Cloud Computing: Why Businesses Are Adopting It
Cloud computing applications generally serve up numerous benefits to businesses that implement them. One in particular—accessibility—was cited as a top motivating factor for adopting cloud technology, according to recent survey of over 3,600 IT decision makers conducted by research company TNS and CSC, a technology-enabled solutions and services group. While this finding may be surprising...
What Most Entrepreneurs Forget When Purchasing Software
Entrepreneurs have long understood the power of software to transform a business and drive operational performance. And with Software as a Service (SaaS) applications now available for practically every business function, the opportunities for business improvement are staggering. That’s why entrepreneurs tend to anticipate new software purchases with giddy delight. They see the possibilities. They...
Don’t Let Your Business Get Left Behind
Complacency is something many of us are guilty of. Whether it’s waiting until the last minute to accomplish a task or not heeding the advice of a friend or colleague because you’re content and satisfied in the manner of doing something, this state of mind can close the door on many opportunities and not allow...
Social Media Success: Commitment is Critical
Try as you may, you simply cannot avoid the presence of social media in today’s society. Everywhere you look, you see the familiar icons of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media applications on a variety of different informational outlets, from Web sites and blogs to more traditional marketing pieces such as print advertisements and...
Sync Your Software to Achieve More in Less Time
For most small business owners and sole proprietors, the thought of running their operations without software applications is incomprehensible. Whether for accounting, appointment-scheduling, human resources, e-marketing or payment-processing, these programs have allowed them to function more efficiently, automate their processes, streamline procedures, and, for many, have enabled them to successfully grow their businesses. And thanks...
How To Drive Customers Your Way Online
You’ve listened to the experts and other successful business owners. You’ve developed an interactive website with all of the functionality one could ask for. You’ve launched an engaging blog. You’ve established a social media presence by creating Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages. And you’ve provided customers with online tools that can make their lives easier,...
Modern PR Tactics: Blending The Old & The New
Quick, what does the term "public relations" mean? If a variety of answers popped into your head, you're on the right track. “Public relations” is a fairly broad term that can have different meanings depending on the company, objective and situation. A large corporation might see it as a tactic that puts it in a...
Local SEO: It Ain’t Your Father’s Phone Directory Ad
Anyone not living under a rock during the past 10 or so years realizes the important role the Internet plays in connecting small businesses with new customers. We’re a mobile, online society, and we want the ability to look up retail locations and service providers from the convenience of our smartphone or laptop. And a...
Exceptionally Effective E-newsletters
Newsletters often get a bad rap in today’s business environment. For many owners, operators and staff, the vision of an outdated, mailed piece of paper that takes hours of manpower to produce and print immediately comes to mind. This vision is sometimes accompanied with the notion that the person receiving it will immediately throw it...
Use Digital Technology to Pass the Competition
Once upon a time, there was a general store smack dab in the center of a small town in Middle America. It offered valued products and services to residents of that town and the surrounding area, and it flourished, given that it was the only place around to purchase these items. It had no competition,...
Keys to Purchasing SaaS for Your Business
Trends in technology always make their way to small businesses, and Software as a Service (SaaS) applications are no exception. Owners and operators worldwide are weaning themselves from the traditional “boxed” software found in retail outlets and electronics stores and are instead turning to the Web for these essential programs. Software solutions for accounting, human...
Groupon or GroupOFF: What You Need to Run a Successful Daily Promotion
"Deal-of-the-Day" promotions, such as those offered by Groupon, LivingSocial and others, are becoming increasingly popular among businesses large and small. This is no surprise, considering the almost immediate blast of new customers, and products and services purchased. Depending on the offer, it's not unrealistic for businesses to see hundreds or even thousands of individuals taking...
Put Your Business on Auto-Pilot with SaaS Applications
“Remember the good old days” is a cliché that simply refuses to retire. Remember when life was simpler? Remember when one spouse could be the sole earner for his or her family? Remember when your neighborhoods were safer, and you and your family felt comfortable walking at night? And remember when technology and innovation was...
A Simple Reminder Goes a Long, Long Way
Most of us enjoy getting reminders. Whether it’s a telephone call from our hair stylist the day before our appointment, an e-mail detailing next week’s spa visit, or a postcard in the mail a few weeks before our bi-annual dental cleaning, this simple action helps us better plan our days and ensures that we make...
Increasing Your New Client Appointments through Social Media
Think about all the places you’ve seen a Facebook or Twitter icon. Perhaps it was on a print advertisement. Or maybe a business colleague includes one in the signature of his or her e-mail messages. Certainly it was on that website you just visited. Simply put, social media and social networking icons are almost...
Saving Money with Cloud Applications for Small Business
Small business owners are always looking for ways to improve their operations in the most cost-effective manner possible, especially during tough economic times. Software programs and in-house networks historically have been one solution to help them achieve this. Until recently, however, this technology was out of reach for most small businesses due to budget restraints...