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How To Choose The Best Business Mobile Phone

With so many mobile handsets on the market nowadays, choosing between them can be difficult. But if you’re looking for a business phone, your options are slightly more limited. As opposed to personal phones, business phones are less loaded with media features, and more about connectivity. The best mobile phones for business usually come at premium prices, but the functionality that you get makes the cost worth it. If you’re looking for the best phone for business, then today we’re giving you a list of some of the features that you should be looking for.

The Best Mobile Phones are Practical…

Something to keep uppermost in your mind whilst choosing is that the phone above all else needs to be practical. How practical it is really depends on what kind of business you’re in. Building workers or architects who are often on building sites have different needs from office workers. If your job often takes you outside, or to places like construction sites, you’re going to want to consider either flip phones with their protected screens or specialist rugged phones that are designed to withstand shocks, drops and even water. Even the normal businessman needs to keep some practicalities in mind, such as the size and weight of something that needs to be kept in a shirt pocket. Whatever you choose, it needs to be practical, not just good looking.

Good Connectivity…

Since this is your business phone, you’ll need to be constantly connected so that you don’t miss important calls, emails or messages. That means have a good range of connection options. Minimum you’re looking for WiFi and 3G capability. More top of the line phones now offer 4G, which gives better internet speeds and therefore efficiency. However, 4G services are not available in all areas or through all mobile service operators, so it’s important that you check whether you receive 4G services in your location. Additionally, you’ll probably need Bluetooth as well, to be able to connect to a headset or a hands free set whilst driving. Most phones nowadays have Bluetooth, but look for something that runs at least Bluetooth 2.0 to get the speeds that you’ll need. The best mobile phones for business will have all of these options.

To Keyboard or Not to Keyboard…

Traditionally, good business mobiles have been equipped with physical QWERTY keyboards, we’re thinking of Blackberrys and the Nokia business series. A physical keyboard makes typing long emails and memos a lot easier. However, as smart phones are trending towards bigger touch screens, physical keyboards are disappearing as a feature. And the truth is that on the top of the line five inch screens that we’re seeing nowadays, on screen typing is a lot more comfortable than it used to be. If you want the keyboard though, both Blackberry and Nokia still offer devices with a physical keyboard.

Good GPS…

Decent GPS services can be vital for security, as we’ll discuss below. But it’s also a useful feature for business people on the move. GPS will allow you to use map and navigation apps, and therefore let you know where you are at any given time, and direct you to that out of town meeting. This also means that you can ditch the expensive car satellite navigation system, since everything you need will be in your phone.

Good Security…

A business phone needs good security, to protect both the information you have stored inside it and your reputation should someone else find your phone and use it for messaging or calling. There are a few security features that you will want to look for. Firstly, choose a hand set that has pattern recognition. This will allow you to set a pattern to use to unlock your phone. Pattern locks are much more difficult to break than traditional code locks. Secondly, look for a hand set that allows remote data wiping. This means that should your phone be stolen you can access a program from your computer that will erase all the data on your phone remotely, meaning that no one will get their hands on your information. Finally, you’ll also want to look for handsets that feature Phone Location services. A lot of top end phones feature in built programmes that use the phone’s GPS to pin point the location of the device. Should you lose your phone, you simply go online and access the program, and you’ll get a map showing you exactly where your phone is. This can be useful if your phone gets stolen, but it’s more useful for letting you know that you left your phone in the office.

Organisation and Scheduling…

Also, look for a phone that has good scheduling apps. The iPhone in particular has excellent scheduling functions, letting you use a calendar with alarms, location based reminders and even letting you know about scheduling conflicts. You need more than just a calendar setting, so make sure that you get a phone that can handle your scheduling needs.

Emailing…

Most business communication nowadays is done through email, so a good email server is a necessity. The majority of phones use push services to get email from a server to your phone, meaning you get instant notification of new mail. Look for a decent mail programme that’s easy and fast to use. Some phones have mail applications with complicated procedures for attachments and the like, which just aren’t convenient or efficient.

The Best Business Phones…

In terms of brand, probably the best business phones on the market nowadays are made by a very select group of manufacturers. Apple’s iPhones makes a good business choice, as do any of the high end HTC models. The Samsung Galaxy S series may be designed more as personal phones, but they double nicely as business phones too. In terms of Windows phones, the Nokia Lumia series, particularly the Lumia 920 is a great option. And Blackberry do still make a nice business phone too, whether you choose the physical keyboard or the full touch screen new Z10 model.

About the Author: When Sam Jones was looking for the best mobile phones for his daughters he found a really helpful price comparison site.

The 5 Best Budgeting Shortcuts For Small Businesses

If you have just purchased or opened a small business, you may know your trade well, but when it comes to budgeting, your skill set could be lacking. If you are like most small business owners, budgeting is your least favorite managerial task. That is because budgeting is not an exact science – especially during changing and challenging economic conditions. In fact, you may see your actual budget vary significantly from your planned budget during economic difficulties.

When there is a downturn, and you need to tighten your financial belt, you will need to re-evaluate your budget and make some changes. Read on for five simple tips that will help your small business put together a top-notch budget.

1. Emphasize Customer Service

During rough times, your business may not gain many new customers. In order to hold on to those you do have, you will need to provide excellent customer service. Outshine your competitors to retain the sales you already have after the economy improves.

2. Cut Costs

When times are tight and cash is needed to advertise, pay a crucial bill, or capitalize on an opportunity, cutting costs is essential. Take a look at which budget items can be controlled or altered – put off making purchases until the next billing cycle, or ask creditors for a change in payment terms.

3. Talk with Suppliers and Clients

When difficulties loom, talk with your company’s suppliers about renegotiating your credit terms If you have had a good relationship, chances are that the vendor will work with you to lower your minimum payments, adjust a due date or reduce your interest rate. At the same time, keep in contact with your own clients to ensure they pay you on time. Call any clients that have gotten behind on their invoices, and encourage them to get their accounts current. Consider offering a discount to clients for paying their bill in full now. Check your books and make sure you are billing all your clients in a timely manner.

4. Issue Employees Business Prepaid Credit Cards

Many small businesses allow some flexibility in what their managers, representatives and salespeople can charge to the company. Rein those costs in by providing your employees with business prepaid credit cards and establish some hard and fast rules about what they can be used for. Choose a plan that allows instant funding from your mobile device or computer when expenses come up, rather than depositing lump sums in advance that may tempt spending. Track the business prepaid credit cards through your computer or mobile device, to monitor how the funds are being spent.

5. Reduce Administrative Expenses

To keep your budget on track, slash your office expenses and administrative costs. Eliminate company travel and entertainment as much as possible. While it is smart to buy office supplies such as envelopes or toilet paper in bulk for maximum discounts when finances are good, when budgeting gets tight, only spend when absolutely necessary. Cut back or eliminate expense accounts, membership fees, lunches out, unnecessary services. Do your own maintenance and mow your company’s lawn yourself. Limit long distance telephone calls. Consider every possible way to cut corners and lower costs without seriously compromising your business. Request employee input into which expense areas could be reduced.

Bottom line – small business budgeting is a fairly easy but essential process that will allow you to forecast and match your current and future income and revenue to your monthly expenses. Ensure that enough money is available to keep your operation up and running, to expand, compete, and to guarantee a solid emergency fund.

About the Author: Marilyn Smith specializes in covering the latest news of interest to small business owners, including business prepaid cards.

How Can You Pick A Good Security Services Provider For Your Company?

Employers need to protect their employees and their company assets from outside elements with ill-intent. Though companies may be determined to pick the best company to provide them security services, most of them could ask “How can you pick a good security services provider?”

There are a lot of businesses now offering efficient corporate security. So how will you know which one to hire? In choosing the best company to get for your business’ security services, you should be asking these questions:

1. Are they licensed?

Getting a licensed security personnel means you have properly trained professionals guarding your property. It’s essential to make sure the service provider has licensed personnel to take care of your company’s security needs.

2. Do you trust them?

Before hiring a company for their security services, you must gauge if this is a company you can trust. If at the first few meetings you immediately get the notion or inkling that you can’t trust them, be very wary. Don’t just brush this off. Instead what you can do is do further research about the company and find out about their reputation. You can ask other businesses who they’ve worked for or check online for any reviews or feedback previous clients may have shared.

Trust is very important and it’s vital that this is established before the agency actually provides the services to your company. The company can’t be there 24/7 to check on the security staff they have hired, so it’s important they trust them to do what they’re supposed to.

3. Are they experienced?

Experience is a major factor in determining the competence of a security services provider. The longer they have been in service, the more experience they have in dealing with and handling different types of security issues. If the company is still fairly new there is a big chance they haven’t been exposed to many security issues yet which means they might not be the best ones to hire for your company’s security.

4. Are they quick to respond?

A security services company should have a system that enables a quick response from the management and the team to ensure emergency situations are handled immediately and any concerns you may have will be addressed quickly.

5. Do they have the latest technology for their security equipment?

Even if the security personnel are properly trained, if they are not updated with the latest security equipment, then they would not be as effective. Pick a provider who has a staff adept with the latest commercial security systems. It will also be good if this provider personally provides the equipment and is capable of installing them for you so you won’t need to look for another provider to do this.

6. How much does their service cost?

Though price is something you should consider last, this is still a big factor that should determine which reliable security services provider to choose. The important thing to remember is you should be getting the value for your money. A top-notch security service doesn’t always mean huge costs. On the other hand, it doesn’t mean just because a provider charges highly they provide quality services. Make sure you are not duped into signing a contract with someone who’s just all talk. Be sure you find someone who can also walk the talk. Ensure the company is getting its money’s worth.

When it comes to a business, the people working in it and the information housed inside it are the bloodline of the company. If it’s safely guarded then the company can focus on doing business as they’re assured their most important assets are protected and no harm can come to them. In picking the right security services provider, businesses must make a tough decision on getting the right one for their company. With these guidelines, businesses will be on the right track of doing so.

About the Author: A self-professed geek, Debra Wright has dreamt of being a writer since as long as she could remember. She has recently written about a number of topics online, including electronic security, and hopes to get more people interested in security services through her written work. Get to know her more through twitter @debrawrites…

Innovative Behaviors Small Business Owners Need In Order For Their Startup To Succeed

Innovation seems to be the hot topic of the year. From the latest Kickstarter project to new technologies, everything is being labeled innovative and world changing. However, innovation is not always about changing the world or creating the next big trend. It often starts as a simple change that might not even be noticed. This is especially common in the small business sector. Though small businesses were once thought of as rigid and less than innovative, this is far from the truth. Most flourishing startups include some level of innovation. These nine behaviors are ways to ensure that innovation drives your startup or small business to succeed.

1. Be Open to New Ways of Conducting Business

The most innovative small business owners are those that are willing to try new ideas. When you continue to do things the same way, it is easy to fall into a routine. When this happens, innovation is unlikely. From finding new ways to attract clients and customers to changing your standard workflow or business model, each method could offer new and innovative ways to push your startup to the next level.

2. Understand Your Customers

Most major innovations in the past decade were not a matter of simply creating something that others had not thought of before. It was the result of knowing the market, knowing customers and acting on their thoughts and opinions. At the end of the day, customers are what will decide the success of your startup. By truly connecting with them and getting to know them, you can improve innovation within your company and always ensure that you are aligned with the interests of your target audience. This has an added benefit of strengthening your brand as well.

3. Analyze Everything

Innovation is not always about overcoming failure. Sometimes, innovation is a product of success. A major aspect of cultivating innovation within a small business is analyzing everything. From the efficiency of payroll to employee or customer ideas on how to improve the business, considering every idea and weighing the benefits can lead to surprising results. If you are not always tracking and honing your business endeavors, you are missing golden opportunities and chances for success.

4. Create Solutions Not Products and Services

Innovation is about changing existing methods, creating new solutions and solving problems in previously unseen ways. While most small businesses focus on providing a product or service, innovative business owners are providing solutions. In many ways, this leads back to understanding your customers and market. If you see a common problem, you might be able to exploit it for short-term success. However, creating a solution will providing long-term results. This is the essence of innovation.

5. Be Proactive

Innovative businesses are not simply following business trends and keeping the business afloat. They are leading the way, charting new paths and creating tomorrow’s trends. Instead of reacting to market trends or other common issues, be proactive. Market research, trends analysis and constantly working to improve your business are great ways to ensure that you are a leader and proactive in your market.

6. Communicate Openly and Often

Innovation is often the result of looking at something differently than the competition. This means that the more angles and opinions you receive on a given issue, process or product, the greater the chance for innovation to occur. A great way to improve the number of inputs available to your business is to encourage open communication. From clients and customers to your accountant or employees, each thought that they have could be the next big step for your business. By encouraging and promoting open communication, these thoughts can be shared, adapted and applied to your business to help push it toward further success.

7. Never Settle

For the innovative entrepreneur, nothing is ever good enough. This does not mean that you should never acknowledge your own successes or should devote every second of your day to your business. It simply means that innovators realize that there is always room for improvement. When your business stops striving to improve, it also stops innovating. Experiment, communicate, analyze and use every tool that you have available to push your business forward and innovation is sure to follow.

8. Be Resourceful

Many small business owners make the mistake of thinking that innovation involves complex laboratories or massive investments. Not only is this untrue, it is actually the direct opposite of most cases. Small businesses are prime candidates for innovative discovery due to the lack of funding, size and stability that many larger businesses enjoy. This forces business owners to think of new ways to accomplish more with less. An innovative business owner does not merely invest money into problems—they invest minds as well.

9. Know Your Market and Your Competition

Sometimes innovation does not come from the inside of the business. Competitor successes and failures can be a valuable source of information for the innovative small business. Technology has made it easier than ever to keep in touch with peers, competitors and other sources of market information. Whether you are following major industry names on social media or networking at the local chamber of commerce, every piece of information you gain about the efforts of other businesses can help to spur change and innovation within your own business.

Innovation is not an event or process; it is a mindset. With the increasingly competitive nature of business in the digital world, small businesses are leading the way for innovation and driving new market trends. These 9 behaviors are ways to integrate innovation into any small business and improve your chances of success.

About the Author: Willie Pena is a freelance writer, video producer, visual artist, and music producer. He prefers the Oxford comma. In addition to writing for firms such as IBM, Colgate, Transunion, Webroot and a multitude of private clients and websites, he also shoots, directs, and edits the hit celebrity web series “Teens Wanna Know”. Catch his rare blog posts on williepena.com, and connect with him on Google+, LinkedIn.

Three Reasons Why Instagram Is Good For Your Business

Instagram is an application for mobile devices that let you take photos and upload them instantly to social networking sites. This is one of the fastest growing social media networks at this time and it is growing daily. Many users say that Instagram is addictive and nearly all iPhone and Android users are using it more and more. The savvy business owner knows that when a social media platform hits these heights that they need to take advantage of it. The following are just three reasons why Instagram is good for your business and why need to get on board today.

The Instantaneous Uploads

One of the top reasons for using Instagram is that the uploads are instantaneous so you don’t have to wait to post the pictures. When you use a digital camera does not offer the instant uploads because you have to attach the camera or media card to a computer in order to upload them. With Instagram, all you need to do is take the picture, make your edits to the photo or add your filters and you can instantly upload it to all of your social networking sites. This allows you to share your brand with your viewers and fans immediately.

You can Make Your Brand More Interesting

They main point of using Instagram is to promote your business and your products. When you take pictures that are interesting to your fans there is a higher chance that they will share and like these photos. The more likes and shares you get the higher you go into the search engine rankings and that’s never a bad thing. You can also give your brand a personality that they would lack otherwise and you can also offer your fans candid moments of your employees. But more than anything, Instagram makes your products and services look cool and everyone likes that.

Get Followers Easily

You cannot post any types of links on Instagram so your followers don’t feel as if they are being advertised to. It also keeps them from feeling like that are being spammed if they want to follow your business page. An added benefit to this is that when you are uploading photos that are interesting people are more likely to want to follow you. You can build your brand presence much easier on this site than other social media network. You can also associate your Instagram account with other social media networks like Facebook and Twitter. This allows you to upload one picture to all your social media sites that are supported. Instagram is a great marketing tool if it is used properly and search engines like Google are now targeting these sites for SEO purposes. You have the ability to make instantaneous uploads of your photos and you can also make your brand more interesting to your followers. Also, because there are no links allowed, it is much easier to get people to follow you than it would be on other sites. Ryan Leeds has had an interest in social media since he started his blog ten years ago and has been activity writing on the topic.