Technology

Yeahka Announces 2024 Interim Results

Published

4 months ago

August 28, 2024

Strengthened Commercialization across Payments and Digital Commerce Ecosystem
Remarkable Overseas Expansion Progress
Wider AI Technology Application

HONG KONG, Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Yeahka Limited (“Yeahka” or the “Company,” Stock Code: 9923.HK), a leading payment and digital commerce technology platform in China, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2024 (the “Reporting Period” or the “first half”).

Business and Financial Summary

Our one-stop payment services continue to lead the industry and our market-leading position in app-based payments is solidified, with peak daily transaction counts reaching nearly 60 million;Against the backdrop of the high base in the same period last year and macroeconomic volatility, our gross payment volume (GPV) for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was RMB1,166.2 billion, representing a decrease of 17.8% compared to the same period in 2023;Commercialization capability was solid with our payments fee rate maintaining at 12.3 basis points (bps);Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was RMB1,577.7 million, representing a decrease of 23.5% from the same period in 2023;Revenue contribution from non-payment digital commerce services, comprising merchant solutions and in-store e-commerce services, continue to increase, with their percentage to total revenue increasing from 11.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to 14.6% for the same period in 2024;Overall gross profit margin increased from 17.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to 19.0% for the same period in 2024;Gross profit contribution from non-payment digital commerce services continue to increase, with their percentage to total gross profit increasing from 52.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to 69.1% for the same period in 2024;Driven by our wider application of artificial intelligence, selling and administrative expenses decreased by 11.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023;Finance costs reduced by 6.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023;Profit for the Period amounted to RMB32.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, exceeding the amount for the full year of 2023; andGearing ratio decreased to 41.1% as at June 30, 2024 on the back of the Company’s early repurchase of its convertible bonds using its internal cash flow.

Mr. Luke Liu, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Amid the macroeconomic volatility in the first half of 2024, we remain steadfast to our long-term vision being an all-rounded commerce enablement services provider to merchants. We made more progress increasing synergies beyond payments into other business lines, more international expansion and wider application of AI. We believe this provides higher quality of bases to seize many opportunities in the longer game and to deliver sustainable profits and value to our stakeholders. We made great strides overseas winning over 200 global brands covering more than 20,000 stores. Our investment company, Fushi, also offers proprietary and localized merchant solutions that satisfy demands from world-renowned customers. It is ramping up its products & verticals coverage. Overseas markets, especially developed ones, have many pockets with attractive economics and relatively high willingness to pay. This paves the way for a very wide channel of profits to come. On AI and technology, we also further integrated large language models for both revenue-generating and cost-optimizing purposes. Our new products helped merchants automate price setting to optimize monetization. We empowered them with precise marketing and automatic content generation tools to raise sales conversion. We also applied to our own customers servicing system, thereby meaningfully driving down our selling and administrative expenses. Our ESG efforts were also recognized internationally, for instance, in S&P Global’s 2024 Sustainability Yearbook and ranked first in our industry in China. Our business uplifts underserved merchants and consumers in communities locally and abroad. In this year’s first half, we increased energy usage utilization rate by 7% through constructing green data centers and treated 12 million risky transactions with wider adoption of AI.”

Mr. Vincent Chan, General Manager of Capital Markets, added, “We upped both our non-payment services’ commercialization and share of revenue and profit contribution. This makes our service offerings even more comprehensive and resilient than before. These non-payment businesses also enhanced their profit margins year over year. We also significantly increased sales efficiencies in our in-store e-commerce services and there is a visible pathway to run-rate profitability in the second half and sustainable growth in the years to come for this business. We also advanced our one-stop payment services’ business model with wider regions covered in underserved markets, further diversified & resilient sets of verticals penetrated, more profitable customer segments served and broader customer acquisition channels through deeper collaboration with strategic partners. We served more large-and-medium-sized merchants leveraging the network and partnerships with over 5,000 SaaS providers and over a hundred of banks as we scaled our product and region coverage. Our one-stop offerings of payments plus other commerce enablement services also gave us a unique edge in digitizing for and satisfying the various demands of large-and-medium-sized merchants. We therefore maintain our market leadership with a strengthened foundation. Our proposition has always been to leverage our extensive payments platform to fully digitize merchants all around their commerce. Such full-suite technology remains our edge over others in being more agile scaling up. And now is increasingly about “Going global”, as we play a more important role in the global journey of digitization.”

Outlook

Mr. Luke Liu concluded, “We are committed to being the go-to commerce enablement services provider for merchants. Whilst maintaining our established market leadership in the one-stop payment services segment. We strive to continue accelerating the growth and profit contribution of other services including merchant solutions and in-store e-commerce services as we upgrade our intrinsically synergistic business model. We have a strong foundation underscored by technical set-up, merchants servicing insights and business network domestically and beyond to further our progress in international expansion into attractive segments and widespread application of AI tools for both commercialization and efficiency purposes. By being steadfast to our vision and business model upheld for over a decade, such strategies will build a natural moat against further externalities whilst equipping us with early mover advantage capturing emerging opportunities on a much wider scale in the long-term.”

About YEAHKA LIMITED (Stock Code: 9923.HK)

Yeahka is a leading payment-based technology platform empowering businesses, dedicated to creating value for merchants and consumers. We are committed to expanding an independent digital commerce ecosystem by (i) providing seamless, convenient, and reliable payment service to merchants and consumers through our one-stop payment service business, (ii) enabling merchants to better manage and drive business growth through our merchant solutions business, and (iii) offering consumers high-value local lifestyle services through our in-store e-commerce service business.

For more information, please visit https://www.yeahka.com/

Investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Yeahka Limited
IR Team
E-mail: ir@yeahka.com

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SOURCE Yeahka

Technology

Who’s Working Remotely? Virtual Vocations Survey Highlights Evolving Jobseeker Demographics

Published

7 hours ago

December 27, 2024

This survey underscores the diverse backgrounds and experiences of remote jobseekers, highlighting the growing demand for flexible work arrangements across various demographics.

TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — With over 500 participants from the U.S. (69%) and international locations (31%), Virtual Vocations‘ 2024 demographics survey offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of remote work. By comparing responses across these groups, the survey highlights shared experiences and unique challenges faced by jobseekers worldwide.

“Whether based in the U.S. or abroad, jobseekers are embracing remote roles to align their careers with their personal goals, and we’re proud to be a part of their journey.” –Laura Spawn, CEO and co-founder of Virtual Vocations

Although Virtual Vocations is a U.S.-based company, it supports international jobseekers through its fully remote job board and career resources, addressing the global demand for remote work opportunities. The company frequently receives inquiries from international members seeking to access fully remote roles, punctuating the worldwide appeal of flexible work arrangements.

“The 2024 demographics survey results reinforce what we’ve known for years—professionals around the world are seeking flexibility, balance, and opportunities to work from home,” said Virtual Vocations CEO Laura Spawn. “Whether based in the U.S. or abroad, jobseekers are embracing remote roles to align their careers with their personal goals, and we’re proud to be a part of their journey.”

Fully Remote Jobs Remain Most Desired

A significant 43% of U.S.-based jobseekers and 42% of international respondents named fully remote, no-travel jobs as their top preference. These roles, which allow employees to work entirely from home, offer flexibility, aligning with both personal and professional goals. Although occasional in-person requirements may arise, fully remote roles are favored over hybrid, partially remote, and “work from anywhere” options. These positions provide businesses with access to a broader talent pool and enable employees to prioritize workplace values and culture.

Top Industries for Remote Jobseekers

The survey also highlights four key industries attracting remote jobseekers worldwide. Information Technology (IT) stands out as the leading industry for remote roles, with significantly more job postings than any other field. Healthcare follows closely, benefiting from the growth of telehealth and remote medical roles. Customer service offers engaging opportunities for professionals interested in client interaction, while education presents a wide array of roles in online teaching, tutoring, and instructional design, fueled by the expansion of virtual learning.

Jobseekers’ Common Frustrations

Both U.S. and international jobseekers shared frustrations, particularly with online job scams. Jobseekers expressed dissatisfaction with the prevalence of scams, especially when searching for work-at-home positions. Despite relying on online job boards, only a quarter (23% of U.S. respondents and 24% of international respondents) use dedicated remote job boards, like Virtual Vocations, where job postings are thoroughly vetted to ensure they are free of scams. Additionally, many jobseekers expressed frustration with excessive job requirements and employers failing to provide feedback or “ghosting” applicants during the hiring process, with one-third of respondents from both groups reporting these issues.

Income Insecurity: A Global Concern

Income insecurity remains a pressing issue for both U.S. and international jobseekers, with many reporting their earnings as insufficient for comfortable living. Sixty-five percent of U.S. respondents and 77% of international respondents reported inadequate household incomes. Nearly half (48%) of U.S. jobseekers earn less than $60,000 annually, while 68% of international jobseekers earn under $30,000. To improve financial stability, many jobseekers have set income targets, with 30% of U.S. jobseekers aiming for $60,000–$89,999 and another 30% targeting at least $120,000. In contrast, international respondents generally require lower salaries, with 38% seeking $30,000–$59,999 and 32% aiming for $60,000–$89,999.

For a comprehensive analysis and additional insights, read the full demographics survey report here: https://www.virtualvocations.com/blog/annual-statistical-remote-work-reports/remote-work-demographics-survey-results-2024/

ABOUT VIRTUAL VOCATIONS
Founded in 2007 by CEO Laura Spawn and her brother, CTO Adam Stevenson, Virtual Vocations is a small company with a big mission: to connect jobseekers with legitimate remote job openings. To date, Virtual Vocations has helped more than four million jobseekers in their quests for flexible, remote work.

In addition to providing a database of current, hand-screened, and 100% remote job openings, Virtual Vocations offers jobseekers a number of tools to aid in their job searches, including exclusive career courses, downloadable jobseeker content, and career coaching and resume writing services. Virtual Vocations also releases several data-driven reports each year on current trends in remote work.

Virtual Vocations, Inc. is a private, family-owned, and 100% virtual company incorporated in Tucson, Arizona.

Media Contact

Kimberly Back, Virtual Vocations, Inc., 1 (800) 379-5092 x. 703, kim@virtualvocations.com, https://www.virtualvocations.com

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SOURCE Virtual Vocations, Inc.

Technology

Judge Baker Children’s Center d/b/a The Baker Center for Children and Families Provides Notice of Data Security Incident

Published

7 hours ago

December 27, 2024

BOSTON, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Judge Baker Children’s Center d/b/a The Baker Center for Children and Families (“The Baker Center”), a nationally recognized provider of services for children’s mental health, has learned of a data security incident that may have impacted certain personal and / or protected health information. On December 27, 2024, The Baker Center formally notified potentially affected individuals with available address information and provided resources to assist them.

On July 28, 2024, The Baker Center discovered unusual activity within its local digital storage environment. After taking immediate steps to ensure the environment was secure, The Baker Center enlisted independent cybersecurity experts to conduct an investigation to determine what happened and whether sensitive information may have been impacted. According to the investigation, an unauthorized actor gained access to The Baker Center’s systems between July 26 – 28, 2024 and may have downloaded certain files. Following a thorough review of the impacted files, on October 28, 2024, The Baker Center determined that certain individuals’ personal and/or protected health information was potentially impacted during the incident.

The information affected during this incident varies between individuals but may have involved the following: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license or other government identification number, financial account information, health insurance information, medical treatment or diagnosis information, and/or clinical information.

On December 27, 2024, The Baker Center mailed notification letters to potentially impacted individuals with verifiable address information. The letters include information about this incident and about steps that potentially impacted individuals can take to monitor and help protect their personal and protected health information. The Baker Center has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and to address related concerns. The call center can be reached at 844-920-8988, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern time.

The Baker Center takes the security and privacy of information in its possession very seriously and is taking steps to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future. The Baker Center deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/judge-baker-childrens-center-dba-the-baker-center-for-children-and-families-provides-notice-of-data-security-incident-302339677.html

SOURCE The Baker Center for Children and Families

Technology

outboundIQ Achieves Certified Implementation Partner (CIP) Status with Five9

Published

8 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Delivering Optimized, Outbound-Focused Contact Center Solutions for Modern Businesses

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla., Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — outboundIQ www.outboundiq.com proudly announces its accreditation as a Five9 Certified Implementation Partner (CIP), a distinction that reflects its deep expertise in optimizing and streamlining outbound-focused contact center operations. With a team of seasoned Five9 veterans, expert programmers, and industry thought leaders, outboundIQ is uniquely equipped to help businesses of all sizes unlock the full potential of Five9’s Virtual Contact Center platform.

Optimized Solutions for Complex Contact Center Needs
outboundIQ specializes in providing expedited, outbound-focused contact center implementations, integrating advanced features such as inbound and outbound Voice, SMS, Chat, Email, Salesforce Integration, and other third-party app integrations. Clients can also leverage ongoing optimization engagements and monthly retainers for strategic consulting designed to support long-term, outreach-focused success.

“Who better to handle your domain configuration than the experts that understand the outbound contact center world. To be an outbound expert, you must know 3 things; how to configure the domain front end, how the architecture interprets that design, and how carriers respond to your dialing behavior as a result of the build. outboundIQ has the advantage of deeply understanding all 3 things. Our experts are seasoned professionals that will guide toward the best build for your business. You tell us about your business, your needs and your processes, and we will build you a domain fit for purpose. outboundIQ offers best in class Domain Optimization, Implementation and Consulting for customers of all sizes and complexity. Due to our methodology and proprietary automations, we are able to bring our customers’ projects to life within accelerated timeframes.”

– Jessica Clay, VP Support and Services

“We launched our business in June and were fortunate to connect with the incredible team at outboundIQ early on. Navigating the world of outbound calling and building efficient prospecting systems isn’t easy, but the entire team at outboundIQ brought our vision to life seamlessly. They implemented our ideas quickly and executed them flawlessly. Since partnering with them, our contact rates have significantly improved, our conversions have increased, and our overall business is thriving. We’re deeply grateful for this collaboration and look forward to continuing our work together on future endeavors!”

– Tim, Lit Financial

“I genuinely don’t know enough ways to thank the entire outboundIQ team. I inherited a domain riddled with mistakes, tangled beyond belief, and I had essentially planned to scrap the whole thing and start over. That’s when this team, led by Jessica Clay’s brilliance, took over to understand exactly what I wanted to create and completely revitalized my domain. We are all beyond thankful as they continue to consult for us to this day and I see no reason to stop. Thank you, Jessica, Jason, Rudy, Bruno, Sandy and everyone who gets the pleasure of working with these domain geniuses!”

– Michael, Lifetime Home Remodeling

A Holistic Approach to Outbound Excellence
Creating a competitive, consumer-focused outreach program requires more than just advanced technology. As outboundIQ explains, a thriving contact center functions like a high-performing racing team:

The Car: Five9 Virtual Contact Center provides a cutting-edge technology foundation.The Driver: Strong Dialer Administrators who skillfully manage operations.The Pit Crew: IT/Support teams ensuring seamless functionality.The Spotters: Data Analytics and Reporting experts optimizing performance.The Fuel: High-quality data driving better outcomes.

outboundIQ’s professional services team brings these critical elements together, ensuring clients achieve best-in-class outbound operations that prioritize consumer experience while maintaining a competitive edge.

A Call to Collaboration
With its new CIP certification, outboundIQ invites businesses to explore select partnership opportunities and projects to reimagine their contact center operations. Whether through expedited implementations or ongoing strategic consulting, outboundIQ is committed to driving measurable results for its clients.

About outboundIQ
outboundIQ delivers optimized, outbound-focused contact center implementations, combining years of Five9 expertise with cutting-edge strategies to help businesses achieve exceptional outreach outcomes. As a Five9 Certified Implementation Partner, outboundIQ provides tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of modern organizations.

About Five9
Five9 is a digital enterprise’s leading cloud contact center and software provider. The Five9 Intelligent CX Platform is reliable, secure, compliant, and scalable, designed to create exceptional personalized customer experiences.
www.five9.com

Media contact:
Sandy Tafur
Phone: 404-660-5314
mail: sandy@outboundiq.com

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SOURCE outboundIQ