The Intricacies of an Online Business
For an individual like me who spends a large amount of time on the internet, I come across opportunities that I would never encounter on a daily basis in the real world. Just the other day, I was trolling some forum and guys were talking about the lucrative nature of eBooks.
I own a kindle touch, and I am an avid reader. I particularly like fantasy stories, so I find myself buying eBooks from new and up-and-coming authors form Amazon. Some of the stuff on there is quite interesting, and I love that I am able to support new talent.
This phenomenon lead me to wonder – what does it take to successfully market yourself online? There are various factors that need to come together: an understanding of social media, rudimentary skills in website development , and an ability to look into the future and see trends that the average person wouldn’t normally see.
Ecommerce is something you can take up as an avenue for earning a passive income. Hiring a company to set you up with a cool website is a great idea. A friend of mine told me about these coders that work for magento ecommerce, and I checked them out to see what they offer.
If you’re looking for web solutions for basic startup websites with incorporates SEO principles, then this is the place to be. I love how they simplify the whole process, and are really good at taking a concept and realizing it the way it was intended to be formulated.
Harkening back to ecommerce – there is a demand for information as we head into summer, and a lot of people are going to be online looking for that book, movie or service. Ecommerce is a great way of making windfall profits during this period as the target market will be yours for the picking.
Setting up a website is just part of the solution: stuff like SEO and knowing how to market yourself in the worldwide web is an added asset, and even though not everyone has the consummate skills to be a kick-ass marketer, a few online courses and books is all it takes to gain the knowledge which can be applied at a fundamental level. I see a lot of the writers on Amazon who have their books up for sale having simple websites. Too many, however, are choosing to go with either WordPress or Blogger. What is going to set you apart in this field is a well-crafted, sleek and professional website. Invest in some good ecommerce solutions today – you’ll thank me later.
The Intricacies of an Online Business
So, the other day, my laptop crashed. I had it coming, I guess. I was playing World of Warcraft for fifteen hours each day for up to two weeks, and I felt like if I stopped playing, I’d get rusty, and my friends would beat me in a matter of days. I’m a huge gamer, and I particularly love strategy games.
The first game I ever played was The SIMS, back in 2001. At the time, this was an amazing game in terms of the technology and graphics capabilities. I would play the SIMS and get attached to the little characters moving around in a little house on my screen. I particularly loved the fact that the game had some humorous scenes infused in it. I was hooked from day one, until the next installment came out.
The SIMS 2 was a breath of fresh air due to the high graphics, awesome game play and that human connection it fostered (I read somewhere that the research involved in this game was done according to scientific and psychological standards). The more I played the game, the more I got hooked and related to the characters.
What I love about strategy games is the fact that they give you a bigger view of the world, one that’s more holistic. I learnt how to find balance between various aspects in a game (for example in the SIMS, you’re supposed to be able to know how to balance between the various bodily wants and needs such as hunger, energy and the like, and find a way in which your SIM is happy by making sure they are well rested and are achieving their various life goals), and in turn, I took a leaf from the game and applied it to my own life.
You can imagine how distraught I was when my laptop decided to do a number on me. I immediately thought of getting a loan, as I was so far away from payday, and I wanted to make sure that I’d be able to blog regularly do some coding on the side, as usual. I looked into short term loans online , and I realized that this was going to be my best bet into ensuring that my schedule would go on uninterrupted.
I know, people usually have this concept when it comes to fast cash loans – they are risky and fraught with uncertainty. Having had experience with this kind of thing, I didn’t think twice – I took out a loan and had my laptop fixed – apparently the RAM had reached its golden years and needed replacing. I’m back to playing World of Warcraft and all I can say is that my friends have nothing on me when it comes to strategy gaming!
On the Road
Have you ever thought of the road accident statistics in this country? Even with the great infrastructure and computerized traffic surveillance systems, things go wrong. I’ve been hit with speeding tickets about five times, and have had to show up in court to have some judge settle my fate. I’ve been lucky, but a recent story in the news had me thinking about how important it is to think about what you’re doing on the road, as one mistake could land you somewhere you wouldn’t want to be caught in – jail, or six feet under.
I was watching the news last Friday and there was this story about a family that had been killed by a drunk truck driver. He completely disregarded traffic rules and careened out of his lane, smashing into an SUV, sending it rolling down an embankment. There were no survivors.
It was a bit sickening watching the late night news and early morning bulletin the day after, because all the major news networks kept playing the traffic clip over and over, in graphic and nauseating slow-motion. I guess that’s the kind of things that draws in the ratings, right?
So whose fault was it? You could say the truck driver, because the breathalyzer test he took showed that his alcohol level was twice the state limit. The good thing about this kind of situation is the fact that surviving relatives are able to file road traffic accident claims and have some kind of closure. Even though the financial outcome might not really bring back one’s relatives, it offers some solace when it comes to planning funeral arrangements and the like.
I’m always thankful for every minute I spend alive, and I try to do my part as a good citizen (however nerdy it sounds) to be careful on the roads. All it takes is one wrong decision, and everything one has ever worked for may come tumbling down thanks to poor judgment. Other factors such as heavy rain and snow can’t be mitigated, but it helps to take the first step to ensuring that we take personal responsibility for our actions as they affect others in one way or the other. Accident compensation is a great way of ensuring that all parties are taken care of, and I just wanna add that I think the legislation we have in this country is a joke – more punitive measures need to be put in place to make sure that people understand that road accidents are completely avoidable, as long as discipline and good decision-making run the day.
The Geek Look
I like to look good. I know, who would have thought that nerds also like to step out looking like a million bucks? I guess what I like about the whole image thing is the fact that there is a mathematical technique to looking good. I’m talking about the lines, mix of colors and silhouettes, which all follow a certain construct that has to do with creating patterns, something like a puzzle piece.
More people all over the world are warming up to the idea of made to measure shirts and suits. This is something that never used to be quite popular, but thanks to the economic upturn, something that was once seen as a preserve of the rich and aristocrats of this world has now gone mainstream.
There are various brands out there that really stand out to me, and I guess I really dig the whole idea of being able to choose your color palette, and thanks to a simple online system, you’re able to feed your measurements into your computer and have a crisp suit made to measure, something that’ll fit you like a second skin.
Who on God’s green earth would order mens suits online? I hear you ask. Well, think about it: how many hours do you spend per day online? Whether you’re on your iPad, Mac, iPhone or blackberry, the amount of time you spend keeps growing as the months go by. Social media, email, chat applications and interactive games, not to mention QR codes are as common as the day is long these days. Since this is the case for most people, then it naturally follows that online shopping becomes something instinctual. You get to order your personalized suit and shirt, and the power to design and choose your personal style statement gives one a rush (at least it did me!)
My tennis friends and I like to hit the town every so often, and what really helps my game when I’m trying to pick up a girl is the confidence in knowing that I look good. Everyone I’ve met is always telling me how great my shirts look, and asking who my tailor is. This is because they fit so well, it’s almost as if they were meant for me. The truth is – the actually were. Custom made suits and shirts are perfect for an ego boost and a great investment when it comes to work attire – they’ll garner you the correct attention needed so that you can make the impact you would like to make.
Innovation and Technology
Innovation and creativity are the bane of existence for most businesses; an open policy in regards to these concepts will set you apart as an individual, and be the defining factor of any successful business entrepreneurship. It is a known fact that most of the Fortune 500 companies are open to trying out new things, and taking that plunge into the cold waters of the unknown.
Open innovation means being flexible enough to know when a certain business model is not working, and when to take up an alternative and easy way of doing things. On top of that, innovation is a common characteristic that is seen in most individuals that are considered as visionaries. Given the herd intelligence of the human race, people prefer to stick to their comfort zones as most fear failure. Why not follow the tried and tested way of doing things, and succeed with minimum effort?
The problem with that kind of thinking is that it leads to stagnation in terms of business and individual growth. With the state of the world today, one cannot be afraid to dance to a different beat. Most of the inventors that came up with life-saving products and services were the type to always ask questions and do things in a different way. It eventually paid off because, the more they failed in their efforts, the better they got at diagnosing problems and looking for alternative, faster ways of doing them.
Open innovation allows an organization to take a new, exciting concept and take it to the next level. Through networking and taking the ideas of everyone onboard, most successful companies like Apple and Facebook have been able to come up with a product that has lasting value and has universal appeal. It is sometimes difficult o imagine that a certain idea might be welcomed by the target audience, but implying this would mean that people are not capable of adapting, which is essentially the mainstay of the human family. When you give people a new product that promises to make their lives better, they will take it up and recommend it to their friends and families, giving your brand that visibility that is vital to any successful business.
With the advent of the internet and social media, open innovation and crowdsourcing has found its way into the minds and hearts of people, and is welcomed with the fanfare and interest it deserves. By connecting innovation and a way for people to touch base with each other – through social media- internet startups have been able to realize sky-rocketing profits and cement brand loyalty in the long run. When people are talking about the new kid on the block, your business garners more and more appeal, and the great thing about this is that it originated from a flash of brilliance that turned into an idea, which turned into open innovation and solutions for the everyday person looking to connect ad share in novel ways.
It is a common misconception that most people have when they talk about the fact that there can be no open innovation in some certain sectors of business, for example banking and insurance. The reality is that more and more people are realizing that they need financial advice and services, and as a result, are looking for that one bank that is able to give them interesting and easy solutions for their daily concerns. A banking institution would do well to invest in open innovation in order to come up with product that are viewed as different and stands out from the rest of the competition. Some of the banks that have realized this are now offering ways in which people can save when it comes to their accounts, and convenient ways of doing banking. In Kenya, banks have teamed up with mobile phone operators to come up with M pesa, a money transfer service that sees turns your phone SIM card into a convenient wallet. It has become a runaway success that has taken the two concepts of the mobile phone and banking and put them together. Good things happen when people see the connection that exists in putting one and one together.
What’s exciting about innovation is the fact that you don’t have to look far to be inspired. Look around your environment and you will see a need that is screaming out for your attention. People have always needed things, and the secret is that most times, the things that they need are right in front of their faces. It takes careful observation and an ability to have a flexible mind in order to see this.
How about that excuse that goes like – ‘Well, I only get inspired at random times of the day, and I can’t seem to tap into that vast well of resources that is my head?’ Open innovation is an acquired taste, and one gets better with time and practice. Take some time out everyday and spend five minutes observing your environment. Do so with an open mind, and I am sure you are bound to come across something that you’ll see in a different light, that you can take and personalize for individual or business-oriented profit.
The world belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams. Get into bed today and have that dream, and then get up and do what you have to do. You’ll thank me later for having done this.
Look at mail for example, we all used to use Snail Mail, until the internet showed up, then someone had the brilliant idea to create instant mail – in other words, email. And after this innovation, we now even have email marketing companies making tons and tons of cash of email marketing. Sometimes the best idea is simply a spin off of something already created.
Productivity 101
Hi everyone.
So, today I’m going to take some time off to write something that is not as tech related, but something that I feel strongly about, that I think makes you a better person in the long run.
Productivity is a subject I can write about for days on end. Most people come up to me and ask me: how do you manage to keep it looking so good? When they see my neatly stacked magazines, well-arranged kitchen pantry, and all the bathroom towels hanging in the right places, and on top of that, being a guy with a demanding job. Well, listen up, guys. It’s not rocket science. The truth is, most of us have it in us. I call this the inner perfection that we all possess. If you were to think about it, we were born perfect, and that is what we should strive to be, throughout all our lives. Now, I’m not advocating for you to turn into a soulless robot– far from it. I’m talking about you making a conscious decision to keep the areas of your life in order that seem to have spun out of control.
“I don’t even know where to begin!” I hear most of you say. The number one rule in planning to be productive is doing something. Yes, while you’re seated on that chair, reading this blog post, I want you to click on the start menu on your computer and run the disk defragmenting software on your computer. Done that? Now, minimize the application and continue reading. By the time you’re done with reading this, you’ll have taken the first step to making your computer be more productive. See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?
Next, prioritize, prioritize,prioritize. Know which tasks are important and can’t be delayed, and those that can wait a few hours. For example, looking at the clock, you see that you’ve got an hour to go and pick up your kids from school. I’d say get off that chair and head on down to the garage, and drive off to school. I’m pretty sure the internet is still going to be here when you come back, and this website isn’t disappearing any time soon.
I love carrying a small notebook that I keep in my shirt pocket at all times. In this notebook, I jot down interesting phrases and things I want to remember for later. The idea is to have a place where you can write down all the little tasks that you could do to make your life more productive. For example, say you’re a work-at-home mom with kids doing some blogging during your free time. It’s bad enough that you have snotty-faced children, screaming up and down the house, from sunrise to sunset, but on top of that, your work computer is tucked into some unholy corner where you carry out your blogging. With the dungeon-like darkness in that corner, you can hardly find the inspiration to do what you love most. You want to make sure that your workspace is bathed in natural light. You could move the computer to a table set up next to a window, for that extra daylight. Most people, including me, are inspired by nature, and are not likely to get tired while working near sources of natural light or places that overlook a park, lake or even a clump of trees in your backyard. Nature comes to your rescue by providing you with the perfect setting where you can work better, and be more productive in the long run.
Find interesting ways in which you can be productive, and make them your own. These tips are only a guide or template of what you should be doing, and should by no means restrict you from doing your own thing. Remember – you are an inherently perfect and efficient machine. It’s time to take back control of your life and be as productive as you can be in the present moment. One great way to do this, these days, is to outsource tasks. You’d be surprised how many people out there can help you with the things you need to get done. Have you ever heard of a xero accountant? If you hate accounting as much as i do, you should check out how to outsource bookkeeping, let someone else do it!
Software Review – Yesware
Hi guys, so today I’m going to be doing an analysis of sales software that was requested by a reader who’s looking to purchase this particular software. What’s funny, however, is the fact that while I was researching on the software, I realized that the ordinary guy like me and you could benefit from this kind of information. So grab your cup of coffee and read on.
Yesware is a revolutionary software that will change the face of sales email communications for any organization that is looking to maximize its potential and shatter that proverbial glass ceiling. I can’t even begin to start to profess what this nifty little piece of software can do. Taking a deep breath now, I’m going to unveil what Yesware is all about, and how it can be used to boost long-term productivity.
Yesware is software that can be integrated to common CRM software and Gmail, and helps in effectively managing the different aspects of sales communications and ensuring maximum productivity in the least amount of time. Let’s have a look at the various features that make Yesware the software of choice for any sales team.
1. Yesware makes email management look like child’s play. We’re not talking goo-goo ga-ga baby, but easy and breezy. Yesware is able to categorize emails in terms of importance, and even has automatic reminders that make it easy to reply to emails that need replying from customers. Email overload becomes a thing of the past, enabling a sales team to concentrate on closing that all-important deal.
2. Achieving inbox zero is now a reality, thanks to Yesware. I realize that most sales teams spend a lot of time trying to follow up on client responses, which is why it helps in email categorization for faster action, making sure that all emails are replied to immediately if need be.
3. Yesware comes with templates that a sales team can use to their advantage, saving on time. One no longer has to copy paste hundreds of emails to send to clients. This is because it’s possible to formulate tailor-made responses that fit the different needs of clients, in seconds.
4. Yesware comes with tracking capabilities, making it easy to know when emails that were sent out were read and where they were read. It even goes as far as tracking to whom the email was forwarded. Armed with this kind of information, a sales team is able to know when to approach a customer and strike when the iron is still hot.
5. Yesware is a Gmail plugin, allowing easy integration into the mail client. It gives one the much needed usability on common platform, so concerns about conflict with other CRM platforms and popular software are put to rest.
6. This is a software that operates on the GTD philosophy, meaning that it gives one the freedom to sit back and put minimum effort, as the software is able to able to streamline a company’s sales pipeline by prioritizing sales emails that need to be tackled urgently, and those that can wait. Yesware lets a sales team focus on outcomes, not organizing tasks. This means that pressing tasks are finished in a timely way, thanks to an interface that divides tasks in terms of priority.
Yesware offers many options such as rich text emails, customizable templates, and detailed activity reports. I think this software is one of the best in the market for salespeople who want to take their craft to the next level. There’s no doubt about it, Yesware is of the utmost quality. Another impressive site I found recently, for all you web designers out there, is a Los Angeles Web Design company doing great stuff on brand design in Los Angeles, if you like this type of stuff check out StarmenUSA.
Google Places – Technology for Your Business
So, you’re running a business and you are wondering how you can use technology to make that extra profit. Well, you’ve come to the right place, as today I’m going to tell you about a Google product that can open business doors for you and bring you repeat customers.
Introducing Google Places
This is basically a free Google resource that lets you list your business online. It works in conjunction with Google Maps, and gives a summary of the services and products your business offers. It also provides directions to prospective customers should they choose to look for your business establishment and come over to buy what you offer.
All one has to do is sign up and start creating a listing. The things to look out for when starting out on a listing are :
- Keep the listing short and clear. People these days are “skimmers” – what this means is that most of us hardly take our time to read long , winded descriptions, and are looking for succinct and bite-sized information.
- Service bundling is where it’s at – Due to the number of businesses that have listings on Google Places, you need to find a way to make your business stand out. You can do this by offering extra complimentary services on top of your regular services or products. For example, if you’re a spa center and offer Thai massage, you could throw in a complimentary sea weed wrap along with the massage. This way, you’ll keep your customers coming back for more.
- Thanks to the interactivity of Google Places, your customers are able to make appointments from their end easily. You could make sure that your appointment or open hours are displayed prominently from the get go, so that your customers can know which is the best time to stop by.
Lastly, keep your listing colorful and exciting. People are attracted to things that are vibrant and emotive, so it is important to have this human aspect in your listing. Google Places makes it easy for your business to be found, and is one piece of technology that can singlehandedly drive up sales in a short amount of time. Your clients will be able to leave reviews, so don’t forget to live up to your claims as a business, and correctly present information in a truthful manner. Businesses change, and if you ever change your location, menu, services offered or contact numbers, ensure that you update your listing accordingly. Take advantage of Google Places today, and get ready for the upsurge of clients seeking out your business services. I’ve found really cool stuff online because of Google places. From searching for a Sign Shop in San Antonio or a Plumber in Seattle anywhere you are, you’ll be able to find what you need. So if you have a business don’t pass on this tool!
Pinterest – The Facebook of the Future?
I love how social media has managed to surpass all of our expectations in less than a decade. I remember getting my Facebook account back in 2006, and thinking – how is this going to help me anyway? Fast forward to 2012, and these days, I’m always checking my Facebook messages and chatting with friends. It’s become like one of those things you cannot live without.
Lately, however, I’ve been suffering from Facebook fatigue, and I decided to try out something different. This is what led me to Pinterest. This is basically a photo sharing social media platform like Facebook, but what makes it different is the fact that it concentrates more on multimedia than just status updates.
Pinterest features tones of photos, tutorials, knick-knacks, fashion ideas and other interesting things that users have collected in their forays on the internet. What’s cool about Pinterest is the fact that you can link your page to your Facebook and Twitter profiles, and drive traffic to your Pinterest profile.
Pinterest allows you to sync all your online profiles and invite users to join the platform. You get to post photos in a creative, eye-catching way, and at the same time, interact with others. For example, if you’re really good at fixing a flat tire or baking a strawberry cake, you could post a step-by-step tutorial of how to go about it. With time, you get to garner lots of fans if your page is interesting, colorful and regularly updated.
I’m a visual learner, and it is for this reason that my Pinterest profile is now more active than my Facebook or Twitter profiles. At any given time, there are people posting visually stunning photos in an artistic and unconventional fashion that is inspiring and exciting on all levels.
If you run a blog like me, you could add a Pinterest plugin and draw people to your Pinterest profile by linking the two. With each post, you could even throw in a suggestion for people to visit your Pinterest profile. Another thing I noticed about Pinterest is the fact that the community there is much smaller, so people form tight bonds and the postings made are more personal and achieve the intended effect. If you’re interested in joining this fast-growing social media platform, just Google the word Pinterest, and you’ll be on your way to discovering something fresh and different in social media.
I wonder when will I have a millionaire idea for a website like this. From time to time I browse Flippa for websites on sale. Who knows if the nest big thing might be there already.
The Kindle 4
Reading is cool once again, thanks to Amazon’s Kindle range of tablets. The newest addition to this family is the Kindle 4, which was marketed to fulfill the needs of consumers, who basically wanted something sleek, simplistic and user-friendly.
The kindle 4 was unveiled late last year, and sold at an all-time low price of $75. This particular kindle is less than 6 ounces in weight and is 30 percent lighter than its predecessor, the kindle 3. However, it keeps the same 6 inch display.
The new kindle also gets the newest e-ink display technology with faster page turns. It loses the QWERTY keyboard in favor of an on-screen one, which is what I really wanted to see for a long time. In my opinion, a kindle should not have come with a keyboard in the first place, as it is primarily a reading device.
It ships in a simple, eco-friendly packaging which can be opened without the use of knives or any other equipment. Just get a hold of one edge of the carbon packaging that juts out on one side and pull. Inside, the kindle 4 is nestled snugly in its housing, which also contains a USB cable as the sole accessory. The user manual is a single piece of cardboard that has details of basic operations. This shows how seriously Amazon takes its conservation efforts.
The kindle 4 has physical controls, such as the D pad for navigating, the menu and home button, amongst others. It has the back and forward buttons on both sides. It also has the Kindle logo embossed on the top, and on the back, we have a one—piece plate which is not meant to be opened by the end user. At the top we have the power button, micro USB connector and LED indicator.
The kindle 4 boots easily, and at the first setting, one is able to connect to the Amazon cloud and download all their books and magazines if they need to do so. The on-screen keyboard is tabbed and a bit clunky, and in my opinion not that bad as I don’t use it a lot (I spend most of my time reading on the kindle, anyway).
The kindle 4 comes with an experimental browser, and inbuilt dictionary. It does not feature an expandable memory option, and flashes the e ink every ten pages while reading, which is a welcome change compared to the previous version of Kindle. The orientation can be switched from portrait to landscape, and can be read even in clear sunlight.
The Kindle 4 is an affordable and useful gadget, and promises hours of fun and knowledge. It’s one of those technological gifts that will keep on giving for a long time to come.