SBA Administrator Mills, U.S. Representative Halvorson Host Press Conference Call to Discuss Small Business Economic …

SBA Administrator Mills, U.S. Representative Halvorson Host Press Conference Call to Discuss Small Business Economic …
CHICAGO—-SBA Administrator Karen Mills will join U.S. Representative Debbie Halvorson for a press conference call on Thursday, June 3, 2010 to discuss how Illinois small businesses have benefited from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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Basic Features of Free Survey Software

Online surveys have radically transformed an age old marketing exercise to one that is fast, immediately acted upon, and cost effective even for the smallest entities that have a web presence. The cost effectiveness factor comes from the advent of free online survey software that allows small businesses access to a facility that was the privilege of big businesses. What makes survey software unique as compared to the offline version of this exercise is the ability to send email surveys to potential respondents as well to deploy surveys on existing websites. The final clinching factor in favor of this technology is the immediate availability of results from the surveys, which allow creators to make immediate modifications to their products and services on receipt of the survey results.

The method of creating a survey online is quite simple. The first step is to enroll in a website offering this service for free and use the wizard to start populating questions and add images to the survey pages. Additionally, there may be a choice of templates available that can be used and finally specifications of the survey, where it is to be deployed and how long the survey should run should be entered. Once these details have been sorted out the online survey will begin and depending on the specifications provided, the free online survey software will then either deploy to a website or will be sent as an email survey. In some cases, the link to the base website will be given in the email and respondents will have to click the link to start taking the survey.

While this seems very simple and adequate for some surveys, there are some problems. The first is the design of the survey which can be quite boring and drab. This will result in people possibly not even wanting to take the survey. The other problem is that there are no templates or guide questions that are loaded and this means that you will have to spend some time formulating your survey.  The last problem is that if you want to see the results, you will have to keep going back to the site instead just being mailed a spreadsheet report. This can be quite a problem as you may not be able to analyze the data from different perspectives, which is the only way that you can make conclusions about survey results.

When all is said and done, online surveys and free online software is a boon for most institutions that are not profit based entities. However, all these will still not prevent an email that contains a link to a survey being sent to the spam folders of a mailbox, and this needs to be considered in the overall numbers of the survey.

VOIP Facilitates Small Businesses

Imagine, VOIP has been declared by greats like Forbes.com to be “the four letter word for growth.” It is widely acknowledged that technology can spur growth and businesses, even small ones that integrate new technologies, have a strategic and competitive edge over others.

VOIP offers great benefits. It involves the setting up of just one network that will encompass so many functions at extremely affordable costs. Studies show that the phone bill can be culled to half or even lower.

Although cost savings is reason 1 for installing VoIP there are by other great advantages. In the case of small businesses, you can choose any area code irrespective of where you operate from. So, if most of your clients are in Atlanta but you are based in New York you can choose a connection with an Atlanta code. This enables you to create a sound business presence in many cities. The system allows setting up of toll-free lines which creates the image of a large business. If you choose a plan carefully you will be able to make unlimited free calls for a fixed payment, forward calls, call internationally for a very low charge, and expand the reach of your operation.

A VoIP system moves with you, erasing the problems associated with business travel or other kinds of moves like shifting office or home.

As a business person, you or you office staff will always know who called because of “unified messaging.” And the system collates all the messages such that you can prioritize responses. And, what is even more alluring is that business can retrieve messages via telephone, PC, laptop, or PDA. So, your customers receive 24/7 service and are never disappointed.

The VoIP system allows multiple employees to manage customer calls. Creates a “mini” call center expanding business potential and facilitates better utilization of scarce resources. This leads to immediate solutions for customers. Useful features are click-to-call, web based voice mail, integrated conferencing, auto-attendant capabilities, and call routing.

In case of corporate use, VoIP allows the use of a single high speed internet connection for all voice, video, and data communications. It permits convergence. By incorporating a single data network across all offices and employees the business can reduce operating costs, increase productivity and efficacy, and enhance communications and customer services.

What you need to do, is seek expert advice and find out all you can about quality, infrastructure, costs, and advantages as well as disadvantages. Technology moves with time so keep in mind aspects like upgrading of system and maintenance.

The system introduces efficiency, effectiveness, professionalism, and a customer oriented approach to the smallest of businesses, lending the business the advantages of otherwise unattainable infrastructure.

VoIP For Business, Unleashed!

For the past several years a rapidly growing group of consumers have been getting rid of their traditional phone service in favor of internet telephony systems commonly called VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol. These new phone systems, based upon sending telephone communications via the internet, have proven to be much cheaper than the land line systems offered by BellSouth, Verizon, and the rest of the traditional phone companies. Yes, for just a fraction of the cost, VOIP users are able to obtain comparable services offered via traditional phone services translating into savings of several hundred dollars per year. Businesses, too, have caught on to the VOIP revolution as a few companies have stepped forward to offer business dedicated internet telephony services at unheard of savings. Let’s explore VOIP for business and the transformation that it is bringing about for small and medium sized businesses across America.

If you run your own business, you know that a significant part of your overhead is tied into maintaining a state-of-the-art phone system commonly known as a Private Branch eXchange or PBX. These in-house exchanges are typically owned by the business and are used to connect all of the phones [extensions] within the business to each other as well as allow access to the outside world.

While a PBX system is cheaper than public telephone network systems that require each company phone to have its own line [and subsequent recurring monthly line charge], they can still be a significant cost burden for many businesses. Today, however, there is an alternative to the traditional PBX system in the form of VOIP PBX. Yes, VOIP which has been gaining strength in the consumer sector has found a place in many small businesses.

So, what are the benefits of VOIP for business? Many, to be sure including:

- Start up costs for VOIP PBX systems can be as much as 90% lower than traditional PBX systems.

- Monthly phone bill savings averaging 50% is common.

- Interoffice calling charges are eliminated via business VOIP.

- An Auto-Attendant feature allows for the replacement of a live bodied Receptionist. With Auto-Attendant, calls can be transferred automatically or through prompts; multiple greetings can be employed; and 24 hour availability means this service can be used around the clock and around the world. Companies get round the clock attention and save on at least one Receptionist’s salary.

- An Audio Conferencing feature allows for meetings to be held with participants located at multiple sites; unlimited conference calls can be held concurrently; and password protection can ensure that only invited conference attendees participate.

- Administrative Controls are implemented through a user-friendly web portal to manage the system and track calls in action.

Other significant features included are music-on-hold; call i.d. with name; call waiting; call transfer; three way calling; voicemail notification via email; ring groups; online real time monthly billing statement; and more.

Beyond all of that, VOIP PBX offers more flexibility than the standard PBX, lowering overhead costs significantly and giving small and medium businesses options that would have cost them much more through a traditional PBX arrangement.

Will you investigate VOIP PBX for business? Perhaps the question should be refrained a bit differently: can you afford not to switch to a VOIP PBX system? Clearly, if it is a great host of options and lower costs that you are seeking, than VOIP for business is the right choice of small and medium sized businesses everywhere.

Voip Services – The Wave Of The Future?

The use of computer to computer calling has come a long way in recent years. You no longer are tied to your computer in order to receive or make telephone calls. The new VOIP services make it possible for your regular phones to call landlines or even mobile telephones via your internet connection. Sound strange? Well, with any new technology is at first. So, if you want to take the time to learn about this new advancement.

VOIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It allows your company to make phone calls over a data network, such as the internet. The VOIP then converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that travels over the internet then converts it back at the other end so that you can speak to anyone with a regular phone.

In recent years the requests for VOIP services has been increasing in demand. It is no longer a question of “if” but “when” every business will switch from a traditional telephone services to a VOIP service provider. With most of the featured services, you can check your voicemail from any web browser in the world. You can also have your messages automatically sent directly into your email account. Think about it, you can check your voicemail and internet at the same time if your company has VOIP services.

The goal of VOIP services is to make everyone’s lives easier. The Internet was just the first step in the technology arena and we now making even more advancements that will make operating a business or working in a business much easier and faster.

There are many different vendors that provide services to the public and private sector. What once started out as a service geared toward companies is now going main stream with many consumers wanting this same service in their own homes or small businesses!

You are on the forefront of this new technology. You use it daily in your office and you like the speed and versatility of it and you want it in your own home. So, now you have to decide which service provider to purchase your VOIP serves from.

A good way to start is to see what company your office uses and to check with them to see if they have a market for individual consumers. If not, they should be able to tell you who might be able to provide you with this service. Or, better yet, read the Consumer Report on VOIP services-they are the one unbiased source of information on just about any topic.

Whether or not you decided to get VOIP services for your home, you should know something about them. They are the latest and greatest technology on the market today for telephone services. Who knows, eventually, technology may advance enough that everyone will have VOIP services for their telephones.

Do not laugh-it was not that long ago that people thought that the Internet and cable television was a passing fad.

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