Business Services Blog
Posted by bpardue on 02/07/12 | Comments
Looking to increase your tech skills for work or to impress your friends? Several "Basic Computer Skills" tutorials that cover Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010 suite (Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint) are now included in Testing and Education Resource Center.
There is a mix of text and video that can help get you started with these essential productivity tools.
Find the Resource Center via our main "Databases" page or our "Education" listings. If you're working from home, you'll need to log in using your library card for access. Then, once you're in, you'll create a personal profile, so you can keep track of your progress. From there, go to "Career Tools" and "Basic Computer Skills."
Posted by on 02/01/12 | Comments
A recent article on the Wasp Barcode Technologies Buzz Small Business Blog highlighted 6 creative uses of QR codes by businesses.
Highlights include H.J. Heinz Company's Our Turn to Serve promotion where users could scan the QR code on ketchup bottles to share personal messages with American troops. The company also donated 57 cents to the Wounded Warrior Project for each message created using the QR codes.
For more great uses of QR codes read the article here. For information on creating QR codes for your business check out the Business Bytes program presentation on the Business Center Blog.
Posted by on 01/10/12 | Comments
The iPad is a popular and useful tool for business that will change the way you work. With a variety of financial, productivity and business apps available the options for increasing the functionality of your business are endless.
To learn more about apps for your business, view the slideshow or schedule an appointment with Shannon Scanlan, the Business Services Librarian.
iPad Apps for Business
View more presentations from Shannon Scanlan.
Posted by on 12/12/11 | Comments
QR codes are a fast and easy way to direct customers and clients to a website, advertisement, coupon, video, directions to your business and more. QR code is the abbreviation for Quick Response code, a small square that looks like a bar code. URL links, phone numbers, music and maps can be embedded into the QR code and read with a QR Code scanner on smartphones and tablets with a built in camera.
To learn more about QR codes, how they can be used in your business and tools to generate the codes you can view the presentation below or contact Shannon Scanlan, the Business Services Librarian to set up an appointment.
Creating QR Codes For Your Business
View more presentations from Shannon Scanlan
Posted by on 11/15/11 | Comments
Creating a blog or website doesn't need to be difficult or intimidating when using Wordpress and Blogger. Whether you are interested in promoting your business, selling your products or services or connecting with your customers and clients, website design no longer requires a webmaster. Learn the basics to get your business online by viewing the presentation below or contact Shannon Scanlan, the Business Services Librarian for an appointment.
Starting a Simple Website For Your Business
View more presentations from Shannon Scanlan
For business owners who would like to submit their website or blog to search engines, the links are below.
Posted by on 10/27/11 | Comments
Are you too busy to catch up on business news by checking multiple websites? Sign up for electronic newsletters and read the latest business news in your email. Try the Chicago Tribune's BizWrap daily enewsletter or Score's enewsletter.
Another way to bring the news to you, business blogs. Blogs frequently feature multiple authors on a variety of topics. A few to check out are Small Business Trends, Mashable Business, and Huffington Post Business
The Library's Business Center has an excellent collection of business newspapers and periodicals to browse as well as an extensive reference collection.
Posted by on 10/11/11 | Comments
Is your business on more than one social networking website? Are you using Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Linkedin and other sites to connect with your clients, customers, community and competitors? If you are utilizing social media there are tools to make it easier to checkin, update and share.
Hootsuite and Tweetdeck are applications which allow users to connect with their social media accounts to publish and monitor updates and information. Users can choose to update one or all of their social networking sites with status updates, messages, photos and links. One of the most useful features for businesses is the ability to schedule status updates in advance such as during a busy time of day or during a meeting.
For information on Hootsuite and Tweetdeck, check out the Powerpoint below. To speak with Shannon Scanlan, the Business Services Librarian contact the Answer Center or schedule an appointment.
Posted by on 09/21/11 | Comments
A recent article in the Daily Herald, "Small Businesses are Spending on Technology" looks at the increase and redistribution of funds for technology. Business owners have more options than ever before for staying connected in and outside of the office with the use of laptops, netbooks, smartphones and tablets like the iPad. Files can be stored remotely with “cloud computing” and accessed from multiple devices and locations wherever you can access the Internet.
For more information on using technology in your business check out the Library’s monthly Business Bytes series or set up a one-on-one appointment with Shannon, the Business Services Librarian. The Library has excellent electronic and print resources on integrating technology into your business, to learn more visit the library, browse the catalog or make an appointment.
Posted by on 09/13/11 | Comments
This month's Business Bytes program is Using Deal of the Day Sites for Your Business. The use of coupon "deal-of-the-day" sites such as Groupon and Living Social has gone mainstream. Businesses and consumers are buying and sharing great deals on everything from personal services to travel.
Deal of the day sites offer products and services at deeply discounted prices for a limited time in specific geographic areas. Businesses can reach millions of potential customers by partnering with deal of the day websites and offering deals which are shared via email, smartphone apps and social media.
For information on using these websites check out the slideshow below or contact the Answer Center to speak with Shannon, the Business Services Librarian or set up an appointment.
Posted by on 08/12/11 | Comments
The Business Bytes program for August is Checking in on Foursquare and Facebook Places.
Foursquare and Facebook Places are location based social networking websites where users "check-in" to locations using their mobile devices. Foursquare currently has over 10 million registered users and over 500,000 businesses participating.
Foursquare and Facebook Places users can share their location with Twitter and Facebook followers as well as recommendations and comments on the businesses where they check-in. Businesses can reward their frequent Foursquare and Facebook Places users with special deals, offer incentives to customers who find them by location based technology, and interact with their customers through these social media websites.
To learn more about Foursquare and Facebook Places and how these websites can help your business view the slideshow below or to schedule an appointment with Shannon, the Business Services Librarian contact the Answer Center or set up an appointment.
