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Small Businesses around the world is growing their presence on social media starting with their chief executive officer. More than 1/3 of CEOs say they spend more than six hours on social media and although they wished they spent less time, they understand the importance of it. According to a new report from VerticalResponse, social media interactivity among small businesses is growing quickly with more than 85% saying they spend more than 6 hours per week on social media and of that 85%, 7% spend 21+ hours a week focusing on their social media accounts. Has your company developed a social strategy? Is it still important?
Coke Wants InstagramCoca-Cola is diving into the social media business as of November 1st. Coke launched a new app called “HappyPlaces” now available in the Android and Blackberry markets that shares photos. Sound familiar? Essentially Coke has decided to launch their version of Instagram and according to reports...
It still amazes me when people get “sticker shocked” when asking for digital products. We are less than two months away from 2013 and many are already starting to consider what investment they will need to make in their digital properties. Whether you are a small, medium or large business, consider what things you may need to pay for digitally in 2013. Some of the things to consider budgeting for are website cost whether its design, developing or your typical hosting fees. Another fee to consider is a social media strategist or someone that can work with you on developing a social presence. Lastly, consider mobile apps and social/mobile/Internet advertising as part of your 2013 budget. Be realistic with your numbers and ask experts to define some of the cost associated.
Your Website Still MattersIt’s interesting to me that many businesses focus so much of their time and money on developing their social and mobile space and start to forget about...
Earlier this year, Google took new efforts to limit viruses and malware by introducing a new level of security to the Google Play Store to search for malicious code. However, even with the additional measures Google had an increase in malware and viruses in the 3rd Quarter making it the leading mobile device with the most possible apps that are consider malware or viruses. So of the malware available within an app that’s downloaded could steal images or information on your device, wipe you device clean or worst, view all of your text messages on the device. The next time you are looking to download an app, make sure it’s from a trusted developer before just clicking.
New LinkedIN SuccessWhile Facebook made many Internet companies especially in the social media market skeptical about ever going Public, LinkedIN leads the pack with continuing success. LinkedIN, considered the 3rd largest social network in the world and the #1 professional...
This past weekend was the first official weekend with Windows 8 on the market and analyst has speculated mixed reviews on both sides. We already knew this was going to be a HUGE leap for Windows with a very large learning curve for those who have been using Windows for years. The great things about the new W8 are its interactive, app driven, touch friendly and sync ready. However, with all these enhancements the learning curve is somewhat difficult starting with the live hidden sides where your setting on other information is. You have to get use to there being 4 sides on the PC with different programs under all. The good news is its innovative and forward thinking; bad news is the consumer ready for this kind of change for Windows.
iPad Mini Sold OutIf you were thinking the iPad was going to fail measurably than think again. Apple is reporting they have sold out of many models for the new iPad Mini. The iPad Minis with WIFI have been pushed at...
The highly anticipated Windows 8 is less than 24 hours from release and experts and analyst are starting to weight in on what this means for Microsoft. This has already been named the most important release in technology this year. It’s the difference between Microsoft’s continued decline of market share and profits or a huge comeback story for the once leading tech giant. In a conversation I was having with an attorney yesterday, he asked me just what the new Windows is going to mean to him. This is a very difficult question to answer because I believe Windows 8 means something different to everyone. The user experience from desktop, to tablet, to mobile is one Apple has defined. Microsoft has taken a stab at a completely different interface than previous years. Along with a new interface, Windows 8 comes with better security, better gaming performance thanks to the new Intel i5 and SoC microchips built into the devices, along with Microsoft driven...
Things in Farmville have been difficult, in fact it’s looking a lot like Mafia Wars. Zynga, the developer of major social games like Farmville, Mafia Wars, Words with Friends and more have made the decision to decrease their staff starting with the close of their Boston studio. They are also considering the closure of their UK and Japan studios. A letter from the CEO was sent to the entire staff letting them know of the major decreases in staff as the company repositions itself for the future. Zynga, a huge partner of Facebook has seen financial troubles for the past few months including a 20% decrease in sales says Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerburg.
SXSW VegasSouth by Southwest (SXSW) the major Austin-based tech/music/movie festival is expanding to the Sin City. The announcement came yesterday from SXSW saying there will be a new focus for SXSW Vegas on entrepreneurship. The Vegas conference has already been planned for August 3013 which is interesting...
This week will mark one of the largest weeks in technology history as almost every major technology company has a product, announcement, event or earnings report between today and October 29th. Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, Google and others are planning major product announcements while companies like Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Netflix have earning reports this week. Some of the big products being announced are Apple’s iPad Mini, Google’s Galaxy Note 2, Microsoft’s Windows 8, Surface and Windows 8 Phone, new Nexus phone from Google and LG, Nexus 7 Tablet, new tablet from Google and Samsung and more. If you are a technology junky than this is your kind of week.
Worst Customer Service, All Tech CompaniesNormally I stick to the topics of innovation and technology but a recent study really caught my attention. Early this week, Lifehacker.com polled hundreds to find out the worst companies in customer care and by my surprise all the companies were...
A new study from over 7000+ online shoppers shows Pinterest at the top of their list for purchasing. In the new study, shoppers use Pinterest for ideas on what to purchase and in many cases purchase directly from the social site. What’s more surprising is that Pinterest outpaced Facebook and Twitter by almost double among shoppers making their purchasing decisions. If you are a consumer based company-selling goods and you are not considering Pinterest than you should start developing a plan.
Ancestery.com SoldEvery time you see a ancestery.com commercial you consider joining to find out about Uncle Bob and his connections to the Russian mafia. Well those commercials could be changing a little as the major historical documentation site has sold to a European equity firm. The company said they plan to make technical changes to the site to boost performance and wanted to increase their user base. Ancestery.com currently has over two million subscribers...
You are probably asking yourself if you read that right? Myspace? Our featured video today is the teaser for the new slick, beautiful Myspace. Myspace was once considered the mega social site that skyrocketed the social media phenomenon and gave a platform for sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN. The new Myspace is clean and very music centric which has always been its calling card. In 2010, Myspace had an increase traffic of over 30% and with the new profile creation could be on its way back to becoming a heavyweight in the social world. Insiders say Myspace has been working with exclusive content deals with major record labels and music servicing site Spotify.
Moms Lead Mobile SpaceA new study shows that moms are leading the way in the mobile environment. The study shows that moms with children under 18 lead the way in texting (+15%), mobile web (+15%), social media (+19%), mobile banking (+10%), and mobile shopping (+8%). As small businesses...
The Silicon Valley buzz just got a little hire when new CEO of Yahoo Marissa Mayer announced the hiring of Ex-Google Executive Henrique De Castro who was most recently the President of Partners Business Solutions at Google. His 600K base salary is pennies compared to the bonuses and stock options he received in his new position at Yahoo. This is just one more major move Mayer has made in her pursuit to make Yahoo the biggest comeback story since Apple.
Amazon Gears Up for HolidaysAmazon is preparing for the holidays with the hiring of over 50,000 new jobs. The Seattle-based company Amazon currently has over 20,000 employees throughout the United States at over 40 distribution centers. Amazon has already been recognized as one of the top retail companies to work for paying their employees 30% more than the average retail pay with an increase of nearly 9% each year. Amazon also has a program to help their employees decide on their career...
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