http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/index.jspa All Content in Bizmore en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:08:48 GMT Clearspace 2.5.6 (http://jivesoftware.com/products/clearspace/) 2010-09-09T01:08:48Z en http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5276 If you're a CEO that isn't using LinkedIn, what is it that's holding you back?  What are you biggest concerns about this social networking tool? social networking business ceo media marketing small linkedin owner Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:08:48 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5276 2010-09-09T01:08:48Z 14 hours, 12 minutes ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5275 DIYMarketers.com is creating new content in 2011 SPECIFICALLY for CEOs of million dollar companies with no marketing department. I'm looking for CEOs who have a business to run, who desperately need lead generation and customer loyalty marketing marketing market planning m diy Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:53:01 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5275 2010-09-01T14:53:01Z 1 week, 1 day ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5274 Can you provide examples of techniques to productize services without commoditizing? I think many service businesses struggle with the difficulty of scaling up without productization of their service offerings. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:05:35 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5274 2010-07-26T22:05:35Z 1 month, 2 weeks ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5273 Ira,   I like the  "Marshmallow tower icebreaker game"   This link has some info about it team leadership building Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:42:12 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5273 2010-07-16T18:42:12Z 1 month, 3 weeks ago 1 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5272 Congratulations on your decision to go out on your own.  It's a big deal.  And deciding to start looking for clients BEFORE you leave your job is an even better decision.  The good news is that the strategies you'd use to get new clients when you're Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:31:31 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5272 2010-06-28T20:31:31Z 2 months, 1 week ago 6 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5271 Interested in learning what tools others have used to complete an internal GAP Analysis. It is part of a strategic planning process of analyzing current state vs. desire or future state. process strategic planning gap business Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:58:06 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5271 2010-06-25T11:58:06Z 2 months, 2 weeks ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5270 Ira, Thanks for initiating this thoughtful discussion. I agree that there are  many, many leadership lessons in this crisis. Here are some of my own  thoughts.   Transparency:    Companies and Governments have yet to recognize that their mexico leadership of lessons gulf bp Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:50:47 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5270 2010-06-20T04:50:47Z 2 months, 3 weeks ago 1 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5267 This would involve market research with the final goal of getting products introduced into international markets international fees consulting Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:17:17 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5267 2010-06-16T00:17:17Z 2 months, 3 weeks ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5266 I would actually suggest raising prices if you can. Doing so eliminates customers, the people who will buy from you, but aren't really in it for the long haul, and brings out more clients, the people who will partner with you for success and who are price consumer drop prices loyalty customers Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:43:02 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5266 2010-06-11T17:43:02Z 2 months, 4 weeks ago 4 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5265 I believe you need to find a way to sell your expertise (your years of experience and the mountains of knowledge you have accumulated). Odds are you did not go into business to be a salesperson, but it is a role you will have to fill. This may be a Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:28:36 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5265 2010-06-11T16:28:36Z 2 months, 4 weeks ago 3 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5263 To keep it simple and powerful, I believe a mission statement should reflect the organization's "social purpose" business statement mission Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:23:32 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5263 2010-06-10T17:23:32Z 3 months, 21 hours ago 3 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5262 I am fine with a once a year strategic planning effort (usually accompanies the annual planning process); however, I can't emphasize how important it is to have a Strategy Committee "check-in" on the strategy at least once a quarter.  Modern business startegic_planning planning startegy startegic_review Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:21:07 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5262 2010-06-10T17:21:07Z 3 months, 21 hours ago 2 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5261 I agree lie/trust are number one!  Another destructive behavior that Ive witnessed recently is erractic behavior.  The organization benefits if the CEO is steadfast.  This suggests consistent values, vision, and outlook.  Inconsistent behavior leaves ceo management leaders bad employees Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:52:55 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5261 2010-06-10T16:52:55Z 3 months, 22 hours ago 5 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5260 Social media is here to stay, agreed? It's not a fad, a gimmick, a quick fix, it is for real. Whether or not you can make money via social media is another question. But for now, it's critical to understand how to use social media properly as a busines social training leadership sales search media executive Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:20:37 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5260 2010-06-08T19:20:37Z 3 months, 2 days ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5246 Many of us have watched our best clients wander off during the recession. They grew tired, budgets were slashed or they simply reassessed priorities.   How do you win them back? To answer this, take a page out of most any romance novel. First, let customer recession service economy Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:32:29 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5246 2010-06-07T18:32:29Z 3 months, 3 days ago 1 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5238 My wife and I both have iPads and, for most of our day, the iPad is a great combination of our iPhones and Macs.  We are using them for fast speech writing and delivery, note taking in conferences, and email management as we work on our program here in apple ipad Thu, 27 May 2010 06:16:28 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5238 2010-05-27T06:16:28Z 3 months, 2 weeks ago 14 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5235 Another thing to consider is to make sure your interns are aware of what's expected and acceptable when using your business computers. I'm seeing it in action and hearing from my customers that college students and recent grads are all about having interns hiring staff staffing Fri, 21 May 2010 19:22:20 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5235 2010-05-21T19:22:20Z 3 months, 2 weeks ago 3 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5234 I would take the lead from Seth Godin. I would offer it for free for the first X number of people who sign up, or for the first number of days. How you attract should be based on who your target (tribe) is...do they read a trade journal, have FB or marketing steak (i'm sales internet value hungry) Fri, 21 May 2010 14:58:50 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5234 2010-05-21T14:58:50Z 3 months, 3 weeks ago 5 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5232 Jack Great comment about the role or management "showing up" for their employees. The way I like to think of it is "constant contact" and connection. I find it easiest to explain this way: To perform at their best, employees must be connected leader leadership employee questions management Fri, 21 May 2010 14:06:52 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5232 2010-05-21T14:06:52Z 3 months, 3 weeks ago 4 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5231 I have had better luck with FedEx than UPS in the past, but the last couple of times I have been in a UPS Store, they have tried to sign me up for a Small Business Account, so they may be trying to be more competitive with FedEx.  I would recommend fedex transportation shipping ups Thu, 20 May 2010 22:40:05 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5231 2010-05-20T22:40:05Z 3 months, 3 weeks ago 2 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5209 Thank you Andy... vistage membership Thu, 20 May 2010 18:49:00 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5209 2010-05-20T18:49:00Z 3 months, 3 weeks ago 2 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5206 I agree referrals from satisfied clients are excellent sources for new leads. I see them as gems. In prospecting they are crown jewels. Often I find it is best to ask for referrals right after closing a deal. Not only does this lead to more potential cold leads warm soft clients Wed, 19 May 2010 19:37:20 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5206 2010-05-19T19:37:20Z 3 months, 3 weeks ago 7 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5204 The short answer is "It depends".   Does the company clutlure support online marketing?     It is key to get a really good understanding of the company culture. If the company is open to it, you need to identify the team that will internet Fri, 14 May 2010 02:28:00 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5204 2010-05-14T02:28:00Z 3 months, 4 weeks ago 3 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5203 Have you defined your most important sales KPI's?   That would be the first step. sales team system measure tools Fri, 14 May 2010 02:23:00 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5203 2010-05-14T02:23:00Z 3 months, 4 weeks ago 4 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5202 I highly recommend SugarCRM. It is open source. We have been using it for over two years with great success. It is a very valuable tool for our web design business. It enables us to keep in touch with prospects and existing clients. It also has a great sales groups small low crm cost Fri, 14 May 2010 02:21:39 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5202 2010-05-14T02:21:39Z 3 months, 4 weeks ago 4 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5198 # 1 You must develop strong partnerships with businesses and through leaders/bloggers/authors, etc in your market. These entities already have a following the would cost you a huge amount of time and money.   # 2 You must have a strong online recognition marketing customer downturn Tue, 11 May 2010 16:37:01 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5198 2010-05-11T16:37:01Z 4 months, 22 hours ago 2 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5196 Robert,   Excellent question regarding leadership potential. It's one we've researched deeply here at IMPACT Hiring Solutions. We've observed over 200,000 individuals in the last 25 plus years trying to figure out why some make great leaders mentors Mon, 10 May 2010 15:02:22 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5196 2010-05-10T15:02:22Z 4 months, 2 days ago 1 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5192 Kevin, Love the Chinese proverb--I've shared it a dozen times already. Now is the time to start something. Good enough now, is better than perfect later. Even perfect ain't perfect, so we wait to get it perfect and it has to be redone. Russ leadership sales accountability vistage search executive Thu, 06 May 2010 14:53:14 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5192 2010-05-06T14:53:14Z 4 months, 6 days ago 4 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5191 What is the product? webshop website launch Wed, 05 May 2010 01:36:53 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5191 2010-05-05T01:36:53Z 4 months, 1 week ago 4 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5189 Have you looked into SubBill ? That is the only construction billing service that I know of. I saw them at a construction trade show and they provide construction billing service. The good thing is that you dont need to buy any software anymore to use Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:22:08 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5189 2010-04-30T20:22:08Z 4 months, 1 week ago 2 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5188 Agreed. The time investment so far for me has not been worth the return. I find there is so much irrelevant material that I miss the important things.  I have stopped using Twitter and use mostly LinkedIn where the comments are usually of higher value. Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:13:55 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5188 2010-04-30T12:13:55Z 4 months, 1 week ago 7 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5187 Most people. interested in you or your company, will consider joining your Advisory Board if you keep the requirements simple. I generally thell them the commitment is an an annual lunch or dinner with me. Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:50:04 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5187 2010-04-26T01:50:04Z 4 months, 2 weeks ago 3 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5186 I haven't seen anyone touch on this yet, so now I'm wondering if I have your question wrong. Turn it into a business success meaning you want to monetize it? Or use it for brand awareness to create thought leadership and credibility?   If it's the media online blogs Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:49:05 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5186 2010-04-23T20:49:05Z 4 months, 2 weeks ago 5 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5183 I am a manufacturer of low cost OTC home diagnostic testing and would like to find more wholesaler - distributors in the United States. is there a directory of General OTC products wholesale distributors and where can I find it? general merchandise wholesaler distributor Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:59:34 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5183 2010-04-14T20:59:34Z 4 months, 3 weeks ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5180 I think this is all great input, and I think I agree my fees should not be on my website since it's not really a commodity business. Thank you all very much for taking the time to reply, it has been very helpful. Sun, 11 Apr 2010 03:01:02 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5180 2010-04-11T03:01:02Z 5 months, 1 day ago 6 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5177 What are the top performing franchises under 100k? Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:55:46 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5177 2010-04-08T21:55:46Z 5 months, 3 days ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5172 Aren't all companies have or should have limited budgets? Think about it. A company without a limited budget is doomed. I think this is more of a philosophical argument, but budgets are meant to be limited.   A company without a limited budget is budget operations Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:16:47 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5172 2010-04-08T18:16:47Z 5 months, 3 days ago 3 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5170 How can i, as an event/exhibition organizer, know what's the demographic of people visiting my event, besides making them fill out forms etc? Can i rent services of a firm that will provide such information for me? If so, what information could they Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:45:58 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5170 2010-04-08T16:45:58Z 5 months, 3 days ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5169 Thanks  George!   I never knew about that one. mailing lists social marketing Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:26:40 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5169 2010-04-07T19:26:40Z 5 months, 4 days ago 3 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5168 Phillip,   That is a good question.  I think it will on many levels. Content:  could you imagine  having live links on the page or in footnotes for the reader. Or what about interactive graphs that the reader can plug their own numbers into to publishing experts ipad retail economics Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:00:06 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5168 2010-04-07T19:00:06Z 5 months, 4 days ago 2 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5166 I didnt say very well that we dont intend to edit individual responses, more a case of determining if it should be posted or not.  Our legal guys told us the same thing about all or nothing.   and I agree w/ you and Kevin that self-policing is the Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:34:28 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5166 2010-04-02T16:34:28Z 5 months, 1 week ago 3 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5156 Right now Chase is offering a pretty good Ink Cash card that gives 3% and no annual fee. Best I've seen recently. small business card credit Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:21:17 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5156 2010-03-29T23:21:17Z 5 months, 1 week ago 2 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5155 sales tax are governed on a state and local level - in the case of California - it is governed by the Board of Equalization. All sales tax info can be found on there.   You are generally correct in saying that sales tax should be collected and sales tax business to Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:19:37 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5155 2010-03-29T23:19:37Z 5 months, 1 week ago 2 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5154 Chris,   There are lots of online options out there and I am actually in the process of finding one myself. (so sorry no recommendations from me... yet)   But to get you started, here are a list of options I am looking into:   Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:17:02 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5154 2010-03-29T23:17:02Z 5 months, 1 week ago 5 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5153 Hey Patrick,   I've been using them for my furniture company, and I've been very impressed. I read online a while ago that it was a "scam," but I disagree. They were extremely professional and helpful, and I would highly recommend them to you! Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:55:48 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5153 2010-03-29T17:55:48Z 5 months, 1 week ago 1 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5148 Marjorie, Thank you for the recomendations. I like to have a sort of "checks and balance" going to see what other readers in the field are consuming.   I too enjoyed some of the books that you listed.   Raving fans was a good book.  I feel that it Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:27:25 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5148 2010-03-27T01:27:25Z 5 months, 2 weeks ago 22 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5143 Since I own a web design firm I tell you what I would look for if we needed one ;-)   I would look for references. (Actually check the reference, don't just ask for them.) Look at experience. Make sure that you meet the designer in person. It is hiring hr contract designer freelance Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:56:49 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5143 2010-03-25T21:56:49Z 5 months, 2 weeks ago 1 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5142 If we have time and attendance within our ERP system, why would we need a separate time and attendance solution? Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:46:32 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5142 2010-03-25T09:46:32Z 5 months, 2 weeks ago http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5139 We have found it very helpful to work intimately with other complementary vendors that service our preferred client base in order to create a more comprehensive solution or service offering for them. In some case we have resold our complementary Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:47:51 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5139 2010-03-23T19:47:51Z 5 months, 2 weeks ago 1 http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5134 As a former corporate educator, I would offer the following: Create internal video training, posted on the intranet or internal system that addresses the most significant employee skills (primarily EQ skills - communication, relationship building, training Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:42:13 GMT anonymous http://answers.bizmore.com/portal/message/5134 2010-03-21T14:42:13Z 5 months, 3 weeks ago 1