Leverage Digitalisation Properly 

Wang Huijing 

A 31-year-old Chinese advertising consultant in Beijing 

The wave of the digital age has quietly reshaped all aspects of life, and my daily work as an advertising consultant in the e-commerce space vividly reflects this transformation. Each day, I open digital tools to review sellers’ ad data, send optimisation suggestions, and coordinate plans via email, phone, online meeting or WeCom. Technology is deeply woven into every part of my work, creating an efficient workflow while allowing me to experience both the gains and losses brought by the digital tide.  

At work, the value of digital tools is clear. We rely on them for nearly every task: viewing key data such as sellers’ ad click-through rates, conversion rates, and keyword rankings. After analysing ad performance, we optimise across four dimensions: bidding strategy, ad structure, delivery efficiency, and cost control, and explain the underlying logic to sellers.  

On one occasion, a seller’s initial ad performance was poor. I applied optimisation across these four dimensions, and within a month the results were striking. Gross merchandise sales rose more than five-fold, return on ad spend increased 12 times, and both impressions and clicks grew over five times. This highlights the powerful role digital tools play in precise optimisation. I also communicate with sellers entirely online, choosing methods flexibly: quick updates via email or WeCom for simple issues, online meetings to explain complex plans, and phone calls for emergencies. These practices reflect the clear advantages of the digital age. 

Yet digital convenience has overlooked costs. On workdays, sellers’ messages and sudden meeting reminders frequently disrupt my focus. Once, while concentrating on a seller’s ad performance, a stream of phone messages broke my train of thought, forcing extra time to refocus. Online communication also lacks clarity. After emailing a plan, a seller repeatedly asked questions until a phone call revealed he had not understood technical terms. 

Reflecting on this, I realise digitalisation is not a “magic key” but a tool whose impact depends on use. I now respond to messages based on progress in analysis and planning, minimising distractions while meeting sellers’ needs. After work, I turn off notifications to reclaim private time. The digital age does not demand an “either/or” choice. It boosts efficiency and bridges distances, but we must consciously set boundaries. Using tools for data analysis while managing communication thoughtfully allows us to embrace digital convenience without sacrificing focus. 

Stay Alert to Hidden Risks of Digitalisation 

Taiwo Blessing Ogunseyi 

A 37-year-old Nigerian lecturer in Yibin, Sichuan Province 

In today’s digital era, technology has reshaped how we live, work, and connect. It was introduced with the promise of greater efficiency and unprecedented access, freeing human time and simplifying complex processes. That promise is powerful: information is at our fingertips; we can reach across oceans instantly; and we have the freedom to work, learn, and create regardless of location. There is no doubt that the digital revolution has brought tremendous convenience, speed, and connectivity. Yet, amid the excitement of this digital immersion, we cannot shake the feeling that something precious is slipping away.  

One of the biggest issues I sense is the constant distraction and gradual erosion of focused attention. Though we are more connected than ever, our attention has become fragmented. Devices and notifications constantly vie for our awareness, leaving little opportunity to pause, reflect, or simply exist uninterrupted. I believe we have quietly traded something precious: sustained attention. In the physical world, joy often comes from slowing down - savouring a book, enjoying a deep conversation, or watching clouds drift by. The digital world, by contrast, is designed against this. Every app, notification, and feed refresh seizes our focus, replacing deep engagement with shallow, perpetual scrolling and contributing to a pervasive sense of distraction. 

Without doubt, the digital age has enriched us with opportunities and access. Yet, on a human, quality-of-life level, it often feels as though life has become thinner. The richness of offline life lies in its tangibility and the presence it demands. We must actively protect the quiet spaces where creativity and self-reflection can thrive, because the digital pull is always there to fill the void. 

The digital era offers powerful tools, but they come with significant costs. The gains in speed and access are undeniable, yet they often come at the expense of simplicity and the joy of slowing down. The challenge now is to navigate this environment consciously: harnessing digital technology for its benefits while reclaiming the personal time, focus, and intentional presence essential for well-being.