COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH TECHNOLOGY
Web Conferencing
Web conferencing is used to conduct live meetings or presentations over the Internet. In a web conference, each participant sits at their own computer, and is connected to other participants via the internet through an application which a "host" company provides and charges for its use. This can be either a downloaded application on each of the attendees computers or a web-based application where the attendees will simply enter a "URL" or website meeting address to enter the live meeting or conference. These web-based applications are used either with Flash or Java technology.
A webinar is a type of web conference, although the direction of the presentation more often than not is primarily one way from the presenter to the audience as in a Webcast, which is transmission of information in one direction only, like watching a concert on the internet. A webinar however can be designed to be interactive between the presenter and audience. A webinar is 'live' in the sense that information is conveyed according to an agenda, with a starting and ending time. In most cases, the presenter may speak over a standard telephone line, pointing out information being presented on screen, and the audience can respond over their own telephones, preferably a speakerphone.
WebEx by Cisco Systems
http://www.webex.com/
Video Conferencing
Video conferencing provides real-time, face-to-face communications with partners, clients, contractors and employees over a broadband network. With a video camera at either end and a robust network in between, you can see as well as hear others during a conference call.
Video conferencing promotes greater communication--and thus, understanding--in several key ways. For one thing, you can see the nonverbal signals you’d otherwise miss in a traditional phone call. A video conference also allows you to present far more information than during a phone call. For instance, you could demonstrate a new product as you explain its benefits to others on the call--a much better way to convey that information than standard conference calls allow.
Video conferencing can also save you time and money by eliminating or reducing the need for you and your employees to travel. And your employees can take advantage of training courses via video conferencing that they might not otherwise be able to attend.
Until recently, video conferencing was really only available to large businesses, which had the necessary financial resources as well as dedicated video conferencing rooms. But today, video conferencing is financially within reach of smaller businesses.
Skype
http://www.skype.com/download/features/videocalling/
WebEx by Cisco Systems
http://www.webex.com/
Apple iChat AV
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/ichat/
Call Smarter with Smartphones
Sure, you don't leave your office and hit the road without your cell phone. But there may be ways to maximize its effectiveness as a business tool. If you haven't upgraded your phone in a few years, check out some of the new models that let you access your email or browse the web. Even a camera phone can have smart business uses if you need to email images from trade shows or completed projects back to the office. If you want the power and flexibility of on-the-road access to email, the internet and certain organizer features, a smartphone may be up your alley. Just be sure that you'll use those extra features before you put out the extra cash.
Smartphones are a combination cell phone/PDA that allow you to make calls, access your organizer, read and send e-mail, connect to the internet and even send text messages, reducing the hardware you need to haul around with you to keep in touch. Recently, smartphones have gotten even smarter with Mobile Multimedia Messaging (MMS). MMS goes beyond alphanumeric text messages by allowing you to send pictures, video and sound. MMS-enabled smartphones typically come equipped with digital cameras, video recorders, MP3 players, memory and the ability to accept memory cards.
Blackberry
http://www.discoverblackberry.com/
Palm
http://www.palm.com/us/products/smartphones/
Take Advantage of WiFi Hotspots
The internet is your ticket for staying in touch. Whether you need to check email, check up on your web site or do some research, a Wi-Fi hotspot is the place to go. The easiest way to find a hotspot is to book your room at a Wi-Fi equipped hotel. Some hotels include it as a free service for guests. Others charge a small fee.
Before you hit the road, take a moment to find some hotspots at your destination. There are several hotspot conglomerators that let you access the internet through their nationwide networks for a daily or monthly fee. Just be sure to use a VPN if you need to protect your business data.
You don't have to be traveling far from the office to take advantage of hotspots. Local cafes, coffeehouse or public buildings can be convenient stopovers when you're out at lunch or just need to step away from the desk for a while.
20,000+ Free WiFi hotspots
http://www.openwifispots.com/
U.S. Airport WiFi Guide
http://www.airportwifiguide.com/
T-Mobile Hotspots
http://hotspot.t-mobile.com/
Automate Your Customer Communications
In a world where fewer and fewer customer interactions actually take place in person, implementing CRM technology can be an excellent way to provide a more personalized touch when working with your customers.
A customer relationship management (CRM) solution can help you streamline customer service, simplify sales and marketing efforts, find new customers and generate more revenue from existing customers. You can record customer interactions with sales and customer service personnel and keep a centralized database with current customer information that everyone in your company can access. This will allow your entire organization to understand what each customer wants and needs and give you a 360-degree view of your business 24/7, which will help you keep customers happy and boost your bottom line.
Sales force automation tools help track your pool of prospects as they move from interested leads to paying customers. Customer support automation improves the process of handling customers so you can better satisfy them while minimizing your costs. Whether you support your customers through a call center, in-person or online, applications range from live online help, searchable knowledge bases where customers can look up answers to previously asked questions, and case tracking to ensure no inquiry gets lost.
ACT! by Sage
http://www.act.com/
Salesforce.com
http://www.salesforce.com
Reduce Your Phone Bills thru VoIP
VoIp (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows you to make phone calls over the internet. A major development starting in 2004 has been the introduction of mass-market VoIP services over broadband Internet access services, in which subscribers make and receive calls as they would over a public switched telephone network (PSTN). At the other extreme are services Skype which rely on a software client on the computer in order to place a call over the network, where one user ID can be used on many different computers or in different locations on a laptop.
Skype
http://www.skype.com/
Vonage
http://www.vonage.com
Unified Instant Messaging
Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text. The text is conveyed via computers connected over a network such as the Internet. Instant messaging requires an instant messaging client that connects to an instant messaging service. Instant messaging differs from e-mail in that conversations happen in real-time. A multiprotocol instant messaging application allows one client to connect to multiple IM networks.
Trillian by Cerulean Studios
http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/
Meebo
http://www.meebo.com/