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
Jun
26
IT security is ‘top of mind’ at most businesses
Filed Under Business Builders, Technology | Leave a Comment
Industry suffers from shortage of trained personnel
By BOB MASSEY
Editor
Despite a challenging economy, seven out of 10 chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed recently said their companies will invest in information technology (IT) initiatives in the next 12 months.
Topping the list of projects executives expect their firms to invest in: information security, with 43 percent of the response.
The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis, and conducted by an independent research firm. It was based on telephone interviews with more than 1,400 CIOs from companies across the United States with 100 or more employees.
“Even with all the lean budgets out there, it’s on top of mind to protect data,” said Ryan Skubis, district president for Robert Half Technology, whose region includes Southwest Florida. “Nothing can be more important than that.”
May
29
The future of marketing is electronic
Filed Under Going "Green", Profiles, Technology, Trends | Leave a Comment
An interview with Lisa Sparks
By BOB MASSEY
Editor
One thing Lisa Sparks knows about is small business marketing. And she doesn’t need a crystal ball to see its future.
As regional director of Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com/southflorida), an e-mail marketing and survey firm, she has to be on top of the subject to be effective to her clients. But she spent time on the other side too, as a freelance commercial writer.
She was so successful at that career, she was cited by Peter Bowerman in his book “Back for Seconds” – the sequel to his bestselling “The Well-Fed Writer.” She was also featured in another sequel: “99 Cows” by internationally known marketing guru Seth Godin, author of numerous business bestsellers including “Purple Cow.”
“Lisa Sparks is one of my heroes in this biz,” Bowerman writes. “Here’s this extraordinarily impressive then-27-year-old African-American woman, who, through a winning combination of moxie, persistence, enthusiasm, resourcefulness, ingenuity, strong faith and plain old hard work, was building a thriving writing business, Integrity Writing in the small and predominantly white Fort Myers, Florida market area.
“Crucial to her success has been her mastery of e-mail marketing.”
It was that mastery that led her to her present position – and a place on the cusp of a growing trend.
Apr
30
Firm cuts expenses by nearly half
Staff Report
Fort Myers-based Internet Services Group cuts its expenses nearly in half by “going green.”
A local Web design firm has discovered that “going green” has more benefits than just those warm and fuzzy feelings you get from helping the environment. As this business owner discovered, helping the environment can also significantly help a company’s budget.
When he set out to do his part by making his business a little “greener,” Charly Caldwell II – founder and president of Internet Services Group (ISG) – never dreamed it would make such an impact on his bottom line. He figured his decision would probably save them a little on the electric bill, but had not anticipated that it would result in cutting his company expenses by 40 percent.
“We started out with the goal of saving 10 percent on our expenses, and ended up nearly cutting them in half,” said Caldwell. Read more
Nov
21
What’s in a name?
Filed Under Economic Development, Technology | Leave a Comment
SW Fla on the verge of creating regional identity
By ANNIE LINDSTROM
Business Writer
We’re not the Space Coast. We’re not the Research Coast. We’re not the Heartland Region or the Tampa Bay Partnership.
Southwest Florida may be the only major region in the state without a readily recognizable identity.
But that’s about to change – soon.
Nov
21
Israeli consul general to speak at CleanTECH Market briefing
Filed Under Economic Development, Going "Green", Technology | Leave a Comment
“Israeli water management is among the best in the world,” according to the Economic Development Council of Collier County (EDC). And “Israel has more solar panels per person than any other country in the world.”
In the hopes of gleaning from that technology – and to encourage economic development in Israel and Southwest Florida, the EDC has invited Israeli Consul General Ofer Bavly to address attendees of the CleanTECH Market briefing this month. Read more
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