Codeproof: Mobile Security For Android And iOS Devices

Codeproof: Mobile Security For Android And iOS Devices
How to Stay Motivated When You Work From Home
10 Actions Customer Leaders Use To Achieve Success
5 Reasons To Pick Up The Curator Habit
Small Business Lending Up 11 Percent in October

Posted: 05 Dec 2012 01:00 PM PST

Security is often a top priority for businesses that own computers and other devices for their employees to use. But now that mobile technology is become increasingly prominent in many workplaces, employees are likely to do work from their own devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Though your company doesn't necessarily own these devices, they can still contain sensitive and important data that you want protected.

So how do you make sure these devices are secure?

This increasingly prominent issue is why Codeproof Technologies Inc. recently released its cloud-based mobile security system for Android and iOS devices.

Built on the Amazon cloud, Codeproof currently supports all Android phones and tablets, iPhones, iPads, and Kindle Fire tablets. Some of Codeproof's features include mobile antivirus protection, lost device detection, password and app restrictions, remote configuration of email and wifi, virtual private networks, and more.

The management platform is built to scale with your business as it grows, giving you security for both mobile devices and apps. And setting it up doesn't require you to have any major technical expertise or an in-house expert.

The basic Codeproof plan is free for one device. The premium account costs $2.99 per device per month or $29.99 per device per year. Once you've signed up, you simply enroll your devices by providing your Codeproof account information within the app.

You can log into the management console on your desktop or any other device and find real time data about the security of all devices and apps in your network. The system updates you if it detects any security threats such as malicious apps or jailbroken devices. And you can even check your overall system health and stats like most common apps or most recently downloaded apps.

In the photo above you can see a list of all the devices enrolled for "XYZ Corp." the mobile policy manager page shows all the devices by name and type. On this page, you can choose a device or group of devices and set configurations and policies meant to enforce security. For example, you could hide the camera or FaceTime apps or restrict in-app purchases on certain devices.

The idea of mobile security is still so new for many small businesses that it is often overlooked entirely. And since its such a growing part of many workplaces, keeping an interest in these devices, whether company-owned or employee-owned, is becoming an essential part of protecting company assets, data, and other resources.

Codeproof is based in Redmond, Washington and was founded last year by Satish Shetty, who formerly worked for Microsoft and McAfee.

The post Codeproof: Mobile Security For Android And iOS Devices appeared first on Small Business Trends.

How to Stay Motivated When You Work From Home

Posted: 05 Dec 2012 11:00 AM PST

Do you run your business from home? These days, more and more small businesses are going virtual, and some of the most successful small businesses are run entirely from home. With online conferencing and project management tools, websites where you can outsource to workers all over the world, and most clients now recognizing that working from home doesn't mean you're small potatoes, there's no reason not to be home-based.

But while working from home may no longer have the stigma it used to back in the 1980s or '90s, it brings with it its own set of challenges, as any home-based small business owner knows. After three years of working from home, my partners and I have learned a lot about staying energetic and motivated.

work from home

Here's what works for us:

Mingle

I struggled with working from home for a long time because I'm a social animal. I really missed rubbing shoulders with colleagues in the office like I used to as an employee, and I felt "stuck" and unmotivated. So I make it a point to schedule meetings with people pretty much every day, whether it's a potential client, a possible partner or just someone who wants to pick my brain (or will let me pick theirs). It gets me out of the office, and also drives new business.

Get Out of the House

One of my business partners is a hermit type who seemed made to work from home, but after a while even she started to hate facing her computer in the mornings. So she makes it a point to just get out of the house—not necessarily to meet with people, but just to run quick errands or meet a friend for lunch. We all need a change of scenery from time to time to inspire and energize us.

Group Similar Tasks

Going from email to writing a proposal to brainstorming with your partners and back again can scatter your energy, since your brain has to switch focus each time you change tasks. Instead, try grouping similar tasks. For instance, set aside one morning a week for a virtual team meeting; spend an hour returning phone calls and emails; block out a few hours to write a proposal. You'll get into the groove of each task you're doing and be more effective.

Automate Your Breaks

I was surprised how much more intense working at home can feel than working in an office. In an office, you've got natural breaks with employees interrupting you or simply walking down the hall to get coffee. At home, you can hunch over your computer for what seems like days on end. There are plenty of reminder tools online (Stretchclock is one I like) that you can set to remind yourself to get up and stretch every so often. There are also plenty of studies that spending time on Facebook or checking out cat videos online can actually improve your work performance (just be sure you limit it to 10 or 15 minutes so you don't get sucked in).

Get a Dog

It's easy to ignore those popup stretch reminders on your computer, isn't it? One home-based business owner I know admits he used to spend 12 hours at a stretch at his desk. Then he got a dog that needs to be walked twice a day and won't let him forget it. He can't believe how much more productive he is since he started taking those two quick breaks a day.

Exercise

I'm not an exercise junkie myself (I hate doing it actually) but my two partners swear getting in a daily workout makes them more effective. One loves to get it out of the way first thing in the morning before the emails start pouring in; the other loves using it as a quick midday break to clear her head. Figure out what works for you.

Do Home Stuff

For home-based women business owners in particular, a looming business deadline can sometimes make household chores like cleaning out the refrigerator look tempting by comparison. If a list of chores is weighing on (and distracting) you, jot them down and then take a quick (10 minute) break to put in a load of laundry, run the vacuum or wash the dishes. You'll get a break and kill two birds with one stone.

Recognize Your Work Style

One of the best benefits of working from home—and one reason so many entrepreneurs embrace it–is you don't have to force yourself into a 9-to-5 lifestyle if that's not your "bag." Figure out when and how you work best, whether that's getting up at 4:30 a.m. to answer client emails, taking 3 hours for dinner and kid time and then working late into the night, meditating once a day or working balanced on an exercise ball.

My partners and I have found our home-based work styles by trial and error. Trust your gut, and do the same.

Walking Dog Photo via Shutterstock

The post How to Stay Motivated When You Work From Home appeared first on Small Business Trends.

10 Actions Customer Leaders Use To Achieve Success

Posted: 05 Dec 2012 08:00 AM PST

Inspired customer leadership in the very best companies on earth came from the heart and soul of the impassioned leader of the organization who had an instinct on where to take the business for customers, and absolute clarity on how to inspire the organization to make it happen. These companies all started small, and it was the personal mission of the person at the helm who inspiration drove the business to where it is today.

Lands' End, for example, when it began started in a humble walk up building in Chicago's sailing hardware district – and it was Gary Comer's personal vision that moved the company forward. In fact, even as they grew, he pulled them back to their roots, saying:

"Think small, think one customer at a time…the rest will take care of itself."

And it did:

“One day Gary Comer went into his office, and he emerged carrying with him a yellow pad on which he had written "The Lands' End Principles of Doing Business." These were an important beacon for all of us. They have stood the test of time and remain on the Lands' End Web site. There are eight principles covering product creation and pricing, why returns are accepted for any reason at any time, and the power of the guarantee. The "Principles of Doing Business" guided us as they translated Gary's gut and guts about the business into actions we could follow. It galvanized us as an organization.” ~ Chief Customer Officer: Getting Past Lip Service to Passionate Action

Customer leaders have two traits that set them and their companies apart – they have gut and guts:

“Customer leaders need the guts of a salmon. Think about it. The salmon goes head first against the current. It pushes on to its destination, unscathed by resistant forces. The salmon leader turns the company from facing itself to facing its customers. Salmon leaders use business meetings to guide and challenge people to understand how what they're doing affects the customer. Salmon leaders constantly ask if the tactics being served up are connected across the organization. Salmon leaders are not afraid to trade short-term profits for long-term gains with customers. They know how to explain the commitment to the board and the company so that they can transfer this clarity to everyone else.” ~ Chief Customer Officer: Getting Past Lip Service to Passionate Action

Take a page from the actions of customer leaders with gut and guts. These ten actions will put your personal stamp on your relationship with customers:

1. Know What You Want to be to Your Customers

Your business otherwise will continue to run on auto-pilot, the functions of each of your operating areas (service, support, marketing, operations, sales, etc) churning out what they do – without much real conversation about what it all means to customers, and how it affects them. Like the leader with gut, take the time to stew about it and gain the clarity of how you want your customers to think of you and what greater purpose you are performing for them.

2. Communicate That Purpose for Your Business

This may sound obvious, but it's amazing how many companies have every part of their company defining what they do separately – the parts don't add up for customers. For example, one emerging home builder changed his mission from 'building contractor' to 'delivering on the American Dream.' That was as much for his internal team (probably more) than for customers. Do this litmus test to see how connected your company is in knowing the higher mission they all collectively serve for your customers. The next ten people you speak to, simply ask them, "What's your job?" and "What's our collective job?" You'll be surprised at the varied answers you'll get. No wonder – if you haven't been the beacon for them telling them where you're headed, they'll chart their own course. They'll decide on their own where they're taking your company for customers.

3. Establish Guidelines for How to Treat Customers

Consider the various dimensions of your business and make a set of statements about how each one of them should show up to customers. Be clear about what the frame of reference should be in people's minds for making decisions about each dimension and what your standards for customer treatment are.

4. Listen to the Front Line and Talk to Customers Regularly

The frontline is talking to your customers every day. On a regular basis, sit yourself down in the center of them and ask them what the key issues are. But don't just listen. Write down the issues and get someone assigned to taking care of the major ones. Then personally reach out to customers to understand at a greater level of granularity just what is happening so you know what to do about it. Then fix the issues. This is simple, it works, and it puts your skin in the game. When you let your company and customers know of your direct understanding and involvement in resolving these issues it will have an impact and it will set a standard and an example people will emulate.

5. Track and Trend Complaints and do Something About Them

Beyond the conversations you have with the frontline, give them some sort of tool to track and trend those issues. By doing this, you have an immediate "hand on the throttle" management device for steering your company. As you track this feedback month after month and year after year, the trends will help you understand in more detail what your customer needs are. Most importantly, this type of discipline will let you take "real time" action on resolving issues that may be sending your customers away. I know that everyone wants to survey their customers – but really – we've exhausted our customers with the mass that goes out with no apparent action that follows. If you must survey to get that statistical data we all crave, you will find that it validates what you will have already found out by trending and tracking customer complaints and issues. In fact, if your survey is telling you new things you don't know – you're just way too distant from your customers – and in a most precarious position in your relationships with them.

6. Know Your Customer Segments and How Their Needs Vary

Especially where resources are tight, you will want to cluster your customers by how much revenue they generate and their profitability. From these clusters, you should identify commonalities in what they need from you. The intention is never to under-serve those with lesser profitability potential – but you must absolutely be aware of those power players on whom your livelihood may be most dependent. Once you know these clusters, you can come up with creative ways for serving them – allocating resources in sync with financial outcomes. For example, you may have a wide number of smaller customers who, rather than sending out an individual to call on them separately, can be brought together for a networking event that benefits them all and reduces your cost for servicing them.

7. Give the Front Line the Training, Support and Tools to do Their Jobs

The frontline is the company to your customers. This is not the place to cut costs. Ensure that you allocate ample resources to ensure that they have what they need to give your customers what they need. This means ample communication from you (that won't cost a thing), but also the right training, skill development and technology resources. There's nothing worse, for example, than putting a customer through watching their sales rep struggle with slow response time or inadequate support materials, or listening to a service operator struggling with a system to find customer information.

8. Conduct a Quarterly or Monthly Customer Loss Review Meeting

This is a potent profit management technique you can begin today. To prep for this meeting, compile the data on customer defections so that you know which customers you lost and why. In addition, assign your key lieutenants to make outbound calls to up to ten customers who have left during the month or quarter to find you why they left. There's nothing quite as compelling as a customer speaking right to someone who has accountability for making something happen. Customers are often so amazed by the effort that they consider trying the company again. After the calls have been completed, convene the meeting to discuss what's happening with your customers and what is driving them away. In that meeting get alignment on how to prioritize the issues and assign accountability. Use subsequent loss review meetings to track progress on resolving issues, continuing the process of calling customers who defected.

9. Keep Track of Your Customers

You should know the flow of your customers in and out of your business. It's the easiest way to make customers in terms of a 'score' people can follow and you can constantly keep top of mind. Find a way to figure out how to constantly track, actively discuss and manage these five things about your customers. These are "guerrilla metrics," they help you power the customer onto the agenda of your business:

Metric 1 – New Customers – Volume and Value
Metric 2 – Lost Customers – Volume and Value
Metric 3 – Renewals with Reasons
Metric 4 – Revenue and Profitability by Customer Group
Metric 5 – Referrals by Customer Group

10. Prove it With Your Actions

Finally, take the actions that are good for your customers. Make clear decision decisions that put the customer first – then let EVERYONE know what they are – your customers, your suppliers and most importantly, your company. This is what people are looking for – to see if there's more behind the customer commitment than lip service.

You need to prove that there is.

Image credit: Lands’ End

The post 10 Actions Customer Leaders Use To Achieve Success appeared first on Small Business Trends.

5 Reasons To Pick Up The Curator Habit

Posted: 05 Dec 2012 05:00 AM PST

Between blog posts, social media updates, daily blog reading, and reading other people's social stream – feeding your content marketing efforts has become overwhelming. There's too much content to create for too many sources. There's no way to do it all.

You're right. So why not combine some of your efforts and make your life a little easier?

One way to lighten your content writing load is by becoming a trusted curator. Instead of putting the burden on yourself to write the content, you can take advantage of the content others are creating (and you're already reading) in your industry by sharing links, pointing your readers to third-party resources, and highlighting the smart things that others are saying.

Why should SMBs look to picking up the content curator habit?

Below are five powerful benefits.

1. It's Easier On Your Back

As mentioned above, becoming a content curator takes some of the production load off your business, by allowing you to focus on sharing instead of the heavy lifting. If you took our earlier advice, you're already reading blogs on a regular (maybe even daily) basis. So why not help your audience by acting as their filter and posting a list of the articles that you found most useful over the past week. Work it into your daily reading pattern by keeping a document open you can drop links in as you find them. Then, at the end of the week, you have something you can post without investing too much extra time, perhaps just adding a few sentences as to why you found that link useful/relevant.

2. Reduce Costs

Hey, not only is content creation not free, it's also not cheap. The time you spend writing, creating or purchasing images, or editing content all adds up. By taking some of the burden off yourself, you also remove some of the cost. When you can publish a link post in 20 minutes instead of dedicating four hours to creating something from scratch, that's four hours you can spend in your business. It's also content you didn't have to pay a trained writer to help you with.

3. Diversifies your Perspective

Of course, being a content curator isn't just about ease. It's also about the new perspective it brings to your audience.

By sharing what you're reading, you broaden the view of the world for folks who look to you for advice and expose them to new voices. They may be familiar with your take on the industry, but now they're able to hear it from others as well and benefit from that different perspective and their different experiences. As a blogging business owners, this is perhaps one of the best things you can do to help educate your audience.

4. Builds Relationships

You know what happens when you start linking out to other authority sites in your industry? They notice. And then they start checking out your blog. And your website. And they start linking back and talk to you.

Strategically featuring third-party content on your site or in your marketing is a great way to build relationships in your industry and let others know that (a) you exist and (b) that you like what they're doing. And don't be surprised when they return the favor.

5. Adds Value

The best reason to pick up the content curating habit is an easy one. It simply adds value to those in your industry by being their filter and introducing them to only the good bits. Just like you, you're readers are busy, too. They don't have time to read every blog out there related to your industry. By helping separate the signal from the noise you do them a great service and add value to their day, giving them a steady flow of munchable content to serve their needs. You'll also ensure that they'll keep coming back to your blog to see what juicy nuggets you've found for them today.

How can you work curation into your content habits?

Use tools like Google Alerts, Google Reader, Twitter, Facebook, and other social sources to help you find fresh, relevant content
Create a weekly blog series where you pick out the best posts from the last week and share them with your audience.
Add curated links to content you write to add depth and additional insight.
Create an email newsletter designed to "catch up" your readers on what they may have missed.
Use curated links to feed your social media updates.
Create a Scoop.it or Storify account to help you organize your curated finds and share them throughout the day

Content curation isn't an easy job. It takes time to sift through blog posts to find the articles that truly deserve attention and merit. However, it's an important one and a task that should be used in conjunction with other content efforts.

Do you make it a habit to be a content curator?

The post 5 Reasons To Pick Up The Curator Habit appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Small Business Lending Up 11 Percent in October

Posted: 05 Dec 2012 02:30 AM PST

Small businesses use many resources when trying to expand. Experts see a recent increase in small business lending as a sign small firms may be preparing to start hiring. But there are many ways you can grow your business besides going into debt, especially in economically uncertain times. Today we look at businesses gearing up for growth with increased financing and then examine some of the other tools at entrepreneurs’ fingertips to build a more profitable future.

Ready to Explode

Rob Peter to pay Paul. PayNet, an organization providing small business credit ratings, reported earlier this week that small business lending is up by 11 percent. One possible explanation is that these businesses are gearing up for more hiring, a conclusion that could be borne out by a report from the U.S. Labor Department later this week. If so, it’s good news as far as lowering unemployment numbers. But it also means more debt for businesses in an uncertain economy. Here are some other ways to boost your business without robbing Peter to pay Paul. Washington Post

Get your house in order. Digital media consultant Aliza Sherman gives some tips to get your business “fired up” for 2013, especially the traditionally slow time right after the New Year, without making substantial additional investments. Sherman suggests maximizing your opportunities, stretching out deadlines, pushing for payments, and avoiding procrastination when invoicing during the Holiday season. Work on getting the most you can from your business now while preparing to hit the ground running in January. Your Digital Diva

The Latest and Greatest

Overhaul your online store. It’s easier than ever to join the e-commerce revolution, and Danny Pajevic can show you how. In this post, Danny explains how to add profit to your online business with the new Checkout by Amazon feature. This blog post looks at the details of partnering with the Internet’s largest retailer and Danny even offers a tutorial video to show you how to get started. With more customers buying online, it’s easy to see the benefits of adding more e-commerce capability to your business today. Creating a Webstore

Testing one, two, three. You probably already know about many of the techniques that can improve revenue in your business. We’ll talk about some of the more common strategies you should already be using later in this roundup. But one tool that might not immediately come to mind is the podcast. Here solopreneur Kelly McCausey gives you five unique ways podcasts can boost your business and takes you step by step through each to show you how you can make them work for you too. The Future of Ink

Better and Better

Make the move to mobile. The importance of mobile cannot be overstated. Guest blogger Chrissie Cole starts with some simple questions to gauge how mobile your online presence is already. Then she shares some statistics that explain why mobile marketing will give your business an advantage. But perhaps more importantly, these numbers will show you why businesses that don’t use mobile marketing effectively find themselves at a considerable disadvantage in the current marketplace. Get Busy Media

Effective e-mail strategy. Despite all the new tools and strategies, some comparatively old-school approaches can still boost your profits if executed well. Best of all, they cost little more than time and effort and so won’t drain your bank account or add to your debt. Take e-mail marketing, for example. Still a favorite among retailers this time of year, e-mail is inexpensive and effective. Here Rieva Lesonsky tells us how to get the most out of an e-mail campaign. Grow Smart Biz

Content is still king. Content marketing has changed a lot over the years, but it still remains an effective strategy. Sure, video and visuals in general are more important than ever when using content marketing to grow your business. But diving deeper, Joe Pulizzi shares with us more than 100 predictions about how content and social media marketing will be transformed in the coming year. No doubt you already use some kind of content marketing in your business. Gaze into this crystal ball for a look at the future. Content Marketing Institute

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