Posts Tagged ‘B2B services’

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Seven Key Advantages of Using Remote Data Storage for Your Business

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

Losing access to your company’s vital data due to system failure, human error, theft, fire or other disaster can quickly translate into lost revenue for your business.

With the services of a remote data storage, or remote online backup, provider you can be sure your important files remain safe and accessible at all times.

Fortunately for small and medium sized businesses, remote data backup services have become more affordable, and it’s relatively easy to find a good service provider.

Online backup systems are usually built around a client software program that collects your data, then compresses it, encrypts it and transfers it to a server. Typically, this process is carried out on a daily basis.

There are several advantages to online backup, including:

  1. Your files will remain available and can be accessed remotely from any location with an Internet connection. Files stored locally, as on a hard drive, are not accessible remotely.
  2. Online backup providers adhere to rigorous practices that virtually eliminate the possibility of your data being completely destroyed due to a disaster.
  3. Your backups will be physically safe. Remote online backup protects your hardware and software against theft, failure, and natural disaster, whereas backups kept on a hard drive, CD or DVD are still vulnerable to such occurrences.
  4. Online backup services include such security measures as traffic encryption, password protection for stored files and secure file sharing.
  5. Many online backup vendors offer real-time backup protection at no extra cost, a service that most businesses will want to take advantage of.
  6. For many businesses, online backup can be much more cost-effective than the offline alternative.
  7. You will retain the ability to restore your data via the Internet or by purchasing a CD or USB drive containing all the data you have stored on the backup provider’s server.

With remote backup of all your important files, you can be assured that your information is safe and easily retrievable should a disaster occur.

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Why Outsource Your Company’s Web Development Needs?

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Building your brand online with an engaging web presence is an important key to success in today’s market.

Small and medium sized companies who want to remain competitive should take full advantage of all the tools available to create a robust online presence.

From mobile applications such as SMS to fully realized web sites that incorporate interactive media, the way you present your company on the World Wide Web can have a major impact on your future growth.

It can be tempting for smaller organizations to try to handle all the work involved in creating a web site to represent their company. But many of the applications required to build a successful business site involve a considerable amount of technical expertise.

Your web development service provider can also create custom business software, which can be used to great advantage in terms of automating business flow. Custom software solutions can streamline and maximize efficiency in virtually every business process.

A custom business software developer can also design and maintain enterprise web and mobile applications, which enable real-time data sharing and allow access to mission-critical information through a single platform.

Web development professionals can create an application programming interface (API) for your site to enable content sharing within your online community. Content created can be posted and updated in multiple locations on the web. This can have a powerful viral effect on your marketing communications.

Database design is another key area that usually requires the expertise of a professional web development service. A database designer can analyze your existing database and build a development plan that will enhance the efficiency of your operations, improve your business, and increase customer satisfaction.

E-commerce is also vital to any company that conducts business online. E-commerce involves the coordination of several distinct functions; a merchant account that allows you to accept credit cards, a shopping cart to process online purchases, and a web host. Your web development provider can bring together these processes in a way that enhances the customer experience on your web site.

Outsourcing your web development needs can give you access to world-class skills, experience and resources to keep your company on the cusp of online marketing.

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Signs It’s Time to Switch Vendors

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011


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How to Select the Right Collection Agency

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011


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Seven Ways to Increase Your Appeal to Potential Vendors

Saturday, March 26th, 2011

Whether your company needs to outsource human resources, IT or any other business function, finding quality vendors you can work well with is always the important first step. This can be a time-consuming process, but you’re already halfway there if you run your company in a way that attracts quality vendors.

Vendor selection can be much easier if your reputation places you among the companies that B2B service providers prefer to do business with. If, on the other hand you are known for haggling over pricing, delaying payments or being difficult to deal with in any number of ways, you may eventually find very few providers who are willing to do business with you.

How do you know if yours is the type of company that attracts the best vendors?

  • Look at your current vendor relationships. Do you have frequent misunderstandings with service providers? If so, the problem could lie with you rather than them.
  • Examine your relationship with your own employees. Is there a high turnover rate, a history of disputes or low morale? Your relationship with vendors will likely follow the same pattern.
  • When contacting potential vendors, do you make it clear you’re in the market to purchase and not just doing research?
  • Do you project that you have a budget in place for the services you are seeking?
  • Do you communicate your needs confidently? It helps to know in advance what you are looking for in a vendor.

Here are seven ways you can improve your vendor relationships and increase your company’s appeal to potential service providers:

  1. Improve your communication skills. Be clear, friendly and open to discussion. If communicating with your vendors continues to be a source of frustration, consider hiring someone to manage these relationships.
  2. Demonstrate respect for the other person’s perspective, even if you disagree with them.
  3. Avoid micromanaging; allow the vendors you work with to apply their expertise to your projects.
  4. Be available. Respond to emails within the same day whenever possible.
  5. Avoid giving the impression that you’re simply looking for the cheapest vendors. This doesn’t mean you should always pay the highest price for every service, but do be willing to pay a fair price for quality service.
  6. Maintain a good rating with the Better Business Bureau and keep your Dunn & Bradstreet profile up to date as well.
  7. Make sure your website projects the image of a reputable company.

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Seven Tips for Successful Vendor Contract Negotiation

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Once you’ve found a suitable business service vendor you will want to arrange a meeting to discuss details of your contract. Successfully negotiating a contract that benefits both parties requires a degree of skill. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you enter the negotiation process:

  1. Before the actual meeting, obtain a copy of the vendor’s standard agreement, or a sample contract. A good time to do this is when requesting an initial quote from the vendor. This gives you time to completely review the terms of the contract and decide in advance areas in which you will want changes made in your favor.
  2. Enter negotiations with the right mindset, making sure your expectations are reasonable. The best contract is one that both parties feel good about.
  3. Be clear in your expectations. Include detailed time frames for specific milestones. It is in the vendor’s best interest to allow some leeway in their service agreement, so you might need to change some of the wording to ensure the work is completed within your expected time frame.
  4. Stand your ground in areas that are the most important to you but not as high on the vendor’s list of priorities. But be flexible regarding aspects of the contract that have a lower priority for you.
  5. Remember that it’s not all about price. By negotiating for the lowest price possible you could end up leaving your vendor looking for ways to cut corners in order to make a decent profit.
  6. Even if the vendor’s opening price is well within your range, don’t hurry to sign the contract. Ask for some adjustment in the price or other concession in your favor, so the vendor does not end up feeling their offer was too low.
  7. Don’t give into pressure to sign within a certain time. If the vendor warns that their prices will increase after a certain date, you can see if they will accept a letter of intent pending an acceptable agreement. Bear in mind, however, that this could limit your negotiating power by placing a time limit on the negotiation process. Ultimately, you have the choice to walk away if you are not satisfied with the terms you’re offered.



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How to Shop for Cash Advance Service Providers

Friday, February 11th, 2011

For companies that need a source of cash but aren’t interested in a traditional loan, a business cash advance could be a viable alternative. Watch the video to learn more about this fast and easy way to get needed funding.

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Five Reasons to Use National Vendors for Business Services

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

When choosing a vendor for the business processes you plan to outsource, you might want to expand your list to include national vendors as well as local ones. Some business owners limit their choices by considering only locally based service providers, but adding national vendors to your list can offer a number of advantages, such as:

  1. Access to the best providers available. Business services can vary greatly, not only in terms of quality, but also in the variety of features and services offered. While there may be several B2B service providers in your area who offer excellent service, your local provider in any given category may not always be the best choice to meet your needs. Comparing services on a national level will give you a much broader selection and could result in finding the ideal provider for your company.
  2. Better price range. In some parts of the country, prices for local businesses services run higher than the national average. National vendors are often much more competitive in their pricing. Many of the larger companies have greater buying power when purchasing software, business supplies and other business services, and pass these savings on to their customers. Even if you do choose to go with a local vendor, researching the price range of national vendors will give you a good idea of what you should expect to spend for the type of business service you need.
  3. Greater scalability. After assessing your plans for future growth, you might find that some of your local business service providers are not as capable of handling your company’s increasing needs as a national vendor would be.
  4. Superior customer support. In some cases, national vendors come with a larger and more fully developed customer service and support center, with representatives available at all hours to help you resolve any issues immediately.
  5. Local branches. With many B2B services, having a local presence is not essential to providing excellent service to their customers. When, for example, was the last time you needed to visit your phone or Internet provider’s office in person? Nevertheless, many national vendors do have local offices in several cities across the country, so if being able to speak to someone face-to-face is important to you, choosing a national vendor with an office in your area can give you the best of both worlds.

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How to Find Quality Website Designers for Your Business

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Before deciding on hiring a website designer, review this video and learn why prospective web designers must have design portfolios that represent your aesthetic tastes.

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Five Key Advantages of Direct Mail Marketing

Friday, January 28th, 2011

While technology has definitely had an impact on the way businesses market today, print marketing is still very much alive. Direct mail marketing is an excellent way to reach your target market and bring very good response rates.

A recent study by Vertis Communications found that 63 percent of adults surveyed have responded to direct mail that offered a percentage discount on merchandise, and 72 percent indicated they have replied to direct mail containing a “buy one, get one free” offer.

Direct mail can also be used to increase both your online and offline traffic, as the study reported that 46 percent of adults responded to direct mail by visiting the advertiser’s store or Web site, or by calling a toll-free number or mailing an enclosed response card.

You may also discover that direct mail marketing has a few advantages over online marketing, such as:

  1. A postcard or letter addressed to the right person can make its way past a company’s gatekeepers and get your message directly to the decision makers.
  2. A letter is a more personal communication; a well-written direct mail letter reads as if you are speaking directly to your prospective customer, giving you the opportunity to expound on how your product or service can benefit them. This type of communication can help you  get into the mind of your prospect much more effectively than a display ad or social media campaign.
  3. Your direct marketing vendor will have access to a comprehensive database of U.S. residents and businesses broken down by demographics and industry. This information is gathered on an annual basis from U.S. Census data. By targeting an audience of individuals and businesses that may be interested in your product or services, you are increasing the chance that your marketing efforts will lead to a business conversion.
  4. Direct marketing gives your target audience a tangible item, which may remain in their home or office to be viewed multiple times, and by different individuals. You can increase the likelihood that your mail will be saved by including a coupon, small calendar, helpful hints, or other relevant items.
  5. Direct mail can help level the playing field for smaller companies. A well-executed direct marketing campaign can present your company at its best advantage and help you build your brand.

As stated in the Direct Marketing Association’s 2010 Response Rate Trend Report, “One reason why direct mail continues to be a go-to strategy for direct marketers is that improvements in printing and database technology as well as analytics have allowed direct mail and other offline media to deliver consistent response rates.”

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