Profile of Michele Warren
News & Commentary Posts: 122
Articles by Michele Warren
8/5/2011
Company.com uses Facebook, Twitter to help SMBs save, make, and find money.
8/4/2011
To be the best, it helps to learn from the best. That's why so many SMBs turn to mentors for assistance.
7/14/2011
Don't move to the cloud just because everyone else is doing it. Explore whether it's right for you by asking yourself some questions first and then demanding answers from potential vendors.
7/12/2011
Part data repository, part social media platform, software such as ThoughtFarmer turns businesses into thriving communities.
6/16/2011
With compromised productivity a constant threat to business success, the question for SMBs isn't how can we afford a help desk, but how can we afford not to invest in IT support?
6/2/2011
What separates the good from the great? Guardian research unveils keys to success for entrepreneurs and business owners.
5/24/2011
ZoomInfo touts its proprietary technology as it seeks to 'map the business landscape in near real-time.'
5/22/2011
The latest research from Constant Contact shows that the best marketing strategy is an integrated, well-rounded one.
5/20/2011
Lack of awareness and uncertainty about managing multiple apps are the culprits according to AppDirect co-CEO Daniel Sakes, whose firm provides an online marketplace for vertical apps.
5/10/2011
Targeted to hybrid physical-virtual-cloud IT environments, Acronis Backup & Recovery 11 is designed to help businesses trim maintenance, support, and licensing costs.
5/9/2011
Cloud-based software lets remote workers clock in and out over the phone or the Internet.
5/4/2011
Support and maintenance were once the only roles for SMB IT staff, but now they are active participants in revenue generation, according to a Zoomerang survey.
5/2/2011
Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms can be effective ways to market your company, but only if you do it right. Power up your efforts with these tips from Web-based application provider Wildfire.
4/28/2011
Here's a Web app that you don't need a lot of money or technical know-how to use.
4/25/2011
Online peer-to-peer investment service breaks new ground, connects entrepreneurs with start-ups and SMBs
4/25/2011
When it comes to written communication with customers, letting your personality shine through and soliciting feedback are among the important considerations.
4/18/2011
Cloud-based software gives solution providers a way to put their contracting work on autopilot.
4/17/2011
By merging SEO and social media, the software seeks to help smaller companies boost site traffic and online marketing campaigns.
4/13/2011
When putting your site under a microscope, make sure you're giving people something they can use while entertaining them, interacting with them, and giving them something for free.
4/13/2011
CT Corporation offers small and midsize businesses suggestions for staying aligned with government regulations and other legal guidelines.
4/12/2011
Companies can use cloud-based software from NetProspex to trade names, numbers, email addresses, and social media information.
4/5/2011
With the release of CrunchConnect, SalesCrunch is taking sales presentations to a whole new level. Part webconferencing tool, part presentation tracker, the Web-based CrunchConnect allows companies to capture and measure real-time customer engagement.
3/30/2011
What would you pay somebody--or a firm--to develop a mobile application for your business? I'm talking about an app that lets your customers use their smartphones to get news about your company, check out promos, and browse through products.
3/28/2011
Did you know that the most widely used social media channel for small and midsize businesses are company pages on Facebook? Or that SMBs are ditching e-mail marketing in favor of social media advertising?
3/22/2011
Security vendor TriGeo Network Security continues to build its partner base and push more sales through the channel. But company executives say the focus isn't so much on numbers; it's on forming strategic alliances with qualified solution providers.
3/21/2011
Now even small retailers can have an e-storefront, thanks to a Vancouver, B.C.-based company called Wishpond. Last week, the company took the wraps off its Merchant Offering, which allows retail operations to manage all of their online marketing initiatives in one place.
3/18/2011
Apparently, Mark Zuckerberg isn't the only young whiz making waves in the social media world. Justin Graves, who's just 26 years old, has used his copious brain power to build the algorithms that power Social Radar, a product from Infegy.
3/15/2011
Even if you're a bricks-and-mortar operation, your website is a "storefront," so make sure it looks good and gives users everything they need without having to dig. Is your site as good as it can be?
3/14/2011
Have you started using social media to sell your products or services? If your answer is yes, you're moving in the right direction. Here's another question: Have you incorporated social media into your customer support strategy?
3/10/2011
Say hello to yaM, yet another company that's putting in its two cents about how to improve business meetings. This week yaM (for "yet another meeting") unveiled the public beta of its self-named application, which provides tools for improving brainstorming, analyzing priorities, and enhancing collaboration.
3/7/2011
Search engine marketing is hot right now, but doing it effectively can be a challenge for small businesses that don't have the time or resources to learn its ins and outs. That's why a number of companies are coming out with products that simplify SEM/SEO for SMBs.
3/4/2011
We know the use of social media is exploding in the business world, but what can vendors of these solutions do to earn more mind--and market--share from small and midsize businesses? The SMB Group will have some concrete answers soon.
2/25/2011
Nowadays, marketing your business is a different ball game than it was even six months or a year ago. Radio and print media are being eclipsed by social networking and e-mail messaging. But one thing hasn't changed, and it probably never will: how you follow up with prospective and existing customers.
2/24/2011
A Wall Street veteran, Jeff Ramson saw first-hand how difficult it can be for a small, fledgling company to get noticed. It occurred to him that he could merge his traditional investment expertise with social media to help these emerging operations gain some visibility and, ultimately, traction in the marketplace. That's why he started ProActive Capital Resources Group.
2/22/2011
Are you a small-business owner or independent contractor on the lookout for an easy-to-use webconferencing tool? Well, your search may be over, now that a San Francisco-based company called SlideShare has unveiled Zipcast.
2/18/2011
There's been a fair amount of buzz about cloud computing being the enemy of the channel. But Leonard Chung isn't buying it. He says there's actually a lot of opportunity for solution providers in the cloud space. They just need to work with the right vendors.
2/16/2011
Constant Contact just shelled out a cool $15 million to build out its social media platform. That's how confident company executives are that social networking is the key to success for small businesses.
2/15/2011
IBM has a message for its channel partners: Sell services! It's not exactly a new message, but it's an important one, and the vendor is putting more muscle behind it than ever before.
2/10/2011
Freelancers and very small businesses, I'd like you to meet Milton. He could be your next hire, and he won't demand nearly the salary of his less…uh, human…cohorts. Think Milton's a robot? Guess again.
2/8/2011
More and more small businesses are flocking to Manta to promote themselves and connect with peers. According to comScore, a marketing research company, the number of unique visitors to Manta's website increased 184% from October 2009 to October 2010.
2/4/2011
Last week I wrote about what SMB VARs look for in vendor partners. Now I want to talk about what solution providers look for in their vendor's partner programs.
2/3/2011
In a recent presentation, marketing coach and guru Robin Robins told an interesting story. It's about a social experiment conducted by the Washington Post a few years ago.
1/31/2011
SMBs, you've probably been wracking your brain for the past few years to come up with ways to do more with less. And you've probably harnessed all your creativity and tenacity to pull it off, right? But if you're finally running out of ideas, you might want to consider deploying process automation software.
1/28/2011
Government contractors and agencies, like everybody else, are feeling the burn of tough financial times. So how is it that one of those players grew by leaps and bounds in 2010--and has been growing steadily, in fact, since opening its doors about 14 years ago?
1/27/2011
In the years I've spent writing about technology, I've given a fair amount of attention to discussing what vendors look for in their VAR partners. But what about the flip side of the coin?
1/21/2011
In one brief video, a Flipo clock makes the living-space rounds, showcasing its simple design and ability to sit in four different positions on nightstands, kitchen counters, and even bathtub rims. In another, designer Daniel Michalik talks about his studio in Brooklyn, N.Y., the materials he uses, and the design process.
1/19/2011
A worldwide survey has revealed some disheartening news about U.S.-based SMBs: They're not feeling very confident about their disaster recovery and backup solutions.
1/14/2011
Did you know that more than 33,000 new businesses are created in the United States every week? A more important question: How do you get yourself noticed in such a huge crowd?
1/13/2011
Pop Quiz: Which is the most popular wireless device among SMBs: a) Apple iPad b) Android c) good ol' cellphone (voice and text only)? Did you pick a), feeling confident that forward-looking entrepreneurs can't resist Apple's latest power gadget? How about the Google-based Android? No doubt, the TV ads promise a sort of futuristic high for those who harness its power.
1/12/2011
There's good news for SMB solution providers that want to help their customers run a more secure operation. Blue Coat Systems, which traditionally sells security solutions to the enterprise, has taken the wraps off of ProxyOne, a preconfigured security appliance for small and midsize businesses.
1/7/2011
One of the latest, greatest tech waves is mobility. More and more people are using their wireless devices to communicate, shop, conduct business, and socialize. But what about SMBs? Are they, too, climbing aboard the mobile bandwagon?
1/5/2011
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to take inventory of your business. What are you doing well? Identify your strengths and celebrate them. What do you need to improve? Identify those areas, too, and work hard to make things better.
12/29/2010
It's no secret that more and more businesses are flying high these days. That is, they're computing in the cloud to save money and resources. But did you know that SMBs are one of the largest consumers of the cloud? And that, according to IDC, the SMB cloud market is expected to grow more than threefold in the next three years, from $16.5 billion to more than $55.5 billion by 2014?
12/23/2010
Hey, small-business owners: Have you ever considered being a plate-spinner in the circus? You know the people I'm talking about, right? They'll dazzle you with deftness, slay you with their sleight of hand. How do they do it? How do they keep so many balls…uh, I mean plates…in the air without having them smash to the ground?
12/21/2010
Remember last week's post about the building blocks of SMB success? We discussed three tips from entrepreneur Clate Mask: Sell Stuff Online, Supercharge Your Website, and Grow Through Partners.
12/16/2010
Whether you have a handful of employees or hundreds, you could always use some guidance now and then, couldn't you? That's why I share tips with you whenever possible--ideas and suggestions from entrepreneurs who are in the trenches every day and have learned a thing or two about running a small business.
12/14/2010
The digital age has given us many wonderful things--among them, smartphones, online shopping (and banking), telecommuting, and social networking. But as with anything else, there's a darker side too. Alas, thanks to technology, we now have some not-so-wonderful things to contend with: Spam. Viruses and malware. Identity theft.
12/9/2010
So, what exactly lies ahead in the new year for small and midsize businesses? One firm predicts that mobility, integration, and collaboration will be key.
12/8/2010
It's that time of year again. Holiday songs on the radio, New Year's resolutions, and prognostications for the coming 12 months. The SMB Group, a market research firm based in Northborough, Mass., has taken out its crystal ball, and here's what the firm anticipates for small and midsize businesses in 2011.
12/7/2010
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus, right? On Venus, there's allegedly a lot more touchy-feely, emotional stuff going on…you know, talking, crying, connecting. Well, according to a study by The Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute, there's a lot more of something else going on too: social networking.
12/6/2010
Are you a small-business owner who finds yourself micromanaging things lest everything isn't done perfectly? Do you want more from your employees? Here are some tips for encouraging excellence from your team.
12/3/2010
Are you sick and tired of all the media hype around Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook? I hope not, because I'm now going to blog about the social networking behemoth once again. This time, I'll start by citing a stat that the controversial exec shared recently about his company.
11/30/2010
Constant Contact, a provider of marketing and survey tools for SMBs, has upped the ante by integrating its product offerings with social media and marketing services from the likes of HootSuite, Yelp, and Foursquare.
11/23/2010
Pop Quiz: How can a business turn a mish-mash of data into a neat set of statistics it can use to make intelligent decisions about day-to-day operations? Hint: The answer is a technology I mentioned in one of last week's blogs.
11/19/2010
On Wednesday, I wrote a blog about the results of a recent study by the SMB Group. The topic? The top four technology trends and how SMBs can leverage them to grow their businesses. The "winners" were social media management, mobile commerce, application marketplaces, and business intelligence/analytics.
11/17/2010
A recent report from the SMB Group reveals the top four technologies that small and midsize businesses will likely be focusing on in the coming months: social media management, mobile commerce, application marketplaces, and business intelligence/analytics.
11/15/2010
Think you have to be perfect all the time to succeed? That your business will be "blacklisted" if you make a mistake or if something happens that makes your operation appear less-than-stellar? Not so. In fact, there's one exec who believes you should embrace your humanity, and, as we all know, to err is human.
11/12/2010
Justyn Howard knows a little something about small business. That's because he heads up a small company himself: Sprout Social, a Chicago-based operation with about 17 employees. So he understands that SMBs can't afford not to be part of the social media conversation, and that they need simple, intuitive ways to leverage all that social networking has to offer.
11/10/2010
I was on the phone the other day, on hold and deep in "MuzakLand," when a holiday song came on. That same night, I ran to the store for a few items and was surprised to see cardboard snowflakes and Santas festooned from the ceilings. Is it my imagination, or is the holiday season starting earlier every year?
11/9/2010
Your network has arrived! That's the message channel partners get when they visit Microsoft's partner website these days. After years spent refining and re-refining its partner initiatives, the software behemoth has finally unveiled the fruits of its labor.
11/5/2010
Small businesses: Imagine having a robot that does certain jobs for you. Maybe it handles your payroll every other Friday. Or perhaps it does automatic backups, job scheduling, or event log monitoring. You don't have to pay it a salary, and you don't have to give it annual performance reviews.
11/3/2010
When I hear "online advertising," I think about those annoying pop-up ads that get in my way whenever I'm trying to read something on the Web. But that's probably because I spend most of my time online searching for information and jumping from site to site. For the social networkers of the world, visiting the Internet is probably a different story, right?
10/29/2010
Love it or hate it, social networking is here to stay…at least for a while. Undoubtedly, websites like Facebook are appealing for a lot of reasons: You can connect with friends and family members who live far away; you can satisfy your curiosity about a former classmate; you can find out which Italian restaurant in your area has the best pasta primavera; and, if you're a business owner, you can tap the power of word-of-mouth to ratchet up sales.
10/27/2010
First there was Google Places, which let businesses list themselves for all the web to see. Then there was Tags, which allowed users to expand those listings with coupons, photos, videos, etc. Now Google has announced the beta of Boost, an online advertising solution targeting small businesses.
10/26/2010
If you're an SMB that's decided to take on social media, I commend you. The world of Twitter and Facebook can be an intimidating one to navigate, but it can also yield dividends in the way of enhanced customer loyalty and new business.
10/21/2010
LifeSize, a division of Logitech, has taken the wraps off a product that could make videoconferencing easy, affordable, and scalable for small and midsize businesses.
10/19/2010
If you're a small business owner, chances are good that you're using technology in some way, whether with a website, e-mail, or something as rudimentary as a cell phone. But chances are just as good that you could be using technology more -- and more productively -- without spending a lot of money or adding a tech whiz to your payroll.
10/15/2010
After too many Sunday evenings watching his wife juggle phone calls with the kids' music teachers and athletic coaches, Richard Ruben realized that there had to be an easier way. So he found one. This week, his company, SkedgeMe, released its eponymously named "smart" scheduling application.
10/14/2010
Some would say that personnel management -- aka hiring and firing -- is part science, part art. While you don't need to have the intellectual wherewithal of a Mensa member or the social savoir faire of a Dale Carnegie type, knowing a thing or two about your company, your market, and what makes people tick can come in handy.
10/13/2010
Now that there's computing in the cloud, businesses can deploy and manage online applications faster and easier than ever before. Two companies recently teamed up with hopes of raising the bar even higher. Their focus: full-featured software that can be downloaded on the fly.
10/6/2010
IBM has beefed up its cloud-based collaboration offering, LotusLive, with new social networking and e-mail capabilities, and introduced new "value pricing" options that may make the suite more appealing to small businesses with budget constraints. Also, the vendor unveiled two new integrations with third-party providers.
10/5/2010
The latest CEO Confidence Index from Vistage International yielded mixed results. While many SMB leaders are confident their firms will enjoy some growth in the year ahead, they also foresee obstacles that need to be cleared.
9/30/2010
The Age of the Suite is nigh. Up to now, point solutions for calendaring, document management, e-mail, and other collaborative tasks probably did the trick for most SMBs, but faced with an increasingly mobile work force and a geographically dispersed base of suppliers, partners, and customers, more and more small and midsize businesses are giving collaboration suites serious consideration.
9/28/2010
Small businesses have yet another tool at their disposal to leverage social media. This one, called Social Stats, allows users to see at a glance where their e-mail marketing messages have been shared socially, with what frequency, and to what degree of success.
9/24/2010
If you're a small business with a website, you'll probably agree that having an online presence has taken your business to new heights. But when's the last time you took a look at that website to make sure it's still the efficient, powerful brand-management tool you envisioned it to be? A stagnant website could lead to stagnant sales.
9/22/2010
In these days of climate change, wacky weather patterns, and fast-diminishing natural resources, the work of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is more vital than ever. Today, the agency unveiled NOAALink, a new IT business model, and 10 small businesses are the immediate beneficiaries.
9/21/2010
Just about 10 weeks into his stint as the new general manager of IBM's midmarket business, Andy Monshaw has a lot of data to compute. He's spent these past weeks working his way around the globe, talking to everybody from partners and clients to analysts and advisory boards. Now he's putting the pieces together.
9/17/2010
Now that it's made its mark in Europe, TBG Digital is hoping to duplicate its successful social media advertising strategy here in the United States.
9/15/2010
If you're a small company looking to increase your exposure and win new business, you might want to consider launching an e-mail marketing and/or SEM campaign -- if you haven't already, that is.
9/14/2010
Data breaches continue to be a nagging problem in the corporate arena, especially for small and midsize businesses. The primary beneficiaries? Vendors of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) products.
9/10/2010
Skype continues is foray into the business arena, this time with a channel program that aims to leverage the relationships SMBs have with their trusted technology advisers.
9/3/2010
Have you recently launched a small company but can't come up with a catchy name? Or maybe you've been in business for quite some time and you're stuck on trying to find a good moniker for a new product or service. Or you need to test-drive your new-and-improved website to find out how user-friendly it is.
8/25/2010
Last week, we checked in with Infusionsoft co-founder Clate Mask, who shared a list of things we should know about our prospects. Now he tells us what kind of intelligence we should be keeping on our bread and butter -- the clients we already have.
8/23/2010
The pension and defined-benefit world didn't particularly want change, especially not the kind of change that Fiona Page was ushering in. She wanted to revolutionize this staid arena where actuaries and trustees had made do with pen and paper for quite some time. She wanted software and servers and algorithms to do some of the work now, because they could do it faster -- much faster.
8/19/2010
OK, you're a small business with a bricks-and-mortar shop. You've decided to embrace technology and see how far it takes you, so you've spent some cash on a sharp looking, user-friendly website and a hosting provider that'll manage it for you. You've even jumped on the social media bandwagon and started a Twitter account.
8/18/2010
IBM channel partners had something else to cheer about yesterday when the vendor unveiled the latest systems in its POWER7 series. Executives say the new technology is a culmination of IBM's year-long rollout of workload-optimized systems that will help customers reduce IT administration costs while deploying more powerful applications.
8/16/2010
If you're a business owner, you probably know by now that selling your product or service requires more than giving prospective customers a laundry list of features. These folks want the nitty-gritty: They want to know how your product is going to make their lives easier, how it will make them more likable (i.e., more popular), how it will make them more productive and happier.
8/12/2010
There's certainly no shortage of polls and surveys aimed at gauging how SMBs are feeling about the economy, and about how it might affect their businesses. Here are some results from two of the latest reports.
8/11/2010
The vendor has timed its inaugural partner conference to coincide with the release of its updated customer relationship management software.
8/10/2010
IBM and its technology partners are using data from the vendor's Commuter Pain Surveys to make transportation systems more intelligent. The most recent study, whose findings were revealed just a few weeks ago, was conducted globally, not just in the United States, for the first time in three years.
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