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10 Coolest Tech Gadgets to Seal the Deal

Tue, 01 May 2012 07:30:00 EDT

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Up sell. Down sell. Cross sell and short sell. You'd think with all the selling going on, we would actually, well, know without question how to do it. But study up like I do on the Mozarts of moving merchandise -- the Steve Jobs, the Larry Ellisons, the Ron Popeils of the world -- and you realize that nobody's way is the way.

Steve was Steve, so Apple is Apple. Ellison rewrote Oracle as a chapter in The Art of War: ruthlessly marching the troops, slashing prices and supposedly torturing the staff on the weekends. And Popeil? He is my favorite, a legit American sales genius. The man could literally sell anything. Don't believe it? Just try hawking something called "Mr. Microphone" and see how that works for you. But Ron made millions with nothing more than cheap commercials running in the middle of the night.

These all-time greats have at least one thing in common: They used the tools at hand to get their message across and close the deal. ...

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Party Model Delivers for Some Direct Sellers

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:30:00 EDT

CHICAGO (MainStreet) -- Is it possible to mix business with pleasure? Tupperware built a multinational company based on that very proposition. By calling their sales events "parties" and distributing their products through pre-Facebook-era social networks, Tupperware pioneered the business model known as direct selling.

Today, when more and more consumer products are bought online or at discount megastores, direct selling may seem like a holdover from the pre-digital past. But some small retail start-ups continue to choose direct selling as their distribution model. And in certain cases, the tough economic times actually helped fuel their growth. Tupperware built a multinational company based on direct selling. Does it work in an age of digital social media?

For a new business owner, direct selling has clear cost benefits. You don't need to lease retail space or pay employee salaries. Independent sales consultants, who work on commission, market your products through word of mouth, which saves on advertising costs. ...

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Google Drive Is Fine and That Doesn't Matter

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:30:00 EDT

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- I guess you could call me The Digital Skeptic. (You'll have to imagine the trademark symbol after that.)

See, during the valuation hype surrounding digital darlings such as Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, I thought maybe -- just maybe -- someone should be wondering aloud if this whole digital economy thing is not going to pay off. No matter how clever Google Drive is, when you take a look at the market you'll see a flood of competition will likely strip it of any real value.

So I took a flyer and trademarked the term "The Digital Skeptic." It's as good a phrase as I could think of to describe my dim view of the prospects of the digital age. And I sat back and waited for something that called out for a skeptic's view. ...

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Going Green? Make It Official

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:29:34 EDT

CHICAGO (MainStreet) -- When the first Earth Day was held in 1970, it was a grassroots, people-powered movement, with events organized by environmental activists and conservation-minded students. Corporate America was kept on the sidelines.

Fast-forward 40 years, and U.S. companies are eager to align themselves with the Earth Day spirit. Major international corporations from GE to Cargill to Coca-Cola brag about their sustainability initiatives on their websites, while the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has made energy conservation a central message of its corporate marketing. Being environmentally conscious is seen as being good for business, but it's important to prove it's not just talk.

Unlike 1970, many of the Earth Day events we saw Sunday were paid for through corporate sponsorship. Which means going green is seen as being good for business. ...

Windows Trips Up H-P's Giant 'iPad' Bet

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:30:00 EDT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- There's an old vaudeville saw: For every two minutes of glamour, there's eight hours of pain and frustration. As Meg Whitman and Hewlett-Packard try to add some Apple-like glamour to their song and dance, they'll probably tell you that ratio is about right.

Pretend for a sec you're Whitman, the top star at computer giant H-P. Since PCs and software are stuck in the dumps between commodity and free service, the future is clear: Do what Apple does -- develop some star power with a stylish, integrated software and hardware experience that consumers throng to. The HP TouchSmart 9300 PC packs serious business punch -- including an Intel Core i7 processor and full terabyte of storage -- as well as touch-based controls.

Not surprisingly, H-P investors also want a piece of the Apple limelight. Whitman was peppered by such demands from shareholders this year at the company's annual conference. Even though H-P spends a billion dollars more per year than Apple on research and development, Macs succeed and H-P products don't. What up with that? ...

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3 Tips to Make a Small-Business Website a Winner

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:47:33 EDT

CHICAGO (TheStreet) - Oscar fever has long since faded, but that doesn't mean awards season is over. Nominations were recently announced for the annual Webby Awards, honors handed out by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences to recognize the best work being done online. (You can see a list of all the nominees here).

Befitting the democratic nature of the Internet, there are plenty of small companies and organizations in the running alongside heavy-hitters such as Google, proving that you don't need a massive budget or in-house creative team to make a big impression. Making a small business website work takes a little bit of humor and some bonuses for customers.

Why do the Webbys matter? A well-designed website isn't just about impressing the digital creative pros. It is a small business's virtual front door, telling potential customers and partners what they need to know about the company's brand, mission and attitude. As the best of the best, Webby-nominated websites can serve as inspiration for others to follow. ...

Google Wants Your Video Advertising: Exclusive

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 06:00:00 EDT

NEW YORK (MainStreet) - Google is continuing its push to get small businesses online with plans to officially roll out a streamlined advertising program in May through YouTube (owned by the giant search engine) that it hopes will result in more small companies creating video commercials. (Those are the ones generally seen before an actual video.)

Called AdWords for video, the self-service ad buying platform was designed specifically with small businesses in mind. Through the platform, companies can create and manage a video campaign in the same way they would for search ads. The company introduced a test version of the program in the fall.

The AdWords for video product is part of a broader Google-wide initiative to help small businesses get online. During the past year, Google has set its sights on offering more products, services and support to the segment, it says. ...

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AT&T's Business App Center Deserves a Look

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:33:35 EDT

LAS VEGAS TheStreet -- Chris Hill started working for a phone company back in 1977. Today, he works for a business software company.

But the thing is, Hill hasn't changed jobs. He still works for AT&T.

"Talk to everyone here. From the CEO on down, you won't hear a person talking about this business as a phone business," Hill said. "We are a business services firm. Phones help us do that, but we are a software services company." ...

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Get Ready for Free Tax-Prep Software That Actually Works

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:00:00 EDT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- I will leave Intuit's fate to better minds. But considering how good free business accounting tools like Wave Accounting are becoming, it's a safe bet the company won't be bumping up prices for business ledger management software like QuickBooks.

The Web era's "everything-as-ad-supported-medium" business ethic has found an odd new niche: business accounting software. Never mind that excellent business ledger tools are cheap. Intuit and Outright, both based in Mountain View, Calif., and Vancouver's Kashoo offer powerful accounting tools for about $10 a month.

9 Stocks That Prove Dividends Make All the Difference ...

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Build a Mobile App Consumers Will Love

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:45:00 EST

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- If it hasn't already done so, Apple's iPad 3 should have small-business owners rethinking how they run their businesses to incorporate mobile technology.

Apple is expected to announce its new iPad on Wednesday. With the revealing of what features the tablet will add, now may be the time for business owners to consider launching their own mobile app. With the imminent revealing of the iPad3, it may be time for business owners to consider launching their own mobile app.

Phil Rampulla, founder of The Material Group, shares features that make for a good app and how to do it without spending a ton of money. ...

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Why Every Small Business Needs an iPad

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:45:00 EST

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Running a small business through a tablet or smartphone is quickly becoming the norm for savvy business owners. While some may have originally bought the gadgets simply for the "cool factor," users say the productivity and efficiency from the many apps available has been a welcome surprise.

For small-business owners reluctant to use tablets and smartphones for tasks simple and complex, now -- with the imminent release of the Apple iPad 3 -- may be the time to get aboard. (Apple is expected to announce the new version Wednesday.) Small-business owners reluctant to use tablets and smartphones and their accompanying apps may find that now may be the time to get aboard.

It's clear the iPad and exploding app marketplace are useful small-business tools, says Mike Pugh, vice president of marketing at j2 Global. The company provides cloud-based services and tools, including mobile apps, so businesses can work more efficiently whether in an office or mobile. ...

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Why Businesses Need GPS Tracking Services

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 07:45:00 EST

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Provider Enterprises has an important job to do. Through their 250-vehicle fleet of buses, the company is charged with the safe transportation of special-needs students to and from schools throughout New Hampshire. It serves more than 1,700 children daily.

The company is roughly 25 years old, but in 2008, it decided to implement GPS-based fleet tracking technology -- at first to monitor the location of its fleet for routing and quality-control purposes, it says. Provider soon realized the benefits of having the technology at their disposal, though, including cost savings in fuel and labor and improved bus driver routing, student safety and carbon footprint reduction, it says. With gas prices through the roof, incorporating GPS can lower fuel costs and improve efficiency.

In its first year alone, it saved $50,000 in fuel expenses. ...

Site Lets Small Firms Hedge Fuel Costs (Updated)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:53:35 EST

This story was originally published on March 26, 2011. It has been updated to include new information about the company.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (TheStreet) -- Small and midsize businesses hurt by rising fuel prices can follow a risk-management strategy once available only to large companies. ...

6 Year-End Tax Tips for Businesses

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:45:00 EST

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Whether it's for personal or business tax returns, tax time can be daunting.

The Internal Revenue Service has carved out a section of its Web site designed specifically to help small businesses file their taxes correctly. The tax code is fluid and there are always exemptions being made -- and taken away -- during any given year. Business owners still have a week to take advantage of several deductions or credits to reduce taxes this year.

For one, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 contains several tax provisions that took effect this year, while others will be implemented over the next few years. ...

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How to Escape a Holiday Mail Mess

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:45:00 EST

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Small businesses have enough to think about during the busy holiday season; worrying if a carrier is going to be able to accommodate shipping needs shouldn't be one of them.

Steve Leavitt, COO of Unishippers, a third-party shipping adviser to small businesses, says that because commercial shipping orders go through some of the same carriers handling residential delivery, including UPS and FedEx, businesses should prepare for the added carrier responsibilities.

Unishippers acts like a liaison between small businesses and carriers. It has relationships with more than 30 carriers in which it has secured discounted rates for business-to-business customers whether it's for ground, freight, international or express-type deliveries. ...

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