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27 Replies Last post: Aug 26, 2008 2:33 PM by SBOCTeam

Mar 12, 2009 11:14 AM

SBOCTeam 328 posts since
Jul 27, 2007

Do you want to gain a competitive edge "without breaking the bank?" Learn how leveraging available technology in your small business can help you do that. With competition locally and even globally, small businesses need to put their best foot forward without spending more than they should to attract customers. Technology that was only available to large businesses a few years ago is now geared towards smaller businesses which mean acting big, even when you're not! Matt Makowicz, of Ambition Consulting is an expert and published author on the subjects of growing a small business and leveraging technology. He will answer questions such as:

How can technology help a one person company working from home?
How does my use of technology (or lack thereof) influence my potential customers?
Can a small business really afford the latest and best technology out there?

About Matt:

Matt is a Small Business Specialist for Microsoft. He is a principle at Ambition Consulting whose core focus is to help other businesses become successful by leveraging the experience of running award winning IT consulting practices that services small and medium business clients. Matt has also achieved numerous technical certifications and awards throughout his 15+ years of business experience.

You can learn more about Matt and Microsoft Small Business Specialists at:
http://www.ambitionmission.com/
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness

The SBOC Team is taking questions in advance. Post your question here today and check back between 1:00-2:30 PM EST for the answer. You may ask a question at any point during the event. Remember, you must be a member to participate.

Matt will be posting as SMBexpert. So what's your question?!

Tags: small_business, small_business_specialist, microsoft, matt_makowicz, ambition_consulting, technology, be_small_act_big, competitive_edge, best_technology, latest_technology Report as inappropriate

Vince 91 posts since
Aug 15, 2008

1. Re: Live Event August 26: Using technology to give you the edge Aug 19, 2008 4:59 PM

Hi Matt,

I think its great that Microsoft and Bank of America have partnered and given the community access to your expertise. Welcome and I can't wait to see the response on August 26th. I'm willing to bet it will be well received

Vince

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Regency 1 posts since
Aug 20, 2008

2. Re: Live Event August 26: Using technology to give you the edge Aug 20, 2008 4:58 PM

I am a small buisiness owner a General contractor, We are a small company geared towards commercial interiors, we look small & somtimes have trouble getting our point accross that we can manage larger scale projects (this is our goal) How do I create credibility on a larger scale & not to be known as a small scale contractor.

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spickspann 1 posts since
Aug 23, 2008

3. Re: Live Event August 26: Using technology to give you the edge Aug 23, 2008 7:44 AM

This sounds good

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SMBexpert 11 posts since
Aug 21, 2008

4. Re: Live Event August 26: Using technology to give you the edge Aug 26, 2008 1:03 PM

in response to: Regency

one of the easiest ways to create an impressive pressence is with using a company domain name and email on your business cards and other marketing materials. e.g. Matt@companyname.com is better than matt1234@yahoo.com etc...

the later "screams" I am such a small business that I am probably working out of my basement I am the only employee!

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Interpreter 27 posts since
May 29, 2008

5. Re: Live Event @ 1PM ET: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:05 PM

Hi Matt,

In regards to snail mail, do you have any recommendations/solutions for outgoing correspondences?

Thanks for listening,
Interpreter

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SMBexpert 11 posts since
Aug 21, 2008

6. Re: Live Event @ 1PM ET: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:11 PM

in response to: Interpreter

Dear interpreter,

My recomendation is "it depends." Is the intention of the mailings for customer communication (i.e. newsletters), event promotion/demand generation, general prospecting, sales call follow ups, etc...? Given these options, a handwritten thank you note may work best, or an outsourced automated mailing house may be the best option.

In the case of marketing via "snail mail" while it is more expensive than its electronic counterpart, there is a definite school of thought that suggests a better response IF (and its a big IF) the mailing piece "stands out."

Once of the best ways to ensure this is to mail to a VERY targeted list. My suggestion would be to utilize your CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software application to filter your customer/prospect database and create a super targeted list to then mail to. Focus your mailing upon a specific industry e.g. "Having trouble running your Dental office?" is better than "Having trouble running your business?"

Good luck!

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Landuse 1 posts since
Aug 26, 2008

7. Re: Live Event Now: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:12 PM

Hi Matt, I run a small landscaping company. It's me and one other partner that do all the design and planning work and then we hire part time contractors for all the muscle power. Because my company is small I've found that some potential clients get really discouraged to give me the job despite my positive references. I run my business from an office in my house and am frequently working outside - overseeing the landscaping jobs. Other than forwarding the calls to my mobile which is what I do now - - what else can I do with mobile technology to help me run my business?

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SMBexpert 11 posts since
Aug 21, 2008

8. Re: Live Event Now: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:19 PM

in response to: Landuse

Dear Lanuse,

Mobile technology has come a long way in the last several years. I would begin with a smartphone. This is a mobile phone that will allow you to send/recieve emails, visit webpages, and even run other applications such as your CRM (Customer Relationship Management) database programs all on the handheld which you obviously have with you in the field. For best flexibility of applications that can run on your smartphone, chose one running Windows Mobile software.

Better than forwarding calls to your cell phone, consider a VoIP (Voice over IP) telephone solution. This will allow callers to get a professional automated attendant complete with voicemail options (e.g. "press 1 for Accounting, 2 for Sales, etc...). The best part of the VoIP solution is that it can be easily configured so that the phone on your desk and in your hand ring at the same time, so the callers experience is the same regardless of where you are.

Lastly, nothing beats immidate response to customer questions, so having access to email on the handheld is vital. If there is a form on your website that will send you an email, you'll be able to respond right away!

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simon07 38 posts since
Nov 28, 2007

9. Re: Live Event Now: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:20 PM

My wife has been selling handmade jewelry at our local fair, farmers market, and just recently trying it out on eBay. She has hopes to try and sell it to larger stores, but does not think that they would seriously consider her if they realized that she is only a one woman operation. What phone or email technologies exist so that she doesn't appear to be a one women operation?

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SMBexpert 11 posts since
Aug 21, 2008

10. Re: Live Event Now: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:27 PM

in response to: simon07

Dear Simon,

As I mentioned above a VoIP telephone solution would be ideal to handle to telecommunications needs. Suggest to your wife to look at Microsoft Response Point to get an idea of what she can do on that front.

In terms of email technologies, it is even easier. The first step is to use a company domain name instead of a free email service (e.g. hotmail, yahoo, gmail, etc...). The 2nd step would be to use a email server solution such as Microsoft Exchange Server, which allows for a multitude of email addresses. This way she can receive AND send from Accounting@companyname.com and/or Sales@, CustomerService@, etc...

In this way, customers will send an email to (and recieve responses from) "the accounting department" as an example.

These are both simple ways to seem very professional even though it is only one individual running the company!

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flex_00 18 posts since
May 29, 2008

11. Re: Live Event Now: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:28 PM

The technology industry moves awefully fast. I fear that what I buy now, will be obsolete within 3 months. How do I get over that fear? Or should I just budget out what I think I'll need and constantly buy the latest and greatest?

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SMBexpert 11 posts since
Aug 21, 2008

12. Re: Live Event Now: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:33 PM

in response to: flex_00

Dear flex,

Your fear is VERY common. You are correct that technology moves very quickly. The good news that if you are not in the technology industry, your business doesn't need change the way in which it uses technology quite so quickly.

The first (and most important question) is how can technology improve your business? What problems can it solve? What processes can be improved by implementing technology?

At the end of the day, a business needs to be make an investment in technology that will benefit their business comfortably for the next 3 years.

That said, if you are still needing (or wanting) to be on the bleeding edge of technology, then I suggested hosted services rather than buying a server/technology for your office.

Hope it helps!

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Bluesuit 136 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

13. Re: Live Event Now: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:34 PM

Matt, I certainly like my tech gadgets, but with the economy as it is, I like to make wise decisions. When buying new technology for business or personal use (which I like to do), what are the key questions or considerations a potential buyer should ask him/herself to make sure that they are making the right choice. It's always tempting to go with the product that has the most features..but it's always the most expensive.

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SMBexpert 11 posts since
Aug 21, 2008

14. Re: Live Event Now: Use technology to appear BIG Aug 26, 2008 1:40 PM

in response to: Bluesuit

Hello Bluesuit!

First, you need to decide who the technology or gadget is for? For you personally? Or for your business? Talk to your accountant about write offs and tax implications, but my advice is to ensure that there is value before investing in anything, technology or otherwise.

If the item or technology in question is merely to satisfy the personal WANT of having the latest toy, and you can afford it, why not?

Unfortunately, most small business owners (and I admit guilt here in the past as well) blur the line between the business and the owner buying something. So, if this is for your BUSINESS, how does it help your business? To put it another way, will investing whatever amount of money in question be BEST spent by buying this gadget? What if you took that same amount and invested in a marketing event or a new VoIP phone system or a better way to communicate with customers, etc...

Usually, once it is clear that it is a business purchase, and you look at it as a business, then the choice typically becomes obvious.

Enjoy!

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