As we reflect on the past year, it is clear 2024 was challenging for most businesses. The unstable international political climate and high inflation created hurdles, preventing many companies from reaching their full potential. However, in the realm of B2B digital business, the story was somewhat different.
Goodbye 2024, hello 2025!
December 18, 2024 | The leadership team of The Reference
Despite the challenges, The Reference kicked off 2024 on a high note. While we observed that investments in digital were postponed, there was a genuine interest in innovation and collaboration from both current and new customers. Thanks to our 'Belgian' pragmatic approach and smart choices by our customers. we are ending the year on a strong note.
The key takeaways of 2024
1. Our decision to focus on B2B commerce was the right one.
Today, The Reference is recognized as one of the leaders in composable B2B commerce in Belgium. The transition towards digital commerce by Cras Woodgroup is just one example of this trend.
2. Our commitment to building long-term relationships with our customers has proven to be beneficial.
As a full-service digital agency, we understand the importance of connecting the dots, especially in challenging times when every Euro counts. By guiding our customers in making smart choices and tactics we have been able to grow together. alongside our key customers in digital strategy, build, and marketing.
3. AI is here to stay.
While AI is not new in the digital world, the speed at which businesses are integrating Generative AI into their daily routines is picking up. As a digital agency, we see new opportunities for marketers, in particular when marketing budgets are under pressure in challenging times.
Therefore, we saw it as our mission to help companies set up use cases where the use of Generative AI is helping them deal with the challenges of creating and managing the content challenges in creative marketing and campaigning, and solving practical business challenges to provide next-level user experiences to target audiences. AI usage that is smart, strategic, safe and scalable enough to integrate into daily flows and processes.
We look forward to 2025 with optimism. With most of our customers already having confirmed their partnership with us for next year, we have high hopes for a strong 2025.
By combining our Belgian Agency DNA with the extended offering, expertise and talented pool of people from our parent company, EPAM Systems, we are excited about the innovative creative digital work we can accomplish in 2025.
So, keep your eyes open for us in 2025, as we will extend our Agency proposition and offering even further. Or even better, let's start the conversation on your challenges for 2025 over a cup of coffee.
Here's to a prosperous, creative and innovative 2025 from all of us at The Reference!
Let's talk over coffee in 2025
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