CorpNet Launches Free Corporate Filing Compliance Service

Business filing company CorpNet.com recently launched a free alerts service designed to help entrepreneurs keep compliant with state corporate filings, to avoid late fees and penalties.  It’s called the Business Information Zone (B.I.Z).

This online tool is not limited to existing CorpNet.com clients, but is available to any small business.

CEO Nellie Akalp saw a need for the corporate filing compliance service after watching clients miss important filing deadlines and incur penalties.  ”Clients would call in, not knowing why their business was in bad standing with the state and why they owed all these high penalties. Clients would find their company being dissolved by the state, and would complain that they hadn’t gotten any notice about it.”

As a business owner, once you are granted a corporation or LLC, you may think the work is done. But that’s not the case, says Akalp. Many don’t realize they need to file regular paperwork to stay compliant.  Failure to do so risks being charged late penalties â€" or worse.

With rising budget deficits, states are looking to increase revenues by ramping up collection from small business owners who don’t file on time. As an example, in California, a business that fails to file its annual report by the deadline will be hit with $250 in penalties and fines. Akalp says CorpNet’s new service aims to educate business owners “about all of these due dates and requirements and keep their business in compliance throughout the lifetime of their business.”

Akalp calls CorpNet’s B.I.Z. service  a “personal concierge service for your business at no charge.” Competitors offer similar services, she says, but they charge for it or require paid registered agent services.

Once business owners sign up, they can receive email reminders on tax and compliance alerts.  They can also store their business documents, and keep a personalized business profile that tracks important data about their company â€" such as formation date, Federal Tax ID number, business licenses and permits, and more.

Users can also order other services from CorpNet within the platform, such as filing for a fictitious business name/DBA, obtaining stock certificates, or apply for a sellers permit.  While use of the B.I.Z. monitoring platform itself is free, filings may involve charges.

The idea is to be a “one stop shop” for all corporate and state filing needs. It eliminates the need to navigate multiple  websites â€" like those for city, state, or county governments, the IRS, or the Franchise Tax Board â€" to find the proper applications and information. “CorpNet aims to make it easier to take care of such paperwork at a click of button,” says Akalp.

While the new service is available to any small business, it’s aimed at solopreneurs and DIY small business owners who aren’t accustomed to filing the paperwork necessary for corporate annual reports, business license renewals, tax filings  and so on. CPAs and attorneys who manage their clients’ businesses are also taking advantage of the platform.

Cyber Theft Is On The Rise. Insure Your Small Business to Ensure Peace of Mind.

The growing incidence of cyber attacks on smartphones has been making news for a while now.  With Android devices constituting 72 percent of the smartphone market and iOS devices constituting 15 percent, the former category has been the main target of mobile Malware. Although the practice of ‘jail-breaking IOS devices’ to install applications not available in the Apple App store and the fact that an Apple product is more likely to owned by a wealthy consumer, has caught the attention of hackers as well. IT security companies are now warning that 2013 could be the worst year ever for Malware experienced globally by users of all mobile devices. 

Besides the growth in the number of smartphone users, there are several factors which have caused this meteoric rise in incidence of cyber attacks.

Smartphones being used as computers by users: Users are storing their personal details such as name, address, bank records and other important information on these devices. This coupled with transfer of data using Bluetooth, has made smartphones extremely attractive to hackers.

Spurt in the BYOD trend at work: It is the employee owned hardware which is causing maximum chaos as more and more companies are joining the BYOD work culture without having equipped themselves with the necessary security. The growing use of cloud based applications, laptops and tablets has increased the risk for businesses as these may not be enabled with security features such as encryption and access control.

Smartphones as mobile wallets:Another reason for smartphones becoming popular with hackers is that they are increasingly being used as mobile wallets. This requires use of near-field communications (NFC) chips. NFC technology by itself is considered to be secure but the applications designed to use it are extremely vulnerable to security hazards. When one considers the fact NFC transactions this year alone may add up to $50 billion one gets a fair idea of the stakes involved.

In fact experts believe that another major risk to smartphone users may be through another technique that is being termed as ‘ransomware’. This malware takes control of the device and data within it and is forsaken only once the demanded ransom is paid. 

While larger corporations are able to safeguard themselves against cyber theft via sophisticated malware systems and expensive insurance policies, most small businesses find themselves particularly vulnerable.To address this, Marc Kramer (a former small business owner himself) has started the Commercial Deposit Insurance Agency with the aim of offering affordable insurance to small businesses against losses arising from cyber theft (protection up to $50000 for a premium of $178 per year).  

Ann Talbot, CFO for a California general contractor, whose company was targeted twice  by cyber criminals, says the best way for small businesses to protect themselves is to have dual computers - one dedicated to banking and one for the remainder of company operations. 

If you are a small business owner, then it’s time to consider safeguarding your business by taking an insurance against cyber theft as well.  Protecting your business perhaps also necessitates that bank accounts not be accessed on smartphones since these devices are routinely used for accessing social media and other websites making them particularly vulnerable to hackers.

TaskRabbit for Business: Online Alternative to a Temporary Help Agency

TaskRabbit started as an online service to fill odd jobs - a sort of “gal Friday” service.  Need someone to do your grocery shopping, walk your dog or assemble that IKEA dining room set?  TaskRabbit is where you could go.

TaskRabbit for Business takes that concept and ports it over to the business world.

Last week TaskRabbit launched its business-oriented service. It’s designed for businesses to find vetted (background-checked) temporary help.

TaskRabbit for Business focuses on what they call “long term” help.

That’s a relative term.  TaskRabbit has up until now been largely about one-day gigs or very short-term needs.  Long term could include something that takes more than one day or perhaps an ongoing worker in a business working X number of hours each week.

TaskRabbit says 35% of regular tasks posted have been by businesses, and this is in response to demand.

“Over the past few months, we’ve noticed a trend in companies using the TaskRabbit platform as an easy and reliable way to staff temporary employees,” says Victor Echevarria, TaskRabbit’s Head of Business Development.  “We’ve learned that many businesses are frustrated with the current temping solutions, which often prove slow, expensive, and inefficient. Hiring managers are tired of spending enormous amounts of time sifting through online classifieds and job boards, and completing the endless paperwork associated with W-2 employment.”

The answer to this question depends on the nature of the job (whether you need on-premises help vs virtual help); the size of the job; and where you’re located.

TaskRabbit for Business touts the quality of its workers. All workers are background checked, the company says. The service also integrates profile data it pulls from LinkedIn. This lets employers see a summary of skills and employment history.

It also emphasizes simplicity and speed in hiring. The job posting process is streamlined and quick to fill out. There’s even a sort of “buy it now” feature, called Quick Assign, that allows for the first worker who accepts your price to be assigned to the job.  It is especially fast to post administrative, customer service, sales, and data-entry jobs.

However, availability of  service areas is an issue. If you are looking for workers who work on your premises, you have to be located inside one of the nine large cities  TaskRabbit services.  For instance, in my small town in Ohio, I was unable to post anything other than a “virtual task.”  That was fine for me, because that’s what I would have hired for anyway.

Unless you’re in one of 9 metropolitan areas, you’re probably not going to get someone to hop on down to your offices to help you assemble new desks and Aeron chairs.  According to its website, TaskRabbit covers Boston, San Antonio, Chicago, Portland, New York City, San Francisco Bay area, Austin, Seattle, Los Angeles and Orange County.

Another issue is fees.  TaskRabbit charges 26% if the worker is to be treated as a W-2 employee.  Or if the worker will be a 1099 independent contractor, the fee is 20% on top of what you pay the worker.

While TaskRabbit says those prices are less than what temporary agencies charge, that pricing will cause small businesses to think twice before using TaskRabbit for large jobs and ongoing work. For small tasks of a few hundred dollars, a 20% fee may well be worth the ease of getting someone in fast.  And for the 26% fee you’re getting a payroll solution that includes compliance with payroll taxes, workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation.

Bigger jobs is where it becomes a dicey proposition. Adding 20% or 26% on top of thousands of dollars drives up your cost of doing business fast.

There are many places online today where you can hire “virtual” help (i.e., people who can work from their own homes). Competing services such as ODesk charge considerably less.  ODesk charges 10% on contractor assignments, and 20% if you utilize optional ODesk payroll services.  Elance charges a service fee of 8.75%.  Both services offer an extensive backend system with timesheets, work diaries, reports and management monitoring capabilities.  They also offer extensive feedback systems where previous employers can rate workers.

TaskRabbit, however, appears to have an edge when you need on-premises help in one of the nine cities it covers.  You’d either have to pay a temporary help agency’s fees, which are likely to be higher, and it may take longer.  Or you’d have to go through the laborious process of posting on a job board or classified ad, and for small projects it may not be worth the effort. TaskRabbit could be more efficient and cost effective in those circumstances.

Cyber Theft Is On The Rise. Insure Your Small Business to Ensure Peace of Mind.

The growing incidence of cyber attacks on smartphones has been making news for a while now.  With Android devices constituting 72 percent of the smartphone market and iOS devices constituting 15 percent, the former category has been the main target of mobile Malware. Although the practice of ‘jail-breaking IOS devices’ to install applications not available in the Apple App store and the fact that an Apple product is more likely to owned by a wealthy consumer, has caught the attention of hackers as well. IT security companies are now warning that 2013 could be the worst year ever for Malware experienced globally by users of all mobile devices. 

Besides the growth in the number of smartphone users, there are several factors which have caused this meteoric rise in incidence of cyber attacks.

Smartphones being used as computers by users: Users are storing their personal details such as name, address, bank records and other important information on these devices. This coupled with transfer of data using Bluetooth, has made smartphones extremely attractive to hackers.

Spurt in the BYOD trend at work: It is the employee owned hardware which is causing maximum chaos as more and more companies are joining the BYOD work culture without having equipped themselves with the necessary security. The growing use of cloud based applications, laptops and tablets has increased the risk for businesses as these may not be enabled with security features such as encryption and access control.

Smartphones as mobile wallets:Another reason for smartphones becoming popular with hackers is that they are increasingly being used as mobile wallets. This requires use of near-field communications (NFC) chips. NFC technology by itself is considered to be secure but the applications designed to use it are extremely vulnerable to security hazards. When one considers the fact NFC transactions this year alone may add up to $50 billion one gets a fair idea of the stakes involved.

In fact experts believe that another major risk to smartphone users may be through another technique that is being termed as ‘ransomware’. This malware takes control of the device and data within it and is forsaken only once the demanded ransom is paid. 

While larger corporations are able to safeguard themselves against cyber theft via sophisticated malware systems and expensive insurance policies, most small businesses find themselves particularly vulnerable.To address this, Marc Kramer (a former small business owner himself) has started the Commercial Deposit Insurance Agency with the aim of offering affordable insurance to small businesses against losses arising from cyber theft (protection up to $50000 for a premium of $178 per year).  

Ann Talbot, CFO for a California general contractor, whose company was targeted twice  by cyber criminals, says the best way for small businesses to protect themselves is to have dual computers - one dedicated to banking and one for the remainder of company operations. 

If you are a small business owner, then it’s time to consider safeguarding your business by taking an insurance against cyber theft as well.  Protecting your business perhaps also necessitates that bank accounts not be accessed on smartphones since these devices are routinely used for accessing social media and other websites making them particularly vulnerable to hackers.

Cyber Theft Is On The Rise. Insure Your Small Business to Ensure Peace of Mind.

The growing incidence of cyber attacks on smartphones has been making news for a while now.  With Android devices constituting 72 percent of the smartphone market and iOS devices constituting 15 percent, the former category has been the main target of mobile Malware. Although the practice of ‘jail-breaking IOS devices’ to install applications not available in the Apple App store and the fact that an Apple product is more likely to owned by a wealthy consumer, has caught the attention of hackers as well. IT security companies are now warning that 2013 could be the worst year ever for Malware experienced globally by users of all mobile devices. 

Besides the growth in the number of smartphone users, there are several factors which have caused this meteoric rise in incidence of cyber attacks.

Smartphones being used as computers by users: Users are storing their personal details such as name, address, bank records and other important information on these devices. This coupled with transfer of data using Bluetooth, has made smartphones extremely attractive to hackers.

Spurt in the BYOD trend at work: It is the employee owned hardware which is causing maximum chaos as more and more companies are joining the BYOD work culture without having equipped themselves with the necessary security. The growing use of cloud based applications, laptops and tablets has increased the risk for businesses as these may not be enabled with security features such as encryption and access control.

Smartphones as mobile wallets:Another reason for smartphones becoming popular with hackers is that they are increasingly being used as mobile wallets. This requires use of near-field communications (NFC) chips. NFC technology by itself is considered to be secure but the applications designed to use it are extremely vulnerable to security hazards. When one considers the fact NFC transactions this year alone may add up to $50 billion one gets a fair idea of the stakes involved.

In fact experts believe that another major risk to smartphone users may be through another technique that is being termed as ‘ransomware’. This malware takes control of the device and data within it and is forsaken only once the demanded ransom is paid. 

While larger corporations are able to safeguard themselves against cyber theft via sophisticated malware systems and expensive insurance policies, most small businesses find themselves particularly vulnerable.To address this, Marc Kramer (a former small business owner himself) has started the Commercial Deposit Insurance Agency with the aim of offering affordable insurance to small businesses against losses arising from cyber theft (protection up to $50000 for a premium of $178 per year).  

Ann Talbot, CFO for a California general contractor, whose company was targeted twice  by cyber criminals, says the best way for small businesses to protect themselves is to have dual computers - one dedicated to banking and one for the remainder of company operations. 

If you are a small business owner, then it’s time to consider safeguarding your business by taking an insurance against cyber theft as well.  Protecting your business perhaps also necessitates that bank accounts not be accessed on smartphones since these devices are routinely used for accessing social media and other websites making them particularly vulnerable to hackers.

Physical Media Is Dead. Long Live The Cloud!

Was music how it all started? First we started downloading music, then it was games, TV shows, books and software? However it all started, you must be noticing how physical media is becoming less and less relevant to our lives. Look at Apple’s latest OS releases: 2009′s Snow Leopard was the last OS available on CD-ROM. 2011′s Lion was only available through download and USB flash drive. 2012′s Mountain Lion has phased out even the USB flash drive. Mountain Lion is only available through download.

It’s no surprise that Adobe has ceased delivering boxed software. Their products will now only be available as online subscription services. This combats piracy and makes their revenue stream steadier. We’ve looked at the benefits of subscription-based models in the past.

But what does this move to the cloud mean? We don’t own DVDs, we’ve got Netflix. We don’t buy books, we download ebooks. When we play games on our computers, we get them through Steam.

And this isn’t going to slow down! Everything’s going to the cloud, whether consumers want it or not.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania’s blog says, “SAP, one of the largest enterprise software companies in the world, announced on Tuesday that it plans to launch a cloud service for its fast-growing HANA analytics software. SAP, like its rival Oracle, has been moving away from a one-time licensing model and both firms have been acquiring cloud and software-as-a-service companies at a quick pace: SAP has acquired SuccessFactors and Ariba, while Oracle has acquired Taleo, RightNow and other cloud companies. In part, Oracle and SAP are buying companies to thwart emerging rivals like Salesforce.com and Workday.”

Variety reports, “Netflix continues to be the biggest hog of Internet bandwidth in North America, with its video traffic jumping more than 35% in March from a year earlier, according to a new study.

“The video-subscription company accounted for roughly one-third (32.3%) of peak-period downstream traffic on fixed-line broadband networks in North America, about the same as last spring, an analysis by network equipment vendor Sandvine found.”

Broadband can handle the pressure and usage will only continue to rise.

What are we losing? I’ll certainly miss the special features on DVDs and Blu-Rays, when those go the way of VHS. But the main thing we’re losing is ownership. It used to be you could buy Photoshop and use that version for the rest of your days. Now, if you can’t pay the monthly fee, you’re cut off. The same goes for movies and Netflix.

What do you think about this move to the cloud? Do you think Adobe and Apple, etc. should continue to offer boxed software? Let us know in the comments!

10 Small Ways to Combat Big Employee Conflicts

It doesn’t matter how robust the company wellness program is or how relaxing the nap room feels - when two or more employees are stuck in a negative situation, the entire startup suffers. Whether they’re butting heads on a new collaborative project or talking behind each other’s backs about a personal matter, it’s up to the boss to put an end to the conflict and bring the office morale â€" and productivity â€" back up to par.

We asked members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only organization comprised of the country’s most promising young entrepreneurs, the following question about getting a grip on the office grumps:

“What is one conflict resolution tip you have used to mediate negative situations between two or more employees?”

Here’s what YEC community members had to say:

1. Tell It to the Judge

“Treat a conflict resolution between employees like a court case. Let each employee produce a brief written statement and evidence to support their side of the story. Review them impartially, and make a swift and just decision. Make sure that the losing party doesn’t receive a punishment too severe, and put all parties back to work.” ~ Anthony Saladino, Kitchen Cabinet Kings

2. Address the Situation Immediately

“Employee conflicts that are allowed to fester can have a significant negative effect on the company as a whole. Get the employees together, mediate a discussion and commit to a solution before anyone leaves. Don’t take sides and try to address the conflict objectively. No one likes working in an environment with an air of tension and discord.” ~ Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance

3. Adopt a Proactive Approach

“On a small team, it’s especially important to address internal conflicts before they escalate and blow up. Coach your team to comfortably handle conflicts in a non-charged fashion, and set an example with your own healthy ability to manage conflict. By doing this, you will build a culture of proactive mediation and conflict resolution. ” ~ David Ehrenberg, Early Growth Financial Services

4. Take the Company’s Side

“Choosing one employee over another can be dangerous to morale, especially if you’re not exactly sure what happened. Make it as clear as possible that you’re impartial and that you’re on the company’s side. Going from there can at least help mitigate any bad feelings and will let you fall back on an existing policy.” ~ Thursday Bram, Hyper Modern Consulting

5. Bring in More Objective Advisers

“Founders walk a fine line when mediating negative situations between employees â€" you do not want to be seen as “taking the side” of one teammate. I try to get everyone together as much as possible to discuss the differences and then research for objective advice. Sometimes, that means calling mutual advisers; other times, it means researching on Quora. ” ~ Aaron Schwartz, Modify Watches

6. Look at What the Books Say

“I highly recommend reading the books “Crucial Conversations” and “Crucial Confrontations” by Kerry Patterson and looking at the advice and models these books provide for talking through tense situations. Oftentimes, when you have the right model for communication, negative situations can quickly diffuse into positive solutions. ” ~ Elizabeth Saunders, Real Life E®

7. Offer Drinks on You

“I pulled two employees aside and said I would fire both of them if they didn’t fix their problem by that afternoon, but if they did, drinks that night were on me. #CEOproblems” ~ Jordan Fliegel, CoachUp, Inc.

8. Remember That You All Have One Goal

“When conflict arises, always set the stage and remind all parties that everyone has good intentions. Most times, conflict arises between good people because there is bad communication or a lack of information between parties. Remind everyone that, as a company, you have the same goals. Then, work from that shared ground.” ~ Ben Rubenstein, Yodle

9. Watch for a Lack of Resolution

“You want employees to be able to resolve things on their own. But when it becomes apparent that this resolution is not occurring, the sooner you (or someone from your top-level team) jump in to mediate, the better. Rarely do these situations resolve themselves and if you let things fester, they’ll spread quickly and create deeper problems.” ~ Anderson Schoenrock, ScanDigital

10. Treat Them Like Adults

“Communication is critical between employees who are having issues with each other. Giving them ownership of the situation, reminding them of the greater purpose and treating them like adults who can come to a resolution on their own can work more efficiently than introducing a third-person mediator in some situations.” ~ Shradha Agarwal, ContextMedia

Physical Media Is Dead. Long Live The Cloud!

Was music how it all started? First we started downloading music, then it was games, TV shows, books and software? However it all started, you must be noticing how physical media is becoming less and less relevant to our lives. Look at Apple’s latest OS releases: 2009′s Snow Leopard was the last OS available on CD-ROM. 2011′s Lion was only available through download and USB flash drive. 2012′s Mountain Lion has phased out even the USB flash drive. Mountain Lion is only available through download.

It’s no surprise that Adobe has ceased delivering boxed software. Their products will now only be available as online subscription services. This combats piracy and makes their revenue stream steadier. We’ve looked at the benefits of subscription-based models in the past.

But what does this move to the cloud mean? We don’t own DVDs, we’ve got Netflix. We don’t buy books, we download ebooks. When we play games on our computers, we get them through Steam.

And this isn’t going to slow down! Everything’s going to the cloud, whether consumers want it or not.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania’s blog says, “SAP, one of the largest enterprise software companies in the world, announced on Tuesday that it plans to launch a cloud service for its fast-growing HANA analytics software. SAP, like its rival Oracle, has been moving away from a one-time licensing model and both firms have been acquiring cloud and software-as-a-service companies at a quick pace: SAP has acquired SuccessFactors and Ariba, while Oracle has acquired Taleo, RightNow and other cloud companies. In part, Oracle and SAP are buying companies to thwart emerging rivals like Salesforce.com and Workday.”

Variety reports, “Netflix continues to be the biggest hog of Internet bandwidth in North America, with its video traffic jumping more than 35% in March from a year earlier, according to a new study.

“The video-subscription company accounted for roughly one-third (32.3%) of peak-period downstream traffic on fixed-line broadband networks in North America, about the same as last spring, an analysis by network equipment vendor Sandvine found.”

Broadband can handle the pressure and usage will only continue to rise.

What are we losing? I’ll certainly miss the special features on DVDs and Blu-Rays, when those go the way of VHS. But the main thing we’re losing is ownership. It used to be you could buy Photoshop and use that version for the rest of your days. Now, if you can’t pay the monthly fee, you’re cut off. The same goes for movies and Netflix.

What do you think about this move to the cloud? Do you think Adobe and Apple, etc. should continue to offer boxed software? Let us know in the comments!

4 Great Tips From The Small Business That Combined Pilates and Technology to Win Customers

Denise Posnak, founder of MyBODâ„¢ Wellness Online Pilates and Yoga, is taking an innovative approach to her business. Instead of limiting her customer base to those living in her immediate area, Posnak provides her classes via the web. Utilizing Skype and Google+, Posnak is able to offer one-on-one sessions that customers can take in their own living room.

Posnak doesn’t limit her classes to one-on-one instruction. Customers can host workout sessions with Posnak in their own homes. Like on-site trainers, Posnak provides a free 15-minute consultation with each client to determine individual needs.

Recently, Posnak spoke with SmallBizTechnology about her innovative approach to fitness. A former lecturer of dance at the University of Georgia, Posnak’s passion clearly shows through as she speaks about Pilates, yoga, and how technology is revolutionizing the world of fitness.

Q: The Internet has changed the way customers do everything, from communicating with friends to buying products. How do you feel online fitness training has met the needs of customers?

DP: Online fitness training (one-on-one, live) uses the Internet to help people get out of the tech loop and get back into their bodies.  Our computer culture locks us into a hunching forward, static posture with eyes that blink only half as much as they should.  By using Skype, Google+, or FaceTime we offer a ‘fitness life raft’ that saves them from back pain, weight gain, glazed-over eyes and is easier on the pocketbook than in-home personal training.

Customers who can’t get to the gym because they are over-worked, new moms, or those afraid of walking into a public space to work out have the opportunity to meet a motivating, expert trainer at home.  Customers who travel and have a hard time keeping consistent in their health can see their trainers every week, no matter what.  And customers who live in remote places have access to individual sessions with Pilates and Yoga teachers they would never have.

Q: What led you to choose an online business model, rather than a traditional bricks-and-mortar approach to working out?

DP: I have lived in several places-California, the Midwest, Europe, and the south-and have met incredible clients and teachers/colleagues who I wanted to continue to work with.  When I moved to New York City three years ago, I decided that I would try out one of the many entrepreneurial ideas that were running around in my head (Skype-based Pilates being one of them) and found that teaching Pilates on Skype re-connected me with clients I missed and teachers I adored.  From there, I began building the community and have been able to connect clients in New York, Georgia, and California to teachers in Boulder, Chicago, and Brooklyn.  And since there is not the cost of high NYC commercial rent, I can keep our rates low and offer accessibility to those who may not be able to afford private sessions otherwise.   (We’ve started experimenting with group classes where students are all over the map.  Very exciting)

Q: What are the benefits to working out online vs. in a studio or gym?

DP: The benefits of working out online:

Convenience: 45-minutes is 45-minutes.  No sitting in traffic, waiting for that 5:15 class to start, or even changing your clothes. (You could do this in your PJ’s.)

Consistency: If you are a traveler or have an erratic schedule, you will still have access to your teacher. Scheduling is more fluid because it’s easier for teachers to hop online to see you then to have to travel to the brick-and-mortar studio.

Control: Working out from your space allows you to control sound, temperature, smell (no more stinky feet or sweaty guy next to you), and aesthetics (hate that gym lighting).  Students can mute their sound and play music if they like, work out with soft lighting or light candles during yoga, and spray lavender or eucalyptus in the room without affecting anyone else.  It also inspires clients to create their in-home workout space that is dedicated to wellness and that reminds them to get on their mat, even when the teacher is not there.

Concentration:  The buzz of a gym or studio can be inspiring, or it can be intimidating.  When you work out at home, you concentrate on you.  No distractions from others or thoughts about what they might think of your body or your coordination (or lack of ).

Calm:  At the end of the day, I want to come home.  I want to be in my space, with my collection of art, and hang out around my dog.  (I actually don’t have a big collection of art or a dog, but you get my point).  Practicing mind/body fitness at home helps you have more home in your life.

Q: Are Pilates and yoga more conducive to the online format than other types of personal training?

Pilates seems to be made for the online format.  It is made for small spaces (you only need enough room for a mat) and it’s mostly done lying down (not a lot of movement around the room).  In terms of the view from a teacher’s perspective, I can see the body completely without the client having to move the camera up and down.  Yoga, similarly, doesn’t take up much space and is easy to teach online.  Our teachers work to minimize the up and down of the yoga practice so students don’t have to move the camera too much.

Personal training that doesn’t take up much space could work as well, as could Barre method.  Zumba might be a different story.  But essentially, it’s important to be able to really see our clients so we can ensure they are working safely and in the best way for their body.  Pilates and yoga are all about that, so in a way, yes they are a bit more conducive to the online format.

Q: What advice would you give other small business owners regarding using technology to engage customers?

My advice to small business owners who are not familiar with technology and want to utilize it more is:

1) Get help.  Ask your tech friends or hire a consultant to give you a good education.

2) Use it, but know the rules.  You can find these rules online or from your tech person.

3) Have fun with it!  Technology can become very overwhelming once you enter its vast world.  It’s very easy to get sucked into a constant, attached relationship to it.  I believe you need to enjoy it, but keep your boundaries so it can be fun.

4) Keep your human-to-human, person-to-person, phone call-to-phone call (or video call to video call) relationships alive.  We have to stay present and as 3D as possible, keeping technology in its place.

App Purchases Up at Google Play Store - Numbers Impressive

According to Google, two business models for mobile apps are growing at a fast clip. Particularly fast growing is something called “in app purchases.”

In app purchases are when someone buys an additional feature or service while inside a mobile application. This could be extra features, premium content, virtual goods, or simply a paid upgrade to remove advertisements.

Google recently announced it has seen a 700 percent growth in revenue from in app purchases over the last year in its Google Play store.

And it’s not just at the Google Play Store. A report says the Apple store is seeing a similar trend.

Earlier this year analysis firm Distimo reported 76 percent of U.S. Apple Store revenue came from in app purchases. About 71 percent of those purchases were from so-called “freemium” apps, the report said. Freemium apps cost nothing for initial download but then allow users to buy additional upgrades or features.

The top earners of in-app purchases in the Apple Store so far have been games, Apple Insider reports. However, at least one business app, TurboTax Snap Tax, did break the top 10 in earnings.

Subscriptions are another growing business model for app developers at Google Play. Google says revenue from subscriptions has doubled each quarter since the subscription option was launched a year ago.

Ibrahim Elbouchikhi, Product Manager of Google Play Commerce, said average revenue per user in the Google Play Store had more than doubled in the past year. He explained each of the two business models behind that growth.

“In app,” he said, “is about getting the user to enjoy the application, to really get immersed into it, before getting to monetization. We’ve heard this a lot in all sorts of sayings. You know, ‘Focus on the user experience, and the money will follow.’ And that’s exactly what in-app represents.” The remarks were made when addressing the crowd at the recent Google I/O event in a session called “Making Money on Google Play.”

He points out that “in app purchase” business models are not for everyone. Subscription-based business models can be very successful, too.  However, he notes, “Subscriptions have a pretty high hurdle. The user has to see continuous value. They have to commit to a recurring subscription…. Yet, we are seeing more and more users taking that step, and it’s because of the applications and the content ….” He points to the success story of Pandora, a top app and “one of the few non-games that’s completely based on subscriptions.”

Google representative Elbouchikhi and his team shared other important trends for businesses and entrepreneurs interested in developing apps for the Google Play store.

Tablets are better than phones for monetizing an app. The purchase rate on tablet apps is 1.7 times higher. “Optimizing your application for tablets is well worth while,” he notes. Google has launched resources for developers, including optimization tips for tablet apps, to help developers.

The team also said apps making use of the latest Android platform additions had a 2.2 times greater chance for monetization over apps built on an older version. He urges taking advantage of the latest features, too, such as the Google+ login and new APIs. They are more than “nice-to-haves,” he says, because you can double your revenue by adopting these latest features.

And of course, quality matters. An app with a 4-star rating almost triples the revenue over a 3-star rating. And revenue on a 4-star app is orders of magnitude better than a 1-star rating. “Replying to reviews, fixing bugs, good customer support … all of that has a tangible impact on your revenue.”  See Google slide above.

He also pointed out that by getting the application into the Google Play store, you have access to a global distribution network in 134 countries.

This means opportunities to market apps through the Google Play Store are growing. Small businesses and entrepreneurs already involved in mobile app technology, or those looking to expand their businesses into mobile, take note.

4 Great Tips From The Small Business That Combined Pilates and Technology to Win Customers

Denise Posnak, founder of MyBODâ„¢ Wellness Online Pilates and Yoga, is taking an innovative approach to her business. Instead of limiting her customer base to those living in her immediate area, Posnak provides her classes via the web. Utilizing Skype and Google+, Posnak is able to offer one-on-one sessions that customers can take in their own living room.

Posnak doesn’t limit her classes to one-on-one instruction. Customers can host workout sessions with Posnak in their own homes. Like on-site trainers, Posnak provides a free 15-minute consultation with each client to determine individual needs.

Recently, Posnak spoke with SmallBizTechnology about her innovative approach to fitness. A former lecturer of dance at the University of Georgia, Posnak’s passion clearly shows through as she speaks about Pilates, yoga, and how technology is revolutionizing the world of fitness.

Q: The Internet has changed the way customers do everything, from communicating with friends to buying products. How do you feel online fitness training has met the needs of customers?

DP: Online fitness training (one-on-one, live) uses the Internet to help people get out of the tech loop and get back into their bodies.  Our computer culture locks us into a hunching forward, static posture with eyes that blink only half as much as they should.  By using Skype, Google+, or FaceTime we offer a ‘fitness life raft’ that saves them from back pain, weight gain, glazed-over eyes and is easier on the pocketbook than in-home personal training.

Customers who can’t get to the gym because they are over-worked, new moms, or those afraid of walking into a public space to work out have the opportunity to meet a motivating, expert trainer at home.  Customers who travel and have a hard time keeping consistent in their health can see their trainers every week, no matter what.  And customers who live in remote places have access to individual sessions with Pilates and Yoga teachers they would never have.

Q: What led you to choose an online business model, rather than a traditional bricks-and-mortar approach to working out?

DP: I have lived in several places-California, the Midwest, Europe, and the south-and have met incredible clients and teachers/colleagues who I wanted to continue to work with.  When I moved to New York City three years ago, I decided that I would try out one of the many entrepreneurial ideas that were running around in my head (Skype-based Pilates being one of them) and found that teaching Pilates on Skype re-connected me with clients I missed and teachers I adored.  From there, I began building the community and have been able to connect clients in New York, Georgia, and California to teachers in Boulder, Chicago, and Brooklyn.  And since there is not the cost of high NYC commercial rent, I can keep our rates low and offer accessibility to those who may not be able to afford private sessions otherwise.   (We’ve started experimenting with group classes where students are all over the map.  Very exciting)

Q: What are the benefits to working out online vs. in a studio or gym?

DP: The benefits of working out online:

Convenience: 45-minutes is 45-minutes.  No sitting in traffic, waiting for that 5:15 class to start, or even changing your clothes. (You could do this in your PJ’s.)

Consistency: If you are a traveler or have an erratic schedule, you will still have access to your teacher. Scheduling is more fluid because it’s easier for teachers to hop online to see you then to have to travel to the brick-and-mortar studio.

Control: Working out from your space allows you to control sound, temperature, smell (no more stinky feet or sweaty guy next to you), and aesthetics (hate that gym lighting).  Students can mute their sound and play music if they like, work out with soft lighting or light candles during yoga, and spray lavender or eucalyptus in the room without affecting anyone else.  It also inspires clients to create their in-home workout space that is dedicated to wellness and that reminds them to get on their mat, even when the teacher is not there.

Concentration:  The buzz of a gym or studio can be inspiring, or it can be intimidating.  When you work out at home, you concentrate on you.  No distractions from others or thoughts about what they might think of your body or your coordination (or lack of ).

Calm:  At the end of the day, I want to come home.  I want to be in my space, with my collection of art, and hang out around my dog.  (I actually don’t have a big collection of art or a dog, but you get my point).  Practicing mind/body fitness at home helps you have more home in your life.

Q: Are Pilates and yoga more conducive to the online format than other types of personal training?

Pilates seems to be made for the online format.  It is made for small spaces (you only need enough room for a mat) and it’s mostly done lying down (not a lot of movement around the room).  In terms of the view from a teacher’s perspective, I can see the body completely without the client having to move the camera up and down.  Yoga, similarly, doesn’t take up much space and is easy to teach online.  Our teachers work to minimize the up and down of the yoga practice so students don’t have to move the camera too much.

Personal training that doesn’t take up much space could work as well, as could Barre method.  Zumba might be a different story.  But essentially, it’s important to be able to really see our clients so we can ensure they are working safely and in the best way for their body.  Pilates and yoga are all about that, so in a way, yes they are a bit more conducive to the online format.

Q: What advice would you give other small business owners regarding using technology to engage customers?

My advice to small business owners who are not familiar with technology and want to utilize it more is:

1) Get help.  Ask your tech friends or hire a consultant to give you a good education.

2) Use it, but know the rules.  You can find these rules online or from your tech person.

3) Have fun with it!  Technology can become very overwhelming once you enter its vast world.  It’s very easy to get sucked into a constant, attached relationship to it.  I believe you need to enjoy it, but keep your boundaries so it can be fun.

4) Keep your human-to-human, person-to-person, phone call-to-phone call (or video call to video call) relationships alive.  We have to stay present and as 3D as possible, keeping technology in its place.

4 Great Tips From The Small Business That Combined Pilates and Technology to Win Customers

Denise Posnak, founder of MyBODâ„¢ Wellness Online Pilates and Yoga, is taking an innovative approach to her business. Instead of limiting her customer base to those living in her immediate area, Posnak provides her classes via the web. Utilizing Skype and Google+, Posnak is able to offer one-on-one sessions that customers can take in their own living room.

Posnak doesn’t limit her classes to one-on-one instruction. Customers can host workout sessions with Posnak in their own homes. Like on-site trainers, Posnak provides a free 15-minute consultation with each client to determine individual needs.

Recently, Posnak spoke with SmallBizTechnology about her innovative approach to fitness. A former lecturer of dance at the University of Georgia, Posnak’s passion clearly shows through as she speaks about Pilates, yoga, and how technology is revolutionizing the world of fitness.

Q: The Internet has changed the way customers do everything, from communicating with friends to buying products. How do you feel online fitness training has met the needs of customers?

DP: Online fitness training (one-on-one, live) uses the Internet to help people get out of the tech loop and get back into their bodies.  Our computer culture locks us into a hunching forward, static posture with eyes that blink only half as much as they should.  By using Skype, Google+, or FaceTime we offer a ‘fitness life raft’ that saves them from back pain, weight gain, glazed-over eyes and is easier on the pocketbook than in-home personal training.

Customers who can’t get to the gym because they are over-worked, new moms, or those afraid of walking into a public space to work out have the opportunity to meet a motivating, expert trainer at home.  Customers who travel and have a hard time keeping consistent in their health can see their trainers every week, no matter what.  And customers who live in remote places have access to individual sessions with Pilates and Yoga teachers they would never have.

Q: What led you to choose an online business model, rather than a traditional bricks-and-mortar approach to working out?

DP: I have lived in several places-California, the Midwest, Europe, and the south-and have met incredible clients and teachers/colleagues who I wanted to continue to work with.  When I moved to New York City three years ago, I decided that I would try out one of the many entrepreneurial ideas that were running around in my head (Skype-based Pilates being one of them) and found that teaching Pilates on Skype re-connected me with clients I missed and teachers I adored.  From there, I began building the community and have been able to connect clients in New York, Georgia, and California to teachers in Boulder, Chicago, and Brooklyn.  And since there is not the cost of high NYC commercial rent, I can keep our rates low and offer accessibility to those who may not be able to afford private sessions otherwise.   (We’ve started experimenting with group classes where students are all over the map.  Very exciting)

Q: What are the benefits to working out online vs. in a studio or gym?

DP: The benefits of working out online:

Convenience: 45-minutes is 45-minutes.  No sitting in traffic, waiting for that 5:15 class to start, or even changing your clothes. (You could do this in your PJ’s.)

Consistency: If you are a traveler or have an erratic schedule, you will still have access to your teacher. Scheduling is more fluid because it’s easier for teachers to hop online to see you then to have to travel to the brick-and-mortar studio.

Control: Working out from your space allows you to control sound, temperature, smell (no more stinky feet or sweaty guy next to you), and aesthetics (hate that gym lighting).  Students can mute their sound and play music if they like, work out with soft lighting or light candles during yoga, and spray lavender or eucalyptus in the room without affecting anyone else.  It also inspires clients to create their in-home workout space that is dedicated to wellness and that reminds them to get on their mat, even when the teacher is not there.

Concentration:  The buzz of a gym or studio can be inspiring, or it can be intimidating.  When you work out at home, you concentrate on you.  No distractions from others or thoughts about what they might think of your body or your coordination (or lack of ).

Calm:  At the end of the day, I want to come home.  I want to be in my space, with my collection of art, and hang out around my dog.  (I actually don’t have a big collection of art or a dog, but you get my point).  Practicing mind/body fitness at home helps you have more home in your life.

Q: Are Pilates and yoga more conducive to the online format than other types of personal training?

Pilates seems to be made for the online format.  It is made for small spaces (you only need enough room for a mat) and it’s mostly done lying down (not a lot of movement around the room).  In terms of the view from a teacher’s perspective, I can see the body completely without the client having to move the camera up and down.  Yoga, similarly, doesn’t take up much space and is easy to teach online.  Our teachers work to minimize the up and down of the yoga practice so students don’t have to move the camera too much.

Personal training that doesn’t take up much space could work as well, as could Barre method.  Zumba might be a different story.  But essentially, it’s important to be able to really see our clients so we can ensure they are working safely and in the best way for their body.  Pilates and yoga are all about that, so in a way, yes they are a bit more conducive to the online format.

Q: What advice would you give other small business owners regarding using technology to engage customers?

My advice to small business owners who are not familiar with technology and want to utilize it more is:

1) Get help.  Ask your tech friends or hire a consultant to give you a good education.

2) Use it, but know the rules.  You can find these rules online or from your tech person.

3) Have fun with it!  Technology can become very overwhelming once you enter its vast world.  It’s very easy to get sucked into a constant, attached relationship to it.  I believe you need to enjoy it, but keep your boundaries so it can be fun.

4) Keep your human-to-human, person-to-person, phone call-to-phone call (or video call to video call) relationships alive.  We have to stay present and as 3D as possible, keeping technology in its place.

Anonymous UK sets target on English Defence League

Hacktivists Anonymous has published the details of members of the far right English Defence League after a warning video was posted online.

Posted by the UK arm of Anonymous, the video said that it had "been patiently observing your organisation, as you have inflated, indoctrinating our young with your criminal mind-set". The list of members included 25 EDL donors with their names, addresses and email addresses published.

Anonymous UK announced that it would begin ‘opEDL' against the protest group, who have staged street protests against what it claims to be the ‘islamisation of the UK' and extremism. The EDL reached the national news last week after the death of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, which has led to increased attacks on mosques in the UK.

The Anonymous UK statement read: “In this operation, we will begin the systematic and comprehensive dissemination of your cult. We will further expose your falsities and your attempts to censor, to your members, to the British public, and to the world as a whole.

“You will fall; we can say this with complete confidence. We are everywhere, you cannot hide, you cannot win. We are the voices of all and the voice of one. It will not happen overnight, but we will be victorious.”

Anonymous UK sets target on English Defence League

Hacktivists Anonymous has published the details of members of the far right English Defence League after a warning video was posted online.

Posted by the UK arm of Anonymous, the video said that it had "been patiently observing your organisation, as you have inflated, indoctrinating our young with your criminal mind-set". The list of members included 25 EDL donors with their names, addresses and email addresses published.

Anonymous UK announced that it would begin ‘opEDL' against the protest group, who have staged street protests against what it claims to be the ‘islamisation of the UK' and extremism. The EDL reached the national news last week after the death of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, which has led to increased attacks on mosques in the UK.

The Anonymous UK statement read: “In this operation, we will begin the systematic and comprehensive dissemination of your cult. We will further expose your falsities and your attempts to censor, to your members, to the British public, and to the world as a whole.

“You will fall; we can say this with complete confidence. We are everywhere, you cannot hide, you cannot win. We are the voices of all and the voice of one. It will not happen overnight, but we will be victorious.”

Stratfor hacker charged, expected to face sentencing in September

Former LulzSec and Anonymous member Jeremy Hammond has pleaded guilty to hacking intelligence firm Stratfor to expose millions of emails.

The Illinois man could face up to ten years in prison when he is sentenced in September. As part of his plea deal, Hammond, who was involved with Anonymous and offshoot LulzSec, accepted responsibility for infiltrating a number of other intelligence-related sites, including equipment suppliers and police agencies. He had been publicly accused of illegally accessing the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

In a statement posted on his support website, Hammond said that by pleading guilty, he is protected from being prosecuted for the other offences. “Even if I was found not guilty at trial [in New York], the government claimed that there were eight other outstanding indictments against me from jurisdictions scattered throughout the country,” he wrote.

“If I had won this trial, I would likely have been shipped across the country to face new but similar charges in a different district. The process might have repeated indefinitely.”

Hammond also stated that he was proud he shed light on the secret dealings of Stratfor, which serves major corporate and government agency clients. “Now that I have pleaded guilty it is a relief to be able to say that I did work with Anonymous to hack Stratfor, among other websites,” Hammond wrote.

“I did this because I believe people have a right to know what governments and corporations are doing behind closed doors. I did what I believe is right.”

Prosecutors have said that in addition to the emails, Stratfor hackers also stole 60,000 credit card numbers from clients to make unauthorised charges totalling £700,000, in addition to the personal information, such as names and email addresses, of 860,000 people. Much of the charges were reportedly made on behalf of charities.

Stratfor said the hack cost it millions, including nearly $2 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by members. Supporters of Hammond have launched a petition asking that Judge Loretta Preska sentence Hammond to time served.

Authorities arrested Hammond after he was named by former Anonymous and LulzSec member Hector ‘Sabu' Monsegur, who worked as an FBI informant after his arrest. His LulzSec co-defendants were recently sentenced in the UK.

Secunia apologises over vulnerabilty disclosure on mailing list

Vulnerability management firm Secunia has apologised after an undisclosed vulnerability was sent to a public emailing list.

In a statement, Secunia CTO Morten Stengaard offered his ‘sincere apologies' after a story appeared in Security Week. He said: “Earlier this month, a researcher discovered two vulnerabilities within an application, and were coordinating them via the Secunia SVCRP program.

“While coordinating with the researcher, one email was accidentally sent from Secunia to a public emailing list, thereby making information about one of the vulnerabilities publicly available.

“Upon realising the mistake, Secunia immediately informed the vendor in question, who is currently working to create a patch for the vulnerability. Secunia is going through all procedures to ensure that this cannot happen in future.”

The article by Security Week revealed that the unpatched vulnerability was within the image viewing application Intergraph and the email was supposed to be addressed to the ‘vuln' address at Secunia. However an apparent auto-fill mistake address sent the email to the Vulnerability Information Managers mailing list.

Intergraph creates software that is used in the defence and intelligence sector (anti-terror/geospatial intelligence), as well as emergency, electric, road, rail, airport and seaport infrastructure management. The email said that the ERDAS ER software has two unpatched flaws: one being a stack-based buffer overflow that was initially disclosed to Secunia, and the second was supposedly patched in April by Intergraph, but Secunia reported the fix was only released to ‘a restricted audience'.

What If I Share a Celebrity’s Name? Google Reputation Management Nightmare

In an era when people are used to searching others on the Internet that they are going to deal and/or possibly date, controlling your search results is a must for both professional and personal happiness.

Not everyone is as lucky as me to have a unique, catchy name like “Ann Smarty” (let’s just pretend it’s real). Many people still struggle to get found on Google. And while having a common name like “Bob Smith” can result in higher competition (that oftentimes is really easy to beat with some basic SEO skill simply because having that skill is a huge competitive advantage), a much bigger problem is when you share a celebrity’s name.

Below are common Internet search problems some of us keep trying to solve:

1. Your name is the exact version of a celebrity’s name: In this case, it’s almost impossible to make it to the top 10 and even if you do, “fresh” Google results will almost always outrank yours.
2. Your name is the misspelled version of a celebrity’s name: In this case, people who are interested in you will be mildly suggested they can’t type well.

While #1 is more or less clear and familiar, let’s take a look at #2′s case study. There is a very old and still unresolved question on Quora that dates back to 2011: “My name is Alex Baldwin, how can I tell Google I’m a different person than Alec Baldwin?”

There’s a lot of “helpful“ recommendations below it from creating lots of (social) profiles to creating an Adwords Campaign. According to Alex, all of those have been implemented, yet nothing has helped. Google isn’t giving the guy a chance:

Even after you confirm you are not stupid and you have typed everything correctly the first time, Google will still not be convinced:

So Why is it Happening?

Google’s spell check feature is based on just one data piece: The number of search results. Back in the day, when Google was much more open to revealing the under-lying mechanisms, here’s how they described the spell checker feature:

Google engineer, Noam Shazeer, developed a spelling correction (suggestion) system based on what other users have entered. The system automatically checks whether you are using the most common spelling of each word in your query.

What to Do?

1. Be Unique: Stick to the Name You’ll Have Less Trouble With

The truth is, you are unlikely to beat such a popular search as a celebrity name. You have two choices: Either wait for the celebrity’s career end or stop hitting the wall and brand another variation of your own name. The obvious option would be to brand your middle name or the middle initial:

[At least Google doesn't think it's a misspelling.]

Another way could be using your personal short name, your daily life nickname or your full name - depends on what you like most and what you stick to.

The Main Thing: Start Doing That Very Early

The very moment you are smart and mature enough to set a site and start thinking about what Google thinks about you, stick to the name version you are likely to have trouble with controlling search results for.

Yes, that’s not the perfect solution but unfortunately, that’s the only way to prevent Google from thinking you are a broken celebrity name.

Remember the nasty celebrity news that makes it to the top search results - what if your name belongs to a lesser known celebrity and your future partner or employer won’t even search further?

2. Embrace Google Plus

When you are good with the name you plan to brand, use that exact version of your name on Google Plus. If you don’t know how to use Google Plus as well as how to verify the authorship of your content there, see my quick presentation here or bookmark WP beginner‘s guide on getting Google’s verified Authorship for your WordPress blog. You can also read up on choosing your best author picture.

The most obvious benefit is that the more circles have you, the more people will see your personal results:

The longer-term benefit is that Google is probably trying to use Google Plus as its identity platform and if they are smart enough, they will use it to wisely rank people. So if you embrace it earlier and start building your presence there, you have a good chance to get established well enough to actually control search results.

Do you have any personal case studies and/or situations to share?

What If I Share a Celebrity’s Name? Google Reputation Management Nightmare

In an era when people are used to searching others on the Internet that they are going to deal and/or possibly date, controlling your search results is a must for both professional and personal happiness.

Not everyone is as lucky as me to have a unique, catchy name like “Ann Smarty” (let’s just pretend it’s real). Many people still struggle to get found on Google. And while having a common name like “Bob Smith” can result in higher competition (that oftentimes is really easy to beat with some basic SEO skill simply because having that skill is a huge competitive advantage), a much bigger problem is when you share a celebrity’s name.

Below are common Internet search problems some of us keep trying to solve:

1. Your name is the exact version of a celebrity’s name: In this case, it’s almost impossible to make it to the top 10 and even if you do, “fresh” Google results will almost always outrank yours.
2. Your name is the misspelled version of a celebrity’s name: In this case, people who are interested in you will be mildly suggested they can’t type well.

While #1 is more or less clear and familiar, let’s take a look at #2′s case study. There is a very old and still unresolved question on Quora that dates back to 2011: “My name is Alex Baldwin, how can I tell Google I’m a different person than Alec Baldwin?”

There’s a lot of “helpful“ recommendations below it from creating lots of (social) profiles to creating an Adwords Campaign. According to Alex, all of those have been implemented, yet nothing has helped. Google isn’t giving the guy a chance:

Even after you confirm you are not stupid and you have typed everything correctly the first time, Google will still not be convinced:

So Why is it Happening?

Google’s spell check feature is based on just one data piece: The number of search results. Back in the day, when Google was much more open to revealing the under-lying mechanisms, here’s how they described the spell checker feature:

Google engineer, Noam Shazeer, developed a spelling correction (suggestion) system based on what other users have entered. The system automatically checks whether you are using the most common spelling of each word in your query.

What to Do?

1. Be Unique: Stick to the Name You’ll Have Less Trouble With

The truth is, you are unlikely to beat such a popular search as a celebrity name. You have two choices: Either wait for the celebrity’s career end or stop hitting the wall and brand another variation of your own name. The obvious option would be to brand your middle name or the middle initial:

[At least Google doesn't think it's a misspelling.]

Another way could be using your personal short name, your daily life nickname or your full name - depends on what you like most and what you stick to.

The Main Thing: Start Doing That Very Early

The very moment you are smart and mature enough to set a site and start thinking about what Google thinks about you, stick to the name version you are likely to have trouble with controlling search results for.

Yes, that’s not the perfect solution but unfortunately, that’s the only way to prevent Google from thinking you are a broken celebrity name.

Remember the nasty celebrity news that makes it to the top search results - what if your name belongs to a lesser known celebrity and your future partner or employer won’t even search further?

2. Embrace Google Plus

When you are good with the name you plan to brand, use that exact version of your name on Google Plus. If you don’t know how to use Google Plus as well as how to verify the authorship of your content there, see my quick presentation here or bookmark WP beginner‘s guide on getting Google’s verified Authorship for your WordPress blog. You can also read up on choosing your best author picture.

The most obvious benefit is that the more circles have you, the more people will see your personal results:

The longer-term benefit is that Google is probably trying to use Google Plus as its identity platform and if they are smart enough, they will use it to wisely rank people. So if you embrace it earlier and start building your presence there, you have a good chance to get established well enough to actually control search results.

Do you have any personal case studies and/or situations to share?

McAfee adds security functions to new endpoint protection solutions

McAfee has announced the launch of two new suites in its McAfee Complete Endpoint Protection range: Enterprise and Business.

Speaking to SC Magazine, Jill Kyte, senior vice president of products at McAfee, said that with the rapid increase of malicious programs - it saw a 29 per cent increase in samples between Q1 and Q4 of 2012 - it needed to be able to protect users. Therefore it has added whitelisting, mobile device management, encryption technologies, its ePolicy Orchestrator software and McAfee enterprise mobile manager to these suites.

McAfee has also included the Deep Defender rootkit protection, jointly developed by Intel and McAfee. It said that this protects endpoints from stealthy attacks through security that goes beyond the operating system.

Kyte said: “We needed to add whitelisting technology as the ePolicy Orchestrator provides a single console to bring things together and understand what happens below the operating system, and that is what we are hoping to cure with the new offering.

“IT administrators can see the benefits of reduced scanning times and determine which are appropriate and the benefits. We put in the Deep Defender technology and also included mobile device management. We needed to enhance the need for anti-virus as the only method of protection.

“What comes into play is the benefit users have to get from a real-time intelligence feed.”

A McAfee customer from a public sector body told SC Magazine that it had deployed this solution as "anti-virus was not enough" and did not offer enough protection, and it was also utilising data loss prevention technology and vulnerability management to manage its network.

Speaking on the whitelisting offering, the company said: “This is very important to us as what we can do is make sure we have the right line and what this does is go beyond what Microsoft does, as you do not know where the malware is or how it gets on to the desktop and maybe users are not aware of it.

“The real-time threat intelligence will make life easier. We have got the same team for security and we maintain controls for the organisation and if we are dealing with real-time data, it will reduce the amount of manpower we put into something.” 

Understand the consequences of human error for corporate security

Understanding the human factor in security can be easier if consequences are understood.

Speaking on an SC Magazine webcast, Stephanie Damon, CEO of the Cyber Security Challenge, said that it takes a while for corporate consequences to kick in if a device or data is lost, as it depends on who the consequence falls upon.

“This is to do with awareness and getting people to understand that when they do lose corporate data, it does have a very serious consequence,” she said.

In agreement, Pamal Sharma, head of IT at Fujifilm, said that it was a case of relating what you are handling and said that consequences was a good word. “I think people need to relate to what they are dealing with; the danger here is that people get very used to what they are dealing with,” he said.

“An example is when in a previous job someone left HR data on my desk that contained details on salaries and she previously worked in a bank and it wasn't a big deal. Just being able to relate to the data and understanding the consequences of divulging that are and we've heard about statements being left outside in a bin liner, and there the consequences are for the individual who owns that data.”

Asked what can be done to change perceptions, Sharma said that a company could get people to relate to the data if they were the ones who lost it and relate it to any potential bonuses - if the data loss caused consequences to the company in relation to fines, reputation, new customers and the downward spiral effect.

Sharma said: “These are the things you need to pick up as an individual to what they do every day, and that makes you more tuned to how they need to behave with other people's information.”

Damon said she agreed with this concept, and relating it to what people are doing can be very difficult, as there can be a ‘glaze' that comes over people when they go to security briefings.

“Telling them what they must and must not do is a real issue, she said.

“I once saw a whole room come alive because we managed to relate the issues of the business to what they were doing on a day-to-day basis and it was around ‘if you don't do this properly you may lose your customer's data' and then you have to ring and tell your customers that you've lost their data and like a lightbulb, you could see why it was important.

“So relating it to what they do on a day-to-day basis is the key thing, rather than providing just a series of do's and don'ts.”

Sharma also said that often staff were trying to do the company a favour, and often the internal threat is more of a challenge than the external, but he was reluctant to call it an ‘internal threat'.

Damon also said that a lot of companies had taken time to realise that it was their information that they were trying to protect, and that IT was a tool to do that.

Understand the consequences of human error for corporate security

Understanding the human factor in security can be easier if consequences are understood.

Speaking on an SC Magazine webcast, Stephanie Damon, CEO of the Cyber Security Challenge, said that it takes a while for corporate consequences to kick in if a device or data is lost, as it depends on who the consequence falls upon.

“This is to do with awareness and getting people to understand that when they do lose corporate data, it does have a very serious consequence,” she said.

In agreement, Pamal Sharma, head of IT at Fujifilm, said that it was a case of relating what you are handling and said that consequences was a good word. “I think people need to relate to what they are dealing with; the danger here is that people get very used to what they are dealing with,” he said.

“An example is when in a previous job someone left HR data on my desk that contained details on salaries and she previously worked in a bank and it wasn't a big deal. Just being able to relate to the data and understanding the consequences of divulging that are and we've heard about statements being left outside in a bin liner, and there the consequences are for the individual who owns that data.”

Asked what can be done to change perceptions, Sharma said that a company could get people to relate to the data if they were the ones who lost it and relate it to any potential bonuses - if the data loss caused consequences to the company in relation to fines, reputation, new customers and the downward spiral effect.

Sharma said: “These are the things you need to pick up as an individual to what they do every day, and that makes you more tuned to how they need to behave with other people's information.”

Damon said she agreed with this concept, and relating it to what people are doing can be very difficult, as there can be a ‘glaze' that comes over people when they go to security briefings.

“Telling them what they must and must not do is a real issue, she said.

“I once saw a whole room come alive because we managed to relate the issues of the business to what they were doing on a day-to-day basis and it was around ‘if you don't do this properly you may lose your customer's data' and then you have to ring and tell your customers that you've lost their data and like a lightbulb, you could see why it was important.

“So relating it to what they do on a day-to-day basis is the key thing, rather than providing just a series of do's and don'ts.”

Sharma also said that often staff were trying to do the company a favour, and often the internal threat is more of a challenge than the external, but he was reluctant to call it an ‘internal threat'.

Damon also said that a lot of companies had taken time to realise that it was their information that they were trying to protect, and that IT was a tool to do that.

Work with users on password security rather than forcing it on them

Password policies should work with what a user is most comfortable with, not deemed by IT or technology.

Speaking on an SC Magazine webcast, Pamal Sharma, head of IT at Fujifilm, said that the best way to help people remember passwords was to plug into the way a user works and understand what they are into.

He said: “The people thing I found really difficult to conquer when I first began working with people and the way people work, there is a secret to this, and I say ‘what do you want to do with this, how do you want to remember it without writing it down'.

“This is often a trigger for a lot of people and they find their own way without having to help them. Get them to find a mechanism to remember the password like changing every Z into a 2 and using phrases but it is using their own mechanism and way that they can remember.”

Stephanie Damon, CEO of the Cyber Security Challenge, said that she agreed with this concept, and said that work the challenge had done in schools on ciphers had made things fun, as people were encouraged to find their own way to create things.

“I really do think in this space that is the only way it is going to work, but what I do is think of something that means something to me, and work from there,” she said.

In a poll run during the webcast, 29 per cent of listeners that they remembered between zero and five user name and password combinations, the same number also had to remember between six and ten combinations. Two sets of 21 per cent had to remember between 11 and 20 and more than 20 combinations.

Damon commented: “I think I have between 12-13, which is too many and we're told not to write them down and I come back to the convenience factor. If we are brutally frank, who can remember that many passwords? I spend half my time on reset your password sites as I have forgotten one of the relevant ones.

“So all I would say is be more clever as we want people to be more secure with their data, but we need to take some regard of convenience and reality, and I am not sure we are doing that at the moment.”