure
234
+ jumps to 22.4% when looking at voters between 1972 and 2020. This percentage is much more in
235
+ line with current voter profiles. Smaller, but still important, changes are evident in the age distri-
236
+ bution and gender of respondents across the two time periods. Eighteen- to twenty-year-olds
237
+ made up 1.5% of the pre-1972 respondents and 5.9% after that. Females made up 52.4% of
238
+ the pre-1972 respondents and 53.8% from 1972 to 2020. The 1972–2020 data are more closely
239
+ aligned with current voter demographics, making this analysis more applicable to today's voters.
240
+ This dataset includes political identification information for respondents and self-reported
241
+ voting choices for president, Senate, Congress, and governor races. Since the ANES does not
242
+ show 2020 election preference data in the CDF, these data were linked to the CDF using the
243
+ Respondent ID from the ANES 2020 timeseries file. The resulting file was then formatted so that
244
+
245
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
246
+
247
+ 5
248
+
249
+ each record represented a unique respondent, capturing party identification on three scales and
250
+ reported voting choices for all survey waves that each respondent answered.
251
+
252
+ We examine three questions, looking at each on three different political identification scales:
253
+
254
+ 1. Does political identification change across time?
255
+ 2. How do respondents allocate their votes across parties?
256
+ 3. Do voting choices change over time?
257
+
258
+ To probe these areas, we look at political identification with three different scales commonly used
259
+ by the ANES. First, with the initial party identification queried in question VCF0302, which
260
+ asks, “Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Democrat, a Republican, an
261
+ Independent, or what?” This “Initial Party ID Response” gives a three-point scale with Demo-
262
+ crats and Republicans, and all minor-party and independent respondents grouped under the
263
+ independent umbrella. Second, we use the ANES Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301, “Seven Point
264
+ Scale”) that divides Democrats and Republicans into “strong” and “weak” supporters of their
265
+ parties, and divides independents into Democrat-leaners, Republican-leaners, and true independ-
266
+ ents. Finally, we use the modified three-point scale from VCF0303 “Summary 3-Category.” The
267
+ Summary 3-Category measure collapses the Seven-Point Scale by counting Democrat-leaning
268
+ independents as Democrats and Republican-leaning independents as Republicans. This leaves
269
+ only a small fraction of the respondents as independents.
270
+
271
+ American National Election Studies Survey
272
+
273
+ The CDF was downloaded in SPSS format and filtered to include responses from 1972 to 2020.
274
+ Since 2020 post-election voting information is not currently in the CDF, data from the 2020
275
+ time-series file were joined to the CDF to provide complete information on the 2016–2020 panel.
276
+ The resulting file contains responses from 43,423 individuals, of whom 27,832 voted in at least
277
+ one election (Table 1).
278
+
279
+ The ANES contains data on how respondents reported voting on four different contests,
280
+ giving the party choice for president, Congress, Senate, and governor. Respondents do not neces-
281
+ sarily vote in each of these races due to the timing of elections. Choices for a total of 77,729
282
+ contests are recorded for the 27,832 voters in the data. For each election cycle, the total number
283
+ of votes for Democratic, Republican, and third-party candidates were totaled for each respond-
284
+ ent, along with their party identification at that time. The survey has also included time-series
285
+ panel data from time to time, where respondents are contacted multiple times over the years. For
286
+ respondents that appeared in multiple waves of the survey, their votes and party identification
287
+ were tallied at each survey point.
288
+
289
+ Since 1970, there have been seven panels as shown in Table 2, each covering a single presi-
290
+ dential election. Of the 13,399 respondents to the survey in these panels, 4770 voted in all waves
291
+ available to them. These voters reported their voting choice on a total of 25,024 races for pres-
292
+ ident, Congress, Senate, and governor. Due to the timing of election cycles, not all respondents
293
+ reported voting in each of these races in each wave of the survey.
294
+
295
+ Party identification on three scales
296
+
297
+ ANES CDF classifies the political identification of respondents according to their answers to
298
+ questions VCF0302, VCF0301, and VCF0303.
299
+
300
+ VCF0302 is the initial party identification response and asks:
301
+
302
+ 6
303
+
304
+ THE FLUID VOTER
305
+
306
+ T A B L E 1 ANES respondents by year
307
+
308
+ Total respondents
309
+
310
+ Respondents who voted
311
+
312
+ Total votes tallied
313
+
314
+ Year
315
+
316
+ 1972
317
+
318
+ 1974
319
+
320
+ 1976
321
+
322
+ 1978
323
+
324
+ 1980
325
+
326
+ 1982
327
+
328
+ 1984
329
+
330
+ 1986
331
+
332
+ 1988
333
+
334
+ 1990
335
+
336
+ 1992
337
+
338
+ 1994
339
+
340
+ 1996
341
+
342
+ 1998
343
+
344
+ 2000
345
+
346
+ 2002
347
+
348
+ 2004
349
+
350
+ 2008
351
+
352
+ 2012
353
+
354
+ 2016
355
+
356
+ 2020
357
+
358
+ 2705
359
+
360
+ 475
361
+
362
+ 1323
363
+
364
+ 2304
365
+
366
+ 1614
367
+
368
+ 1418
369
+
370
+ 2257
371
+
372
+ 2176
373
+
374
+ 2040
375
+
376
+ 1980
377
+
378
+ 1126
379
+
380
+ 1036
381
+
382
+ 398
383
+
384
+ 1281
385
+
386
+ 1807
387
+
388
+ 324
389
+
390
+ 1212
391
+
392
+ 2322
393
+
394
+ 5914
395
+
396
+ 4270
397
+
398
+ 5441
399
+
400
+ 1718
401
+
402
+ 237
403
+
404
+ 691
405
+
406
+ 1167
407
+
408
+ 989
409
+
410
+ 798
411
+
412
+ 1427
413
+
414
+ 1087
415
+
416
+ 1226
417
+
418
+ 1236
419
+
420
+ 807
421
+
422
+ 693
423
+
424
+ 239
425
+
426
+ 648
427
+
428
+ 1240
429
+
430
+ 160
431
+
432
+ 829
433
+
434
+ 1580
435
+
436
+ 4355
437
+
438
+ 3124
439
+
440
+ 3581
441
+
442
+ 7215
443
+
444
+ 760
445
+
446
+ 1731
447
+
448
+ 2463
449
+
450
+ 2572
451
+
452
+ 1860
453
+
454
+ 3314
455
+
456
+ 2549
457
+
458
+ 3104
459
+
460
+ 4294
461
+
462
+ 3888
463
+
464
+ 2575
465
+
466
+ 562
467
+
468
+ 1509
469
+
470
+ 3838
471
+
472
+ 247
473
+
474
+ 2058
475
+
476
+ 3624
477
+
478
+ 11,322
479
+
480
+ 12,981
481
+
482
+ 5263
483
+
484
+ 77,729
485
+
486
+ Total
487
+
488
+ 43,423
489
+
490
+ 27,832
491
+
492
+ T A B L E 2 Multiple-wave voters in ANES data, 1972–2000
493
+
494
+ Year of 1st wave
495
+
496
+ Year of 2nd wave
497
+
498
+ Total respondents
499
+
500
+ Voted in both waves
501
+
502
+ Total votes in
503
+ Wave 1
504
+
505
+ Total votes
506
+ in Wave 2
507
+
508
+ 1972
509
+
510
+ 1974
511
+
512
+ 1990
513
+
514
+ 1992
515
+
516
+ 1994
517
+
518
+ 2000
519
+
520
+ 2016
521
+
522
+ Grand total
523
+
524
+ 1974
525
+
526
+ 1976
527
+
528
+ 1992
529
+
530
+ 1994
531
+
532
+ 1996
533
+
534
+ 2002
535
+
536
+ 2020
537
+
538
+ 2705
539
+
540
+ 475
541
+
542
+ 1980
543
+
544
+ 1126
545
+
546
+ 1036
547
+
548
+ 1807
549
+
550
+ 4270
551
+
552
+ 13,399
553
+
554
+ 658
555
 
556
  83
557
 
558
+ 582
559
+
560
+ 444
561
+
562
+ 367
563
+
564
+ 604
565
+
566
+ 2032
567
+
568
+ 4770
569
+
570
+ 1644
571
+
572
+ 189
573
+
574
+ 902
575
+
576
+ 763
577
+
578
+ 560
579
+
580
+ 1171
581
+
582
+ 2858
583
+
584
+ 8087
585
+
586
+ 701
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
587
 
588
  131
589
 
590
+ 916
591
+
592
+ 463
593
+
594
+ 500
595
+
596
+ 673
597
+
598
+ 2298
599
+
600
+ 5682
601
+
602
+ Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Democrat, a Republican,
603
+ an Independent, or what?
604
+
605
+ VCF0301 is party identification on a Seven-Point Scale and is constructed by combining the
606
+ VCF0302 question with one of two follow-up questions. Respondents who identify as either
607
+ Republicans or Democrats in their initial response are asked a follow-up question:
608
+
609
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
610
+
611
+ 7
612
+
613
+ Would you call yourself a strong [Democrat/Republican] or a not very strong
614
+ [Democrat/Republican]?
615
+
616
+ These responses form the two ends of the Seven-Point Scale, with Strong Democrats coded as 1,
617
+ Weak Democrats coded as 2, Weak Republicans coded as 6, and Strong Republicans as 7. A small
618
+ number (92) of those who expressed partisan affiliation in VCF0302 were coded as DK, NA,
619
+ Other at this point in the survey.
620
+
621
+ Those who did not identify as either Democrats or Republicans are given this follow-up
622
+
623
+ question:
624
+
625
+ Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic
626
+ Party?
627
+
628
+ These responses are used to construct the middle three categories of the Seven-Point Scale. Those
629
+ answering “Democratic” are assigned to Independent-Democrats (3), with “Republican” coded as
630
+ Independent-Republican (5). Respondents who choose “Neither” are Independent-Independents at
631
+ scale point 4. Note that although the above question is asked in the ANES time series surveys,
632
+ it does not appear in the CDF data. The results of this question are captured in CDF item
633
+ VCF0301. Also note that a small number of respondents answered “do not know” or refused
634
+ to answer VCF0302 but indicated a party preference in the follow-up. These were moved to the
635
+ Independent-Republican and Independent-Democrat categories for VCF0301.
636
+
637
+ Finally, the Seven-Point Scale of VCF0301 is collapsed to three categories for VCF0303.
638
+ This is done by combining the strong and weak Democrats with Independent-Democrats under
639
+ Democrats (including leaners) and ANES political identification data on 43,423 respondents
640
+ from 1972 through 2020 is shown on these three scales in Table 3. Independents make up 36%
641
+ of the total respondents over these surveys, with 13% identified as having no party leaning or
642
+ Independent-Independents.
643
+
644
+ RESULTS
645
+
646
+ Change in political identification over time—voters
647
+
648
+ We now use ANES data from multiple waves to look at how political identification changes for
649
+ voters over time. Between 1972 and 2020, ANES has data on 4770 respondents who voted in
650
+ two consecutive waves of the survey (Table 2). The following section looks at how these voters
651
+ changed their party identification from one survey cycle to the next. A small portion of this
652
+ number did not report party identification on one of the three scales analyzed below.
653
+
654
+ Initial Party ID Response (VCF0302)
655
+
656
+ Of the 4745 respondents shown in Figure 1, 22% changed their initial-response party ID from
657
+ one wave to another. Independents were more fluid on this metric than party-affiliated respond-
658
+ ents: 16% of both Democrats and Republicans were changed at the second survey wave, while
659
+ 36% of Independents changed.
660
+
661
+ In each major party, 13% of the wave-one respondents changed their position and identi-
662
+ fied as independents at wave two, while 3% went to the opposite party. Independents saw 17%
663
+ of the wave-one respondents move to Democrat and 19% move to Republican. The absolute
664
+ number of voters switching from party-affiliated to independent (426) and from independent to
665
+ party-affiliated (520) are similar, but the percentage of independents becoming party-affiliated
666
+
667
+ 8
668
+
669
+ THE FLUID VOTER
670
+
671
+ T A B L E 3 Three political ID scales: 1972–2020 ANES data
672
+
673
+ Democrat
674
+
675
+ Republican
676
+
677
+ Independent
678
+
679
+ Other
680
+
681
+ DK/NA Total
682
+
683
+ VCF0302 (initial
684
+ response)
685
+
686
+ Percent
687
+
688
+ 16,263
689
+
690
+ 37%
691
+
692
+ 10,976
693
+
694
+ 25%
695
+
696
+ VCF0301 (7-Point
697
+
698
+ Scale)
699
+
700
+ Strong
701
+ Dem
702
+
703
+ Weak
704
+
705
+ Weak
706
+
707
+ Dem
708
+
709
+ Rep
710
+
711
+ Strong
712
+ Rep
713
+
714
+ 12,772
715
+
716
+ 29%
717
+
718
+ 3085
719
+
720
+ 7%
721
+
722
+ 327
723
+
724
+ 1%
725
+
726
+ 43,423
727
+
728
+ Ind-Dem Ind-Ind Ind-Rep DK/NA Total
729
+
730
+ Percent
731
+
732
+ VCF0303
733
+
734
+ (Summary
735
+ 3-Category)
736
+
737
+ Percent
738
+
739
+ 8523
740
+
741
+ 20%
742
+
743
+ 7677
744
+
745
+ 18%
746
+
747
+ 5354
748
+
749
+ 12%
750
+
751
+ 5592
752
+
753
+ 13%
754
+
755
+ 5515
756
+
757
+ 13%
758
+
759
+ 5677
760
+
761
+ 13%
762
+
763
+ 4726
764
+
765
+ 11%
766
+
767
+ 359
768
+
769
+ 1%
770
+
771
+ 43,423
772
+
773
+ 100%
774
+
775
+ Democrat (incl.
776
+ leaners)
777
+
778
+ 21,715
779
+
780
+ 50%
781
+
782
+ Republican (incl.
783
+
784
+ Independent
785
+
786
+ DK/NA Total
787
+
788
+ leaners)
789
+
790
+ 15,672
791
+
792
+ 36%
793
+
794
+ 5677
795
+
796
+ 13%
797
+
798
+ 359
799
+
800
+ 1%
801
+
802
+ 43,423
803
+
804
+ 100%
805
+
806
+ F I G U R E 1 Change in initial response (VCF0302) voters, 1972–2020
807
+
808
+ is nearly three times that of party-affiliates becoming independent. Respondents coded as Inde-
809
+ pendent, No Preference, and Other are included in the independent category. This flow is illus-
810
+ trated in Figure 1.
811
+
812
+ Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301)
813
+
814
+ When the Seven-Point Scale of variable VCF0301 is analyzed across two survey waves, more
815
+ fluidity in political identification becomes apparent. Of the 4735 respondents who voted in two
816
+ waves of the survey and recorded scores on this scale in both waves, 43% changed their identifi-
817
+ cation at the second wave. This is nearly double the 22% rate seen in the initial response variable
818
+ above.
819
+
820
+ Partisan respondents at the extremes of the scale were more consistent in their identification,
821
+ with 21% of Strong Democrats and 22% of Strong Republicans changing at the second wave.
822
+ Fifty-seven percent of Weak Democrats and 55% of Weak Republicans changed their identifica-
823
+ tion at wave two. Overall, 36% of Democrats and 36% of Republicans changed their party iden-
824
+ tification by at least one point on this scale between wave one and wave two; this is substantially
825
+ higher than the 36% of party-identified respondents who changed their position.
826
+
827
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
828
+
829
+ 9
830
+
831
+ F I G U R E 2 Change in 7-point scale (VCF0301) voters, 1972–2020
832
+
833
+ The complex flow of the three independent classifications is shown in Figure 2. As noted
834
+ above, 36% of those reporting to be independent at the first wave interview were identifying with
835
+ one of the two parties at the second wave. In addition, another 22% of independents remained
836
+ independent at wave two, but shifted their position within the three independent categories on
837
+ this scale. Overall, 57% of those in one of the three independent categories of the Seven-Point
838
+ Scale changed their identification at wave two. This flow is illustrated in Figure 2.
839
+
840
+ Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303)
841
+
842
+ The collapsed categories of the Summary 3-Category Scale presented in VCF0303 necessarily
843
+ suppress much of the change in party identification seen in the previous two scales. By this
844
+ measure, 10% of Democrats (including leaners) and 12% of Republicans (including leaners)
845
+ changed their identification between the two survey waves. The independents represent just 7%
846
+ of respondents on this scale, as those who identify as independent but leaning toward a party are
847
+ grouped with their respective parties. The 328 remaining “true” independents fractured nearly
848
+ in thirds when queried at the second wave: 36% remained Independent while 30% switched to
849
+ Democrat and 34% to Republican. A total of 64% of the Independents from wave one were clas-
850
+ sified as partisans at wave two. Among those classified as either Democrats or Republicans at
851
+ wave one, just 11% changed their identification on this scale at wave two (Figure 3).
852
+
853
+ 10
854
+
855
+ THE FLUID VOTER
856
+
857
+ F I G U R E 3 Change in Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303) voters, 1972–2020
858
+
859
+ F I G U R E 4 Change in initial response (VCF0302) non-voters, 1972–2020
860
+
861
+ Change in political identification over time—Non-voters
862
+
863
+ ANES data 1972–2020 also contain information on political identification for respondents
864
+ who did not vote. In this section we examine changes in political identification in the 15,292
865
+ respondents who answered two consecutive waves of the survey but voted in neither election.
866
+ For the purposes of this article, we use the term non-voters to identify those respondents who
867
+ did not vote in either wave of this analysis. It is unknown what portion of this population votes
868
+ on occasion.
869
+
870
+ Initial party response (VCF0302)
871
+
872
+ Of the 15,592 respondents shown in Figure 4, 60% changed their initial response party identifi-
873
+ cation from one wave to the next. This is nearly three times the 22% rate seen among those who
874
+ voted in both waves. Fifty-seven percent of the non-voting Democrat-identified respondents and
875
+
876
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
877
+
878
+ 11
879
+
880
+ 69% of Republicans changed their identification. Taken together, 62% of the party-identified
881
+ non-voters changed their identification at wave two. This compares with 59% of the independ-
882
+ ents who changed.1
883
+
884
+ Of the 5201 who identified with Democrats at wave one, just 43% identified as such at wave
885
+ two, with 34% now seeing themselves as independents, and 23% crossing over to be Republicans.
886
+ This contrasts with just three percent of voting Democrats crossing over to the other party at
887
+ wave two. Non-voting Republicans showed even more fluidity between the two survey waves.
888
+ Just 31% of those who said they were Republican at wave one maintained that identification
889
+ at wave two, with a third of the respondents switching to Democratic identification and 36%
890
+ now calling themselves Independent. Non-voting independents switched to Democrat in 36% of
891
+ the cases, and to Republican 23%, with 41% remaining independent. This flow is illustrated in
892
+ Figure 4.
893
+
894
+ Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301)
895
+
896
+ Non-voting respondents to ANES changed their political identification on the Seven-Point Scale
897
+ between wave one and wave two in 81% of the cases. This fluidity was relatively consistent across
898
+ the scale, ranging from 76% of Strong Democrats changing identification by at least one scale
899
+ point to 87% of Independent-Republicans.
900
+
901
+ Changes in party identification for the three independent categories are shown in Figure 5.
902
+ A total of 5923 (83%) of those who identified as one of the three independent categories at wave
903
+ one had moved by at least one scale point at wave two. Of this amount, 1722 (29%) remained
904
+ within the independent domain while 4201 (81%) moved to one of the parties. Changes in inde-
905
+ pendent non-voter identification are shown in Figure 5.
906
+
907
+ Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303)
908
+
909
+ When non-voting ANES respondents are examined on the summary 3-category scale of
910
+ VCF0303, 58% are seen to change categories. Democrats (including leaners) moved to another
911
+ point on the scale 46% of the time, with 32% identifying as Republicans at wave 2 and 13%
912
+ as independents. Well over half (60%) of the non-voters identified as Republicans at wave one
913
+ changed identification at wave two, with 47% later identifying as Democrat and 13% as inde-
914
+ pendent. Independent non-voters changed identification 81% of the time, with 48% moving to
915
+ Democrat at wave two and 33% to Republican. These flows are illustrated in Figure 6.
916
+
917
+ Voting patterns: Straight and split-ticket voters
918
+
919
+ ANES asks respondents to state how they voted in four contests: president, Congress, Senate7,
920
+ and governor. Respondents may not have the opportunity to vote in each of these races, depend-
921
+ ing on the timing of the election cycle. There are 27,832 respondents in the ANES data that said
922
+ they voted in at least one election, and these respondents give us information on a total of 77,729
923
+ races.
924
+
925
+ Of the ANES respondents who reported voting from 1972 to 2010, Figure 7 shows that 20,521
926
+ (73.7%) always voted a straight ticket for either Democrats (11,638 respondents) or Republicans
927
+ (8883). Conversely, 9316 respondents never voted for a Democrat and 12,201 never voted Repub-
928
+
929
+ 1 Z-test for proportions <.01.
930
+
931
+ 12
932
+
933
+ THE FLUID VOTER
934
+
935
+ F I G U R E 5 Change in 7-Point Scale (VCF0301) non-voters, 1972–2020
936
+
937
+ lican (Figure 7) in the races surveyed. Note that the 0% and 100% columns do not exactly mirror
938
+ each other due to the number of votes for minor parties.
939
+
940
+ The great majority of voters surveyed by ANES exclusively vote for one of the major parties,
941
+ with only a small percentage splitting their votes between Republicans and Democrats. The
942
+ 40%–59% bracket in Figure 7 shows that 4655 people (16.7%) divided their votes evenly between
943
+ the two parties. Considering both the small number of election contests available for analysis
944
+ and the polarized nature of voting noted above, further analysis divides voters into three groups:
945
+ those who voted for Democrats in 100% of the contests, those who voted for Republicans in
946
+ 100% of the contests, and those who voted for some mix of Democrats and Republicans. With
947
+ this information, we can see what portion of the sample consistently vote for one party and what
948
+ portion switch their votes between parties (Figure 7).
949
+
950
+ Initial Party ID Response (VCF0302)
951
+
952
+ As expected, Democrats generally vote a straight ticket for Democrats, at a rate of 74% while 71%
953
+ of Republicans, 5678 of the total 7990 Republican voters, always vote Republican (Figure 8).
954
+ Incongruously, 5% of Democrats and 5% of Republicans report that they always vote for the
955
+ opposite party.
956
+
957
+ Independents are much more evenly divided in their vote choices. A significant portion still
958
+ vote straight tickets for one party or the other, with 34.8% always voting for Democrats and
959
+ 30% always voting Republican. A plurality of independents (35.2%) split their votes between
960
+ Democrats and Republicans at least occasionally. This compares with the combined figures for
961
+
962
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
963
+
964
+ 13
965
+
966
+ F I G U R E 6 Change in Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303) non-voters, 1972–2020
967
+
968
+ 12,000
969
+
970
+ 12,101
971
+
972
+ 10,000
973
+
974
+ 9,316
975
+
976
+ 11,638
977
+
978
+ 8,883
979
+
980
+ s
981
+ t
982
+ n
983
+ e
984
+ d
985
+ n
986
+ o
987
+ p
988
+ s
989
+ e
990
+ R
991
+ S
992
+ E
993
+ N
994
+ A
995
+
996
+ 8,000
997
+
998
+ 6,000
999
+
1000
+ 4,000
1001
+
1002
+ 2,000
1003
+
1004
+ -
1005
+
1006
+ 1,882
1007
+
1008
+ 2,086
1009
+
1010
+ 2,327
1011
+
1012
+ 2,328
1013
+
1014
+ 2,061
1015
+
1016
+ 1,869
1017
+
1018
+ 165
1019
+
1020
+ 191
1021
+
1022
+ 443
1023
+
1024
+ 374
1025
+
1026
+ 0%
1027
+
1028
+ 1%-19% 20%-39% 40%-59% 60%-79% 80%-99%
1029
+
1030
+ 100%
1031
+
1032
+ Dem Votes
1033
+
1034
+ Rep Votes
1035
+
1036
+ F I G U R E 7 Percent of each respondent's votes by party, 1972–2020
1037
+
1038
+ Democrats and Republicans showing that 22% of the party-identified voters voted a mixed ticket
1039
+ at least once.2 Respondents coded as Independent, No Preference, and Other are included in the
1040
+ Independent category (Figure 8).
1041
+
1042
+ Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301)
1043
+
1044
+ With the Independent-Democrats and Independent-Republicans broken out on the
1045
+ 7-Point Scale of VCF0301, we see a steady progression from left-to-right, with decreas-
1046
+ ing Democratic straight-ticket voting and increasing Republican support (Figure  9). The
1047
+ Independent-Independents at the middle of the scale have truly mixed voting choices: 31% only
1048
+ voting for Democrats, 27% on voting for Republicans, and 43% choosing a mixture of Democrat
1049
+ and Republican candidates. The votes reported by Independent-Independents represent 8% of
1050
+ the 27,704 reported to ANES by respondents (Figure 9).
1051
+
1052
+ 2 Z-test for proportions <.01.
1053
+
1054
+ 14
1055
+
1056
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1057
+
1058
+ 8,160
1059
+
1060
+ s
1061
+ t
1062
+ n
1063
+ e
1064
+ d
1065
+ n
1066
+ o
1067
+ p
1068
+ s
1069
+ e
1070
+ R
1071
+ S
1072
+ E
1073
+ N
1074
+ A
1075
+
1076
+ 9,000
1077
+
1078
+ 8,000
1079
+
1080
+ 7,000
1081
+
1082
+ 6,000
1083
+
1084
+ 5,000
1085
+
1086
+ 4,000
1087
+
1088
+ 3,000
1089
+
1090
+ 2,000
1091
+
1092
+ 1,000
1093
+
1094
+ -
1095
+
1096
+ 5,678
1097
+
1098
+ 3,026
1099
+
1100
+ 3,056
1101
+
1102
+ 2,610
1103
+
1104
+ 2,324
1105
+
1106
+ 1,906
1107
+
1108
+ 560
1109
+
1110
+ 406
1111
+
1112
+ Democrat
1113
+
1114
+ Republican
1115
+
1116
+ Independent
1117
+
1118
+ Always Votes DEM
1119
+
1120
+ Mixed Votes
1121
+
1122
+ Always Votes REP
1123
+
1124
+ F I G U R E 8
1125
+
1126
+ Straight-ticket and mixed voting by Initial Party ID Response, 1972–2020
1127
+
1128
+ s
1129
+ t
1130
+ n
1131
+ e
1132
+ d
1133
+ n
1134
+ o
1135
+ p
1136
+ s
1137
+ e
1138
+ R
1139
+ S
1140
+ E
1141
+ N
1142
+ A
1143
+
1144
+ 6,000
1145
+
1146
+ 5,000
1147
+
1148
+ 4,000
1149
+
1150
+ 3,000
1151
+
1152
+ 2,000
1153
+
1154
+ 1,000
1155
+
1156
+ -
1157
+
1158
+ Strong Dem Weak Dem Ind-Dem
1159
+
1160
+ Ind-Ind
1161
+
1162
+ Ind-Rep Weak Rep Strong Rep
1163
+
1164
+ Always vote DEM
1165
+
1166
+ Mixed Votes
1167
+
1168
+ Always vote REP
1169
+
1170
+ F I G U R E 9
1171
+
1172
+ Straight-ticket and mixed voting by 7-point scale, 1972–2010
1173
+
1174
+ Interestingly, Independent-Democrats show a higher percentage of straight-ticket support of
1175
+ Democratic candidates (63%) than the Weak Democrats who explicitly declare support for the
1176
+ party (60%).3
1177
+
1178
+ Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303)
1179
+
1180
+ With the Independent-Democrats and Independent-Republicans of VCF0301 included as “lean-
1181
+ ers” in their respective partisan buckets for VCF0303, the Independent-Independents are high-
1182
+ lighted (Figure 10). Combining the straight-ticket Democrat and Republican votes shows that
1183
+
1184
+ 3 Z-test for proportions p < .05.
1185
+
1186
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
1187
+
1188
+ 15
1189
+
1190
+ s
1191
+ t
1192
+ n
1193
+ e
1194
+ d
1195
+ n
1196
+ o
1197
+ p
1198
+ s
1199
+ e
1200
+ R
1201
+ S
1202
+ E
1203
+ N
1204
+ A
1205
+
1206
+ 12,000
1207
+
1208
+ 10,000
1209
+
1210
+ 8,000
1211
+
1212
+ 6,000
1213
+
1214
+ 4,000
1215
+
1216
+ 2,000
1217
+
1218
+ -
1219
+
1220
+ 10,207
1221
+
1222
+ 7,412
1223
+
1224
+ 3,284
1225
+
1226
+ 3,019
1227
+
1228
+ 817
1229
+
1230
+ 665
1231
+
1232
+ 705
1233
+
1234
+ 984
1235
+
1236
+ 611
1237
+
1238
+ Democrat (incl. leaners)
1239
+
1240
+ Republican (incl. leaners)
1241
+
1242
+ Independent
1243
+
1244
+ Always Votes DEM
1245
+
1246
+ Mixed Votes
1247
+
1248
+ Always Votes REP
1249
+
1250
+ F I G U R E 1 0
1251
+
1252
+ Straight-ticket and mixed voting by Summary 3-Category scale, 1972–2010
1253
+
1254
+ 77% of the Democrat (including leaners) category always votes a straight ticket, 73% of Repub-
1255
+ licans (including leaners), and 57% of independents (Figure 10).
1256
+
1257
+ Voting change over time
1258
+
1259
+ Changes in voting behavior for ANES two-wave voters are summarized in Table  4. The 1464
1260
+ respondents reported voting a straight Democrat ticket both the first and second time they were
1261
+ interviewed, with 1239 voting straight Republican both times, and 434 casting mixed votes at
1262
+ each wave. This total of 3137 represents 66% of the total 4770 who voted in two waves of the
1263
+ survey. This leaves 34% who altered their behavior across the election cycles.
1264
+
1265
+ The 4754 respondents who voted in two waves of the ANES survey and stated their political
1266
+ identification are summarized in Table 5.4 Respondents who identified as Republicans or Demo-
1267
+ crats as their Initial Party ID Response for VCF0302 are grouped together as Party Affiliated in
1268
+ this table, for comparison to independent voters. Respondents coded as Independent, No Prefer-
1269
+ ence, and Other are included in the independent category.
1270
+
1271
+ Party-affiliated voters exhibited the same voting behavior, either straight-ticket or mixed
1272
+ voting in each wave, in 70% of the cases. For Independents, this percentage drops to 57%.
1273
+ Conversely, 30% of party affiliates changed their voting patterns across two elections, while 43%
1274
+ of Independents changed.
1275
+
1276
+ Party-affiliated voters voted a straight ticket for the same party at a rate of 62%. Independ-
1277
+ ents, while still voting consistently for a single party at a significant rate (44%), were still more
1278
+ likely to change their voting behavior at the second wave of the survey. A small number of voters
1279
+ voted a straight ticket for one party at Wave 1 and then switched to the other party at Wave 2.
1280
+ Here we see that independents were twice as likely to make this large shift than party affiliates.
1281
+ There is a small difference between the two groups on percentages that went from straight ticket
1282
+ at Wave 1 to mixed at Wave 2. Independents were more likely to go from mixed to straight voting
1283
+ and much more likely to vote for a mix of the two parties in both waves.
1284
+
1285
+ 4 Sixteen of the 4770 ANES respondents who reported voting in two waves of the survey are coded as DK or NA, refused in VCF0302,
1286
+ leaving 4754 who could have their political identification classified.
1287
+
1288
+ 16
1289
+
1290
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1291
+
1292
+ T A B L E 4 Changes in voting behavior, all respondents
1293
+
1294
+ Wave 2
1295
+
1296
+ Wave 1
1297
+
1298
+ Straight REP
1299
+
1300
+ Mixed vote
1301
+
1302
+ Straight DEM
1303
+
1304
+ Total
1305
+
1306
+ Straight REP
1307
+
1308
+ Mixed Vote
1309
+
1310
+ Straight DEM
1311
+
1312
+ 1239
1313
+
1314
+ 399
1315
+
1316
+ 55
1317
+
1318
+ 1693
1319
+
1320
+ 285
1321
+
1322
+ 434
1323
+
1324
+ 264
1325
+
1326
+ 983
1327
+
1328
+ 123
1329
+
1330
+ 507
1331
+
1332
+ 1464
1333
+
1334
+ 2094
1335
+
1336
+ T A B L E 5 Voting changes over two waves of ANES data
1337
+
1338
+ Party affiliated
1339
+
1340
+ Independent
1341
+
1342
+ Initial Party ID Response (VCF0302)
1343
+
1344
+ Straight ticket Wave 1 & Wave 2: same party both waves*
1345
+
1346
+ Mixed ticket, both Wave 1 & Wave 2*
1347
+
1348
+ Subtotal: Same voting behavior in Wave 1 & 2*
1349
+
1350
+ Straight ticket Wave 1 & Wave 2: switched parties*
1351
+
1352
+ Straight ticket in Wave 1, mixed ticket in Wave 2**
1353
+
1354
+ Mixed ticket in Wave 1, straight ticket in Wave 2*
1355
+
1356
+ Subtotal: Different voting behavior in Wave 1 & 2*
1357
+
1358
+ n
1359
+
1360
+ 2056
1361
+
1362
+ 237
1363
+
1364
+ 2293
1365
+
1366
+ 96
1367
+
1368
+ 355
1369
+
1370
+ 547
1371
+
1372
+ 998
1373
+
1374
+ %
1375
+
1376
+ 62%
1377
+
1378
+ 7%
1379
+
1380
+ 70%
1381
+
1382
+ 3%
1383
+
1384
+ 11%
1385
+
1386
+ 17%
1387
+
1388
+ 30%
1389
+
1390
+ n
1391
+
1392
+ 640
1393
+
1394
+ 196
1395
+
1396
+ 836
1397
+
1398
+ 81
1399
+
1400
+ 191
1401
+
1402
+ 355
1403
+
1404
+ 627
1405
+
1406
+ Total
1407
+
1408
+ 1647
1409
+
1410
+ 1340
1411
+
1412
+ 1783
1413
+
1414
+ 4770
1415
+
1416
+ %
1417
+
1418
+ 44%
1419
+
1420
+ 13%
1421
+
1422
+ 57%
1423
+
1424
+ 6%
1425
+
1426
+ 13%
1427
+
1428
+ 24%
1429
+
1430
+ 43%
1431
+
1432
+ Total
1433
+
1434
+ *Z-test for proportions p < .01.
1435
+ **Z-test for proportions p < .05.
1436
+
1437
+ Initial Party ID Response (VCF0302)
1438
+
1439
+ 3291
1440
+
1441
+ 100%
1442
+
1443
+ 1463
1444
+
1445
+ 100%
1446
+
1447
+ When the party-affiliated category shown in Table 5 is broken out to show the two parties, we see
1448
+ the results are largely the same. Democrats continued their pattern from Wave 1, either voting
1449
+ a straight ticket for a particular party or voting a mixed ticket, in 71% of the cases. This left
1450
+ 29% of self-identified Democrats changing their voting behavior in some fashion, with 32% of
1451
+ Republicans exhibiting changed behavior. The p-value for a comparison of these percentages is
1452
+ .176, suggesting that there is little meaningful difference between Democrats and Republicans on
1453
+ this measure.
1454
+
1455
+ As noted above, 43% of independents showed changed behavior between Wave 1 and Wave 2,
1456
+
1457
+ with a p-value of <.01 compared to party-affiliated respondents (Table 6).
1458
+
1459
+ Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301)
1460
+
1461
+ When this same measure of voting change over time is applied to the Seven-Point Scale of
1462
+ VCF0301, we see that, unsurprisingly, the Strong Democrats and Strong Republicans are most
1463
+ consistent in their behavior, with less than a quarter of these groups changing their voting profile
1464
+ from one wave to the next (Table 7). Independent-Independents were the most likely to change their
1465
+ voting profile at 48%, followed by Independent-Republicans at 45%. Independent-Democrats
1466
+ again seem to be as committed to Democratic candidates as the Weak Democrats with the party
1467
+ in the question posed in VCF0301. Weak Democrats voted for a straight Democratic ticked at a
1468
+
1469
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
1470
+
1471
+ T A B L E 6 Changes in voting behavior by Initial Party ID Response
1472
+
1473
+ VCF0302
1474
+
1475
+ Democrat
1476
+
1477
+ Republican
1478
+
1479
+ Subtotal: Party-identified
1480
+
1481
+ Independent, Other, No Pref.
1482
+
1483
+ Total
1484
+
1485
+ Voted in two waves
1486
+
1487
+ Percent that changed voting behavior
1488
+
1489
+ 1803
1490
+
1491
+ 1488
1492
+
1493
+ 3291
1494
+
1495
+ 1463
1496
+
1497
+ 4754
1498
+
1499
+ 29%
1500
+
1501
+ 32%
1502
+
1503
+ 30%
1504
+
1505
+ 43%
1506
+
1507
+ 34%
1508
+
1509
+ 17
1510
+
1511
+ Percent that
1512
+ did not change
1513
+
1514
+ 71%
1515
+
1516
+ 68%
1517
+
1518
+ 70%
1519
+
1520
+ 57%
1521
+
1522
+ 66%
1523
+
1524
+ T A B L E 7 Changes in voting behavior by 7-Point Scale
1525
+
1526
+ VCF0301
1527
+
1528
+ Voted in two waves
1529
+
1530
+ Percent that changed voting behavior
1531
+
1532
+ Percent that did not change
1533
+
1534
+ Strong Democrat
1535
+
1536
+ 1045
1537
+
1538
+ Weak Democrat
1539
+
1540
+ Independent-Democrat
1541
+
1542
+ Independent-Independent
1543
+
1544
+ Independent-Republican
1545
+
1546
+ Weak Republican
1547
+
1548
+ Strong Republican
1549
+
1550
+ Total
1551
+
1552
+ 757
1553
+
1554
+ 547
1555
+
1556
+ 332
1557
+
1558
+ 588
1559
+
1560
+ 637
1561
+
1562
+ 850
1563
+
1564
+ 4756
1565
+
1566
+ 22%
1567
+
1568
+ 40%
1569
+
1570
+ 38%
1571
+
1572
+ 48%
1573
+
1574
+ 45%
1575
+
1576
+ 42%
1577
+
1578
+ 24%
1579
+
1580
+ 34%
1581
+
1582
+ 78%
1583
+
1584
+ 60%
1585
+
1586
+ 62%
1587
+
1588
+ 52%
1589
+
1590
+ 55%
1591
+
1592
+ 58%
1593
+
1594
+ 76%
1595
+
1596
+ 66%
1597
+
1598
+ rate of 45%, while Independent-Democrats did so at a rate of 47% with a p-value of .472 between
1599
+ the two rates, indicating little actual difference between the two groups.
1600
+
1601
+ Summary 3-Category Scale (VCF0303)
1602
+
1603
+ The Summary 3-Category Scale once again shrinks the size of the independent category but
1604
+ maximizes its difference from the enlarged party-identified categories. Democrats (including
1605
+ leaners) were slightly less likely to change their behavior (31%) than Republicans (including lean-
1606
+ ers) at 35%.5 True independents, as above, changed their voting profile 48% of the time between
1607
+ the first and second survey waves (Table 8).
1608
+
1609
+ DISCUSSION
1610
+
1611
+ Analyzing each of the three ANES measures of party affiliation (Initial Party ID, Seven-Point
1612
+ Scale, and Summary 3 Category) over multiple elections provides some important findings on
1613
+ the voting patterns of independents. We find evidence that, when tracking independent voting
1614
+ behavior over more than one election, there is a significant volatility in voting loyalty and as
1615
+ a group, independents are distinct from partisans. The research also confirms that a sizeable
1616
+ number of independents move in and out of independent status from one election to another.
1617
+
1618
+ In the first analysis on how political identification of voters changes over multiple survey
1619
+ waves, we explored how these respondents changed their party identification from one survey
1620
+ cycle to the next. The Initial Party ID scale found that independents were more fluid on this metric
1621
+ than party-affiliated respondents with the percent of independents changing at the second wave
1622
+
1623
+ 5 Z-test for proportions <.01.
1624
+
1625
+ 18
1626
+
1627
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1628
+
1629
+ T A B L E 8 Changes in voting behavior by Summary 3-Category Scale
1630
+
1631
+ VCF0303
1632
+
1633
+ Voted in two waves
1634
+
1635
+ Percent that changed voting behavior
1636
+
1637
+ Democrat (including leaners)
1638
+
1639
+ Republican (including leaners)
1640
+
1641
+ Subtotal: Party-Identified
1642
+
1643
+ Independent
1644
+
1645
+ Total
1646
+
1647
+ 2349
1648
+
1649
+ 2075
1650
+
1651
+ 4424
1652
+
1653
+ 332
1654
+
1655
+ 4756
1656
+
1657
+ 31%
1658
+
1659
+ 35%
1660
+
1661
+ 33%
1662
+
1663
+ 48%
1664
+
1665
+ 34%
1666
+
1667
+ Percent that
1668
+ did not change
1669
+
1670
+ 69%
1671
+
1672
+ 65%
1673
+
1674
+ 67%
1675
+
1676
+ 52%
1677
+
1678
+ 66%
1679
+
1680
+ by more than double that of partisans. Additionally, the percentage of independents becoming
1681
+ party affiliated was nearly three times that of party affiliates becoming independent. Moving to
1682
+ the analysis of the Seven-Point Scale, even more fluidity was found with an overall 57% of those
1683
+ in one of the three independent categories of the Seven-Point Scale changing their identification
1684
+ at wave two. The last analysis collapsed categories of the Summary 3-Category Scale in party
1685
+ identification seen in the previous two scales and resulted in a significantly reduced (7%) number
1686
+ of independent respondents. Despite this small percentage of independent respondents, almost
1687
+ two-thirds or 64% of the independents changed classification to partisans at Wave 2.
1688
+
1689
+ ANES participants who responded to two consecutive waves of the survey but voted in
1690
+ neither of the corresponding elections showed much greater fluidity in their political identifica-
1691
+ tion between waves. Overall, 60% of respondents changed their Initial Party Identification. In
1692
+ contrast with the voting respondents, non-voting Independents were substantially the same as
1693
+ party affiliates, 59% making a switch to party affiliation. Non-voting independents were more
1694
+ likely to move by at least one point on the Seven-Point Scale (64%) than either Democrats (50%)
1695
+ or Republicans (49%). Thirty-nine percent of non-voters who identified as Independent in the
1696
+ first survey wave chose party affiliation at wave two. When the Summary 3-Category Scale is
1697
+ analyzed, we see that 81% of the non-voting independents identified with one of the major
1698
+ parties at wave two, compared with 58% of all respondents.
1699
+
1700
+ Our analysis on how independent voters and non-voters changed their party identification
1701
+ from one cycle to the next showed a significant amount of fluidity with non-voters being espe-
1702
+ cially unpredictable. On all three political identification scales, independent respondents changed
1703
+ their political identification over time more often than partisans (ranging from 36% to 64% for
1704
+ voters and 59% to 83% for non-voters) with the exception of non-voting Republicans on the
1705
+ Initial Party ID Scale. These findings suggest that independent voters and non-voters who iden-
1706
+ tify in one political classification in one election are less likely to identify themselves in the same
1707
+ manner in the next election. Their identification may depend on specific candidates or issues on
1708
+ the ballot (Reilly et al., 2023) or may derive from short-term interest rather than a long-standing
1709
+ loyalty (Miller, 1991). This finding supports Fiorina's (2016) assertion about independent voting
1710
+ behavior: “whatever they are, they are an important component of the electoral instability that
1711
+ characterizes the contemporary era. Their critical contribution to contemporary elections lies in
1712
+ their volatility” (p. 10).
1713
+
1714
+ We next investigated how frequently respondents to the ANES scales vote “straight tickets,”
1715
+ always choosing candidates from the same party or “mixed tickets” where some Republican
1716
+ and some Democrat candidates are chosen. Our expectation that those identifying as Demo-
1717
+ crat or Republican would mostly choose candidates from their own party was confirmed, while
1718
+ independents demonstrated more variety in their choices. For the Initial Party ID scale, over
1719
+ 70% of partisans voted straight ticket, while 65% of independent respondents did, with the
1720
+ independent straight-ticket voters divided; 35% voting for Democrats and 30% for Republi-
1721
+ cans. While the Seven-Point Scale showed similar results, Independent-Democrats showed a
1722
+
1723
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
1724
+
1725
+ 19
1726
+
1727
+ higher percentage of straight-ticket support of Democratic candidates than the Weak Demo-
1728
+ crats, while Independent Republicans were slightly less likely to vote a straight ticket than Weak
1729
+ Republicans.
1730
+
1731
+ Finally, we explored the degree to which individuals change their voting choices over time
1732
+ (two-wave voters). Partisan voters exhibited the same voting behavior, either straight-ticket
1733
+ or mixed voting in each wave, in 70% of the cases. For independents, this percentage drops
1734
+ to 57%. The Initial Party ID analysis found that approximately 30% of partisans changed
1735
+ between waves compared to 43% of independents; while the Seven-Point Scale showed
1736
+ Independent-Independents were the most likely to change their voting profile at 48%, followed
1737
+ by Independent-Republicans at 45%. Weak Democrats voted for a straight Democratic ticket at
1738
+ a rate of 45%, while Independent-Democrats did so at a rate of 47%. Independents were more
1739
+ likely to go from mixed to straight voting and much more likely to vote for a mix of the two
1740
+ parties in both waves. For the Summary 3-Category, approximately a third of partisans changed
1741
+ their voting patterns over the two waves compared to 48% of independents.
1742
+
1743
+ Our research on independent voting behavior included analyses of voting patterns over time.
1744
+ The findings confirm that independents do indeed move in and out of independent status when
1745
+ tracked over multiple elections. Further, this study lends support to the notion that there is a
1746
+ good deal more fluidity in voting patterns of independents. This was the case when analyzing
1747
+ data across all three ANES scales. Our analysis of the ANES Seven-Point Scale showed that
1748
+ Independent-Republicans and Weak-Republicans resembled each other's voting patterns on
1749
+ straight/split ticket and voting change over time analyses (Mayer, 2008; Petrocik, 2009; Smith
1750
+ et al., 1995); however, this was not the case with Independent-Democrats and Weak-Democrats.
1751
+ Independent-Democrats, who did not affiliate with any party in the Initial Party Response ID
1752
+ question, were more likely to vote only for Democrats than Weak-Democrats that specifically
1753
+ identified as Democrat. Similarly, Independent-Republicans were as likely to vote a straight
1754
+ Republican ticket in both waves than Weak Republicans. Respondents who were coded as either
1755
+ 5 (Independent-Republican) or 6 (Weak Republican) showed essentially the same voting behav-
1756
+ ior, while those coded as 3 (Independent-Democrat) were more Democratic in their behavior
1757
+ than the supposedly more liberal Weak Democrats at scale point 2. This indicates that caution
1758
+ needs to be exercised when treating the Seven-Point Scale (VCF0301) as a continuous variable.
1759
+
1760
+ It may be that traditional ways of measuring voter identification do not capture the independ-
1761
+ ent voter due to voter composition of the electorate and our hyperpolarized political environ-
1762
+ ment. Due to the research of Keith and others (1992), it became most common for researchers
1763
+ with the ANES to utilize a three-point or five-point scale that classified independent-leaning
1764
+ Democrats, or independent-leaning Republicans, as partisans (VCF0302, Initial Party ID
1765
+ response). This resulted in a significant reduction in the number of self-described independ-
1766
+ ents. Reilly and Hedberg (2022) have argued that in light of the more recent work of Klar and
1767
+ Krupnikov (2016) and Zschirnt (2011), which showed the importance of the independent iden-
1768
+ tity, classifying self-identified independents as partisans seems counterproductive in examining
1769
+ their influence on partisans, especially when respondents elected to self-identify as leaners. The
1770
+ authors collapsed three groups—respondents who selected option 3, 4, or 5—as independ-
1771
+ ent, thus treating leaners as Independents (VCF0303, Summary 3-category scale). Similarly,
1772
+ Fiorina (2016) has long been an opponent of classifying leaning independents as partisans and
1773
+ leaving pure independents in the middle ID category arguing that “We can think of no other case
1774
+ in political science where analysts change a respondent's explicit response to a survey item on
1775
+ the basis of information from other items—especially one generally used as the dependent varia-
1776
+ ble” (Abrams & Fiorina, 2011, p. 5). Perhaps it is time to develop new explanatory constructs to
1777
+ capture independent voter classification.
1778
+
1779
+ 20
1780
+
1781
+ CONCLUSION
1782
+
1783
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1784
+
1785
+ Our study contributes to previous literature on the independent voter by showing their voting
1786
+ patterns are volatile, unpredictable, and distinct from partisans. Additionally, when analyz-
1787
+ ing voting behavior over time, our research confirmed that a sizeable number of independ-
1788
+ ents move in and out of independent status from one election to another. This volatility was
1789
+ observed in all three measures of party affiliation used by the ANES survey data. When inde-
1790
+ pendents are followed over multiple elections, they have been found to have no firm partisan
1791
+ loyalties.
1792
+
1793
+ Despite our contributions, our study has several limitations. First, as with any survey, the
1794
+ voting classification and behavior details are all based on self-reports, which are suspectable to
1795
+ response bias. Second, although ANES is a rich dataset with a long history to draw from, it does
1796
+ have limitations for this sort of analysis. There is limited information about voter choices in the
1797
+ data. The survey asks for party choices on just four races: president, Congress, Senate, and gover-
1798
+ nor. With the survey waves spaced two years apart (except for the 2016–2020 waves), respondents
1799
+ will not be able to provide answers to presidential, senatorial, and most governor's races in both
1800
+ waves, which limits the data available for analysis. These four races, especially at the presidential
1801
+ level, are susceptible to a “celebrity effect” where a high-profile candidate's perceived charm
1802
+ (or repulsiveness) may overwhelm a voter's policy-based preferences when selecting a candidate.
1803
+ Data that included more frequent and down-ballot races would provide a better picture of the
1804
+ relationship between the stated political identification of voters and their voting choices (Bitzer
1805
+ et al., 2021). Finally, it is also difficult to draw solid conclusions about the behavior of non-voters
1806
+ from these data. These non-voters may be latent voters who generally lie dormant but turn out
1807
+ at the polls when there is an issue or candidate that particularly motivates them. Without a very
1808
+ long time-series survey, it is difficult to say with what frequency these latent voters are activated
1809
+ or what motivates changes in their political identification.
1810
+
1811
+ There is a lot that still needs to be learned about this emerging group of voters. Future
1812
+ research should explore the fluidity of Black and Latino voters as well as the increasing genera-
1813
+ tional divide. Most importantly, there is a need to continue to track independent voting behavior
1814
+ over time and more analysis on the voting patterns of independents is needed down ballot at the
1815
+ state and local level.
1816
+
1817
+ ORCID
1818
+ Thom Reilly
1819
+
1820
+ https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8614-0482
1821
+
1822
+ REFERENCES
1823
+ Abrams, Samuel J., and Morris P. Fiorina. 2011. “Are Leaning Independents Deluded or Dishonest Weak Partisans?”
1824
+
1825
+ https://cise.luiss.it/cise/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Are-Leaners-Partisans.pdf.
1826
+
1827
+ ANES Data Center. 2015. “Party Identification 3-Point Scale (Revised in 2008) 1952-2012.” American National Election
1828
+
1829
+ Studies. https://electionstudies.org/resources/anes-guide/top-tables/?id=22.
1830
+
1831
+ ANES Data Center. 2021. “American National Election Studies.” https://electionstudies.org/data-center/.
1832
+ ANES Data Center. n.d. “Time Series Cumulative Data File.” American National Election Studies. https://electionstud-
1833
+
1834
+ ies.org/data-center/anes-time-series-cumulative-data-file/.
1835
+
1836
+ Bitzer, J. Michael, Christopher A. Cooper, Whitney Ross Manzo, and Susan Roberts. 2021, November 4–5. “The Rise
1837
+ of the Unaffiliated Voter in North Carolina.” Prepared for Presentation at the State if the Parties 2020 and Beyond
1838
+ Virtual Conference. Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, University of Akron.
1839
+
1840
+ Bitzer, J. Michael, Christopher A. Cooper, Whitney Ross Manzo, and Susan Roberts. 2022. “Growing and Distinct:
1841
+ The Unaffiliated Voter as Unmoored Voter.” Social Science Quarterly 103(7): 1587–601. https://doi.org/10.1111/
1842
+ ssqu.13225
1843
+
1844
+ Brody, Richard A. 1978. “Change and Stability in the Components of Partisan Identification” Paper Prepared for the
1845
+
1846
+ NES Conference on Party Identification.
1847
+
1848
+ REILLY anD HUnTInG
1849
+
1850
+ 21
1851
+
1852
+ Brody, Richard A. 1991. “Stability and Change in Party Identification: Presidential Off-Years.” In Reasoning and Choice,
1853
+ edited by Paul A. Sniderman, Philip E. Tetlock, and Richard A. Brody, 179–205. Cambridge: Cambridge Univer-
1854
+ sity Press.
1855
+
1856
+ Brody, Richard A., and Lawrence S. Rothenberg. 1988. “The Instability of Partisanship: An Analysis of the 1980 Pres-
1857
+
1858
+ idential Election.” British Journal of Political Science 18(4): 445–65. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007123400005214.
1859
+
1860
+ Campbell, Angus, Philip E. Converse, Warren E. Miller, and Donald E. Stokes. 1960. The American Voter. Hoboken,
1861
+
1862
+ NJ: Wiley.
1863
+
1864
+ DeBell, Matthew. 2010. How to Analyze ANES Survey Data. ANES Technical Report Series no.nes012492. Palo Alto,
1865
+
1866
+ CA, and Ann Arbor, MI: Stanford University and the University of Michigan.
1867
+
1868
+ Fiorina, Morris P. 1977. “An Outline for a Model of Party Choice.” American Journal of Political Science 21(3): 601–25.
1869
+
1870
+ https://doi.org/10.2307/2110583.
1871
+
1872
+ Fiorina, Morris P. 2016. “Independents: The Marginal Members of an Electoral Coalition.” Washington, DC: Hoover
1873
+
1874
+ Institution. https://www.hoover.org/research/independents-marginal-members-electoral-coalition.
1875
+
1876
+ Fiorina, Morris P. 2017. Unstable Majorities: Polarization, Party Sorting, and Political Stalemate. Washington, DC:
1877
+
1878
+ Hoover Institution Press.
1879
+
1880
+ Gallup. 2022. “Party Affiliation.” Gallup Polls. https://news.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx.
1881
+ Gruber, Jeremy, and John Opdycke. 2020. “The Next Great Migration: The Rise of Independent Voters.” Open Prima-
1882
+
1883
+ ries. https://openprimarieseducationfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ROI_Report_R1.pdf.
1884
+
1885
+ Ingraham, Christopher. 2021. “How to Fix Democracy: More Beyond the Two-Party System, Experts Say.” The Wash-
1886
+
1887
+ ington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/01/break-up-two-party-system/.
1888
+
1889
+ Jackson, John E. 1975. “Issues, Party Choices, and Presidential Votes.” American Journal of Political Science 19(2):
1890
+
1891
+ 161–85. https://doi.org/10.2307/2110431.
1892
+
1893
+ Keith, Bruce E., David B. Magleby, Candice J. Nelson, Elizabeth Orr, Mark C. Westlye, and Raymond E. Wolfinger.
1894
+
1895
+ 1992. The Myth of the Independent Voter. Oakland, CA: University of California Press.
1896
+
1897
+ Klar, Samara. 2014. “Partisanship in a Social Setting.” American Journal of Political Science 58(3): 687–704. https://doi.
1898
+
1899
+ org/10.1111/ajps.12087.
1900
+
1901
+ Klar, Samara, and Yanna Krupnikov. 2016. Independent Politics: How American Disdain for Parties Leads to Political
1902
+
1903
+ Inaction. New York: Cambridge University Press.
1904
+
1905
+ Magleby, David, Candice Nelson, and Mark Westlye. 2011. “The Myth of the Indepedent Voter Revisited.” In Facing the
1906
+ Challenge of Democracy: Explorations in the Analysis of Public Opinion and Political Particiaption, edited by Paul
1907
+ M. Sniderman and Benjamin Highton, pp. 238–63. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
1908
+
1909
+ Mayer, William G. 2008. The Swing Voter in American Politics. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press.
1910
+ Miller, Warren E. 1991. “Party Identification, Realignment and Party Voting: Back to Basics.” American Political Science
1911
+
1912
+ Review 85(2): 557–68. https://doi.org/10.2307/1963175.
1913
+
1914
+ Page, Benjamin I., and Calvin C. Jones. 1979. “Reciprocal Effects of Policy Preferences, Party Loyalties, and the Vote.”
1915
+
1916
+ The American Political Science Review 73(4): 1071–89. https://doi.org/10.2307/1953990.
1917
+
1918
+ Petrocik, John R. 2009. “Measuring Party Support: Leaners Are Not Independents.” Electoral Studies 28(4): 562–72.
1919
+
1920
+ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2009.05.022.
1921
+
1922
+ PEW Research Center. 2019. Political Independents: Who They Are, What They Think. U.S. Politics & Policy. https://
1923
+
1924
+ www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/03/14/political-independents-who-they-are-what-they-think/.
1925
+
1926
+ PEW Research Center. 2022. Americans’ Views of Government: Decades of Distrust, Enduring Support for Its Role U.S.
1927
+ Politics & Policy. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/06/06/americans-views-of-government-decades-of-dist
1928
+ rust-enduring-support-for-its-role/.
1929
+
1930
+ Reilly, Thom, and E. C. Hedberg. 2022. “Social Networks of Independents and Partisans: Are Independents a Moderat-
1931
+
1932
+ ing Force?” Politics & Policy 50(2): 225–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12460.
1933
+
1934
+ Reilly, Thom, Jacqueline S. Salit, and Omar H. Ali. 2023. The Independent Voter. London: Routledge.
1935
+ Sides, John. 2013. “Three Myths about Political Independents.” The Monkey Cage. https://themonkeycage.org/2009/12/
1936
+
1937
+ three_myths_about_political_in/.
1938
+
1939
+ Smith, Andrew E., Alfred J. Tuchfarber, Eric W. Rademacher, and Stephen E. Bennett. 1995. “Partisan Leaners Are NOT
1940
+
1941
+ Independents.” The Public Perspective. https://ropercenter.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2018-07/66009.pdf.
1942
+
1943
+ Teixiera, Ruy. 2012. “The Great Illusion.” The New Republic. https://newrepublic.com/article/100799/swing-vote-untapp
1944
+
1945
+ ed-power-independents-linda-killian.
1946
+
1947
+ Zschirnt, Simon. 2011. “The Origins & Meaning of Liberal/Conservative Self-Identifications Revisited.” Political Behav-
1948
+
1949
+ ior 33(4): 685–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-010-9145-6.
1950
+
1951
+ 22
1952
+
1953
+ THE FLUID VOTER
1954
+
1955
+ AUT HOR BI OG RAP HIES
1956
+
1957
+ Thom Reilly is a Professor and Co-Director for the Center for an Independent and Sustaina-
1958
+ ble Democracy in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. He is the former
1959
+ Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education and County Manager for Clark
1960
+ County, Nevada. Reilly's research focuses on public pay and benefit schemes, nonpartisan
1961
+ governance, the independent voter, and child welfare. He is the author of several books
1962
+ including The Independent Voter (Routledge Press, 2023) with co-authors Jacqueline Salit and
1963
+ Omar Ali, The Failure of Governance in Bell, California (Lexington Press, 2016), and Rethink-
1964
+ ing Public Sector Compensation (M.E. Sharpe, 2012).
1965
+
1966
+ Dan Hunting is Senior Researcher at Arizona State University's Lodestar Center for Philan-
1967
+ thropy & Nonprofit Innovation. His research interests include economic impacts of the
1968
+ nonprofit sector, voter dynamics, workforce development, education funding, and urban
1969
+ growth. Hunting has authored several foundational works that have informed Arizona policy
1970
+ discussions including Finding & Keeping: Educators for Arizona's Classrooms an analysis
1971
+ of the state's teacher shortage, and Sun Corridor: A Competitive Mindset (co-authored with
1972
+ Grady Gammage, Jr.) which described the complex connections between the economies of
1973
+ Phoenix and Tucson.
1974
+
1975
+ How to cite this article: Reilly, Thom, and Dan Hunting. 2023. “The fluid voter:
1976
+ Exploring independent voting patterns over time.” Politics & Policy 00: 1–22. https://doi.
1977
+ org/10.1111/polp.12517.
1978
 
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@@ -1,224 +1,750 @@
1
- PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR
2
- INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
3
 
4
- IN CHENGDU
5
 
6
- Contents
7
 
8
- I. Guide to Payment Services in China ....................................................... 1
9
 
10
- II. SIM Card .................................................................................................2
11
 
12
- III. Chengdu Public Transit & Key Hubs ................................................... 2
13
 
14
- IV. Airport-to-Venue Transportation ........................................................... 3
15
 
16
- V. Daily Transportation Options ................................................................. 6
17
 
18
- VI. Important Notes .....................................................................................8
19
 
20
- I. Guide to Payment Services in China
21
 
22
- To ensure smooth transactions during your visit, all international attendees are advised to
23
- review the official payment guidelines from the People's Bank of China:
24
 
25
- http://www.pbc.gov.cn/en/3688110/3688172/5188125/5274061/index.html
26
 
27
- The page as shown in the picture
28
 
29
- Chengdu Metro Payment Options
30
 
31
- From July 28th, 2025,
32
- international visitors may use UnionPay chip-enabled cards,
33
- internationally issued Visa, Mastercard, and American Express chip-enabled cards to
34
- take Chengdu Metro.
35
 
36
- Simply tap your card at fare gates for metro lines.
37
 
38
- Deductions follow standard pricing rules.
39
 
40
- Cards can also be used at Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) and Day Pass Vending
41
- Machines.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42
 
43
  1
44
 
45
- II. SIM Card
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46
 
47
- Alipay provides an eSIM feature that enables users to activate a virtual SIM card
48
- directly through the app.
49
 
50
- You can also apply at any China Telecom, China Mobile, or China Unicom store (including
51
- outlets at the airport).
52
 
53
- Main mobile phone operators in China
54
 
55
- Card Application Process:
56
 
57
- 1. Visit a store to apply for a SIM card and present your identification documents
58
- (passport/visa, etc.).
59
 
60
- 2. Select your preferred phone number and service plan.
61
 
62
- 3. Receive your activated SIM card. The entire process is efficient and typically completes
63
- quickly.
64
 
65
- Note: Before leaving, ensure the staff assists with card activation and verify that the card
66
- functions properly.
67
 
68
- III. Chengdu Public Transit & Key Hubs
69
 
70
- Chengdu offers a convenient public transportation system, including:
71
 
72
- Two major airports: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport & Chengdu Tianfu
73
- International Airport.
74
 
75
- Multiple high-speed rail stations, such as Chengdu East Railway Station (primary hub
76
- that connects 80%+ high-speed routes), Chengdu South Railway Station (regional
77
- services that link to Leshan City, Mianyang City, Yibin City...), and Chengdu West
78
- Railway Station (serves western routes, e.g., Pujiang, Dujiangyan).
79
 
80
- An extensive metro and bus network, ensuring efficient and accessible travel throughout
81
- the city.
 
82
 
83
  2
84
 
85
- IV. Airport-to-Venue Transportation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
86
 
87
- From Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) to Chengdu Tianfu International
88
- Convention Center
89
 
90
- By Metro (Recommended):
91
 
92
- Route: Take Line 18 from T1 & T2 of Tianfu International Airport → Exit at Western China
93
- Int'l Expo City Station (Exit E). The venue is a 3-minute walk (180 meters) from Exit E.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
94
 
95
  3
96
 
97
- Operating Hours:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
98
 
99
- Duration: 50 Minutes
100
 
101
- Payment Method: Bank Cards/ Alipay/ WeChat Pay/ Cash
102
 
103
- By Taxi:
104
 
105
- Boarding Location: Level 1, Terminal 1&2
106
 
107
- Availability: Available around the clock
108
 
109
- Fare: CNY100-120 | Duration: 45-60 min (traffic-dependent)
110
 
111
- From Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
112
- International Convention Center
113
 
114
- (CTU)
115
 
116
- to Chengdu Tianfu
117
 
118
- By Metro (Recommended):
119
 
120
- Route: Take Line 19 from East of Terminal 2 of Shuangliu International Airport Station→
121
- Disembark at Tianfu Commercial District Station (3-minute indoor walk required) / Transfer to
122
- Line 6 at Tianfu Business District Station Exit at Western China Int'l Expo City Station
123
- (Exit E). The venue is a 3-minute walk (180 meters) from Exit E.
 
 
 
 
 
124
 
125
  4
126
 
127
- Operating Hours:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
128
 
129
  5
130
 
131
- Duration: 40 Minutes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
132
 
133
- Payment Method: Bank Cards/ Alipay/ WeChat Pay/ Cash
134
 
135
- By Taxi:
136
 
137
- Boarding Location:
138
 
139
- T1’s Pick-up Points: Suspend the service.
140
 
141
- T2’s Pick-up Points: Near the crosswalk of the arrival level.
142
 
143
- Availability: Available around the clock
144
 
145
- Fare: CNY 60-80 | Duration: 40-50 min (traffic-dependent)
146
 
147
- Airport shuttle buses (from both Tianfu and Shuangliu Airports):
148
 
149
- Operate on fixed routes with stops not in close proximity to the convention venue. If you need
150
- transportation to other destinations, please check the official airport shuttle schedule upon
151
- arrival.
152
 
153
- V. Daily Transportation Options
154
 
155
- Metro
156
 
157
- Transportation Option: Ticket
158
 
159
- The ticket price ranges from CNY 2 to CNY 10 according to the traveling distance. The fare
160
- complies with the rules below:
161
 
162
- Staffed Assistance
163
 
164
- Self-Service Machines
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
165
 
166
  6
167
 
168
- Notes:
169
- Tickets are available at staffed counters or self-service machines
 
 
 
 
 
170
 
171
- Daily passes (1-day: CNY 20 | 3-day: CNY 50 | 5-day: CNY 70)
172
 
173
- Payment Methods: Bank Cards/Cash (CNY)/WeChat Pay/Alipay.
174
 
175
- Transportation Option: QR Code Access
176
 
177
- Via Alipay: Go to Transport Select Chengdu Metro Complete ID verification Scan
178
- QR code at gates
179
 
180
- Transportation Option: Transport Card
181
 
182
- Purchase a Tianfu Tong Card at staffed service counters for metro/bus use.
183
 
184
- Bus
185
 
186
- Transportation Option: Cash (exact change recommended)
187
 
188
- Transportation Option: Alipay QR Code- The same as metro procedure, requires QR code
189
- scanning “Transport → Select Chengdu Bus”
190
 
191
- Transportation Option: Tianfu Tong Transport Card
192
 
193
- Taxi
194
 
195
- Payment Method: Cash (CNY) or mobile payment (WeChat/ Alipay QR code scanning)
196
 
197
- Please note: Credit cards are not accepted in local taxis.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
198
 
199
  7
200
 
201
- Ride-hailing service: Ride-hailing apps like DiDi are accessible.
 
 
202
 
203
- VI. Important Notes
204
 
205
- Card Payments
206
 
207
- Visa/Mastercard accepted at most venue-adjacent restaurants and shops.
208
 
209
- Power Banks
210
 
211
- For international passengers entering China and taking domestic connecting flights to
212
- Chengdu:
213
 
214
- Power banks without CCC certification are strictly prohibited as per China's aviation safety
215
- regulations.
216
 
217
- Note: This regulation does not apply to:
218
 
219
- International passengers arriving in Chengdu as their final destination.
220
 
221
- Direct international transit passengers (remaining in the sterile area).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
222
 
223
  8
224
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
+ PREPARED REMARKS
 
2
 
3
+ Q1 FISCAL 2020
4
 
5
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
6
 
7
+ FY20Q1
8
 
9
+ CHRIS:
10
 
11
+ Thank you.
12
 
13
+ Welcome to EA’s first quarter fiscal 2020 earnings call. With me on the call today are Andrew
14
 
15
+ Wilson, our CEO, and Blake Jorgensen, our CFO and COO.
16
 
17
+ Please note that our SEC filings and our earnings release are available at ir.ea.com. In addition,
18
 
19
+ we have posted earnings slides to accompany our prepared remarks. Lastly, after the call, we
20
 
21
+ will post our prepared remarks, an audio replay of this call, our financial model, a transcript, and
 
22
 
23
+ an updated accounting FAQ.
24
 
25
+ With regards to our calendar: our annual shareholder meeting will take place on Thursday,
26
 
27
+ August 8, here in Redwood Shores; and our Q2 fiscal 2020 earnings call is scheduled for
28
 
29
+ Tuesday, October 29.
 
 
 
30
 
31
+ This presentation and our comments include forward-looking statements regarding future events
32
 
33
+ and the future financial performance of the Company. Actual events and results may differ
34
 
35
+ materially from our expectations. We refer you to our most recent Form 10-K for a discussion of
36
+
37
+ risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed today. Electronic
38
+
39
+ Arts makes these statements as of today, July 30, 2019, and disclaims any duty to update
40
+
41
+ them.
42
+
43
+ During this call, the financial metrics, with the exception of free cash flow, will be presented on a
44
+
45
+ GAAP basis. All comparisons made in the course of this call are against the same period in the
46
+
47
+ prior year unless otherwise stated.
48
+
49
+ Now, I’ll turn the call over to Andrew.
50
 
51
  1
52
 
53
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
54
+
55
+ FY20Q1
56
+
57
+ ANDREW:
58
+
59
+ Thanks, Chris.
60
+
61
+ We delivered a strong start to FY20. Players were deeply engaged in our top franchises, with
62
+
63
+ growing communities reaching new peaks of engagement fueled by new content and in-game
64
+
65
+ events in our live services. As a result, our operating results significantly exceeded our
66
+
67
+ expectations for the first quarter. We’re thrilled by the great experiences that players are having
68
+
69
+ in our games, and we’re looking forward to delivering a lot more throughout the fiscal year.
70
+
71
+ Interactive entertainment continues to grow. An expanding global player base, new platforms,
72
+
73
+ new business models and more ways to play and watch are fueling tailwinds for the
74
+
75
+ industry. With this backdrop, the core drivers of growth for EA are: the depth and breadth of our
76
 
77
+ portfolio and IP; our expertise in live services; our leadership in subscriptions; and competitive
 
78
 
79
+ gaming that expands our reach and drives deeper engagement. We’re also continually
 
80
 
81
+ strengthening our foundation of great talent and technology. I’ll touch on some of these drivers
82
 
83
+ with a few highlights here.
84
 
85
+ Let’s start with Apex Legends. We have a massive global audience continuing to engage in this
 
86
 
87
+ high-quality, free-to-play experience. Apex has tremendous gameplay at its core, and we’ve
88
 
89
+ built it to have longevity as a live service that will continue to drive engagement over time. In
 
90
 
91
+ our live service, we’re delivering Seasons of new content a collection of new content and
 
92
 
93
+ updates that begin to roll out at the start of each season, and continue throughout the course of
94
 
95
+ several weeks and months. We launched Season 2 in early July, including a robust Battle Pass
96
 
97
+ offering, a new character, and additions to the environment – and to date, it has outperformed
 
98
 
99
+ our expectations with significant growth in daily and weekly active players. In each season,
 
 
 
100
 
101
+ there are in-game events that are additional drivers of engagement such as the event coming
102
+
103
+ in the next few weeks that will bring new content and deliver one of the most fan-requested
104
 
105
  2
106
 
107
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
108
+
109
+ FY20Q1
110
+
111
+ features since the launch of Apex. There will be more updates and in-game experiences in the
112
+
113
+ weeks to come for Season 2, and Season 3 is shaping up to be even bigger. All of these
114
+
115
+ elements – the fantastic core gameplay, Seasons of new content, and additional in-game events
116
+
117
+ – are designed to continually excite and engage the Apex community over the long-term.
118
+
119
+ We’re also expanding into additional growth opportunities for Apex Legends. Esports will bring
120
+
121
+ new drivers of social interaction and competition to the Apex ecosystem. Interest from teams,
122
+
123
+ broadcast partners and sponsors is strong, and we’ve had great success with our first exhibition
124
+
125
+ events, including a competition at the ESPYS that was broadcast on ESPN and ABC. We’ll
126
+
127
+ have 80 teams from around the world participating in our first official competition in September.
128
+
129
+ Our plans to bring Apex Legends to China and a worldwide mobile launch are also on course,
130
+
131
+ and we will share more on our plans in the future.
132
+
133
+ In our EA SPORTS portfolio, our franchises like Madden NFL and FIFA are delivering for core
134
+
135
+ fans, innovating to reach new players, and leading our growth in esports. Looking first at
136
+
137
+ Madden NFL, we continue to see deep year-round engagement in the franchise. Live service
138
+
139
+ events and tie-in content with the NFL Draft drove growth in new players joining Madden NFL
140
 
141
+ 19 in Q1, and also deepened engagement in Madden Ultimate Team. We’re now just days
 
142
 
143
+ away from launching Madden NFL 20. The innovations in this year’s game, like the new
144
 
145
+ superstar X-Factor abilities, new personalized Career Campaign, and the more fluid core
146
+
147
+ gameplay, are all designed to appeal to new and existing football fans. Madden NFL esports
148
+
149
+ also continues to drive growing viewership. Players in our Madden NFL competitive
150
+
151
+ ecosystem engaged four times more than non-competitors last season, and our events drove
152
+
153
+ record broadcast and digital viewership. We’re now looking to build on that success with the
154
+
155
+ Madden NFL 20 Championship Series. We’re partnered with all 32 NFL teams, our
156
+
157
+ competitions are aligned with key beats in the NFL season, and we’re welcoming major
158
 
159
  3
160
 
161
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
162
+
163
+ FY20Q1
164
+
165
+ sponsors including Pizza Hut, Snickers and Starbucks. Finally, the latest season of our fan-
166
+
167
+ favorite Madden NFL Mobile game launches tomorrow, and this year the game is bringing back
168
+
169
+ some of the classic modes that fans love, as well as new innovation in social co-op play and
170
+
171
+ customization. Through great experiences on console and PC, the ever-popular Madden NFL
172
+
173
+ Mobile game, and our leading esports programming, Madden NFL continues to reach and
174
+
175
+ engage a wide audience of fans.
176
+
177
+ Our FIFA franchise had a very strong Q1, with players deeply engaged in our Ultimate Team
178
+
179
+ live service. Our biggest in-game event, Team of the Season, had more than 3 million players
180
+
181
+ logging into FUT daily to play – the highest daily levels we’ve ever seen for this event. Esports
182
+
183
+ for FIFA is exploding as well, with our competitive modes growing faster than any other mode in
184
+
185
+ FUT. Momentum is strong across our entire FIFA esports ecosystem, and next week’s FIFA
186
 
187
+ eWorld Cup Finals will be the culmination of a season that has engaged 17 official league
188
 
189
+ partners, players from 20 different nations, more than 30 live events, and more than 60 million
190
 
191
+ total views to date. Looking ahead to September, FIFA 20 is set to expand our FIFA platform
192
 
193
+ with a brand new dimension of the game for players who want more personalization,
194
 
195
+ customization and community. VOLTA Football brings a street soccer experience to the
196
 
197
+ franchise, where players can build their own characters, express themselves, and play different
198
 
199
+ forms of the sport in different environments around the world. That’s in addition to major
 
200
 
201
+ advancements in the core experience designed to deliver the most authentic football gameplay
202
 
203
+ we’ve ever produced. FIFA 20 will have an unmatched breadth of top leagues, teams and
204
 
205
+ players included in the game – a continuing differentiator of the authenticity in our FIFA
206
 
207
+ franchise. Our licensing program is built on the strength of multi-year relationships and careful
208
+
209
+ consideration of the most important players, teams and leagues that our fans love to see in the
210
+
211
+ game. From console to PC, to our FIFA Mobile games in the west and China, to our FIFA
212
+
213
+ Online offerings in Asia, FIFA continues to be the way that hundreds of millions of players
214
+
215
+ around the world come together in their shared passion for soccer.
216
 
217
  4
218
 
219
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
220
+
221
+ FY20Q1
222
+
223
+ Our Sims 4 live service also continues to be a rich and rewarding experience for our players,
224
+
225
+ and a strong platform for growth. The Sims 4 continues to be one of the great owned IP
226
+
227
+ success stories of our portfolio, and we’re planning for FY20 to be our biggest year yet of new
228
+
229
+ content. Knowing that, we gave more fans a chance to get into the game through a one-week
230
+
231
+ promotion in May to download the base game for free. Almost 7 million players downloaded the
232
+
233
+ game during that time. In addition to the base game promotion, total expansion and game pack
234
+
235
+ downloads also increased 55% year-over-year in Q1. We launched our seventh expansion
236
+
237
+ pack – Island Living – in late June, and it has already become one of our best-selling packs for
238
+
239
+ The Sims 4. We are fortunate to have an incredibly vibrant and creative Sims community on
240
+
241
+ console, PC and mobile, and we are continuing to double down on this amazing franchise to
242
+
243
+ reach new players and open up exciting new dimensions of The Sims this year.
244
+
245
+ Subscription services are expanding across the industry, as well. We’re a pioneer and a leader
246
+
247
+ in this space, having just launched our subscription on a third major platform with EA Access on
248
+
249
+ the Sony PlayStation 4. We believe subscriptions can be transformative to the player
250
+
251
+ experience and the gaming industry over the long term, as they offer tremendous value and
252
+
253
+ choice to players, and greater flexibility in the games we bring to market. Our PC subscription
254
+
255
+ already includes more than 220 games, 140 of which are from third party developers. We’re
256
+
257
+ continually adding to this with new games from EA, from indie developers seeking to expand
258
+
259
+ their reach through our EA Originals program, and from other third-party partners ready to reach
260
+
261
+ more players through our services. We’re also working to expand our subscriptions to even
262
+
263
+ more platforms.
264
+
265
+ Mobile continues to be a growth opportunity for us. Live services are a key aspect of our mobile
266
+
267
+ business, with franchises like Madden Mobile, FIFA Mobile and The Sims continuing to drive
268
+
269
+ strong ongoing engagement. Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes has grown to nearly 80 million
270
+
271
+ players life-to-date. Galaxy of Heroes has the most deeply engaged community of all our
272
 
273
  5
274
 
275
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
276
+
277
+ FY20Q1
278
+
279
+ mobile games, and we plan to continue delivering great new content and in-game events to
280
+
281
+ grow the audience this year. We’ve also just started pre-alpha testing for Plants vs. Zombies 3.
282
+
283
+ In a market where discovery and acquisition can be challenging, Plants vs. Zombies is one of
284
+
285
+ the most beloved brands in gaming. To date, we’ve had more than a billion downloads
286
 
287
+ worldwide of PvZ games on mobile, and we’re looking forward to bringing something new to
288
 
289
+ fans around the world. We’re continuing to prototype and develop more bespoke mobile
290
 
291
+ projects, as well as new concepts for cross-platform play. The mobile space is complex and
292
 
293
+ competitive, and our focus is on bringing more innovation and unique new experiences to
294
 
295
+ mobile players.
296
 
297
+ In addition to the franchises and live services that I’ve already mentioned, we’ll be delivering
298
 
299
+ many other new experiences to players throughout the remainder of this fiscal year. NHL 20 is
300
 
301
+ launching in Q2, with hundreds of gameplay advancements, as well as new competitive and
302
 
303
+ multiplayer modes. We’ll take the wraps off our new Need for Speed game heading into
 
 
304
 
305
+ Gamescom in a few weeks. We have a Plants vs. Zombies shooter title coming to console and
306
 
307
+ PC later this year. And the excitement and anticipation for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has
308
 
309
+ been strong coming out of EA PLAY and E3, where the game received 45 award nominations
310
 
311
+ and great buzz from the player community. Respawn’s track record speaks for the high-quality
 
312
 
313
+ games they develop, and they have created a brand new Star Wars story that will be a lot of fun
314
 
315
+ to play when it launches this holiday.
316
+
317
+ From the core game to live services that extend and enhance the experience, to new ways to
318
+
319
+ engage through subscriptions and competitive gaming, our focus continues to be on strong
320
+
321
+ execution and delivering innovation, quality and fun for players at every turn. We’re fortunate to
322
+
323
+ have some of the greatest and most creative talent in the industry, driving our efforts to
324
+
325
+ continually learn and improve. With robust, best-in-class technology powering our efforts, we’re
326
+
327
+ also in position to scale and evolve with the changing needs of our players.
328
 
329
  6
330
 
331
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
332
+
333
+ FY20Q1
334
+
335
+ Now I’ll hand the call over to Blake.
336
+
337
+ BLAKE:
338
 
339
+ Thanks, Andrew.
340
 
341
+ We delivered operating results significantly above our expectations this quarter. At a high level,
342
 
343
+ those results were driven by broad strength across our core franchises. Apex Legends
344
 
345
+ continues to delight players and we are pleased with the impact of Season 2 since its launch on
 
346
 
347
+ July 2. This quarter’s results demonstrate how the power of our portfolio strategy, combined
348
 
349
+ with extra content, delivers strong results - even in relatively quiet quarters.
350
 
351
+ I’ll report the specifics of our results on a GAAP basis, then use our operational measure of net
352
 
353
+ bookings to discuss the dynamics of our business. To compare this quarter’s results to
354
 
355
+ historically-reported non-GAAP measures, please refer to the relevant tabs in our downloadable
 
356
 
357
+ financial model.
358
 
359
+ EA’s net revenue was $1.21 billion, compared to $1.14 billion a year ago, and above our
360
 
361
+ guidance by $79 million. Operating expenses were $607 million, compared to $622 million a
362
 
363
+ year ago, primarily driven by lower sales and marketing partially offset by continued investment
364
+
365
+ in new IP. This was significantly below our forecast, driven by timing of advertising
366
+
367
+ spend. Operating income was $415 million, compared to $300 million a year ago and above
368
+
369
+ our expectations. Diluted earnings per share was $4.75, up over 400% year on
370
+
371
+ year. Underlying EPS was well above our expectations, driven by net bookings, gross profit and
372
+
373
+ operating expenses.
374
+
375
+ Operating cash flow for the quarter was $158 million, up $38 million from last year. Capital
376
+
377
+ expenditures for the quarter were $45 million, resulting in a free cash flow of
378
 
379
  7
380
 
381
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
382
+
383
+ FY20Q1
384
 
385
+ $113 million. Operating cash flow for the last twelve months was $1.59 billion. See our
386
 
387
+ earnings slides for further cash flow information.
388
 
389
+ During the quarter, we also repurchased 3.2 million shares at a cost of $305 million, leaving
390
 
391
+ $979 million available in our buyback program.
392
 
393
+ Our cash and short-term investments at the end of the quarter were $5.19 billion, up 4% year
 
394
 
395
+ on year.
 
396
 
397
+ Now, I’d like to turn to the key drivers of our business this quarter.
398
 
399
+ Net bookings for the quarter were $743 million, approximately flat year on year. It was
400
 
401
+ $53 million above our guidance, driven by strength across the board, with strong performance
402
+
403
+ from our core franchises and live services.
404
+
405
+ Digital net bookings were $701 million, up $8 million on the year-ago period. On a trailing
406
+
407
+ twelve-month basis, digital net bookings now represent 76% of our business, compared to 69%
408
+
409
+ a year ago.
410
+
411
+ Looking at each of the components of this quarter’s digital bookings in turn:
412
+
413
+ • Live services net bookings were up 12% year on year, to $504 million, led by Apex
414
+
415
+ Legends and The Sims 4. FIFA Ultimate Team was up 11% year on year at constant
416
+
417
+ currency, 5% at actual exchange rates.
418
+
419
+ Diving into the details: Season 2 launched for Apex Legends at the beginning of Q2, and
420
+
421
+ we’re pleased with its performance, with regards to both sales and engagement. We will
422
+
423
+ continue to add content during the quarter, with a major event in mid-August, and Season 3
424
+
425
+ will begin next quarter. We are increasing investment in content development and
426
+
427
+ marketing to continue to drive growth in Apex Legends.
428
 
429
  8
430
 
431
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
432
+
433
+ FY20Q1
434
+
435
+ FIFA Online outperformed our expectations. FIFA Online 4 performed well in Korea, where
436
+
437
+ we have fully transitioned from FIFA Online 3 to FIFA Online 4. Meanwhile, FIFA Online 3
438
+
439
+ outperformed our expectations in China, and we are positioned well for switching over to
440
+
441
+ FIFA Online 4.
442
+
443
+ Finally, as Andrew mentioned, The Sims 4 base game promotion delivered nearly 7 million
444
+
445
+ new installs and we remain on track to have the fifth consecutive year of growth in
446
+
447
+ The Sims 4, following its launch in 2014.
448
+
449
+ • Mobile delivered net bookings of $122 million, down 17% year on year, driven by aging
450
+
451
+ titles. Although down year on year, Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes outperformed our
452
+
453
+ expectations and maintains a highly engaged user base, leading us to be optimistic about
454
+
455
+ performance in a huge year for Star Wars, with new TV show, movie and theme park
456
+
457
+ launches.
458
+
459
+ • Full game PC and console downloads generated net bookings of $75 million, down 22%
460
+
461
+ year on year, due to last year’s launch of A Way Out and FIFA 18 World Cup
462
+
463
+ promotions. 47% of our unit sales are now digital rather than physical, measured on Xbox
464
+
465
+ One and PlayStation 4 over the last twelve months. Although this is up 7 percentage points
466
+
467
+ year on year, we continue to model an annual shift of 5 percentage points, given how
468
+
469
+ strongly digital Anthem was at its launch last quarter.
470
+
471
+ Before discussing guidance, I would like to highlight that there were three income tax events
472
+
473
+ in the quarter that impacted our GAAP Q1 results and our full year GAAP guidance. Please
474
+
475
+ refer to our press release for the details. As a result, we expect to recognize a $1.700 billion
476
+
477
+ benefit in the fiscal year, which is $200 million better than we had included in our guidance last
478
+
479
+ quarter, although the phasing of the benefit between Q1 and Q2 has changed since we gave
480
+
481
+ that guidance. $1.080 billion of this amount was recognized in the first quarter and the
482
+
483
+ 9
484
+
485
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
486
+
487
+ FY20Q1
488
+
489
+ remaining $620 million will be recognized when the Swiss tax rates change, which we expect to
490
+
491
+ occur in the second quarter. We do not expect the above events to impact our FY20 operating
492
+
493
+ cash flow or our management tax rate for fiscal 2020.
494
+
495
+ Now, turning to guidance: Except for the increase in our tax benefit of $200 million or $0.66
496
+
497
+ on GAAP EPS, we are reiterating our guidance for the full year.
498
+
499
+ We continue to expect The Sims 4 and Apex Legends to each deliver net bookings in the
500
+
501
+ $300 million to $400 million range.
502
+
503
+ We are holding our operating cash flow guidance at approximately $1.575 billion, with capex
504
+
505
+ still expected to be $125 million and free cash flow of about $1.45 billion.
506
+
507
+ For the second quarter, we continue to expect net revenue of $1.315 billion, cost of revenue
508
+
509
+ to be $407 million, and operating expenses of $679 million. This results in earnings per
510
+
511
+ share of $2.60 for the second quarter.
512
+
513
+ We anticipate net bookings for the quarter to be $1.23 billion. We’re excited about the Madden
514
+
515
+ NFL launch and upcoming Apex Legends event, and the launch of FIFA 20 with VOLTA
516
+
517
+ Football at the end of the quarter.
518
+
519
+ We over delivered this quarter as a result of the performance of our core franchises. These
520
+
521
+ evergreen live services provide a tremendously solid base for our business and enable us to
522
+
523
+ invest in new opportunities, to innovate and to take risks. We are unique among our peers in
524
+
525
+ this, and it is no coincidence that we are a leader in cloud gaming, subscriptions and in the
526
+
527
+ strength of our player networks.
528
+
529
+ People will only engage with our games if they have fun playing them. And we continue to
530
+
531
+ invest in keeping them fun – whether it’s the major innovation of VOLTA Football in FIFA, or
532
+
533
+ new modes, events and legends in Apex Legends, or even adding laundry to The Sims 4, we
534
+
535
+ 10
536
+
537
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
538
+
539
+ FY20Q1
540
+
541
+ aim to give players content they want to play. If we’re successful in that, we’re successful as a
542
+
543
+ business.
544
+
545
+ This combination of core plus innovation plus fun will drive our success through the
546
+
547
+ year. Coming up in August we have more live services for our newest franchise, Apex
548
+
549
+ Legends, and the latest installment in one of our most storied, Madden NFL. FIFA 20 launches
550
+
551
+ right at the end of the quarter. The following quarter we have a new IP, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen
552
+
553
+ Order. Simultaneously, we continue to invest in more new IP, new technologies and new
554
+
555
+ business models.
556
+
557
+ We believe we have the right ingredients in place to deliver fun for our players and success for
558
+
559
+ our business, and I look forward to reporting our progress to you next quarter.
560
+
561
+ Now, I’ll turn the call back to Andrew.
562
+
563
+ ANDREW CLOSING:
564
+
565
+ Thanks, Blake.
566
+
567
+ The world loves to play games. As the global gaming audience continues to grow and spend
568
+
569
+ more time with the games they love, interactive entertainment is an increasingly important part
570
+
571
+ of our daily lives. At the heart of this is social connection – the unique ability that games have to
572
+
573
+ connect and inspire players to be part of a shared experience. New platforms, new
574
+
575
+ technologies and new ways to engage will continue to fuel growth for the industry, and through
576
+
577
+ these opportunities we are positioning EA to lead.
578
+
579
+ It begins with great games that can fulfill the motivations of a diverse global player base. We
580
+
581
+ continue to invest across our portfolio to deliver the depth, breadth and quality of experiences
582
+
583
+ that players seek. Our top titles across sports, simulation, shooters, and racing connect
584
+
585
+ 11
586
+
587
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
588
+
589
+ FY20Q1
590
+
591
+ hundreds of millions of players on console, PC and mobile. We create experiences in some of
592
+
593
+ the most popular owned IP in the industry, including The Sims, Battlefield, Need for Speed and
594
+
595
+ Plants vs. Zombies. We’ve introduced powerful new IP like Apex Legends, and we’re building
596
+
597
+ new licensed experiences like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Our pipeline is full of innovative
598
+
599
+ new projects for our current franchises, new IP, and plans to revisit some of our fan-favorite
600
+
601
+ brands, as we continually work to bring more high-quality games to players across a growing
602
+
603
+ number of platforms and devices.
604
+
605
+ Live services enable us to build powerful communities, where players come together and
606
+
607
+ continue to share in the experiences they love. We’ve had great success building deeply-
608
+
609
+ engaged, long-term communities in Ultimate Team, The Sims, Battlefield, Star Wars and more –
610
+
611
+ and now we’re adding to that with our massive player base in Apex Legends. Each live service
612
+
613
+ is different, designed uniquely for the community it serves. They also enable us to continually
614
+
615
+ learn from our players – their feedback and their motivations – so we can drive more innovation
616
+
617
+ and creative exploration for the future.
618
+
619
+ Interactive entertainment today transcends the act of playing a game. New ways to engage like
620
+
621
+ esports are becoming just as important. With FIFA and Madden, we have the largest esports
622
+
623
+ ecosystems in sports games, and Apex Legends is going to be a major new addition to the
624
+
625
+ global competitive gaming scene this year. We believe that our games can make competition
626
+
627
+ accessible to anyone. We see opportunities to bring competitive play to more of our franchises,
628
+
629
+ and we look forward to delivering for more players, viewers, sponsors and broadcasters around
630
+
631
+ the world.
632
+
633
+ With games becoming an increasingly important part of our lives, subscriptions offer a
634
+
635
+ compelling new value proposition for players. Other industries have demonstrated how
636
+
637
+ 12
638
+
639
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
640
+
641
+ FY20Q1
642
+
643
+ subscriptions fundamentally shift consumer behavior. We consume more television content in
644
+
645
+ different ways because of video subscriptions. We consume more music in different ways
646
+
647
+ because of music subscription services. We believe the same is happening with games, where
648
+
649
+ subscriptions can offer access to great content, at great value, with tremendously low
650
+
651
+ friction. When combined with cloud streaming, the barriers are lowered even further, making it
652
+
653
+ even more compelling to jump into new games and connect with new communities. The
654
+
655
+ subscription opportunity is powerful for both players and game creators, and we’re continuing to
656
+
657
+ invest in our leading services on console and PC.
658
+
659
+ In addition to more great games, passionate global communities, and new ways to engage,
660
+
661
+ there will be more transformative shifts on the horizon. The constant push of progress and
662
+
663
+ innovation is what sets this industry apart from every other form of entertainment. With our
664
+
665
+ teams of incredibly talented developers, artists and engineers, we are working to drive creativity,
666
+
667
+ quality and fun through every aspect of the player experience, now and in the future. We look
668
+
669
+ forward to sharing more updates in the months to come.
670
+
671
+ Now Blake and I are here for your questions.
672
+
673
+ Forward-Looking Statements
674
+
675
+ Some statements set forth in this document, including the information relating to EA’s fiscal
676
+
677
+ 2020 guidance information and title slate contain forward-looking statements that are subject to
678
+
679
+ change. Statements including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,”
680
+
681
+ “estimate”, “plan”, “predict”, “seek”, “goal”, “will”, “may”, “likely”, “should”, “could” (and the
682
+
683
+ negative of any of these terms), “future” and similar expressions also identify forward-looking
684
+
685
+ 13
686
+
687
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
688
+
689
+ FY20Q1
690
+
691
+ statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
692
+
693
+ reflect management’s current expectations. Our actual results could differ materially from those
694
+
695
+ discussed in the forward-looking statements.
696
+
697
+ Some of the factors which could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from its
698
+
699
+ expectations include the following: sales of the Company’s products and services; the
700
+
701
+ Company’s ability to develop and support digital products and services, including managing
702
+
703
+ online security and privacy; outages of our products, services and technological infrastructure;
704
+
705
+ the Company’s ability to manage expenses; the competition in the interactive entertainment
706
+
707
+ industry; governmental regulations; the effectiveness of the Company’s sales and marketing
708
+
709
+ programs; timely development and release of the Company’s products and services; the
710
+
711
+ Company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions; the consumer demand for,
712
+
713
+ and the availability of an adequate supply of console hardware units; the Company’s ability to
714
+
715
+ predict consumer preferences among competing platforms; the Company’s ability to develop
716
+
717
+ and implement new technology; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; general economic
718
+
719
+ conditions; changes in our tax rates or tax laws; and other factors described in Part I, Item 1A of
720
+
721
+ Electronic Arts’ latest Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors”, as well as
722
+
723
+ in other documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
724
+
725
+ These forward-looking statements are current as of July 30, 2019. Electronic Arts assumes no
726
+
727
+ obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required
728
+
729
+ by law. In addition, the preliminary financial results set forth in this release are estimates based
730
+
731
+ on information currently available to Electronic Arts.
732
+
733
+ While Electronic Arts believes these estimates are meaningful, they could differ from the actual
734
+
735
+ amounts that Electronic Arts ultimately reports in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
736
+
737
+ 14
738
+
739
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
740
+
741
+ FY20Q1
742
+
743
+ fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019. Electronic Arts assumes no obligation and does not intend
744
+
745
+ to update these estimates prior to filing its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30,
746
+
747
+ 2019.
748
+
749
+ 15
750
+
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  "f1f5242528411b262be447e61e2eb10f.pdf",
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+ "web_cb05559b91321f82.pdf",
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+ "web_f77c9a6a0c40e754.pdf",
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+ "resize_fb_1.pdf",
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q136/random_k4/random_1.md CHANGED
@@ -1,224 +1,750 @@
1
- PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR
2
- INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
3
 
4
- IN CHENGDU
5
 
6
- Contents
7
 
8
- I. Guide to Payment Services in China ....................................................... 1
9
 
10
- II. SIM Card .................................................................................................2
11
 
12
- III. Chengdu Public Transit & Key Hubs ................................................... 2
13
 
14
- IV. Airport-to-Venue Transportation ........................................................... 3
15
 
16
- V. Daily Transportation Options ................................................................. 6
17
 
18
- VI. Important Notes .....................................................................................8
19
 
20
- I. Guide to Payment Services in China
21
 
22
- To ensure smooth transactions during your visit, all international attendees are advised to
23
- review the official payment guidelines from the People's Bank of China:
24
 
25
- http://www.pbc.gov.cn/en/3688110/3688172/5188125/5274061/index.html
26
 
27
- The page as shown in the picture
28
 
29
- Chengdu Metro Payment Options
30
 
31
- From July 28th, 2025,
32
- international visitors may use UnionPay chip-enabled cards,
33
- internationally issued Visa, Mastercard, and American Express chip-enabled cards to
34
- take Chengdu Metro.
35
 
36
- Simply tap your card at fare gates for metro lines.
37
 
38
- Deductions follow standard pricing rules.
39
 
40
- Cards can also be used at Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) and Day Pass Vending
41
- Machines.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42
 
43
  1
44
 
45
- II. SIM Card
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46
 
47
- Alipay provides an eSIM feature that enables users to activate a virtual SIM card
48
- directly through the app.
49
 
50
- You can also apply at any China Telecom, China Mobile, or China Unicom store (including
51
- outlets at the airport).
52
 
53
- Main mobile phone operators in China
54
 
55
- Card Application Process:
56
 
57
- 1. Visit a store to apply for a SIM card and present your identification documents
58
- (passport/visa, etc.).
59
 
60
- 2. Select your preferred phone number and service plan.
61
 
62
- 3. Receive your activated SIM card. The entire process is efficient and typically completes
63
- quickly.
64
 
65
- Note: Before leaving, ensure the staff assists with card activation and verify that the card
66
- functions properly.
67
 
68
- III. Chengdu Public Transit & Key Hubs
69
 
70
- Chengdu offers a convenient public transportation system, including:
71
 
72
- Two major airports: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport & Chengdu Tianfu
73
- International Airport.
74
 
75
- Multiple high-speed rail stations, such as Chengdu East Railway Station (primary hub
76
- that connects 80%+ high-speed routes), Chengdu South Railway Station (regional
77
- services that link to Leshan City, Mianyang City, Yibin City...), and Chengdu West
78
- Railway Station (serves western routes, e.g., Pujiang, Dujiangyan).
79
 
80
- An extensive metro and bus network, ensuring efficient and accessible travel throughout
81
- the city.
 
82
 
83
  2
84
 
85
- IV. Airport-to-Venue Transportation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
86
 
87
- From Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) to Chengdu Tianfu International
88
- Convention Center
89
 
90
- By Metro (Recommended):
91
 
92
- Route: Take Line 18 from T1 & T2 of Tianfu International Airport → Exit at Western China
93
- Int'l Expo City Station (Exit E). The venue is a 3-minute walk (180 meters) from Exit E.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
94
 
95
  3
96
 
97
- Operating Hours:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
98
 
99
- Duration: 50 Minutes
100
 
101
- Payment Method: Bank Cards/ Alipay/ WeChat Pay/ Cash
102
 
103
- By Taxi:
104
 
105
- Boarding Location: Level 1, Terminal 1&2
106
 
107
- Availability: Available around the clock
108
 
109
- Fare: CNY100-120 | Duration: 45-60 min (traffic-dependent)
110
 
111
- From Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
112
- International Convention Center
113
 
114
- (CTU)
115
 
116
- to Chengdu Tianfu
117
 
118
- By Metro (Recommended):
119
 
120
- Route: Take Line 19 from East of Terminal 2 of Shuangliu International Airport Station→
121
- Disembark at Tianfu Commercial District Station (3-minute indoor walk required) / Transfer to
122
- Line 6 at Tianfu Business District Station Exit at Western China Int'l Expo City Station
123
- (Exit E). The venue is a 3-minute walk (180 meters) from Exit E.
 
 
 
 
 
124
 
125
  4
126
 
127
- Operating Hours:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
128
 
129
  5
130
 
131
- Duration: 40 Minutes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
132
 
133
- Payment Method: Bank Cards/ Alipay/ WeChat Pay/ Cash
134
 
135
- By Taxi:
136
 
137
- Boarding Location:
138
 
139
- T1’s Pick-up Points: Suspend the service.
140
 
141
- T2’s Pick-up Points: Near the crosswalk of the arrival level.
142
 
143
- Availability: Available around the clock
144
 
145
- Fare: CNY 60-80 | Duration: 40-50 min (traffic-dependent)
146
 
147
- Airport shuttle buses (from both Tianfu and Shuangliu Airports):
148
 
149
- Operate on fixed routes with stops not in close proximity to the convention venue. If you need
150
- transportation to other destinations, please check the official airport shuttle schedule upon
151
- arrival.
152
 
153
- V. Daily Transportation Options
154
 
155
- Metro
156
 
157
- Transportation Option: Ticket
158
 
159
- The ticket price ranges from CNY 2 to CNY 10 according to the traveling distance. The fare
160
- complies with the rules below:
161
 
162
- Staffed Assistance
163
 
164
- Self-Service Machines
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
165
 
166
  6
167
 
168
- Notes:
169
- Tickets are available at staffed counters or self-service machines
 
 
 
 
 
170
 
171
- Daily passes (1-day: CNY 20 | 3-day: CNY 50 | 5-day: CNY 70)
172
 
173
- Payment Methods: Bank Cards/Cash (CNY)/WeChat Pay/Alipay.
174
 
175
- Transportation Option: QR Code Access
176
 
177
- Via Alipay: Go to Transport Select Chengdu Metro Complete ID verification Scan
178
- QR code at gates
179
 
180
- Transportation Option: Transport Card
181
 
182
- Purchase a Tianfu Tong Card at staffed service counters for metro/bus use.
183
 
184
- Bus
185
 
186
- Transportation Option: Cash (exact change recommended)
187
 
188
- Transportation Option: Alipay QR Code- The same as metro procedure, requires QR code
189
- scanning “Transport → Select Chengdu Bus”
190
 
191
- Transportation Option: Tianfu Tong Transport Card
192
 
193
- Taxi
194
 
195
- Payment Method: Cash (CNY) or mobile payment (WeChat/ Alipay QR code scanning)
196
 
197
- Please note: Credit cards are not accepted in local taxis.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
198
 
199
  7
200
 
201
- Ride-hailing service: Ride-hailing apps like DiDi are accessible.
 
 
202
 
203
- VI. Important Notes
204
 
205
- Card Payments
206
 
207
- Visa/Mastercard accepted at most venue-adjacent restaurants and shops.
208
 
209
- Power Banks
210
 
211
- For international passengers entering China and taking domestic connecting flights to
212
- Chengdu:
213
 
214
- Power banks without CCC certification are strictly prohibited as per China's aviation safety
215
- regulations.
216
 
217
- Note: This regulation does not apply to:
218
 
219
- International passengers arriving in Chengdu as their final destination.
220
 
221
- Direct international transit passengers (remaining in the sterile area).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
222
 
223
  8
224
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
+ PREPARED REMARKS
 
2
 
3
+ Q1 FISCAL 2020
4
 
5
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
6
 
7
+ FY20Q1
8
 
9
+ CHRIS:
10
 
11
+ Thank you.
12
 
13
+ Welcome to EA’s first quarter fiscal 2020 earnings call. With me on the call today are Andrew
14
 
15
+ Wilson, our CEO, and Blake Jorgensen, our CFO and COO.
16
 
17
+ Please note that our SEC filings and our earnings release are available at ir.ea.com. In addition,
18
 
19
+ we have posted earnings slides to accompany our prepared remarks. Lastly, after the call, we
20
 
21
+ will post our prepared remarks, an audio replay of this call, our financial model, a transcript, and
 
22
 
23
+ an updated accounting FAQ.
24
 
25
+ With regards to our calendar: our annual shareholder meeting will take place on Thursday,
26
 
27
+ August 8, here in Redwood Shores; and our Q2 fiscal 2020 earnings call is scheduled for
28
 
29
+ Tuesday, October 29.
 
 
 
30
 
31
+ This presentation and our comments include forward-looking statements regarding future events
32
 
33
+ and the future financial performance of the Company. Actual events and results may differ
34
 
35
+ materially from our expectations. We refer you to our most recent Form 10-K for a discussion of
36
+
37
+ risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed today. Electronic
38
+
39
+ Arts makes these statements as of today, July 30, 2019, and disclaims any duty to update
40
+
41
+ them.
42
+
43
+ During this call, the financial metrics, with the exception of free cash flow, will be presented on a
44
+
45
+ GAAP basis. All comparisons made in the course of this call are against the same period in the
46
+
47
+ prior year unless otherwise stated.
48
+
49
+ Now, I’ll turn the call over to Andrew.
50
 
51
  1
52
 
53
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
54
+
55
+ FY20Q1
56
+
57
+ ANDREW:
58
+
59
+ Thanks, Chris.
60
+
61
+ We delivered a strong start to FY20. Players were deeply engaged in our top franchises, with
62
+
63
+ growing communities reaching new peaks of engagement fueled by new content and in-game
64
+
65
+ events in our live services. As a result, our operating results significantly exceeded our
66
+
67
+ expectations for the first quarter. We’re thrilled by the great experiences that players are having
68
+
69
+ in our games, and we’re looking forward to delivering a lot more throughout the fiscal year.
70
+
71
+ Interactive entertainment continues to grow. An expanding global player base, new platforms,
72
+
73
+ new business models and more ways to play and watch are fueling tailwinds for the
74
+
75
+ industry. With this backdrop, the core drivers of growth for EA are: the depth and breadth of our
76
 
77
+ portfolio and IP; our expertise in live services; our leadership in subscriptions; and competitive
 
78
 
79
+ gaming that expands our reach and drives deeper engagement. We’re also continually
 
80
 
81
+ strengthening our foundation of great talent and technology. I’ll touch on some of these drivers
82
 
83
+ with a few highlights here.
84
 
85
+ Let’s start with Apex Legends. We have a massive global audience continuing to engage in this
 
86
 
87
+ high-quality, free-to-play experience. Apex has tremendous gameplay at its core, and we’ve
88
 
89
+ built it to have longevity as a live service that will continue to drive engagement over time. In
 
90
 
91
+ our live service, we’re delivering Seasons of new content a collection of new content and
 
92
 
93
+ updates that begin to roll out at the start of each season, and continue throughout the course of
94
 
95
+ several weeks and months. We launched Season 2 in early July, including a robust Battle Pass
96
 
97
+ offering, a new character, and additions to the environment – and to date, it has outperformed
 
98
 
99
+ our expectations with significant growth in daily and weekly active players. In each season,
 
 
 
100
 
101
+ there are in-game events that are additional drivers of engagement such as the event coming
102
+
103
+ in the next few weeks that will bring new content and deliver one of the most fan-requested
104
 
105
  2
106
 
107
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
108
+
109
+ FY20Q1
110
+
111
+ features since the launch of Apex. There will be more updates and in-game experiences in the
112
+
113
+ weeks to come for Season 2, and Season 3 is shaping up to be even bigger. All of these
114
+
115
+ elements – the fantastic core gameplay, Seasons of new content, and additional in-game events
116
+
117
+ – are designed to continually excite and engage the Apex community over the long-term.
118
+
119
+ We’re also expanding into additional growth opportunities for Apex Legends. Esports will bring
120
+
121
+ new drivers of social interaction and competition to the Apex ecosystem. Interest from teams,
122
+
123
+ broadcast partners and sponsors is strong, and we’ve had great success with our first exhibition
124
+
125
+ events, including a competition at the ESPYS that was broadcast on ESPN and ABC. We’ll
126
+
127
+ have 80 teams from around the world participating in our first official competition in September.
128
+
129
+ Our plans to bring Apex Legends to China and a worldwide mobile launch are also on course,
130
+
131
+ and we will share more on our plans in the future.
132
+
133
+ In our EA SPORTS portfolio, our franchises like Madden NFL and FIFA are delivering for core
134
+
135
+ fans, innovating to reach new players, and leading our growth in esports. Looking first at
136
+
137
+ Madden NFL, we continue to see deep year-round engagement in the franchise. Live service
138
+
139
+ events and tie-in content with the NFL Draft drove growth in new players joining Madden NFL
140
 
141
+ 19 in Q1, and also deepened engagement in Madden Ultimate Team. We’re now just days
 
142
 
143
+ away from launching Madden NFL 20. The innovations in this year’s game, like the new
144
 
145
+ superstar X-Factor abilities, new personalized Career Campaign, and the more fluid core
146
+
147
+ gameplay, are all designed to appeal to new and existing football fans. Madden NFL esports
148
+
149
+ also continues to drive growing viewership. Players in our Madden NFL competitive
150
+
151
+ ecosystem engaged four times more than non-competitors last season, and our events drove
152
+
153
+ record broadcast and digital viewership. We’re now looking to build on that success with the
154
+
155
+ Madden NFL 20 Championship Series. We’re partnered with all 32 NFL teams, our
156
+
157
+ competitions are aligned with key beats in the NFL season, and we’re welcoming major
158
 
159
  3
160
 
161
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
162
+
163
+ FY20Q1
164
+
165
+ sponsors including Pizza Hut, Snickers and Starbucks. Finally, the latest season of our fan-
166
+
167
+ favorite Madden NFL Mobile game launches tomorrow, and this year the game is bringing back
168
+
169
+ some of the classic modes that fans love, as well as new innovation in social co-op play and
170
+
171
+ customization. Through great experiences on console and PC, the ever-popular Madden NFL
172
+
173
+ Mobile game, and our leading esports programming, Madden NFL continues to reach and
174
+
175
+ engage a wide audience of fans.
176
+
177
+ Our FIFA franchise had a very strong Q1, with players deeply engaged in our Ultimate Team
178
+
179
+ live service. Our biggest in-game event, Team of the Season, had more than 3 million players
180
+
181
+ logging into FUT daily to play – the highest daily levels we’ve ever seen for this event. Esports
182
+
183
+ for FIFA is exploding as well, with our competitive modes growing faster than any other mode in
184
+
185
+ FUT. Momentum is strong across our entire FIFA esports ecosystem, and next week’s FIFA
186
 
187
+ eWorld Cup Finals will be the culmination of a season that has engaged 17 official league
188
 
189
+ partners, players from 20 different nations, more than 30 live events, and more than 60 million
190
 
191
+ total views to date. Looking ahead to September, FIFA 20 is set to expand our FIFA platform
192
 
193
+ with a brand new dimension of the game for players who want more personalization,
194
 
195
+ customization and community. VOLTA Football brings a street soccer experience to the
196
 
197
+ franchise, where players can build their own characters, express themselves, and play different
198
 
199
+ forms of the sport in different environments around the world. That’s in addition to major
 
200
 
201
+ advancements in the core experience designed to deliver the most authentic football gameplay
202
 
203
+ we’ve ever produced. FIFA 20 will have an unmatched breadth of top leagues, teams and
204
 
205
+ players included in the game – a continuing differentiator of the authenticity in our FIFA
206
 
207
+ franchise. Our licensing program is built on the strength of multi-year relationships and careful
208
+
209
+ consideration of the most important players, teams and leagues that our fans love to see in the
210
+
211
+ game. From console to PC, to our FIFA Mobile games in the west and China, to our FIFA
212
+
213
+ Online offerings in Asia, FIFA continues to be the way that hundreds of millions of players
214
+
215
+ around the world come together in their shared passion for soccer.
216
 
217
  4
218
 
219
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
220
+
221
+ FY20Q1
222
+
223
+ Our Sims 4 live service also continues to be a rich and rewarding experience for our players,
224
+
225
+ and a strong platform for growth. The Sims 4 continues to be one of the great owned IP
226
+
227
+ success stories of our portfolio, and we’re planning for FY20 to be our biggest year yet of new
228
+
229
+ content. Knowing that, we gave more fans a chance to get into the game through a one-week
230
+
231
+ promotion in May to download the base game for free. Almost 7 million players downloaded the
232
+
233
+ game during that time. In addition to the base game promotion, total expansion and game pack
234
+
235
+ downloads also increased 55% year-over-year in Q1. We launched our seventh expansion
236
+
237
+ pack – Island Living – in late June, and it has already become one of our best-selling packs for
238
+
239
+ The Sims 4. We are fortunate to have an incredibly vibrant and creative Sims community on
240
+
241
+ console, PC and mobile, and we are continuing to double down on this amazing franchise to
242
+
243
+ reach new players and open up exciting new dimensions of The Sims this year.
244
+
245
+ Subscription services are expanding across the industry, as well. We’re a pioneer and a leader
246
+
247
+ in this space, having just launched our subscription on a third major platform with EA Access on
248
+
249
+ the Sony PlayStation 4. We believe subscriptions can be transformative to the player
250
+
251
+ experience and the gaming industry over the long term, as they offer tremendous value and
252
+
253
+ choice to players, and greater flexibility in the games we bring to market. Our PC subscription
254
+
255
+ already includes more than 220 games, 140 of which are from third party developers. We’re
256
+
257
+ continually adding to this with new games from EA, from indie developers seeking to expand
258
+
259
+ their reach through our EA Originals program, and from other third-party partners ready to reach
260
+
261
+ more players through our services. We’re also working to expand our subscriptions to even
262
+
263
+ more platforms.
264
+
265
+ Mobile continues to be a growth opportunity for us. Live services are a key aspect of our mobile
266
+
267
+ business, with franchises like Madden Mobile, FIFA Mobile and The Sims continuing to drive
268
+
269
+ strong ongoing engagement. Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes has grown to nearly 80 million
270
+
271
+ players life-to-date. Galaxy of Heroes has the most deeply engaged community of all our
272
 
273
  5
274
 
275
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
276
+
277
+ FY20Q1
278
+
279
+ mobile games, and we plan to continue delivering great new content and in-game events to
280
+
281
+ grow the audience this year. We’ve also just started pre-alpha testing for Plants vs. Zombies 3.
282
+
283
+ In a market where discovery and acquisition can be challenging, Plants vs. Zombies is one of
284
+
285
+ the most beloved brands in gaming. To date, we’ve had more than a billion downloads
286
 
287
+ worldwide of PvZ games on mobile, and we’re looking forward to bringing something new to
288
 
289
+ fans around the world. We’re continuing to prototype and develop more bespoke mobile
290
 
291
+ projects, as well as new concepts for cross-platform play. The mobile space is complex and
292
 
293
+ competitive, and our focus is on bringing more innovation and unique new experiences to
294
 
295
+ mobile players.
296
 
297
+ In addition to the franchises and live services that I’ve already mentioned, we’ll be delivering
298
 
299
+ many other new experiences to players throughout the remainder of this fiscal year. NHL 20 is
300
 
301
+ launching in Q2, with hundreds of gameplay advancements, as well as new competitive and
302
 
303
+ multiplayer modes. We’ll take the wraps off our new Need for Speed game heading into
 
 
304
 
305
+ Gamescom in a few weeks. We have a Plants vs. Zombies shooter title coming to console and
306
 
307
+ PC later this year. And the excitement and anticipation for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has
308
 
309
+ been strong coming out of EA PLAY and E3, where the game received 45 award nominations
310
 
311
+ and great buzz from the player community. Respawn’s track record speaks for the high-quality
 
312
 
313
+ games they develop, and they have created a brand new Star Wars story that will be a lot of fun
314
 
315
+ to play when it launches this holiday.
316
+
317
+ From the core game to live services that extend and enhance the experience, to new ways to
318
+
319
+ engage through subscriptions and competitive gaming, our focus continues to be on strong
320
+
321
+ execution and delivering innovation, quality and fun for players at every turn. We’re fortunate to
322
+
323
+ have some of the greatest and most creative talent in the industry, driving our efforts to
324
+
325
+ continually learn and improve. With robust, best-in-class technology powering our efforts, we’re
326
+
327
+ also in position to scale and evolve with the changing needs of our players.
328
 
329
  6
330
 
331
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
332
+
333
+ FY20Q1
334
+
335
+ Now I’ll hand the call over to Blake.
336
+
337
+ BLAKE:
338
 
339
+ Thanks, Andrew.
340
 
341
+ We delivered operating results significantly above our expectations this quarter. At a high level,
342
 
343
+ those results were driven by broad strength across our core franchises. Apex Legends
344
 
345
+ continues to delight players and we are pleased with the impact of Season 2 since its launch on
 
346
 
347
+ July 2. This quarter’s results demonstrate how the power of our portfolio strategy, combined
348
 
349
+ with extra content, delivers strong results - even in relatively quiet quarters.
350
 
351
+ I’ll report the specifics of our results on a GAAP basis, then use our operational measure of net
352
 
353
+ bookings to discuss the dynamics of our business. To compare this quarter’s results to
354
 
355
+ historically-reported non-GAAP measures, please refer to the relevant tabs in our downloadable
 
356
 
357
+ financial model.
358
 
359
+ EA’s net revenue was $1.21 billion, compared to $1.14 billion a year ago, and above our
360
 
361
+ guidance by $79 million. Operating expenses were $607 million, compared to $622 million a
362
 
363
+ year ago, primarily driven by lower sales and marketing partially offset by continued investment
364
+
365
+ in new IP. This was significantly below our forecast, driven by timing of advertising
366
+
367
+ spend. Operating income was $415 million, compared to $300 million a year ago and above
368
+
369
+ our expectations. Diluted earnings per share was $4.75, up over 400% year on
370
+
371
+ year. Underlying EPS was well above our expectations, driven by net bookings, gross profit and
372
+
373
+ operating expenses.
374
+
375
+ Operating cash flow for the quarter was $158 million, up $38 million from last year. Capital
376
+
377
+ expenditures for the quarter were $45 million, resulting in a free cash flow of
378
 
379
  7
380
 
381
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
382
+
383
+ FY20Q1
384
 
385
+ $113 million. Operating cash flow for the last twelve months was $1.59 billion. See our
386
 
387
+ earnings slides for further cash flow information.
388
 
389
+ During the quarter, we also repurchased 3.2 million shares at a cost of $305 million, leaving
390
 
391
+ $979 million available in our buyback program.
392
 
393
+ Our cash and short-term investments at the end of the quarter were $5.19 billion, up 4% year
 
394
 
395
+ on year.
 
396
 
397
+ Now, I’d like to turn to the key drivers of our business this quarter.
398
 
399
+ Net bookings for the quarter were $743 million, approximately flat year on year. It was
400
 
401
+ $53 million above our guidance, driven by strength across the board, with strong performance
402
+
403
+ from our core franchises and live services.
404
+
405
+ Digital net bookings were $701 million, up $8 million on the year-ago period. On a trailing
406
+
407
+ twelve-month basis, digital net bookings now represent 76% of our business, compared to 69%
408
+
409
+ a year ago.
410
+
411
+ Looking at each of the components of this quarter’s digital bookings in turn:
412
+
413
+ • Live services net bookings were up 12% year on year, to $504 million, led by Apex
414
+
415
+ Legends and The Sims 4. FIFA Ultimate Team was up 11% year on year at constant
416
+
417
+ currency, 5% at actual exchange rates.
418
+
419
+ Diving into the details: Season 2 launched for Apex Legends at the beginning of Q2, and
420
+
421
+ we’re pleased with its performance, with regards to both sales and engagement. We will
422
+
423
+ continue to add content during the quarter, with a major event in mid-August, and Season 3
424
+
425
+ will begin next quarter. We are increasing investment in content development and
426
+
427
+ marketing to continue to drive growth in Apex Legends.
428
 
429
  8
430
 
431
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
432
+
433
+ FY20Q1
434
+
435
+ FIFA Online outperformed our expectations. FIFA Online 4 performed well in Korea, where
436
+
437
+ we have fully transitioned from FIFA Online 3 to FIFA Online 4. Meanwhile, FIFA Online 3
438
+
439
+ outperformed our expectations in China, and we are positioned well for switching over to
440
+
441
+ FIFA Online 4.
442
+
443
+ Finally, as Andrew mentioned, The Sims 4 base game promotion delivered nearly 7 million
444
+
445
+ new installs and we remain on track to have the fifth consecutive year of growth in
446
+
447
+ The Sims 4, following its launch in 2014.
448
+
449
+ • Mobile delivered net bookings of $122 million, down 17% year on year, driven by aging
450
+
451
+ titles. Although down year on year, Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes outperformed our
452
+
453
+ expectations and maintains a highly engaged user base, leading us to be optimistic about
454
+
455
+ performance in a huge year for Star Wars, with new TV show, movie and theme park
456
+
457
+ launches.
458
+
459
+ • Full game PC and console downloads generated net bookings of $75 million, down 22%
460
+
461
+ year on year, due to last year’s launch of A Way Out and FIFA 18 World Cup
462
+
463
+ promotions. 47% of our unit sales are now digital rather than physical, measured on Xbox
464
+
465
+ One and PlayStation 4 over the last twelve months. Although this is up 7 percentage points
466
+
467
+ year on year, we continue to model an annual shift of 5 percentage points, given how
468
+
469
+ strongly digital Anthem was at its launch last quarter.
470
+
471
+ Before discussing guidance, I would like to highlight that there were three income tax events
472
+
473
+ in the quarter that impacted our GAAP Q1 results and our full year GAAP guidance. Please
474
+
475
+ refer to our press release for the details. As a result, we expect to recognize a $1.700 billion
476
+
477
+ benefit in the fiscal year, which is $200 million better than we had included in our guidance last
478
+
479
+ quarter, although the phasing of the benefit between Q1 and Q2 has changed since we gave
480
+
481
+ that guidance. $1.080 billion of this amount was recognized in the first quarter and the
482
+
483
+ 9
484
+
485
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
486
+
487
+ FY20Q1
488
+
489
+ remaining $620 million will be recognized when the Swiss tax rates change, which we expect to
490
+
491
+ occur in the second quarter. We do not expect the above events to impact our FY20 operating
492
+
493
+ cash flow or our management tax rate for fiscal 2020.
494
+
495
+ Now, turning to guidance: Except for the increase in our tax benefit of $200 million or $0.66
496
+
497
+ on GAAP EPS, we are reiterating our guidance for the full year.
498
+
499
+ We continue to expect The Sims 4 and Apex Legends to each deliver net bookings in the
500
+
501
+ $300 million to $400 million range.
502
+
503
+ We are holding our operating cash flow guidance at approximately $1.575 billion, with capex
504
+
505
+ still expected to be $125 million and free cash flow of about $1.45 billion.
506
+
507
+ For the second quarter, we continue to expect net revenue of $1.315 billion, cost of revenue
508
+
509
+ to be $407 million, and operating expenses of $679 million. This results in earnings per
510
+
511
+ share of $2.60 for the second quarter.
512
+
513
+ We anticipate net bookings for the quarter to be $1.23 billion. We’re excited about the Madden
514
+
515
+ NFL launch and upcoming Apex Legends event, and the launch of FIFA 20 with VOLTA
516
+
517
+ Football at the end of the quarter.
518
+
519
+ We over delivered this quarter as a result of the performance of our core franchises. These
520
+
521
+ evergreen live services provide a tremendously solid base for our business and enable us to
522
+
523
+ invest in new opportunities, to innovate and to take risks. We are unique among our peers in
524
+
525
+ this, and it is no coincidence that we are a leader in cloud gaming, subscriptions and in the
526
+
527
+ strength of our player networks.
528
+
529
+ People will only engage with our games if they have fun playing them. And we continue to
530
+
531
+ invest in keeping them fun – whether it’s the major innovation of VOLTA Football in FIFA, or
532
+
533
+ new modes, events and legends in Apex Legends, or even adding laundry to The Sims 4, we
534
+
535
+ 10
536
+
537
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
538
+
539
+ FY20Q1
540
+
541
+ aim to give players content they want to play. If we’re successful in that, we’re successful as a
542
+
543
+ business.
544
+
545
+ This combination of core plus innovation plus fun will drive our success through the
546
+
547
+ year. Coming up in August we have more live services for our newest franchise, Apex
548
+
549
+ Legends, and the latest installment in one of our most storied, Madden NFL. FIFA 20 launches
550
+
551
+ right at the end of the quarter. The following quarter we have a new IP, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen
552
+
553
+ Order. Simultaneously, we continue to invest in more new IP, new technologies and new
554
+
555
+ business models.
556
+
557
+ We believe we have the right ingredients in place to deliver fun for our players and success for
558
+
559
+ our business, and I look forward to reporting our progress to you next quarter.
560
+
561
+ Now, I’ll turn the call back to Andrew.
562
+
563
+ ANDREW CLOSING:
564
+
565
+ Thanks, Blake.
566
+
567
+ The world loves to play games. As the global gaming audience continues to grow and spend
568
+
569
+ more time with the games they love, interactive entertainment is an increasingly important part
570
+
571
+ of our daily lives. At the heart of this is social connection – the unique ability that games have to
572
+
573
+ connect and inspire players to be part of a shared experience. New platforms, new
574
+
575
+ technologies and new ways to engage will continue to fuel growth for the industry, and through
576
+
577
+ these opportunities we are positioning EA to lead.
578
+
579
+ It begins with great games that can fulfill the motivations of a diverse global player base. We
580
+
581
+ continue to invest across our portfolio to deliver the depth, breadth and quality of experiences
582
+
583
+ that players seek. Our top titles across sports, simulation, shooters, and racing connect
584
+
585
+ 11
586
+
587
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
588
+
589
+ FY20Q1
590
+
591
+ hundreds of millions of players on console, PC and mobile. We create experiences in some of
592
+
593
+ the most popular owned IP in the industry, including The Sims, Battlefield, Need for Speed and
594
+
595
+ Plants vs. Zombies. We’ve introduced powerful new IP like Apex Legends, and we’re building
596
+
597
+ new licensed experiences like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Our pipeline is full of innovative
598
+
599
+ new projects for our current franchises, new IP, and plans to revisit some of our fan-favorite
600
+
601
+ brands, as we continually work to bring more high-quality games to players across a growing
602
+
603
+ number of platforms and devices.
604
+
605
+ Live services enable us to build powerful communities, where players come together and
606
+
607
+ continue to share in the experiences they love. We’ve had great success building deeply-
608
+
609
+ engaged, long-term communities in Ultimate Team, The Sims, Battlefield, Star Wars and more –
610
+
611
+ and now we’re adding to that with our massive player base in Apex Legends. Each live service
612
+
613
+ is different, designed uniquely for the community it serves. They also enable us to continually
614
+
615
+ learn from our players – their feedback and their motivations – so we can drive more innovation
616
+
617
+ and creative exploration for the future.
618
+
619
+ Interactive entertainment today transcends the act of playing a game. New ways to engage like
620
+
621
+ esports are becoming just as important. With FIFA and Madden, we have the largest esports
622
+
623
+ ecosystems in sports games, and Apex Legends is going to be a major new addition to the
624
+
625
+ global competitive gaming scene this year. We believe that our games can make competition
626
+
627
+ accessible to anyone. We see opportunities to bring competitive play to more of our franchises,
628
+
629
+ and we look forward to delivering for more players, viewers, sponsors and broadcasters around
630
+
631
+ the world.
632
+
633
+ With games becoming an increasingly important part of our lives, subscriptions offer a
634
+
635
+ compelling new value proposition for players. Other industries have demonstrated how
636
+
637
+ 12
638
+
639
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
640
+
641
+ FY20Q1
642
+
643
+ subscriptions fundamentally shift consumer behavior. We consume more television content in
644
+
645
+ different ways because of video subscriptions. We consume more music in different ways
646
+
647
+ because of music subscription services. We believe the same is happening with games, where
648
+
649
+ subscriptions can offer access to great content, at great value, with tremendously low
650
+
651
+ friction. When combined with cloud streaming, the barriers are lowered even further, making it
652
+
653
+ even more compelling to jump into new games and connect with new communities. The
654
+
655
+ subscription opportunity is powerful for both players and game creators, and we’re continuing to
656
+
657
+ invest in our leading services on console and PC.
658
+
659
+ In addition to more great games, passionate global communities, and new ways to engage,
660
+
661
+ there will be more transformative shifts on the horizon. The constant push of progress and
662
+
663
+ innovation is what sets this industry apart from every other form of entertainment. With our
664
+
665
+ teams of incredibly talented developers, artists and engineers, we are working to drive creativity,
666
+
667
+ quality and fun through every aspect of the player experience, now and in the future. We look
668
+
669
+ forward to sharing more updates in the months to come.
670
+
671
+ Now Blake and I are here for your questions.
672
+
673
+ Forward-Looking Statements
674
+
675
+ Some statements set forth in this document, including the information relating to EA’s fiscal
676
+
677
+ 2020 guidance information and title slate contain forward-looking statements that are subject to
678
+
679
+ change. Statements including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,”
680
+
681
+ “estimate”, “plan”, “predict”, “seek”, “goal”, “will”, “may”, “likely”, “should”, “could” (and the
682
+
683
+ negative of any of these terms), “future” and similar expressions also identify forward-looking
684
+
685
+ 13
686
+
687
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
688
+
689
+ FY20Q1
690
+
691
+ statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
692
+
693
+ reflect management’s current expectations. Our actual results could differ materially from those
694
+
695
+ discussed in the forward-looking statements.
696
+
697
+ Some of the factors which could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from its
698
+
699
+ expectations include the following: sales of the Company’s products and services; the
700
+
701
+ Company’s ability to develop and support digital products and services, including managing
702
+
703
+ online security and privacy; outages of our products, services and technological infrastructure;
704
+
705
+ the Company’s ability to manage expenses; the competition in the interactive entertainment
706
+
707
+ industry; governmental regulations; the effectiveness of the Company’s sales and marketing
708
+
709
+ programs; timely development and release of the Company’s products and services; the
710
+
711
+ Company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions; the consumer demand for,
712
+
713
+ and the availability of an adequate supply of console hardware units; the Company’s ability to
714
+
715
+ predict consumer preferences among competing platforms; the Company’s ability to develop
716
+
717
+ and implement new technology; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; general economic
718
+
719
+ conditions; changes in our tax rates or tax laws; and other factors described in Part I, Item 1A of
720
+
721
+ Electronic Arts’ latest Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors”, as well as
722
+
723
+ in other documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
724
+
725
+ These forward-looking statements are current as of July 30, 2019. Electronic Arts assumes no
726
+
727
+ obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required
728
+
729
+ by law. In addition, the preliminary financial results set forth in this release are estimates based
730
+
731
+ on information currently available to Electronic Arts.
732
+
733
+ While Electronic Arts believes these estimates are meaningful, they could differ from the actual
734
+
735
+ amounts that Electronic Arts ultimately reports in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
736
+
737
+ 14
738
+
739
+ ELECTRONIC ARTS PREPARED REMARKS
740
+
741
+ FY20Q1
742
+
743
+ fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019. Electronic Arts assumes no obligation and does not intend
744
+
745
+ to update these estimates prior to filing its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30,
746
+
747
+ 2019.
748
+
749
+ 15
750
+
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1
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
 
2
 
3
- 2024
4
 
5
- MOBILE DEVICES
 
6
 
7
- SAMPLE REPORT
8
 
9
- Get an in-depth analysis of the current state, trends, and future of the
10
- mobile devices market, including insights into key drivers, changing
11
- product lifecycles, and manufacturing challenges.
 
12
 
13
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
 
 
 
14
 
15
- Page 1 of 25
 
16
 
17
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
18
 
19
- Table of Contents
20
 
21
- 1.
 
 
 
 
22
 
23
- 2.
24
 
25
- Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
 
 
 
 
26
 
27
- Industry Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 5
28
 
29
- 2.1 Segment Outlook .............................................................................................................................. 5
30
 
31
- 2.1.1 Smartphones ......................................................................................................................... 5
 
32
 
33
- 2.1.2 Tablets ..................................................................................................................................... 6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34
 
35
- 2.1.3 Smart Wearables ................................................................................................................. 7
36
 
37
- 2.1.4 Smart Hearing ....................................................................................................................... 8
38
 
39
- 2.1.5 Smart Clothing ...................................................................................................................... 8
40
 
41
- 2.1.6 China ......................................................................................................................................... 9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42
 
43
- 2.1.7 US .............................................................................................................................................. 9
44
 
45
- 2.1.8 Europe ...................................................................................................................................10
46
 
47
- 2.1.9 Latin America ......................................................................................................................11
48
 
49
- 2.2 Market Growth Enablers ..............................................................................................................12
50
 
51
- 2.2.1 5G Network Expansion .....................................................................................................12
 
 
52
 
53
- 2.2.2 The Rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) ......................................................................12
54
 
55
- 2.2.3 Shifting Consumer Preferences for Technology-Centric Living .......................12
56
 
57
- 2.2.4 Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) .............................................................13
58
 
59
- 2.2.5 Growing Importance of Mobile Devices in Emerging Markets ...........................13
60
 
61
- 2.3 Market Inhibitors.............................................................................................................................14
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62
 
63
- 2.3.1 Concerns over Data Privacy and Security .................................................................14
64
 
65
- 2.3.2 Market Saturation in Developed Economies ............................................................14
66
 
67
- 2.3.3 E-Waste and Sustainability Concerns ........................................................................14
68
 
69
- 3. Supply Chain Analysis ................................................................................................................................15
70
 
71
- 3.1 Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Chain Realignment ......................................................15
72
 
73
- 3.2 Semiconductor Scarcity and Strategic Countermeasures ...............................................15
74
 
75
- 3.3 Supplier Relationship Transformation ....................................................................................15
76
 
77
- 3.4
78
 
79
- 3.5
80
 
81
- 3.6
82
 
83
- Localization Imperative ................................................................................................................16
84
 
85
- Ecosystem Collaboration .............................................................................................................16
86
 
87
- ESG Challenges ...............................................................................................................................16
88
 
89
- 3.7 China+1 ..............................................................................................................................................16
90
 
91
- 3.8
92
 
93
- Impact of AI on Supply Chain .....................................................................................................17
94
 
95
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
96
 
97
- Page 2 of 25
98
 
99
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
100
 
101
- 4.
102
 
103
- Technology Evolution ..................................................................................................................................18
104
 
105
- 4.1
106
 
107
- 5G, 6G, and Connected Ecosystem ...........................................................................................18
108
 
109
- 4.2 Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Immersive Experiences .................................18
110
 
111
- 4.3
112
 
113
- Foldable Devices.............................................................................................................................19
114
 
115
- 4.4 Ultra-Fast Charging Technologies ...........................................................................................19
116
 
117
- 4.5
118
 
119
- Flexible Electronic Skins .............................................................................................................19
120
 
121
- 4.6 Next-Generation Wi-Fi .................................................................................................................19
122
 
123
- 4.7 Wearable Health Monitors...........................................................................................................20
124
 
125
- 4.8
126
 
127
- 4.9
128
 
129
- Internet of Things (IoT) Integration ..........................................................................................20
130
 
131
- Enhanced Processing Power ......................................................................................................20
132
 
133
- 5.
134
 
135
- Jabil Insights & Strategic Considerations ............................................................................................21
136
 
137
- 5.1 Current Market Outlook – Analyst Perspective ...................................................................21
138
 
139
- 5.2 Strategic Considerations .............................................................................................................22
140
 
141
- 5.3
142
 
143
- Jabil Spend Data .............................................................................................................................23
144
 
145
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
146
 
147
- Page 3 of 25
148
 
149
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
150
 
151
- 1.
152
 
153
- Introduction
 
154
 
155
- The mobile device market is dynamic, with the industry constantly innovating to meet evolving
156
- consumer demand. Smartphones and tablets, the cornerstone of this market, are no longer
157
- simply communication tools; they've evolved into productivity powerhouses. Cutting-edge
158
- smart wearables, hearables, and clothing are redefining how humans connect with
159
- technology, offering health monitoring, augmented experiences, and seamless
160
- communication. The rise of 5G networks, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and the
161
- expanding Internet of Things (IoT) are accelerating the development of increasingly
162
- sophisticated mobile devices. This transformation is fueled by the desire for global
163
- connectivity, enhanced productivity, personalized experiences, and the adoption of cutting-
164
- edge technology. As mobile devices become increasingly integrated into daily life, a
165
- comprehensive understanding of this market landscape is crucial to support informed
166
- business decisions.
167
 
168
- Scope of work
169
 
170
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
171
 
172
- Page 4 of 25
173
 
174
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
175
 
176
- 2.
 
177
 
178
- Industry Overview
179
 
180
- The global mobile device market is experiencing a period of transition and adaptation. While
181
- smartphone sales have shown signs of plateauing due to incremental upgrades and market
182
- saturation, other segments are emerging as growth drivers. Smart hearables and wearables
183
- are popular, offering enhanced connectivity and health-tracking features. Foldable devices
184
- are carving out a niche, albeit with high prices and durability concerns. Smart clothing is still
185
- in its nascent stage but shows promise in integrating technology seamlessly into everyday
186
- life. Tablets, meanwhile, are finding renewed relevance for productivity and entertainment
187
- purposes. Overall, the mobile device landscape is diversifying, with innovation focusing on
188
- integrating various devices and creating a more connected and personalized user experience.
189
 
190
- 2.1 Segment Outlook
191
 
192
- 2.1.1 Smartphones
193
 
194
- While global smartphone shipment growth might have slowed down in previous years, the
195
- market is expected to stabilize and see modest growth due to several factors. One key driver
196
- is the replacement cycle for 5G-compatible devices, as companies like Apple and Samsung,
197
- among others, continue to release advanced models. Additionally, the rise of foldable
198
- smartphones is creating a new niche market segment with premium pricing. According to an
199
- article published by Arstechnica in February 2024, the top 7 selling smartphones in 2023 were
200
- manufactured by Apple, whereas Samsung manufactured the next 3 in the list.
201
 
202
- Figure: List of Top 10 highest-selling smartphones in 2023 and their adoption rate (%)
203
 
204
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
205
 
206
- Page 5 of 25
207
 
208
- 2.1.2 Tablets
209
 
210
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
211
 
212
- Figure: Market Share of Top Tablet Vendors Worldwide (April 2023 – April 2024)
213
 
214
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
215
 
216
- Page 6 of 25
217
 
218
- 2.1.3 Smart Wearables
219
 
220
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
221
 
222
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
223
 
224
- Page 7 of 25
225
 
226
- 2.1.4 Smart Hearing
227
 
228
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
229
 
230
- 2.1.5 Smart Clothing
231
 
232
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
233
 
234
- Page 8 of 25
235
 
236
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
237
 
238
- 2.1.6 China
239
 
240
- China is expected to remain dominant in the global mobile devices market, propelled by its
241
- massive consumer base and robust local manufacturing capabilities. With leading companies
242
- like Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO continuously innovating, China's market share is substantial.
243
- However, geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions could impact growth. The aggressive
244
- push for 5G adoption and beyond in China makes it likely that a significant portion of mobile
245
- sales will be 5G-capable devices in the coming years.
246
 
247
- Figure: Chinese Smartphone Shipment, By Brand
248
 
249
- Source: Counterpoint Research
250
 
251
- 2.1.7 US
252
 
253
- The US will likely see sustained growth in the mobile devices sector, driven by a strong
254
- consumer preference for high-end smartphones and the rapid rollout of 5G networks. Apple
255
- and Samsung remain dominant players, with the former enjoying a loyal customer base.
256
- Introducing innovative features and technologies, such as foldable screens and AI-enhanced
257
- applications, could spur replacement cycles. However, the market is nearing saturation, with
258
- smartphone penetration already high. Growth may increasingly come from wearable devices
259
- and smart home technologies.
260
 
261
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
262
 
263
- Page 9 of 25
264
 
265
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
266
 
267
- 2.1.8 Europe
268
 
269
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
270
 
271
- Page 10 of 25
272
 
273
- 2.1.9 Latin America
274
 
275
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
276
 
277
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
278
 
279
- Page 11 of 25
280
 
281
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
282
 
283
- 2.2 Market Growth Enablers
284
 
285
- 2.2.1 5G Network Expansion
286
 
287
- Increased speeds and decreased latency offered by 5G fuel demand for advanced mobile
288
- devices capable of handling data-intensive applications, augmented reality experiences, and
289
- cloud-based services. Furthermore, the growth of high-quality video streaming on mobile
290
- devices drives increased subscriptions to content providers, which fuels demand for devices
291
- capable of delivering an exceptional viewing experience. This surge in demand is driving
292
- innovation across smartphones, wearables, and hearables.
293
 
294
- 2.2.2 The Rise of the Internet of Things (IoT)
295
 
296
- 2.2.3 Shifting Consumer Preferences for Technology-Centric Living
297
 
298
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
299
 
300
- Page 12 of 25
301
 
302
- 2.2.4 Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI)
303
 
304
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
305
 
306
- 2.2.5 Growing Importance of Mobile Devices in Emerging Markets
307
 
308
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
309
 
310
- Page 13 of 25
311
 
312
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
313
 
314
- 2.3 Market Inhibitors
315
 
316
- 2.3.1 Concerns over Data Privacy and Security
317
 
318
- Data privacy and security concerns have cast a shadow over the mobile device market,
319
- eroding consumer trust and hindering industry growth. Frequent and increasingly
320
- sophisticated cyberattacks and invasive tracking and data collection practices by apps and
321
- services have fueled these concerns. Vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications
322
- further exacerbate the risks, leaving users' personal information exposed to potential
323
- breaches and misuse.
324
 
325
- 2.3.2 Market Saturation in Developed Economies
326
 
327
- 2.3.3 E-Waste and Sustainability Concerns
328
 
329
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
330
 
331
- Page 14 of 25
332
 
333
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
334
 
335
- 3. Supply Chain Analysis
 
336
 
337
- 3.1 Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Chain Realignment
338
 
339
- The mobile devices industry faces increased complexity and risk due to heightened
340
- geopolitical tensions, particularly between major technology-producing nations. These
341
- tensions have led to stricter trade policies, tariffs, and restrictions on technology transfers,
342
- significantly impacting global supply chain dynamics. In response, companies are urgently
343
- reassessing and realigning their supply chains to reduce dependency on regions with high
344
- geopolitical risks. This includes diversifying sourcing and manufacturing locations to more
345
- geopolitically stable or neutral countries. Moreover, there is an accelerated trend towards the
346
- friend-shoring/nearshoring of critical components where companies prefer to trade with
347
- allies or within blocks that share similar regulatory and political frameworks. This strategic
348
- shift aims to safeguard access to essential materials and components, such as rare earth
349
- metals and advanced semiconductors, which are pivotal for mobile device manufacturing.
350
- Additionally, companies are increasingly investing in technology and infrastructure to
351
- enhance supply chain visibility and resilience, enabling more agile responses to future
352
- geopolitical shifts.
353
 
354
- 3.2 Semiconductor Scarcity and Strategic Countermeasures
355
 
356
- 3.3 Supplier Relationship Transformation
357
 
358
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
359
 
360
- Page 15 of 25
361
 
362
- 3.4 Localization Imperative
363
 
364
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
365
 
366
- 3.5 Ecosystem Collaboration
367
 
368
- 3.6 ESG Challenges
369
 
370
- 3.7 China+1
371
 
372
- .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
373
 
374
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
 
 
 
 
375
 
376
- Page 16 of 25
 
377
 
378
- 3.8
 
379
 
380
- Impact of AI on Supply Chain
381
 
382
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
383
 
384
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
 
385
 
386
- Page 17 of 25
 
387
 
388
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
389
 
390
- 4. Technology Evolution
391
 
392
- 4.1 5G, 6G, and Connected Ecosystem
393
 
394
- The acceleration of 5G adoption and early exploration of 6G's capabilities will underpin a new
395
- generation of mobile devices and experiences. Faster speeds, reduced latency, and massive
396
- device connectivity will supercharge applications like real-time AR/VR experiences, remote
397
- collaboration, high-fidelity cloud gaming, and a flourishing Internet of Things (IoT) landscape.
398
- These developments drive innovation across smartphones, wearables, and hearables,
399
- enabling unprecedented connectivity and interaction.
400
 
401
- 4.2 Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Immersive
402
 
403
- Experiences
404
 
405
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
406
 
407
- Page 18 of 25
408
 
409
- 4.3 Foldable Devices
410
 
411
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
412
 
413
- 4.4 Ultra-Fast Charging Technologies
414
 
415
- 4.5 Flexible Electronic Skins
416
 
417
- 4.6 Next-Generation Wi-Fi
418
 
419
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
420
 
421
- Page 19 of 25
422
 
423
- 4.7 Wearable Health Monitors
424
 
425
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
426
 
427
- 4.8
428
 
429
- Internet of Things (IoT) Integration
430
 
431
- 4.9 Enhanced Processing Power
432
 
433
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
434
 
435
- Page 20 of 25
436
 
437
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
438
 
439
- 5. Jabil Insights & Strategic Considerations
440
 
441
- From a technological standpoint, the mobile device market is poised for significant growth in
442
- the next 3-4 years. The widespread adoption of 5G networks is expected to unlock the full
443
- potential of mobile devices, enabling faster speeds, lower latency, and new applications like
444
- augmented reality and virtual reality. AI and machine learning advancements will further
445
- enhance device capabilities, offering more personalized experiences and improved
446
- functionality. The convergence of mobile devices with other emerging technologies like
447
- blockchain and IoT will also create new opportunities for innovation and growth.
448
 
449
- From a regional standpoint, the mobile device market is expected to experience diverse
450
- growth trajectories. In developed regions like North America and Europe, growth is expected
451
- to be steady but slower due to market saturation. However, emerging markets like India,
452
- Southeast Asia, and Africa will rapidly grow as smartphone penetration increases and
453
- consumers upgrade to newer models with advanced features. These regions will become
454
- critical drivers of the global mobile device market, with local brands playing a significant role
455
- in catering to these diverse consumer bases' unique needs and preferences. Additionally,
456
- government initiatives to improve digital infrastructure and promote affordable access to
457
- mobile devices will further fuel growth in these regions.
458
 
459
- 5.1 Current Market Outlook – Analyst Perspective
460
 
461
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
462
 
463
- Page 21 of 25
 
 
 
464
 
465
- 5.2 Strategic Considerations
 
 
 
466
 
467
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
468
 
469
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
470
 
471
- Page 22 of 25
472
 
473
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
474
 
475
- 5.3 Jabil Spend Data
476
 
477
- Figure: Mobile Devices Spend by Category (2020 Vs. 2023)
478
 
479
- Note: This data is based on Jabil's historical spending data for the Mobile Device Customer Segment
480
 
481
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
482
 
483
- Page 23 of 25
484
 
485
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
486
 
487
- Figure: Category Spend YoY (%)
488
 
489
- Note: This data is based on Jabil's historical spending data for the Mobile Device Customer Segment
490
 
491
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
492
 
493
- Page 24 of 25
494
 
495
- MOBILE DEVICES | 2024
496
 
497
- This document is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used or
498
- construed as investment advice. The information contained in this document is not an offer to
499
- buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. Any investment decisions made
500
- based on the information contained in this document are made at the sole discretion of the
501
- reader. The author(s) of this document are not investment advisors and are not registered
502
- with any regulatory authority. The author(s) of this document disclaim any liability for any
503
- direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this document or its contents.
504
 
505
- JABIL and the JABIL logo are the property of Jabil Inc. Other marks used herein are used for
506
- identification purposes only and are the property of their respective owners.
507
 
508
- CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
509
 
510
- Page 25 of 25
511
 
 
1
+ BY08 Capital Asset Plan and Business Case Summary
2
+ Exhibit 300
3
 
4
+ PART I: SUMMARY INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION
5
 
6
+ In Part I, complete Sections A. B, C, and D for all capital assets (IT and non-IT). Complete Sections E and
7
+ F for IT capital assets.
8
 
9
+ Section A: Overview (All Capital Assets)
10
 
11
+ The following series of questions are to be completed for all investments to help OMB to identify which
12
+ agency and bureau is responsible for managing each capital asset, which OMB MAX budget account funds
13
+ the project, the kind of the project, who to contact with questions about the information provided in the
14
+ exhibit 300, and whether or not it is an IT or a non-IT capital asset.
15
 
16
+ (1) Date of Submission:
17
+ (2) Agency:
18
+ (3) Bureau:
19
+ (4) Name of this Capital Asset:
20
 
21
+ 09/11/2006
22
+ 422
23
 
24
+ 00
25
 
26
+ Financial Accounting System (FAS)
27
 
28
+ (250 Character Max)
29
+ (5) Unique ID (Unique Project
30
+ Identifier ) :
31
+ Format xxx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xxxx-xx
32
+ (For IT investments only, see section 53. For all other, use agency ID system.)
33
 
34
+ 422-00-01-01-01-0001-00
35
 
36
+ (6) What kind of investment
37
+ Will in be this FY2008?
38
+ (7) What was the first budget
39
+ year this investment was
40
+ submitted to OMB?
41
 
42
+ Operations and Maintenance
43
 
44
+ FY2001 or earlier
45
 
46
+ (8) Provide a brief summary and justification for this investment, including a brief description of how this
47
+ closes a gap in part or in whole an identified agency performance gap: (2500 Char Max)
48
 
49
+ The Financial Accounting System (FAS) is the main tool NSF staff utilizes to monitor, control, and execute the
50
+ management and financial accountability of approximately 20,000 active awards with 2000+ external
51
+ grantees. The FAS is an on-line real time system is the primary vehicle for managing all funding allocated to the
52
+ NSF. A central transaction management procedure called the "post-routine" represents the core of the system,
53
+ handling the full spectrum of financial transaction processing, accounts maintenance, transaction history, and
54
+ rules processing. This procedure processes any financial request, whether generated from within the Financial
55
+ System itself or by an external system. The FAS is extensively integrated with all of NSF's core business
56
+ systems including the e-Jacket, Proposal and Reviewer System, the Awards System, Guest Travel System, and
57
+ the FastLane System in support of Grants management. NSF's accounting and financial systems staff
58
+ created a data warehousing environment with the ability to produce our financial statements including the
59
+ Closing Package statements, generate automated closing entries and in produce the SGL Tie points reports. In
60
+ FY06, NSF implemented a near real-time interface between FAS and FedTraveler that
61
 
62
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
63
 
64
+ 1 of 18
65
 
66
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
67
 
68
+ includes evaluation of funds availability and funds obligation. NSF expects the same type of data exchanges with
69
+ other externally provided cross-services. The e-Learning and e-Procurement /FAS interfaces are
70
+ scheduled to be implemented in FY 2007. The FAS will remain in a steady-state phase in the FY05-FY10
71
+ timeframe. NSF will be approaching its future financial system requirements as an integral part of its grant
72
+ process. NSF will conduct an integrated review of the GMLOB/FMLOB solution in 2007. If that solution is
73
+ determined to not be feasible, NSF will analyze the FMLOB Shared Service Provider (SSP) options in 2008. If
74
+ necessary, NSF will conduct a Business Case Feasibility Study for the FMLOB solution in 2009. This plan allows
75
+ the NSF to take advantage of the results/findings of the GMLOB process in becoming a SSP to more fully
76
+ define our financial requirements. NSF anticipates that if a conversion is necessary it will substantially impact
77
+ NSF Grantees and will begin in 2010. The current FAS will remain in steady-state maintenance until the
78
+ conversion is complete. Any decisions NSF makes regarding the future financial system modernization will
79
+ support the President's Management Agenda.
80
 
81
+ (9) Did the Agency's Executive/Investment Committee approve this request?
82
 
83
+ a. If "yes," what was the date of this approval?
84
 
85
+ (10) Did the Project Manager review this Exhibit?
86
 
87
+ 11) Contact Information of Project Manager?
88
 
89
+ N a me :
90
+ Phone Number:
91
+ E-Mail:
92
 
93
+ Carolyn Miller
94
 
95
+ 703-292-4272
96
 
97
+ cmiller@nsf.gov
98
 
99
+ yes
100
 
101
+ .
102
+
103
+ 08/30/2006
104
+
105
+ yes
106
+
107
+ (12) Has the agency developed and/or promoted cost effective, energy-efficient and environmentally
108
+ sustainable techniques or practices for this project.
109
+
110
+ no
111
+
112
+ (a) Will this investment include electronic assets (including computers)?
113
+
114
+ yes
115
+
116
+ (b) Is this investment for new construction or major retrofit of a Federal building or
117
+ facility? (answer applicable to non-IT assets only)
118
+ [1] If "yes," is an ESPC or UESC being used to help fund this investment?
119
+ [2] If "yes," will this investment meet sustainable design principles?
120
+ [3] If "yes," is it designed to be 30% more energy efficient than relevant code?
121
+
122
+ (13) Does this investment support one of the PMA initiatives? yes
123
+
124
+ If "yes," select all that apply:
125
+ President's Management Agenda (PMA) Initiatives
126
+ E x p a n d e d E - G o v e r n m e n t
127
+
128
+ Budget Performance Integration
129
+
130
+ a. Briefly describe how this asset directly supports the identified initiative(s)?
131
+
132
+ NSF's Enterprise Information System, the FAS and the Report web reporting system provide
133
+ financial, budgetary, awards and performance information (including PART) that is accessible in
134
+
135
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
136
+
137
+ 2 of 18
138
+
139
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
140
+
141
+ multiple formats at every workstation on a 24/7, real-time basis. Managers use this information to
142
+ make decisions regarding NSF budget priorities and business processes. NSF's Statement of Net
143
+ Cost uses the FAS to report the full cost of each strategic goal - Ideas, Tools, People and
144
+ Stewardship.
145
+
146
+ (14) Does this investment support a program assessed using OMB's
147
+ Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART)?
148
+ (a) If "yes," does this investment address a
149
+ weakness found during a PART review?
150
+ (b) If "yes," what is the name of the PARTed
151
+ program ?
152
+ (c) If "yes," what rating did the PART receive?
153
+
154
+ no
155
+
156
+ (15) Is this investment for information technology? (see section 53 for definition)) yes
157
+
158
+ If the answer to Question 15 was "Yes," complete questions 16-23 below. If
159
+ the answer is "No," do not answer questions 16-23.
160
+
161
+ Level 1
162
+
163
+ (1) Project manager has been validated as qualified for this
164
+ investment
165
+
166
+ no
167
+
168
+ No
169
+
170
+ (16) What is the level of the IT Project (per CIO
171
+ Council PM Guidance)?
172
+ (17) What project management qualifications does
173
+ the Project Manager have? (per CIO Council PM
174
+
175
+ (18) Is this investment identified as "high risk" on
176
+ the Q4 - FY 2006 agency high risk report
177
+ (per OMB's 'high risk" memo)?
178
+
179
+ (19) Is this a financial management system?
180
+ (a) If "yes," does this investment address a FFMIA
181
+ compliance area?
182
+
183
+ [1] If "yes," which compliance area:
184
+ [2] If "no," what does it address?
185
+
186
+ (b) If "yes," please identify the system name(s) and
187
+ system acronym(s) as reported in the most recent
188
+ financial systems inventory update required by
189
+ Circular A-11 section 52:
190
+
191
+ (20) What is the percentage breakout for the total FY2008 funding request for the following?
192
+ (This should total 100%)
193
+
194
+ Hardware %:
195
+ 0
196
+
197
+ Software %:
198
+ 0
199
+
200
+ Services %:
201
+ 100
202
+
203
+ Other %:
204
+
205
+ 0
206
+
207
+ Total %
208
+ 100
209
+
210
+ (21) If this project produces information dissemination products for the public, are these products
211
+ published to the Internet in conformance with OMB Memorandum 05-04 and included in your
212
+ agency inventory, schedules and priorities?
213
+ n/a
214
+
215
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
216
+
217
+ 3 of 18
218
+
219
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
220
+
221
+ (22) Contact information of individual responsible for privacy related questions:
222
+
223
+ Name:
224
+ Phone
225
+ Number:
226
+ Title:
227
+ E-Mail:
228
+
229
+ Leslie A. Jensen
230
+
231
+ 703-292-8060
232
+
233
+ NSF FOIA/Privacy Act Officer
234
+
235
+ Ijensen@nsf.gov
236
+
237
+ (23) Are the records produced by this investment appropriately scheduled with the National
238
+ Archives and Records Administration's approval? no
239
+
240
+ Section B: Summary of Funding (All Capital Assets)
241
+ (1) Provide the total estimated life-cycle cost for this investment by completing the following table.
242
+ All amounts represent budget authority in millions, and are rounded to three decimal places.
243
+ Federal personnel costs should be included only in the row designated "Government FTE Cost,"
244
+ and should be excluded from the amounts shown for "Planning," "Full Acquisition," and
245
+ "Operation/Maintenance." The total estimated annual cost of the investment is the sum of costs for
246
+ "Planning," "Full Acquisition," and "Operation/Maintenance." For Federal buildings and facilities,
247
+ life-cycle costs should include long term energy, environmental, decommissioning, and/or
248
+ restoration costs. The costs associated with the entire life-cycle of the investment should be
249
+ included in this report.
250
+
251
+ Table 1: SUMMARY OF SPENDING FOR PROJECT PHASES (REPORTED IN MILLIONS)
252
+ All amounts represent Budget Authority (Estimates for BY+1 and beyond are for planning purposes only and do not
253
+ represent budget decisions)
254
+
255
+ PY-1
256
+ Spending
257
+ Prior to 2006
258
+
259
+ BY +1 BY+2 2010
260
+ 2009
261
+
262
+ 2011
263
+
264
+ Total
265
+
266
+ BY+4
267
+ 2012 and
268
+ beyond
269
+
270
+ Planning
271
+
272
+ Acquisition
273
+ Subtotal
274
+ Planning &
275
+ Acquisition
276
+ Operations
277
+
278
+ $0.000
279
+
280
+ $0.000
281
+ $0.000
282
+
283
+ $0.000
284
+
285
+ $0.000
286
+ $0.000
287
+
288
+ $0.000
289
+
290
+ $0.000
291
+ $0.000
292
+
293
+ $0.000
294
+
295
+ $0.000
296
+ $0.000
297
+
298
+ $7.570
299
+
300
+ $1.500
301
+
302
+ $1.500
303
+
304
+ $1.120
305
+
306
+ TOTAL
307
+
308
+ $7.570
309
+
310
+ $1.500
311
+
312
+ $1.500
313
+
314
+ $1.120
315
+
316
+ Government FTE Costs
317
+ should not be included
318
+ th
319
+
320
+ i
321
+
322
+ t
323
+
324
+ provided
325
+ above.
326
+
327
+ $0.360
328
+
329
+ $0.360
330
+
331
+ $0.360
332
+
333
+ $1.800
334
+
335
+ Government
336
+ FTE Costs
337
+ Number of
338
+ FTE
339
+ represented
340
+ by cost
341
+ Note: For the cross-agency investments, this table should include all funding (both managing partner
342
+ and partner agencies). Government FTE Costs should not be included as part of the TOTAL
343
+ represented.
344
+
345
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
346
+
347
+ 4 of 18
348
+
349
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
350
+
351
+ (2) Will this project require the agency to hire additional FTE's? no
352
+
353
+ (a) If "yes," How many and in what year?
354
+
355
+ (3) If the summary of spending has changed from the FY2007 President's budget request, briefly
356
+ explain those changes.
357
+
358
+ Section C: Acquisition/Contract Strategy (All Capital Assets)
359
+
360
+ (1) Complete the table for all contracts and/or task orders in place or planned for this investment:
361
+
362
+ Contract or Task Order Number: BZ-11/0533982 Type of Contract/TO Used: Cost Plus Fixed Fee
363
+ Has the Contract Being Awarded: yes
364
+ Contract Actual/Planned Award Date:
365
+ 05/01/2005
366
+ Contract/TO Start Date:
367
+ 05/01/2005
368
+ Contract/TO End Date:
369
+ 04/30/2007
370
+ Contract/TO Total Value ($M): $32.200 Inter Agency Acquisition: no
371
+ Performance Based Contract: yes
372
+ Competitively Awarded Contract: yes
373
+ Alternative Financing: NA EVM Required: yes
374
+ Security Privacy Clause: yes
375
+
376
+ Contracting Officer (CO) Contact Information:
377
+
378
+ CO Name: Patricia S. Williams
379
+ CO Contact Information (Phone/Email): (703) 292-8240 pswillia@nsf.gov
380
+ CO Certification Level (Level 1, 2, 3, N/A): 3
381
+ If N/A has the agency determined the CO assigned has the competencies and skills necessary to
382
+ support this acquisition? (Y/N)
383
+
384
+ (2) If earned value is not required or will not be a contract requirement for any of the contracts or
385
+
386
+ task orders above, explain why:
387
+
388
+ The contract has a requirement to utilize earned value management (EVM) for tasks/projects designated as
389
+ new development or "Development/Modernization/Enhancements (DME)." FAS is in Steady State and its
390
+ maintenance activities are exempt from EVM at this time per OMB Guidance.
391
+
392
+ (3) Do the contracts ensure Section 508 compliance? yes
393
+ Section 508 Compliance Explanation:
394
+ The system was reviewed and modified, as needed, in 2001 for Section 508 compliance. The FAS consists of an
395
+ end-user GUI and back-end software programs. Only the end-user GUI is used by users; therefore only changes
396
+ to it would affect Section 508 compliance. While the majority of maintenance changes are to the back-end
397
+ software, when the GUI is affected, NSF staff review each maintenance change for Section 508 compliance
398
+ before the change is implemented.
399
+
400
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
401
+
402
+ 5 of 18
403
+
404
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
405
+
406
+ (4) Is there an acquisition plan which has been approved in accordance with agency requirements?
407
+
408
+ yes
409
+
410
+ (a) If "yes", what is the date?
411
+ 12/01/2001
412
+ (b) If "no," will an acquisition plan be developed?
413
+
414
+ [1] If "no," briefly explain why:
415
+
416
+ Section D: Performance Information (All Capital Assets)
417
+
418
+ In order to successfully address this area of the exhibit 300, performance goals must be provided for the
419
+ agency and be linked to the annual performance plan. The investment must discuss the agency's mission and
420
+ strategic goals, and performance measures must be provided. These goals need to map to the gap in the
421
+ agency's strategic goals and objectives this investment is designed to fill. They are the internal and external
422
+ performance benefits this investment is expected to deliver to the agency (e.g., improve efficiency by 60
423
+ percent, increase citizen participation by 300 percent a year to achieve an overall citizen participation rate of
424
+ 75 percent by FY 2xxx, etc.). The goals must be clearly measurable investment outcomes, and if applicable,
425
+ investment outputs. They do not include the completion date of the module, milestones, or investment, or
426
+ general goals, such as, significant, better, improved that do not have a quantitative or qualitative measure.
427
+
428
+ Agencies must use Table 1 below for reporting performance goals and measures for all non-IT investments
429
+ and for existing IT investments that were initiated prior to FY 2005. The table can be extended to include
430
+ measures for years beyond FY 2006.
431
+
432
+ Table 1
433
+
434
+ Fiscal Year
435
+
436
+ Strategic
437
+
438
+ Goal(s)
439
+ Supported
440
+
441
+ 2003
442
+
443
+ 2003
444
+
445
+ 2003
446
+
447
+ 2003
448
+
449
+ 2004
450
+
451
+ 2004
452
+
453
+ 2004
454
+
455
+ 2004
456
+
457
+ Financial
458
+ Management
459
+ Financial
460
+ Management
461
+
462
+ Financial
463
+ Management
464
+
465
+ Financial
466
+ Management
467
+
468
+ Financial
469
+ Management
470
+
471
+ Financial
472
+ Management
473
+
474
+ Financial
475
+ Management
476
+
477
+ Financial
478
+ Management
479
+
480
+ Performance Measure
481
+
482
+ Actual/
483
+
484
+ Migrate from current payroll system to
485
+ Government wide Payroll provider
486
+
487
+ Meet Accelerated Financial Management
488
+ Reporting Requirements (45 days after
489
+ fiscal year-end)
490
+ Meet Quarterly reporting requirement
491
+
492
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion for Financial
493
+ Statements
494
+
495
+ Implement Government wide ePayroll
496
+ service provider
497
+
498
+ Baseline (from
499
+ previous year)
500
+
501
+ Legacy System-IPAY
502
+
503
+ Met Current Financial
504
+ Management Reporting
505
+ Requirements
506
+ Met Current Financial
507
+ Management Reporting
508
+ Requirements
509
+ Unqualified Audit
510
+ Opinion
511
+
512
+ Legacy System-IPAY
513
+
514
+ Planned
515
+ Performance
516
+ Metric (Target)
517
+
518
+ Select ePayroll provider in
519
+ FY03
520
+ Submit NSF Performance
521
+ and Accountability Report
522
+ to OMB on November 17
523
+ Submit Quarterly financial
524
+ statements to OMB within
525
+ 45 days of end of quarter
526
+
527
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion
528
+ for FY 2003 Financial
529
+ Statements
530
+ Successful transition to
531
+ Government wide ePayroll
532
+ service provide and
533
+ retirement of IPAY system
534
+
535
+ Meet Accelerated Financial Management
536
+ Reporting Requirements 45 days after fiscal
537
+ year end
538
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion for Financial
539
+ Statements
540
+
541
+ Met Current Financial
542
+ Management Reporting
543
+ Requirements
544
+ Unqualified Audit
545
+ Opinion
546
+
547
+ Submit NSF Performance
548
+ and Accountability Report
549
+ by November 15
550
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion
551
+ for FY 2004 Financial
552
+ Statements
553
+
554
+ Produce Quarterly Financial Statements
555
+ within 21 days of end of quarter
556
+
557
+ Produced Quarterly
558
+ Financial Statements
559
+ within 21 days of end of
560
+ quarter
561
+
562
+ Produce Quarterly
563
+ Financial Statements
564
+ within 21 days of end of
565
+ quarter
566
+
567
+ Performance Metric
568
+ Results (Actual)
569
+
570
+ ePayroll Service Provider
571
+ selected in January 2003
572
+ November 15th date was
573
+ achieved one year ahead of
574
+ OMB requirements
575
+ NSF's Quarterly reports
576
+ were consistently one of the
577
+ first submitted to OMB
578
+ NSF received an Unqualified
579
+ Audit Opinion for FY 2003
580
+ on 11/05/04
581
+ New ePayroll service
582
+ provider began processing
583
+ NSF's payroll in May 2004.
584
+ Because NSF's payroll
585
+ system ran for part of the
586
+ calendar year, NSF cannot
587
+ retire its IPAY system until
588
+ all reconciliation for the
589
+ calendar year is done and W-
590
+ 2s are generated
591
+ PAR Report submitted on
592
+ 11/15/2004
593
+
594
+ NSF received an Unqualified
595
+ Audit Opinion for FY 2004
596
+ on 11/04/2005
597
+ Quarterly reports produced
598
+ within 21 days beginning
599
+ March 2004
600
+
601
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
602
+
603
+ 6 of 18
604
+
605
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
606
+
607
+ Fiscal Year
608
+
609
+ Strategic
610
+ Goal(s)
611
+ Supported
612
+
613
+ Performance Measure
614
+
615
+ Actual/
616
+ Baseline (from
617
+ previous year)
618
+
619
+ 2004
620
+
621
+ 2005
622
+
623
+ Financial
624
+ Management
625
+
626
+ Automate closing package financial
627
+ statements
628
+
629
+ Met new Closing
630
+ package requirements
631
+
632
+ Financial
633
+ Management
634
+
635
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion for Financial
636
+ Statements
637
+
638
+ Unqualified Audit
639
+ Opinion
640
+
641
+ 2005
642
+
643
+ FFMIA Compliance
644
+
645
+ Receive Assertion of FFMIA Compliance -
646
+ Implement FAS Requirements necessary to
647
+ maintain compliance
648
+
649
+ Financial
650
+ Management
651
+
652
+ Produce Quarterly Financial Statements
653
+ within 21 days of end of quarter
654
+
655
+ Financial
656
+ Management
657
+
658
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion for Financial
659
+ Statements
660
+
661
+ Unqualified Audit
662
+ Opinion
663
+
664
+ Financial
665
+ Management
666
+
667
+ Produce Quarterly and year end Financial
668
+ statement
669
+
670
+ 2006
671
+
672
+ FFMIA Compliance
673
+
674
+ Receive Assertion of FFMIA Compliance -
675
+ Implement FAS Requirements necessary to
676
+ maintain compliance
677
+
678
+ Financial
679
+ Management
680
+
681
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion for Financial
682
+ Statements
683
+
684
+ Unqualified Audit
685
+ Opinion
686
+
687
+ 2005
688
+
689
+ 2006
690
+
691
+ 20116
692
+
693
+ 2007
694
+
695
+ 2007
696
+
697
+ Financial
698
+ Management
699
+
700
+ Produce Quarterly and year end Financial
701
+ statement
702
+
703
+ 2007
704
+
705
+ FFMIA Compliance
706
+
707
+ Receive Assertion of FFMIA Compliance -
708
+ Implement FAS Requirements necessary to
709
+ maintain compliance
710
+
711
+ 2007
712
+
713
+ 2007
714
+
715
+ 2008
716
+
717
+ 2008
718
+
719
+ 2008
720
+
721
+ 2008
722
+
723
+ 2008
724
+
725
+ Financial
726
+ Management
727
+
728
+ Federal Cash Transactions Report
729
+ Monitoring
730
+
731
+ Financial
732
+ Management
733
+
734
+ Grant Closeout - Review the Award
735
+ Closeout Report on a quarterly basis
736
+
737
+ Financial
738
+ Management
739
+
740
+ Federal Cash Transactions Report
741
+ Monitoring
742
+
743
+ Financial
744
+ Management
745
+
746
+ Grant Closeout - Review the Award
747
+ Closeout Report on a quarterly basis
748
+
749
+ Financial
750
+ Management
751
+
752
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion for Financial
753
+ Statements
754
+
755
+ Financial
756
+ Management
757
+
758
+ Produce Quarterly and year end Financial
759
+ statement
760
+
761
+ FFMIA Compliance
762
+
763
+ Receive Assertion of FFMIA Compliance -
764
+ Implement FAS Requirements necessary to
765
+ maintain compliance
766
+
767
+ Planned
768
+ Performance
769
+ Metric (Target)
770
+ Automate closing package
771
+ financial statements
772
+
773
+ Performance Metric
774
+ Results (Actual)
775
+
776
+ Closing package statement
777
+ became automated in June
778
+ 2004 NSF produces its
779
+ automated financial
780
+ statements and closing
781
+ package statements
782
+ simultaneously
783
+
784
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion
785
+ for FY 2005 Financial
786
+ Statements
787
+ Maintain Assertion of
788
+ FFMIA Compliance
789
+ through FAS compliance
790
+ with requirements
791
+
792
+ FFMIA compliance asserted
793
+ on 11/08/2005
794
+
795
+ Produce Quarterly
796
+ Financial Statements
797
+ within 21 days of end of
798
+ quarter
799
+
800
+ NSF submitted timely and
801
+ accurate quarterly statements
802
+ within 21 days of the end of
803
+ quarter
804
+
805
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion
806
+ for FY 2006 Financial
807
+ Statements
808
+ Quarterly reports
809
+ produced
810
+ within 21 days and year
811
+
812
+ ithi 45 d
813
+
814
+ Maintain Assertion of
815
+ FFMIA Compliance
816
+ through FAS compliance
817
+ with requirements
818
+
819
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion
820
+ for FY 2007 Financial
821
+ Statements
822
+ Quarterly reports
823
+ produced
824
+ within 21 days and year
825
+ Maintain Assertion of
826
+ FFMIA Compliance
827
+ through FAS compliance
828
+ with requirements
829
+
830
+ ithi 45 d
831
+
832
+ Resolve 100% of
833
+ excessive cash on hand
834
+ findings
835
+
836
+ Close 100% of awards
837
+ within two full reporting
838
+ quarters after the
839
+ expiration date
840
+
841
+ Resolve 100% of
842
+ excessive cash on hand
843
+ findings
844
+
845
+ Close 100% of awards
846
+ within two full reporting
847
+ quarters after the
848
+ expiration date
849
+
850
+ Unqualified Audit Opinion
851
+ for FY 2008 Financial
852
+ Statements
853
+ Quarterly reports
854
+ produced
855
+ within 21 days and year
856
+
857
+ ithi 45 d
858
+
859
+ Maintain Assertion of
860
+ FFMIA Compliance
861
+ through FAS compliance
862
+ with requirements
863
+
864
+ Received Assertion of
865
+ FFMIA Compliance -
866
+ Implemented required
867
+ changes to SGL and
868
+ transactions
869
+
870
+ Produced Quarterly
871
+ Financial Statements
872
+ within 21 days of end
873
+ of
874
+
875
+ Produced Quarterly and
876
+ year-end Financial
877
+ Statements by deadlines
878
+
879
+ Received Assertion of
880
+ FFMIA Compliance -
881
+ Implemented required
882
+ changes to SGL and
883
+ transactions
884
+
885
+ Produce Quarterly and
886
+ year-end Financial
887
+ Statements by deadlines
888
+
889
+ Received Assertion of
890
+ FFMIA Compliance -
891
+ Implemented required
892
+ changes to SGL and
893
+ transactions
894
+
895
+ Reviewed 100% of
896
+ Federal Cash
897
+ Transactions Reports
898
+ with positive cash on
899
+ hand
900
+
901
+ Closed 100% of awards
902
+ within two full
903
+ reporting
904
+ quarters after the
905
+ expiration date
906
+ Reviewed 100% of
907
+ Federal Cash
908
+ Transactions Reports
909
+ with positive cash on
910
+ hand
911
+
912
+ Closed 100% of awards
913
+ within two full
914
+ reporting
915
+ quarters after the
916
+ expiration date
917
+ Unqualified Audit
918
+ Opinion
919
+
920
+ Produced Quarterly and
921
+ year-end Financial
922
+ Statements by deadlines
923
+
924
+ Received Assertion of
925
+ FFMIA Compliance -
926
+ Implemented required
927
+ changes to SGL and
928
+ transactions
929
+
930
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
931
+
932
+ 7 of 18
933
+
934
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
935
+
936
+ Fiscal Year
937
+
938
+ Strategic
939
+ Goal(s)
940
+ Supported
941
+
942
+ Performance Measure
943
+
944
+ Actual/
945
+ Baseline (from
946
+ previous year)
947
+
948
+ Planned
949
+ Performance
950
+ Metric (Target)
951
+
952
+ Performance Metric
953
+ Results (Actual)
954
+
955
+ 2009
956
+
957
+ 2009
958
+
959
+ 2009
960
+
961
+ 2009
962
+
963
+ 2009
964
+
965
+ 2010
966
+
967
+ 2011
968
+
969
+ 2010
970
+
971
+ 2010
972
+
973
+ 2010
974
+
975
+ 2011-
976
+
977
+ 2011
978
+
979
+ 2011
980
+
981
+ 2011
982
+
983
+ 2011
984
+
985
+ All new IT investments initiated for FY 2005 and beyond must use Table 2 and are required to use the
986
+ Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) Performance Reference Model (PRM). Please use Table 2 and the
987
+ PRM to identify the performance information pertaining to this major IT investment. Map all Measurement
988
+ Indicators to the corresponding "Measurement Area" and "Measurement Grouping" identified in the PRM.
989
+ There should be at least one Measurement Indicator for at least four different Measurement Areas (for each
990
+ fiscal year). The PRM is available at www.egov.gov.
991
+
992
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
993
+
994
+ 8 of 18
995
+
996
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
997
+
998
+ Table 2
999
+ Fiscal
1000
+ Year
1001
+
1002
+ Measurement Area IT
1003
+
1004
+ Measurement Grouping IT
1005
+
1006
+ Measurement
1007
+ I di
1008
+
1009
+ t
1010
+
1011
+ Baseline Planned
1012
+
1013
+ Actual Results
1014
+
1015
+ Improvement to
1016
+ the Baseline
1017
+
1018
+ Section E: Security and Privacy (IT Capital Assets Only)
1019
+
1020
+ In order to successfully address this area of the business case, each question below must be answered at the
1021
+ system/application level, not at a program or agency level. Systems supporting this investment on the planning and
1022
+ operational systems security tables should match the systems on the privacy table below. Systems on the Operational
1023
+ Security Table must be included on your agency FISMA system inventory and should be easily referenced in the
1024
+ inventory (i.e., should use the same name or identifier).
1025
+
1026
+ All systems supporting and/or part of this investment should be included in the tables below, inclusive of both agency
1027
+ owned systems and contractor systems. For IT investments under development, security and privacy planning must
1028
+ proceed in parallel with the development of the system/s to ensure IT security and privacy requirements and costs are
1029
+ identified and incorporated into the overall lifecycle of the system/s.
1030
+
1031
+ Please respond to the questions below and verify the system owner took the following actions:
1032
+
1033
+ (1) Have the IT security costs for the system(s) been identified and integrated into the overall costs of the
1034
+
1035
+ investment: yes
1036
+
1037
+ (a) If "yes," provide the "Percentage IT Security" for the budget year: 14
1038
+
1039
+ (2) Is identifying and assessing security and privacy risks a part of the overall risk management effort for
1040
+ each system supporting or part of this investment. yes
1041
+
1042
+ (3) Systems in Planning - Security:
1043
+
1044
+ Name Of System
1045
+
1046
+ Agency Or Contractor Operated
1047
+
1048
+ System?
1049
+
1050
+ Planned Operational Date
1051
+
1052
+ Planned or Actual
1053
+ C&A Completion Date
1054
+
1055
+ (4) Operational Systems - Security:
1056
+
1057
+ Name Of System
1058
+
1059
+ Agency Or Contractor
1060
+ Operated system
1061
+
1062
+ NIST FIPS
1063
+ 199
1064
+
1065
+ Risk Impact
1066
+ Level (High,
1067
+ Moderate,
1068
+ Low)
1069
+
1070
+ Has the
1071
+ C&A been
1072
+ completed
1073
+ using
1074
+ NIST 800-
1075
+ 37?
1076
+
1077
+ Date C&A
1078
+ Complete
1079
+
1080
+ What standards we
1081
+ used for the
1082
+ Security Controls
1083
+ tests?
1084
+
1085
+ Date Completed
1086
+
1087
+ Security
1088
+ Control Testing
1089
+
1090
+ Date
1091
+ Contingency
1092
+ Plan Tested
1093
+
1094
+ FAS
1095
+
1096
+ Contractor and
1097
+ Government
1098
+
1099
+ High
1100
+
1101
+ yes
1102
+
1103
+ 04/05/06
1104
+
1105
+ FIPS 200 / NIST
1106
+ 800-53
1107
+
1108
+ 01/18/06
1109
+
1110
+ 02/15/06
1111
+
1112
+ (5) Have any weaknesses, not yet remediated, related to any of the systems part of or supporting this
1113
+ investment been identified by the agency or IG? no
1114
+
1115
+ (a) If "yes," have those weaknesses been incorporated into the agency's plan of action and milestone
1116
+
1117
+ process?
1118
+
1119
+ (6) Indicate whether an increase in IT security funding is requested to remediate IT security
1120
+ weaknesses? no
1121
+
1122
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
1123
+
1124
+ 9 of 18
1125
+
1126
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
1127
+
1128
+ (a) If "yes," specify the amount, a general description of the weakness, and how the funding request
1129
+ will remediate the weakness.
1130
+
1131
+ (7) How are contractor security procedures monitored, verified, and validated by the agency for
1132
+
1133
+ the contractor systems above?
1134
+
1135
+ NSF uses a range of methods to review the security of operations through contract requirements, project
1136
+ management oversight and review, certification and accreditation processes, IG independent reviews,
1137
+ proactive testing of controls through penetration testing and vulnerability scans to ensure services are
1138
+ adequately secure and meet the requirements of FISMA, OMB policy, NIST guidelines and NSF policy. The
1139
+ system is operated on-site by a team of contractors and NSF personnel with system administrators tightly
1140
+ controlling access to the systems. Only administrators with current need have access to the system,
1141
+ and strict code migration, quality control, and configuration management procedures prevent deployment of
1142
+ hostile or vulnerable software on the systems. Contractors are trained in the same security measures as
1143
+ NSF employees. All NSF employees and contract staff are required to complete an on-line security training
1144
+ class each year, including the rules of behavior. Background checks are done routinely as a part of the
1145
+ NSF contracting process, and IT security requirements are stated in the contracts statement of work.
1146
+ Contractor security procedures are monitored, verified, and validated by the agency in the same way as for
1147
+ government employees. Once on board, contractors are allowed access to the NSF systems based on their
1148
+ specific job requirements. Audit logs are also implemented to monitor operating system changes - these
1149
+ audit logs are reviewed by the system administrators. Additionally, roles and responsibilities are separated
1150
+ to the extent possible to allow for checks and balances in system management and multiple levels of
1151
+ oversight.
1152
+
1153
+ (8) Planning and Operational Systems - Privacy:
1154
+
1155
+ (a) Name Of System
1156
+
1157
+ (b) Is this a
1158
+ new system?
1159
+
1160
+ (c) Is there a PIA that
1161
+ covers this system? •
1162
+
1163
+ (d) Is the PIA available to the public?
1164
+
1165
+ F A S
1166
+
1167
+ no
1168
+
1169
+ 1. Y e s .
1170
+
1171
+ 2 . No, because a PIA is not yet
1172
+
1173
+ required to be completed at this time.
1174
+
1175
+ (e) Is a
1176
+ System
1177
+ Records
1178
+ Notice
1179
+ (SORN)
1180
+ required for
1181
+ this system?
1182
+
1183
+ no
1184
+
1185
+ (I) Was a new or amended SORN
1186
+ published in FY06?
1187
+
1188
+ 5. No, because the system is
1189
+
1190
+ not a Privacy Act system of
1191
+
1192
+ records.
1193
+
1194
+ (c) Is there a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) that covers this system?
1195
+
1196
+ 1. Yes.
1197
+ 2. No.
1198
+ 3. No, because the system does not contain, process, or transmit personal identifying information.
1199
+ 4. No, because even though it has personal identifying information, the system contains information solely about
1200
+
1201
+ federal employees and agency contractors.
1202
+
1203
+ (d) Is the PIA available to the public?
1204
+
1205
+ 1. Yes.
1206
+ 2. No, because a PIA is not yet required to be completed at this time.
1207
+ 3. No, because the PIA has not been prepared.
1208
+
1209
+ (f) Was a new or amended SORN published in FY2006?
1210
+
1211
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
1212
+
1213
+ 10 of 18
1214
+
1215
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
1216
+
1217
+ 1. Yes, because this is a newly established Privacy Act system of records.
1218
+ 2. Yes, because the existing Privacy Act system of records was substantially revised in FY 06.
1219
+ 3. No, because the existing Privacy Act system of records was not substantially revised in FY 06.
1220
+ 4. No; the system is operational, but the SORN has not yet been published.
1221
+ 5. No, because the system is not a Privacy Act system of records.
1222
+
1223
+ Section F: Enterprise Architecture (EA) (IT Capital Assets Only)
1224
+
1225
+ In order to successfully address this area of the business case and capital asset plan you must ensure
1226
+ the investment is included in the agency's EA and Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC)
1227
+ process, and is mapped to and supports the FEA. You must also ensure the business case demonstrates
1228
+ the relationship between the investment and the business, performance, data, services, application, and
1229
+ technology layers of the agency's EA.
1230
+
1231
+ (1) Is this investment included in your agency's target enterprise architecture? yes (a)
1232
+
1233
+ If "no," please explain why?
1234
+
1235
+ (2) Is this investment included in the agency's EA Transition Strategy? yes
1236
+
1237
+ a. If "yes," provide the
1238
+ investment name as identified
1239
+ in the Transition Strategy
1240
+ provided in the agency's most
1241
+ recent annual EA
1242
+ Assessment.
1243
+ b. If "no," please explain
1244
+ why?
1245
+
1246
+ The Financial Accounting System (FAS) is included as part of the Next
1247
+ Generation Grants Management workstream in the EA Transition Strategy
1248
+ submitted to OMB on February 28, 2006.
1249
+
1250
+ (3) Identify the service components funded by this major IT investment (e.g., knowledge
1251
+ management, content management, customer relationship management, etc.). Provide this
1252
+ information in the format of the following table. For detailed guidance regarding components,
1253
+ please refer to http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/egov/.
1254
+
1255
+ Agency
1256
+ Component
1257
+ Name
1258
+
1259
+ Agency
1260
+ Comonent
1261
+ p
1262
+
1263
+ Description
1264
+
1265
+ Advice of BEP Maintenance of
1266
+
1267
+ FEASRM
1268
+ Service Type
1269
+
1270
+ FEA SRM
1271
+ Component
1272
+ (a)
1273
+
1274
+ Billing and
1275
+
1276
+ FEA Service Component Reused (b)
1277
+
1278
+ Reused Service
1279
+ Component Name
1280
+
1281
+ Reused Service Component
1282
+ UPI
1283
+
1284
+ Internal External
1285
+ Reuse (c)
1286
+
1287
+ Funding
1288
+ Percentage
1289
+ (d)
1290
+
1291
+ No Reuse
1292
+
1293
+ 10
1294
+
1295
+ Charge Card
1296
+ Module
1297
+
1298
+ FASTRAN
1299
+
1300
+ AP Log
1301
+
1302
+ Funding
1303
+ Allocations
1304
+ Charge Card
1305
+ Bill Processing
1306
+
1307
+ Transaction
1308
+ Processing
1309
+ Module
1310
+
1311
+ Accounts
1312
+ Payable/Prompt
1313
+ Pay and Invoice
1314
+ tracking
1315
+
1316
+ Management
1317
+
1318
+ Credit /
1319
+ Charge
1320
+
1321
+ Management
1322
+
1323
+ Financials
1324
+
1325
+ Management
1326
+
1327
+ Expense
1328
+ Management
1329
+
1330
+ Financial
1331
+
1332
+ Management
1333
+
1334
+ Payment /
1335
+ Settlement
1336
+
1337
+ No Reuse
1338
+
1339
+ No Reuse
1340
+
1341
+ No Reuse
1342
+
1343
+ 3
1344
+
1345
+ 10
1346
+
1347
+ 7
1348
+
1349
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
1350
+
1351
+ 11 of 18
1352
+
1353
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
1354
+
1355
+ Agency
1356
+ Componen
1357
+ Name
1358
+
1359
+ FASTRAN
1360
+
1361
+ FAS Core
1362
+
1363
+ Agency
1364
+ Component
1365
+ Description
1366
+
1367
+ FEASRM
1368
+ Service Type
1369
+
1370
+ FEA SRM
1371
+ Component
1372
+ (a)
1373
+
1374
+ FEA Service Component Reused (b)
1375
+
1376
+ Reused Service
1377
+ Component Name
1378
+
1379
+ Reused Service Component
1380
+ UPI
1381
+
1382
+ Internal External
1383
+ Reuse(c)
1384
+
1385
+ Funding
1386
+ Percentage
1387
+ (d)
1388
+
1389
+ Transaction
1390
+ Processing
1391
+ Module
1392
+
1393
+ Financial
1394
+ Management
1395
+
1396
+ Debt
1397
+ Collection
1398
+
1399
+ Core
1400
+ Functionally of
1401
+ Accounting
1402
+ System
1403
+
1404
+ Internal
1405
+ Controls
1406
+
1407
+ Financial
1408
+
1409
+ Management
1410
+
1411
+ No Reuse
1412
+
1413
+ 10
1414
+
1415
+ No Reuse
1416
+
1417
+ 60
1418
+
1419
+ a. Use existing SRM Components or identify as "NEW". A "NEW" component is one not already
1420
+ identified as a service component in the FEA SRM.
1421
+
1422
+ b. A reused component is one being funded by another investment, but being used by this
1423
+ investment. Rather than answer yes or no, identify the reused service component funded by the other
1424
+ investment and identify the other investment using the Unique Project Identifier (UPI) code from the
1425
+ OMB Ex 300 or Ex 53 submission.
1426
+
1427
+ c. 'Internal' reuse is within an agency. For example, one agency within a department is reusing a
1428
+ service component provided by another agency within the same department. 'External' reuse is one
1429
+ agency within a department reusing a service component provided by another agency in another
1430
+ department. A good example of this is an E-Gov initiatiye service being reused by multiple
1431
+ organizations across the federal government.
1432
+
1433
+ d. Please provide the percentage of the BY requested funding amount used for each service
1434
+ component listed in the table. If external, provide the funding level transferred to another agency to
1435
+ pay for the service.
1436
+
1437
+ 4. To demonstrate how this major IT investment aligns with the FEA Technical Reference Model
1438
+ (TRM), please list the Service Areas, Categories, Standards, and Service Specifications supporting
1439
+ this IT investment.
1440
+
1441
+ FEA SRM Component (a) FEA TRM Service Area
1442
+ Billing and Accounting
1443
+
1444
+ Service Access and
1445
+
1446
+ FEA TRM Service Category
1447
+ Access Channels
1448
+
1449
+ FEA TRM Service Standard
1450
+ Other Electronic Channels
1451
+
1452
+ FEAService Specification (b)
1453
+
1454
+ Billing and Accounting
1455
+
1456
+ Delivery
1457
+
1458
+ Delivery Channels
1459
+
1460
+ Intranet
1461
+
1462
+ Billing and Accounting
1463
+
1464
+ Billing and Accounting
1465
+
1466
+ Service Access and
1467
+
1468
+ Delivery
1469
+
1470
+ Service Access and
1471
+ Delivery
1472
+
1473
+ Service Access and
1474
+ Delivery
1475
+
1476
+ Service Requirements
1477
+
1478
+ Legislative / Compliance
1479
+
1480
+ Service Transport
1481
+
1482
+ Service Transport
1483
+
1484
+ Billing and Accounting.
1485
+
1486
+ Service Platform and
1487
+
1488
+ Support Platforms
1489
+
1490
+ Platform Dependent
1491
+
1492
+ Windows XP
1493
+
1494
+ Billing and Accounting
1495
+
1496
+ Billing and Accounting
1497
+
1498
+ Billing and Accounting
1499
+
1500
+ Infrastructure
1501
+
1502
+ Service Platform and
1503
+
1504
+ Infrastructure
1505
+
1506
+ Service Platform and
1507
+
1508
+ Infrastructure
1509
+
1510
+ Service Platform and
1511
+
1512
+ Infrastructure
1513
+
1514
+ Delivery Servers
1515
+
1516
+ Application Servers
1517
+
1518
+ Windows NT
1519
+
1520
+ Database / Storage
1521
+
1522
+ Database
1523
+
1524
+ Sybase 12,x
1525
+
1526
+ Hardware / Infrastructure
1527
+
1528
+ Servers / Computers
1529
+
1530
+ Windows NT
1531
+
1532
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
1533
+
1534
+ 12 of 18
1535
+
1536
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
1537
+
1538
+ Billing and Accounting
1539
+
1540
+ Billing and Accounting
1541
+
1542
+ Billing and Accounting
1543
+ Billing and Accounting
1544
+
1545
+ Component Framework Presentation / Interface
1546
+
1547
+ Static Display
1548
+
1549
+ Component Framework Data Management
1550
+
1551
+ Database Connectivity.
1552
+
1553
+ Sybase 12.x
1554
+
1555
+ Component Framework Data Management
1556
+
1557
+ Service Interface and
1558
+
1559
+ Integration
1560
+
1561
+ Integration
1562
+
1563
+ Reporting and Analysis
1564
+ Enterprise Application
1565
+
1566
+ Integration
1567
+
1568
+ Billing and Accounting
1569
+
1570
+ Service Interface and
1571
+
1572
+ lnteroperability
1573
+
1574
+ Data Transformation
1575
+
1576
+ Integration
1577
+
1578
+ Billing and Accounting
1579
+
1580
+ Service Interface and
1581
+
1582
+ Interface
1583
+
1584
+ Service Description
1585
+
1586
+ API
1587
+
1588
+ Credit / Charge
1589
+
1590
+ Service Access and
1591
+
1592
+ Access Channels
1593
+
1594
+ Other Electronic Channels
1595
+
1596
+ Integration
1597
+
1598
+ Interface
1599
+
1600
+ Delivery
1601
+
1602
+ Credit / Charge
1603
+
1604
+ Service Access and
1605
+
1606
+ Delivery Channels
1607
+
1608
+ Intranet
1609
+
1610
+ Delivery
1611
+
1612
+ Credit / Charge
1613
+
1614
+ Service Access and
1615
+
1616
+ Service Requirements
1617
 
1618
+ Legislative / Compliance
1619
 
1620
+ Credit / Charge
1621
 
1622
+ Service Access and
1623
 
1624
+ Service Transport
1625
 
1626
+ Service Transport
1627
 
1628
+ Delivery
1629
 
1630
+ Credit / Charge
1631
 
1632
+ Credit / Charge
1633
 
1634
+ Credit / Charge
1635
 
1636
+ Credit / Charge
1637
 
1638
+ Delivery.
1639
 
1640
+ Service Platform and
1641
 
1642
+ Infrastructure
1643
 
1644
+ Service Platform and
1645
 
1646
+ Infrastructure
1647
 
1648
+ Service Platform and
1649
 
1650
+ Infrastructure
1651
 
1652
+ Service Platform and
1653
 
1654
+ Infrastructure
1655
 
1656
+ Support Platforms
1657
 
1658
+ Platform Dependent
1659
 
1660
+ Windows XP
1661
 
1662
+ Delivery Servers
1663
 
1664
+ Application Servers
1665
 
1666
+ Windows NT
1667
 
1668
+ Database / Storage
1669
 
1670
+ Database:
1671
 
1672
+ Sybase 12,x
1673
 
1674
+ Hardware / Infrastructure Servers / Computers
1675
 
1676
+ Windows NT
1677
 
1678
+ Credit / Charge
1679
 
1680
+ Component Framework
1681
 
1682
+ Presentation / Interface
1683
 
1684
+ Static Display
1685
 
1686
+ Credit / Charge
1687
 
1688
+ Component Framework Data Management
1689
 
1690
+ Database Connectivity
1691
 
1692
+ Sybase 12.x
1693
 
1694
+ Credit / Charge
1695
 
1696
+ Component Framework Data Management
1697
 
1698
+ Credit / Charge
1699
 
1700
+ Service Interface and
1701
 
1702
+ Integration;
1703
 
1704
+ Reporting and Analysis
1705
 
1706
+ .
1707
 
1708
+ Enterprise Application
1709
+ Integration
1710
 
1711
+ Credit / Charge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1712
 
1713
+ Credit / Charge
1714
 
1715
+ Integration
1716
 
1717
+ Service Interface and
1718
 
1719
+ Integration
1720
 
1721
+ Service Interface and
1722
+ Integration
1723
 
1724
+ lnteroperability
1725
 
1726
+ Data Transformation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1727
 
1728
+ Interface
1729
 
1730
+ Service Description /
1731
 
1732
+ API
 
 
 
 
 
 
1733
 
1734
+ Interface
1735
 
1736
+ Expense Management
1737
 
1738
+ Service Access and
1739
 
1740
+ Access Channels
1741
 
1742
+ Other Electronic Channels
1743
 
1744
+ Delivery
1745
 
1746
+ Expense Management
1747
 
1748
+ Service Access and
1749
 
1750
+ Delivery Channels
1751
 
1752
+ Intranet
1753
 
1754
+ Delivery
1755
 
1756
+ Expense Management
1757
 
1758
+ Service Access and
1759
 
1760
+ Service Requirements
1761
 
1762
+ Legislative / Compliance
1763
 
1764
+ Expense Management
1765
 
1766
+ Service Access and
1767
 
1768
+ Service Transport
1769
 
1770
+ Service Transport
1771
 
1772
+ Delivery
 
 
 
 
 
1773
 
1774
+ Delivery
1775
 
1776
+ Expense Management
1777
 
1778
+ Service Platform and
1779
 
1780
+ Support Platforms
 
 
 
 
 
 
1781
 
1782
+ Platform Dependent
1783
 
1784
+ Windows XP
1785
 
1786
+ Infrastructure
1787
 
1788
+ Expense Management
1789
 
1790
+ Service Platform and
1791
 
1792
+ Delivery Servers
1793
 
1794
+ Application Servers
1795
 
1796
+ Windows NT
1797
 
1798
+ Expense Management
1799
 
1800
+ Service Platform and
1801
 
1802
+ Database / Storage
1803
 
1804
+ Database,
1805
 
1806
+ Sybase 12,x
1807
 
1808
+ Infrastructure
 
 
 
 
 
1809
 
1810
+ Infrastructure
1811
 
1812
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
1813
 
1814
+ 13 of 18
1815
 
1816
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
1817
 
1818
+ Expense Management
1819
 
1820
+ Service Platform and
1821
 
1822
+ Hardware / Infrastructure
1823
 
1824
+ Servers / Computers,
1825
 
1826
+ Windows NT
1827
 
1828
+ Infrastructure
1829
 
1830
+ Expense Management
1831
 
1832
+ Component Framework
1833
 
1834
+ Presentation / Interface
 
 
 
 
 
1835
 
1836
+ Static Display
1837
 
1838
+ Expense Management
1839
 
1840
+ Component Framework Data Management
1841
 
1842
+ Database Connectivity
1843
 
1844
+ Sybase 12.x
1845
 
1846
+ Expense Management
1847
+ Expense Management
1848
 
1849
+ Component Framework Data Management
1850
 
1851
+ Reporting and Analysis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1852
 
1853
+ Service Interface and
1854
 
1855
+ Integration
1856
 
1857
+ Integration
1858
 
1859
+ Enterprise Application
1860
 
1861
+ Integration
1862
 
1863
+ Expense Management.
1864
 
1865
+ Service Interface and
1866
 
1867
+ lnteroperability
1868
 
1869
+ Data Transformation
1870
 
1871
+ Integration:
1872
+
1873
+ Expense Management
1874
+
1875
+ Service Interface and
1876
+
1877
+ Interface
1878
+
1879
+ Service Description /
1880
+
1881
+ API
1882
+
1883
+ Payment / Settlement
1884
+
1885
+ Service Access and
1886
+
1887
+ Access Channels
1888
+
1889
+ Other Electronic Channels
1890
+
1891
+ Integration
1892
+
1893
+ Interface
1894
+
1895
+ Delivery
1896
+
1897
+ Payment / Settlement
1898
+
1899
+ Service Access and
1900
+
1901
+ Delivery Channels
1902
+
1903
+ Intranet
1904
+
1905
+ Delivery
1906
+
1907
+ Payment / Settlement
1908
+
1909
+ Service Access and
1910
+
1911
+ Service Requirements
1912
+
1913
+ Legislative / Compliance
1914
+
1915
+ Payment / Settlement
1916
+
1917
+ Payment / Settlement
1918
+
1919
+ Payment / Settlement
1920
+
1921
+ Delivery
1922
+
1923
+ Service Access and
1924
+ Delivery
1925
+
1926
+ Service Platform and
1927
+
1928
+ Infrastructure
1929
+
1930
+ Service Platform and
1931
+
1932
+ Infrastructure
1933
+
1934
+ Service Transport
1935
+
1936
+ Service Transport
1937
+
1938
+ Support Platforms
1939
+
1940
+ Platform Dependent
1941
+
1942
+ Windows XP
1943
+
1944
+ Delivery Servers
1945
+
1946
+ Application Servers
1947
+
1948
+ Windows NT
1949
+
1950
+ Payment / Settlement
1951
+
1952
+ Service Platform and
1953
+
1954
+ Database / Storage
1955
+
1956
+ Database
1957
+
1958
+ Sybase 12,x
1959
+
1960
+ Infrastructure
1961
+
1962
+ Payment / Settlement
1963
+
1964
+ Service Platform and
1965
+
1966
+ Hardware / Infrastructure
1967
+
1968
+ Servers / Computers
1969
+
1970
+ Windows NT
1971
+
1972
+ Payment / Settlement
1973
+
1974
+ Infrastructure
1975
+ Component Framework Presentation / Interface
1976
+
1977
+ Static Display
1978
+
1979
+ Payment / Settlement
1980
+
1981
+ Component Framework Data Management
1982
+
1983
+ Database Connectivity
1984
+
1985
+ Sybase 12.x
1986
+
1987
+ Payment / Settlement
1988
+
1989
+ Component Framework: Data Management
1990
+
1991
+ Reporting and Analysis,
1992
+
1993
+ Payment / Settlement
1994
+
1995
+ Service Interface and
1996
+
1997
+ Integration
1998
+
1999
+ Integration
2000
+
2001
+ Payment / Settlement
2002
+
2003
+ Service Interface and
2004
+
2005
+ Interoperability
2006
+
2007
+ Payment / Settlement
2008
+
2009
+ Debt Collection
2010
+
2011
+ Integration
2012
+
2013
+ Service Interface and
2014
+ Integration
2015
+
2016
+ Interface
2017
+
2018
+ Enterprise Application
2019
+
2020
+ Integration
2021
+ „..,,
2022
+ Data Transformation
2023
+
2024
+ Service Description /
2025
+
2026
+ Interface'
2027
+
2028
+ Service Access and
2029
+
2030
+ Delivery
2031
+
2032
+ Access Channels
2033
+
2034
+ Other Electronic Channels
2035
+
2036
+ Debt Collection
2037
+
2038
+ Service Access and
2039
+
2040
+ Delivery Channels
2041
+
2042
+ Intranet
2043
+
2044
+ Debt Collection
2045
+
2046
+ Debt Collection
2047
+
2048
+ Debt Collection
2049
+
2050
+ Debt Collection
2051
+
2052
+ Delivery
2053
+
2054
+ Service Access and
2055
+
2056
+ Delivery
2057
+
2058
+ Service Access and
2059
+
2060
+ Delivery
2061
+
2062
+ Service Platform and,
2063
+
2064
+ Infrastructure
2065
+
2066
+ Service Platform and
2067
+
2068
+ Infrastructure
2069
+
2070
+ Service Requirements
2071
+
2072
+ Legislative / Compliance
2073
+
2074
+ Service Transport
2075
+
2076
+ Service Transport
2077
+
2078
+ Support Platforms
2079
+
2080
+ Platform Dependent
2081
+
2082
+ Windows XP
2083
+
2084
+ Delivery Servers
2085
+
2086
+ !Application Servers
2087
+
2088
+ Windows NT
2089
+
2090
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
2091
+
2092
+ 14 of 18
2093
+
2094
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
2095
+
2096
+ Debt Collection
2097
+
2098
+ Debt Collection
2099
+
2100
+ Service Platform and
2101
+
2102
+ Infrastructure
2103
+
2104
+ Service Platform and
2105
+
2106
+ Infrastructure
2107
+
2108
+ Database / Storage
2109
+
2110
+ Database
2111
+
2112
+ Sybase 12,x
2113
+
2114
+ Hardware / Infrastructure
2115
+
2116
+ Servers / Computers
2117
+
2118
+ Windows NT
2119
+
2120
+ Debt Collection
2121
+
2122
+ Component Framework
2123
+
2124
+ Presentation / Interface
2125
+
2126
+ Static Display
2127
+
2128
+ Debt Collection
2129
+
2130
+ Component Framework Data Management
2131
+
2132
+ Database Connectivity
2133
+
2134
+ Sybase 12.x.
2135
+
2136
+ Debt Collection
2137
+ Debt Collection
2138
+
2139
+ Debt Collection
2140
+
2141
+ Debt Collection
2142
+
2143
+ Internal Controls
2144
+
2145
+ Internal Controls
2146
+
2147
+ Internal Controls
2148
+
2149
+ Internal Controls
2150
+
2151
+ Internal Controls
2152
+
2153
+ Internal Controls
2154
+
2155
+ Internal Controls
2156
+
2157
+ Internal Controls
2158
+
2159
+ Component Framework Data Management
2160
+
2161
+ Reporting and Analysis
2162
+
2163
+ Service Interface and
2164
+ Integration
2165
+
2166
+ Service Interface and
2167
+ Integration
2168
+
2169
+ Service Interface and
2170
+ Integration
2171
+
2172
+ Service Access and
2173
+ Delivery
2174
+
2175
+ Service Access and
2176
+
2177
+ Delivery
2178
+
2179
+ Service Access and
2180
+
2181
+ Delivery
2182
+
2183
+ Service Access and
2184
+ Delivery
2185
+
2186
+ Service Platform and
2187
+
2188
+ Infrastructure
2189
+
2190
+ Service Platform and
2191
+
2192
+ Infrastructure
2193
+
2194
+ Service Platform and
2195
+
2196
+ Infrastructure
2197
+
2198
+ Service Platform and
2199
+
2200
+ Infrastructure
2201
+
2202
+ Integration
2203
+
2204
+ Enterprise Application:
2205
+
2206
+ Integration
2207
+
2208
+ Interoperability
2209
+
2210
+ Data Transformation
2211
+
2212
+ Interface
2213
+
2214
+ Service Description /
2215
+
2216
+ Interface
2217
+
2218
+ API
2219
+
2220
+ Access Channels
2221
+
2222
+ :Other Electronic Channels.
2223
+
2224
+ Delivery Channels
2225
+
2226
+ Intranet
2227
+
2228
+ Service Requirements
2229
+
2230
+ Legislative / Compliance
2231
+
2232
+ Service Transport
2233
+
2234
+ Service Transport
2235
+
2236
+ Support Platforms
2237
+
2238
+ Platform Dependent
2239
+
2240
+ Windows XP
2241
+
2242
+ Delivery Servers
2243
+
2244
+ Application Servers
2245
+
2246
+ Windows NT
2247
+
2248
+ Database / Storage
2249
+
2250
+ Database
2251
+
2252
+ Sybase 12,x
2253
+
2254
+ Hardware / Infrastructure
2255
+
2256
+ Servers / Computers
2257
+
2258
+ Windows NT
2259
+
2260
+ Internal Controls
2261
+
2262
+ Component Framework Presentation / Interface
2263
+
2264
+ Internal Controls
2265
+
2266
+ Component Framework Data Management
2267
+
2268
+ Static Display
2269
+ Database Connectivity
2270
+
2271
+ Sybase 12.x
2272
+
2273
+ Internal Controls
2274
+ Internal Controls
2275
+
2276
+ Internal Controls
2277
+
2278
+ Component Framework Data Management
2279
+
2280
+ Reporting and Analysis,
2281
+
2282
+ Service Interface and
2283
+ Integration
2284
+
2285
+ Service Interface and
2286
+ Integration
2287
+
2288
+ Integration
2289
+
2290
+ Enterprise Application
2291
+
2292
+ Integration
2293
+
2294
+ Interoperability.
2295
+
2296
+ Data Transformation
2297
+
2298
+ Internal Controls:
2299
+
2300
+ Service Interface and!
2301
+
2302
+ Interface
2303
+
2304
+ Service Description /
2305
+
2306
+ API
2307
+
2308
+ Integration
2309
+
2310
+ Interface
2311
+
2312
+ a. Service Components identified in the previous question should be entered in this column. Please
2313
+ enter multiple rows for FEA SRM Components supported by multiple TRM Service Specifications.
2314
+
2315
+ b. In the Service Specification field, Agencies should provide information on the specified technical
2316
+ standard or vendor product mapped to the FEA TRM Service Standard, including model or version
2317
+ numbers, as appropriate.
2318
+
2319
+ 5. Will the application leverage existing components and/or applications across the Government
2320
+ (i.e., FirstGov, Pay.Gov, etc)? no
2321
+
2322
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
2323
+
2324
+ 15 of 18
2325
+
2326
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
2327
+
2328
+ a. If "yes," please describe.
2329
+
2330
+ 6. Does this investment provide the public with access to a government automated information
2331
+ system? no
2332
+
2333
+ (a) If "yes," does customer access require specific software (e.g., a
2334
+ specific web browser version)?
2335
+ [1] If "yes," provide the specific product name(s) and version number(s) of the required software and
2336
+ the date when the public will be able to access this investment by any software (i.e. to ensure
2337
+ equitable and timely access of government information and services).
2338
+
2339
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
2340
+
2341
+ 16 of 18
2342
+
2343
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
2344
+
2345
+ PART III: For "Operation and Maintenance" Investments ONLY (Steady State)
2346
+
2347
+ Part III should be completed only for investments which will be in "Operation and Maintenance"
2348
+ (Steady State) in response to Question 6 in Part I, Section A above.
2349
+
2350
+ Section A: Risk Management (All Capital Assets)
2351
+
2352
+ You should have performed a risk assessment during the early planning and initial concept phase of
2353
+ this investment's life-cycle, developed a risk-adjusted life-cycle cost estimate and a plan to
2354
+ eliminate, mitigate or manage risk, and be actively managing risk throughout the investment's life-
2355
+ cycle.
2356
+
2357
+ Answer the following questions to describe how you are managing investment risks.
2358
+
2359
+ 1. Does the investment have a Risk Management Plan? yes
2360
+
2361
+ a. If "yes," what is the date of the plan?
2362
+
2363
+ 06/01/2005
2364
+
2365
+ b. Has the Risk Management Plan been significantly changed since last year's submission to
2366
+
2367
+ OMB? no
2368
+
2369
+ c. If "yes," describe any significant changes:
2370
+
2371
+ 2. If there currently is no plan, will a plan be developed?
2372
+
2373
+ a. If "yes," what is the planned completion date?
2374
+ b. If "no," what is the strategy for managing the risks?
2375
+
2376
+ Section B: Cost and Schedule Performance (All Capital Assets)
2377
+
2378
+ Answer the following questions about how you are currently managing this investment.
2379
+
2380
+ 1. Was an operational analysis conducted? yes
2381
+
2382
+ a. If "yes," provide the date the analysis was completed.
2383
+
2384
+ 06/01/2005
2385
+
2386
+ b. If "yes," what were the results? (Max 2500 Characters)
2387
+
2388
+ The results of the OA recommend that the FAS continue to be used as the NSF's financial accounting
2389
+
2390
+ system for the next several years. The NSF is in the process of conducting a pilot project as a Grants
2391
+
2392
+ Management Line of Business provider. We plan to take advantage of the results/findings of the GMLOB
2393
+
2394
+ process in becoming an SSP to more fully define our financial requirements. This will allow the NSF to take
2395
+
2396
+ an integrated approach to both GMLOB & FMLOB in regards to the future of FAS and NSF's
2397
+
2398
+ financial system.
2399
+
2400
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
2401
+
2402
+ 17 of 18
2403
+
2404
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
2405
+
2406
+ c. If "no," please explain why it was not conducted and if there are any plans to conduct an
2407
+
2408
+ operational analysis in the future? (Max 2500 Characters)
2409
 
2410
+ 2. Complete the following table to compare actual cost performance against the planned cost
2411
+ performance baseline. Milestones reported may include specific individual scheduled preventative
2412
+ and predictable corrective maintenance activities, or may be the total of planned annual operation
2413
+ and maintenance efforts). Indicate if the information provided includes government and contractor
2414
+ costs:
2415
 
2416
+ a. What costs are included in the reported Cost/Schedule Performance information (Government
2417
+ Only/Contractor Only/Both)? Contractor Only
2418
 
2419
+ Description of Milestone (Max 50
2420
+ Characters)
2421
 
2422
+ Planned
2423
 
2424
+ Completion Date
2425
 
2426
+ Total Cost
2427
+ ($M)
2428
 
2429
+ Actual
2430
+ Completion Date Total Costs
2431
 
2432
+ ($M)
2433
 
2434
+ $1.800
2435
 
2436
+ $1.500
2437
 
2438
+ 09/30/2001
 
 
 
 
 
2439
 
2440
+ 09/30/2002
2441
 
2442
+ $1.800
2443
 
2444
+ $1.500
2445
 
2446
+ 09/30/2001
2447
 
2448
+ 09/30/2002
2449
 
2450
+ 09/30/2003
2451
 
2452
+ $1.670
2453
 
2454
+ 09/30/2003
2455
 
2456
+ $1.670
2457
 
2458
+ 09/30/2004
2459
 
2460
+ 09/30/2005
2461
 
2462
+ 09/30/200
2463
 
2464
+ 09/30/2007
2465
 
2466
+ $1.300
2467
 
2468
+ $1.300
2469
 
2470
+ $1.500
2471
 
2472
+ $1.500.
2473
 
2474
+ 09/30/2004
2475
 
2476
+ 09/30/2005
2477
 
2478
+ 09/30/2006
2479
 
2480
+ $1.300:
 
 
 
 
 
 
2481
 
2482
+ $1.300
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2483
 
2484
+ $1.500
2485
 
2486
+ $0.000
2487
 
2488
+ Baseline
2489
+ Schedule
2490
+ Variance
2491
+ (#Days)
2492
 
2493
+ Baseline
2494
+ Cost
2495
+ Variance
2496
+ ($M)
2497
 
2498
+ $0.000
2499
 
2500
+ $0.000
2501
 
2502
+ $0.000
2503
 
2504
+ $0.000
2505
 
2506
+ $0.000
2507
 
2508
+ $0.000
2509
 
2510
+ $0.000
2511
 
2512
+ FY01 Steady State Operations
2513
 
2514
+ FY02 Steady State Operations
2515
 
2516
+ FY03 Steady State Operations
2517
 
2518
+ FY04 Steady State Operations
2519
 
2520
+ FY05 Steady State Operations
2521
 
2522
+ FY06 Steady State Operations
2523
 
2524
+ FY07 Steady State Operations
2525
 
2526
+ Total Planned Costs:
2527
 
2528
+ Total Actual Costs: $9.070
 
 
 
 
 
 
2529
 
2530
+ NSF FAS 1-3-07
 
2531
 
2532
+ 18 of 18
2533
 
2534
+ FY08 Exhibit 300
2535
 
q136/random_k4/random_4.md CHANGED
@@ -1,477 +1,655 @@
1
- Healthcare Quality Reporting Program
2
- Nursing Home Summary Report
3
- The Rhode Island Department of Health publishes information about nursing homes. If you know that you or a family member will need nursing
4
- home care, this information can help you compare nursing homes and choose among them. You may also want to visit nursing homes and to ask
5
- friends and family members for their thoughts and experiences.
6
- This report summarizes information from the Department of Health (www.health.ri.gov/nursinghomes/about/quality) and Medicare
7
- (https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare). Reports with more information are available at those websites. This report is updated every time there
8
- is new information for one of the columns on the report. The date in the bottom left-hand corner of this report tells you when this report was last
9
- updated. If this report is more than 30 days old, more current information may be available at the previously mentioned websites. You can learn
10
- more about what is in this report, including definitions and time periods for each column of information, by reading the Methods Report
11
- (http://www.health.ri.gov/publications/qualityreports/nursinghomes/SummaryMethods.pdf).
12
- More information about choosing a nursing home:
13
- When possible, it can be helpful to ask questions about what you can expect during your nursing home stay. This can help you to understand the
14
- care you will receive, what it will be like to stay at a nursing home and how much services might cost. Below are some suggested questions that will
15
- help you to be prepared for your nursing home stay:
16
- Questions to ask your doctor or Questions to ask prospective Questions to ask your insurance Questions to ask friends and
17
- nurse: nursing homes: provider: family:
18
- (Primary care provider) Are ▪ How long has the current ▪ What facilities are in my Have you or a loved one spent
19
- there any facilities where you, leadership, including Director network? time in nursing home before?
20
- or someone from your of Nursing and Administrator, If so, how was your
21
- ▪ What types of care are
22
- practice, care for patients? been in this role? If less than experience?
23
- covered by my plan?
24
- a year, how long was the
25
- ▪ (Hospital care provider) Does ▪ Have you ever visited a
26
- previous leadership in the How much care is covered by
27
- this hospital have preferred nursing home, either as a
28
- role? my plan?
29
- nursing home care providers? friend or as a perspective
30
- How often will you speak with What costs will not be covered resident that you would
31
- ▪ What kind of care should I
32
- my doctor about my care? by my plan? recommend?
33
- expect to receive while I am at
34
- the nursing home? Will you work with my doctor ▪ If my condition changes, will ▪ Will you be able to visit me if I
35
- and/or my pharmacy my coverage change? choose a nursing in
36
- How long should I expect to
37
- regarding my medication? [location]?
38
- be at the nursing home?
39
- ▪ Do you take my insurance/are
40
- you in my network?
41
- Updated 10/14/2025
42
-
43
- Healthcare Quality Reporting Program
44
- Nursing Home Summary Report
45
- The Rhode Island Department of Health publishes information about nursing homes. If you know that you or a family member will need nursing
46
- home care, this information can help you compare nursing homes and choose among them. You may also want to visit nursing homes and to ask
47
- friends and family members for their thoughts and experiences.
48
- This report summarizes information from the Department of Health (www.health.ri.gov/nursinghomes/about/quality) and Medicare
49
- (https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare). Reports with more information are available at those websites.
50
- This report is updated every time there is new information for one of the columns below. You can learn more about what is in this report, including
51
- definitions and time periods for each column of information, by reading the Methods Report. Please contact nursing homes directly with questions,
52
- to inquire about private insurance, to check on bed availability or to schedule a tour.
53
- | | Contact Information: | | | | | | | Quality And Satisfaction: | | | |
54
- | --- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
55
- | | | | | | | | | | | | |
56
- Updated 7/1/2025*
57
- d
58
- | | | | | | e | | | | l | | |
59
- | ---------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ----------- | ----- | -------- | ------- | ---------- | ------- | -------------- |
60
- | | | | | s | llik | | | | la | l | |
61
- | | | | | d | | | | | r | l | o |
62
- | | | | | e B | S | | ꝉ s | | e | a | h u |
63
- | | | | | fo | fo | | | | v O g | r e g | e W l n |
64
- | | | | | | | | n | ꝉ s | L n | v n | r d F o |
65
- | | | | | r | r e r d | ꝉ g | o | e | ꝉ G t it | O it | a s it |
66
- | F a ci li t y, | | | | e | e a ia | | h it | y r | L A n a | a | c r e a |
67
- | | | | | b | b c c | n | c | t u | R N e R | y R | h e v n |
68
- | | | | | m | m s id id | iffa | t la e p | ila s a | E IT d e | li m e | t la k r ie ic |
69
- | | | | | | u d e e | | s | u e | V i s r | r | o c c |
70
- A lp h a b e tical By County Address Phone Fax u N e M M t e H n Q M O A e a a a e H W e a
71
- | | | | | N | B | S | I | | R R C | F C | R V |
72
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | --- |
73
-
74
- Bristol County
75
- Crestwood Nursing &
76
- 568 Child Street, Warren 245-1574 247-0211 76 76 Y Y     I Better 17%
77
- Rehabilitation Center
78
- Grace Barker Nursing Home 54 Barker Avenue, Warren 245-9100 245-3730 86 86 Y Y     Same Same 23%
79
- Rhode Island Veterans Home 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol 253-8000 396-8127 192 n/a N N N/A N/A N/A N/A Better Better 35%
80
- The Dawn Hill Home for Rehab
81
- One Dawn Hill Road, Bristol 253-2300 685-8278 133 133 Y Y     N/A N/A 32%
82
- & Healthcare
83
- Silver Creek Rehab & Healthcare
84
- 7 Creek Lane, Bristol 253-3000 685-8278 128 128 Y Y     Worse Same 28%
85
- Center
86
- | Warren Skilled Nursing & | 642 Metacom Avenue, | | | | | | | | | | |
87
- | ------------------------- | -------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
88
- 245-2860 - 63 63 Y Y     N/A N/A 78%
89
- | Rehabilitation | Warren | | | | | | | | | | |
90
- | --------------- | ------- | --- | ----- | ----- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | --- |
91
- | Kent County | | | | | | | | | | | |
92
- 557 Weaver Hill Road,
93
- Alpine Nursing Home 397-5001 397-2455 60 60 Y Y     Better Same 55%
94
- Coventry
95
- = Much Below Average,  = Below Average,  = Average,  = Above Average, = Much Above Average, n/a = Facility not asked to submit this information, I = Insufficient data
96
- sent to obtain adequate rating, N/A = 10 or fewer people provided responses, Worse = Worse than state average, Same = Same as state average, Better = Better than state average, - = Information not
97
- provided
98
- * = Nursing Home Five-Star Ratings are currently frozen with July 2025 data. If the report that you are viewing is not current, please visit https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/#search
99
- More information about the Medicare Five-Star Quality Rating System is available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/CertificationandComplianc/FSQRS
100
- Reports with more information about quality and satisfaction are available at www.health.ri.gov/nursinghomes/about/quality.
101
- = Starting with the July 2025 refresh, CMS changed the methodology for the Health Inspection Rating to use the two most recent health inspection surveys, instead of the three most recent surveys.
102
- For more details on the Health Inspection methodologies, see the Five Star User Guide available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-
103
- Certification/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/usersguide.pdf
104
- Last updated: 10/14/2025 1 Center for Health Data and Analysis
105
-
106
- Healthcare Quality Reporting Program Nursing Home Summary Report
107
-
108
- | | Contact Information: | | | | | | | Quality And Satisfaction: | | | |
109
- | --- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
110
- | | | | | | | | | | | | |
111
- Updated 7/1/2025*
112
- d
113
- | | | | | | e | | | | l | | |
114
- | ---------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ----------- | ----- | -------- | ------- | ---------- | ------- | ------------ |
115
- | | | | | s | llik | | | | la | l | |
116
- | | | | | d | | | | | r | l | o |
117
- | | | | | e B | S | | s | | e | a | h u |
118
- | | | | | fo | fo | | | | v O g | r e g | e W l n |
119
- | | | | | | e | | n | s | L n | v n | r d F o |
120
- | | | | | r | r r d | g | o | e | ꝉ G t it | O it | a s it |
121
- | F a ci li t y, | | | | e | e a ia | | h it | y r | L A n a | a | c r e a |
122
- | | | | | b | b c c | n | c | t u | R N e R | y R | h e k v n |
123
- | | | | | m | m s id id | iffa | t la e p | ila s a | E IT d e | li m e | t la r ie ic |
124
- | | | | | | u d e e | | s | u e | V A i s r | r | o c c |
125
- A lp h a b e tical By County Address Phone Fax u N e M M t e H n Q M O e a a a e H W e a
126
- | | | | | N | B | S | I | | R R C | F C | R V |
127
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ----- | --- | --- |
128
-
129
- Avalon Nursing Home 57 Stokes Street, Warwick 738-1200 738-9430 31 31 Y Y     Same N/A 47%
130
- Brentwood Nursing Home 4000 Post Road, Warwick 884-8020 884-7977 96 96 Y Y     N/A N/A 24%
131
- Respiratory and Rehabilitation
132
- 10 Woodland Drive, Coventry 826-2000 - 210 210 Y Y     N/A N/A 56%
133
- Center of RI
134
- Greenwood Center 1139 Main Avenue, Warwick 739-6600 738-0310 130 130 Y Y     Same N/A 40%
135
- 660 Commonwealth Avenue,
136
- Kent Regency Center 739-4241 732-3358 153 153 Y Y     N/A N/A 69%
137
- Warwick
138
- Riverview Healthcare
139
- 546 Main Street, Coventry 821-6837 - 190 190 Y Y     Worse Same 50%
140
- Community
141
- | Saint Elizabeth Home East | 1 Saint Elizabeth Way, East | | | | | | | | | | |
142
- | -------------------------- | ---------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
143
- 471-6060 471-6072 168 168 Y Y     Better Better 74%
144
- | Greenwich | Greenwich | | | | | | | | | | |
145
- | ---------- | ---------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
146
- Sunny View Nursing Home 83 Corona Street, Warwick 737-9193 737-9196 57 57 Y Y     Same N/A -
147
- 109 West Shore Road,
148
- West Shore Health Center 739-9440 921-1623 145 145 Y Y     Better Same 47%
149
- Warwick
150
- | West View Nursing and | 239 Legris Avenue, West | | | | | | | | | | |
151
- | ---------------------- | ------------------------ | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
152
- 828-9000 - 120 120 Y Y     Better Same 48%
153
- | Rehabilitation Center | Warwick | | | | | | | | | | |
154
- | --------------------------- | ------------------- | --- | ----- | ----- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
155
- | Newport County | | | | | | | | | | | |
156
- | | | | | | | | | | | | |
157
- | Royal Middletown Nursing & | 193 Forest Avenue, | | | | | | | | | | |
158
- 847-2777 848-7403 50 50 Y Y     N/A N/A 4%
159
- | Rehabilitation Center | Middletown | | | | | | | | | | |
160
- | ---------------------- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
161
- 333 Green End Avenue,
162
- Grand Islander Center 849-7100 849-6076 146 146 Y Y     N/A N/A 48%
163
- Middletown
164
- | Heatherwood Nursing & | 398 Bellevue Avenue, | | | | | | | | | | |
165
- | ---------------------- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
166
- 849-6600 847-0778 114 114 Y Y     I Same 64%
167
- | Subacute Center | Newport | | | | | | | | | | |
168
- | ---------------- | -------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
169
- John Clarke Retirement Centre 600 Valley Road, Middletown 846-0743 848-5890 60 60 Y Y     Same Better 34%
170
- St Clare Home 309 Spring Street, Newport 849-3204 849-5780 50 50 Y Y     I N/A 32%
171
- Village House Nursing &
172
- 70 Harrison Avenue, Newport 849-5222 849-5765 95 95 Y Y     Same Better 63%
173
- Rehabilitation Center
174
- = Much Below Average,  = Below Average,  = Average,  = Above Average, = Much Above Average, n/a = Facility not asked to submit this information, I = Insufficient data
175
- sent to obtain adequate rating, N/A = 10 or fewer people provided responses, Worse = Worse than state average, Same = Same as state average, Better = Better than state average, - = Information not
176
- provided
177
- * = Nursing Home Five-Star Ratings are updated every month. If the report that you are viewing is not current, please visit https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/#search
178
- More information about the Medicare Five-Star Quality Rating System is available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/CertificationandComplianc/FSQRS
179
- Reports with more information about quality and satisfaction are available at www.health.ri.gov/nursinghomes/about/quality.
180
- ꝉ = Starting with the July 2025 refresh, CMS changed the methodology for the Health Inspection Rating to use the two most recent health inspection surveys, instead of the three most recent surveys.
181
- For more details on the Health Inspection methodologies, see the Five Star User Guide available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-
182
- Certification/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/usersguide.pdf
183
- Last updated: 10/14/2025 2 Center for Health Data and Analysis
184
-
185
- Healthcare Quality Reporting Program Nursing Home Summary Report
186
-
187
- | | Contact Information: | | | | | Quality And Satisfaction: | | | |
188
- | --- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
189
- | | | | | | | | | | |
190
- Updated 7/1/2025*
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- | F a ci li t y, | | e | e a ia | | h it | y r | L A | n a a | c r e a |
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- A lp h a b e tical By County Address Phone Fax u N e M M t e H n Q M O e a a a e H W e a
205
- | | | N | B | S | I | | R | R C F C | R V |
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- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
207
-
208
- Providence County
209
- Bannister Ctr for Rehab &
210
- 135 Dodge Street, Providence 529-4600 633-8076 161 161 Y Y     Worse N/A 37%
211
- Healthcare
212
- Bayberry Commons 181 Davis Drive, Pascoag 568-0600 568-3080 110 110 Y Y     Same Same 29%
213
- Berkshire Place 455 Douglas Ave, Providence 553-8600 685-8278 220 220 Y Y     N/A N/A 49%
214
- 111 South Angell Street,
215
- Bethany Home of Rhode Island 831-2870 331-9570 33 33 Y Y     N/A N/A 36%
216
- Providence
217
- 49 Old Pocasset Road,
218
- Briarcliffe Manor 944-2450 944-2455 122 122 Y Y     Better N/A 82%
219
- Johnston
220
- 125 Scituate Avenue,
221
- Cedar Crest Nursing Centre 944-8500 944-5162 156 156 Y Y     I Better 91%
222
- Cranston
223
- Cherry Hill Manor 2 Cherry Hill Road, Johnston 231-3102 - 172 171 Y Y     Same Same -
224
- Stillwater Assisted Living and
225
- 20 Austin Avenue, Greenville 949-3880 - 80 80 Y Y     N/A N/A 31%
226
- Skilled Nursing Community
227
- 575 Seven Mile Road,
228
- Cra-Mar Meadows 828-5010 - 41 41 Y Y     Same Same 49%
229
- Cranston
230
- | Eastgate Nursing & | 198 Waterman Avenue, East | | | | | | | | |
231
- | ------------------- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
232
- 431-2087 435-6465 68 60 Y Y     Worse N/A 60%
233
- | Rehabilitation Center | Providence | | | | | | | | |
234
- | ---------------------- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
235
- Elmhurst Rehabilitation and
236
- 50 Maude Street, Providence 456-2600 - 206 206 Y Y I I I I Worse N/A 15%
237
- Healthcare Center
238
- | Elmwood Nursing and | 225 Elmwood Avenue, | | | | | | | | |
239
- | -------------------- | -------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
240
- 272-0600 454-0818 70 70 Y Y     Same N/A 65%
241
- | Rehabilitation Center | Providence | | | | | | | | |
242
- | ---------------------- | ------------------------ | --- | --- | ----- | ---- | ----- | ---- | --- | --- |
243
- | | 1 Evergreen Drive, East | | |  |  |  |  | | |
244
- Evergreen House Health Center 438-3250 438-4813 160 160 Y Y Same Same 51%
245
- Providence
246
- 303 Rhodes Avenue,
247
- Friendly Home 769-7220 - 126 126 Y Y     N/A N/A 14%
248
- Woonsocket
249
- = Much Below Average,  = Below Average,  = Average,  = Above Average, = Much Above Average, n/a = Facility not asked to submit this information, I = Insufficient data
250
- sent to obtain adequate rating, N/A = 10 or fewer people provided responses, Worse = Worse than state average, Same = Same as state average, Better = Better than state average, - = Information not
251
- provided
252
- * = Nursing Home Five-Star Ratings are updated every month. If the report that you are viewing is not current, please visit https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/#search
253
- More information about the Medicare Five-Star Quality Rating System is available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/CertificationandComplianc/FSQRS
254
- Reports with more information about quality and satisfaction are available at www.health.ri.gov/nursinghomes/about/quality.
255
- = Starting with the July 2025 refresh, CMS changed the methodology for the Health Inspection Rating to use the two most recent health inspection surveys, instead of the three most recent surveys.
256
- For more details on the Health Inspection methodologies, see the Five Star User Guide available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-
257
- Certification/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/usersguide.pdf
258
- Last updated: 10/14/2025 3 Center for Health Data and Analysis
259
-
260
- Healthcare Quality Reporting Program Nursing Home Summary Report
261
-
262
- | | Contact Information: | | | | | Quality And Satisfaction: | | | |
263
- | --- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
264
- | | | | | | | | | | |
265
- Updated 7/1/2025*
266
- d
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- | F a ci li t y, | | e | e a ia | | h it | y r | L A | n a a | c r e a |
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- | | | b | b c c | n | c | t u | R N | e R y R | h e k v n |
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- | | | | u d e e | | s | u e | V A | i s r r | o c c |
279
- A lp h a b e tical By County Address Phone Fax u N e M M t e H n Q M O e a a a e H W e a
280
- | | | N | B | S | I | | R | R C F C | R V |
281
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
282
-
283
- 100 Smithfield Road,
284
- Golden Crest Nursing Centre 353-1710 353-1618 152 152 Y Y     Better Same 100%
285
- Providence
286
- 100 Chambers Street,
287
- Grandview Center 724-7500 724-7543 72 72 Y Y     N/A N/A 31%
288
- Cumberland
289
- Greenville Skilled Nursing &
290
- 735 Putnam Pike, Greenville 949-1200 - 131 131 Y Y     N/A N/A 28%
291
- Rehabilitation
292
- 60 Eben Brown Lane, Central
293
- Harris Health Care Center-North 722-6000 726-0850 32 32 Y Y     Better N/A 41%
294
- Falls
295
- 833 Broadway, East
296
- Harris Health Center 434-7404 435-4255 31 31 Y Y     Same N/A 60%
297
- Providence
298
- 200 Wampanoag Trail,
299
- Hattie Ide Chaffee Home 434-1520 438-8494 69 69 Y Y     Same Same 46%
300
- Riverside
301
- Hebert Nursing Home 180 Log Road, Smithfield 231-7016 - 133 133 Y Y     Worse Worse 36%
302
- Heritage Hills Nursing &
303
- 80 Douglas Pike, Smithfield 231-2700 - 100 100 Y Y     N/A N/A 56%
304
- Rehabilitation Center
305
- Holiday Retirement Home 30 Sayles Hill Road, Manville 765-1440 765-7464 170 170 Y Y     Same Same 76%
306
- | Lincolnwood Rehabilitation and | 610 Smithfield Road, | | | | | | | | |
307
- | ------------------------------- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
308
- 353-6300 - 210 200 Y Y     Worse Same 66%
309
- | Healthcare Center | Providence | | | | | | | | |
310
- | ------------------ | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
311
- Jeanne Jugan Residence 964 Main Street, Pawtucket 723-4314 723-4316 49 49 Y Y     Better Better 52%
312
- Mansion Nursing And
313
- 104 Clay Street, Central Falls 722-0830 728-1814 62 62 Y Y     Same Same 33%
314
- Rehabilitation Center
315
- Morgan Health Center 80 Morgan Avenue, Johnston 944-7800 - 120 120 Y Y     Worse Same 38%
316
- 15 Sumner Brown Road,
317
- Mount St Rita Health Centre 333-6352 333-1012 98 98 Y Y     Better N/A 90%
318
- Cumberland
319
- | Oak Hill Health and Rehab | 544 Pleasant Street, | | | | | | | | |
320
- | -------------------------- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
321
- 725-8888 727-8797 129 129 Y Y     Same Same 58%
322
- | Center | Pawtucket | | | | | | | | |
323
- | -------------------------- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
324
- | Oakland Grove Health Care | 560 Cumberland Hill Road, | | | | | | | | |
325
- 769-0800 766-3661 178 178 Y Y     N/A N/A 53%
326
- | Center | Woonsocket | | | | | | | | |
327
- | ------- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
328
- = Much Below Average,  = Below Average,  = Average,  = Above Average, = Much Above Average, n/a = Facility not asked to submit this information, I = Insufficient data
329
- sent to obtain adequate rating, N/A = 10 or fewer people provided responses, Worse = Worse than state average, Same = Same as state average, Better = Better than state average, - = Information not
330
- provided
331
- * = Nursing Home Five-Star Ratings are updated every month. If the report that you are viewing is not current, please visit https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/#search
332
- More information about the Medicare Five-Star Quality Rating System is available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/CertificationandComplianc/FSQRS
333
- Reports with more information about quality and satisfaction are available at www.health.ri.gov/nursinghomes/about/quality.
334
- = Starting with the July 2025 refresh, CMS changed the methodology for the Health Inspection Rating to use the two most recent health inspection surveys, instead of the three most recent surveys.
335
- For more details on the Health Inspection methodologies, see the Five Star User Guide available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-
336
- Certification/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/usersguide.pdf
337
- Last updated: 10/14/2025 4 Center for Health Data and Analysis
338
-
339
- Healthcare Quality Reporting Program Nursing Home Summary Report
340
-
341
- | | Contact Information: | | | | | | Quality And Satisfaction: | | | |
342
- | --- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
343
- | | | | | | | | | | | |
344
- Updated 7/1/2025*
345
- d
346
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347
- | ---------------- | --- | --- | --- | ----------- | ----- | -------- | ------- | ---- | --------------- | ------------ |
348
- | | | | s | llik | | | | | la l | |
349
- | | | | d | | | | | | r l | o |
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- | | | | e B | S | | ꝉ s | | | e a | h u |
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- | | | | fo | fo | | | | | v O g r e g | e W l n |
352
- | | | | | e | | n | ꝉ s | L | n v n | r d F o |
353
- | | | | r | r r d | ꝉ g | o | e | ꝉ G | t it O it | a s it |
354
- | F a ci li t y, | | | e | e a ia | | h it | y r | L A | n a a | c r e a |
355
- | | | | b | b c c | n | c | t u | R N | e R y R | h e k v n |
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- | | | | m | m s id id | iffa | t la e p | ila s a | E IT | d e li m e | t la r ie ic |
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- | | | | | u d e e | | s | u e | V A | i s r r | o c c |
358
- A lp h a b e tical By County Address Phone Fax u N e M M t e H n Q M O e a a a e H W e a
359
- | | | | N | B | S | I | | R | R C F C | R V |
360
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
361
-
362
- 135 Tripps Lane, East
363
- Orchard View Manor 438-2250 438-0635 166 166 Y Y     N/A N/A 27%
364
- Providence
365
- Overlook Nursing &
366
- 14 Rock Avenue, Pascoag 568-2549 - 100 100 Y Y     Worse Same 48%
367
- Rehabilitation Center
368
- Pawtucket Falls Healthcare
369
- 70 Gill Ave, Pawtucket 722-7900 - 154 154 Y Y     Same N/A 30%
370
- Center
371
- | Crystal Lake Rehabilitation and | 999 South Main Street, | | | | | | | | | |
372
- | -------------------------------- | ----------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
373
- 568-3091 568-8070 71 71 Y Y     N/A N/A 68%
374
- | Care Center | Pascoag | | | | | | | | | |
375
- | ------------ | -------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
376
- Scandinavian Home 1811 Broad Street, Cranston 461-1433 461-4005 74 74 Y Y     N/A N/A 57%
377
- 10 Rhodes Avenue, North
378
- St Antoine Residence 767-3500 769-5249 180 180 Y Y     Worse Same 52%
379
- Smithfield
380
- | Steere House Nursing and | 100 Borden Street, | | | | | | | | | |
381
- | ------------------------- | ------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
382
- 454-7970 831-7570 120 120 Y Y     Same Better 34%
383
- | Rehabilitation Center | Providence | | | | | | | | | |
384
- | ---------------------- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
385
- Summit Commons
386
- 99 Hillside Avenue,
387
- Rehabilitation and Health Care 574-4800 278-4937 165 165 Y Y     N/A N/A 37%
388
- Providence
389
- Center
390
- 500 Waterfront Dr, East
391
- Tockwotton on the Waterfront 272-5280 421-0550 52 52 Y Y     N/A N/A 87%
392
- Providence
393
- | Trinity Health & Rehabilitation | 4 St Joseph Street, | | | | | | | | | |
394
- | -------------------------------- | -------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
395
- 765-5844 - 185 185 Y Y     Worse Worse 29%
396
- | Center | Woonsocket | | | | | | | | | |
397
- | ------------------------------- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
398
- | Waterview Villa Rehabilitation | 1275 South Broadway, East | | | | | | | | | |
399
- 438-7020 438-0013 132 132 Y Y     Better Same 38%
400
- | and Health Care Center | Providence | | | | | | | | | |
401
- | ----------------------- | ----------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
402
- 262 Poplar Street,
403
- Woonsocket Health Centre 765-2100 765-2100 150 150 Y Y     N/A N/A 37%
404
- Woonsocket
405
- | Washington County | | | | | | | | | | |
406
- | ------------------ | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
407
- Apple Rehab Clipper 161 Post Road, Westerly 322-8081 322-0910 60 60 Y Y     Same N/A 62%
408
- | Elderwood Of Scallop Shell At | 55 Scallop Shell Way, Peace | | | | | | | | | |
409
- | ------------------------------ | ---------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
410
- 789-3006 789-3562 80 80 Y Y     N/A N/A 45%
411
- | Wakefield | Dale | | | | | | | | | |
412
- | ---------- | ----- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
413
-  = Much Below Average,  = Below Average,  = Average,  = Above Average, = Much Above Average, n/a = Facility not asked to submit this information, I = Insufficient data
414
- sent to obtain adequate rating, N/A = 10 or fewer people provided responses, Worse = Worse than state average, Same = Same as state average, Better = Better than state average, - = Information not
415
- provided
416
- * = Nursing Home Five-Star Ratings are updated every month. If the report that you are viewing is not current, please visit https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/#search
417
- More information about the Medicare Five-Star Quality Rating System is available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/CertificationandComplianc/FSQRS
418
- Reports with more information about quality and satisfaction are available at www.health.ri.gov/nursinghomes/about/quality.
419
- = Starting with the July 2025 refresh, CMS changed the methodology for the Health Inspection Rating to use the two most recent health inspection surveys, instead of the three most recent surveys.
420
- For more details on the Health Inspection methodologies, see the Five Star User Guide available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-
421
- Certification/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/usersguide.pdf
422
- Last updated: 10/14/2025 5 Center for Health Data and Analysis
423
-
424
- Healthcare Quality Reporting Program Nursing Home Summary Report
425
-
426
- | | Contact Information: | | | | | Quality And Satisfaction: | | | |
427
- | --- | --------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | -------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
428
- | | | | | | | | | | |
429
- Updated 7/1/2025*
430
- d
431
- | | | | e | | | | | l | |
432
- | ---------------- | --- | --- | ----------- | ----- | -------- | ------- | ---- | --------------- | ------------ |
433
- | | | s | llik | | | | | la l | |
434
- | | | d | | | | | | r l | o |
435
- | | | e B | S | | ꝉ s | | | e a | h u |
436
- | | | fo | fo | | | | | v O g r e g | e W l n |
437
- | | | | e | | n | s | L | n v n | r d F o |
438
- | | | r | r r d | g | o | e | ꝉ G | t it O it | a s it |
439
- | F a ci li t y, | | e | e a ia | | h it | y r | L A | n a a | c r e a |
440
- | | | b | b c c | n | c | t u | R N | e R y R | h e k v n |
441
- | | | m | m s id id | iffa | t la e p | ila s a | E IT | d e li m e | t la r ie ic |
442
- | | | | u d e e | | s | u e | V A | i s r r | o c c |
443
- A lp h a b e tical By County Address Phone Fax u N e M M t e H n Q M O e a a a e H W e a
444
- | | | N | B | S | I | | R | R C F C | R V |
445
- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- |
446
-
447
- 25 Roberts Way, North
448
- Roberts Health Centre 294-3587 295-9357 66 66 Y Y     Same Same 66%
449
- Kingstown
450
- | Bayview Rehabilitation and | 860 North Quidnessett Road, | | | | | | | | |
451
- | --------------------------- | ---------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
452
- 884-1802 - 120 120 Y Y     N/A N/A -
453
- | Healthcare Center at Scalibrini | North Kingstown | | | | | | | | |
454
- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
455
- | South County Nursing and | 740 Oak Hill Road, North | | | | | | | | |
456
- 294. 4105 295-7650 120 120 Y Y     Worse Same 73%
457
- | Rehabilitation Center | Kingstown | | | | | | | | |
458
- | --------------------------- | ------------------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
459
- | South Kingstown & Nursing | 2115 South County Trail, | | | | | | | | |
460
- 783-8568 792-8930 112 112 Y Y     Same Same 60%
461
- | Rehabilitation Center | West Kingston | | | | | | | | |
462
- | ---------------------- | -------------- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
463
- Westerly Health Center 280 High Street, Westerly 348-0020 - 120 120 Y Y     Same Same 36%
464
- Royal of Westerly Nursing
465
- 79 Beach Street, Westerly 596-4925 596-4925 66 66 Y Y     Better N/A 57%
466
- Center
467
-
468
-  = Much Below Average,  = Below Average,  = Average,  = Above Average, = Much Above Average, n/a = Facility not asked to submit this information, I = Insufficient data
469
- sent to obtain adequate rating, N/A = 10 or fewer people provided responses, Worse = Worse than state average, Same = Same as state average, Better = Better than state average, - = Information not
470
- provided
471
- * = Nursing Home Five-Star Ratings are updated every month. If the report that you are viewing is not current, please visit https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/#search
472
- More information about the Medicare Five-Star Quality Rating System is available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/CertificationandComplianc/FSQRS
473
- Reports with more information about quality and satisfaction are available at www.health.ri.gov/nursinghomes/about/quality.
474
- ꝉ = Starting with the July 2025 refresh, CMS changed the methodology for the Health Inspection Rating to use the two most recent health inspection surveys, instead of the three most recent surveys.
475
- For more details on the Health Inspection methodologies, see the Five Star User Guide available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-
476
- Certification/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/usersguide.pdf
477
- Last updated: 10/14/2025 6 Center for Health Data and Analysis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
+ 1
2
+
3
+ The Nursing Home
4
+ Inspection Process
5
+
6
+ SUMMARY
7
+
8
+ Both the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the U.S.
9
+ Department of Health and Human Services share responsibility for
10
+ ensuring that Minnesota’s nursing homes provide an acceptable level
11
+ of care for their residents. Because the federal government dictates
12
+ the overall structure and content of the inspection program, the State
13
+ of Minnesota has few opportunities to make significant changes in
14
+ how it conducts nursing home inspections. The federal government
15
+ mandates how often the state must inspect nursing homes, the steps
16
+ the state must follow when conducting inspections, and the standards
17
+ the state must apply. Although MDH and other states have asked the
18
+ federal government for more flexibility in conducting inspections, the
19
+ federal government has not issued any waivers that allow states to
20
+ significantly change or implement an alternative inspection program.
21
+
22
+ The current nursing home inspection process emerged in the mid-1980s, as
23
+
24
+ Congress responded to reports of resident abuse and inadequate enforcement
25
+
26
+ of nursing home regulations. In a 1986 report on nursing home quality, the
27
+ Institute of Medicine found “serious, even shocking inadequacies” in the
28
+ enforcement of regulations.1 As a result of this report and the efforts of advocacy
29
+ groups and professional organizations, Congress passed a major reform of nursing
30
+ home regulation as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987.2
31
+
32
+ Since that time, Congress and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
33
+ have periodically modified inspection requirements in response to studies that
34
+ have shown continued weak and inconsistent enforcement of nursing home
35
+ regulations and quality of care problems. Most significantly, the Nursing Home
36
+ Oversight Improvement Program was implemented in 1998, which, among other
37
+ things, enhanced federal review of state inspections and required the federal
38
+ government to terminate funding for states that fail to conduct adequate
39
+ inspections.
40
+
41
+ This chapter addresses the following question about how the Minnesota
42
+ Department of Health (MDH) inspects nursing homes:
43
+
44
+ What are the respective roles of the Minnesota Department of Health
45
+ and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in conducting
46
+ nursing home inspections?
47
+
48
+ Institute of Medicine, Committee on Nursing Home Regulation, Improving the Quality of Care
49
+
50
+ 1
51
+ in Nursing Homes (Washington DC: National Academy Press, 1986), 146.
52
+ 2 Pub. L. 100-203, Dec. 22, 1987.
53
+
54
+ 4
55
+
56
+ NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS
57
+
58
+ The federal
59
+ government and
60
+ states share
61
+ responsibility
62
+ for ensuring that
63
+ nursing homes
64
+ provide an
65
+ acceptable level
66
+ of care to
67
+ residents.
68
+
69
+ To answer this question, we examined state and federal laws, rules, regulations,
70
+ and guidelines related to nursing homes inspections, as well as a wide variety of
71
+ research reports by state and federal agencies. We also interviewed state
72
+ policymakers, nursing home inspectors and their supervisors, and a sample of
73
+ nursing home administrators from throughout the state.
74
+
75
+ FEDERAL REGULATION OF INSPECTIONS
76
+
77
+ State and federal laws define a nursing home as a facility (or that part of a facility)
78
+ that provides health evaluation and treatment services to five or more residents
79
+ who do not need an acute care facility (such as a hospital) but who require nursing
80
+ supervision or rehabilitation services on an inpatient basis.3 In lay terms, this
81
+ means a facility that provides a room, meals, recreational opportunities, and help
82
+ with daily living activities such as dressing, eating, bathing, walking, and using
83
+ the bathroom. Residents generally have health problems that keep them from
84
+ living on their own and may require daily medical attention.
85
+
86
+ The federal
87
+ government and
88
+ states share
89
+ responsibility for
90
+ ensuring that
91
+ nursing homes
92
+ provide an
93
+ acceptable level of
94
+ care to residents.
95
+ The Centers for
96
+ Medicare and
97
+ Medicaid Services
98
+ (CMS) in the U. S.
99
+ Department of
100
+ Health and Human
101
+ Services oversees
102
+ the inspection
103
+ program for
104
+ nursing homes that
105
+ participate in the
106
+ federal Medicare and Medicaid programs.4 The agency sets nursing home
107
+ standards; interprets federal regulations, guidelines, and polices; and establishes
108
+ and monitors inspection procedures. It contracts with MDH to conduct nursing
109
+ home inspections in Minnesota.5 In addition to conducting inspections, MDH
110
+ licenses nursing homes for state purposes and certifies their eligibility for
111
+ participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Finally, the department is
112
+
113
+ Nursing home residents generally need help with many activities of
114
+ daily living.
115
+
116
+ 3 Minn. Stat. (2004), §144A.01, subd. 5-6; and 42 U.S. Code, §1396r, (a) (2000).
117
+ 4 CMS was formerly called the Health Care Financing Administration.
118
+ 5 The Minnesota Department of Health contracts with the State Fire Marshall’s Office in the
119
+ Minnesota Department of Public Safety to determine facility compliance with the federal Life
120
+ Safety Code, which is necessary for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. State
121
+ Fire Marshall findings are included in the inspection reports issued by MDH.
122
+
123
+ THE NURSING HOME INSPECTION PROCESS
124
+
125
+ 5
126
+
127
+ responsible for explaining program participation requirements to providers to help
128
+ them comply with federal requirements.6
129
+
130
+ Overall, we found that:
131
+
132
+ The federal government sets forth the overall structure and content of
133
+ the nursing home inspection program, and Minnesota has very few
134
+ opportunities to make significant changes in the program.
135
+
136
+ Federal regulations outline both the general parameters of the inspection process
137
+ as well as the specifics of how each inspection must be done. They dictate:
138
+ (1) how frequently the state must inspect nursing homes, (2) the steps the state
139
+ must follow when conducting inspections, and (3) the standards that the state
140
+ must apply. We discuss each of these areas in greater detail below.
141
+
142
+ Inspection Frequency
143
+
144
+ The federal government sets forth how often nursing homes must be inspected:
145
+
146
+ Federal law and regulations require that the Minnesota Department of
147
+ Health inspect nursing homes every 12 months, on average.
148
+
149
+ All nursing facilities must be inspected no later than once every 15 months, with
150
+ an average time statewide between inspections of 12 months. Federal regulations
151
+ do not allow states to inspect nursing homes with “good” inspection records less
152
+ frequently than homes with “bad” records. In addition, CMS requires that at least
153
+ 10 percent of inspections be “staggered” (started outside of normal business
154
+ hours). To meet this requirement, the state must begin some inspections on
155
+ weekends or holidays, some in the early morning (before 8:00 AM), and some in
156
+ the evening (after 6:00 PM). Furthermore, the federal government requires that
157
+ all nursing home inspections be unannounced.
158
+
159
+ About 420 Minnesota nursing homes participated in the Medicare and Medicaid
160
+ programs during federal fiscal year 2003.7 The department inspected all of these
161
+ nursing homes within 14.7 months of their prior inspection, with an average time
162
+ between inspections of 12 months.8 In addition, 12 percent of the 403 inspections
163
+ conducted were staggered, with 21 inspections beginning before 8:00 AM, 16
164
+ inspections after 6:00 PM, and 10 beginning on a weekend or holiday.9
165
+
166
+ For the most part, nursing home providers, state policymakers, and nursing home
167
+ inspectors generally agree that requiring annual inspections of all nursing homes
168
+
169
+ 6 The department has additional responsibilities related to nursing homes, such as investigating
170
+ complaints, which were outside the scope of our evaluation. Nursing home inspectors also inspect
171
+ other types of health care facilities, such as hospitals and intermediate care facilities for the mentally
172
+ retarded. These activities were likewise outside the scope of our evaluation.
173
+ 7 The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30.
174
+ 8 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Federal Fiscal Year 2003 State Performance
175
+ Standard Review Report (Washington, DC, March 15, 2004), 1.
176
+ 9
177
+ Ibid., 2. Because nursing homes may go up to 15 months between inspections, the number of
178
+ nursing homes that MDH inspected during federal fiscal year 2003 was less than the total number of
179
+ nursing homes in the state.
180
+
181
+ Nursing homes
182
+ must have a
183
+ “surprise”
184
+ inspection no
185
+ later than once
186
+ every 15 months.
187
+
188
+ (cid:127)
189
+ 6
190
+
191
+ NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS
192
+
193
+ Because of
194
+ federal
195
+ requirements,
196
+ MDH cannot
197
+ inspect nursing
198
+ homes with
199
+ “good”
200
+ inspection
201
+ records less
202
+ frequently than
203
+ those with "bad"
204
+ records.
205
+
206
+ is, at times, an inefficient use of staff resources. The requirement does not permit
207
+ the state to focus efforts on the nursing homes that need oversight the most. To
208
+ help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the inspection process, the
209
+ Legislature has repeatedly required the Commissioner of Health to seek federal
210
+ permission to implement an alternative inspection process that would change how
211
+ often nursing homes must be inspected.10 In response, the department submitted a
212
+ proposal to CMS that would have increased the time between “full” inspections
213
+ up to 30 months for some homes with “good” compliance records. Other states
214
+ have proposed similar approaches, including ones to conduct abbreviated annual
215
+ inspections for homes with “good” compliance records.
216
+
217
+ To date, CMS has not approved an alternative inspection program put forth by any
218
+ state, including Minnesota. According to CMS, the social security law does not
219
+ allow states to obtain waivers to implement an alternative inspection program for
220
+ nursing homes participating in the Medicare program, although states could
221
+ implement an alternative inspection program for homes that only participate in the
222
+ Medicaid program. However, because this would involve only a few nursing
223
+ homes, it is generally not feasible for states to do so.
224
+
225
+ For the last several years, CMS has been studying the feasibility of an alternative
226
+ inspection process. Recently, the agency announced that it would be establishing
227
+ a few pilot sites around the country to implement a “revamped” inspection
228
+ process. Designed to address concerns about inspection consistency and
229
+ efficiency, pilot sites will make greater use of computers to make initial
230
+ determinations of deficiencies rather than relying on the judgment of inspection
231
+ teams. The alternative process will not result in less frequent inspections for
232
+ facilities, but may allow inspectors to spend somewhat less time in “good”
233
+ facilities and more time in “bad” ones.
234
+
235
+ Inspection Steps
236
+
237
+ In addition to requiring an inspection no later than once every 15 months:
238
+
239
+
240
+
241
+ Federal regulations require that each nursing home’s annual
242
+ inspection be a “standard” or full inspection consisting of seven
243
+ federally mandated steps.
244
+
245
+ Federal regulations do not allow states to do shorter or abbreviated inspections of
246
+ nursing homes with “good” records of compliance or to cut short an inspection
247
+ when inspectors do not detect any problems in a facility. On the other hand, state
248
+ inspectors must extend the inspection if they suspect that a facility is providing
249
+ substandard care to its residents.
250
+
251
+ As shown in Table 1.1, the standard inspection consists of seven federally
252
+ mandated steps. First, inspectors prepare off-site by reviewing information about
253
+ the nursing home and its residents to help identify areas of concern. Immediately
254
+ upon arriving at the facility, the inspection team meets with the nursing home
255
+ administrator to explain the inspection process and request specific information;
256
+
257
+ 10 Laws of Minnesota (2000), ch. 312, sec. 2, 5; Laws of Minnesota (1Sp2001), ch. 9, art. 5, sec. 38;
258
+ Laws of Minnesota (2002), ch. 379, art. 1, sec. 113; and Laws of Minnesota (2004), ch. 247,
259
+ sec. 6.
260
+
261
+ THE NURSING HOME INSPECTION PROCESS
262
+
263
+ 7
264
+
265
+ Table 1.1: The Federal Nursing Home Inspection
266
+ Process
267
+
268
+ Step 1: Off-site preparation
269
+
270
+ Step 2: Entry conference and on-site preparation
271
+
272
+ Step 3:
273
+
274
+ Initial nursing home tour
275
+
276
+ Step 4: Resident sample selection
277
+
278
+ Step 5:
279
+
280
+ Information gathering
281
+
282
+ A. General observation of the facility
283
+ B. Kitchen/food service observation
284
+ C. Resident review
285
+ D. Quality of life assessment
286
+ E. Medication pass
287
+ F. Quality assessment and assurance review
288
+ G. Abuse prevention review
289
+
290
+ Step 6: Deficiency determination
291
+
292
+ A. Determination of substandard quality of care
293
+
294
+ Step 7: Exit conference
295
+
296
+ Likewise,
297
+ MDH cannot
298
+ do abbreviated
299
+ inspections in
300
+ nursing homes
301
+ with "good"
302
+ records.
303
+
304
+ SOURCE: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, State Operations Manual (Washington, DC,
305
+ May 21, 2004), ch. 7, sec 7200.
306
+
307
+ this is followed by a facility tour. Using the information provided by the facility
308
+ and what inspectors learned during the tour, the team then selects a sample of
309
+ residents to focus on during the information-gathering portion of the inspection.
310
+ During this phase, the team meets on a daily basis to compare notes, discuss new
311
+ areas of concern, and make adjustments to the inspection as deemed necessary.
312
+ Inspectors observe the care and services that facility staff provide to residents,
313
+ such as preparing and serving meals, administering medications, and helping, as
314
+ necessary, with activities such as bathing, toileting, walking, and grooming.
315
+ Inspection team members also interview residents and staff and review resident
316
+ records. Once the team is satisfied that they have gathered enough information, it
317
+ meets to determine whether the facility has failed to meet any regulatory
318
+ requirements. The team prepares a draft inspection report that discusses each
319
+ violation of federal regulations (commonly referred to as a deficiency) that the
320
+ team has identified, and then meets with nursing home personnel and interested
321
+ residents and family members to present its preliminary list of deficiencies.
322
+
323
+ After the inspection team leaves the facility, it finalizes the “Statement of
324
+ Deficiencies” and submits it to the team’s district supervisor who is responsible
325
+ for reviewing the document and submitting a final copy to the facility and CMS.
326
+ The facility must submit a “Plan of Correction” within ten days that indicates how
327
+ and when it will correct each of the deficiencies that it has received.11 Inspectors
328
+ normally conduct an unannounced revisit to verify that the plan of correction has
329
+ been implemented and that the deficiencies no longer exist. For the most part,
330
+ MDH generally gives a facility 40 days from the end of the inspection to correct
331
+ deficiencies before MDH imposes any sanctions on the facility.
332
+
333
+ 11 Facilities may also dispute a deficiency and request a hearing before MDH or an administrative
334
+ law judge within this ten-day period. Chapter 2 discusses how often this happens and the outcome
335
+ of such hearings.
336
+
337
+ Inspectors spend
338
+ much of their
339
+ time observing
340
+ and talking with
341
+ residents and
342
+ staff.
343
+
344
+ 8
345
+
346
+ NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS
347
+
348
+ State law
349
+ requires
350
+ inspectors to
351
+ leave a draft
352
+ inspection report
353
+ with facilities
354
+ when they leave.
355
+
356
+ While the state is unable to make significant changes in how inspections are done:
357
+
358
+ Minnesota has expanded the federal nursing home inspection process
359
+
360
+ in several ways.
361
+
362
+ The state goes beyond federal inspection requirements by adding other tasks,
363
+ including requirements to: (1) interview family council members; (2) expand the
364
+ number of evening observations nursing home inspectors must make each month;
365
+ (3) conduct a “verify and clarify” session with the provider to discuss possible
366
+ areas of concern prior to the exit conference; and (4) leave a draft inspection
367
+ report with nursing homes after the inspection, with the final report due within
368
+ 15 days. Some of these activities were added to make the inspection process more
369
+ “user friendly” for providers. Others, such as expanding the inspection to include
370
+ final interviews with family council members, were at the urging of advocacy
371
+ groups.
372
+
373
+ For the year ending
374
+ September 30, 2004,
375
+ MDH inspectors,
376
+ working in teams of
377
+ three to five
378
+ registered nurses,
379
+ spent an average of
380
+ about 150 hours per
381
+ facility to complete
382
+ the state and
383
+ federally mandated
384
+ inspection tasks.12
385
+ As would be
386
+ expected, it took
387
+ longer to inspect
388
+ larger nursing homes
389
+ than smaller ones.
390
+ For example, a
391
+ facility with 40 or
392
+ fewer beds averaged about 72 hours per inspection while a facility with 116 to
393
+ 160 beds averaged 176 hours.13
394
+
395
+ Nursing home inspectors must meet with each facility's resident
396
+ council.
397
+
398
+ Inspection Standards
399
+
400
+ The federal State Operations Manual (SOM) sets forth the federal standards that
401
+ inspectors must apply during an inspection as well as guidelines to help them
402
+ apply those standards.14 As currently written:
403
+
404
+ 12 Minnesota Department of Health analysis of data from the Online Survey and Certification
405
+ Reporting System, December 2, 2004. State inspectors spent an additional 54 hours per facility, on
406
+ average, conducting follow-up inspections to ensure that facilities corrected deficiencies.
407
+ 13 Minnesota Department of Health, Federal Fiscal Year 2005 Initial Budget Request (St. Paul,
408
+ July 15, 2004), unnumbered.
409
+ 14 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, State Operations Manual (Washington, DC,
410
+ May 21, 2004).
411
+
412
+ THE NURSING HOME INSPECTION PROCESS
413
+
414
+ 9
415
+
416
+ Inspectors grade
417
+ the seriousness of
418
+ each deficiency
419
+ by assigning it a
420
+ letter code.
421
+
422
+ The federal standards and guidelines that state inspection teams must
423
+
424
+ use to inspect nursing homes are prescriptive and complex.
425
+
426
+ The SOM covers hundreds of pages and contains 274 regulatory standards that
427
+ nursing homes must meet at all times. The standards cover 16 different categories
428
+ of operation, including administration, dietary services, infection control, life
429
+ safety, physical environment, quality of care, quality of life, resident assessment,
430
+ and resident rights. Some requirements must be met for each resident and any
431
+ violation of these requirements, even for one resident, is a deficiency. For
432
+ example, each resident must have a comprehensive care plan. Other requirements
433
+ focus on facility systems and are evaluated comprehensively rather than in terms
434
+ of a single incident. For example, a facility must have a medication error rate
435
+ below 5 percent.15
436
+
437
+ For each deficiency, inspectors must use professional judgment to assess how
438
+ many residents or staff are affected by or involved in the deficient practice (scope)
439
+ and the amount of actual or potential discomfort or harm involved for residents
440
+ (severity). As shown in Table 1.2, these two determinations result in the
441
+ inspection team assigning a letter code (A through L) to each deficiency, with
442
+ level A deficiencies being the least serious.
443
+
444
+ Table 1.2: Deficiency Scope and Severity Grid
445
+
446
+ Severity
447
+
448
+ Scope
449
+ Isolated Pattern Widespread
450
+
451
+ Level 4: A situation that has caused or is likely to cause
452
+ serious resident injury, harm, impairment, or death.
453
+
454
+ Level 3: A situation that has caused resident harm.
455
+
456
+ Level 2: A situation that has caused minimal discomfort to
457
+ a resident OR has the potential to cause resident harm.
458
+
459
+ Level 1: A situation that has the potential of causing no
460
+
461
+ more than minimal discomfort to a resident.
462
+
463
+ J
464
+
465
+ G
466
+
467
+ D
468
+
469
+ A
470
+
471
+ K
472
+
473
+ H
474
+
475
+ E
476
+
477
+ B
478
+
479
+ L
480
+
481
+ I
482
+
483
+ F
484
+
485
+ C
486
+
487
+ NOTE: Harm is defined as a situation that compromises a resident’s ability to maintain or reach his or
488
+ her highest practicable physical, mental, or psychosocial well being, as defined by an accurate and
489
+ comprehensive assessment, care plan, and provision of services. A nursing home with one or more
490
+ quality of life, quality of care, or resident behavior and facility practices deficiencies issued at level “F”
491
+ or “H” or above (the shaded area of the grid) is considered to be providing “substandard” care to its
492
+ residents.
493
+
494
+ SOURCE: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, State Operations Manual (Washington, DC,
495
+ May 21, 2004), Appendix P, V, B-C.
496
+
497
+ To determine a deficiency’s scope, inspectors must classify each deficiency in one
498
+ of three ways: isolated, pattern, or widespread. Federal guidelines say that a
499
+ deficiency is isolated when one or a very limited number of residents or staff are
500
+ affected or the situation has occurred only occasionally or in a very limited
501
+ number of locations in the facility. For example, if 60 of 70 residents in a facility
502
+ are incontinent and the facility failed to provide adequate care or services to
503
+ restore or improve bladder function for 2 of these residents, the deficiency should
504
+ be classified as isolated. A deficiency represents a pattern when it affects more
505
+
506
+ 15 However, a single medication error that is considered severe enough may result in a deficiency.
507
+
508
+ 10
509
+
510
+ NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS
511
+
512
+ than a very limited number of residents or staff, occurs in several locations, or the
513
+ same resident has been affected by repeated occurrences of the same deficient
514
+ practice. If the above facility did not provide adequate care or services to 10 of its
515
+ 60 incontinent residents, the resulting deficiency should be issued as a pattern. A
516
+ deficiency is identified as widespread when it refers to the entire facility or when
517
+ a system failure has affected or has the potential to affect a large number of
518
+ residents. For example, a facility failing to provide adequate care or services to
519
+ improve or restore bladder function to 30 of its 60 incontinent residents should be
520
+ issued a deficiency classified as widespread.
521
+
522
+ Inspectors must also determine the severity of a deficiency on a scale from one to
523
+ four. Level one refers to deficiencies that have the potential for causing no more
524
+ than a minor negative impact on, or minimal physical, mental, or psychosocial
525
+ discomfort to, a resident. For example, a facility should receive a level one
526
+ deficiency if it failed to post its inspection results or only made them available
527
+ upon request. Level two deficiencies are those that have resulted in resident
528
+ discomfort or have the potential to harm residents. Federal regulations define
529
+ harmful situations as those that compromise residents’ ability to maintain or reach
530
+ their highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well being, excluding
531
+ situations that are of a “limited consequence” to residents. For example, a nursing
532
+ home should receive a level two deficiency if inspectors observed staff failing to
533
+ wash their hands properly between caring for residents but no one became
534
+ seriously ill as a result. Level three deficiencies are those that have actually
535
+ resulted in resident harm. The hand-washing example should be a level three
536
+ deficiency if there was evidence that a resident caught a contagious disease as a
537
+ result of staff failing to wash their hands properly after providing resident care.
538
+ Level four represents immediate jeopardy situations whereby the facility must
539
+ undertake immediate corrective action to address problems that have resulted in or
540
+ are likely to cause serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to a resident. For
541
+ example, if a resident with dementia was found outside during an inspection
542
+ heading toward a busy highway and the nursing home did not have a working
543
+ system in place to monitor residents with dementia, the facility should be issued a
544
+ level four deficiency.
545
+
546
+ The “seriousness” of a facility’s deficiencies (their scope and severity) helps
547
+ determine the sanctions for nursing homes that fail to correct deficiencies within
548
+ an allowable time frame. As shown in Table 1.3, there are three categories of
549
+ required sanctions. Generally, nursing homes do not face sanctions for
550
+ deficiencies issued at levels “A” through “C.”16 Category 1 sanctions are reserved
551
+ for deficiencies issued at levels “D” and “E” and require that facilities implement
552
+ a plan of correction developed by the state, have their staff attend a specific
553
+ training program, or be subject to state monitoring. Conversely, category 3
554
+ sanctions are reserved for the most serious deficiencies and include the state
555
+ assuming management of the facility, terminating the facility’s participation in the
556
+ Medicare and Medicaid programs, or closing the facility. Except in instances of
557
+ immediate jeopardy to residents (a deficiency issued at level “J” or above) or
558
+ when facilities receive level “G” or higher deficiencies in two consecutive
559
+ inspections, facilities are generally given an opportunity to correct deficiencies
560
+ before any sanctions are imposed—usually 40 days. MDH must deny Medicare
561
+
562
+ 16 Although the federal government does not require that sanctions be imposed on facilities
563
+ for low-level deficiencies (levels “B” and “C”), the state may choose to impose sanctions from
564
+ category 1 when facilities fail to correct their deficiencies.
565
+
566
+ A deficiency's
567
+ letter code helps
568
+ determine what
569
+ sanctions MDH
570
+ could impose on
571
+ the facility.
572
+
573
+ THE NURSING HOME INSPECTION PROCESS
574
+
575
+ 11
576
+
577
+ Table 1.3: Required Sanctions for Noncompliance
578
+
579
+ Category 1: Deficiencies issued at levels “D” and “E”
580
+
581
+ Directed plan of correction;
582
+ State monitoring; and/or
583
+ Directed in-service training.
584
+
585
+ Category 2: Deficiencies issued at levels “F” through “I”
586
+
587
+ Denial of payment for new Medicare and Medicaid admissionsa;
588
+ Denial of payment for all Medicare and Medicaid residents;
589
+ Civil money penalties of $50-$3,000 per day of noncompliance; and/or
590
+ Civil money penalties of $1,000-$10,000 per incident of noncompliance.
591
+
592
+ Category 3: Deficiencies issued at levels “J” and above
593
+
594
+ Temporary management;
595
+ Termination from the Medicare/Medicaid programs; and/orb
596
+ Facility closure.
597
+
598
+ NOTE: The Minnesota Department of Health may impose a category 2 sanction to supplement a
599
+ category 1 sanction for deficiencies issued at levels “D” and “E.” In general, a category 1 or 2 sanction
600
+ can also be imposed whenever a category 3 sanction is required, and a category 1 sanction may also
601
+ be imposed when a category 2 sanction is required. Civil penalties increase to $3,050-$10,000 per
602
+ day when they are imposed in addition to a category 3 sanction. The state may also assume
603
+ temporary management (a category 3 sanction) when a facility has been issued a level “I” deficiency.
604
+ Also, a facility cited for providing substandard care cannot operate a nurse aide training and
605
+ competency evaluation program for two years.
606
+
607
+ aThe state must deny Medicare and Medicaid payments for new admissions when a facility is not in
608
+ substantial compliance within three months of the inspection and when a facility has been cited for
609
+ substandard care on three consecutive annual inspections. In the latter situation, state monitoring
610
+ must also be imposed.
611
+
612
+ bThe state must recommend termination from the Medicare and Medicaid programs when a facility is
613
+ not in substantial compliance within six months of the inspection.
614
+
615
+ SOURCE: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, State Operations Manual (Washington, DC,
616
+ May 21, 2004), ch. 7, sec. 7210G and 7400.
617
+
618
+ and Medicaid reimbursements for new admissions when facilities have not
619
+ corrected their deficiencies within three months of the department’s inspection.
620
+ Facilities must be terminated from the program if deficiencies are not corrected
621
+ within 6 months.
622
+
623
+ FUNDING
624
+
625
+ In keeping with the high degree of federal involvement in the nursing home
626
+ inspection program:
627
+
628
+
629
+
630
+ State funds cover less than 10 percent of the total cost of nursing home
631
+ inspections and complaint investigations.
632
+
633
+ The federal government is the major source of funding for the inspection
634
+ program, with the state contributing less than 10 percent of the total cost for
635
+ nursing homes. In fiscal year 2004, MDH spent about $12 million from state and
636
+
637
+ 12
638
+
639
+ NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS
640
+
641
+ federal sources on activities related to nursing home inspections, including costs
642
+ related to investigating complaints against nursing homes.17 The state’s share
643
+ (about $1.1 million) is the result of state negotiations with CMS and has
644
+ historically been low when compared with that of other states. According to a
645
+ 2000 analysis of costs by the Health Care Financing Administration, Minnesota
646
+ was the only state in the Chicago region that paid less than 10 percent of total
647
+ inspection costs.18 Other states paid at least 16 percent, with one state paying
648
+ almost 25 percent of total costs.
649
+
650
+ 17 Cecelia Jackson, “Re: FFY 2004 Nursing Home Expenditures” (December 23, 2004), electronic
651
+ mail to jo.vos@state.mn.us.
652
+ 18 Health Care Financing Administration, “Nursing Home Survey, State Licensure Cost Shares”
653
+ (Chicago, May 2000). Minnesota is part of the Chicago region, which also includes Illinois,
654
+ Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
655
+
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