Can Your Business Benefit from Google Alerts?
Let’s face it, the overabundance of tools available to track business information can be overwhelming: Business newspapers, blogs, television, marketing materials, magazines, internet resources, websites, white papers, on-line forums, industry reviews, tweets, and so on. If you’re like most people, too many options and not enough time can lead to procrastination and a feeling of being overwhelmed. Where do you start and how do you find the time to manage this influx of information? Answer: Google Alerts
Google Alerts are automated notifications based on the latest google search results for criteria that you set. You select the keywords, the frequency of updates, as well as the type of information you wish to receive (news, blogs, webpages, video, etc.). Unlike a regular google search which displays the most popular results at the top of the page, Google Alerts captures new information as it hits the internet. The result is that you are ‘alerted’ to breaking news about the companies, the people and the products most important to you and your business.
How can Google Alerts benefit you? Set a Google Alert on the executives at your top client and be one of the first to congratulate that individual when they receive a special award. Set a Google Alert on your company and immediately become aware of unhappy customers who post a complaint on the internet. Set a Google Alert on your competition to stay abreast of their strategies, what trade shows they are attending, and new products released. Set Google Alerts for keywords pertaining to your industry to stay at the forefront of what customers are demanding.
Following is a sample 10 minute set-up. Set up Google Alerts for each of the following:
- Your CEO and/or other key executives
- Your company name
- Your website (anycompany.com) and blog
- Your 3 primary competitors (company name, website and/or key executives)
- Your 3 primary prospects (company name, website and/or key executives)
- Your top 3 clients (company name and/or key executives)
- Keywords for your industry
- Keywords that reflect potential business leads
Google Alerts is free. For more information or to set-up Google Alerts, go to http://www.google.com/alerts. From here you can create a single alert and have the results emailed to you. However, I recommend that if you have not already done so, create a google account and go to the manage google alerts option. From here you can quickly and easily create multiple alerts and set the results to go to ‘feed’ so that you can simply “View in Google Reader” at your convenience. Remember, you can easily edit your criteria to improve the results. After a few days, you should have your Google Alerts finalized so that you are only receiving information most relevant to you.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
A special congratulations to Valerie Chittester of Penn United Technologies in Cabot, Pennsylvania. Valerie is the winner of a $25 gift card to a retail vendor of her choice.
The drawing for this gift card was available to any attendee of the Duquesne University SBDC Technology Conference who signed up for Advanced Administrative Services “Tuesday’s Tip” newsletter. To be considered for our quarterly drawing, sign up of our ”Tuesday’s Tip” newsletter today.
Are You in Touch with Your Customers?
What don’t your customers like about your product or service? Do they have recommendations for improvements? What is stopping them from using more of your product or service? Is it quality, price, customer service, image, local competition or something else?
These are important questions. Traditionally, such input has been costly and/or too time consuming for small businesses to track. Now, with the simplicity and low cost options of internet tools such as Constant Contact, it is easy to reach out to your customers for instant feedback. Ultimately, the more you learn about your customers, the better you can serve them and the more satisfied they will be.
SIMPLE & COST EFFECTIVE: An on-line survey or poll is a simple, low cost way to reach out to your customers for their feedback. They are quick and easy to create when using a product such as Constant Contact. You can set the color schemes, background colors and fonts. Surveys and polls can be incorporated into websites, blogs, and more. You can share your surveys in individual emails, email campaigns, and twitter. You can even hyperlink logos, pictures and images directly to your survey.
SURVEYS versus POLLS: A survey allows you to ask different types of questions. You can ask an open ended question, or you can have the customer select only one response, select multiple responses or prioritize responses. You can let the customer see the net results of the survey or you can set it so that only you can see the responses. A poll, on the other hand, is typically a single question answered by the respondent selecting one response. The results are typically available to the respondent immediately upon voting.
METRICS: That’s right. These tools basically give you instant feedback as to how the individuals responded. The easy to follow reporting tools provide the overall ‘decision’ of all respondents, as well as the individual responses of each respondent, allowing you to incorporate the customer feedback to improve your products and services. Click here to try Constant Contact for free.
To see how simple it is to use, try a simple survey or poll now: Rank Service Provider Attributes Survey or Blogging Poll
Sit Where It Counts: Get the Most from One-to-One Meetings
Collaborative Meeting
Believe it or not, seating arrangements can impact the outcome of your meetings. First, determine the audience and the purpose of your meeting. Where you sit in relation to a business partner, a prospect or a vendor should vary. For example, sitting on opposite sides of a table is a more confrontational arrangement, better suited to vendor negotiations or a meeting in which you wish to establish an authoritative tone. This confrontational arrangement is not as productive when collaborating with a colleague. If you are meeting with a business prospect, you should select a seating arrangement that projects a supportive tone. This will allow the other person to feel comfortable and more open to sharing.
Try it! Arrange the seating at your next meeting based on desired outcome:
- Confrontation: Seating – sit on opposite sides of a table or desk so you can freely disagree and negotiate
Application: negotiation, disciplinary action or to project an authoritative tone - Collaboration: Seating – sit side by side at a table to work together on a solution
Application: meeting with a colleague to brainstorm or to develop a strategy/solution - Acquiring support or new business: Seating – sit at right angles, with each person at one corner of a table, to allow eye contact
Application: meeting with business prospect (as financial advisor, agent, etc.)
Telephone Tips to Maximize Your Image
Golf Outing in Pittsburgh
Whether you are an avid golfer or a casual golfer, come join the fun on Monday, May 17th, 2010 at the Chartiers Country Club for an 18 hole shamble. All proceeds benefit Operation Troop Appreciation and other local charities. 98.5% of every dollar raised for Operation Troop Appreciation goes towards assisting our troops.
Cost per person is $130. Form your own foursome or request to be matched to one.
Contact Risk Canello at 412-996-0021 or print the brochure to register today!
Admission includes:
- 18 Holes Golf
- Golf Cart
- Prize for a Hole-in-One at a Par 3
- Skill Prizes
- Door Prizes
- Boxed Lunch
- Buffet Dinner of Roast Beef Au Jus and Chicken Marsala
- The opportunity to benefit the community
The event is sponsored by the Green Tree Rotary. Event day is Monday, May 17th. Registration begins at 12:00 with play time at 1:00 pm. Dinner buffet is at 6:00 pm. Course is the Chartiers Country Club, located at 601 Baldwin Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. For more information or to register, contact Rick Canello at 412-996-0021 or e-mail Rick at golf@greentreerotary.org.
Interested in sponsorship?
- Gold Sponsor, $1000 (includes a Fousome)
- Hole Flag Sponsor for $200
- Hole Sign Sponsor for $100
- Mention in Program $50
- Family Donation $25
- Also accepting prize donations for door prizes and auction
All registrations and sponsorships due by May 13, 2010.
Do You Need a Professional Photo?
When was the last time you had a professional portrait taken? If you answer high school graduation, you need to get on the ball! Today’s photo-friendly media options, including LinkedIn, Facebook, company websites and blogs, provide numerous opportunities to post your photo as a site enhancement.
You might encounter an unexpected need for a professional photo as I recently did. Consider this scenario: A newspaper reporter calls to request an interview. You, of course, oblige because you want to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to build your personal and business presence in the community. Their next request: Please send a high resolution picture to accompany the article. Will you be prepared, or will you panic and send the best digital picture you can manage on short notice?
The solution is actually quite simple. Set an appointment at a photography studio at your local mall. I used a studio called ‘Picture People.’ For approximately $75 and in less than 30 minutes, you should be able to complete a ‘photo shoot’ with two outfit changes, select your pictures, pay, and be out the door with high resolution pictures in-hand on a CD. Why wait until you get caught in a bind? Schedule your photo op now!
Business Document Retention – Links to Compiled Recommendations
Spring is in the air and you are likely working on both your personal and business taxes. Now is a great time to get rid of extra paperwork. But first, you need to know how long you should keep certain documents. Below are links to some great resources. Different sources recommend various timeframes, so you may want to consider putting your own policy into place based on the suggested timeframes. Check with your accountant/legal advisor if you are not sure, and don’t forget to shred sensitive documents.
- This site has a link to a pdf document with a ‘Suggested Schedule for Retention of Business Records:’ Click Here
- This site provide a grid that includes administrative, advertising, insurance, legal, plant and property documents as well: Click Here
- And this is what the IRS has to say about document retention: Click Here
Advanced Administrative Services is not affiliated with any of the recommended sources. These simply represent sources found on the internet that may be of value to you and your business.
Take a Vacation for Renewed Focus and Energy
A hint of spring is in the air, or for those in the more snow-laden states, at least the hope of spring is in the air. And for many, it’s time to consider upcoming vacation plans.
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You may think your business can’t survive without you at the present time, especially if you are a small business owner. The truth is, however, your company will likely benefit more from your renewed focus and increased energy once you return from a well-deserved hiatus.
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Overworked, stressed-out employees can have more problems at home, creating a potentially vicious cycle that will have a negative impact on business. Focus and motivation tend to wane when business gets tedious and stressful, and this will impact the quality of work as well.
- Everyone needs an opportunity to rejuvenate – physically and emotionally. By respecting each employee’s need for life balance, you will ensure a more contented, productive workforce. Be a healthy role model, and begin now to plan your own vacation time.
Looking for some new vacation ideas? View Travel Channel’s Weekend Getaways for ideas. Skim the navigator on the left for a myriad of travel tips and ideas.
Improve Your Time Management
- Prioritize: Revisit your long-term goals on a regular basis. Are you prioritizing what is most important to you and your business? Don’t get caught up in tasks that add little value.
- Set Realistic Goals: Ask yourself, “What do I need to accomplish today?” Then create a plan that can realistically be accomplished in one work day.
- Don’t Procrastinate: Identify your most productive time of day, and focus on your most difficult tasks during that time. Block off this time on your calendar, and keep your commitment to complete these tasks. Save easier tasks for another time.
- Take Time for Yourself: Everyone needs a break. It’s not healthy to be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Take a day off, and find a creative way to take a break through the week. It might be as simple as going out to lunch rather than eating at your desk. And don’t forget to make time to enjoy your favorite hobbies.