MYQROsites Offers New App for Mobile Marketing With QR Codes

MYQROsites

The world of mobile marketing can be overwhelming for already-busy small business owners. But the explosion of smartphone use over the past few years is proof that it’s worth looking at the options.

According to recent reports, mobile marketing will generate $400 billion in sales by 2015. MYQROsites offers one option to reach customers through a device they already use - their smartphones.

MYQROsites offers a service that allows customers to create mobile sites promoted through a custom generated QR code. You’ve probably seen these already in magazines and other ads - they’re a square, 2-D barcode you can scan with your phone’s camera.

Scanning the QR code sends you directly to a mobile website.  The benefit of using QR codes is speed and convenience.  “It’s a quicker way to get to information than making someone type in a URL,” said Jon-Mikel Bailey, a principal at Wood Street Inc. and Kicking Apps LLC, which created MYQROsites.

The service allows business owners to manage their mobile sites themselves and upload photos, videos and other content for a monthly fee. It also provides technical support for any issues.

MYQROsites then allows clients to generate QR codes that can be added to marketing materials businesses already use, like postcards, fliers or other advertisements.

The video below shows more about how the service works.

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MYQROsites Offers New App for Mobile Marketing With QR Codes

MYQROsites

The world of mobile marketing can be overwhelming for already-busy small business owners. But the explosion of smartphone use over the past few years is proof that it’s worth looking at the options.

According to recent reports, mobile marketing will generate $400 billion in sales by 2015. MYQROsites offers one option to reach customers through a device they already use - their smartphones.

MYQROsites offers a service that allows customers to create mobile sites promoted through a custom generated QR code. You’ve probably seen these already in magazines and other ads - they’re a square, 2-D barcode you can scan with your phone’s camera.

Scanning the QR code sends you directly to a mobile website.  The benefit of using QR codes is speed and convenience.  “It’s a quicker way to get to information than making someone type in a URL,” said Jon-Mikel Bailey, a principal at Wood Street Inc. and Kicking Apps LLC, which created MYQROsites.

The service allows business owners to manage their mobile sites themselves and upload photos, videos and other content for a monthly fee. It also provides technical support for any issues.

MYQROsites then allows clients to generate QR codes that can be added to marketing materials businesses already use, like postcards, fliers or other advertisements.

The video below shows more about how the service works.

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Samsung Introduces the Galaxy Note 3 in Berlin

galaxy note 3

[Samsung Galaxy Note III]

Small business owners seeking greater mobility and productivity now have another option. Samsung finally introduced its new Galaxy Note 3 phablet device at the IFA technology show in Berlin.

Company representatives said they listened to customers when designing this new update of the popular hybrid between smartphone and tablet.

“They wanted larger screens and wanted to do more with them,” said Menno Van Den Berg, Vice President of Samsung Electronics in the Netherlands, at the company’s second Unpacked event of the year this week.

The event was webcast live over the company’s Samsung Mobile YouTube Channel. The Note 3 should be available in the U.S. in October. It will be available in three colors: jet black, white, and what they’re calling “blush pink”.

An Overview of Samsung Galaxy Note 3

The new Galaxy Note 3 will have a full HD 5.7 inch screen. The rear-mounted camera is 13 megapixels and is capable of shooting full HD high resolution video at 60 frames-per-second. The device also has a 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera.

Although this is the biggest screen available on a Note device, the new Note 3 is actually lighter than its predecessor and no wider than before. Interestingly, the Note 3 has a backing resembling leather and is ridged on the side so dropping it seems less likely. When it’s combined with an optional flip wallet for convenient carrying, a “window” in the carrier that shows the time, date, and other pertinent updates is larger than before. And you can actually make and receive calls within that window without removing the device from its wallet or case.

Other important features include:

  • High CRI LED Flash with Smart Stabilizer on the rear-mounted camera,
  • 3GB of RAM,
  • Extended battery life: Samsung says the battery on the Note 3 will give you 40 percent more video playback time,
  • Faster and “more seamless” LTE

A New Stylus Helps Organize Information

The S-Pen Stylus has a variety of functions to help busy business owners keep information organized. David Park, from Samsung’s Electronics HQ and Marketing divisions, explained the its features during the Samsung presentation in Berlin.

The new “Air Command” feature activated simply by tapping the stylus over a floating dot on the screen will bring up an action menu. That menu allows you to jot a quick note, like a new contact’s phone number or email address.

Pre-loaded handwriting recognition software allows how to write down contact information with the stylus and then transforms that information into a new contact profile.

Or you can write down a phone number and then call that number using the Note’s phone function directly from your handwritten memo.

You can use the stylus to circle information you want to save while surfing online and the Note will organize that information into a file called a “scrapbook.” Scrapbooks, like other files, are searchable.

Samsung says you can even use the stylus to organize your files. For example, by drawing a dollar sign on business file, you can then use the symbol to search for the specific file later.

The company says the Note will also let you create special notebooks called S-Notes that contain specific designated information, like business files, that you may want o keep separate from the other files on your device. These S-Notes can be placed in your Evernote account so that you could easily access them from any device in the future.

Here’s more on the device from TechnoBuffalo.

Image: Samsung


Safeguard Your Business with Mobility Management Software

As per a 2012 survey by CDW (a leading provider of technology solutions for business) 94 percent of small business users believed that mobile devices had made them more efficient. On the other hand 51 percent of IT managers surveyed expressed concerns on the security of mobile devices being used. 

The threat of malicious cyber attacks to small and medium sized businesses is clear and present. With  businesses increasingly going the BYOD route, mobility management software is becoming an essential for addressing the risks associated with increased mobility.

 Mobility management software and its benefits

Mobility management software offers a comprehensive solution for securing mobile devices being used by all employees. It is essential for protecting the information being accessed through mobile devices as well as for controlling the content being downloaded, whether its files or mobile applications. The main benefits of deploying mobility management software include the following:

1. Securing and monitoring usage on mobile devices

  • All mobile devices used in the company can be centrally equipped with the security firewalls as per company policy
  • Control application download and track usage of approved applications.
  • Secure company information through encrypted access to files on their mobile devices and prevent file download
  • In case of theft or loss, remotely access and delete all information stored on the mobile device
  •  Secure the office wireless network against possible attacks

2. Reducing cost of using mobile device

  • Obtain expense management reports on all mobile devices used by staff.  Use this information to identify mobile devices which are no longer in official use and to optimize mobile device plans based on usage.
  •  Some mobility software companies also offer discounts negotiated with individual carriers and mobile device companies

 3. Lessening the administrative burden of mobile device procurement and management

  •  Reduce time for new device procurement and activation through a pre approved ordering system
  • A centralized portal for new device guidance, troubleshooting and upgrades, will free existing staff to focus on their core functions.

Mobility management software solutions

 Listed below are some of the paid mobility management solutions

Total Mobility Management (TMM) by CDW - Besides providing mobile security and network access control, the TMM solution includes a mobility management portal. The portal enables cross-carrier device selection, activation, configuration and deployment, providing employee choice for corporate-owned device programs. The portal also consolidates wireless expenses and provides reports for tracking, analysis, and invoice payment.

Steve Zimmer, commodities purchasing manager at Stepan Company (a specialty chemicals producer  located in Northfield) had this to say on the TMM software - “The portal services that we employ has produced a 20 to 25 percent reduction in our mobile expenses. Just as importantly, I was spending 60 to 80 percent of my time just fixing people’s problems with their devices.  That payoff was almost immediate - and I’m back to doing the rest of my job now”.

Pricing for CDW’s subscription based mobility management services ranges from $2.99 to $12.99 monthly per device, depending on features, number of devices, and custom features.  Setup fees may also apply.

BoxTone: The BoxTone Enterprise Mobile Management software covers both mobile device management and mobile service management  .  The key features include automated mobility usage reports, auto-push feature for configuring device settings as per current policy and real-time application management controls.  Fill an online form for a free demo and a price quote.

GLOBO: The GO!Enterprise Mobility in a Box has been developed as an off-the-shelf  mobility solution for small and medium businesses. It includes a secure cloud-based file storage service which allows employees to easily store, access and share documents from their mobile devices, PCs or laptops. Other features include secured instant messaging, secure mobile browser and  software for building your own mobile applications. The price for the GO!Enterprise Mobility in a Box is $699 per annum for 10 devices. Additional devices are supported via upgrade packages. 

Mobile technology management solutions can help your business securely transition to a mobile office environment while also taking away the administrative pinpricks that accompany the management of mobile devices. 

If you are still on the  fence on the benefits of mobility management software for your business, you can consider some of the free mobile device management solutions my colleague Miguel Leiva-Gomez had reviewed in a recent post.



5 Habits Of Relentless Entrepreneurs

relentless entrepreneurs

Anyone can start a business, but it’s hard to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are achievers but their achievements don’t come without pitfalls. What makes entrepreneurs tick? What is it about them that makes them so ambitious, confident, and, well…different from others? Let’s find out.

The Start Habit

Entrepreneurs just start. They might not know what’s coming up ahead. They might not know what they are getting into. And they have no idea how they will succeed. But they’ll start anyway.

Gordon Segal, founder of furniture retailer Crate and Barrel, started off without knowing much about the retail business at all or what it entailed. His underlying philosophy:

What have we got to lose?

If you think that this “start no matter what” syndrome happens only when you grow older, think again.

Tyler Dikman started selling lemonade when he was only five years old. By age 10, he was performing magic at birthday parties and investing his earnings in stocks. By 15, he started Cooltronics.com, a huge computer supply business. Cooltronics.com earned him over $1 million in revenue by the time he was 17.

The start syndrome is, in fact, at the core of many entrepreneurial stories. Sony’s first product was an automatic rice cooker before it became a technology leader. Microsoft, Apple, Google and many other admired companies today took the time to find their main product or service but got started anyway.

Next time you get the nagging “when do I launch” question, the answer is “now.”

The Habit of Hustle

Entrepreneurs revere sales. They are born hustlers. While some shy away from selling, entrepreneurs consider it an art. And for most, it is a habit they developed early. The habit of hustle is ingrained in the very psyche of the entrepreneur, either naturally or by choice.

John Paul DeJoria, founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems, a branded hair care product for salons, lived out of his car and sold Christmas cards and newspapers when he started out. Even after starting his company, he still sold shampoo door-to-door. Today he is worth $4 billion.

Sheldon Adelson started selling newspapers and later operated a vending machine business. He packed hotel toiletries, and dabbled with mortgage brokering. Today, he owns the Sands Hotel & Casino and also The Venetian mega-resort.

The Habit of Failure

Entrepreneurs can face failure. Thomas Zurbuchen of the Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Michigan, writes, “Entrepreneurship is about hope.” You’ll see this hope reflected in the lives of many entrepreneurs and founders who started businesses against all odds and even in the face of failure.

It’s this hope that keeps entrepreneurship alive and encourages entrepreneurs to innovate, create and make a difference in millions of lives.

Here are some stories:

  • Harland David Sanders, founder of the iconic Kentucky Fried Chicken brand, had his chicken rejected by more than 1,000 restaurants before eventually launching his franchise business. Today Kentucky Fried Chicken is a household name.
  • R.H Macy had a history of failed business ventures and investments before founding Macy’s, destined to become the biggest department store in the world.
  • Soichiro Honda was rejected for an engineering job at Toyota before going on to found Honda Motor Company.
  • And Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper for having no imagination or good ideas before founding his world famous company celebrating the power of imagination.

The Habit of Dealing with Uncertainty

Entrepreneurs can handle uncertainty. They launch businesses where none have existed before, create products and services with no idea how they will be received, deal with the uncertainty of irregular cash flow, work with new people and discover and market to customers with whom they may not be familiar.

Almost every business success begins with uncertainty. Only 80% of businesses actually succeed and manage to attain profitability. So we can imagine the uncertainties most entrepreneurs face.

The Habit of Management and Delegation

Entrepreneurs delegate. For them, it is a matter of survival. And that delegation involves inspiring leadership in others too.

Entrepreneurs lead by example. They know what must be done because they have done it and must now teach others the same skills. An entrepreneur’s leadership comes from the knowledge of how to build and sustain a profitable business. Most have had no option but to get their hands dirty building their businesses.

Unlike some managers, they have learned from experience and must now share that experience with others if their businesses are to be sustainable.

Do you see yourself as an entrepreneur? If so, what habits would you like to cultivate within yourself?

Superhero Businessman Photo via Shutterstock




Safeguard Your Business with Mobility Management Software

As per a 2012 survey by CDW (a leading provider of technology solutions for business) 94 percent of small business users believed that mobile devices had made them more efficient. On the other hand 51 percent of IT managers surveyed expressed concerns on the security of mobile devices being used. 

The threat of malicious cyber attacks to small and medium sized businesses is clear and present. With  businesses increasingly going the BYOD route, mobility management software is becoming an essential for addressing the risks associated with increased mobility.

 Mobility management software and its benefits

Mobility management software offers a comprehensive solution for securing mobile devices being used by all employees. It is essential for protecting the information being accessed through mobile devices as well as for controlling the content being downloaded, whether its files or mobile applications. The main benefits of deploying mobility management software include the following:

1. Securing and monitoring usage on mobile devices

  • All mobile devices used in the company can be centrally equipped with the security firewalls as per company policy
  • Control application download and track usage of approved applications.
  • Secure company information through encrypted access to files on their mobile devices and prevent file download
  • In case of theft or loss, remotely access and delete all information stored on the mobile device
  •  Secure the office wireless network against possible attacks

2. Reducing cost of using mobile device

  • Obtain expense management reports on all mobile devices used by staff.  Use this information to identify mobile devices which are no longer in official use and to optimize mobile device plans based on usage.
  •  Some mobility software companies also offer discounts negotiated with individual carriers and mobile device companies

 3. Lessening the administrative burden of mobile device procurement and management

  •  Reduce time for new device procurement and activation through a pre approved ordering system
  • A centralized portal for new device guidance, troubleshooting and upgrades, will free existing staff to focus on their core functions.

Mobility management software solutions

 Listed below are some of the paid mobility management solutions

Total Mobility Management (TMM) by CDW - Besides providing mobile security and network access control, the TMM solution includes a mobility management portal. The portal enables cross-carrier device selection, activation, configuration and deployment, providing employee choice for corporate-owned device programs. The portal also consolidates wireless expenses and provides reports for tracking, analysis, and invoice payment.

Steve Zimmer, commodities purchasing manager at Stepan Company (a specialty chemicals producer  located in Northfield) had this to say on the TMM software - “The portal services that we employ has produced a 20 to 25 percent reduction in our mobile expenses. Just as importantly, I was spending 60 to 80 percent of my time just fixing people’s problems with their devices.  That payoff was almost immediate - and I’m back to doing the rest of my job now”.

Pricing for CDW’s subscription based mobility management services ranges from $2.99 to $12.99 monthly per device, depending on features, number of devices, and custom features.  Setup fees may also apply.

BoxTone: The BoxTone Enterprise Mobile Management software covers both mobile device management and mobile service management  .  The key features include automated mobility usage reports, auto-push feature for configuring device settings as per current policy and real-time application management controls.  Fill an online form for a free demo and a price quote.

GLOBO: The GO!Enterprise Mobility in a Box has been developed as an off-the-shelf  mobility solution for small and medium businesses. It includes a secure cloud-based file storage service which allows employees to easily store, access and share documents from their mobile devices, PCs or laptops. Other features include secured instant messaging, secure mobile browser and  software for building your own mobile applications. The price for the GO!Enterprise Mobility in a Box is $699 per annum for 10 devices. Additional devices are supported via upgrade packages. 

Mobile technology management solutions can help your business securely transition to a mobile office environment while also taking away the administrative pinpricks that accompany the management of mobile devices. 

If you are still on the  fence on the benefits of mobility management software for your business, you can consider some of the free mobile device management solutions my colleague Miguel Leiva-Gomez had reviewed in a recent post.



Safeguard Your Business with Mobility Management Software

As per a 2012 survey by CDW (a leading provider of technology solutions for business) 94 percent of small business users believed that mobile devices had made them more efficient. On the other hand 51 percent of IT managers surveyed expressed concerns on the security of mobile devices being used. 

The threat of malicious cyber attacks to small and medium sized businesses is clear and present. With  businesses increasingly going the BYOD route, mobility management software is becoming an essential for addressing the risks associated with increased mobility.

 Mobility management software and its benefits

Mobility management software offers a comprehensive solution for securing mobile devices being used by all employees. It is essential for protecting the information being accessed through mobile devices as well as for controlling the content being downloaded, whether its files or mobile applications. The main benefits of deploying mobility management software include the following:

1. Securing and monitoring usage on mobile devices

  • All mobile devices used in the company can be centrally equipped with the security firewalls as per company policy
  • Control application download and track usage of approved applications.
  • Secure company information through encrypted access to files on their mobile devices and prevent file download
  • In case of theft or loss, remotely access and delete all information stored on the mobile device
  •  Secure the office wireless network against possible attacks

2. Reducing cost of using mobile device

  • Obtain expense management reports on all mobile devices used by staff.  Use this information to identify mobile devices which are no longer in official use and to optimize mobile device plans based on usage.
  •  Some mobility software companies also offer discounts negotiated with individual carriers and mobile device companies

 3. Lessening the administrative burden of mobile device procurement and management

  •  Reduce time for new device procurement and activation through a pre approved ordering system
  • A centralized portal for new device guidance, troubleshooting and upgrades, will free existing staff to focus on their core functions.

Mobility management software solutions

 Listed below are some of the paid mobility management solutions

Total Mobility Management (TMM) by CDW - Besides providing mobile security and network access control, the TMM solution includes a mobility management portal. The portal enables cross-carrier device selection, activation, configuration and deployment, providing employee choice for corporate-owned device programs. The portal also consolidates wireless expenses and provides reports for tracking, analysis, and invoice payment.

Steve Zimmer, commodities purchasing manager at Stepan Company (a specialty chemicals producer  located in Northfield) had this to say on the TMM software - “The portal services that we employ has produced a 20 to 25 percent reduction in our mobile expenses. Just as importantly, I was spending 60 to 80 percent of my time just fixing people’s problems with their devices.  That payoff was almost immediate - and I’m back to doing the rest of my job now”.

Pricing for CDW’s subscription based mobility management services ranges from $2.99 to $12.99 monthly per device, depending on features, number of devices, and custom features.  Setup fees may also apply.

BoxTone: The BoxTone Enterprise Mobile Management software covers both mobile device management and mobile service management  .  The key features include automated mobility usage reports, auto-push feature for configuring device settings as per current policy and real-time application management controls.  Fill an online form for a free demo and a price quote.

GLOBO: The GO!Enterprise Mobility in a Box has been developed as an off-the-shelf  mobility solution for small and medium businesses. It includes a secure cloud-based file storage service which allows employees to easily store, access and share documents from their mobile devices, PCs or laptops. Other features include secured instant messaging, secure mobile browser and  software for building your own mobile applications. The price for the GO!Enterprise Mobility in a Box is $699 per annum for 10 devices. Additional devices are supported via upgrade packages. 

Mobile technology management solutions can help your business securely transition to a mobile office environment while also taking away the administrative pinpricks that accompany the management of mobile devices. 

If you are still on the  fence on the benefits of mobility management software for your business, you can consider some of the free mobile device management solutions my colleague Miguel Leiva-Gomez had reviewed in a recent post.



The Evolution of Geolocation Technology and How It’s Changing The Way We Live and Do Business

Cloud computing is quickly becoming a staple of technology, especially in business. Having access to files anywhere, anytime is a necessity and allows for a more fluid and capable business. However, the ability to couple this technology with others, such as geolocation technology, will create new opportunities for developing apps and programs that change the way we live and do business . One example of this is Wayfiler from Float Mobile Learning.

Wayfiler is an application that combines  geolocation technology and cloud computing to allows users to receive information based on geographic contextual situation. Using Wayfiler, one user can upload a document, photo, video, or other file through a Dropbox account, and tie it to their GPS location. Then, when other users are in or near that same location, they can use Wayfiler to find and download the file.

“The possibilities are virtually limitless for how Wayfiler could be used to help you learn about the environment around you,” said Chad Udell, Float’s managing director and author of Learning Everywhere. “People or organizations could tag maps and floor plans to specific buildings, maintenance records and educational videos to a piece of equipment, or relevant tasks and checklists to a certain area of a facility. Any type of file or document you can store in the cloud can be tied to a location for easy lookup.”

So lets think of how an app like this could change the way we go through daily tasks and events. As you enter a museum, you could pull up a map or additional information that the museum hosts. At a diner you may find a list of the daily specials. Maybe while hiking through a national park you bring up a list of animals indigenous to the area or a map to find a trail that best suits your path. The only limit to this type of contextual learning is the effort that people are willing to put into them. Geolocation filing could be the next big step and is just as easy as updating a website, which nearly every business does today.

There are, however, a few drawbacks to this. I couldn’t find any way to tag files to a location other than the location I was currently in, which seems like a major oversight. Further, unless many establishments adopt Wayfiler quickly, there are large “dead spots” where files simply haven’t been uploaded yet. And that everyone would have to rely on the same app altogether seems a little backward.

Technology is quickly changing, and I can see geolocation-based cloud storage being a huge update to our everyday lives. In the near future I could walk into a grocery store and automatically receive an email or text with coupons, or walk down a block and look at various specials as I walk near stores. But for now, apps like Wayfiler are only stepping-stones to that “always plugged in” lifestyle.



The Evolution of Geolocation Technology and How It’s Changing The Way We Live and Do Business

Cloud computing is quickly becoming a staple of technology, especially in business. Having access to files anywhere, anytime is a necessity and allows for a more fluid and capable business. However, the ability to couple this technology with others, such as geolocation technology, will create new opportunities for developing apps and programs that change the way we live and do business . One example of this is Wayfiler from Float Mobile Learning.

Wayfiler is an application that combines  geolocation technology and cloud computing to allows users to receive information based on geographic contextual situation. Using Wayfiler, one user can upload a document, photo, video, or other file through a Dropbox account, and tie it to their GPS location. Then, when other users are in or near that same location, they can use Wayfiler to find and download the file.

“The possibilities are virtually limitless for how Wayfiler could be used to help you learn about the environment around you,” said Chad Udell, Float’s managing director and author of Learning Everywhere. “People or organizations could tag maps and floor plans to specific buildings, maintenance records and educational videos to a piece of equipment, or relevant tasks and checklists to a certain area of a facility. Any type of file or document you can store in the cloud can be tied to a location for easy lookup.”

So lets think of how an app like this could change the way we go through daily tasks and events. As you enter a museum, you could pull up a map or additional information that the museum hosts. At a diner you may find a list of the daily specials. Maybe while hiking through a national park you bring up a list of animals indigenous to the area or a map to find a trail that best suits your path. The only limit to this type of contextual learning is the effort that people are willing to put into them. Geolocation filing could be the next big step and is just as easy as updating a website, which nearly every business does today.

There are, however, a few drawbacks to this. I couldn’t find any way to tag files to a location other than the location I was currently in, which seems like a major oversight. Further, unless many establishments adopt Wayfiler quickly, there are large “dead spots” where files simply haven’t been uploaded yet. And that everyone would have to rely on the same app altogether seems a little backward.

Technology is quickly changing, and I can see geolocation-based cloud storage being a huge update to our everyday lives. In the near future I could walk into a grocery store and automatically receive an email or text with coupons, or walk down a block and look at various specials as I walk near stores. But for now, apps like Wayfiler are only stepping-stones to that “always plugged in” lifestyle.



Your Roadmap To Becoming A Successful Entrepreneur

successful entrepreneur2

Managing a small business is not an easy victory for all. It demands a different view of life and a unique way of setting goals to ensure success. Some people are happy to work for others and satisfied to earn a monthly salary. They belong to one category while there are many who do not feel comfortable working within confines. Those belonging to the second category seem to have a bright future in entrepreneurship.

For a better understanding of this concept, we’ll split the discussion into two parts.

Are You Ready to Become an Entrepreneur?

Are you interested in owning a small business and want to manage it all by yourself? Are you proud of your management and leadership skills?

Entrepreneurship is a good career decision if you’re answer to those two questions is yes. At the same time, it is true that more than management and leadership skills will be necessary to taste success. Ask yourself some of the questions below to find out whether you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur:

1. Are you willing to take risks and fight all odds?

2. Will you be able to live with an unpredictable, unsteady source of income?

3. Are your family and friends supportive of your venture?

4. Are you well equipped to protect yourself and your family against potential financial ups and downs?

5. Do you accept the fact that you are answerable to your clients?

If the answer to the above questions is yes, you have an entrepreneur’s blood running through your veins.

What are the Essentials You Need to Learn?

As an aspiring small business owner, you need to learn certain essentials of small business management and entrepreneurship. Learning them can help you in three ways - save you time, cut down on your business start-up costs and save you money. Below are five essentials for managing a small business:

1. Do Not Expect to Earn Big Bucks at the Start

A small business is an investment and it’s advantageous to take fewer risks in the beginning. Big profits will elude you at the initial stage of the business, but with slow and steady progress, you can achieve big things.

2. Steer Clear of all the “Bells and Whistles” Early On

It is definitely great to start a business with the latest computers, best machinery, equipment and new vehicles. But unless you earn enough to purchase all these, it is better to opt for cheaper alternatives. Subcontract services and hire-purchase machinery and equipment.

3. Be Prepared to Perform Multiple Roles at the Start

Be prepared to be a multi-tasking professional to develop your business at the start. Be prepared to perform roles such as that of the production manager, marketing manager and that of the accountant by yourself. It’s wise to wait until you make money before establishing a full-fledged staff dedicated to handling different aspects of the business.

4. Be Ready to Lead a Low-Profile Life

Until you are established, managing a small business can be akin to leading a low-profile life. It’s best to avoid organizing a party at a posh 5-star beach resort for your clients and publishing big advertisements in leading newspapers. If you indulge in extravagances early on, you will run out of money very fast.

5. Become Skilled at Accounting

A part of your multi-tasking duties when managing a small business is going to require you to apply your accounting skills to manage cash flow and bank transactions (you can consider hiring a specialist service to manage the area of taxes.)

There are many avenues that offer tools vital to success for the prospective entrepreneurs. Look for good small business programs that offer extensive training to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Hard work, perseverance and determination pave the way for success in a small business. Be confident and optimistic and step forward to fulfill your dreams.

Roadmap to Success Photo via Shutterstock




Your Roadmap To Becoming A Successful Entrepreneur

successful entrepreneur2

Managing a small business is not an easy victory for all. It demands a different view of life and a unique way of setting goals to ensure success. Some people are happy to work for others and satisfied to earn a monthly salary. They belong to one category while there are many who do not feel comfortable working within confines. Those belonging to the second category seem to have a bright future in entrepreneurship.

For a better understanding of this concept, we’ll split the discussion into two parts.

Are You Ready to Become an Entrepreneur?

Are you interested in owning a small business and want to manage it all by yourself? Are you proud of your management and leadership skills?

Entrepreneurship is a good career decision if you’re answer to those two questions is yes. At the same time, it is true that more than management and leadership skills will be necessary to taste success. Ask yourself some of the questions below to find out whether you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur:

1. Are you willing to take risks and fight all odds?

2. Will you be able to live with an unpredictable, unsteady source of income?

3. Are your family and friends supportive of your venture?

4. Are you well equipped to protect yourself and your family against potential financial ups and downs?

5. Do you accept the fact that you are answerable to your clients?

If the answer to the above questions is yes, you have an entrepreneur’s blood running through your veins.

What are the Essentials You Need to Learn?

As an aspiring small business owner, you need to learn certain essentials of small business management and entrepreneurship. Learning them can help you in three ways - save you time, cut down on your business start-up costs and save you money. Below are five essentials for managing a small business:

1. Do Not Expect to Earn Big Bucks at the Start

A small business is an investment and it’s advantageous to take fewer risks in the beginning. Big profits will elude you at the initial stage of the business, but with slow and steady progress, you can achieve big things.

2. Steer Clear of all the “Bells and Whistles” Early On

It is definitely great to start a business with the latest computers, best machinery, equipment and new vehicles. But unless you earn enough to purchase all these, it is better to opt for cheaper alternatives. Subcontract services and hire-purchase machinery and equipment.

3. Be Prepared to Perform Multiple Roles at the Start

Be prepared to be a multi-tasking professional to develop your business at the start. Be prepared to perform roles such as that of the production manager, marketing manager and that of the accountant by yourself. It’s wise to wait until you make money before establishing a full-fledged staff dedicated to handling different aspects of the business.

4. Be Ready to Lead a Low-Profile Life

Until you are established, managing a small business can be akin to leading a low-profile life. It’s best to avoid organizing a party at a posh 5-star beach resort for your clients and publishing big advertisements in leading newspapers. If you indulge in extravagances early on, you will run out of money very fast.

5. Become Skilled at Accounting

A part of your multi-tasking duties when managing a small business is going to require you to apply your accounting skills to manage cash flow and bank transactions (you can consider hiring a specialist service to manage the area of taxes.)

There are many avenues that offer tools vital to success for the prospective entrepreneurs. Look for good small business programs that offer extensive training to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Hard work, perseverance and determination pave the way for success in a small business. Be confident and optimistic and step forward to fulfill your dreams.

Roadmap to Success Photo via Shutterstock




Sage Executives Pile Into RV and Travel Across North America To Listen To Customers

On August 28th, Sage, a leading provider of business management software and services for more than 6 million small and mid-sized businesses worldwide, concluded its 16-city, 50-day Sage Listens RV Relay. The trek, which started in Charlotte, NC on July 10th, took them across the U.S., with a final stop in Irvine, CA and was designed as a way for Sage executives to personally visit customers across the U.S., to build stronger relationships, help customers maximize their software investments and encourage a “Shop Local” commitment.

A recent study showed that local retailers return up to 68 percent of their revenue to the local economy in the form of locally purchased wages, goods, services, profits and donations; whereas larger businesses spend only 43 percent locally. Through the “Shop Local” commitment, Sage is encouraging consumers and businesses to support businesses locally based in their communities to generate this higher local revenue return. During their trek, the Sage team did just that - they bought food and beverages from their local customers as well as stayed in their hotels in order to support the commitment.

The final leg of the U.S. RV Relay brought Sage executives on a three-day trek down the coast of California, beginning in Santa Barbara and ending in Los Angeles. Meeting many customers along the way, like Ventura, CA based Ventura Coastal - a producer of citrus juices, oils and related products, and MuckerLab - a Los Angeles based startup accelerator, the team heard first hand stories about the day-to-day challenges these companies face and ways they’ve achieved success and overcome challenges.

Los Angeles is the third-largest metropolitan economy in the world, and small business owners in the area have a positive mindset about the overall well-being of their businesses. Nearly 70 percent of owners anticipate their revenue to increase over the next year, and nearly half plan on hiring more employees.

“Consumer confidence is widespread throughout the Los Angeles small business community, setting the perfect example for other small business owners throughout the country,’’ said Brad Smith, executive vice president for customer experience, Sage North America. ‘’We were excited to meet with a few Sage customers in the region to see how they can continue to take full advantage of and grow their businesses.”

The RV Relay is now heading to Canada, with stops scheduled in Ottowa beginning Sept. 11th and rolling through to Toronto on Sept. 17th.

To see more about the RV Relay and read the stories of the customers they visited, visit the Sage Listens website and click on the cities they visited.



Sage Executives Pile Into RV and Travel Across North America To Listen To Customers

On August 28th, Sage, a leading provider of business management software and services for more than 6 million small and mid-sized businesses worldwide, concluded its 16-city, 50-day Sage Listens RV Relay. The trek, which started in Charlotte, NC on July 10th, took them across the U.S., with a final stop in Irvine, CA and was designed as a way for Sage executives to personally visit customers across the U.S., to build stronger relationships, help customers maximize their software investments and encourage a “Shop Local” commitment.

A recent study showed that local retailers return up to 68 percent of their revenue to the local economy in the form of locally purchased wages, goods, services, profits and donations; whereas larger businesses spend only 43 percent locally. Through the “Shop Local” commitment, Sage is encouraging consumers and businesses to support businesses locally based in their communities to generate this higher local revenue return. During their trek, the Sage team did just that - they bought food and beverages from their local customers as well as stayed in their hotels in order to support the commitment.

The final leg of the U.S. RV Relay brought Sage executives on a three-day trek down the coast of California, beginning in Santa Barbara and ending in Los Angeles. Meeting many customers along the way, like Ventura, CA based Ventura Coastal - a producer of citrus juices, oils and related products, and MuckerLab - a Los Angeles based startup accelerator, the team heard first hand stories about the day-to-day challenges these companies face and ways they’ve achieved success and overcome challenges.

Los Angeles is the third-largest metropolitan economy in the world, and small business owners in the area have a positive mindset about the overall well-being of their businesses. Nearly 70 percent of owners anticipate their revenue to increase over the next year, and nearly half plan on hiring more employees.

“Consumer confidence is widespread throughout the Los Angeles small business community, setting the perfect example for other small business owners throughout the country,’’ said Brad Smith, executive vice president for customer experience, Sage North America. ‘’We were excited to meet with a few Sage customers in the region to see how they can continue to take full advantage of and grow their businesses.”

The RV Relay is now heading to Canada, with stops scheduled in Ottowa beginning Sept. 11th and rolling through to Toronto on Sept. 17th.

To see more about the RV Relay and read the stories of the customers they visited, visit the Sage Listens website and click on the cities they visited.



Becoming a Social Business: How Mature Is Your Company in Social Media?

social biz atlanta3The following examines what it takes to be a social business.  As you go through, think about how mature your business is (or is not) when it comes social media.

We bring you one of the most discussed sessions during this year’s Social Biz Atlanta Conference. Below is a text transcript, along with the full video of the session at the end.  The session featured:

  • Teresa Caro, SVP of Social and Content Marketing, Engauge (pictured, lower right)
  • Bert Dumars, Vice President, Principal Analyst Serving CMOs at Forrester Research (pictured, lower left)
  • Adam Naide, Social Media Leader & Digital Marketing at Cox Communications (pictured, upper left)
  • Art Hall, Director at Alvarez & Marsal (Moderator) (pictured, upper right)

* * * * *

Art Hall: [Introductions]  Burt was with Newell Rubbermaid and functioned in a marketing and in a eCommerce role as he oversaw all of the Newell’s branding and now has taken a job at Forrester Research. Burt is going to talk on corporate social media maturity.

Teresa will talk about how Enguage adopted Forrester’s model into some further categorizations to help us to understand how companies can evolve to becoming a social business. And last but not least, we will turn it over to Adam Naide [of Cox Communications].

Bert DuMars:  We have been calling this an age of post-digital. Digital is not a silo anymore, nor is social, nor is eCommerce - it is all part of marketing.

CMOs who are ahead of the game are senior marketing executives who … are bringing in digital experts, analytics scientists. They are bringing in email marketing specialists; they are bringing in all of these different roles and and rolling that into the market organization.

There is also this other big trend going on and it is called digital disruption. … Salesforce.com [is] a digital disrupter to Oracle and SAP. They came in from underneath and they built, and they built, and they built from the ground up and now they are a major competitor to these multi-billion dollar software companies coming from nowhere.

This is happening in all kinds of industries. Look at what Netflix is doing, look at [its] new series, House of Cards. House of Cards is doing amazing work that is digitally disrupting the whole world of media right now, even as we speak.

We have all of these different changes going on and what is going to happen with social is you are [either] going to be a part of the organizations that are disrupting through social, through digital, through ecommerce, through product development, through customer experience â€" or you are going to be … running as fast as you can to keep up with the disruptors.

With that I am going to hand it off to Teeresa so she can go into some depth about the maturity model, and what Enguage is doing.

Teresa Caro: One of the things that we do with our clients is look at their social maturity. We really enjoy how Forrester looks at it â€" we use their five stages that came out in 2011 and then we apply it to different aspects of their organization.

We look at their current state and we look at where they want to be from a desired state prospective, and we put together a road map. Now what’s interesting is if you look at different aspects of the organization, you look at how an organization defines their brand, or how they govern social, or how innovation comes along, or content. You look at all of those different facets, and there are about 7 or 8 different categories.  If we look at that across an organization, and their current state maybe, in some cases at really a testing stage; or maybe a collaboration stage; or maybe even further along â€" but it will be all over the board because social is just one of those things.

It was tried out in the PR Department, or their advertising department. We know we needed a Facebook page, ‘Oh hey, Twitter is really great at pushing out press releases.’ Then it evolves over time and terms of the organization and depending on the size, and how fragmented that organization is in the first place, that tells how social evolved.  And so we come and try to gain alignment and in all of those pieces.

Let’s take governance, for example. So if you look at your business and your organization and how you handle social, a lot of the times it starts off as a free for all. A land grab … of ‘social’s mine, no it’s mine, no it’s mine.’

That is really how a lot of organizations start.  PR think it’s theirs, advertising think it’s theirs, human resources thinks it’s a complete nightmare, because their employee are on there talking about things, customers service think it’s theirs.  Well, for all intents and purposes everybody is there.

Let’s use Dell as an example. Everybody likes to use Dell, but they have been the ones that have been promoting their six-year evolutions more than any other company. They went from “Dell Hell”, where they were like, ‘Oh my goodness, what is this social thing. Everybody is talking about their computers blowing up.’   To now, in the past couple of years they have been pushing it out to the rest of the organization and everybody owns it.  Everybody has been through their certification process, everybody is on the same page  - so governance is a really fascinating way of looking at your organization and social maturity.

Another fun one is content marketing. If you look at content in general from a maturity standpoint, it starts off as you are not doing anything in social and you are just doing push advertising, with no extension in to the social space. How many of you remember for several years back Ford had this really fantastic commercial with Kermit the Frog in it and forgot to buy they keywords for Kermit, or for “green,” or for any of those things? I think their competitors ended up buying them and it was a missed opportunity.

It is the same thing for social.  There are so many times that advertisers are creating these great campaigns and forgetting to do the social extensions, but for the ones who remember the social extensions it is huge.

Red Bull, another great example â€" they did such a great job with their content they now they sell it. The fantastic example not many of us will ever achieve … but it is certainly something fantastic to aspire to.

Adam Naide:  I have been at Cox for a year and half now, and previously I was leading social media at CNN … when social got off the ground.  I am actually really glad that I came from that content experience because when you think about what people engage most around in social, what are they talking about? They are talking about the news, they are sharing content, they are talking about what is the water cooler, right?

Starting with the news brand like CNN it really helped me to understand the way content is used. Now I am at Cox where we have access to all of the best content.  Just to give you an example on the consumer side, we did content social media partnerships in the past year with some of the best for content that you probably would find like, Walking Dead on AMC, True Brides, Game of Thrones, Dexter, Homeland the Olympics.

You think about where entertainment and where people’s passion is … and so much of it is about entertainment. It’s sexy, it is fun.  Let’s face it, most people hate their cable company, they just do. It is a fact of life. But the good news is that I’ve got all of the best toys to play with, so I can use these toys, and I can leverage these great partnerships that we have with our programmers and our content partners, to bring you closer to the content you love.

Social media starts with passion. If you are not passionate about your business and what you do, no one else is going to care. I can’t tell you how many times when I meet with people, and they might be in transition, or ‘hey look at my resume,’ and I say, ‘I don’t understand what it is that you do?’  You have to be passionate, you have to tell your story. I don’t care if you are a big company, small company, B2B or B2C - you have to have the passion.

Second of all, people really overthink this stuff. Your brands need to be human. We need to act like humans. As Teresa talked about, we really operate as a partnership between customer care, public affairs and marketing. My job every day is to keep us grounded.

No one wants to talk to a press release. We want to talk to people.  So to start with, ‘Hey I am sitting down, and Art and I are having a conversation and what it that I want to tell you?’ That is where I think social media really shows the power, it is about brands as humans, brands as story tellers.

Art Hall:  [Regarding B2B, you] need to find out where your audience is. Your audience may not be on Twitter, it probably most definitely will not be on Facebook. Your audience is probably sitting on LinkedIn. Your audience is probably sitting on forums and communities.  Your audience may be local, or hyper local, depending on the size of your business and who you are trying to reach.

You may have a physical aspect to your business â€" in other words, face to face meetings with people is critical to you conducting business. You need to figure out how to integrate that in. You need to figure out how to integrate what social fits and works well for you with a physical presence, and how they work together.

There are a lot of examples of big corporations that are really desperately trying to figure this out right now. Look at Audi. There was a whole article about Audi, because their physical presence does not equate to the brand experience expected. So they are redesigning all of their show rooms in the United States right now, because of their physical not matching up with the social, or the digital, or the brand. So you have to think about that as a B2B player or a B2C player as well.

Editor’s Note:  The above transcript has been edited for readability, and small parts have been left out. For the entire session, please see the video below.




9 Tips to Improve Online Sales This Holiday Season

While we’re still recovering from the hot summer months, small businesses are always preparing for the next big buying season. With many businesses eager to make this the best Christmas shopping season ever, the time to start planning to reach new customers, retain those customers, and prevent shopping cart abandonment this year is now.

Hostway Corporation, a leading provider of Cloud hosting, managed hosting, and hybrid Cloud services, recently put together a list of tips that can help e-tailers compete this holiday season and improve online sales. These tips are designed to help small businesses avoid the pitfalls that normally plague business owners during the holidays.

Have a Great Website

In the months leading up to Black Friday, take a look at your website, seeing it as a customer would see it. This includes access via mobile devices, since many customers will be hitting search engines and navigation apps in search of businesses just like yours. Hostway Corporation recommends making sure information on each of your bricks-and-mortar locations is up-to-date, including addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, and directions.

If you offer online shopping, make sure your website is easy-to-use, with shipping information accessible before customers begin shopping. Try out the shopping process on a smartphone to ensure your visitors with Android and iOS devices have the same pleasant experience as their laptop-owning counterparts.

Publicize Sales

Christmas is an ideal time to market sales, promotions, and great gift ideas through your social media sites. To reach new customers, encourage your followers to re-post this information. You can also join Facebook groups that allow you to post about your business and your special holiday sales.

Get Involved

The holiday season brings plenty of community-related events, offering opportunities for businesses to get involved. Choose events that matter to you, as well as your customer base, and you’ll build goodwill while helping get your name out in the community.

“Work with community groups and volunteer organizations,” Hostway says. “Think about coats for the homeless, toys for underprivileged children - even a food drive. Make your store a drop-off location, and offer discounts to those who participate.”

Celebrate the Holidays

Be sure to make your business a fun, festive place to visit between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Decorate your store and pipe in holiday music to help get customers in the holiday spirit. They’ll remember the experience and keep coming back, year after year. Consider offering small freebies like hot cocoa and apple cider to help make shopping a fun and relaxing experience for your customers.

Host Special Events

Thank your loyal customers at the end of the year by hosting a special “repeat customers only” night where you offer special deals related to your business. A hair salon could have a special workshop on great hairstyles for holiday parties and a spa could provide free chair massages. Retail shops could give customers the chance to shop in a less crowded environment, while receiving a small extra discount as a thanks for their loyalty throughout the year.

Capture Information

The busy holiday season is a great time to get customers’ e-mail addresses for direct mailings throughout the year. Be sure to get permission, asking if they would like to join your mailing list. As Hostway Corporation points out, sending out a newsletter not only keeps you on your customers’ minds, it also provides customers with a direct link to return to your website throughout the year.

Offer Paperless Receipts

Try out something new by providing receipts via e-mail instead of stuffing one in customers’ shopping bags. Paperless receipts are good for the environment, as well as being convenient for the customer and providing an opportunity to attach a coupon for future purchases.

Wish Lists

Through your website, offer visitors the opportunity to create wish lists that can easily be searched by friends and family. Ensure those lists can be easily shared with others and that items can be quickly added and removed.

Reduce Shopping Cart Abandonment

According to a Harris Interactive survey, 66 percent of shoppers who have tried to make a purchase via smartphone have abandoned their shopping carts due to problems during the payment process. Remove any obstacles to finalizing purchases to help expedite the process. Also be sure visitors can easily access customer service should they have problems during checkout.

The holidays provide a great opportunity to land new customers and get the word out about your business. By putting Hostway Corporation’s great tips to use, you can build a customer base that keeps coming back long after the holidays are over.



9 Tips to Improve Online Sales This Holiday Season

While we’re still recovering from the hot summer months, small businesses are always preparing for the next big buying season. With many businesses eager to make this the best Christmas shopping season ever, the time to start planning to reach new customers, retain those customers, and prevent shopping cart abandonment this year is now.

Hostway Corporation, a leading provider of Cloud hosting, managed hosting, and hybrid Cloud services, recently put together a list of tips that can help e-tailers compete this holiday season and improve online sales. These tips are designed to help small businesses avoid the pitfalls that normally plague business owners during the holidays.

Have a Great Website

In the months leading up to Black Friday, take a look at your website, seeing it as a customer would see it. This includes access via mobile devices, since many customers will be hitting search engines and navigation apps in search of businesses just like yours. Hostway Corporation recommends making sure information on each of your bricks-and-mortar locations is up-to-date, including addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, and directions.

If you offer online shopping, make sure your website is easy-to-use, with shipping information accessible before customers begin shopping. Try out the shopping process on a smartphone to ensure your visitors with Android and iOS devices have the same pleasant experience as their laptop-owning counterparts.

Publicize Sales

Christmas is an ideal time to market sales, promotions, and great gift ideas through your social media sites. To reach new customers, encourage your followers to re-post this information. You can also join Facebook groups that allow you to post about your business and your special holiday sales.

Get Involved

The holiday season brings plenty of community-related events, offering opportunities for businesses to get involved. Choose events that matter to you, as well as your customer base, and you’ll build goodwill while helping get your name out in the community.

“Work with community groups and volunteer organizations,” Hostway says. “Think about coats for the homeless, toys for underprivileged children - even a food drive. Make your store a drop-off location, and offer discounts to those who participate.”

Celebrate the Holidays

Be sure to make your business a fun, festive place to visit between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Decorate your store and pipe in holiday music to help get customers in the holiday spirit. They’ll remember the experience and keep coming back, year after year. Consider offering small freebies like hot cocoa and apple cider to help make shopping a fun and relaxing experience for your customers.

Host Special Events

Thank your loyal customers at the end of the year by hosting a special “repeat customers only” night where you offer special deals related to your business. A hair salon could have a special workshop on great hairstyles for holiday parties and a spa could provide free chair massages. Retail shops could give customers the chance to shop in a less crowded environment, while receiving a small extra discount as a thanks for their loyalty throughout the year.

Capture Information

The busy holiday season is a great time to get customers’ e-mail addresses for direct mailings throughout the year. Be sure to get permission, asking if they would like to join your mailing list. As Hostway Corporation points out, sending out a newsletter not only keeps you on your customers’ minds, it also provides customers with a direct link to return to your website throughout the year.

Offer Paperless Receipts

Try out something new by providing receipts via e-mail instead of stuffing one in customers’ shopping bags. Paperless receipts are good for the environment, as well as being convenient for the customer and providing an opportunity to attach a coupon for future purchases.

Wish Lists

Through your website, offer visitors the opportunity to create wish lists that can easily be searched by friends and family. Ensure those lists can be easily shared with others and that items can be quickly added and removed.

Reduce Shopping Cart Abandonment

According to a Harris Interactive survey, 66 percent of shoppers who have tried to make a purchase via smartphone have abandoned their shopping carts due to problems during the payment process. Remove any obstacles to finalizing purchases to help expedite the process. Also be sure visitors can easily access customer service should they have problems during checkout.

The holidays provide a great opportunity to land new customers and get the word out about your business. By putting Hostway Corporation’s great tips to use, you can build a customer base that keeps coming back long after the holidays are over.



Won’t Be Seeing You “Out on the Green” [Cartoon]

golf cartoon

I’ve never been much of a sports guy, probably because I’m terrible at them.

I was six feet tall in 7th grade and everyone thought I’d be great at basketball. After I filled out a bit in high school, it was assumed I’d be a natural for football. For a while, it was even suggested that maybe my long legs might work for hurdling.

I managed to prove them all wrong.

So when I started working in sales and travelling and meeting with clients, I thought maybe I should take up golf because, you know. . .everyone in business golfs, right?

Let’s just say - it’s a good thing I can draw.




GoDaddy Debuts Van Damme Ad To Appeal to “Courageous” Small Business Owners

GoDaddy Van Damme - courageous small business

GoDaddy, which calls itself the largest Web host and domain register on the Internet, announced a new brand strategy to appeal to “courageous” small business owners and entrepreneurs.

The announcement was accompanied by a new website and a new TV ad spot. Instead of the “GoDaddy girls” wearing skin-tight T shirts, the new ad features Belgian martial arts expert and film star, Jean-Claude Van Damme, along with a fictional bakery owner.  It debuted on prime time television on the NFL football season opener Thursday night. It can also be seen on YouTube.

CEO Irving Blake said in an email Thursday to GoDaddy customers that it’s an outgrowth of research that the company conducted.  In his email Blake explained to customers:

“One of the clearest lessons we’ve learned is that the one word to describe you best is ‘courageous.’ You go after what you really love, you chart your own course, and you create something (often from nothing) that usually makes the world a better place. Whether it’s a neighborhood pizza shop, an organization to help those in need, or a company poised to launch a new industry, you believe where others don’t. You have the guts to strike out on your own to make your dreams â€" however bold or humble â€" a reality. That’s courage, and it’s worth every ounce of support we can give.”

Transformation: Image and Business Model

GoDaddy has been in the midst of a transformation, as we wrote earlier in May.

This time last year, the company was welcoming its third CEO in less than 12 months.   Controversial founder and CEO Bob Parsons (who still owns part of the company) had departed.  New investors â€" KKR Capstone, Silver Lake Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures â€" reportedly bought 65% of the company for over $2 billion in 2011.

In addition to the management change, the company is in the midst of broadening its service offerings.  To achieve that, GoDaddy has been on an acquisition path.  In July of 2012 GoDaddy acquired Outright, a bookkeeping software application. Last month the company took another step by announcing the  acquisition of Locu, a local search listings service. The company says the Locu acquisition will help more than 30,000 restaurants, spas, salons, accountants, photographers, home-remodeling companies and other small businesses boost their digital presence.

Simpler Website, Less-Polarizing Ads

Since 2011 GoDaddy has simplified its website.  A year ago the site was jam-packed with upsells for domain name services.  It had a lot of technical language unintelligible to small business owners and marketing managers.  Now the website is simpler and easier to digest, emphasizing the basics for a Web presence:  websites, hosting, domain names.

Another change is a focus beyond the online digerati such as online-only entrepreneurs and domainers.  GoDaddy now is specifically reaching out to Main Street small businesses, in addition to online entrepreneurs.

For example, the new GoDaddy 30-second ad with martial artist Van Damme features a solo bakery owner. The baker glances at the online orders piling up on his website, while kneading bread dough. The baker calls on his inner Van Damme to get motivated to meet the orders. Van Damme plays several instruments in the ad, each with a fast beat, while doing the full splits he’s known for.  At the end Van Damme says, “It’s go time.”

Absent from the ad are the busty women that put the GoDaddy brand on the map, but turned off some women business owners.

Another recent GoDaddy video on YouTube features employees referring to local small business owners like craftsmen, divorce lawyers and plumbers.

GoDaddy‘s sales topped $1 billion last year.  It employs 3,900 people.