Business Resources Archives - Page 3 of 4

Conference Connection Tools

There are so many moving parts when planning a professional conference, and keeping it all organized can be the difference between a success and a dud. As technology continues to advance the more traditional ways of event planning, software tools are simplifying the process of spreading the word about events, both big and small. Below are just a few of our favorite resources that transform the conference experience for both the planner and the attendee.

Whova – This award-winning event planning app allows organizers to connect attendees all in one place. It is the ultimate networking tool for before, during, and after an event, and conference planners can use it to distribute agenda updates, session information, and any last-minute details. Whether you anticipate a few dozen or hundreds of registrants, this management software brings you the latest technology in an easy-to-navigate way.

Eventbrite – The world’s largest event technology platform allows users to create an event-listing page that reflects the appropriate theme and vision. Plus, the use of the page is free if the tickets are free, and then pricing increases depending on what you are charging. Some of the features include a built-in payment processing, sales tracking, automated communication tools to update attendees, and support. And if you make your event public, more eyes are likely to land on it because visitors to the site can search by interests and location.

Social Wall – If you want to create buzz and excitement about your event, you need to let your attendees spread your message. A Social Wall (or Twitter Wall if you prefer to focus on one platform) encourages attendees to be social while sitting in your sessions. It is a display screen that gathers all social posts in one spot so that onlookers can watch the conversations live. Plus, after the event you can pull all of that goodness together for post-conference promotion. Taggbox is a social media aggregator that offers plans starting for free as well as options based on the size of your business.

Jessica Bertsch2018-10-25T13:52:13-04:00October 25th, 2018|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

Staying Connected to Your Team

Remember when the best way to stay connected to your team was in-person meetings or conference calls? Well, the speed of technology has taken off and these tools are starting to seem archaic. With over 46% of employees working remotely, there is also a need for communication methods that keep up with the pace of today’s digital world.

Discussion forums – Have you ever had a question go unanswered or waited prolonged times to hear back from superiors? Information sharing between peers in a workplace can be extremely vital. New employees can be guided by veteran workers on learning what’s new or by answering a question they have experience in. A company discussion forum could also allow employees to discuss issues in the workplace as well as collaborate on current projects.

Company intranet – An intranet is a private hub that can only be accessed by those users with access. This should be a key form of communication with employees internally. Establishing an intranet lets employees stay up to date with company announcements and news, void of the burden all-hands emails create. Plus, supervisors can break down by department, making it easier to get to your designated area but also allowing the opportunity to learn about other areas.

Skype for Business – As painful as some meetings can be, we must admit that they are necessary. Those who work from home have no other choice then to use video conferencing when it comes to checking in. Skype for Business changes the way you gather with your team. You can present a meeting over your desktop video conference using the traditional IM feature to communicate quickly with team members and even to allow coworkers to control your desktop during presentations if needed.

Jessica Bertsch2018-08-06T16:23:20-04:00August 6th, 2018|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

Business Resources

Having a successful email list is the cornerstone of every business. No matter your size, having an effective way to communicate with your clients and interested parties is a tool for success. While there are many ways to develop and maintain your email list, here are some resources to get you started:

Constant Contact – This resource is ideal for small businesses and for those who are new to email marketing. Constant Contact provides easy-to-use templates and apps without overwhelming the user.

Benchmark – A user favorite in the email marketing world, Benchmark ups the ante in email campaigns. With four different plans available, there is something for everyone. If you are super tech-savvy, you can even edit HTML and really customize your newsletters. Benchmark gives you the ability to do everything from dragging and dropping info to editing your photos right from your dashboard, which sets Benchmark apart from others. Even without an account, you can access Benchmark’s Blog, which contains great info on how to make your email campaigns the best they can be.

AWeber – AWeber distinguishes itself in its niche market by offering their entire range of services to all of their users. It doesn’t matter if you have 500 or 5,000 subscribers, you are accessing the same templates, stock photos, and drag-and-drop features AWeber has to offer. The only thing that differentiates the packages is the pricing. AWeber also offers free virtual email classes and video tutorials on how to use their services, as well as general email tips and tricks on their blog.

Jessica Bertsch2018-04-23T20:19:18-04:00April 23rd, 2018|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

Tools to Get Organized

If getting organized is part of your 2018 strategy, then there are some digitized tools that can help streamline processes in areas of operations, file management, and staffing. If you’re on the fence between adopting new systems, each of these offers free trials:

TSheets – If you’re running a virtual business—or have employees who are located offsite—keeping track of work hours can be a challenge. TSheets is a time-tracking tool with a mobile app that allows people to clock in and out on the go, even without cell coverage. Managers can clock people in/out as well, and admins can see who’s on the clock by location. Automation features include alerts, paid time off tracking, and holidays.

Evernote Scannable – Paper is so 2017. Consumers and businesses are inundated with data all the time. Even those who rely on a trusty physical notebook can benefit from sharing information digitally. Evernote Scannable is an app that lets you put everything in one place by scanning business cards, documents, notes, and other files quickly. The web clipper syncs between various devices, and users can also search through the images—including the stuff you have handwritten. There are paid plans that allow you to do more, but the basic plan gives a good trial run.

Zoho Recruit – If your business is growing this year, then you want to make sure you have the best people on your team. Recruitment can be a full-time job, which makes Zoho Recruit helpful for managing that process. There are several key features, including the ability to track applications, view resumes, look at information from interviews, and keep candidates updated through the process. One great bonus is that you can share notes and communicate with recruiters and your colleagues.

Jessica Bertsch2018-01-17T21:15:04-05:00January 17th, 2018|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

Tools to Maximize ROI

Time is not always on your side. There is a common misconception about the existence of a fictitious work-life balance. For business owners who are depleted of time, money, and resources, finding tools to maximize the return on investment of activities can make or break how successful you are in your personal and professional life. In response, technology is emerging to maximize productivity while minimizing wasted effort. Here are three trending digi-tools helping entrepreneurs with common business functions:

Toggl: Time is money, especially when you are paying employees for theirs. Toggl is a free time-tracking tool that helps you evaluate where the hours in the day are being spent. The visual tracking system allows users to see how long tasks take, who’s working on what, and what the current progress is on assigned projects.

Unroll.me: Who has time for an overwhelmed inbox? Email is one of the most common forms of communication among B2B, business to consumer, and managers with employees. Unroll.me is an effortless way to eliminate clutter and get rid of unwanted spam mail or correspondence that becomes too frequent. Instead of having to take the time to unsubscribe from everything you’ve ever signed up for, Unroll.me will do it for you.

Dropbox: This tool is especially useful for virtual teams. Dropbox lets teams collaborate more easily from any location and works as a backup system for files. Employees can work on the same projects and files without having to take up extra space on a hard drive.

Jessica Bertsch2017-10-30T01:43:55-04:00October 30th, 2017|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES REGARDING FINANCES

One of the most unattractive sides to business is the financial side. Whether you are freelancing and billing clients individually or managing inventory and commission, there are some challenges that come with money. The following resources can help make keeping track of income and expenses, as well as invoicing, a lot easier. In turn, when tax time arrives, things are less stressful overall.

Expensify: For the business owner who deals with expense reports on a regular basis, Expensify may be the right tool. Utilizing smart scan technology, receipts can be filed away after a simple picture is taken using the app. The program can also import expenses directly from bank accounts or credit cards. It is free for individual users, and the cost increases slightly when you add a team or your entire company to it.

TaxBot: Transporting technology has gotten easier with smart phones and data plans, so for someone who travels frequently or needs to log miles for their business, TaxBot is a great option. As its name suggests, TaxBot helps users document their tax deductions by keeping track of income and expenses. It works for multiple businesses, stores photos of receipts, and keeps data for several years, even if you don’t continue to use the program.

QuickBooks: QuickBooks for Small Business is a trusted accounting software. With multiple options for small business owners, and one for those who are self-employed, the program covers all needs. All of their plans include the integration of bank accounts and use of mobile apps. Those who are using the self-employed software can track miles, send invoices, and estimate quarterly taxes. The Small Business Plus option is great for multiple users, allowing them to manage bills, track time and inventory, and even track 1099 payments.

TIP: Keeping solid and detailed records of your business transactions is necessary, but doesn’t have to be tedious.

Jessica Bertsch2017-07-17T19:40:55-04:00July 17th, 2017|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES

There are various nontraditional ways to use the tools of the internet to help grow your brand. Whether it is sourcing relevant content to schedule on social media, or staying up to date with trends within your sector, using what already exists online offers key benefits. Below are resources that can expand your competitive advantage by growing your awareness of industry news, establishing your credibility with media outlets, and connecting with influencers relevant to your brand.

Google Alerts: Google allows you to set up alerts on topics that may be relevant to your company, which include your industry and competitors. This feature also delivers daily content to your inbox that is ideal for social sharing. It sorts through all of the information on the web and sends links with your desired phrases directly to your email. TIP: Always set up Google alerts with your name and your business’s name so you know immediately when your information is included on another site.

Help a Reporter Out (HARO): This free service (basic package) can help you become a sought-after expert in your field. By subscribing, HARO will connect you with requests from journalists who are working on a story. Queries are delivered to your email three times per day, and if you see a subject matter request that fits your expertise or someone else’s within your company, you can respond and potentially become a source for a journalist. In turn, you essentially get free advertising to their readership because your name and business are now out there. This also allows you to build up a portfolio for a media page on your website.

BlogDash: Word-of-mouth advertising is one of the most successful means of gaining attention for your business. Bloggers have an established network of followers who often trust their recommendations. BlogDash gives you access to their blogger community to help with outreach on content you want shared. This service does come at a cost that varies depending on which package you choose. TIP: Blogging is a common profession within the military community. You can build your own distribution list by crowdsourcing on social media the names of popular blogs.

Jessica Bertsch2017-04-30T02:49:48-04:00April 29th, 2017|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES TO GROW A BRAND

A targeted branding strategy can attract new customers while convincing existing customers to share company content, news, and products or services. Memes and infographics, for example, are likely to be shared if they are crafted in an attractive, visually appealing way. Platforms offer content creators, from novice to professional level, the opportunity to build graphics, edit images, and create animated videos for free or low monthly fees.

Canva: One of the most popular current platforms, Canva lets users create professional looking documents, such as brochures and flyers, make images, and generate memes.

Animoto: This video platform allows businesses to create videos for marketing with images, animations, and audio.

Stencil: Perfect for social media, users can create images in minutes.

Jessica Bertsch2017-01-23T16:29:20-05:00January 18th, 2017|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

Social Media Tools

Social media is a completely separate function of business, and as its usefulness expands, so do the tools available to manage it effectively. Below are three tools to help your communications staff get the most out of online engagement:

Sprout Social: Allows businesses to get the most out of social media with tools for publishing, engagement, and analytics. Some features include letting you pre-schedule posts and track the growth of social audiences. Companies can sign up for a free trial.

Manage Flitter: Get the most out of your Twitter account with this tool, which allows you to target the right followers for your brand, manage engagement, and keep track of who unfollows you.

Klout: How do you know if you are posting shareable content? Klout scores you on the level of engagement for each of your social media accounts—Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and so on. It is a great asset in understanding the quantity versus quality of what your company is posting and enables you to adapt your communications strategy. Plus, it suggests content based on your desired demographic that can help grow your audience and keep your current one interested.

Jessica Bertsch2016-10-24T17:07:06-04:00October 24th, 2016|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

An Extra Set of Hands to Build Your Business

By: Randi Cairns

Talk to the typical business owner and more often than not, one of the most common frustrations cited is the time spent on the “details” instead of the heart and soul of sustaining and growing a business. Your “job” is to move things forward, and yet it’s very easy—too easy—to get stuck in the mundane.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if there were a work genie? Someone who could magically take tasks off your plate so your focus and attention could be on the important things?

(more…)

Jessica Bertsch2016-07-18T15:47:12-04:00July 18th, 2016|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|