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Best Part of New Facebook Design Has Nothing to Do With Design
Apr 5th
Best Part of New Facebook Design Has Nothing to Do With Design
This content from: Duct Tape Marketing
I know there’s still plenty of talk this week surrounding the new Facebook Timeline design and the various changes in the look and feel. But as I pointed out earlier this week, it’s still all about engagement.
To that point there were some very minor sounding changes that accompanied the design change and one of those is worthy of your attention.
The change I want to bring out is one made to the administration function and it’s something called the Activity Log. Accessing this function allows you to view a timeline of engagement on your page so you have a nice tidy little list of your posts as well as posts on other pages that tagged you in chronological order.
To the right of each post you can hover and see the number of likes, shares and comments as well.
To me this is a great way to manage some of your own engagement. I jump to this page to view and comment on updates that I’ve been tagged on and to talk back with folks that have commented on my updates.
I find this format to be much handier than jumping around and responding to update notices. I’ve been doing a better job of participating since this format came online.
To access the activity log you must be using your page as the page admin and not as your personal profile. You can switch by clicking dropdown arrow at top right of page. Once you do this you need to open the Admin Panel if it’s not open and then click on the Manage button and select Use activity log.
Once you complete these steps you’ll be presented with a list of activity that dates back to the time you created your page.
You can more info on the activity log from Facebook help pages
View full post on Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing
The Best Paying Careers
Mar 23rd
I have long been a believer that we exist in a Higher Education Bubble and it’s mostly because due to a misallocation of resources in this country. The big problem isn’t so much the cost of higher education (although that too is inflated by government subsidy). The real problem is that we still just act as if all college degrees are created equal. So a student goes off to college because it’s what she’s supposed to do (The great American script) and then majors in Gender Studies or English (because they stimulate her mind) rather than Civil Engineering or pre-Med (which are much better choices if your goal is to have a stable, high paying job).
See, what’s happening in our Higher Education system is that we are setting aside trillions of dollars of resources towards the education of our youth, but not giving them strong guidance as to how to make a decision for what to major in. Now it is true, I agree, that you don’t want to people to be miserable. Not everyone should be an engineer or a nurse. To a certain degree, personality matters. But at the same time, it shouldn’t be a whimsical decision either. And I think far too often it is. And students spend 4 years of their lives getting a degree that hardly helps them in getting what they wanted most out of college: a job.
So with that prelude, it’s good to see a well thought out and useful resource such as this one from the folks at BecomeCareer entitled 50 Best High-Paying Careers (and the Degrees You Need for Them). It’s exactly what we need to say over and over: if you want job security and a nice salary, you need to be majoring in something technical like Science or Health or Engineering or Computer Science. I could imagine this being the kind of thing I show to my kids when they are trying to make a choice about whether to go to college and if so, what to major in.
Here are some of the more interesting, surprising and lesser known careers that they highlight:
Anesthesiologist
Salary: $220,100
Natural Sciences Manager
Salary: $129,320
Petroleum Engineer
Salary: $127,970
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Salary: $114,040
Nuclear Engineer
Salary: $101,500
Human Resources Manager
Salary: $96,940
Geoscientist
Salary: $93,380
Biomedical Engineer
Salary: $84,780
For the full list go here.
One final note about this list… if our government wants to strengthen the workforce, it would do well to make its low-interest loans contingent on earning a degree that will prepare the student to fill a highly-skilled job. Despite all the protests you’re bound to get from all the liberal arts departments around the country.
View full post on Business Pundit
Give Me What I Really Want: Best Customer, Best Practice
Mar 17th
When it comes to business, customers are everything. It’s not the product, the fancy name or the cool logo. It’s the people that know, like, trust and want what you have. If customers are primary to your business, then there are a few things to always pay attention to.
Who is Your Best Customer?
Not only do you need to know who your target market is, you need to know them by name. There is a big difference between a casual shopper and the loyal customer who sings your praise like you’re a best friend.
In “Meet Customer Centricity: CRM’s Dynamic Replacement,” Yvonne DiVita interviewed Peter Fader, author of Customer Centricity and he says:
“Everyone should be treated well, of course, but some should be treated better than others.”
In order to do that, you have to know who your best customers are and take extra special care of them.
What Does Your Customer Need to Hear From You?
It’s not about the story that you want to tell or the catchy phrases that you want to use. It’s about the story that your customers need and want to hear from you. Instead of being clever with your marketing, just tell your story.
In “What Commercials Can Teach You About Your Customer Base,” Diane Helbig says:
“When you stick to your story, you can share it anywhere, on any platform, and your audience will hear you.”
Sincerity has a way of connecting. To make the most of it, know your audience and then tell your story in every medium that you can.
How Do You Make Sure Your Customer is Satisfied?
You ask, and then make adjustments to what you hear. But instead of the typical questionnaires and data research, John Mariotti in “A Sure Way To Know Customers Were Satisfied” suggests that you narrow your survey down to two core questions:
- Would you recommend this?
- Why or why not?
Your customers — potential and current — will tell you what they need and want.
Learn to hear them.
Customer Photo via Shutterstock
Give Me What I Really Want: Best Customer, Best Practice
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
5 Best Aftermarket Car Products
Mar 7th
Not everyone is happy with their car straight off the lot. While the color may be perfect and the features just what you want, something is missing. That’s where aftermarket car products come in, allowing every car owner to customize their vehicle just the way they like it.
Today, you have more options than ever when it comes to aftermarket parts and products, thanks to ever growing technology. The Internet also makes it very easy to find items that you might never find otherwise and allows drivers to turn their rides into one-of-a-kind vehicles. With so many choices, which products are best? Here are some of the top choices for this year.
(Photo Source: Qole Tech w/CC license)
1. GPS
A GPS navigation system may be included with your vehicle, but some prefer a more robust system or something portable. There are dozens of choices on the market, but the TomTom Go Live system is a particularly popular option and is ideal for anyone who is avoiding getting a smartphone. The GPS provides a variety of information, including weather updates, estimated arrival times, and updated fuel prices. It will even let you know if there are any hotels in the area, should you be inclined to pull over for the night.
2. Floor Mats
With 61% of drivers buying after marketparts to make the interior of the vehicle more comfortable, it’s not surprising that floor mats lead the pack for aftermarket parts. The mats that come with vehicles are often flimsy and simplistic, so when customizing a car, this is a quick and easy way to go. It’s also fairly affordable.
(Photo Source: Spr0k3t w/CC license)
3. Leather Seats
Custom seats can turn an ordinary base model into something special, particularly if you opt for the leather recovers. Katzkin offers a new interior in just one day, with leather seat covers and custom interior finishes.
4. MirrorLink
This technology helps drivers integrate their smartphones and their cars, something the tech-minded will love. What can you do with MirrorLink? At the moment, it’s not incredibly impressive, but it does make life easier for those wanting to check Facebook or Twitter while stuck in traffic, or for those simply seeking to utilize Internet radio on the go. They still recommended you follow the usual driving safety tips when you use their product.
(Photo Source: eirikref w/CC license)
5. Performance Headlights
About ⅓ of consumers buy aftermarket parts to enhance the exterior of their vehicle, and performance headlights are among the top selling products. You will also find fog lights high on the list. Aftermarket projection lights provide a more focused beam and are generally considered to be more aesthetically pleasing.
Whether you need a little illumination or some help finding your way to a new location, chances are there’s an aftermarket product available to fit your needs. Customizing vehicles is nothing new, but there are so many more options available that it’s possible to turn a simple base-price car into something truly unique without spending too much money.
View full post on Business Pundit
How To Write Your Own Best Selling Ebooks – In 3 Days Or Less!
Feb 26th
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Feb 8th
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The Best Airports for Business Travelers
Jan 12th
In the past, traveling usually meant being disconnected from life for chunks of time while in transit. Things have changed dramatically and today travelers can stay connected throughout their trips. However, the ease and cost of staying online during a trip can vary. Here’s a look at the best airports for travelers out of the 40 busiest airports in the US.
Via: Online MBA News
View full post on Business Pundit
The Best Airports for Business Travelers
Jan 12th
In the past, traveling usually meant being disconnected from life for chunks of time while in transit. Things have changed dramatically and today travelers can stay connected throughout their trips. However, the ease and cost of staying online during a trip can vary. Here’s a look at the best airports for travelers out of the 40 busiest airports in the US.
Via: Online MBA News
View full post on Business Pundit
The Lunch Box Diet Voted Best Diet Ever By Elle Magazine
Jan 6th
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Best StartUp Books
Dec 11th
What is it that drives people to start their own business? An economy that isn’t hiring; the desire for flexibility in your schedule; or the drive to achieve a long-held dream of building a business that’s bigger than us personally — these and many more reasons drive us into startup mode.
Whatever your reason for starting a new business, you’ll need to do your homework — before you start and while you are growing your business. A good place to start is to read some books about what you need to know when starting a business. The following books are a good start on your reading list, to guide you through the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey (in no particular order).
“Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business that Works” by Melinda F. Emerson and Michael C. Critelli
A good start-up book needs to have more than just motivational advice about following your dreams. After you’ve made the big step to go out on your own, the myriad lists of things to do and pay attention to can get overwhelming. This is when you’ll want to read Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months . This start-up book is written using a month-to-month timeline that includes specific action items that you can use to get your successful business off the ground. Don’t miss the companion workbook!
Read our review of “Become Your Own Boss”
“The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses“ by Eric Ries
Author Eric Ries shares applies the principles of lean manufacturing to software startups. This start-up book contains many stories and case studies from Ries’ experience during the dot com boom as well as with dozens of other companies. It’s an ideal choice for someone who is starting a software or technology-based business and doesn’t have a lot of experience in creating and measuring processes. This book is valuable for anyone looking to drive innovation inside of their new business.
Check out “The Lean Startup” at fine booksellers.
“Escape from Cubicle Nation” by Pamela Slim
The target market for this book is clear. If you are currently employed in a corporation somewhere, silently wishing as you sat in endless meetings that you could be your own boss but are not sure how or where to get started, then get this book. If you’ve recently left the corporate world to start a business you also will enjoy it because it will reinforce your commitment and re-energize you. This book explains things that those who are used to being employes need to know about starting a business — everything from how to get health insurance, to how to get clients.
Read our review of “Escape from Cubicle Nation.”
“Flying Without a Net: Turn Fear of Change into Fuel for Success” by Thomas J. DeLong
Business owners tend to be high-achieving professionals. And with that, comes a series of personality traits that can often sabotage the very success you are looking for. Flying Without a Net isn’t a book about how to start a business. It’s a book about how you “BE”. Thomas DeLong explains how to draw strength from vulnerability. First, understand the forces that escalate anxiety in high achievers and the unproductive behaviors you turn to for relief. Then adopt practices that give you the courage to “do the right things poorly” before “doing the right things well.”
Read our review of “Flying Without a Net”
“Startup from the Ground Up: Practical Insights for Transforming an Idea into a Business” by Cynthia Kocialski
If you have a great idea for a business, but aren’t sure where to begin, then listen to Cynthia Kocialski, author of this practical book for startups. This book is for the entrepreneur who is ready to build a business and not just a job. You’ll learn how to take your product or service concept and translate it into a successful business model. Kocialsko also spends time going over how to recruit and hire a great team as well as how to seek funding.
Read our review of “Startup from the Ground Up”
“It’s Your Biz: The Complete Guide to Becoming Your Own Boss” by Susan Wilson Solovic, Ellen R. Kadin, Edie Weiner
Susan Solovic’s advice is targeted to people who have been thinking about starting a business, but haven’t yet taken the plunge. She gives honest, straight-up advice that includes not getting overly influenced by people trying to convince you to start a business or those trying to dissuade you. She brings up issues that are often ignored or difficult to deal with in the early stages of starting up and then shows you how to deal with them. One example is to build your business with the end in mind and building for being bigger rather than adding on.
Read our review of “It’s Your Biz”.
“The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything” by Guy Kawasaki
This Guy Kawasaki startup classic will not only prepare you for business ownership, but will give you insider advice on everything from raising money to motivating your staff. Even though this startup book is written from the perspective of a venture capitalist evaluating new businesses, it’s an excellent read for any small business owner or manager. Readers will gain valuable insights into bringing entrepreneurial thinking into their organizations and entrepreneurs will get time-tested ideas for bootstrapping. But it’s particularly valuable to those who are seeking investors and external financing.
Read our review of “The Art of the Start.”
“The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom” by Carrie Wilkerson
The author, Carrie Wilkerson, explains how life circumstances practically forced her into working from home. If you are a solo-preneur running a home-based or online business, you will find the business models with tables and charts easy-to-understand and implement. Chapters include such subjects as finding a target markets, developing marketing strategies, and brand development. Especially important are the common pitfalls listed to avoid in starting a business from home. This book is ideal for those in “soft” services, such as online marketers, professional business service providers or consultants, who plan to work from home.
Read our review of “Barefoot Executive”.
“Rework” by Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson
There aren’t too many shortcuts for starting a business, but Fried and Hansson, from 37 Signals have created one. This book distills all the essentials of starting a business and condenses it into a short and comfortable format for any new business owner to read. Rework is the ideal read for small service businesses who are looking to focus more on doing business and less on the paralysis of planning. Rework takes basic business fundamentals like positioning your niche, choosing the right people, doing what works, being more efficient, etc. and spins them in an interesting way.
Read our review of “Rework”.
“The Six-Figure Second Income: How To Start and Grow A Successful Online Business Without Quitting Your Day Job” by David Lindahl and Jonathan Rozek
Most of us don’t think of ourselves as being an expert, but if you did an inventory of your life and what you know, you just might be surprised. The Six Figure Second Income is a book about how to start an online information business. Don’t worry, this isn’t a get rich quick book. It’s a roadmap for how you can harvest the expertise you have in a niche area and sell it online. This book is full of simple, easily understood, and easy-to-follow advice on how to get started with little or no cost.
Check out “The Six Figure Income” at fine booksellers.
“Million Dollar Consulting” by Alan Weiss
This is what many people call the consultant’s bible. Alan Weiss has a global firm specializing in management and organizational development. Known as “The Rock Star of Consulting,” he has written 32 books that have been translated into 9 languages. Million Dollar Consulting is a handbook for any professional who is selling themselves into the C-Suite. Weiss covers the basics of setting up your office, networking, writing proposals, pricing and most importantly, becoming an indispensible resource to your clients.
Check out “Million Dollar Consulting.”
If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business, this list will give you the ins and outs of the process from ground up to growth. Even seasoned entrepreneurs can pick up a few pointers as they get into the process of growing their business or starting out in another industry.
Looking for other business books to read? Here at Small Business Trends you will find:
225+ business book reviews (a new one every weekend)
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
