Virtual Marketing: A Web of Possibilities

The Internet is changing marketing. Find out where you may apply virtual marketing in your business, as I conduct a workshop on how to apply Internet technologies in your marketing plan. Learn techniques such as blogging, search, feeds, widgets, podcasting, Internet advertising, web-analytics and web collaboration. Start using these techniques by attending the BIZremedies Lunch and Learn Friday, July 18th at noon at Lakeview Center161 W. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee.

Easy Business. Better Life" on WISN 1130AM

Listen to BIZremedies "Easy Business. Better Life" Radio Show on WISN 1130AM, Saturday, June 21st, 3:00 CST where I am the guest talking about virtual marketing and becoming tech savvy.

What is your tech age?

Are you tech savvy? Similar to health assessments that calculate your relative health age or the popular game Brain Age, what is your tech age? Determine your tech age by completing the survey, averaging your score and multiple by 20.

My computer is . . .

1. multiple computers including at least one notebook.
2. a notebook that travels with me for work and to my home.
3. a pair of desktops at work and at home.
4. a computer I use at work or at home.
5. a hand-me-down.

Email is a tool I . . .

1. use regularly at work and at home, which I access anywhere I have Internet access.
2. use regularly at work and at home.
3. use occasionally at work and at home.
4. use occasionally at work.
5. do not use.

Web feeds (i.e. RSS) are . . .

1. my primary source of news and information that I integrate with other applications.
2. something I rely on often for news and information.
3. something I tried but do not use or use infrequently.
4. something I know about but do not use.
5. unknown to me.

Web search (i.e. Google) is . . . .

1. a tool I cannot live without and selecting effective keywords is second nature.
2. a tool I cannot live without.
3. a tool I use frequently.
4. a tool I use occasionally.
5. not a tool I use.

My . . .

1. work and personal calendar is on the computer and my mobile device and integrates with my social networks applications.
2. work and personal calendar is on the computer and my mobile device.
3. work and personal calendar is on the computer.
4. work or personal calendar is on the computer.
5. calendar is on paper.

My mobile device is . . .

1. for phone calls, email, scheduling, task management, text messaging and web browsing.
2. for phone calls, text messaging and email.
3. for phone calls and email.
4. for phone calls.
5. a device I do not own.

When I need driving directions I . . .

1. use my GPS for turn by turn instructions.
2. store driving directions in appointment notes on my PDA or SmartPhone.
3. use an online map such as MapQuest or Google Maps, then print directions before I leave.
4. use a fold-up map or call ahead for directions.
5. drive around aimlessly, then ask a person for directions.

I manage my business contacts with . . .

1. a contact management system that synchronizes to my mobile device and integrates with a social network such as LinkedIn.
2. a contact management system that synchronizes to my mobile device and integrates with a web based contact list.
3. a contact management system that synchronizes to my mobile device.
4. a contact management system (i.e. Outlook).
5. a rolodex of business cards.

When it comes to digital photography I . . .

1. am exclusively digital and I often upload pictures to social networking sites or photo sharing sites.
2. am exclusively digital and often share or exchange photos via email.
3. am exclusively digital yet print all the photos I share.
4. use both digital and film cameras.
5. prefer the familiarity of film.

Thanks to me, my home has ______ network device(s).

1. five or more
2. four
3. three
4. one or two
5. zero

Time Shifting

Time shifting is using technology to alter the time when we perform a task. The process of recording and storing data for later viewing, listening, or reading is time shifting. Time shifting is a great efficiency tool. Most of us already time shift when we record a TV show to watch at another time. Leveraging opportunities in your work for time shifting often requires innovation, creativity and challenging the status quo. Certain forces such as globalization are requiring time shifting. If applied effectively time shifting reduces costs, improves service, improves productivity, enhances flexibility and improves work life. Considering these examples.

• Podcasts provide a great means of time shifting by listening or viewing content while exercising, traveling or driving. Many radio programs are available in a Podcast. Newspapers are distributing news in audio form.
• Many companies offer webinars as an on-demand educational tool allowing you to set aside time for education based on your schedule.
• E-mail and voice mail are forms of time shifting where messages or data are read, heard, or viewed by the recipient at a later time. Technology makes it easier to compartmentalize communications and tasks on a more effective schedule.
• Video conferencing is a form of time shifting when you avoid travel for a meeting or conference.
• Audio books, similar to Podcasts, provide an opportunity to listen while exercising, traveling or driving. Audible is a excellent source for audio books.
• Use of a mobile device for reading email or browsing the web is good for filling gaps in your schedule such as waiting for appointments. For example, if I am waiting for a doctor appointment, with my SmartPhone I read my Google Reader feeds to get caught up on the news.
• Anytime you automate a process this is a form of time shifting. Automatic bill payment is an example. Nearly all my personal bills are paid electronically and automatically. Another example are Outlook rules.
• Using meeting time more effectively with a notebook computer by taking notes and assigning tasks during the meeting shifts the follow up into the meeting time. Ready access to information via the notebook computer reduces follow up items.

Qipit - free mobile online copy service

Qipit is a free service that uses photos taken with your camera phone of documents, whiteboards or handwritten notes and turns them into into digital copies (PDFs). I've found this most useful with whiteboards. It is very handy when you are working remotely and do not have access to a scanner. Since I always carry my phone, it is a good alternative to finding a piece of paper and a pen to take a note. The quality with my AT&T Tilt is very good. Qipit will send the document to your contacts, which you can do from your phone. It makes distribution of meeting notes (i.e. whiteboard) quick and immediate.

Data Relevance

We have a growing, fundamental challenge with data relevance in the Information Age. Data is data in any form - digital or paper text, audio, video, etc. As information workers, our effectiveness depends on our proficient use of relevant information. Even the best search systems struggle with relevance. This post contains tips for managing data toward improving data relevance.

• Work - Improving data relevance requires work. Technology will help, but you need to work at it. Organization does not just happen. For example, work at keeping folder and files clean. Old files are not going to delete themselves. Most tools, such as Microsoft Word, have features that facilitate data organization and management. You need to make time to learn and use these features.
• Responsibility - You need to take responsibility for information. Even in shared, collaborative environments people shy away from responsibility. We expect someone else will delete an old file or update incorrect information in a document.
• Retention - It has become easier and less expensive to retain data. Retaining data seems the safe course of action. Simply discarding obsolete information such as files or documents improves data relevance. A common problem is the retention of draft documents. This leads to uncertainty regarding the relevant document version.
• Organization - For effective collaboration, we need to think of organization in broad terms. We have bad habits that stem from personal computing. If you work in an organization, I suggest there is no file or information that is personal. It may be confidential but not personal. Therefore store and organize folders, files, etc. for sharing. Organize based on the organization not your personal filing system. Collectively develop organization standards and follow them. Common storage infrastructure and information organization avoids duplication.
• Consumption - Our consumption of information needs [self] control. We consume information in many forms and through many channels. The web and email are channels most people find difficult to manage. For example, consumption of information through news sites can be addictive. It is my practice to avoid generic news sites such as cnn.com. Instead I rely on news feeds (i.e. RSS) to manage and direct my consumption of information. With fine tuning, news feeds are very effective method of consuming news. Email management is a constant battle. Using email filters and rules creates efficiencies. Avoiding the use of email programs as a filing cabinet makes a difference. With each email you receive you may have an opportunity to train the sender on effective email communications.

Chumby

The Chumby is an alarm clock and more for geeks. Is it a tool or a toy? While I do not own a Chumby, I can see how this device has real utility. It can serve as an alarm clock, calendar, news reader, stock ticker, sports caster, digital photo frame, radio or weather reporter. Since my mobile SmartPhone charges next to my bed at night I use it for most of these functions. If not for that this product is very tempting.