In-Stat MDR has a study showing that the U.S. small business market will spend over $170 billion on information technology in 2004, an increase of more than 5% compared to expenditures in 2003. According to In-Stat MDR: “Although individual firms’ IT budgets are relatively small, customers in this market represent a tremendous opportunity for IT providers. Telecom, applications and LAN ... Read More »
When you’re on the road, whether locally or internationally, sometimes you just need that little device, gadget or thingamajig to make your work life easier. These tools are not just for road warriors, but for anyone who appreciates elegant lifehacks. Here are eight of my favorites: Breffo spiders are absolutely amazing. Simple, but super cool. You can mold one into ... Read More »
Editor’s Note: Last year one of our most popular articles of the year was written by Shara Karasic, who pointed out 10 small-business apps for the iPhone. The response was so enthusiastic, that we invited Shara back for an even bigger and better roundup of apps for entrepreneurs and small-business execs this year. And who better than Shara to contribute ... Read More »
Customer relationship management has always felt like the wrong term to me. You don’t “manage” customers. You don’t “manage” your relationship with a customer. You might nurture it. You might encourage it. You would strive to strengthen it. But manage? No. However, I understand what a company is aiming for when they say it, and the term has stuck for ... Read More »
When people are looking for a local business, more and more often they’re turning to their smartphones or tablets for help. Mobile searching is a whole new playing field, with the majority of searches related to shopping or finding a nearby business—a gas station, a restaurant, a hotel or retail store. Google dominates mobile phone searches, even more so than ... Read More »
Word Doc – click to download Excel Version – click to download PDF Version – click to download This social media calendar template for small business is for YOU! It is based on the calendar format we use internally here at Small Business Trends LLC. Like many of you, we have limited resources and time. In a small business, you never ... Read More »
With the positive effects of social media marketing becoming more and more apparent, most small businesses have started working on a social media marketing strategy. One of the main aims of social media marketing is to stay relevant to your audience. This might be harder for small businesses as they have more to juggle, in terms of handling tasks. Social ... Read More »
Apps are no longer considered merely a “branding exercise” for small businesses. Business owners are becoming wise to the marketing power a well-designed, intuitive app can bring. From simplifying online purchases to providing easy-to-access information, the benefits are undeniable which is why small businesses must develop mobile apps to stay competitive. Why Small Businesses Must Develop Mobile Apps In previous years, ... Read More »
Did you know that over half of adults in the United States now utilize a smart phone to surf the Web? This information makes it even more urgent that you bring your business onto the mobile scene if you have not already. Even if you are a brick and mortar store, it is imperative that you, at the minimum, make ... Read More »
All business owners begin their venture with a focus on growth. With the rapid advances in technology, new and effective opportunities are opening up for businesses to quicken their progress. Small businesses, nowadays, are increasingly tapping into the many resources that technology has rendered accessible. This is because, technology can provide a competitive advantage to businesses worldwide. Technology brings forth ... Read More »
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