The Death of 9 to 5: Tech Tips for Small Professional Services Firms
Wondering how the latest technology can help you tackle some of your biggest business challenges? Then tune in to Insider Edge, a new online event series featuring interviews
with industry experts that will help you get up to date – fast. We know that every business is unique, which is why each episode is customized to a specific business size or
industry. This episode features how a professional services firm made adjustments to deal with “the death of 9 to 5” in the workplace – a growing trend that is affecting many small businesses. This episode features:
· Doing more with less: An overview of current economic and workforce trends
· Creating productive virtual teams: A real-world look at how a firm with 90% of their employees working remotely operates
· Product demo: Showcasing Microsoft Lync online meeting technology and collaboration through desktop sharing
During the episode, you will be able to chat live with experts about your questions. Can’t make the event? All events will be available on-demand after they air. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes relevant to other types and sizes of businesses.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The One Simple Task That Will Help Your Startup Succeed
The One Simple Task That Will Help Your Startup Succeed Posted by Carol Tice April 11, 2012URL: http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/223315
Many startup businesses fail because their owners skip a critical step in development: talking to potential customers before opening the doors.It should be an obvious, early task for entrepreneurs. Will people buy what you're offering? If so, what will they pay? The answers may surprise you.But not getting customer feedback is a major mistake that can cost you a lot of time and money – and ultimately, your business.Here's an example of how valuable raw customer feedback can be. Robin Chase, co-founder of Zipcar, recently spoke to me about the birth of the car-sharing company. She wrote possible names on index cards and then handed them to people, without explaining anything about the business. All she would ask is, "What do these names suggest to you?"Chase quickly discovered several of her favorite candidates for the name only confused customers. Though the company offers car-sharing services, names with the word "share" in it were a turnoff. Related: How to Do Market Research--The BasicsAsh Maurya, the founder of the measurement-apps company Spark59, discusses effective customer research in the book Running Lean: Iterate from Plan A to a Plan That Works. There's a right way and wrong way to do it. Here are a few tips on getting feedback effectively:Skip the focus groups. Often, one person in the focus group has a strong opinion and hijacks the discussion, pressuring everyone to agree with him or her. So you've got 10 people in a room, but you end up with just one opinion.Ditch the surveys. Conducting a survey can be problematic. Rather than pose questions and suggest answers, it's better to let your customers tell you what's important to them, Maurya says.Watch the body language. The other problem with simply sending out surveys, Maurya says, is you don’t get to see how customers react to your idea. “Body language cues are as much an indicator of problem/solution fit as the answers themselves,” he says.
Many startup businesses fail because their owners skip a critical step in development: talking to potential customers before opening the doors.It should be an obvious, early task for entrepreneurs. Will people buy what you're offering? If so, what will they pay? The answers may surprise you.But not getting customer feedback is a major mistake that can cost you a lot of time and money – and ultimately, your business.Here's an example of how valuable raw customer feedback can be. Robin Chase, co-founder of Zipcar, recently spoke to me about the birth of the car-sharing company. She wrote possible names on index cards and then handed them to people, without explaining anything about the business. All she would ask is, "What do these names suggest to you?"Chase quickly discovered several of her favorite candidates for the name only confused customers. Though the company offers car-sharing services, names with the word "share" in it were a turnoff. Related: How to Do Market Research--The BasicsAsh Maurya, the founder of the measurement-apps company Spark59, discusses effective customer research in the book Running Lean: Iterate from Plan A to a Plan That Works. There's a right way and wrong way to do it. Here are a few tips on getting feedback effectively:Skip the focus groups. Often, one person in the focus group has a strong opinion and hijacks the discussion, pressuring everyone to agree with him or her. So you've got 10 people in a room, but you end up with just one opinion.Ditch the surveys. Conducting a survey can be problematic. Rather than pose questions and suggest answers, it's better to let your customers tell you what's important to them, Maurya says.Watch the body language. The other problem with simply sending out surveys, Maurya says, is you don’t get to see how customers react to your idea. “Body language cues are as much an indicator of problem/solution fit as the answers themselves,” he says.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Bayside Business Association Update
Our members met on March 29th and Muriel Puder of Media Power Associates gave a presentation on How to use Social Media Effects in Your Marketing Plan. It was a very informative session so please reach out to her if you missed it. We also started a Technology Committee to handle the upcoming changes to our BBA Website http://baysideba.com/.
Our committee members are Dave Solano/Solano Associates, Stan Fishman/DOM Property Management, Muriel Puder/Media Power Associates, and Liz Bruccoleri.
We welcome Olivia Dunbar-Miller as our part time administrative assistant. You will be hearing from her as she updates our membership roster, and to remind you to pay your membership dues if you have not done so. Look for updates on this blog and let us hear from you with your comments. Remember the April meeting @ 9 a.m. Maggie Orozco from Stellar Merchant Services will discuss the benefits of credit card processing and how to minimize the costs. At BBA Headquarters 41-16 Bell Blvd.
Our committee members are Dave Solano/Solano Associates, Stan Fishman/DOM Property Management, Muriel Puder/Media Power Associates, and Liz Bruccoleri.
We welcome Olivia Dunbar-Miller as our part time administrative assistant. You will be hearing from her as she updates our membership roster, and to remind you to pay your membership dues if you have not done so. Look for updates on this blog and let us hear from you with your comments. Remember the April meeting @ 9 a.m. Maggie Orozco from Stellar Merchant Services will discuss the benefits of credit card processing and how to minimize the costs. At BBA Headquarters 41-16 Bell Blvd.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)