HP wheels out the Beijing pizzazz

What's a tech company to do to create a bit of pizzazz in the midst of an otherwise numbing new product blitz? After all, even IT managers can have too much of a good thing.

It could bring on some entertainment or strike a deal with the entertainment industry, perhaps.

At HP World Tour in Beijing this week, Hewlett-Packard did both. It also trotted out chief executive Meg Whitman and operations chief Bill Veghte to add some heft to the long list of product announcements and to reassure customers the company is still sound.

The new hardware products ranged from laptop-tablet hybrids to a new storage system based on the same solid state memory that is familiar to mobile device users. In between were new printers, HP's traditional cash cow, and PCs and servers, product lines whose sales have recently dived.

There were also additions to the US$119 billion company's software and consulting service offerings.

It was all evidence of HP's continuing emphasis on innovation, declared Whitman and Veghte.

The fact that a number of the touted advances - the 3PAR storage products, Autonomy tools for analysing big data and Exstream document management system, which includes a handy module for speeding insurance claims that might find some customers in Christchurch - were the fruits of acquisitions didn't diminish the company's innovation quotient , said Veghte.

He pointed out that 3PAR, for instance, had gone from being a US$100 million business to a US$1 billion earner since HP took over the company and extended its product range.

The Autonomy story is less happy: HP bought the UK company for US$10 billion in 2011 and then decided the price was inflated and wrote off half its value. US and UK regulators are investigating.

Throughout the two-day event, repeated mention was made of the company's new Moonshot servers, a product name that could have been tailor-made for a Chinese business audience that would be justifiably proud of the country's latest space mission.

HP has made Moonshot a mission-critical part of its own operations, Whitman said, hosting hp.com, which gets 300 million hits a day, on the energy-efficient and space-saving servers.

We are now powering the entire site on the equivalent of 12 60W light bulbs, she said.

Whitman, who has been 20 months in the top job at HP having previously headed eBay and after making an unsuccessful run under the Republican banner for the California governorship, was admiring of China's economic oomph. The same can't be said of HP's recent record: a 6 per cent revenue drop in the 2012 year and a fall in net income of a third to US$1.08 billion in the second quarter this year compared to a year earlier.

As always I am deeply impressed by the energy, the determination and the accomplishments that are the hallmarks of China's continued growth, said Whitman.

But customers shouldn't be concerned about HP's ability to turn its fortunes around, she said.

You have to have confidence that your partner will be around today and tomorrow and the day after that. Believe me, HP is here to stay.

Asked later how revenue pressures affected HP's day-to-day activities, Veghte said the measure that mattered to the company was free cash flow, which reached US$5 billion in the first half of this year and was 44 per cent up in the second quarter year on year.

We have an ability to generate an enormous amount of free cash flow, he said.

Large tech companies typically had parts of their businesses that were in decline and next-generation parts that were accelerating.

The classic example is 3PAR, which is absolutely on fire, he said.

A theme of both executives was that IT is at a once-in-a-generation inflection point characterised by a shift to cloud computing - by 2016 75 per cent of IT environments are expected to be using cloud services; by security concerns; by a preoccupation with big data; and by mobility.

HP's hardware, software and services offerings give it the breadth and depth to solve those issues for customers, Whitman said.

We are uniquely qualified because invention and innovation are heritage values for Hewlett-Packard - they're in our very DNA - and today we're spending more on R&D than ever before.

The entertainment aspect of the World Tour event was a series of skits, reminiscent of some staged by Microsoft at the launch of a now ancient version of Windows, that were intended to demonstrate the new products' capabilities. The skits' most striking feature was the stunningly realistic backdrops on high-definition 10m by 3m screens the maker of which wasn't disclosed.

The entertainment industry input into the event came in the person of DreamWorks chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, who announced HP as technology partner for Oriental DreamWorks, a Chinese joint venture involving the animation studio.

HP continues to be a trusted partner that helps us produce an innovative product with compelling content that engages the world, he said.

DreamWorks' next piece of innovation, for release in US cinemas in July, is Turbo, about a snail that can go fast. The movie's impact on - not to mention usefulness to - the world is certain to be much more fleeting than HP's latest crop of innovations.

But it's also sure to get more people talking. You could forgive HP for wanting to bathe in a bit of reflected Hollywood glow.

*Anthony Doesburg travelled to Beijing courtesy of HP.

By Anthony Doesburg Email Anthony

11 Important Factors to Consider Before You Buy a Franchise

For would-be (or current) entrepreneurs, becoming a franchisee, especially for a successful outfit, seems like a shorter path to profitability. That said, the devil's in the details - and there's more to a franchise opportunity than upfront costs and prior successes.

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 to find out what factors to consider when evaluating a potential franchising opportunity:

“What's one often overlooked thing you should consider when evaluating a franchising opportunity?”

Here's what YEC community members had to say:

1. Check for Proven Systems

“When you buy a franchise, you're buying a proven business model. But if that opportunity doesn't come with systems that work, then you'll be flying blind. There should be systems for everything from payroll and marketing to client services and upsells. You also want to find out if training is included or if you'll be left to figure out the system on your own.” ~ Kelly Azevedo, She's Got Systems

2. Ask How They Treat Their First Franchisees

“It is important to track how the original founders of the company have treated their first franchisees to see if it is a right fit for you. Go and make the personal visit to the first group of franchisees if the company is not willing to let you meet them this is definitely a red flag. Remember, once you sign an agreement it is really hard and expensive to buy yourself out of one. “ ~ Derek Capo, Next Step China

3. Examine Earnings Potential

“It can be tricky to evaluate the profitability of a franchise, because you can't rely on profitability from other franchise locations â€" that may be affected by location and a variety of other factors. Get a comprehensive list of the financials from other franchises, investigate how the successful ones became profitable, and find out whether other franchises have recently failed.” ~ Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance

4. Consider Coaching to be Critical

“One often overlooked, though extremely important, factor to consider when evaluating a franchising opportunity is whether the franchisor offers a well-thought-out, structured and proven coaching program. Great franchisors understand that their success hinges on each of their franchisee's abilities to be entrepreneurial & savvy. Great franchises will invest in their franchisees' development.” ~ SeanKelly, HUMAN (Helping Unite Mankind And Nutrition)

5. Make Sure they Have Already Succeeded

“Some franchises need specific talents or connections to be successful. Before you decide to take on a franchising opportunity, research who has already done well with that franchise. See if there are any common factors - and if you have the necessary characteristics, as well. “ ~ Thursday Bram, Hyper Modern Consulting

6. Acquire Territory Exclusivity

“My primary concern when I consider franchising (after the strength of the brand) is whether I can get exclusive territory. If that's not possible for whatever reason, it makes it much tougher to build and defend a profitable niche.” ~ Erik Severinghaus, SimpleRelevance

7. Know the True Costs of Being a Franchisee

“I review many franchise agreements. There are often hidden fees in addition to the royalty payments, such as required marketing fees or training. Be sure you know the true cost of being a franchisee to make sure the franchise opportunity is the best one for you and your family.” ~ Doug Bend, Bend Law Group, PC

8. Look for Knowledge-Sharing Among Franchisees

“Any good franchise will align the interests of the franchise and the franchisees. One way to enhance your odds of success is to franchise from an organization that connects all of its franchisees. Because you will have territorial protection, you should feel free sharing with (and asking questions of) other peer franchisees. Their experiences will help put you on the right track.” ~ Aaron Schwartz, Modify Watches

9. Seek Advice From Existing Franchisees

“What do the company's fellow franchisees think? It's easy to get swept away in the great information the company espouses, but what's it really like? I advise every potential franchisor to sit down with someone who has converted and ask him the tough questions. Existing franchisors should be willing to mentor newbies. Their enthusiasm should be contagious!” ~ Kuba Jewgieniew, Realty ONE Group

10. Analyze Market Opportunity

“It's easy to get lost in the FDD numbers and lose sight of the big picture. The dollars and cents are important, but they're also irrelevant if you find out a few months into owning the franchise that your personality doesn't fit with the culture. Attend the “Discovery Day,” get a feel for the company's values and vision, and make sure you mesh well with the people behind the brand.” ~ Nick Friedman, College Hunks Hauling Junk and College Hunks Moving

11. Get Comfortable With Company Operations

“When evaluating a franchising opportunity, you should determine if you are comfortable with the extent to which you can modify operations. Quite often, franchises have strict rules on how to operate the business - often not allowing innovative franchisees to explore new marketing strategies or product positioning. Make sure you are comfortable with what you won't be allowed to change.” ~ Chuck Cohn, Varsity Tutors

Skillfeed: Video Tutorials to Make Your Web Presence More Visual

Images are so much more important today online. With the Web becoming more visual,  entrepreneurs and small business staff are being challenged to hone their design skills.

And that's where a new learning center called Skillfeed comes in.

Skillfeed is a new service launched in June, from the popular stock photo service Shutterstock.

Skillfeed is a video tutorial center. It provides training videos designed to help you become better at Web development, graphic design, photography, video, mobile development, 3D/motion design, and audio.

There are even a handful of courses on pure business subjects such as learning to use Microsoft Excel and WordPress.  The majority, though, focus on design- and visual-related skills.

The videos include short ones, called “Skill Snacks,”  that provide a quick overview or hone in on one single feature of a tool.  For example, one 4-minute video demonstrates Excel keyboard shortcuts.

And then there are long multi-part, multi-hour courses â€" we saw some more than 4 hours long in total duration.

Matching Your Skill Level

One of the annoying things I find about presentations, books and learning materials is when the learning level isn't clearly stated.  If you're already at an advanced level, you can waste a lot of time sifting through beginner-level material - and get frustrated in the process.

Newbies can be equally frustrated. How many times have you wanted a high-level  introduction to a subject, only to get plopped into the middle of advanced level material that has you down in the weeds? You feel lost.

Skillfeed addresses that by labeling courses according to skill level.  You can sort courses by beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert levels.

For $19 a month, you can have access to as many videos as you have time to watch, guiding you through the intricacies of, say, a software tool like Photoshop.

Skillfeed currently has more than 10,000 videos available. These videos are all quality-vetted by Shutterstock before they're posted on the site.  With a subscription you can watch unlimited videos on demand. You can bookmark your favorites or ones you plan to watch in the future.

You also can see up to 30 seconds of any video for free.  Consider the 30-second preview the movie trailer for the course.

My observation is that the tutorials can be valuable whether you are a design professional, or simply an entrepreneur who wants his or her website to look better.  For instance, I know that I will never match an expert at using Photoshop. For complex or important projects, I will always seek out a real designer.

But sometimes you just need to be able to tweak a photograph or add some text to an image. It helps if you have some do-it-yourself skills.

An Extension to Shutterstock's Core Business

Shutterstock founder and CEO, Jon Oringer, noted in a statement announcing the service, “Skillfeed is a natural extension for Shutterstock since we already serve an active, paying community of more than 750,000 professionals who view us as a trusted, creative resource.”

Here at Small Business Trends we are users of Shutterstock stock images to add visual interest to  articles. We are very particular about not just grabbing other people's images off the Web.  We use only images that we feel secure in knowing will not pose copyright issues later on, and Shutterstock gives us that assurance.

It's good to see Shutterstock adding another service to help small businesses and entrepreneurs “up” their visual game.

Over 50, Female and Starting a Business: 6 Essentials to Consider

Are you a woman nearing retirement, but thinking about starting a business?

Woman-owned businesses are a critical part of the U.S. economy, numbering 7.8 million according to the latest Census data, and growing at twice the rate of men-owned businesses. For women over the age of 50, small business ownership affords many benefits â€" additional income, a flexible lifestyle and that unbeatable feeling that comes with being your own boss.

In addition, as a workforce veteran, over-50 entrepreneurs (also known as “Encore Entrepreneurs”) bring a great deal to the table â€" maturity, finance and a broad network of contacts and relationships.

Whether you are looking to start a business right away or are planning to start one once you've retired, what are your options? What entrepreneurial path should you take? Below are tips and considerations to help you become a successful female encore entrepreneur.

Understand the Factors that Drive Success

Success isn't down to securing a bank loan or a buyer for your product or service â€" small business success is more fundamental than that. It means having a true entrepreneurial attitude â€" being dedicated and refusing to quit when things get rough.

Networking is also critical. Connecting with potential clients and partners is important, but networking also gives you a broader opportunity to learn from the experiences of other business owners and help fill your knowledge and experience gaps.

Adaptability is also key â€" successful business owners continuously assess how their business is performing and make adjustments as they go. Likewise, being open to constructive criticism will help your business stay on the cutting edge and avoid potential problems you might not be able to see on your own.

Business You Can Start with Little Capital

Avoid raiding your savings or dipping into your retirement nest egg to fund your business. There are many businesses that you can start with little capital, including the following:

• Consulting for your former employer: Or those in your old industry. It's more common than you might think (use your network).
• Online businesses: From selling on eBay to professional blogging.
• Virtual assistant: Help other business professionals with their administrative tasks such as email and calendar management, basic marketing and accounting functions â€" all from home.
• Become a lifestyle product agent/consultant: Beauty products, jewelry, kitchen gadgets and more can be sold at parties and online.
• Social media and content production: Social media and the content that goes along with it is time consuming for many businesses. Writers, photographers and videographers can all become successful content providers.
• Convenience services for consumers: From dog walking to child care to house cleaning.

Does Your Idea Have Income Potential?

This is a tricky one and many entrepreneurs run the risk of wearing blinders through this part of the business planning process. Weighing the costs of starting and running a business against its earning potential is critical, especially if you are already retired and living on a fixed income. Keeping start-up costs low can help alleviate the risk.

Home-based businesses are a great option for reducing costs substantially and can be started for under $1000. Your earning potential will also go up if you focus on doing what you like and what you are good at. Talk to your accountant, small business counselor or mentor (SCORE can match you up with one for free) for guidance on your financial options and good cash flow management.

Don't Neglect the Business Plan

Just as you wouldn't embark on a long car journey without planning your route, don't skip or delay writing a business plan. You don't need to write a polished thesis. A good plan is simple, flexible and manageable â€" it steers your business rather than prescribes it.

From a big picture perspective, address your strategic direction first, then break down the rest of your plan into mini-plans to include a sales and marketing plan, a financial plan and potentially a staffing plan.

Understand the Legal and Regulatory Steps of Starting a Business

Obtaining the right business license or permit, paying estimated taxes, registering your business name, incorporating â€" these and other legal and regulatory steps often fall through the cracks, simply because new business owners aren't aware of what they should be doing (or don't have to do) to establish a business legally at the city, county, state and federal levels.

So seek advice â€" talk to other business owners, browse your state and local government website or visit your local Small Business Development Center or Women's Business Center for the right information about national and local business regulations.

Connect With Your Local Women's Business Center

Located across the U.S., Women's Business Centers (WBCs) provide women entrepreneurs with in-person assistance and business counseling programs that can help them start and grow successful businesses. Each center is tailored to the needs of the specific community and offer guidance and training on a variety of topics including:

• Preparing for business ownership
• Business planning
• Business management
• Marketing
• How to navigate the business loan process
• Opportunities for selling to the government

These can specifically benefit women who are economically or socially disadvantaged and wouldn't otherwise have access to comprehensive training and counseling offered in many languages.

Over 50 Woman Photo via Shutterstock

Spreecast: One on One Video Chats Right in Your Web Browser

A new video chat platform allows you to create one on one video chats, video conferences or large scale webinars for free â€" and potentially profit from them too.

Spreecast, now in its beta launch, isn't just some Skype, Google Hangout or GoToMeeting knockoff. It is a very different tool operating without the need for anything but an email account to sign in.

“Spreecast is a social video platform,” said company CEO Jeff Fluhr in an exclusive conversation with Small Business Trends. “It's not like Skype or iChat where you actually have to install software on your machine. It works right in a web browser.”

Not Like Google Hangouts

Unlike Google Hangouts, Spreecast is platform agnostic. This means you don't need to be signed into a social network to participate or create a Spreecast and you aren't limited to inviting only those with a Google or other social account to participate. (Though you can sign in using your Facebook or Twitter account, if you like.)

Spreecast also offers an unprecedented set of tools to control the conversation and at the same time more interaction for the audience than is possible with the audience watching a Google Hangout through a viewer window, Fluhr added.

Spreecast also differs from other similar services. Unlike Skype, which essentially offers a video phone call service between two or more participants, Spreecast opens the potential for a large scale public forum conversation. Unlike GoToMeeting and other paid video conferencing services, Spreecast offers a free platform to hold private business meetings.

Creators of a Spreecast can decide how they wish to use the site by choosing between several simple privacy settings to decide who has access.

Up to four people can participate on camera at once, but many more can watch and participate via social chat tools.

“Tens of thousands of people can join a live Spreecast in sort of the audience if you will,” Fluhr explained. “And any one of the people in the audience can actually request to join on camera as well.”

To manage all this, the site gives webinar or video conference creators, or “producers” as they are called, the online controls to assign who will participate on screen. Producers can also preview and vet members of the audience who wish to be placed on camera.

Other Spreecast Features

But that's not all.

Producers and those they designate as co-producers can also share external media such as comments or questions entered by members of the audience, photos from Flickr, Instagram or Facebook, videos from YouTube or Vimeo and even slide decks from SlideShare.

“It's a fairly robust set of producer controls that you get when you're a producer or a moderator of a Spreecast,” Fluhr said.

Producers or members of the audience can use the chat section to the right of the screen to pose questions to other participants or make comments about the on-camera conversation.

A screen queue section beneath the screen allows producers, participants or audience members to post comments or external media they would like shared onscreen. Spreecast producers and co-producers decide what to share.

If you would like to charge for access to your Spreecast, in the case of a webinar for example, a pay per view feature collects money on behalf of the producer. Those fees are split 30/70 with the majority share going to you and rest going to Spreecast. (Again, it's important to remember here that it is free to create a webinar or video conference on the site.)

Spreecast has, however, begun charging for a few extra services, like custom analytics reports showing you the number of people who viewed your webinar or conference, how many shared it with others socially and how many asked questions. There is also a charge to download the video file from your Spreecast to your hard drive for upload to YouTube or another site. However, all Spreecasts are archived and can be embedded in your site or shared via social media for free.

Promoting Your Brand

One of the most important ways small businesses are using Spreecast is to create interaction between customers and brands, said Fluhr. Specifically, he shared three businesses: Founder Institute, an organization for startup entrepreneurs; Tophatter, an online auction house; and Invisalign, creators of a teeth straightening solution. All three businesses use the site to interact with their customers and community.

“Spreecast allows another format for these small and medium sized businesses to engage with their audience or engage with their customers,” Fluhr said.

In this way, Fluhr positions Spreecast as a tool similar to social sites like Facebook and Twitter, a completely free platform where small businesses can build their brands.

Learn more about producing a Spreecast in the video below.

How to Videos: Producing a Spreecast from Spreecast on Vimeo.

The Importance of Keeping a Global Perspective

When David Cornejo Chinguel, founder and chairman of Juan Mejia Baca, decided to start a new system of schools in Chiclayo, Peru, he knew he wanted them to be different. David had traveled outside of Peru before to Europe and other South American countries. He wanted to bring the best ideas from these places back with him and implement the good bits all in one place:

What we are helping form here in our schools is a new generation of children that are tech savvy and part of the digital age. This is the product of globalization.

About a month ago I decided to leave my comfortable job and home in the U.S. and move to Chiclayo, Peru, to work for the summer. This is where I met David, in the 4th largest city in Peru, creating a school that serves the two lowest economic classes in the city. In the month that I have been here, I've already learned so much about working internationally, the clashing of cultures and how globalization is real.

As a journalist and as someone who has worked with small businesses previously, I've seen how important it is to keep a global perspective, and David gets it too:

Above all, there is a huge movement in entrepreneurship in Peru. There is strength and immensity found in the entrepreneurial attitude.

Working internationally, whether in another country or from the US, can be a challenge. There are cultural differences as well as different systems and ways of doing things that we are often not aware of. If we want our businesses to grow, we need to understand that going into new markets will require patience and the understanding that we will have to adapt.

A global perspective means being open to new ideas, issues and solutions. Often times, it even means being open to changing the way you do things if you find a new system that works better. It means being culturally sensitive and willing to learn from others.

By having a global perspective you will be able to learn from others and you will open your business up for new opportunities. You will be able to grow in ways that others cannot because they don't understand this concept and you will enter new markets.

David Cornejo Chinguel has a global perspective. His forward thinking ideas and openness is allowing him to form partnerships with people and other universities in Chile, Germany and just recently the U.S. This is a huge success for a university that has only been around for 5 years in a developing country.

This corporation started with zero soles (Peruvian currency), with nothing. But with a tremendous spiritual force and with the strong desire to learn each day we have grown.

Business schools in the U.S. are also recognizing the importance of teaching their MBA students about the global perspective.  Sunil Chopra, interim dean and IBM Professor of Operations Management and Information Systems at the Kellogg School of Management said:

Whether you like it or not, businesses are running globally. What you cannot do is sit in a corner and say, ‘I'm going to build a wall and what happens elsewhere is not going to affect me.' Global is where the opportunities are.

A global perspective will help you learn from others and find new ideas to grow your business. Globalization is bringing the world together and it's happening quickly. Be open, be adaptable â€" and you will see new opportunities knocking on your door.

Global Business Photo via Shutterstock

4 Ways To Make Your Trade Show Booth More Social

Trade shows are both fun and lucrative, especially when you're trying to bring in a bigger customer base. The problem is that some of those booths look the same. After a while, they all start to blend together. With everyone on social media these days, you can actually make your trade show booth space much more dynamic by playing up its social reach-just turn your booth into the proverbial social butterfly.

Get Cute with a QR Code

QR Code Photo via Shutterstock

QR codes are the next big thing, and they're only getting bigger. You see them in stores, restaurants, and even dry cleaning businesses, plus they're on business cards, in magazines, and all kinds of other ads. Including a big, bold QR code on your trade show booth offers several benefits, all of which can pull people in and make them eager to try your product or service:

• Drive traffic to your site, email newsletter, or social networks
• Offer new and existing customers special deals
• Invite feedback from visitors
• And keep people informed of all upcoming trade shows

Set Up Networking Pages for Your Booth

Online Networking Photo via Shutterstock

Having a Facebook and Twitter account for your business is great, but why not piggyback on those pages and increase your reach? One fun, helpful way to make your trade show booth more social is to make other pages specifically for the booth or the events you're attending.

You might go for an informative angle or a humorous one. If you're not keen on creating all new pages on Facebook or Google+, set up events on those sites and invite your fans. Then think outside the box and start a fun but informative Tumblr page for your booth. It's a new twist, which promises to grab attention.

Invite Interaction with Cell Phone Integration

Cellphone Networking Photo via Shutterstock

With so many people using smartphones and tablets, you have a fantastic opportunity to promote your booth. Make sure you're signed up on sites such as Yelp and Foursquare, so visitors can rate your booth or business and check in while they're there.

You can take things a step further and offer a giveaway or prize that people enter by either checking in at your booth or leaving a comment on your Facebook or website. You can then do a random drawing. This gets people to check out your booth, plus it gives them incentive. Once you draw them in, they're far more likely to come back.

How About an App for That?

Apps Photo via Shutterstock

If you don't already have an app, now's the time to start thinking about it. It could either be tailored to your business or strictly for trade show events. You can create an app that lets users see where you are at the show, or at all the shows you plan to work in the future. If it works for what you offer, any sorts of games or coupon codes are sure to go over big.

It's a social world out there, even if a lot of it gets done over phones, tablets, and computers, so use it to your advantage.

How do you make your booth social?

Best Small Business Use of Facebook Graph Search: Local Businesses

Back in January, Facebook announced a new search feature called Graph Search, which you may have heard about. According to Facebook, “tens of millions of people” used it, and gave feedback.

And this week the social media site says it tweaked Graph Search and rolled it out to all U.S. Facebook users.

The extent to which Graph Search will benefit businesses, however, remains to be seen.

Back in January some observers were underwhelmed and/or put off by invasion of privacy implications.  Techcrunch”s Natasha Lomas pronounced Graph Search “humorless, creepy and doomed to disappoint.”

Sam Biddle at Gizmodo pointed out how individuals may reveal information they might not want the world to know.

And while I haven't revealed anything on my personal Facebook profile or business Pages that I don't want the world to know, some others have.  For instance, I was shocked to discover almost 10   people I've never heard of claiming to work for Small Business Trends!  That's something I learned by searching on our trademarked brand name.  See screenshot above of the employees I never knew we had.

Aside from that little tidbit  â€" which I still am not sure what to do about - it's hard for me to see how Graph Search will be of much value to my business.

But there is one type of business I can see immediately getting some value from Graph Search:  local businesses.

Let me give you a quick look of what Graph Search can do for your business (or not).

Searchers Have to “Activate” Graph Search

The first thing you should know about Graph Search is that users may still have to “activate” it if they haven't used it yet.  Luckily that's a simple process.

Go to the Facebook Graph Search page. Scroll down until you see the large button that says “Try Graph Search” and click on that.  If you're not able to click on that button, it means Graph Search is already available to you.

In my case, I had to click that button, log out of Facebook, and immediately log back in, before I could use Graph Search.

Next, to use Graph Search, you simply insert a search phrase in the recently-enlarged search box that now appears in the top left corner of Facebook. When you do that, you will see many new searching options, presented in the drop-down.

For instance, let's say you are looking for blue widgets. When you search, the first item to come up likely is the Facebook Page for Blue Widgets.  But if Graph Search is enabled, most likely you will  also see some new search options, such as:

• Photos of Blue Widgets
• Pages about Blue Widgets
• My friends who like Blue Widgets
• People Who Like Blue Widgets

See the screenshot below showing some of these new search options. If you can see those sorts of search options, you know that you have Graph Search enabled.

Which Small Businesses Will Find Graph Search Useful?

Whether small businesses will get value out of Graph Search - at least in its current form - all depends.  It depends on the type of business you have, and your needs.

Getting Your Business Discovered: Local Businesses

One benefit of Facebook Graph Search is that it may make some businesses easier to get discovered.

That's not true for a business like ours, Small Business Trends.  We're not a local business. Not many people will be searching for our type of business by location. Nor will they be searching by, say, type of product to find us.

Local businesses or retailers that sell particular types of products, is a different story. Graph Search may be more helpful to them, to get discovered.

For example, let's say you run a pizza restaurant. If someone is searching for pizza that their friends like, in their local town, your pizza place may get discovered that way.  And for a local business, that could be valuable.

For example, I searched for pizza places my friends visited in Cleveland, Ohio, and got a nice list with reviews.

If you are a local business, make sure your location is spelled out clearly on your Facebook Page.  Take the time to describe your business - the products you sell and services you provide.  The more detail on your Facebook Page, the more that can show up in a search.

Also, the bigger your following or fan network, the more benefit you get out of Graph Search.  Facebook Graph Search is really about search at the intersection of word of mouth.  Graph Search is very good for helping someone find out what their friends like.  The more people who Like your business, the more chances of your business appearing in the Graph Search results when users search for what their friends like.

So keep growing that fan base.  Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews of your business, also.

Using Graph Search for Marketing and Advertising

Another use of Graph Search could be for prospecting for new customers and connections based on very specific interests, i.e., microtargeting.  It can help you identify specific people who like something.

Of course, reaching out to them directly might seem intrusive, and backfire.

Some Wall Street analysts have talked about the power of upcoming Graph Search ads.  While that makes for a good investor theme (Facebook is under pressure to increase ad revenues, after all), some of the analysts making those assertions appear not to know much about advertising on Facebook.

For instance, you can already slice and dice your ad targets on Facebook.  Facebook ads excel at their ability to target people with certain interests.

True, those ads don't appear in search results.  But Facebook's search results are not Google's search results.

Unlike when people search in a search engine, they are not usually searching with buying intent when using Facebook Graph Search. As Eoin Keenan of Silicon Cloud points out, in Facebook “… most searches will have nothing to do with brands. Searches are designed to find content, like photos or posts that are specified by locations, friends or another identifier.”

Besides, Graph Search ads are experimental and something for the future.

You still can't search through Facebook posts and comments, either, although Facebook is reportedly working on those.

Bottom line:  don't expect too much out of Graph Search when it comes to your marketing â€" at least in its current iteration.  Aside from helping local businesses get discovered more/better, it may not provide much value to your business.

For Those Concerned About Privacy on Facebook

Finally, if you get alarmed at the idea of others being able to search so easily for everything you've personally ever shared on Facebook, go to the Graph Search Privacy page.  You will find instructions to control what you share publicly.

5 Ways Business Intelligence and Online Marketing Can Work Together

When you really think about it, online marketing and business intelligence were born to work with each other. Both fields are built on utilizing data to make decisions in order to improve processes and optimize ROI (return on investment). However, for many companies, business intelligence continues to be an elusive concept that never quite finds its way to the top of the priority list.

In my experience, once you learn how synergistic these two disciplines can be, it makes sense to prioritize their integration. From advertising to audience research, below are five great ways that business intelligence and online marketing can work together.

Advertising

Providing comprehensive target audience data across offline and online platforms can help campaigns be more targeted. Business intelligence allows companies to craft their ideal audience behavior patterns across multiple forms of media - including television, radio, print and online.

This type of research often translates into a starting point for building an online advertising campaign. Along the same lines, online advertising can usually generate faster results reports because they are commonly based on impressions, clicks and online purchases. Instant data can benefit offline advertising campaigns by offering an initial glimpse into the effectiveness of a seasonal campaign, branding colors or new product ads.

Demographic & Behavioral Analysis

Business intelligence firms like Domo already offer real-time analytics based on online marketing efforts, so it makes sense for Web analytics to have more a presence here. Both social media and search engine marketing campaigns can benefit from the structured analysis that business intelligence experts are already using.

Search engine marketing is slowly becoming more of an analytical position, as many analytics platforms (like Google Analytics) now provide a large depth of data that includes basic demographics as well as user search behavior. For instance, if 90% of all American visitors to your website go to a specific product or services page, then it would make sense to further develop marketing and advertising for that product in the United States.

A 2011 article in Search Engine Land highlights that slow shift in emphasis in data analysis for many available search engine marketing positions. By placing a bigger emphasis on the data behind online marketing campaigns, traditional business intelligence reports can translate how online marketing efforts are (positively or negatively) affecting the bottom line.

Additionally, social media engagement data is a great way to get a good glimpse at the overall demographics (age, gender, location) of users that are engaging most with the company online. The raw data from social media is definitely overwhelming at first. Fortunately, key metrics and formulas that business intelligence analyzers normally use can help filter and make sense of the key information social media can provide.

Besides demographic data (IQ), social media also provides emotional pattern data, as social media comments and behavior is an indicator of brand sentiment. This can help businesses see how their customers feel about their brand, as it's not always about the numbers.

Event Research and Analysis

When offline events are promoted online, it can give good insight into overall customer patterns, thus helping to increase event marketing effectiveness. By learning the time, location and ways that customers interact with event ticketing, event planners can learn when the best time is to promote events, what types of events do well and adjust ticket prices optimize sales.

A proper online event marketing campaign can track a customer's interaction from start to finish. This includes tracking how they found out about the event through metrics such as entrance pages, referral sites and custom promo codes.

The chance to combine real world events and promotions with online marketing campaigns is one of the best ways business intelligence and online marketing can work together.

Content Strategy

If big data from business intelligence is giving online marketers a good idea of their target audience, then marketers can understand what type of online content results in the most traffic and conversions. This gives the company a good idea as to what their target audience is most interested in, allowing the company to modify its content strategy going forward.

For instance, e-books and white papers take quite a bit of effort to create, but if they result in a higher conversion rate, then it might be worthwhile to focus on them more than infographics or daily blog posts.

Overall Marketing Strategy

According to digital marketing agency AccuraCast, business intelligence can give marketers a better view of how to effectively interact with their customers online:

With clearly defined objectives and marketing strategies in place, companies can use business intelligence to improve the overall effectiveness of their website by examining the site performance, usage trends, visitor loyalty, audience circulation, content and product placement, search engine performance and overall visitor behavior. A company can therefore use these elements to understand how their site is used, maximize revenue from affiliates, and improve site design and layout.

It's much more accurate and efficient to combine existing website knowledge with proven customer behavior patterns to create actionable marketing goals. Any marketing campaign, online or off, needs set goals to track progress.

Conclusion

Overall, when it comes to business intelligence and online marketing, taking big data, forming it into goals and then translating it back into actionable insight is one of the best ways to craft a marketing and advertising strategy that works and is continually optimized.

Business Analytics Photo via Shutterstock

Bizapalooza: An Online Event to Crank Up Your Bottom Line

Find it hard to get away from your business to attend conferences in person?  Air flights and hotel charges just not in your budget? But still hunger for valuable resources?

We've got the answer.

The first ever Bizapalooza virtual conference aims to provide just as much content and information as an in-person event, but without the inconvenience or cost. The event, which will be held online July 16-18, 2013, will include presentations from well-known small business experts like Anum Hussain of Hubspot; Bridget Weston Pollack, Marketing Director of SCORE; Jim Kukral; and Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software.

There are more than 20 speakers who will present at the event.

Inspiration in Numbers

It's a well-documented fact that there are some 28 million small businesses in the US alone.  Bizapalooza Founder, Ivana Taylor, (you might know her as Small Business Trends' Book Editor) thought, what if every one of those businesses - and from other countries, too - had the resources and knowledge to grow their businesses enough to hire just one more person? What sort of impact could that have on our economy?

Creating 28 million new jobs is no easy task, but Taylor understood the power of the individual business owner in making that happen. She looked at the reach she had as a blogger, author and social media user, and realized she just might be able to reach millions of small business owners through her network.  ”If I could reach a sizable number of those business owners, then I could provide them with a useful resource, like a virtual event, that could help them create just one more job,”  Taylor noted.

From there, Taylor decided to create a virtual event that brings the fun and energy of the rock concert experience to building and growing a business.  She considers Bizapalooza the business version of the 1990′s Lollapalooza music events.  But instead of grunge-wearing teens, the attendees would be committed business owners. There would still be a killer soundtrack, of course.

Bizapalooza Details

The topics will be as varied as the diverse group of speakers Taylor has organized. Some topics slated for the agenda include:

Ready To Go Paperless? Here Are 7 Services From The Paperless 2013 Coalition That Can Get You There!

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average US office worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper each year. In 2010, the amount of paper recovered for recycling averaged 334 pounds for each person living in the US, according to the American Forest & Paper Association. While we are making small strides in reducing paper usage, the fact remains that many businesses still rely heavily on paper processes.  Just take a look at your desk right now. Do you see multiple stacks of paper or papers strewn all over the desktop?  Well, if you are looking to reduce your footprint on the planet and all those papers you keep shuffling through, then you'll want to check out the services taking part in the Paperless 2013 Coalition.

It' 2013 and technology is playing a major part in changing the way we handle daily business functions. While some may be resistant in embracing these new methods of processing business tasks, the reality is that once you get over the hurdle of implementation and learning, these new processes will make your business much more efficient and save you more time and money than you could have imagined. And fortunately, there are solutions that touch each aspect of our business, from accounting to project management to document storage.

For instance, if you are one of those businesses that is still receiving paper checks as payment to avoid all the fees associated with other payment solutions, take note â€" there is a better, paperless way of getting paid! Zipmark, a provider of online and mobile payments and a partner in the Paperless 2013 Coalition, offers businesses the ability to collect payments from customers and clients via secure digital eCheck. Unlike other online payment options that have high transaction costs and fees, Zipmark's transaction fee is only 1% with a $5 cap!  Being that this type of service greatly reduces your payment aging (you can actually receive payment for invoices the next business morning â€" a fact that I can confirm because I use the service in my small business and I've reduced my aging to an average of 3 days with most of my clients!), this is an operational expense that any business can afford! Zipmark has partnered with a number of business solutions including Freshb ooks,  Apptivo and, it's newest partner, WorkingPoint.

“WorkingPoint works with thousands of small businesses that are still stuck receiving paper checks in the mail and so it was a very easy decision on our part to offer Zipmark to our customers,” said Paul Sednaoui, Director of Marketing at WorkingPoint. “Our customers are frustrated with the delays and the hassles of dealing with traditional payments. We decided to integrate Zipmark as a payment option on the invoices our customers create because Zipmark enables our clients to receive funds quickly and for a fraction of the administrative cost of processing paper checks.”

There are so many other areas of your business that you can make paperless, as well, and here are some of the other services in the Paperless 2013 Coalition that can help:

• ServicePal: Schedule. Dispatch. Sign. Deliver. â€" ServicePal is a simple, flexible way to manage work orders and invoices in the field.
• Outright: Online bookkeeping â€" No more spreadsheets, data entry and piles of paper everywhere.
• doo: Digital Document Management
• smore: Design beautiful online flyers and publish instantly.
• Leaf: A cloud-based Point of Sale platform helping merchants run and grow their businesses.
• ereceipts: Keep all your receipts…paperless!
• 123 Contact Form: Create professional web forms and surveys as easy as 1-2-3.

You can see all the members, partners and services that have partnered with the Paperless 2013 Coalition here.

So, are you ready to start eliminating paper from your business processes? Have you taken the leap with any processes in your business? If so, share with our community in the comments below. Your successes can help others overcome the fear of change!

 

11 Mobile Apps to Download When Doing International Business

What is one mobile app that specifically helps entrepreneurs doing international business?

 

The following answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world's most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, the YEC recently launched #StartupLab, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses via live video chats, an expert content library and email lessons.

1. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a seamless instant messaging/text messaging platform on your phone that allows you to send unlimited messages to any of your contacts FOR FREE, regardless of where they live. It is hugely important to be able to reach out to my employees working abroad quickly and cheaply at any moment's notice. Email is great, but this is ideal for quick questions that need immediate responses.

- Jessica Brondo, Admitted.ly

2. Doing Business

The Doing Business site and its companion app have been excellent resources for getting quick comparison facts about various countries. These not only provide great information to help you decide where and how to set up an international business, but also a context when talking to customers in day-to-day business and sales.

- Robert Castaneda, ServiceRocket

3. HKTDC Mobile

HKTDC Mobile offers information and resources for international buyers and vendors on a wide variety of topics, including establishing business connections, international market data and a high-quality sourcing platform.

- Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance

4. Box

Box is an awesome B2B product that allows you to create, edit and share files with a very secure backbone. When you are working with international partners, Box enables you to not only collaborate, but the mobile app also makes it very easy for you to pull up any type of marketing or sales file you might need to close a deal.

- Aaron Schwartz, Modify Watches

5. Skyscanner

Sometimes I have to travel out of the country to attend conferences and various events. I often find out about these opportunities at the last minute, and because I do not have a formal travel agent, I use Skyscanner to quickly search my potential flights among over a dozen airlines all at once based on my desired departure and return times. I can then book my flight right in the app itself.

- Michael Costigan, Youth Leadership Specialist

6. RingCentral

With RingCentral, I can pick up all of my voicemails and make free U.S. calls within the iPhone app while I'm connected to Wi-Fi and abroad. Also, when I call from the app, it shows our U.S. office number, so I can do business from anywhere.

- Paige Brown, Dashbell

7. Google Translate

I was recently in Hong Kong, Taipei, China and Shenzhen, China. Because of the language barriers, it's immensely helpful to have a quick translation app. Google Translate is perfect because after it does the translation, you can flip your phone and it will display the phrase as large as possible (like a notecard).

- Ziver Birg, ZIVELO

8. GroupMe

GroupMe is great whenever I go to conferences or need to stay in touch with my staff for emergencies. I love how easy it is to create groups and get notifications, regardless of whether I'm on a data plan.

- Liam Martin, Staff.com

9. Egnyte

Similar to an entreprise-level Box or DropBox, Egnyte has better drive-mapping (for multiple offices' access to large files) and additional features that have helped us collaborate with multiple offices worldwide. Not to mention it allows me to access everything I have remotely through my local drive.

- Ming Chan, The1stMovement

10. Priceline.com

When working internationally, it's not human capital that you have to worry about - it's the mileage capital on your company's contribution margin. Priceline.com's ”Name Your Own Price” feature works, whether it be China or Canada. Every time I travel, I stay at a solid three-star hotel for $60 per night; however, last time I brought my family along to stay in a beautiful four-star for $130.

- Matt Ehrlichman, Porch

11. Skype

Using the Skype app on your smartphone is an easy way to limit international phone bills, stay in touch via video and be available to your customers when they need you to be. Since the calls, video conferencing and chats are integrated into one stream, your relationships with clients become more of an ongoing conversation and less oriented around formal, periodic calls.

- Chuck Cohn, Varsity Tutors

Seagate Business Storage 2-Bay NAS 8TB Device (Video Review)

I recently had the chance to test drive the 2-Bay NAS (Network Attached Storage) 8TB device from the Seagate Business Storage line of products. The device comes in three storage size options, 4TB, 6TB and 8TB.

Here is what I found really great about the device:

1. Storage: There is a LOT of it! 8TB, which was the size of the device I looked at, is an amazing amount of space and probably more than most small businesses would need.
2. NAS. Because this is a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device, you don't connect it to your PC, but access it through an IP address. This means that you can access all of your information, from any device, through the cloud. Talk about convenient!
3. RAID. The 2-Bay system uses a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration, which means that each bay essentially ‘copies' and backs up the other â€" dual redundancy. This means that you should one bay inaccessible, you can still retrieve your information through the other bay.

Check out my full video interview below, or watch here.

 

The 8TB device that I test drove retails for about $700 and the 6TB comes in at $500 and the 4TB at $400.

Are you using a device like this in your small business? If so, share how it works for you and how it's helped your small business!

 

App Security Can Not Be Ignored:12 Survival Tips For The Small Business Using and Creating Apps

Brought to you by AVG Technologies, the provider of Internet and mobile security, privacy and optimization to 150 million active users. There's nothing small about small business in our eyes. Get more information how AVG can help your small business stay protected â€" go to http://www.avg.com/us-en/internet-security-business. .  

 

App Security Can Not Be Ignored: 12 Survival Tips for The Small Business Using and Creating Apps

 

The mobile app world is full of forks in the roads. The decisions that you take when using or developing apps for mobile devices determine the difference between a smooth ride and a possible data compromise. It's been that way ever since manufacturers came up with the splendid idea of putting an entire computer system, which stores all your business' personal data, into a compact device that you can carry as easily as you can lose.

Smartphone operating systems are getting more complex with each new version. As complexity increases, so does the necessity for responsibility within the user and developer communities. Users must learn how to tread carefully along a thin line that lies between complete vulnerability and some measure of safety, while developers have to learn to make apps that can protect their users' private data.

As the owner of a small business, your job is to make sure that all the apps that handle your sensitive data protect your privacy and ensure that the possibility of a data breach is minimized. This applies to applications you get from other sources and those that you develop yourself.

First, let's have a look at what you and your employees should do as an app user:

• Make sure you and your employees have an adequate antivirus software installed on your phones. In a small business environment, viruses and worms can creep in and infect other systems connected to a network.
• Use default channels for app downloads. If someone is using an iPhone, that person should be using the App Store to install apps. Android uses Google Play. As long as you and your employees stick to this, the possibility of malware infiltrating a phone becomes a bit lower. You can still get bad apps from default channels, though!
• Before putting an app into mainstream use in your business, make sure that you're absolutely certain of what kind of data that app will have access to. If you don't know this information, and you let the app loose around your business, it will eventually bite you back at some point in time.
• Make sure that your employees don't send any data related to work through apps and to people that you didn't authorize.
• Minimize the number of apps you run on your phone. Encourage employees to do the same. Running a smaller amount of apps gives you more control of your data and makes the phone run more smoothly.

 

When developing apps, the story changes. You have to take into account many factors to ensure that you produce an icon-clad app:

• Rather than using cloud providers, use internal storage as much as possible. The most sensitive data should be stored either on the phone or on a cloud server that your business owns and operates. Do not store data in third-party clouds. Write the app in such a way that it would prioritize internal memory for this kind of data.
• Don't rely on write permissions. Just because an attacker cannot read something doesn't mean he won't be able to see if a particular entry in a database exists. This is how SQL injections happen. When developing Android apps, remember to use “android:exported=false” in the app manifest to make it impossible for other apps in the phone to use your app's content provider. To prevent injections, it's important to encrypt important SQL data you store (such as passwords and internal memos). Also, make the structure unpredictable (name “phone numbers” something like “phnnr”).
• Avoid developing an app that requires permissions in the host operating system. A phone becomes vulnerable when it gives permissions to apps, allowing unauthorized persons to exploit those permissions.
• To avoid possible sniffing, develop your business' app with a preference for HTTPS transactions, rather than HTTP. Also, avoid sending data through “localhost,” since other apps might be sniffing the data that comes through here.
• Avoid sending SMS messages through the app unless absolutely necessary. In the case of any potentially sensitive data, avoid the SMS protocol at all costs.
• If you need a GUID, create a unique number rather than using the phone's IMEI number.
• Never leak user info to any logs shared with other apps.

This is a lot to take in, but it guarantees that your business will develop the safest possible app for any phone operating system. Don't forget to guide your employees through the process of ensuring safety on their phones, preventing a disaster from ever happening.

 

A Quick Review of the New Blackberry Q10 Smartphone (Video Review)

As editor of Smallbiztechnology.com, I get to look at a LOT of different technology devices, software and apps. I recently got my hands on the new BlackBerry Q10 smartphone and I put together a quick video to share the new features and challenges of the phone.

If you are currently a BlackBerry user and one who likes having a physical keyboard on your phone, then you'll definitely want to upgrade to this new version. Some of the features of this new device include:

• Qwerty Keyboard â€" helps with email productivity.
• Larger Screen â€"  3.1″ screen
• Touch Enabled â€" the screen is touch enabled to make moving through items quicker.

You can watch the video below or click here.

 

 

Are you a BlackBerry user? If so, have you moved to the new Q10?  What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

 

7 Disruptive Survivors (And a Few Who Didn\'t Make It)

It speaks to a company's staying power when they can make a big splash, then follow through and keep the momentum going. Disruptive companies shake up their markets with innovation. Sometimes new products and ideas birth an entire batch of related breakthroughs. Other times, no one knows how to fit a new product into their lives, the company can't make it work, and both eventually disappear.

Disruptive Survivors

Diagnostics for All - Founded in 2007

A non-profit backed by the Gates Foundation and others will make it possible to test people for diseases using only a tiny piece of paper. Already conducting trials of liver function tests, Diagnostics for All is also working to create tests for things like preeclampsia, malaria, and dengue fever. The testing device itself resembles a microchip, and is covered with channels (created with wax) and chemical “wells” designed to react with infected blood samples. The tests don't require lots of medical equipment, so they'll be especially beneficial in developing nations.

Kickstarter - Founded in 2009

This crowdsourcing site is the largest creative funding platform on the planet. Some notable Kickstarter projects include Pebble: E-Paper Watch, TikTok®, and Amanda Palmer's 2012 album, Theatre is Evil. Palmer's project raised an impressive $1.2 million dollars, but was plagued with controversy concerning the artist's accountability for contributed funds and whether her touring practices were ethical. More than 90,000 projects have been funded through Kickstarter.

Buzzfeed â€" Founded in 2008

Best known for its hilarious list-style pieces, the site began to change when Ben Smith, formerly of Politico, took over as editor-in-chief. Days after taking over the job, the site broke the news John McCain would endorse Mitt Romney. Buzzfeed even hired a copy editor. With real news and funny pieces designed for sharing (and refreshingly lacking in obnoxious ads and slideshows), the company may be pioneering the next standard format for web journalism.

Snapchat â€" Founded in 2011

The app that allows users to send pictures and video that self-destruct shortly after they're viewed has already spawned a whole swarm of copycats. Users are sharing around 100 millions “snaps” per day. In a world where everything you put online is there forever, Snapchat gives users a refreshing impermanence when sharing moments. However, even the most ephemeral data leaves a trail; a forensics examiner has shown Snapchat data can be recovered from Android devices, if you have the know-how.

Coursera â€" Founded in 2011

In 2012, the free online education portal hit one million users. One of many sites to offer free college classes, the quality of Coursera courses helps the site stand apart from the rest. With real courses from schools like Princeton University and Stanford University, Coursera has gained cachet as a legitimate online learning destination. And with ten more universities having announced partnerships with the site in May 2013, it seems likely this virtual schoolroom will remain at the head of the class.

Vistaprint â€" Founded in 2000

Business card printing once was a task only local printers handled. Vistaprint revolutionized business card printing by taking it online and offering free business cards with their own logo on the back. Since going public in 2005, and after barely surviving the “dot-com bust,” Vistaprint has remained a profitable company offering loads of marketing solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Leap Motion â€" Founded in 2010

This exciting device tracks simple gestures, like pinching and pointing, in three dimensions instead of two. It allows users to control things like their computer cursor with smaller, natural movements. It's still in development, but a video on the company's homepage shows just how intuitive and responsive the Leap Motion can be.

Disruptive Failures

Google Knol â€" 2007 to 2012

Initially, this project seemed very similar to Wikipedia, but with a focus on the authors of the documents. Knol offered a slightly more social approach than Wikipedia, allowing comments and questions on entries. Unfortunately, the site quickly became known for spam, and suffered further ignominy when Google was accused of favoring the site in its search engine results.

Apple Maps â€" launched 2012

The iOS maps app should have been just as good as Google Maps, but it fell so short of its competitor that CEO Tim Cook actually posted an apology letter to Apple customers suggesting they try other map apps. The flop cost a few people their jobs-and got more than a few users lost. It didn't take long for Google Maps to launch its own maps app in Apple's App Store to fill the void.

Without disruptive companies, advancement would slow to a crawl. Despite the sea of failures, disruptive survivors continue to prove their worth while successfully spearheading innovation.

Diana Doherty is a freelance writer specializing in SEO content, and is a contributor to ChamberofCommerce.com. She loves all things tech, photography, craft, military family life, and business. She earned her BA in English Writing Arts from SUNY Oswego.

The 14″ Laptop From the Toshiba Tecra R940 Series Really Packs A Punch (Video Review)

We all know that laptops and notebook computers are a dime a dozen these days and the only true differentiation, besides brand name, seems to be the screen size and battery life. That being said, there is one more thing to consider, when looking for a new device…the ‘small features' that matter to YOU!

I recently had the chance to take a look at the new 14″ laptop from the Toshiba Tecra R940 series of laptops. While at first glance, the main features appear to be comparable to most other laptops in it's category; 14″ screen, 4.2 lbs and 1″ thin, upon further looking I discovered a few ‘small features' that add up to a big plus, especially if you are a multi-media heavy user.

Check out my video review of the laptop below, or click here to watch.

 

 

So what do you think? Are the features of this laptop enough to make it stand apart from the rest?

Small Biz Events, Awards & Contests: Small Business Influencers, Small Business Summit, Manta Photo Contest + More

Welcome to our latest curated list of events, contests and awards for small businesses, solo entrepreneurs and growing companies. To see a full list or to submit your own event, contest or award listing, visit the Small Business Events Calendar.

Featured Events, Contests and Awards

Big Awards for Business
August 14, 2013, Online

The Big Awards started with a mission of recognizing real talent and performance. Real business people, those with experience and knowledge, judge the Big Awards. Request an entry kit today and submit your nomination by August 14, 2013.
Discount Code
SBT50 ($50.00 off)

INBOUND 2013
August 19, 2013, Boston, MA

INBOUND is a 4 day marketing experience that brings together thousands of marketers from around the globe for an annual event held in downtown Boston, Massachusetts.

Small Business Influencer Awards 2013
Online

The 2013 Small Business Influencer Awards recognize the apps, organizations and people who have a strong impact on small businesses in North America. Now its 3rd year, the Awards are a coveted recognition for those who serve small businesses.  No fee to enter.

Check to see who's already been nominated, and nominate yourself, or someone or some organization or app you admire.  Twitter hashtag: #SMBinfluencer

WomanCon 2013
September 25, 2013, New York, NY

This conference brings together amazing women entrepreneurs, both on and off the stage. Hear real behind-the-scenes stories of success including JJ Ramberg, Sarah Endline, Janine Popick, and Pamela O'Hara. Expert keynotes and panel discussions include: Getting Funding for Growth with Kay Koplovitz & Peggy Wallace, Turning Ideas into Companies with Yao Huang, 5 Strategies for a Stronger Brand with Julie Cottineau, and a journalist panel on Pitching the Media. SEATING IS LIMITED.
Discount Code
SBT ($50 off)

More Events

• Web.com Small Business Forum â€" Salt Lake
  July 11, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
• SUMMER GALA presented by the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
  July 11, 2013, Coraopolis, PA
• CROWDFUNDx NYC
  July 17, 2013, New York, NY
• Soukle Speak
  July 20, 2013, Atlanta, GA
• More Leads & Sales, Less Heavy Lifting
  July 23, 2013, Philadelphia, PA
• NYC July Business Networking Event
  July 23, 2013, New York, NY
• Almost Free Teleseminar â€" Targeted Branding
  July 26, 2013, Online
• Web.com Small Business Forum â€" Pittsburgh
  August 01, 2013, Pittsburgh, PA
• Small Business Summit
  August 06, 2013, New York, NY
• Affiliate Summit East
  August 18, 2013, Philadelphia, PA
• INBOUND 2013
  August 19, 2013, Boston, MA
• Content Marketing World
  September 09, 2013, Cleveland, OH
• Leading in Local: SMB Digital Marketing
  September 11, 2013, Austin, TX
• The Social Shake-Up
  September 15, 2013, Atlanta, GA
• 2013 Incite Marketing and Communications Summit
  September 18, 2013, Online
• Conversion Conference East 2013 Boston
  September 30, 2013, Online
• Demandcon Boston Sept 30-Oct 1st 2013
  September 30, 2013, Boston, MA/USA
• SMX East
  October 01, 2013, New York, NY
• MACsWomen's Entrepreneur Summit and Business Expo
  October 04, 2013, Eastchester, NY

More Contests and Awards

• Win a Grouponsultation for Your Small Business
  July 16, 2013, Online
• Huggies MomInspired Grant Program
  July 31, 2013, Online
• 2013 Big Awards for Business
  August 14, 2013, Online
• Harbortouch Business Upgrade Contest
  August 15, 2013, Online
• Manta #SmallBizLove Photo Contest
  August 31, 2013, Online
• 2013 Small Business Influencer Awards
  September 09, 2013, Online
• Women 2.0 PITCH Las Vegas 2013
  September 15, 2013, Las Vegas, NV
• The Citi Salutes: Realizing Your Dream Business Competition
  November 08, 2013, Online

This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends and SmallBizTechnology.

NYC Event 7/17: Online Branding – Claiming Your Space and Standing Out From the Crowd

 

Success in today's crowded digital environment demands that you stand out from your competition by delivering a consistent, distinctive brand identity across a variety of online platforms. But how do you take advantage of all the options available today? Learn how at our NYC Event Online Branding: Claiming Your Space And Standing Out From The Crowd

                                          

Ramon Ray     Michael Pilla

                                        

DATE: July 24, 2013
TIME: 9:00 AM To 11:00 AM
WHERE: 1745 Broadway St, 17th Floor, Manhattan, NYC 10106

In “Online Branding: Claiming Your Space and Standing Out From the Crowd”, Michael and Ramon will walk you through:

• Developing a brand identity that reflects your business,
• Avoiding the trap of “Me Too” Marketing,
• Best practices for implementing your identity across various digital platforms (Websites, Social Media, Viral Marketing and Mobile),
• Choosing the right platforms for you and your business
• Strategies for creating content that will engage your target audience and build an online community of fans and followers.

Using real world examples, they will also review case histories of successful branding programs.

Your Presenters:

Ramon Ray,
Regional Director of Development, Infusionsoft and Technology Evangelist, Smallbiztechnology.com

  

 

Michael Pilla,
Owner of Pilla Creative Marketing

 

8 Simple Steps To Network Security and Protecting Your Small Business

Brought to you by AVG Technologies, the provider of Internet and mobile security, privacy and optimization to 150 million active users. There's nothing small about small business in our eyes. Get more information on how AVG can help your small business stay protected â€" go to http://www.avg.com/us-en/internet-security-business.   

8 Simple Steps To Network Security and Protecting Your Small Business

 

When it comes to networking, a lot of small businesses aren't really doing it right. Sure, most people know how to hook up a router and maybe even turn on Wi-Fi, but you really need to know more than that in today's digital age to fend yourself from possible sabotage. Network security is about more than just purchasing a simple firewall. It's about making sure that every contact point and every single area within your local network is secured and functioning without any vulnerability to people outside, or inside, your business.

Today's security environment looks much different than it did back in the last decade. A long time ago, you were probably worried that someone would download a virus that ended up damaging a system. The attacks would probably be a nuisance, but didn't cause considerable damage. Now, you must watch your every step and lock up your systems with several layers of protection. This is largely due to how hacking has evolved in previous years.

The problem most businesses face is budget. A large-scale corporation has the experts and money to keep their enormous networks in pristine condition, but what about the small retailer who only has a server and a couple of PCs? How is that business going to incorporate high-level security on its own dime?

Perhaps a checklist will help:

• Make sure that everyone on the local network has a very strong system password set up. You'd be surprised at how many computers I've seen (even in corporate networks) that don't even have a system password set. This is a big invitation for sabotage.
• Set up an access control policy. Authorization through access control will reduce the risk of sabotage and it will compartmentalize the network as a whole, turning it into a fort with many rooms rather than a free-for-all. This also makes damage control easier!
• Have a look at all your sensitive data and make sure that no unauthorized person can potentially gain access to it. Keep all that data behind lock and key. It's best if you actually keep such data as far away from the network as possible.
• Don't use anything except WPA2 encryption in your Wi-Fi key. Anything less than that, and you're inviting people to sniff your access point.

• If you must use a router, get something meant for small businesses, not a home router. Small business routers typically have a more advanced firewall with strong authentication features. These routers can protect your private network while managing your access to the outside world. They also set up proper VPNs that let you and your employees access your private network without having to rely on third parties.
• Run anti-virus software on your network and devices. This will help you to stop, remove and prevent the spreading of viruses, worms or trojans that may attack your system. 
• It never hurts to have a software firewall running in your systems. A good software firewall works well as a last line of defense. Software firewalls fill in the gaps that routers cannot.
• Don't forget to keep computers used by guests away from your private network.

This isn't really that expensive, compared to the losses you could experience trying to control the damage caused by an attack. There's nothing fun about cleaning up a mess! With these tips, you'll have a fighting chance against any possible sabotage or hacking attempts.

 

Bizapalooza: An Online Event to Crank Up Your Bottom Line

Find it hard to get away from your business to attend conferences in person?  Air flights and hotel charges just not in your budget? But still hunger for valuable resources?

We’ve got the answer.

The first ever Bizapalooza virtual conference aims to provide just as much content and information as an in-person event, but without the inconvenience or cost. The event, which will be held online July 16-18, 2013, will include presentations from well-known small business experts like Anum Hussain of Hubspot; Bridget Weston Pollack, Marketing Director of SCORE; Jim Kukral; and Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software.

There are more than 20 speakers who will present at the event.

Inspiration in Numbers

It’s a well-documented fact that there are some 28 million small businesses in the US alone.  Bizapalooza Founder, Ivana Taylor, (you might know her as Small Business Trends’ Book Editor) thought, what if every one of those businesses â€" and from other countries, too â€" had the resources and knowledge to grow their businesses enough to hire just one more person? What sort of impact could that have on our economy?

Creating 28 million new jobs is no easy task, but Taylor understood the power of the individual business owner in making that happen. She looked at the reach she had as a blogger, author and social media user, and realized she just might be able to reach millions of small business owners through her network.  ”If I could reach a sizable number of those business owners, then I could provide them with a useful resource, like a virtual event, that could help them create just one more job,”  Taylor noted.

From there, Taylor decided to create a virtual event that brings the fun and energy of the rock concert experience to building and growing a business.  She considers Bizapalooza the business version of the 1990′s Lollapalooza music events.  But instead of grunge-wearing teens, the attendees would be committed business owners. There would still be a killer soundtrack, of course.

Bizapalooza Details

The topics will be as varied as the diverse group of speakers Taylor has organized. Some topics slated for the agenda include:

• Rock Your Business; What You and Your Company Can Learn from the Business of Rock and Roll” (David Fishoff, Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp)

• How to Select an Online Marketing Company and Not Get Scammed  (Tim O’Connor, Marcademy)

• How to Become a Twitter Ninja  (Melinda Emerson, The Small Biz Lady)

• How to Increase Your Blog Readers by 10x  (Anita Campbell, Small Business Trends)

• DIY Press Releases: Go from Zero to Publicity in 30 Minutes (Susan Payton, CEO of Egg Marketing â€" and yours truly)

And that soundtrack? Not a joke. Taylor compiled a playlist of all the presenters’ favorite rock songs to inspire the rock n’ roll theme for the event.

The virtual conference is free to attend. Register here: http://smallbizapalooza.com/

Bizapalooza: An Online Event to Crank Up Your Bottom Line

Find it hard to get away from your business to attend conferences in person?  Air flights and hotel charges just not in your budget? But still hunger for valuable resources?

We’ve got the answer.

The first ever Bizapalooza virtual conference aims to provide just as much content and information as an in-person event, but without the inconvenience or cost. The event, which will be held online July 16-18, 2013, will include presentations from well-known small business experts like Anum Hussain of Hubspot; Bridget Weston Pollack, Marketing Director of SCORE; Jim Kukral; and Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software.

There are more than 20 speakers who will present at the event.

Inspiration in Numbers

It’s a well-documented fact that there are some 28 million small businesses in the US alone.  Bizapalooza Founder, Ivana Taylor, (you might know her as Small Business Trends’ Book Editor) thought, what if every one of those businesses â€" and from other countries, too â€" had the resources and knowledge to grow their businesses enough to hire just one more person? What sort of impact could that have on our economy?

Creating 28 million new jobs is no easy task, but Taylor understood the power of the individual business owner in making that happen. She looked at the reach she had as a blogger, author and social media user, and realized she just might be able to reach millions of small business owners through her network.  ”If I could reach a sizable number of those business owners, then I could provide them with a useful resource, like a virtual event, that could help them create just one more job,”  Taylor noted.

From there, Taylor decided to create a virtual event that brings the fun and energy of the rock concert experience to building and growing a business.  She considers Bizapalooza the business version of the 1990′s Lollapalooza music events.  But instead of grunge-wearing teens, the attendees would be committed business owners. There would still be a killer soundtrack, of course.

Bizapalooza Details

The topics will be as varied as the diverse group of speakers Taylor has organized. Some topics slated for the agenda include:

• Rock Your Business; What You and Your Company Can Learn from the Business of Rock and Roll” (David Fishoff, Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp)

• How to Select an Online Marketing Company and Not Get Scammed  (Tim O’Connor, Marcademy)

• How to Become a Twitter Ninja  (Melinda Emerson, The Small Biz Lady)

• How to Increase Your Blog Readers by 10x  (Anita Campbell, Small Business Trends)

• DIY Press Releases: Go from Zero to Publicity in 30 Minutes (Susan Payton, CEO of Egg Marketing â€" and yours truly)

And that soundtrack? Not a joke. Taylor compiled a playlist of all the presenters’ favorite rock songs to inspire the rock n’ roll theme for the event.

The virtual conference is free to attend. Register here: http://smallbizapalooza.com/