Cbeyond SMB Expert Tips:

The growth of social media has provided easily-accessible, widespread avenues to discuss the good and bad of businesses. As a result, it has become more critical for companies to monitor social media sites to check the pulse of their customers.

In doing so, businesses can identify problems faster and show they are responsive and mindful to resolving issues their customers face. Ultimately, how a business responds publicly through social media can carry a great impact than any other marketing effort.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo reveals the social media tools every business should use to monitor and respond to social media activity, and shares tips to help businesses craft the perfect response to change customer perception online.

Cbeyond SMB Expert Tips:

Communication is a foundation of effective leadership in today’s business environment. While many business leaders view these tactics as second-nature, it can be difficult with the rigors of the day to ensure you are asking the right questions, listening in a fully-focused manner and synchronizing your gestures with your meaning in every conversation. Unfortunately, one misinterpreted word or action can create unintended headaches.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo reveals the four most common communication pitfalls that plague even the most successful leaders, and shares practical tactics to ensure communication at all levels is functional, intelligent and seamless.

Professionals face a daily challenge to separate “urgent” tasks from “important” ones. While “urgent” matters are more deadline driven and require immediate attention, “important” ones can be delayed if necessary. However, the longer someone puts off an “important” matter, the greater the risk it will become “urgent”, creating a potential nightmare backup of time-sensitive materials for any individual to manage.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo reveals four proactive planning tips business professionals should consider to remain productive, schedule more efficiently and avoid “urgent” pitfalls.

Cbeyond SMB Expert Tips:
To say social media has fundamentally changed the way marketers conduct business would be an understatement. Today, nearly 60 percent of U.S. online users are involved in social media in some capacity. Much as it does for customers, social media additionally creates great opportunity for businesses to expand and enhance their online presence. Building a corporate social media profile requires a little work up front, and continued updating and monitoring afterwards.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo reveals eight opportunities for small businesses to expand their social media reach, and why being “socially enabled” can win over new customers.

Cbeyond SMB Expert Tips:
Even if not currently selling products online, businesses can leverage online payment programs for simpler interaction with customers – and to ensure they receive their money faster!

Reducing the expenses necessary for administration, printing and mailing invoices on paper can significantly boost the overall cash flow while reducing the manpower demands for such processes. Using off-the-shelf programs, such as PayPal or Google Checkout, can help businesses establish a customized merchant account solution for accepting and processing online payments.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo lists the critical elements businesses must consider when evaluating online payment technologies.

Cbeyond SMB Expert Tips:
As businesses aim to stay competitive in the race to gain revenue, it can be easy to accept any and all new customer opportunities. While the immediate financial gain will help your business in the short term, having too many customers inconsistent with your true identity can hurt your business in the long run.

As hard as it may be to say no, adding new customers at any cost can devalue your competitive worth, hurting your standing both with current customers and prospects that may be a better fit, but feel they won’t receive the time and service they desire.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo reveals why strategic rejection can prove beneficial for businesses looking to expand, and notes the top characteristics businesses should look for when evaluating potential partners.

Cbeyond SMBspot Expert: As business professionals expand their personal and company brands through networking, most peers will search the Web for additional background. The explosion of social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn makes it even more critical for individuals to take control of their online reputation. Effectively leveraging these social media outlets can favorably position both yourself and your company as thought leaders. The positive feedback that can result from just 10 minutes a day of online communication and management can foster vital relationships.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo provides Cbeyond SMBspot readers with the basics business professionals need to know to build a stronger, smarter online presence.

Cbeyond SMB Tip: 90 percent of start-ups fail within their first year because they simply run out of money. In any economic climate, the most critical step a growing business can take to ensure success is to develop a cash management plan early.

Developing an in-depth, intelligent plan for monitoring expenses is of even greater value than profit early on, and most of those 90 percent that did not survive could have improved their chances by having a management plan.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo provides Cbeyond SMBspot readers with seven proven tactics businesses can leverage to develop and execute a plan to manage their money more effectively, and avoid surprises when reviewing their funds.

-Cbeyond Small Business Expert

Cbeyond SMB Tip: Author, radio host, and small business expert Mark Deo reveals the outsourcing basics small businesses need to know and offers tips on the best ways your small business can take advantage of the cloud by customizing outsourced services.

Monotonous daily tasks create a huge burden on small businesses’ employees. Not only does time spent dealing with small details take away from larger projects, but these tasks elevate worker frustrations.

Many businesses are beginning to deal with this problem by outsourcing their server-related tasks.  Not only does this help recapture employees’ time and reduce their frustration, but it can also increase profitability and lower both the costs and stresses of doing business. By leveraging outsourced technologies, including cloud computing, GPS, and web servers, businesses can maintain productivity with less required input and lower overall costs.

-Cbeyond Small Business Expert

A company’s website is not only a reflection of its brand, but also its corporate culture and values. Visitors want to see how your products can solve its problems in an informative, easy-to-follow manner. So how can businesses ensure their web content and design are attention-grabbing and interactive enough to both draw and satisfy customer interest?

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo shares three basic tips for small businesses to implement the “real world” into their “virtual world” and ensure their websites are current and relevant.