Sage One Gets Enhancements to Appeal to More Small Businesses |  |
- Sage One Gets Enhancements to Appeal to More Small Businesses
- Affiliate Marketing: Key to eCommerce Revenue Growth
- Ebay Now Brings Same Day Delivery to PC, More Cities
- Social Recruitment: Go Social, Be Mobile, Get Hired, Move Ahead
- Google Introduces Lighter, Thinner, More Powerful Nexus 7
- No Ifs, Ands or Butts: Get Your Employees Fit!
| Sage One Gets Enhancements to Appeal to More Small Businesses Posted: 25 Jul 2013 08:59 PM PDT
Annual customer conferences are typically a time to announce new products and enhancements to existing products. And the 2013 Sage Summit is no exception. The software company announced this week that Sage One, its cloud-based accounting, project management and invoicing solution for small businesses, is getting enhancements. According to Mike Savory, Sage One Product Manager for Sage North America, an iPhone app is coming in August. The mobile app is something business owners asked for so that they can perform work on the go, no matter where they are. Then the fourth quarter of 2013 will see the introduction of Sage One Accountants Edition. This is a module that will allow a business owner’s accountant or outside bookkeeper to log in securely to the business’s financial records on the Sage One cloud platform. There will be no charge for an accountant to use the Accountants Edition. It will make the product more efficient for small businesses so that they don’t have to manually pass accounting records back and forth with their outside accountants. A Canadian version of Sage One is also coming in the fourth quarter of 2013. It will have bilingual (French and English) support, as well as integration with Canadian banks. Adding High End and Low End EditionsIn addition, two new levels of the product will be launched. This autumn will see the launch of Sage One Basic in the United States. Sage One Basic will consist of a streamlined, online invoicing and payments application. It will carry a lower price point than the existing product, which is priced at $24 per month. In 2014 a higher-end level is coming, called Sage One Extra. Sage One Extra will be a “true multi-user system” says Savory, and will add additional features. According to Connie Certusi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Small Business Solutions for Sage North America, Sage One Extra will be more attractive to somewhat larger small businesses. Currently the sweet spot for Sage One is for a small business with under 10 employees, although businesses up to 20 employees may also use it today. Sage One Extra edition will include more inventory management capability and other features appealing to the larger end of that range, up to around the 25-employee business, Certusi said. The addition of Sage One Payroll in 2014 will also increase the appeal to small businesses that have a number of employees.
Sage One at Sage Summit 2013 Sage One: A Young ProductSage One was launched in the United States in the spring of 2012. Since then it has seen several enhancements. Among the added enhancements is the ability to accept mobile payments and electronic payments on invoices, as we reported in February. The company also added bank integration this year. Customers can now download transactions from over 10,000 banks in the United States and import them into the Sage One online system (avoiding manual keying of data for each banking transaction). Behind the scenes the product was also completely reworked to use a common global technology platform. Savory told us in an interview, “That’s not something customers see, but it’s important because it will allow us to speed up product enhancements going forward.” Sage has a presence globally. In the past each Sage country unit more or less created its own technology – now they will share common technology on the back end. ”On the front end there will always be product differences because of differences in the way business is conducted in different countries, different languages, different tax jurisdictions and different currencies,” Savory said. Enhancing the product is something that goes on continually, Savory added. ”We employ ‘agile development’ and make a regular stream of product improvements every two weeks, based on customer feedback.” Analysts and small business experts we talked with at the conference generally were positive on Sage One and the product direction. However, they see Sage North America as having work ahead of it to increase market adoption. Said Laurie McCabe, an analyst and Partner in the SMB Group, “CEO Pascal Houillon has been proven right in his strategy of unifying under one brand name [Sage] in order for Sage North America to gain market awareness and grow. One of Sage’s challenges is how to get new customers. Sage One is one of several answers. With that product they’re drawing in the small business that today is using paper or spreadsheets.” But, she adds, Sage One’s current situation demonstrates how much work is left, as well as how much opportunity is available. Out of Sage’s two million customers worldwide, about 10,000 use the Sage One product — “a small number when you think of how many millions of very small businesses are in the United States. It demonstrates a market opportunity. But to capture that opportunity the company needs to increase awareness. They also need to be found in every app marketplace out there — the Google Apps Marketplace, and more.” Expert Barry Moltz agrees that Sage North America needs to “get the name out there” more. ”Awareness among really small businesses is the key.” Sanjeev Aggarwal, Founder of the SMB Group, suggests that one avenue toward expanding awareness could be developer partners. Sage One is now poised for developer partners to “add value to the product.” He adds, “Sage has created the building blocks for developers to step up and extend Sage One by adding features and integrating with other products.” Image: Sage NA, Sage One at Sage Summit 2013 (full sign reads “Gain the freedom to achieve your ambitions”) The post Sage One Gets Enhancements to Appeal to More Small Businesses appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Affiliate Marketing: Key to eCommerce Revenue Growth Posted: 25 Jul 2013 04:00 PM PDT
If you are planning on using affiliate marketing and are wondering if it really works then the answer is, yes it does work. However, it takes time and effort to set up. But the obvious question is "Why" should you use affiliate marketing? Because:
Let’s move onto "How" to go about affiliate marketing. There are several types of affiliate programs. However, the most important is to develop a creative advertising strategy. Let’s start with a few to expand your eCommerce business. Ad BannersBanner ads are the most predominant type. Affiliate managers should establish multiple sets of ad banners. One set should feature standard branding and the other set should emphasis various things such as seasonal promotions or product categories. It is important to set dynamic banners, which are ads merchandised by affiliate managers that the affiliate places on their site. It’s quite similar to ad network and display. For instance, affiliate managers can update the set of dynamic banners to feature engagement rings during the wedding season or attractive gifts during Christmas. WidgetsWidgets are ads that interact with customers or the website page they reside on. If an affiliate manager puts a search box on their site, then consumers enter in a search term and are automatically delivered to a page of search results on that site. For example, if a customer wants a particular food recipe, the search widget offered by Foodily can share menus, recipes and everything related to that particular food item. BloggersMost blogs have a sidebar and the majority of affiliate traffic originates from posts. Therefore, the goal should be to include your brand in the body of a post. One of the best ways to implement this is to fish for product reviews. Identify blogs whose viewers match your target demographic and reach out to offer your products for review. But, know that not every blogger who accepts your products will actually write a review. Search MarketersInstead of pre-written content you provide to bloggers, search marketers simply require your best-selling products, your landing pages and your conversion rates. Provide them with effective Adwords copies as they are great in getting top-ranked results. The positioning is wasted if the ad copy they use is inconsistent with the marketing message you want to convey. The best option is to put together 'search kits' around each of your broad product categories and for each of these categories, list your best selling products, keywords, associated landing pages and ad copy. Remember that search marketers are using their own budgets to drive traffic to your site. The best part is that you are expanding your reach and seizing more real estate in search results. Once you establish a healthy relationship, you can coordinate efforts and secure multiple placements on distinct search, fencing out your competitors. The next question is, how will you promote your newly-launched program? Affiliate networks generally list newly launched programs on the main page of the affiliate interface. Many affiliate networks also offer paid announcement opportunities such as an email to all affiliates featuring your program or ad banner placement within the affiliate platform. For instance, if you want to launch your program on ShareASale, you can pay to advertise it through a banner on the affiliate home page, the data feed page, within the network directory. A Best Web is a paid option that allows you to announce your program in its forums. This forum facilitates two-way discussion by enabling affiliates to post questions and comments. Such conversion creates a more engaging relationship which benefits affiliate managers in the long run. Another option is to submit your program to different affiliate directories. They are searchable online directories that enable affiliates to locate relevant affiliate programs based on specific products or keywords. The practice of inviting your customers to join the affiliate program is an option. By inviting your customers, you are incentivizing them to promote your products to audiences through different social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest. However, you may have to walk them through the affiliate application process and guide them. Gradually you will realize that converting a loyal customer into an incentivized brand advocate strengthens their voice. Affiliate marketing can extend your venture to a wider array of audiences. Affiliate Marketing Sign Photo via Shutterstock The post Affiliate Marketing: Key to eCommerce Revenue Growth appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Ebay Now Brings Same Day Delivery to PC, More Cities Posted: 25 Jul 2013 01:30 PM PDT
If you’re in the ecommerce business, it’s time to take note. Ebay recently announced a new PC version to its popular Ebay Now mobile app and expansion of its same day service to more cities. The service once available only on iOS and Android and only to customers in San Francisco, New York and San Jose can now be accessed on your laptop. Service was added to the Bay Area Peninsula, Brooklyn and Queens as of Monday’s announcement with Chicago and Dallas to come on line later this summer. Ebay Same Day Delivery: What It IsSo what is Ebay Now? Well, last summer Ebay launched the new service in beta on iOS only. It allowed users in the San Francisco area to shop for local products and have them delivered by courier in about an hour. The service costs $5 per order with a minimum $25 purchase. Today Ebay Now has expanded to include an Android app, more cities and products from a wide variety of brands. Why It’s ImportantEbay Now is much more than an effort to compete with chief rival Amazon on same day delivery, as suggested in a recent post at Venture Beat. In its announcement earlier this week, the company said it will seek to integrate in-store delivery and work with more local small businesses as the service expands. Review site Yelp announced another service to work with small businesses earlier this month. The news also signals a need for ecommerce to concentrate on local markets and integrate mobile and PC-based Web presence. Ebay says its new service is aimed at the 75 percent of retail spending that happens within 15 miles of home. Dane Glasgow, eBay's VP of Mobile and Local, told TechCrunch that purchases from customers who visit Ebay on both their PC and mobile devices account for 44 percent of the site’s sales volume. Image: eBay Blog The post Ebay Now Brings Same Day Delivery to PC, More Cities appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Social Recruitment: Go Social, Be Mobile, Get Hired, Move Ahead Posted: 25 Jul 2013 11:00 AM PDT
If you have any reservations or doubts about the importance of social media for job search, career development and networking you are seriously vulnerable and compromising your potential for advancement and success. Social recruitment is not only viable and working but it is going to be a key job and career practice and tool used to research, screen, hire and qualify candidates moving forward. Why You Should Be Aware of Social RecruitmentAre your social sites ready to be viewed by job seekers, your current employer or a prospective employer? If not, get them and yourself ready now.
Companies are increasingly using social recruiting to source candidates for employment, as well as to investigate applicants they are considering hiring. If you are not socially and mobile savvy, in addition to going in person, regardless of your age or generation, you are missing out on a substantial 50% of your career and job opportunities. The 21st century job and career landscape is dense, wide, diverse and challenging for anyone, but it's also rich, full of potential and opportunity. Social media, mobile tools and apps offer bridges and highways to cross and travel to meet people, explore, connect and build relationships in between phone calls and in person networking. Forbes career journalist Jacqueline Smith writes:
Twenty nine percent of surveyed hiring managers found something positive on a profile that drove them to offer the candidate a job. More proof that monitoring your online presence is critical. Searching company Twitter feeds, Facebook pages and LinkedIn Groups dramatically improves the odds of finding job opportunities that are not posted on job boards. They are often shared between connections, so making smart ones is critical, especially on LinkedIn. I was recently connected to 15 year career professional Chris Russell, who I believe has a smart, timely site called CareerCloud.com, that connects job seekers to employers with social tools and mobile apps. Chris knows the hiring and job search process well through his background and has created a great blend of tools, templates and apps for today's social and mobile job seeker and companies looking for them. They are designed to maximize online and social connections for job seekers but especially younger workers and college grads, most comfortable with the online and social technologies. They make it easier for older workers to learn and use the simple templates and easy connectivity tools for job search too. Their Social Resume, Jobs with Friends and custom apps features aggregate social media accounts, leverage Facebook and LinkedIn connections to get referrals, and help you stay informed on trends, jobs and career news on the go. Social recruitment is going to be a primary way to network, get noticed, find qualified candidates and hidden job opportunities. If you have any skill gaps in this or any other technology area, close them by hiring a career consultant, taking some webinars, checking on workshops available in your community or educational institutions. Get ready and be ready to go social, be mobile, get hired and move ahead. Learn more about how companies are using social recruitment successfully with this useful and helpful social recruitment guide. How are you using social media, mobile and apps to further your career advancement? Social Recruiting Photo via Shutterstock The post Social Recruitment: Go Social, Be Mobile, Get Hired, Move Ahead appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Google Introduces Lighter, Thinner, More Powerful Nexus 7 Posted: 25 Jul 2013 08:00 AM PDT
Google launched an updated Nexus 7 tablet this week calling it a “significant upgrade” to the premiere version. It’s more expensive than the original. But with an affordable price tag, the new device could be a good device to get your business mobile without upsetting the budget. The new Nexus 7 is a thinner, lighter, and more powerful follow-up to Google’s entry into the tablet market last year. The new device is also touted as the first true 1080p HD 7-inch tablet available. Google claims it is the highest resolution device of its kind on the market. The device is also available in an unlocked 4g LTE version that’s compatible with three major wireless carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. New Nexus 7: What Makes It DifferentIf your business is looking for an inexpensive tablet, the new Nexus 7 appears to be a device that offers enough power to be functional in a variety of situations. A front and rear camera along with the full HD display should serve well for mobile video communications. The 2 GB of internal memory is double what last year’s version offered. The new device is also almost 2 millimeters thinner, close to 6 millimeters narrower and 50 grams lighter than the original, said Google’s VP of Android Product Management Hugo Barra. “It actually makes a huge difference when you’re holding it in one hand,” Barra said at the product launch this week. More Details About the New Nexus 7The new Nexus 7 will be available in three versions:
The Wi-Fi versions of the Nexus 7 will be available in the United States via the online Google Play Store and at many major retailers on July 30. The 4G LTE version should be available in a few weeks. Image: Official Google Blog The post Google Introduces Lighter, Thinner, More Powerful Nexus 7 appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| No Ifs, Ands or Butts: Get Your Employees Fit! Posted: 25 Jul 2013 05:00 AM PDT
Are your employees sitting at their desks all day? If so, chances are they're not maximizing their productivity—and they could be racking up your health insurance costs. The American Medical Association (AMA) has officially recommended that employers not let employees sit all day. AMA board member, Dr. Patrice Harris, said when announcing the recommendation:
If you're looking to build a healthier workforce (one that won't have as many accidents and illnesses, and saves you money on health insurance and workers' comp), consider ways to make yourself and your team more active at work. Change Your HabitsThe simplest and cheapest way to increase employee activity is to create company-wide exercise breaks. Consider having employees download online tools like:
You can also encourage employees to take regular breaks to check out online yoga videos such as DoYogaWithMe and MyYogaOnline and do some advanced stretching in the office. Of course, sometimes it's hard to know if employees are actually taking those breaks. One way to get everyone moving is to make it a group activity. Every hour, announce a stretch break and have someone lead everyone in some simple stretches, toe touches, jumping jacks or other quick energizer for 60 seconds. This works best if you've got a small office with everyone in one area, but you can also make the announcement and lead the activity over the P.A. system. One of the most productive changes you can make is to hold standing meetings. Instead of sitting around a conference table (is there any bigger energy-suck?), gather everyone in a common area to stand up for a short (15 to 30 minutes) meeting. Standing means everyone's motivated to keep the meeting moving so they can get back to their desks. You'll get more done in less time—and because people are more energized, you'll probably get better ideas out of the group, too. To really kick it up a notch, graduate to "walking meetings"—best held outside, these should also be brief, but can be a great way to energize while brainstorming or discuss sensitive issues you don't want others in the office to overhear. Change the FurnitureIf employees respond well to the low- or no-cost options above, it might be time to invest a little money in equipment that helps keep them moving. There are a wide range of options for standing desks, from ones you build yourself to desks that adjust from a standing to sitting position. Unless you or your employees use laptops that you can easily move from one desk to another, an adjustable height desk is probably the most practical choice, since most people won't want to stand all day. Want to support a small business? Check out Ergo Desktop's adjustable desks, and the Forbes test-drive of six standing desk options (which includes an assessment of their "goofiness factor"). You might want to test the standing option first before you consider a treadmill desk, since this can be a pricey investment. To save money, consider buying just one and letting people take turns on it using their laptops. Steelcase offers a wide range of what it calls "walkstations," or you can support an entrepreneurial company by buying a TrekDesk treadmill desk. Whatever option you choose to get your team moving: Make Sure Employees Feel Comfortable with the ChoiceDon't pressure people who don't want to participate. Some employees may feel shy about doing a "downward dog" in the office. Others may not be up to racing alongside you at a walking meeting. Match the effort to the employee's abilities. Provide Appropriate AccessoriesFor instance, people using standing desks often feel more comfortable with a small footstool or yoga block that they can put one foot up on to vary their position. (As anyone who's worked retail knows, standing for eight straight hours a day can cause just as many health problems as sitting.) Put Safety FirstThe money you save in having healthier employees could get eaten up in workers' comp costs if someone falls off a treadmill. Make sure employees know the proper way to use the equipment, and don't encourage an unsafe level of multi-tasking. Active Employees Photo via Shutterstock The post No Ifs, Ands or Butts: Get Your Employees Fit! appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
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