While the media frequently paints a picture of the average small business owner as a stressed-out workaholic, slave to the smartphone and run ragged by the never-ending demands of his or her company, the reality is quite different. According to the first annual Yodle Small Business Sentiment Survey, small business owners are enjoying a pretty decent work-life balance, they’re working reasonable hours, taking vacations and generally loving what they do.

The small business owners survey of businesses with 20 or fewer employees found a whopping 91 percent are happy being small business owners, with 55 percent saying they're "extremely happy."

It’s No Wonder: More than half (52 percent) of small business owners say they work 40 hours or less per week, and 72 percent take at least two weeks of vacation annually. In fact, 27 percent take four or more weeks of vacation.

Of course, not everyone in the survey is living that large. About four in 10 (39 percent) work 41 to 60 hours per week. Still, the percentage of respondents who are living up to the stereotype of the crazy-busy entrepreneur is very small. Only 9 percent work more than 60 hours a week, and just 11 percent say they never take a vacation.

That doesn't mean all is sunshine and rainbows in the world of the entrepreneur. In terms of their personal lives, small business owners' biggest worries are:

• Being able to afford healthcare (48 percent).
• Putting aside enough money for retirement (46 percent).
• Being able to provide an adequate lifestyle for their family (33 percent).

On a professional level, the top three business concerns keeping small business owners up at night are:

• Finding new customers (42 percent).
• Being able to afford healthcare and other employee benefits (39 percent).
• Retaining current customers (33 percent).

Overall, 59 percent of business owners say they definitely wouldn't or were unlikely to consider selling their companies in the next few years. One-fourth indicated they "might" sell "if they could get a fair price."

Do these attitudes jibe with yours?

If not, here are a few suggested changes that could make you change your outlook:

Cut Yourself Some Slack

If you've been working day and night thinking that's just what entrepreneurs do, it's time to stop. Figure out ways to take time off to recharge your batteries. It doesn't have to be a month-long sabbatical – even taking an afternoon off now and then can be enough to renew your love of your business.

Start small and build up to a real vacation – you deserve it.

Plan Ahead

Small business owners have to live with uncertainty, that's the nature of the beast. You'll never be able to be 100 percent certain of your income. But then, neither will the average corporate employee, right?

The difference is that you have the ability to take matters into your own hands. Take steps to feel more secure by figuring out how to put money away both for short-term needs (like a sales slump) and for your future. Meet with a financial adviser and talk to your accountant if you haven't already.

Get Ready for Obamacare

Six in 10 respondents believe the Affordable Care Act's implementation will have a negative effect on small business. While much of the outcome remains unknown, don't hide your head in the sand. Start now and investigate insurance exchanges in your state. Talk to your insurance provider and accountant about what changes you'll need to make, what your options are and how this will affect your business.

By being proactive rather than reactive, you'll feel more positive about you and your business's future and your ability to handle whatever life hands you.

Happy Photo via Shutterstock

The post Small Business Owners: Survey Says Yes, They Are Happy appeared first on Small Business Trends.

If you haven’t yet used Instagram to market your brand, the time may be right to start. The photo sharing platform owned by Facebook announced recently it had reached 150 million active monthly users.

To put this into perspective, this means Instagram is only 50 million users short of overtaking Facebook rival Twitter.

Twitter currently says it has 200 million active monthly users. The company shared plans for an IPO last week.

Instagram Helps Small Business Marketing

An official post on the Instagram blog announcing the 150 million user milestone, focused on documenting protests in Egypt, sharing a trip across the U.S. or taking adorable animal photos.

Certainly, some of Instagram’s users are engaging in these uses of the platform.

But there are many possible Instagram applications for marketing your business too.

You can use Instagram to share sneak previews of your products, highlight your customer service, showcase your employees and company culture or show off your restaurant or new office.

Earlier this year, Instagram video was born with the possibility of shooting 15 second videos as a marketing tool.

Instagram also offers many “filters” to change the look of your photos and videos, rendering them in either a retro style or with intensified colors.

Where is Your Audience?

When deciding whether Instagram is the right platform for your marketing message, you should first look at its audience.

While Instagram’s community is large and growing, company officials say 60 percent of it is located outside the United States.

This might mean Instagram will be more effective marketing an international product than, say, a local pizzeria.

What products or services might you consider marketing on Instagram?

Instagram Photo via Shutterstock

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Visual marketing is one of those buzz terms circulating a lot lately. With the way the Internet itself has changed over time, that is to be expected. Users have a certain expectation that you have to meet, and a lot of it has to do with the visuals associated with the content you create. You are trying to engage people around the world with a universal language, one done through images rather than the standards of text.

Able to evoke emotional responses and long lasting associations, visual marketing is a crucial element to any strategy in branding today. Failing to meet this standard could be disastrous, and possibly lead to a lot of work with no payoff.

Isn’t that every company’s nightmare?

Visual marketing can be broken down into five pillars, and knowing them will help you to establish a better plan to increase visibility and generate brand loyalty.

Pillars of Visual Marketing

1. Use Various Media Types

A lot of people will make the mistake of sticking with one form of media over others. There is nothing wrong with having your primary content be a specific type, but you should still try and add in others on a regular basis. I usually suggest a 1/5 ratio. If you are posting five photos with funny captions, remove one of the pictures and add in a video instead.

While you might be sharing a lot of graphic quotes, make one of them an actual infographic. This also applies to shared content versus original content. Try to make as much as possible original, rather than all shared. And instead of making it all original, add in a few things you have found around the Web to connect with other sources. Just make sure people know where it originally came from.

Tip:Content re-packaging is one of the most effective ways to create different media types based on one research.

2. Keep Content Relevant

An occasional off-topic tangent or item is fine. But most of what you present should be relevant to your brand, even if that connection isn’t very strong. Some kind of link should exist, otherwise you are diluting the message you are trying to get across. If you are posting something completely off the subject, try to find a way to link it up to your brand.

For example, a picture of a smiling pig might not have anything to do with a sale your site is holding. But adding a caption where the pig is expressing its excitement about getting 40% off of all merchandise does. You will find you can stretch things pretty far to find relevance.

3. Optimize For Platforms

Certain platforms are better for different forms of media, and you should optimize to match their strengths:

• Pinterest is great for high quality images and infographics linking to outside links.
• Facebook is perfect for rapid-fire engagement and the spreading of potentially viral content of all types.
• Twitter is good for single photos, and linking to media off-site, then discussing it with short bursts of opinion and conversation.
• Reddit is good for building a real discussion on any media you might have produced.
• LinkedIn is good for getting visual content out to professionals in B2B marketing.

Remember to take advantage of different features each platform has, like hashtags, proper categorization, enticing titles, etc

4. Cross Promote Content

Most platforms will be good for more than one purpose, or the same purpose across sites. Cross promotion is a good way to get the same visuals seen on a larger scale and to increase your pool of who sees it. Sites like Twitter and Pinterest are more open natured, so you should definitely post any Facebook content on those pages as well. Or adapt visual content into other media formats in order to cross promote it further, like turning an infographic tutorial into a video for YouTube.

5. Make It Easy To Share

Part of marketing is getting others to get the word out for you. This can be encouraged by making it extra easy to share content. Have plenty of social media buttons on your website so it can be posted anywhere. Smartly double post things on your social profiles, such as cycling the same content after a couple of days so more people can see and share it. Ask for a like or share on Facebook if they agree or disagree. Include people to ensure they see they are meant to be a part of the conversation.

10 Free Visual Marketing Tools

Visual marketing is kind of like the industry’s new toy. People are only beginning to really understand and implement it and, as the buzz increases, it is becoming more crucial than ever to get on board. With the Internet more visual than it has ever been before, failing to properly provide such enhancements and engagement is a quick way to lose yourself a lot of visibility on an already saturated market.

There are many of them out there that you can use for free, and these are ten of the best (in my opinion):

1. Image Color Picker

The best colors are found in real life. Nature photos, the color of someone’s eyes, the fabrics of a woven blanket…they hold associations in our minds. But they aren’t always easy to break down, and finding the name or code of a color can seem impossible. This awesome tool lets you upload a photo or use a URL to the image, and click on the section you want. It will then tell you the HTML, RGB and HSV codes.

2. Google Fonts

Once again, Google is sticking their hand into the cookie jar. This time it is with their very own font collection. They have thousands available, and all of them are open source so you can use them without credit or payment. Search for fonts by category, thickness, slant, width, script, style and font family or collection. They are previewed using the sentence “Grumpy wizards make toxic brew for the evil Queen and Jack.” That has to be worth a little smile.

3. Font Space

Want even more fonts? This site has more than 21,000 options at the time of this writing, and all of them are entirely free. See what is popular, what is new, browse by category, year published or alphabetically, or find a specific character or letter. There is also a search option, though with how many fonts they have hosted, it isn’t always that accurate. Have some fonts to share? Upload them here.

4. Skitch

A product by popular note gathering application Evernote, Skitch works by allowing you to use fewer words by creating sketches and annotations. This promotes visual content above traditional content, and makes it easy to use. Draw attention to certain points, show instead of tell and share it across the Web.

5. Piktochart

Infographics are sort of the ultimate visual marketing tool right now. People love them, and sites like Pinterest are especially aimed at letting you share them. But not everyone has the time or even skill for making infographics on their own. Piktochat streamlines the process and gives anyone everything they need to get it done. Marketing specialists are using it all the time, as it helps to get the point across more efficiently.

6. Design Seeds

Find gorgeous and unique color schemes based on photos of nature scenes. Flowers, beaches, forests, mountains…they are just some of the inspirations that create some spectacular combinations complete with codes. They also show similar colors that are slightly different, such as brighter or more understated to give you more options.

7. Haiku Deck

This one is cheating a little because while it is free it also has a lot of optional in-app purchases. But I wanted to include it on the list because it is a different kind of visual creation tool. Make stunning and professional presentations using images, graphs, animations and anything else you might like. Show off your data in a dynamic and interesting way that will keep people’s attention.

8. Quotes Cover

Another unique kind of tool, this one is all about visual versions of quotes. You can select from the thousands available in their database, or you can create a custom quote along with the optional date it was said. It allows you to select how it is going to be used for better customization, like Facebook Timeline, a status update or print. Then you select the font, color and resize it to fit your needs.

9. IcoMoon

Browse free vectors and icons, import your own, generate CSS Sprites, use a glyph editor and more with this all-in-one icon tool. They also have premium icons if you want to pay for the full app, which gives you more than a thousand more to choose from.

10. Visual.ly

Create infographics, videos, presentations and interactive graphics, browse through those that have already been uploaded by the Visual.ly community, and just get inspired. Not only is this a great tool for creative visual content, but it is an app that can teach you a lot about the process.

Have any good tools for visual marketing?

Pillars Photo via Shutterstock

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[Windows 8.1 Preview]

A new Dell tablet option is set to be announced in less than a month, and if your business is already built on a Windows environment, it may be worth a look.

Dell has indicated it will formally announce a new 8-inch Windows 8.1 device Oct. 2. The device was apparently shown to members of the media at an event in San Francisco earlier this week and photos of the tablet have been bouncing around the Web but few concrete details.

The new Dell tablet will be a resurrection of Dell’s discontinued Venue series and will incorporate the Bay Trail processor recently unveiled by Intel.

Intel has said the processor should make it possible to produce a tablet for only $199, the Verge reported recently.

Windows 8.1 Devices Already Appearing

Microsoft recently released its Windows 8.1 upgrade to hardware developers, and the new Dell tablet device seems to be one of the earliest examples of the devices we may see.

The device’s 8-inch display features a 1080p resolution and the company is apparently aiming it at both business users and consumers.

Microsoft 8.1 incorporates capacity for greater mobility with multiple devices connected through its SkyDrive cloud storage system. But it also focuses on security with claims of safe single click access to virtual private networks and greater access to company information by mobile devices while also increasing the security of that information.

Additional availability of mobile devices like the Venue able to operate seamlessly in a mobile environment is good news for small business owners who may not wish to integrate a different operating system for mobile.

The post Dell To Announce Windows Tablet Oct. 2 appeared first on Small Business Trends.

If you've been paying attention, you'll know that Best Buy has had a rough go in the business world for the last few years. However, with a new CEO at the helm since September of 2012, the company has been performing better and seems steady.

Recently news broke that CEO, Hubert Joly, was selling about 450,000 of his shares in the company, despite Best Buy’s stellar performance since he grabbed the reigns.

So why the sale?

It turns out it’s for completely personal reasons – not something that CEOs of big companies are known for.

Best Buy CEO Paying for Divorce

Chris Isidore reported on CNN Money that “Joly disclosed in a filing that he sold 451,153 shares… for a total of $16.7 million.” The motivation is clear: Joly has to pay for a pricey divorce settlement.

This isn’t the first time that a Best Buy CEO has had public issues.  Less than 18 months ago that the previous Best Buy CEO, Brian Dunn, had resigned “upon mutual agreement.”  His resignation was colored by allegations that he’d had an affair with a subordinate (he was married).  Dunn’s situation is unrelated to Joly’s stock sale.

Wall Street is definitely watching.  This report was in most of the major financial news outlets.   However, most analysts are still bullish on the company, despite the sale.

Most people, like Dhanya Skariachan of Reuters, reporting in the Christian Science Monitor, recognize that Best Buy is currently on a comeback– with stock tripling over last year's. In reality, Joly has done an excellent job at turning Best Buy around from a 9-year low on Wall Street.

Shutterstock: divorce image

Correction:  This story was corrected as to Wall Street’s reaction and other details.

The post Irreconcilable Differences: Best Buy CEO Sells 450,000 Shares to Pay for Divorce appeared first on Small Business Trends.

WordPress is arguably the most popular web software on the market, powering more than 60 million websites. The benefits of building your site with WordPress are numerous: A rich and full-featured platform, powerful CRM (customer relationship management) tools and thousands of plugins to enhance the experience.

Best of all, it's free—a great price for any small business.

Your website is essential to your business and it has to look professional, with a private domain name. That means you have to choose a hosting company for your WordPress site. These tips will help you narrow it down from the endless choices, to choose a web hosting company that's right for your small business.

Hosting Requirements for WordPress

The WordPress platform runs on a lightweight script that's compatible with nearly all quality web hosting companies. The only requirements are:

• MySQL version 5.0 or greater
• PHP version 5.2.4 or greater

Because WordPress is so widely used, many hosting companies offer one-click WordPress installation.

What to Consider When Choosing a Web Hosting Company

There are tens of thousands of web hosting companies out there, and they're not all created equally. The most important issues to think about when you're choosing a web hosting provider for your WordPress site include:

Storage and Bandwidth Allowance

In many cases, this is not an issue. The major hosting companies generally offer unlimited storage for your content and unlimited bandwidth to handle any levels of traffic.However, it's still a good idea to check the fine print in the hosting plan, especially if you're being offered a discount, and make sure the one you choose offers sufficient resources for your business website.

Customer Support

Reliable customer service is a must for your web hosting company. If something goes wrong with your website (and it's practically a guarantee that something will), you'll need a host that can handle the issue right away, so you're not stuck with a non-functioning website that's losing you business and harming your reputation.

Look for a hosting company that offers 24/7 support by phone, email and live chat. Make sure to test the support features before committing to a web hosting contract, and ensure that they suit your needs.

User Reviews

Reading reviews from web hosting customers is a great way to make sure the company is stable, well-regarded, and apt to be around for a long time. Unfortunately, it's easy for a brand new, inexperienced business to put up a professional-looking sales page that looks a lot more reputable than it is.

Look for generally positive customer reviews, preferably a mixture of older and newer entries that establish both the longevity and the quality of the hosting company.

Cost

Money isn't everything, but when it comes to a web hosting company, paying a little more is often worth it. When considering the cost to host your WordPress site, expect to pay between $4 and $7 per month for a good quality provider with strong customer service. Often, lower priced hosting services come with limitations, poor customer service, and an increased risk of server downtime.

You should also avoid "free" website hosting altogether because most of these services are subsidized by advertisements that run on your site.

A Quick Selection of Great Choices for WordPress Hosting

The web hosting companies below offer a one-click WordPress platform installation, reasonably priced plans, unlimited hosting and responsive customer service:

BlueHost: Plans starting at $4.95 per month, with 50% off for the first month.

HostGator: Annual plans starting at $3.96 per month.

HostMonster: Plans start at $4.95 per month.

What tips do you have to choose a web hosting company for your WordPress site?

Choice Photo via Shutterstock

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Advertisers using the Google AdWords Express platform now have a new community where they can talk with others just like them. Google AdWords Express is a special service allowing local businesses to create simple ads fast and is distinct from Google’s main AdWords program. That program has more controls for the experienced online advertiser.

The AdWords platform lets businesses of any size set up keyworded advertising to be displayed on Google’s search pages or on any other site that uses Google AdSense across the Web.

Google promotes AdWords Express as a simple system that lets anyone set up an ad in minutes.

However, last week the search engine company took the additional step of introducing the AdWords Express section of the AdWords community.

New AdWords Community Opens

In a post on the official Google And Your Business blog, Zuzana Stierankova, AdWords Community Lead, explained the rationale:

Whether you need a how-to guide for changing your ad text, or you want to get into the nitty gritty of online advertising strategy, you can join the discussion in the new community section. In addition to help from other advertisers and Top Contributors, you can also get answers and support from the Google team.

Already posted in the community are threads including an introduction by Stierankova, questions on Google AdWords Express for mobile and many other inquiries.

Other features include Google hangouts on display advertising, video ads and a variety of other topics.

Image: Google

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Things have really changed for franchise salespeople (also known as franchise development managers) in the past decade. Technology is partly to blame for the some of the changes that have come down the pike.

Today's franchise sales professionals have had to adapt to these changes in order to sell new franchises. Let's see how and why.

The Franchise Sales Process Used To Be Simpler

It used to be that franchise salespeople would arrive at the corporate office of the franchisor they were working for, grab some coffee, go to their desk, open their daily planners and start dialing. In addition, there were only a few places in which to find prospective franchise owners to even call. Some of these places hardly account for any of the calls that franchise salespeople make these days. For example: Business magazines.

It used to be that all you had to do was fill in your name, address and telephone number (no line for an email address) on a contact form located on the bottom of a franchise opportunity print ad and mail it in. You would then get a phone call from the franchise salesperson who would verify your information-and your interest, and send out a print brochure. This brochure wasn't just any old brochure. It was an all color, expensive print brochure. And, it wasn't cheap to mail.

Fast-forward to now. How many people fill in contact forms found in print publications these days? Better yet, how many print publications even have contact forms available to fill out and mail?

But, prospective franchise owners still purchase print magazines that focus on the franchise and business opportunity niche. It's just that once they find an opportunity that interests them in magazines like Entrepreneur magazine, Franchise Times, Small Business Opportunities magazine, The Franchise Handbook and the Business Opportunities Handbook, they jump online to learn more and request information directly from the company's website.

Changes In Franchises Sales/New Franchisee Acquisition

Many things that have changed in franchise sales and new franchisee acquisition.

I reached out to a couple of franchise sales/development professionals to find out what some of the changes are that they're seeing and experiencing first-hand.

Chip Baranowski, VP of Franchise Development for Honest-1 Auto Care, was kind enough to share the following information (including some helpful tips) with me:

With the advent of the Internet, serious franchise candidates want to be able to do a lot of their research on your franchise prior to engaging you in the sales process. Franchisors need to make sure that they have superb websites with more information for the potential prospects.

Franchisors need to fish in a lot of different ponds when it comes to lead generation. Franchise companies in the past would focus on one or two sources in order to get deals done. You can't do that anymore; you need to be in a lot of different places. We use franchise web portals, social media, PR, franchise brokers, business brokers, networking events, grass roots marketing and job boards to generate interest in our franchise.

Franchisors need to have a solid sales process that educates and vets potential franchisees. Today's franchise sales process needs to be focused, finding out if the franchise concept is a good fit for the prospect and if the prospect is a good fit for the franchise system… and not just on getting the sale. If the prospect is not a fit, the franchise company should be willing to walk away from the deal and not just do it for the franchise fee. A good sales process allows franchise salespeople to weed out candidates that are not serious, and give the franchise company the ability to focus on prospects that are serious.

It's great to hear a franchise development executive talking about the benefit of having a good sales process in place. And, when I say "benefit," I'm referring to the fact that good franchisors look at their businesses in a long-term way. They weed out candidates that aren't a good fit for their concept. Doing that can slow the growth of the system short-term, but in the long run, the franchisor benefits as they'll probably have higher-grossing franchisees in which to collect royalty payments from.

Average and below-average franchisors tend to take the short-term view when it comes to awarding franchises. They choose average candidates that may not be an ideal fit but have franchise fee checks in hand. That's because no one wins if the franchise is not a good fit for both parties.

Mandi Brandon is the Director of Operations at Color Glo International and is heavily involved in new franchisee acquisition:

At Color Glo International we have experienced many changes in franchise sales.  Our franchise selling methods have changed dramatically over the years.  Today it is our top priority to attentively protect our brand and corporate culture by recruiting only candidates who are a fit from both our corporate perspective and the perspective of our franchisees’.  We have found that this creates a greater demand for our franchise.  Qualified leads that fit our franchise concept have proven to not only generate greater sales for the franchisee but also for the franchisor as well as lasting relationships.

Our top lead sources for new franchisees are most often referred to us from the Internet; not because of paid advertising as before. As time passes we have learned that referrals and organic searches are the lead sources to watch, genuine reviews and nurtured relationships both with your franchisees and their customers.  Just as we rely on the Internet to show us reliable and trusted services and products, the same is true for franchise sales.  Your referrals, franchisees and their customers are your sales team; their rave reviews and exceptional services create conversation on the Web and a greater presence for your brand.

Mandi's take on referrals, franchisees, and customers being the sales team was interesting and true. The ability (because of the Internet) that all of us have to instantly let our feelings be known about our experience with a specific business is powerful.

Review sites like Yelp are quickly becoming high-traffic websites. Websites that have a lot of traffic (and good content) tend to rank high on Google and Bing. So, if you're on the hunt (online) for that perfect franchise, chances are pretty good that you'll see a consumer review website appear in your search. Visiting a review site allows you to see how the public feels about the service or product that the franchise you're looking into sells. That's a good thing.

The Information Economy

Franchisors have had to adapt to the rapid changes that have taken place during the past decade.

Instead of relying strictly on print advertising to attract potential franchisees, they've had to learn how to use several different marketing techniques in order to attract high-quality franchisees.  In addition, they've had to learn how to provide the kind of information that today's prospective franchise owners want and need in order to make informed decisions.

These days, there's no substitute for great information.

Searching Online Opportunities Photo via Shutterstock

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How far would your customers go to tweet about your products or services? Would they spend $1,000 to tell the world about you? That would be great if what they had to say was complimentary. But suppose the reverse were true. How far would a customer go to complain about a bad product or tweet about bad service?

Promoted Tweets Target Airline Over Lost Luggage

Chicago-based business man Hasan Syed paid about $1000 to promote his angry tweets, like the one below, to all of British Airways followers, after he said the airline lost his father’s luggage:

Thanks for ruining my EU business trip #britishairways. I shouldnt have flown @BritishAirways@British_Airways. Never flying with you again

—  (@HVSVN) September 2, 2013

Media reports say the campaign worked and the airline finally apologized.

We generally think of social media in terms of marketing messages. But, of course, customers can also have their say. And it turns out some of them may actually pay to do so!

Syed even shared some of his stats with his followers showing details about the level of engagement he received:

Graphical Representation of the Campaign. X-Axis = Time, Y-Axis = Impressions pic.twitter.com/VNEutLE37Y

—  (@HVSVN) September 5, 2013

The promoted tweets were seen by more than 50,000 people in the UK and New York area where the promoted posts ran, reports Business Insider.

Promoted tweets are just like ordinary tweets but are specially targeted to reach current and potential followers, according to Twitter.

Tweets can be targeted based on gender, keyword, interests, geography, device and more.

This situation made the news because it seems to be the first (or certainly one of the first) uses of Twitter advertising to make sure a complaint is heard.  It’s all the more reason to deal with customer service issues quickly.  Because not only may disgruntled customers take to Twitter, but if you make them angry enough, they have the power to amplify their complaints through advertising.

It’s a leveling of the playing field — in a way that may catch some companies flat footed.

Angry Blue Bird Photo via Shutterstock

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Don’t make excuses when it comes to making sales. Your company needs them to survive. There are always challenges to making sales and bringing in the revenue you need to make your business a success. But don’t let those challenges stop you. See them as opportunities, not barriers to better sales.

Below are five of the most common challenges every business faces and how to surmount them without making excuses for lack of success.

Barriers to Better Sales

Your Prospect Already Has a Solution

This, of course, is probably the case, unless your product or service is so revolutionary, you have no competitors.

But did you know that, even if your prospective client or customer already has a vendor providing a service and even a whole process set up around that vendor, chances are they are already looking for a change?

Need more proof?

Check out Raintoday.com's “How Clients Buy: The Benchmark Report on Professional Services Marketing and Selling from the Client Perspective.” The study surveys more than 200 buyers in 8 service areas, including accounting and financial consulting, IT consulting and services, legal services and more. According the study, at least 53% to 88% of B2B professional services buyers are looking for (or willing to) switch service providers.

What a great opportunity to sell your alternative solution now.

Your Clients Have No Time

We’re all busy. It’s true. And a clients hectic schedule and apparent lack of availability might even cause you to resort to a simple sales pitch instead of the kinds of meaningful conversations you know you should be having to make that sale.

Don’t do it. Potential clients and customers always have time for meaningful conversations, especially ones that can lead to solving a particular problem or pain point.

Think your prospect is short on time? Don’t resort to the sales pitch.

Instead, take the time to engage your prospect about the issues that are really bothering him or her. Ask them the questions that need to be answered. Then see if you have a solution to help.

Your Sales Process is Backwards

Author and columnist Geoffrey James writes on Inc.com that many sales processes remain “vendor centric” and ineffective in today’s business world.

These processes usually involve finding customers, investigating needs, presenting a product or service, making a proposal, answering objections and closing the sale.

Today all that has changed. A study by the Corporate Executive Board Company found most B2B companies are more than halfway through their purchase decision before ever engaging a sales person from your company.

It’s time to give customers the tools they need to learn about products themselves.

You’re Too Focused on Closing

For as long as most remember, sales has been about closing. As the old sales expression says, “Always be closing.”

Trouble is, there’s a new way of selling that may be taking over. John Tabita, Director of Digital Strategy at Haines Publishing, Inc., explains the difference between transactional and consultative sales.

The latter are based on communication, trust and the ability to showcase strong value. They allow entrepreneurs to earn respect, credibility and trust – critical pillars to keep a business sustainable and profitable.

You’ve Got No Time for Content Marketing or Social Media

Like it or not, content marketing and social media are a huge part of the sales process a today. In a world where many buyers are already half way through a sales decision before contacting you, these are important tools to answer questions and represent the value of your products and services early on. Here’s more.

Entrepreneurship remains just as challenging as ever – although there are plenty of ways to make it easier on you. The key to success in business was, is, and always will depend on your ability to market and sell to your clients while creating relationships that will help them stay loyal to your business and vouch for your products.

Which of these barriers to better sales do you find the most challenging when reaching your sales goals?

Dollar Barrier Photo via Shutterstock

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People are always looking for ways to invest their money so that they can get a positive return. But when it comes to opportunities, most people tend to stay on the traditional path; putting their money into stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money markets or CD's. But there are other ways, however, that a person can invest their money for a solid return.

In 2013, peer-to-peer lending is one of the hot investment strategies that Wall Street is starting to take notice of. The reason is that it's expected that over $2 billion in loans will originate from peer-to-peer lending leader LendingTree this year and that number will likely double in 2014.

Others are getting into the game as well. By 2016, peer-to-peer lenders in the U.S. will be originating $20 billion in loans annually, claims Jason Jones, an organizer of the LendIt Conference and partner at New York-based Disruption Credit, an investment firm focused on online lending.

Renaud Laplanche, founder and CEO of LendingClub, stated in a speech to investors:

What we've done is radically transform the way consumer lending operates. The savings can be passed on to more borrowers in terms of lower interest rates and investors in terms of attractive returns.

The attractive returns come from algorithms that screen prospective borrowers for risk; rejecting 90 percent of them. While the rejection rate may seem high, it was done to help reduce the default rates, which hovered around 17 percent at one time, that scared investors away. LendingTree also has no physical branches to help keep operating costs low.

How Peer-to-Peer Lending Works

Like any loan, the interest rates the borrower gets are based primarily on their credit. The borrower fills out their application for the amount, usually up to $35,000, and purpose of the loan which they place online. Lenders then put money towards the loan; sometimes as little as $25 based on the interest rate set by the lending service and by the borrowers application. When a collective group of peers meets the borrowers amount, the loan is granted and is then paid back just like a traditional loan.

Lenders who are savvy with this investment strategy have learned to spread their loans out to many borrowers, capitalizing on the higher-risk, high-reward borrowers who are assigned the higher interest rates while balancing out their lending portfolio with safer bets on borrowers who are more likely to pay everything back.

And if the lenders and borrowers from one service can't agree, there are many others to choose from.

Loans are often used for personal reasons, but more and more small businesses are starting to take advantage of peer-to-peer lending as a way to fund expansion or pay off debts. Since some businesses might need more than the typical $35,000 maximum, some peer-to-peer lending companies, like Dealstruck, decided to focus solely on the small business market offering loans between $100,000 to $1 million for two to five 3 year terms with interest rates between five and 15 percent.

Says Dealstruck co-founder Ethan Senturia:

We looked at the world and saw that what was a bankable loan five to seven years ago isn't bankable, not because businesses were any worse, but [because of] changes in risk tolerance and regulation.

With no government backing, many financial insiders wonder how long peer-to-peer lending will remain a viable alternative for investors and borrowers alike. But as long as people continue to make money from it, the loans will most likely continue to be approved.

Lending Photo via Shutterstock

Correction: The name of LendingClub was inaccurately identified originally.

The post Small Businesses Turn to Alternative Funding for Loans appeared first on Small Business Trends.

The company that many first associated with mobile business communications has unveiled its latest answer to the smartphone market. The Blackberry Z30 includes a five-inch display screen, touch-screen keyboard and a battery the company claims can maintain power for up to 25 hours depending upon use.

A video touting the new device (see below) shows emphasis on business use that includes video conferencing and a high level of mobile functionality over long periods.

Specifically, Blackberry boasts a screen-size, video display and audio quality the company says will make participants on a video call feel as if they are in the same room.

The company also says its projections on the device’s battery life are based on a mix of uses including networking and application use.

In a prepared statement, Carlo Chiarello, Executive Vice President for Products at BlackBerry, said:

The smartphone rounds out the BlackBerry 10 portfolio and is designed for people looking for a smartphone that excels at communications, messaging and productivity.

Other Blackberry Z30 Features

Other features, according to Blackberry, include:

• Blackberry Priority Hub: A new centralized way to manage incoming email, social network and other communications. Blackberry says the technology “learns” from the user and prioritizes email, social networks and other messages based on user preference.
• New antennae technology Blackberry says offers better connectivity even in low signal areas.
• A BBM message system that delivers incoming messages no matter what application you might be using and allows you to dismiss, read or respond to messages without leaving your current application.

The new phone is expected to be available as early as next week in the UK and Middle East. But users in the United States will have to wait until the Holiday season to get their hands on the device.

Image: Blackberry

The post Blackberry Introduces Smartphone with 5-Inch Screen appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Almost everyone wants to be known as innovative, to be an innovator. Companies and individuals seek to demonstrate that they are capable of “out of the box” thinking, as the saying goes.

I have recently worked on some projects around innovation for companies like Verizon and Qualcomm and it got me to thinking – what about innovation tools to help my fellow small business owners to brainstorm, to create new products, to get rid of the innovation cramp and get the ideas flowing?

Below are 60 plus innovation tools and sites that today’s innovators should check out.

Innovation Tools

1. Try the Visual Thesaurus to help stimulate your ideas in a visual way. You type in a word and it creates a web of links to synonyms. It encourages lateral thinking. There is a free 14-day trial.

2. Check out Visual Teams: Graphic Tools for Commitment, Innovation, and High Performance. This book is filled with visual ideas, including how to conduct innovation meetings in non-traditional places.

3. If you want to innovate by real-time whiteboarding-type drawing, try PabloDraw. It's at the MAC App store but has a cross-platform framework.

4. Jive is a tool that will allow you to collaborate with others in an online platform. It helps with internal collaboration, marketing, sales, and customer care.

5. Although not as eye appealing as some other online collaboration sites, Zoho combines collaboration applications with a suite of other applications.

6. Monitor your customer experience and what customers are saying about you with Google alerts. I use this to find out about my clients' competitors.

7. Along these lines, I like to search for #hashtags on Twitter or even on Google. Oftentimes, the tweet itself will reveal loads of other tags or terms that I missed.

8. Looking for an innovative new website design? Get inspired at Pattern Tap. It allows you to focus only on the elements of the website you are struggling with such as the header or navigation. Think of it as a search engine for designers — input a term and it showcases great design for that.

9. SyncSpace allows you to sketch with others in a whiteboard format but also lets you zoom in or out on certain parts of the sketch while doing it.

10. Quora is a forum for asking and answering questions. You list your interests and get to see all the questions and answers related to those interests.

11. Many of you have probably already participated in LinkedIn and there are some good innovation and small business communities. Check out our very own, too: Small Business Trends on LinkedIn.

12. Innovate with word clouds–text formed shapes–and see what others have created on Wordle.

13. Use Mindjet to help with your mind mapping collaboration. It acts as a whiteboard, project management, and collaboration base.

14. You can create diagrams through online collaboration or work entirely offline with creately.

15. Adobe Kuler allows you to create your own color schemes. Beginner tutorial Designing with Kuler is a must-watch.

16. Looking for new ways to get your group innovating together? Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers gives you about 80 games to get your crew on the right track.

17. Just about everyone has heard of Skype. The platform does audio and video, plus you can track your calls in an organized manner.

18. You can have your work proofed quickly and easily using ProofHQ. Create a proof for a variety of file types and your team will have the tools they need to review it.

19. Lucidchart not only offers mind mapping and diagramming software, but it enables users to collaborate on software prototypes, website wireframes, and UML designs. All accounts can collaborate, but each user is limited by his account features with free accounts getting very few.

20. For online collaboration, consider fmyi. Unlike other social networks, this one is private and allows you to track contacts, gather data, manage projects, and share your innovation files (or any file, really).

21. Turn brainstorming into a random game. Use these Harvey cards to help stimulate your innovation process.

22. Spiderscribe allows you to capture ideas and connect them in your mind map. It helps combine planning, visualizing, and organizing.

23. Make HP Virtual Rooms your virtual meeting place where you can share and store files for your meetings.

24. Do you want to achieve golden dimensions? Type one dimension into the Phiculator and it will give you the other dimension needed to achieve the golden ratio. Download only for the Mac OS.

25. 101 Design Methods: A Structured Approach for Driving Innovation in Your Organization– well-reviewed book on Amazon that describes different tools you can use to help drive innovation.

26. TitanFile is an online file sharing and collaboration cloud-based service that boasts tight security.

27. If you want mind mapping software that provides you with many features, sharing abilities, and styles, try iMindMap.

28. You can perform a variety of 3D modeling effects including animation with LightWave. This software costs depending on the features you need.

29. On the 3D modeling and scanning front, check out the Autodesk app: 123D Catch for iPad. Rockstar program. Look for their other free apps listed on the site.

30. For more a powerful, dedicated 3D scanner, then check out the folks at NextEngine 3D Scanner. I saw a very cool Jimi Hendrix statue that was scanned and 3D printed at a community college using their scanner.

31. Vyew is online whiteboarding that allows you to collaborate in an ad-supported version for free. It supports multiple formats and screen sharing.

32. Create charts, wireframes, and technical drawings using gliffy. I have mentioned this web-based software before and it is pretty awesome.

33. To innovate with prototypes across the Internet on Web, mobile, and enterprise applications, try pidoco. Think wireframes.

34. If you thought matching wine to a meal was tough, try font pairing. The folks at bonfx have the Big Book of Font Combinations available for sale. Overall, it is a good site for graphic design types.

35. If you are looking for free interactive whiteboard software, try Open-Sankore. It adapts to any device and files can be saved as a PDF.

36. Balsamiq allows you to collaborate with others using wireframes on a platform that is similar to a whiteboard.

37. If you find regular mind mapping to be boring and uninspiring, try Pinball. It is a unique way that challenges you to look differently at what you are creating.

38. Tagxedo allows you to innovate with word clouds and the put your designs on T-shirts, totes, and mugs.

39. If you want more interactivity in your conference room, try Luidia's eBeam. The hardware is a little pricey, but it can bring a truly collaborative whiteboard to your meeting.

40. DAZ3D is a unique 3D modeling software that is free, but the catch is you pay to buy content for the ad-ons such as clothing, figures, and environments.

41. Find innovation through controlled Web surfing. StumbleUpon is a website that connects you with websites that fit your interests.

42. Tired of mind maps with straight lines? Use Connected Mind from Google Chrome to create more organic mind maps.

43. Looking for a unified workspace with task management capabilities where you can stash all those ideas? Try Ubidesk.

44. You can use XMind to create unique mind maps that are well-organized and show relationships.

45. ScreenCastOMatic allows you to record your screen or webcam and create a mini-movie to share. Some of the tools are only offered through a $15/year subscription. The free service limits recording time to 15 minutes.

46. Solvr allows you to collaborate in real time with others you invite on a specific problem.

47. To animate 3D renderings, Blender offers free software that has made many improvements in the quality of designs it produces.

48. If you need to mashup a bunch of photos or videos into a hip music video (sorta), then you have to play with Animoto. Love their service.

49. Dropbox allows any files (data, video, text, and sound) to be shared across computers and with colleagues and clients. They offer a free two-week trial.

50. Freeplane is found on a wiki but offers mind mapping functions including post-its, password protection, ad-ons, and tasking.

51. Look at 12 real business models and get access to more from Board of Innovation. Some great downloadable tools for paper prototyping, posters, and brainstorming kits. Mostly free stuff.

52. A slightly odd innovation tool is called Personality Poker: The Playing Card Tool for Driving High Performance, Teamwork, and Innovation. This game helps identify personality types and shows how everyone can contribute to the team effort. One deck/book works for up to 6 people. Five star reviews on Amazon.

53. If you decide you need a lot more people in your innovation jam session, then check out the paid version of join.me which allows you to hold an online meeting with up to 250 participants.

54. SkyDrive Pro is a Microsoft product that allows you to sync files between Office SharePoint users. Get your share on.

55. Sometimes, you want a unique font for that special project. You find it, but have no idea what it is called. Try submitting it to WhatTheFont. If the automated search doesn't work, you can post it for other people to identify.

56. Microsoft OneNote is part of the Office Suite. It acts as a whiteboard and allows you to share through SkyDrive and SharePoint. I also love using Evernote with the Skitch add-on app.

57. Comapping uses mind mapping to manage and share information through files, notes, and organizational tools. It keeps everyone on the same page.

58. Another 3D rendering software that is free to download and use is Art of Illusion.

59. If you are looking for a secure private social network, you can try Yammer. It uses Internet domain addresses to identify the computers you want to collaborate on your project.

60. Intellinote allows you to take and organize notes on any device, collaborate, share files, and execute projects.

61. Metasequoia is 3D modeling software with both freeware and shareware versions. The advanced version gives you the ability to print to a 3D printer.

62. The Brain is mind-mapping software that allows you to access quickly the information you need.

63. You may find that all these innovation-type sites have made you batty and maybe just a bit frustrated with being "innovative." I highly recommend you download and play Fruit Ninja, then.

Share your favorite innovation tools for keeping it creative in the comments.

The post 60 Plus Tools for Today’s Innovator appeared first on Small Business Trends.

It’s a common problem. Whether you are using your company's VPN (virtual private network) or you're having trouble with your IP telephone, or some other reason — the application you are using seems to be slow and sluggish.

It frustrates end users, because the speed of these applications also changes at a pace that may seem random and is hard to predict. All your end users really care about is using the tools they need. And they want them to be fast, not sluggish.

To be able to fix the problem, it helps to first understand what is causing it. So let's dive in and take a look.

What Makes My Application Slow?

Information, whether it is provided over the Internet or your own business network is all broken down into smaller pieces of data known as "packets." These data packets carry information about many things, including its destination (where its supposed to be going, such as your company database) and even error checking to be sure the packet made it in one piece. The speed, or amount of time it takes for a packet to cross the network from a device that created the packet (such as your laptop computer) to the destination device (such as your central business server) is called network latency.

In other words, when you see the word latency in this context, think "delayed speed."

There are a few factors that create latency issues. Network routers typically create the most latency of any device on the end-to-end path. Packet queuing due to link congestion is most often the culprit for large amounts of latency through a router. Some types of network technology such as satellite communications add large amounts of latency because of the time it takes for a packet to travel across the link. Since latency is cumulative, the more links and router hops (passes between multiple devices such as your computer, routers, Internet provider equipment and the equipment on the destination side) there are, the larger the end-to-end latency will be.

The amount of available bandwidth also has a place in network and application speeds. Your available bandwidth is determined by the direction and destination of your information.

I like to think about bandwidth from the context of plumbing. Sure enough, people often refer to bandwidth as “the size of the pipe.” So why not carry that analogy further?

The pipe size is determined by the amount of available bandwidth on your local network first, but then by the size of your Internet pipe and the size of the destination pipe if the information is leaving your local network.

So if you're on a gigabit network locally, but you have a 10MB Internet connection and your main office has a 100MB Internet connection you can see that the bottleneck may be your office Internet connection. But only if that pipe is full.

That pipe may be full if several users are trying to use high bandwidth resources over the Internet at the same time. Each VPN connection will have overhead, or video conferencing, ip telephony shared between offices, etc. The weakest point between the locations can cause the bottleneck, just as too many traffic hops can cause latency.

Some applications are more forgiving than others. Much of this revolves around whether an application will just send packets in one direction (User Datagram Protocol or UDP) or requires a connection to assure the data has arrived (Transmission Control Protocol or TCP). Both protocols have their upsides and downsides but every application uses one or the other based on the importance of the information

So How Can I Speed Up My Company's Applications?

Well, now we know what causes slow network applications, so lets take a look at how we can fix some of these issues.

First, examine your latency. IT technicians perform a ping command between any computer having speed issues and the destination computer where you are trying to share resources, such as your server. This will show you the number of hops (or other network resources) your packet will take until it lands at its destination. Your goal is to take as many hops out of the equation as possible to shorten the trip.

If you are using multiple Internet connections, it may be difficult to remove some hops. This is where the choice of technology makes a difference. A technology such as Metro Ethernet can really help you reduce that overhead. It provides a network between multiple physical locations without having multiple Internet connections as it does not use routers, in general. It uses switches, which are faster because they are not opening the packets as they flow through the network … making it one network and reducing the number of hops.

Bandwidth is still important, however, for those who would be connecting outside of your office infrastructure. Be sure to carefully do the math on the needs of staff who will not work in your office and be sure to provide enough bandwidth for your current workload and theirs.

Ultimately, if handled correctly, you can actually save money using a combination of increased bandwidth at a source location and a Metro Ethernet provider who can share all of your resources with lower overhead between office locations.

* * * * *

More detail on Metro Ethernet can be found here for those looking for deeper technical knowledge.

Speed Photo via Shutterstock

The post What Makes My Application Slow: The Pipe or the Packet? appeared first on Small Business Trends.

We’ve all been there: A project or task doesn’t go the way you thought it would. This can affect not only the business result, but also employee morale. So how do you pick up the pieces?

We asked members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an organization comprised of the country’s most promising young entrepreneurs, the following question to find out how they recover from a company mistake:

“How do you boost employee morale when a project or task isn’t going according to plan?”

Here's what YEC community members had to say:

1. Turn It Into Opportunity

“When something doesn’t go as planned, which happens nine times out of 10, it’s best to remind everyone involved in the project that it’s OK and that no one is to blame. Employees and partners can feel like they are responsible for something that is out of their control. Use it as an opportunity to regroup and reaffirm that you have to fail in order to succeed. It’s part of the cycle.” ~ Sarah Ware, Markerly

2. Go to the Movies

“The best thing you can do is get a change of scenery and build a bond among your team members. It always works to get the project back on track.” ~ Suzanne Smith, Social Impact Architects

3. Listen to Them

“As the president, I’ll often make assumptions about why a project has taken a turn. In reality, though, I’m infrequently right. My role is to highlight the issue and listen to my staff to help them uncover why the issue is occurring, then help them set a new plan to return to progress. That keeps them feeling respected and supported so they can return to doing great work.” ~ Corey Blake, Round Table Companies

4. Emphasize That Everything Is Experimental

“I emphasize to my team that everything we do is an experiment. Sometimes our experiments are successes, and sometimes they’re failures. Training your team to not be afraid of failure makes them open to experimenting with innovative, risky ideas. Send them messages from the top down that failure is acceptable and, at times, even expected. It’s a natural part of being an agile, high-growth company. “ ~ Laura Roeder, LKR Social Media

5. Recognize the Small Wins

“When you’re working toward a large goal, product launch or target and things aren’t really going according to plan (which is common in the startup world), it helps to have small achievements and milestones to keep the feeling of accomplishment and success in the team. It will boost productivity and keep everyone smiling.” ~ Christopher Pruijsen, Afrostart.io

6. Acknowledge the Elephant

“Pretending the house isn’t on fire doesn’t make it burn any slower, but you’d be surprised how often leaders try to force something that just isn’t working. Instead, acknowledge what’s wrong and collaborate with your team to solve it with alternative ideas. When a team overcomes an obstacle, they feel empowered, and that boosts morale.” ~ Nick Friedman, College Hunks Hauling Junk and College Hunks Moving

7. Have a Warm Environment

“We all know that in business (and in life), things don't always go as planned. If your team is putting forth a strong effort but facing challenges with a project or task, I think it's important to create a warm and encouraging environment where they feel they can talk honestly with you about the challenges. That way, you can work together on a game plan for moving forward.” ~ Tracy Foster, ONA

8. Create a Different Solution

“When something goes wrong, you need to address it and not ignore it. Take time to think about the potential benefits of the situation and how you can capitalize on them. If there are truly none, come up with some new innovative strategies for your company, and get your employees excited about pursuing them.” ~ Carlo Cisco, FoodFan

9. Have Some Humor

“When we have a project or task go awry, many times I’ll make lighthearted comments to generate a smile or laugh. Ultimately, there is nothing we can do about the past except learn from it and push forward. Dwelling on a failure is going to generate lower productivity. Happy team members produce more, so I always encourage doing things to improve attitudes as quickly as possible.” ~ Raoul Davis, Ascendant Group

10. Reward Them

“Reward them when they least expect it. Is your commission-based sales team in a slump? Hit them with a bonus when times are tough. Just as the best time to invest is in a down economy, if you want your team around for the long term, the best time to invest in them is when times are tough.” ~ Matt Wilson, Under30Experiences

11. Relate to Them

“Keep the project in perspective relative to progress that's being made at the company as a whole. As long as team members feel like big picture goals are moving forward, the ups and downs of an individual project should be less discouraging.” ~ Robert J. Moore, RJMetrics

12. Remind Them It’s a Team Project

“Amidst the craziness at a startup, people often forget why they’re there to begin with and that everyone else is alongside them for the same reasons. A break to get everyone on the same page brings back the trust, communication and respect that’s worked so well before.” ~ Derek Flanzraich, Greatist

13. Re-focus on the Big Picture

“People want to work on things that matter. So if morale is low, take a moment to remind your team of their important contributions and the impact that they make. People need to be inspired, so don't let your team lose focus on the big picture. Do what you can to create an atmosphere where everyone feels they're a part of what's happening, and be sure to allow some time for doing some fun things.” ~ Dries Buytaert, Drupal

14. Communicate Better

“Communication and always setting clear, manageable goals can really help boost employee morale. A goal that is too large to be fully handled can be damaging to morale. Make sure all employees are on the same page and squash rumors immediately. Always be sure to keep your team in the loop as much as you can.” ~ Jay Wu, A Forever Recovery

Motivated Photo via Shutterstock

The post 14 Ways to Boost Employee Morale appeared first on Small Business Trends.

If you missed any of the fast paced action in the world of business this week, don’t worry. As always, the Small Business Trends editorial team is hard at work. We bring you the news you need to run your business with added insight. Here are the top stories relevant to small business this week.

Enjoy!

Social Media

The Twitter IPO is coming. Twitter recently purchased a new advertising platform. The site remains a marketing powerhouse. And the company’s plan to go public shows just how valuable that marketing machine could be.

Yelp sues law firm over reviews. If you’ve been tempted to write a fake review on your business’s Yelp page, you’d better think twice. Yelp is taking a law firm to court for allegedly doing the same. The company says it’s a breach of contract. Anita Campbell has more.

Instagram is getting bigger and bigger. The network got its start by letting people share photos with artsy filter effects. Now, it’s reached 150 million users a month. Your business probably can’t afford to ignore this channel any longer — especially if you have a very “visual” business.

Man spends $1,000 to complain on Twitter. A businessman spent more than $1,000 on promoted tweets. He used them to complain about customer service on a commercial airline. The story is instructive. Customers will even pay to have their say when something goes wrong.

Google News

Google opens a community for Adwords Express. The ad network for local businesses was designed to be as easy to use as possible. It just got even easier. Now there’s a community where you can ask all of your most important questions.

Get authorship with your Google Plus sign in. This is only available for material published on WordPress and TypePad so far. But chances are strong other platforms will be added soon. And it’s another good reason to sign up for Google Plus.

Tech

Dell prepares a new Windows tablet. The company is reintroducing its Venue series with an 8-inch tablet running Windows 8.1. The device showed up at a recent San Francisco event. Reports indicate it will be formally announced Oct. 2.

Microsoft will unveil two new tablets Monday Sept. 23, 2013. The Surface 2 will replace the Surface RT and the Surface Pro 2 will replace the Surface Pro. Microsoft cut prices on the original devices earlier this year due to poor sales. Still, the company is expected to price the Surface 2 starting at $499 and the Surface Pro 2 is expected to be $899.

And rumor has it Nokia has a tablet, too. The smartphone maker set to be acquired by Microsoft may be introducing the device at an event in late October. Little is known about the anticipated 10.1-inch machine except what has been guessed at from leaked photos on the Internet.

Reading News Photo via Shutterstock

The post Twitter Prepares for IPO, Yelp Files Suit and Instagram Grows appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Microsoft is expected to launch two new devices on Monday, September 23, 2013.  The Surface 2 will replacing the Surface RT, and the Surface Pro 2 will replace the Surface Pro. But the pricing on both new devices may still be too high to interest small businesses.

The Microsoft Surface 2 is expected to start at $499 with a 64GB version priced at $599, ZDNet reports. Meanwhile, the Surface Pro 2 is expected to retail at $899.

Existing Surface RT and Surface Pro models will still be available, although we’re not sure for how much longer.  The next generation models will not be shipped until October.

There’s certainly a demand for Windows tablets among small business owners seeking an alternative to Apple or Android operating systems. But recently Microsoft was forced to cut prices on both the Surface RT and Surface Pro when sales were disappointing for both devices.

A Peek at the New Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2

Paul Thurrott reports on his Super Site for Windows that the new Microsoft Surface 2 will include:

• A 10.6-inch HD screen
• Front and rear cameras
• Up to 8 hours of battery life
• Windows RT 8.1 and Outlook RT

Meanwhile, the new Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is expected to have the same dimensions but be heavier (2 pounds vs. the 1.5 pounds of Surface 2) and thicker (.53 inches vs. .37 inches). It will also have slightly less battery life. The thicker device will have the option for a newly designed dock allowing it to function more like a desktop, but won’t come with Windows Office installed.

Two other Windows tablet devices may be unveiled soon, one from Dell on Oct. 2 and another from Nokia later in the month.

Surface Pro Image: Microsoft

The post Microsoft’s Surface Pro 2 May Still Be Too Pricey appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Social media can be an important tool for small businesses and a way to spread their message about their products and services. But to use social media effectively, you must first understand the rules for success. Social media triumphs depend on so many factors. But there are some “big hairy audacious goals” you can set for yourself.

They do require extra effort – but they will make your social media campaigns shine.

These aren’t quick fixes. But they will move you from a mediocre social presence with few followers and little interaction, to a vibrant network of engaged connections ready to spread your message.

Take the Time to Build a Network

We’re talking a lot of time. For example, author, speaker and networker Chris Brogan has been blogging since 1998 and involved in digital media for 13 years. A look at Brogan’s bio gives an idea of the time he has spent networking with others.

It also gives you a list of his other accomplishments including being the NY Times bestselling author of The Impact Equation and other books, publisher of Owner Magazine, CEO and President at Human Business Works and more.

His social media followers on sites like Twitter and Google Plus are diverse and represent networks that clearly took time and effort to build.

Look for Ways to Make a Difference

UK blogger Sarah Arrow doesn’t just have a strong following on social sites like Twitter. Through her website Sarkemedia.com, Arrow offers advice and services that help others use social media, blogging and even Kindle book promotions to attract more clients.

But Arrow also demonstrates she’s not only about business as head blogger on the women’s business site Birds on the Blog. The site promotes not just the opinions of its guest bloggers, but also efforts to raise the funds for the schooling of two young children in Uganda.

Shine a Light On Others

Don’t make your social media efforts all about you. Try to take some time to shine the light on others.

Here’s a tip: Pick a few people from your followers and connections and highlight them. Share and promote content they’ve shared or just give a shout out.

Leverage trends like Follow Friday on Twitter to send shout outs to those you appreciate – just because.

Be More Social, Have a Conversation

Though your aim when using social media may be marketing your product or promoting your brand, a far better approach is to view social media for what it is.

Listen to the conversations others are having. Answer their questions if you can. Take part in brainstorming sessions when others are seeking ideas. Ask questions of your own. Build connections and trust.

Connecting and showing interest in others on social media will help you build a stronger and more effective network and will help you more effectively spread your message when the time is right.

Gorilla Photo via Shutterstock

The post 4 Big Hairy Audacious Goals For Better Social Media appeared first on Small Business Trends.

It is an undeniable fact that the Internet is one of the most cost-effective enablers for reaching a broader and much more diverse audience. However, only 5% of the 47 million small and medium businesses in India have a Web presence. And one of them, NowFloats, hopes to increase the online presence of Indian small businesses by making it simpler to create websites.

And the good news for most small businesses is – it just takes a couple of SMSs (short message services).

Not all small businesses in India have a website or Internet connection, but all of them have a mobile connection. It is this pervasive technology that NowFloats will be using to bridge the gap and help businesses use the Internet for increasing their bottom line.

There are about 900 million mobile users in India and the rapid growth of mobile and wireless connections is seeing increasing adoption of the Internet. The number of web users in India reached 176 million in 2012.

Web and mobile users are increasingly depending on the Internet and services like JustDial to search for services, businesses or deals relevant to their location. NowFloats provides location-tagged websites which make it easier for people to find businesses or deals relevant to their location. It also offers a mobile app for Android and Windows smartphones that enables users to discover businesses or get deals based on their location.

Businesses can even use SMS to update their website and NowFloat's patent pending technology ensures that these messages rank higher on the search results of popular search engines. The company maintains that a website will be created within 13 minutes of receiving a couple of SMSs. This innovative service has been adopted by more than 2,000 small businesses.

Brand Loyalty

NowFloats also helps businesses connect with their customers and increase brand loyalty. For customers subscribing to a business and the news update service, all messages that the business sends to update their website can also be sent directly to their customers.

NowFloats, based in Hyderabad, India, was co-founded by Jasminder Singh Gulati, Ronak Kumar Samantaray, Nitin Jain, and Neeraj Sabharwal. While Jasminder, Ronak, and Nitin were ex-Microsoft colleagues, Neeraj was associated as the creative/advertising person for many campaigns at Microsoft. Jasminder and Nitin met Ronak at a TEDx conference and since they were all working on similar problems, they got together. Within two months, Neeraj joined them as the Chief Experience Officer.

The initial focus for NowFloats was to build an application for finding all establishments such as deals, events etc relevant to a location. The app would also have 'floats' or thoughts about a location that a user could share. However, the main challenge they encountered was that the basic information about establishments required for making such an application work was hardly available and highly unstructured. To fill this gap, the founders undertook a new mission to enable all businesses to create and update their website – through mobile and SMS, without a computer.

There are quite a few companies that help small businesses create websites in a self-service mode, including Google and GoDaddy. Companies like BuildBazaar, Shopify and Shopnix help create eCommerce stores. However, having a computer is a basic requirement with these platforms, a compulsion that NowFloats aims to eliminate.

All Small Businesses Can Have a Small Business Website

NowFloats hopes to make the process of website creating and updating so simple and accessible that all small businesses would be able to have a Web presence. A Web presence is the first step that a business needs to take before it sets up an eCommerce store or sees any of the other advantages like broader customer base, broader, cheaper advertising reach and higher revenue that web-enabled businesses typically enjoy.

NowFloats has recently raised its first round of funding from Mumbai Angels, Blume Ventures and a few individual investors. It has also been selected by the Israel Foreign Ministry and TiE Delhi as the Indian entry for a startup global competition, “Start Tel Aviv Competition” in Israel in October this year.

The company is also working with large enterprises interested in acquiring large numbers of small business customers – mobile carriers and mobile handset vendors, for example – as possible channel partners.

NowFloats now has a big job ahead – getting 47 million Indian small businesses online.

Businessman Photo via Shutterstock

The post NowFloats Helps Small Businesses With First Step into the Online World appeared first on Small Business Trends.

My kids love toys that glow in the dark. But because I love bright light and normally keep all the windows wide open and the lamps on, if they want to enjoy some glow-in-the-dark fun, we need to all crowd into the one tiny windowless bathroom in the basement and close the door.

Normally all goes well, except for the one time I made the glow-in-the-dark toy jump at the kids while using my deepest spooky voice. Then you’ve got little people screaming and trying to run in a tiny dark bathroom where the adult is trying to get out of the way – but is actually just blocking the door and hoping that no one gets hurt and tells Mom what happened.

Sometimes glow-in-the-dark just makes things worse.

The post Note to Self: Don’t Highlight Low Sales (Cartoon) appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Small businesses operating in a primarily Windows environment should eventually be the ideal market for a tablet run on Windows too. So the opportunity exists for a viable alternative to devices run on popular Apple or Android operating systems.

And now there’s buzz that one of the best known manufacturers of Windows mobile devices is planning to seize that opportunity.

Photos bouncing around the Web show a device bearing Nokia, Windows RT and Verizon logos. And speculation among industry watchers is that Nokia could be introducing such a device as early as October.

More Specifics of a New Windows RT

Details on the device are obviously sketchy. However, recently The Verge reported the 10.1-inch device would feature a higher end processor than Microsoft’s Surface RT, would possess 4G LTE connectivity and would be made available on AT&T here in the U.S.

Price of the device is also uncertain, although that will probably be a key factor in how successfully the new device fairs, especially with potential small business customers.

Remember that Microsoft introduced the Surface RT at $499 then slashed that price by $150 to $349 based on disappointing sales. So if Nokia learns from Microsoft’s mistake, the initial price should be lower.

Launch May Be Delayed

Though the new Windows RT device was set to be unveiled at a Nokia product event later this month, that event has been pushed off at least a few weeks, Reuters reports. The delay is apparently due to the announcement of Microsoft’s acquisition of the company earlier this month. But  it’s possible Nokia plans to unveil the device at a recently announced Innovation Reinvented event scheduled for Oct.22.

Unveiling Photo via Shutterstock

The post Nokia Set to Introduce New Windows RT Tablet appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Welcome to our latest curated list of events, contests and awards for small businesses, solo entrepreneurs and growing companies. To see a full list or to submit your own event, contest or award listing, visit the Small Business Events Calendar.

Featured Events, Contests and Awards

WomanCon 2013
September 25, 2013, New York, NY

This fresh, one-day conference brings together amazing women entrepreneurs, both on and off the stage. Our incredible speaker lineup will help you learn how to get funding for growth, make your brand stronger, and turn your idea into a company. Pitch journalists live on stage with our media panel. You’ll also hear the REAL behind-the-scenes stories from founders including JJ Ramberg, Janine Popick , Pamela O’Hara and more. SEATING IS LIMITED.
Discount Code
SBTRENDS ($50 off)

Beating the Competition as a Small Business Owner
September 26, 2013, Online

Modern technology and empowered customers have changed the way small business owners market their business and communicate with prospects and customers. Hear from our expert panelists on how the most successful small business owners are navigating through these changes and how you can turn prospects and customers into raving fans. Panelists:
- Scott Klososky, Partner, Future Point of View, LLC
- Anita Campbell, CEO, Small Business Trends LLC
- Ramon Ray, Marketing & Tech Evangelist, Infusionsoft & Smallbiztechnology
- Robin Joy, VP, Mobile and Online, DocuSign

More Events

• September Business Networking Mixer
  September 23, 2013, Online
• Digital Marketing and Analytics Workshop
  September 23, 2013, Online
• September Business Networking Mixer
  September 23, 2013, New York City, NY
• Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference – 27th Annual
  September 26, 2013, Chicago, Illinois
• “BizBlast @ Noon” Networking Lunch Event
  September 26, 2013, Pittsburgh, PA
• From Concept to Reality – Creating the Lifestyle of Your Dreams
  September 26, 2013, Online
• The eMetrics Summit Boston
  September 29, 2013, Boston, MA
• Conversion Conference East 2013 Boston
  September 30, 2013, Online
• Demandcon Boston Sept 30-Oct 1st 2013
  September 30, 2013, Boston, MA/USA
• Context Conference
  September 30, 2013, Boston, MA
• SMX East
  October 01, 2013, New York, NY
• ONTRApalooza: Start, Systemize and Scale Your Business
  October 02, 2013, Santa Barbara, CA
• MiniTrends 2013: The Integration of Profit & Social Responsibility
  October 02, 2013, Austin, TX
• How to Build a Compensation Program & Solving Compensation Program Problems
  October 03, 2013, Orlando, FL
• MACsWomen’s Entrepreneur Summit and Business Expo
  October 04, 2013, Eastchester, NY
• WebCamp Live – Las Vegas
  October 04, 2013, Las Vegas, NV
• Start Your Business Bootcamp
  October 05, 2013, Online
• The Dealmaker
  October 08, 2013, Johannesburg, South Africa

More Contests

• The Citi Salutes: Realizing Your Dream Business Competition
  November 08, 2013, Online

This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends and SmallBizTechnology.

The post A Hand Curated List of Small Business Events appeared first on Small Business Trends.

It’s time again for another community news and announcement roundup. From time to time we bring you news from the small business community we think you may find interesting — from new website launches and resources to the latest insights from entrepreneurs and small business owners.

We take the pulse of the small business community across the Web.

If you’d like to help, we’d love to hear about the kinds of stories and posts you think we should share with the community. Check out the bottom of this post for more about how to get involved.

Now let’s get started.

Collect the Best Ideas From Your Team (EnMast)

Sometimes the best ideas are already floating around in your organization. Devan Perine explains how she decided to collect her team’s favorite tweets on small business and leadership. The result was a valuable monthly resource for all her site’s followers.

Add Value With Online Critiques(MyWifeQuitHerJob.com)

There are many ways to add value to your product or service. But one of the best values you can add is your expertise. Here Steve Chou explains how he created a video critique of eCommerce websites to add value to the training he offers. Those trying to start their own online stores need all the help they can get.

The Google Analytics Primer (Get Busy Media)

Many powerful resources for transforming your online business are absolutely free…for those who know how to use them. Google Analytics is probably the best example of these. Ricky Dawn gives an overview for the uninitiated.

There’s a Secret to Making Real Progress(Green Mango)

Except it’s not really a secret. It’s the result of that well-known mixture of patience, time and determination. Business consultant Roy Opata Olende likens it to a morning workout routine. Even if you do it everyday, getting in shape is a slow process.

Annie Cushing – Ask Me Anything(Inbound.org)

Annie Cushing, who writes excellent pieces about using analytics and spreadsheets to understand data and use it better, has an “Ask Me Anything” thread going on over at Inbound.org.  She is essentially opening up for questions and giving answers.  A lot of gems are in that thread.  It’s technical stuff, but if you want to learn how to work your data better, this is a good start.

Crappy Content Won’t Cut It (Function Writing Group)

We’ve all heard about the importance of creating content, and lots of it, in an effort to market ourselves and our brands. But content that is not well researched and does not really teach readers anything — or worse yet is unnecessary — is simply a waste of resources. Kelvin Cech explains why.

Viral Content Isn’t Everything (Resonance)

Marketing consultant Rachel Parker talks about the myth of viral content in this podcast. Do you really need to create it? How much will it really help your business in the end? Rachel also adds this thoughtful comment about why viral content may not be the Holy Grail some online marketers suggest.

50 College Entrepreneurship Programs (Entrepreneur)

Increasingly, entrepreneurs are able to locate just about any resource they need online. And now that includes entrepreneurship programs at the college and university level. BizSugar member Ryan Donegan shares this interactive map of 50 top entrepreneurship programs in the U.S.

We hope you enjoyed another edition of the community news and announcement roundup. And now, how about taking a minute or two to help make things even better.

To suggest a story or link we should share, drop us a suggestion at sbtips@gmail.com or share it on the BizSugar community. If we think it’s worth a mention, you may see it here next week.

Thanks for reading!

Online Resources Photo via Shutterstock

The post Small Business Resources From the Conmmunity appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Google Glass isn't officially available to the public yet. But some businesses are already considering the potential impact of allowing such devices to be used on site. And some are putting people on advance notice with “Google Glass banned” signs.

The wearable computer, which just a few thousand "explorers" currently have access to, gives users hands-free access to a number of smartphone features. They include the ability to take photos and videos. Both these features are a big part of the reason why some business owners have already decided to ban the device in their establishments.

Google Glass Banned

Seattle's 5 Point Café claims to be one of the first businesses in that city to ban the device from its premises. The owner stated in a March 5 Facebook post:

“For the record, The 5 Point is the first Seattle business to ban in advance Google Glasses. Seriously.”

Comments to the post were mixed. Some patrons seemed happy with the business's concern for their privacy, while many others criticized the move as a publicity stunt and accused the owner of hating technology. The owner has since admitted that part of his intention was to be funny and get a reaction from Facebook followers. But he is serious about the ban.

And he's not the only one to openly discuss the issue. Other types of businesses, including movie theaters, casinos and strip clubs, have also considered banning the devices preemptively. Fast Company, which is tracking the banning of the devices, reports New Jersey gaming authorities have already given local casinos permission to ban the devices. The National Association of Theatre Owners is preparing to develop a policy for their use at cinemas.

In fact, Search Engine Journal has published a list of 10 places likely to ban the devices. They include businesses like banks and any business like a health club or gym that might include a locker room or changing area.

Stop the Cyborgs

One group, in particular, is pushing to raise awareness among business owners and the community.

“Places where people expect to socialize freely like bars, clubs or restaurants are likely to be impacted,” said Jack Winters of the privacy advocacy site Stop the Cyborgs in a recent email interview. The website is part of an organization founded to draw attention to some of the privacy issues surrounding wearable tech like Google Glass.

Winters said that places like schools or doctors' offices where children may be present should consider some of the legal issues surrounding allowing cameras and recording devices and the distribution of the images they create.

And Google Glass isn't necessarily just another recording device. Smartphones and other mobile devices already give many individuals the ability to take photos and record videos at a moment's notice. But Google Glass users have the ability to do so without actually showing any signs of recording.

“Your smartphone probably lives in your pocket, in your bag or on a table. There is a clear change in role from ordinary person to photographer, audio recorder or camera man. This both discourages you from constantly capturing stuff and acts as a series of social cues announcing that you are about to start recording,” Winters said.

He added that while it is possible for people to take photos or videos using their phones without attracting much attention, it doesn't happen often. However with Google Glass, there are programs that can take a series of photos or record automatically without even requiring the user to press a button or use a voice command.

In addition, the advanced technology used by Glass opens the door for other anti-privacy features like real-time facial recognition, although Google has announced that it will not allow applications that use such technology.

“Face recognition is potentially a huge problem with the power to end anonymity and enable stalking and stigmatization. However, we are pleased that Google is taking this issue seriously and have banned face recognition at the moment,” Winters said.

But the possibility is there for the technology and capabilities of Google Glass to expand over time. And whether or not Google ever changes its stance on facial recognition, third party developers may find ways to integrate such features into wearable devices.

That's why Winters and his partners at Stop the Cyborgs are trying to start a public debate about the issues surrounding wearable tech. While he acknowledges that there are important uses for wearable computers, the impact of allowing just anyone to wear recording devices into homes or businesses shouldn't be ignored.

"The real issue is about establishing social norms," he said. "We felt that if Google Glass was left unchallenged, people would assume that it is okay to wear them everywhere and would not bother to ask permission."

To combat that, Stop the Cyborgs offers free downloadable signs on its website for business owners or homeowners to let others know that they would prefer Google Glass not be brought inside.

Image: Stop the Cyborgs

The post Google Glass: Not Yet On Sale, But Already Banned in Some Businesses appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Programming ain't easy. What’s harder is to convey concepts into printed words. Books can sometimes lag behind the latest-and-greatest moments in a given technology, overlooking  the heart of decisions and choices behind the code.

Fortunately some writers get their message to the heart quickly. One who I think got it is Eric Elliott, author of Programming JavaScript Applications: Robust Web Architecture With Node, HTML5, and Modern JS Librarie. Elliott is a JavaScript application development veteran. He is currently a member of the Creative Cloud team at Adobe.

I'm usually searching for open source development tools and developer meetups, so I was lucky that I discovered a early release online version via O'Reilly – special thanks to Revolunet, a French web developer that has collected a great reading library for web developers.

Where It All Started From

A brief technical history is in order: JavaScript is a client-side programming language, meant to operate website functions without having the browser contact a server in the process. Originally those functions were limited to those infamous pop up windows you'd see when arriving at a website – harmful or beneficial depending on the pop up content.

Today JavaScript is providing real value, as Elliott highlights the watershed moments that lead to today's internet experience.

For a long time, there was no way to save data with JavaScript. If you wanted data to persist, you had to submit a form to a web server and wait for a page refresh. That hindered the process of creating responsive and dynamic web applications. However, in 2000, Microsoft started shipping Ajax technology in Internet Explorer. Soon after, other browsers added support for the XMLHttpRequest object….. Since that time, web developers have produced nearly every type of application, including full blown cloud-based office suites (see Zoho.com), social APIs like Facebook's JavaScript SDK, even graphically intensive video games.

Such moments also influenced analytics – most analytics rely on Javascript tags, event tracking and regular expressions to measure site performance, so Elliott espouses on the right touchstones.

Learn How to Serve "The Other White Meat" of Programming

I call Javascript “the other white meat” because of its growing prowess as a programming choice among a multitude of programming choices. More than a history, the book offers itself as a cookbook of sorts for objects and functions.  Programming can be analogous to cooking, so to be a good "chef" in the digital "kitchen" a cookbook should give clear instructions.  In this case, Elliott explains advanced JavaScript in context of the Internet.  Diagrams that show how programming works with Internet infrastructure will help managers plan activities and a supporting budget to implement.

The handiness of the acronyms – like, DRY, which means Don't Repeat Yourself – helps to refine functions for developers. They can also lend ideas for how to approach elements in a project that have to be coded.  Take this example for DOT – Do One Thing:

Each function should do only one thing, and do that one thing as well as it can. Following this principle will make your function more reusable, more readable, and easier to debug.

Steps associated with advanced material get covered pretty well, such as Callbacks, "functions that you pass as arguments to be invoked when the callee has finished its job."

In the above code, the clicked() callback gets passed into into jQuery’s .on() method. When $button receives a click event, it invokes clicked() which runs the ok() assertion and then start(), which tells QUnit that it’s finished waiting for asynchronous operations, so it can continue to run tests.

This material may be a bit much for those who don't program, but I didn't find it incredibly overwhelming to managers who have heard of programming languages but have never used an editor.   For those who fear code, fear not. Elliot offers some great suggestions on starter material, as well as additional links for new libraries.

Programming JavaScript Applications is meant for programmers, without question. I have no doubt developers will have a better formation of an app. Moreover, it's worth a browse for the tech-curious business owner. It can explain some details to make app development easier, and save small business owners some headaches and training costs in understanding some of the programming issues encountered.

The post Make Your App Development Easier: Programming JavaScript Applications appeared first on Small Business Trends.

"When you get to the end of your rope, you tie a knot and hang on" ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt

When I think about how people describe me, more often than not, the words "dedicated and perseverance" top the list.

I have instinctively known that in life, when you want something, you have to work at it and forit. Even as a young person, I was very clear and focused on what I wanted and how I could get there. I set my sights on the bull's-eye and kept shooting for it.

Over time, I have learned many lessons and gained much wisdom about how to stick to things and, more importantly, how and what I needed to do to set myself up for what I like to call the "long race."

Long-distance runners train differently from sprinters. They focus on endurance and pace.  Our success plays out much better when we approach business success as long distance runners prepared for a marathon.

To truly perform their best, the training plan of all long-distance runners includes:

• Coaching
• Technique
• Practice
• Endurance

Long-distance runners all train for the second half of the race.

As business professionals who want to be around for a long time, we too must develop that kind of mindset and resilience that strengthens our ability to persevere beyond the first year or two and learn to properly manage challenging cycles of success.

How to Manage Challenging Cycles of Success

Develop An Unwavering Passion

When you can find your calling and truly love what you do and do what you love, it’s the most powerful "sales and success" tool you can have.

Sometimes we start out with an unwavering passion that can propel us through difficult times, but when it wavers or is uncertain over time, that’s when a clear, honest assessment is essential.

Ask yourself, “Do I really still love what I am doing and is this really what I want to do now?”

Get a Clear Perspective

Keep things in perspective. Stay focused on your goals and seek out alternative sources for news and information. There are so many resources for "the solution" and examples of people and businesses finding and making positive opportunities in challenging times.

Build a strong, supportive network and use it daily. It begins with me but continues and succeeds with we.

Maintain a Commitment to Pertinence and Relevance

Nothing is more important than relevance. Keep up with and know the trends in your industry as they relate to business, consumer behavior, and marketing.

These days, trends drive everything.  Pertinence and relevance in our rapidly changing business landscape can mean the difference between becoming extinct or being reborn.

Use Your Ability to Make Strategic Predictions

Do you have a visionfor where you are heading? What is the road map for your success?

Many of us are still navigating uncharted waters. Having both a short-term and a long-term plan and vision for navigating conditions keeps us on track, in the present and moving forward.

Set yourself up to succeed by doing whatever it takes. Upgrade and close skill gaps, go back to school, downsize, diversify, partner, collaborate, network, rebrand yourself and your business and sometimes, as hard as it may be –  it’s actually best to move on.

One of the most prolific and successful entrepreneurs for the past 7 decades is Award Winning Global Entrepreneur and Author, Jack Nadal.

He has achieved legendary results and success with strong professional fundamentals and personal values. He continues to mentor, teach and be a power of example for what it takes to sustain success and leave an enduring legacy along the way. Check out his enduring tips for entrepreneurs.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorites, “Don’t let your ego get in the way of succeeding.”

Reach for Stars Photo via Shutterstock

The post 4 Assets to Help You Manage Challenging Cycles of Success appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Apple may have begun the tablet revolution. But small business owners and entrepreneurs who favor the devices for staying on top of information while on the go now have more choices than ever.

The latest comes from an unlikely source – Amazon.

With the arrival of the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 and 8.9 in stores, mobile entrepreneurs have access to tablets comparable to the iPad Air at competitive prices. The two devices were announced by Amazon together with a new version of the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 and new Kindle Fire HD 7 in September.

High Resolution and 4G LTE

The key to the competitiveness of the Amazon tablets is certainly partially their new higher resolution. At 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX’s resolution is said by some to be better than the iPad Air, reports CNET.

The availability of 4G LTE, actual cellular connectivity rather than just WiFi connected to a network through a router, means they are more mobile than the Kindles that came before.

At $479, the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX with 4G LTE comes in about $20 cheaper than the new iPad Air. Meanwhile, the 7-inch Kindle Fire HDX with 4G LTE at $329 comes in considerably cheaper.

Tablet Field Grows

Certainly, the iPad continues to have advantages. For example, tech writer Anand Lal Shimpi reported recently on the Air’s ability to function as its own hotspot with a single charge for more than a day. But this probably goes well beyond the needs of the average mobile business owner.

Meanwhile, many company’s have begun to offer alternatives, including tablets with Windows and Android operating systems, at similar or competitive prices.

In the end, there are many cost effective solutions for budget conscious small business owners and entrepreneurs today seeking a tablet for business.

Image: Amazon

The post Amazon Offers Comparable Tablet Cheaper Than iPad Air appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Most LinkedIn experts will say that participating in LinkedIn groups is the best way to get new business, develop joint partnerships and create and deepen connections. This is because if you want to build solid online relationships, you need to find places where you can continually add value and engage in conversations with members of your target market — and that's what LinkedIn groups allow you to do.

I’ve previously written about how to choose LinkedIn groups to join, as well as how to create a LinkedIn company page. The next step is to determine how to share content in LinkedIn groups successfully, to maximize your opportunities and provide value.

How to Share Content in LinkedIn Groups

What should you post?

Certain types of posts are more popular, and increase your exposure. Below are some examples:

1. Comment On and Share Popular Posts

Discussions in LinkedIn groups with many comments and shares tend to get the most visibility. This is a way for you to connect with the person who started the discussion, as well as those who have participated in the discussion.

So begin engaging with other LinkedIn community members now by commenting on and sharing popular posts on LinkedIn.

2. Ask a Question

People love to help. Asking a question allows others to not only help you, but connect with you.

This is best done after you've spent some time observing the discussions in your group. You'll begin to see a pattern for the types of concerns and information shared.

Some groups feature discussions asking for help dealing with issues. Others include posts where folks are asking for vendor recommendations. Still others are looking for input for articles. Some include all of these types of discussions.

Posting popular types of questions will increase the likelihood of engagement with group members.

3. Post Your Own or Shared Articles, Videos, Etc.

This is actually a tricky area.

One of the complaints of LinkedIn group members and managers is that group members often use LinkedIn groups as a "content dumping ground." While it's easy to post articles and videos, it should not be the primary way you participate in groups. Groups are meant to be forums and exchanges of information.

When you do occasionally post informational content, make sure that it's relevant to your group. Also keep in mind that studies show that updates with images and videos receive a 98% higher engagement rate, and a 75% higher share rate, respectively.

Further, 64% of LinkedIn members expect content updates to be both informative and insightful. Make sure your information answers a question or solves a problem for members.

Whatever you do, don't make the post "sales-y." It's not only a turnoff, but a no-no in groups.

How Often Should You Post to a LinkedIn Group?

Visit each of your top groups several times per week or it will be difficult to keep up with discussions. Keep up with the conversations you're participating in and add value continuously.

Taking the time to strategically participate in LinkedIn groups will help you develop new business opportunities, joint partnerships and create and deepen connections.

Start using these tips on how to share content in LinkedIn groups today and you will be on your way to successful participation.

Group Discussion Photo via Shutterstock

The post Popular Content to Share in LinkedIn Groups appeared first on Small Business Trends.

The Affordable Care Act will require most U.S. Citizens to be insured by 2014. The law kicks in for businesses with 50 or more full-time employees a year later. These companies must provide insurance for their full-time workers by 2015 or face penalties. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees are, so far, exempt from the requirements.

But it just so happens the law will hit at least two groups of small business owners earlier than they might have expected.

Small Business Owners Need Insurance

One of those two groups is made up of self-employed solopreneurs. If not  insured already, these people will need to enroll in a plan by March 2014. They are not exempt from participation simply because their businesses have fewer than 50 employees. And they cannot wait until 2015 to enroll in an insurance plan like other businesses. This is because they fall under the individual mandate which goes into effect next year, not the employer mandate that has been delayed until 2015.

We don’t know exactly how many uninsured solopreneurs there are out there, says William J. Dennis. Dennis is a National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation senior fellow who recently authored a study on the impact of Obamacare on small business. He estimates there are approximately 5.5 million self-employed small business owners in the U.S.

But because the NFIB study confined itself to small businesses employing between 2 and 200 employees, no data was gathered on the number of self-employed business owners who are still uninsured.  Self-employed entrepreneurs might easily become confused about which mandate they fit under. That’s because technically, Dennis says, they could purchase an insurance policy as either a small business or an individual. However, he says there is  no question that they fall under the individual mandate in terms of the new Affordable Care Act. As a result, they must carry health insurance by the 2014 deadline or face penalties.

Employers Without Insurance

Yet another group of small business owners and entrepreneurs will need insurance policies by 2014, if they don’t already have them. This group includes small business employers. Of the 7 million such employers in the U.S., Dennis estimates about 15 to 16 percent are currently uninsured.

Dennis says some of these employers may already provide insurance for their employees and have simply gone without a policy of their own to save costs or for some other personal reason.

Others may think that they can simply hold off until 2015 and purchase plans for themselves and their employees when the employer mandate kicks in.

However, these employers may be forgetting that while their businesses are not required to purchase insurance before 2015 under the new law, this does not apply to them personally.

“They are effectively individuals,” Dennis explains.

The Clock is Ticking

Whether you are a self-employed business owner or an employer, you will need to be insured by 2014 to meet the individual mandate of the affordable care act, according to the NFIB. This is regardless of whether your business falls under employer mandate going into effect in 2015 or not. Don’t wait until the last minute to get more information on the requirements and how to proceed.

The post Obamacare Will Affect Some Small Businesses Early appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Employee compensation at small establishments lags behind that at larger businesses, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data (PDF) reveals. Not only do businesses spend less on wages and benefits at smaller concerns, but also expenditures on employee compensation have been growing more slowly at smaller establishments.

While not every establishment, or business unit operating at a single location as government statistical agencies defines them, represents an independent firm. The vast majority of establishments are single location businesses. Therefore, observers often use data on small establishments to track what is going on in the small business world.

Smaller Establishments Pay Lower Salaries

At private sector establishments with fewer than 50 workers, wage and salary costs per hour were $17.28 in June 2013; at establishments with 50 to 99 workers, they were $19.13; at concerns with 100 to 499 workers they were $20.56; and at establishments with 500 or more workers, they were $28.29.

Smaller Establishments Spend Less on Employee Benefits

The cost of employee benefits at private sector establishments with fewer than 50 workers was $5.81 per hour worked in June 2013, compared with $7.51 at establishments with 50 to 99 employees, $9.20 for establishments with 100 to 499 workers, and $14.86 for establishments with 500 or more people, BLS estimates show.

Larger Establishments Provide a Greater Share of Employee Compensation

At establishments with between 1 and 49 workers, benefits accounted for 25.2 percent of total compensation in June of this year. They amounted to 28.2 percent of total compensation at establishments with between 50 and 99 employees, 30.9 percent at locations with between 100 to 499 workers, and 34.4 percent at establishments with 500 or more workers.

Two key benefits – health insurance and retirement plans – account for a larger slice of employee compensation at bigger establishments than smaller ones. In June 2013, health care coverage took to:

• 6.2 percent of total compensation at establishments with fewer than 50 employees.
• 7.3 percent at locations with between 50 and 99 employees.
• 8.6 percent at concerns with between 100 and 499 employees.
• 8.9 percent at establishments with 500 or more employees.

This June, retirement plans accounted for:

• 2.2 percent of total compensation at establishments with fewer than 50 employees.
• 3.2 percent at establishments with between 50 and 99 employees.
• 4.0 percent at establishments with between 100 and 499 employees.
• 5.2 percent at establishments with 500 or more employees.

Employee Compensation has Been Growing More Slowly at Smaller Establishments

BLS figures show that total compensation increased only 1.8 percent between 1990 and 2013 at establishments with fewer than 100 workers, when measured in inflation-adjusted terms. At establishments with between 100 and 499 workers, and establishments with 500 or more workers, over the same period, real total compensation rose 19.7 and 19.8 percent, respectively.

Wage stagnation has been the norm at smaller establishments. Between 1990 and 2013, real wages increased only 0.9 percent at locations with fewer than 100 employees. At establishments with between 100 and 499 workers, they went up 14.1 percent, while at concerns with 500 or more employees, they rose 13.2 percent.

Retirement benefits have grown more slowly at smaller establishments. When measured in inflation-adjusted terms, the per employee cost of retirement savings grew only 1.3 percent between 1990 and 2013 at establishments with fewer than 100 people, versus 64.2 percent at locations with between 100 and 499 workers and 62.7 percent at concerns with 500 or more workers.

Spending on employee health coverage has grown more slowly at smaller establishments. Real spending on employee health coverage rose 58 percent at establishments with 500 or more workers between 1990 and 2013, and 68 percent at concerns with 100 to 499 employees. By contrast, spending on employee health coverage at establishments with fewer than 100 employees increased only 32 percent over the same period.

In short, smaller establishments pay less and provide lesser benefits than larger establishments. Moreover, this pay and benefit gap has widened in recent years. Our elected officials should take these facts into consideration when designing policies that affect small business employment.

Small Versus Big Photo via Shutterstock

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If teens are getting bored with Facebook, maybe teen heart throb Justin Bieber can help. Facebook recently admitted teens aren’t as active on the social network as they used to be (something you should take note of, if you market to this group.)

Business Insider even went so far as to interview some 13-year-olds about why they’re becoming less active on the site.

Meanwhile, Bieber, who counts teens as a major part of his audience, was among a group of investors who recently put a combined $1.1 million into a new social site called Shots of Me targeted directly at this demographic.

John Shahidi, CEO of RockLive, the company responsible for the new social network, told Fortune:

“He’s been very involved in our products, helping us test things and providing feedback…When we told him that we were looking to create a social network for teens that really addresses what they aren’t getting on other networks, and which tries to deal with things like cyber-bullying, his eyes just lit up.”

Of course, you don’t need a million dollars to start your own online community. Tools like Ning, Mixxt and others provide cost effective opportunities to create a more specific community for your fans, customers or industry.

Imagine a social network targeted at your niche. An accounting business, for example, could create an online community for people with tax questions. Or a local automotive repair shop could sponsor a community for people with concerns about their cars.

Niche communities could be a major part of marketing to your customers in the future and the tools are easily available.

Justin Bieber Photo via Shutterstock

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LaserJet Printer History: The 200 Million Milestone

In 1984 HP introduced its first LaserJet printer.  Even though HP didn’t invent the laser printer, it was the first company to take it to the mass market with a desktop version, according to Wikipedia.

Fast forward nearly 30 years.  Today HP shipped its 200 millionth LaserJet printer.

And supposedly paper is dead….  Apparently somebody forget to tell all the businesses and people buying those printers.

In an interview, David Laing, Director of Innovation for HP LaserJet and Enterprise Solutions, told us the LaserJet printer history.  It’s one of innovation.  Many of those innovations empowered small businesses, he said.  ”As I reflect on the HP LaserJet and when it first launched, it gave small businesses the ability to look bigger.  A small business had the ability to appear more professional, like larger companies, at a reasonable cost,” Laing told us.

Another milestone for small businesses came in 1998, when HP launched the first color all-in-one device for the mass market.  ”The all-in one saved small businesses money because you didn’t need to buy a separate printer, copier and fax any more,” he said.

The Printer Evolves Into A Business Kiosk

Today, new milestones are being chalked up at a fast clip.  The all-in-one printer has evolved into what Laing calls a stand alone business kiosk.  ”These multifunction machines used to be called ‘peripherals’ but now can function as a stand alone kiosk for a small business.”  In other words, given the direction of today’s technology, you don’t necessarily need to use a computer to locate and print documents.

Users can print directly from mobile devices such as smartphones (see above).

Another area involves accessing documents stored in the cloud directly from the printer.   HP’s newer devices have touch display panels so you can search, print and scan documents, without having to use a desktop computer or laptop.  Some models even have pullout keyboards for enhanced functionality.

From these devices you can locate and print documents stored in cloud filing systems such as Dropbox, Box.net and Google Drive.  HP also has its own cloud file storage system called Flow CM, which Laing says has more advanced technology than competing cloud file-storage systems.

For instance, using Flow CM you can search the entire text not only of written documents, but also in audio and video files. You don’t need to create a written transcript first — the technology is capable of searching the audio and video.  It also is intelligent enough to detect the meaning of the words, Laing claims.  ”Previously this technology was available only for large enterprises, but now is available for small businesses,” Laing noted.  The technology came via HP’s acquisition of Autonomy a few years ago.

The actual 200 millionth LaserJet machine will be placed in the HP offices in commemoration of the LaserJet printer history.  To mark the occasion, the company is also holding a sweepstakes and awarding a special limited editions as prizes. The sweeps is open through December 24, 2013.

Images: stills from HP video

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It's relatively agreed upon that reducing health costs is the top reason for small business wellness programs. I recently wrote about implementing wellness programs as a way to reduce overall company health care costs. However, the costs that come with it are often a barrier for organizations – especially for smaller businesses.

According to the 2013 Aflac WorkForces Report, only 7 percent of businesses with 3-49 employees have a wellness program. Even so, the survey showed that 61 percent of companies strongly or somewhat agree that wellness programs can directly impact corporate profitability.

So how can small businesses make the case for themselves that these programs are worth implementing?

It's all about ROI (return on investment).

Showing the Worth of Small Business Wellness Programs

A study by Health Affairs found that medical costs fall by about $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs and that absenteeism costs fall by about $2.73 for every dollar spent.

Another study by Harvard Business Review of several wellness programs shows a clear impact. In the Harvard study, one company saw a return of $2.71 on every dollar spent on wellness programs, and cumulative savings of $250 million on health care costs in a decade. Another reported an 80 percent decline in lost work days over six years, with a savings calculated of $1.5 million, along with workers' compensation insurance premiums having declined by 50 percent.

Determining the Worth of Small Business Wellness Programs

Measuring the return on investment from small business wellness programs is a challenge. In fact, the Aflac study showed that only three out of 10 companies (32 percent) have managed to do so.

Each small business is different. I'm not going to pretend to know the nuances of your specific business and how a wellness program could deliver ROI for your particular situation.

However, we've identified a few measurements that can help companies determine program successes that may provide valuable perspectives.

Benefits Engagement and Knowledge

Employees enrolled in small business wellness programs are more likely to be knowledgeable about benefits options and health care. They are also more likely to be engaged in their benefits programs and choices.

Surveying benefits knowledge, understanding and overall engagement can show a direct link to a company's investment in benefits packages and efforts to market those benefits options.

Employee Satisfaction and Morale

The Aflac study identified that employees who are enrolled in worksite wellness programs are more satisfied with their jobs and benefits packages, and also express more confidence in their employers.

These measures can have a critical impact on a company's bottom line. Whether by measuring employee tenure and retention, or employee referrals, understanding worker satisfaction and morale can help show the enduring value of a company's wellness initiatives.

Employee Well-Being

The Aflac study reveals employees that participate in small business wellness programs are more than 10 percent more likely to say they are healthy because they exercise and eat right (41 percent compared to 30 percent).

Financial Security

Likewise, financial security is critical to overall workforce health. The Aflac study found only 16 percent of employees say they are extremely or very prepared to pay for out-of-pocket expenses associated with serious illness or injury.

Tracking overall employee health and wellness is essential to understanding a program's success. Measuring a decline in sick days or unexpected leave will help to gain a good measure of physical, emotional and financial health.

Wellness Photo via Shutterstock

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The Nexus 5 has finally arrived after leaked photos, specs and even a video. The phone features a 5-inch display (4.95 inches technically) and there’s  clearly a focus on the device’s front and rear facing cameras.

Google says there is an improved flash on the 8MP rear-mounted camera to get better photos in low light. There’s also image stabilization, keeping pictures steady when your hands aren’t, and a 1.3MP front-facing camera for video chats.

Check out this review from CNET:

The Nexus 5 is only the latest member of a continuously growing family of mobile technology from Google. So if your business isn’t too enamored with the Windows or Apple operating systems, these Android options may be attractive.

Nexus 4

The Nexus 4 is the immediate successor to the latest Google smartphone. The phone sports a 4.7 inch screen with 1280 by 768 resolution. It also has an 8MP camera on the back and a 1.3 MP camera on the front. Though the rear facing camera is not equal to the one built into the new Nexus 5, Google says.

Downsides, mentioned by reviewers include lack of 4G LTE. But a recently reduced price on the Nexus 4 may make up for any shortcomings.

Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 has a new slimmer look and more powerful capabilities thanks to an upgrade earlier this year.

In addition to front and rear cameras and HD display, this tablet has 2GB of internal memory and comes in 16GB WiFi and 32GB WiFi versions and a 32GB 4G LTE version too.

It’s also 2 millimeters thinner, close to 6 millimeters narrower and 50 grams lighter than an earlier model of the device.

Nexus 10

The Nexus 10 is the big brother of this family. Reviewer TJ McCue says:

“…you get a machine as powerful as many low-end laptops. A lightweight mobile keyboard will make you even more productive. I like the Gorilla glass screen…It has a special WiFi technology that speeds up your browsing, too.”

Bottom line: Google’s family of Nexus devices now offers a size and type of mobile device for a variety of needs at a price meant to appeal to various budgets.

Image: Google

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As a small business owner who runs a marketing firm, I hear all the time about the relationships that didn't work out. Small business owners who can't find a marketing firm they “click” with, marketing firms that are frustrated by the clients who balk at every idea, etc.

Communication is key to avoiding these issues.

Remember, marketing is a partnership. Nobody plays tennis alone. You need to be able to do your part to make the relationship work. And a big part of doing your part is being extremely clear about what you want. To do that, you need to ask yourself some questions first.

Ask Yourself Before You Hire a Marketing Firm. . .

Are You Willing to Listen and Try New Things?

Before you spend a penny on your marketing, it's time to ask yourself if you're ready, willing and able to listen to the person you hire.

No one says you have to implement every idea. Working with a marketer doesn't mean slavishly adhering to everything they have to say. But if you're not willing to even consider something different from how you’ve always done it, you're wasting your money paying for someone else's new ideas.

What's Your Communication Style?

Every business owner is different. Some people prefer to communicate with their marketing firm very rarely, communicating primarily through emails and scheduled meetings. Other people want more time from their marketing team, expecting instant availability and response to calls, emails and tweets.

Understanding your communication style is very helpful when searching for a marketing firm. You want to find a company that's a good fit. If you like instant communication and the firm you work with has a more laid-back approach to answering calls and emails, it will be a difficult working relationship to maintain.

Keep in mind that the more time a marketing company spends with you, the larger your bill will be.

How Are You With Deadlines?

Every marketing company will need certain things from you in order to do their jobs. It takes a lot of informational collateral to run a successful marketing campaign.

As the business owner, your marketing firm is depending on you to answer questions, provide insights and in-house graphics, review material as it's developed and give approvals in a timely fashion to hit crucial implementation deadlines.

Maintaining an awareness of the project timeline is an important element to successful marketing.

Where Do Ideas Come From?

Be clear about what you expect your marketing firm to do. Do you want them to generate creative ideas for you, or do you want them to implement ideas you already have?

The answer to this question can vary over the course of time. In the progression of a long-term relationship with a marketing firm, some of the creative concepts are firm-generated while others come from the clients.  The best ideas are often collaborations.

Your personality and expertise are two of your business' biggest assets. You need to think through how you're going to integrate these qualities into your brand messaging.

Some people prefer to be very behind the scenes, letting their business be represented by logos and iconography, while other business owners want their customers to be able to put a face with the business name. When it comes to expertise, some business owners believe that sharing almost everything they know results in empowered, educated buyers, while other business owners are more close-lipped.

There is no right or wrong answer here. Only the approach that makes you comfortable. You need to know what your preferences are and communicate those preferences to your prospective marketing firm.

How Much Education Do You Want Your Marketing Firm to Provide?

If you're an experienced business owner and tech-savvy, you may feel fairly confident about your ability to implement the strategies your marketing firm recommends using the tools they suggest. However, if you're not as confident, you may want your marketing firm to provide a certain level of education and training for your team.

For example, a digital marketing team may be asked to teach a business owner how to set up a Pinterest page or update a LinkedIn bio. Be aware of what your needs and expectations are, and communicate them to your prospective marketing firm. This will help you find the best fit for your needs.

What Do You Expect Your Marketing Agency To Do?

One big problem that crops up in marketing firm-client relationships is when clients expect services that the marketing firm doesn't actually provide. Not every marketing firm does everything. The team that might create fantastic signage for your store could be a total flop when it comes to event marketing.

Understand what your team does, what they do well and when you'd be better served by seeking out another pro to handle your needs. It's not always cost-effective to have your marketing firm do everything for you.

Taking some tasks in-house or finding a more affordable third-party provider to handle those tasks can make the most of your marketing budget. However, do make sure everyone knows how to work together to support your overall brand and message.

Do You Want Your Marketing Firm to Work With Other Professionals?

You may already have established working relationships with professionals. People such as your Web master, a graphic designer and so on – that you wish to continue.

Talk to your prospective marketing firm about the existing relationships you have, and ask about their willingness to work collaboratively. Some firms are very open to the possibility while others are not.

Clear communication around this point is essential.

What About a Guarantee?

As a business owner, you've learned to be cautious. Guarantees are good things. They mean if something doesn't work out, you get your money back. Great marketers will present you with tactics and tools that have worked well for companies similar to yours in the past, as well as their own creative approach to implementation.

However, there's no way to guarantee that your audience will respond the way you want them to. There are too many factors beyond the marketer's control. The best sales campaign in the world can be useless if there's a major blizzard the weekend of your sales event.

That's why you seldom see guarantees offered by marketing agencies.

Ask Yourself Photo via Shutterstock

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Imagine customer reviews like the ones on Yelp. But these reviews would all be from real people who had actually used a product or service. No fake reviews from PR agencies or competitors would be tolerated. No one would be allowed to manipulate reviews to make businesses seem better or worse.

Sound too good to be true?

A program slowly being rolled out by the Better Business Bureau is aimed at accomplishing this seemingly impossible task.

A New Kind of Customer Review

Katherine Hutt, Better Business Bureau national spokesperson, said online reviews in the process of being launched by the non-profit group are tied to the organization’s original mission. In an email interview, Hutt explained:

“For more than a century, BBB has been all about fostering trust in the marketplace between businesses and consumers. What started out as a truth-in-advertising campaign in 1912 has grown to include dispute resolution, industry self-regulation, consumer education, and charity reports.”

Customers are justified in being skeptical of review sites these days. In September, 19 small businesses were hit with fines totaling $350,000. The New York state attorney general’s office says they recruited freelancers to create false reviews on sites like Yelp, Google Local and CitySearch.

Then, a study concluded 16 percent of the customer reviews on Yelp might be fakes. Also recently, Yelp filed suit against a San Diego law firm claiming the company faked its own reviews.

The Verification Process

Hutt insists the Better Business Bureau’s online reviews will have more credibility because of the way they are screened.

As with the complaints it takes from customers, Hutt says the Better Business Bureau will employ a verification process for all reviews appearing on its sites.

Identities of reviewers will not be shared with the public, Hutt says. But the Better Business Bureau insists all reviewers share their names and other details sufficient to verify that they are indeed customers of the businesses they are reviewing.

She says the information is also shared with the businesses being reviewed as part of the verification process, adding:

“If a consumer cannot prove he or she is a real customer, we will not publish the review … it's as simple as that.”

History of the Program

While the first BBB online review pilot program was launched back in 2004 (the same year Yelp was founded), it wasn’t until 2012 that it was announced as an option for local BBBs to implement.

Hutt says the organization’s careful benchmarking and exacting verification standards have caused it to move more slowly than many startups and has led to fewer reviews being published.

She says about 20 local Better Business Bureaus are already using online reviews on their websites with more rolling them out as they are ready.

The reviews are being incorporated into local sites alongside existing BBB accreditation, ratings and other data. But Hutt says customer reviews are not part of the organization’s overall ratings formula for BBB business ratings.

Reviews Photo via Shutterstock

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Black Friday is fast approaching (in fact, this year there will be two Black Fridays as Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah fall on the same day – a rarity that won't happen for another 70,000 years).

With competition for shoppers' dollars stiffer than ever, is your small business prepared to offer the kind of holiday customer service needed to stand out in the crowd?

Below are some holiday customer service tips to get your business's customer service in shape for the holidays:

Staff up

I posted recently about hiring tips for the holidays. If you haven't already got your team in place, get going!

Educate

"Showrooming"– customers coming into your store to touch and try merchandise, then using smartphones to look for lower prices online – is a game-changer for retailers (and not in a good way).

Combat the practice by making sure your retail associates are educated about the products you sell so they can answer all your customers' questions and basically be more helpful than the Internet.

Equip

Make sure your team has the tools they need for smooth selling this holiday season. That means a well-stocked inventory, up-to-date point-of-sale systems and mobile technology like iPads and smartphones.

Mobile tools can shorten wait times if you use software like Square so customers can pay from anywhere in the store (instead of waiting on line). They can also help fight showrooming by allowing clerks to look up product information or check inventory levels.

Test

If you sell online, make sure your customer service team is ready for the holiday overload. Start by testing your website to ensure it can handle heavy traffic and that browsing, shopping and checking out are clear and intuitive. Provide a variety of ways that users can contact your customer service team, from email and phone to live chat.

Speed things along by making sure your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), shipping, returns and other information is current and clear.

If customers can answer their own questions, they won't need your customer service team.

Motivate

Holiday customer service can be grueling during the rush, so plan how you will reward and motivate your team.

Setting attainable goals, holding regular meetings to bring up problems or concerns and encouraging employees with rewards and prizes are great ways to keep your holiday customer service reps powering through the toughest times.

This article, provided by Nextiva, is republished through a content distribution agreement. The original can be found here.

Christmas Clerk Photo via Shutterstock

The post Get Your Customer Service in Shape for the Holidays appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Recently, Google announced a new flavor of campaign called “Search Network with Display Select.” This new campaign type is a slight modification of the old “Search & Display Networks” campaign type.

Here is Google’s pitch:

“Search Network with Display Select uses improved signals and methods of predicting when and where your ads are likely to perform best, and sets a higher bar for when to show them.

That means your ads are more likely to be shown to a smaller number of prospective customers, who are more likely to be interested in your offerings.

Compared to the old campaign type, initial tests show that advertisers, on average, could see a 35% higher click-through-rate, and a 35% lower cost-per-customer purchase on the display portion of their Search Network with Display Select campaigns.”

In summary, it seems to me that they’re being slightly more selective with the display network placements and the timing. But I don’t see a huge difference. That, of course, elicits the usual question. . .

Should You Use AdWords Display Ads?

My short answer is yes, small businesses should use the Google Display Network (GDN). But with a couple important caveats:

• Conversion tracking is set up & working properly.
• You know the value of a conversion to your business.

I’ve written about the GDN or PPC “black hole” as I called it, before. My opinion is the same – you’ve got to control it.

Controlling the Google Display Network

First, you need to remember that targeting on the display network is very different from search. For display advertising, Google is looking for websites/pages that are contextually relevant to your keywords and then deciding to place ads.

Therefore, display campaigns need far fewer keywords and they can be much more broad than search campaigns.

Second, your ads need to stand out much more because you’re trying to steal someone’s attention from the blog post they’re reading or the image they’re looking at. That is a much different proposition than search ads, where you know what they’re looking for and can include their exact search query in your ad copy.

Lastly, Google will always put your ads on domains that you don’t like. You need to regularly review your placement reports and exclude poor websites so your ads stop showing there.

Final Verdict

Don’t use the new “Search Network with Display Select” campaign type (pictured above). Use separate campaigns for search and display so you can control and optimize each area in an appropriate manner.

You can get great results from the GDN, but only if you set it up right, measure, optimize and improve.

Images: Google

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Facebook is entering the review game, but in the social network’s case it includes a star rating system, Facebook starred reviews. Facebook introduced the feature recently for businesses with physical addresses. So for those Web entrepreneurs who only have a website, this doesn’t seem an option at the moment.

The process seems fairly easy, according to directions found in the Facebook Desk Help section :

• Just visit the Facebook page of the business you want to review.
• Scroll down to the review section on the right hand side of the timeline.
• Fill in the number of stars (total of five) that reflect your experience with the business.
• Fill in a written review as well in the space that asks “What do you think about this place?”
• You can mark your review public or select the friends, acquaintances or other connections you want to be able to see it.
• Then hit “Review” and you’re done.

Page owners be aware. You automatically enable the Facebook star reviews feature by adding your physical address on Facebook. Facebook warns you cannot remove individual reviews. So the only option is to remove the review function completely by taking your address off your page.

How Facebook Starred Reviews are Different

It’s impossible to think about the new Facebook review feature without considering all the controversy now surrounding online reviews.

In September, small businesses in New York state faced $350,000 in fines after the attorney general’s office said they had hired freelancers to write fake online reviews.

Around the same time, a study revealed 16 percent of reviews on Yelp might be fakes and Yelp sued a law firm claiming it had faked reviews as well.

Meanwhile, the Better Business Bureau is rolling out what it claims is a more credible process to ensure reviews are written by real customers.

Facebook allows only those with an account to write a review. But how many fake Facebook accounts are out there is anyone’s guess. At best, the new Facebook starred reviews feature should probably be viewed as another way to collect feedback and generate social interest rather than an objective measure of customer sentiment.

Thumbs Up Photo via Shutterstock

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In an increasingly competitive retail landscape, small retailers are always seeking an edge. As we head into an uncertain holiday shopping season, one way your small shop can get customers' attention and earn some of their cash is by giving back to the community.

The success of initiatives such as Small Business Saturday has shown that consumers have a strong interest in supporting their local communities with their dollars. Getting involved in socially responsible activities in your area is one of the best ways to show your business's commitment to the community.

So where to start?

Ideas for How to Give and Receive in Business

Highlight Your Existing Social Cause Activities

If your business is already involved in social responsibility, be sure to highlight these activities around the holidays:

• Post pictures on social media and your website of your employees packaging up gifts for disadvantaged children or feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving.
• Write about your efforts on your website and in your email newsletters.
• Keep a running tally on your website of the number of toys, hours, dollars, etc. donated to your charity so far. Include a call to action for how customers can help ("Click here to buy/donate/learn more").

If Non-Existent, Take Up a Social Cause

If you aren't already involved in a social cause, the easiest way to get started is to participate in existing local organizations' holiday outreach, such as toy and food drives.

While there are many worthy organizations your business could get involved with nationally or even globally, since your goal is to attract local customers, you want to focus your charitable efforts at home:

• Ask your employees about local organizations they support; have everyone vote on which one to focus on.
• Poll your customers for suggestions and hold a vote on social media or your website for which organization you'll support.
• Pick an organization based on your industry and/or customer base. For example, it's a no-brainer for a toy store to support a children's toy drive or a restaurant to donate to a local food bank.

Get Your Customers Involved

Everyone's in a giving mood around the holidays, and offering your customers an opportunity to contribute will make them feel good about themselves (and about your business):

• Put a donation jar at your point-of-sale with a sign explaining your charity so customers can drop their spare change in it.
• Inviting customers to join with you and your employees in a charitable event such as feeding homeless families on Thanksgiving.
• Ask customers if they'd like to "round up" their purchase price to the next dollar and you give the extra money to a charitable organization.
• Ask customers to donate food, blankets, toys or whatever your organization is seeking at your store; then you take it to the charity.

Create Specials to Drive Sales and Spirit of “Giving”

Customers love the idea of giving gifts and giving back at the same time:

• Host a special shopping day where a certain percent of all sales goes to your local charity. Be sure to let local newspapers, bloggers and radio stations know in advance so they can spread the word.
• Choose a certain gift item (or package of items) and give the profits (or a percentage of them) from that item to your local charity. Merchandise the product(s) prominently in your store with special signage highlighting the donation customers will be making simply by purchasing.

Conclusion

As you plan your charitable outreach, make sure to:

• Consult your accountant to make sure you are handling tax aspects of donations correctly.
• Promote what you're doing and the results in your marketing and advertising as well as to the local media.
• Focus not on what you are getting out of charitable activities, but what you're giving.

Charity Drive Photo via Shutterstock

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Lines blur more and more between consumer and commercial devices. The result is that useful technology for your business shows up in the most unusual places. Take Verizon’s first venture into tablets, the Verizon Ellipsis 7.

The new 7-inch tablet seems at first glance like a primarily consumer device. The official Verizon Wireless News Center lists these features:

• An Amazon Kindle App for ebook readers
• Streaming video from Redbox Instant for watching movies on the go
• 4G LTE connectivity and a front facing camera which Verizon says is for video chat with family
• The ability to sync calendar and email with other users

Here is a brief overview of the device’s operation from CTNTechnologyNews:

Consumer Tablet with Business Uses

The Verizon Ellipsis 7 has some uses that might be helpful for businesses too. For example, CTNTechnologyNews reports the tablet can create a mobile WiFi hotspot for up to eight devices. Verizon says the device also features:

• A full HD display
• Additional storage via an SD card
• Support for personal or corporate email
• Voice search and Google Now
• Meeting, event and travel alerts
• Accessories like a folio with kickstand and added keyboard.

According to Verizon’s specs, the Verizon Ellipsis 7 tablet has 8 GB of internal memory expandable up to 32 with the SD card and has up to 12.28 hours of battery life. It also runs on the Android operating system making it comparable to other devices like the Nexus 7.

Verizon’s limited offer of $100 off the cost for customers who sign up for a two year Verizon contract starts the tablet at $149.99, well below the cost of many competitors.

Look over the specs, including those for the front-facing and rear-facing cameras, to be sure they fit your needs. Then consider whether you’ll be happy being tied to a contract with Verizon.

If these issues are not a problem, the Verizon Ellipsis 7 tablet may be a very budget-friendly option.

Image: Verizon

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When you get to the place that you need a server for your business, it seems a daunting task to purchase one. Hewlett Packard (HP) has made it easy with a new product aimed at business owners who are setting up their first server. The HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8 is a must-consider product.

Earlier this month, Small Business Trends published a small business community piece mentioning dedicated servers. One of them caught my eye because it is relevant to this article about buying a dedicated server.

Brandon Ellis authored an article about dedicated web hosting, which differs slightly, but still answers why you might want the power of a dedicated server or host. Because you need more power, more control, more space, more speed. You can get that in the cloud, too, but not necessarily in a way or at a price that works for your business.

I received a review unit and quite often companies will say, “Easy setup, right out of the box.” I never believe it, but in this case it was true. HP spent a lot of time to make it easy for those who have never set up a server before.

I connected it to an extra monitor I had and plugged it in. After just a few clicks, the machine self-configured itself (seriously) with what they call Intelligent Provisioning. You can interrupt the setup (by pressing F10) and customize various options. No CDs or software to download. It is already loaded on a flash chip.

Many business owners will want to add an Ethernet switch for better networking. HP built one to fit this design. The HP PS1810 lets you create separate local area networks (LANs), for example. You can buy a lower cost switch, but this one comes with features that you might want to read more about.

What I Really Like:

• 4 hard drive bays: You can put at least 12 Terabytes into this machine. That silver front opens like a door and you can install or swap drives. You also can add a solid state drive.
• Affordable starting price of $469, then the cost of the hard drive. Comes with 2Gb of RAM, which you can upgrade to 16Gb.
• I like the small square form factor and that they designed it so you can stack more than one of these, or a router switch, on top or below.
• It is ultra-quiet. In a previous startup of mine, we had two servers that were so loud, we put them in the closet.

What I Would Like to See:

• If you want to use the remote console capability, you have to purchase additional software, "iLO Essentials" for $150. I would love to see a "lite version" for free.

If you have been in the market for your first server, or an additional one that you can expand as you grow, the HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8 is a healthy, robust machine. You can learn more about it on the HP website (which only links to partners and doesn’t make it easy to “buy online,” but Amazon, NewEgg, and TigerDirect have this new server available with reviews that can give you some customization ideas.)

I have not purchased hardware like this from Amazon, so I would recommend going with a specialty firm like NewEgg or Tiger Direct if you are purchasing online. They are well known and have good customer service.  Or, use a local computer services or installation firm.

You can find reputable and well-rated ones on Yelp, Angie’s List, or Local.com depending on how active your local area is on these review sites.

The post Hewlett Packard MicroServer Is Ideal For First Timers appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Actor Alec Baldwin would be thrilled. The Federal Aviation Commission has officially approved use of electronic devices in all stages of flight, with a few exceptions.

You may recall Baldwin was famously ejected from a flight back in 2011 after he refused to stop playing a game on his phone.

But for small business people who travel regularly, this is good news too. It means possibly being able to get a little extra work done while waiting for takeoff and landing.

The new FAA rules apply specifically to e-readers, laptops, tablets and, in some cases, smartphones. But they must be switched to airplane mode or have their cellular signal disabled. Laptops and other larger devices must still be stowed during takeoff and landing.

Previously, use of electronic devices was only permitted above certain altitudes.  Now many electronic devices can be used “gate to gate.”  Individual airlines are implementing the new policy one by one after getting FAA approval.  JetBlue, for instance, adopted the policy effective November 1, 2013 for its airline.  The JetBlue announcement says:

“Prior to the new policy, customers had to turn off and stow all electronic devices during taxi, takeoff, landing and when the aircraft was below 10,000 feet. The new policy allows JetBlue customers to use smart phones, tablets, games and other smaller electronic devices at any time during taxi, takeoff and during flight, unless otherwise instructed by a crewmember. Laptops must be stowed for taxi, takeoff and landing.”

Voice Calls Still Not Allowed

Sorry, voice calls still won’t be permitted during flight. But short range devices including Bluetooth accessories used for mobile keyboards will.

Under certain conditions such as low visibility, the aircraft pilot or crew might still ask passengers to turn off electronic devices during landing.

Airlines may begin allowing expanded use of portable electronic devices by passengers inflight as soon as they certify the aircraft can tolerate interference caused by the devices, the FAA says.

However, many airlines have already begun allowing expanded use of the devices on flights, Entrepreneur reports.

But don’t necessarily expect expanded privileges with your electronic devices on your next flight. Be sure to ask the airline’s policy ahead of time, if possible, on using your tablet or e-reader.

Mobile Photo via Shutterstock

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Remember earlier this year when the U.S. Postal Service put a plan forward that would have cut mail deliveries on Saturdays? But the plan to cut Saturday postal deliveries was eventually taken back due to public backlash. It kept parcel package delivery going on the weekend.

Well, it now seems to have worked out for the best, as Amazon announced recently that it has teamed up with the U.S. Postal Service to offer parcel shipping to select Amazon Prime customers on Sundays.

In a release from the online retailer announcing the new service, Postmaster General and Postal Service CEO Patrick R. Donahue explained:

“As online shopping continues to increase, the Postal Service is very happy to offer shippers like Amazon the option of having packages delivered on Sunday. With this new service, the Postal Service is now delivering packages seven days a week in select cities.”

Service Limited to New York and LA for Now

The new service is being offered only in New York and Los Angeles at first. However, a roll-out next year is planned for other major cities in the U.S., including Dallas, Houston, New Orleans and Phoenix.

Millions of products will be eligible for Sunday delivery to Amazon.com’s Prime customers who receive free two-day delivery just for their membership. The new service means Amazon Prime customers who order a product Friday won’t need to wait until Monday to receive it. When checking out after making an order, members will simply see the Sunday delivery notification if applicable in their area.

The new arrangement would seem to be a big shot in the arm for the Postal Service as it struggles to remain viable and competitive against private rivals UPS and FedEx.

But it’s also another step in Amazon’s efforts to become an ever more viable competitor to traditional offline shopping options. Sunday delivery is also good news for small businesses that work with Amazon as a major means of selling their products and for affiliate marketers who offer links to Amazon goods on their sites.

Many other small businesses still use the U.S. Postal Service for their own deliveries as the only means to reliably reach every address in the nation. Though these small businesses won’t be able to get their packages delivered on Sundays, the Amazon arrangement may mean the U.S. Postal Service can remain viable for some time to come.

Delivery Trucks Photo via Shutterstock

The post Amazon Adds Sunday Delivery with Help from U.S. Postal Service appeared first on Small Business Trends.

It happens. At times, hardworking and well-intentioned small business owners fail to meet their legal obligations with the state, and their businesses fall into "bad standing." No matter how you got yourself into a non-compliant status, it is possible to get back into good standing and reinstate a non-compliant business. Fortunately, in many cases, it's not as difficult a road as you might think.

If your company is in bad standing with the state, it's a good idea to bring it back into compliance before the end of the year. That's because ignoring the problem won't make it go away. The penalties and fees will catch up to you eventually. So it's typically better to deal with the issue as soon as possible and start the new year with a clean slate.

If your business is not in bad standing, the following can still help you understand how to meet your legal obligations and avoid these problems in the first place.

How Do Companies Fall Out of Compliance?

A corporation or LLC falls into bad standing when it fails to meet the requirements of the state where it formed or where it has a foreign qualification. Here are some of the common culprits:

• You forget to file your business' annual report and pay the associated fees (probably for several years in a row).
• You forget to pay your registered agent fees, so your Registered Agent stops representing your company and you don't set up a new agent of record with the state.
• You fail to file your business' state franchise taxes (possibly for several years in a row).

Why Does it Matter?

When a company doesn't meet its legal obligations, it can be placed in non-compliant status, administratively dissolved or even revoked by the state where it formed. Any unpaid fees and taxes will continue to accrue, and you'll most likely have some hefty penalty fines added on top.

In addition, when a business is in bad standing, the business owner no longer enjoys the limited liability protection of the LLC or corporation. That means that his or her personal assets are now vulnerable. If your business is sued, the plaintiff may seek damages from your personal savings.

Likewise, if you continue to fail to pay your business' taxes or fees, the state may be able to place a levy on your personal bank account.

How Do You Know if Your Business is in Bad Standing?

In many cases, your business (or your registered agent) will receive a notice from the state telling you that you're in non-compliant status.

If you are not sure how your business stands with the state (for example, you haven't updated your mailing address/address of record to receive a notice), simply check with your state's secretary of state office.

How to Get Back Into Good Standing?

The specific steps will vary based on your state and the reason why you fell out of compliance. At a high level, you'll typically want to:

1. Check why you fell out of compliance in the first place (if you don't already know this, you can check with the state's secretary of state office).

2. Submit a reinstatement form on behalf of the corporation or LLC to the secretary of state. You can either do this yourself, or have a legal document filing company handle it for you to make sure you've got all your T's crossed and I's dotted. In some cases, you may need to file additional documentation with the reinstatement form. It all depends on why you fell out of compliance in the first place.

3. Pay your outstanding fees, fines, and/or overdue state franchise taxes. This is usually the most painful part for any business. There's typically no easy way around it. If you owe more than you can pay, you may want to consult a lawyer to determine your options.

Once you've reinstated your business, your corporation/LLC keeps its original filing date of formation.

Final Thoughts

I'm sure that in many cases, it may be tempting to ignore the non-compliant business and start over with a brand new one. However, don't ever think that the state will stop keeping tabs on the old business.

Until a business is officially closed with the state, you'll be on the hook for all fees, penalties and taxes. As state budgets are being increasingly stretched thin, state franchise and equalization offices are keeping a closer eye on late and non-payments.

Reinstating your business lets you instantly regain all the benefits of corporate/LLC status, including that important limited liability protection to safeguard your personal assets.

Most importantly, you can start fresh without worrying about an uncertain legal status.

Non-Compliance Photo via Shutterstock

The post How to Reinstate a Non-Compliant Business Before the End of the Year appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Apple Inc. plans to introduce two curved phones possibly making them among the first such devices available in the U.S. That’s according to murmurs in the industry saying the tech giant is in the planning stages on the two new iPhones.

The devices would also have the largest displays yet released on Apple phones — 4.7 and 5.5 inches.

Curved Phones Planned for Sometime Next Year

The issue with curved phones thus far has been their lack of availability in the U.S. market.

Samsung introduced its Galaxy Round in October. The phone offers a 5.7-inch screen that curves along the vertical access. Whether curved phones become part of a trend or just a passing fad, the Round is unlikely to be the device that popularizes it. Samsung has set a steep price tag of about $1,000 for the model. And it’s currently only available in South Korea.

LG announced its revolutionary Flex G more recently. Unlike the Samsung device, the Flex G is curved top to bottom. The phone features a revolutionary organic LED display. Also unlike the Samsung model, the device is eventually planned for the U.S. too.

The Apple phones are planned for release sometime next year, possibly in the third quarter, Bloomberg reports. The new devices are expected to feature displays that, unlike either the Samsung or LG phones, curve down at the edges.

Whether or not the new phones will appeal to budget conscious entrepreneurs will depend on the price certainly. But on the marketing side, any entrepreneur must acknowledge the amount of buzz all three companies have generated.

It’s an impressive feat for products that, in some cases, aren’t even on the market yet.

Curved Phone Photo via Shutterstock

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When it comes to managing employees, every small business owner wants a leg up. Thanks to technology, there are many mobile apps for business, for both mobile phones and tablets, that can help you do more, no matter where you are.

1. Basecamp

When I have multiple projects running simultaneously, Basecamp helps me assign tasks to team members, set milestones and share documents.

The app is available for free on iTunes, and Android and Windows users can access the mobile version through their mobile Web browsers. Plans start at $20 a month.

2. QuickBooks

If you're already a QuickBooks user, the mobile app provides a simplified version of the online tool. There, you can pay employees and employment taxes (and, of course, manage your finances and invoices).

The app is free for Android and Apple products, and QuickBooks online accounts start at $12.95 a month.

3. ScheduleBase

If you're still using paper schedules to arrange your employees' work schedules, step into the 21st century. With ScheduleBase, you can create schedules online, send updates to your staff via email or text and view and approve schedule requests.

The app is free on Android and iTunes, and ScheduleBase plans start at $10 a month.

4. Timesheet Mobile

The other side to the scheduling equation is tracking the time that your employees work. Enter Timesheet Mobile. Employees can "punch the clock" by either using the mobile app on a smartphone or by calling an 800 number and entering their employee and job numbers. You can also import timesheets into QuickBooks for payroll.

The app is free to download for Android and Apple devices, and accounts run at $29.99 a month, plus either $.15 a punch (an employee checking in or out of work) or $9.95 a month unlimited punches per employee.

5. Skype

If you manage a virtual workforce, it's important to stay in touch regularly and virtual face-to-face beats simply communicating by email.

Skype's mobile app is available for every phone type (including BlackBerry) and is free to download. It's also free to use for most calls, except calling other countries.

6. Google Drive

This is by far my go-to app for team collaboration. Because I can share documents, spreadsheets, presentations and forms with team members in Google Drive, I don't have to worry about emailing new versions of a document back and forth.

I can track revisions and notify other users when I comment in a document. It, like most of these other apps, is free for all mobile devices.

7. LinkedIn

Trust me on this. You should be recruiting or researching potential hires even when you don't need them.

Use LinkedIn's free mobile app for any phone or tablet and start growing your network so that when you're ready to hire, you already have the right contacts.

8. HireVue

If you travel regularly and don't have time to schedule employee interviews for a new position, try HireVue. Available as a free app for iPhones and iPads, applicants can record a video of their responses to interview questions you've set up.

Review the videos at your leisure and choose the best person for the job.

9. JobVite

Shorten the candidate search process with JobVite, which allows you to send invitations to people in your social network and contact list to apply for an open position at your company. You can also use the applicant tracking system to streamline the hiring process.

Rather than being a mobile app, it's an app built into Facebook.

10. Tripit

If your employees regularly travel for work and you don't have a travel coordinator, Tripit helps you manage multiple employees' itineraries, as well as create team travel calendars and maps if you manage co-located teams you want to gather in a single spot.

There's a free plan, then plans start at $49 a year, and the app is free for all mobile devices.

I agree with the saying, "work smarter, not harder." These mobile apps for business do that. They take what used to be tedious processes, like handwriting paper schedules and coordinating vacation requests, and turn them into something you can do with a few taps of your finger.

Mobile Apps Photo via Shutterstock

The post 10 Mobile Apps Guaranteed to Make You a Smarter Employer appeared first on Small Business Trends.

If you’ve noticed the comments in your YouTube account are looking more like Google Plus these days, it’s not your imagination. YouTube recently announced roll out of a new comment section powered by Google Plus.

In a post on the official YouTube Blog, product manager Nundu Janakiram and principal engineer Yonatan Zunger explained:

We told you recently that better commenting is coming to YouTube. Starting this week, when you're watching a video on YouTube, you'll see comments sorted by people you care about first.

Here’s a brief video highlighting the basics of the new comment section:

The new roll out stops short of being a full integration of the Google Plus comment section. However, comments from your Google Plus circles are given priority. So are comments from what YouTube calls “popular personalities” and the video’s creator.

Of course, if you’d really rather see comments in the order they were added, you can do that simply by choosing the “newest first” option instead of the default “top comments” at the top of the comment section.

Other New YouTube Comment Features

Another feature similar to Google Plus lets you choose whether to share the comments you make in a video publicly or only with certain circles of your connections in the Google Plus social network.

You can even share comments in your Google stream if you wish by choosing that option under the comment box.

The new comment section also gives you more control over comments on your channel. You can either hold comments for approval or auto-approve comments from long-time trusted fans.

You Tube says it will even allow you to block certain words from being posted in the comment section on your channel, a potentially helpful tool for moderating comments.

The new commenting section should make YouTube ultimately more social. But only time will tell whether users and channel administrators want to spend time monitoring and maintaining yet another social media channel.

The post YouTube Adds Google Plus Type Comments appeared first on Small Business Trends.

In today's digital world, companies large and small are judged on how they communicate with customers via social media. One nasty tweet from a business owner can easily go viral and bury a company. And a string of helpful, customer-centric Facebook posts can dramatically increase feelings of goodwill among a client base.

The magnifying glass is never clearer than when a company is in crisis. It is during those times when customers really watch to see how a firm responds to a scandal, the recall of a defective product or a bad review.

It is during those times that business owners need to be most careful.

Negative Social Media Crisis Communications

Don’t React Emotionally

It is normal to feel strong emotions when on the receiving end of an attack. Especially if your business is the culmination of your life's work.

Whatever you do, try not to react with negative emotions. Doing so will always backfire.

A Case in Point

In May, Amy and Samy Bouzaglo, owners of Amy's Baking Company in Scottsdale, Arizona, were featured on Gordon Ramsay's reality TV show, Kitchen Nightmares. In the show, Ramsey (pictured above) was so upset with the state of the restaurant that he walked out, igniting a flurry of commentary on Twitter, most of it negative and aimed at Amy's Baking Company.

The Bouzaglos lashed out on social media, peppering their company's Facebook and Twitter pages with explicatives aimed at customers and even threats of legal action against anyone who wrote negative comments. The emotional reaction on the part of the business owners only added fuel to the already burning fire of negative viral comments and did nothing to help the couple's business.

So what should you do if you are getting attacked and feel your blood start to boil?

Step away from your computer and take a minute to cool off. Talk to a colleague or impartial confidant. Only when you feel calm should you respond.

Don’t Lie

Just a few days after the social media blowup involving Amy's Baking Company, the owners claimed that a hacker had taken over their accounts, thereby backing away from any responsibility.

Regardless if this is true or not, it is never a good idea to lie about anything. Even little lies can turn into major problems.

For example, telling a customer over Twitter that they will receive a call in 10 minutes and failing to call them for two hours is a lie. Tweeting that you have everything under control when you don't is also a lie.

Keep things honest. Own up to your mistakes and be transparent. This is how you will come out on top during a crisis.

Don’t Continue Auto Selling

Do you schedule promotional tweets in advance?

If so, shut these down the second you experience a crisis. The last thing your customers want to see on your Twitter feed is an tweet promoting your latest product when that exact product just malfunctioned and everyone is complaining about it on Twitter.

Don’t Tweet Too Much

It is important to respond to customer comments in real time during a crisis, but don't go overboard. Limit your communication to a few tweets and then tell the person that you'd like to take the conversation off-line with a direct message, an email or a phone call.

This will allow other customers to comment and prevent a feed clog.

Don’t Delete Tweets/Posts

The best way to handle negative comments on Twitter and Facebook is to face them head on. It can be tempting to go into your account and delete unfavorable comments just to make your company look better, but remember that everyone is watching. It's best to respond with kindness than to sweep anything under the rug.

What negative social media crisis communications would you add that you’ve seen take place?

Angry Photo via Shutterstock

Image: Kitchen Nightmares

The post 5 Reactions to Avoid During Social Media Crisis Communications appeared first on Small Business Trends.

When daredevil Felix Baumgartner jumped from a balloon hovering just inside the Earth’s stratosphere, a small enterprising firm made sure we were all along for the ride.

During Baumgartner’s harrowing four minute plummet to Earth, cameras designed by Flightline Films captured every second of the 128,100 foot free fall. (And let us all breathe a sigh of relief as his parachute opened and his feet finally touched ground.)

Like any good entrepreneurs, the Flightline Films team have evolved their services to meet a changing market, as their website explains:

“Since 1984, Las Vegas-based FlightLine Films has been providing television and motion picture producers with the highest quality in aerial cinematography services, and the company has pioneered visual documentation services for the privatization of space travel advances in the 21st century. Flight Line offers zero-gravity qualified crews and HD cameras for use in the cold vacuum of space, as well housings that allow even traditional cameras to operate in that hostile environment.”

Red Bull, which sponsored Baumgartner’s mission to the stratosphere, recently posted the video for the whole world to see on the one year anniversary of the jump:

Vision Systems Design notes how cameras strapped to Baumgartner’s thighs and chest had to be tested to withstand extreme altitude and exposure to space.

If you think entrepreneurship is limited to finding average solutions for average people, think again.

Entrepreneurs are frequently pushing new frontiers and breaking barriers to create solutions for their customers — even in outer space.

Outer Space Photo via Shutterstock

The post Entrepreneurs Take Us to the Edge of Outer Space appeared first on Small Business Trends.

It’s the end of another week. What are you missing that can make your business better? One thing may be that all-important news and information to help you grow your business in the future…and maybe make important decisions just around the corner.

No worries. The Small Business Trends editorial team is here to help. And we’ve whipped up this review of the week’s most important business stories just for you!

New Products & Services

Amazon introduces Sunday delivery. The new service is offered in cooperation with the U.S. Postal Service. It means those ordering packages on Friday will not have to wait until Monday to receive them. It’s also good news for affiliates and small merchants who work with Amazon.

Better Business Bureau unveils better reviews. The controversy stirred up by allegedly fake reviews on Yelp and other sites makes the new reviews big news. The BBB believes better verification is the answer.

New LinkedIn app shows you who’s emailing. Knowing who’s emailing you can help you sort important messages from spam. But it can also help you formulate the best response.

Smartphone News

LG to bring curved phone to US. The Flex G will be coming to the U.S. after all. This is after some uncertainty during the build up to it’s initial release. Will it be a fad or the shape of things to come?

Apple may introduce curved phones too. Apple’s plans are still vague rumor but reported widely in industry circles. If curved smartphones are more durable than the rest, as some suggest, they might be attractive to business users — depending upon the price.

Carriers make Apple more attractive. Boost and Virgin Mobile will knock $100 off Apple’s newest phones. However, members of our community now tell us finding at least one of these phones in stock may be a problem.

Nexus 5 part of a growing family. If you’re looking for a new smartphone for your business, Google has an option. But more importantly, this new Android phone is one of a growing number of mobile devices ready to serve a variety of needs.

Tablets for Business

New Amazon tablet gives Apple competition. Speaking of your company’s mobile options, the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 and 8.9 are now on the market. Reviewers give these devices big kudos and compare them to a major front runner.

Verizon Ellipsis may offer some surprises. Included among these are some features that may just help your business along. No, it’s not an iPad or Nexus. But take a look and see what you think.

Social Media

Bieber investing in social network. If you haven’t heard yet, teens are no longer paying attention to Facebook. Singer Justin Bieber is among those investing in what could be the next frontier for this audience.

Facebook starred reviews arrive. The world’s biggest social network is entering the review game. There are some limitations here and no guarantee it will work any better than any of the rest of them.

YouTube has new comments. And they look a lot like the one’s on Google’s social network Google Plus. That’s not an accident and Google is apparently hoping they’ll make YouTube more social.

Buffer attack leads to spamming problem. Getting unwanted spam in your social media feed is one thing. Inadvertently sending it out to your whole community is another. Here’s what happened.

Regulations

FAA rules on mobile devices change. Say goodbye to unproductive time on your next flight. The rule changes may not roll out as fast as some might hope. But look for more freedom to use mobile tech in the near future.

The Obamacare issue you might not expect. Yes, businesses with 50 or more employees must provide them with healthcare or face penalties by 2015. But here’s another requirement you may not have thought about.

Inspirational

Entrepreneurs take us to outer space. The team at Flightline Films has created dramatic aerial cinematography for movies and TV. Now they record a 128,100 foot free fall from the upper stratosphere.

Reading Photo via Shutterstock

The post Better Business Bureau Reviews, LinkedIn Apps and More appeared first on Small Business Trends.

The U.S. market will soon see one of its first curved smartphones. The South Korean company that released the latest in what some see as a new trend in the market, says U.S. availability is only a matter of time.

LG’s Flex G phone, released in South Korea recently, follows Samsung’s Galaxy Round introduced in October. Unlike the Round, which features a screen curved along its access, the 6-inch G Flex screen curves from top to bottom.

The company says smartphones are only the beginning of what is seen as a huge market for flexible displays. In a release from the company, executive vice president and chief technology officer Dr. Sang Deog Yeo explained:

“The flexible display market is expected to grow quickly as this technology is expected to expand further into diverse applications including automotive displays, tablets and wearable devices. Our goal is to take an early lead in the flexible display market by introducing new products with enhanced performance and differentiated designs next year.”

Several Curved Phones in the Works

The Flex G’s resolution is rather unimpressive at 720 p, reports The Verge. But the phone’s flexible screen would seem to make it more durable than most. CNET says the back of the phone is made of a “self-healing” material that will make scratches to its case fade over time.

Though LG had supposedly initially announced no plans for release outside Korea, website G for Games now reports that the company does have plans for international marketing including the U.S. The site bases its report on Korean media sources. There is no word on time table or pricing.

Sources are now reporting that Apple may be planning two curved iPhones for sometime next year as well.

In the end, more flexible technology will benefit entrepreneurs and small business owners on the move who put their mobile devices through considerable punishment at times.

But price and features will ultimately determine whether small business professionals will want to jump on this bandwagon.

Flexible Phone Photo via Shutterstock

The post LG Plans Curved Phone for U.S. Market appeared first on Small Business Trends.

As with many other things, car owners can now turn to their smartphones for the task of finding an auto mechanic who can take care of their auto repair needs. Services like RepairJungle and RepairPal allow customers to receive online estimates for auto repair services via a mobile version of their site so customers can process requests from anywhere.

Apps like the RepairPal app for iOS and Android devices provides customer reviews and the ability to locate a shop nearby. The app breaks down estimates by parts and labor costs and even connects you with roadside assistance.

Location-Based Marketing

Auto repair shops aren’t usually highlighted on the major review apps like Yelp or Around Me. But a majority of consumers will take proximity and user reviews into consideration when they choose a mechanic and decide to make an appointment. Many times, these two qualities are more important than offering the lowest price. So it makes sense for shops like these to embrace mobile technology to reach a wider audience and offer them the information and ease necessary to aid them in their decision.

Apps allow shops and businesses such as these to promote their services through a marketing medium they are used to: Word of mouth.

The only difference is that the recommendations come via the Internet. Shops who are able to provide quality service for a lower price can use mobile apps to draw in business from other parts of town.  Parts of town that may be wealthier, which makes a difference.

As John Mallette, owner of Burke Auto Body and Paint explains, ”Where you get screwed in our business is labor hours.” His Long Beach shop charges 40 dollars per hour. But he has heard of shops in a nearby wealthier part of town, Newport Beach, that charge as much as 90 dollars an hour for the same exact service.

Making the Most of Online Services

Despite the fact that more people than ever use the Web to research everything before becoming a customer – including their auto mechanic – some businesses and shops still don’t advertise on the Internet, as hard as that may be to believe.

Online advertising can be extremely cost-effective. Consider the fact that services like Google AdWords or Facebook Ads charge only when someone clicks on the ad. Compare that to the cost of running an ad in a local newspaper or magazine and you begin to see the advantages.

In addition to cost, online marketing campaigns tell the business about customer intentions, behaviors and the effectiveness of their marketing campaign.  There is much information to be gained.

All businesses stand to gain a great deal from harnessing the power of online marketing through commercial apps, social media and search advertising. All it takes is some time to get familiar with the tools – but it’s well worth the investment.

Auto App Photo via Shutterstock

The post Marketing Auto Repair Shops Becomes Easier With Mobile Apps appeared first on Small Business Trends.

While the lion-share of attention goes more to marketing, promotion and customer service when it comes to social media, using it during the sales cycle can be just as important to a company's ability to close the deal with prospects.

Julio Viskovich, HootSuite's Social Media Sensei, joins us to share his take on how to successfully integrate social selling strategies and tactics into your traditional sales methods.

* * * * *

Small Business Trends: How did you become the Social Selling Sensei?

Julio Viskovich: I like the Sensei title because essentially it allows me to absorb information as well. I work with the folks that I’m training with all the time. I’m not the end-all be-all of anything. I’m learning just as much as them. So the Sensei title applies.

Small Business Trends: You’ve been at this for a number of years at a company that everybody knows about. What is social selling? What was it when you first got started with social selling and how has it evolved?

Julio Viskovich: When I first got started social selling, realistically it was having a sales person be on social media, be on Twitter, be on LinkedIn. Nowadays, there’s a whole other piece to that. So my definition today of social selling would be augmenting your current sales process with specific social media tactics.

Looking back at the early days, there was a lot of stuff going on. A lot of people were trying to evolve this term called social selling. I think it’s kind of settled down where we’re starting to see people settle on a nice definition which is very close to what I said. That it’s sales people augmenting their current sales process with social media.

Small Business Trends:  Are you seeing any of those tools actually taking the place of more traditional aspects of selling, or is it truly an augmentation?

Julio Viskovich: I think it’s really a marriage between a couple things. Trying to jump in to a completely different sales process just because this term “social selling” has been thrown around. It’s not the way to go. It’s really an augmentation and I compare it to having a Ferrari and putting your standard gasoline in it. But when you add social selling into the mix it’s like throwing high-octane fuel in that baby and watching it go. It’s pretty incredible.

Previously, people were jumping on a phone call with your sales reps and essentially having zero percent of the buying process done. Coming to them for education and to find out about the product. But times have changed with the evolution of the Internet and with digital, people are finding all that information online.

So they’re coming to the sales rep 90 percent done with the sales or buying process already. That’s a problem because if you’re not out there putting content out, being a micro-marketer putting out those content bread crumbs to lead your buyer to you, you’re going to have your lunch eaten.

Small Business Trends: What are some of the characteristics that a person should have, or needs to have, in order to become an effective social sales person?

Julio Viskovich: It really is all about listening and that’s the first thing I always recommend people to do before they jump into a conversation online. Find out where your buyers are at for that link. Whether it’s specific Twitter hashtags, just listen. Get a feel for the conversation and get a feel for how you can involve yourself and add value to that community.

I think the next piece is really making sure that you put your customer or your buyer ahead of yourself. Long gone are the days where you have those sleazy type sales people who are trying to sell cars based on the commission made on it. Now it’s about really being buyer-centric and making sure that you can put the buyer ahead of yourself in communications.

Small Business Trends: What are some of the things that hinder somebody from becoming a successful social sales person?

Julio Viskovich: I think probably the number one thing that’s going to hinder somebody’s success in this era is going for the hard sell. Applying traditional tactics to the social media part of the sales process. Now it’s there for information gathering and positioning yourself as a thought leader and putting out those social content bread crumbs that bring your buyer toward you.

But oftentimes, you still have people who are going in there for the kill. When you do that, you’ll find that the person at the other end isn’t very receptive. It doesn’t work out too well for the lifetime of that customer or potential buyer.

Small Business Trends: How does it impact the relationship between sales and marketing and even sales and service?

Julio Viskovich: That’s something I’ve been personally thinking a lot about lately. I’m in the middle of trying to make a push in coining this new term called “sellarketing,” which is a marriage between sales and marketing.

I think it’s so necessary for social selling to be successful. So on one end, you have got to have sales and marketing work together around the content you’re putting out. If you’re going to be putting out those social bread crumbs and leading the buyer to you, marketing really has to have a huge part in this. In deciding what types of content should go out. Then when you start running campaigns that are focused on certain buyers or industries, I think marketing plays a huge role in what type of content for awareness, or for consideration, or depending on the funnel stage, they have to be involved to make sure the sales people are putting out the right content.

It’s very interesting you bring up support as well. Because that is definitely another area and a touch point for customers that oftentimes, there was a divide or a silo away from sales. So when a pricing question comes into support, a traditional way of handling that for the support person might be to take a screenshot, pop it into an email, send it over to somebody in sales and it gets dispersed that way if it’s a genuine lead.

Nowadays, with tools that allow social collaboration, if a pricing question comes into somebody in support, now they can click a button and route that message directly within HootSuite, over to somebody on the sales team and they can go ahead and interact with that individual or that lead in a timely fashion. Where previously, it would have been multiple systems involved and a very time-extensive process. It’s improved things a lot.

Small Business Trends: So maybe you can tell me a little bit about the kinds of metrics that you start to use or maybe their metrics that are more traditional that are impacted by social selling? Or possibly some new metrics that help folks to understand the impact social selling is having on an organization?

Julio Viskovich: I think you’re bang on because it’s a set of metrics that sales people weren’t necessarily measured on before. I think it’s really interesting to see that progression.

So the first thing I look at is very high-level metrics when you’re looking at your entire team. Making sure that everyone’s adopted it. Making sure that everybody has a completed LinkedIn profile and a completed and market approved Twitter profile as well. Making sure that SEO is rampant throughout your entire profile, and attracting those buyers, which is one step in the right direction as far as measuring. And that’s just at a very high-level.

When I start to drill a little bit deeper though, I look at REA: Reach, engagement and amplification. It allows me to take it beyond those surface level metrics such as follower growth, or number of fans or friends, etc. That is such a bogus number because realistically you can never know how much value you’re getting out of those folks at that metric level.

When you look at people buying fans, buying followers, and realizing that just because there’s a big number there, it doesn’t mean anything. So you have to take it a step further, drill down a little bit deeper. When you start to look at, ‘Okay, I have this big x-amount of follower growth, but how much engagement are those fans doing on my page? How are they amplifying?’

So if you were talking Twitter, how many people are mentioning you? From an amplification standpoint, how many people are retweeting you? With Facebook, how many people are liking your post, commenting on it and sharing it?

The higher percentages of folks that are engaging and amplifying, you can be sure that you’re growing a community or garden as I like to refer to it. An authentic, advocate-driven garden or community.

Small Business Trends: Are there any additional tools that you use in conjunction with HootSuite to implement this social selling strategy that you use?

Julio Viskovich: One of my favorite ones is called Trendspottr. What Trendspottr does is you’re able to put a search term or a hashtag in and it brings you a list of articles that are shared currently, that are trending around that specific hashtag.

Another I’d like to touch on quickly is Get Little Bird. A nice tool that I’ve started to use lately that allows me to find influential people in certain categories. It’s amazing because it amplifies the social selling process. It sends you little missions to do throughout the day like, ‘Hey this individual here is very influential in a topic. You want to be influential and we recommend you follow them.’

Small Business Trends: Where can people learn more about this whole area of social selling?

Julio Viskovich: You can hit me up at JulioViskovich. I’m also on Twitter, @JulioVisko. And, of course, HootSuite.

This interview on social selling is part of the One on One interview series with thought-provoking entrepreneurs, authors and experts in business today. This transcript has been edited for publication. To hear audio of the full interview, click on the player above. 

The post Julio Viskovich of HootSuite: Using Social Selling to Enter the Buying Process appeared first on Small Business Trends.

This cartoon actually came out of me griping to my wife about how my day of cartoon writing had gone.

It was one of those days where you sort of spin your creative wheels and not much other than easy/lame ideas come out. In fact, I actually said, “It was just a day of going through the motions” while I motioned a sort of jerky robot dance. And then, BAM!

This mime idea hits.

I like to think that even days that aren’t so productive at least help to prime the creative pump a bit. Or maybe it was the robot dance. It’s hard to know.

The post Are You Just Going Through the Motions? appeared first on Small Business Trends.