What's an APP? Which Ones Do You Use For Business?

Hi everyone ...

Everyone is throwing around the word "app" lately like they are all tech gurus. You may be one of them, but do you really know exactly what an app is? I had an assumption and it turns out I was pretty right on, but I gave myself some room for doubt that made me want to check it out... just to be sure I wasn't missing a piece. You never know.

Then there are many who are clueless but act like they know what you are talking about. If that's you I hope this saves you from being in that "spot!" And "really" hope you're not one of the clueless that is actually using the word all the time without any idea of what an app really is (?) ... fess up!!
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Anyway .... it's pretty simple to explain an app. "App" is short for application and in its abbreviated format means a "specific" software application, i.e. software program, used in a mobile smart phone. It let's us do all sorts of things with our phones. If you want more info please visit my weekly mailing that just went out - Click here!

In this blog posting, I'd love to know which apps you use for business? More importantly ....just how much of your office are you now putting into your mobile phones? What can you share?

Some new ones I just found include:
Docs to Go - Allows you to change word, excel, and powerpoint docs on the fly.
RightSignature - Lets you fill in a form(contract) and add a digital signature.
NEOReader - Reads all sorts of barcodes for price shopping, inventory control, etc

Would love to know, again, which ones you use and where you go to find what's out there? The more we can use our smart phones for business while we are in transit or with clients, the more efficient we can maximize our time and increase our profits.

Can't wait to see what you use! Please share.


Meanwhile ...

Keep your business garden growing,
margie

How Well Do You Target & Maximize?

Hello all ....hope you had a fun Halloween!
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All the Halloween activity got me thinking about how even "trick or treating" is a study in communicating. Think about it ... we target homes within communities and we dress up in accordance with the holiday in order to please and receive candy! If we target those who know us best and they know they will be targeted, the odds are pretty good that the candy will be "really" good!
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It's the same thing in business. Various levels within the business process have different communities of conversation. Each of these communities needs to be worked to get the best results, i.e. candy. Prospects are a community close to, but not quite, the same community as customers. Your strategic partners are a community as well as your staff.
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How many communities does your business have? Have you ever stopped to think about it this way? I'm really curious and would love it if you would share.
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Upon identifying your communities it is so important to maximize your communications within each community ... engage, interact and build strong and loyal communities. Online resources can play a huge role in assisting you with this. My weekly newsletter covered some of the many.
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You can see my mailing by clicking here. Take a look and see if you use any of the online resources I highlight for the specific reasons I mention. OR ... are do you have some that are using you? If you know of others please share as well! Would love to hear from you.
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Keep your business growing ...
margie

The Words We Use When Communicating!

Have you gotten involved yet in all the discussion going on about whether to refer to 2010 as "two thousand ten" or "twenty-ten"?

I had an interesting experience with it. When I first became aware I was "put off." Was wondering how and why people come up with these ideas! Of course I would continue to say, two thousand ten as we have been doing since the year 2000. Why do people try to change things?

Then it hit me out of the blue, actually while walking my friend's dog - " We have always referred to the years as two numbers!" 1995 was "nineteen ninety-five" and 1842 was "eighteen forty-two."We did not say "one thousand nine hundred and ninety five!"

Maybe your mind was clearer than mine on this, but ever since getting "with the program" and seeing 2010 as twenty-ten, it energizes me! There is just something more energizing, clear and distinct about "twenty-ten."

My point is ~ after writing a posting, email, newsletter ... go back and look at your words. Can you substitute any of your words with more energizing ones. Are you being clear, distinct and to the point. Are your words making it "easy" for the reader to "get" your message?

Start paying attention to this one little element of your communications ... if you do find words you could change, my bet is that you will also find changes in the responses to your messages.

Let me know what you think and if a change did make a difference. Would love your input.

Happy 2010 (twenty-ten) !!!!!!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all!

May your 2010 communications bring you wonderful new relationships to allow your business to grow and prosper! And with that may these relationships add to the quality of your personal life and bring you great joy and satisfaction!

I personally had such joy yesterday after sending out my new years greeting to my own business mailing list. I include a synopsis of each of my client's businesses so that all my clients might benefit from each other. Everyone already knows what I do, so no need to mention me in this mailing. The replies I get back from both the clients mentioned and the "not yet" clients on the list simply cement my intent of the mailing. It all makes me feel good as a business and also as a person.

Have you experienced this? Would love to have you share how business has added to your personal fulfillment! There are probably a number of ways, daily! If you are active on any of the social networks you may more easily get this feeling there? If so, talk to me!

This year may be the year to include activities that will grow your business and personal sense of fullfillment ... relationships are what it is all about, more and more! The line of separation between business and personal gets thinner and thinner.

Happy New Year!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Random Thoughts On My 2009 Communication Experiences ...

It's New Year's Eve and so much as happened with online communications in this past year. Was sitting down with a cup of coffee and thinking back and thought I would just jot down a few things I learned that will, for sure, carry over into 2010!

Would love to know if you have experienced some of the same or have some of your own to add!

• Think Small!
  This stands out more than anything else in my mind. Social networking posts, email and newsletter subject lines, blog topics, etc all are more successful when the thought that is shared is small. Seems as if ;you try and cover too much in one communication it gets lost!
  Simple little things are like "hooks!" What do you think?
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• Create Replys and Interaction!
  Relationship building is what it is all about. If you want to create bonds it can not be done by talking at someone as far as I know. You must speak "with" which means you have to create some interaction, right?
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• Leave Comments!
  Don't you just love to get a comment ... good ones? It solidifies the start of something good in most cases. I think they are so much fun to get. Everyone loves to receive comments, so give a few yourself.
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• Be Consistent!
  Consistency with your communications is required in order to even get noticed in the first place! I am following the rule that the more consistent you are, the more your brand and presence builds, and you are on your way to having a community of friends, followers, prospects and clients!! :-) Been working for me ... you too?
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• Speak in Real Time ---
  This means speak like the person was sitting at your desk. People are "with" you on the internet. It is a very intimate personal one-on-one interaction that takes place when someone reads your postings, emails, etc ... right? What do you feel right now? Am I far away or close?
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• The Golden Rule
  This isn't new this year. I've had this for a long time but it remains important. Whatever type of content you communicate make sure it is convenient to the reader's interest and also requires no thinking! That's right - eliminate the need for the reader to think as they read what you write and you've got a home run!! :-) My long time personal experience here!

These are the highlights of what I've discovered "new" in 2009 and know will be of great value in 2010. What do you think? What have you found? Let me know!!!

Happy New Year!

Keep your business growing ....
margie

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas morning .... very early. I just got back to my house after making an early AM duty call as the birthday fairy! My graphic artist has a son turning 5 today.. yes, on Christmas day, and I play birthday fairy by leaving a balloon outside for Stevie, his son, to find when he wakes up ... after he discovers Santa of course!

Driving through LA, even early, early, on Christmas morning found lots of creatures stirring. I couldn't help but wonder where everyone was going and/or coming from at that hour. Were they all birthday fairies??

Stopped off at Dunken doughnuts for a Christmas muffin and coffee and early AM "workers" were in line! A policeman was getting a dozen doughnuts for the station, a couple of gruffy older men got their doughnuts and hopped into pickup trucks of one sort or another. I tried some early morning "Merry Christmas" greetings and got blank stares back! Even the policeman looked a little puzzled. They probably thought I was loose from a mental ward at that hour as well.

Driving back home I noticed the BIG BLUE LA bus at a stop light. Couldn't help but wonder who got that duty. Who would be on the bus early in Christmas AM ... and would they all be sad and lost souls???

Don't quite know why I am sharing this except all this quiet time early in the AM has left me thinking about all the situations that exist for people here in my community and in cyberspace!

If technology can do one thing positive, I hope it can create some platforms for "humans" to help each other. I hope we can bundle our efforts and achieve for human beings what I have had as a goal for businessess ... all of my career in technology ... "getting the most productivity for the least overhead!"

As you go out on the internet ... in whatever capacity ... always leave your mind open for what people are thinking or experiencing on the other end of your communications. Always reach out, send out your "light" .. focus on what helps and is good! Be a lifting spirit ... set your sites on making connections that create good and "wondrous" things! It will build.

Merry Christmas!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Is It Time To Add A "Live" Feed To Your Communications Platform?

Hello all,

Have you ever wanted to add a live feed to your website and/or blog?

You often see them with fianancial news, sports updates, and headline news! BUT, the time is coming where people want to be kept up to the moment on all sorts of subjects!

Make sure you visit http://www.feedzilla.com and in 3 simple steps you can have what you see here at http://www.todaysway.net/livefeed.htm I just put it up quickly on a page, but you can embed it within a page on multiple resources. Check out their site!

Lots of different topics are available. I chose to have a feed on social networking! There are many, many topics. You can even search by keyword. Sizing can also be adjusted.

This is where we are headed everyone! Live feeds are making their statements. What do you think? Will you use one ...if so why and where? Let me know!

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Does Your Market Find You Or Do You Find Your Market When Social Networking?

Happy Wednesday ...

Just posted on facebook the value of asking questions in creating conversations and developing relationships. It got my mind wandering in several directions as I continued on with my AM rounds of social network check-ins.

So here goes! As you do your social networking are your "posts" geared more towards your market finding you ... OR .... you finding your market? Think about that carefully.

The truth is you are probably doing a little of both, at the same time even! But is one better than another? How do you differentiate?

What say you ...

• What do you think would differentiate your postings in order to achieve one or the other?
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• How much extra effort is involved in "posting" for you to seek out your ideal "connections?" And, along the same line ... do you think it takes extra effort?
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• Does the tone, structure, message of the posting really matter?
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• Which do you prefer and why?
  

Let me know your thoughts!

Also, as you visit your social networks today and tomorrow, pay attention to the posts that "you" best relate to. See if you can tell if they are waiting to be found or if they are reaching out to find?

See what you discover! Would love to know that also!

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Online Marketing Resources - Who's Using Who?

Hi ..

I'm seeing it and hearing it everywhere .. and so ok, you've created your goals, formulated a vision, developed a plan .... have a website, are doing a blog and a newsletter and your are out there creating relationships on the social networks. Whew .... it gets exhausting just typing it!! It's a lot of time and work.

But, are you beginning to scratch your head and wonder "why" all of the above? You just might have good reason to scratch your head "if" while doing all of these activities you have taken your eye off the ball ... meaning, in the midst of all, are you staying focused on finding the "need" you provide a solution to? I am not seeing enough guidance "out there" for keeping this one thought in mind as you take on all these activities. I believed it is assumed you will do that ... but one should never assume .. isn't that the rule??

It all comes back to the basics. If you are using online resources for business you must remember that business, in most cases, is about developing ... new, repeat and referral clients.

Relationship building plays a huge role today In fact relationships are more important than ever today because the strength of your relationships is your competitive edge. BUT when online ...

• After initial rapport building .. are you at a loss as to what to do with it? For example, you have 5,000 followers, now what?
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• Who are you building relationships with ... targeted connections or just anyone who happens to follow, befriend. or link to you.
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• Are you using the many resources that are available to you ... or are the resources using you?

Please share with me what some of your challenges might be. Are you having a "What's it all about?" moment? If so, what specifically is bothering you?

I am beginning to think that after setting up some great strategic online "platforms" people are at a loss for "what" to say or "how" to say it! Is that you? Let me know.

If this posting hits home and you are not on my weekly email list ( different from my blog) please sign up on the right side of my blog. or click here http://www.todaysway.net/contactus.htm#join

I am going to expand on this topic in this week's mailing as I feel many businesses are not getting a good ROI on time spent online. I hope to help you fix that!

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's to 2009 ... may it be a communications wonder ...
where we learn, expand, earn and achieve!

Keep your business growing ....
margie

Saying Good By To 2008! What A Year It Has Been

Happy New Year to all!

What a year it has been for on-line communications! Facebook took off, as well as many other social networks ... but also we have seen the birth and rapid growth spurt of Twitter! We have seen everyone get involved in social networking, large corporations as well as solo-preneurs. There seems to be a coming together from all levels that good business is good communications! Relationships count. Trust and loyalty go hand in hand. All and all ... as we have crossed all global barriers, we have become more one-on-one as in days of old. Amazing!

Keep all of this in mind as you cross into 2009. Make sure you grab from it all what works for you. What will keep your communications on track and still benefit from all the resources that are around you. Remember that it isn't what you use, but how you use it. Your success is still a function of what you bring to the table, not what kind of table you use.

I look forward to new adventures on-line that I am sure await us in 2009! I will certainly continue to explore and share with all of you...

Keep your business garden growing!
margie

Do People Buy Relationships?

Hello all,

I ran into an interesting question yesterday as I was reviewing a client/friend's proposed new website content. That question was do readers buy relationships? What do you think?

The reason it became an issue in my mind was the positioning of the use of the word, relationship. The content developer was saying that my friend should sell the fact that the readers would get a relationship by doing business with her. He used the word "relationship" as the product.

My preference would have been to focus on selling the bullet points that my friend offers that lead to her strong relationships. So... in essence... the relationship is the by-product of what the reader is really purchasing. For example .. her years of experience and endless list of testimonials. Her attention to getting to know the culture of each client's business and their unique individual requirements. Her availability according to whatever budget works, etc.

With all of these bullet points in place, yes you get a relationship. But what do you sell first? Let me know how you perceive this.

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Xerox Let's Us Say Thank You To Our Troops!

It is Saturday and I just got the most wonderful email in my inbox. I am sharing it on my blog!

Xerox is providing us all with a very simple and easy way to send a "real" thank you card to our troops in Iraq. It takes all of 10 seconds! You simply go to the website shown below and pick out a thank you card of your choice and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq.

Here is the web address: http://www.LetsSayThanks.com

You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. Whether you are for or against the war, our troops need our support and care.

Please share with all you know ... make a huge difference in the day of someone very far from home.

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

The Internet Does It All!

Hello...

I've been talking about change and the internet lately. The internet truly is providing ways of doing all sorts of activities in a flexible manner. There are just lots of activities that can be done now via the "air" .. as I call the internet. (Ground being the traditional way of doing things.)

Last night I was visiting with a friend who's partner is representing a company that allows you to send out cards via the internet. Stop and think about it ... how many opportunities do you have a day or week to send out a card ( business and personal) that could make a difference to someone or even yourself if the card is implemented for business! What often stops us is the inconvenience of physically getting to a store to purchase the card, writing it out ( in my case slowing down to make sure my handwriting can be read) finding that stamp and address and then getting it into the mail!!!

Now, I agree that some of the inconvenience listed above is better than resorting to email communications for our greetings, thank you's and such. Although perfectly acceptable in many an instance ... there are times when it just won't "get you there."

The company we discussed last night is the best of all worlds. You choose your card, type in your message, have your addresses uploaded and convenient to access ... all online. The company then sends out a "real" card via postal email for you! How cool is that.

Yes, the internet has ways of solving lots of our "to do's" in efficient and flexible ways. Ways that allow us to incorporate "change" and see the opportunities ... not be lost in the blur of the change.

Who has used anything like what I am talking about? Do you like it?? Tell us more!!

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Change and Flexibilitiy Go Together!

Change seems to be the word of the "week!"

I was just reading a brief "thought" posted on a social network that spoke about how we, as a country, have voted for change now. It went on about the economic changes that are occuring around us both nationally and internationally. Its message was that businesses that go forward now will do so not by just "surviving" ( as in past years). Businesses that go forward must be able to "change" to the new climate and discover new opportunities within the change.

This speaks to the value of using the internet for your business platform - even if you are only dealing with a local market. The internet makes it easy to change what you do and how you do it. I can't even begin to count the number of clients I have reminded, over the years, that the internet isn't like print. Relax ... if this doesn't work it is a simple change! Today there are even more choices via the internet than just replacing print copy. Some of your complete operating systems can be supported through an internet platform today.

So my thought today is to explore where you are using the internet ... can you replace more structured/stagnant platforms within your business with an internet solution. Now might be the time to do so ..... change and flexibility go together. I believe we are seeing the new criteria for success!!

Keep your business garden growing ....
margie

The Value Of Change

As we wake up in the USA, we have a new President elect who says he will bring change. His election alone is change ... but as someone said, "now we will find out who we elected. "

The internet was a huge change and when it arrived in our everyday lives it was a change! So much that there are still a stubborn few who resist using it. However as it has "changed" our ways of doing things it also changed the way we live. It has created success as well as harm in our society. Online accessibility has made us have to pay more attention to our children, our identification, our concern for privacy. It has also opened up worldwide connections to information and new relationships.

Yes, change is good. Just be careful of the flows that occur with each direction it takes. There is a yen yang in all that "'is!"

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Time Change Made Easy!

Good Morning ....

Well, did you get your clocks changed last night? These days it is truely easy! Technology does it for you.

I remember the days when you had to go to each and every device that recorded time and change it. I also remember one year thinking I was late for work and actually arrived at work 3 hours early as everyone in my house did the clock changing task!!

Now ... it is simply lovely. You wake up and check the computer... it is changed! You look at the TV and it it changed! Still have to do the clock however. Guess there will always be room for improvement with technology!!

Keep your business garden growing ....
margie

Halloween, Walkie Talkies & Cell Phones!

Happy day after Halloween!

Times have changed for the daily family life with all the new ways we have to communicate!

I spent last night at a friends house helping her give out halloween candy while her husband went out with the kids trick or treating. They also live in a neighborhood with lots of families and kids, so they have a pre-trick-or-treat neighborhood dinner and then a post party, mostly for the adults. Needless to say, a good time was had by all ages!!

What I found most interesting is that a group of the families have walkie talkies! Husbands and wifes could be in touch ... "am coming round for water, have cups and water ready for the kids"...do you want to switch, you give out candy, I'll go with the kids? .... Johnny's mom is going home, ask him if he wants to go home or spend the night with us?... etc.etc. They had this ongoing communication about whereabouts, who wants to do what and more. It made what seemed to be chaotic a smooth and fun event for all.

And I must mention this part... some of the families have pre-teen girls who found it a "must" to go trick or treating without mom and dad tagging along. So they were allowed to go with cell phones! Also with the parents knowing that all these other groups of adults and kids were couritng the same streets. The cell phones saved the day from those "demand to be allowed" shouting matches.

Here's to communication!! It works at business and at home.

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Life Before The Internet ... Was It Good?

Good Morning!

Gosh ...I received a tweet last night ( communication from Twitter) and the sender said they were going to a "live" networking event that evening. The tone was set that a "live" networking event was a rare thing these days.

That got me to thinking about how quickly things have changed regarding networking. I myself, after years of having a daily event to attend, would rather dive into my computer to meet new people!

That got me to thinking about life before the internet. Take a moment and reflect on that yourself. Life seemed very full then ... it didn't feel lonely, but it sure must have been empty don't you think? It is really weird "to me" to think back that far.

Imagine not having email to check for something interesting, fun and different to divert our attention to ... or to discover that someone out there "is" thinking of us and needs and/or wants to communicate with us!

Imagine not having answers to our every question ... both crucial and also purely curiosity questions. Imagine not having a social network to explore where you can meet new contacts from all over the world!!

What are your thoughts? What can you say about it all? Are we better off now than we were back then? I am really curious about what "you" think! Please share your thoughts.

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Some Thoughts On Branding

Just read a posting that asked how to brand one's business! The answers received dealt with all the usual ways of branding, ads, logos, jingles, etc. I am wondering about the more subtle ways to brand ... how many ways to you believe your brand reaches people?

I am most notoriously known for encouraging businesses to pay attention to their one-to-one emails! I seriously believe each and every email sent out is an opportunity to spread one's brand, via the colors, heading and signature and the presentation of the content. It is extremely powerful and a daily opportunity! Check out my e-book on this, seen as one of my "fertilizers" for you.

How about just the way you dress? Does branding go that far? The cars that are driven, etc. Is this business branding or personal branding. Where is the line drawn? How deep should it go? What do you think??

Keep your business growing ...
margie