As we find new clients, create new products and services, and seek to increase to increase the effectiveness and profit or our businesses, there are forces at work that are either oblivious to our efforts or contributed to by our efforts. Populations increase, the amount of what we know as a species grows, and technology advances. Here’s an entertaining presentation of facts that may help to put it all in perspective.
Did You Know?
Nov 11
Someone sent me an email asking me what the purpose of Twitter was. Is it practical? Is it a fad? The owners haven’t even monetized it. It’s a great question and there are a lot of people asking it. I believe the best way to answer it is that it’s true purpose has yet to be recognized. I remember telling a friend years ago that he should buy a personal computer. He couldn’t see a reason to spend the money. He didn’t know what to do with it. He finally got one, of course, and now spends too much time on it. He found many uses for it after he bought it. Like a personal computer, perhaps Twitter has to be used to help you see its value.
Some people use Twitter to call attention to updates to their blog or site. It’s like sending a message to every client at once. Some companies use it to tell everyone what their up to. Many give away prizes to random customers in a hope that they will stay tuned. Some simply use it as a microblog that immediately updates it’s followers. Imagine yourself creating a text message from you cell phone that goes out to millions of interested readers. These are just some of it’s uses. Are you creative enough to find another?
As far as Twitter being monetized, well there is some work that needs to be done there. Biz Stone, the co-founder of Twitter, on a recent interview with Tavis Smiley says that Twitter will remain free to all but there are some special new services that may have value to particular users. Those premium services will help bring revenue to the company.
In my opinion, the true purpose of twitter has yet to be recognized or discovered. Maybe it has a lot of little purposes. It has many creative personal uses. As a business owner or marketing manager you really have to look at how Twitter can support your business plan. What value can it bring your company? You’ll have to judge for yourself. Start by doing some research. Check out these reasons why some people thing Twitter has amazing value. Here are a few others. Feel free to share your experiences here. As I find out more, I will do the same.
Online Backup
Aug 5
One of the most immediate concerns for all of my clients is their data backup plan. Despite my urgings, most don’t seem to have one. Even something as simple as putting a USB drive on a keychain and backing up their documents at the end of the day seems to be too much, that is until they lose important data. Viruses, computer crashes, and random equipment failure can catch you by surprise. Losses cost money and time and some data is simply irreplaceable. When it comes to backing up your data, it is important to be proactive. If you’d like it done automatically without your having to do anything, consider an online solution. There are several.
One online solution is called Mozy Online Backup For a home computer, Mozy will provide free online backup for up to 2GB. If you want more, the have an unlimited plan for less than $5 a month. If you run an office of multiple computers MozyPro offers a low cost plan that depends on the number of computers and amount of data (in GB) that you wish to backup. The costs are quite reasonable and once it’s set up, your backup can happen daily at a time of your choosing.
Carbonite is another noteworthy online solution. They offer a free trial so you can examine their services and affordable annual plans at no cost. During this free trial they don’t even ask you for a credit card number. Carbonite provides similar services to Mozy and is a direct competitor. Carbonite also allows you to view your data online and access it from any computer with an Internet connection.
Free Office Software
Jul 18
As a Technology Business Consultant I’m always looking for ways to save my clients money while enabling them to maintain the same high standards they insist on. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars for Microsoft Office I suggest they consider OpenOffice.org. OpenOffice.org is an integrated office suite that provides most of the software you need to run your everyday business. It includes a word-processor/desktop publisher, spreadsheet software, presentation software, drawing software, and database software. Unlike many of it’s competitors it is 100% free and can be used on multiple computers in your office without any legal ramifications. Despite being free it is still fully compatible with files created in Microsoft Office and can even save into those formats. Try it for yourself and you’ll see.