The Most Impactful Leaders in AI & Big Data- 2024

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Doritos’ Journey: From Simple Chips to a Cultural Icon with Flavor and Fun The Story of Rome: From Ancient Empire to Eternal City

How to Open a Convenience Store and Ensure Success

Senior Machine

Learning Principal

Workday

MARKETING COORDINATOR (AMERICAS)

Peter J.

PR & MARKETING COORDINATOR

James H.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

Grace M .

CREATIVE CONTENT EDITOR

Shalmali W.

CREATIVE DESIGN HEAD

Sankalp K.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ashwini D.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Narendra S.

DIGITAL CIRCULATION MANAGER

Amanda V.

Dr.HepingLiu,theSeniorMachineLearningPrincipalatWorkday,standsasatestamenttothe powerofacademicrigourcombinedwithpracticalapplication.HisrecognitionasoneoftheMost ImpactfulLeadersinAI&BigDatain2024isawell-deservedaccoladethatreflectshissignificant contributionstothefield.

Dr.Liu'sjourneyfromacademiatoindustryleadershipismarkedbyadeeppassionforartificial intelligenceandakeeneyeforinnovation.Hisearlyresearchinneuralnetworksandportfolio optimizationlaidthegroundworkforhissubsequentworkinthefield.Thetransitionfrom theoreticalresearchtopracticalapplicationwasseamless,asheappliedhisknowledgetosolverealworldproblems.

Hisentrepreneurialventure,UnigroupAITechnologiesInc.,providedhimwithinvaluable experienceinleadingteams,securingfunding,anddevelopingAIproducts.Thisexperiencehoned hisleadershipskillsanddeepenedhisunderstandingofthechallengesandopportunitiesintheAI industry

AtWorkday,Dr.LiucontinuestopushtheboundariesofAIandbigdata.Herecognizesthe transformativepotentialofthesetechnologiestorevolutioniseindustriesandimprovebusiness outcomes.Byleveraginghisexpertiseandexperience,heisdrivingthedevelopmentofinnovative solutionsthatempowerorganizationstomakedata-drivendecisions.

Dr.Liu'simpactonthefieldofAIandbigdataisundeniable.Hisacademiccontributions, entrepreneurialventures,andindustryleadershiphaveinspiredcountlessindividualsandshapedthe futureoftechnology.Ashecontinuestoinnovateandlead,wecanexpecttoseeevengreater advancementsintheyearstocome.

Shalmali W.

Forthecoverreadabout-

Dr.HepingLiu,theSeniorMachineLearningPrincipalatWorkday, isavisionaryleaderwhohasmadesignificantcontributionstothefields ofartificialintelligenceandbigdata.HisrecognitionasoneoftheMost ImpactfulLeadersinAI&BigDatain2024isatestamenttohis exceptionaltalentandinnovativeapproach.

Dr.Liu'sjourneyfromacademiatoindustryhasbeenremarkable.His earlyresearchinneuralnetworksandportfoliooptimizationlaidthe foundationforhissubsequentworkinthefield.Heseamlessly transitionedfromtheoreticalresearchtopracticalapplication,solving real-worldproblemswithinnovativeAIsolutions.

Hisentrepreneurialventure,UnigroupAITechnologiesInc.,provided himwithinvaluableexperienceinleadingteams,securingfunding,and developingAIproducts.Thisexperiencehonedhisleadershipskillsand deepenedhisunderstandingofthechallengesandopportunitiesintheAI industry

AtWorkday,Dr.LiucontinuestopushtheboundariesofAIandbigdata. Heleverageshisexpertiseandexperiencetodevelopinnovative solutionsthatempowerorganizationstomakedata-drivendecisions.His passionforAIandhiscommitmenttoexcellencehavemadehima valuableassettoWorkdayandthebroaderAIcommunity

Dr.Liu'simpactonthefieldofAIandbigdataisundeniable.His academiccontributions,entrepreneurialventures,andindustryleadership haveinspiredcountlessindividualsandshapedthefutureoftechnology. Ashecontinuestoinnovateandlead,wecanexpecttoseeevengreater advancementsintheyearstocome.

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Heping

Liu

The Story of Rome: From Ancient Empire to Eternal City

How to Open a Convenience Store and Ensure Success

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Doritos’ Journey: From Simple Chips to a Cultural Icon with Flavor and Fun

GPUs vs CPUs in Data CentersWhich is Best for Your AI Needs

HEPING LIU

Transforming Enterprises through AI and Big Data Solutions

Senior Machine Learning Principal | Workday

Leadership in AI and big data today goes beyond simply leveraging technology. As these areas advance rapidly, enterprise leaders need to transform them from technology tools into powerful engines of growth, guided by ethical considerations. To stay ahead of market and technology trends, they require a strategic approach to incorporating AI and big data innovations and using them to drive business success.

Heping Liu, Senior Machine Learning Principal at Workday, is among The Most Impactful Leaders in AI & Big Data in 2024. Before entering the industry, he has published 20 academic papers in the areas of forecasting, optimization, and articial intelligence algorithms and their applications, and worked as a reviewer for 20 top academic journals involving machine learning, deep learning, computing, modeling, forecasting, and optimization, and as an editorial board member of the International Journal of Business Analytics.

Cover Story

The Journey from Academia to Industry Leader

Dr. Liu’s journey began with academia, where his enthusiasm and passion for articial intelligence grew. During his master’s thesis, he explored the application of neural networks to predict industry nancial indices and applied the Markowitz model for portfolio optimization. This research laid the foundation for his understanding of computational intelligence. His subsequent Ph.D. studies and practice provided him with the theoretical knowledge and practical applications of articial intelligence, including deep learning and machine learning models.

After completing the Ph.D., Dr. Liu worked in several high-tech companies, gaining valuable experience that enabled him to found Unigroup AI Technologies Inc. in 2018. Leading a startup gave him the opportunity to develop AI products, secure funding, and manage teams, sharpening his leadership skills. One of the pivotal moments in his career was moving from entrepreneurship to a large corporation like Workday.

While working in industry, Dr. Liu’s passion expanded into big data during the early 2010s when it became mainstream. He realized that AI needed large datasets to fully harness its capabilities, and combining AI with big data became the primary focus of his work. Over the years, his interest in theoretical models transformed into a commitment to building practical AI solutions that could reshape industries. His entrepreneurial experience and academic expertise allowed him to view AI as a transformative force that could revolutionize industries and improve business outcomes. This belief continues to guide him in his work at Workday, where he leverages AI and big data to create adaptive enterprise solutions.

EmpoweringBusinessesthrough InnovativeSolutions

Workdayisaleadingproviderof enterprisecloudapplicationsfor financeandhumanresources.The company’smissionistodeliver innovativecloud-basedsolutionsthat empowerbusinessestothriveinthe digitalage.Itsapplicationsforhuman resources,financialmanagement, planning,spendmanagement,and analyticsarebuiltwithartificial intelligenceandmachinelearningat thecoretohelporganizationsembrace thefutureofwork.

AtWorkday,Dr.Liuproposed, initiated,andledmanyimportant projects,someofwhichwere showcasedattheAnnualWorkday Product&TechnologyConferences, knownastheAnnualSpelunking Conference.Belowareafewofthese initiatives:

• Workday Resource Forecasting/Optimization Platform

• Forecasting-as-a-Service

• Building a Conversational Front End for the Entire Workday System by Leveraging Large Language Models

• Transforming OMS to Be an AI-Agent Friendly Data Environment and Secure RAG Vector Storage

• Forecasting and Optimizing Infrastructure Resources through Workday’s Released New (AI) Features

ThisexemplifiesDr.Liu’svisionary leadershipandhiscapacityto overcometechnicalandstrategic hurdles.

AddressingtheChallengesof ScalingAITechnologies

ScalingAIandmachinelearning solutionsfacesseveralkey challenges,particularlywhen consumingandmanagingvast amountsofdatawhilemaintaining highperformance,accuracy,and security.Oneofthemostsignificant hurdlesisbuildingAIsystemsthat canoperateefficientlyinlarge-scale environmentswheredatavolumes areconstantlygrowingand processingspeediscritical.Asdata increasesincomplexityandquantity, AIsystemsmustbecapableof handlingthisgrowthwithout compromisingperformance.

Navigatingreal-timedatacanbe daunting.Today,businesses increasinglyrelyonreal-time analyticsforimmediatedecisionmaking,whichmeansAIsystems mustingest,process,andrespondto continuousdatastreamsquicklyand accurately.Incorporatingreal-time datarequireshighlyoptimizedand scalablearchitecturesthatcan supportlow-latencydataprocessing. Totacklethis,distributedsystemsare essential,allowingAImodelsto processreal-timedatainparallel, whichenhancesbothspeedand reliabilitywhilemaintaining accuracy.

Ensuringdatasecurityandprivacyis critical.AsAIsystemsscaleand handlelarger,moresensitive datasets,therisksofdatabreachand unauthorizedaccessincrease,making itessentialtoimplementstringent dataprivacymeasuresandcomply withregulatorystandards.Protecting

sensitiveinformationwhile maintainingperformancerequiresthe useofrobustencryption,secured datapipelines,andadvanced privacy-preservingtechniques.

AI'sRoleinShapingData-Driven BusinessStrategies

Oneofthemostsignificant contributionsAIandbigdatamake tobusinessestodayistheirabilityto transformdecision-makingprocesses throughdata-driveninsights, predictiveanalytics,andautomation. Thesetechnologiesallowbusinesses toanalyzevastamountsofdata quicklyandaccurately,providing insightsthatwouldbeimpossible throughmanualanalysis.

Tosupportthis,DrLiuhasgiven someexamples.Inhumanresources, AIcanpredictfuturestaffingneeds, identifyskillgaps,andrecommend personalizedtrainingprograms.In finance,AI-poweredforecasting modelscanhelpbusinesses anticipatemarkettrendsandmanage spendingandriskmoreeffectively TheseapplicationsofAIandbigdata arealreadyreshapingindustriesand willcontinuetohaveaprofound impactinthefuture.

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KeyTrendsinAIandBigDatafor Businesses

SeveralgrowingtrendsinAIandbigdataare poisedtoshapethefutureofbusinesses. GenerativeAIwillcontinuetobeamajor trend,enablingbusinessestocreatenew products,designs,andsolutionswith increasedefficiency.Asthistechnology matures,itwillopenopportunitiesfor innovationacrossindustriesrangingfrom entertainmenttomanufacturing.Alongside generativeAI,multimodalAIisontherise, whereAIsystemsprocessandintegrate differenttypesofdata,suchastext,images, andvideo.Thiscapabilityallowsformore comprehensiveinsightsandgreateraccuracy inbusinessprocesses.Byharnessingthese advancements,businessescanmakebetter decisions,optimizeandautomateoperations, andgainacompetitiveedgeinaneverevolvingmarket.

ArtificialGeneralIntelligence(AGI),which referstoAIsystemscapableofperforminga widerangeofreasoningandinnovativetasks acrossdifferentdomains,mightalsobecomea norm.AlthoughAGIisinitsveryearly stages,itholdsimmensepotentialfor transformingindustriesbyenablingmore autonomousandintelligentdecision-making andinnovationinanorganization.

Dr.LiusaysthatAIethicswillplayan increasinglyimportantroleinindustriesthat relyonbigdata.AsAIsystemsbecomemore autonomousandpowerful,ensuringethical usewillbeessentialtomaintainingpublic trust.Hebelievesthatindustrieslikefinance, healthcare,andhumanresourceswillbe especiallyimpactedbyAIethics,giventhe sensitivenatureofthedatatheyhandle.

Theregulatorybodiesmightintroducestricter guidelinesforAIuseinthefuture.Companies willneedtocomplywiththeseregulations whilealsoproactivelybuildingethical considerationsintotheirAIsystems.Thiswill ensurethatAIsolutionsarealignedwith societalvalues.

The Rise of AI Agents in Modern Enterprises

Over the next ten years, AI and big data are set to revolutionize industries in ways that are exciting and transformative, yet hard to fully grasp. According to Dr. Liu, one of the most exciting developments is the recent increasing use of AI agents in enterprise applications. These agents will be able to automate a wide range of tasks, signicantly improving efciency and productivity across industries, such as customer service and support, nance, healthcare, retail and e-commerce, and logistics.

The emergence of humanoid robotics will introduce more human-like interactions in sectors such as customer service, caregiving, and hospitality. Autonomous driving technology, led by driverless cars, will completely transform transportation and logistics. In industries such as delivery services, ride-sharing, and long-haul trucking, driverless vehicles will reduce costs, increase efciency, and improve safety.

The evolution of Articial General Intelligence (AGI) will be another pivotal moment. AGI, which aims to mimic human cognitive functions across various tasks and domains, will redene industries by allowing machines to perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. Industries like research, legal, and even creative elds such as marketing and design could see machines that not only assist but also innovate independently.

Articial Super Intelligence (ASI) may become a revolutionary force in the future, exceeding human intelligence in every aspect. Although the timeline for ASI remains uncertain, its inuence could transform not only various industries, but humanity itself. ASI systems might tackle some of the most intricate challenges in areas such as climate science, healthcare, and economics, with an unprecedented scale and depth. Especially, the application of ASI to life sciences has the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges in medicine, from curing complex diseases to creating more efcient healthcare systems worldwide.

TheCultureofInnovationWithintheTeam

Throughouthiscareer,Dr.Liuhasmadesuretoprovideaculture ofinnovationwithinhisteam.Heachievedthisbycreatingan environmentwhereteammembersareencouragedtotakerisks, explorenewideas,andthinkcreatively.Heprovidesautonomyto histeam,allowingthemthefreedomtoexploreinnovative solutionstocomplexproblemswhileofferingguidanceandsupport whenneeded.

Dr.Liuhighlyemphasizestheimportanceofbeingself-drivenfor teammembers.Hesupportsopencommunicationandcollaboration andlikescreatingaworkculturewhereteammembersfeel comfortablesharingtheirideasandfeedback.Recognizingand celebratingachievementsinspirestheteamtopushlimitsand pursueinnovativesolutions.

Advice for Professionals in AI & Big Data Industry

Dr. Liu emphasizes the importance of continuous learning for professionals looking to build a successful career in AI and big data. The industry of AI is constantly growing and staying up to date with the latest advancements is essential for remaining competitive. He also advises professionals to stay curious and open to exploring new ideas. AI is a eld driven by innovation, and those who think outside the box will have the greatest opportunities for success.

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ome

From Ancient Empire to Eternal City

Rome is often referred to as the “Eternal City,” and for good reason. With over 2,700 years of history, it stands as a living testament to human ingenuity, endurance, and the passage of time. The blend of ancient ruins, Renaissance art, and bustling modern life creates a city like no other—a place where every corner tells a story. But beyond the ruins and the relics, Rome offers a unique experience that seamlessly blends history with the vibrant pulse of a contemporary metropolis.

Did you know that by the early fourth century, the Romans had constructed a road network spanning an impressive 53,000 miles? Each Roman mile was about 4,800 feet and marked by a milestone, a simple innovation that gave rise to the age-old saying, “All roads lead to Rome.” These roads not only connected a sprawling empire but also laid the foundation for modern infrastructure as we know it today. They carried legions, traders, and ideas, weaving together the cultural and political heart of an empire that still captivates our imaginations.

StepBackintime

NotriptoRomeiscompletewithoutvisitingthe Colosseum,astunningsymbolofancientRoman engineering.Oncehosting50,000spectatorsfor gladiatorbattlesandpublicspectacles,itsarchesnow echothedistantroarsofthepast.Nearby,theforum offersaglimpseintothedailylifeofancienttimes, wherehistoricalfigureslikeJuliusCaesarwalked. Witnesstheruinsintheirgoldenglorybyvisiting duringthesofthoursofdawnordusk.

FindingthebesttimetovisitRome

(DecembertoFebruary)isquieter,withfewertourists andfestiveholidaymarkets,thoughit’scolderandcan berainy.Fortheidealmixofgoodweatherandfewer crowds,aimforApriltoJuneorSeptemberto October.

What’smoretheretoexplore?

ThebesttimetovisitRomeisduringspring(Marchto May)andfall(SeptembertoNovember),whenthe weatherismildandcrowdsaremanageable.Spring offersbloomingflowersandpleasanttemperatures, whilefallprovidesbeautifulautumnsceneryandfewer tourists.Summer(JunetoAugust)islivelywith festivalsbutcanbehotandcrowded.Winter

TheVaticanCityissmall,butit'sfullofwonders. MasterpiecesofMichelangeloandRaphaelwillbe availableintheVaticanMuseums,whilefrescoesof theceilingintheSistineChapelshouldbepaidgreat attentionto.Itissaidtobethebiggestchurchinthe world-oneshouldbeimpressedbyitsarchitecture; however,itsviewofthedomeisincrediblyrich.Apart fromtheVatican,there'smuchmoretoexplore.The quietandsecludedAventineHillprovidesapeaceful retreat,offeringauniqueviewofSt.Peter'sBasilica throughthefamedkeyholeoftheKnightsofMalta. HistoryenthusiastswillenjoyvisitingtheCatacombs ofSanCallistoforanauthenticexperience.

5 Must-Try Dishes that You Can't-Miss

Craving a taste of Italy? Rome offers a diverse culinary scene. Here are the top 5 best cuisines to try in here:

What is it?

Pasta with guanciale, egg yolks, pecorino, and black pepper.

Sweet buns lled with whipped cream, a traditional Roman breakfast. Artichokes, either braised (alla Romana) or fried (alla Giudia).

Salt cod fried in a light, crispy batter.

Oxtail stew with tomato, wine, pine nuts, raisins, and spices.

Why to try

A perfect blend of simple ingredients, a Roman pasta staple.

A unique, historic pastry found at places like Pasticceria Regoli.

A Roman classic, showing off the versatility of artichokes.

A delicious Roman appetizer, crispy and avorful.

One of Rome’s richest and most avorful stews.

These dishes represent the heart of traditional Roman cooking, offering a delicious blend of avors and textures that highlight the city’s culinary heritage.

Pasta Carbonara
Maritozzi
Carcio alla Romana & alla Giudia
Filetti di Baccalà Fritta
Coda alla Vaccinara
Dish

Travel Tips

BeforeexploringthebeautifulhistoryofRomeandgettingan adrenalinerushfromthefood,herearesometimesthatcanhelp youenjoytheplacemore:

Takeyourtimetoexplore:Awalkablecityfilledwithsights.Totrulyappreciateit,focusononeortwo neighborhoodseachday Thisapproachhelpsyouavoidfeelingrushedandallowsyoutosoakinthelocal atmosphereandhiddengems.

UtilizeEfficientPublicTransport:Thecityoffersareliablepublictransportationsystem,includingbuses, trams,andmetroservices.Usetheseoptionstocoverlargerdistancesquickly,makingiteasiertoreach variousattractionsthroughoutthecity.

WanderthroughWindingStreets:Someofthemostmemorableexperiencesherecomefromwanderingits narrow,windingstreets.Allowyourselftogetlost;youmightstumbleuponcharmingcafes,localshops, andbeautifulpiazzasthataren’tintheguidebooks.

WearComfortableShoes:Withcobblestonestreetsprevalentthroughoutthecity,comfortablefootwear isessential.Bepreparedforplentyofwalking,asyou’llwanttoexplorethecity’srichhistory,culinary delights,andleisurelypacewithoutdiscomfort.

Conclusion:

Ending the Eternal Story of Rome

Rome may be steeped in history, but it’s far from a city frozen in time. Today, it’s a bustling, modern metropolis, home to over 2.8 million people. Old and new blend can be seen combined together with full evidence in its cultural ambience, showing everything from cutting-edge fashion boutiques to modern art galleries. The metro, though not as large as those of other European capitals, unites ancient with modern districts, bringing comfort to residents and visitors who cope with the stretched plan of the city. As far as it is concerned, it's not a city; it's an experience. Whether tracing emperors' steps, indulging in its culinary delights, or simply enjoying the relaxed pace of life, it invites people to open up to its charm and history. Indeed, every road leads to discovery in the Eternal City.

and Ensure Success?

So, you’re thinking about opening a convenience store? That’s a smart move! These little shops are a big part of our daily lives, making it super easy to grab snacks, drinks, and essentials on the go. But before you jump in, there’s a lot to think about. From picking the right location to guring out what to sell, knowing how to open a convenience store can really set you up for success. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to get your store up and running smoothly.

So

Let’s

Start With

Your First Step in How to Open a Convenience Store

1.ResearchandPlanning

Beforejumpingintoanybusiness,thoroughresearch andplanningareessential.Whenthinkingabouthow toopenaconveniencestore,it’simportantto understandtheindustry,themarkettrends,andyour potentialcompetitors.First,youneedtoassessthe demandforaconveniencestoreintheareawhere youplantooperate. Who are your target customers? What are their shopping habits? Are there other stores nearby offering similar products?

Onceyouhaveanunderstandingofyourtarget market,youcancreateabusinessplan.Astrong businessplanisthestrengthofanysuccessful ventureandshouldoutlineyourgoals,strategies,and theoperationaldetailsofyourconveniencestore. Mainelementsoftheplanshouldincludethestore’s budget,expectedrevenue,inventorymanagement, andstaffingneeds.Additionally,considerwhattypes ofproductsyou’lloffer.Willyoufocusontraditional conveniencestoreitemssuchassnacks,beverages, andpersonalcareproducts,orwillyouinclude specializedproductslikeorganicgoodsorprepared foods?

2.SecuringFinancing

StartupCosts:Expensesincludeproperty,inventory,equipment (e.g.,refrigerators,shelving),andpermits.Costsrangefrom $50,000to$150,000.

FinancingOptions:Fundviapersonalsavings,businessloans, investors,orsmallbusinessgrants(especiallyinunderserved areas).

3.ChoosingaLocation

Locationisoneofthemostimportantfactorswhenconsidering tostartaconveniencestore.Thestore’ssuccessisdependenton itsaccessibilityandvisibility.Highfoottrafficareassuchasbusy intersections,neighborhoods,orlocationsnearschoolsoroffices areprimespotsforaconveniencestore.Customersrelyon conveniencestoresfortheireaseofaccess,soselectingasitethat iseasilyreachableforbothpedestriansanddriversisimportant.

However,youalsoneedtobemindfulofnearbycompetition. Whileitmightseemlikeagoodideatosetupshopinahightrafficarea,beinglocatedtooclosetoawell-established competitorcouldhurtyourchancesofsuccess.Youwanttostrike abalancebetweenbeinginabusyareaandavoidingdirect competition,atleastintheearlystages.

4. Licensing and Permits

Youwillneedvariouslicensesandpermitstooperateyourstorelegally.

5.StockingYourStore

Thenextstepinhowtoopenaconveniencestoreisto carefullyplanoutyourinventory.Conveniencestores typicallycarryawidevarietyofitemsrangingfrom snacks,drinks,andover-the-countermedicinesto householdgoodsandtoiletries.However,it’scrucialto tailoryourproductselectiontoyourcustomerbase. Basedonyourresearch,youshouldhaveagoodideaof whatitemswillsellwellinyourspecificlocation.

Findingreliablesuppliersisessentialtokeepingyour shelveswell-stocked.Manyconveniencestoreswork withwholesalers,distributors,ordirectsuppliersto ensuretheyhaveasteadysupplyofpopularitems.You willwanttoestablishrelationshipswithvendorswho canofferyoucompetitivepricingandconsistentdelivery schedules.

Inventorymanagementisalsoimportant.Overstocking cantieupcashinunsoldgoods,whileunderstockingcan drivecustomersawayiftheycan’tfindtheproductsthey want.AgoodPOSsystemcanhelpyoutracksales trendsandensureyouaremaintaininganoptimal inventorylevel.

6.MarketingYourConvenienceStore

Marketingisoftenoverlookedintheprocessofhowto openaconveniencestore,butitplaysakeyrolein attractingcustomersandbuildingbrandloyalty.Inthe earlystages,focusonbuildingawarenessinyourlocal community.Eye-catchingsignageoutsideyourstorecan helpbringinwalk-intraffic,butyou’llalsowantto exploreadditionalwaystogetthewordout.

Considerrunninggrandopeningpromotionstodraw attentiontoyournewstore.Offeringdiscountson popularitemsorholdingaloyaltyprogramcan encouragerepeatcustomers.Localadvertisingcanalso beeffective.Flyers,socialmedia,andevenword-ofmoutharegreatwaystopromoteyourbusinesswithout breakingthebank.

Today,havinganonlinepresenceisimportantevenfora brick-and-mortarbusinesslikeaconveniencestore. CreatingaGoogleBusinessProfilehelpscustomersfind youeasilyonline.Additionally,maintaininganactive presenceonsocialmediaallowsyoutoengagewiththe communityandkeeptheminformedofspecialdealsor newproducts.

7.HiringandManagingStaff

Ifyou’relearninghowtoopenaconveniencestore,oneofthe finalstepsishiringtherightstaff.Theemployeesyouhirewill bethefaceofyourstore,soit’simportanttoselectindividuals whoarereliable,friendly,andcustomer-oriented.Thesizeof yourstorewilldeterminehowmanyemployeesyouneed,butat theveryleast,you’llneedcashiersandpossiblystockclerks.

Stafftrainingiscrucial.Youremployeesshouldknowhowto handletransactions,restockinventory,andprovideexcellent customerservice.Theyshouldalsobetrainedinsecurity protocolsandhandlingchallengingsituations,suchasdealing withdifficultcustomersormanagingtheftprevention.

StatisticsforInformedDecision-Making

Whenlearninghowtoopenaconveniencestore,analyzingtheindustry’snumbersandtrendsiscriticaltoensureyour businesssucceeds.Belowarekeystatisticsandfiguresthatwillhelpguideyourdecisions:

StoreIndustrybytheNumbers

• Number of Stores:150,000+ stores across the U.S.

Industry Growth and Revenue

• Annual Sales: Over $650 billion

• Retail Trafc: Convenience stores account for 35% of total retail visits

• Average Store Revenue: $1.5 million annually

Customer Behavior Insights

• 44% of sales are from beverages (coffee, soda)

• 30% of sales come from snacks (chips, candy)

• Average Customer Spend: $5 to $10 per visit

• Healthy Products: Increasing demand for fresh food (salads, sandwiches)

Protability by Product Category

• Low-margin items: Alcohol and tobacco (high sales volume, lower margins)

• High-margin items: Prepared foods and beverages (~50% prot margin)

Labor and Operating Costs

• Labor Costs: 12% to 15% of total sales

• Operating Costs: Aim to keep these between 30% and 40% of revenue

• Staff per shift: 2 to 4 employees Conclusion

Openingaconveniencestorecanbeaprofitableandfulfillingbusiness,butitrequirescarefulpreparationandexecution. Fromselectingtherightlocationtostockingyourshelveswithpopularproducts,eachdecisionplaysacrucialroleinthe successofyourstore.Byfollowingthesesteps,you’llhaveasolidfoundationonhowtoopenaconveniencestoreandcan lookforwardtorunningathrivingbusinessthatmeetstheneedsofyourcommunity

Convenience

DidyouknowthatDoritos,thebelovedtriangulartortillachip,wasthefirsttogonationalinthe UnitedStates?Fromthesimpleideaofrepurposingleftovertortillasintocrunchychips,ithasgrown intoaglobalsnackicon.Today,itisenjoyedinmorethan40countriesworldwideandgenerates billionsinannualrevenue(lastyear$90billion).Withitsboldflavors,innovativemarketing strategies,andloyalfanbase,itcontinuestodominatetheindustryandremainoneofthemostloved snacksaroundtheworld.

Inthisarticle,youwilllearnbrieflyabouthowitstarted,itsmarketingstrategies,someinteresting facts,andhowitsboldflavors,creativecampaigns,andcontinuousproductdevelopmentmakeitthe firstchoiceforsnacklovers.

Journey

Cultural Icon with Flavor and From Simple Chips to a

Journey and Fun

Brand History

Logo History

Thelogohasgonethroughafewchangessincethe Doritoslaunch.Originally,thelogowassimpleand featuredthebrand’snameinbold,simplefontwitha triangularshapehintingattheshapeofchips.

Inthe1980s,theiconictriangularchipsymbolbecame moreprominent,thefontwasupdatedtobemoremodern anddynamic,reflectingtheboldandadventurousimage thatthebrandwantedtoconvey

Bythe1990s,thelogobecamemorecolorful,andthe trianglesymbolbecamemorenoticeable.Thecolorsred, yellow,andorangewereusedtoevokeexcitementand energyfittingwellwiththeboldflavors.

Inthe2000s,thelogosawafewmoretweakstomakeit morecatchyandcontemporary.Thetriangularsymbol remainsthesameonlythefontbecomescleanerand sharper.Today,thelogocontinuestofeaturethebold triangleshape,usingvibrantcolorstoattractattention andmatchitsfunandedgymarketingapproach.

1992- 1997

1985-1992

2000-2005

Interesting Facts

Moderncutting-edgeresearchoperationsseem torelyheavilyontheabilityofGPUs. However,optimizedCPUs-basedservershave dominatedforyearsbecauseoftheir computationalpowerandtheinherentondemandprice.Theseprocessorshave representedthedrivingenergyforan assortmentofmachinesincludingpersonal computers,publicandprivateclouds,servers, andvarioustypesofelectronicdevices.Over time,CPUsarenolongerthesuperiorprocessor inthemarkettoday.So,whatotheroptionis there?TheanswerisGPUs.Theswiftevolution ofAI(ArtificialIntelligence)andamplified difficultyoferrandslikehostingwebplatforms andclouds,resultedintheestablishmentof GraphicsProcessingUnits.GPUshavebecome significantcompetitorsforCPUsinmanyareas, especiallyindatacentersandhandlingAI needs.Inthispost,wewillcomparethe suitabilityofdatacenterCPUsanddatacenter GPUsforAIneeds.

WhatisadatacenterCPU?

GPUsandCPUsinDataCenters:Strengths&Weaknesses

Inlameman’slanguage,aCPUisthebrainofamachine,likea computer.However,wecangetabitmoretechnicalinthispost.Thefull nameisaCentralProcessingUnit.Itisatypeofprocessorusedin moderncomputers.However,itdoesmorethanthis.Itisalsoappliedto dataanalytictasks.Itwasintroducedinthetechmarketinthe1970s. Thistypeofprocessorconsistsofmultiplecores.Itmayhavebetween4 and64cores.Eachofthesecorescanexecuteseveralinstructionsin parallel.Thismakesthemversatilefordifferentapplications.CPUs emergedforthefirsttimeinthe1970s.

WhatisadatacenterGPU?

ThefullnameisaGraphicsProcessingUnit.Itisatypeofprocessorthat wasoriginallydesignedforrenderinggraphicsandimages.Thiswasits keyrolewhenitemergedbackinthe1990s.However,sincethen,people havefoundwaystoincreasetheapplicationsofGPUs.Forexample,in dataanalytics,aGPUisapowerfulthrottlefortasks.Itismadeupof thousandsofprocessingcores.Thesecorescanexecutetasksinparallel. So,theyaresuitableforintensivecomputationaltasks.

GPUsandCPUs:Differencesin applications

ThedefinitionsofCPUsandGPUs touchabitontheirdifferenceswhenit comestoapplications.However,we canclarifythesedifferenceseven further.Oneofthekeyelementsof datacenterGPUsistheycanhandle paralleldeep-learningworkloads.This valuecanbecreditedtotheir parallelism.Furthermore,these processorsareintendedforgeneral purposes.CPUsexcelinconducting tasksthatneedahighsingle-thread

performance.Thisisthanksoftheir complexcontrollogicandtheirlarge caches.Furthermore,CPUsaregreat forproceduresthatneedhigh precision.Letuscheckoutsomeof thecommonapplicationsofCPUs:

Ÿ Dataprocessingandcleaningin datacenters

Ÿ Statisticalanalysis

Ÿ Algorithmdevelopmentandtesting

Ÿ Indexingandquerying

Ÿ ManagementofBItools(Business Intelligence)

Ontheotherhand,datacenterXXX

CPUsaremoreversatilewhenitcomes toAIalgorithmsinvolvingintense memoryrequirements.Theycontain thousandsofsmallerandsimplercores thatcanachieveparallelprocessing. ThisallowsdatacenterGPUstohandle multipletaskssimultaneously.GPUs areperfectforoperationsthatcanbe handledconcurrently.Therefore,GPUs arecommonlyusedforthefollowing tasksindatacenters:

Ÿ Machineanddeeplearning

Ÿ Processingofimagesandvideos

Ÿ Visualizationofdata

Ÿ Science-relatedmodelingand simulations

Ÿ Miningofcryptocurrencies

Ÿ So,thekeydifferenceisCPUsare idealforsequentialtaskswhile GPUsareidealforparallel processing.

GPUsandCPUs:AIapplications

GPUsandCPUsinDataCenters:

WhenitcomestoAIapplications,even indatacenters,GPUstakethecrown. Indatacenters,AIisimportantfor

performingdataanalytics.Itinvolves millionsofmatrixcomputations. Therefore,datacenterCPUsareideal becauseoftheirparallelarchitecture. Theyhavemassivecomputational powerthathelpsspeedupdataanalytic processes.

DatacenterGPUsandCPUs: Strengths

Inadditiontoversatility,CPUshave severalotherstrengths.Theyinclude:

Ÿ Multi-tasking,whichmakesthem idealforthreadedapplicationslike AIdataanalytics.

Ÿ Highspeeds,whichallowsthemto completesingle-threadtasksat higherspeeds.

Ÿ WhenitcomestoGPUs,strengths gobeyondparallelprocessing.Other strengthsofdatacenterGPUsare:

Ÿ Highmemorybandwidth,which enablesthemtoaccessand manipulatedatafaster.

Ÿ Energyefficiency,allowsthemto deliverhighperformancewithout consumingasmuchpowerasCPUs. Thisultimatelyresultsinlowerdata centeroperatingcosts.

Ÿ Customizabilityforspecific applications,makingthemadaptable andflexible.

DatacenterGPUsandCPUs: Weaknesses

ComparedtoGPUs,CPUshave limitedparallelprocessing.Thismeans thattheycannotperformparallel workloads,whichlimitstheir performanceindataanalytics, especiallywhereAIisinvolved.so, theyconsumemanyenergiesandhave limitedmemorybandwidth.

Ontheotherhand,comparedtoCPUs, GPUsareundersignedforconcurrent sequentialdataprocessingtosupport theCPUs.Theyarealsonotablymore

expensivetoacquireandinstalland havelimitedcompatibility.

CanGPUsandCPUsworktogether indatacenters?

WhenhandlingAIneedsindata centers,youhavethreeoptions.They are:

Ÿ CPUsonly

Ÿ GPUsonly

Ÿ BothGPUsandCPUs

Mostmoderncomputingsolutions typicallyusethecapabilitiesofboth GPUsandCPUsfortheiroperationsin aheterogeneouscomputingapproach. Inthisapproach,eachprocessor handlesdifferenttasks.So,howdoes thiswork?Itisallaboutusinga differentprocessorfordifferentneeds. Forexample,youcanuseGPUsto quickendevelopment,training,and datasciencemodelrefining,while usingdatacenterCPUsforhandling heavierandmorecomplexmodel trainingtasks.Combiningthestrengths ofCPUsandGPUsindatacenters enablesyoutoimproveperformance significantlyespeciallywhenitcomes toscientificsimulationsandAI applications.

Conclusion

Whenitcomestodataanalyticsof applicationsindatacenterswhereAIis used,whetheryouchooseGPUsand CPUswillultimatelydependonyour needs.Yourbudgetwillalsohelpyou maketheperfectchoice.Itisnosecret thatGPUsarepresentedasthemost suitedforAIworkloads.However, bothprocessorshavetheirstrengths andlimitationswithCPUsstillan importantchoiceinenterpriseAI. Understandingthiswillaidyouin makingtheperfectchoicebasedon yourneeds.

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