If you think your company can afford NOT to have a mobile optimized website, check out some of these statistics:
Still think you don’t really need an optimized mobile website? Contact us today to find out more about what is a fully optimized mobile site.
Sources: Gartner, 2010; Google Mobile Optimization Webinar, 2011; Cisco, 2011
Are you like so tired of being sold? I am!!! It seems every time I turn around, someone is trying to sell me something! The energy and creativity that goes into “convincing” people to buy, buy, buy, buy… is exhaustive! I wonder why businesses spend so much time, effort and money trying to sell someone to buy.
Owning a Blackberry Mobile Smart Phone for many years, I was hesitant to switch to an Android platform, but really knew I needed to change to be able to effectively manage all my business communications, including social media interactions such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and more.
The problem: Blackberry was a great platform to manage my emails, as it synched seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook, both to my phone and my desktop. While I could write this article about using Outlook, it really comes down to personal choice. Outlook provides certain features that were very important to me, and I was not willing to sacrifice those features.
Switching to an Android would afford me up-to-date smart phone technology where access to social media sites would be a more pleasant user experience. Unfortunately, every time I called tech support of my wireless provider regarding these upgrade considerations, I got different answers as to how I could keep my Outlook, and have my phone and desktop in synch.
One day in July, while visiting my mom, I dropped my Blackberry and smashed the front of the screen. It was a Storm II, a complete touch screen. The contract on the phone had expired quite some time ago, and I knew I was faced with a decision. As I continue to build a social media business, providing strategies and implementation for clients, I really knew I needed to make the switch, and so, blindly, but with much caution, I made the switch.
It took almost two months to resolve my email synching issues, but thanks to Rackspace, and specifically Mike Hernandez and Yolanda Hernandez, I have finally arrived. (WOO HOO!!)
Solely through my own research, what I eventually learned after purchasing my Samsung Charge, was that the only way I could keep Outlook, and have my phone and desktop in synch, was by using Microsoft Hosted Exchange. What the heck is that? It’s a server version of Microsoft Outlook –which means it must be hosted. Hmm, I was faced with another problem and expense to evaluate.
Again, based on effectively running my social media and online marketing business, I decided to invest with a very well known provider, and purchased Outlook Exchange Hosting based solely on cost. They were less expensive than another choice. What a mistake!!! I never did get to a technician who could solve the mismanaged installation issues.
Rackspace to the resolution! WOW!!! is all I can say. Last week, I went through a second email installation switching from my original Outlook Exchange hosting provider to Rackspace. The professionalism and quality of service I received during this process is truly a rare experience in the technology industry.
Last Tuesday, I contacted Rackspace. My first technician helped me set up my account online, and then passed me to an installation specialist, Yolonda Hernandez. My original installation was SUCH a mess, so the first thing Yolonda helped me work through was some of the basic set up to insure this installation was clean. Due to time constraints, it was necessary for her to pass me to Mike Hernandez.
Mike provided top of the line, excellent service! He truly did an outstanding job in helping get my Outlook to function properly. I had several technical interferences with Outlook 2010 working properly with my desktop Windows 7 installation.
Mike’s in-depth knowledge of the Microsoft products was the key, because some of the issues I faced were with Microsoft security and user account permissions. Mike worked with me step by step, and never gave up, nor did he try to shift the cause of the problem to my Windows 7 desktop installation. He persisted, and the combination of his efforts and knowledge have resulted in a very successful implementation! THANK YOU MIKE!
I have several years of technology experience, and have worked with the technical support of many varying companies over the years. The experience I have had with Rackspace, thanks to Mike and Yolanda, has been truly an outstanding user experience.
I recommend Rackspace to anyone who is considering purchasing Outlook Hosted Exchange Services. Professionalism and knowledge, when combined, are powerful tools a company can employ to leverage themselves in their industry. Rackspace has apparently attracted the talent, and so while they may be a bit more expensive in comparison to other programs, the service they provide far outweighs the value of the savings.
Thanks Mike & , now I can get back to my business, and have finally made the long dreaded phone upgrade necessary for my business communications! -Many Blessings
Often I am asked, well what can I really expect from a social media effort? There is an investment of time and/or money, so how does social media monetize. What is the ROI (return on investment) for participating in social media?
Faced with this question, I will often ask, ‘What is the loss to your company for NOT doing social media?’ Social Media is a new media that has made its way into the main business sector. Larger companies are participating in engagement. The reason is they realize the potential:
“If you want an example of the power of social media, consider this: Starbucks gets 1.8 million visitors to their web site every month, Coca Cola some 270,000. By contrast, their Facebook pages get 19.4 million and 22.5 million respectively, just about 10 times the traffic. And every one of those people has given those companies permission to give them updates about their company, products and services.” –wallstreetjournal.com Warren Whitlock
The truth about Social Media is it is a platform to build awareness of your company’s brand. So what does that mean? Let’s think…How many brands of potato chips do you think exist? Well the truth is, only the ones that come to your mind. The truth is that there are over 80 brands of potato chips, but if you only know three or four, then the others really don’t exist. So Social Media helps your brand become a house hold name.
Social Media gives your brand an opportunity to engage. It is a platform to listen to your customers. Many companies utilize social media to manage their customer relations. It is so vital to your brand to be listening to the online chatter. Listening is truly the first and most important step of engaging in social media. So many brands are managing their custom service relations via social media. Today, the consumer has a louder voice than ever. Why? Because they have a viable platform to be heard…Social Media. Gone are the days of having to write to Eyewitness News 7 on Your Side or Oprah. All one really has to do to be heard is to do is make a post about a complaint of a service. I have witnessed this first hand on Facebook. A negative comment about a company could cause so much brand damage, that can literally turn off an entire sector or target market.
Social Media can grow a global presence. When you realize the statistics of a Facebook Active User or the statistics of participation of countries and sectors on LinkedIn and Twitter, you can quickly realize how your brand’s name can grow in recognition. Even if your market it not global, familiarity will never hurt your brand.
So Social Media is NOT a magic bullet. You may not see a dollar to dollar conversion. Social Media is an investment in your brand, much like any other advertising. Social Media is marketing, and so it properly belongs in the marketing budget! –Many Blessings to all!
As I return from an incredible 4 day trip from San Diego California, where I was honored to have the experience to meet my mentor, Mari Smith, as well as our fabulous VIP group, Kelly Aguliar, Melone Dodaro, Dawn Doherty, Lance Joe, Laren McMullen, (my great roomy), THE Kevin K. Lau, Kathi Rabil, Julia Senesac, Alan & Lani Voivod, Kay Walten, Debbie White, Carolyn Wilson (our resident Ausie) and Mari’s fabulous assistants, Lori Westbay and Susan Majoy, I am reflecting on the wonderful events and information I received throughout the process.
As I try to encapsulate into words all I learned during these last four days, I cannot even think of where to begin. Mari’s vision and direction of this weekend reflected her true gifts.
I could give you a line by line description of the events we experienced this weekend, however, my friends Alan and Lani Voivod have already done so eloquently on their blog at Epiphanies Inc.
The message I have chosen to add is focused on Mari’s approach to our experience. As we gathered as a group, began growing our relationships, there was an almost indescribable element that began to form. Business was shared, openly sharing our knowledge and strengths, furthering the good of the whole. People sharing technical knowledge, creative knowledge, years of knowledge of sales, the list of sharing was endless. I felt like a sponge soaking up information, learning new perspectives and information that I could then bring back to my corner of the world, and share with my community.
Mari could have chosen a traditional lecture style learning environment, which I think most of us may have expected. Instead she chose to use this opportunity to Mastermind together, allowing a natural flow of the process. Allowing the moments to be, instead of forcing them into some single idea of what they should be.
So what is THE “best” social media secret? People! It was the people who participated in this weekend that supplied its power and strength. So it is the people and the energy in these people that make Social Media powerful. Directing your social media efforts to be genuine, offer true value and be dedicated to the people you serve is the best way any one can use this platform. Branch out and connect with other people. Social Media removes the geographical boundaries and provides the stage to truly serve and join together. Thank you for joining me today. Thank you Mari for the lessons you taught by your vision. Thank you to all who shared with us on this retreat. –Many Blessings to all!