XYRM Innovation: 07/04/14

Latest News: Search Changes, Social Study Top Headlines

Fourth of July RoundupEDIT
Happy Fourth of July and welcome to a special edition of the Small Business Trends roundup. Big changes in search and a brewing social media controversy top the news this week. Both could have impact on small business operations on several fronts. Let the Small Business Trends editorial team bring you up to speed. Enjoy!

Social & Search

Google Is Removing Profile Photos from Search Results

Google is removing two integrations of its Google Plus social network with Google search. Up until now, a Google Plus profile photo and circle count appeared next to content in Google search results for those who had signed up for the connection.

Facebook Apologizes for Emotion Manipulation Experiments – Sort Of

Facebook has apologized (sort of) for so-called emotion manipulation experiments that came to light over the weekend. That’s when a massive study published online by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science started suddenly drawing attention.

“Like” These 20 Important Facebook Communities for Business

More and more small business owners are creating Pages on Facebook to promote their businesses, brands, and products.

Facebook is a great place to keep in touch with current customers, reach new ones, and engage with your community in discussions related to your business. But, it can also be a great place for small business owners to gather information about growing their businesses and a place to network with thousands of other business owners.

Sales & Marketing

GoDaddy Launches Get Paid with PayPal, Dwolla

Web hosting giant GoDaddy Inc. has introduced another tool aimed at transforming the company into a one-stop-shop for small businesses. The company today unveiled its Get Paid feature, a tool to eliminate a major pain point for small businesses.

Etailers Pay Only For Actual Returns With Endicia’s New Return Labels

The space for etailer tools has been heating up recently. There’s an eBay service, eBay Valet, that will list your products for you and an analytics tool, Terapeak, that provides data about the amount your products can sell for online.

11 Quick Facts Everyone Should Know About Dell PartnerDirect

Dell's PartnerDirect program features a group of independent IT service resellers and solution providers that are certified to represent the Dell brand and work with its customers around the world.

Tom Caporaso on Return Saver, The Free Return Shipping Subscription Service

How many times have you thought about buying something online, only to not pull the trigger because of the thought of having to return for one reason or another? And if you're an online retailer, how much business have you missed because of fear of the "return shipping process?"

Pacific54 Creates Killer Custom Marketing for the Web

Avi Cohen and Matti Marshak were just a couple of young, hungry entrepreneurs in the big Internet jungle when they launched Pacific54.

An online marketing agency specializing in custom solutions, Pacific54 was a change in direction after Cohen and Marshak had started in a totally different industry.

Communications & Mobile

Chromebook Cloud Communications Could Replace Office Phones

A system originally intended for call centers could enhance your team's communications and even replace your office phone system. Google has partnered with Twilio, a cloud communications provider, to introduce Twilio CX for Chromebooks.

11 Ways To Avoid Technical Glitches With Google Hangouts

It used to be the case that Skype was the defacto app, if you wanted to have group video chats. But ever since Google introduced Hangouts, they have been steadily chipping away at Skype’s dominance.

Study: Yes, There Are Benefits of Offering Free WiFi

It’s gotten much more common today to find businesses that offer complimentary WiFi for their patrons, especially in cities. Still, there are many places outside of Big-City-America where free WiFi is the exception and not the rule.

27 Percent of Mobile Sites Are Misconfigured Leading to Lower Traffic

Want to know why the mobile version of your site isn’t reaping the benefit of all that mobile traffic you’ve been hearing about? Well, it could be because poor configuration of your mobile site is causing it to rank poorly with search engines.

Startups

This Entrepreneur is Reinventing Underwear for Teenage Girls

When there's a gap in the marketplace that affects females, there's almost always a female entrepreneur who steps in to solve the problem. So when a gap emerged in the marketplace for teenage girls – one of their own stepped up.

The Most Interesting Man in the Franchise World – Here’s Why

Opening a pizza restaurant franchise isn't exactly the most original business idea. But James Markham found a way to make his business, Project Pie, stand out in the franchise world.

Franchises are often considered to be "cookie cutter" businesses. But Project Pie is the "anti-chain chain," according to Markham. Instead of using the standard franchise model, Markham encourages all of Project Pie's franchisees to create their own unique restaurants.

Incubators & Accelerators

Accelerate Your Hardware Startup with LaunchHouse

Come one, come all — if your startup idea doesn’t involve just software, that is.

That’s the message from Cleveland area business accelerator LaunchHouse as it seeks 10 up and coming startups for a 16-week program kicking off Sept. 29, 2014.

A Unique Incubator Boosts Green Businesses

A new type of business incubator is currently working to improve both the economy and sustainability in the town of Davidson, North Carolina.

The Project for Innovation, Energy and Sustainability (PiES) is a business incubator that provides assistance and guidance to local entrepreneurs with a focus on recycling, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable food and other qualified green businesses. Its overall mission is centered around three key elements: Incubation, education and networking.

Financing

STEP Program Renewal Could Boost U.S. Small Business Exports

U.S. lawmakers are pushing for renewal of the State Trade and Export Promotion Program (STEP). Officially sunsetting on Sept. 30, 2014 (unless it is renewed), the program funds a variety of activities to boost U.S. small business exports.

For example, grants from the program allow small businesses to participate in foreign trade missions and foreign market sales trips.

Don't Raise the Accredited Investor Threshold; Change the Approach

Following a requirement of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will consider whether to raise the income and net worth requirements for accredited investors later this year. Some advocacy groups think the current levels are too low to protect investors from fraud and risk of loss and are pushing for an increase.

More Tech Trends

UPDATED: Microsoft Decides to Allow Email Security Notices After All

UPDATE: It seems Microsoft has already changed its mind about discontinuing regular email security updates. ArsTechnica and other media outlets are now reporting sources at Microsoft have rethought the decision announced recently. Email updates will continue, apparently. For more background, read our original post below.

The Ins and Outs of Paid Subscriptions on YouTube

YouTube has a lot of little features that companies haven't tapped into just yet, but as the search engine grows larger and larger it is going to be these smaller features that help a company channel stand out from the rest.

Fourth of July via Shutterstock

The post Latest News: Search Changes, Social Study Top Headlines appeared first on Small Business Trends.

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Authors Enter the Fray in Amazon Vs Hachette Dispute

ebooks vs print books; Amazon vs Hachette

If you are a book lover, you may not even be aware there’s a battle going on about ebooks. And it could affect your access to certain books and how much you pay for them.

At the center of the battle is a dispute between Hachette, the French publishing company, and Amazon.com over contract terms. The dispute has been going on for three months. Amazon wants to be able to set ebook prices (it is, after all, a retailer and retailers typically set prices). Hachette wants to retain control of pricing to preserve profit margins over ebooks which are more profitable for them than print books due to the lower cost to produce digital books.

Now the dispute has spilled over into the court of public opinion — and authors have joined the fray. One group of authors, defending Hachette, published an open letter on Publisher’s Weekly.

Another group of authors, defending Amazon, filed a petition drive on Change.org.

And still other authors have been giving their views — often somewhere in the middle – on their blogs and forums, and in public libraries, speeches and other places.

Amazon Charged with “Boycotting” Hachette Authors

Up until this week, the Amazon vs Hachette dispute had turned into a public debate about Amazon and whether the retailing giant is too big, too monopolistic, too powerful.

Amazon has been criticized for its tactics during the negotiations. It stopped taking pre-orders of Hachette books and reportedly isn’t stocking as many Hachette books while the contract is up in the air, resulting in slower deliveries. And while the dispute is pending it is giving less visibility to Hachette books in on-site recommendations.

Over 300 authors accuse Amazon of discouraging customers from buying Hachette books. In their open letter they characterize Amazon as “boycotting Hachette authors.” It’s not only Hachette authors who signed the letter but some others who are sympathetic to their cause. Those signing include powerhouse names like Stephen King, Nora Roberts, David Baldacci, John Grisham and James Patterson.

Amazon stayed mum until Tuesday, when the Wall Street Journal published an interview with Kindle executive Russ Grandinetti who said, “This discussion is all about e-book pricing.”

Amazon would like to control pricing and, some say, would price ebooks lower than publishers like Hachette would charge. Grandinetti insisted that Amazon was acting “in the long-term interest of our customers.”

Critics have framed the dispute as Amazon acting like a bully.

The Journal article points out the power and market share Amazon has when it comes to selling books, especially ebooks:

“Amazon’s overall share of new books sold increased to 40% from 12% over the last five years, measured by units, according to the Codex Group LLC, a book audience research firm. Its share of the e-book market grew to 64% from 58%, Codex said. ‘They’re the most powerful book retailer today by far,’ said Peter Hildick-Smith, chief executive of Codex.”

Amazon Defenders Say Readers Will Benefit

But not so fast with the criticism, says a group of indie authors.

In the petition filed yesterday on Change.org, they present another side of the story on behalf of themselves and readers:

“Publishers have a long history of abusing their power. They function as an oligopoly rather than as competitors. They have a long track record of overcharging readers and underpaying authors, because they all agree to do so. Amazon has a long history of doing just the opposite. Amazon fights for readers by keeping prices low and concentrating on customer service and fast delivery.”

These authors self-publish ebooks on Amazon rather than going through traditional publishers like Hachette. In the petition they characterize the open letter as “multi-millionaire writers” spreading “propaganda.”

Author Hugh Howey, who has had phenomenal success self-publishing on Amazon, is one of the self-published authors who signed the petition that defends Amazon. When contacted for comment, he said in an email that he speaks first as a book lover. His view is that if Amazon prevails it could bring about lower prices for readers. “The industry is not served by publishers jacking up e-book prices in order to protect the print book industry. And traditionally published authors aren’t served by high e-book prices and low e-book royalties,” Howey said.

He went on to add, “If Hachette gives in to Amazon’s demands, we’ll see fewer e-books from big-name authors at $14.99 and see more of them at $9.99. That will compete with self-published books, but it will also free up funds for more books. There isn’t a limited pie here for us to divvy up. We can grow the entire pie. That seems to be Amazon’s goal. It does not seem to be the goal of major publishers.”

The petition already has over 3,000 signatures from authors, readers and the general public, and is still climbing. Like the open letter signed by 300 authors, the petition has no real impact on the contractual dispute, other than to — possibly — sway the sides to settle due to public opinion.

Book /ebook image: Shutterstock

The post Authors Enter the Fray in Amazon Vs Hachette Dispute appeared first on Small Business Trends.

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Apple poaches another luxury executive as iWatch nears

PARIS (Reuters) - Apple has poached a senior executive from Swiss luxury watch brand Tag Heuer, which could be to help it with the launch of its iWatch expected this autumn.

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Digital signatures are now legal authentication

But where does this leave anyone whose electronic identity has been stolen as a result of a malware infection? Go to Source

Barclays receives Cyber Essentials certification for digital banking

Barclays bank has announced that it has received the UK government's Cyber Essentials certification for its digital banking services, including MyBarclays, BMB and Pingit. Go to Source

InfoSec Skills launches cyber security skills programme

The National Crime Agency, GCHQ and InfoSec Skills Ltd are embarking on a new scheme to help close the national 'skills gap' in information security. Go to Source

Cyber security not a UK boardroom priority

New research from consulting firm KPMG claims that cyber security and data protection are only ranked third as priorities in UK boardrooms, following people skills and plant/machinery spending. Go to Source

Germans reveal new NSA XKeyScore internet monitoring

The German software revelation may have come from a second NSA leak/source other than Edward Snowden, says cryptography expert Bruce Schneier. Go to Source

ICYMI: Microsoft takedown, policing cybercrime & eyes on Tor and Tails

This week's In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) looks at Microsoft's action against cybercriminals, the cyber security skills gap and NSA spying on Tor users. Go to Source

The top 8 ways that privileged accounts are exploited

Failure to properly monitor and update privileged access is a key vulnerability and Chris Stoneff highlights the leading weaknesses. Go to Source

Why traditional antivirus is facing increasing criticism

Traditional antivirus (AV) products have been taking a beating in the media recently, but why? The reason is simple; they cannot and do not protect you from new malware. Go to Source

Mom Supports Children With Lamb’s Head Stew Business

lamb's head stew business

When Eulalia Martinez Quispe's husband passed away unexpectedly at age 34, she had to find a way to support her family on top of dealing with her own grief.

She didn't have a lot of resources at her disposal. But she did have a unique skill. Her specialty is making lamb's head stew, a delicacy in her home in the Andes Mountains of Peru.

She began by making the stew at home and selling it on the street just to help make ends meet. Now, she has her own restaurant, Caldo's Café. And customers travel from all over the country to sample her cooking.

But it wasn't always an easy road for Quispe. About 20 years ago, she was selling food she made in her home from a simple street cart. Ten years later, she joined a local credit group to rent her own space. It was around this time that her husband died of a heart attack, so she became the sole breadwinner for her three children.

For that reason, she is very careful with the loans she receives. After paying the rent, she spends whatever is left of her funds on ingredients for her food and upgrades to her space. She continues to apply for more funding each cycle, but is careful not to overextend.

Her restaurant is small, with just seven tables that are always occupied during busy hours. And she has one employee, her niece who is working her way through college.

Though her business was born out of necessity, Quispe has found a way to make it work. The operation isn't large, but she has used the funds she has to bring in a steady income and support her family.

Above all, Quispe credits her success to a lot of hard work. The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and usually closes for a few hours during siesta. But Quispe normally takes that time to purchase more inventory. She told The Huffington Post:

"I am [both] the mother and the father of my children, so I need to work many hours."

Her three children have no doubt benefited from Quispe's unconventional business. Her oldest child now even has a daughter of his own.

Quipse would like to one day upgrade to a larger space and continue making her lamb's head stew, along with other dishes. But for now, she's just happy for the opportunity to make a living for her family.

Image: The Huffington Post

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Tom Caporaso on Return Saver, The Free Return Shipping Subscription Service

This dilemma is what drove Clarus Marketing to introduce a new annual subscription service that allows consumers to return unwanted products to online retailers – without having to pay any return shipping costs. Tom Caporaso, CEO of Clarus, joins us to discuss why this service called Return Saver is the Amazon Prime of return shipping, how it benefits consumers willing to pay an annual fee for the ability to return items, and how it will impact eCommerce overall.

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free return shipping subscription Small Business Trends: Can you give us a little bit of your background?

Tom Caporaso: We've been around for 13 plus years now. Many years ago we launched Freeshipping.com, which was the pioneer in prepaid shipping programs four or five years before Amazon Prime came out. We've been building the business around subscription programs for many years now and we're very excited about Return Saver being the "first of its kind" that focuses on return shipping and the pain point that consumers have.

Small Business Trends: Can you talk about what Return Saver is?

Tom Caporaso: It's a flat fee subscription, $49.00 annually. Consumers can go to ReturnSaver.com and join.

For that fee they get return shipping regardless of where their product was shipped from. So, if they shopped at Kohl's or Wal-Mart or any of the other retailers online, they could come to Return Saver, print off a label, slap it on their box and drop it off at any of the FedEx locations.

We partnered with FedEx as our logistics carrier for Return Saver, and we've leveraged all of their technology to really tap into their back-end logistics as well as their physical store locations. So, regardless of where they shop from, they come to Return Saver, they print off a label and ultimately drop it off at a FedEx location.

From a consumer standpoint, return shipping is still very much a fee that the consumer has to pay. While they may get a free return label from some of these retailers, in most cases, that return shipping fee gets pulled out of their refund when they return the package. So, it's a very simple, easy way to use the program and ultimately get those free returns for a flat fee.

For a retailer, consumers are looking at return policies to ultimately make a purchase decision. They're looking at the return policy to make sure it's free, and how easy it is to use. Data says 66% of those people actually look at a return policy before making a purchase.

So as we think about the value to retailers, we ultimately think that Return Saver is going to allow the consumer to buy more and worry less. So, if you have two or three shirts in your cart, you're not quite sure, you have the peace of knowing that you can return them through Return Saver free of charge.

Small Business Trends: It looks like there's a number here, 95% of customers become repeat customers after a positive return experience?

Tom Caporaso: That's absolutely right. As people get more comfortable with Return Saver and see how easy it is to use, we think across the Web and across retailers, people are going to ultimately buy more because they don't have to worry about either the process or the price around return shipping.

Small Business Trends: The interesting part around this is you just introduced a subscription service that consumers can pay $49.00 for a year to make sure that they're able to return things free of charge. Why do you think now is the time to offer that to consumers?

Tom Caporaso: As more and more retailers move to free shipping or threshold-based free shipping, return shipping is still very much a pain point for consumers both on price and process. And as we talk to our consumers in Freeshipping.com as well as looking at the data that's out there, it's just a really interesting opportunity for us to answer that pain point. So it just felt like the time was right to address it.

Small Business Trends: Can you speak at a high level briefly as to the process someone would go to if they are a Return Saver member, and have something they need to ship back?

Tom Caporaso: They go to Return Saver. If they're not a member, they can join. They give us their information and get access to the site.

If they're already a member they sign in. They put in their information where the purchase needs to be returned to. We also load in the return policies of a lot of the very large retailers out there. So for instance, if the return policy is free returns, we're actually going to drive the consumer back to that site to make a free return.

Most cases, retailers do not do free returns, so the next step is essentially put in all that information, print out a label, put it on a box and drop if off at a FedEx location and their done. We've built in all the capability on the back end to track that package, to make sure it ultimately gets to the Kohl's warehouse so they can also track their refund, and make sure that Kohl's refunds them.

Small Business Trends: From the consumer standpoint, it doesn't matter where they buy something online?

Tom Caporaso: It doesn't. We wanted to make the program very broad.

Small Business Trends: What do you think the overall impact on eCommerce could be with a service like this that, as you said, removes the point of contention between consumers and online retailers?

Tom Caporaso: The key for us is to drive consumers into Return Saver and get them starting to use it. I think once they see how easy it is, those members are going to transact more across the Web. I think it will have a ripple effect on more purchases across the Web because they're covered.

Small Business Trends: Where can people learn more about Return Saver?

Tom Caporaso: They could go to ReturnSaver.com.

This interview on Return Saver’s free return shipping subscription service is part of the One on One interview series with thought-provoking entrepreneurs, authors and experts in business today. This transcript has been edited for publication. To hear audio of the full interview, click on the player above.

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Your Inner Child Wants a Rocket Ride!

rocket ride cartoon

Usually when I write cartoons, I find my inspiration in some piece of text: Flipping through a book, reading a magazine, perusing my blog feeds…but every so often, I come across something purely visual that sort of pops for me and I have to figure out how to use it in a cartoon.

I was walking into a store on a recent trip when I saw a few of those coin-operated children’s rides. One of them was this terrific retro rocket. You could tell this thing has been around a while and was on its last leg, but the kid in me still wanted to hop on and take that jerky vibrating trip to outer space.

I couldn’t help thinking about it. For a few days, I turned it over and over in my head until I finally figured out how to put it in this cartoon. It’s nice knowing that even if I can’t hop in a 25-cent rocket ride – at least one of my characters can.

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