Jul
31
New company puts a ‘face’ on marketing
Filed Under Technology, Trends | Leave a Comment
Soft-sell videos help businesses get social
by SARA COMITO
Associate Editor
Marketing fueled by hype doesn’t fool anybody - least of all customers. They see through screaming car ads and exaggerated product claims.
Over the past several years, consumers are placing greater stock in credibility when deciding which companies deserve their hard-earned dollars. What they value is a heartfelt message from a person who gives the company a reputation - and a face.
Responding to these evolving consumer sensibilities is QwickClick Videotours - a new Sanibel-based company that provides “an underproduced, editorial, soft-sell approach,” according to John Sprecher, one of its founders. Read more
Jul
31
Coping with the new code
Filed Under Economic Development | Leave a Comment
Appraiser reform presents speed bump to recovery
Lots of signs point toward recovery in the region’s housing market. Realtors and property appraisers are witnessing increased market activity throughout Charlotte, Lee and Collier Counties.
However, the recent Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) for real estate appraisers is seen by many as a complication slowing recovery and leaving many sellers in distress. Read more
Jul
31
Beyond the Bottom Line
Filed Under Vince Crew columns | Leave a Comment
5 neat lessons you can take away from the economic mess
By VINCE CREW Read more
Jul
31
What’s the SCORE?
Filed Under Business Builders | Leave a Comment
Solutions to common Web site errors
By GUS BUENZ
Naples SCORE Counselor
E-commerce sales by small businesses are increasing rapidly and could double, triple or more during the next five years. A recent free Web business workshop, conducted by the Naples SCORE chapter, was filled up within a matter of days, which led us to schedule another one in August.
Web sites are no longer a novelty; they are a necessity for small firms, solo operators and home businesses of almost any type.
Meanwhile, customers have become more discriminating, more Internet savvy than they were just a few years ago. They feel more comfortable buying online and they expect Web sites to be clear, crisp, informative and highly functional. Small businesses that don’t deliver higher levels of Web sophistication risk being left behind. Read more
Jul
31
By JANET NOACK
Guest Columnist
Today’s economy has had a negative effect on customer service provided by businesses. Companies that once had the luxury of customer service personnel have eliminated many of those positions due to cash constraints. This has caused the business owner to often be pulled in too many directions.
Decisions to eliminate positions have mostly been made on the cash in the bank available for payroll and the estimated cash inflow. Business owners have traditionally understood that expenses paid cannot exceed the available cash in the bank; however, most have never done a cash flow forecast. Read more
Jul
31
The customer is still right
by SARA COMITO
Associate Editor
On July 11, the Los Angeles Times reported that as General Motors emerges from bankruptcy, it will adopt a “steely focus on customers.” This post-resurrection corporate mission retooling should serve as a parable to businesses of all sizes: put your customers first - before it’s too late.
In inclement economic times there lies an unprecedented opportunity for companies who will heed this lesson.
Customer service gets thrown around as a cliché buzzword and as a result, gets treated as an afterthought. Ted Coine has a problem with that. The Naples consultant and author of “Five Star Customer Service” and “Spoil ‘Em Rotten!” also doesn’t mince words. Read more
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