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CONGRESS GONE WILD
By Ronnie C. Wright From The American Poet
Congress Gone Wild. Stimulus package - stored in the cigar box under the desk. Except "Mr. October Surprise" - savior tucked under the lights. The gift of memory glued, like a trophy. The sticky stats on each side, And freeze dried the acts of the bailout.
Once the incredible game was played. And all the fans spilled their emotions, They placed their sound on higher ground, The ground plowed with blood, sweat and tears. The story sweeter than syrup and honey, Connects their pork to the sophisticated boar.
Their pastime captures street spirit, Growing like corn in the spring. And caught a giant fly with the paper, But only the stars, playing great, Box in their chest - the feats of kings, They pound their keeper's hopes into a dream.
Ball standard issue of the game, The long baller lives on, The photographer that captured a capital pose; Still green under their dusty prints, And round old Benjamin's kite tossed out. A bill has rounded the bases of gain.
Dust captains the ship of batman; The lush island of the crusader. Calls up its inhabitants to a crowding parade; And captain slides joyfully from under the glare. When fans flock around the covers. Peep through magnifying glass to their delight.
And once again the sky catches are remembered, And pitch perfect was hot as fire. They saved their golden play for last, Through toss and swing - they deliver a slam. And stir up an awesome image. To give everyone hope in their game.
Legislation (at last) to Help Small Business
On the day that the "Big Three" automakers were asking Congress for a handout, a small step was taken to provide help to small businesses in the form of proposed tax and financing incentives.
Senate Finance Committee member, Olympia Snowe, has introduced the 10 Steps for a Main Street Recovery Act, a measure to help small businesses during this tough economic period.
The measure would retain the $250,000 first-year expensing limit for equipment purchases after 2008 (when the limit is set to decline to $133,000), allow for a five-year net operating loss carryback for losses from 2008 and 2009 (instead of the usual two-year carryback) and expand access to credit through SBA loans through expanded loan programs and reduction of borrowing fees.
Hopefully, this measure will receive the attention from Congress that it deserves.
CRM + Hosted Phone System = ?
Written by guest bloggers: Brent Barbara and Jeff Silbert
Why do CRMs
frequently fail to deliver the business breakthroughs they initially
promised? How can a sales team best utilize all the features of their
CRM? These complicated questions can be answered simply: CRMs are great
but they are underused.
Sales people use CRM systems because their management requires them to do it. Managers love the wealth of information the CRM
system could potentially provide -- linking reports and activities to
individual sales staff and giving them the data to forecast future
success. Within the CRM, sales people are supposed to store their
contacts, track their activities and update all leads. But the reality
is most sales people keep their contacts and activities in Outlook or
in a folder and they use the CRM simply to protect their leads and
forecast for management. By using CRM in this limited capacity, sales
people are missing a huge opportunity to improve their sales and
productivity and sales managers are missing critical information needed
to create an accurate strategy for maximizing revenues.
The sales staff regards using the CRM
as a labor-intensive chore rather than a helpful tool. As a result, the
information in the CRM is limited, incomplete, and not up-to-date.
Traditionally, CRM systems are known to be difficult to keep current
and sales people keep their contacts and notes someplace else while
many key activities, like phone calls, never make into the CRM systems. Utilizing the CRM in this way this does not improve forecasting at all.
In addition, leading indicators are too hard to track in CRM
systems (e.g. how many calls did my new inside sales people make today,
which phone call led to a substantial new client), leaving the sales
manager tracking results rather than analyzing the key activities that
drive results.
But it doesn’t have to be this way anymore. If done right, sales people
can be empowered to live and breathe within the CRM and see how it can
help them sell more, and as a result, earn more.
If the sales person had a wish list, this is what it would include:
1. I want to be able to click on any contact and be connected on the phone
2. When my phone rings I want to know who is calling and have
all my notes in front of me so I am prepared to answer the call and
make the sale.
3. Before placing or answering a call, I want to know what was said in my last conversation with the caller.
4. I want tools to maximize the number of activities I can accomplish in a day
5. I want be able to measure how effective my efforts were.
6. I want all of this to be easy to do.
If the sales manager had a wish list, this is what it would include:
1. Based on activity, I want to forecast with confidence at any time in the quarter.
2. I want leading indicators rather than trailing indicators so
I know if the sales team is performing according to plan and have the
opportunity to change tactics if they are not.
3. I want sales people to make all the required calls and I want to know whether or not they did them.
4. I want all contacts, and all notes kept within the CRM, not on paper.
5. I want tools to provide more effective coaching.
6. I want to ensure my sales people are focusing on the right activities.
7. I want sales people to use the CRM to its fullest potential because they want to -- not because they have to.
Until recently, these requests were impossible to fulfill for the
mid-sized sales team who could not afford an enterprise call center.
Now the same tools available to large call centers are available to
everyone when delivered “As a Service.” This model makes it possible
for any sales team to connect their phone system to their CRM, much like large enterprise call centers effectively do today.
Solution
When connected to your CRM systems,
the phone system can give your organization the tools from both the
sales person and manager’s wish lists – helping the team to sell more.
The best tools and the best coaching separate the good teams from the
great teams and trustworthy leading indicators let you know how you’re
doing along the way.
DHL Leaving U.S. Market
DHL is shutting down their air and ground package service in the United States, effective January 30, 2009. Though continuing to be a leading presence in the international shipping world, DHL has lost billions of dollars in revenue in the past few years domestically, causing this drastic change to take place. The real question is, how does this change affect you as a business and what options do you have to move forward? For one, DHL’s departure means that your tariff rates will go drastically up when switching over to a national carrier. Also, depending on the volume of your daily shipments, you may not even be eligible for a discounted tariff based on UPS and FedEx’s customer standards.
This leaves the small to medium size shipper in between a rock and a hard place, since they need to ship their packages regardless of what fees they may face. A little known secret is that there are other options besides FedEx and UPS. Regional Carriers in the U.S. deliver to 70% of the population, with the remaining 30% accounting for the furthest remote areas where delivery just is not cost efficient. Unless your company sells products that are only needed in those remote areas, Regional carriers can easily fill your delivery needs at a lower cost than the national alternatives.
For more information about regional carriers across the US, please visit our Regional Partners page on ww.easternconnection.com.
RONNIE C. WRIGHT AMERICA WITH YOUR HANDS
AMERICA With Your Hands
By Ronnie C. Wright From The American Poet
WITH YOUR HANDS AMERICA - the blessings of Liberty can be enjoyed today and, shared with future generations. The hands of your families united to overcome depression, war and attack. Their hands built industry, schools, jobs and homes. Their hands created a standard of living not known by mankind before, in history. They constructed a door, layed out a welcome mat and issued a written invitation to immigrants around the world.
Today, the key of inheritance is in your hands, What will you do with the key? I call today - "Our test in time!" - or, in essence, "Truly Invisible Measuring Everything."
I come from an American family dedicated to education and service, especially military service. I began my career as an economic development planner working with local, state and federal governments and, private institutions to raise funds for family housing, education, employment, healthcare, water & sewage, elderly care, environmnent and parks & recreation. After a successful track record, I resigned to increase my education and experience. Since this time, I accepted a fellowship with the International Hall of Fame of Inventors - receiving an Honorary Ph.D. in "complex systems" for inventing "Acronetics" - thus becoming "the world's first Acroneticist." As President & Founder of the Fine Fitness Foundation, I dedicated my work to "HEALTH" which stands for 'Helping Every American Live Today Healthy." I have experience as an award-winning inventor, chief executive, international scholar laureate and international poet of merit.
As a student of America, I now use my gifts to connect with your hands to build our great country.
THE 5 KEYS TO AMERICA'S SUCCESS
__________________________________________________
America's future is in your hands. The five keys can unlock the doors to energy, education, economy, employment and excellence. The five keys are:
1. (H)ealth increases wealth
2. (A)merican education
3. (N)ational security
4. (D)ynamic science & technology
5. (S)avings.
With your hands, you can meet the demands, defeat the threats and build our nation. The future begins with {YOU}>Your Own Uniqueness demonstrated through independence - self reliance and belief in national interests.
TRUTH SHALL KEEP YOU FREE
__________________________________________________
The principles I believe in - are rooted in {TRUTH}>The Real Understanding To Happiness...
(T)raditional family
(R)espect
(U)nconditional commitment to America
(T)ireless determination
(H)ealthy attitude spuring energy, education, economy, employment and excellence...this is good!
The truth be told - you can keep America free with your hands - {VOTE}Voice Orderly Thoughts Everyday...
(V)alue American institutions
(O)rganize your inner circle
(T)each your children well
(E)xpress your beliefs openly...you have the right!
(S)mile - it's not that serious...it's only life and, it's good!
The future of America is in your hands.
_____________________________________________________________
OBAMA - THE TECH PRESIDENT
History has been made and Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. Never in the history of this country have we seen a presidential candidate use the power of technology to the degree he did to help win an election. Let’s be clear – technology didn’t win the election, Barack Obama did, but technology was certainly an enabler. President-elect (“PE”) Obama and the Obama for America campaign used the power of the Internet, web 2.0 technologies such as blogging, automated communications tools and the like to create a true grassroots campaign. His use of technology allowed PE Obama to make his message of Change viral and enabled a groundswell and campaign to be built block by block and community by community rather than the traditional state by state organization. This was critical because PE Obama was not nationally known. Essentially, his use of technology allowed PE Obama to attract and engage with more donors and a younger generation than any candidate has ever experienced.
Why should Barack Obama’s technology savviness matter? It is much easier to be an advocate for technological change if you actually understand and use technology. PE Obama gets it. He has been living it. He knows the power of technology and what it can mean and do in real life situations.
I am hopeful for big ideas and real change when it comes to government’s and corporate’s use and investment in information technology. The President-elect can show leadership in technology through action and example. The commercial technology sector has to operate on its own but if our leaders are technologically savvy and demonstrate thought leadership, companies will invent and invest in technology that will lead our country to long-term sustainable growth. This is key as I truly believe technology is not only an enabler for change, but an enabler for growth.
There are still places in America that don’t have the technology infrastructure such as broadband connectivity and wireless that are necessary for growth. Many companies are using antiquated technologies that hinder their ability to effectively communicate internally among employees and externally with their customers. Now is the time for America to be the technology powerhouse it can be and lead the world from a recession back to growth and prosperity. We need investment in infrastructure and wireless; we need to be at the forefront of Web 2.0 technologies and beyond; we need to get our companies to adopt social networking technologies that many of our employees have already embraced in their personal lives; we need to not only grow revenue but gain efficiency through technologies such as VoIP, virtualization and automation; we need to develop applications that truly allow our companies and government agencies to compete in a global economy; we need to focus on green power and energy efficient computing; and we need to embrace technology in industries, such as health care, alternative energy and education that will really make a difference in our lives.
Even in a down market, the future looks bright for technology and long term economic growth, particularly with a new administration that gets it and knows its value and importance. Can we work with President-elect Obama to bring this technology innovation to bear and move our country forward? Yes we can.
Making Gifts Out of Gift Cards
Gift cards are a popular way to give a gift when you're not sure exactly what someone will want. They're also a great way for stores to boost business - it's kind of like the ultimate referral. In order to make them more gifty, gift cards are often packaged in a special box, bag or envelope.
But what if someone took gift cards one step further, and made them actually also gifts? As it turns out, a couple major retailers have done just that this year. Target has a gift card that is also a 1.2 megapixel camera, and Best Buy has a gift card that is also a functioning speaker you can plug into your iPod.
If you have a business who uses gift cards or certificates, why not make them more compelling by using an actual product? A customized wine opener, would make a perfect gift card for a wine shop or a pocket-sized aromatherapy stick as a gift card for a spa. Any pocket-sized item that relates to your business would make a better gift card than, well, a gift card. Plus, since there are so many items that are relatively inexpensive compared to the value of the gift card, even a small boost in sales will more than cover the cost. Chances are, having something way more interesting than a gift card at your point of purchase will boost gift card sales considerably.
E-Procurement, ERP, Mobile Computing, Barcode & RFID Solutions
NewCreationIT provides a wide range of custom software development, services and solutions for Logistics. These include:
>> deployment and customization of free open source products (E-Procurement and ERP products: Coupa Express, OpenBravo)
>> commercial off-the-shelf (OTS) software for Mobile Computing, Barcode & RFID Solutions.
>> custom development of Warehouse management, Cargo management, Fuel Management Software, Fleet Management Systems, Shipment Tracking Software, Freight Rating Software systems
>> open source strategy, product selection, ROI assessment, implementation, and training services
For more on this: http://newcreationit.com/logistics/IT-in-logistics
For more information and customer stories, drop me a note...
Ashish Raichur
"Helping Organizations Leverage Technology"
open source software solutions / www.newcreationit.com
outsource to india / www.outsourceitindia.com
Cargo Logistics Services Freight Forwarding / www.airfreightbiz.com
Free Open Source Software for Learning & Education
Free Open Source Software for Learning & Education
>> Moodle (www.moodle.org) Moodle is a free open source Course Management System (CMS) that universities, community colleges, K–12 schools, businesses, and even individual instructors can use to provide their courses over the web.
>> eFront (www.efrontlearning.net) eFront is an easy to use, visually attractive, SCORM compatible, eLearning and Human Capital Development system
>> Online Learning and Training (OLAT) (www.olat.org) web-based open-source Learning Management System (LMS)
>> CenterSIS (www.miller-group.net/) School Administration System
In addition there are other free open source products for asset management, human resource management, purchasing/procurement, inventory management, etc., that can be readily customized and deployed for organizations.
As you do not pay for the free open-source software you have a low cost of acquisition, and you have the source code as well. Your only expense is for the customization, deployment and support that accompany the open-source software. Using open source you can save money, and in most cases get higher quality through best-of-breed software solutions.
NewCreationIT offers open source strategy, product selection, ROI assessment, implementation, and training services, at very competitive rates. Engineers at NewCreationIT will help you identify, customize, deploy and support open-source software systems for your business needs.
For more on this: http://newcreationit.com/open-source-services/e-learning
In addition, NewCreationIT provides a wide range of custom software development, services and solutions for Learning & Education.
Drop me a note...
Ashish Raichur
"Helping Organizations Leverage Technology"
www.newcreationit.com / ashish.raichur@newcreationit.com
6 Steps to Business Growth Through Change
Change is essential to business success, and I’m not talking about the kind of change you drop in a vending machine. It’s the kind of change that too often brings fear, self-doubt and resistance to business owners.
Building a business is hard work and once the wheels are turning, it can be difficult to grasp the idea of doing something differently. But more often the not, resistance to change that can lead to trouble. A business that doesn’t change risks become stagnant and misses the opportunity to grow.
Consider McDonald’s, a turn-key operation that functions in cookie cutter fashion and has maintained the same core menu for decades. Though the business is based on being predictable, McDonald’s introduces new products and promotions on a regular basis. Often times the company strikes gold with something new like the Oreo McFlurry, and sometimes even McDonald’s misses the mark. Whatever happened to the McDLT? Continue Reading…
