Business
Exclusive: BitTrunks Co-Head Dwain Schenck on World’s First Elephant Art NFTs to Support the Herd
Suda with her sunset art | Photo credit: Dwain Schenck
It, presumably, won’t be wrong to summon that the world that predominately runs on representative money is currently shifting towards digital currency. In that race, NFTs seem to be one of the most preferred choices.
Also termed non-fungible token, NFT is a means of uniquely representing an object or an idea — whether physical or virtual — which prevents replication or alteration and provides proof of ownership, like it is the ultimate authenticity card.
In recent times, we saw singers buying NFTs from the likes of Eminem, and also producers selling film NFTs.
Interestingly, Dwain Schenck, the co-head of BitTrunks, tells GLAMOUR BUFF that he and his team at BitTrunks launched the world’s first NFT art made by an elephant earlier in October this year. Surreal, isn’t it?
“The idea that an elephant could paint was utter amazement,” Schenck says, sharing his first impression of the elephant art. “When I saw with my own eyes Tunwa and Suda making this incredible art it was still too incredible to comprehend.”
But the proceed from the sale of Elephant Art NFTs are going nowhere but to support the herd of elephants at the Maetaeng Elephant Park & Clinic.
In the exclusive interview, Schenck, who is also the founder of strategic communications and consulting firm Schenck Strategies, talks about the world’s first NFT art made by elephant and everything around it.
GB: A NFT art, that, too, made by a seven-year-old elephant is something exclusive. Tell us more about your first impression of Elephant Art NFTs?
DS: Suda, already famous in her own right for her artistic abilities, was not just painting landscapes. She can paint self-portraits. And these aren’t just splashes of color splattered on canvass – but art with trees, animals, and blue skies blended together to make something truly beautiful. This was hands down the coolest thing I had ever seen.
Let’s face it, there are many things to love about elephants. People are naturally drawn to them because they are caring, intelligent, and are able to form bonds and show empathy. But who knew some have the ability to make art with their trunks? It’s natural to be skeptical, especially when it looks as if the painting could have been made by a human artist.
What seals the deal is we provide each collector of every BitTrunks NFT purchased a video documenting the entire artistic process, start to finish, along with photos and a certificate of authenticity. That’s when it sinks in that not only are you watching something truly magical take place, you have also purchased something incredibly unique, verging on priceless. What’s more, the buyer also receives the actual painting on canvass that can be hung on the wall. This is also historically special because a portion of the proceeds of the sale of every NFT goes to help support the elephant park and lifesaving medical clinic where Tunwa and Suda live along with more than 80 other elephants. You can purchase Elephant Art by visiting the official Elephant Art Online website.
GB: So, when did this thing initially start? Tell us about the process and people involved in this fascinating work.
DS: BitTrunks is the NFT-branch of Elephant Art Online (EAO). EAO announced the debut of its NFT (non-fungible token) initial release featuring the world’s first NFT created by an elephant on October 18, 2021. The first 1 of 1 NFT artwork to be made available to the world was called the Tree of Life and was created by Tunwa, a 7-year-old male elephant who was born and raised at the Maetaeng Elephant Park & Clinic in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The NFT is available on our OpenSea page, the first and largest peer-to-peer marketplace for NFTs. Additional value-added content that comes with this particular NFT includes outtakes of Tunwa painting, a day-in-the-life of him interacting with other elephants in his habitat, and a digitally verifiable certificate of authenticity of the painting (QR Code).
Tunwa with Tree of Life art
Maetaeng Elephant Park was formed in 1996 to aid elephants now free but with nowhere to go after the 1989 ban on logging in Thailand. Seeing increased numbers of elephants forced to roam city streets and take up work in the illegal logging trade, the park decided to create a safe and friendly work environment where visitors to the Kingdom of Thailand would be able to see these majestic animals up close and help support the park’s efforts.
In 2000, elephant handlers started to humanely teach a few select elephants how to paint. The idea was to raise enough money so that the park could build an elephant hospital. This dream came true in 2006 when the park became the first government-licensed facility to operate an elephant hospital in Northern Thailand.
GB: Since you are the co-head of BitTrunks, can you tell us if the main idea behind creating the platform was to promote elephant-made arts?
DS: Elephant Art Online, which is the original seller of authentic elephant paintings, decided to start BitTrunks as a way to continue to surprise the NFT community with regular exclusive releases that are aimed towards investor collectors who are looking for long and short-term gains in the lucrative NFT market. Our goal is to create a unique offering that will act as a profitable investment vehicle while at the same time generating needed funds for our elephant park and elephant medical clinic to survive and thrive.
Prior to the pandemic, Suda and Tunwa were the star attraction at the Maetaeng Elephant Park & Clinic in Chiang Mai, Thailand, painting for scores of visiting tourists as a way to raise money to care for and feed more than 80 elephants living at the park. Times were good. Then COVID-19 hit, grinding tourism to a halt – the very lifeblood and funding source to care for the elephants. Our goal is to be able to use NFTs as a funding source instead of relying on tourism. If we can make this a working model, we plan to expand this concept and help other struggling animal parks in Thailand and elsewhere.
GB: That is awesome!
DS: Yes! We also have several new mind-blowing NFTs in the works. We will soon launch a lower-priced collection starting at 0.3 ETH that will be based on Suda’s paintings. This will allow the general NFT community the ability to collect and trade our NFTs. We also plan to release a new collection that is an art collaboration between our elephant Tunwa and his mahout (caretaker). This means that the paintings will be made both by Tunwa and his mahout.
GB: You previously mentioned something very touching – about the proceeds from the sales of the Elephant Art NFTs being used to support the Maetaeng Elephant Park & Clinic. Can you elaborate more about this noble cause?
DS: In 2000, we started to teach our elephants how to paint. Suda is known for her unique artistic talents. Suda is a 15-year-old girl who has been painting for 10 years. She is responsible for raising thousands of dollars for our elephant hospital. She has been featured on CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and Joe Rogan’s podcast for her lasting ability to create beautiful mountainscapes, flowering trees, and waterfalls.
The idea was to sell the paintings to raise enough money so that we could build an elephant clinic at the park. In 2006, we became the first elephant park with a government-licensed hospital on its premises in Northern Thailand that now treats an estimated 800 elephants in the area, free of charge.
Fruit feast for elephants
To keep this kind of service going we depend on the generosity of those who visit the park, general donations, and the purchase of elephant paintings on our website. Due to COVID-19, and the fact that tourism and the funds that come with it have dried up, it seemed natural to turn one of our most beautiful paintings into a 1 of 1 NFT. There’s nothing like it in the world. It’s called the Tree of Life and can be purchased by visiting our OpenSea page.
It’s a one-of-kind investment opportunity that we feel will create inexplicable value for anyone who is lucky enough to purchase it. The owner of this NFT will also know they are giving back in ways few can imagine by supporting 100’s of elephants for years to come.
GB: Do you also believe that such an exemplary campaign will bring awareness about the conservation of elephants, as well as animal conversation as a whole?
DS: We believe BitTrunks NFTs will be a great investment and bring more awareness to the importance of animal welfare and the preservation and protection of elephants. Sadly, elephant populations have experienced significant declines over the last century. While some populations of African elephants are expanding, primarily in southern Africa, numbers are continuing to fall in other areas, particularly in central Africa and parts of East Africa. Asian elephant numbers have dropped by at least 50% over the last three generations, and they are still in decline today. With only 40,000 – 50,000 left in the wild, the species is classified as endangered.
We opened the Maetaeng Elephant Park & Clinic in 1996 to provide a safe environment for the many elephants and their mahouts, the elephant’s caretaker, who lost their job because of the Thai Government ban on all logging practices in protected forests.
With the modernization and commercialization of Thailand in the 20th century, the elephant habitat was destroyed at an unprecedented rate as domesticated elephants were used by non-Thai owners in the teak logging industry until the ban in 1989. As a result, Thai elephants were forced to survive either in the illegal logging industry, walking the city streets begging, or from tourism. An argument can be made that a well-run elephant camp like ours provides a nurturing environment for the elephants and supports the mahout and their families.
GB: Any special mentions who you feel are doing their best to promote animal conservation.
DS: We are not affiliated in any way with Joe Rogan, but he visited our park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a few years ago, and he has raised awareness about our elephant paintings on several occasions. There are also numerous celebrities that are raising awareness about elephant protection and conservation, for which we are grateful.
GB: Now, the initiative has been taken and we expect the Elephant Art NFTs led by BitTrunks to go miles. But where do you personally see this idea in the coming few years?
DS: The idea to create the world’s first-ever NFT art made by an elephant became a natural extension for us to leverage what has been taking place for more than a decade at our elephant park. Up to now, almost all investors in NFTs are in it for profit. We do see an opportunity here to offer more. Our business model accommodates philanthropic-minded investors the ability to enter the scene and do good for themselves and in our case, the elephants. Money will always be the driver of any new technology. How we all use this tool remains to be seen. We believe it will evolve in the same direction as a traditional art gallery, but with much more potential and opportunity.
Painting made by Suda
Some experts claim it is the next new fundraising frontier. NFTs have allowed charities, celebrities, and individuals to auction off their digital creations, with all or most of the proceeds going to a charity of their choice. In the coming months and years, we will roll out varied natural and vectorized collections of elephant art NFTs. We will also vary the themes of the paintings. Suda and Tunwa don’t just paint mountains and fields. They are equally talented at painting space and futuristic vistas and pop art images. More to come on that exciting front.
GB: Let us focus slightly more on NFTs and the digital market. How can a common man benefit from such NFTs?
DS: It is not easy to explain NFTs in a few sentences. One thing is sure, it will go mainstream in the very near future. A common term for NFT, Cryptocurrency, and Metaverse is Internet 3.0. This is the future, and what it means is that trade and possessions will be virtual in the future, and NFTs will undoubtedly play a big role in this. Instead of trading with fiat money or even cryptocurrency, NFTs will be used as a token of trade. Especially in the gaming space where players will be able to purchase game characters, skills, and items. I think it is too early to say exactly how NFTs will be beneficial for the common man, outside of the above-mentioned applications. It is a fairly new technology and is still evolving.
GB: Also, where should we head to purchase these special Elephant Art NFTs?
DS: You can purchase a BitTrunks NFT by visiting our OpenSea page. Buying an Elephant Art NFT is an investment into what is easily some of the most unique paintings on the planet. There is so much more behind the art as well. The lucky collector will usher in a brighter future for the herd – for the older elephants and the ones yet to be born. It’s a win-win for all.
Tree of Life by Tunwa
GB: Do you have a message for Tunwa? Jokes apart, what would you tell those who want to buy the Elephant Art NFTs?
DS: It’s important for people to know that all of our elephants are treated humanely and ethically. Every morning the elephants at the park are led down to the MaeTaeng river to take a morning bath followed by a short 30-minute walk with their mahouts followed by breakfast that consists of fresh grass, melons, bananas, mangos, coconuts, corn stalks, and other seasonal non-citrus fruits.
Each elephant consumes up to 650 pounds of food per day or around 10 percent of its body weight. This routine takes place throughout the day. A team of veterinarians also attends to every elephant and checks the skin, legs, feet, and eyes, and looks for any signs of stress or fatigue.
Another interesting fact is each painting created by Tunwa takes a little over four hours to produce, including snack breaks and time off to walk around the park and eat bananas, one of his favorite treats. Tunwa and the other painting elephants are never forced to make art and when they lose interest they come back later to begin again or just take the day off.
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. If you have any inquiries, email us at glamourbuff@gmail.com.
The shift to remote work has affected many businesses, from small start-ups to big enterprises. That’s why it’s more important than ever for Human Resources (HR) departments to be prepared with the right structure and processes in place. With the global pandemic still ongoing, having a well-rounded HR department is essential for providing effective support and guidance for teams working remotely.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how to develop an optimal HR department that can create a smooth transition into successful remote work operations. We’ll look at topics such as setting up standard procedures, ensuring adequate employee engagement levels, establishing open communication policies, and more.
Understand the Need for an HR Department in Remote Work Environments
The past year has brought about a major shift in the way we work, with a huge increase in remote work arrangements. And while there are definitely some upsides to working from home, it also presents a few unique challenges. One of these is the need for HR departments to adapt to these new remote work environments.
With employees working from different locations and time zones, it’s more important than ever for companies to have solid HR policies and procedures in place to ensure their workforce is happy, productive, and engaged. This means focusing on things like remote performance evaluations, establishing communication channels, and providing resources to support employee well-being.
Establish Rules and Policies to Ensure Employee Satisfaction and Productivity
The traditional workplace is evolving at an unprecedented rate, and working remotely has become a new norm. It has undoubtedly brought several benefits for both employers and employees, including flexibility and increased productivity.
However, with this shift, it is important to establish policies and guidelines to ensure that employees remain satisfied and motivated while working remotely. Such policies should focus on work hours, communication channels, and defining clear expectations to promote productivity.
Also, consider rewarding your employees to make sure they are even more satisfied. Moreover, when it comes to the benefits of an employee reward program, it can not only boost employee satisfaction but also foster a positive company culture, which is essential for remote teams. A positive company culture leads to better employee retention and increased productivity, even in remote work environments.
Develop Communication Strategies That Support Remote Workers
In an increasingly digital world, remote work is becoming more and more common. And while technology has made it easier than ever to communicate with anyone, anywhere, at any time, working remotely presents unique communication challenges. How do you maintain the sense of connection and collaboration that arises from working together in the same physical space?
How do you ensure everyone is on the same page and has the information they need in order to do their job effectively? Developing communication strategies that support remote workers is a must for any organization that wants to succeed in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business landscape.
Overall, developing an HR department for remote work requires forethought and careful execution. It’s important to understand the need for an HR department, budget for the necessary resources, and establish rules and policies aimed at employee satisfaction and productivity.
Additionally, a solid communication plan will help ensure that all stakeholders are contributing to the success of the team. By taking these steps when establishing an HR department for remote teams, companies can reduce operational costs and lay the foundation for a successful remote workforce.
Thanks to learning how to develop a good HR department specifically tailored to remote work environments, employers have more options when it comes to their ability to make working remotely easier and more comfortable even in challenging times.
Business
Analyzing User Actions: The Impact of Micro Conversions on Your Sales Funnel
Micro conversions impact various aspects of a business.
Micro conversions play a significant role in the overall success of a sales funnel. While macro conversions, such as completing a purchase or signing up for a service, are the ultimate goals, micro conversions are the smaller, incremental steps that lead a prospect closer to that final conversion.
Before discussing the impact that micro conversions have on a sales funnel, let’s first define the terms.
What is a Sales Funnel?
A sales funnel, AKA a purchase funnel or a conversion funnel, is a marketing concept that represents the customer journey from the initial stage of awareness to the final stage of making a purchase or conversion.
It visualizes how potential customers move through different stages, gradually narrowing down and becoming more committed to the brand or product.
What Are Micro Conversions?
Micro conversions are specific actions or behaviors that users or potential customers take during their journey through the sales funnel. Here are some examples of micro-conversions:
Email Subscriptions
When a user signs up for a newsletter or subscribes to email updates, it indicates their interest in receiving regular communication from the brand. This micro-conversion allows businesses to nurture leads and maintain ongoing engagement.
Account Creation
When a user creates an account on a website or platform, it shows a higher commitment and interest in the brand’s offerings. Account creation often precedes more significant actions like purchasing or accessing premium features.
Content Downloads
Users downloading resources like e-books, whitepapers, case studies, or guides demonstrate their willingness to learn more about the brand or subject matter. This micro-conversion can help businesses identify prospects with a stronger intent to engage and convert.
Social Media Engagement
Actions such as following a brand on social media, liking, commenting, or sharing its content are micro conversions that indicate an affinity for the brand. These actions expand the brand’s reach and provide ongoing engagement and relationship-building opportunities.
Adding to Cart
When a user adds items to their shopping cart, it signifies a high level of interest and intent to purchase. While it may not always lead to an immediate conversion, this micro-conversion indicates progress in the sales funnel and allows businesses to target users with abandoned cart recovery strategies.
Requesting a Demo or Quote
When a prospect requests a product demo or a quote for a service, it shows a strong buying intent and indicates that they are evaluating the offering seriously. This micro-conversion helps businesses identify hot leads and tailor their sales approach accordingly.
Webinar Registrations
When users sign up for webinars or online events hosted by the brand, it demonstrates their interest in gaining knowledge or insights related to the industry or specific topics. This micro-conversion allows businesses to establish thought leadership and engage with a targeted audience.
The Impact Of Micro Conversions On A Sales Funnel
Micro conversions impact various aspects of a business. Let’s take a closer look.
Building Trust and Engagement
Micro conversions help build trust and engagement with potential customers. Prospects begin to develop a relationship with the brand when they take small actions.
Each micro-conversion signifies interest and commitment, allowing the brand to nurture the prospect further through the sales funnel. By consistently delivering value and addressing their needs, the brand can establish trust and credibility, which increases the likelihood of a macro conversion.
Qualifying Leads
Micro conversions act as lead qualification points in the sales funnel. When prospects take specific actions, they demonstrate their interest and intent. These actions can be tracked and analyzed to determine the quality of leads. For example, someone who downloads a product demo or requests a quote is likely more interested and closer to purchasing than someone who visits the website.
Micro conversions help identify the most engaged and qualified leads, allowing sales teams to prioritize their efforts and resources effectively.
Increasing Conversion Rates
Micro conversions contribute to increasing conversion rates overall. By guiding prospects through smaller actions, the sales funnel reduces the perceived effort and risk associated with a macro conversion. It’s easier for a prospect to take a small step forward than make an immediate commitment. Each micro-conversion acts as a psychological trigger, increasing the likelihood of subsequent conversions.
By optimizing the sales funnel with micro conversions in mind, businesses can create a more frictionless path to purchase, which helps them achieve higher conversion rates.
Tracking and Optimization
Micro conversions provide valuable data for tracking and optimizing the sales funnel. By monitoring the different touchpoints and actions within the funnel, businesses can identify areas of improvement. For instance, a significant drop-off after a particular micro-conversion indicates a potential issue that needs to be addressed.
Analyzing the data from micro conversions allows businesses to make data-driven decisions and optimize the funnel for better results. This iterative process can lead to increased efficiency and better overall performance.
Upselling and Cross-selling Opportunities
Micro conversions create opportunities for upselling and cross-selling. Once a prospect has taken a micro conversion step, such as making a smaller purchase or subscribing to a service, they become more receptive to additional offers.
Brands can leverage these micro-conversions to introduce complementary products or services and encourage customers to purchase more. This can significantly increase the average order value and overall revenue generated from each customer.
In conclusion, micro-conversions have a profound impact on the sales funnel. They help build trust, qualify leads, increase conversion rates, provide valuable data for optimization, and create upselling opportunities.
By strategically designing and optimizing the sales funnel with micro conversions in mind, businesses can enhance the customer journey, drive more conversions, and achieve greater success in their sales and marketing efforts.
Business
Which Type of Patent Service to Hire – Consider InventHelp?
InventHelp provides patent services and helps inventors bring their products to market.
To find the best patent services, you should look for a company that has a good track record. This will help you decide whether to hire a patent lawyer or use a service. You should also consider the fee structure of a patent service.
Some companies may charge high fees, and you may have questions about the service’s experience and track record. Some companies provide free consultations to their clients. A free consultation will help you decide which type of patent service to hire.
Success Rate:
During the consultation phase, it’s important to check the firm’s success rate. A good patent attorney should obtain two to four secured or published patents per month. A high success rate means that the firm will likely make your product successful. A low success rate may lead to a product that is not protected and sold. But a high success rate will mean you’re more likely to get your money’s worth.
The success rate is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a patent service. An average patent attorney will obtain two to four published and secured patents each month. While a higher success rate is always better, you should not overlook low-cost services that may be a sign of poor service. However, if you’re not sure, you can always go for a cheaper option. There are many things to consider before hiring a patent service.
Excellent Customer Service:
InventHelp provides patent services and helps inventors bring their products to market. They pair inventors with an attorney and create a database of over 9000 companies so that they can find the most suitable commercialization opportunities.
InventHelp patent services have excellent customer service and offers free consultations for their services. These companies will charge a modest fee for their services, which is more affordable than the fees you’d pay a law firm.
Consider the Cost:
Before choosing a patent attorney, it’s important to consider the costs involved. The cost of a patent lawyer can range from $8K to $15K. Some attorneys charge by the hour, while others charge by the project.
The cost of a patent can range from eight to fifteen thousand dollars. The cost of patent writing varies depending on the complexity of the invention. A skilled attorney will charge you higher fees but the benefit of higher fees is that you will get a better draft in less time.
Long-Term Needs:
When choosing a patent attorney, it’s essential to consider the long-term needs of your business. You should be able to afford the fees over time. Having your attorney file your patent can protect your ideas for decades.
With the InventHelp patent, you can sell your invention internationally and make profits. Investing in a patent attorney will ensure that your company’s ideas are protected. A patent is an essential asset for a company, so make sure it’s in good hands.
Maintain Your Patent:
The cost of a patent attorney will depend on the amount of time it takes to file and maintain your patent. It’s crucial to find the right lawyer to represent your company. If you’re unsure about who to hire, you can also work with an InventHelp attorney.
These services can help you protect your invention in the US and avoid costly mistakes. It’s essential to hire a good patent lawyer to protect your ideas.
The cost of a patent attorney can vary. Some companies charge by the hour, while others bill by the project. You should also inquire about how many patents an attorney has filed in the past. You must choose an attorney who is familiar with the requirements of the USPTO. A lawyer who knows the law will have an edge in your case. This is an investment in your IP assets. A good firm will also have a reputation for excellence.
Consider a Patent Attorney:
In addition to patent attorneys, you should also consider a patent attorney. A patent attorney is an attorney who specializes in this area. He or she will know the legal requirements and rules of the patent process.
They’ll also be knowledgeable about the different types of patents and will be able to give you the right advice. They can also give you information on the success rate of your case. This can help you make the most informed decision for your business.
When choosing a patent attorney, it’s essential to determine whether they are a good fit. The best patent attorneys are often close to their professional communities and can refer other attorneys to you.
For instance, you can ask colleagues for recommendations or ask for referrals. In addition, you can also ask friends and relatives in the legal field about which attorneys they’ve used in the past. You should consider whether they are satisfied with the results or the skill of their work.
Experience Level:
When choosing the best patent services, you should consider the level of experience they have. Larger firms typically secure five to 10 patents every month, while smaller firms may be better suited to those who have no prior knowledge of the patent process.
There are also several different factors to consider in choosing a service. The success rate is a key criterion for determining if a service is right for you. The more successful a company is, the more valuable it will be to your case.
When choosing a patenting provider, be wary of those who advertise themselves as “patent searchers” or “prototype specialists.” These companies are divisions of less ethical corporations.
The local yellow-page listings often don’t distinguish between patent attorneys and brokers. There is a vast difference between these two types of providers and you should always be careful when hiring one.
Proven Track Record:
An InventHelp quality patent service has a proven track record of obtaining patents. During the patenting process, InventHelp will use a variety of tools to make the process easier for you. Additionally, quality service providers will offer one-on-one consultation.
This ensures that your patent application will be unique and well-protected. The most important factor in choosing the best patent services is experience. A successful patent application will be customized to fit your needs and be as unique as possible.
Well-Defined Strategy:
Finding the best patent service is vital when you are starting out. You need to make sure that you have a well-defined strategy for your idea. A good patent attorney should be able to help you understand the laws and regulations that govern your business.
In addition to having the legal help of an expert, a licensed attorney will give you the confidence to proceed. A quality attorney will give you the guidance you need to protect your invention.
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