| What Is the Best Communications Solution for My Business?
Today, the technology options available to businesses of all sizes are greater than ever before. Instead of just choosing between a managed service and a traditional on-premises deployment of a communications solution,we now have cloud delivery as an option.This report examines the evolution of communications services and their associated underlying technologies. Additionally,we present key decision criteria for selecting the right IP telephony solution for a particular business. |
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| Preparing your business for the everyday disasters
Compelling images of damage wrought in the aftermath of major disasters are likely to
capture our attention, but not likely to motivate effective measures to protect our businesses and families. How do we in the small business community explain this paradox? And what can we learn from it? |
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| Building your brand image
Buyers make split-second decisions based on stored memories, images and feelings—which is what a brand is all about. A strong brand equals a strong two-second impression, no matter what you’re selling. |
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| Build a website and enhance your bottom line
Even if you’re not selling products online, having a web site will impact potential customers’ decision to do business with you. It’s a fact – web sites influence purchase decisions, including an estimated $471 billion in in-store sales. |
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| Collaborate your way to a stronger business
Today’s successful small businesses embrace a collaborative work environment and understand how to use technology to foster that collaboration. Working together with colleagues, partners and customers gives companies the agility to drive innovation and success. |
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| Comcast and Microsoft help Small Businesses Cut Costs with E-mail and Messaging
Save some money by replacing your premises-based e-mail and messaging solution with a cloud-based one. Comcast’s solution saves an average 25-person small business $11,556, or 82%, during the first year, yielding a two-month payback period. |
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| What is cloud computing?
Most businesses are already familiar with one aspect of cloud computing: software delivered over the Internet. Think of it as renting vs. buying your software. |
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| Seven steps to build customer loyalty
According to the Harvard Business Review, the average business loses 50 percent of its customers every five years. This suggests there is a need to nurture existing customers to avoid this costly proposition. Every company strives for higher customer retention, but few achieve it. |
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| Six secrets to email marketing
Everyone is excited about social media — using Facebook, Twitter and other tools to reach your customers and prospects — and it’s making them wonder if good old-fashioned email marketing has become dated. |
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| Level the playing field
The 23 million small businesses in the United States represent a huge piece of our economy, but there’s no disputing the struggle many face when going up against their larger competitors. Think about the impact a big box retailer opening has on local hardware stores, for instance. It’s tough to overcome the brand awareness, marketing spend and technology investment these bigger players have. |
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| Learn how to use social media
Will a huge fan base on Facebook enhance your brand image? Will posting videos on YouTube turn leads into sales? Does the potential for negative feedback deter your business from having a public conversation? |
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| Transition from small business owner to leader
Small business owners are entrepreneurs at their core, organizing a business venture and assuming the risk for it. If you’ve made it past the one-year mark, that’s better than 50 percent of start-up business and if you’ve made it past year five, you’ve surpassed 90 percent of small businesses started. This is quite an accomplishment and many owners take a step back and assess what they want to do next. What is the next challenge? |