The online phenomenon jumped from a predicted range of a respectable, albeit mere 17.8% of the global market, into a 5.5 trillion behemoth of 21% as of 2022 with even higher projections including a 14.7% compound annual growth rate from 2020 to 2027.

Thus tapping into the eCommerce market has never been more accessible and yet, technically never more saturated. However, there are several ways to best target your market and disseminate your product and message to the many potential-adoring fans around the planet.

Beyond choosing a product, getting a domain, and setting up a website there are several key components on each that will lead to a subset of answers. Here are some of the best eCommerce platforms for your startups.

For example depending on your experience level then selling should be moved from platform to platform to set up your online business. Seems straightforward but given varying degrees of internet savvy and business acumen this can greatly vary where you fall on that x,y graph.

Shopify

In recent years Shopify has become the ideal startup site to launch your store into an online market space. It has incredible capabilities and can be tailored toward numerous business ventures and ideas. The web setup is easy and intuitive, which takes much of the guesswork and time out of the process.

Beyond the web drag-and-drop builder, there are opportunities that allow the store owner to connect apps to their store. This can be used to improve functionality and connect new features to the website. Additionally, you can sell digital products, physical products, dropshipping, and more. Even subscription plans are an open market for Shopify.

There are three main plans Lite, Basic, and Advanced totaling $9, $29, and $299 a month. The “Lite” plan allows for increased sales functionality to be run through an existing website or blog. The “Basic” plan allows for a totally new store/site to be built from scratch via the platform. The “Advanced” option allows for cuts in transaction fees, adding more staff accounts (5+), and can serve with improved shipping rate calculations.

Squarespace

Squarespace is a web-building platform that boasts a heavy visual component. There is a wide range of editing tools and software that allow for greater editing power and site impact. Additionally, Squarespace is one of the few platforms integrating CSS editing into the software allowing for unique, custom edits to be built into the site itself. Thus changing the site’s composition greatly.

However, there is currently limited app integration available to Squarespace presently, which makes diversifying your business as well as scaling a major issue on the site. Unlike Shopify however, Squarespace permits more realized capabilities more readily with its lower plans. Allowing more rapid ascension to the site’s full potential.

The pricing plans for Squarespace sit at $16 – Personal, $23 – Business, $27 – Basic Commerce, and $49 – Advanced Commerce respectively. Most features unlock at the Business Level, ($23) except it still maintains a 3% transaction fee.

Wix eCommerce

Another heavy hitter in the site building market, Wix has in recent years, built itself into a reputable eCommerce platform juggling its trademark ease of use and intuitive features with an integrated AI that focuses on optimizing your website.

While currently, there is a limited set of capabilities as far as the range of sellable items, the galleries and image capabilities of Wix match most online platforms. Given the ease of use of the site as well as its optimization features, Wix eCommerce can provide an initial edge to any business not looking to invest or spend the time to ruminate over their web’s design.

To get access to Wix eCommerce you need to upgrade beyond a typical Wix plan into a business-worthy plan, think along the lines of their “Unlimited Plan” – $22, their “Basic Business” Plan – $22, or “Business Unlimited” Plan – $32. There are other plans, but these are the cheapest and easiest for the fledgling business.

BigCommerce

This is the most scalable site constructing service which is why it is one of the best eCommerce platforms for startups. When you ultimately take your business online you need a platform that can allow for that huge growth. This means whether for rapid, short-term acceleration or for a more drawn-out metric of time.

BigCommerce, while less known than others on this list, is that site. BigCommerce is a fully integrated website builder, which means you do not have to worry about plugins as you may on other sites. This allows for the ultimate results in freedom and functional capacity. It does still, of course, offer apps for integrated actions if desired.

Like nearly all of its peers, BigCommerce has four tiers to its plan. The first tier is the simple Standard Plan – $29.95. Similar to Shopify. The next plan is the plus plan – $79.95 per month. After this, the plan is the “Pro Plan” at $299.95 monthly. And then the “Enterprise Plan” which like many others requires contacting BigCommerce for a specified quote. These prices are a little high but fall almost directly in line with Shopify. Plus, they follow a similar tier structure to nearly all other site programs.

Square Online

For the offline store moving toward an online market, Square Online is a natural choice. This site can automatically sync both online and offline orders and inventory. Small business around the world similarly uses their price syncing technologies to once again have a natural ease of transaction and commerce flow.

Of course, it still offers the option of an online store builder. With regards to this, the website designer offers all the typical features. These include blog capabilities, a customizable storefront, and customer service options.

The prices run far simpler and more competitive with three tiers: “Free” – $0, “Plus” – $29, and “Premium” – 79 USD. This is right in the typical sweet spot for this type of site and the free plan can offer the new user familiarity with the basic software and a solid buffer before they decide to up their game with a paid plan.

Branchbob

For many, price and presumed knowledge stand as the main barrier to entry among the considering entrepreneur. That is where Branchbob comes in as another best eCommerce platforms for startups. It is one of the sites on this list that is completely free to use and offers basic, simplistic features that are intuitive and easy to learn and pick up.

Again, no monthly pricing or transaction fee exists. The only billing occurs if you want to increase Branchbob’s features and capabilities. This of course extends to website themes. Overall Branchbob stands as a fundamental transaction site between the business and the customer. It also allows budding businesses with limited capital to break ground in the eCommerce market.

The post Best Platforms to Sell Products for Your eCommerce Startup appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Preview environments exist to help a development team holistically review code changes in a feature branch before merging it. It’s like getting a full review of your code changes without having to worry about all the changes everyone else on your team is actively making. Each feature can progress in its own isolated test channel unimpeded by conflicts!

Monumental, right? The implications are enormous for productivity and efficiency. Think about what it means. The same group of people is able to accomplish 50% more in any given time frame. Below are the top three benefits of establishing a preview environment capability for your development team.

1. Preview environments act as quality gates.

One of the best things about preview environments is that they help you maintain a stable code base. Rather than merging code with potential regressions or breaking changes, the preview environment lets you check over your hours of tedious labor in an isolated, production-like environment. It’s 10x easier to fix a bug before merging—and that’s exactly what preview environments enable.

The preview environment enables you to make adjustments before the new code is merged. And because of their ephemeral nature—you can have one for every feature branch/pull request.

Due to its temporary nature and automated creation/deletion, teams can provision as many full-stack preview environments as they need, when they need them, and for as long as they need them. This means the speed of your feedback loops—develop, test, develop, test, develop, test—dramatically increases.

2. Previews synergize your cross-functional team.

Another dynamic role that preview environments play is in enhancing the synergy among your whole team—from developers to testers to product and beyond. The earlier that the product team and other key stakeholders can review a new feature, the faster changes can be made, and the faster changes can be made the faster the feature can be rolled out to end users.

Preview environments enable near real-time review of in progress feature development. Developers don’t have to worry about code freezes, managing merge conflicts, or the impacts of their code on all the other changes when they spin up a preview environment. Your teammate doing peer review doesn’t have to pull a branch to run locally and your product manager doesn’t have to ask “Can I see it yet?” because the answer is “Yes!” Everyone is working off the same “sheet of music” which in this case means the preview environment.

With preview environments you’ve freed up your developers to make the necessary changes to get the feature approved without having to worry about all the second order effects. They lead to a better review method, quicker turnaround times, and a boss that’s a bit more content than yesterday.

3. Preview environments save money.

The final thing to hold onto as you think about using preview environments for your development team is that it will save your company money on your cloud bills. Given the economic downturn and incredibly competitive business world we live in today, cutting costs is absolutely necessary.

The implementation of previews save money for many reasons. If you’re producing more work with the same team in a given period of time that is one way to look at the savings. While the productivity increase is the main benefit, teams will also literally save money on their cloud bills.

When you have persistent test environments they run 24/7/365 at an average cost of around $1,000/month (that’s for small projects). Preview environments only run when they are needed—which it turns out is usually less than a day or less than 3% of the month. You can run several for short periods before you reach the cost of a traditional persistent test environment.

How does your team save money with the efficiency and synergy that preview environments provide? The following progression makes it incredibly clear.

• Code Quality: Pre-Merge Testing vs. Post-Merge Testing
• Testing in Isolation vs. Batch Testing
• Bringing Your Cross-Functional Team into the Development Process
• Giving Environments a Life-Cycle that Matches Your Feature Branch Life-Cycle

One example and industry leader that exists to help companies advance workflows and the overall process of development is Uffizzi. The continuous preview environments they provide are the preferred choice. They work for many of the world’s most popular open source projects and teams seeking high performance development.

Preview environments provide a competitive edge.

Almost every team today has version control, CI/CD, and cloud-native infrastructure. Once you’ve got these basic building blocks in place, make the next game-changing move. Upgrade your test environment strategy by implementing an ephemeral preview environment solution.

There will be a learning curve. You will have to make process changes. However, the transformation will be more than worth it. With a preview environment capability you’ll never look back at how you did it before. Your team will enjoy the mental and tactical freedom that preview environments create.

The post Top Three Benefits of Implementing Preview Environments for Software Development Teams appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Improved accuracy and error reduction are some of the most promising benefits of digital transformation. If you can capitalize on technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI), you can unlock more informative insights, higher productivity, and less disruption. Here are five ways how.

Consolidating Information

The first and most straightforward way to achieve these benefits is to maximize your visibility across your organization. Digital tools enable you to keep all your critical information in one place, making it easier to spot errors and providing more context for this data.

One of the biggest advantages of cloud computing is that multiple users can access the same files simultaneously and see each other’s changes in real time. These features provide a single, continually updated source of truth for all parties. This visibility, in turn, reduces confusion and makes it easier to collaborate.

Of course, things can get complex and spread across separate programs, even in the cloud for SMEs. You can avoid this by using management software that consolidates multiple apps or employing AI to gather and organize your data.

Improving Accessibility

Similarly, digital transformation can also make important data and tools easier to access. On top of consolidating once-disparate resources, cloud platforms can make everything remotely accessible. This lets you see and respond to changes faster, minimizing the risk of overlooking critical information or delaying time-sensitive action.

Digital tools like remote collaboration software take these benefits further by enabling remote work. Studies show that home-based employees are often more productive, thanks to fewer distractions and a more comfortable working environment. These improvements help them pay more attention to their jobs, reducing the risk of errors.

Other digital resources, like Internet of Things (IoT) devices, can give you and your employees real-time updates about mission-critical processes. As a result, you can adapt better and minimize disruption from unforeseen circumstances through speedier responses.

Automating Time-Consuming Tasks

Digital transformation lets you automate your most inefficient and error-prone tasks. Manual approaches to administrative duties like data tracking or inventory management are often time-consuming, and their repetitive nature makes them unengaging. As a result, people are more likely to make mistakes or spend too much time on them.

People struggle with highly repetitive and data-heavy tasks, but this is where computers excel. Consequently, tools like robotic process automation (RPA) can accomplish them faster and with fewer mistakes, freeing employees to focus on other duties they find interesting.

Automating data entry, scheduling, and other non-value-adding, back-office tasks will also reduce the workload on your employees. As a result, they’ll be able to focus more, further minimizing errors and boosting accuracy.

Gaining Deeper Insight

Going digital in more areas for SMEs will also increase the amount of available quantifiable information. Using digital systems instead of traditional workflows and resources means virtually every action generates data. This gives you more insight into your organization’s operations, informing more accurate decision-making.

You should feed all this information through AI algorithms to make the most of this insight. Data analysis, like other administrative tasks, is repetitive and highly detailed, especially with large datasets. As such, it’s easy for humans to miss some patterns in all the noise. Using AI instead can reveal trends you may have overlooked otherwise.

AI-driven data analytics can reveal what’s working in your business and what isn’t. You can then make the most informed decisions to adapt and improve as your company grows and faces new challenges.

Increasing Accountability

An easier-to-overlook advantage of digital transformation is its ability to hold people accountable. Everything generates a virtual paper trail in a digital environment, so it’s easier to trace problems to their origin. That informs ongoing improvements in some areas and, in others, helps ensure employees and partners work as they should.

Project management software, which just 23% of organizations use, shows who’s responsible for each task in a project. This makes it easier for people to understand their roles and responsibilities, avoiding mistakes.

Accountability is about more than just ensuring people aren’t lazy or break the rules. In many cases, good, talented employees can overlook or forget about certain responsibilities or deadlines because things need to be clarified. Providing more clarification with these digital tools helps prevent that and provides the direction people need.

SMEs Need Digital Transformation

Digital transformation can be intimidating, but the benefits speak for themselves. Organizations that implement these tools can improve accuracy and prevent errors across every aspect of the business.

These improvements are becoming increasingly crucial in today’s crowded business market. Companies that don’t implement them risk falling behind the competition. Capitalizing on digital transformation early will help you succeed now and in the future.

The post How SME Leaders Can Improve Accuracy and Prevent Errors Through Digital Transformation appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

If you are considering replacing your desk phone, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is one of your best alternatives. All you need is to be connected to the internet to make and receive calls using a business VoIP system.

VoIP is the fastest-growing business communication solution around and for good reason.

It replaces the traditional landline telephone with an advanced and feature-rich phone that establishes calls over the internet. It also enables users to talk to anyone using a mobile phone, laptop, or desk phone. A classic example is “softphones” that enable conferencing over smartphones and conference phones.

Making the Switch 

VoIP vs PBX…which is better for your business? Should you really be replacing your desk phones? Let’s begin with the basics.

PBX

Long before modern chat and collaboration apps came on the scene, all business communication used to happen through a phone system in offices warehoused in a telco room. These rooms were called a private branch exchange (PBX) which were essentially little telephone companies. These used a complex structure of copper wires to transmit signals from the caller to the receiver.

PBX was the pioneer in business-grade, analog phone systems. This traditional telephony system enabled people to have a personal extension to answer phone calls at their desks, check voicemails, put a call on hold, transfer calls, and more.

Over time, the humble PBX evolved into IP-PBX by incorporating VoIP technology.

The IP-PBX could now deliver a broader range of services and more satellite locations — home users, branch offices — by leveraging data and bandwidth of the internet to connect users and offices together.

VoIP

VoIP works by transmitting voice data over the internet and also your office network. A step-by-step breakdown of how a VoIP system works looks like this.

• First, it transforms all analog phone calls into digital signals.
• These digital signals are then converted into IP (Internet Protocol) packets.
• The system then converts these IP packets back into phone signals, which are then received by the phone of the receiver.

VoIP is basically a set of rules and protocols that connects a device (phones) with an IP-PBX, over the LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. It uses two different kinds of data packets.

• SIP (Session Initiation Protocol): The point where the call is initiated.
• RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol): These are small data packets containing the audio files that phones use to make a sound.

Over time, “VoIP phone systems” evolved and added more functionality such as chats, messaging, voice calls, and video conferencing features in an attempt to provide more comprehensive business communication solutions.

They also eliminated the need for purchasing and maintaining an in-house PBX system. Today, VoIP technology-backed web phones have become the backbone of business phone systems that enables businesses with some of the most advanced features in calling, making it an apt alternative to the traditional PBX.

Web Phone vs. Desk Phone

• Call Delivery: The main difference between a desk phone (traditional PBX) and a web phone (VoIP enabled) is in the way they connect people on calls.
  • Web phones deliver calls via the internet, whereas desk phones (traditional PBX) deliver calls via physically connected circuits and phone lines.
• Features: Traditional desk phones and web phones really have no comparison when it comes to features.
  • VoIP-enabled web phones are equipped with the latest technology and multiple options for communicating, for both internal and external business communication needs.
  • Desk phones have a pretty limited feature set.
• Flexibility and Integration: Web phones can easily be integrated with other important systems a business is using whereas a desk phone can’t exactly do the same.
  • Besides, web phones do not require in-house IT support and maintenance.
  • This also gives employees the flexibility to work and make/receive calls from anywhere which is not the case with desk phones.

Why Replace Desk Phones with Web Phones?

Integration with Business Apps

In today’s digitized environment, different business systems cannot work in isolation.

VoIP-enabled web phones enable you to integrate your phone system with software that your business is already using. This is not possible in the case of desk phones.

When switching to a web phone, take a demo to see how these integrations work. You may already be using a CRM, calendaring tool, or other software which you may want to integrate with your phone system.

• Most web phones have salesforce integration features that enable agents to take calls from the sales dashboard itself.
• To efficiently handle heavy call volumes and conference calls (internal and external), integrating your phone system with Google or Outlook calendar can make scheduling meetings a breeze.
  • These smartphone solutions have the ability to automatically update an agent’s status by syncing with their work calendar.
  • This way, other teammates know when a particular team member is available and when busy.

The Rise of the Remote Workforce

Do you as an organization follow a hybrid or remote work culture? Does a sizable percentage of your staff work remotely? It is high time you make a switch to web phones.

The web phone or VoIP technology has been designed to make calls from anywhere making it an ideal fit for your remote team. It enables remote workers to use an office phone number from their laptop or personal smartphones, as long as they have strong and stable bandwidth and internet connection.

Scalability

For a company with a limited budget for technology, no expansion plans, and no hybrid/remote work strategy sticking to desk phones may still work.

However, the hassle of maintaining the PBX system and an in-house IT support team will still be there. What’s more, the lack of ability of traditional systems to integrate with your other technology stack can lead to a significant loss of business.

For a company with plans to grow the team in the near future, using a web phone will likely make more sense.

Web phones provide you with the flexibility to easily scale up or down in terms of phone lines and users as and when you expand your team or downsize it. Contact centers and call centers especially stand to benefit from VoIP technology. These advanced feature-rich phones can give a serious boost in handling high call volumes, identifying, and analyzing patterns in customer calls.

‘Web Phones’ to Consider to Replace ‘Desk Phones’

It’s clear that web phones are clearly a win-win to address modern business communication needs. Now, choosing the one that best fits your requirements is the next step. The market is flooded with various options when it comes to web phones. We have put together our top picks for you to consider.

1. Tragofone

Tragofone is essentially a VoIP softphone app that can be installed on a mobile phone, laptop/desktop, or basically any device your employee is comfortable with. This particular web phone tops our list because of the host of features it offers. It makes it an ideal match for any business that works in the hybrid or remote mode.

• It features a versatile dialer app that enables employees to use the business VoIP number on their personal devices.
• Backed by WebRTC technology it is fairly easy to use. Employees can open it in a web browser they are familiar with to make and receive calls.
• Tragofone is both iOS and Android friendly.
• The advanced feature set comprises call routing, call monitoring, call logging, chat/messaging, fax management, employee directory, and more.
• Other features such as auto-provisioning and white-labeling are an added bonus.

2. FireRTC

FireRTC is a free calling web phone that runs within a browser using  WebRTC technology. The technology eliminates the need to install or buy any add-ons.

FireRTC offers free calling to the PSTN in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also provides users with background information about the person or business they are speaking with.

With features like call recording, this is one of the best web phones available. The FireRTC app is available in the Chrome Webstore.

3. OnSIP Desktop App

The OnSIP Desktop App does not require any downloads or plug-ins. Likewise, it runs seamlessly on Windows and Mac operating systems on both Chrome and Firefox web browsers. Similarly, it also enables users to make voice or video calls at the click of a button. The desktop app is equipped to make calls to:

• PSTN;
• extension dial;
• SIP-to-SIP calls; and
• video calls with compatible devices.

The OnSIP desktop app has been designed keeping in mind the requirements of a call/contact center and is an ideal replacement for desk phones.

It enables both the sales and customer support teams to utilize calling and monitoring features. Additionally, it enables remote workers/mobile staff to log into the app and connect with the company’s phone system. The video call feature enables employees to better assist customers using visual cues.

4. Zoiper

The Zoiper web phone’s ability to integrate your website and web app make it a strong contender as one of the best in the category.

Zoiper web is compatible with all popular browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Opera on the Windows operating system. Zoiper has the unique ability to discover the browser and install the appropriate plugin.

The web phone enables a user to do unlimited concurrent calls to an unlimited number of users. It boasts of features such as call hold and call transfer. Getting a  license for Zoiper may be a good idea if embedding a fully functional phone on your website or web app is your business requirement. This makes it easy for customers to reach you directly from your website or app.

5. FluentCloud Web Phone

The FluentCloud web phone is a Google Chrome add-on that is compatible with ChromeBook computers, laptops, and desktops.

This device enables users to make and receive calls, messages, chat, check voicemails, read online fax, and more all using a single interface.

FluentCloud web phone has a paid subscription plan which gives the users access to a cloud-based all-inclusive business phone system.

6. Twilio

Twilio web phone enables a user to use a web browser to make phone calls. However, like the other web phones listed here, Twilio’s browser phone is not an enterprise-grade solution and requires a user to install an add-on manually in a terminal window. Additionally, the phone has the capability to call PSTNs, extensions, and SIP endpoints.

Web phones clearly equip businesses with more features when compared to old-school desk phones. Likewise, their ability to work seamlessly across multiple devices and the capability to let employees work from anywhere is something surely to consider in today’s fast-changing remote work culture. The sky’s the limit with these new-age web phones.

The post 6 Web Phone Options That Can Replace a Desk Phone appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

As a business owner, you and your team members no doubt rely on WiFi to keep operations running smoothly. However, you might not think about the possibilities that worldwide WiFi access brings to your organization. Indeed, as WiFi extends globally, your company may encounter plenty of opportunities to grow revenue, brand recognition, and reputation.

What Global WiFi Access Can Do for Your Business

What are some of the ways that you can use internationally available WiFi to positively impact your company? Below are four suggestions to help you achieve your short- and long-term goals.

1. Improve the depth of your customer insights.

The more you know about your customers, the better you can personalize your marketing. Widespread WiFi allows you to gain more knowledge about buyers no matter where they go. For instance, through social listening tools, you may realize that many of your repeat shoppers travel to specific countries regularly. This may seem like a small insight but could have a major impact on your messaging strategies.

As mentioned by small business WiFi platform provider Plume, the deeper your customer insights, the more easily you can turn everyday patrons into true fans. How? As the piece notes, “anticipating their needs and exceeding expectations” of consumers always puts you ahead of the competition. It also gives you an inside track to foster relationships that promote genuine engagement based on personalized content and offers.

Don’t discount the value of having lots of cheerleaders around the world. Around eight of out 10 people make purchases based on recommendations from individuals they know, says Plume’s researchers. Consequently, the more global kudos you snag from happy clients from anywhere, the stronger your sales lift could be. And that’s always good for business.

2. Improve employee sourcing and bolster DEI initiatives.

Your organization is only as strong and diverse as the professionals you hire. Global WiFi gives you the chance to tap into talented workers no matter where they call home. Accordingly, you can stretch your new-hire sourcing way beyond your current geographic boundaries.

Certainly, having an international workforce requires you to get creative. You’ll need to consider how to make workflows seamless across a variety of time zones, for example. You also may want to revamp your expectations when it comes to the timing of Zoom meetings. Nevertheless, these are small concerns when you consider how powerful your company could be with a dynamic, world-class workforce.

You can test the international hiring waters by working with globally located independent contractors initially. That way, you and the rest of your team can get accustomed to the concept of working with out-of-country colleagues. As long as everyone has dedicated WiFi, the experience should be positive for your business.

3. Expand your brand footprint internationally.

Your brand might be a national sensation—or at least on its way to becoming one. Is it well-known overseas, though? With broad planetary WiFi and 5G connectivity, your company could enjoy a bump up in recognition. Not only would this increase your total addressable market but it could inform future product innovations.

Taking your business anywhere involves planning, of course. You’ll want to construct your marketing campaigns for a different culture and audience, and perhaps in a different language. Plus, you’ll need to navigate shipping rules and regulations. You may even want to host separate websites or at least microsites as well.

To make this process as effortless and low-risk as you can, pick specific areas of the world to focus upon first. Being systematic about where you’re going to sell keeps the control in your corner. You can always enlarge your marketing “orbit.” It’s a little harder to start too big and then have to pull back.

4. Attract new investment or business partners.

Perhaps your small business has leveraged crowdfunding to raise capital. You’re not alone. The crowdfunding marketplace is lightning-hot, according to MarketWatch. In 2021, crowdfunding among United States’ startups is predicted to potentially blow past the $200 million barrier.

In addition to crowdfunding via regulated sites like GoFundMe, Indiegogo, and SeedInvest Technology, you may want to seek out international investors. Many global investors are ready to put their money behind interesting business concepts. With more reliable WiFi popping up every day on all the continents, foreign investors have a better chance of finding your company. You can start looking for angel investors from abroad by submitting funding requests on trusted international platforms.

Not interested in passing on more equity to investors but still eager to get your hands on more capital? One method to stretch your resources is to join forces with a company already working overseas. Together, you may be able to move your merchandise to the communities they serve. This type of arrangement can give you a toehold in a new-to-you territory. Just make sure you invest in cloud-based software so you and your partners can exchange information seamlessly.

The world seems to be a much smaller place thanks to WiFi. It’s also a place where smaller businesses can compete on a level playing field with much bigger enterprises. Take time to consider how global WiFi can help your organization achieve its objectives. You might be surprised at how far you can take your vision.

The post 4 Ways That Global Access to WiFi Affects Small Businesses appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

As the pandemic becomes history, many companies are embracing the idea of long-term remote work. This may be attractive for many reasons, but if it’s going to work in perpetuity, it must be set up the right way.

Here are several of the best tools you want to have in place to keep your remote teams as productive as possible.

1. Fellow

Meeting on a regular basis is an essential practice for remote teams who want to stay aligned and connected. However, a great remote work meeting requires preparation and collaboration from all attendees. That’s why, if you want to increase your remote team’s productivity, you should use a tool to build the habit of meeting preparation and follow-up. 

Fellow offers a great virtual meeting agenda option that can help you outline:

• Topics for discussion;
• Templates for recurring meetings;
• Action items assigned to various team members;
• Meeting minutes and follow-up.

If you’re going to gather online, you want to stay organized and efficient during the time spent together.

2. ClickUp

Basic workflow activities can become a concern when your staff is scattered to the four winds. This creates the need for a workflow platform to organize and oversee your team’s projects and other work-related activities.

ClickUp is a great way to keep everything in one central location. You can assign tasks, set due dates, attach documents, and take notes. Best of all, anyone can access the platform from their phone, tablets, or computers no matter where they are.

3. Zoom and Slack

Setting up easy-to-use communication tools is never more vital than in a virtual office scenario. One of the easiest mishaps of the remote work world is allowing communication to slip through the cracks.

There are numerous tools available to keep your team on the same page. Zoom is the posterchild for video conferencing while Slack fills the same role for text-driven messaging. 

When it comes to communication, in particular, there are numerous options that can work in countless different scenarios. This means the specific tools that you use here aren’t the primary focus. It’s choosing your options and then codifying them into how your team interacts. Clear communication guidelines will help reduce clutter and keep everyone in the know.

4. Google Workspace

Collaboration is another area that can bog down online offices. If your team struggles to share information or work together in real-time, it can hamper productivity.

Formerly known as G Suite, Google Workspace is an arsenal of cloud-based apps that Google has created. These make it easy to share documents and collaborate on anything from a text doc to a spreadsheet, a presentation, and other online content.

5. Lucidspark

Google Workplace is a great foundational element for your collaborative efforts and is ideal for sharing information. Nevertheless, there are times when you need an extra element to liven up an online brainstorming session or a similar activity.

This is where Lucidspark can be a godsend. The online tool allows you to create virtual whiteboards that can be shared with your team. These provide a powerful visual perspective that can help you stay organized and inspired throughout each project.

6. Five9

Customer service is a critical customer-facing aspect of any company. If your customer service reps are operating from home, they need to be well supported as they, in turn, serve your customers.

Five9 provides a cloud-based CCaaS (contact center as a service) solution that can unify and empower your customer service team. The software brings your various communication channels together into a single system. From there, customers are automatically partnered up with the rep that can serve them best.

7. CapLinked

Software such as Zoom and Slack are great for everyday meetings. Google Workplace can keep your team on the same page for run-of-the-mill activities. 

However, there are points in your business processes when you need privacy. This can be difficult to find if you don’t have a physical office or conference room where you can disappear with a client to sign paperwork.

Enter CapLinked. The SaaS software allows clients to share documents, collaborate on sensitive data, and oversee complex transactions in trusted virtual data rooms. This is a great tool to have on hand for unique contracts and other negotiations.

8. Workato

With so many applications in play, it’s easy to have your virtual office become glutted with software. This is where an IPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) can come in handy. An IPaaS can help integrate, automate, and streamline the flow of data between different API endpoints in your business.

Workato has taken the concept of an automated workflow beyond the common IPaaS model. Instead, the brand has created a tool that it’s dubbed an Enterprise Automation Platform or an EAP. Workato’s tool takes the IT-heavy concept of integration and makes it more user-friendly. This can bring many different tools together and help them operate more efficiently.

There is no end to the number of tools that you can integrate into a virtual office. These are just a handful of the best options available. Each one serves a distinct purpose, from customer service to internal communications, agendas, brainstorming, and beyond. 

The essential step is selecting a solution for each need that your remote team has. If you can do that, you can equip your staff to be as productive as possible throughout your long-term journey as a remote-first enterprise.

The post 8 Software Solutions to Streamline Remote Work appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Upgrading your computer’s processor is not the fastest or cheapest way to improve its performance, but it can have dramatic results. You might be surprised by how a slow computer can turn into a powerhouse simply by using the right chip. There are some technical things you should know if your computer should need a repair or upgrade during the pandemic. 

Types of Computer Processors

Computer processing units (CPUs) are created on three levels based on performance and cost.

Budget processors

• Run basic computer tasks with efficiency and cost-effectively. 
• Handle most office programs, internet browsing, photo editing, and other general tasks. 
• Similar performance to a mainstream model. 
• More likely to be suitable for an older motherboard and slower memory.

Mainstream processors 

• Larger and can accommodate 3D gaming, video editing, and other multimedia-intense applications. 
• Uses more power and may have cores and caches, which are not suitable with older motherboards and memory. 
• If you upgrade your entire system, you will see a performance boost.

Fastest processors

• Used for gaming, intensive graphics, creating and editing professional videos, and statistical analysis, known as extreme or high-end.
• Pay extra attention to the specification for compatible components if you are updating an existing PC or computer.
• Uses more power and requires more memory as it is a high-end CPU.

Is it time to have your processor upgraded?

REASON 1: If your CPU is holding back your computers’ performance

To find out if your CPU is causing delays in your system, take a look at your CAM dashboard to monitor how much processing power your PC is using during gaming. 

If the number is close to 100% for a long time, you may not be able to repair your computer. In that case, it’s time to upgrade. 

Another indicator would be frame drops and stuttering during your gaming sessions.

REASON 2: Your computer needs a new motherboard

The motherboard is the most vital piece of the whole computer system because it holds your entire computer together. So, if you’re using an older motherboard model, you’re going to be stuck with older hardware as well. Not only does this include the CPU, but also the RAM, graphics card, and even accessories. 

Although older hardware typically works well for simple tasks, gamers will benefit from newer hardware. 

REASON 3: You’re building a new PC

You should always try to buy the latest, fastest, best CPU you can afford if you’re building a new PC. This not only makes your PC future-proof for many years, but it also means that you won’t have to worry about CPU problems. 

Don’t let a slow processor hold you back in the future when you can take care of it now!

Motherboard Issues

The motherboard is the backbone that connects all the components of a computer. None of the computer components (CPU, GPU, or hard drive) could interact without it. 

Therefore, a motherboard is one of the most important parts of a computer system.

It’s referred to as a motherboard because, like a mothership, it’s the foundation on which the whole computer operates. So, if there is no motherboard, there’s no PC.

Symptoms of motherboard problems

• Nothing will display 
• An error code appears
• One or more beeps 
• The device locks or freezes
• The system takes too long to reset
• A Windows blue screen of death occurs
• One or more of the ports, expansion slots or memory modules malfunctions
• Burn marks or burnt smell coming from the motherboard.

Since various components are located on the motherboard, numerous things can cause the problem.

Why motherboards fail

Some common reasons why a motherboard can stop working:

• Ageing: The motherboard has a limited lifespan. If properly taken care of, some motherboards will last longer. But eventually they will fail after they have reached their useful lifespan, and you will need to replace them or get a new computer. 
• Accidental drop: This can cause excessive shock to the components or cause damage to the circuits that can lead to failure of the motherboard. 
• Dust in the device: When dust or debris accumulates in your system, the air circulation that keeps the device cool becomes blocked. When the fans spin, a computer intake draws this stuff in, which blocks the airflow and causes overheating in response. 
• Smoke: In conjunction with dust, tar built up from cigarette smoke creates a sticky gooey material inside devices. It smells bad and is very difficult to remove. It can also cause the motherboard to overheat and become damaged. 
• Power surges or unstable voltage: In an electric circuit, an electrical spike or surge is a short-lived burst of energy. This can be the product of power-hungry appliances such as refrigerators or air conditioners, wiring issues or power grid issues in your town, and even weather conditions like lightning. This sudden voltage change can damage your motherboard’s fragile circuits. However, to accommodate tiny power surges, most power supply units and motherboards can change their voltages. But if it’s a huge one, the motherboard and all the components attached can be fried. 
• Overheating- This can happen if several operations are carried out together and the supply of power is continuous. Another factor could be due to changes in power supply or in one of the parts of the motherboard circuit. Fan clogging can also occur, such as having your laptop on your lap or on a soft surface can cover up intakes and exhaust fans causing your computer to heat up.

If you are having a problem with your computer, don’t hesitate to visit your PC repair shop for a computer repair.

Computer Memory (RAM) Problems

Random access memory (RAM) is a core part of computers, servers and just about every computerised piece of device. 

It stores the data that is used by the computer so that it can be easily accessed. The more programs run on your computer, the more memory you would require.  

The RAM serves as the intermediary between the CPU of your computer and the data stored on its hard drive so that the hardware-RAM is there to serve it up to you when you access the information, run programmes, and so on.

Symptoms of a RAM Problem

• Random crashes: Your computer reboots unexpectedly or it crashes every time you attempt to install something new.
• Blue screens:  Until you restart, a blue screen with white text flashes. 
• Failing to boot or the Computer appears to start, but the screen stays blank: Your machine restarts unexpectedly or freezes occasionally when you are in the middle of something. Almost immediately upon opening the desktop, it will also reboot.
• On-screen memory errors occur: You’re trying to reinstall your operating system, but you keep receiving error messages. For unexplained reasons, your attempts to install a new program repeatedly fail.
• Blurred graphics
• Crashing during activities using heavy memory, such as gaming, Photoshop, etc.

There are undoubtedly several issues that may cause the above problems, but defective RAM is an often-ignored root cause of problems. You are possibly facing a memory problem if you have one or a combination of the above problems. 

Get in touch with someone like computer repair Birmingham to find out the root cause of your problem.

Causes of Memory Damage

• Power surges 
• Extreme heat. Different components can overheat, or heat from one component can cause damage to nearby parts.
• Electrostatic discharge
• Your memory module has some errors that went through quality control and degraded over time.
• Overclocking any part of your computer incorrectly can cause damage in the form of excess heat.

Graphics Card (GPU) Glitches

When you turn on your screen, a graphics processing unit (GPU) creates the picture you see, whether it’s a plain Word document or a complex gaming experience.

Within most computing devices, a graphics card is a piece of computer hardware for displaying graphical data with high quality, color, image, and overall appearance. 

These chips can vary from simple integrated graphics that are part of the motherboard or processor to larger, more impressive expansion cards.

The better the graphics card, the smoother a picture. This is very important for gamers and video editors.

Symptoms of a Graphics Card Failure

Computer crashes

These crashes can range from a simple bluescreen to a freezing PC to random restarts and power-offs. 

Not every crash is triggered by the graphics card. The same kind of operation can be triggered by malware, a dying hard drive, and RAM issues. 

But your graphics card may be dying if you are facing screen glitches like seeing flickering or strange colors appearing on the screen. 

Driver crashes

The screen goes black for a few seconds. When it returns, you’ll be notified that the video drivers have crashed and had to be restarted. This will not crash your entire PC, but if it happens often, it can be disrupting.

Artifacting

A bad graphics card can result in strange objects all over your computer, similar to screen glitches. Excessive overclocking, heat and dust build-up can cause artifacts. This can be solved by a restart occasionally, but expect the problem to come back if you have a defective graphics card.

Black screens

You won’t see any graphic clues at all sometimes! A graphics card gone bad will simply decide not to show anything. 

Fan noise 

When you boot up the computer or software, you might hear what sounds like a small jet aircraft taking off within the PC. It could mean that the card is getting too hot if the fan on the card malfunctions. If you can’t get the fan to quiet down, it could be an indicator that there’s something wrong with it and your computer may need a repair.

Causes for Graphics Card Failure

Here are some reasons a Graphics card can die completely:

• Incompatible graphics card installation
• Moisture build-up on the card
• GPU parts fail prematurely due to faulty manufacturing
• Loading the graphics card on games with incompatible drivers for applications
• Static overload as the graphics card is being installed
• Overheating due to too much dirt or debris trapped on the cooling components
• Overheating on the cooling fans caused by damaged or worn bearings

To avoid many of these issues, keep the graphics card clean and make sure the software drivers for the graphics card are up to date. For more info see driversupport.com

Why not upgrade the drivers first instead of waiting for your graphics card to die?

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

The power supply is a hardware component of a computer that supplies all other components with power. It turns the current from your wall outlet into a continuous form of power to the computer components that need it. It also controls overheating by regulating the voltage, which, depending on the power supply, can adjust automatically or manually. The power supply is vital hardware since the rest of the internal components do not work without it.

Symptoms of a Failing Power Supply

Before it causes damage to other hardware within the computer case, learning to spot the signs of a failing power supply will allow you to replace the failing component. Look for one or more of the following signs to be sure if you need a computer repair: 

• Extra noise coming from the PC case. Strange noises may emit from the back of the computer case where the cord is located.

• PC will not function, but your case fans will spin. This may also correspond with a blinking light on the front of the machine or an indicator on the back of the PSU. 
• Random computer crashes. The computer will turn on for a few seconds, and then turn right back off. While this can be a power supply issue, it may also indicate motherboard malfunction.

• Random blue screen crashes. The computer is on for a while, but while you’re playing a game or using another application, it turns off without warning. It may also display a blue screen of death.
• Recurring failure of PC components
• Smoke or a Burning Smell

Why PSUs fail

Failures can be triggered by something you’ve done, but sometimes the unit simply gives up. Here are a few common factors of PSU failure:

• Age: Most warranties last from 5-10 years, but your PSU’s life depends on how often you use your computer.
• Dirt and debris
• Brown-outs: deliberate or accidental voltage fall. These load reductions are often used in emergencies, such as during a heatwave where everyone needs their A/C. 
• Electrical interference: lightning, power spikes, etc.
• Overheating or ventilation failures

Overheating and lightning are the most common causes. If you’re a cigarette smoker, however, or the machine is in a dusty environment, rest assured that your PSU will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

If you encounter any of the above symptoms, one of the explanations might be the problem with power supply units. However, this does not help you fully confirm that your PSU is indeed failing.

So, to find out, you should get in contact with your local computer repair service.

The post Computer Repair Issues You Could Face During the Pandemic appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Until now, most companies have only relied on automation for sales and marketing. Automatic sales and marketing campaigns free up a lot of time and resources for content creation and other internal departments.

With that said, automation can do so much for your business. Just take a look at this list:

Integrations

In the digital age, your business likely uses a number of programs and online tools, not to mention the list of automation that you might be implementing soon after reading this. Wouldn’t it be great if all of those tools were built into one? While there’s no one-tool-fits-all, you can use automation to put your programs in better sync together.

Companies can use an iPaaS, or Integration Platform as a Service, to build integrations between their programs. For example, you can set up your team’s communication software to automatically upload shared files and images to your email. 

Simple steps like these save a lot of time in the long run, and can be completely customized to fit your company’s needs. Start with a few integrations and then build up as you get the hang of the process. The more tasks that can be automated, the more focus that can be diverted to larger and more complicated projects.

Payments

Humans have to keep track of a lot of bills, payments, and card information. Miss a payment because of the complicated mess of finances, and an unfortunate penalty will ensue. Automation not only makes it easier for businesses to receive payments, but for customers to keep their finances in check.

Automated payment software takes recurring payments as they are due. This is helpful for companies that work off of subscriptions, or those that provide monthly services, such as utilities for house cleaning. As long as there are sufficient funds in the account for withdrawal, the process is as simple as can be for both parties. 

More complicated payments can be automated as well. A company that uses contracts to bind sales can use digital signatures to automatically gather commitments from customers online. Set up an entire sales system this way, and deals can be signed, sealed, and delivered in no time. 

Hiring and Recruiting

The recruiting process is long and expensive. Choosing a candidate from a pool of hundreds is a daunting undertaking. Luckily for HR managers and recruiters, automation can improve this process as well.

Algorithms can scan resumes, picking out keywords, alma maters, and work history in seconds. This organizes candidates quickly and effectively, allowing recruiters to narrow down their selections as soon as resumes are submitted.

The one drawback to automatic resume scanning is that some programs rely too heavily on keywords. You could overlook an incredible candidate who simply doesn’t have the experience of your other applicants — but does have the soft skills needed to develop quickly and remain loyal to the organization. With this automation, be sure to give outputs a second glance.

Analytics

If your business isn’t incorporating data into its strategy, you’re already a step behind the competition. Data is gold in today’s business landscape, providing insights that can transform your organization into an efficiency powerhouse.

The amount of data your business produces each day is astounding. In fact, it’s practically impossible to scour through it by hand and pick out anything you can use. To take advantage of your data, you need automated tools.

Automations such as ETL tools extract data automatically. They use triggers to transform and load the information into storage systems for your viewing pleasure. Use this data to define target audiences, tweak supply chains, and even alter product prices.

Customer Service

Seventy percent of customers will stop doing business with a company due to a poor service experience. With that in mind, your customer service strategy should be important to you. The better you care for your customers, the higher your retention rates and the more referrals you’ll get.

Some large corporations run an entire office of customer service agents who field calls and messages all day. Small businesses typically can’t afford that. They can only answer questions in person or when someone is available to respond.

For companies large and small, automation can bridge the gap. Setting up a customer service bot on your website is simple. This bot can answer frequently asked questions and direct customers to the products and pages they’re looking for. This simple addition will boost your customer service around the clock.

Data Security

Bank robberies are so 1800s. Today, you need to be on the lookout for hackers and pirates that try to attack you from the inside. Digital information is extremely valuable and much easier to swipe.

Even with a dedicated IT team, your security posture could benefit from any help it can get. Automations like firewalls thwart attacks around the clock. Breach notifications can point out problems the moment they occur. 

Are you sold on automation yet? Give it a try. Start with iPaas to streamline your workflow. Then, try out automations that can revamp your strategy and security. You won’t be sorry.

The post 6 Areas Besides Sales and Marketing Where Automation Wins appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Thanks to the pandemic, 60% of shuttered small businesses may be gone for good. Tens of thousands more are holding on by a thread. Every small business saved is a bright spot not just for the entrepreneur, but for their employees and the local economy. 

Many struggling small business leaders have reacted by cutting hours or staff. But only with the right tools can a small crew keep the ship sailing. While every small business is different, these five software tools are worth scraping the bottom of the bank account for:

1. Contact Center Software

First things first: How are you going to reach customers when they can’t physically visit your store? 

Phone calls and online outreach are safer options for everyone. Contact center as a service software makes omnichannel communication possible on any budget. Tools that track prior interactions with customers let any rep who answers the phone pick up the baton. 

Other features to keep an eye out for include analytics and customer profiling. Reports can provide an overview of how your employees are interacting with customers and where opportunities lie to build stronger customer relationships. Profiles can also give you insight into who your typical customers are, making it easier to attract more people like them. You can have a guide from fundingwaschools for more info.

2. Social Media Marketing Software

When you know who your customer is, marketing becomes that much easier. The next step is to choose channels and tools that are cost-effective. For small businesses, social media marketing makes getting the word out as easy as clicking “post.”

Before deciding on one, learn which platforms your customers like to use. There’s no point in investing in a Snapchat-specific tool if your users are only on Twitter and Facebook. Try to cover as many relevant platforms as you can in a single tool, which will make your team more efficient. 

3. Project Management Software

You know what’s a waste of money? Trying to track every project your team takes on through clipboards and emails. Letting a single job slip through the cracks can mean future business will be lost.  

If you are still leaving project management up to each employee, it’s time to invest in project management software. Keeping your team’s projects housed in one central location will save everyone time and stress. 

There are dozens of project management software options out there. Figure out which parts of projects are the most difficult for your team: If collaborating remotely is a chore, for example, you might look for a tool with native video conferencing capabilities or Slack integration. No matter your needs, look for a project management program that lists tasks, who is assigned to what, and deadlines. 

4. Accounting and Payroll Software

Especially when money is tight, you need to manage every penny like it’s your last. Investing in payroll services and accounting tools can simplify the financial side of small business ownership. What’s more, smart accounting software can help you take advantage of tax incentives and deductions you might not have known about. 

The good news is, many tools in this space cover multiple bases. Opt for a do-it-all financial hub that covers payroll, invoicing, bookkeeping, and filing taxes. Some of these tools also span HR tasks, such as benefits administration. If you’re ever audited, you’ll be glad you’ve got it all in one place. 

Ask your accountant which tool he or she prefers. Some accounting firms have partnerships with popular providers, which can help you save even more money. 

5. Supply and Inventory Management

These days, not all small businesses sell physical products. Even those that don’t, however, need to stock supplies like paper, ink, and company computers.

No matter what your company does, it has valuable property to keep tabs on. Product SKUs and “property of” labels are only half the picture. Once you’ve tagged everything, you need a tool to ensure nothing is lost or stolen. This software can also help you prioritize damaged or old items in need of replacement. 

When purchasing this tool, think about access permissions and user profiling features. You don’t want to be the only person who can update the system when something is broken. On the other hand, security and theft concerns mean you also want to limit who can delete items from the database. 

As a small business owner, you can’t do it alone. But when money gets tight, you also can’t afford to hire a big business-sized staff to help you out. 

What you can afford are software tools that make everyone more efficient. Choose wisely, and you’ll keep your staff lean without compromising your commitment to your customers. Do that, and you’ll keep your business in the black no matter what happens to the economy. 

The post Struggling? These 5 Tools Can Keep Your Small Business Afloat appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

1. More effective reporting processes

Typically, reporting on financial information is a tedious task requiring long hours of consolidating  multiple spreadsheets and connecting the dots between profitability and efficiency. However, there are now smarter, digital options for this task when you use smart reporting technologies that enable automated schedules, real-time data, and artificial intelligence features. 

By removing the manual approach and accelerating processes across the board, financial managers have the opportunity to diminish human-based errors as well as improve the speed in which financial data is processed. Software that has the ability to keep massive volumes of financial records creates a business environment that improves the decision-making processes. Financial managers and financial consultants go hand-in-hand in providing a more effective operational management. The professionals at Virtualauditor has the best company valuation consultants and can help you and your team achieve better financial performance.

2. Accessing data on-the-go

Working on mobile has slowly become a standard way of working, even in the financial industry with the introduction of mobile banking and online transactions. Some countries such as Sweden, China, and the UK are leading the pack in trying to eliminate cash payments. In fact, Sweden’s transactions consist of cash in an astonishing figure of only 2%. More and more the financial industry is moving things online, so stay ahead of the curve by investing in technology that will help you digitize as well. 

3. Competing with giants within your industry

Making the right decision at the right time is critical in our cutthroat digital age and the financial sector is no exception. No matter the size of a company, each and every business has the chance to choose software that will help in making better informed and more accurate decisions. In this case, even if your budget or resources are not high, there are solutions on the market that you can benefit from. It’s important to use smart technologies, both in small businesses and large enterprises, since it will ensure that financial information is stored, delivered, and accessed from a centralized place.

4. Implementing AI for increased productivity

Artificial intelligence has found its application in the financial sector and it’s becoming increasingly important for small businesses. Popular applications include chatbots that automate sales processes or customer service inquiries, and enable financial institutions to communicate more effectively across the board, leaving the more human-centric tasks to humans. Moreover, AI has found its applications in back-office processes, predicting future financial values based on past and current data as well as impacting risk management and marketing. The popularity of AI is not only present in big banking institutions but also in small credit unions and businesses across the world. 

5. Using predictive analytics for financial analysis

Being closely connected with artificial intelligence, predictive analytics has emerged into a field that the financial sector is starting to use more often than ever before. Predicting revenue, upscaling the supply chain, analyzing loss drivers, creating financial reports, or detecting fraud are just some of the examples where predictive analytics help financial professionals in their line of work. The potential is there, but there is some caution when it comes to utilization of predictive analytics such as privacy missteps so do think through the pros and cons before implementing anything. 

Intelligent technologies have become a necessity in industries across the world, and financial departments are no exception. The development and implementation of such technologies are no longer limited to large enterprises; small businesses have the possibilities to start small and scale as the business grows. It’s important to implement emerging technologies throughout the company as a core feature of smart business management and sustainable development.  

The post 5 Benefits of Using Smart Technologies in Financial Operations appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Unlike enterprise companies, however, small business leaders have limited tech budgets. They can’t afford to take risks on unproven tools, nor on “one size fits all” systems that don’t actually serve anyone.

What are the must-haves when it comes to small business technology? For managing knowledge, making payroll, and everything in between, these tools are smart investments:

1. Payroll and HR: OnPay

Most small businesses can’t pay a staff account, but they can afford the next best thing: OnPay’s full-service payroll software. OnPay is available in every U.S. state for $36 plus $4 per person per month, and it’s flexible enough for both 1099 and W-2 employees. What’s more, OnPay automates tax filings and integrates with other popular timecard and accounting tools.  For the best knowledge of software check this out.

A payroll solution like OnPay is particularly important during COVID-19. The system can process and track absences, tax credits, and benefits adjustments. That way, you can focus on keeping the revenue rolling in. 

2. Knowledge management: Guru

Losing a key employee can be devastating to a small business. Guru is a knowledge management system that facilitates continuity by ensuring the company’s knowledge is accessible by anyone on the team. 

Like Slack, Guru has a free plan for small teams. Its Builder plan, however, is the best choice for growing companies: In addition to the starter plan’s features, it comes with knowledge triggers, analytics, API access, and duplicate detection. Analytics can identify efficiencies, while duplicate detection keeps the database clean with minimal work by the team.

3. Communication: Slack

Slack is popular on teams of all sizes, but it has a special fan base among small businesses. Rather than fire emails back and forth, Slack lets you instantly message one or more members of your team. Its notification system is perfect for employees who carry a mobile device but can’t check their email throughout the day. 

For small teams, Slack offers a generous free plan. Consider stepping up to the standard one — which costs $6.67 per month — for access to your organization’s full messaging history and more integrations. 

4. Document management: Dropbox

While you may keep a few dusty flash drives in your desk drawer, there are reasons why most companies store their data online these days. Not only is it easier to just click “upload” and “download” than it is to carry around a storage device, but it’s practically impossible for data stored in the cloud to be lost. 

The gold standard in cloud document management is Dropbox. After the free trial, Dropbox starts at $15 per user per month for 5 TB of storage. Dropbox’s collaboration tools make it easy to securely share contracts, spreadsheets, image files, and more from anywhere. 

5. Social media management: Hootsuite

Social media is vital for small businesses. Managing it, however, can be a serious time-suck. Hootsuite lets you create and publish content across platforms from a single account. Its flagship service, scheduling, lets you keep the posts coming even when members of your team aren’t working.

Hootsuite does have a comparably high price point, so start with its Profesional plan, at $29 per month. If 10 social profiles and a single user aren’t sufficient, its Team edition — which costs $129 per month — doubles the number of profiles and triples the number of users allowed. 

6. Email marketing: Mailchimp

Like social media, email is a free and effective channel for small businesses trying to get the word out. Although email marketing is Mailchimp’s strong suit, it’s recently added related features, such as landing page optimization and digital ad development. 

Mailchimp’s free plan has a surprising array of features, including surveys, one-click automations, a CRM tool, and custom domain capabilities. For most small businesses, the free plan’s limiting factor is that it’s limited to 2,000 contacts. 

Why step up to Mailchimp’s essentials plan, which runs $9.99 per month? A/B testing and 24/7 support. Multivariate testing can make a big difference in your conversion rate, but it’s not the most intuitive process if you don’t have a marketing background.

7. Customer relationship management: HubSpot 

HubSpot may be an all-in-one tool, but it’s an awfully good one for small businesses. HubSpot has programs for everything from content management to sales support, but its CRM software is what it’s best known for.

No matter the size of your team or data volumes, HubSpot CRM is free. Use it to manage your contacts, send bulk emails to leads, and respond to customer support tickets more efficiently. HubSpot boasts more than 200 integrations, including Zoom, Google, Facebook, and Salesforce. 

8. Website development: WordPress

More than a third of websites run on WordPress. Why? Because it’s both powerful and code-free. Professionally designed themes make it easy to create a site for your small business that punches above its weight class. And thanks to its block-based system, everything from text to maps to reviews can be dragged and dropped into place. 

WordPress’s Premium plan is supposedly best for freelancers, but it’s also popular in the small business community. For $8 per month, the package comes with better design tools, Google Analytics support, and custom CSS. The Business plan adds custom plugins, 200 GB of storage, and live chat. 

9. Online payments: Square

Square is more than a payment portal. Small businesses use Square to accept payments in-person, online, by phone, and via an app. Square offers its point-of-sale app and reader hardware for free, with payments costing 2.6% of the total plus 10 cents. 

Square also has all sorts of peripheral features that benefit small businesses. Next-day transfers make moving funds between accounts easy, while end-to-end encryption and active fraud prevention provide peace of mind. 

Especially when you run a small business, staying on top of technology is tough. Do your research, and take advantage of free trials. Reevaluate semi-annually so you can eliminate any tools you aren’t using. Double down on those that save you time. Investing in your efficiency is never a bad idea. 

The post The 9 Best Small Business Software Tools of 2020 appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

The best and brightest don’t let themselves get bogged down in admin tasks like reading and answering emails or scheduling meetings. They put technology to work for them and automate the tasks that eat away at precious minutes that could be better spent.

What’s their secret? Having the right tools.

By using software to automate tedious tasks that don’t directly impact their bottom line, they can focus more on closing more deals.

Here are five tools you can use to help you be more productive and become a sales superstar.

  Automation Apps to Increase Productivity

  1. Docusign

Getting everyone together to sign a contract can be difficult. When multiple people need to review and sign documents to start work, Docusign makes it easy. Simply create and upload your documents, then send to everyone that needs to review and sign. Esignatures are legally binding, and everyone gets a signed copy when the process is complete. Integrates with popular software including Salesforce and Google.

  2. Calendly

Tired of the back-and-forth when trying to schedule meetings with a prospect? Calendly lets you provide a link to make scheduling a breeze. Your potential client or client can pick a time from the open slots and include relevant details. Integrates with various calendar apps so no one misses an appointment.

  3. Mixmax

Email makes it easy to stay in touch, but keeping up with it can be impossible. Mixmax is a Gmail-based productivity tool that allows you to outsmart your quota by enhancing, automating, personalizing the email communications required to build your sales pipeline.

Features include:

• Email Tracking: Check and see when and who opens your emails.

• One-Click Scheduling: Share availability instantly.

• Automated Follow-ups: Create templates and automated drip campaigns.

• CRM Integrations: Update information instantly in Salesforce and LinkedIn SalesNavigator.

• Workflow: Automate manual tasks that take away your focus from engaging customers.

  4. IFTTT

IFTTT is automation software on steroids. The best part? It’s free! Your imagination is the only limit to what IFTTT can do. The software uses “recipes” to automate tasks and connect your apps and devices.

Though the learning curve is steep, once you understand how to create your own recipes you can automate everything from work to pizza delivery.

Sample recipes for sales pros include:

• Add new Google Contacts to a Google Sheet to track sales leads

• Get a text when an opportunity is closed and won in Salesforce

• Mute your android phone ringtone at a certain time of the day

  5. RescueTime

We all have the same amount of hours in the day. It’s how we use them that makes the difference. While not technically an automation tool, RescueTime automatically tracks how you spend your time on your phone and computer throughout the day. Once you know where your day is going, you can make a plan to cut out those tasks which are eating into your productivity.

  Take Back Your Time With These Tools

Your productivity (or lack of) is on you. By using the tools mentioned above, you’ll be able to save time on email, paperwork, and everything in between.

Start by learning where you’re wasting the most time. Then give these tools a spin and you’ll find out just how easy it is to squeeze value out of every moment of the day.

The post 5 Automation Tools That Will Improve Office Productivity appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Enter microlearning – a new way of learning that brings the employee education approach into the 21^st century.

What Is Microlearning?

While day-long classroom-style lectures and lengthy PowerPoint presentations worked in the past, microlearning is a new form of employee education that accommodates the generational shift in the workforce and the decrease in attention span due to how quickly we can gather information. It is defined as a teaching technique that delivers content in small bursts, presenting only the most important information in a way that is comprehensible and easily retainable.

Why Does Your Company Need It?

As technology continues to be a driver in our culture, the way individuals have grown accustomed to sourcing information has changed. As a result, so has the workplace culture. We turn to quick searches on the Internet, and within a few seconds, find the answers we are looking for. It’s time to integrate that instant gratification mindset into the way we work with employees.

Not to mention, the U.S. workforce is made up of 35 percent of Millennials, making them the largest generation that is a part of our country’s labor force. This group of tech-savvy individuals is leading this company culture shift. As they steer our companies into an unprecedented future, it’s our responsibility to adapt and adopt their style of learning. It will all come down to finding new ways to keep them engaged in their employee education as they set the framework for their success.

How Does It Work?

The concept of microlearning is simple. It consists of short, interactive videos – maximum 10-15 minutes each – focusing on specific goals that are relevant to an employees’ day-to-day tasks. With microlearning, the quick spurts of information can be immediately applied rather than going unused and eventually forgotten. By sharing pertinent information just in time, rather than just in case, companies can increase employee performance at an exceptional rate.

Is It Really Successful?

This form of education has proven to produce rapid results when training employees. Take Alorica as an example – the largest customer service provider in North America.

While managing millions of customer prescriptions for a major retail pharmacy provider, Alorica experienced a decline in prescription fulfillment compliance, which is a huge issue. In search of a new learning strategy to mitigate the problem, Alorica championed the concept of microlearning. Brief, animated videos set on clear-cut goals assisted agents with understanding the importance of customer verification, and in turn helped close a gap to not only meet, but exceed client expectations. I am 59 and have been taking Cialis (generic) with great success. And it works already after 30 minutes. I pay for 30 pieces only $ 64.55 which I consider a good price.

Results showed that pilot sites using the method greatly outperformed sites using traditional retraining methods. About two months into the program, the pharmacy provider saw a 62 percent improvement in compliance; where agents were retaining up to 20 percent more information.

Authored By:

Irene Tan, Learning & Development Sr. Director at Alorica

Irene Tan is a Learning & Development Sr. Director at Alorica. With more than 15 years of experience, she has held various roles within the Company in Operations, Human Resources and Training. Prior to Alorica, Irene was a Global HR Senior Leader at Dunham-Bush, Inc., where she oversaw the holding group of the company along with eight regional offices worldwide. Previously, Irene was one of the pioneers of PeopleSupport, Inc. (now Teleperformance), where she grew an Operations team of nearly 1,000 employees across multiple sites and helped launch the company’s first center in Latin America.

The post How Updating Training Protocol can Lead to Increased Employee Engagement appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

The widespread proliferation of cloud-based services has made them almost ubiquitous in the technology world, with all but the largest of businesses electing to take advantage of off-site infrastructure and software rather than managing them in-house. While cloud computing offers significant advantages over traditional services provided on-site, it’s also easy for companies to find themselves paying for services they don’t actually need or that could be managed internally for less cost.

Security is once again in the forefront of every CEOs mind (though it should have never left!), and the crippling vulnerabilities found at the beginning of 2018 should highlight just how critical strong patch deployment and quick response time is in the world of asset management. Software and hardware vulnerabilities aren’t anything new, but we need a constant reminder of how to deal with these issues when they arise.

Many companies have started putting ITAM at the very forefront of their IT doctrine. This shift in focus demands internal change and restructuring to provide administrators with the tools and personnel they need to be successful. Without the support and backing of senior management, performance driven ITAM becomes an unreachable goal that can increase costs, chew through resources, and cause headaches for all involved.

Taking a look at these three components to success in 2019 will help you be better prepared for next year’s advancement.

Head Stuck in the Cloud

 Let’s be real: cloud services have transformed the way we view traditional technology infrastructure. Taking all the hardware, software, and personnel from a buzzing, dimly lit server room and depositing it a thousand miles away for someone else to deal with has been a revolutionary way to cut costs, increase efficiency, and open new avenues for businesses to expand their operations.

The sublime nature of cloud services is a huge contributing factor in why businesses may find themselves in the unenviable position of having way, way more cloud licenses than they need, and they probably don’t even know it. “We can run all of our software from a datacenter in Las Vegas!” sounds really great from a management standpoint, but isn’t always necessary for day-to-day operations. Not every service and piece of infrastructure needs to be offloaded to someone else. That responsibility can often be handled internally for less cost.

That’s not to knock IaaS or SaaS in any way, but in 2019 it’s good to take a step back and look at the big picture if you’re utilizing a large number of cloud services. Are you really getting value out of your cloud licenses? All of them? What can you do on your own that’s being handled by another company right now? These are common resource questions that simply don’t get asked once a cloud service agreement has been put in place. Reevaluating just how much bang for your buck you’re getting from the cloud will be a big part of looking at your activities next year.

We’re Having a Meltdown!

 With terrifying names like Spectre and Meltdown, two critical hardware based vulnerabilities that could affect operating systems at the kernel level gave IT a swift kick in the rear this year. It’s important to realize these security breaches are just as horrifying as their bond-esque names imply; both Spectre and Meltdown represented one of the single largest security breaches in the history of computing. The patch required to fix these issues was so significant that is reduced CPU performance for every affected system, in some cases by huge amounts. Rapid patch deployment was crucial, as data and secure information access was essentially laid out on the table for anyone to see.

Take the time to analyze how ITAM can help improve security and threat response time. This isn’t the first and it won’t be the last major vulnerability to pop up in the near future. Asset management plays a critical role in ensuring newly found security problems are quickly addressed on a company-wide scale. Whether it’s using CMDB software to keep accurate patch histories across all your devices, or having a step-by-step playbook for immediate response and deployment after a critical vulnerability is found, Spectre and Meltdown have reinforced just how important the marrying of security and asset management needs to be to businesses that care about their data.

Let’s Get (Re)Organized

Over the last decade, many organizations have come to realize the inherent value in having a well-organized technical department. For anyone who hasn’t gone through any major structural changes recently, it may be time to start pushing for more support and freedom. The fluidity needed for IT departments to tackle current issues should be a priority for every business, and giving IT departments the power to manage and direct themselves in a way that’s conducive to quick response and adaptation has enormous potential benefits.

If you haven’t already, getting senior management behind structural and procedural changes to better empower your IT department should be a top priority in 2019. It can be difficult to sell the cost effectiveness of such a move, but the value of your IT department should have already made itself known by now. Getting additional tools to improve efficiency and performance will sell itself ten times over the next time a major update goes through without service interruption.

Always Evaluate!

After going over these topics, it should be apparent that the trend in 2019 will be pushing IT as a priority in every business, and attaining all the tools needed to perform while keeping costs low.

How does your organization view 2019? Will you be making any major changes to the way you operate? Continuing to evaluate how technology works with and for your company will always be the most important thing to look out for each year.

The post Prepping for 2019: Three Things to Consider For Next Year appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Build better websites

Many technology professionals would be shocked to know that nearly half of U.S. small business don’t have a website. Of those with business websites, there is a lot of variety in the sophistication levels of the website and the satisfactions levels of the entrepreneurs they belong to. With the help of responsive design and working capital, you can build a website that looks good and is fully functional on a phone, tablet and traditional desktop computer.

Make better business decisions

Entrepreneurs have to make a lot of tough decisions and solve endless problems. AI can act as your advisor sorting through the piles of data produced by your business, and offer insights. Technology can expedite business decisions, such as whether or not you should adopt a new technology or enter a market. There are countless inexpensive tech hacks to reach new customers and make better business decisions.

Deliver personalized customer experiences

In order to deliver the best experiences, it’s vital to make your store more customer-friendly. Utilize technology to help you – businesses can lean on a form of Artificial Intelligence called machine learning. It takes past experiences and uses them to generate more personalized and relevant experiences for the customer. Personalized experiences are very, very important for small businesses that are known for providing customers with a more personal touch. In-house machine learning necessitates a large amount of data that many small businesses lack, but third party tools make it possible for even the smallest businesses to capitalize on the technology.

Utilize a virtual assistant

AI-powered personal assistants will work for you, doing everything from managing your calendar to scheduling your meetings. Virtual assistants are highly helpful for solopreneurs or business owners who aren’t ready to hire more people but are short on time. More business professionals are opening up to the idea of AI as the benefits become apparent. A recent survey by Forrester shows that more than 50 percent of businesses and technology professionals were thinking about implementing AI.

If you’re pondering adopting technology for your business, remember the ways your business will benefit. Think about the ROI you’d expect to merit and the costs associated with it. Look at how your business will stand out by having the ability to offer your customers niche products. In a world that is growing more automated by the minute, customers will always crave that personal touch only small businesses can offer.

The post 4 Ways Small Businesses Can Adopt Technology appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

What time-saving technology would you recommend to any entrepreneur?

These answers are provided by Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. YEC has also launched BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

1. Zapier + IFTTT

With Zapier, I have moved my to-do list from my inbox. Email is meant for communication, but far too often it winds up as a to-do list. Every time I star an email, I have it run through Zapier and add to a to-do backlog. When I have a new meeting scheduled, Zapier adds it to my to-do list for tomorrow, 24 hours in advance. This helps me use one to-do list that is built from multiple technologies. – Michael Averto, ChannelApe

The post 14 Entrepreneurs Share Their Favorite Time-Saving Tech Tools appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

These answers are provided by Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. YEC has also launched BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

1. Cities

Major cities in the U.S., such as Boston, have already started planning for internet of things implementation. Everything ranging from street lights and parking meters, to sewage grates and sprinkler systems will be connected to the internet and interlinked. These will be huge breakthroughs in terms of saving energy and money. – Karl Kangur, MRR Media

2. Healthcare

Our healthcare system is slow, inefficient, and sometimes prone to error, yet it relies on many things that could be effectively automated and improved with technology. Telemedicine will be big, and so will additional technology to support operations such as record keeping, sharing reports across multiple locations, and dispensing antiviral medications. – Jessica Gonzalez, InCharged

3. Smart Body Analyzers

I could see these making a much bigger impact in 2018. Advances in devices that monitor oxygen levels, blood pressure, EKG, and temperature and are connected directly with all of your doctors could alter how we approach wellness check-ups moving forward. – Adrien Schmidt, OpenBouquet

4. Home Appliances

I think the more people understand this, the more it will have an impact on their home life. From their heaters adapting to the external temperatures, to their lights reacting to them entering the room, to their alarm clocks syncing to traffic. The IoT is going to completely change how everyone lives at home. – Colbey Pfund, LFNT Distribution

5. Video Doorbells

In the age of getting almost anything delivered to your door in only two days, it gives consumers additional peace of mind knowing who is at the door before opening — even allowing you to speak to someone at your door remotely. Video evidence also goes a long way in helping police prosecute package thieves. Plus, they are much easier to install than home security cameras. – Shawn Schulze, Names.org

6. Data Centers

We run several data centers in the U.S. and Canada. One of the most interesting IoT developments from our perspective will be the intersection of smart devices and augmented reality. Integrating IoT monitoring devices throughout the data center will allow operations and support teams to visualize the status of servers, network devices, and other infrastructure using augmented reality interfaces. – Justin Blanchard, ServerMania Inc.

7. Schools

I think schools will work on ways to create a more connected network between students, teachers and parents. This would change the learning experience and how homework and research is conducted away from the classroom. It may even make learning and school more interesting and engaging. – Angela Ruth, Calendar

8. Blockchain Technology

Blockchain adds a layer of security to digital transactions. As our smart home devices become more integrated into our daily lives, privacy becomes a concern, and especially who owns our data. Blockchain will allow IoT device owners to be in charge of their data. They could monetize and sell it in exchange for digital currency or choose to keep it private. – Jared Atchison, WPForms

9. Large Retailers

I think large retailers may use IoT to create large digital shopping malls that completely replace brick-and-mortar ones, where people can shop virtually and use augmented reality and their personal data from their own devices to enjoy a personalized experience.- Zach Binder, Bell + Ivy

10. Security

With growing adoption of IoT devices and ability to use them to buy things, IoT security has to be one of the next big things in order to provide consumers the peace of mind they need so as to share their health or payment information.- Zohar Steinberg, token payments

The post What’s Next: 10 Potential Applications for IoT Technologies appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

What’s a basic tech skill that small business owners must have to oversee day-to-day operations?

These answers are provided by Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. YEC has also launched BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

1. Public Cloud Navigation

The on-demand servers available from public cloud platforms can host websites, business applications, collaboration and communication tools, analytics, data and a lot more. A basic understanding of what the cloud is and how to deploy and manage cloud servers can help small business owners access infrastructure that was once only available to much larger companies at an affordable price. – Justin Blanchard, ServerMania Inc.

The post 12 Basic Tech Skills You Need to Master to Run a Business appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Using an email marketing platform will greatly improve your results, as well. However, more and more organizations are adding Salesforce to their email marketing assets to win far more conversions than with just a single platform.

Using Salesforce to Improve Your Email Marketing Platform’s Results

Email marketing platforms, such as GetResponse, will still be in charge of automating the next email message in a chain, but you can use Forms integrated  to send much more customized emails based on where they are in the sales funnel, information you have about them and actions they’ve taken such as purchase history.

The combination of these platforms will also give your marketing and sales team a far more comprehensive view of how your leads behave. This, too, will make it easier to improve everything from your actual emails to the offers you use to nurture these leads. If you have no experience in marketing then you can contact Conversant Media for professional assistance.

2 Ways to Use Field Change Triggers During Your Email Campaigns

Fortunately, this is actually very easy to do when you use Salesforce. Any time a change is made to a value field on the lead or contact form, you can use automation to begin an email nurturing process that targets recipients based on these changes.

Here are two examples to show you how easy this can be.

1. Bringing Cold Leads Back to Life

Often, a lead will give you every indication that they are on their way to converting and then – all of a sudden – fall off the face of the earth.

Reviving these cold leads is difficult when all you have is your traditional email marketing platform, but when you combine it with Salesforce, you can easily reroute these recipients right back to a “Nurture” status. Then, use the Field Changed trigger to begin nurturing them anew.

Just be sure you give these leads some breathing room before sending them the first email in this new sequence. For example, if they went cold on you right after a trial service offer, give them five days before sending out the email.

Also, that new message should be educational in nature. Even after waiting five days, it is too soon to try again for the conversion if a lead has been unresponsive.

What happens if the lead still is not opening the email?

Do not cut your losses quite yet. Give them about 10 days and then send an email that will reconfirm your mindshare and position as a thought leader. Again, it should be educational, so something about industry trends would be the perfect choice.

You may still not get the conversion, but by reestablishing yourself with the recipient, you will be top-of-mind when they do decide to purchase.

Now, for those leads who do click, send them a nurturing email for a webinar or some other offer that requires a substantial investment of their time. A deeper commitment will bring them closer to converting.

 2. Load an Upsell Campaign for Qualified Customers

Upsells are vital to increasing profitability over time. With Salesforce, you can establish a threshold for when a subscriber becomes a “Power User.” When that happens, an email goes out to your marketing team to let them know about this opportunity.

An upsell email is then sent to this recipient with all the relevant details about this new offer. An account manager is also notified to follow up with this user in the near future over the phone if they do not place an upgraded order.

Getting the Most Out of Your Email Campaigns Is Easy with Salesforce

These are just two examples of how you can use Salesforce as a force multiplier to improve your email marketing campaign. While a high-quality email automation platform is still as important as ever, Salesforce can increase your ROI further by helping you better target your recipients with less work.

The post How Email Marketing Platforms Combine with Salesforce to Boost Sales appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Contractors

A contractor is someone you hire for a specific length of time rather than on a permanent basis or for an unspecified period of time. While contractors are sometimes more expensive than workers in the short term, they come with the advantage of not requiring you to pay them if the work they do slows down or becomes unnecessary. Bringing ir35 contracting for important work projects lets you scale up expertise quickly and without the necessity of a long-term commitment to the employee that can become onerous in later days.

Rentals

Similar to hiring contractors, renting equipment that you will only need temporarily can cut long-term costs by keeping your physical space usage down and keeping capital from getting tied up in heavy machinery. Renting equipment for a project ensures that you have the tools you need for as long as you need them. Of course, in the modern cloud computing environment, increasing numbers of businesses are also outsourcing functions like IT, storage, and other technology issues. Doing so keeps your in-house IT trim and fit and helps businesses that are not primarily IT-driven avoid carrying too many expensive technologies and staffers.

Set Objectives

Growing businesses can too easily lose sight of where they need to be going. Setting a long-term goal is a great way to focus the company on a singular vision, but big-picture goals are often too lofty to guide day-to-day decisions. Instead, try setting up a group of medium-range goals to inform immediate progress. Try to focus on growing a specific product or enhancing one area of the business. If you want to get ambitious, you can set reasonable medium-range goals for each of your departments.

Watch the Customers

Every business in the world has one thing in common, and that is its ultimate dependence on the goodwill of its customers. Businesses deliver products or services to their customers, and these customers either like or dislike what they get. And those customers are often not shy about letting you know where they stand. Sending out customer satisfaction surveys is a reasonable way to gather information, but sending too many or soliciting them too intrusively can make you look pushy. Asking big customers if they have the time for a more personal talk about their experiences is a decent tactic. Moreover, make sure you have a clear route to receive and resolve any complaints.

Growth need not to be a scary thing. A well-prepared company will embrace growth and come out stronger on the other end. Just be sure you have a plan, and things should go seamlessly.

The post 4 Hacks to Manage Growth Like a Pro appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Their press release reads, “While Bright LED screens or safety regulations can pose limitations with traditional lasers, the Kensington Ultimate Presenter is optimized for use in conference rooms with TVs, online meetings with remote participants, and large auditoriums with multiple presentation screens for greater user flexibility. Kensington has removed the laser from the pointing feature to help address the growing need for a presentation tool that can be used where laser devices are not allowed as well as for online meetings where remote participants can see the pointer onscreen when using web meeting tools. The presenter is also adaptable and customizable to the user, with its companion software KensingtonWorks ^TM  for assigning different features to the top button. New customization features include mouse click, pen and magnifier, to improve upon the user experience.” See the full details here.

The post Kensington Announces Ultimate Presenter with Virtual Pointer appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

In partnership with Adobe, we’re excited to provide these tips and insight with you!

It is tough, running your own business. Everything is riding on you and the amount of progress you make every day. The successes you ultimately achieve all come down to how much you can accomplish in the time you have carved out for your business—and sometimes that is not a lot.

As the owner of a small business, productivity is not something that will come naturally to you, you will find lots of distractions at work. That is not to say you are not capable of being productive; it is just the nature of the job. Competing priorities all calling for your attention, mistakes of the past calling you to return to them, and your mind wandering over to the lofty goals you have set for the future. It is a lot to process, all while trying to focus on the tasks at hand.

Productivity in business is not impossible to achieve though. It simply takes some work and a little help.

Here are some tips for how you can start being more productive for the well-being of your business.

7 Tips for Being More Productive

1. Don’t Power Through

There are many who say that working in small increments with a pre-set break schedule is beneficial to keeping productivity and energy levels up. That is why there is such a thing as the Pomodoro Technique.

2. Remove Temptations

Whether you run your business out of your home or an off-site workspace, temptations are everywhere. Anything can break your concentration and force you to have to “reboot” and refocus again. Put a lock on your door, close out your email, and put a distraction blocking tool on your phone and computer to keep those temptations out.

3. Stay Accountable

Employees are not the only ones who are guilty of time theft. If you find that you are not generating as much work as you thought you would each day, use a time tracker to see what’s going on.

4. Schedule Everything

There are so many project and task management tools available for a reasonable price that there is no excuse not to schedule your workday. This includes breaks, meetings, assignments, business management tasks, and so on.

5. Delegate When You Can

Perhaps your lack of productivity is not that due to distractions. Perhaps it is that you have too much on your plate and you are burning out. Don’t be afraid to outsource tasks to other team members or freelancers when you can.

6. Use Software to Streamline and Automate

Cloud-based software is truly revolutionizing the workplace—especially for small businesses that now have tools available to help them run as efficiently as large corporations. If you are not using it to automate your workflows, outsource administrative tasks, or streamline your process, you are missing out.

7. Work Smarter with Those Tools

There are so many wonderful things about cloud-based tools; I am not even sure where to begin. How about their ability to empower users to work from anywhere and from any device? How about their ability to sync up with other systems to cut down on the back and forth of transferring files and information to one another? How about their real-time applications?

Adobe’s Contribution to a More Productive Small Business

Here’s an example of one of those smarter business tools: Adobe Document Cloud. This tool provides small businesses with all the tools they need and, more importantly, tools that should be integrated with one another in supportive of a more productive work environment.

If you have not heard the big news yet, Adobe Document Cloud is bringing some big changes to the small business landscape.

The one I am most excited about is Adobe Scan, which I think has huge promise to be a game changer for small businesses.

Up until now, software that enabled users to scan images or text and convert them to PDF just weren’t “smart” enough. They only worked well on desktop computers. They could not extract text out of a scan and make it selectable or copyable. They also couldn’t do anything to improve the appearance of photos captured. However, that is not the case anymore with Adobe Scan.

“Adobe Scan represents a radical reimagination of how to capture your most important document content. Adobe invented PDF creation for PCs, and with Adobe Scan we are doing the same for a mobile-first world,” said Bryan Lamkin of Adobe.

“Adobe Scan represents a radical reimagination of how to capture your most important document content. Adobe invented PDF creation for PCs, and with Adobe Scan we are doing the same for a mobile-first world.”

The post How Adobe Scan and These 7 Tips Can Make You More Productive appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Having one noisy keyboard might not be so bad. But having an office full of noisy keyboards, with actively typing people can be down right disruptive and annoying.

Here’s my review of the quiet keyboard.

The post VIDEO: How Noisy Is Your Keyboard? Ramon Tests The Cherry MX Silent Keyboard. appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

In our digital age, it might be hard to keep up with all the advances in technology. So if you don’t know what are chatbots is, you’re probably not alone. Let’s begin with defining that term. Essentially, a chatbot is simply a type of computer program that engages in conversation with people, either through text messages or audibly. Popular chatbots include IBM’s Watson, LiveChat, and LivePerson, to name just a few. But even if you don’t own one of these devices, you have probably interacted with a chatbot without even knowing it. Many companies currently implement this technology, particularly for information gathering tasks or customer service purposes.

Given the global nature of our modern world, as well as the fact that chatbots are already a commonly used form of artificial intelligence, it will probably come as no surprise that one of the most sought-after products in this field is the multilingual chatbot. The technology is still in its infancy, and it’s easy to understand why. Programming a chatbot with the capability of simultaneously translating language is extremely complicated and time-consuming. There are rare examples of multilingual chatbots on the market today – such as Language I/O® Chat, a product designed to be a customer support tool – but they are few and far between. However, the day will certainly come when a variety of multilingual chatbots are available to businesses. After all, there are several situations where these programs would be useful.

Users typically access chatbots in messenger apps and communications platforms like WeChat, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Kik, Slack, and Skype. Users type or ask a question, and the chatbot responds with the right information. Just as important as the ability to understand the context of a user’s question or command is the ability to “learn” from that interaction so it can offer more personalized information the next time. For example, if you ask a chatbot for recommendations for a local restaurant, it will analyze volumes of data so it can be proactive in suggesting restaurants that match your preferences the next time you’re out and about.

Next-Gen Marketing

Chatbots are relatively new to the marketing technology scene, and their arrival could not come at a better time. Traditional digital advertising tactics that provide only one-way interactions – from brand to customer – are becoming less effective. Brands push messaging, offers or services to users, but that should just be step one. Moving beyond the one-time interaction and creating an avenue for back-and-forth engagement is the key to building long-term customer relationships.

Conversational bots enable you to communicate the value of your brand to a vast audience, but do so via one-on-one conversations that make users feel like you’re tailoring those interactions to their individual likes and needs. They feel empowered by having command of ongoing interactions that more closely resemble two-way conversations. They can conduct research, ask questions, make a purchase, request help and share experiences with friends.

Email may still be King of the Marketing Hill, but chatbots are proving to be much more effective at getting your brand and messaging in front of customers, and more importantly, getting them to engage with you.

According to MailChip’s February 2017 report on Email Stats^[1], the open rate of email campaigns range from 16% to 27%. In contrast, chatbots deployed on messaging platforms like Facebook Messenger boast an open rate over 90%. Even better, the user typically opens and reads a message within five minutes. Think about how you interact with email compared to messaging clients. It’s a good bet you don’t open every single email as soon as it hits your inbox. But when you receive a notification from Facebook Messenger, chances are you read and respond within a few minutes.

Another key difference between email and chatbots is how users consume a message. Emails show all messaging in one window, and frequently include links to web sites that force you to leave the email app. Chatbots show only a bit of information at a time, so the interaction more closely resembles an exchange you have with a friend in your network. The ability for a chatbot to engage with your customers in “conversational commerce” is a key reason why chatbots have a higher stickiness factor than email.

Behind the Curtain

Of course, most small businesses do not have the massive budgets or teams of software engineers necessary to develop their own chatbots. All good AI implementations require the the ever-growing volumes of customer information businesses collect, and investment in technologies that enable the AI to analyze all that data. Additionally, chatbots requires effective natural language processing and neural networks to “understand” and process the context of a user’s question or command.

That’s where partnering with a company like Botworx can help. We have developed a bot platform that allows brands to use chatbots and messaging services not just for customer service and retention, but for acquiring customers. The platform features full lifecycle management and analytics, an AI-powered natural language engine and industry-leading commerce, trust and security features.

Before you create and launch a chatbot, the first step is to determine why you want to use it in the first place. For instance, do you want to attract new customers, improve engagement with current customers, improve customer service levels? All of the above? Don’t start building a bot until you know what purpose(s) it will serve.

The next step is to decide whether you want to build and maintain the chatbot in-house, or partner with a developer.

Just like an e-commerce web site, a chatbot is built on two main components: the user interface on the front end, and the data collection and analysis on the back end. The user interface needs to be simple to use and provide a compelling experience that keeps the user engaged. That’s only possible if the artificial intelligence technology on the back end enables the chatbot to not just provide immediate answers to a user’s question today, but also analyze data on all interactions over time. This enables the chatbot to “learn” to anticipate the information a user will want or need and offer it up on a more proactive basis.

Keep in mind that enabling conversational commerce is just as much as marketing challenge as a technical one. Building loyalty with customers is not as simple as rolling out a new chatbot. You must earn their trust, and that takes more work than convincing a customer to continue interacting with your chatbot after the novelty factor wears off. This requires time and constant effort, but the payoff will be well worth it. The chatbot gives you greater power to acquire customers, engage them with compelling content that’s relevant to them, and monetize those engagements.

^[1] Average Email Campaign Stats of MailChimp Customers by Industry, MailChimp. February 1, 2017

The post Chatbots Are Not Just for the Big Brands appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Why is the Project Plan so important before project management ?

The Project Plan is one of the most important and useful documents in your toolkit, and should be referred to and updated throughout the project lifecycle. Its initial purpose is to kick-start the project by convincing the decision makers (usually the people who control the funds e.g. the Project Board or Steering Committee) that the project is viable and and will meet their needs and timeframes / budgets / expectations. If the Project Plan is poorly written or contains insufficient detail, the project may not even get past this first decision gate and may never actually get off the ground. Many viable projects have floundered at this stage due to poor planning and communication. On the flip side, if you can deliver a great Project Planning, it establishes your credibility as a Project Manager, starts the project on a sound footing, and provides the team with a mandate for action and a clear direction to follow. In dock scheduling software , There are a multitude of possibilities to enhance dock scheduling operations, and dock operations in general, through our software solution.

The good news: there is! The technology is called project management software, and it helps you organize projects and tasks so everything is completed on time and you no longer have to worry if something has fallen through the cracks. Two of the most popular project management systems are Asana and Trello. This quick comparison is designed to help you figure out which is right for your small business.

Asana

Asana is a web-based “collaboration information manager” that was founded in 2008 and helps you “move work forward.”

• Teams of 15 or less can use the free version, while larger teams can purchase the premium version at $9.99 per month.
• The software is user-friendly, with an intuitive navigation system that includes a task view and calendar view.
• Within Asana, you can set up projects, tasks, and subtasks, assign items to team members, add due dates, share files and post comments. All activities take place in real-time.
• Several integrations are available, for example, Google Drive, Slack, and Github.
• Support is available via email, and the Product Guide will get you up to speed fast. Organizations with over 50 team members get additional support through a ‘success’

Trello

Trello is a web-based service founded in 2011, aimed at helping you “work more collaboratively and get more done.”

• Trello has a free version that comes with some limitations (example: file attachments are limited to 10MB), and two paid options: Business Class ($9.99 per month) or Enterprise ($20.83 per month).
• Projects are set up as “boards,” and within the board, users can set up task lists and cards (individual tasks), which can be assigned to specific team members.
• Integrations are known as Power-Ups. They offer the ability to connect with programs like Evernote, Salesforce, and SupportBee (although free users are limited to one Power-Up per board).
• Trello offers support via its contact page and also a searchable knowledge base. Paid users get priority support with a guaranteed 1-day response time.

If you are still undecided as to whether Asana or Trello is right for you, the free versions will give you a chance to explore. There are other project management options too, including Basecamp, Teamwork and Microsoft Project.

Finding the right project management software is important, but it’s only beneficial if you know how to use it to your advantage. For this reason, small business owners and their employees may be interested in furthering their education. Schools like Campbellsville University offer fully online programs like the MBA and the Master of Science in IT Management to help boost your skills.

Project management software can help your small business get ahead. Imagine being able to visually see all your projects and tasks laid out, knowing who is working on what, and having one dedicated space to go to for access to all project files and updates. Not only would your small business be a smooth running operation, but you would also gain valuable peace of mind.

This post is written in partnership with Campbellsville University, which offers dynamic online degrees for students and professionals seeking to boost their business knowledge and skills.

The post Asana or Trello? Comparing Project Management Software for Small Business appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

In the past, running your own business meant being tied down most of the year and buried in work. However, with today’s incredible array of online tools, the modern-day entrepreneur can work almost anywhere at any time they want, becoming a Digital Nomad or Expat Entrepreneur. You might still have the same workload, but at least you can chip away at that workload at home in the Caribbean or at a coffee shop in Bali.

But don’t pack your bags and buy your plane ticket just yet. A smart entrepreneur also knows there’s plenty of value in planning ahead before taking off on year or more of remote work. Here are 10 things to do before you start your journey as a nomadic entrepreneur:

1) Create Your Brand and Website

Since your laptop is your mobile office, your website is your mobile storefront. Your business name, logo, Pantone colors, slogan, voice/tone and font all flesh out online as your brand to potential customers. Your website is what ties all these elements together and brings your company to life. With a professional brand and website, you’re more likely to get clients that will help fuel your digital nomadic travels. So, spend some time creating (or paying someone to create) a great website for you. A popular option is SquareSpace since their tool has drag-and-drop widgets to easily build a website if you’re not a website designer. WordPress is also a universally great option for the back-end of your website.

2) Determine Your 30-second Elevator Pitch

It’s been said that first impressions are made within seven seconds. To create a positive, lasting impression on people who could become paying customers of refer your business in the future, you’ll need an excellent elevator pitch. This is your micro-commercial about who you are, what you do and why a customer needs your service or product. A strong pitch shows passion, organization and direction.

3) Create Business Cards

Do people still use business cards in this digital age? Yes! Hand one to the person who just heard your elevator pitch, so they’ll have a way to find you and your business afterward. People may forget your name, business name or website after a quick conversation, but giving them something tangible will jog their memory and provide a way to get in touch later. And, a small box of business cards is easy to add to the one suitcase or bag you’re bringing with you from the states. A popular option for high-quality business cards is Moo.com.

4) Choose a Business Structure

No matter where you live and work, there’s a government that wants your money and potential risk with doing business. Choosing the right entity type can protect your assets, give customers confidence that you’re a legitimate business and provide legal protection if you happen to have partners or investors. An LLC is a great choice for digital nomads.

5) Get Accounting and Business Expense Software

Dealing with the bookkeeping side of your business can feel like a full-time job on its own. Fortunately, you have a plethora of amazing accounting and business software options to choose from. PC Magazine has a great list of 2017’s best accounting software where you can find the one that best fits your needs. The right accounting software will set your business up for success, ensuring you get paid on time, track your business expenses and have time to explore the city you’re traveling.

6) Sign up for Remote Work Websites

You have the ability to work anywhere in the world, but you’ll also need a dependable workload to fund these adventures. The good news is now that working remotely is increasingly more popular and entrepreneurs are setting out for distances unknown, there are a ton of websites dedicated to remote job listings. While some websites focus on a specific industry, others have job boards for endless opportunities. You might want to check out FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, Working Nomads and CloudPeeps (to just name a few).

7) Determine a Communication Platform

Whether you’re keeping in touch with clients or calling your mom, you don’t want a sky-high phone bill. Skype is the old standby that works great and syncs with your mobile phone, but there are also great alternatives like Join.me. For a small fee, you can add members to conference calls, record the conversations and incorporate a variety of helpful tools.

8) Get a Bank Account That’ll Work Internationally

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right bank for your business: you may have an ecommerce business with international customers, need to do all of your banking online or have a small business that requires a cost-effective solution with minimal fees. It’s also important to find a bank that’s going to allow you to relocate full-time outside the U.S. if this is your plan (for example, Simple does not). And, fees like Foreign Transaction Fee can add up, so check if you’re bank charges these types of international fees. Spend some time researching what bank will work best for you while traveling internationally. Discuss your needs with a representative before handing over the cash.

9) Buy Extra Electronics

You have a conference call in 10 minutes, but your computer is about to die; the power cord prong is bent and won’t work. How are you going to access that Google Doc to see your client’s proposal? Here’s the answer: you go back in time, think about what could go wrong and buy an extra power cord, battery, headset, phone charger and anything else you need to run your business consistently.

10) Join Online Networking Resources

Stepping into the unknown can be terrifying, but having support as you plan your journey can feel like the best kind of safety net. Check out these helpful resources: The Digital Nomad Empire is like the ultimate guidebook written by those in the know. Tons of digital nomad networks have been created such as NomadList, Nomad.Network and Web, Work, Travel.

Pursuing one dream doesn’t mean you have to give up on another. With planning and the right tools, you can live your dream of traveling the globe while building a business that you love. Who could ask for more?

The post 10 Things to Do Before Heading Off as Digital Nomad Entrepreneur appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

You may think that there is just no way you’ll ever get rid of all that paper and that going paperless isn’t for the type of business you run.

But this is 2017, and going paperless isn’t such a big deal as it once was. Numerous apps and gadgets make the transition easier and if you put just a little bit of effort into it, you too will be able to enjoy all the benefits of a paperless business.

EVALUATE YOUR CURRENT SITUATION

Firstly, do a thorough check of the paper that flows through your office and make adjustments. In every office there is a ton of unnecessary paper that just flows around. Make sure you:

• Opt out of any unnecessary mailing lists
• Switch to paying your bills electronically
• Reuse any paper that is already out and about and recycle anything that you can’t use

Though getting rid of a single piece of paper may not seem important, every small step in the right direction counts.

In order to make any real progress, you’ll have to be ruthless. Though it may seem that it is absolutely necessary to hold onto that specific bill or a note, but more often than not, it’s not true.

There is a simple rule to follow when throwing away stuff: when in doubt, get rid of it! At the beginning it does seem scary, but you’ll soon realize how satisfying it feels to de-clog your professional life.

A GOOD SCANNER IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

Once you’ve sorted things out, you will have to transfer all the relevant leftover paper data into an electronic version. This means you will have to invest in a scanner. If you regularly scan double-sided documents, a double side document scanner can offer speed, convenience, and efficiency.

Luckily, scanners nowadays are no longer expensive, nor do they take much space. An investment in a small, quick scanner that provides you with solid images won’t cost you too much. There are also scanners which are integrated with planning apps and digital filing cabinets, which is always useful!

Another necessary step you’ll have to take is to digitalize your signature. If you are running any kind of serious business, often times you have to sign a receipt, a delivery list, or any number of documents that regularly pass through an office.

Sign your signature clearly and scan it. That way, you’ll get a digital version of your signature so you’ll no longer have to print things out to sign them.

MAKE THE BEST OF AVAILABLE APPS

You will also have to think about how to manage your documentation. Cloud document management systems, like the versatile FolderIt, will allow you to share the documents among the employees, approve documents or workflows, set up notifications and reminders, search your documentation and much, much more.

Not only that, but if you opt for a cloud based solution, you will also be able to access all of your files remotely from any device that has internet access. You will no longer be confined to a single work space and you and your team will be able to do serious work wherever you are.

Don’t be afraid to utilize more than one app. Smart use of available technology will get you much further than just plainly managing your documents.

Apps will help you:

• Be productive and stay on track
• Collaborate more easily and with less paperwork
• Plan, strategize and organize
• Make networking easier
• Manage e-mails and much more

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SOLID BACKUP

The good thing about paper is that it was palpable. Even if something got lost in the filing, 9 out of 10 times you were able to find it with a thorough search expedition.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with the electronic documentation. A dead hard drive will take your data to the grave with it. So make sure that everything that is important has a solid backup.

This also means you should inquire with your cloud service provider how protected your data is and what is their recovery policy if anything goes wrong (and if recovery is included in the price or will you have to pay extra).

DIGITAL NOTEPADS

You and your team will no longer be able to write down notes by hand. No more carrying around pens and pads, and scribbling down things in meetings.

Instead, you’ll have to utilize touch screen laptop, smartphones and tablets.

If investing in tablets for every member of your team is just too expensive for you, designate a person in every meeting that will take notes for everyone and distribute them to team members afterwards.

GOING PAPERLESS IS A TEAM EFFORT

One thing worth mentioning is that going paperless is not only about installing the apps and getting the necessary gadgets. It is about changing the work culture and a strong team effort. Everyone in the team will have to be up for making a change. This means that each and every member of your team will have to think twice before deciding to print out a document or writing down something instead of using a digital planner.

Experience has shown that the biggest problems small and medium businesses have when switching to a paperless work mode is not the lack of necessary tools or equipment, but the uncooperative workers who are deeply set in the way they’ve worked so far.

Getting everyone aboard and really standing behind the idea of a paperless office is crucial for success.

Explain to your teammates that the benefits are clear. They will be able to work faster and more efficient. A lot of money will be saved in the end while at the same time less clutter will be created and the work environment will be nicer. Searching for specific data or documentation will be faster and easier. And in the end, it all has a special plus of being positive for the environment (which also means that you can advertise your company as eco-friendly)!

So don’t be afraid to take the leap! It’s guaranteed you’ll be happy with the results of a paperless work environment.

The post It’s 2017 – Time To Go Paperless In Your Office appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

But we live in modern times now, and the spreadsheet, while it still has its place, is slowly becoming passé for many functions.

If you’re still relying on spreadsheets to organize data, manage finances, and keep on top of customer contacts, try these better solutions instead.

1. Invest in Accounting Software

Business schools still teach accounting using spreadsheets, and while understanding formulas may be necessary for MBA students, it’s not required for you as a busy entrepreneur. Spreadsheets become unwieldy after a certain point, and they can’t do even half of what good accounting software can.

For example, platforms like QuickBooks let you invoice clients and receive payments, sync your bank account info with your accounting system, and generate reports without spending hours in a spreadsheet.

2. Manage Customer Data

Staying on top of who your customers are, what they’re buying, and your communications with them requires more than a spreadsheet. In days gone by, you’d simply have contact details in a spreadsheet, but today, customer relationship management platforms like Insightly let you do so much more than that.

Need to find an email to a client? It’s right there in your contact file. Want to assign a follow-up call to your sales rep? Some CRM platforms have project management features baked in. Thanks to today’s CRM technology, we’ve moved away from passive customer contact to more active and integrative software, and that’s good news for all.

3. Create a Better Content Calendar

As blogging and social media have taken a more important role in marketing campaigns, we’ve seen a move toward using content calendars to organize efforts across different media. Spreadsheets have come in handy, though they require a lot of legwork to set up and manage.

A better way to get visibility into the calendar view of your content and social media is content calendar software. Brands like CoSchedule have developed sophisticated platforms that integrate with tools like WordPress and social media, and that give you the big picture view of the types of content you have scheduled.

4. Manage Projects Smarter

If you work with a team and use a spreadsheet to stay on top of assignments, you know that doing so usually requires more energy than it’s worth. You’ve got multiple people accessing the spreadsheet, and sometimes people can delete the wrong entries or not see notes they need to complete a project.

Project management platforms like Asana let you assign tasks to team member, communicate on projects, share files, and set deadlines. Nothing slips through the cracks!

We must give props to spreadsheets. After all, they lay the foundation for the technology that followed. But when there is a better solution, why not use it? Today’s software industry is chock full of innovative solutions that can make your life and your work much, much easier.

The post 4 Innovative Ways to Organize Data (NOT Using Spreadsheets!) appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

If you use a time tracking service then this is absolutely possible. At the same time, you can also more effectively schedule tasks and make invoicing and payroll run more smoothly. But, with so many options, which services should you look into? Here are ten suggested service to get you started.

1. Due

Known for it’s intuitive dashboard and professionally designed invoice templates, Due.com also comes equipped with a powerful tool that’s perfect for freelancers and small business owners. The tool keeps track of every minute that you and your team spend on a task. The timer also comes in the form of a pop out widget so that you’re free to browse around other sites and work on other tasks.

Due.com is a free signup site, and also integrates with third party sites like PayPal, QuickBooks, and Basecamp.

2. Toggl

Toggl is lauded for being one of the simplest time tracking tools available. How easy? Just signup, click start on the clock, and hit stop once you’ve completed your task. Toggl records the session time and then allows you to describe the assignments. You can use this information to create reports for your clients when it’s time to invoice them for your services.

Toggl integrates with Basecamp, Asana, Freshbooks, and Zapier. The basic plan is free, but there are also paid plans at either $9 or $49 per month.

3. Harvest

Harvest is a popular time tracking app for freelancers and small business owners since 2006 thanks to having top notch reporting options. For example, a project manager can open up the dashboard and easily review the status of a user, client, project, budget, or subtasks. When you switch to “Day” view, you can add daily sessions and begin the clock and even sends automatic reminders to team members to submit timesheets.

Harvest integrates with Basecamp, Trello, Asana, Quickbooks, and Xero. Flexible monthly plans start at a free basic option to $99 per month.

4. Timely

Unlike most other time tracking services, Timely focuses more in being a weekly planner. This means that you fill out your daily or weekly schedule first and then use the timer to record the time spent on a various projects. Timely doesn’t record start and stop times, instead it records the length of a session and the date that it was recorded.

Timely integrates with calendars like iCloud, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo and offers either a free plan or more robust option for $14/month.

5. Paymo

Paymo is more than just a time tracking tool. It’s also a solid project management app that allows business owners to manage their teams, create invoices, and review reports like timesheets. As for the time tracking app, it’s an easy-to-use timer where you simply create a project, task, notes, and then hit the start button. Paymo also comes with an automatic time tracking app that will run in the background of your computer and monitors your activity.

The Paymo app can be used on mobile devices or desktops. There’s a free version, but for access to all of the features you’ll have to select either the $4.95 or $9.95 monthly option.

6. TimeCamp

TimeCamp was specifically designed to assist teams with time tracking. That’s pretty much it. However, this easy-to-use tool comes packed with features ranging from one-click/automatic tracking, reporting tools, to-do-lists, and timesheet approval. It also integrates with Podio, Basecamp, Trello, Asana, Wunderlist, and QuickBooks.

There is a free option, but most business owners will have to select either Basic ($6) or Pro ($9) monthly options.

7. Paydirt

Paydirt is another service that provides online invoicing, business reports, and team management tools. But, the Paydirt time tracking feature is one of the more unique options available. It automatically determines the client you’re working for and then starts tracking the hours you’re putting in automatically. There’s also a one-click time tracking feature, the opportunity to start a timer if you already started, and works on any web page or mobile app.

Starter plans begin at $8 per month and go up to $149 for agencies.

8. Bill4Time

This service actually lets you select your industry, such as Legal, Accounting, Architects, Freelancers, or just small business owners in general, so that the company can determine how to assist you better. Overall, Bill4Time comes with one-click timers, one screen batch time entry, and the ability to sync appointments so that you simplify your billing.

Pricing varies depending on your industry, but the average price is $15/month.

9. Timesheets

With this cloud-based service you can view the real-time totals on your employee’s timecard. This includes hourly and project timesheets, as well as mileage and expenses so that you can quickly identify billable and unbillable hours. There’s also a GPS tracker if you really want to keep tabs on your team. It also integrates with Quickbooks so that you can quickly invoice clients.

The monthly price is based on how many employees you have. If you’re working solo, Timesheets is free. But, if you have 20 users, for example, you’ll be charged $90 per month.

10. Deputy

With Deputy you can quickly and easily verify employee timesheets with reliable time-tracking software. The software is extremely user friendly and easy to learn, both for employees and HR staff. Breaks are even trackable with an easy toggle option.

Like many other services, pricing varies depending on the amount of users you have. The starting price is $4.50 per user per month. If you are a small team, though, Deputy does offer a free option where you can approve 100 timesheets. This option comes with less features, but it provides you an opportunity to test out the platform. 

The post 10 Time Tracking Services for Small-Business Owners appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Greater Investment in Leading Database Technologies

Unless you have buried yourself in huge volumes of old data for the past few years, you already know that more businesses are now committing more investments to fast-growing database technologies like NoSQL and Hadoop. Top-tier companies and middle-sized enterprises alike are pumping more and more money into these database technologies.

Based on a technology that uses distributed file systems to enable running of computing jobs on multiple servers, the use of Hadoop has increased significantly in the last couple of years. Businesses now have an opportunity to say it loud with this new-generation database technology. The surge is even greater on NoSQL, a system that offers scalable substitution to the traditional relational database systems. In the past year alone, venture funding for Hadoop companies rose by 50%. At this rate, you can expect even more.

Greater Market for Big Data

What has fuelled the recent interest and intensive investment in more reliable databases? For an entrepreneur who is still considering his options, it is worth asking this question. Until the early 2000’s, the big data market seemed dull and less commercialised. Databases were simply for references and backups. Many businesses did not consider it necessary to analyse and store some information sources. Take, for instance, log data and sensor data. Very few people thought useful insight could stem from such data. A couple of years down the line, companies are beating each other off in building databases and other software systems to harness and analyse such data. What has changed? An experienced dba consultant will admit to you that the average entrepreneur has learnt and now appreciate the importance of information.

A run for their money

Several other people have realised the importance of reliable databases, not just businesses. Today, many enterprising firms are finding their way into the already competitive database technology market. Take, for instance, Splice Machine. In the recent past, it has introduced new database designs suitable for solving every day emerging computing problems. This database is based on SQL usage, which is a common formula for query databases. If you are to have a closer look at their models, you won’t be wrong to say that they are giving dominant giants like Oracle a run for their money.

There is a tremendous shift in the IT industry and many innovators are sailing in to capitalise on this. According to Splice Machine, they are in the industry to provide solutions to businesses with a surging need for huge databases. However, that’s not all. They aim to enable businesses to run databases on more affordable commodity servers. Already, the velocity and volume of data streaming into many companies’ servers is more than what can be handled by the currently available relational database management systems.

Why Invest in Reliable Databases?

The fact that the database technology industry is getting more competitive can only mean one thing; it is bound to get even better. Besides the common players like Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle, many other service providers will step in to develop systems that offer better solutions to the ever-present computing systems. If past businesses have benefited from investment in databases before, there is much more to gain including but not limited to:

Advanced Planning of Marketing Campaigns

Already, businesses are taking advantage of big data from their databases to revolutionize their marketing strategies. With detailed information on customers, it is possible to segment them based on their interests. This goes a long way in targeting the right customers.

Enhanced Product Development

Thanks to latest-generation databases, it is now easier to collect more data on product reviews. With customers being more open and willing to share their experiences with products and services, nothing can prove better for businesses than harnessing such information and using it for product redevelopment. Businesses can therefore modify their products based on appropriate analysis of the concerns voiced by customers. Only reliable databases can guarantee easy access to such information.

Easier Exploration

For any business to succeed, it must strive to gain access to new markets with each passing day. However successful an enterprise is, it will not remain profitable unless it explores new markets. With a reliable database,getting the response of customers from various areas is easy. Based on the results, a company can easily decide whether to move into a new area or modify their product further before penetrating some markets. Today, in-memory databases help in collecting tones of data from different customers across various platforms.

Enhanced Communication to Customers

Staying in touch with customers is one effective way of promoting relations and enhancing the growth of brands. With customers’ information, you will be able to stay in touch through wishes, reminders, and routine promotions. Coupled with analysis tools, it is easier for an enterprise to establish what most of their consumers are browsing and their likes, thereby communicating to them on various platforms based on their needs. The result is effective communication strategies which if employed perfectly can result in extensive brand awareness. In the end, you will become more vocal about your enterprise.

Conclusion

Essential data generated from huge databases have the power to make bigger changes in the market. If used extensively alongside business analytics, entrepreneurs can expect to reap big from reliable databases. If you have never given the idea of investing in huge, reliable database a second thought, now is the time!

The post Why it is the Right Time for Entrepreneurs to Invest in Reliable Databases appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Technology is the prime mover of that change in almost every industry—and the restaurant industry is no exception. Restaurants can no longer measure their success just by the quality of their food. So much more is involved. They have to improve guest experience, hire the right employees, provide proper restaurant training materials to employees, install striking and eye-catching Restaurant Signs, and make the best business decisions possible to stay competitive. Technology can help with those things—and much more, as you’ll see below. All you have to do is embrace it. Here are 5 ways technology is improving the restaurant industry in the 21st century.

1. Create New Revenue Streams

Technology opens up new profit streams that were, perhaps, out of reach before recent years. In fact, technology can open up new profit streams that didn’t even exist just 10 short years ago. Take delivery for example. Sure, this service has existed for a long time, but it hasn’t always been a viable option for many restaurants. Startups like Ubereats and ChowNow are changing all that.

Instead of relying solely on bringing the customers to the food, restaurants can now take the food to the customer. These novel technologies can also be used to promote your menu in places that it otherwise wouldn’t be seen, boost volume, keep operations smooth, and impress customers—all important variables in the equation to increase profits.

2. Make Better Business Decisions

In the past, making good business decisions was often hit or miss. Managers and owners relied on experience or a gut feeling to get things done. Now, though, technology takes a lot of the guesswork out of making important decisions.

Restaurants have so much data available at the touch of a few buttons, that all it takes is a bit of reading and analysis to make better business decisions. Take Avero’s technology for example. In addition to helping managers analyze marketing and finances by harnessing their data, it helps restaurateurs improve guest experience by tracking customer preferences, past visits, and promotions. This provides a 360-degree view of what’s going on inside and around your restaurant and helps you make the best business decisions possible.

3. Provide The Best Experience For Guests

The restaurant industry is all about guest experience. We put a lot of effort into how our restaurant looks, the image we display, and the food that we serve. But once that’s done and our doors are open, we may only focus on the latter. Improving guest experience is about so much more. It’s about knowing your customers by name, keeping track of vital information like birthdays, allergies, and dietary restrictions, and making the dining experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

This process often required multiple customer visits and relied on flawed human memory. But with new technologies like Resy, data can be discreetly gathered by servers and host staff through conversations and observations on the very first visit, stored in the cloud, and be made instantly available on the customer’s next visit…even if they’re visiting a different location. That’s a guest experience unlike any other.

4. Recruit The Best Employees

Recruiting good employees has long been dependent on the local talent pool. If your restaurant was in a small market, you may have just a few good employees to choose from. If your restaurant was in a large market, you may have lots of good employees to choose from. Technology is changing all that.

With job boards like Snagajob and Recruiter, the playing field has been leveled. Now, restaurants in any market can pull from every other market. So a restaurant in a small market like Fort Wayne, Indiana can now recruit employees from a large market like New York City or Los Angeles. Interviews can now be done “face to face” via Skype or Facetime so recruiting from all over the country (or all over the world) becomes a reality.

5. Automate Time-Consuming Tasks

The restaurant business is rife with time-consuming tasks that must get done for everything to flow smoothly. But these tasks are often not the best use of a manager’s time. Jobs like scheduling and communicating with employees distract from the more important work of providing a good guest experience and marketing effectively. New restaurant technologies can automate these time-consuming tasks and reduce the time required to get them done. That gives manager’s more time to focus on the more important issues that their restaurants face on a daily basis.

Employee scheduling, for example, is one of those time-consuming tasks that all managers contend with. New apps like Sling can help make short work of even the trickiest schedule. These apps allow you to set up shifts, manage time-off requests, confirm availability, deal with shift-trade requests, and handle unexpected changes all with one cloud-based tool. Many of them even offer alerts to help you avoid scheduling conflicts, double bookings, and overtime issues. By streamlining the scheduling process, new technology gives managers more time to focus on the restaurant itself rather than the small details that keep it running.

The post How Technology Is Changing The Restaurant Industry appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Attendees interacted with cutting-edge technology related to music, video, and gaming, and listened to thought-provoking sessions like “How VR Could Change the Way We Do Everything,” “You’re Secure but Is Your Workplace?” and “What It Means to Build an Open Source Culture.” But the real treat for small business owners was the ability to connect with Dell representatives to learn how technology can help them grow.

Interview with @Erik_M_Day at the 2017 @SXSW @Dell Experience: #tech advice for #smallbiz.
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At The Experience, I caught up with Erik Day, Vice President & GM, North America Small Business at Dell Technologies. He spoke about the excitement of being able to connect with customers at SXSW and the fact that Dell is much more than just products.

“The great thing about Dell is that we really are an end-to-end solution provider for customers,” said Erik.

As always, you can access the full interview by clicking Play below.

Before I said goodbye to explore other parts of SXSW (more video interviews and articles to come!) I asked Erik to share his advice for small business owners. Here are his tips:

(1) No question is a dumb question.

At Dell, they understand that technology isn’t what keeps you up at night as you focus on getting the next customer and creating the next product. Their team is ready to answer ANY technology questions you might have.

(2) Move forward with the cloud.

The cloud is a big buzz word right now, although some may not even know what it is. That’s okay! Not only can they answer your questions (see point #1), they can help you with everything you need to create a cloud computing environment and explain what it means to the future of your business.

(3) Security is important.

The backbone of your company is your customer base. Keeping your customer data protected is a vital part of business growth.

(4) Financing is available.

Dell works with customers to provide financing and lines of credit so your technology needs are covered, and your capital can go to finding the next customer, product, or innovation.

To learn more about Erik, Dell, and The Experience, watch the video above…and stay tuned for  more SXSW coverage in the days and weeks to come.

The post The Experience: Dell Showcases the Power of Technology at SXSW 2017 appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Are you setting them up for success? With these four tips and tools, you can improve workflows and make your team more productive.

1. Take the Project Management Out of Email

Project management is a huge time suck. You have to break down large jobs into small tasks and then dole them out to the respective team members. That’s not the hard part. What’s more difficult is tracking deadlines, who’s finished what, and the progress completed.

There are several free tools to manage projects for IT teams in small businesses.

One great platform is Trello. Trello is a project management app accessible on both the computer and on mobile devices. No matter where your team members are, they can access updates about specific projects, see deadlines, find the tasks assigned specifically to them, and get moving. Under each project you can use lists to track each team member’s progression, and assign individual tasks to the person responsible.

Asana is another project management tool ideal for team members. This tool has its own mobile app so team members can log in anywhere, anytime. There is a small learning curve, which shouldn’t be a hindrance for your IT team. Once you get your projects up and running, it’s easy to use.

2. Collaborate Virtually

These days, there’s no reason IT teams need to come together in a conference room to hash out projects that need completing. Save your team hours on drive times by collaborating virtually.

GoToMeeting is a great collaboration tool for bringing geographically diverse teams together online. Send each team member the login link and when you expect them to be on screen, and away you go. You can share your screen, connect on video for a face-to-face feel, or even mute teams if they need to keep working while listening to your message.

Skype is another great tool for connecting virtually. This offers the same features (albeit a little less robust) as GoToMeeting, without the price tag.

3. Share the Big Picture

IT teams tend to focus on problem solving. It’s rare they’re in the trenches with the overall strategy of the business, and that could be a lost opportunity. By looping them in via your customer relationship management (CRM) tool, you can show the importance of their work in keeping the customers happy and dollars flowing into the business.

Insightly is commonly used by small businesses to manage customer concerns with IT departments. Customer relationships teams connect directly with the people in the IT department who can resolve issues with checking out online, problems with the website, or other IT related difficulties. The IT department can see the conversation and have full insight into what the customer needs fixed. This saves hours eliminating the middleman and getting customers’ needs resolved quickly.

4. Allow Virtual Work

Today’s workforce should be less centered on when and where the person is working but whether the employee is getting the job done. This is especially true in the world of IT.

Most IT jobs can be done virtually, which means you can offer your team a tremendous perk by allowing them to work anywhere. Still, as a business, you want to track what’s happening and how many hours your team is spending on IT tasks.

Toggl is a free tool that can help you see the breakdown in hours for your IT team. Using this tool can help you get deeper insight into your IT member’s day than if he was in your office working. It tracks time spent on specific tasks so you can see exactly what’s draining his hours and assess where he could be better utilized in the company.

Time Savings Starts With Tools

Technology today continues to advance in a way that allows you to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time getting work done. By using these tools in your business, you set your team up to be more productive and more effective without working overtime.

The post 4 Time-Saving Tricks to Manage IT Teams appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Public computers are found in a range of places, including libraries, schools and universities, cafes, and more. Free public Wi-Fi hotspots are also popping up all around us, including restaurants.

These public internet access points get used extensively and as per the Fifth Geek blog you should be carefully when using them if you have sensitive data.

In fact, in 2010 a national study found that 77 million people – that is one-third of the American population 14 and older – used a public library computer or wireless network to access the Internet within the past year. Researchers found that over 75 percent of these people had Internet access elsewhere but used the public computer for convenience.

That convenience comes with a price. Using a public computer can put your data at risk, including usernames, passwords, and other private information. Hackings of public computers frequently make the news, including just recently as the St. Louis Public Library system was hacked and held for ransom on January 19. 2017. And while there are no estimates of how often hacking occurs on public Wi-FI, we do know it is eerily simple for an experienced hacker.

This brings me to my latest Tech and Business video where I share four tips to keep your info safe when using a public computer, which can be fixed at whitcroft it. I will share the essential tips below, but please watch the video for more valuable information.

1. Don’t save your login information.
2. Use private browsing.
3. Be careful what you enter.
4. Choose technology that has security software built in.

The post 4 Tips for Staying Safe on a Public Computer appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Video.

Video humanizes your brand and builds trust.  There are countless tips to use video for your business if you aren’t sure where to begin. Video boosts conversions and sales and shows great return on investment.  Plus, Google loves videos – your business is 53 times more likely to show up first in Google if you have a video embedded on your website, according to Moovly.

Credit Management.

If you have poor credit, you aren’t doomed. It is never too late to find ways to build strong business credit.  It’s smart to use a credit-monitoring service to monitor your credit to ensure you don’t lose money to fraudulent activity.  Make sure to open your credit statements as soon as they come in the mail and review the statement carefully. Most small business owners aren’t accountants and often fail to realize how important managing business credit is to the success of their business. Hence it is highly recommended to contact the personal tradelines to manage your credit.

Social media and blogging.

Social media sites are the perfect place to showcase your business, products and services. It’s also the place where brands and customers can have meaningful conversations and build a real relationship, which leads to customer loyalty.

Blogging is the ideal way to speak to and engage with your target audience. It gives you the unique opportunity to inject your personality into your blog posts and provide valuable insight to prove yourself as a thought leader in your industry. These actions will help your business acquire more customers.

Security

Thе uѕе оf HID access cards hаѕ bееn prevalent nowadays, аѕ mоrе companies realized thе benefits thеу соuld gеt оut оf іt. Sized like a credit card, thе access card works nоt just аѕ аn identification tool but іt саn аlѕо validate аnd store data. Thе HID card саn аlѕо bе uѕе fоr different application processes. Alѕо referred tо аѕ smart cards by some companies like Smart Card Store, thе HID cards саn аlѕо bear a photo оf thе wearer fоr added security аnd аnу оthеr information typically seen іn аn ID card. Aside frоm thаt, thіѕ small plastic card hаѕ embedded electronics like a microchip, custom barcode labels оr magnetic stripes. Thіѕ feature іѕ whаt makes іt different frоm уоur typical company ID.

Customer service.

More customers than ever are turning to social media to get their customers service requests answered.  Make sure someone checks your accounts regularly – your consumers expect you to be able to help them promptly when they have questions or problems related to your products or services. I. Remember that today, customer service is more important than pricing. Customer service needs to be at the heart of your business model if you want to be successful.

Invoicing software.

Track time, request online payments, and create recurring invoices with invoicing software. Save yourself time and effort and ensure invoicing is done correctly every single time.  Nothing looks as unprofessional as bad invoicing – and it’s essential to come across as a professional at every touchpoint so you don’t lose your customers.

Online payment services.

It was reported that 66 percent of mobile users carried out at least one form of transaction in 2015.  By giving customers the choice to pay in a way other than cash, check and credit card, you can capture more sales. Electronic payments can make the process of getting paid convenient for both the small business owner and the customer.  This form is payment is one that will be big in the future due to the convenience and security of the method.

Email marketing.

Email marketing is a great way to send people the content that they want. You can use email marketing to build credibility and strengthen relationships – people prefer to do business with those they like, know and trust. Email marketing is also a great way to get in touch with people on any device – something that is crucial now that more than half of all emails are being opened on a mobile device.

Running a small business is no easy feat – it’s often you and a few trusted members of your team working diligently around the clock. Turn to technology to help you build your business, take better care of your customers and streamline your operations.

What ways has technology improved the flow of your small business?

The post 7 Ways to Use Technology to Efficiently Run Your Small Business appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

What is VoIP

voice over ip line is a technology which enables you to make phone calls over the internet as opposed to using traditional phone lines. Rather than having to worry about long distance charges and other hefty costs, many VoIP services enable you to make cheap phone calls for either pennies on the dollar, or a low flat rate. A few other helpful features provided by these voice services include voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding, a web based control panel, voicemail received as email, and much more.

One of the primary requirements for VoIP systems are a high speed internet connection such as Cable, DSL, T1, or even satellite connections. Aside from that, you might need an adapter, but that’s about it.

Assess your business needs

Unlike landlines and traditional phone services which require you to fit a standard mold, VoIP systems are engineered to work around your needs. Below is just a brief sampling of the configuration options you can choose from when purchasing VoIP services.

Freelancers

If you’re a freelancer working at home, your VoIP connection will likely share a digital line with your internet connection. Business phone lines should always have a dedicated internet connection or else calls might become garbled when people are streaming media, playing games, or just browsing the web on their computers. If you live in a rural area, you should look into whether the connection relies on the internet or goes straight to the phone provider. While a direct connection is likely to be more expensive, the quality is going to be noticeably better.

Startups

When you’re in the startup stages, doing more with less often is one of the biggest challenges you can face in your day to day operations. With VoIP systems, if you’re just starting out, you might want to consider only using software phones (e.g. apps for mobile devices or calling through the computer), or you can also purchase a couple of standard household phones and connect them to your system. Just remember that you should have at least one line for each phone along with an extra for customers who are placed on hold.

Businesses

In addition to the previously mentioned features and functionality, a key staple of business VoIP systems is the prescience of a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system. With a PBX, your business is able to route calls from a central receptionist and make it possible for multiple people to use the same phone lines (helpful if you have ten employees or so and only five lines). Additionally, the systems enable employees to forward calls to other extensions and place customers on hold as needed.

How VoIP compares to alternatives

As per some of the VoIP providers calling via internet is much cheaper and easier Compared to landlines, VoIP systems are noticeably cheaper than comparative landline packages. For example, some estimates put the cost of five VoIP lines (with call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding) at $232.92/month while a similar configuration from a traditional landline provider can cost $467.20 a month. On average you can expect VoIP services to cost between $30 to $60 a month depending on the features along with taxes.  

Budget Friendly VoIP Options

The great thing about VoIP technologies today are that there’s a variety of options to fit virtually any budget out there. Most providers price subscriptions on a per-line basis at an average cost of $30 to $60 a month after taxes and fees are added. VoIP phone headsets can run from $50 on the low end to a few hundred dollars depending on the features you require.  There’s no installation costs associated with these services since they’re an additional layer on top of your internet connection.

If you’re looking to use VoIP for freelance operations or as a solopreneur, a good starter option for you is to setup Google Voice. The main reason for this is mainly because it enables you to easily add a second number to your mobile devices. You can even take calls through your laptop or tablet if the need ever arises. Google Voice is free to use however it’s not designed to replace your existing phone service. Rather it’s designed to enable you to take calls via existing connections.

Scaling to Your Needs

As mentioned earlier, VoIP systems are engineered to fit your needs rather than the other way around. With this in mind, you can start small with a couple of lines and scale up as needed. Most services use simple per-line pricing so you’ll never have to worry again about unexpected costs.

The post How to Setup VoIP on a Budget – Internet Telephony appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Sometimes there’s so much to do, and so many hats to wear that I’ve found myself wishing for more hours in the day. So how can we get the most work done without losing your bearings? Easy. By stocking an arsenal of reliable productivity tools.

Here’s a few.

Todoist: one tool to rule them all

Why use ten tools when one integrates them all? Todoist carries over 10+ integrations across different platforms. This lets you manage tasks and projects anywhere, anytime inside a single app. Online or offline.

Asana: keep all of your tasks in one place

Our team loves to keep their to-do lists in a single place. Having a holistic overview of all the things you need to do (personal and professional) is one of the best ways we’ve found to our manage time. Keep those lists is Asana. It works great for teams and individuals. It also has amazing integrations that help you improve your workflow.

SaneBox: keep a sane mind

Achieving “inbox zero” might seem hardcore, because not a lot of people have the tenacity to follow through. Because staying organized requires focus and dedication, especially if you’re subscribed to tons of newsletters like me. (I have a serious case of FOMO.) SaneBox, like the name suggests, keeps your mind sane by cleaning your inbox and snoozing emails for later.

Feedly: find the best content

Reading and browsing for inspiration are some of my favorite things to do. Whether it’s on Pocket or my Twitter feed. The downside? Finding great content can be difficult if you don’t have an enterprise content management system. That’s why Feedly is my go-to source. It allows me to carefully curate lists based on my interests—making the process of discovering, reading, and monitoring content a simple task in my daily routine.

Hootsuite: monitor your brand

Monitoring your brand is a big part of managing how people perceive your company. Need help with that? Enter Hootsuite. This tool lets you view several social media streams at the same time. From mentions, to direct messages, to scheduled tweets—Making it awesome for a social media team, customer success departments, and support channels.

My favorite feature? Bulk uploads. Being able to upload tweets for several different purposes is very helpful. Mostly because we can take care of that task at the beginning of the week and not worry about it until the next. Saving a lot of time.

Next steps:

Let’s be honest, multitasking is innate to our career as digital marketers. Tools can help. Your challenge? Setting goals, getting organized, and making these tools work for you.

The post 5 Tools To Help You Get the Most Work Done appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

As flexible as this model is, there are still some challenges. The biggest one? Keeping teams on the same page when they lack daily face-to-face interaction. Here are a few tips, tricks, and tools to keep remote teams productively organized and working efficiently.

Project Management

Step number one to getting your team more organized is to get yourself more organized.

If your project management is taking place in your (and your team’s) inbox, you’re in trouble. Emails can easily get accidentally deleted, buried, and ignored. No matter how organized your inbox might feel, your team’s email might not be as well put together. It’s easy for a task to get lost in the shuffle and ignored.

When you have multiple people working on pieces of a project, you’re juggling due dates and assignments. When you need to bring someone new into the mix, you have to start from scratch explaining all of the project details. This takes time and you risk forgetting important details, which could lead to communication breakdown.

To speed things along while at the same time keeping everyone on track with what’s happening, you need a project management tool.

Basecamp is one of the first web-based project management tools. It has seen several iterations over its existence, evolving each time to meet today’s remote work styles. In it, you can set up several different projects, assign tasks to other users (even if they don’t have their own Basecamp account), assign due dates, track conversations, upload files and more. It keeps everything for the project central in one place so you remain organized and efficient.

Basecamp comes with a price tag. The more projects you have, the more expensive it gets. Many small businesses prefer to use one of the free, but very robust, project management tools available.

Trello is perhaps the most simple of the free ones, yet also the most powerful. This drag-and-drop tool lets you create boards for projects, cards for tasks and lists to keep it all organized. It takes a little bit of creativity to set it up for your specific work project, but once you’re going, it’s easy to track who is doing what and when items are due.

Communication Software

Another way to take communication out of the inbox and into a more organized location is with communication software.

Slack is one of the most popular choices for communicating via text with large groups of people. This free chat tool incorporates popular social media communication tools into an internal company communication tool. For example, you can use the @ sign to comment to a specific person. Or, you can use hashtags to organize your conversations. It’s fast to learn and easy to use.

Customer Relationship Management

When was the last time you reached out to your customer? Who was the last point-of-contact with your customer from your company? Do you have a lot of leads sitting in the pipeline waiting to be nurtured without anyone from your company taking charge and reaching out?

A customer relationship management (CRM) tool tracks all of this and more.

If you have remote sales teams, a CRM is invaluable. It lets hungry salesmen know when there’s a hot lead ready to buy. It also ensures a smooth experience for your customer, which helps brand your business as one that’s put together, organized and on the ball.

Beyond sales teams, a CRM can help other departments do their jobs better. For example, marketing departments often times tap into a CRM to do customer research and come up with new campaigns. By having a CRM in place, remote teams don’t have to wait on someone else to respond to an email. Instead, the information they need is at their disposal.

Insightly is one of the most robust small business CRMs. In it, you can pull quick reports to send to other departments, see at a glance who has connected with hot leads and how long it’s been since someone reached out to a customer, review notes about each customer and more. It also has built-in project management tools, which can simplify communication between customer information and tasks.  It keeps every client relationship organized so everyone, regardless of distance, can know what’s happening and how they can better serve your customers.

Video Meeting Software

Even in the constantly connected world we live in and the wealth of communication tools available, distance can lead to disconnect. It’s times like these that it’s beneficial to suit up and sit “face-to-face” for meetings.

There are several video meeting tools to facilitate the reconnection.

If you’re meeting with a small group of people, a quick video call on Skype can suffice. Skype is free and allows you to share your screen and/or share your webcam.

For larger teams, you might want a more robust meeting point online. GoToMeeting is a popular choice because it too has quite a few capabilities. For example, you can share presentations, cameras, allow participants to raise their hand to speak, encourage conversation in the chat box without worry of people talking over each other. GoToMeeting was built for remote teams, while Skype was originally built for more basic face-to-face connections.

Either tool will work. The goal is to get your eyes peering into the eyes of your team so you can reestablish that connection and rekindle the fire in everyone’s belly, even from afar.

Setting Your Team Up for Success

It’s not easy to manage a team of people across a wide distance. Set yourself up for success with a project management tool and CRM. Then, keep the connection strong by using video meeting software to shorten the distance and maintain that face-to-face interaction. Doing this will keep your team engaged and focused, helping you see bigger results from your remote workers.

The post All Around The World: Keeping Remote Teams Organized appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

According to those that offer wireless internet services, most traditional wireless network management solutions fail to stop rogue devices from connecting to their networks or block threats like wireless denial-of-service attacks. If they have a wireless intrusion protection system (WIPS), it delivers a high rate of false positives, incorrectly categorizing neighboring hotspots and innocuously connected devices as malicious, which creates unnecessary frustration and end-user complaints.

According to WatchGuard, with their new cloud-ready APs (AP120 and AP320), it automatically classifies wireless devices as Authorized, Rogue, or External, resulting in a very low false positive rate. This advanced rogue detection process can safely and automatically shut down unauthorized access points and clients, while nearly eliminating the risk of illegally interfering with neighboring wireless networks.

There’s more to WatchGaurd’s new wireless access points, but overall, whether you look at theirs or another vendor’s, if you have an OLD access point, it might be worth you upgrading to a new one that’s more secure and gives you user data you can use to improve your home internet system.

The post Is It Time To Upgrade Your Wireless Access Point? New Devices From WatchGuard Boost WiFi Security appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Determining which are your best leads — in other words, those most likely to turn into customers — can help you increase your conversion rate and boost sales. Also, putting more focus on your most likely prospects in your pipeline will save you time (because you won’t be chasing dead-end leads). But how can you figure out which are the best leads?

First, Categorize Leads

Did you realize that 73% of new B2B leads aren’t ready to make a purchase? That doesn’t mean they’re not worth pursuing, but you will want to handle them differently than you would a lead who’s ready to buy.

Create “buckets” for your contacts. These buckets might include:

• People you’ve met in person
• People who downloaded an ebook
• Social media contacts

You could also categorize them by how they ended up in your lead funnel, such as “downloaded our 10 Reasons to Invest in Financial Software ebook,” which you’ve targeted at a particular audience.

Next, Score Those Leads

This part is fun, and a bit like a game. You can assign points to each lead to give it a score. The higher the score, the better the lead. You can give points for things like:

• Job title
• Location
• Interactions with your brand (downloaded whitepaper, attended webinar)

Also take away points for any negative actions that a lead takes, like unsubscribing from your email list.

Decide on Nurturing Techniques

Even if a lead ranks high on your scoring matrix, she might not be ready to buy from you right now, so it’s imperative that you invest the time and energy in nurturing her appropriately. If you can further break down your bucket of high-scoring leads into where they are on the buyer’s journey, you can give what each lead needs at the particular stage she’s in.

For example, if a lead is in the Consideration stage, she’s past needing to be informed about your general category of product. Now she’s comparing you to the competition. Make it easy for her. This is the ideal time to send her a free graphic that puts you (in a favorable light without being promotional) against the other top players in your space. Remember: you want to communicate that you’re trying to help her on her buying journey, not push her into a decision, so focus on being informative, not salesy.

Leverage that CRM

Your CRM platform can be hugely helpful in nurturing your best leads…but only if you maximize your use of it. Take copious notes about your leads’ activities, and tag each contact with that lead scoring information. You can even more a contact from one category or stage of the buying cycle to the next so you can easily view everyone who’s at the same stage.

These days, we have so much data at our fingertips, that chasing bad leads is nearly obsolete. Instead, put your efforts toward ensuring that those ideal leads grow to love and trust you, and eventually become customers.

The post Using CRM To Nurture Your Best Leads into Sales appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

One such company that is trying to help businesses with this very endeavor is Xero. In this interview, we talk to Russ Fujioka, Xero’s President for the Americas region. He provides us with some vital financial tips and advice that are useful to all entrepreneurs.

Xero

Xero is a New Zealand-based company that was founded in 2006. Since then, it has been one of the fastest growing Software as a Service companies in the world. They are leaders in the New Zealand, Australian, and United Kingdom cloud accounting markets. Over 1,400 employees are located in 20 offices across the globe. Forbes even identified them as the World’s Most Innovative Growth Company in both 2014 and 2015.

The business was started because they wanted to change the game for small businesses. Their cloud-based accounting software helps people do their accounting anytime, from anywhere. It enables millions of small businesses to thrive by using better tools, information, and connections.

Russ Fujioka’s Financial Tips for Small Businesses

One of the more important aspects of running a business is keeping your finances in order. And we find Russ Fujioka’s advice incredibly valuable:

1. Invest in Technology

Many small business owners either feel strapped for cash or think they are not technologically savvy. Because of this, they might avoid making an investment in software that can actually help their business. Russ stresses that when you purchase software like the kind Xero offers, it takes an entrepreneur’s attention away from everyday details and allows them to re-focus their attention on taking action that will grow their business. Xero software automates financials which frees up time for small business owners.

2. Get an Accountant, Bookkeeper, or CPA

Not all entrepreneurs are skilled at accounting or keeping their finances in order so don’t be afraid to outsource those jobs. Accountants, bookkeepers and CPAs are trained to deal with money, and so you should seriously consider hiring one of these people long term. Then, you can put your efforts into other business-growing activities.

3. Don’t Do It Alone

Sometimes small business owners feel as if they need to know it all – and do it all – by themselves. But Russ points out that there are many people out there who can mentor and give advice along the way. In fact, he suggests that you assemble a team of trusted advisors made up either of professionals and/or friends who have different experiences that you do. Their assistance can greatly benefit you and your company.

The Takeaway

The ultimate goal of technology should be to help businesses alleviate mundane tasks. Too many people work too many hours that don’t actually lead to their businesses growing and thriving. Follow Russ’s financial tips by putting some thought into how you can invest in technology to make your business the best it can be. Investment in technology is the key to your business’s growth..

The post Financial Tips & Advice from Russ Fujioka of Xero appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Why You Need Video

You should be using video to get more customers, but what makes it different from other marketing approaches? Customers get more information in a shorter amount of time by viewing one well-made video. Videos give your customers an impression of you and your business. It’s more personal than an email or blog post. Video is used in marketing in many ways today. Short videos posted to Vine and Instagram are short and easily shared. Tutorials and vlogs on your website or YouTube are a bit longer and more informative. Whether you film it yourself or hire a professional, video is one marketing tool you need.

DIY Video

Small businesses often take the DIY approach to save money where possible. Apps such as Vine and Instagram make it possible to create short videos. They’re free and simple to use. You can make new videos quickly, edit clips, and reach all your followers instantly. This option is excellent for things like contests, previewing new products, and even speaking directly to your followers, such as Q&A videos. Doing it yourself isn’t without pitfalls, however. While apps make it seem easy, they can’t make a poorly shot video look good. Take a few steps to make your DIY videos look their best.

Storyboard. Use paper or software to plot out each scene for your video and the dialogue or narrative that goes with it. Come up with a few versions, then narrow it down to the best one.

Lighting. Poorly lit videos look awful. Make sure you have at least one bright light source. Whether it’s sunlight through a window or a floor lamp aimed at your product, be sure the thing you’re filming is brightly lit.

Script. Stumbling over your words makes you sound like a novice and increases editing time. It helps to practice speaking a few times before shooting, even if it’s only a few second clip for social media. The script is even more important when filming a longer video, such as a tutorial for YouTube.

Sound. Tiny smartphone microphones aren’t the best at capturing clear sound in your film production. Be sure there is silence when you’re filming (unless background noise is intentional). Try using the earbuds with mic that came with your phone for clarity. You can also purchase a microphone that plugs into the 3.5 mm jack on your phone or a clip-on mic.

Stability. Don’t make your customers nauseous with shaky video. Invest in a tripod before shooting videos for your business. Choose a full size tripod or a little Gorillapod^® depending on what and where you’ll be filming. Some lower end tripods can droop or slowly move while filming, so look out for that while testing it out.

Image licensing. Avoid getting sued by only using commercially licensed images and video clips. You’ll either need to purchase a license, get permission from the creator, or use Creative Commons (CC) images. Be aware “free to use” and CC works are not always commercially licensed. Read the fine print to be sure you’re allowed to use the image.

Professional Video

Even if you’re able to film a decent video yourself, you may not realize just how labor intensive video editing is. It can be a lengthy and complex process to get to the final, polished version of your video. While you may be capable of doing the editing yourself, it may make more sense as a business owner to pay a professional to spend hours creating a great video for you while you focus on other responsibilities.

Hiring professionals to create your video will ensure a polished final product. The obvious difference in quality gives the impression that your business is trustworthy. When it comes to video ads, tutorials, help videos for your product, and any video featured prominently on your website you’ll want to consider investing in a professional to create your videos. The impact it has on your customers is invaluable.

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Last week I was printing lots of documents. One of the pages came out white with faint lines across it. YEP – my inkjet printer ran out of ink. I ordered more ink but wish I had ink readily available.

Brother released a new line of printers to help solve this problem.

While it’s getting more challenging for printer vendors to create printers that are different, the new battle is making printers that use less ink – at least that’s what the vendor’s say.

HP’s solution is an instant ink solution wherein the printer automatically orders more ink. Epson’s solution is a larger ink tank. Brother’s solution is providing two years worth of high capacity ink.

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Accelerate Your Business Recap

Accelerate Your Business was a symposium aimed at sharing information that will help small business owners take their businesses to the next level. It featured sessions that shared best practices in cloud-based technology, and new devices & apps that can make your business more productive and efficient. Attendees also had the opportunity to network with business leaders, industry experts, and digital innovators. It was a high-energy, high-impact event for all who attended.

The event started out with a keynote from Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and an investor in tech startups. He spoke about “Building a Community of Hundreds of Thousands of Communities,” which is exactly what he was able to do with the creation of Reddit in 2005.

The morning continued with three sessions that touched on different aspects of business growth and technology:

• Staying Safe in the Current Cyber Environment – Moderated by Gene Marks, this session focused on data security for the modern cloud-based workforce, with an emphasis on keeping both customer and business data safe.
• Managing the Modern Customer – Moderated by Carol Roth, this session focused on using technology to create a holistic approach to customer service.
• Q&A: What’s Hot, What’s Happening and What’s to Come – This Q&A session with Amy Cosper (Entrepreneur), Jordan Chrysafidis (Microsoft) and Eric Day (Dell) tackled questions about the future of business and what businesses today can do to prepare.

The Accelerate Your Business symposium then ended with a keynote and workshop on “Influencing Influencers” with Jon Levy, who shared his experience working with brands and companies as well as strategies for businesses to improve their product development, customer acquisition, and customer engagement.

Accelerate Your Business with Safer Technology

I participated in the session on staying safe in the current cyber environment. Today’s technology and cloud-based solutions have made it easier to run your business, but there are also data security concerns that every growing business should be aware of.

One way to keep your business safe is to upgrade your devices, because older devices are slower, heavier, bulkier, and pose security risks. This infographic explains the huge differences between old and new devices.

If it’s time to modernize your business technology, consider updating to devices based on the 6th generation Intel® Core vPro processor family  and Windows 10 pro.

• Fast boot and wake up times.
• Easy multi-tasking between apps, files, and websites.
• True Key technology to safely reduce the number of passwords you use.
• Facial recognition technology for simple and safe log in.
• BitLocker encryption that keeps your data safe even if your computer is lost or stolen.

You can get 6^th generation Intel Core processors and Windows 10 pro in a range of devices, such as desktop towers, touch screen All-in-ones, mini PCs, laptops, tablets, and 2-in-1s. Check out the Accelerate Your Business site for more offers, information and the latest devices.

The Accelerate Your Business symposium emphasized the fact that to grow your business you have to be constantly moving forward with the latest technology and strategies for developing products and reaching customers. One way to get started right away is by upgrading your devices today.

This post was written in partnership with Intel; however, all opinions and experiences expressed are my own.

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While you’re out there getting things done, your staff might be anywhere, working from home, traveling, at a conference, or meeting customers across town. Most businesses are far more mobile than ever.

One great thing about Insightly is that you can take your CRM wherever you—and your tablet or phone—need to be. Snagging first place in GetApp’s ranking of the top CRM solutions for Q1 2016, the Insightly mobile app lets you to take your info, insights, contacts and calendars with you no matter where you’re headed.

Never Miss a Beat with Instant Sync

Keep up to date while out and about with the Insightly app’s ability to instantly sync your changes, updates and more to your home (Web) CRM. Manage your team’s day-to-day agenda by scheduling events, and adding or assigning tasks, in Insightly calendar.

You can also add comments to any notes you take while away from “home,” such as voice recordings, pictures from your device or camera, or just plain old text. With information that instantly syncs, you can be sure all users are working off the latest information.

Real-time information means your whole staff is apprised, even if the customer forgets something and calls back immediately. The next rep can pick up right where the last call left off, and the customer won’t waste time repeating the story to multiple CSRs.

Dynamic Contact, Lead and Customer Management

Stay on the pulse of what’s happening with your customers day-to-day with mobile contact management. The Insightly mobile app lets you scan business cards to create contacts and leads, set direct relationships between records by “linking” them and see opportunity values for each customer or prospect. Make a call from within your app and a note is automatically attached to the contact, creating a call log.

No more fumbling around for a contact’s cell number because you forgot to punch his digits in and his business card is back at the office. No more forgetting which customer that new lead is connected to and why it’s even relevant to your business. No more hearing, “You guys just called me about this an hour ago,” from the other end of that now awkward touch base call. You’ve got all the contact management essentials with you, accessible and updateable at a moment’s notice.

Sales and customer satisfaction often hang on how fast you respond. Fast, reliable answers are an important element in a competitive market. Instead of stuck-in-traffic excuses, your customers hear, “How can I help you?” Access builds the trust you need to nurture relationships and keep the interest of your customers.

Everything You Need at your Fingertips

Available for tablets and phones, the Insightly app supports Android and iOS users alike, so there’s no reason you can’t be a step ahead. App users have access to project management and event scheduling, notification setting and social network integration, as well as the ever-useful power to search your CRM for the right info right when you need it. The Insightly mobile app also comes in five different languages, in case something other than English floats your boat.

Let’s face it—you are busy. And staying connected and organized is hard if you don’t have the right tools to make it happen. The right CRM for you will be available whenever and wherever you are. It’s just that simple.

The post This Mobile CRM Keeps You Connected On-The-Go! appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Printing technology is sometimes overlooked, but choosing the right printer for your business can greatly improve your operations. Since printers are used so frequently, small differences in costs and speeds add up to big differences over time.

The HP OfficeJet Pro Series

This series of printers is for small business owners who want professional color in a compact, affordable package.

• Professional-quality color documents will cost you up to 50 percent less per page than laser printers.
• Employees can also boost productivity with the ability to print from their smartphones and tablets.

There are a number of models in this series. Prices start at $199.99, and they are sold both in-store and online at staple

HP PageWide Printers

This series of printers is for small business owners who need professional-quality color documents from a printer that delivers exceptional efficiency:

• In a single pass, you can print professional-quality color documents across any width you need.
• With just 0.5 second prints, you’ll get record-breaking speed.
• Other benefits include energy efficiency and exceptional security.

Models in this series start at $499.99, which makes them the lowest total cost of ownership in their class. They are sold online only. Companies nowadays switch business energy suppliers to be able to be energy efficient and lower their costs.

Find the Printing Technology that Fits Your Business Needs

Each of the new offerings is a “series” of printers. This means that you can choose the exact model that will work best for your small business, based on what other specific functions you’ll use and your daily printing needs. Like any other business purchase you make, it’s important that the printing technology you select fits with the needs of your business.

Shopping at Staples has perks as well. Staples Rewards members get up to 5% back on their purchases and free shipping on any HP purchase of $14.99. They also have auto restock programs for your ink and paper so you’ll never run out of these essential office supplies.

By partnering on this latest innovative printing technology, Staples and HP are reaffirming their commitment to the small business community. Your office technology can either hold you back or push your business forward. When you purchase your next printer, don’t underestimate the importance of low costs, fast speeds, and professional quality.

This article was written in partnership with Staples; however, all views expressed are my own.

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Gleanster and Yesmail Interactive conducted a survey that found that close to 80 percent of brands do not have sufficient data to launch an effective marketing campaign. The basic information can be easily accessed from numerous sources – but getting to know the customers well is harder than it has ever been. In order to increase conversion rates, one must have a clear understanding about who the customers are and what drives them. When a business makes the decision to put more effort towards better understanding their customers, they are following one of many marketing best practices for small businesses. This is a big step in the right direction.

Ready to make that step? Here are some ways to use customer data for a better customer experience and smarter marketing.

Leverage social media.

Everyone wants to know how to become the smartest Internet marketer out there, yet only 38 percent of marketers utilize data from social media that could help them better target their audience. Having a social media account is a must for businesses that can use it to interact with the current and prospective customers. Social networks provide insights into customer’s likes, habits, and what they are really buying. Customers often have complaints about a product or service and by resolving those issues through social media, business can learn more about customers’ likes and dislikes.

Leverage new technology.

Technology has progressing at an astounding rate over the last decade. From the smart phone boom has come entirely new communication channels like social media and huge businesses like Facebook. It’s these new channels that gives consumers more power over how they interact with brands and businesses more ways to communicate what makes them better than their competition. As businesses look for the next technology boom to leverage there’s one that stands alone as probably the most potentially impactful to people’s everyday lives. 3D technology has the potential of changing how people see and interact with the world around them.

3D and augmented reality technologies are making a big splash at every technology conference across the world and for good reason. The social and business implications of a completely immersive experience are mind blowing. Businesses went from understanding very little about their customers, beyond basic demographic and psycho-graphic profiles, to knowing who influences them and what their likes and dislikes are in just a few years. With these technologies people can interact with businesses in entirely new ways.

With brands brining more immersive experiences to their customers, the customer affinity becomes more tightly woven with the brand. This leads to better marketing and longer customer relationships.

New technology has always given us pause when consumers and businesses first started using them but over time they become part of our everyday lives. Society feels more comfortable with the human interaction with technology while business become more adept at leveraging it. While social media is today’s top connection point between consumers and brands, the future holds a much more connected experience with technologies like 3D and augmented reality. It will be up the businesses to be early adopters to come out ahead.

How do you get to know your customers better?

The post Leveraging Technology for Smarter Marketing and a Better User Experience appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

The study was a survey of 3,210 small and medium sized businesses with between 10 and 999 employees from 11 countries around the world. The survey asked respondents about their companies’ usage of digital technology and how it impacts the business.

Many survey sites lure with the promise that you can make a lot of money on their websites. They sometimes speak of several hundred euros a day, which you can easily generate on the side. But does that really correspond to reality? The answer is: mostly not . Nevertheless, paid surveys can be interesting for some people, especially to make a little money on the Internet without knowledge or previous knowledge. In addition to completing surveys, more and more sites are offering other methods of making money – for example, by watching advertisements or testing video games. It can be even more attractive to test products for which companies are willing to pay significantly higher amounts than for filling out a survey. Product tests are therefore usually much more profitable than online surveys, which is why we also offer you this service on our website. Go through produkttester to know more about the Earning money with surveys (online).

Among the findings, arguably the most important was the link between digital technology usage and growth. One third of all SMBs (and 45 percent of SMBs with between 500-999 employees) say they are “well under way in applying technology to connect people, devices and businesses” – and these companies also saw revenue growth of ten percent or more in the last year. The most popular digital technology in use is collaborative software (used by at least 50.6 percent of SMBs) followed by CRM (38 percent) and business analytics software (37 percent).

Other findings include:

• Over 39 percent of SMBs agree that “active participation in the digital economy will be essential to our company’s survival in the next three to five years.”
• Varying by region, between 52.5 and 60.2 of SMBs say that digital technology helps them streamline operations and improve productivity.
• Despite depending on digital technology, between 35 and 45 percent of SMBs are concerned that their company relies too much on data to make business decisions.Visit testerheld.de to know more.

Overall, the study shows that small and medium sized businesses are embracing digital technology and reaping the benefits in terms of business growth. If your business hasn’t made the switch yet, 2016 is the perfect year to hop aboard this important trend. If you’re not sure where to start, you can begin by exploring this list of the top 50 digital technology tools for small business owners.

The post New Survey Finds Digital Technology Usage Linked to Small Business Growth appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Valentine’s Day Marketing

If your business hasn’t done any Valentine’s Day marketing yet, you probably think it is too late to capitalize on the holiday. Not so fast! This Smart Hustle article shares ten Valentine’s Day marketing ideas that you can try at the last minute. The list includes ideas for boosting sales and customer engagement, applicable to both online and brick-and-mortar stores.

Click to read 10 Last Minute Valentine’s Day Marketing Ideas

Tech Twitter Chat

Did you hear the news? Staples has recently unveiled a new feature called Staples Tech Services where you can get next day service on PCs brought to their store by noon. To explore the topic of how technology downtime impacts businesses, they are holding a tech Twitter chat on February 17, hosted by Ramon Ray and Denise O’Berry. This article will tell you everything you need to know to participate in this tech Twitter Chat – including some helpful information for those who have never participated before.

Click to read Staples #MakeMoreHappen Twitter Chat: Avoiding & Reducing Tech Downtime

Tips to Compete With – and even BEAT – Bigger Businesses

As a small business owner, you probably feel that you are at a disadvantage compared to the power and resources that your bigger business competitors have. While bigger budgets and more manpower are to their advantage, there are also several advantages that YOU hold over THEM. This article explores five key ways that you use your own small business strengths to your advantage.

Click to read 5 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Beat Bigger Businesses

Making Pivotal Changes in Your Business

After you’ve established your businesses, making changes can be a risky endeavor. However, if planned carefully, pivoting your business can lead to greater success. This article gives a few examples of companies that have successfully pivoted and outlines how you too can use pivoting to give your business a fresh start.

Click to read Why Your Small Business Needs to Pivot

Marketing, technology, sales – what is your business focused on at this particular moment in time? Click to explore the articles that will help you the most, and stay tuned next week for another Smart Hustle recap.

The post Smart Hustle Recap – Valentine’s Day Marketing, Upcoming Tech Twitter Chat & More appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Standing desks are a current fad sweeping offices and schools across the country. However, surprisingly enough, standing desks aren’t new at all. The history of standing desks dates back to the 1400s and in the 18^th and 19^th century they became especially popular among the rich. Several famous people throughout history have used standing desks, including Thomas Jefferson, Ernest Hemingway and Donald Rumsfeld.

Today there are several companies that make standing desks, including Varidesk, Ergo Depot and others. These desks are designed to be used while standing up or while sitting on a high stool. While designs vary, these desks are purported to have several health benefits – but others say they offer health consequences too. In modern working condition mostly traditional or sitting desks are used this leads to gaining more weight as there is no metabolism or activity and even only doing exercise with proper diet is not the perfect solution so if you want to avoid this obesity take a safe fat burner like Ultra Omega Burn. There are many fat burner available in market, checkout the Fat Burner list here.

High Quality Educational Furniture are getting the spotlight once again this year because of a recent study about the effects that standing desks can have when used at school. The study measured high school students on a number of neurocognitive tests – both before and after they had used standing desks for an entire semester. The study found that using standing desks changed the students’ brain activation patterns and boosted their cognitive skills such as memory, concentration and problem solving.

That study aside, there are some people who claim that standing desks can do more harm than good. To present you with a fair and balanced discussion of the topic, we’d like to share the benefits of standing desk to help you decide if a standing desk is right for you.

Pros of Standing Desks

According to the recent study we mentioned earlier, standing desks can possibly help your cognitive functioning. Having better concentration, problem-solving skills, and memory are certainly pluses no matter what industry you work in. If the study results are also applicable to adults in working situations (not just students in school), then a standing desk could improve your productivity and efficiency on a daily basis.

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The other benefits of standing desks have to do with physical health. It has been found that the average worker spends 5 hours and 41 minutes per day sitting at their desk, and another 7 hours sleeping at night. That’s a whole lot of sitting and laying around, which can have negative health consequences. Therefore, a standing desk can help to:

• Improve your metabolism (thereby lowering your risk of obesity)
• Reduce your risk of metabolic problems including Type 2 Diabetes
• Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
• Reduce your risk of cancer
• Lower your long-term mortality risk (the risk of dying within a given period of time)

Cons of Standing Desks

The pros of standing desks demonstrate that they can help your physical and cognitive health, but that doesn’t mean the issue is a closed case. Some people say that standing desks can also have harmful effects on your health. This includes:

• Pain including sore feet and lower back problems.
• Health risks such as increased risk for cardiovascular problems like carotid arteries, varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis (because the heart has to work against gravity to keep blood flowing from the toes up).
• Some tasks are better performed when sitting down, such as those that require fine motor skills, so a standing desk may impact your work on some tasks.
• Standing burns 20 percent more calories which means you will likely tire more quickly during the day.

So is a standing desk right for you? We asked this question to Austin Chiropractic services and according to them, only a user can buy accutane eu decide based on the pros and cons listed above as well as your job and individual preferences. The one thing that can be certain is that no matter what desk you choose – a traditional desk or a standing desk – you need to switch it up throughout the day. You shouldn’t be sitting all day and you shouldn’t be standing all day either. Try to work both into your daily routine so you can enjoy more health benefits and avoid the consequences.

The post Should You Switch to a Standing Desk? A Look at the Pros and Cons to Help You Decide appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Asana

A long time player in the cloud-based project management space, Asana is a favorite of many because of the robust capabilities it packs into a simple-to-use package. The suite stands out from other solutions because of the robust reporting features which enable users to visualize project progress with charts and graphs. Asana also lets you create custom search views so you can instantly filter projects, tasks, and other action items with a click of the mouse.

Asana supports up to 15 users and includes numerous collaboration and project management functions within the software. Their premium plan costs around $9/month per user and offers a few extra features such as privacy controls, guest user support, and the ability to export your data. You can also expand the functionality by integrating Asana into a variety of other productivity tools.

Trello

The best way to describe Trello is that it’s the digital equivalent of sticky notes on a whiteboard (commonly used in the Kanban project management method). Getting started is fairly simple. Users simply create a board for each project. Within the board, users can create categories and cards for each task. Each card has its own comment section, descriptions, file attachments, and other custom information fields. For small teams and businesses just starting out, the free Trello plan should be sufficient. As your company grows, the Business Plus plan provides fine-grained user permission controls and support for apps to expand the functionality.

Mavenlink

Unlike most other project management suites which focus solely on team collaboration and project management, Mavenlink provides a more comprehensive solution which integrates into all components of your business. The solution is ideal for long-term projects which require extensive planning. Mavenlink uses Gantt Charts so you can easily spot dependencies and potential bottlenecks.

In addition to being a project management solution, Mavenlink also helps to simplify your accounting processes. Built in accounting capabilities enable you to generate invoices, view and approve billable time, view your margins, and manage your budgets. The starter Mavenlink version costs $19/month for five users. If you want invoicing and other financial management functions, you’ll need to pay at least $29/month per user.

Smartsheet

If you’re looking to manage your projects using an Excel style solution, Smartsheet is the tool for you. The solution enables users to quickly enter project action items line by line on a spreadsheet. For each project, you can group tasks and assign them to different team members. Overall it’s a straightforward project management solution; the biggest selling point is that the learning curve is kept to a minimum without sacrificing functionality.

Smartsheet integrates with a variety of other tools such as Google Apps, box, Dropbox, DocuSign, and Evernote so you can make the solution fit the way you work. The starter Smartsheet tier starts at $10/month and supports one admin user and unlimited collaborators. This means you can create sheets (projects) and invite as many colleagues, guests, and other parties as needed. It also includes Android and iOS mobile apps so your teams can access their project information at their desk or on the go.

There are plenty of project management suites available for businesses of all sizes and budgets. Assess your needs and then choose a tool that offers the capabilities that will benefit your business.

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As more and more individuals find themselves living remotely and traveling across the United States and abroad, we wanted to take the opportunity to point out some of the best tools, tips and services for living a life on the road. By employing these tips and services, you’ll have better peace of mind whether you are traveling to the Californian beaches, Rocky Mountains or across the pond to the United Kingdom.

Internet

It’s impossible to think of our life without the internet or complete connectivity to the big world that it has made so small? It’s become an essential in just about every individual’s life, but it is the life-blood of a business traveler. Luckily there are a number of solutions to keep us connected!

If you are traveling within the United States and carry a smartphone, most devices today allow you to use them as a Wi-Fi ‘hot spot’ to connect to the internet. As long as you have service, you have the internet. If you want something more dedicated, then and you can look at getting a MiFi wireless router from your carrier or try a mobile WiFi service.

Meetings and Presentation

Another essential for most business travelers and remote workers is the ability to take part in virtual meetings and presentations. While Skype for Business is a favorite application that allows you to see colleagues’ presence, start IM, have voice or video conversations, present documents and share desktops, there are a few other applications tailored to professionals and their work objectives that deserve taking a look at.

File Storage and Sharing

Another critical part of remote working and collaboration is the ability to access and share files. Thanks to cloud technology, this has gotten much easier. Just keep in mind, putting items in the cloud does require you to carefully think about what types of information you are saving and who you allow to access it to ensure the security of your information, and that of your company, clients and customers.

Staying Productive

Just because you are on the road, you shouldn’t lose any of your productivity. Thankfully tools like the new Microsoft Office, help people and businesses of all sizes work better – and easier – together. For example, if your team were to use the new version of Office (Word, PowerPoint or OneNote) to make revisions to a presentation or project, everyone would have the ability to edit the same draft at the same time. The best way to start taking advantage of the new Office is via an Office 365 subscription.

Staying Juiced

One thing that can quickly stop you in your tracks working remotely is a dead battery. Whether it’s your laptop, smartphone or mobile device, having juice is essential and you need to be prepared for those moments you aren’t near an outlet.

There are many lightweight external battery chargers designed specifically for travelers to help in these situations.

Keeping up with business while working remotely doesn’t have to be stressful or a chore. Employing these great tools and tips will help you find peace of mind and possibly some extra time to enjoy your new surroundings.

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I remembered reading the article about hardware on Doms Tech Blog last month. They wrote in the article that Hardware is getting so cheap, so small and so much more powerful. I’m not sure how much brand name is going to matter anymore.

But I do know that that the apps you use, the software you use and how it all works together is so important. Of course your speed and connectivity to the Internet is important as well.

In 2016, spend less time on expensive hardware and spend more ensuring you have the software tools that can make you more productive and improve your collaboration and communication.

Does this mean you should IGNORE great hardware – of course not. A good iPad, or a solid Microsoft Surface or any number of mobile devices from HP, Dell, Lenovo and other vendors are important. Your printer, desktop computer and other office hardware is CRITICAL. But there’s no need to spend a LOT of money on hardware – spend more money on software and how to use it.

Here I’m pictured with a Microsoft Surface tablet – waiting for tires to be fixed at Sam’s Club.

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