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What the technology you’re using says about your business

April 8, 2014
By Cindy Bates, VP, Microsoft U.S. Small and Medium Business

Did you know the technology you use has an impact on what current and potential customers think of your business? Those are the findings of a survey we recently conducted, in which 90 percent of respondents said they would – or would consider – taking their business elsewhere if a company uses outdated technology.

About 60% of respondents said they consider a 5-10 year old operating system or desktop computer to be “outdated.” That means the estimated 30% of small businesses that are still using the Windows XP operating system (introduced over 12 years ago in 2001), are running their business on technology that definitely falls into the category of “outdated.” On April 8, 2014, businesses running Windows XP will no longer receive security updates or technical support, leaving them vulnerable to potential security threats. (more…)

Spring Cleaning for Your Online Presence

April 4, 2014

Birds are chirping, cherry blossoms are blooming, and warmer weather has returned. That means one thing- spring is finally here! With the return of spring comes the opportunity for a little spring cleaning– and no, I’m not just talking about cleaning out your closet. In addition to cleaning up around the house, there are things should be doing now to tidy up your online presence. This will not only make you look more professional, but can also help you be discovered by your next great customer.

Here are 3 items you should include in your spring cleaning to-do list:

Develop a consistent brand.
Your brand starts with your website. This is your “home base” and where you should set the tone for all of your other marketing efforts. Use your logo, coordinating colors and fonts. The branding that you establish on your website should be consistent with and reflected in all of your other marketing channels—your email newsletter, social media presences, and anywhere else people are interacting with your business online.

Control your information.

In addition to the look and feel of your brand, you’ll also want to get a handle on the information people are finding online about your business. 75 percent of smartphone owners use their mobile device to get real-time location-based information. If the information that’s out there is inaccurate or out-of-date, you could be at risk to damage valuable relationships, or miss the chance to connect with a new customer. (more…)

Idaho SBDC Helps Business Increase Revenue by 30%

April 2, 2014

Bullet Tools began in a garage in 1998 with a simple idea born of necessity – a longtime flooring installer, Dalen Gunn, decided there had to be a better way to cut flooring and launched the MAGNUM Shear.

From its humble beginnings, Bullet Tools has evolved into a major U.S. manufacturer and world leader in innovative flooring, siding and insulation cutting solutions. Its mission is to “Continually improve the lives and livelihoods of tradesmen across the globe by providing cutting edge solutions.”

The Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helped the company create its first business plan and obtain initial financing. When the company began to struggle in 2006, SBDC consulting recommended the owners attend a workshop called “Entrepreneurial Leadership Training.” The workshop, combined with consulting services, resulted in a 30 percent increase in revenue and improved warehouse capacity the following year.

“The class offered more than information,” said President and CEO Ben Toews. “It offered interaction with others that shared the same challenges and concerns that we were experiencing.” (more…)

3 Ways to Showcase Your Products for Better Online Sales

March 31, 2014

The online marketplace has become an increasingly competitive as more and more people turn to the Internet for its ease of use, convenience, and enormous selection of products. Sure, getting online and showcasing your products is an easy way to reach and attain new customers, but sabotaging your own sales is easy, too, if you don’t give your products the spotlight they deserve.

When a customer visits your website, you only have a few minutes to grab their attention. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to display and describe your products in a way that helps your site do its job – churning out sales like crazy. To get the most out of your online business, consider these three ways to showcase your products for better online sales:

1. Divide and Conquer
You might have the best products on the market, but if they aren’t organized properly, you could scare your customers away with choice overload. Imagine grocery shopping at a supermarket that doesn’t have aisles grouping like food items together. It would be an exhausting headache! Do your customers a favor and categorize your products so it’s easier for them to find what they’re looking for. (more…)

Success Story: Washington

March 26, 2014

State: Washington
Center: Washington State
Network Client: NorthSound Productions

Lake Stevens, Wash. — You get what you negotiate, not what you deserve, and Abe Martinez was not a good negotiator. After Workforce Development of Snohomish County found out what he planned to charge for doing a short video to highlight one of their programs, they withdrew the offer.

That’s not sustainable, they told him. Go do some market analysis, figure out what other people are charging and come back with a higher number. It was good advice, but the next piece of advice was even better: Go talk to Peter Quist at the Washington Small Business Development Center in Lynnwood.

Martinez’s last full-time job in broadcast journalism had ended in 2006 and — despite his drive and resourcefulness — he’d been underemployed for the past four years, a casualty of the recession and upheavals in media markets. Martinez was offered the video project by Workforce because he’d already done one video for them pro bono. As a participant in WorkSource Snohomish County, he had begun doing volunteer projects as a way to network and get his work in front of potential employers. (more…)