business
The Innovation-Deficit Tax: Advertising
Great ideas are increasingly turning viral. With the advent of techno-charged social media, people can tell each other about their favorite innovation with a click of a mouse. If something qualifies as truly great, you likely will hear about it from your network, not from advertisements, and truly innovative products typically require a smaller investment in marketing and advertising. Full article.
Stop doing things that no longer make a profit
Most businesses are a mix of break-even activities, loss centers, and sources of profit. There are ways to improve a business’ bottom line, and one way is to first identify and then remove practices or areas that no longer make a profit. While this is difficult for small businesses, since a lot of areas are inter-linked, doing so will make it easier to move ahead with growth-oriented innovations. Full article.
Getting ready for new business from mystery company
Three trucks recently brought in kilns to the Port of Alexandria and more trucks were on the way with equipment for a new business moving to the port. Port and economic development officials indicated that an announcement on the company name and the projected jobs it will bring is expected mid-February. Full article.
Driving business results with Social Media
Question of the day: How can your business reap a return on investment from its forays into social media programs? Companies who accomplished this goal had several things in common, some of which included actually listening to what your customers are saying online and responding accordingly and widening their view of how they used social media programs. Full article.
Ten Tablets to Keep an Eye On in 2011
Sources indicate that there are nearly 100 new or improved tablets coming to (or already on) the marketplace, but there are just a few you might want to check out, including the Motorola Xoom, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, and the BlackBerry PlayBook. Full article.
Renegotiate with your vendors
Most businesses use at least one outside vendor, and some use more than one at a time. Generally, at one time or another, you may need to renegotiate a contract or service agreement. If done properly, renegotiation can be an easy process that will enable both parties to feel like they got a good deal. Full Article.
Understand the importance of diversity
Smart small businesses today understand diversity is more than just a feel-good notion on a human resources poster. It is, in fact, crucial to doing business in a world whose populations are interconnected now more than ever before. Consumers buy what your business sells—or ignore it—depending on whether your company is as diverse as they are and whether your products are attuned to their demands and desires. Full article.
General Services Administration workshop set for Jan 27
A Services Administration Schedule Workshop is set for 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 27 that will offer a step-by-step guide to becoming a General Services Administration contractor. It will teach the process of submitting a solicitation offer and working through the contracting process. It will include a question-and-answer session and one-on-one counseling. Full information.
Small Biz: A new way to manage printing costs
According to recent research, the typical organization has an annual print budget equal to about 6 percent of revenues. The still-challenging economic climate has led a growing number of companies to contract with an IT services provider to manage their printers, copiers, scanners, and related equipment. A managed print provider still offers maintenance and repair services, but also works with you to design a printing/document imaging strategy that makes sense for your business. Full article.
Jenkins strengthens downtown Alexandria investments
Local businessman Mike Jenkins firmly believes downtown Alexandria is going to make a comeback, and his most recent downtown investment is the Diamond Grill which he recently purchased. The Diamond Grill fits into Jenkins' mission for downtown because it is a business that draws people to that part of town and it is a historically significant building. Full article.
