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iPhone or iPad Apps alongside Windows 10 on Your PC and Chromebook

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Small Business Technology

iPhone or iPad Apps alongside Windows 10 on Your PC and Chromebook

The one complaint that I’ve heard from various individuals who use their computers for business is the various incompatible operating systems, the Mac OS/IOS, Windows 10, and Chrome. Fortunately, the producers of these different operating systems are working on ways for users to access them on various platforms.

The biggest problem seems to be that most business users have MS windows in their offices, they carry Apple iPhones and iPads with them. Unfortunately, you have different programs on your computers and mobile devices.   In a previous blog post, I explained how to download Microsoft products to your various Apple devises. It seems that Microsoft has reciprocated and now has apps for iCloud, which gives you access Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Photos, Notes, Reminders, iCloud Drive, as well as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.  You now have the ability to use Apple Apps on your PC and Chromebook and as I mentioned a month ago you can download OneDrive and MS365 which are cloud-based programs on your iPhone and iPad.  

Set up iCloud for Windows  

(Instructions downloaded from https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201391) 

1. Download iCloud for Windows on your PC.

Windows 10: Go to the Microsoft Store to download iCloud for Windows.

Earlier versions of Windows*: Download iCloud for Windows from apple.com.

If it doesn’t install automatically, go to File Explorer and open iCloud Setup.

2. Restart your computer.

3. Make sure iCloud for Windows is open. If it doesn’t open automatically, go to Start, open Apps or Programs, and open iCloud for Windows.

4. Enter your Apple ID to sign in to iCloud.

5. Choose the features and content that you want to keep up to date across your devices.

How to make your cheap Chromebook look and feel like a high-priced MacBook

Last week while searching the internet I found an interesting article on Macworld titled “How to make your cheap Chromebook look and feel like a high-priced MacBook.” I was able to take my $250.00 Chromebook and with adjustments such as creating an iCloud app on the Dock which is called a shelf on a Chromebook, and get direct access to all my Apple programs and files  . Also, to make it feel like a MacBook the trackpad scrolling can be reversed to match IOS used on Apple mobile devices.

It may not be a MacBook, but in addition to all the apps already mentioned in this article, you can access Apple Music and Apple TV subscriptions.  

If you would like more information about accessing iCloud, MS OneDrive, or Google Chrome from all your devices, please send me an email, and I will help you. nick@kbizbrokers.com.

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Old School Marketing Techniques

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Marketing

Old School Marketing Techniques

During a meeting recently I discussed with a business owner about possible ways of marketing his company. I sensed from our conversation that he was not fond of computers or the internet. Therefore, I did not suggest any digital marketing media such as websites, blogs, or social media. My suggestions were to use time-tested old school techniques that were effective before the internet and are still viable.  

Community Involvement….create a public persona

Get involved with the community by joining the Chamber of Commerce or Rotary. These organizations will help you get connected with the local community. You can participate in charity fundraising events, donate your time and services, or do public speaking engagements that demonstrate your expertise in your field.

Mail/eMail Marketing….promotional media

Mail/email marketing is a strategy to connect with customers and prospects. You can use mail/email to send out routine information like reminders, but you can also use mail/email to send out marketing materials such as newsletters 

Newsletters….drive sales

Newsletters are a means of keeping your customers informed. Your weekly newsletter may include news articles, current trends in your industry, to special offers with limited time. People tend to be influenced into making purchases when there is a deadline. Giving out tips is a technique of reassuring customers that you care about their well-being, even when they don’t currently patronize your business. Weekly newsletters create familiarity with your company and, build trust. The newsletter can be the helm that steers your customer to your company’s website and social media sites. 

Attending Fairs….meet and greet

Attending community, and small business fairs will create public awareness of your business. This gives potential new customers a chance to sample your products and services. It could be something as simple as a product sample or service demonstration.  

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The Future of Business Computing is Microsoft 365

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Small Business Technology

Recently, I’ve been perturbed by the different computer ecosystems that I own. I have an iMac (MOS), iPhone/iPad (IOS), ChromeBook (Android) and at work, we use Windows 7 & 10. Twelve years ago when I was in academia teaching marketing, I switched from a PC to a Mac which suited my needs at that time, and as the iPod, iPhone and iPad became popular the advantage was that all of my devices were compatible.

About three years ago I purchased a Chromebook because it was light easy to carry, inexpensive. This is a net-computer which stores all the files in the cloud. Another reason for acquiring this device was to learn more about cloud computing which is predicated by 2025 to store 80% of all business files.

Last fall, I joined Keystone Business Brokers which have Windows 7 & 10 in their offices, another non-compatible system which I’ve had to re-familiarize myself using.

Before I go further let me say that I love my Mac and mobile devices. The operating system is smooth, intuitive, and creative apps such as Photos, iMovie, GarageBand are perfect for creating marketing projects.

For business, I need compatibility for all devices and I found it with Microsoft 365. The six main programs that I’ll be using are Word, Excel. PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive.

Microsoft 365 is a subscription service with prices starting at $6.99 a month and higher depending on the additional services and apps added. MS 365 will allow me to collaborate online with my colleagues which is an essential feature during the “new normal.”

In summary, Microsoft has the most widely used line of office programs that can be accessed from any operating system. It allows individuals at different locations to work jointly on projects.

 

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Surviving in the New Normal: Formulate a New Business Model

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Small Business News

Surviving in the New Normal: Formulate a New Business Model

Small businesses are struggling to survive the current pandemic, many businesses have closed and will never reopen, others are on life-support. Trying to stay afloat during these times is only prolonging the inevitable which is insolvency. Business owners must become proactive, and take an analytical approach to reinvent their business to be competitive and Profitable.

We are in the fifth month of this pandemic and it appears that the crises are not abating, but escalating. It’s up to each business person to look into their company to implement a strategic plan to become solvent during these uncertain times.

The SWOT analysis is an acronym for Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. The four categories are divided into two groups internal and external. This is a way of examining your company’s position in the marketplace.

Strengths, write a description of what traits your company has proficiency making them stand out against competitors.

Weaknesses, what are areas of your business that need improvement.

Opportunities, external circumstances offer an opening to advance the company’s position in the marketplace. Examples are new technology, new relationships, filling a void in the market.

Threats, the environmental factors that are out of your control, but you have to find solutions and deal with them.

After addressing the above categories the analyst should determine how to address these four elements and strategize a plan to move the organization forward.

 

                                            Sample SWOT Analysis

Internal

  Factors

Strengths +

  • unique products
  • competitive pricing
  • qualified staff

Weaknesses –

  • distribution system
  • overhead costs
  • cash flow

External

  Factors

Opportunities +

  • exploit market gaps,
  • streamline product line
  • capitalize a strong niche

Threats –

  • shrinking demographics
  • economy
  • social norms
  • government regulations

Once you have completed the SWOT analysis you can navigate your enterprise to a more profitable position. In some instances, owners and managers have ascertained areas that should be scaled back and niches that they could expand, and capture more market share.

There are several free and inexpensive programs on the internet available.

CNET offers downloads @ https://download.cnet.com/s/swot/.

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Effective Email Commerce to Increase your Business

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Marketing

Productive marketing communications is a key element for a business owner to expand their reach into the marketplace. There are many mediums that marketers can use to inform customers, prospective customers of new products, services, and discounts available to them. In this blog post, I will be discussing email.

Email is a cost-effective way for business to get their message out to their audience. Before the advent of the internet and email, businesses used direct mail to reach their customers and many still use this costly method. Email used is to find new customers, maintain an interest from existing customers, and introduce new offerings.

Direct mail marketing first made an appearance 1681 in the American colonies by the founder of Pennsylvania William Penn. Penn published a flyer which stimulated many northern Europeans to settle in Penn’s Woods.

Just like any other type of media advertising email should follow the same format for results.
Headline
Must touch people that read it. (30% Read)
Short & Cleaver / Affect Emotions (laugh, angry, curious, think)

Subhead
Use to break up your copy to make it more interesting

Body (Copy)

Follow the headline – create visual continuity

Compelling, persuasive, clear, precise
Two strong points, two columns, justify
Serif Typeface …. easy to read

Image (Visual) (70% Look)
Photo, Drawing, Graphic
Draws attention to the ad
I/2 your ad when possible
People relate to realistic photographs

Call to Action
———————————————
$5.00 off any purchase of
$25.00 or more
Offer Expires on August 15, 2020
———————————————
Contact Information
Address, Phone #, Website, Logo
Offer  Placement

Before sending emails you need to create a list of email addresses that should be segmented by groups. Your core customers are your primary audience, by keeping them informed you create loyalty and increase sales. The next segment is your target market, these are prospects you want to raise awareness and engage them into becoming customers. Most platforms give you feedback as to which emails have not been opened. If you continue to send them emails they will consider your communications as junk mail and you will alienate them. You could follow-up and send them a personal email asking why they did not read your emails.

As I have stated in previous posts I prefer to discuss products that I’m familiar with using. At this time at Keystone Business Brokers, we are implementing an email program to reach out to clients and prospects. There are at least 20 email platforms with varying features and for our specific use we are reviewing several providers and we expect to be operational within the next two weeks. If you would like to receive our emails with our current listings of businesses available please send your email address to nick@kbizbrokers.com

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Now is the Time to Implement Web Conferencing

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Small Business Technology

Now is the Time to Implement Web Conferencing

With the recent spike in COVID-19, the states are regressing into the stricter quarantine. Business owners need to adapt to the so-called new normal by adopting and using the technology available. Communication with stakeholders which include employees, customers, and suppliers is imperative.

Web conferencing offers the ability for internal teams to work together and discuss strategy face-to-face in real-time regardless of their locations. Businesses no longer have to be encumbered by different geographical locations necessitating travel time and expenses. Web conferencing can best be described as an online tool for parties from varied locations to collaborate. The cloud-based software can be used for mass communications reaching large audiences by using the platforms hosting features such as webinars (seminars) and webcasts (broadcasts).

If you’re new to web conferencing I suggest you consider starting with either Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Zoom is very popular at this time and I just installed it on both my iMac and Chromebook. Most businesses use the Microsoft Office suite (MS 365) may find MS Teams compatible with your software making the learning curve easier.

Zoom Meetings (zoom.com) (descriptions from Zoom website)
Some of the most exciting features of Zoom meetings include:

Easy adoption with WebRTC technology
Join from anywhere on any device
Access robust security solutions throughout
Built-in tools for screen sharing
HD video and audio calls
Support for up to 1,000 video participants and 49 videos
Meet securely with role-based user permissions
Streamlined calendaring services with Outlook and Google
Built-in recording and transcripts
Team chat both for groups and one-on-one messaging
Access to extra features like webinars, chat, and phone

Microsoft Teams (teams.microsoft.com) (descriptions from Microsoft website)
Work remotely and securely with online meetings.

Online meetings

Host audio, video, and web conferences with anyone. Get features such as scheduling assistance, meeting note-taking, screen sharing, meeting recording, and instant messaging.
Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/business-insights-ideas/resources/6-ways-to-make-virtual-meetings-more-efficient.

Live events

Hold any meeting live—large meetings, webinars, company-wide events, and presentations with up to 10,000 attendees inside or outside your organization—with Teams live events.

Live events link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/live-on-demand-event-solutions

Large meetings link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/business-insights-ideas/resources/are-you-ready-to-host-large-scale-virtual-presentations

Audio conferencing

Let people join meetings on the go with a global dial-in number or contact each other directly. All they need is a mobile device and Teams.

Plans and pricing link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/online-meeting#customerstoryregion2

Meeting devices

Start Teams meetings with one-touch join on Microsoft Teams Rooms devices from our certified partners Logitech, Xrestron, Polycom, Lenovo, HP, Yealink.

Devices link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/across-devices

If you have any questions or comments about this post please send me an email at nick@kbizbrokers.com

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Revolutionizing Entrepreneurial Technology in the Cloud

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Small Business Technology

Revolutionizing Entrepreneurial Technology in the Cloud

The current pandemic has accelerated the transition of small businesses to online cloud computing. Microsoft reported that due to the surge in usage of their cloud service that they have focused their efforts on meeting the demand. Other software producers are emphasizing publishing cloud-based programs which they believe to be the future of technology.

There are many benefits to cloud computing. Cloud-based servers, storage, and software can be accessed from any computer or mobile device. Your team can collaborate from their devices at various locations.

Salesforce.com a cloud service provider of customer resource management (CRM) software lists 12 advantages of cloud computing.

1. Cost Savings: Easy access to your data will save time and money. It’s a pay-as-you-go system, paying for only the services and storage you use. These factors lower costs and increase ROI.

2. Security: Users have said that the powerful encryption used by cloud services makes it very difficult for hackers to access.

3. Flexibility: Cloud services can quickly meet the demands of your business without spending money on expensive and complex updates to your computer system.

4. Mobility: Staff, freelancers, and customers can access information from various locations which are updated immediately.

5. Insight: Data is money, cloud-based storage offers analytics helping you to produce customized reports thus allowing you to create strategic plans.

6. Increased Collaboration: Team members can view information and work jointly on projects.

7. Quality Control: Single format for documents and single location storage. Data will be consistent with explicit details of corrections and amendments.

8. Disaster Recovery: “Cloud-based servers provide quick data recovery for all kinds of emergency scenarios.”

9. Loss Prevention: Data on PCs can be permanently lost through malfunctions, aging hardware, errors, or theft of a laptop.

10. Automatic Software Updates: No need to take time to update software patches or to pay for the new version. Cloud storage is safe and easily accessible.

11. Competitive Edge: “A Verizon study showed that 77% of businesses feel that cloud technology gives them a competitive advantage.”

12. Sustainability: Cuts town on paper waste, improved energy efficiency due to a reduction in commuting.

If you’re planning to transition to the cloud you should do it incrementally and I suggest you start with Microsoft Cloud 368. This is a compressive package offering all the basic programs. It’s estimated that over 90% of businesses use MS office software making the transformation easy.

Microsoft 365 is the productivity cloud that brings together best-in-class Office apps with powerful cloud services, device management, and advanced security.
The MS 365 package includes all of the following Cloud versions of the MS Office suite.

Word, a full-featured writing tool including spell and grammar check.

Excel, a spreadsheet program that is used for data storage, organizing, and extrapolating data.

Powerpoint, designed to create electronic presentations consisting of a series of separate pages or slides.

OneNote is a program for free-form information gathering and multi-user collaboration. It gathers users’ notes, drawings, screen clippings, and audio commentaries.

OneDrive is a file hosting service and synchronization service.

Outlook is a personal information manager web app from Microsoft consisting of webmail, calendar, contacts, and tasks services.

Teams, allow you to access, share, and edit Word docs, PowerPoint, and Excel files in real-time.

While researching the information for this blog post I signed-up for this suite of office software and I will be using it to interact with my colleagues.

If you have any questions or comments about this post please send me an email at

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Unlock the Advantages of Cloud Computing for Small Business

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Small Business Technology

Unlock the Advantages of Cloud Computing for Small Business

Before I go any further I want to say that I’m not an IT professional.  My background is in sales, marketing, and supply chain management, but my point of view on this topic is as a user of the software.

We have all experienced the evolution of computer technology during the past several decades. My first computer in the 1980s was a Zenith, the operating system was DOS 3.1, and there was no hard-drive. This computer was primarily a word processing tool. Next came the various incarnations of Windows and Macs, followed by mobile devices.  During this evolution, these tools have dramatically changed the way we use our business tools.

The newest trend in technology is cloud-based platforms which include storage, online office programs, and communications.  In this segment, I will cover the storage use of the cloud and in future posts, we will discuss office programs and communications.

Cloud Storage
The advantage of using Cloud storage is the economies of scale which spread the cost of equipment, improvements, and maintenance to thousands of subscribers. Cloud storage eliminates the need for expensive high powered computers, servers, and security.

There are many cloud storage providers which you can find on Google. In this post, I will cover the Cloud sources that I have personally used.

Dropbox brings your cloud content and traditional files together with the tools you love—so you can be organized, stay focused, and get in sync with your team. With all your files organized in one central place, you can safely sync them across all your devices and access them anytime, anywhere.

iCloud is an Apple product that offers a free plan and very reasonable pricing for larger storage. The best benefit is that you can have every document on your Mac automatically uploaded to iCloud. All of your files can be accessed from Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Google Drive (15GB Free) easy storage and accessible from your devices. The big advantage is that you can purchase a Chromebook computer for as low as $300.00 and keep all your files in the cloud. Unfortunately, there is almost no storage on the laptop.

Amazon Drive is free with a Prime membership account. Like the others, it provides storage for your files. There is an unlimited amount of storage for photos. I store several thousand photos on this cloud.

If you have any comments or questions please email me at nick@kbizbrokers.com

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The Cautious Slowly Evolving New Normal by NJ & PA Governors

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Small Business News

The Cautious Slowly Evolving New Normal by NJ & PA Governors
We are now in the third month of the Covid-19 quarantine. The State of New Jersey is still in a lockdown mode. Governor Murphy is taking a cautious approach because new jersey has experienced a high rate of infections and deaths due to the coronavirus.

Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania has announced that on June 5, 2020, the commonwealth will relax the quarantine for Southeastern Pennsylvania. He further stated that sixteen counties will go green and red counties will go yellow.

An interesting story I recently viewed on television about Easton PA. Mayor Sal Panto has plans to help local retailers and restaurants. His plan is to close city streets to traffic between 4:00 PM and midnight, Thursday through Sunday. This will allow retailers to display merchandise outside and allow dining at a safe social distance.

Kudos to Mayor Parto for his proactive leadership in supporting the Easton, PA economy. Hopefully, this will be a model for other mayors to follow.

According to NJ.com, Governor Phil Murphy is slowly easing the Covid-19 restrictions in New Jersey. The Governor said he is “taking deliberate incremental steps in reopening the state and avoiding large steps taken together.”

Stores & supermarkets deemed essential, from CVS, Walmart and Costco to ShopRite and Trader Joe’s are open
The essential businesses that remain open — some with limitations — include:
Auto repair shops
Banks and other financial institutions
Bars and restaurants (for drive-through, delivery and takeout only)
Bicycle shops (but only to provide service and repairs)
Convenience stores and grocery stores (any stores that sell food)
Farming equipment stores
Food banks
Gas stations
Gun shops
Hardware stores
Laundromats and dry-cleaning services
Liquor stores
Livestock feed stores
Mail and package delivery stores
Medical supply stores
Microbreweries or brewpubs (for home delivery only)
Mobile phone retail and repair shops
Nurseries and garden centers
Office supply stores and printing shops
Pet stores
Pet groomers, pet daycare providers and pet boarding businesses
Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries
Stores that sell items for religious observance or worship
Stores that sell supplies for young children

In closing, I would like to say that the Delaware Valley will continue to lose businesses. Some business owners have become creative in adapting their business model by offering pick-up and delivery options, while others have become more aggressive with their online presence. Unfortunately, these are survival tactics and slow the rate of hemorrhaging cash. The fixed costs for restaurants and retail stores can not meet the expenses to creditors when a business is not allowed to use the full capacity of its buildings. Contact your city and town officials ask them to implement the Easton model as a possible way of increasing sales volume. It’s time for local officials to step up and help.

Please let us know what innovative ideas you or others have used to stimulate sales during this pandemic. nick@kbizbrokers.com

Be safe, wear your mask, gloves, and wash your hands.

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BUSINESSES SURVIVING COVID-19

Author: NSantarone
Categories: Small Business News

BUSINESSES SURVIVING COVID-19

These days there is a plethora of information available on television, the internet, and various news media. Many reporters have adopted curation journalism. This type of reporting requires the correspondent to sift through all the available information, find the relevant facts, and craft it into a thorough accurate message. In this week’s blog post I have reviewed much of the current information obtainable from credible sources to forecast what businesses can expect as this pandemic continues and its aftermath. A CDC spokesperson stated on TV that a vaccine may not be available until 2022 which indicates the economy will be in a state of oscillation for the next couple of years.

One of the businesses that have been dramatically affected by this epidemic is the foodservice industry which I will use as an example for this blog post. Some restaurant owners to keep the cash flowing are offering customers pickup and delivery options. This is not a long term solution, because the sales volume is not sufficient to cover the overhead costs. This tactic is covering some costs, but not producing enough income to pay all expenses and earn a profit. To stay in business, the restauranteurs have to be malleable to the current market forces. They should consider finding smaller locations for cutting expenses or partitioning their existing building and subletting. With a smaller retail space consisting of a kitchen, check out, providing takeout, and offering prepackaged catered meals for home consumption.

The food supply chain is shifting most of its packaging from institutional to the consumer. Since institutional is in bulk containers, and consumer marketing packaging is more expensive expect prices to go up at the supermarkets.

Twitter just announced that employees who are currently working from home can continue to do so after the quarantine is over. There are benefits for the organizations that adopt a work from the home business model. Less office space is required which lowers fixed overhead costs. For employees, there is a restructuring of office hours. In many cases, the employees can accomplish their assignments at their own time and schedules. Many of these workers were employed in downtown locations which have many businesses that depend on their patronage. Just a 20% drop in sales volume can be devastating for these businesses.

As the marketplace changes entrepreneurs must look for opportunities for growth and expansion. As stated previously delivery for restaurants will increase exponentially thus creating a need for companies like GrubHub. Also, the delivery service can be extended for many other businesses such as dry cleaners, retailers, and grocery stores.

In closing, people are creatures of habit, and as time passes the consumer will adjust to the new economy. Lifestyles will change and consumer buying habits will be different. Restaurants will eventually reopen, but they will accommodate fewer patrons due to social distancing. The operating costs will remain the same which will be a problem.

Entrepreneurs will have to look for niches in the marketplace and capitalize on them. My former office-mate, a Khe-Sanh Marine used a phrase that applies to the current situation, “Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.”

Notice: Effective today, 5/15/2020, all future blog posts will be published on the first and fifteenth of the month.

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