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Why Digital Transformation Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All and How to Customize It

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Why Digital Transformation Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All and How to Customize It


No two companies are exactly alike. Neither are two digital transformations.

Organizations will spend an estimated $2.3 trillion per year on digital transformations by the middle of the decade, but they will spend it in drastically different ways.

Therefore, while it can be tempting to follow the lead of others (especially into the digital unknown), doing so can easily guide digital transformation in the wrong direction.

Three Different Realities

Consider three hypothetical companies.

The first has outdated technology, so “digital transformation” means bringing the tech stack up-to-date and investing in the strong technical foundation required for a digital-first future. The second has invested in technology for years but is uncertain how to adapt its business model to leverage that technology. For this company, “digital transformation” is about finding ways to deliver and derive value in a technology-driven world. Finally, the third company has the right technology and the right business model. Still, it lacks the experience to complete the transformation, so “digital transformation” is all about turning new concepts and capabilities into a viable operational model.

The Only Option

These companies illustrate that digital transformation can look vastly different across industries and enterprises.

One size does not fit all

For a successful transformation, a custom approach is the best — and really the only — option.

The Best Strategy for the CIO

Understanding that all digital transformations are not created equal is the unfortunate reality for most CIOs. They face mounting pressure to make progress on this issue and show results.

It would help them to follow a proven playbook — but that doesn’t exist.

Instead, intrepid CIOs have to figure out what their company needs (technology, strategy, and/or experience) before building a plan around that goal.

Time and Money

To make matters more difficult, digital transformation must happen while daily operations continue running as normal. That means CIOs have to fight for funding on top of their typical budgets and they must find time to handle new responsibilities without neglecting their old ones.

Instead of turning all their attention and resources to digital transformation, CIOs must fit it in wherever possible.

A Holistic View

They must also think in terms that go beyond cost-efficiency.

It’s easy to justify digital transformation initiatives that offset their own costs, but those are just cost-neutral — and not necessarily beneficial.

A better approach takes a holistic view of ROI and prioritizes whatever initiatives deliver the highest value, even if that means spending a little more upfront.

The Necessary Evolution

Another factor to consider is the dynamic role of people and processes in digital transformation in addition to technology.

CIOs will need to consider how mature they are on each of these three fronts — and then plan upgrades accordingly.

Full transformation isn’t complete until every part of the company evolves — from the C-suite downward, and from the IT department outward.

Navigating Your Transformation

CIOs may not have a road map to follow or the ability to take inspiration from their peers when it comes to navigating a successful digital transformation. However, they can employ some best practices to make digital transformation equally effective no matter what form it takes:

1. Map stakeholder expectations.

Digital transformation may have one overarching agenda (update technology, gain experience, etc.), but it doesn’t have to be single-minded.

Speaking to different stakeholders across departments and levels of leadership can help uncover what people want (and don’t want) from digital transformation.

Recording and then mapping these expectations helps whatever strategy gets put into action have the biggest impact possible.

2. Plan long-term.

Regardless of whether a company needs to focus on technology, strategy, or experience, it will need to address all three during the course of a comprehensive digital transformation.

It’s unrealistic to think any aspect is “transformation-ready” on its own.

Furthermore, updating one affects another (adding new tech requires a rethink of the business model, for instance).

A long-term plan will identify the highest priority and dedicate resources accordingly without neglecting other areas.

3. Keep changing.

Here’s one way that digital transformation is equal across companies: It’s never complete.

From now on, companies will need to constantly evaluate their technology, strategy, and experience level for signs that things are falling behind.

Digital transformation will be a key competitive differentiator. Some companies will use it to surge ahead; others will neglect it and suffer the consequences. Once again, every company will need to evolve and adapt in different ways moving forward. That said, no company can afford to call the process complete and end there. It’s time to stop thinking of digital transformation as a shared experience that companies are going through collectively.

On the contrary, every transformation is unique in its own way.

The more that CIOs blaze their own trails, the better.

Image Credit: john schnobrich; unsplash; thank you!

Harish Dwarkanhalli

Global Head of Applications and Data business

Harish Dwarkanhalli is Global Head of Applications and Data business at Wipro Limited.

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ServiceNow’s New Release of Low-Code Platform With Generative AI

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Deanna Ritchie


ServiceNow has launched a recent version of its low-code platform designed to enhance workflow productivity and offer new automation tools for strengthening security and governance. This update also integrates comprehensive solutions for automating crucial healthcare, finance, and talent transformation functions. This latest release allows organizations to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and drive innovation. Using the advanced automation features, businesses can effectively scale their digital transformation initiatives and adapt to the ever-evolving global landscape.

Embracing Generative AI Technology

CJ Desai, president and chief operating officer at ServiceNow, stated that the Vancouver release expands platform capabilities by incorporating generative AI across workflows, increasing efficiency, and delivering innovative solutions to customers. With the integration of generative AI technology, ServiceNow aims to transform business processes and enable organizations to simplify complex tasks effortlessly. This development marks a crucial milestone in their pledge to promote digital innovation and deliver outstanding user experiences for their clientele.

Refining the Now Assist Suite

The company concentrates on enhancing the Now Assist suite of solutions tailored to ITSM (IT service management), CSM (customer service management), HRSD (human resource service delivery), and Creators. ServiceNow employs its proprietary domain-specific large language models (LLMs) to support these functions, allowing users to incorporate general-purpose OpenAI LLMs or the company’s specialized models. Additionally, these LLMs guarantee optimal platform performance, improved task automation, and seamless workflow management across different sectors. By providing a variety of customizable language models, ServiceNow empowers businesses to optimize their processes and deliver exceptional user experiences tailored to their distinctive needs.

AI Integration for ITSM, CSM, and HRSD Solutions

Now Assist for ITSM and CSM offers users summaries of incident histories, cases, and chats for faster problem resolution. The HRSD-focused solution employs generative AI and automation for previously manual tasks, such as providing employee leave information, addressing payroll discrepancies, and processing document modifications. This AI technology integration aims to streamline HR processes and boost productivity by reducing the time and effort spent on routine tasks. Consequently, HR professionals can concentrate on more strategic objectives, improving overall employee satisfaction and driving business growth.

Text-to-Code for Creator-Centered Features

The Creator-focused functionality introduces text-to-code, allowing users to convert natural language text into JavaScript code suggestions to expedite Now Platform development. This innovative feature enables developers to optimize their workflow, reduce coding errors, and increase productivity by using simple phrases to represent complex code structures. As a result, users can enjoy a more intuitive application development process, making the Now Platform more accessible and efficient for professionals with varying expertise levels.

Advantages of Domain-Specific LLMs

Jon Sigler, Senior Vice President for the Now Platform, emphasized the benefits of domain-specific LLMs, as they offer enhanced, faster, safer, and more cost-effective outcomes. By customizing solutions to specific industries and their unique requirements, domain-specific LLMs facilitate seamless integration and ease of use with existing systems. This approach promotes rapid adoption and improved productivity, empowering organizations to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in their respective markets.

Potential Impact of Generative AI on Workplace Efficiency

ServiceNow reported 30-40% time savings in initial tests with employees and selected clients when using generative AI solutions for repetitive tasks such as content production or case updates. Therefore, the integration of generative AI into ServiceNow’s platform could considerably enhance workplace efficiency and lower manual effort in managing recurring tasks. This increase in productivity might result in an improved customer experience and higher employee satisfaction rates across various industries.

Caution Advised in Interpreting Early Results

However, Amy Lokey, the company’s SVP of product experience, warned that these results are preliminary for an emerging technology. It is essential to approach these findings with cautious optimism, as many factors could potentially affect the development and implementation of the technology. As progress continues, both companies and researchers must closely monitor advancements and potential obstacles to ensure the technology can achieve its full potential in revolutionizing different industries.

ServiceNow’s Commitment to Increased Productivity and Lower Costs

ServiceNow aims to build upon these features to boost productivity and reduce costs. By streamlining processes and enhancing user experiences, ServiceNow aims to create a more efficient working environment for businesses. This approach will result in significant time savings and cost reductions, further reinforcing their commitment to the growth and success of their clients.

FAQs

What is the latest Now Platform update?

The latest Now Platform update is ServiceNow Vancouver, a low-code platform designed to enhance productivity in workflows, offer new automation tools for security and governance, and provide solutions for automating crucial functions in healthcare, finance, and talent transformation. The platform aims to help organizations streamline operations, improve efficiency, and drive innovation.

What is generative AI, and how is it implemented in the Now Platform?

Generative AI is artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content or ideas, automating processes, and increasing efficiency. The Now Platform incorporates generative AI across workflows to enable organizations to simplify complex tasks and deliver innovative solutions for their clientele. The integration of generative AI technology marks a pivotal milestone in ServiceNow’s commitment to digital innovation and exceptional user experiences.

What is the Now Assist suite?

The Now Assist suite is a collection of solutions designed to improve IT service management (ITSM), customer service management (CSM), human resource service delivery (HRSD), and Creators. ServiceNow employs domain-specific large language models (LLMs) to support these functions and guarantee optimal performance, improved task automation, and seamless workflow management across various sectors.

How does AI integration benefit ITSM, CSM, and HRSD solutions?

Now Assist for ITSM and CSM provides users with summaries of incident histories, cases, and chats to enable faster problem resolution. In addition, the HRSD-focused solution uses generative AI and automation to streamline HR processes, reduce the time and effort spent on manual tasks, and help HR professionals focus on more strategic objectives, improving overall employee satisfaction and driving business growth.

What is text-to-code, and how does it enhance the Creator experience?

Text-to-code is an innovative feature that allows users to convert natural language text into JavaScript code suggestions to accelerate Now Platform development. By simplifying complex code structures with plain phrases, text-to-code enhances developers’ workflow, reduces coding errors, increases productivity, and makes the Now Platform more accessible and efficient for professionals with varying expertise levels.

What are the advantages of domain-specific LLMs?

Domain-specific LLMs offer enhanced, faster, safer, and more cost-effective outcomes by customizing solutions for specific industries and their unique requirements. This approach enables seamless integration with existing systems, easier implementation, faster adoption, and improved productivity, empowering organizations to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in their respective markets.

What is the potential impact of generative AI on workplace efficiency?

ServiceNow reported 30-40% time savings in initial tests with generative AI solutions for repetitive tasks such as content production or case updates. With the integration of this technology, ServiceNow could significantly enhance workplace efficiency, lower manual effort, and improve customer experience and employee satisfaction across various industries.

Should we be cautious about the early results of generative AI implementation?

Yes, it is essential to approach any early results with cautious optimism, as many factors could potentially affect the development and implementation of generative AI technology. Companies and researchers must continuously monitor advancements and potential obstacles to ensure the technology can achieve its full potential in revolutionizing different industries.

What is ServiceNow’s commitment to increased productivity and lower costs?

ServiceNow’s ultimate goal is to build upon the latest features to boost productivity, reduce costs, streamline processes, and enhance user experiences. By creating a more efficient working environment and achieving significant time savings and cost reductions, ServiceNow reinforces its commitment to the growth and success of its clients.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Google DeepMind; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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3 Steps to Ace Campus Recruitment with Skill Test

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How to Assess Culture-Fit During Recruitment


Campus placements are as important for candidates as they are for recruiters. The session not only assesses a student’s eligibility but also reflects the efficiency of your hiring team. Candidates and recruiters are equally engaged before and during the campus hiring sessions.

Harvard Business Study claims that 84% of employers believe campus hiring is essential. Therefore, your hiring team needs to give their best to find the fittest candidate, just as your applicants do their best to crack the competition and get campus placements!

While your best candidate may have other job options in campus recruitment, you don’t have a lot of top talents in your hand to choose from.  You would need to hire the BEST, who many other competitive firms have already noticed! Finding top talent, hence, becomes very tough.

From another perspective, the candidates must judge your recruitment process and choose their most trusted organizations. This brings us to whether you can deliver a good candidate experience or not, and also whether it meets up to candidate expectations or not.

Winning top candidates is as complex as gaming a client in the scenario of campus hiring. There are five prominent challenges that you might be experiencing during campus hiring. In this blog, we will help you identify the loopholes in campus hiring strategies, share three easy steps to beat your competitors and bag you the ‘BEST’ candidates.

What Are The Challenges Faced In Mass Recruitment?

The huge competition for talent in the job market results in constant tension between job-seekers and employers. While, on the one hand, first-time interviews are taxing for aspirants, 41% of recruiters agree it is challenging to fill entry-level job posts. Both parties are under equal pressure to achieve their goals and targets. There are five prominent challenges that a recruiter experiences.

  1. Short of manpower: Not every firm can afford a hiring team. Also, the more people involved, the messier the outcomes we can end up with.
  2. Challenging hiring deadlines: The battle between the need to choose the best and the need to meet HR deadlines.
  3. Bulk candidate influx: A huge number of applicants must be managed and served equally to maintain a positive candidate experience. 
  4. Give offer letters: Delay in the processing of offer letters by the company and their acceptance by the candidate is a common occurrence when it comes to campus hiring.
  5. Flaws in the hiring process: There are many flaws in the recruitment process that lead to a wrong hiring
  • Lousy candidate experience: Inability to attend to the candidate’s queries and to convey updates or feedback can result in a bad candidate experience.
  • Possibility of a bad hire: Investing hours in the hiring process only to know that your ‘looking good’ candidate is an imposter!
  • Biased onboarding decision: Discriminately favoring a new hire due to good scores in your screening assessments or just because you have a ‘gut’ feeling that the person will lead the team someday.

Tackling The Campus Hiring Challenges In Steps

No, you need not get scared with PMaps Consultancy having your back in this campus hiring session. Below, we give you the absolute tried and tested steps to win a good candidate and orient your new team of freshers in the organization.

Step1- Administer skills assessments

Skills assessments are comprehensive tests that evaluate the candidate’s behavioral attributes, job-specific skills, and general logic and reasoning. It provides an in-depth report on candidates’ competency for a  job position based on their natural traits. Skill tests are the go-to tool for obtaining the complete profile of an individual within 15 minutes!

Additionally, they are the new day scientific recruitment tools that can provide a wide range of hiring solutions. Some of these are:

  • Coding Assessments are a popular way to assess candidates’ technical skills for specialized roles such as software developers, programmers, web developers, etc. These skill tests can determine a candidate’s ability to write code, solve problems, and follow instructions.
  • Sales Assessments are tools that gauge the sales skills of candidates for sales roles. These assessments can assess a candidate’s ability to generate leads, qualify prospects, and close deals. Sales assessments can be tailored to the specific requirements of the role.
  • Customer Service Assessments can be used as determinants to screen the customer service skills of candidates for client dealing roles. These assessments can assess a candidate’s ability to understand and resolve customer issues, provide excellent customer service, and build customer relationships.
  • Voice and Accent Assessments evaluate candidates’ communication skills for roles requiring precise and concise communication. These assessments can assess a candidate’s ability to speak clearly, pronounce words correctly, and use proper grammar. PMaps language test also checks the solution’s-ability of the applicants along with the other language factors.

Step2- Check the cultural fitness of your candidates before onboarding

The cultural fitness of an applicant cannot be gauged through their body language. Certain psychological traits define the cultural behavior of the candidate. The candidate’s culture fit with your organization depends on how well their culture aligns with the workplace situation. This allows your candidates to visualize your goals and hence encourages retention. This can be measured through cultural-fitment assessments.

Step3- Cross-check your candidates with Behavioral Questions

This is an essential step, no matter how well your interviewee has performed thus far. Constantly revisit the assessment reports, confirming consistency in their behavior. If the accounts show their leadership traits to be high, ask them to describe one situation where they have practically expressed this ability. Ask your candidates many ‘How,’ ‘Why,’ ‘What,’ and ‘When’ questions.

Behavioral question banks are prepared based on pre-employment test reports to ease your work. If the candidate fakes, you can quickly identify the divergence from expected answers and hints of storytelling.

Conclusion

PMaps can assist you with the hectic campus recruitment process with complete technological support. We offer pre-employment tools to help you assess freshers for entry-level job posts. It saves you valuable time and helps you meet your financial goals regarding recruitment.

Best of all, we take care of your candidate’s experience through our visual-based tools that evaluate your applicants beyond the language barrier. Want to learn more? Let our experts know you are interested through our website or email at PMaps.

Featured Image Credit:

Pratisrutee Mishra

Content Writer at PMaps

Beginning at the age of 10 years old, Pratisrutee Mishra has had an immense interest in writing. The young, professional Gen-Z writer now holds an experience of 4+ years in SEO Content Development. Pratisrutee is an equally avid psychology learner and research aspirant at PMaps.

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Mastering High-Net-Worth Divorce Strategies

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Deanna Ritchie


Going through a divorce is always a challenging experience, and it can become even more intricate and lengthy when it involves individuals with high-net-worth. Barron’s reported that a 2019 Martindale-Nolo Research study showed the average divorce duration is approximately one year. Nonetheless, 13% of the respondents disclosed that their divorces took more than two years to conclude. In some instances, particularly when extensive assets or complex matters like child custody are in play, divorces have even lasted between five and eight years, as observed by some advisors.

The complexity and duration of high-net-worth divorces often depend on several factors, including the level of cooperation and agreement between the two parties and the expertise of the lawyers involved.

Both parties must engage experienced legal counsel and communicate openly to streamline the process and avoid unnecessarily prolonging the emotional and financial distress accompanying such situations.

But let’s get real — you don’t need to worry about both parties — you need to worry about yourself and your business.

Understanding Financial Aspects

Financial aspects are crucial in divorce proceedings and often carry higher risks for affluent individuals. Financial professionals have provided these seven tips to help maneuver these complexities and offer direction.

First — have a clear understanding of your assets, liabilities, and overall financial standing — jointly and individually. This can be achieved by organizing and reviewing all relevant paperwork, financial statements, and records, as it sets the foundation for informed decision-making during the negotiations.

Tip 1: Obtain Expert Guidance

Working with experienced legal and financial professionals with expertise in high-net-worth divorces is essential. They can give thorough advice concerning asset division, tax ramifications, and settlement negations, ensuring a fair result for all parties involved.

Tip 2: Protect Your Assets — Repeat, Protect Your Assets

In high-net-worth divorces, securing your financial future is crucial by documenting all assets and income sources, obtaining accurate valuations, and safeguarding any separate property. This will help prevent any unwarranted distribution of your wealth and ensure you maintain the standard of living you are accustomed to.

Tip 3: Prioritize Open Communication

Both parties should maintain open lines of communication throughout the divorce process to maintain civility and work towards a mutually beneficial outcome. This minimizes conflict, helps each party understand the other’s perspective, and can lead to quicker resolution and a smoother transition into post-divorce life.

Tip 4: Emphasize Transparent Communication

Open conversations with your spouse about your financial ambitions and expectations can prevent disagreements and holdups. It is vital to be candid and open about your financial circumstances. Moving forward together requires understanding each other’s priorities, goals, and concerns related to money matters. Additionally, frequent check-ins and discussions will help maintain trust, foster mutual support, and encourage collaboration in handling your shared financial responsibilities.

Tip 5: Be Familiar with Your Assets, Before if Possible

Understand all jointly and individually owned assets, including real estate, investments, and business holdings. Acquiring a clear comprehension of your possessions will benefit the negotiations. By knowing the value and details of each asset, you can make better decisions and ensure a fair distribution during the settlement process. In addition, it can help to prevent potential misunderstandings and minimize conflicts as you work towards a mutually agreeable resolution, especially in a high-net-worth situation.

Tip 6: Refrain from Making Significant Financial Choices Hastily

Divorce can be emotionally draining, and impulsive financial decisions can have long-lasting consequences. Take your time to evaluate any choices that could affect your finances and seek expert advice before moving forward.

Tip 7: Create a Comprehensive Post-Divorce Financial Plan

Establishing a clear, well-thought-out financial plan for your post-divorce life is crucial to ensure stability and success. This plan should address budgeting, expenses, retirement goals, and emergency savings, allowing you to take control of your financial future effectively.

Post-Divorce Considerations

Even after the divorce, there might be financial matters you still need to work on together. Maintaining open and respectful communication can ease the process and aid in reaching amicable decisions, ultimately benefiting both parties.

Evaluating Tax Consequences — Get Professional Advice

Divorce can drastically impact your tax situation, so consult a financial expert to be aware of any potential tax repercussions regarding your assets and income. It is crucial to understand how filing statuses, exemptions, deductions, and the tax treatment of asset divisions, alimony, and child support may change following a separation. Proper evaluation and planning can help minimize negative tax consequences and ensure both parties are well-prepared for their new financial circumstances.

Reexamining Your Estate Plan

As your financial situation changes post-divorce, it is vital to update your estate plan accordingly. This should include adjusting your will, beneficiary designations, and any trusts or guardianship plans for minor children.

Additionally, consider revising the power of attorney and healthcare proxy documents to ensure the right person is designated to handle essential matters on your behalf. Engaging with a qualified estate planning attorney can provide guidance and expertise to ensure your estate plan accurately reflects your current circumstances and wishes.

Monitoring Your Credit During the Divorce Process

During and after the divorce, be vigilant in checking your credit report for any possible errors or fraudulent activities. Maintaining a strong credit score will be crucial for obtaining loans or mortgages in the future. Additionally, consider setting up alerts with credit monitoring agencies to ensure you receive prompt notifications of any changes to your credit. This proactive approach will help protect your financial well-being and allow you to address potential issues before they escalate.

Though divorce is never a simple procedure, following the above advice from financial specialists can minimize potential difficulties that arise when significant assets are involved and ensure a more equitable resolution for all parties concerned.

Taking the time to fully understand the financial implications of the divorce process and being prepared to make informed decisions can lead to a smoother transition during this challenging period.

It is crucial to maintain open communication, gather accurate information, and consult with experienced professionals to achieve an optimized outcome that fits the unique needs and circumstances of each individual involved in the divorce.

FAQs

What is the average duration of a divorce?

A 2019 Martindale-Nolo Research study discovered that the average divorce duration is approximately one year. However, 13% of the respondents disclosed that their divorces took more than two years to conclude.

Why is it essential to work with experienced professionals in high-net-worth divorces?

Working with experienced legal and financial professionals with expertise in high-net-worth divorces ensures thorough advice concerning asset division, tax ramifications, and settlement negotiations, leading to a fair result for all parties involved.

How does open communication benefit the divorce process?

Open communication throughout the divorce process minimizes conflict, helps each party understand the other’s perspective, and can lead to quicker resolution and a smoother transition into post-divorce life.

Why is it crucial to understand your assets in a divorce?

Understanding all jointly and individually owned assets, including real estate, investments, and business holdings, will benefit the negotiations. Knowing the value and details of each asset helps ensure a fair distribution during the settlement process and prevents potential misunderstandings.

What should be included in a post-divorce financial plan?

A post-divorce financial plan should address aspects such as budgeting, expenses, retirement goals, and emergency savings, allowing you to take control of your financial future effectively.

How can divorce impact your tax situation?

Divorce can drastically impact your tax situation, affecting filing statuses, exemptions, deductions, and the tax treatment of asset divisions, alimony, and child support. Proper evaluation and planning can help minimize adverse tax consequences and ensure both parties are well-prepared for new financial circumstances.

Why should you update your estate plan after a divorce?

As your financial situation changes post-divorce, it is essential to update your estate plan accordingly. This includes adjusting your will, beneficiary designations, and any trusts or guardianship plans for minor children. Revising power of attorney and healthcare proxy documents ensures the right person is designated to handle essential matters on your behalf.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Cottonbros; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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