The goWholesale Blog

Times are lean, all the more reason to go green!

April 3rd, 2008

If you haven’t already been bombarded by all the wonderful and practical reasons you should take steps to making your business more earth friendly, you might have fallen down a dark well and have no way of getting out. If this is the case and you are reading this, please email someone for help. And then explain to me how you are getting wireless down there.

If you fall into the other category (and hopefully that is ALL of you reading this) then you are familiar with this buzz phrase “going green.” I’m not here to repeat what we already know about the basics. So I’ll just skip ahead to the juicy details.

The “going green” craze has swept our nation and in the midst of it all has been a wealth of opportunity for environmentally oriented businesses not to mention creating a market for new ones to crop up as well. Unfortunately, in the area of solar technology, there hasn’t been much competition. Til now.

A recent article (which explains the ins and outs of solar energy in detail) from CNNMoney.com states that “several startups, including HelioVolt in Austin, Miasol in Santa Clara, Calif., and Nanosolar in Palo Alto, are working on a new technology called flexible thin film that’s on the brink of making solar more competitive.” And you know what that means? It means that these companies are going to work harder to produce the best solar product and we all can benefit from this (including Mother Nature).

Solar power has been two to three times more expensive than traditional energy methods but with these companies working on a cheaper way to convert solar energy into usable energy, lower energy costs are dangling right in front of us. So check out this new solar energy technology as I’m sure you’d rather spend company funds on actually growing your business, not just powering it.

For more tips check out an article by our small business expert, Steve Strauss: Why Going Green Is Good For Business

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Avoid Spring Cleaning (sort of) - 4 Ways to Clear Computer Clutter

April 1st, 2008

April 1st. Many know it by it’s widely known and celebrated OTHER name…April Fool’s Day. Unfortunately, for many others it’s also officially the first day of facing projects they’ve managed so diligently to put off all winter. And what is usually at the top of everyone’s list? That’s right, (cue Beethoven’s 5th):

Spring Cleaning!

(Yeah, I know…I thought maybe the happy colors would make it less painful but alas, there is no way to overcome the incredible demoralizing strength of those two words combined. They continue to stand the test of Time…and apparently the test of Color Wheel as well.)

Fortunately, I have an alternative for those who wish to avoid the catastrophes otherwise known as basements, garages and landscaping. Why not take this opportunity to a little spring cleaning–er–organizational restructuring for your business? Now I don’t mean you’re whole business. Just focus on your computer. It’s probably full of backlogged information that you could easily do without not only from an aesthetic aspect but also in the sense that getting rid of needless files and emails will make your computer run faster.

Courtesy ManageSmarter.com and My Computer Works, a PC repair company, here are 4 easy ways to clear your computer clutter:

1. Slow E-mail
Topping the list of performance issues for most people is e-mail problems. Some issues are caused by settings that are incorrectly entered into the e-mail application. However, it is possible to speed up Microsoft Outlook and other popular e-mail programs by archiving or pruning old e-mails, especially those with attachments. Deleting unneeded messages from the Sent folder and emptying the Deleted Items folder will also allow the software to open and operate smoothly.

2. Sluggish Operations
Another common problem is deteriorating PC performance. Boot-ups seem to take forever, applications don’t load as fast and the dreaded “blue screen of death” shows up more and more often. There are a number of things owners can do to improve the situation: defragment the hard drive using the Disk Defragmenter utility in Windows, remove unneeded personal files as well as old or unused programs, many of which get automatically loaded with new software whether you want them or not, remove unused programs. If run-time is still down after deleting the digital clutter, users should look into purchasing more RAM from a local retailer.

3. Security
Malware, spyware, viruses and other PC infections can slow PC performance, but they can also damage files and compromise highly confidential information such as email and financial data. It’s essential to install, and routinely update, anti-virus and anti-spyware/malware programs. Make sure the programs are set to scan files, e-mail and memory on a regular basis.

4. Periodic Cleanup/Backup
A little housekeeping can extend a PCs life and ensure that important information is never lost. Dust is a major problem with both laptops and desktop units; tower units are especially prone to dirt and dust since they usually sit on the floor. To clean a PC case, remove the side panel and use a can of compressed air to blow away dust. Never use a vacuum, as the suction causes static that can short-circuit delicate electronics. The last and perhaps most important task of all is to back up data at least weekly: PCs are replaceable, but photos, videos, financials and business data can be lost forever.

Taking the time to give your computer a little love will likely save you time and gray hairs…so grab a snack, plop down in front of that PC and knock it out. Come on, it’s gotta be better than whatever is waiting for you in the attic, right?

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Social Shopping Sites Bring More Opportunity to Small Businesses

March 31st, 2008

Interesting thing isn’t it? How the internet has completely replaced the need to leave your house to buy things. Shopping malls were once the great meccas of consumerism. What a shame….What’s that you say? They still are? Oh….how is that possible? The internet has EVERYTHING and you don’t even have to get off your duff to get it!

Sarcasm aside, in spite of the incredible convenience the internet affords, people are still flocking to malls around the world to find what they are looking for. So why is that? I thought the internet was supposed to make things easier?

The reason for this according to a recent Inc.com article, is that while shopping can be done individually, it is largely a social activity. We rely on recommendations from our friends and family to locate sources for certain products we may be interested in because we trust these people to give us good leads. In the internet world, all we’ve had to rely on are the search results Google and the like produce for us which, as we savvy internet users have come to find out, is based primarily on variables that do not have the consumer in mind, often producing the most prominent (read “well known”) sites first.

We’re in luck though. Smart entrepreneurs have recognized this and are doing something about it. For the first time, we are starting to see websites dedicated to tailoring the online shopping experience directly towards the consumer. Sites such as ThisNext, Shoposphere and Kaboodle are what is called “social shopping” sites. And here’s what they do:

As a small business marketer here’s how and why you can use these sites to grow your business:

Just remember to be a responsible member of these communities. Many of them self police anyway but you cannot approach it from a strict marketing standpoint. Don’t be intrusive and abuse the system. Merely develop good relationships and allow it to work for you.

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The Online Shoppers Cometh - Are You Ready(eth?)

March 26th, 2008

Well friends, it’s finally happened. People are now officially computer savvy. Or at least according to a 2007 Forrester Research report almost 75% of us have learned how to successfully shop online and the the number of late comers to the internet party continues to dwindle each year. That’s great news for online businesses! But it’s also a bit of a double edged sword.

These findings indicate that more and more people are getting familiar with navigating the internet and therefore learning how different websites hinder or facilitate their online shopping experiences. And guess what that means? It means that on the whole, people’s expectations are much higher–and growing alongside their experience.

So what does this mean for you? Well, quite simply it means that your emphasis on getting customers to your site should now be shifting to retaining customers. People are now quite comfortable with turning to the internet to get whatever products they need so you know that the traffic is there. You must now “wow” these customers with your quality of service and streamlined shopping experience. If customers think, even for a split second, that it’s too difficult to find what they’re looking for on your site, they’ll be out of there faster than you can blink.

So do yourself a favor and invest a little time and money into making your website stellar! Visit our Ecommerce and Ebusines Articles for more advice, tips and info!

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10 Ways to Avoid Judge Judy…besides changing the channel.

March 24th, 2008

It ranks right up there with getting your wisdom teeth pulled or surviving the first anniversary of your 29th birthday (for those who haven’t had their coffee yet, that would be your 30th birthday-the horror!). And yet, much like getting your wisdom teeth out (probably inevitable) and turning 30 (definitely inevitable), if you run a business, odds are you’ll eventually have to deal with the unpleasantness known as a lawsuit.

Your best defense is a good offense and you can create a good offense by taking some preventative steps to reduce the risk of being threatened with a lawsuit according to a presentation covered by the Beaufort Gazette recently:

• Rule No. 1: Incorporate. Going alone often provides poor asset protection and poor tax benefits. Have an attorney or accountant review corporate records once a year.

• Rule No. 2: Know the law. Ignorance is no defense, and in fact it’s a good way to get sued. Small-business owners should particularly focus on employment and tax laws. Good record-keeping and proactive tax planning are key.

• Rule No. 3: Maintain adequate insurance. Conducts an “insurance physical” every few years. Business owners should be aware that it’s possible to be over-insured. Employment-practices liability insurance can help businesses respond to claims of employment discrimination.

• Rule No. 4: Manage fairly and wisely. Business owners should beware of falsified résumés, have detailed job descriptions, tackle poor performance early and consistently enforce policies.

• Rule No. 5: Prohibit harassment. A 2007 Texas case indicates “some male supervisors are still truly clueless.” Case in point:

A male director of nursing was accused of quizzing female employees about their sex lives two to three times a week in front of other employees, including asking them if they took men home the previous night. When the women asked him to stop, he threatened to fire them.

At trial, he admitted he was questioning the women this way because he thought that if they had a lot of sexual activity the night before, it would affect their work performance because they would be tired — that’s what he said. I can’t believe this case even went to trial. The jury awarded each woman $7,500.

• Rule No. 6: Catch and correct wage and hour violations. Failure to pay overtime is “the new food for plaintiffs’ attorneys.” Since 2003, federal court filings involving wage actions have surpassed employment discrimination cases, and settlements have reached into the tens of millions of dollars.

• Rule No. 7: Be careful with independent contractors. Conduct regular reviews of independent contractor classifications and careful consideration of how much control business owners have over contractors.

• Rule No. 8: Watch out for workers’ compensation claims. Adequate training and maintaining a drug-free workplace can prevent accidents. If they do occur, immediately reporting claims and having a return to work commitment helps. Signs of possible fraud include claims by a disgruntled or new employee, an employee on leave who is difficult to contact, or accidents to which there are no witnesses.

• Rule No. 9: Hire an attorney. Interview several before making a selection, and hold regular meetings to compare case progress with budget constraints and requiring authorization for expenses exceeding $200.

• Rule No. 10: Document, document, document. Keep tax-related records for at least eight years, employee records for the term of employment, plus five years, and shred papers before disposal.

SmallBusinessNewz.com also has prepared this short video clip with a few more tips the keep you “out of the the dog house.”

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10 Totally Free Blogging (among other things) Guides…Totally!

March 21st, 2008

There’s no question anymore as to whether or not blogging is beneficial to businesses–it IS. Wait. Allow me to rephrase…GOOD blogging is beneficial to businesses. If you run your blog poorly, it becomes a waste of your time as well as the time of your readers (dare I say customers?) and no one likes to be inconvenienced, especially not consumers. I know, I know…nothing you don’t already know.

Well, if you have decided not to pursue blogging due to time, money and/or resource constraints then I suppose you needn’t read on. But if you do run a company blog and are looking to make it worth your while, by all means, check out these 10 completely free guides to building a better blog courtesy chrisg.com:

1. The Blogger’s Guide to SEO - Written by Aaron Wall of SEOBook, learn how to optimize your blog.

2. Remarkablogger’s How to Start A Business Blog - 12 Step Business Blogging eBook

3. “Attention Age”- Web 2.0 Marketing by Rich Schefren

4. Forget Everything You Know About Making Money Online - Brian Clark’s free ebook shows you how to forget everything you know about making money … and start making some.

5. Blog Profits Blueprint - ebook about how to make money with a blog.

6. SEO Benefits of Press Releases - optimizing your web page with good content.

7. Authority Black Book - Social Media Marketing ebook.

8. Deep Secrets of Successful Blogging - Chitika’s ebook…also links to the BlogBash ebook.

9. Keyword Research for Bloggers - the title says it all!

10. The 4 Phases of Internet Marketing - This report provides you an overview of all the tactics you should be looking at building into your internet marketing strategy.

Do you find these helpful? Let me know so I can either keep trying to find similar resources or move on to different ones. Also feel free too add your suggestions to the list!

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Posted in E-Commerce and E-Business | 1 Comment »

New My Account Launch!

March 20th, 2008

Great news for goWholesale advertisers - we’ve launched some major account upgrades, which will not only make your goWholesale campaigns easier to manage, but also provide you with additional features to help you get the most from advertising on goWholesale!

There are 3 ways for you to learn more about these upgrades:

  1. Check out our Help Center for a list of FAQs to give you a better understanding of new account features and tools.
  2. Take a quick Flash tour of your new account.
  3. Call us! An account representative will be happy to walk you through your account and show you everything it has to offer.

This is a beta launch, and we want to know what you think - suggestions, comments, bugs - so we’ve created a special Advertiser Feedback Form specifically for your…well, feedback.

Want to talk to a live person? Just give us a call at 877-566-4849 and select option 2. You can also email us at support@gowholesale.com.

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The Counterfeit Crisis

March 18th, 2008

There is quite a lengthy article on the Modern Distribution Management website that explores one of the biggest problems the wholesale/retail industry faces — counterfeiting. It sites statistics such as “The Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau estimates counterfeiting accounts for 5 percent to 7 percent of world trade” and “most counterfeit goods (close to 95 percent) can be traced back to China, according to a report from the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition.”

While counterfeiting is not a new trade by any means, what IS new is how the development of e-commerce has aided in its proliferation. “The Internet has made it possible for people to represent themselves more readily to more people in a professional manner that makes it look like they are legitimate.” So what is the industry doing to counteract this widespread (and growing) problem?

Well, there have been many associations; national government policies; and international agreements that were formed as part of the World Trade Organization. Individually, companies can create agreements with “authorized distributors” as well as pursue legal action upon catching any counterfeiters.

What are you doing to protect yourself from fakes?

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There’s a Pot of Gold at the End of the Legal Rainbow

March 17th, 2008

The Regulatory Flexibility Act was passed in 1980 but continues to prove that it is a valuable piece of legislation for small businesses over 2 decades later. The act is designed to make federal agencies evaluate how their regulations will impact smaller businesses and then look into how to make it easier on them economically and still comply with the regulation.

The Small Business Administration recently released a report on how the RFA did in 2007. The results showed that it has “realized $2.6 billion in first-year cost savings and $285 million in annually recurring savings.” How’s that for good news?!

For those of you who believe that the corporate world has our government wrapped around their big fat fingers, well, just remember that there is always a segment of the government devoted to making sure that small businesses survive and thrive.

And there, my friends, is your pot of gold.

(If you’d like to read the whole report, click here)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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Snazz Up Your E-Marketing with E-Brochures

March 13th, 2008

There’s a new marketing tactic businesses are using and finding great success with. E-brochures are exactly what you think they are, with the same format, information and purpose but there are a bundle of advantages to using the online version in addition to the live one you probably already utilize. Entrepreneur.com sums them up below:

Cost effectiveness–No more guessing numbers for your print run, then winding up with too few or too many brochures. The cost of an e-brochure is fixed, whether you send out one or one million of them. Fees are based on the number of pages and any extra “bells and whistles” like video or audio. What’s more, digital distribution means you omit postage costs.

Interactivity–This can greatly boost the overall impact of your message by engaging your audience. Viewers can turn the interactive pages, view video or listen to audio with a simple click of their mouse. Better yet, they can immediately place orders or request more information by clicking on embedded links.

Customization options–E-brochures let you to target your messages to specific audiences, increasing the likelihood they’ll buy from you. Such market segmentation is much harder with printed collateral.

Easy to update and edit–You can quickly and efficiently customize your message, target your market and adapt to changes in the marketplace without re-printing a single page. Nor do you need to reprint your brochure if your offerings or price points change. Updating your e-brochure “template” is a simple and affordable editing job.

Unlimited distribution–The ability to e-mail your brochure means you can immediately and affordably respond to requests for information from anyone at any time. In fact you can instantly send your brochure to prospects around the globe and create a viral effect–one potential customer can forward it to other potential customers, which in turn can forward it to more customers and so on, at no cost to you.

Access to additional information–Your audience can quickly browse through content, zoom in on items, and print pages, all from the convenience of their home or office. You can also include a homepage link for customers who want to learn more about your business.

Tracking–With traditional printed materials, it is extremely difficult to track your ROI. Not so with e-brochures. You can track how many times your e-brochure is downloaded as well as how many orders you received from its distribution.

Environmentally friendly–Obviously, no trees are involved in the creation of an e-brochure. You won’t need any storage boxes to house extra brochures, either.

Makes your company look smart and innovative–Having an e-brochure gives the distinct impression that you’re ahead of the curve and well-positioned for the future. Customers like to do business with savvy companies who literally think outside the box.

Those are a lot of good reasons to give e-brochures a shot :)

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