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Facebook Relocates Seattle Office

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business, Technology


Facebook. By far one of the largest social media sites is growing; according to TechFlash.com . The Facebook Seattle office, which began with a mere 2 employees but now employees 90 staff members and is looking to high more, is the largest for the company outside of their headquarters in California. A leading innovator for social media, Facebook is right at home in Seattle which is known for its prevalence of technology industry jobs. The new office, which could rival some of the hotels in Seattle for its views, gives the company room to expand as they lead the social media revolution.

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Customer Complaints and Social Media

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business

What role does social media play in customer complaints management?  Well, rather a big one!!  People are voicing their opinions online, often through social platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.  If it’s a problem say with your product or the service they receive then that’s bad enough.  But there’s the added complication that this complaint is often shared amongst their entire community which could add up to a lot of people.  Hold on though it does not stop there!!  People receiving the information can reshare the information amongst their own friends.  Before you know it the original complaint has been passed around and the effect on your reputation has snowballed.

So should your organization invest in a program to monitor your brand and organization name?  Do you need to know all the things that people are saying??  Well its always a good idea to take part in any conversation when individuals have issues with your organization.  The problems lies in the fact that there is potentially an awful lot of information out there – and how do you find the information that is important?

The key is to focus on your customers – those that you want to hear from and that are important to you.  There has to be a real concern – not just a throwaway remark.  So if a complaint come from the customer directly to your Twitter account it should be taken as seriously as a complaint made by phone or via a web form.  Response should preferably be made by the same method as the complaint.  Therefore if the complaint is made via Twitter then the response should be made on the same platform.  If an in depth response is required then it can be taken off live via phone.

So have a strong social media presence and use a method of monitoring escalating mentions.  If this happens join in the conversation and pay attention to what people are saying.  If it’s a formal complaint via a social platform then treat it as you would any other complaint you receive.  Listen to what your customers say via your customer complaints software and respond accordingly.

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File Size Matters

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business, Technology

We have all been there: you spend hours crafting the perfect presentation, finish merely minutes before the important deadline, and then realize that your file is too big to fit into an email. Unless you have a teleporter and a readily-available portable hard drive, this is a situation you do not want to find yourself in.

These days, many businesses revolve around large electronic files which they need to access and share. Presentations, reports, and website media content are usually guilty of being too large for e-mails. When time is of the essence, an efficient business would highly benefit from a large file transfer service. The service is in the form of a website which allows users to upload the content to the website and which then becomes accessible to other users.

Choosing the right large file transfer service is very important. First, you do not want all of your important, confidential, and personal files floating around all loosey-goosey on a website made by a computer science intern in Russia. For this reason, you have to make sure that the website is reputable and secure. Reputation is harder to check than security but you can start by asking other business owners which service they use or by researching reviews for large file transfer services. Look out for far-fetched and too-good-to-be-true claims, as these tend to be written by the service themselves. For security, stick to websites that begin with https, have the padlock symbol, or have “secured by” logo on the bottom from a well-known company.

Second, consider the ease of use and accessibility of the website. If you are tech savvy, think about the other users of the website. Would all of your business partners and employees be comfortable with the interface? Sometimes websites get so “techy” that only a select few people in the office know how to use it. If you need a degree from MIT to use the site, then it is probably not the best choice. Also, think about the click count. How many clicks and operations do you need to transfer your files? If it takes you half of the day to successfully upload a file, then you might as well drive over the big presentation.

Your files are important to you and your business so make sure they get to their destinations properly and securely by choosing the right large file transfer service.

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Small Business Consumer Information and Data Research

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business

As if there aren’t enough troubling factors with running your own business, managing your data can be one of the most frustrating. This is due not only to the various system issues, but also due to a lack of understanding how important quality data management really is. The demographic background information on your consumer base, activity levels and anticipation of future needs are just some of the areas in which quality data management tools are useful. And a basic example of this is scene in the smallest personal business structure, whether you sale Avon from your home or hot dogs on the street. Of course the following situations serve as a microcosmic example for larger and more complicated business structures, and the point here is to stress that data analysis and management applies to business tools for companies of all sizes and fields.

Mobile applications are an excellent resource for all businesses, whether you’re one of the technology partners , or a local start up. Major corporations have marketing tools and professional resources that most private business owners, frequently known as sole proprietorships, simply don’t have. And solid research into their consumer base and target customer areas are already in place well before the time they become the mega conglomerate that takes over a field. However, even the individual who invests in that hot dog cart considers where their largest potential customer base will be located. For instance, positioning themselves outside of the biggest arts and crafts fair in a city gives them a much better chance for success than setting up on the corner of the well-known vegan neighborhood. In addition, there are other zoning elements to consider, such as special licenses or permits that might be necessary for certain areas or events. The costs of these will interact with the difference in sales numbers. Sometimes a smaller area, such as a downtown street that is well known for its lunch our walking traffic, versus outside the local sports arena, is the better choice.

And while major mobile applications are not likely going to be a need for this small time hot dog vender, a general idea of the consumer base and local traffic flows is important. And a mobile application can come in handy here too. For instance, an application that displays daily specials, or reminds someone that you’re serving a particular place a particular time, and maybe even creating their ideal hot dog on their phone, can greatly increase your daily sales. Technology and its business aspects and tools is not just for major companies or corporations. Understanding your resources and using them to your advantage can maximize your profits and success potential regardless of your size, service or product offerings.

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The Importance of Information Technology in the Workplace

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business

Mastery in the field of information technology is something that requires your constant vigilance, because technological innovations are constant and unrelenting. Therefore, if you are going to work in the IT field, it is important to utilize continuing education even with an Online Bachelors Degree. If you stop following the path of technology with a critical eye, then you will surely fall behind. Take this from the guy who thought the world of the internet peaked with a dialup connection. He is still sitting at home waiting for his browser to finish loading.

IT employees are critical to the success of any workplace or office. Here is why: Lawyers need to spend all of their billable hours advising clients and filing motions and drafting cease and desist orders. Financial analysts need to follow economic trends and stock market dips without so much as batting an eye.  Therefore, the IT people are responsible for maintaining the functionality of the office, because if a hard drive crashes, the internet goes down, the printer falls off the network, or an email address stops working, then the IT guy is in charge of saving the day. After all, without a working internet connection, a functional means of web-based communication, or a means of printing wirelessly, most businesses would have a hard time staying afloat. In this sense, an IT employee is crucial to the day-to-day and long term success of any business.

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of continuing education in the IT field is that many degrees can be earned in an online setting. While an online degree might seem to carry less clout than a degree that requires your physical presence, it can actually be more beneficial to obtain an IT degree by means of an online classroom setting. After all, as an employee of the IT world, you will be working mostly with technological issues and innovations that come about under the umbrella of the World Wide Web. Therefore, an online degree couldn’t be more fitting for anyone interested in the IT field. Any technical issues that you might encounter during your online courses can simply act as extra training. So, be an IT guy; the guy that everyone else relies on to get things done.

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India’s $99 Android Tablet

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business, Technology

For years tech companies in India have been claiming that they could one day produce a $100 tablet computer suitable for consumers — something powerful and useful — and it looks like that day has finally come. In fact, Lakshmi Access Communication Systems or LACS, makers of India’s affordable Android tablet have even beat out that previous $100 price goal by a whole dollar. According to After Dawn, the device will be called the Magnum Pepper Tablet, which certainly isn’t the best name, and will have 3G, Wi-Fi, 4GB of internal memory, a 4.3 inch display, and will all run on a 800 MHz processor. Clearly, the tablet’s specifications certainly don’t make it the best Android table on the market ,but for only $100 dollars or (Rs 5,000) it’s much better than most people expected. And as Hewlett Packard (HP) can attest can to after the recent fire sale of their tablet the HP Touchpad following a price reduction to $100, a good $100 tablet is practically guaranteed to sell. Any country would be lucky to have a well-built $100 Android tablet but in India – home to many of the tech hubs in the world – this tablet could be transformative for cities like Mysore and Bangalore. A company like Marlabs Inc which has offices in both Mysore and Bangalore, India  could one day see all of their employees with tablets.

On a related note, no doubt by releasing an affordable $100 tablet Android tablet, the mobile operating system market share of Android will no doubt grow. This growth is good news for any person or company that develops mobile applications like Marlabs as more and more people will be looking for quality Android applications as the platform continues to saturate the market. Additionally by putting Android tablets in more people hands that also means that there will be more people that will be motivated to create applications for Google’s Android OS themselves. What’s more, is that if the Indian market is saturated with tablet then it’s likely that the country may create even more tech hubs.

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What Companies Tweet About

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business

If your business is new to Twitter and is wondering what in the world to Tweet about, you are not alone. Personal tweets seem obvious; people share whatever is on their mind. Companies, however, have to be more careful. They want to engage their audience, but they don’t want to offend them, insult them, or turn them off by only sharing promotional tweets.

A good way to start is to do some research ahead of time. Look at what other companies are doing with their Twitter profiles and analyze how that is working for them. Companies that share information and tips about their industry, such as Elixir Interactive tweets about reputation management, are going to be more popular than those that rely on telling their followers how great their company is.

Here are a few things that companies may want to cover in their tweets:

  1. Announcements of special events, product releases, and promotions (note: these should not be the only thing that appears in tweets, but should be sprinkled in naturally)
  2. Retweets of important or interesting tweets from other people in the same industry.
  3. Short tips and insights about their industry.
  4. Links to videos, blog posts, and other media that are useful or thought provoking. These may by produced/written by the company or by other respected sources.
  5. Amusing anecdotes or stories.
  6. Teasers about upcoming releases of products or status reports on projects.
  7. Invitations to participate in beta testing or promotional research.
  8. Discount codes.
  9. Outright giveaways.
  10. Contest announcements.
  11. Inspirational quotes.

In short, companies can tweet about the same things that individuals do. They just need to be aware of the overall tone and image they are projecting.

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Working for a Bank or Broker

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business

There are many different types of financial institutions; banks, credit unions, lending agencies, brokers. Being a loan officer at any of these institutions will require a lot of hard work; however some may be better than others.

Most banks have fairly high standards when it comes to who they will grant loans to. Smaller banks will be more selective than larger chain banks that have considerably more financing. As a loan officer there will probably be pretty strict guidelines to follow; however, in most cases there is more stability. That is usually the first place that people will stop when applying for a loan .

Brokers on the other hand are a little different and it varies greatly depending on the broker you work for. Working for an “A” list broker that handles high profile clients will be a different experience than worker for small privately owned brokerage. Loan officers typically have to work harder to find and close deals, but the pay off can be substantial.

Many loan officers, after completing their loan officer training go to work for a bank. Some banks offer salaried positions and others offer a salary plus commission. After getting a lot of experience they feel more comfortable and confident about taking on the challenge of working for a broker .

At the end of the day there are a lot of pros and cons for each, so it all comes down to what works best for the specific institution and individual.

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Create a Web Presence for Your Business

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business

In the age of social media there are a number of different ways for new companies and consultants to create a web presence for their business. You can, and should, set up social media accounts for your business on the appropriate sites. In this case appropriateness will be determined by looking at what products and services you offer and where your target customers are most likely to be active.

Another option is to set up profiles on search engine local and place pages, review sites like yelp, and yellow page portals. These are all places that surfers go to find retailers and service providers, so it’s important that you be where they can find you.

There’s still nothing that can compare to building your own business website. With the right professional web hosting , a good domain name, and a solid web design, you can create a lastly image and presence that is not at the mercy of some other site staying in business, let alone staying popular. With the right design, your site can provide information, give customers a place to interact with you and with each, and even allow them to order or purchase products and services. Since you have complete control over design, content, and special features, you can fully express your business in ways that aren’t possible on social media pages or profiles on other sites. Best of all, you can always link to your main site on all those other places so that customers that find you there can learn more about your company.

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How to Be a Successful Entrepreneur

By Richard Leo | Filed in Business

Being a successful entrepreneur means different things to different people. For some it is following through on an idea, while others define it as accomplishing a set of goals. No matter how you define it, success is in the eye of the achiever. There are, however, a few things that you can do to reach success, no matter your definition is.
Running your own business is hard work, whether you start it from scratch or as a branch off of a larger company like Southwestern Company . Even though it may be difficult at times, it is important to maintain a positive attitude. Not only will it give your customers a good impression but it will also help you keep from getting discouraged.
One of the biggest things your business will take from you, especially at the beginning, is time. It will take time to establish a customer base and get your products out there. If you have a direct sales business like Southwestern Company you will need to spend time going door-to-door and setting up appointments.
Even though it may be a hard at first, if you stick with it and achieve your goals you will benefit in the end.

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